Wow, what a busy week i had with things going for and against me.
This week i worked, but unfortunately i lost my bike lock key while holding the 9 foot sign, i had a second key for it back at my tent. Now i managed to get about 1/3 of the way home on a bus, waited on another bus to get all the way home and stood at a stop from 8PM to 9Pm then realized... the bus stopped running!
So i had to walk home, tried to run part of the way... another realization, i got a bit in shape, but not good enough to maintain a steady run. So, by the time i was back at my tent, it was 10:40PM, another fun day. However a good friend of mine, Shawna tells me to see the bright side... I got excercise out of it. I guess she was right, because i'm well acquainted with the pain that comes from it. Heh.
Next day i had to take 2 buses to get to work, and ended up being an hour late. Maybe i shouldn't have taken Monday off.
I managed to get in touch with a good friend of mine, Van also this week, was talking to her on my cell until a Coconut Creek Code Enforcement officer stopped to tell me i had to move and almost got a ticket. Guy was pakistani and i talked my way out of a ticket which probably my boss (Linda) would have been stuck with.
Things were ok (not counting my long walk earlier in the week) until i got the back tire of my bike got a flat. I was lucky that there was a nearby bike shop to fix it. The bad news was that the guy tells me the reason why i got a flat tire was because the tire itself was worn out and full of holes and replacing the tube would not make a difference without also replacing the tire.
Tire $14.99
Tube $4.99
Labor $5.99
Tax $1.69
Total $27.66
Discovering that you just spent more money than you're gonna make because you're going to be an hour late to work?... Priceless!
No really, there are some lessons that need to be learned. Had i payed more attention to my bike i may have been able to anticipate the need and not have a flat tire. I tell myself often "be aware of your surroundings" but i forget to be aware of the here and now sometimes.
Now besides that my friday ended up in not such a good note with my employer's son. Joey tells me he CAN'T pay me because i didn't work the full 15 hours this week assuming i was asking for my full weekly pay, i corrected him nicely saying i only wanted what i had earned this week. He said to come back Monday and he would pay me then.
Well, i had left my "looking for work" sign at the tanning salon since i didn't think i would need it. I went and got it, said goodbye and went to unlock my bike outside. I was planning on looking for another job Monday. I guess Joey notices because a minute later he comes out and hands me almost half of what i had earned and to come Monday for the rest. Fair deal, i had only $3 in my pocket, good timing.
I'm considering moving to California and wait out the winter there, but not sure yet. I need to get to know my friend a bit better before i make such a leap of faith because she'd be the only one who i would know there.
Tomorrow is my first day of my weekend part-time job wearing my tux pants, shirt and bow tie, oh yeah and black shoes. I don't know how good i will look as a caterer, i guess i will find out tomorrow. Library closes in 30mins, i may take my laptop over to Mc Donalds and use their wi-fi and maybe talk to a few friends.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Boom!
Surprise surprise! I'm staying in the states! until winter is over in Canada.
For weeks my homeless brethen have been telling me that it was suicide to go now, and it finally sinked in, that and finding work, and my friend Shawna in Cali. It was a mix of things that made me decide that.
Well, i had a good weekend. I worked, i was fed, i was happy. Yesterday i actually got to use Ventrilo (thanks to my laptop and McDonalds' free wi-fi) and spoke to Acheron, Natalya and Bluezippers, my guild mates from Lord of the Rings online. It was great to hear their voices and... they miss me! i can't wait to rejoin the fun in lotro with old and new faces.
Today i got a pay-as-you-go AT&T phone. So now, i'm good for work since they can call me. And today i was off so i did my laundry, cleaned up at the library (you know how that goes) and finished my 2nd disposable camera and had the roll developed so you know what's coming next...
PICTURES!
This batch is from January so now i got my head shaved and a nice goatee, i look human again! yay!
My place of work, they love me there.
Shades and a bandana, and yes i love to smile.
Ok, 'til next time my friends!
Ok, 'til next time my friends!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Dancing for money? oh yeah!
