Woke up late (9AM), getting a bit lazy because i really don't want to hold a sign anymore.
Got dressed, and stayed at BK eating breakfast and reading until after 10AM. Decided to go straight to the library, drop off 2 books i finished and then ride to the Glades corner off 441 where i knew Frank would be.
I signed for an hour and a half with a grand total of $1.20, then some dude gives me and Frank 2 christmas cards with money in them. I thanked him and said "God bless you" (which is what i tell everyone, even those who don't give anything). That one person made my day, there was no need to get greedy.
Dal, Andy, some other homeless I know but don't remember his name and another dude which i've seen around but never was introduced to waited for the preacher to show up for food.
We joked a bit around, trying to tell Andy to stop riding his bike drunk 'cause he may get killed that way.
Food arrives, and Frank shows up for his share. We all thank the nice couple and we dig in. Today we got meatballs, vegetables, fruit, buns, corns, potatoes, cake, soup. A good free meal.
After that i went to the nearby movie teather and watched "I Legend" with Will Smith, i liked it. I figured i would treat myself to some entertainment.
I got to the library at around 5PM, and been here since. They're closing in about half an hour (today it closes at 6PM). Overall, not a bad day, thank god.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Day 51
Woke up at 8:30AM, went to BK and read a SW Book. I was at the Glades corner near the turnpike at 10AM. I signed for about 2 hours, things were very slow so i rode to the Glades corner off 441 (State Road 7).
I find that Del, Mad Mike (not the same Mike i deal with before) and Andy are there. Mad Mike on the corner where Frank is selling his papers as usual; Andy passed out from drinking and Del about to hit the north corner of 441.
There was some road work, so every corner was slow due to the detour caused by the orange cones on the road.
I waited until Del was done, then took the north corner from 12:40PM to 3PM. Didn't make much, but enough to cover for food and buying a Schick Quatro razor. I'm gonna work on getting the stuff so that January i can clean up nice, shave and get a hair cut to look for a cash job.
The job will add to my Canada fund as i kill time while my mexican friend gets ready to go with me. Every cent counts, and I will not be signing in January even if i have to eat only once a day. I will not fall into that pit that so many homeless i've seen trapped in.
I'm now at the library, just checking my mail. Some kid asked for my help regarding posting online on forums, then asked me legal advice (yeah, i'm your poor's man lawyer) about his father's finances after he passed away.
He didn't know which bank he had an account with, and all i did was use common sense and non-linear thinking. The man was over 60 years old, no elderly man wants to drive too long to make a deposit or withdrawal at his bank.
I told him to work his way out from his father's residence and comb the area after he got the death certificate which he can use to ask any bank to look up if his father had an account with them.
He asked advice about other stuff, which i was glad to answer and counsel him as best i could.
I like to help people =D
He thanked me, shaked my hand and left the library with a smile.
Mind you right now i look very much like a homeless guy, beard, long hair and all. I wonder how people will react when i get nice and clean, heh.
I find that Del, Mad Mike (not the same Mike i deal with before) and Andy are there. Mad Mike on the corner where Frank is selling his papers as usual; Andy passed out from drinking and Del about to hit the north corner of 441.
There was some road work, so every corner was slow due to the detour caused by the orange cones on the road.
I waited until Del was done, then took the north corner from 12:40PM to 3PM. Didn't make much, but enough to cover for food and buying a Schick Quatro razor. I'm gonna work on getting the stuff so that January i can clean up nice, shave and get a hair cut to look for a cash job.
The job will add to my Canada fund as i kill time while my mexican friend gets ready to go with me. Every cent counts, and I will not be signing in January even if i have to eat only once a day. I will not fall into that pit that so many homeless i've seen trapped in.
I'm now at the library, just checking my mail. Some kid asked for my help regarding posting online on forums, then asked me legal advice (yeah, i'm your poor's man lawyer) about his father's finances after he passed away.
He didn't know which bank he had an account with, and all i did was use common sense and non-linear thinking. The man was over 60 years old, no elderly man wants to drive too long to make a deposit or withdrawal at his bank.
I told him to work his way out from his father's residence and comb the area after he got the death certificate which he can use to ask any bank to look up if his father had an account with them.
He asked advice about other stuff, which i was glad to answer and counsel him as best i could.
I like to help people =D
He thanked me, shaked my hand and left the library with a smile.
Mind you right now i look very much like a homeless guy, beard, long hair and all. I wonder how people will react when i get nice and clean, heh.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Day 50
Woke up late, at 8:30AM not worried. Got my breakfast at BK and signed from 10AM to 11AM and then stopped. I made $7 and wasn't really in the mood to sign anymore, I'm really starting to dislike doing it.
At around noon I get to the library, and here i am. I was happy to be able to check my email, my new friend Giselle (from migente.com) sent me a note to get to know me better. I replied of course.
I tried to check thedarkhunters.org, which is my Lord of the Rings Online guild... and i was surprised to see this:
"FUTURE HOME OF A DOTSTER-HOSTED WEBSITE"
I was like "what the...?", completely confused. How do i keep in touch with most of my online gaming friends without the guild forums? i got to see if i can contact either Acheron or Natalya and find out what happened to our website.
I'm going to PM Acheron through the official lotro forums now.
At around noon I get to the library, and here i am. I was happy to be able to check my email, my new friend Giselle (from migente.com) sent me a note to get to know me better. I replied of course.
I tried to check thedarkhunters.org, which is my Lord of the Rings Online guild... and i was surprised to see this:
"FUTURE HOME OF A DOTSTER-HOSTED WEBSITE"
I was like "what the...?", completely confused. How do i keep in touch with most of my online gaming friends without the guild forums? i got to see if i can contact either Acheron or Natalya and find out what happened to our website.
I'm going to PM Acheron through the official lotro forums now.
Recap (Day 48)
Ah, day after christmas. Still no library today, i knew it, and wasn't too happy about it. Woke up late, 8:30AM. Went to BK for breakfast, then headed for the turnpike. I didn't intent to sign for long. Did it from 10AM to 1PM, then a short time at the Glades corner.
Didn't make much, wasn't surprised.
I guess i will have to share something now, may as well. I got a mail 2 weeks ago at my gmail email account which was in the Spam folder that caught my eye. It advertised a free site called migente.com for hispanics/latinos to socialize. I registered and for the most part a few females from nigeria tried to ask me for money after they "fell in love" with me after 2 emails... how gullible do they think men are?
After some research i find that if someone writes "email me at XXX address" it pretty much meant a nigerian (or from some other part) scam to get money out of guys.
So now I only talk to a handful of females on migente.com, being as honest as I can (saying i'm homeless is not too appealing). I'm not looking for a quick-fix, or a one-night stand either.
I'd like to have latina friends, and if anything develops before i go to Canada (which is next month) i may postpone my trip but not cancel it. I want to become a canadian citizen and be a member of that society. I have no doubts about that.
I was hoping to reach a certain amount of funds by christmas, which i didn't reach. However i think it may be enough to get a passport, the bus ticket and help me with the first month in Canada. A month is enough to find i job i think, any kind of job will do as long as it's honest.
Thanks to all those who have helped me with moral and financial support. Like i told someone, i appreciate a cent as much as a dollar, everything counts.
I spent most of today just riding around, trying to sign at a few different corners, with the same result. People spent most of their cash on christmas, and probably now just have their new year's party cash left, heh.
It is what it is.
No idea what i will do for new year's, hopefully something more normal and less dangerous that being near 3 troublemakers.
Didn't make much, wasn't surprised.
I guess i will have to share something now, may as well. I got a mail 2 weeks ago at my gmail email account which was in the Spam folder that caught my eye. It advertised a free site called migente.com for hispanics/latinos to socialize. I registered and for the most part a few females from nigeria tried to ask me for money after they "fell in love" with me after 2 emails... how gullible do they think men are?
After some research i find that if someone writes "email me at XXX address" it pretty much meant a nigerian (or from some other part) scam to get money out of guys.
So now I only talk to a handful of females on migente.com, being as honest as I can (saying i'm homeless is not too appealing). I'm not looking for a quick-fix, or a one-night stand either.
I'd like to have latina friends, and if anything develops before i go to Canada (which is next month) i may postpone my trip but not cancel it. I want to become a canadian citizen and be a member of that society. I have no doubts about that.
I was hoping to reach a certain amount of funds by christmas, which i didn't reach. However i think it may be enough to get a passport, the bus ticket and help me with the first month in Canada. A month is enough to find i job i think, any kind of job will do as long as it's honest.
Thanks to all those who have helped me with moral and financial support. Like i told someone, i appreciate a cent as much as a dollar, everything counts.
I spent most of today just riding around, trying to sign at a few different corners, with the same result. People spent most of their cash on christmas, and probably now just have their new year's party cash left, heh.
It is what it is.
No idea what i will do for new year's, hopefully something more normal and less dangerous that being near 3 troublemakers.
Recap (Day 47)
Monday morning. Christmas day. Woke up late, at around 8:30AM, but knowing that BK would be closed i knew i'd have no breakfast. I took my time to get dressed and made my way to the turnpike, and started to sign at 9:30AM. Things went rather well, so by 12:30PM i moved to the Glades corner and continued there for about an hour. I ended up getting some sandwiches from someone, breakfast was covered.
I headed over to the Mobil gas station where i knew Timmy would be. Lucky hippie, made $50 in a few minutes, a single bill from a generous lady. He made more then than i had for hours, and he didn't even had to sing with his guitar for it! But he wasn't greedy, neither was I. I had promised to give him $2 for a beer and even after he got lucky i gave him the $2, i don't like to break my word.
Rico was with him and i gave him some Hershey candy and some cookies i had been given earlier today.
Some dude in a car gave us 3 budweissers, and since it's christmas day, i was given one. Hey, it's a holiday so i drank mine. Then Timmy bought some Tilt's (alcoholic drink) for me and Rico. Yup, drank it. I ate 2 of my sandwiches, saved the other 2 for the next day.
I got a buzz, since i rarely drink the alcohol has a stronger effect on me. I decided to head to State Road 7 (also known as 441) on my bike, quite slowly. I end up meeting with some homeless dude (forgot his name) behind the Methodist Church while I was looking for Paulie to wish him a happy holiday, guy gives me a beer (#3 of the day) and we talk a bit about Sheri (the homeless that got ran over).
I get to Frank's corner, and of course he was there. Asked me to look over his stuff while he did something, 30 mins later he comes and then says he is leaving. I sign for a bit then Del asks me to give him the corner, i said no problem of course.
I leave and i'm going back towards Mobil to try and find Timmy. On the way there i find Rico and he's also looking for Timmy. We split up to see if we can find him.
I end up at the corner off Glades and Lyons in front of the National Bank. The dude who gave me the beer is there, Andy is there (a homeless i know for a bit), Joe who introduces himself and a guy and his girlfriend (and she doesn't look homeless at all).
She asks me how long i've been homeless, my name, etc. I guess the normal things a female would ask in that situation. Things were going fine. The dude who had given me a beer earlier even bought my santa hat (which i had found earlier) for $5 which was cool and shared a big bag of food someone gave him. Pies, ham, stuffing, it looked like a lot of leftovers from a christmas diner.
I digged in a bit, then the dude with a girlfriend (sorry but i really don't remember these people's names and you will find out soon why) asks me to leave, telling me "out of respect". I was confused as to what the respect part reffered but i left anyways.
I'm about to head home when i see Timmy across the street talking to Paulie, i ride over, wish Paulie a merry xmas and tell Timmy what happened. He says not to worry and to head back to the spot and hang out with them. I knew Timmy has been around a few years so I go back with him.
Things were a bit tense but it seemed ok. For a while, i even talked to Andy a bit. Joe throws down a bag of marihuana for either Andy or Timmy to roll (i had no intention to smoke that, i quit that a long time ago and wasn't about to start again. I'm drinking a Tilt Timmy had bought me. Then the same dude who had asked me to leave gives me looks that could kill. I had a bad feeling.
He gets up and his friend (the guy who had bought the santa hat from me) holds him back and i know something is wrong. He is telling me to leave, that i'm scaring his girlfriend...then i remember that she had been whispering in his ear, so that is what she was doing.
So much for holdiday spirit huh?
His friend tells me to "get the fuck out of here!" and i get up to leave. I had enough of the nonsense. These people were not drunk or high (nobody had smoked yet), they were just sober morons.
I get to my bike and Mr. Boyfriend-on-a-leash walks behind me and i can spot he has a knife on his right hand. Yup, trouble.
I had two choices. Get off the bike, pull my knife and stand my ground with the possibility of someone getting hurt (and maybe arrested) or keep riding away and let it go. It was an easy choice. I kept riding. I would gain nothing by hurting him, or standing up to him
I heard his friend screaming at Timmy and Joe trying to say that Tim was an ok guy. I didn't like leaving Timmy there, but in the position i am, i would only risk my neck for Dwayne or JC...anyone else is on their own.
One thing is taking a calculated risk by standing up to a bully trying to take a corner i got to first, another is having to face a moron with a knife at night and his friend (who may also have a weapon).
I went over to Paulie, and he said that is why he stayed away from them. He doesn't like trouble, and i can't blame him. He told me to wish JC and Hobo a merry xmas, so that is where i headed next.
I knew JC would be alone, and i was right. Dwayne would be with his sister another 2 days. I wished him a merry christmas and gave him Paulie's regards. He was watching "Master and Commander" with Russell Crowe so i stayed and watched it with him. Afterwards i told him to take care of himself and went to my tent.
I felt bad about Timmy, so i came out and headed to his camp, i found his tent and him next to it. He was ok, thank god. Timmy explained he stayed long enough to smoke a joint (heh, of course) and then was told to leave. I guess Joe kept him there as long as possible.
Rico showed up a bit later and i was glad he was ok, since apparently he went to the same spot and "the girlfriend" told him right away he had to leave.
I won't be associating with those 3 nuckleheads again, not sure about Joe tho. I know that Andy stood up for me after i left and he also stood up for Timmy.
I left their camp and went home. I couldn't read, was not in the mindset to do so, neither was i up to learn japanese (got a basic course on CD from the library), so i just listened to the radio. I ended up going to sleep at 3AM, it was hard to fall asleep, i kept my knife near me. I was not afraid of anyone trying to come for me, but i was on self defense mode for hours. Just because i don't fear death it doesn't mean i should put my guard down.
I headed over to the Mobil gas station where i knew Timmy would be. Lucky hippie, made $50 in a few minutes, a single bill from a generous lady. He made more then than i had for hours, and he didn't even had to sing with his guitar for it! But he wasn't greedy, neither was I. I had promised to give him $2 for a beer and even after he got lucky i gave him the $2, i don't like to break my word.
Rico was with him and i gave him some Hershey candy and some cookies i had been given earlier today.
Some dude in a car gave us 3 budweissers, and since it's christmas day, i was given one. Hey, it's a holiday so i drank mine. Then Timmy bought some Tilt's (alcoholic drink) for me and Rico. Yup, drank it. I ate 2 of my sandwiches, saved the other 2 for the next day.
I got a buzz, since i rarely drink the alcohol has a stronger effect on me. I decided to head to State Road 7 (also known as 441) on my bike, quite slowly. I end up meeting with some homeless dude (forgot his name) behind the Methodist Church while I was looking for Paulie to wish him a happy holiday, guy gives me a beer (#3 of the day) and we talk a bit about Sheri (the homeless that got ran over).
I get to Frank's corner, and of course he was there. Asked me to look over his stuff while he did something, 30 mins later he comes and then says he is leaving. I sign for a bit then Del asks me to give him the corner, i said no problem of course.
I leave and i'm going back towards Mobil to try and find Timmy. On the way there i find Rico and he's also looking for Timmy. We split up to see if we can find him.
I end up at the corner off Glades and Lyons in front of the National Bank. The dude who gave me the beer is there, Andy is there (a homeless i know for a bit), Joe who introduces himself and a guy and his girlfriend (and she doesn't look homeless at all).
She asks me how long i've been homeless, my name, etc. I guess the normal things a female would ask in that situation. Things were going fine. The dude who had given me a beer earlier even bought my santa hat (which i had found earlier) for $5 which was cool and shared a big bag of food someone gave him. Pies, ham, stuffing, it looked like a lot of leftovers from a christmas diner.
I digged in a bit, then the dude with a girlfriend (sorry but i really don't remember these people's names and you will find out soon why) asks me to leave, telling me "out of respect". I was confused as to what the respect part reffered but i left anyways.
I'm about to head home when i see Timmy across the street talking to Paulie, i ride over, wish Paulie a merry xmas and tell Timmy what happened. He says not to worry and to head back to the spot and hang out with them. I knew Timmy has been around a few years so I go back with him.
Things were a bit tense but it seemed ok. For a while, i even talked to Andy a bit. Joe throws down a bag of marihuana for either Andy or Timmy to roll (i had no intention to smoke that, i quit that a long time ago and wasn't about to start again. I'm drinking a Tilt Timmy had bought me. Then the same dude who had asked me to leave gives me looks that could kill. I had a bad feeling.
He gets up and his friend (the guy who had bought the santa hat from me) holds him back and i know something is wrong. He is telling me to leave, that i'm scaring his girlfriend...then i remember that she had been whispering in his ear, so that is what she was doing.
So much for holdiday spirit huh?
His friend tells me to "get the fuck out of here!" and i get up to leave. I had enough of the nonsense. These people were not drunk or high (nobody had smoked yet), they were just sober morons.
I get to my bike and Mr. Boyfriend-on-a-leash walks behind me and i can spot he has a knife on his right hand. Yup, trouble.
I had two choices. Get off the bike, pull my knife and stand my ground with the possibility of someone getting hurt (and maybe arrested) or keep riding away and let it go. It was an easy choice. I kept riding. I would gain nothing by hurting him, or standing up to him
I heard his friend screaming at Timmy and Joe trying to say that Tim was an ok guy. I didn't like leaving Timmy there, but in the position i am, i would only risk my neck for Dwayne or JC...anyone else is on their own.
One thing is taking a calculated risk by standing up to a bully trying to take a corner i got to first, another is having to face a moron with a knife at night and his friend (who may also have a weapon).
I went over to Paulie, and he said that is why he stayed away from them. He doesn't like trouble, and i can't blame him. He told me to wish JC and Hobo a merry xmas, so that is where i headed next.
I knew JC would be alone, and i was right. Dwayne would be with his sister another 2 days. I wished him a merry christmas and gave him Paulie's regards. He was watching "Master and Commander" with Russell Crowe so i stayed and watched it with him. Afterwards i told him to take care of himself and went to my tent.
I felt bad about Timmy, so i came out and headed to his camp, i found his tent and him next to it. He was ok, thank god. Timmy explained he stayed long enough to smoke a joint (heh, of course) and then was told to leave. I guess Joe kept him there as long as possible.
Rico showed up a bit later and i was glad he was ok, since apparently he went to the same spot and "the girlfriend" told him right away he had to leave.
I won't be associating with those 3 nuckleheads again, not sure about Joe tho. I know that Andy stood up for me after i left and he also stood up for Timmy.
I left their camp and went home. I couldn't read, was not in the mindset to do so, neither was i up to learn japanese (got a basic course on CD from the library), so i just listened to the radio. I ended up going to sleep at 3AM, it was hard to fall asleep, i kept my knife near me. I was not afraid of anyone trying to come for me, but i was on self defense mode for hours. Just because i don't fear death it doesn't mean i should put my guard down.
Recap (Day 46)
Sunday morning. Christmas Eve. I'm looking forward to signing, but not to the holiday itself. My first christmas being practically alone. Sure I got Dwayne and JC as neighbors (Dwayne went to his sister's), Timmy is near also...but it's not the same without my little nephew and niece.
I used to wrap all the gifts late at night christmas eve, i was the master giftwrapper. I enjoyed doing it, with my sister-in-law helping me, we'd joke around during those hours and keep our eye peeled and ears open in case one of the kids woke up to use the bathroom.
We always told them Santa would not leave anything if he was caught delivering gifts, and they always believed it so they would go to sleep at 9-10PM and stay in bed.
It was nice to see their smiling faces christmast morning, beaming with surprise.
Well I signed from 10AM to noon at the turnpike then switched to the Glades corner for about 3 hours and things went well.
BK was going to close early, at 4PM. I decided not to go there and rode to the Glades corner off State Road 7. On the way i dropped off 2 books at the library that i finished reading. Frank was at the corner, we spoke a bit and then i started to sign at his corner.
He left soon after and i started to do a bit better. I signed for about an hour and a half, then stepped out for Del (another homeless) to take the corner.
I didn't know what to do after that, since BK was close and the Library was closed as well. My two main hangout and safe places were not available.
I ended up going back to my tent around 7PM after riding around trying to figure out where to go.
Staying at home, i kept reading and then started to listen to a basic japanese course on CD i got from the library. That combined with listening to the radio kept me entertained until midnight. I tried to sleep, but i woke up a few times during the night.
I used to wrap all the gifts late at night christmas eve, i was the master giftwrapper. I enjoyed doing it, with my sister-in-law helping me, we'd joke around during those hours and keep our eye peeled and ears open in case one of the kids woke up to use the bathroom.
We always told them Santa would not leave anything if he was caught delivering gifts, and they always believed it so they would go to sleep at 9-10PM and stay in bed.
It was nice to see their smiling faces christmast morning, beaming with surprise.
Well I signed from 10AM to noon at the turnpike then switched to the Glades corner for about 3 hours and things went well.
