Fellow mammalian bipeds,
Hope you had a good week. I haven't been keeping up with the news this week but since I'm writing this while lounging in the bed of my truck shielded form the late afternoon sun by my ten guards of honor who just happen to be trees, I can safely assume that no one has pushed the big red button or that no hostile space aliens have showed up...yet. The rear of the truck is backed up to about an half-acre of mowed property with those trees scattered over it. A major two-lane thoroughfare is about 60 meters from my position on the other side of the grassy area flowing north with the afternoon commute. Ahhh, the joys of suburban living. Needless to say, it is slow going for them but that is true for a lot of people going in any direction at this time of day in any metro. The front of the truck is facing toward the parking lot of a large shopping center which is also busy at this time of day but my position, being at one end of the lot, is relatively traffic free; think of an oasis of calm surrounded by the swirling chaos of the machinations of a high-tech civilization.
I redeemed nearly the remainder of the Target gift card. I bought another 2 lb. 10 oz. jar of peanuts (honey glazed this time), two cans of Vienna sausage and a box of crackers. There is only four cents left on the card. In total, those resources equates to several meals. And while I was there during the lunch hour they had set out some tidbits so I helped myself to two bites of peppered beef jerky (ain't doing that again!), four bites of turkey which equaled to two regular bites since the portions weren't large enough to choke a small bird and several cookies of assorted kinds. So I think I got the remaining four cents worth out of the card. And I picked up four large packets of salad dressing that were free. I haven't had a salad in a while but the ones they had were out of my price range. That reminds me; usually during the summer, I am a veggie and fruit eating machine but not this summer. I used to buy cantaloupes, watermelons, cucumbers, strawberries, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and such; clean 'em, peel 'em, tupperwarize 'em and throw 'em in the fridge for snacking over two or three days. Miss that...wish my truck had refrigeration capability.
I've been under the weather earlier this week with a sinus infection - I think - but feeling much better today. Oh, how the gods have their fun with me. Yes, those times are miserable but this experience was compounded by the humidity, afternoon thunderstorms, dripping nose, body aches, not working out, slight fever, sneezing, constant nose blowing and just GFP. I was gifted with some Tylenol and almost returned them since I hardly feel ill. I am glad I retained those puppies; they're probably the main reason I was able to get the sleep that I did get. As I said, feeling much better now and daring any hostile space aliens to show their slimy, tentacled young butts around here. I'll reduce them to primordial paste...provided I'm given the chance to blow my nose first.
However, this section of the planet is under siege by crickets, especially of those hours during the darkness of the day. I'm usually am up before 5 AM, stretching out and walking to get rid of the kinks. And no, I am not getting old; still have the reflexes of a cat and nearly as limber as one. The sleeping area of BT was not designed to accommodate a 6' 4" human who tosses and turns in his sleep. I take a few minutes to walk after stretching a bit and these crickets are everywhere. It's like they're escorting me across the lot; hope I don't get bitten by a radioactive one. And I have stepped on more that one...per walk. I was surprised that it didn't gross me out. When I step on one with a bare foot, by accident of course, they're kind of crunchy with a soft inside, and the audible and tactile sensations are quite pronounced not unlike when you bite into a hard-shelled taco that is stuffed with lots of...stuff. You know, if things get really tight on the food end...well, just something to keep in mind - I bet they're packed with protein and probably taste like chicken. Let's see, two packets of mayo, one packet of crushed red pepper...
Moving on; let's take a moment to consider the kindness of strangers and near strangers; those that, when you order a small order of fries, you get the small container but the fries could easily fill two containers; those that give you large, ice cold soda drinks for free and at various times of the day; those that allow you to sit in an air conditioned business nursing said drinks for a couple of hours while you are writing or just sitting by a window feeling unwell; those that discount, say, a couple of large donuts to the price of two for one and throw in some coffee; those that give you a bit more that just one helping at a restaurant; those that allow you to replenish your water bottles. And the library system certainly is a damn decent place regarding environment, information access and the kindness of the staff...at least at the two branches that I frequent. These acts come from people who may have an idea of what's going on with me at some level and the expenditure of the material cost of their effort is negligible but the non-linear value of their actions are quite formidable, at least to me. Actions by fellow humans that are not to be counted on, predicted or taken for granted but nonetheless, arise from a reservoir of caring and empathy that I choose to believe that is within us all.
I can be lucky sometimes...
Well, the sun has set but there is still enough light on the horizon to see some clouds, undersides tinted to a light burnt orange. Traffic isn't as hectic as it was a couple of hours ago, the street lights and business signs are lit. The birds are gone for the evening, a few fed with some gourmet Target crackers I gave them earlier. There's a constant, gentle breeze flowing from the south that's ruffling the leaves, rendering this evening a pleasant conclusion to this day.