Well, the job i mentioned in the previous post is something special, let me tell you.
I was holding my "Looking for WORK" sign tuesday and a lady stops and asks me if i really want to work, i said yes of course. Next thing she hands me a Tanning Salon card and asks me to be there at 1PM. Her business just opened and she needed more advertising, i was to hold a sign outside for her.
I get there, and the sign is 9 foot tall. No problem. I'm to stand across the street facing the traffic and just hold the sign.
I did that for a few minutes, then realized that if i didn't bring any customers into the business the chances of her asking me to come back another day would be low. I had to get the attention of people somehow... so i started dancing next to the sign from 1PM to 5PM which was the time she hired me for.
She was extremely happy, customers had gone in mentioning me!
So, a one-day gig turned into an everyday job until this Sunday from 3-6PM every day. I've danced more in the past few days than in the past 15 years!
Yesterday the business was dead, nobody was going in. Until i started my performance and business picked up. Well, when i went back inside at 6PM, Linda (the owner) had Boston Market food for me, water and told me to start from 2-6PM starting Friday and it looks like she may want me to work next week as well.
She offered me a condo to live in, but i changed the subject since it took me by surprise. She is 49 yrs old, blonde, 5' and a former escort (she looks 35), but her intentions were in the form of helping me out, not anything shady or, you know... any other way her offer may appear to be.
Things are going well with my friend Shawna, and that is making me consider staying in the states a bit longer to also avoid the canadian winter. No word from Giselle so i may have to end my contact with her.
Overall, i'm doing ok. Once i have one of those pay-as-you-go phones i will be calling my friend in North Carolina and see how she's doing. I wish my laptop worked in the library, i'd be using ventrilo every day, heh.
Oh well, it's almost time to go to work.
I was holding my "Looking for WORK" sign tuesday and a lady stops and asks me if i really want to work, i said yes of course. Next thing she hands me a Tanning Salon card and asks me to be there at 1PM. Her business just opened and she needed more advertising, i was to hold a sign outside for her.
I get there, and the sign is 9 foot tall. No problem. I'm to stand across the street facing the traffic and just hold the sign.
I did that for a few minutes, then realized that if i didn't bring any customers into the business the chances of her asking me to come back another day would be low. I had to get the attention of people somehow... so i started dancing next to the sign from 1PM to 5PM which was the time she hired me for.
She was extremely happy, customers had gone in mentioning me!
So, a one-day gig turned into an everyday job until this Sunday from 3-6PM every day. I've danced more in the past few days than in the past 15 years!
Yesterday the business was dead, nobody was going in. Until i started my performance and business picked up. Well, when i went back inside at 6PM, Linda (the owner) had Boston Market food for me, water and told me to start from 2-6PM starting Friday and it looks like she may want me to work next week as well.
She offered me a condo to live in, but i changed the subject since it took me by surprise. She is 49 yrs old, blonde, 5' and a former escort (she looks 35), but her intentions were in the form of helping me out, not anything shady or, you know... any other way her offer may appear to be.
Things are going well with my friend Shawna, and that is making me consider staying in the states a bit longer to also avoid the canadian winter. No word from Giselle so i may have to end my contact with her.
Overall, i'm doing ok. Once i have one of those pay-as-you-go phones i will be calling my friend in North Carolina and see how she's doing. I wish my laptop worked in the library, i'd be using ventrilo every day, heh.
Oh well, it's almost time to go to work.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Pictures! YAY!
Yes, i won't be talking about my day in this post. To summarize i got a temporary job from 3-6PM starting tomorrow until Sunday so i'm happy about that.
Time for pictures!
WARNING: Some images may cause you to run for the hills.
This is how i looked in the morning before i went signing. Yeah, scary.
My usual entrance into BK, i lock my bike to the rail.
You can see the Dunkin Donuts in the background, my nightly stop for free boston creme donuts!
The front entrance to BK.
My main method of transportation, my bike.
I must lock it to the tree and camouflage it during the day or night when i'm not using it of course, can't afford to lose it.