BK was going to close early, at 4PM. I decided not to go there and rode to the Glades corner off State Road 7. On the way i dropped off 2 books at the library that i finished reading. Frank was at the corner, we spoke a bit and then i started to sign at his corner.
He left soon after and i started to do a bit better. I signed for about an hour and a half, then stepped out for Del (another homeless) to take the corner.
I didn't know what to do after that, since BK was close and the Library was closed as well. My two main hangout and safe places were not available.
I ended up going back to my tent around 7PM after riding around trying to figure out where to go.
Staying at home, i kept reading and then started to listen to a basic japanese course on CD i got from the library. That combined with listening to the radio kept me entertained until midnight. I tried to sleep, but i woke up a few times during the night.
Recap (Day 45)
Woke up early Saturday morning, ate breakfast (i'm sure you can guess where) and signed from 9:30AM to 1PM at the turnpike, then moved to the Glades corner until about 3PM.
From there i rode straight to the library. Stayed there until their closed at 5PM reading.
I didn't know what else to do besides going back to BK. I locked up my bike at BK then walked to Dunkin Donuts to get some freebies when i find Timmy is back in town, he came back a month after he left with his friend Rico.
We spoke a while and discussed Sheri's death (a homeless woman we knew who passed away a few days ago in a car accident, she walked into traffic drunk).
His tent is not far from mine, Timmy is the classic "hippie" if you can imagine. Peace, Love, Grateful Dead fan, guitarist and all around nice guy.
He even treated me to some donuts since he had a $5 gift card from the place. Got me 2 boston creme donuts (yeah, love those).
Afterwards we went to BK and talked a bit before he left. I stayed at BK reading until a bit after 10PM.
Went home, read some more then went to sleep around 11PM.
From there i rode straight to the library. Stayed there until their closed at 5PM reading.
I didn't know what else to do besides going back to BK. I locked up my bike at BK then walked to Dunkin Donuts to get some freebies when i find Timmy is back in town, he came back a month after he left with his friend Rico.
We spoke a while and discussed Sheri's death (a homeless woman we knew who passed away a few days ago in a car accident, she walked into traffic drunk).
His tent is not far from mine, Timmy is the classic "hippie" if you can imagine. Peace, Love, Grateful Dead fan, guitarist and all around nice guy.
He even treated me to some donuts since he had a $5 gift card from the place. Got me 2 boston creme donuts (yeah, love those).
Afterwards we went to BK and talked a bit before he left. I stayed at BK reading until a bit after 10PM.
Went home, read some more then went to sleep around 11PM.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Day 44
Woke up at 7:30AM, was at BK at 7:45 until a bit before 10AM.
Got to the turnpike and all was going pretty good for 30 mins, in that time i had made $10 and i was happy.
Of course the lord wanted to remind me, that this is really not meant to be my lifestyle. So what did the good lord do to get his point across?
He sends a big old nasty trooper to kick me off the corner.
I got so scared of going back to the turnpike corner because i didn't want to get arrested that i moved to the Glades corner. I signed there a while and didn't make a cent.
Got on my bike and decided to ride to Lyons and try my luck there. Was there 30 minutes and i got the same result (which explained why all 4 corners of the intersection had no homeless signing).
I got back on my bike, rode to the library, dropped off 2 books i finished reading (oh yeah Dwayne was happy i got him the book last night). I moved down to the Glades corner off State Road 7.
Frank was there (he is always there it seems) and i knew i wouldn't make much with him at the best corner. I wasn't very keen on going on either of State Road 7's meridians. Knowing that the preacher would show up soon for food, i joined a group of homeless (most which i knew) who were also waiting for the same reason behind a dumpster wall.
The preacher showed up at 12:45PM, with trays of food for everyone. It was good to eat lunch, it made me feel a bit better.
A bit after 1PM i went to the Glades corner and signed until 3PM and made $4. I tried signing at one of the other corners for 30 mins and made $2. I then went back to Frank's corner and ended up bribing him with $1 (2 newspapers he wanted to sell before leaving).
I signed until 4PM, the flow of cash had been slow, but better after Frank left. I made around 30 bucks today. Decided not to go to the bank, and went straight for the library since they close earlier today.
Well. God made a clear point, this signing is not for me. I don't like having to look behind my back for a trooper or sheriff, or the uncertain feeling of not knowing if i will make at least enough money to eat today or to put anything towards my Canadian dream.
I try to breathe deep, relax and allow myself to go with the flow. I've been thinking about continuing my life story in this blog, but haven't had much time to put my memories together. Some of my late 20's and early 30's seem like a blur sometimes.
However writting about the mistakes i made in my relationships with women and my family may allow me to remind myself not to repeat them. There are things a man won't like to admit to himself, much less on a public blog. However i feel that so far it has helped me grow a great deal as a human being and as a man.
Maybe in January when i'm no longer signing i will do it. Yeah, maybe.
Got to the turnpike and all was going pretty good for 30 mins, in that time i had made $10 and i was happy.
Of course the lord wanted to remind me, that this is really not meant to be my lifestyle. So what did the good lord do to get his point across?
He sends a big old nasty trooper to kick me off the corner.
I got so scared of going back to the turnpike corner because i didn't want to get arrested that i moved to the Glades corner. I signed there a while and didn't make a cent.
Got on my bike and decided to ride to Lyons and try my luck there. Was there 30 minutes and i got the same result (which explained why all 4 corners of the intersection had no homeless signing).
I got back on my bike, rode to the library, dropped off 2 books i finished reading (oh yeah Dwayne was happy i got him the book last night). I moved down to the Glades corner off State Road 7.
Frank was there (he is always there it seems) and i knew i wouldn't make much with him at the best corner. I wasn't very keen on going on either of State Road 7's meridians. Knowing that the preacher would show up soon for food, i joined a group of homeless (most which i knew) who were also waiting for the same reason behind a dumpster wall.
The preacher showed up at 12:45PM, with trays of food for everyone. It was good to eat lunch, it made me feel a bit better.
A bit after 1PM i went to the Glades corner and signed until 3PM and made $4. I tried signing at one of the other corners for 30 mins and made $2. I then went back to Frank's corner and ended up bribing him with $1 (2 newspapers he wanted to sell before leaving).
I signed until 4PM, the flow of cash had been slow, but better after Frank left. I made around 30 bucks today. Decided not to go to the bank, and went straight for the library since they close earlier today.
Well. God made a clear point, this signing is not for me. I don't like having to look behind my back for a trooper or sheriff, or the uncertain feeling of not knowing if i will make at least enough money to eat today or to put anything towards my Canadian dream.
I try to breathe deep, relax and allow myself to go with the flow. I've been thinking about continuing my life story in this blog, but haven't had much time to put my memories together. Some of my late 20's and early 30's seem like a blur sometimes.
However writting about the mistakes i made in my relationships with women and my family may allow me to remind myself not to repeat them. There are things a man won't like to admit to himself, much less on a public blog. However i feel that so far it has helped me grow a great deal as a human being and as a man.
Maybe in January when i'm no longer signing i will do it. Yeah, maybe.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Day 43
Today i woke up late, 8AM. I got dressed quick and 10 minutes later i was eating breakfast at BK.
Mind you that i don't always order their food. When people give me food at the turnpike i save it and eat it either as/with breakfast or dinner.
At night i usually try to order a salad rather than a whopper jr.
I left BK and got to the turnpike corner at 10AM and signed until 1:30PM, then went to the Shell gas station to use the bathroom quickly.
When i returned the other corner was taken (it was empty before i went to Shell). The guy there tells me is he friends with Mike and we agree he stays for 20 mins then i can have the corner. All seemed fine.
Then Mike shows up and tells me it's his corner and to get back to my corner (the turnpike), i explained i couldn't go back because of the trooper and well... from that point things seriously deteriorated. He started with an attitude and from raising his voice he went to screaming at me, inches from my face.
God knows i don't like violence, i love peace. However if i allowed him to walk over me, even just verbally it would show a weakness which i felt that could easily spread among other homeless and i would very likely become an easy target for others to push me around.
I dealt with "Poppa Pete" last week, now i had to do the same with Mike without actually swinging at him.
It's not easy to turn a volatile situation around, but i'm not a kid and i've been in tough situations before in my life.
He kept going at it, so i had to raise the stakes to make him feel i would fight him if it came down to it, not because of the corner but because of the disrespect he was showing me publicly.
I made it clear, that i would not swing at him first, but that if there was a fight, i would certainly finish it. I even had to tell him if he wanted to "throw down" we could do it in a parking lot so we wouldn't get arrested.
I had to appear willing to fight, even tho inside i was scared, not of pain or death or anything that could happen in a real fight... i don't like violence like i said before... but i know that if someone did throw a punch, i can take it... the problem is not me getting hit, the problem i see is me beating someone because i've been in fights before in my 20's and i know that there is a place i don't want to go... a place where everything and everyone turns grey, faceless and i will go at it hard until whomever is in front of me, is down and won't get up.
I've been in that place a few times, and i consider myself lucky to not have seriously hurt anyone back then.
First i guess it was common sense which allowed me to keep myself in check once i became a husband. Now i think God has given me the strength to keep myself from going to that place i fear.
Well, back to what i was saying.
Things were loud, however i managed to use reverse psychology on him by asking him if i ever disrespected him or if i ever had put my hands on him. He mentioned something that happened last week which i don't even remember. Then is when i saw my opening, he was pissed about that and it was the foundation of his anger... so the easy way to defuse it was... to apologize and offer my hand for him to shake it. A man knows when someone apologizes in the middle of a loud arguement and offers a hand... it's likely to be sincere and not taking the hand makes the person look petty.
He took my hand and shook it, from there the emotions went down. He calmed down and i lowered my voice to a normal tone.
Within 10 minutes we were talking normal, and we started to agree on many things. How we get kicked off corners and slowly the conversation turned from volatile to friendly. In the end Mike even hugged me as he apologized again for screaming at me!
Being homeless may look like an easy life, but there are hidden dangers in the lifestyle that normal people don't see.
Other homeless are the #1 problem, #2 local authorities like the Sheriffs and Troopers that can give you tickets and even arrest you (but at least they won't throw a punch at you), #3 are those people who hate homeless and scream at you or insult you verbally which you don't know if they will come back to do real damage to you (anyone can throw a rock or something else from a moving car and it can hurt you or kill you).
Every time at night when i ride back to my tent i look around, try to listen for footsteps in the grass or anything that would give me a clue that someone may be near me or my tent. I always open my tent and check inside with my flashlight before i go in.
Things that i've never mentioned in the blog because for a normal person it may appear to be paranoid behavior. But you don't know how many times i have to look behind my back, looking out if a Trooper is coming, or a Sheriff or if someone is following me to rob me since... well, never heard of the police being concerned about a homeless guy getting robbed, have you? their priority are the normal people, those with an address, tax paying residents/citizens that pay their salaries.
After it was all said and done, i rode to Lyons and Glades. I got there at 2:10PM (the incident with Mike took a while to resolve) and signed for about 30 minutes in the rain... made 35 cents (yes, cents). Clearly god didn't want me to sign for the rest of the day, heh.
I deposited the little money i had made today in the bank.
I got to the library at 3PM. I'll be taking out the book "Confessor" for Dwayne, he had asked me to get it for him last time we spoke. I'd forgotten the title of the book and had to google a bit to find it since i knew it was a fantasy book. We have that in common, we're science fiction/fantasy readers.
A graphic novel caught my eye, as well as another Star Wars book by Timothy Zahn (a new book it seems), and i will be taking them also.
My library card has helped me cope with the fact that i'm alone.
Well, i'm not really alone. Physically yes. It's just me and the world. I know i have a good number of online friends out there supporting me emotionally and some even helping me a bit financially through these tough times.
But still...going to my tent, in the night and having nobody to say hello to, nobody to ask "how was your day?", nobody to call and just plan to hang out or go watch a movie... you know, normal everyday stuff... it's not easy.
I've adapted faster than i thought, learned the ropes, the do's and dont's of being homeless. But this is certainly not a lifestyle i wish to stay in, not by a long shot my friends.
I rather have 7 layers of clothing, cold in Canada working, doing anything legitimate rather than stand at a corner with a sign depending on others to help me.
However right now, the fact is, i make more money signing. After december i know (from what Dwayne told me) that the influx of cash even at the turnpike decreases significantly so January (if i have to stay another month, hopefully not) i would have to get a regular job, probably as a dishwasher at the japanese restaurant.
I've been thinking of what i have planned, and how to deal with contingencies, like "what if i can't get a passport in a day? what if they want an address to send it to?", i need to plan things out to anticipate the possible problems before they exist.
Maybe Luis (yes, that is the name of the mexican that wants to go with me, we have the same name) could lend me his address so he could receive my passport. I will mention it to him in January, not now, it's not something that has to be discussed, yet.
Wow, this is one of the longest blog entries so far. Probably because i didn't write it on my notebook; i'm going straight from memory and how i'm feeling right now. It's 5:30PM, early still.
I will stay until 8:30PM i think, reading and then hit BK until 10PM or so, swing by Dwayne's and leave him the book at his doorstep as a surprise. I trust that he will be able to read it within the 2 weeks i'm allowed to borrow it.
Mind you that i don't always order their food. When people give me food at the turnpike i save it and eat it either as/with breakfast or dinner.
At night i usually try to order a salad rather than a whopper jr.
I left BK and got to the turnpike corner at 10AM and signed until 1:30PM, then went to the Shell gas station to use the bathroom quickly.
When i returned the other corner was taken (it was empty before i went to Shell). The guy there tells me is he friends with Mike and we agree he stays for 20 mins then i can have the corner. All seemed fine.
Then Mike shows up and tells me it's his corner and to get back to my corner (the turnpike), i explained i couldn't go back because of the trooper and well... from that point things seriously deteriorated. He started with an attitude and from raising his voice he went to screaming at me, inches from my face.
God knows i don't like violence, i love peace. However if i allowed him to walk over me, even just verbally it would show a weakness which i felt that could easily spread among other homeless and i would very likely become an easy target for others to push me around.
I dealt with "Poppa Pete" last week, now i had to do the same with Mike without actually swinging at him.
It's not easy to turn a volatile situation around, but i'm not a kid and i've been in tough situations before in my life.
He kept going at it, so i had to raise the stakes to make him feel i would fight him if it came down to it, not because of the corner but because of the disrespect he was showing me publicly.
I made it clear, that i would not swing at him first, but that if there was a fight, i would certainly finish it. I even had to tell him if he wanted to "throw down" we could do it in a parking lot so we wouldn't get arrested.
I had to appear willing to fight, even tho inside i was scared, not of pain or death or anything that could happen in a real fight... i don't like violence like i said before... but i know that if someone did throw a punch, i can take it... the problem is not me getting hit, the problem i see is me beating someone because i've been in fights before in my 20's and i know that there is a place i don't want to go... a place where everything and everyone turns grey, faceless and i will go at it hard until whomever is in front of me, is down and won't get up.
I've been in that place a few times, and i consider myself lucky to not have seriously hurt anyone back then.
First i guess it was common sense which allowed me to keep myself in check once i became a husband. Now i think God has given me the strength to keep myself from going to that place i fear.
Well, back to what i was saying.
Things were loud, however i managed to use reverse psychology on him by asking him if i ever disrespected him or if i ever had put my hands on him. He mentioned something that happened last week which i don't even remember. Then is when i saw my opening, he was pissed about that and it was the foundation of his anger... so the easy way to defuse it was... to apologize and offer my hand for him to shake it. A man knows when someone apologizes in the middle of a loud arguement and offers a hand... it's likely to be sincere and not taking the hand makes the person look petty.
He took my hand and shook it, from there the emotions went down. He calmed down and i lowered my voice to a normal tone.
Within 10 minutes we were talking normal, and we started to agree on many things. How we get kicked off corners and slowly the conversation turned from volatile to friendly. In the end Mike even hugged me as he apologized again for screaming at me!
Being homeless may look like an easy life, but there are hidden dangers in the lifestyle that normal people don't see.
Other homeless are the #1 problem, #2 local authorities like the Sheriffs and Troopers that can give you tickets and even arrest you (but at least they won't throw a punch at you), #3 are those people who hate homeless and scream at you or insult you verbally which you don't know if they will come back to do real damage to you (anyone can throw a rock or something else from a moving car and it can hurt you or kill you).
Every time at night when i ride back to my tent i look around, try to listen for footsteps in the grass or anything that would give me a clue that someone may be near me or my tent. I always open my tent and check inside with my flashlight before i go in.
Things that i've never mentioned in the blog because for a normal person it may appear to be paranoid behavior. But you don't know how many times i have to look behind my back, looking out if a Trooper is coming, or a Sheriff or if someone is following me to rob me since... well, never heard of the police being concerned about a homeless guy getting robbed, have you? their priority are the normal people, those with an address, tax paying residents/citizens that pay their salaries.
After it was all said and done, i rode to Lyons and Glades. I got there at 2:10PM (the incident with Mike took a while to resolve) and signed for about 30 minutes in the rain... made 35 cents (yes, cents). Clearly god didn't want me to sign for the rest of the day, heh.
I deposited the little money i had made today in the bank.
I got to the library at 3PM. I'll be taking out the book "Confessor" for Dwayne, he had asked me to get it for him last time we spoke. I'd forgotten the title of the book and had to google a bit to find it since i knew it was a fantasy book. We have that in common, we're science fiction/fantasy readers.
A graphic novel caught my eye, as well as another Star Wars book by Timothy Zahn (a new book it seems), and i will be taking them also.
My library card has helped me cope with the fact that i'm alone.
Well, i'm not really alone. Physically yes. It's just me and the world. I know i have a good number of online friends out there supporting me emotionally and some even helping me a bit financially through these tough times.
But still...going to my tent, in the night and having nobody to say hello to, nobody to ask "how was your day?", nobody to call and just plan to hang out or go watch a movie... you know, normal everyday stuff... it's not easy.
I've adapted faster than i thought, learned the ropes, the do's and dont's of being homeless. But this is certainly not a lifestyle i wish to stay in, not by a long shot my friends.
I rather have 7 layers of clothing, cold in Canada working, doing anything legitimate rather than stand at a corner with a sign depending on others to help me.
However right now, the fact is, i make more money signing. After december i know (from what Dwayne told me) that the influx of cash even at the turnpike decreases significantly so January (if i have to stay another month, hopefully not) i would have to get a regular job, probably as a dishwasher at the japanese restaurant.
I've been thinking of what i have planned, and how to deal with contingencies, like "what if i can't get a passport in a day? what if they want an address to send it to?", i need to plan things out to anticipate the possible problems before they exist.
Maybe Luis (yes, that is the name of the mexican that wants to go with me, we have the same name) could lend me his address so he could receive my passport. I will mention it to him in January, not now, it's not something that has to be discussed, yet.
Wow, this is one of the longest blog entries so far. Probably because i didn't write it on my notebook; i'm going straight from memory and how i'm feeling right now. It's 5:30PM, early still.
I will stay until 8:30PM i think, reading and then hit BK until 10PM or so, swing by Dwayne's and leave him the book at his doorstep as a surprise. I trust that he will be able to read it within the 2 weeks i'm allowed to borrow it.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Day 42
Woke up at 7AM, was at BK at 7:30. I got a plan today.
Twice the trooper got me around 3PM, so...i will eat breakfast and start at 10AM and then stop before 2PM and switch to a different corner. That should work, otherwise...a ticket or an arrest, which i can't afford either way.
Signed from 10AM to 1:30PM at the turnpike corner. 2 people had given me food so i sat on the grass near the Department of Transportation building and ate lunch. At 2PM i went to the other corner (on Glades Road) and signed until 3PM. He showed up at around 2:30PM, probably looking to catch me at the turnpike.
I hit the library and here i am, reading graphic novels, checking my email, my guild's forums and whatnot. I made less money today of course, but no ticket for me today!
I got to see the bright side of it.
Library closes in 30 minutes so i will give a quick THANK YOU to the people who are helping me out by donating towards my trip to Canada. It doesn't go unnoticed, or unappreciated. I'm happy to see that even away from my friends they still give me a hand. You have not idea how touched i am when someone who i haven't met in person reaches out and helps me get a bit closer to getting my life back together. Dammit my eyes are teary and i don't need people to think i'm going nuts at the library.
Well, you know what i mean.
I wonder if i can find a white cat in Edmonton once i'm settled... I've got this image in my head of having a white cat called "Snowflake" for some reason and i can't get it out of my head for months.
Well, may as well end the blog on a good note.
God bless you all.
Twice the trooper got me around 3PM, so...i will eat breakfast and start at 10AM and then stop before 2PM and switch to a different corner. That should work, otherwise...a ticket or an arrest, which i can't afford either way.
Signed from 10AM to 1:30PM at the turnpike corner. 2 people had given me food so i sat on the grass near the Department of Transportation building and ate lunch. At 2PM i went to the other corner (on Glades Road) and signed until 3PM. He showed up at around 2:30PM, probably looking to catch me at the turnpike.
I hit the library and here i am, reading graphic novels, checking my email, my guild's forums and whatnot. I made less money today of course, but no ticket for me today!
I got to see the bright side of it.