Hope the same for you where you are,
David
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Homeless - 23
Happy Monday to all ya'll campers,
Hope you had a pleasant weekend. A good weekend always reduces the sting of returning to work on a Monday (unless you were there on the weekend or paged); although something to remove that stinger entirely and quite nicely would be for you to possess the winning combination of a lotto drawing. Ahhhh, well...
I thought I would catch you up on my employment endeavours to date. I don't think I've been keeping this journal current in that respect. Heaven forbid that I give you the impression that I want to continue in this playboy lifestyle where every meal is a banquet and every night's rest is like sleeping on the bosom of an angel, waiting until my time on this planet is concluded either by the arrival of my death or the mother ship.
My current sources are in some of the Dallas papers - Dallas Morning News, Observer, Greensheet, Jobs,
Employment and Quick. I still check out some online stuff but I feel like I'm just going to the motions viewing IT positions. Very seldom do I come across an on line entry that even approaches my skill set that consists largely of legacy systems development.
I have sent resumes out to couple of storage facilities that are seeking to fill a site management position, promising to be 'mentally and physically challenging' - can't be any more mentally challenging that a lot of software that I had constructed over the years, and not to mention a significant amount of contortions experienced adhering to the environments' policys and procedures. As for the physical, well, I'll ask if they respond to my email or voicemail.
I entered into three research studies: one was for a dining study that paid $75 that I played phone tag with a couple of times; the second is an all day affair but I don't know the topic involved despite leaving a voicemail and email request and that pays $150 and the third one hasn't produced a response at this time. I was suspicious so I looked them up on the Dallas BBB and there hasn't been any negative reports listed.
One of the pet sitting positions that I was interested in and notified sent me a questionnaire that I filled out and sent back. Their response is still pending. They may have had a problem with my response to the question 'Are there any animals that you are uncomfortable with?'. I wrote 'only those wanting to eat me'...which is the truth. The other pet sitting position required certification that you had to obtain yourself to the tune of nearly $300 that included texts, DVD/Video and the test certification. I deferred this option at this time.
Nil from the pizza delivery places...and the entry level CEO positions.
From the qualifications listed in the material that I have reviewed, I am not suited for any health positions (brain surgery, dental care, using lasers on the eyes, etc.); the trades (carpentry, electrical, mechanical, etc.) I have no experience beyond being the the user; I checked into the courier business but from the information I encountered it smacks of driving a cab that I written about previously; my past sales experience was morally unsatisfying; customer representative is another thing I'm uneasy with - attempting to retain or secure customers for a company that I've heard or read about whose actions and words I don't agree with; driving a semi - nope; specialized sectors such as finance, accounting, law, corporate hostile takeovers and LBOs are beyond my education and experience; professional water volleyball player - sorry, retired last year after a career that spanned decades.
I saw an ad that wanted to conduct photo sessions with people of 'all ages' paying $200 - $300 but I balked at that. Doubtless, a release form will have to be signed and sure as hell, somewhere down the road my visage would appear in a world-spanning, best-selling series of gay biker snuff films. That could be a little difficult to explain in an interview. The old 'I was young and foolish and broke!' line would be hard to sell with my gray hair and participation in the disco era.
I ran into a guy last week that lived in the same apartment complex that I used to live in. Actually, he drove by my location in the late evening and spotted me while I was lounging in the bed of the truck - and he had the audacity to pull up in a one year old convertible Mercedes. It turns out that he owns a health club and offered to see if he could fit in a part time position for me at the front desk. We'll see. A damn convertible Mercedes!! I do hope he remembers the cold beer I gave him a couple of times...
I came across another possibility while buying a bread roll for my chicken sandwich. By the way, there is another variation to the recipe (patent pending) that I shared with you. Instead of the packet of crushed red pepper, which I'm out of, use two packets of hot sauce that is readily available at fast food establishments, mix that with the packet of mayo and can of chicken thoroughly and spread on the split bun. Good stuff, Maynard! Anyway, the option is delivering the morning newspapers. I'll check into it. That could be interesting but I would have to get my throwing arm in shape...and my accuracy will be a bit off at the beginning. I guess I could embed a ceramic tile in each paper to aerodynamically stabilize its' projected flight path. Off hand, the only causalities that I foresee at this time are things that are 'glassical' in nature, possible degradation of the structural integrity of some dwellings on my route and, regrettably, the occasional family pet that is foolish enough to be out and about at that ungodly hour.
Lastly, an item that was brought to my attention via the media that I feel is, in high probability, well within my capabilities is that of an astronaut flying for NASA...if the pre-flight consists mainly of getting hammered. It's not like I would be controlling the shuttle on the ascent to orbit; the computers handle that minor detail. I would have plenty of time to sober up for the re-entry. And to my knowledge the space shuttle has no armanent so I can be trusted in that respect. Hmmm, there's probably some positions available with those Rooskies...