Ok, see those plastic bags hanging? that is the food i store outside, so far the racoons only got 1 bag.
The inside of my tent, left side. My main "closet".
The Left side. This is my main "bedroom", notice the books, water supply, clean clothes storage.
This is me one night when it rained on my way to the tent.
What did you expect?
This is Micheal/John/Rico sitting with me and Timmy during Christmas week.
Timmy and his guitar! very festive with his hat of course, he got a $50 bill from a lady there, and he didn't even have to sing!
BK at night, forgot to use the flash. Craig is behind the register.
This time the flash was used, that is me with that week's sign.
JC drinking his beer and watching TV at his camp.
This is Dwayne, he was shy about taking a pic, he only allowed me to take one.
Hobo!
Here's looking at ya kid!
My camp during the day.
A closer look at my tent during the day.
Well, I know the disposable camera was cheap, but hey Walgreens developed it on CD (easier for me to upload, heh) and i need to keep an eye on my budget. As soon as the next camera is finished i will get it developed.
Take care guys!
Monday, January 7, 2008
I'm a caterer?
Woke up early and...blah blah blah you guys know my morning routine by now =P
Ok, so i go to the Home Depot to use my "Looking for WORK" carboard sign, at around 10:30AM and a lady stopped, gave me her name and phone number for a job.
The place was a jewish congregation, took me a while to reach it. Well, to make a long story short. She interviewed me, talked to her boss, got hired!
I got to buy tuxedo pants and a white tuxedo shirt & bow, i already have black shoes. I must have all of it by next Monday so i have a week to check thrift shops to get what i need.
The job is only for weekends, saturdays and/or sundays. At $8 cash an hour, that is fine by me.
And all i had to do, was be myself! i'm excited to have a somewhat legitimate job. Now if i could get the old job at the japanese restaurant back maybe i could work every day!
I'm tempted to get a place and stay until the winter is over in Canada. But that may tempt me to stay in the states, and there is nothing keeping me here.
I still have to get my passport, hmmm. I need to get on this this week somehow. Well I've been at the library since about 1PM and Shawna is emailing me every day, i reply to all her emails answering her questions honestly. I think we're going to be good friends.
Ok, so i go to the Home Depot to use my "Looking for WORK" carboard sign, at around 10:30AM and a lady stopped, gave me her name and phone number for a job.
The place was a jewish congregation, took me a while to reach it. Well, to make a long story short. She interviewed me, talked to her boss, got hired!
I got to buy tuxedo pants and a white tuxedo shirt & bow, i already have black shoes. I must have all of it by next Monday so i have a week to check thrift shops to get what i need.
The job is only for weekends, saturdays and/or sundays. At $8 cash an hour, that is fine by me.
And all i had to do, was be myself! i'm excited to have a somewhat legitimate job. Now if i could get the old job at the japanese restaurant back maybe i could work every day!
I'm tempted to get a place and stay until the winter is over in Canada. But that may tempt me to stay in the states, and there is nothing keeping me here.
I still have to get my passport, hmmm. I need to get on this this week somehow. Well I've been at the library since about 1PM and Shawna is emailing me every day, i reply to all her emails answering her questions honestly. I think we're going to be good friends.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Day...oh what the heck who cares about numbers?
Yeah, it's over 60 days of being homeless so who cares about numbers anymore?
Ok, let's review.
Woke up, realized "oh no, i need to do laundry!" and got it together, rode to BK for breakfast. I left at 10AM and waiting at the nearest bus stop to take me near the laundromat. By the time i was done and back at my tent it was 2PM. I got to the library at 2:30PM and been here since.
I've been emailing a nice woman in California named Shawna. Now usually i wouldn't consider talking to any female over 35, she is 44 but looks younger. That got my eye along with other things about her personality that i liked. I have no idea where it's going, but i'd be happy to just be friends with her, that's how cool she is, heh.
I haven't heard from Giselle since last week, not sure if i want to continue talking to a 25 year old who may not get me.