Library closes in 30 minutes so i will give a quick THANK YOU to the people who are helping me out by donating towards my trip to Canada. It doesn't go unnoticed, or unappreciated. I'm happy to see that even away from my friends they still give me a hand. You have not idea how touched i am when someone who i haven't met in person reaches out and helps me get a bit closer to getting my life back together. Dammit my eyes are teary and i don't need people to think i'm going nuts at the library.
Well, you know what i mean.
I wonder if i can find a white cat in Edmonton once i'm settled... I've got this image in my head of having a white cat called "Snowflake" for some reason and i can't get it out of my head for months.
Well, may as well end the blog on a good note.
God bless you all.
Recap (Day 41)
My day was doing ok even when things being slow at the turnpike.
A little after 3PM (i was going to stop at 3:30PM) the same trooper that gave me the ticket last monday... gives me another one!!
I tried to charm him (was a waste of breath), even begged him to let me just go.
Nope. $48.50 out the window. That pretty much killed my day.
But i kept my anger in check and didn't say anything else to the officer.
I was going to go and see Dwayne and JC but after what happened i wasn't in the mood to be social. Rode to the library and on the way i cursed and then ask for god to forgive me for allowing my anger to get a hold of me.
I stayed at the library until almost 9PM reading for the most part.
Right before going into BK i decided to hit Dunkin Donuts to get me some free donuts from the guys (i needed the pick-me-up) and Dwayne saw me and we talked a bit.
The same officer that has given me 2 tickets, never gave him a single ticket (except warnings which are free of charge) for all the months he was signing at the same corner. He told he "he has it in for you man" so now i gotta watch my back.
I hot BK at about 9:30PM and stayed until 10:15PM eating a salad and reading.
My ride home was a bit grim, i was felling down. I got home and read until midnight, then went to sleep.
A little after 3PM (i was going to stop at 3:30PM) the same trooper that gave me the ticket last monday... gives me another one!!
I tried to charm him (was a waste of breath), even begged him to let me just go.
Nope. $48.50 out the window. That pretty much killed my day.
But i kept my anger in check and didn't say anything else to the officer.
I was going to go and see Dwayne and JC but after what happened i wasn't in the mood to be social. Rode to the library and on the way i cursed and then ask for god to forgive me for allowing my anger to get a hold of me.
I stayed at the library until almost 9PM reading for the most part.
Right before going into BK i decided to hit Dunkin Donuts to get me some free donuts from the guys (i needed the pick-me-up) and Dwayne saw me and we talked a bit.
The same officer that has given me 2 tickets, never gave him a single ticket (except warnings which are free of charge) for all the months he was signing at the same corner. He told he "he has it in for you man" so now i gotta watch my back.
I hot BK at about 9:30PM and stayed until 10:15PM eating a salad and reading.
My ride home was a bit grim, i was felling down. I got home and read until midnight, then went to sleep.
Recap (Day 40)
Woke up early, ate breakfast at BK, went to sign from 10AM to 3PM without a problem.
All is well in the world, well... my small world.
Rode to the library and stayed there doing the usual until 9PM.
Hit BK and talked to Mark a bit. Craig is getting fired for ignoring him on his last day before going on vacation. Bad move on his part. Craig is a funny guy, but not too mature.
Left BK a bit after 10PM (they left me stay even after they officially close the doors).
Read at home, went to sleep at about 11PM.
All is well in the world, well... my small world.
Rode to the library and stayed there doing the usual until 9PM.
Hit BK and talked to Mark a bit. Craig is getting fired for ignoring him on his last day before going on vacation. Bad move on his part. Craig is a funny guy, but not too mature.
Left BK a bit after 10PM (they left me stay even after they officially close the doors).
Read at home, went to sleep at about 11PM.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Recap (Day 39)
I was up at around 8AM, rode to BK and was there at 8:30AM.
Had breakfast and listened to the radio a while. Afterwards i read a book until 10AM.
I got to the turnpike in a few minutes, by 10:30AM i realized the corner was dead.
I rode to Lyons and Glades and signed at the west corner for an hour, making $7 bucks. Not much but when it started to rain i saw it as god's signal to stop and i did.
I got on my bike and arrived at the library at 11:30AM. I waited outside, continuing to read the book until noon (the time they open sundays).
I returned a book and was careful since today the security guard was not the usual elderly man but the very aware (and strict) female in her 40's.
It took me over 20 mins to take my "shower" in the bathroom, stopping every time someone entered the men's room.
I entered the library fresh and clean.
I checked my email, posted on my guild's forum and completely forgot to update my blog. I read in between the computer use (which requires reservations with my library card).
Just befoore they would close (at 5PM), i left and by 5:30PM i was at BK, reading.
Dwayne and Herb (another homeless) came in to eat and we conversed a bit.
Before he left i asked him when was his next day off. He said tuesday and told him I'd see him then.
It's 9:30PM now, staying at BK 4 hours reading to pass the time may seem like a waste of time, but what else can a homeless guy do on a Sunday?
I can't wait for January, so i can shave, get a haircut and get my passport so I can move on with my life.
Almost forgot, a mexican that works at BK wants to go to Canada with me.
He's an older guy, nice fellow. But he doesn't speak english much. I'm not sure if it would be wise for us to travel together.
I'm trying to figure out what to do about that situation.
Oh well, with god's blessing maybe we could make it.
I'm gonna read some more, then go home, listen to music and then sleep.
Had breakfast and listened to the radio a while. Afterwards i read a book until 10AM.
I got to the turnpike in a few minutes, by 10:30AM i realized the corner was dead.
I rode to Lyons and Glades and signed at the west corner for an hour, making $7 bucks. Not much but when it started to rain i saw it as god's signal to stop and i did.
I got on my bike and arrived at the library at 11:30AM. I waited outside, continuing to read the book until noon (the time they open sundays).
I returned a book and was careful since today the security guard was not the usual elderly man but the very aware (and strict) female in her 40's.
It took me over 20 mins to take my "shower" in the bathroom, stopping every time someone entered the men's room.
I entered the library fresh and clean.
I checked my email, posted on my guild's forum and completely forgot to update my blog. I read in between the computer use (which requires reservations with my library card).
Just befoore they would close (at 5PM), i left and by 5:30PM i was at BK, reading.
Dwayne and Herb (another homeless) came in to eat and we conversed a bit.
Before he left i asked him when was his next day off. He said tuesday and told him I'd see him then.
It's 9:30PM now, staying at BK 4 hours reading to pass the time may seem like a waste of time, but what else can a homeless guy do on a Sunday?
I can't wait for January, so i can shave, get a haircut and get my passport so I can move on with my life.
Almost forgot, a mexican that works at BK wants to go to Canada with me.
He's an older guy, nice fellow. But he doesn't speak english much. I'm not sure if it would be wise for us to travel together.
I'm trying to figure out what to do about that situation.
Oh well, with god's blessing maybe we could make it.
I'm gonna read some more, then go home, listen to music and then sleep.
Recap (Day 38)
Woke up at 8AM, got dressed and was at BK by 8:30AM.
It rained last night and earlier today. It's cloudy right now, it hope it clears up by 10AM.
I'm hoping "Poppa Pete" doesn't show up, i would like to avoid problems today.
With all the rain, humidity and heat combined I'm surprised i haven't gotten sick yet. Dwayne told me weeks ago that he got less sick after becoming homeless. Sorta weird, 'cause i usually get a cold quite easily.
I'm seriously considering signing sunday, probably half a day.
It rained last night and earlier today. It's cloudy right now, it hope it clears up by 10AM.
I'm hoping "Poppa Pete" doesn't show up, i would like to avoid problems today.
With all the rain, humidity and heat combined I'm surprised i haven't gotten sick yet. Dwayne told me weeks ago that he got less sick after becoming homeless. Sorta weird, 'cause i usually get a cold quite easily.
I'm seriously considering signing sunday, probably half a day.
Recap (Day 37)
When i left the library last night, i noticed it had rained the time i had been inside.
My bike (and more important: the seat) was wet and my sign ruined. I had to throw it away.
Rode to BK and ended up with a wet butt (which wasn't pleasant).
Mark (night shift manager) and Craig (a handicapped nice guy) were at BK, we joked around a bit. It's good to have aquaintances, specially when they are the ones that serve you food.
At 10PM i rode home.
What happens to a homeless guy in the rain? imagine a big wet dog, that is how i smelled and felt, bleh!
The rain came back soon after i got into my tent. I tried to read the SW book to keep myself distracted from all the humidity.
I couldn't read for too long and tried to listen to music to help me fall asleep. It helped a bit, i don't remember at what time i went to sleep.
Today i woke up at 7AM, got dressed and was on my bike (with my ass not touching the seat) and at BK by 7:30AM.
The sky is cloudy and the radio gives a 30% chance of more rain today, which would kill my signing time for sure.
It's 9AM now, sky cleared up, maybe i will get lucky and not have to deal with rain again. I will accept god's will on whatever happens, after all i don't have control over the weather, heh.
I've been reading the SW book meanwhile, and when i arrived i joked around with the morning staff, they heard of Craig's and the sign i had made for him "Homeless Personal Assistant & Juggler" which he had asked me to make him, we had a good laugh last night and today about it.
I will probably go to the turnpike around 10AM.
Started signing just a bit before 10AM, things went pretty good until around 1PM. Things slowed down at that time, when all of a sudden a green car flies out of the turnpike and makes a turn into the Shell gas station with the left rear tire blown to shreads!!
I thought "it's dead right now, god has a reason to put me here... i'm gonna go help them".
And i did. 2 christian guys who had driven last night in the rain with a flat tire and today 2 miles after the tire blew (they were lucky not to get killed).
Took about 30 mins for me to change the tire (the spare had a hole and i had to fix that too). They gave me $20 and a prayer.
It was nice to know that i can still help someone even in the position i am.
"Poppa Pete" tried to push me off the corner with the excuse of "respect" and his partner (an elderly man with a cane) being older than me.
I stood my ground, told him to lower his voice and not disrespect me. He got the point, but i did give the old man 40 mins at the corner, it was my choice, not Pete's.
Later on he tried to bully me again, and i pushed back verbally making sure he knew that i was not going to let him push me around. He cracked a joke to end the disagreement and to end it i laughed.
I finished signing at 4PM, rode to BK to count my cash quick (and made the mistake of telling Craig how much i had made), then rode to the bank and deposited most of it.
Got to the library at 4:30PM and will stay here until 6PM when they close.
After that i will go to BK and tell Craig i was kidding with him. I don't need anyone to know how good (or bad) an income i make, specially locals. I need to be more careful.
I don't have much saved, but what little i have should be something private.
I'm sure you can guess what i will do the rest of the night.
Considering xmas is getting closer, i may work sunday, i'm not sure yet.
My bike (and more important: the seat) was wet and my sign ruined. I had to throw it away.
Rode to BK and ended up with a wet butt (which wasn't pleasant).
Mark (night shift manager) and Craig (a handicapped nice guy) were at BK, we joked around a bit. It's good to have aquaintances, specially when they are the ones that serve you food.
At 10PM i rode home.
What happens to a homeless guy in the rain? imagine a big wet dog, that is how i smelled and felt, bleh!
The rain came back soon after i got into my tent. I tried to read the SW book to keep myself distracted from all the humidity.
I couldn't read for too long and tried to listen to music to help me fall asleep. It helped a bit, i don't remember at what time i went to sleep.
Today i woke up at 7AM, got dressed and was on my bike (with my ass not touching the seat) and at BK by 7:30AM.
The sky is cloudy and the radio gives a 30% chance of more rain today, which would kill my signing time for sure.
It's 9AM now, sky cleared up, maybe i will get lucky and not have to deal with rain again. I will accept god's will on whatever happens, after all i don't have control over the weather, heh.
I've been reading the SW book meanwhile, and when i arrived i joked around with the morning staff, they heard of Craig's and the sign i had made for him "Homeless Personal Assistant & Juggler" which he had asked me to make him, we had a good laugh last night and today about it.
I will probably go to the turnpike around 10AM.
Started signing just a bit before 10AM, things went pretty good until around 1PM. Things slowed down at that time, when all of a sudden a green car flies out of the turnpike and makes a turn into the Shell gas station with the left rear tire blown to shreads!!
I thought "it's dead right now, god has a reason to put me here... i'm gonna go help them".
And i did. 2 christian guys who had driven last night in the rain with a flat tire and today 2 miles after the tire blew (they were lucky not to get killed).
Took about 30 mins for me to change the tire (the spare had a hole and i had to fix that too). They gave me $20 and a prayer.
It was nice to know that i can still help someone even in the position i am.
"Poppa Pete" tried to push me off the corner with the excuse of "respect" and his partner (an elderly man with a cane) being older than me.
I stood my ground, told him to lower his voice and not disrespect me. He got the point, but i did give the old man 40 mins at the corner, it was my choice, not Pete's.
Later on he tried to bully me again, and i pushed back verbally making sure he knew that i was not going to let him push me around. He cracked a joke to end the disagreement and to end it i laughed.
I finished signing at 4PM, rode to BK to count my cash quick (and made the mistake of telling Craig how much i had made), then rode to the bank and deposited most of it.
Got to the library at 4:30PM and will stay here until 6PM when they close.
After that i will go to BK and tell Craig i was kidding with him. I don't need anyone to know how good (or bad) an income i make, specially locals. I need to be more careful.
I don't have much saved, but what little i have should be something private.
I'm sure you can guess what i will do the rest of the night.
Considering xmas is getting closer, i may work sunday, i'm not sure yet.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Quick Thanks!
I got to the library just in time to post in my guild's website, check my mail and post here.
I'd like to thank everyone who has donated towards my trip, I'm very touched by the moral and now financial support from online friends.
Things are a bit rough these days, but once I'm in Canada i hope i will be able to be more active online, have the chance to have my own phone (or cell) so i can call and reach out to all the good people who are helping me now.
All this shows me that what i've been recently considering after my arrival in Canada is the right choice. Once i'm settled in Edmonton, i intend to volunteer to a non-profit organization there that helps the homeless.
Just as i get help, i should also help others when i have the chance to do so.
Library is closing in 20 mins.
One again, thanks to everyone who has donated towards my trip to Canada, it means a lot to me.
Sincerely
Luis
I'd like to thank everyone who has donated towards my trip, I'm very touched by the moral and now financial support from online friends.
Things are a bit rough these days, but once I'm in Canada i hope i will be able to be more active online, have the chance to have my own phone (or cell) so i can call and reach out to all the good people who are helping me now.
All this shows me that what i've been recently considering after my arrival in Canada is the right choice. Once i'm settled in Edmonton, i intend to volunteer to a non-profit organization there that helps the homeless.
Just as i get help, i should also help others when i have the chance to do so.
Library is closing in 20 mins.
One again, thanks to everyone who has donated towards my trip to Canada, it means a lot to me.
Sincerely
Luis
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Day 36 (Updated)
My research last night about being a Shyness Coach has got my attention.
At 9PM i left the library and did my normal routine.
Woke up today at 8AM, was at BK by 8:30AM (after i dug up all my savings). Ate breakfast, then rode to the bank and arrived exactly at 9AM as they opened the doors.
Deposited all i had saved. I'm now relieved of the stress of having to hide cash.
Went to the turnpike very early. I was at the corner at 9:30AM to beat "Poppa Pete" to it. He never showed up.
I signed even when it rained. By 3PM i had made enough, so i got on my bike and rode to the bank to deposit what i had.
From there a quick ride to the library, which is closer from the bank.
Been here since. Checking my email, posting in my guild's forums, answering PM's. A somewhat normal online life, almost.
Going to read "I, Jedi", a SW book i got recently.
Edit: Thanks to those who donated to my trip, thank you VERY much, it does help a lot towards my Canadian goal.
At 9PM i left the library and did my normal routine.
Woke up today at 8AM, was at BK by 8:30AM (after i dug up all my savings). Ate breakfast, then rode to the bank and arrived exactly at 9AM as they opened the doors.
Deposited all i had saved. I'm now relieved of the stress of having to hide cash.
Went to the turnpike very early. I was at the corner at 9:30AM to beat "Poppa Pete" to it. He never showed up.
I signed even when it rained. By 3PM i had made enough, so i got on my bike and rode to the bank to deposit what i had.
From there a quick ride to the library, which is closer from the bank.
Been here since. Checking my email, posting in my guild's forums, answering PM's. A somewhat normal online life, almost.
Going to read "I, Jedi", a SW book i got recently.
Edit: Thanks to those who donated to my trip, thank you VERY much, it does help a lot towards my Canadian goal.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Day 35
Woke up at around 8AM, got dressed and went to BK for breakfast.
Thus far i've narrowed down my career choices to: Newborn or Pet Photographer, Shyness Coach, Victim Assistant and Virtual Assistant. I like to help people.
Left BK at 10:30AM to find "Poppa Pete" at the turnpike corner.
I just turned around and headed to Lyons & Glades, but i found that there was work being done (orange cones all over the meridians).
Not having much of a choice i rode west and saw Frank selling papers at the Glades/State Road 7 corner.
We spoke a bit. Sadly he is making $20 for 8 hours of work selling the Sun Sentinels Mon-Sat and makes $50 or so Sundays.
He told me about a preacher that gives food Mondays, Wendsdays and Fridays at a nearby parking lot between 11:30AM and 12:30PM.
At about 12:45PM they showed up, Frank introduced me and i thanked them as i got a free meal.
I signed a bit at Frank's corner, got a small box of cereal... well it was something.
Riding back towards the turnpike i saw a bank, the one in which i used to have a checking account that Nina (my wife, hopefully ex-wife by now) had emptied and overdrawn years ago.
I figured enough years may have passed by.
Guess what?
With my old city ID, my invalid social security # and a few bucks... i got a checking account!!
The guy helping me get the account even made sure i didnt get anything at my address (had to come up with a story of having a live-in girlfriend that spent all the money she could see... well Nina did that so it was half a lie). The branch will have my banking card and 150 free checks within 10 days. I even convinced him not to call my phone # (which was fake anyways) because if my "girlfriend" saw the number of a bank i "may be questioned", he understood and made sure i was not called either.
Tomorrow I will dig up what little i've saved, go to the branch and deposit it. This certainly will make me feel more safe about my Canada trip funds.
I didn't like that i had to deceive a nice guy, but i don't think they would give a checking account to a homeless peruvian.
I got to the turnpike at 3:30PM and "Poppa Pete" was still there, told me he would stay one more hour then leave.
I signed at the other corner, made $7 during that hour. When he left at 4:30PM i moved over and made $5 in half an hour.
At 5PM i got on my bike and rode to the library.
Updated my notebook, then the blog. It's almost 7PM now and i'll be researching more about being a Shyness Coach.
Thus far i've narrowed down my career choices to: Newborn or Pet Photographer, Shyness Coach, Victim Assistant and Virtual Assistant. I like to help people.
Left BK at 10:30AM to find "Poppa Pete" at the turnpike corner.
I just turned around and headed to Lyons & Glades, but i found that there was work being done (orange cones all over the meridians).
Not having much of a choice i rode west and saw Frank selling papers at the Glades/State Road 7 corner.
We spoke a bit. Sadly he is making $20 for 8 hours of work selling the Sun Sentinels Mon-Sat and makes $50 or so Sundays.
He told me about a preacher that gives food Mondays, Wendsdays and Fridays at a nearby parking lot between 11:30AM and 12:30PM.
At about 12:45PM they showed up, Frank introduced me and i thanked them as i got a free meal.
I signed a bit at Frank's corner, got a small box of cereal... well it was something.
Riding back towards the turnpike i saw a bank, the one in which i used to have a checking account that Nina (my wife, hopefully ex-wife by now) had emptied and overdrawn years ago.
I figured enough years may have passed by.
Guess what?
With my old city ID, my invalid social security # and a few bucks... i got a checking account!!
The guy helping me get the account even made sure i didnt get anything at my address (had to come up with a story of having a live-in girlfriend that spent all the money she could see... well Nina did that so it was half a lie). The branch will have my banking card and 150 free checks within 10 days. I even convinced him not to call my phone # (which was fake anyways) because if my "girlfriend" saw the number of a bank i "may be questioned", he understood and made sure i was not called either.
Tomorrow I will dig up what little i've saved, go to the branch and deposit it. This certainly will make me feel more safe about my Canada trip funds.
I didn't like that i had to deceive a nice guy, but i don't think they would give a checking account to a homeless peruvian.
I got to the turnpike at 3:30PM and "Poppa Pete" was still there, told me he would stay one more hour then leave.
I signed at the other corner, made $7 during that hour. When he left at 4:30PM i moved over and made $5 in half an hour.
At 5PM i got on my bike and rode to the library.
Updated my notebook, then the blog. It's almost 7PM now and i'll be researching more about being a Shyness Coach.
Recap (Day 34)
Woke up at 8AM, got dressed 1/2 hour later. I decided to pay the ticket and stay honest.
Went to BK, asked the staff (which is friendly with me at this point) where i could pay the ticket around here.
They were surprised at the question and even when i showed them the ticket they had no answer for me.
I moved to the back, out of sight to eat some food i had reserved for breakfast.
Oh yeah... last night 3 racoons raided part of my storage of food outside my tent.
One was brave enough to move right next to my "door" a few times, so i had to scare them off with noises and my flashlight.
Then the rain started; for hours the wet racoons would return and sometimes fight each other (i guess over which one would get whatever food they found).
I didn't sleep too well last night, that's for sure.
I left BK around 10:30AM, straight to the library.
I went online and found that i had to go to a county courthouse at Delray Beach (the closest one to me).
