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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.