Now i admit, i was bored out of my mind at the library for weeks after signing and decided to post my profile on several dating sites just to see if i was still...well... to see if anyone would be interested in me.
I wasn't looking to eat fish, but i went fishing anyways. Sounds weird, i know.
After a long bad relationship i guess i was hoping to see if there was a chance that a nice female actually existed out there who may like me. And surprisingly, a few did. Some wanted me to... well just for a "short" relationship, meaning "wham, bam, thank you ma'am". Others wanted me to marry them right away or send them money... to Nigeria!
Some were too immature even though they were almost my age, some were just too young who wanted an older man. I'm just not going to even be friends with anyone who is immature, sorry but that stage of my life is behind.
My plans to go to Canada stand, and i doubt anything can change that. I still believe in love, but i keep my heart well guarded, i mean "shields up" and "set weapons on stun" kind of guard. Alright, i'm a little bit of a nerd, so sue me.
I've been telling Shawna a bit about myself, my past. Slowly so i don't scare someone i'd like to be friends with. Some of you were already my friends in lotro before you read this blog and weren't as shocked.
The funny part is that Giselle is in Florida and Shawna is in California. I wish it was the other way around, i certainly would consider visiting otherwise. California is pretty far. But then so is Canada.
I only tried online dating once about 12 years ago through AOL and it was a disaster.
Not sure if i want to continue answering emails and notes from females anymore except the 2 people i already mentioned. But if i did that, would i be closing myself to people who could at least become my friends?
I've made friends through online gaming, but i don't want to limit myself to finding friends that way, i must learn once again to reach out. Usually i would make friends at my workplace, that is not an option at this time.
I already have friends in the neighborhood, people who work at BK and Dunkin Donuts and of course the local homeless. But those are not real friends, they are more like acquaintances (except Dwayne).
I miss the simple things about friendship. Like picking up the phone and ask "So dude, how was your day?" or "Hey did you see that movie last night? was it good or what?" or "Wanna go bowling?"... yeah.
I'm alone, but not lonely. That is true, but i miss having friends i can easily contact and communicate with.
I guess all my plans to leave to Canada did not include "friends" on the list except for moral support. I remember before i left the house how i felt useless as a friend, that others needed my help and i could not reach out and even pick up the phone to say "it's gonna be alright" or "it'll work out"... because Nina would have exploded and start World War III over me talking to anyone on the phone.
Life is simple and complex at the same time. It's 4:20PM and the library closes in 40 minutes so, gonna check my email before i go.
Ok, let's review.
Woke up, realized "oh no, i need to do laundry!" and got it together, rode to BK for breakfast. I left at 10AM and waiting at the nearest bus stop to take me near the laundromat. By the time i was done and back at my tent it was 2PM. I got to the library at 2:30PM and been here since.
I've been emailing a nice woman in California named Shawna. Now usually i wouldn't consider talking to any female over 35, she is 44 but looks younger. That got my eye along with other things about her personality that i liked. I have no idea where it's going, but i'd be happy to just be friends with her, that's how cool she is, heh.
I haven't heard from Giselle since last week, not sure if i want to continue talking to a 25 year old who may not get me.
Now i admit, i was bored out of my mind at the library for weeks after signing and decided to post my profile on several dating sites just to see if i was still...well... to see if anyone would be interested in me.
I wasn't looking to eat fish, but i went fishing anyways. Sounds weird, i know.
After a long bad relationship i guess i was hoping to see if there was a chance that a nice female actually existed out there who may like me. And surprisingly, a few did. Some wanted me to... well just for a "short" relationship, meaning "wham, bam, thank you ma'am". Others wanted me to marry them right away or send them money... to Nigeria!
Some were too immature even though they were almost my age, some were just too young who wanted an older man. I'm just not going to even be friends with anyone who is immature, sorry but that stage of my life is behind.
My plans to go to Canada stand, and i doubt anything can change that. I still believe in love, but i keep my heart well guarded, i mean "shields up" and "set weapons on stun" kind of guard. Alright, i'm a little bit of a nerd, so sue me.