I left the library at 1PM thinking i could ride there with my bike with the instructions i had acquired from mapquest.
After 2 miles and looking at the time, knowing the place most likely closed at 5PM i decided to take the bus (thank god they have bike racks).
Took 2 bus lines, then the rest of the way on the bike.
I got there at 4:20PM!
Tried to explain i was homeless, was told that i would have to return at a later date to contest it. I paid the $48.50 and was out of the courthouse by 5PM.
By the time i was back at the library (may as well go to my favorite place) it was 6:30PM.
Stayed there until 9PM, got 2 SW books ("Republic Commando: Triple Zero" and "Republic Commando: True Colors").
On my way to BK i helped someone (a latino) with his stalled car.
I got to BK at 9:30PM, ordered a salad.
Now i've written about today in my notebook, and i'm gonna eat my salad, then go home, listen to music and then sleep.
Went to BK, asked the staff (which is friendly with me at this point) where i could pay the ticket around here.
They were surprised at the question and even when i showed them the ticket they had no answer for me.
I moved to the back, out of sight to eat some food i had reserved for breakfast.
Oh yeah... last night 3 racoons raided part of my storage of food outside my tent.
One was brave enough to move right next to my "door" a few times, so i had to scare them off with noises and my flashlight.
Then the rain started; for hours the wet racoons would return and sometimes fight each other (i guess over which one would get whatever food they found).
I didn't sleep too well last night, that's for sure.
I left BK around 10:30AM, straight to the library.
I went online and found that i had to go to a county courthouse at Delray Beach (the closest one to me).
I left the library at 1PM thinking i could ride there with my bike with the instructions i had acquired from mapquest.
After 2 miles and looking at the time, knowing the place most likely closed at 5PM i decided to take the bus (thank god they have bike racks).
Took 2 bus lines, then the rest of the way on the bike.
I got there at 4:20PM!
Tried to explain i was homeless, was told that i would have to return at a later date to contest it. I paid the $48.50 and was out of the courthouse by 5PM.
By the time i was back at the library (may as well go to my favorite place) it was 6:30PM.
Stayed there until 9PM, got 2 SW books ("Republic Commando: Triple Zero" and "Republic Commando: True Colors").
On my way to BK i helped someone (a latino) with his stalled car.
I got to BK at 9:30PM, ordered a salad.
Now i've written about today in my notebook, and i'm gonna eat my salad, then go home, listen to music and then sleep.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Day 33
Woke up with a very painful charlie horse on my lower left leg. God, it felt as if someone wanted to pull my muscle out!
I thought "oh god why so early?", it was 6:30AM.
I relaxed and got up at 8AM, got dressed and went to BK for breakfast as usual.
Left a bit before 10:30AM to find a black plastic bag and a backpack at the corner i sign at. I thought it was abandoned since nobody was around so i moved it to another corner.
An hour later a big white guy is very upset and tells me he was there first and why i moved his stuff... his name was "Poppa Pete" and he made his point. First come, first served like the saying goes.
I go to the other corner.
Around noon he tells me he needs to drink a beer and that i can sign at his spot for 1/2 hour.
I thank him and i move over.
He doesn't return for 2 hours, then tells me he will sign until the bus comes.
He is gone in 30mins.
I keep signing.
Just as i thought things were back on track at about 3:45PM a tropper stops by, gets my ID and gives me a $48.50 ticket for tresspassing.
He stayed there so i had to go. "Library time" i thought.
I got to the library at about 4:15PM and updated my blog a bit and checked my email.
I will read more of the Dummies book and maybe get some more SW books before i leave.
Not sure if i want to pay the ticket, the address on the ID is 7 years old and once I'm in Canada it won't matter.
I thought "oh god why so early?", it was 6:30AM.
I relaxed and got up at 8AM, got dressed and went to BK for breakfast as usual.
Left a bit before 10:30AM to find a black plastic bag and a backpack at the corner i sign at. I thought it was abandoned since nobody was around so i moved it to another corner.
An hour later a big white guy is very upset and tells me he was there first and why i moved his stuff... his name was "Poppa Pete" and he made his point. First come, first served like the saying goes.
I go to the other corner.
Around noon he tells me he needs to drink a beer and that i can sign at his spot for 1/2 hour.
I thank him and i move over.
He doesn't return for 2 hours, then tells me he will sign until the bus comes.
He is gone in 30mins.
I keep signing.
Just as i thought things were back on track at about 3:45PM a tropper stops by, gets my ID and gives me a $48.50 ticket for tresspassing.
He stayed there so i had to go. "Library time" i thought.
I got to the library at about 4:15PM and updated my blog a bit and checked my email.
I will read more of the Dummies book and maybe get some more SW books before i leave.
Not sure if i want to pay the ticket, the address on the ID is 7 years old and once I'm in Canada it won't matter.
Recap (Day 32)
Woke up at 7:30AM, it's sunday and i'm taking the day off!!
Got dressed, gathered all dirty laundry into my backpack and rode to the laundrymat.
Sheryl was there, we talked a bit. Used a $5 McDonalds gift certificate i had been given a few days ago to get a breakfast meal while my clothes were in the washer.
Rode back to laundrymat to finish laundry, read SW book meanwhile.
Riding to the place took about 35mins, 45mins for the way home 'cause i was riding against the wind.
Get my laptop and went to the library. Returned a bunch of graphic novels and got "Cool Careers for Dummies".
I've read Dummies books before, they are good. I'm trying to asses what sort of career i can have in Edmonton because i really don't want to become a dishwasher or laborer again if i can help it.
I got so far: Expense Reduction Consultant, Web Content Finder, Conference Taping Specialist, Shyness Coach, Victim Assistant, Virtual Assistant, Troubled Teen Consultant, Foreign Language Interpreter, Technical Support Specialist, Computer Repairperson, Solar and Wind Energy Technologist/Installer, Electrician, Personal Chef, Product Tester, Deb Collection Specialist. Some may require a short period of training.
Went online, updated some of my blog. Checked my guild's website (i always do).
Stayed in the library until closing (5PM).
Went to BK, ate a salad and read a SW book, felt sleepy at around 7PM so i went home.
Listened to music, then read more of the book, i think i fell asleep around 10PM.
Got dressed, gathered all dirty laundry into my backpack and rode to the laundrymat.
Sheryl was there, we talked a bit. Used a $5 McDonalds gift certificate i had been given a few days ago to get a breakfast meal while my clothes were in the washer.
Rode back to laundrymat to finish laundry, read SW book meanwhile.
Riding to the place took about 35mins, 45mins for the way home 'cause i was riding against the wind.
Get my laptop and went to the library. Returned a bunch of graphic novels and got "Cool Careers for Dummies".
I've read Dummies books before, they are good. I'm trying to asses what sort of career i can have in Edmonton because i really don't want to become a dishwasher or laborer again if i can help it.
I got so far: Expense Reduction Consultant, Web Content Finder, Conference Taping Specialist, Shyness Coach, Victim Assistant, Virtual Assistant, Troubled Teen Consultant, Foreign Language Interpreter, Technical Support Specialist, Computer Repairperson, Solar and Wind Energy Technologist/Installer, Electrician, Personal Chef, Product Tester, Deb Collection Specialist. Some may require a short period of training.
Went online, updated some of my blog. Checked my guild's website (i always do).
Stayed in the library until closing (5PM).
Went to BK, ate a salad and read a SW book, felt sleepy at around 7PM so i went home.
Listened to music, then read more of the book, i think i fell asleep around 10PM.
Recap (Day 31)
Woke up at 7AM, read a graphic novel (can't recall if it was SW or X-Men) until about 9AM. Ok, so i'm a bit of a nerd, so sue me.
Got breakfast at BK, read a SW book until 10:30AM then went to the turnpike to sign until 5PM.
Went to...surprise!...BK!! duh... got some food and stayed there until 9PM reading.
Went home, read until 11PM then went to sleep after arguing with a racoon about his (or her) unwanted attention and him (or her) being way too close to my tent.
Got breakfast at BK, read a SW book until 10:30AM then went to the turnpike to sign until 5PM.
Went to...surprise!...BK!! duh... got some food and stayed there until 9PM reading.
Went home, read until 11PM then went to sleep after arguing with a racoon about his (or her) unwanted attention and him (or her) being way too close to my tent.
Recap (Day 30)
Woke up at 8AM, went to BK for breakfast.
Worked the turnpike from 11:30AM to 5PM.
Ate at BK, trying to stick to the $1 side salad with ranch dressing. I want to lose some weight.
My body feels stronger, most likely from walking and biking.
Read a SW book (i'm going through quite a few it seems) until 9:30PM then left BK.
Went home, listened to the radio a bit and then went to sleep.
Worked the turnpike from 11:30AM to 5PM.
Ate at BK, trying to stick to the $1 side salad with ranch dressing. I want to lose some weight.
My body feels stronger, most likely from walking and biking.
Read a SW book (i'm going through quite a few it seems) until 9:30PM then left BK.
Went home, listened to the radio a bit and then went to sleep.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Day 29
Woke up at 7:30AM. Read the book until 9AM.
Went to BK (where else?) for breakfast and continued reading the book until 10AM.
Left BK and went to a bust stop near the turnpike corner to read a star wars graphic novel... by the time i finished, it was 11:30AM, later than i thought.
Signed until 5PM, got a cuban sandwhich from a guy and it was worth sitting down to eat for 10mins, it was delicious.
Went back to BK for the biggest strawberry milkshake they could give me (it was gigantic)... i think i need to stop getting these milshakes.
Got to the library at 6:20PM, updated the blog. 8PM now, will update blog again with today's entry and stay to read a SW graphic novel until 9PM.
I've noticed that i feel less pain on my legs from the long hours (6hrs almost non stop signing and walking) at the corner. My back is still in bad shape, but i'm going to bear with the pain. It's worth it if after new year's i can go to Canada.
Even with my current condition and situation, i've never been happier (compared to my 11 years of marriage). I enjoy looking up at the sky and appreciate my freedom.
I wonder if (after i'm sure that i'm divorced) i will find a kind soul to call my beloved?
Only god knows, i guess.
Meanwhile, tomorrow is another day to sign.
Went to BK (where else?) for breakfast and continued reading the book until 10AM.
Left BK and went to a bust stop near the turnpike corner to read a star wars graphic novel... by the time i finished, it was 11:30AM, later than i thought.
Signed until 5PM, got a cuban sandwhich from a guy and it was worth sitting down to eat for 10mins, it was delicious.
Went back to BK for the biggest strawberry milkshake they could give me (it was gigantic)... i think i need to stop getting these milshakes.
Got to the library at 6:20PM, updated the blog. 8PM now, will update blog again with today's entry and stay to read a SW graphic novel until 9PM.
I've noticed that i feel less pain on my legs from the long hours (6hrs almost non stop signing and walking) at the corner. My back is still in bad shape, but i'm going to bear with the pain. It's worth it if after new year's i can go to Canada.
Even with my current condition and situation, i've never been happier (compared to my 11 years of marriage). I enjoy looking up at the sky and appreciate my freedom.
I wonder if (after i'm sure that i'm divorced) i will find a kind soul to call my beloved?
Only god knows, i guess.
Meanwhile, tomorrow is another day to sign.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Day 28
Woke up at 7AM. Last night the nearby construction site started working at 4AM!! bright lights and enough noise to make it hard for me to get back to sleep.
Went to BK for breakfast.
Started signing at 11AM, was kicked off the corner by a latino highway trooper (so much for latino brotherhood) at about 2:15PM. I waited 25 mins then went back to the corner. Stayed there until 5PM. I got some food during that time so i only got a $1 milkshake from BK.
I decided to just spend the money for the power supply that i needed for the laptop ($80 plus tax).
I got to the library at 6:30PM, new power supply works great.
Problem is: library wi-fi doesn't work well with windows xp networking software! it wont detect the wi-fi... yet it worked at Mc Donalds last time, bleh!
Battery is now charged at 50%, been reading "Everville" meanwhile.
Library is about to close. I will probably do the same routine as last night.
Thursday will be my last blog entry until Monday due to signing time and library time conflict.
Went to BK for breakfast.
Started signing at 11AM, was kicked off the corner by a latino highway trooper (so much for latino brotherhood) at about 2:15PM. I waited 25 mins then went back to the corner. Stayed there until 5PM. I got some food during that time so i only got a $1 milkshake from BK.
I decided to just spend the money for the power supply that i needed for the laptop ($80 plus tax).
I got to the library at 6:30PM, new power supply works great.
Problem is: library wi-fi doesn't work well with windows xp networking software! it wont detect the wi-fi... yet it worked at Mc Donalds last time, bleh!
Battery is now charged at 50%, been reading "Everville" meanwhile.
Library is about to close. I will probably do the same routine as last night.
Thursday will be my last blog entry until Monday due to signing time and library time conflict.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Day 27
Woke up at 6:30AM, got dresses and went to BK for breakfast. There i asked 2 local gents about where to get a PO Box. I was told to check Pak-n-Ship store and the Post Office nearby (which i didn't know was so close to me).
Both places were a bust, minimum 6 month contract, which comes to $150 or more, not worth it for the month's use (since i will be leaving in january).
I may have to spend $80 for a universal power adapter, bleh!
Worked the turnpike corner from 10:30AM to 5:30PM. oh yeah, i bought a red and white santa hat to see if it would increase the cash flow, it didn't.
I won't wear it again until xmas week.
Went to BK, spent a bit more since i got a small strawberry milkshake, love that flavor.
Got to the library at about 6:30PM, checked my inbox, nothing. I'm giving up on finding a normal job on craig's list. Maybe i will have better luck in Edmonton.
I'm gonna read the book for a while ('til 9PM), then head home, listen to the radio until about 10-11PM and then go to sleep.
Both places were a bust, minimum 6 month contract, which comes to $150 or more, not worth it for the month's use (since i will be leaving in january).
I may have to spend $80 for a universal power adapter, bleh!
Worked the turnpike corner from 10:30AM to 5:30PM. oh yeah, i bought a red and white santa hat to see if it would increase the cash flow, it didn't.
I won't wear it again until xmas week.
Went to BK, spent a bit more since i got a small strawberry milkshake, love that flavor.
Got to the library at about 6:30PM, checked my inbox, nothing. I'm giving up on finding a normal job on craig's list. Maybe i will have better luck in Edmonton.
I'm gonna read the book for a while ('til 9PM), then head home, listen to the radio until about 10-11PM and then go to sleep.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Day 26
Woke up at 7:30AM. Decided to go and do my laundry later that morning (a mistake i realized later).
Went to BK at 9AM to eat breakfast, my laundrybag was with me; left the bike at home (mistake #2).
Took the bus to the laundromat, that took a while due to the route it takes (and it's the only bus that takes me to the place).
Had to buy a new bag because the one i was using had too many holes.
Total cost of doing laundry (plus my new laundry bag): $5, detergent and softener included.
By the time i had made it back home and to my corner...a guy named Ron had it.
I tried to talk my way back to having it by telling him I'd be back in 1 hour (it was 1PM then) to work the corner, i felt guilty afterwards for doing that. Greed took a hold of me, Dwayne wasn't happy about it when i told him.
"Whomever gets there first has it" he told me. He was right.
I worked the other corner and was gonna tell Ron i wasn't going to take the corner from him at 2PM.
At 1:30PM a highway patrol kicked Ron off the corner, he waved at me and left.
When god sends you a message, he sure is clear about it, at least with me.
A few minutes later, i moved to the better corner and started to sign. Things went ok until about 4:30PM, another highway patrol trooper (a nice woman) kindly told me to pick another corner because the spot which most know to be the most profitable, it's also private property of the Department of Transportation and they put a "tresspassing" sign right at the corner.
I moved to the other corner, waited 10mins then moved back. I signed until 5:30PM, then went to BK, ate 2 whooper jr, a well spent $2.13.
Counted my money, then rode to the library.
I think the first week of january (2008) i will get on acquiring my DNI, Passport and my bus ticket to Canada, all in one week. I may have to bribe someone at the consulate to get all i need in a day ( hey i know how things work with a peruvian bureaucracy).
It's going to be rough going to Canada next month, but if i stay here...i may end up stuck signing for god knows how long and i don't want to do that.
I rather freeze to death than hold a sign at a corner to live after new year's.
Almost forgot, someone gave me a new medium shirt, don't fit me, probably will give it to the thrift shop at the church near me.
Library is closing soon, I'll be heading home, read some more of the book, listen to music and then sleep. Pretty much all my hopes and dreams lie in Canada, a big risk, but hey... it's that or being stuck here with zero shot at being a legit guy.
Went to BK at 9AM to eat breakfast, my laundrybag was with me; left the bike at home (mistake #2).
Took the bus to the laundromat, that took a while due to the route it takes (and it's the only bus that takes me to the place).
Had to buy a new bag because the one i was using had too many holes.
Total cost of doing laundry (plus my new laundry bag): $5, detergent and softener included.
By the time i had made it back home and to my corner...a guy named Ron had it.
I tried to talk my way back to having it by telling him I'd be back in 1 hour (it was 1PM then) to work the corner, i felt guilty afterwards for doing that. Greed took a hold of me, Dwayne wasn't happy about it when i told him.
"Whomever gets there first has it" he told me. He was right.
I worked the other corner and was gonna tell Ron i wasn't going to take the corner from him at 2PM.
At 1:30PM a highway patrol kicked Ron off the corner, he waved at me and left.
When god sends you a message, he sure is clear about it, at least with me.
A few minutes later, i moved to the better corner and started to sign. Things went ok until about 4:30PM, another highway patrol trooper (a nice woman) kindly told me to pick another corner because the spot which most know to be the most profitable, it's also private property of the Department of Transportation and they put a "tresspassing" sign right at the corner.
I moved to the other corner, waited 10mins then moved back. I signed until 5:30PM, then went to BK, ate 2 whooper jr, a well spent $2.13.
Counted my money, then rode to the library.
I think the first week of january (2008) i will get on acquiring my DNI, Passport and my bus ticket to Canada, all in one week. I may have to bribe someone at the consulate to get all i need in a day ( hey i know how things work with a peruvian bureaucracy).
It's going to be rough going to Canada next month, but if i stay here...i may end up stuck signing for god knows how long and i don't want to do that.
I rather freeze to death than hold a sign at a corner to live after new year's.
Almost forgot, someone gave me a new medium shirt, don't fit me, probably will give it to the thrift shop at the church near me.
Library is closing soon, I'll be heading home, read some more of the book, listen to music and then sleep. Pretty much all my hopes and dreams lie in Canada, a big risk, but hey... it's that or being stuck here with zero shot at being a legit guy.
Recap (Day 25)
Woke up at 7:30AM, listened to the radio for 30mins, then got dressed and went to BK.
Spent my usual $2.13 for breakfast, I'm listening to American Top 40 on the radio.
It's 9:20AM now, i will be going to the turnpike at 11AM to start signing.
Things went pretty good. From 11AM-5PM i signed, made a good chunk.
I felt a bit tired and worried. The more i have, the more concerned i'm about as to where to place my savings.
Went to BK, spent $2.13 as usual. Stayed there reading the book "Everville" by Clive Barker that Dwayne had given me weeks ago. So far i like it.
Left BK at about 8PM and decided to get some empty milk crates to make myself a "bed" with 8 crates, as a base, carboard to smooth it out and the 2 used sleeping bags on top.
Took me about an hour to get it all done, i like the new bed, makes me feel a bit more normal.
Racoon struck again at a bag with food i had hung on a tree. I made noises, but he would only stop a few minutes, then go at it again.
I let him finish, meanwhile i read more of the book, then turned off the flashlight and listened to the radio until 11PM before i went to sleep.
Spent my usual $2.13 for breakfast, I'm listening to American Top 40 on the radio.
It's 9:20AM now, i will be going to the turnpike at 11AM to start signing.
Things went pretty good. From 11AM-5PM i signed, made a good chunk.
I felt a bit tired and worried. The more i have, the more concerned i'm about as to where to place my savings.
Went to BK, spent $2.13 as usual. Stayed there reading the book "Everville" by Clive Barker that Dwayne had given me weeks ago. So far i like it.
Left BK at about 8PM and decided to get some empty milk crates to make myself a "bed" with 8 crates, as a base, carboard to smooth it out and the 2 used sleeping bags on top.
Took me about an hour to get it all done, i like the new bed, makes me feel a bit more normal.
Racoon struck again at a bag with food i had hung on a tree. I made noises, but he would only stop a few minutes, then go at it again.
I let him finish, meanwhile i read more of the book, then turned off the flashlight and listened to the radio until 11PM before i went to sleep.
Recap (Day 24)
Woke up at 8AM, relaxed knowing i wasn't going to be selling papers today.
I must approach things from a profit pov. If i can make 3-5 times or more signing than selling newspapers... i got to sign.
Dwayne told me i could make more than enough to reach Canada if i work the corner all of december to new year's from noon to 5-6PM.
Went to the turnpike at noon, then at 1PM Mike (another homeless guy i know) showed up asking to get the corner i had for a bit. I'm not greedy so i left him have it from 1:30PM to 3:30PM.
I spent those 2hrs at BK finishing the second star wars book.
Then worked from 3:30PM to to 5:45PM, Dwayne was right. I made a decent chunk of money.
Went to BK, ate some food and stayed until 8PM. Rode to the Laundromat to thank Sheryl who works there for her advice last week, she told me to get a bike.