Till next time,
David
Hope you had a pleasant weekend. A good weekend always reduces the sting of returning to work on a Monday (unless you were there on the weekend or paged); although something to remove that stinger entirely and quite nicely would be for you to possess the winning combination of a lotto drawing. Ahhhh, well...
I thought I would catch you up on my employment endeavours to date. I don't think I've been keeping this journal current in that respect. Heaven forbid that I give you the impression that I want to continue in this playboy lifestyle where every meal is a banquet and every night's rest is like sleeping on the bosom of an angel, waiting until my time on this planet is concluded either by the arrival of my death or the mother ship.
My current sources are in some of the Dallas papers - Dallas Morning News, Observer, Greensheet, Jobs,
Employment and Quick. I still check out some online stuff but I feel like I'm just going to the motions viewing IT positions. Very seldom do I come across an on line entry that even approaches my skill set that consists largely of legacy systems development.
I have sent resumes out to couple of storage facilities that are seeking to fill a site management position, promising to be 'mentally and physically challenging' - can't be any more mentally challenging that a lot of software that I had constructed over the years, and not to mention a significant amount of contortions experienced adhering to the environments' policys and procedures. As for the physical, well, I'll ask if they respond to my email or voicemail.
I entered into three research studies: one was for a dining study that paid $75 that I played phone tag with a couple of times; the second is an all day affair but I don't know the topic involved despite leaving a voicemail and email request and that pays $150 and the third one hasn't produced a response at this time. I was suspicious so I looked them up on the Dallas BBB and there hasn't been any negative reports listed.
One of the pet sitting positions that I was interested in and notified sent me a questionnaire that I filled out and sent back. Their response is still pending. They may have had a problem with my response to the question 'Are there any animals that you are uncomfortable with?'. I wrote 'only those wanting to eat me'...which is the truth. The other pet sitting position required certification that you had to obtain yourself to the tune of nearly $300 that included texts, DVD/Video and the test certification. I deferred this option at this time.
Nil from the pizza delivery places...and the entry level CEO positions.
From the qualifications listed in the material that I have reviewed, I am not suited for any health positions (brain surgery, dental care, using lasers on the eyes, etc.); the trades (carpentry, electrical, mechanical, etc.) I have no experience beyond being the the user; I checked into the courier business but from the information I encountered it smacks of driving a cab that I written about previously; my past sales experience was morally unsatisfying; customer representative is another thing I'm uneasy with - attempting to retain or secure customers for a company that I've heard or read about whose actions and words I don't agree with; driving a semi - nope; specialized sectors such as finance, accounting, law, corporate hostile takeovers and LBOs are beyond my education and experience; professional water volleyball player - sorry, retired last year after a career that spanned decades.
I saw an ad that wanted to conduct photo sessions with people of 'all ages' paying $200 - $300 but I balked at that. Doubtless, a release form will have to be signed and sure as hell, somewhere down the road my visage would appear in a world-spanning, best-selling series of gay biker snuff films. That could be a little difficult to explain in an interview. The old 'I was young and foolish and broke!' line would be hard to sell with my gray hair and participation in the disco era.
I ran into a guy last week that lived in the same apartment complex that I used to live in. Actually, he drove by my location in the late evening and spotted me while I was lounging in the bed of the truck - and he had the audacity to pull up in a one year old convertible Mercedes. It turns out that he owns a health club and offered to see if he could fit in a part time position for me at the front desk. We'll see. A damn convertible Mercedes!! I do hope he remembers the cold beer I gave him a couple of times...
I came across another possibility while buying a bread roll for my chicken sandwich. By the way, there is another variation to the recipe (patent pending) that I shared with you. Instead of the packet of crushed red pepper, which I'm out of, use two packets of hot sauce that is readily available at fast food establishments, mix that with the packet of mayo and can of chicken thoroughly and spread on the split bun. Good stuff, Maynard! Anyway, the option is delivering the morning newspapers. I'll check into it. That could be interesting but I would have to get my throwing arm in shape...and my accuracy will be a bit off at the beginning. I guess I could embed a ceramic tile in each paper to aerodynamically stabilize its' projected flight path. Off hand, the only causalities that I foresee at this time are things that are 'glassical' in nature, possible degradation of the structural integrity of some dwellings on my route and, regrettably, the occasional family pet that is foolish enough to be out and about at that ungodly hour.
Lastly, an item that was brought to my attention via the media that I feel is, in high probability, well within my capabilities is that of an astronaut flying for NASA...if the pre-flight consists mainly of getting hammered. It's not like I would be controlling the shuttle on the ascent to orbit; the computers handle that minor detail. I would have plenty of time to sober up for the re-entry. And to my knowledge the space shuttle has no armanent so I can be trusted in that respect. Hmmm, there's probably some positions available with those Rooskies...
Till next time,
David
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