I've been telling Shawna a bit about myself, my past. Slowly so i don't scare someone i'd like to be friends with. Some of you were already my friends in lotro before you read this blog and weren't as shocked.
The funny part is that Giselle is in Florida and Shawna is in California. I wish it was the other way around, i certainly would consider visiting otherwise. California is pretty far. But then so is Canada.
I only tried online dating once about 12 years ago through AOL and it was a disaster.
Not sure if i want to continue answering emails and notes from females anymore except the 2 people i already mentioned. But if i did that, would i be closing myself to people who could at least become my friends?
I've made friends through online gaming, but i don't want to limit myself to finding friends that way, i must learn once again to reach out. Usually i would make friends at my workplace, that is not an option at this time.
I already have friends in the neighborhood, people who work at BK and Dunkin Donuts and of course the local homeless. But those are not real friends, they are more like acquaintances (except Dwayne).
I miss the simple things about friendship. Like picking up the phone and ask "So dude, how was your day?" or "Hey did you see that movie last night? was it good or what?" or "Wanna go bowling?"... yeah.
I'm alone, but not lonely. That is true, but i miss having friends i can easily contact and communicate with.
I guess all my plans to leave to Canada did not include "friends" on the list except for moral support. I remember before i left the house how i felt useless as a friend, that others needed my help and i could not reach out and even pick up the phone to say "it's gonna be alright" or "it'll work out"... because Nina would have exploded and start World War III over me talking to anyone on the phone.
Life is simple and complex at the same time. It's 4:20PM and the library closes in 40 minutes so, gonna check my email before i go.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Day 60
Wow, 60 days of being homeless, can you imagine? i can, for sure.
Today i'm back to wearing a t-shirt, the cold front is out and the normal floridian heat is back. Same routine and since it's 11:45AM you can imagine where i'm sitting. Yup, the library.
Yesterday i found out that i was unfortunately correct. Edmonton is a great city for work, unemployment is low, there is plenty of jobs. The downside is that there is only 1% vacancy when it comes to finding a place to call home (to rent or own). Canadians with full time jobs are living in shelters!
I'm not going from being homeless in the states to being homeless there. I've sacrificed a lot to get a chance to start over. So far the 3 cities i'm considering are: Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver after doing some research. They seem to have good places to work and find a place to stay. I certainly need to look more into it. Someone emailed me that suggested Cambridge (60 miles west of Toronto) since they have one of the lowest unemployment rates. I've emailed him to ask some more info.
Besides that, i'm just relaxing at the library. it's saturday so not much to do. I plan to make a sign for Monday which will read "Looking for Work" as i stand outside the local Home Depot. I figure that if i get picked up at least twice a week i will have more than enough for food and whatnot.
I'm considering making a special separate blog to see if there are any interested canadian women willing to marry a peruvian to expedite my legalization =P
I'm very serious about becoming a canadian, the american dream is pretty dead for me. I'm gonna check some forums now, maybe update this post later.
Today i'm back to wearing a t-shirt, the cold front is out and the normal floridian heat is back. Same routine and since it's 11:45AM you can imagine where i'm sitting. Yup, the library.
Yesterday i found out that i was unfortunately correct. Edmonton is a great city for work, unemployment is low, there is plenty of jobs. The downside is that there is only 1% vacancy when it comes to finding a place to call home (to rent or own). Canadians with full time jobs are living in shelters!
I'm not going from being homeless in the states to being homeless there. I've sacrificed a lot to get a chance to start over. So far the 3 cities i'm considering are: Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver after doing some research. They seem to have good places to work and find a place to stay. I certainly need to look more into it. Someone emailed me that suggested Cambridge (60 miles west of Toronto) since they have one of the lowest unemployment rates. I've emailed him to ask some more info.
Besides that, i'm just relaxing at the library. it's saturday so not much to do. I plan to make a sign for Monday which will read "Looking for Work" as i stand outside the local Home Depot. I figure that if i get picked up at least twice a week i will have more than enough for food and whatnot.