Spoke with her a bit, then headed home.
I think i went to sleep at 10 or 11PM.
I must approach things from a profit pov. If i can make 3-5 times or more signing than selling newspapers... i got to sign.
Dwayne told me i could make more than enough to reach Canada if i work the corner all of december to new year's from noon to 5-6PM.
Went to the turnpike at noon, then at 1PM Mike (another homeless guy i know) showed up asking to get the corner i had for a bit. I'm not greedy so i left him have it from 1:30PM to 3:30PM.
I spent those 2hrs at BK finishing the second star wars book.
Then worked from 3:30PM to to 5:45PM, Dwayne was right. I made a decent chunk of money.
Went to BK, ate some food and stayed until 8PM. Rode to the Laundromat to thank Sheryl who works there for her advice last week, she told me to get a bike.
Spoke with her a bit, then headed home.
I think i went to sleep at 10 or 11PM.
Recap (Day 23)
Bought a crank-up flashlight last night. No batteries needed, it will save me money.
I then went home, read some more of the book before i went to sleep.
I woke up at 7AM, and decided it would be my last day selling papers. The amount of money i was making was miserable, not even minimum wage.
I went to BK for breakfast, then to the corner from 8-10AM, made a couple of bucks. I then dropped off the papers at the usual spot and sent word to Paul not to leave me any papers.
Returned to the corner and signed a bit. Made more doing that for 30 mins than in 2 hrs selling papers. I'm sure i made the right decision.
Rode to the turnpike and signed from 11AM to 5PM.
I made decent money. Went to BK and spent $2.13 for food and stayed there until 9PM reading a book.
My back has been hurting for a few days, probably from me sleeping in the tent. Even with a sleeping bag my back was still in bad shape before i became homeless.
I've been working through the pain, my thought is "nothing worth having comes easy, anyways, if i feel the pain, it means i'm alive".
I read more of the book at home, the new flashlight works pretty good. I crank it for a min and it works for half an hour.
Went to sleep at 11PM.
I then went home, read some more of the book before i went to sleep.
I woke up at 7AM, and decided it would be my last day selling papers. The amount of money i was making was miserable, not even minimum wage.
I went to BK for breakfast, then to the corner from 8-10AM, made a couple of bucks. I then dropped off the papers at the usual spot and sent word to Paul not to leave me any papers.
Returned to the corner and signed a bit. Made more doing that for 30 mins than in 2 hrs selling papers. I'm sure i made the right decision.
Rode to the turnpike and signed from 11AM to 5PM.
I made decent money. Went to BK and spent $2.13 for food and stayed there until 9PM reading a book.
My back has been hurting for a few days, probably from me sleeping in the tent. Even with a sleeping bag my back was still in bad shape before i became homeless.
I've been working through the pain, my thought is "nothing worth having comes easy, anyways, if i feel the pain, it means i'm alive".
I read more of the book at home, the new flashlight works pretty good. I crank it for a min and it works for half an hour.
Went to sleep at 11PM.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Recap (Day 22)
Woke up at 5AM, got dressed for work (Sun Sentinel shirt, cap, etc).
Went out, bike seat was soaked from last night's rain.
What a pain to pedal a bike with your ass up in the air...really...pain through my legs like you couldn't imagine.
Worked the corner selling papers until 8AM, then nobody even would take the papers for free!! (except a few old guys). Made $2.50 selling papers from 6-8AM. Now comes the funny part, made the same amount in 20 mins signing!
Went to Burger King, spent $3.19 this time, i was hungry.
Went to the field, and to the same tree, cat-nap time.
Went to the turnpike at 1PM, expecting Dwayne to be at the better corner. He wasn't, so i worked it.
He showed up at 2PM, with a haircut, i knew something had happened.
He had applied for a job at the Mobil gas station near us, and after 20 days of waiting, he got the answer. He was hired!!
I was so happy for him i even hugged him. This was his last day signing, and i yielded his corner after we spoke a bit.
Some guys that do catering dropped enough food for both of us.
We stopped at 5PM, i told him to take most of the food (was hot dogs and burgers) for Hobo.
I went to Burger King, to the back side of it, out of sight to eat. I liked the hot dogs, but couldn't even finish eating one burger, they weren't to my taste.
Read more of the book until almost 8PM, then rode to the library.
Went to the bathroom, tried to shave a bit of the beard with a small electric shaver, did an ok job.
Checked email, same as yesterday.
Almost 9PM, my flashlight died this morning, i need to buy a new one. Maybe from Publix, since someone gave me a $15 gift card.
Went out, bike seat was soaked from last night's rain.
What a pain to pedal a bike with your ass up in the air...really...pain through my legs like you couldn't imagine.
Worked the corner selling papers until 8AM, then nobody even would take the papers for free!! (except a few old guys). Made $2.50 selling papers from 6-8AM. Now comes the funny part, made the same amount in 20 mins signing!
Went to Burger King, spent $3.19 this time, i was hungry.
Went to the field, and to the same tree, cat-nap time.
Went to the turnpike at 1PM, expecting Dwayne to be at the better corner. He wasn't, so i worked it.
He showed up at 2PM, with a haircut, i knew something had happened.
He had applied for a job at the Mobil gas station near us, and after 20 days of waiting, he got the answer. He was hired!!
I was so happy for him i even hugged him. This was his last day signing, and i yielded his corner after we spoke a bit.
Some guys that do catering dropped enough food for both of us.
We stopped at 5PM, i told him to take most of the food (was hot dogs and burgers) for Hobo.
I went to Burger King, to the back side of it, out of sight to eat. I liked the hot dogs, but couldn't even finish eating one burger, they weren't to my taste.
Read more of the book until almost 8PM, then rode to the library.
Went to the bathroom, tried to shave a bit of the beard with a small electric shaver, did an ok job.
Checked email, same as yesterday.
Almost 9PM, my flashlight died this morning, i need to buy a new one. Maybe from Publix, since someone gave me a $15 gift card.
Recap (Day 21)
Woke up at 3:30AM, went to the corner to get the papers ready (the inserts with advertising come separate).
Sold papers until 9AM, made $5, hey better than nothing.
Went to Burger King (the staff now greet me, i've become a regular), spent $2.13 for breakfast.
Was tired, probably from waking up very early. I went to the field where my tent is, parked myself under a tree and took a nap (well, tried to, not too easy to nap on cardboard at 11AM), more like cat-naps really.
Went to the turnpike at 2PM, waved to Dwayne who was working the better corner.
"Signing" is what the homeless call it. Others call it panhandling. I like signing better.
Was there until about 5:30PM, went to Burger King for some food and read the Darth Vader book.
Must've been almost 7:30PM when i decided to go to the library, since they're open until 9PM Mon-Thr.
Checked my email, craig's list. The normal, no reponse to my post looking for work.
Left the place at 9PM, went home, read some more of the book, Oh yeah...i got caught in the rain as i was crossing the field toward my tent.
It rained most of the night, lightly thank god.
Sold papers until 9AM, made $5, hey better than nothing.
Went to Burger King (the staff now greet me, i've become a regular), spent $2.13 for breakfast.
Was tired, probably from waking up very early. I went to the field where my tent is, parked myself under a tree and took a nap (well, tried to, not too easy to nap on cardboard at 11AM), more like cat-naps really.
Went to the turnpike at 2PM, waved to Dwayne who was working the better corner.
"Signing" is what the homeless call it. Others call it panhandling. I like signing better.
Was there until about 5:30PM, went to Burger King for some food and read the Darth Vader book.
Must've been almost 7:30PM when i decided to go to the library, since they're open until 9PM Mon-Thr.
Checked my email, craig's list. The normal, no reponse to my post looking for work.
Left the place at 9PM, went home, read some more of the book, Oh yeah...i got caught in the rain as i was crossing the field toward my tent.
It rained most of the night, lightly thank god.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Day 20
Bleh, i was not too happy last night. I thought i had closed the "front door" and opened it so there was a net between me and the outside.
The appearance of a ton of mosquitos after an hour (while trying to read a book) finally got me to look at it again, realizing my mistake.
I woke up at 7:30AM, overslept. Missed the drop-off time for the papers, but talked to Paul on the phone. He will drop them daily at the corner, i hope he doesn't think i'm lazy because of today.
Went back to Burger King, spent $2.13 for breakfast. Finished reading the book (well, it's a graphic novel, damn you Marvel and Stan Lee!).
Forgot to mention that yesterday i donated blood (which i think it's O negative). Got me a t-shirt, apple juice and some cookies in return. I'm wearing the t-shirt today.
Went to the library early with a plan. It's been over 2 weeks since i took a shower, and the library has a big restroom. The one for handicapped has a drain on the floor, you get the idea.
Took me 20mins to clean up, had to stop every time someone came in the restroom, i was afraid to get caught.
After washing up (thanks to Dwayne for the info about the drain and providing me with soap and shampoo a while ago), i dried up with 2 towels i had bought for my journey.
Came in the library, nice and clean. Nobody suspected a thing.
Checked my email, still nothing. I've read the consulate's website and apparently i can get a DNI with a birth certificate. Question is: will i be able to get it on the spot, or do they mail it to you?
I'm hoping they give it on the spot.
No answer to my craig's list posts.
Oh, "How to move to Canada" is in my hands, I'm learning a lot. However it's meant for american citizens so no mention of refugee-related process or regulations.
It does say what Canada is looking for in general regarding skill and careers.
Also, lists lawyers in Alberta.
Perhaps it would be better to wait a bit longer so i go with some cash to hire an immigration lawyer?
I don't know, I need to think it over.
I'll call and find out how to get to the consulate this week for sure.
Btw, the bike is nice for transportation, but my ass is hurting and my legs feel as if they're on fire sometimes.
The appearance of a ton of mosquitos after an hour (while trying to read a book) finally got me to look at it again, realizing my mistake.
I woke up at 7:30AM, overslept. Missed the drop-off time for the papers, but talked to Paul on the phone. He will drop them daily at the corner, i hope he doesn't think i'm lazy because of today.
Went back to Burger King, spent $2.13 for breakfast. Finished reading the book (well, it's a graphic novel, damn you Marvel and Stan Lee!).
Forgot to mention that yesterday i donated blood (which i think it's O negative). Got me a t-shirt, apple juice and some cookies in return. I'm wearing the t-shirt today.
Went to the library early with a plan. It's been over 2 weeks since i took a shower, and the library has a big restroom. The one for handicapped has a drain on the floor, you get the idea.
Took me 20mins to clean up, had to stop every time someone came in the restroom, i was afraid to get caught.
After washing up (thanks to Dwayne for the info about the drain and providing me with soap and shampoo a while ago), i dried up with 2 towels i had bought for my journey.
Came in the library, nice and clean. Nobody suspected a thing.
Checked my email, still nothing. I've read the consulate's website and apparently i can get a DNI with a birth certificate. Question is: will i be able to get it on the spot, or do they mail it to you?
I'm hoping they give it on the spot.
No answer to my craig's list posts.
Oh, "How to move to Canada" is in my hands, I'm learning a lot. However it's meant for american citizens so no mention of refugee-related process or regulations.
It does say what Canada is looking for in general regarding skill and careers.
Also, lists lawyers in Alberta.
Perhaps it would be better to wait a bit longer so i go with some cash to hire an immigration lawyer?
I don't know, I need to think it over.
I'll call and find out how to get to the consulate this week for sure.
Btw, the bike is nice for transportation, but my ass is hurting and my legs feel as if they're on fire sometimes.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Day 19 (Updated)
Woke up a bit after 4AM. God is nudging me to wake up, probably to call Paul and sell papers.
I get dressed, go to the gas station and call him, it was about 4:40AM.
He shows up at 5AM and gives me the corner of Lyons and Glades (east bound).
I make $5, at 9AM it's pretty much dead.
Today i got something done, i got a bike and a lock. I'm more mobile.
I'm at the library at noon, and check my email, still nothing.
I repost my "job wanted" at craig's list, i would love to have a full time job, really.
Searched online for the power adapter for laptop, it costs about $25 with shipping on ebay.
But, no address to sent it to!!
Gonna check Wal-mart, maybe they got a generic power adapter for it.
Going to take "Star Wars - Outbound Flight" and "Star Wars - Darklord: Rise of Darth Vader" today, since i finished the other SW book.
I will probably sign at the turnpike again today. It's helping a lot with food and I've got 1/2 the bus ticket to Canada so far.
Edit: Well, went to the corner, got chased off twice by a highway patrol car (damn he wouldn't give up after an hour). However got enough to buy food, stayed at Burger King until 9PM then went home to sleep.
I get dressed, go to the gas station and call him, it was about 4:40AM.
He shows up at 5AM and gives me the corner of Lyons and Glades (east bound).
I make $5, at 9AM it's pretty much dead.
Today i got something done, i got a bike and a lock. I'm more mobile.
I'm at the library at noon, and check my email, still nothing.
I repost my "job wanted" at craig's list, i would love to have a full time job, really.
Searched online for the power adapter for laptop, it costs about $25 with shipping on ebay.
But, no address to sent it to!!
Gonna check Wal-mart, maybe they got a generic power adapter for it.
Going to take "Star Wars - Outbound Flight" and "Star Wars - Darklord: Rise of Darth Vader" today, since i finished the other SW book.
I will probably sign at the turnpike again today. It's helping a lot with food and I've got 1/2 the bus ticket to Canada so far.
Edit: Well, went to the corner, got chased off twice by a highway patrol car (damn he wouldn't give up after an hour). However got enough to buy food, stayed at Burger King until 9PM then went home to sleep.
Recap (Day 18)
Woke up early, set on doing my laundry. Unfortunately nature called and for the first time i had to poop in the bushes near my tent. Good thing i got toilet paper.
Took me 5 hours total to do my laundry. Partially walking to a thrift shop to buy a bike, they didn't have anything i could use.
I barely made it to the last bus of the day to get home.
Dropped off my laundry at my tent, then went to hit the turnpike with my sign from 4PM to 6PM. Got enough to go to Burger King and get 2 whooper jr. I stayed there until 9PM reading a book.
By now they know me, nobody disturbs me.
I stop by Dunkin Donuts, get my free Boston Creme while i bullshit a bit with the nice kids that work there.
I was tired, so i went home to sleep.
Took me 5 hours total to do my laundry. Partially walking to a thrift shop to buy a bike, they didn't have anything i could use.
I barely made it to the last bus of the day to get home.
Dropped off my laundry at my tent, then went to hit the turnpike with my sign from 4PM to 6PM. Got enough to go to Burger King and get 2 whooper jr. I stayed there until 9PM reading a book.
By now they know me, nobody disturbs me.
I stop by Dunkin Donuts, get my free Boston Creme while i bullshit a bit with the nice kids that work there.
I was tired, so i went home to sleep.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Day 17 (Updated)
It rained last night, sucked even more 'cause i had no flashlight.
Had thought of doing laundry, but the weather is crappy this morning, cloudy, humid and looking like it was going to rain.
Burger King, Crossaintwich, worth $2.76, delicious. Stayed there until 11:30AM and then started to walk toward library.
Returned 2 books, probably going to take 2-3 out for the weekend. Still waiting on "How to move to Canada" which should be on hold for me when it arrives.
Checked email, nothing from the consultate, or from craig's list worth mentioning. It's 4:20PM, i'm going to go and see if i can hit the turnpike again with a sign. Even if nothing comes out of it, i have enough to eat today, thank god.
Edit: Got enough change to eat at Burger King. A racoon took the food i had stored outside my tent. He was bold enough to try while i was there looking at him with a new flaslight!
PS: Dwayne saw me that night walking toward Walgreens to get the flashlight and i ended up going to Publix with him (where he was going) and got a ride back.
Had thought of doing laundry, but the weather is crappy this morning, cloudy, humid and looking like it was going to rain.
Burger King, Crossaintwich, worth $2.76, delicious. Stayed there until 11:30AM and then started to walk toward library.
Returned 2 books, probably going to take 2-3 out for the weekend. Still waiting on "How to move to Canada" which should be on hold for me when it arrives.
Checked email, nothing from the consultate, or from craig's list worth mentioning. It's 4:20PM, i'm going to go and see if i can hit the turnpike again with a sign. Even if nothing comes out of it, i have enough to eat today, thank god.
Edit: Got enough change to eat at Burger King. A racoon took the food i had stored outside my tent. He was bold enough to try while i was there looking at him with a new flaslight!
PS: Dwayne saw me that night walking toward Walgreens to get the flashlight and i ended up going to Publix with him (where he was going) and got a ride back.
Recap (Day 16)
2:30AM i'm reading a book, "The stupidest Angel" also by Moore.
4:30AM, Paul is not here, I call him from a pay phone. He says he is behind and will be there at 5:30.
He shows up and drops me at Palmetto and State Road 7, with 30 papers.
Deal is, up to 45 papers free, whatever i get is mine. Over 45 we split it.
From 6AM to 9:30AM i make $10 selling papers.
He picks me up and drops me off at the gas station.
I go see Dwayne and talk a bit, it's nice to be able to hang with someone.
I'm tired and falling asleep, so i don't stay long. I go home and fall asleep.
Wake up around 2:30PM, go to Burger King, order a meal since i wanted to treat myself. I stay there until 4:30PM reading a book.
I take a new homeles sign i made back to the corner near the turnpike and work it until 6PM.
Made enough for another day.
I buy a gallon of water, yet somehow i lost my flashlight. Bleh!
I'm starting to make friends with some kids at Dunkin Donuts, i'm getting free Boston Creme donuts, my favorite.
Some nights i feel very much alone, but i've been trying to push the feeling aside by talking to god sometimes or listening to my little radio.
It's been harder to sleep in the past few days.
4:30AM, Paul is not here, I call him from a pay phone. He says he is behind and will be there at 5:30.
He shows up and drops me at Palmetto and State Road 7, with 30 papers.
Deal is, up to 45 papers free, whatever i get is mine. Over 45 we split it.
From 6AM to 9:30AM i make $10 selling papers.
He picks me up and drops me off at the gas station.
I go see Dwayne and talk a bit, it's nice to be able to hang with someone.
I'm tired and falling asleep, so i don't stay long. I go home and fall asleep.
Wake up around 2:30PM, go to Burger King, order a meal since i wanted to treat myself. I stay there until 4:30PM reading a book.
I take a new homeles sign i made back to the corner near the turnpike and work it until 6PM.
Made enough for another day.
I buy a gallon of water, yet somehow i lost my flashlight. Bleh!
I'm starting to make friends with some kids at Dunkin Donuts, i'm getting free Boston Creme donuts, my favorite.
Some nights i feel very much alone, but i've been trying to push the feeling aside by talking to god sometimes or listening to my little radio.
It's been harder to sleep in the past few days.
Recap (Day 15)
Okay, what i thought would be a crappy day, turned out to be a good one.
Woke up at 8AM and went to Burger King, to find it closed.
Walked towards the library, knowing it was closed today and tomorrow.
I was walking without purpose, just letting my feet move.
I reached the corner of State Road 7 and Glades Road (for some reason i always seem to go there often)
I meet Frank, guy selling Sun Sentinel papers. "Divorced" with a kid and a wife that sounds like mine. He's lucky, he wasn't legally married, so divorce was not an issue.
Nie guy, even called Paul, the guy who gives out the papers for me.
10mins later he shows up in his van and i'm "hired as an independent contractor"; i'm to meet him at a gas station near my home tomorrow at 4:30AM.
Cool beans, right?
Still, low on cash, i went to the corner with my homeless carboard sign. Wasn't too bad, until the highway patrol showed up. 2 cars, for one homeless.
I got grilled, ID checked, then had to explain since both cops didn't believe i was homeless (i try to keep clean).
My mistake was stepping off the meridian to accept cash from people. "Blocking traffic" seems to be the reason, oh yeah and he was very clear "step off the meridian and you're mine". Yup, clear.
I had made enough to eat today, but if i got arrested, not enough for bail.
My charm and sincerity pretty much kept me from that.
But, i was warned.
Frank calls me over, some nice family gives me a thanksgiving meal in one take-out platter. I thanked them, and Frank, then walked back toward home.
I stop by the church with the thrift shop, sit down and eat.
I decide to use my sign again near the turnpike and see Dwayne on another corner, i wave at him.
We both stop at about 5PM.
I had earned enough to cover a few days of food. However we both had been given food and water bottles during our time at our corners.
We ate pretty good, JC plays an old black and white DVD movie at the camp, i think it was "A gun for hire". I liked it, Dwayne doesn't like that kind of movies.
9PM, said goodbye to the guys and went home.
Woke up a few times, at 2AM i got dressed and went to the gas station.
Woke up at 8AM and went to Burger King, to find it closed.
Walked towards the library, knowing it was closed today and tomorrow.
I was walking without purpose, just letting my feet move.
I reached the corner of State Road 7 and Glades Road (for some reason i always seem to go there often)
I meet Frank, guy selling Sun Sentinel papers. "Divorced" with a kid and a wife that sounds like mine. He's lucky, he wasn't legally married, so divorce was not an issue.
Nie guy, even called Paul, the guy who gives out the papers for me.
10mins later he shows up in his van and i'm "hired as an independent contractor"; i'm to meet him at a gas station near my home tomorrow at 4:30AM.
Cool beans, right?
Still, low on cash, i went to the corner with my homeless carboard sign. Wasn't too bad, until the highway patrol showed up. 2 cars, for one homeless.
