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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!