I'm considering making a special separate blog to see if there are any interested canadian women willing to marry a peruvian to expedite my legalization =P
I'm very serious about becoming a canadian, the american dream is pretty dead for me. I'm gonna check some forums now, maybe update this post later.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Day 59
Yay! temperature is going up! wasn't as cold as in the past 2 days. I was up at 7:30AM, got dressed and knew i didn't need to wear the winter jacket/coat which was meant for Canada.
I wore a long sleeve sweater on top of a t-shirt and my sleeveless jacket just in case . BK for breakfast; talked to Pauly who was there for a bit, his sleeping spot keep him warm no matter what, an elevator, smart man.
I was at the library a bit after 10AM, it's 10:40AM now. I'll be doing some further research on where i should go in Canada. Edmonton no longer seems to be a viable option because i didn't go through all this time to save for a place to start over and then find no place i can rent when i get there.
I'm keeping my food budget low, $3 a day, $2 for breakfast and $1 for dinner. BK dollar menu, saves the day. Before you think fattening food, my dinner is a salad with ranch dressing, as healthy as possible from BK.
I wore a long sleeve sweater on top of a t-shirt and my sleeveless jacket just in case . BK for breakfast; talked to Pauly who was there for a bit, his sleeping spot keep him warm no matter what, an elevator, smart man.
I was at the library a bit after 10AM, it's 10:40AM now. I'll be doing some further research on where i should go in Canada. Edmonton no longer seems to be a viable option because i didn't go through all this time to save for a place to start over and then find no place i can rent when i get there.
I'm keeping my food budget low, $3 a day, $2 for breakfast and $1 for dinner. BK dollar menu, saves the day. Before you think fattening food, my dinner is a salad with ranch dressing, as healthy as possible from BK.
Recap (Day 58)
Thursday was a cold day also. Same strategy, get up, get dressed, get to BK and stay there until 10AM then ride to the library to stay there until 9PM.
I've been doing some some further research on Edmonton. I may have to change my destination. It seems like there is about a 1% vacancy when it comes to finding a place to stay from what i'm looking at. More jobs than places to live have even forced some full-time job canadians to live in shelters, which at this time of year are full.
Went to BK and stayed there until 10PM, went home and went straight to bed. Took me a bit to get to sleep because it was a bit cold in my tent.
I've been doing some some further research on Edmonton. I may have to change my destination. It seems like there is about a 1% vacancy when it comes to finding a place to stay from what i'm looking at. More jobs than places to live have even forced some full-time job canadians to live in shelters, which at this time of year are full.
Went to BK and stayed there until 10PM, went home and went straight to bed. Took me a bit to get to sleep because it was a bit cold in my tent.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Recaps! (Days 53-57)
Ok, waay behind on posting.
Day 53
Saturday was an ok day, i was looking forward to end my signing days. I learned also that it's called by other homeless as "flying" instead of signing.
Same morning routine, signed at the turnpike for part of the morning, then moved to 441 & Glades to finish at around 3PM. I then headed to the library and stayed until closing which was 6PM.
BK until 10PM reading and then to the fireworks tent in the Office Depot parking lot to hang out with JC and Hobo. JC stays in the tent at night as a deterrent for anyone to steal until morning, a dog barking certainly would keep any thief at bay.
He's been working for the same lady for a few years. He talked about his life, when he used to be a driver for a moving company, the crazy people he met, the lazy workers that he had to deal with, etc.
At about 11:30PM i went home. I stayed up a bit late reading my book, i think i went to sleep at 3AM.
Day 54
Sunday... get this, i thought it was Monday. And i didn't realize until the night. So instead of taking the day off and relaxing, i pretty much repeated Saturday's routine. Then at night when i get to BK i see my salad with a Sunday label and I'm like "why do i get yesterday's salad?" and then Marc says "dude, today is sunday".