I got grilled, ID checked, then had to explain since both cops didn't believe i was homeless (i try to keep clean).
My mistake was stepping off the meridian to accept cash from people. "Blocking traffic" seems to be the reason, oh yeah and he was very clear "step off the meridian and you're mine". Yup, clear.
I had made enough to eat today, but if i got arrested, not enough for bail.
My charm and sincerity pretty much kept me from that.
But, i was warned.
Frank calls me over, some nice family gives me a thanksgiving meal in one take-out platter. I thanked them, and Frank, then walked back toward home.
I stop by the church with the thrift shop, sit down and eat.
I decide to use my sign again near the turnpike and see Dwayne on another corner, i wave at him.
We both stop at about 5PM.
I had earned enough to cover a few days of food. However we both had been given food and water bottles during our time at our corners.
We ate pretty good, JC plays an old black and white DVD movie at the camp, i think it was "A gun for hire". I liked it, Dwayne doesn't like that kind of movies.
9PM, said goodbye to the guys and went home.
Woke up a few times, at 2AM i got dressed and went to the gas station.
Recap (Day 14)
Ok, bike gone. God giveth and god taketh away, so goes the saying.
Walked back home, well i call the tent home. Can't remember what i did wed, will update if i recall.
Walked back home, well i call the tent home. Can't remember what i did wed, will update if i recall.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Day 13 (Updated)
I couldn't sleep last night. I got up and got dressed at 11:30 and walked the streets with my backpack.
I walked towards the library since i felt comfortable with that area. I could not think of what to do. The moon was out, and i thought "the eye of god is watching me, there must be a reason why I'm awake", yet i couldn't come up with any logical reason. I'd been sleeping regularly in the past few days I thought.
I end up between State Road 7 and Glades Road, looking at a bicycle. It's just leaning against the concrete bridge over a water canal. I look around and i didn't see anyone, i even look under the bridge.
"I need a bike" i thought, looking at it, with a chain wrapped around underneath the seat and a bag with 2 warm beer cans hanging from one of the handles. I stand next to it a while, hoping someone would tell me to back off, or just claim the bike. It didn't happen.
I put the bag with the beers on the ground, hop on the bike and start riding back. My guilt was heaviest half way back to my spot. I considered going back, but then thought that a druken pissed off guy may not understand and i know almost every drunk or homeless guy has a knife/boxcutter with them (i carry a knife as well).
I felt torn. Was god testing me? or was he giving me opportunity to get something i needed because someone else did not need or deserve it?
My faith in god has been renewed, but of course with that comes questions. "Am i suppose to be here? is this right? is this wrong?"...morality usually is based on the society, which is heavily influenced by religion.
What is right here, is wrong elsewhere.
I was up to 3:30 AM, reading another book "Practical demonkeeping : a comedy of horrors" (i finished the vampire book in the libray yesterday) by the same author. My goal was to stay up to 5am and catch the Sun Sentinel delivery truck to find out who to contact to sell the papers at the corner as I've seen a few homeless do. I couldn't stay awake that long, so I went to my tent and parked the bike next to it.
I woke up at around 7AM, went to Burger King, spend $2.13 for breakfast and spent a few hours reading the book. I took off a bit before 10AM because i knew the library would open soon. I parked the bike outside; i had thrown away the chain last night so i just parked it on the bike rack, if it's there when i come out, then it's god's will, if not, i'll just walk home.
So far no answer from the consulate regarding the DNI which stands for Documento National the Indentidad, roughly translated "National Document of Identity". It sure sounds important.
I didn't call to find out how to get to the Consulate which is in Miami or how to get to the Greyhound office yesterday. I'm losing my focus as I've become more worried about my financial limitations.
I posted on Craig's List asking for work, even posted asking for a place to stay, hey you never know unless you ask. You don't want to know what I'm offering, but let's say I'm not willing to be hosted by a guy, women only. I guess all the things I learned in my 20's about female anatomy will come in handy. Maybe i'm becoming too desperate to get moving forward somehow.
I've got to find out who to contact to sell the Sun Sentinal at corners, that seems to be a straight up and honest job...rather than be someone's...well...personal toy.
Reading books seem to keep my mind occupied, however my options in the area are pretty much exhausted, even with the bike i don't want to go too far from my tent. It's 4PM and I've been in the library for about 6hrs and i finished reading the book, returned it, read 2 graphic novels and about to get another book to read. I'm a Timothy Zahn fan, but i haven't read anything from him in a few years, "Star Wars - Survivor's Quest" should be a good read.
A friend offered to send me a care package, but no address, unless i figure something out, i'll ask Dwayne maybe he may have some ideas, being homeless for 3 years has made him very creative.
Hmm...just found out where my friend is at, Gainsville which is...omg 300 miles away. Hmmm, almost out of florida actually.
Am i worried, right now, yeah. God may be looking out for me, but he has another 6 billion people to look after, i can't expect him to give me a hand every single day, i got to figure something out.
Why is the consulate taking to long to answer? my first email was answered within hours, it's day 2 since i sent the second one.
I better check out the book i want, see if i still have a bike and get back home. I need to get my mind working.
Edit: Its 5PM library is closing, happy thanksgiving!
I walked towards the library since i felt comfortable with that area. I could not think of what to do. The moon was out, and i thought "the eye of god is watching me, there must be a reason why I'm awake", yet i couldn't come up with any logical reason. I'd been sleeping regularly in the past few days I thought.
I end up between State Road 7 and Glades Road, looking at a bicycle. It's just leaning against the concrete bridge over a water canal. I look around and i didn't see anyone, i even look under the bridge.
"I need a bike" i thought, looking at it, with a chain wrapped around underneath the seat and a bag with 2 warm beer cans hanging from one of the handles. I stand next to it a while, hoping someone would tell me to back off, or just claim the bike. It didn't happen.
I put the bag with the beers on the ground, hop on the bike and start riding back. My guilt was heaviest half way back to my spot. I considered going back, but then thought that a druken pissed off guy may not understand and i know almost every drunk or homeless guy has a knife/boxcutter with them (i carry a knife as well).
I felt torn. Was god testing me? or was he giving me opportunity to get something i needed because someone else did not need or deserve it?
My faith in god has been renewed, but of course with that comes questions. "Am i suppose to be here? is this right? is this wrong?"...morality usually is based on the society, which is heavily influenced by religion.
What is right here, is wrong elsewhere.
I was up to 3:30 AM, reading another book "Practical demonkeeping : a comedy of horrors" (i finished the vampire book in the libray yesterday) by the same author. My goal was to stay up to 5am and catch the Sun Sentinel delivery truck to find out who to contact to sell the papers at the corner as I've seen a few homeless do. I couldn't stay awake that long, so I went to my tent and parked the bike next to it.
I woke up at around 7AM, went to Burger King, spend $2.13 for breakfast and spent a few hours reading the book. I took off a bit before 10AM because i knew the library would open soon. I parked the bike outside; i had thrown away the chain last night so i just parked it on the bike rack, if it's there when i come out, then it's god's will, if not, i'll just walk home.
So far no answer from the consulate regarding the DNI which stands for Documento National the Indentidad, roughly translated "National Document of Identity". It sure sounds important.
I didn't call to find out how to get to the Consulate which is in Miami or how to get to the Greyhound office yesterday. I'm losing my focus as I've become more worried about my financial limitations.
I posted on Craig's List asking for work, even posted asking for a place to stay, hey you never know unless you ask. You don't want to know what I'm offering, but let's say I'm not willing to be hosted by a guy, women only. I guess all the things I learned in my 20's about female anatomy will come in handy. Maybe i'm becoming too desperate to get moving forward somehow.
I've got to find out who to contact to sell the Sun Sentinal at corners, that seems to be a straight up and honest job...rather than be someone's...well...personal toy.
Reading books seem to keep my mind occupied, however my options in the area are pretty much exhausted, even with the bike i don't want to go too far from my tent. It's 4PM and I've been in the library for about 6hrs and i finished reading the book, returned it, read 2 graphic novels and about to get another book to read. I'm a Timothy Zahn fan, but i haven't read anything from him in a few years, "Star Wars - Survivor's Quest" should be a good read.
A friend offered to send me a care package, but no address, unless i figure something out, i'll ask Dwayne maybe he may have some ideas, being homeless for 3 years has made him very creative.
Hmm...just found out where my friend is at, Gainsville which is...omg 300 miles away. Hmmm, almost out of florida actually.
Am i worried, right now, yeah. God may be looking out for me, but he has another 6 billion people to look after, i can't expect him to give me a hand every single day, i got to figure something out.
Why is the consulate taking to long to answer? my first email was answered within hours, it's day 2 since i sent the second one.
I better check out the book i want, see if i still have a bike and get back home. I need to get my mind working.
Edit: Its 5PM library is closing, happy thanksgiving!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Day 12 (Updated)
Heard the same noises from the previous night, i ignored it.
Spent a few hours reading "You Suck", a book about vampires in love, it was a good comedy. I finished reading it this morning.
I went to a nearby mowing service which JC told me to check out for work. It didn't pan out. I was told by one of the bosses that business was slow and they were considering laying people off. I thanked him and went to Burger King, where I'm having my Sasuage Biscuit breakfast.
$1.07 goes a long way; yesterday i went to a few places, including 2 bagel shops looking for work. They wanted me to fill applications, i tried my best to explain that i was looking for a cash job, and was told "sorry" at every place or "we're not hiring at this time".
The insect bites are starting to annoy me a bit.
I'm at the library now, trying to think of what to do today. I know i got to call the toll free number to find out exactly how to get to the Greyhound office using local buses, Palm Tran has a help line so I'll probably get a good set of directions.
I'm not sure if I want to call the peruvian consulate, or email them. I don't have an address or phone number for them to call me back or mail anything to me. I need to think more carefully, i can't afford to blow what could be my only chance to get a legal passport.
The day is not over, I'll try to make it a productive day somehow.
Edit: Got 2 books from the library and started to read one, which actually was the prequel to "You Suck". I spent a few hours at Burger King reading it.
While i was at the library i emailed the consulate, and i got an answer. I can't get a passport without a DNI.
Email to ask if i could get it with a birth certificate.
Tonight i slept well.
Spent a few hours reading "You Suck", a book about vampires in love, it was a good comedy. I finished reading it this morning.
I went to a nearby mowing service which JC told me to check out for work. It didn't pan out. I was told by one of the bosses that business was slow and they were considering laying people off. I thanked him and went to Burger King, where I'm having my Sasuage Biscuit breakfast.
$1.07 goes a long way; yesterday i went to a few places, including 2 bagel shops looking for work. They wanted me to fill applications, i tried my best to explain that i was looking for a cash job, and was told "sorry" at every place or "we're not hiring at this time".
The insect bites are starting to annoy me a bit.
I'm at the library now, trying to think of what to do today. I know i got to call the toll free number to find out exactly how to get to the Greyhound office using local buses, Palm Tran has a help line so I'll probably get a good set of directions.
I'm not sure if I want to call the peruvian consulate, or email them. I don't have an address or phone number for them to call me back or mail anything to me. I need to think more carefully, i can't afford to blow what could be my only chance to get a legal passport.
The day is not over, I'll try to make it a productive day somehow.
Edit: Got 2 books from the library and started to read one, which actually was the prequel to "You Suck". I spent a few hours at Burger King reading it.
While i was at the library i emailed the consulate, and i got an answer. I can't get a passport without a DNI.
Email to ask if i could get it with a birth certificate.
Tonight i slept well.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Day 11
Last night i heard footsteps on the grass near my spot. I was worried, i opened the tent's door a bit and smelled beer.
I considered going out to confront whomever was out there. I put my sneakers on and came out with my flashlight, but i didn't turn it on. I was used to the darkness.
I thought "who am i to chase anyone away? i don't own this land".
I went back inside my tent as quietly as I came out. Whatever happened or didn't was in god's hands.
I still was a little worried so i didn't sleep straight through.
Today i woke up early, got dressed and decided to find and greet whomever had been nearby.
I searched and didn't find anyone. He was gone.
I'm at McD's having a sausage biscuit, no small hash browns today, i need to lose weight.
Being hungry doesn't seem to be a problem for me.
I'm going to the bagel shop, then the library to relax and learn more about Canada.
I'm also going to call a toll free number to figure out how to get to the nearest greyhound bus lines so when i have the money i can buy my ticket to Canada and find out what ID i may need to cross the border.
Edit: I need a passport to cross, I'll call the peruvian consulate tomorrow and see how long and how much it costs to get a passport.
I considered going out to confront whomever was out there. I put my sneakers on and came out with my flashlight, but i didn't turn it on. I was used to the darkness.
I thought "who am i to chase anyone away? i don't own this land".
I went back inside my tent as quietly as I came out. Whatever happened or didn't was in god's hands.
I still was a little worried so i didn't sleep straight through.
Today i woke up early, got dressed and decided to find and greet whomever had been nearby.
I searched and didn't find anyone. He was gone.
I'm at McD's having a sausage biscuit, no small hash browns today, i need to lose weight.
Being hungry doesn't seem to be a problem for me.
I'm going to the bagel shop, then the library to relax and learn more about Canada.
I'm also going to call a toll free number to figure out how to get to the nearest greyhound bus lines so when i have the money i can buy my ticket to Canada and find out what ID i may need to cross the border.
Edit: I need a passport to cross, I'll call the peruvian consulate tomorrow and see how long and how much it costs to get a passport.
Recap (Day 10)
I went in the morning to visit Dwayne. We spoke about religion. He is a Jehova's witness.
It was an interesting topic, even though a bit boring.
He lend me his phone to call Mr. Gong, who told me to be at the restaurant at 5:30PM, things looked good.
His cell is one of those pre-paid phones.
He also allowed me to call a dear friend of mine in North Carolina whom i had promised to call after i left Nina.
She was happy to talk to me, we spoke a while and i told her that i'd call her again in 1-2 weeks again.
I then went to the library, which was 30mins away on foot.
I had saved my old Broward library card, which made it easy for me to get a Palm Beach card. They didn't ask me for ID even though they should have, i think it was the change of shift that made it happen.
God gave me a break, again.
With the new card i was able to use the library's computers and online access. I updated my blog and made a post in my guild's forums.
I researched how much it would cost me to take a bus to Canada. $110 if i booked it at least 7 days in advance. Not much for a trip all the way to Edmonton, Alberta.
I figured a whole month of work full-time would get me to Canada, maybe less.
I spent a few hours at the library.
I showed up at work on time, happy to be there and all that was left to do was to discuss hours and pay. I wasn't greedy but i needed a full-time job.
Mr. Gong offered 25 hours a week at $6.50 per hour. The rate was satisfactory, but the hours were not. I thanked him, and he even asked me to try back in a few weeks.
The place was slow, but i thought there would be more hours.
Tomorrow i will go to the next place the haitian mentioned, a bagel store.
Right now I've caught up with it all, writing in this notebook at a Mc Donalds.
I come out of McD's and I see a sign "All positions wanted" at a bagel store next to it.
I hope i sleep well tonight.
It was an interesting topic, even though a bit boring.
He lend me his phone to call Mr. Gong, who told me to be at the restaurant at 5:30PM, things looked good.
His cell is one of those pre-paid phones.
He also allowed me to call a dear friend of mine in North Carolina whom i had promised to call after i left Nina.
She was happy to talk to me, we spoke a while and i told her that i'd call her again in 1-2 weeks again.
I then went to the library, which was 30mins away on foot.
I had saved my old Broward library card, which made it easy for me to get a Palm Beach card. They didn't ask me for ID even though they should have, i think it was the change of shift that made it happen.
God gave me a break, again.
With the new card i was able to use the library's computers and online access. I updated my blog and made a post in my guild's forums.
I researched how much it would cost me to take a bus to Canada. $110 if i booked it at least 7 days in advance. Not much for a trip all the way to Edmonton, Alberta.
I figured a whole month of work full-time would get me to Canada, maybe less.
I spent a few hours at the library.
I showed up at work on time, happy to be there and all that was left to do was to discuss hours and pay. I wasn't greedy but i needed a full-time job.
Mr. Gong offered 25 hours a week at $6.50 per hour. The rate was satisfactory, but the hours were not. I thanked him, and he even asked me to try back in a few weeks.
The place was slow, but i thought there would be more hours.
Tomorrow i will go to the next place the haitian mentioned, a bagel store.
Right now I've caught up with it all, writing in this notebook at a Mc Donalds.
I come out of McD's and I see a sign "All positions wanted" at a bagel store next to it.
I hope i sleep well tonight.
Recap (Day 9)
Most of my clothes were dirty, not good enough to look decent if one is to ask for work.
I walked a few hours to the closest laundrymat.
The place wasn't cheap but it was nice and had 3 TV's going, i watched the Ellen Degeneres show.
On my way there i bought a 6-pack bag of socks and a pair of cheap sneakers at Wal-Mart. A well spent $15.
I took the bus back home.
I went to the camp to cut most of my beard off to look more decent, they got a large mirror there.
I changed at my tent and went to the first place the haitian had mentioned, a japanese restaurant.
The owner wanted to try me out so I worked from 5:30PM to 10PM. I got along with the staff, and tried to be nice and friendly. Everyone seemed to like me. I was to be a diswasher/cook helper, which was fine by me.
I went home happy, i had made a good impression and i had Mr. Gong's phone # (the owner) to talk to him the next day.
I slept pretty good this night.
I walked a few hours to the closest laundrymat.
The place wasn't cheap but it was nice and had 3 TV's going, i watched the Ellen Degeneres show.
On my way there i bought a 6-pack bag of socks and a pair of cheap sneakers at Wal-Mart. A well spent $15.
I took the bus back home.
I went to the camp to cut most of my beard off to look more decent, they got a large mirror there.
I changed at my tent and went to the first place the haitian had mentioned, a japanese restaurant.
The owner wanted to try me out so I worked from 5:30PM to 10PM. I got along with the staff, and tried to be nice and friendly. Everyone seemed to like me. I was to be a diswasher/cook helper, which was fine by me.
I went home happy, i had made a good impression and i had Mr. Gong's phone # (the owner) to talk to him the next day.
I slept pretty good this night.
Recap (Day 8)
I woke up early, with a plan.
Dwayne had told me a days ago that my driver's license may not have been revoked, but suspended instead.
So, i bought an all-day bus pass and headed to the DMV office closest to me.
It took a while to get there. The visit was short, my outdated city I.D. and my expired work permit closed the door practically.
It was a long shot.
Next to the DMV was a Salvation Army thrift shop, so i got a pair of jeans since the other thrift shop didn't have them (i got a 25% homeless discount!).
I then traveled to another thrift shop and got a nice backpack, i mentioned being homeless and the nice lady reduced the price from $5 to $4, every buck counts.
By the time I got back, the sun was going down.
That night i watched "Blackbeard" the mini-series on DVD at the camp with the guys. It was enjoyable.
That night i already knew what i was going to do the next day. I had met a haitian at the bus stop and i mentioned that i was looking for work and he told me about 2 places near me that may hire me for cash.
I slept most of the night.
Dwayne had told me a days ago that my driver's license may not have been revoked, but suspended instead.
So, i bought an all-day bus pass and headed to the DMV office closest to me.
It took a while to get there. The visit was short, my outdated city I.D. and my expired work permit closed the door practically.
It was a long shot.
Next to the DMV was a Salvation Army thrift shop, so i got a pair of jeans since the other thrift shop didn't have them (i got a 25% homeless discount!).
I then traveled to another thrift shop and got a nice backpack, i mentioned being homeless and the nice lady reduced the price from $5 to $4, every buck counts.
By the time I got back, the sun was going down.
That night i watched "Blackbeard" the mini-series on DVD at the camp with the guys. It was enjoyable.
That night i already knew what i was going to do the next day. I had met a haitian at the bus stop and i mentioned that i was looking for work and he told me about 2 places near me that may hire me for cash.
I slept most of the night.
Recap (Day 7)
Again woke up early. A nearby church had a thrift shop open. I needed another pair of pants, a backpack, a notebook, socks and a used pair of sneakers.
The shop was open from 10AM-3PM so i thought i had some time.
I tried to hang out at corners like Dwayne, hoping to score some cash. It didn't work, it felt ackward. He had warned me about the feeling.
I went to hang out with JC a bit and lost track of time.
I barely made it to the thrift shop, with just 5 minutes left to shop. I found 2 tee shirts, a simple hat and a nice sleeping bag.
They assumed it was a comforter and i didn't say anything. I walked out and was about to leave the church grounds... but my heart knew it was wrong.
I walked back to the shop and told them that it was a sleeping bag and asked if i owed them any money. They said it was ok.
Sometimes it's hard to be honest, temptation is everywhere. I'm trying my best to be an honest man.
I set up the new "bed" and then saw one of the shirts i had bought was too small.
I guess it was god's way of saying "Gotcha!", heh.
I'm trying to keep a positive attitude.
That night i slept much better.
The shop was open from 10AM-3PM so i thought i had some time.
I tried to hang out at corners like Dwayne, hoping to score some cash. It didn't work, it felt ackward. He had warned me about the feeling.
I went to hang out with JC a bit and lost track of time.
I barely made it to the thrift shop, with just 5 minutes left to shop. I found 2 tee shirts, a simple hat and a nice sleeping bag.
They assumed it was a comforter and i didn't say anything. I walked out and was about to leave the church grounds... but my heart knew it was wrong.
I walked back to the shop and told them that it was a sleeping bag and asked if i owed them any money. They said it was ok.