I check with my watch, and i'm surprised. Well, there goes my sunday. Stayed until 10PM, went to see JC and Hobo again at the fireworks tent and noticed that he was somewhat repeating some of his stories from yesterday.
I didn't say nothing, just kept talking with him, he is elderly and pointing out he was repeating some of his old stories may have hurt his feelings. He and Dwayne has helped me out, listening to a few stories again does me no harm.
Went home at 11PM and went to sleep.
Day 55
Monday was my last day of signing. I got up early, ate breakfast at BK and was at the turnpike corner at 9:30AM. By noon i had made $10... that pretty much was it for me. I went to JC's camp, shaved some of my beard with my small electric beard shaver. Then headed to the library with a change of clothes and towels to clean up and finish up shaving.
I was clean and i had shaved my moustache and ended up with a goatee. Dwayne had told me a few weeks back about a barber shop next to the local Starbucks. I thought i knew where it was yet i could not find the barber shop. I see Dwayne at the Mobil gas station an hour an a half later by luck and asked him where it was. Apparently, there are 2 local Starbucks and i went to the wrong one.
I thanked him and rode to the place. I get there and i'm told "we're booked" and the guy shows me the door. Very rude.
Between Pauly and Andy's directions i find the local upercuts. The wait was 30 minutes and the all-female staff was friendly. Stacey was the woman who took care of me, and the task was simple: take all my hair off. In a month it would be long enough to travel north, i just wanted to get it all off, heh.
Haircut: $14
Tip: $2
Being treated like like a normal person: Priceless
I ended up spending my new year's eve eating at BK and then talking to JC at his camp until 11PM.
Midnight was very loud, i listened to music and read one of my SW books until 4AM, then i slept.
Day 56
Tuesday, new year's day. I don't miss signing one bit. I'm happy to not having to stand at any corner holding a sign panhandling. I decided to take off the rest of the week and relax. I have enough cash to eat this week.
Breakfast at BK as usual, except this time I stayed there all day since the library was closed. I read "Star Wars - Darth Bane: Path of Destruction" from cover to cover. At 10PM i left BK and went home.
Started reading "Star Wars - Darth Bane: The Rule of Two" which was the sequel to the other book i had finished. I must have been reading until midnight. Pauly and others told me it would get cold tonight but i thought i was prepared. I woke up at 4AM, cold. It was very windy, my tent was flapping a bit, good thing i had secured the green tarp on top of it.
I took the blanket that Dwayne had given me a while ago and made good use of it, then grabbed my Mongoose beanie cap i had brought from my old residence. I thought i'd be using it in Canada, not for a cold night in florida, heh.
Day 57
I woke up a few times, then realized at 7:30AM that it would be best to get it over with, get dressed, double layer of long sleeve and short sleeve shirts, a winter jacket (without sleeves), my beanie cap, leather gloves (from the winter coat i had been given not long ago) and rode to BK for breakfast. The mexican guy who wants to go with me to Canada was there and we spoke a bit more about the trip until a co-worker called him, we have plenty of time to work out the details. I stayed there until 10AM, then rode to the library.
Much warmer here, yup yup. I'm 3/4 done with the book, may even finish it today. Checked some forums, posted here and there.
Starting next week i will be holding a sign at the local Home Depot that says "Looking for Work". If i get picked up at least 3 times a week it will be enough to cover my food expenses.
I'm going to just relax for the rest of the week, enjoying the library's and BK's comfortable athmosphere. I have a good feeling about 2008.
Day 53
Saturday was an ok day, i was looking forward to end my signing days. I learned also that it's called by other homeless as "flying" instead of signing.
Same morning routine, signed at the turnpike for part of the morning, then moved to 441 & Glades to finish at around 3PM. I then headed to the library and stayed until closing which was 6PM.
BK until 10PM reading and then to the fireworks tent in the Office Depot parking lot to hang out with JC and Hobo. JC stays in the tent at night as a deterrent for anyone to steal until morning, a dog barking certainly would keep any thief at bay.