Sometimes it's hard to be honest, temptation is everywhere. I'm trying my best to be an honest man.
I set up the new "bed" and then saw one of the shirts i had bought was too small.
I guess it was god's way of saying "Gotcha!", heh.
I'm trying to keep a positive attitude.
That night i slept much better.
Recap (Day 6)
I woke up early, went to Burger King as i had done the previous days for the $1 breakfast menu. $2.13 was my morning budget, sometimes i had to cut it to $1.07
This time i showed up at 9AM at the camp. Dwayne was a bit surprised, but he didn't seem to mind.
There was a prospect for work and told him where it was based on the instructions i had been given saturday night by one of the comedy club employees.
Dwayne said that it was far, but i didn't care.
A job is what i needed, and it appeared that it was full time, what I needed.
I spent most of the day walking, trying to find "Backstreet Grill" and failing miserably.
Being away from my tent all day made me fear the loss of what little i had.
However i thought, "it's out of my control, i shouldn't stress over it".
I was happy to see my spot untouched.
I went to visit JC, Dwayne and Hobo after my long day. I was welcomed and even talked to JC a bit (he doesn't talk much).
Hobo has taken a liking to me and hasn't barked at me since the second time i was there.
The camp has a generator so we watched Jeopardy, the champions edition (past winners compete against eachother).
They also shared their food with me again.
I was tired so after the show i retired to my tent.
That night my cat naps were longer, i was getting used to my sleeping arrangements.
This time i showed up at 9AM at the camp. Dwayne was a bit surprised, but he didn't seem to mind.
There was a prospect for work and told him where it was based on the instructions i had been given saturday night by one of the comedy club employees.
Dwayne said that it was far, but i didn't care.
A job is what i needed, and it appeared that it was full time, what I needed.
I spent most of the day walking, trying to find "Backstreet Grill" and failing miserably.
Being away from my tent all day made me fear the loss of what little i had.
However i thought, "it's out of my control, i shouldn't stress over it".
I was happy to see my spot untouched.
I went to visit JC, Dwayne and Hobo after my long day. I was welcomed and even talked to JC a bit (he doesn't talk much).
Hobo has taken a liking to me and hasn't barked at me since the second time i was there.
The camp has a generator so we watched Jeopardy, the champions edition (past winners compete against eachother).
They also shared their food with me again.
I was tired so after the show i retired to my tent.
That night my cat naps were longer, i was getting used to my sleeping arrangements.
Recap (Day 5)
I woke up early, soon after sunrise. It must have been 7-8AM when I went to see Dwayne.
It is then that i found out that he wasn't a morning person, heh.
Still, he talked to me; even gave me more food. Surprisingly JC gave me a used sleeping bag and a sleeveless winter jacket. Dwayne also gave me a sweater if i got too cold at night.
He told me to move the tent because it was too exposed. "Out of sight, out of mind" he said, meaning nobody would tell me to move if they can't see me.
I decided to find a spot to move. JC gave me a rake, a machete and a hand saw to clear it (which I returned after I was done with them).
The misconception that the homeless are useless or ill equipped was seriously disproven by my new friends.
As i was clearing my new area where i would move my tent someone in a pickup truck drove right to me and asked me if the tent was mine.
I was honest and said yes.
The man was the caretaker of the property. He told me he didn't mind me being there as long as i moved the tent to a less visible spot. I explained to him that it was exaclty what i was doing.
Apparently one of his relatives is also homeless, which made him a very understanding person.
He told me to take care and left.
I spent the rest of the day setting up the tent at the new spot, however as i was finishing up it started to rain. I tried to move fast but the sleeping bag and some other things got wet.
I had no control over it, so I didn't stress about it.
It is, what it is.
I slept on carboard again that night inside the tent. I got used to listening to a small portable radio at night to pass the time. Such a small thing has brought me great joy, i love music.
It is then that i found out that he wasn't a morning person, heh.
Still, he talked to me; even gave me more food. Surprisingly JC gave me a used sleeping bag and a sleeveless winter jacket. Dwayne also gave me a sweater if i got too cold at night.
He told me to move the tent because it was too exposed. "Out of sight, out of mind" he said, meaning nobody would tell me to move if they can't see me.
I decided to find a spot to move. JC gave me a rake, a machete and a hand saw to clear it (which I returned after I was done with them).
The misconception that the homeless are useless or ill equipped was seriously disproven by my new friends.
As i was clearing my new area where i would move my tent someone in a pickup truck drove right to me and asked me if the tent was mine.
I was honest and said yes.
The man was the caretaker of the property. He told me he didn't mind me being there as long as i moved the tent to a less visible spot. I explained to him that it was exaclty what i was doing.
Apparently one of his relatives is also homeless, which made him a very understanding person.
He told me to take care and left.
I spent the rest of the day setting up the tent at the new spot, however as i was finishing up it started to rain. I tried to move fast but the sleeping bag and some other things got wet.
I had no control over it, so I didn't stress about it.
It is, what it is.
I slept on carboard again that night inside the tent. I got used to listening to a small portable radio at night to pass the time. Such a small thing has brought me great joy, i love music.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Comments and Recaps
Comments are now enabled. I've got limited internet access through a library, I will try to keep things updated. I did recaps of the first few days of my adventure, more is to come. It's 3:20PM and I need to get ready to work (yes, I got a job).
Later!
Later!
Recap (Day 4)
The sun came up and i was talking to Dwayne. He gave me some advice and food. He even said I was welcome to come back.
The camp was occupied by him and an old man called J.C., and Hobo the dog.
I had decided to spend the day setting up the tent.
Pain was still all over my body, so i laid back on cardboard and took it easy in the afternoon to let the tent finish drying up.
A couple of hours later I was trying to put together the tent based on the instructions i had saved from the tent i had forgotten to take.
Some parts were broken, but i managed to put it up somewhat with what i had.
The tent was about twice as big as the one i had bought.
God really was looking out for me :)
That night i slept in the tent, it felt good to have shelter. A few hours after, it rained a bit, had i been outside on cardboard i would've gotten sick for sure.
I couldn't sleep straight through, it was more like cat naps because all i had inside the tent as bedding was cardboard.
Still, i was happy to have it.
The camp was occupied by him and an old man called J.C., and Hobo the dog.
I had decided to spend the day setting up the tent.
Pain was still all over my body, so i laid back on cardboard and took it easy in the afternoon to let the tent finish drying up.
A couple of hours later I was trying to put together the tent based on the instructions i had saved from the tent i had forgotten to take.
Some parts were broken, but i managed to put it up somewhat with what i had.
The tent was about twice as big as the one i had bought.
God really was looking out for me :)
That night i slept in the tent, it felt good to have shelter. A few hours after, it rained a bit, had i been outside on cardboard i would've gotten sick for sure.
I couldn't sleep straight through, it was more like cat naps because all i had inside the tent as bedding was cardboard.
Still, i was happy to have it.
Recap (Day 3)
I woke up at dawn and began to walk north. A couple of hours later I was taking a break in front of a storage business.
The office was not open yet so i knew nobody would be telling me to move.
Cars would go in and out, mostly ignoring me. Then a guy in a truck asked me if I was looking for work.
I jumped at the chance and said yes.
He told me to wait for him, when he came out he said that he'd be back.
He came back and apologized, he wouldn't need me and gave me two bucks for waiting. I thanked him and moved down the road.
At the corner i was holding my Canada sign, hoping I'd get a ride. I had no luck.
Then the same guy from before flags me down and calls me over across the street.
He says "there is a reason you're here man. I need you".
His name was Allen, a carpenter. He was going to build a shelf in his storage room and needed someone to help him.
Allen was a nice guy, with his own troubles. Married for seven years with kids, recovering drug addict and alcoholic he was trying to get his life together.
I told him I was going to Canada and why I was trying to get there. He sympathized with my situation.
It felt good to work again.
I think we were done at 1-2PM, he gave me enough cash to cover my food expenses a few days. Allen also gave me a cart that usually attaches to the back of a bike. I loaded my heavy backpack and I was in heaven. No more shoulder pain.
He also told me about an abandoned tent in a field near a large tower.
I thanked him for his help and walked my cart hoping that perhaps I'd have a tent to sleep in that night.
Because I didn't know the area well I asked for directions a few times nicely and ended up finding out that indeeed there was an abandoned tent.
It looked as if it had been abandoned for weeks, water inside and collapsed. I took it apart and spread it on the grass to let the sun dry it out.
Didn't take me long to find out I was in Boca Raton.
I must have walked about 20 miles in a couple of days, not fast enough. I needed to think of other options. My feet, legs and shoulders were still sore so I couldn't think of much.
That night I tried to sleep on a few large cardboard boxes i had found at the back of a Dunkin Donuts.
I tried to create a large enclosure with some space for fresh air to come in. It worked, until i realized that it cause me to sweat which combined with the cold it made me shiver.
It was late at night and it was too cold to stay asleep.
I thought of making a fire, but i didn't want to be noticed in the middle of the night on a field which i was probably tresspassing.
Before I go on, I must say I've gone through an awakening of faith, in god.
On my second night I was attacked by some kids, throwing eggs from a car, some hit me. They threatened to shoot me.
After they moved on I walked to Mc Donalds hoping to get a napkin to clean up, but it was really late at night.
Now a beautiful blonde in an expensive car comes out of the drive-through and offers me a bag of cookies, which i gratefully accepted.
On the third day a laid off wielder gave me a bag of mini-bagels.
God has been looking out for me.
This has lead me to talk to him more often, and to try and turn a new leaf.
Ok, back to the third night.
As as I was walking toward Glades Road, hoping to warm up by walking, I saw something unbelievable. A fire!!
The employees at "New York Comedy Club" had made a fire by using a large ceramic pot with wood and newspaper.
They were kind enough to share their fire. We talked a bit and they convinced me to stay in florida before going to Canada.
They mentioned a homeless camp which was close by, near the field I was sleeping at.
It was about 4:30AM when i found the camp, at first it looked abandoned, until the dog barked.
I froze, not knowing what the dog was going to do besides barking. I then slowly moved back trying to leave.
Soon after someone came out. I introduced myself to someone who was also homeless like me.
His name was Dwayne, we ended up talking for over 4 hours.
The office was not open yet so i knew nobody would be telling me to move.
Cars would go in and out, mostly ignoring me. Then a guy in a truck asked me if I was looking for work.
I jumped at the chance and said yes.
He told me to wait for him, when he came out he said that he'd be back.
He came back and apologized, he wouldn't need me and gave me two bucks for waiting. I thanked him and moved down the road.
At the corner i was holding my Canada sign, hoping I'd get a ride. I had no luck.
Then the same guy from before flags me down and calls me over across the street.
He says "there is a reason you're here man. I need you".
His name was Allen, a carpenter. He was going to build a shelf in his storage room and needed someone to help him.
Allen was a nice guy, with his own troubles. Married for seven years with kids, recovering drug addict and alcoholic he was trying to get his life together.
I told him I was going to Canada and why I was trying to get there. He sympathized with my situation.
It felt good to work again.
I think we were done at 1-2PM, he gave me enough cash to cover my food expenses a few days. Allen also gave me a cart that usually attaches to the back of a bike. I loaded my heavy backpack and I was in heaven. No more shoulder pain.
He also told me about an abandoned tent in a field near a large tower.
I thanked him for his help and walked my cart hoping that perhaps I'd have a tent to sleep in that night.
Because I didn't know the area well I asked for directions a few times nicely and ended up finding out that indeeed there was an abandoned tent.
It looked as if it had been abandoned for weeks, water inside and collapsed. I took it apart and spread it on the grass to let the sun dry it out.
Didn't take me long to find out I was in Boca Raton.
I must have walked about 20 miles in a couple of days, not fast enough. I needed to think of other options. My feet, legs and shoulders were still sore so I couldn't think of much.
That night I tried to sleep on a few large cardboard boxes i had found at the back of a Dunkin Donuts.
I tried to create a large enclosure with some space for fresh air to come in. It worked, until i realized that it cause me to sweat which combined with the cold it made me shiver.
It was late at night and it was too cold to stay asleep.
I thought of making a fire, but i didn't want to be noticed in the middle of the night on a field which i was probably tresspassing.
Before I go on, I must say I've gone through an awakening of faith, in god.
On my second night I was attacked by some kids, throwing eggs from a car, some hit me. They threatened to shoot me.
After they moved on I walked to Mc Donalds hoping to get a napkin to clean up, but it was really late at night.
Now a beautiful blonde in an expensive car comes out of the drive-through and offers me a bag of cookies, which i gratefully accepted.
On the third day a laid off wielder gave me a bag of mini-bagels.
God has been looking out for me.
This has lead me to talk to him more often, and to try and turn a new leaf.
Ok, back to the third night.
As as I was walking toward Glades Road, hoping to warm up by walking, I saw something unbelievable. A fire!!
The employees at "New York Comedy Club" had made a fire by using a large ceramic pot with wood and newspaper.
They were kind enough to share their fire. We talked a bit and they convinced me to stay in florida before going to Canada.
They mentioned a homeless camp which was close by, near the field I was sleeping at.
It was about 4:30AM when i found the camp, at first it looked abandoned, until the dog barked.
I froze, not knowing what the dog was going to do besides barking. I then slowly moved back trying to leave.
Soon after someone came out. I introduced myself to someone who was also homeless like me.
His name was Dwayne, we ended up talking for over 4 hours.
Recap (Day 2)
It had been a hard night, with only a jacket and bushes to protect me from the wind.
I woke up and realized I was across a high school. My first thought was "oh man, i need to move fast" because a guy with a huge backpack probably would be noticed.
As i moved a few blocks north it dawned on me that i was in a wealthy area.
The weight of the backpack forced me to stop to take breaks every few blocks.
I thought my luck had ran out when a patrol car stopped right in front of me as i was taking a break on some nice grass.
I told him the truth, i had left my wife and was on my way to Canada.
He ran my I.D. and found no warrants or anything that would have given him a reason to take me into custody.
Surprisingly he told me i was going in the wrong direction. The officer then told me how to get to State Road 7 which he said was a better way to go.
I thanked him and I put the backpack on quickly (too quickly) and walked back following his directions.
Now comes the funny part.
A block away I realize that the backpack is on me wrong and I can't take it off!!
My only choice was to fall on the grass on purpose to try and take it off.
Of course someone at the corner notices and tells a person who is driving by, who ends up driving to me, gets out of his car and helps me get the backpack off. I thanked him.
So who else shows up?
The officer I had just spoken to less than 10 minutes before.
A quick explanation and a grin got me sympathy and I was allowed to move on.
About an hour later I'm thirsty and two workers tell me there is a water fountain in the Municipal building nearby.
I figured since I'm not looking for trouble I'd be ok. I was half right.
The lady at the lobby pointed to the water fountain and I must have drank a lot and sat a while, because on my way out I was greeted by three police officers.
They were more thorough, more questions, checked my backpack, padded me down for weapons, ran my I.D. (twice!!) and i tried to look as harmless as possible.
I ended up getting a ride to State Road 7 in a patrol car, I guess they wanted me to move along as soon as possible.
I moved slower than the first day, my shoulders were in serious pain.
That night i slept on the cardboards again, behind a bush which was shaped in a wide "U" so nobody could see me from either direction of the street.
I woke up and realized I was across a high school. My first thought was "oh man, i need to move fast" because a guy with a huge backpack probably would be noticed.
As i moved a few blocks north it dawned on me that i was in a wealthy area.
The weight of the backpack forced me to stop to take breaks every few blocks.
I thought my luck had ran out when a patrol car stopped right in front of me as i was taking a break on some nice grass.
I told him the truth, i had left my wife and was on my way to Canada.
He ran my I.D. and found no warrants or anything that would have given him a reason to take me into custody.
Surprisingly he told me i was going in the wrong direction. The officer then told me how to get to State Road 7 which he said was a better way to go.
I thanked him and I put the backpack on quickly (too quickly) and walked back following his directions.
Now comes the funny part.
A block away I realize that the backpack is on me wrong and I can't take it off!!
My only choice was to fall on the grass on purpose to try and take it off.
Of course someone at the corner notices and tells a person who is driving by, who ends up driving to me, gets out of his car and helps me get the backpack off. I thanked him.
So who else shows up?
The officer I had just spoken to less than 10 minutes before.
A quick explanation and a grin got me sympathy and I was allowed to move on.
About an hour later I'm thirsty and two workers tell me there is a water fountain in the Municipal building nearby.
I figured since I'm not looking for trouble I'd be ok. I was half right.
The lady at the lobby pointed to the water fountain and I must have drank a lot and sat a while, because on my way out I was greeted by three police officers.
They were more thorough, more questions, checked my backpack, padded me down for weapons, ran my I.D. (twice!!) and i tried to look as harmless as possible.
I ended up getting a ride to State Road 7 in a patrol car, I guess they wanted me to move along as soon as possible.
I moved slower than the first day, my shoulders were in serious pain.
That night i slept on the cardboards again, behind a bush which was shaped in a wide "U" so nobody could see me from either direction of the street.
Recap (Day 1)
I was in such a hurry to leave that i left a lot of important things behind, like I mentioned in my previous post.
I stayed on Pine Island Road, heading north for hours. It wouldn't have been so hard if it wasn't because the backpack had at least 50 pounds in it.
Night came and i slept on two pieces of cardboard i had linked which read "Canada or Bust - God Bless You!!" hoping to get a ride that day.
My teeth were shaking so hard it was a miracle I was not discovered. My "bed" was between two large sections of bushes separating a neighborhood and Pine Island Rd.
I stayed on Pine Island Road, heading north for hours. It wouldn't have been so hard if it wasn't because the backpack had at least 50 pounds in it.
Night came and i slept on two pieces of cardboard i had linked which read "Canada or Bust - God Bless You!!" hoping to get a ride that day.
My teeth were shaking so hard it was a miracle I was not discovered. My "bed" was between two large sections of bushes separating a neighborhood and Pine Island Rd.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Day 2
Last night I slept on the ground between 2 bushes freezing. Why?
Things I forgot because I was in a hurry to leave and because my backpack was full and heavy as well (at least 50 pounds):
sleeping bag
tent
light jacket
laptop power supply
a bag with all my higiene items like deodorant, shaving cream, etc.
blanket
But so far I got luck, got stoped by copes 3 times, was cleared and even gave me a ride to state road 7 and was told that it goes all the way to canada.
New plan: Hichhike my way north, its very hard to walk with the heavy backpack for hours, did it from 4pm to 3am yesterday with some breaks.
at mc donalds wifi, trying to save power, bye
Things I forgot because I was in a hurry to leave and because my backpack was full and heavy as well (at least 50 pounds):
sleeping bag
tent
light jacket
laptop power supply
a bag with all my higiene items like deodorant, shaving cream, etc.
blanket
But so far I got luck, got stoped by copes 3 times, was cleared and even gave me a ride to state road 7 and was told that it goes all the way to canada.
New plan: Hichhike my way north, its very hard to walk with the heavy backpack for hours, did it from 4pm to 3am yesterday with some breaks.
at mc donalds wifi, trying to save power, bye
Thursday, November 8, 2007
A chance
Nina's got an appointment today, I may get a chance to get out. I've been spending all day with my cat, 3 years with her since she was a kitten...man this sucks.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
No break today =(
Nephew got sick and ended up having a phone session with his therapist. Nobody is leaving the house, no chance today.
Dammit, and I was all ready to go too. I'm thinking the weekend may give me a chance to leave, I hope.
Dammit, and I was all ready to go too. I'm thinking the weekend may give me a chance to leave, I hope.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
174 Steps
Goggle Maps, from where I am to Alberta, Canada...no joke, 3,071 miles:
1. Head west on NW 45th St toward NW 86th Ave - 154 ft
2. Turn left at NW 86th Ave - 400 ft
3. Turn right at NW 44th St - 0.2 mi
4. Turn left at N Pine Island Rd - 0.7 mi
5. Turn right at W Oakland Park Blvd/SR-816 W - 2.8 mi
6. Continue on NW 124th Ave/N Flamingo Rd - 7.3 mi
7. Turn right at Griffin Rd/SR-818 W - 7.5 mi
8. Turn right at US-27 N - 269 mi
9. Turn left at W Silver Springs Blvd - 1.7 mi
10. Turn right at NW 27th Ave - 0.7 mi
11. Turn left at US-27 N - 22.5 mi
12. Continue straight onto W Noble Ave/US-27-ALT/US-41 Continue to follow US-27-ALT - 26.6 mi
13. Turn right at N Main St/US-19 N/US-27-ALT N/US-98 N Continue to follow US-19 N - 95.8 mi
14. Turn right to stay on US-19 N - 9.8 mi
15. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto US-19 Entering Georgia - 22.6 mi
16. Slight left at US-19 N/US-84 W Continue to follow US-19 N - 60.5 mi
17. Continue on US-82 W - 3.3 mi
18. Merge onto GA-520 W/US-82 W via the ramp to Columbus/Dawson Continue to follow GA-520 WEntering Alabama - 79.5 mi
19. Continue on US-280 W - 26.1 mi
20. Continue on Columbus Pkwy/US-431 Continue to follow Columbus Pkwy - 0.9 mi
21. Turn right at S 6th St - 0.8 mi
22. Turn left at 2nd Ave/AL-14 Continue to follow AL-14 - 2.1 mi
23. Turn right at Birmingham Hwy/US-280 W Continue to follow US-280 W - 107 mi
24. Continue on Rosedale Dr (signs for Montgomery/Homewood/US-31 S) - 0.4 mi
25. Turn right at 18th St S - 0.2 mi
26. Continue on Richard Arrington Jr Blvd S - 0.7 mi
27. Slight left at 20th St S - 1.5 mi
28. Turn left at 1st Ave N/US-11/US-78 - 499 ft
29. Turn right at 19th St N - 0.9 mi
30. Turn left at 11th Ave N - 0.2 mi
31. Turn right at 17th St N - 0.1 mi
32. Continue on 18th St N - 0.5 mi
33. Continue on 16th St N - 0.7 mi
34. Turn left at Finley Blvd - 1.4 mi
35. Slight right at Bankhead Hwy W/US-78 W Continue to follow US-78 W - 36.6 mi
36. Turn right at Oak Hill Rd - 0.7 mi
37. Turn right at AL-195 - 24.4 mi
38. Turn left at US-278 - 0.2 mi
39. Turn right at AL-195 - 10.9 mi
40. Turn right at AL-243 - 19.9 mi
41. Turn right at US-43 N - 17.1 mi
42. Turn left at US-72 W Entering Mississippi - 53.8 mi
43. Merge onto MS-2 E/US-45 N via the ramp to Selmer TN Continue to follow US-45 NEntering Tennessee - 16.7 mi
44. Turn left at US-45 N/US-64 W Continue to follow US-45 N - 38.3 mi
45. Turn right at S Church St - 0.2 mi
46. Turn left at E Chester St/US-70 W Continue to follow US-70 W - 1.6 mi
47. Continue on US-45-BYP N - 8.5 mi
48. Continue on US-45 N - 1.5 mi
49. Merge onto US-45E N via the ramp to Milan - 43.0 mi
50. Continue on Elm St/US-45E-BR - 1.9 mi
51. Turn right at TN-431/University St/US-45E-BR - 0.2 mi
52. Turn left at N Lindell St/US-45E-BR Continue to follow US-45E-BR - 4.0 mi
53. Continue straight onto TN-43 N/US-45E N - 6.1 mi
54. Turn left at US-45E - 1.6 mi
55. Continue on TN-215 N Entering Kentucky - 0.5 mi
56. Continue on Julian M Carroll Purchase Pkwy N - 1.2 mi
57. Take the ramp to Clinton/US-51/Fulton - 0.3 mi
58. Turn left at US-51 N - 36.2 mi
59. Turn left at Green St/US-51/US-60/US-62 Continue to follow US-51/US-60/US-62Entering Illinois - 4.8 mi
60. Turn right at US-51 - 4.2 mi
61. Continue on IL-3 N - 0.2 mi
62. Turn left at Old IL-3 - 1.0 mi
63. Turn right toward IL-3 - 243 ft
64. Turn left at IL-3 - 7.3 mi
65. Turn left to stay on IL-3 - 17.4 mi
66. Turn left at IL-146 Entering Missouri - 3.7 mi
67. Continue on MO-34 W - 2.2 mi
68. Slight right to stay on MO-34 W - 13.0 mi
69. Continue on MO-72 - 36.9 mi
70. Turn left to stay on MO-72 - 0.7 mi
71. Turn right at La Chance St - 472 ft
72. Turn left at N Main St - 302 ft
73. Turn right at Ct Square - 144 ft
74. Turn right at MO-72/US-67-BR - 1.5 mi
75. Slight right to merge onto US-67 N - 28.7 mi
76. Take the MO-47/MO-K exit toward Bonne Terre - 0.2 mi
77. Turn left at MO-47/MO-K Continue to follow MO-47 - 15.5 mi
78. Turn right at MO-21/MO-47 - 4.9 mi
79. Turn left at MO-47 - 20.4 mi
80. Turn left at MO-30/MO-47 - 6.2 mi
81. Sharp right at MO-47 - 1.2 mi
82. Turn left to stay on MO-47 - 6.2 mi
83. Turn left at US-50 - 0.4 mi
84. Turn right at MO-47 - 11.1 mi
85. Turn right at MO-94 - 0.7 mi
86. Continue on MO-TT - 3.6 mi
87. Turn left at MO-T - 12.5 mi
88. Turn right at S Service Rd E - 328 ft
89. Turn left at MO-W - 5.9 mi
90. Turn left at US-61 N - 90.4 mi
91. Merge onto US-61 N via the ramp to Canton - 31.2 mi
92. Continue on MO-27 Entering Iowa - 7.3 mi
93. Continue on IA-27 N - 72.7 mi
94. Take exit 80 for IA-22 - 0.3 mi
95. Turn right at IA-22 - 0.5 mi
96. Turn left at CR-W64 - 8.9 mi
97. Turn right at Oak Crest Hill Rd SE/Old Hwy 218 S Continue to follow Old Hwy 218 S - 1.5 mi
98. Continue on S Riverside Dr - 1.7 mi
99. Continue on US-6 - 19.0 mi
100. Turn right at US-151 - 8.1 mi
101. Turn left at CR-E66 - 4.1 mi
102. Turn right at CR-W24 - 4.5 mi
103. Turn left at US-218 W/US-30 W - 6.0 mi
104. Turn right at US-218 - 13.0 mi
105. Turn left to stay on US-218 - 19.8 mi
106. Turn left to stay on US-218 - 9.9 mi
107. Slight right toward Texas St - 0.2 mi
108. Turn left at Texas St - 2.4 mi
109. Turn left toward US-218 N - 121 ft
110. Turn right to merge onto US-218 N - 2.3 mi
111. Take the 1st St/Young Arena/US-63 N ramp - 0.2 mi
112. Merge onto W 1st St/US-63 N Continue to follow US-63 NEntering Minnesota - 87.0 mi
113. Continue on CR-1/N Section Ave Continue to follow CR-1 - 24.1 mi
114. Turn left at 12th St SE/US-14 W Continue to follow 12th St SE - 1.8 mi
115. Continue on Salem Rd SW - 1.6 mi
116. Continue on W Circle Dr SW - 0.3 mi
117. Continue on CR-22 - 5.8 mi
118. Turn left to merge onto US-52 N - 57.9 mi
119. Continue straight onto Courthouse Blvd/MN-55 W Continue to follow MN-55 W - 12.6 mi
120. Take the exit toward Fort Snelling - 0.4 mi
121. Merge onto Bloomington Rd - 338 ft
122. Turn right to stay on Bloomington Rd - 0.1 mi
123. Turn right at Tower Rd (signs for MN-55 E) - 0.2 mi
124. Slight right at Federal Dr - 141 ft
125. Turn right to stay on Federal Dr - 0.2 mi
126. Slight right at Minnehaha Ave - 0.4 mi
127. Continue on Hiawatha Ave/MN-55 W Continue to follow MN-55 W - 6.9 mi
128. Slight right at 7th St N/N 7th St Continue to follow 7th St N - 0.8 mi
129. Turn right at E Lyndale Ave N - 0.8 mi
130. Turn left at W Broadway Ave - 2.1 mi
131. Continue on CR-81 N - 7.2 mi
132. Slight right at US-169 N - 6.6 mi
133. Turn left at Main St - 0.6 mi
134. Take the ramp onto US-10 W/US-169 N Continue to follow US-10 W - 79.2 mi
135. Merge onto US-10 W via the ramp to Motley - 102 mi
136. Turn right at MN-34/US-59 (signs for MN-34 E/US-59 N) Continue to follow US-59 - 59.6 mi
137. Turn left to merge onto US-2 W toward Erskine Crookston - 24.0 mi
138. Turn right at CR-46 - 2.0 mi
139. Turn left at CR-11 - 7.0 mi
140. Turn right at University Ave/US-2 W Continue to follow US-2 WEntering North Dakota - 243 mi
141. Continue on US-2-BYP W/US-52-BYP W - 1.3 mi
142. Continue on US-2 W/US-52 W - 4.1 mi
143. Take the ramp onto US-52 W - 74.4 mi
144. Turn right at US-52 Entering Canada (Saskatchewan) - 7.4 mi
145. Continue straight onto HWY-39 - 121 mi
146. Turn left to stay on HWY-39 - 42.5 mi
147. Continue on HWY-301 - 13.1 mi
148. Turn left at HWY-202 - 4.6 mi
149. Slight right - 2.0 mi
150. Slight right toward HWY-42 - 0.8 mi
151. Turn left at HWY-42 - 30.0 mi
152. Turn right at HWY-367 - 14.8 mi
153. Turn right at HWY-19 - 24.0 mi
154. Turn left at HWY-44 - 8.7 mi
155. Turn left toward HWY-219 - 0.4 mi
156. Turn right at HWY-219 - 3.5 mi
157. Turn left at HWY-44 - 0.7 mi
158. Turn left to stay on HWY-44 - 13.3 mi
159. Continue on HWY-45 - 10.5 mi
160. Turn left at HWY-15/HWY-45 Continue to follow HWY-15 - 38.6 mi
161. Turn right at HWY-4 - 39.3 mi
162. Turn left at HWY-14 - 41.6 mi
163. Turn left to stay on HWY-14 Entering Alberta - 57.7 mi
164. Continue on HWY-13 - 74.2 mi
165. Turn right at HWY-870 - 18.0 mi
166. Turn left at 1 Ave/HWY-14 Continue to follow HWY-14 - 83.4 mi
167. Turn left at 23 Ave NE - 2.1 mi
168. Slight right at 23 Ave NW - 1.1 mi
169. Turn right at 50 St NW - 4.7 mi
170. Turn left at 90 Ave NW - 1.6 mi
171. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Connors Rd NW - 1.7 mi
172. Continue on McDougall Hl NW - 0.4 mi
173. McDougall Hl NW turns slightly left and becomes 100 St NW - 0.5 mi
174. Turn right at 103A Ave NW - 184 ft
Arrive at: Edmonton, AB Canada
Well at least I know which way to go, heh.
1. Head west on NW 45th St toward NW 86th Ave - 154 ft
2. Turn left at NW 86th Ave - 400 ft
3. Turn right at NW 44th St - 0.2 mi
4. Turn left at N Pine Island Rd - 0.7 mi
5. Turn right at W Oakland Park Blvd/SR-816 W - 2.8 mi
6. Continue on NW 124th Ave/N Flamingo Rd - 7.3 mi
7. Turn right at Griffin Rd/SR-818 W - 7.5 mi
8. Turn right at US-27 N - 269 mi
9. Turn left at W Silver Springs Blvd - 1.7 mi
10. Turn right at NW 27th Ave - 0.7 mi
11. Turn left at US-27 N - 22.5 mi
12. Continue straight onto W Noble Ave/US-27-ALT/US-41 Continue to follow US-27-ALT - 26.6 mi
13. Turn right at N Main St/US-19 N/US-27-ALT N/US-98 N Continue to follow US-19 N - 95.8 mi
14. Turn right to stay on US-19 N - 9.8 mi
15. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto US-19 Entering Georgia - 22.6 mi
16. Slight left at US-19 N/US-84 W Continue to follow US-19 N - 60.5 mi
17. Continue on US-82 W - 3.3 mi
18. Merge onto GA-520 W/US-82 W via the ramp to Columbus/Dawson Continue to follow GA-520 WEntering Alabama - 79.5 mi
19. Continue on US-280 W - 26.1 mi
20. Continue on Columbus Pkwy/US-431 Continue to follow Columbus Pkwy - 0.9 mi
21. Turn right at S 6th St - 0.8 mi
22. Turn left at 2nd Ave/AL-14 Continue to follow AL-14 - 2.1 mi
23. Turn right at Birmingham Hwy/US-280 W Continue to follow US-280 W - 107 mi
24. Continue on Rosedale Dr (signs for Montgomery/Homewood/US-31 S) - 0.4 mi
25. Turn right at 18th St S - 0.2 mi
26. Continue on Richard Arrington Jr Blvd S - 0.7 mi
27. Slight left at 20th St S - 1.5 mi
28. Turn left at 1st Ave N/US-11/US-78 - 499 ft
29. Turn right at 19th St N - 0.9 mi
30. Turn left at 11th Ave N - 0.2 mi
31. Turn right at 17th St N - 0.1 mi
32. Continue on 18th St N - 0.5 mi
33. Continue on 16th St N - 0.7 mi
34. Turn left at Finley Blvd - 1.4 mi
35. Slight right at Bankhead Hwy W/US-78 W Continue to follow US-78 W - 36.6 mi
36. Turn right at Oak Hill Rd - 0.7 mi
37. Turn right at AL-195 - 24.4 mi
38. Turn left at US-278 - 0.2 mi
39. Turn right at AL-195 - 10.9 mi
40. Turn right at AL-243 - 19.9 mi
41. Turn right at US-43 N - 17.1 mi
42. Turn left at US-72 W Entering Mississippi - 53.8 mi
43. Merge onto MS-2 E/US-45 N via the ramp to Selmer TN Continue to follow US-45 NEntering Tennessee - 16.7 mi
44. Turn left at US-45 N/US-64 W Continue to follow US-45 N - 38.3 mi
45. Turn right at S Church St - 0.2 mi
46. Turn left at E Chester St/US-70 W Continue to follow US-70 W - 1.6 mi
47. Continue on US-45-BYP N - 8.5 mi
48. Continue on US-45 N - 1.5 mi
49. Merge onto US-45E N via the ramp to Milan - 43.0 mi
50. Continue on Elm St/US-45E-BR - 1.9 mi
51. Turn right at TN-431/University St/US-45E-BR - 0.2 mi
52. Turn left at N Lindell St/US-45E-BR Continue to follow US-45E-BR - 4.0 mi
53. Continue straight onto TN-43 N/US-45E N - 6.1 mi
54. Turn left at US-45E - 1.6 mi
55. Continue on TN-215 N Entering Kentucky - 0.5 mi
56. Continue on Julian M Carroll Purchase Pkwy N - 1.2 mi
57. Take the ramp to Clinton/US-51/Fulton - 0.3 mi
58. Turn left at US-51 N - 36.2 mi
59. Turn left at Green St/US-51/US-60/US-62 Continue to follow US-51/US-60/US-62Entering Illinois - 4.8 mi
60. Turn right at US-51 - 4.2 mi
61. Continue on IL-3 N - 0.2 mi
62. Turn left at Old IL-3 - 1.0 mi
63. Turn right toward IL-3 - 243 ft
64. Turn left at IL-3 - 7.3 mi
65. Turn left to stay on IL-3 - 17.4 mi
66. Turn left at IL-146 Entering Missouri - 3.7 mi
67. Continue on MO-34 W - 2.2 mi
68. Slight right to stay on MO-34 W - 13.0 mi
69. Continue on MO-72 - 36.9 mi
70. Turn left to stay on MO-72 - 0.7 mi
71. Turn right at La Chance St - 472 ft
72. Turn left at N Main St - 302 ft
73. Turn right at Ct Square - 144 ft
74. Turn right at MO-72/US-67-BR - 1.5 mi
75. Slight right to merge onto US-67 N - 28.7 mi
76. Take the MO-47/MO-K exit toward Bonne Terre - 0.2 mi
77. Turn left at MO-47/MO-K Continue to follow MO-47 - 15.5 mi
78. Turn right at MO-21/MO-47 - 4.9 mi
79. Turn left at MO-47 - 20.4 mi
80. Turn left at MO-30/MO-47 - 6.2 mi
81. Sharp right at MO-47 - 1.2 mi
82. Turn left to stay on MO-47 - 6.2 mi
83. Turn left at US-50 - 0.4 mi
84. Turn right at MO-47 - 11.1 mi
85. Turn right at MO-94 - 0.7 mi
86. Continue on MO-TT - 3.6 mi
87. Turn left at MO-T - 12.5 mi
88. Turn right at S Service Rd E - 328 ft
89. Turn left at MO-W - 5.9 mi
90. Turn left at US-61 N - 90.4 mi
91. Merge onto US-61 N via the ramp to Canton - 31.2 mi
92. Continue on MO-27 Entering Iowa - 7.3 mi
93. Continue on IA-27 N - 72.7 mi
94. Take exit 80 for IA-22 - 0.3 mi
95. Turn right at IA-22 - 0.5 mi
96. Turn left at CR-W64 - 8.9 mi
97. Turn right at Oak Crest Hill Rd SE/Old Hwy 218 S Continue to follow Old Hwy 218 S - 1.5 mi
98. Continue on S Riverside Dr - 1.7 mi
99. Continue on US-6 - 19.0 mi
100. Turn right at US-151 - 8.1 mi
101. Turn left at CR-E66 - 4.1 mi
102. Turn right at CR-W24 - 4.5 mi
103. Turn left at US-218 W/US-30 W - 6.0 mi
104. Turn right at US-218 - 13.0 mi
105. Turn left to stay on US-218 - 19.8 mi
106. Turn left to stay on US-218 - 9.9 mi
107. Slight right toward Texas St - 0.2 mi
108. Turn left at Texas St - 2.4 mi
109. Turn left toward US-218 N - 121 ft
110. Turn right to merge onto US-218 N - 2.3 mi
111. Take the 1st St/Young Arena/US-63 N ramp - 0.2 mi
112. Merge onto W 1st St/US-63 N Continue to follow US-63 NEntering Minnesota - 87.0 mi
113. Continue on CR-1/N Section Ave Continue to follow CR-1 - 24.1 mi
114. Turn left at 12th St SE/US-14 W Continue to follow 12th St SE - 1.8 mi
115. Continue on Salem Rd SW - 1.6 mi
116. Continue on W Circle Dr SW - 0.3 mi
117. Continue on CR-22 - 5.8 mi
118. Turn left to merge onto US-52 N - 57.9 mi
119. Continue straight onto Courthouse Blvd/MN-55 W Continue to follow MN-55 W - 12.6 mi
120. Take the exit toward Fort Snelling - 0.4 mi
121. Merge onto Bloomington Rd - 338 ft
122. Turn right to stay on Bloomington Rd - 0.1 mi
123. Turn right at Tower Rd (signs for MN-55 E) - 0.2 mi
124. Slight right at Federal Dr - 141 ft
125. Turn right to stay on Federal Dr - 0.2 mi
126. Slight right at Minnehaha Ave - 0.4 mi
127. Continue on Hiawatha Ave/MN-55 W Continue to follow MN-55 W - 6.9 mi
128. Slight right at 7th St N/N 7th St Continue to follow 7th St N - 0.8 mi
129. Turn right at E Lyndale Ave N - 0.8 mi
130. Turn left at W Broadway Ave - 2.1 mi
131. Continue on CR-81 N - 7.2 mi
132. Slight right at US-169 N - 6.6 mi
133. Turn left at Main St - 0.6 mi
134. Take the ramp onto US-10 W/US-169 N Continue to follow US-10 W - 79.2 mi
135. Merge onto US-10 W via the ramp to Motley - 102 mi
136. Turn right at MN-34/US-59 (signs for MN-34 E/US-59 N) Continue to follow US-59 - 59.6 mi
137. Turn left to merge onto US-2 W toward Erskine Crookston - 24.0 mi
138. Turn right at CR-46 - 2.0 mi
139. Turn left at CR-11 - 7.0 mi
140. Turn right at University Ave/US-2 W Continue to follow US-2 WEntering North Dakota - 243 mi
141. Continue on US-2-BYP W/US-52-BYP W - 1.3 mi
142. Continue on US-2 W/US-52 W - 4.1 mi
143. Take the ramp onto US-52 W - 74.4 mi
144. Turn right at US-52 Entering Canada (Saskatchewan) - 7.4 mi
145. Continue straight onto HWY-39 - 121 mi
146. Turn left to stay on HWY-39 - 42.5 mi
147. Continue on HWY-301 - 13.1 mi
148. Turn left at HWY-202 - 4.6 mi
149. Slight right - 2.0 mi
150. Slight right toward HWY-42 - 0.8 mi
151. Turn left at HWY-42 - 30.0 mi
152. Turn right at HWY-367 - 14.8 mi
153. Turn right at HWY-19 - 24.0 mi
154. Turn left at HWY-44 - 8.7 mi
155. Turn left toward HWY-219 - 0.4 mi
156. Turn right at HWY-219 - 3.5 mi
157. Turn left at HWY-44 - 0.7 mi
158. Turn left to stay on HWY-44 - 13.3 mi
159. Continue on HWY-45 - 10.5 mi
160. Turn left at HWY-15/HWY-45 Continue to follow HWY-15 - 38.6 mi
161. Turn right at HWY-4 - 39.3 mi
162. Turn left at HWY-14 - 41.6 mi
163. Turn left to stay on HWY-14 Entering Alberta - 57.7 mi
164. Continue on HWY-13 - 74.2 mi
165. Turn right at HWY-870 - 18.0 mi
166. Turn left at 1 Ave/HWY-14 Continue to follow HWY-14 - 83.4 mi
167. Turn left at 23 Ave NE - 2.1 mi
168. Slight right at 23 Ave NW - 1.1 mi
169. Turn right at 50 St NW - 4.7 mi
170. Turn left at 90 Ave NW - 1.6 mi
171. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Connors Rd NW - 1.7 mi
172. Continue on McDougall Hl NW - 0.4 mi
173. McDougall Hl NW turns slightly left and becomes 100 St NW - 0.5 mi
174. Turn right at 103A Ave NW - 184 ft
Arrive at: Edmonton, AB Canada
Well at least I know which way to go, heh.
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