He's been working for the same lady for a few years. He talked about his life, when he used to be a driver for a moving company, the crazy people he met, the lazy workers that he had to deal with, etc.
At about 11:30PM i went home. I stayed up a bit late reading my book, i think i went to sleep at 3AM.
Day 54
Sunday... get this, i thought it was Monday. And i didn't realize until the night. So instead of taking the day off and relaxing, i pretty much repeated Saturday's routine. Then at night when i get to BK i see my salad with a Sunday label and I'm like "why do i get yesterday's salad?" and then Marc says "dude, today is sunday".
I check with my watch, and i'm surprised. Well, there goes my sunday. Stayed until 10PM, went to see JC and Hobo again at the fireworks tent and noticed that he was somewhat repeating some of his stories from yesterday.
I didn't say nothing, just kept talking with him, he is elderly and pointing out he was repeating some of his old stories may have hurt his feelings. He and Dwayne has helped me out, listening to a few stories again does me no harm.
Went home at 11PM and went to sleep.
Day 55
Monday was my last day of signing. I got up early, ate breakfast at BK and was at the turnpike corner at 9:30AM. By noon i had made $10... that pretty much was it for me. I went to JC's camp, shaved some of my beard with my small electric beard shaver. Then headed to the library with a change of clothes and towels to clean up and finish up shaving.
I was clean and i had shaved my moustache and ended up with a goatee. Dwayne had told me a few weeks back about a barber shop next to the local Starbucks. I thought i knew where it was yet i could not find the barber shop. I see Dwayne at the Mobil gas station an hour an a half later by luck and asked him where it was. Apparently, there are 2 local Starbucks and i went to the wrong one.
I thanked him and rode to the place. I get there and i'm told "we're booked" and the guy shows me the door. Very rude.
Between Pauly and Andy's directions i find the local upercuts. The wait was 30 minutes and the all-female staff was friendly. Stacey was the woman who took care of me, and the task was simple: take all my hair off. In a month it would be long enough to travel north, i just wanted to get it all off, heh.
Haircut: $14
Tip: $2
Being treated like like a normal person: Priceless
I ended up spending my new year's eve eating at BK and then talking to JC at his camp until 11PM.
Midnight was very loud, i listened to music and read one of my SW books until 4AM, then i slept.
Day 56
Tuesday, new year's day. I don't miss signing one bit. I'm happy to not having to stand at any corner holding a sign panhandling. I decided to take off the rest of the week and relax. I have enough cash to eat this week.
Breakfast at BK as usual, except this time I stayed there all day since the library was closed. I read "Star Wars - Darth Bane: Path of Destruction" from cover to cover. At 10PM i left BK and went home.
Started reading "Star Wars - Darth Bane: The Rule of Two" which was the sequel to the other book i had finished. I must have been reading until midnight. Pauly and others told me it would get cold tonight but i thought i was prepared. I woke up at 4AM, cold. It was very windy, my tent was flapping a bit, good thing i had secured the green tarp on top of it.
I took the blanket that Dwayne had given me a while ago and made good use of it, then grabbed my Mongoose beanie cap i had brought from my old residence. I thought i'd be using it in Canada, not for a cold night in florida, heh.
Day 57
I woke up a few times, then realized at 7:30AM that it would be best to get it over with, get dressed, double layer of long sleeve and short sleeve shirts, a winter jacket (without sleeves), my beanie cap, leather gloves (from the winter coat i had been given not long ago) and rode to BK for breakfast. The mexican guy who wants to go with me to Canada was there and we spoke a bit more about the trip until a co-worker called him, we have plenty of time to work out the details. I stayed there until 10AM, then rode to the library.
Much warmer here, yup yup. I'm 3/4 done with the book, may even finish it today. Checked some forums, posted here and there.
Starting next week i will be holding a sign at the local Home Depot that says "Looking for Work". If i get picked up at least 3 times a week it will be enough to cover my food expenses.
I'm going to just relax for the rest of the week, enjoying the library's and BK's comfortable athmosphere. I have a good feeling about 2008.
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