Greetings Fellow Bipeds,
Hope you're doing well wherever you are. I'm wondering how that ice cream tasted. I haven't got the vibes yet of that sensory experience. Maybe soon...but you DO NOT send me a video of you savoring that treat. I will swear out a bounty on your young hide for...let's see...counting change...yep, a grand total of 82 cents...provided that I can locate a homeless hit man. Probably can Google and find one...
I got an email from the ex-neighbor who is storing three suitcases of mine in her apartment garage while I'm experiencing this ...life-stage transition...concerning her brother; he suicided. From what she told me about him, he had been suffering from depression for a number of years and she shared with me some details about him but I guess all siblings keep a list. She did say he was smart and had considerable experience and knowledge in the legal system as a lawyer but he moved back in with their mother and occasionally came out of this room. I met him once and he seemed fine to me, displaying humor and intelligence and conversationally adept. But I guess he reached his breaking point; you know, a major life decision point that all of us have but few are pressed to that distance by our destiny. And there is a part of me that wonders if it really is his fault, that the entire responsibility of such an act is all his?
So much beyond our control. I may be going out on a limb here but I think that he didn't ask for that particular life attribute; that it seems like it was a challenge inherent to his path and I'm unable to say whether his course of action was right or wrong since I now have a better appreciation of my importance in the scheme of things. We are pushed, prodded, cajoled, urged and/or commanded along a course of circumstances by unknown forces to fulfill a Cosmic Plan beyond our cognition, a goal that may or may not have the interest of our individuality reflected in those cold, uncaring calculations. Is every decision we make a reflection of our ego imposing its' will on the universe or are those decisions a reflection of those forces imposing on us the dictates of the Plan that ultimately shapes our decisions? When we make a decision, is it some self-stroking our ego performs to reassure itself that it is in control of its' destiny?
To me, for someone to suicide, they have to had lost all hope that things will get better; that the ability to love and care has lost value; that beauty and laughter has no possibility of reoccurring and the sights, tastes and smells of living will not reappear and the simple joys will not be again. Is that how it feels to suffer from depression? Is it that it's not that you don't care but that you are unable to care, that the ability is lost and only emptiness remains within?
If that's the case, who can fault such a decision by an individual in pain? For me, suicide has always been an option in the menu of life. Relax, you psych types; I know that that statement goes against current 'wisdom', that thoughts of suicide are indicative of an unbalanced mind but if an individual is pushed to that decision point and decides to end, how can it be judged as right or wrong by a mere human? Yeah, I know, there is that religious context but keep in mind that religion and science are just temporary truths, perceptual templates we employ in an attempt to reach a level of understanding and impose meaning and structure on the electromagnetic phenomena around us that our senses detect. Remember those good old days when the earth was flat and center of the universe? Or that we could eradicate the demons tormenting an individual by drilling a hole in their head?
There's a part of me that renders the act of suicide a futile gesture given the fact that we, as every other living being, are going to die anyway. It seems that condition is part of the contract of being granted life. Check out Part XXXII, Section V, Subsection XI, para CXV; "You, <insert name here>, are granted the force of life of limited duration, length confidential, that will be terminated without prior notice, i.e. - no two minute warning - at which time everything that you have gained in this life will be surrendered. No default option available". But what if the act of suicide is just one of many methods that our destiny employs to secure what was loaned to us in the first place? And consider one of the tremendous prices that has been paid to be alive; generations of parents living, struggling, enduring and finally dying to ensure the most current output of the lineage.
There has been more that one occasion since I've been navigating my current circumstances that I've contemplated my breaking point. What I'm doing now is just getting by, surviving till the next day; it's not what I consider living but there have been some good moments. Will I continue to be patient and determined and optimistic? Considering that everything is temporary, what will my decision be if faced with the question of continuing or not? I don't know and hope that my destiny doesn't press me in that direction but if it does and I do opt to call it a day, maybe the method I'll choose is to accelerate Black Thunder to her maximum speed of 160 KPH and slam into a concrete fortification with seat beat disengaged...though I don't think that little detail will make much of a difference. Let's see, living tissue traveling at 160 KPH instantly decelerated to 0 KPH. Don't think any living tissue can endure that amount of G forces and still function though it would require more than a broom and dustpan for cleanup.
And if you're thinking how can I subject BT to such abuse, ain't no way I'm leaving her behind to be piloted by some unappreciative rookie. Besides, if there is an afterlife, I'll need her for transport and a place to keep my stuff.
But I wonder... if I decide to hell with it and take a last long look at the late night sky full of stars and mystery, when I begin that last ape shit charge to meet eternity, when I'm accelerating through my terminal approach to experience perhaps the greatest mystery of all, will my survival instinct kick in at the last second to override my ego's directive? Will it have the strength to veto the ego's decision at that last moment and abort the attempt? Will some stupid cat, directed by its' own destiny, intersect my suicide vector and I swerve to miss it thus aborting my run giving time for the cops to arrive and haul me off to life in a rubber room and timely injections of Thorazine? And let's not forget those cute little jackets that they fit you with, the ones that let you hug yourself all day. Not being able to do my nails would drive me nuts.
At ease there, Sigmund, I got a few more cards left to play; at least I think I do. And I still have hope that circumstances will improve and I will become a better person for it. I'm still caring, wondering and enjoying; wanting to see the completion of my other writing project and other projects not yet started; still laughing and wanting to cook again and learn more about things, books I haven't read not yet published, learn of things not yet discovered...
For her brother, If there is an afterlife, it is my hope that he found peace and the things that he lost.
But for the foreseeable future, save me three scoops of Neapolitan ice cream and approximately 44 oz. of Dr. Pepper with some ice.
David
Friday, August 17, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Homeless - 26
Hi ya'll,
Well, last night didn't go quite as planned. I arrived at the workout facility a little after 9 PM and there were several people there. I went ahead and worked myself in and finished up with a good workout around 11 PM. At that time, there was only one guy working out and another one on a laptop sitting on one of the two long benches. It seems that that particular location has a spot where one can utilize a wireless connection and access the Net for free. At any rate, during those two hours, I was subjected, via the two TVs present, to the cognitive stimulating and morally fortifying broadcasts of the WWF in all its' glory and splendor. And people wonder what's wrong with the youth of today. And to think that those EM signals are speeding away from our planet at light speed and will eventually be intercepted by an intelligence. Anyway, after working out, I loitered at the adjacent pool for about an hour, enjoying drinks of cool water and a couple of hits of tobacco and still sweating in the always enjoyable warm mugginess. Since I was wide awake and rev'd up, I drove around the neighborhood for about 30 minutes checking out other spots. I stopped at another 7-11, got some ice water and sat in an adjacent parking lot and did a crossword for about an hour. I did come across several strong possibilities for future camping spots but the current heat conditions renders them undoable at this time...and I burned 11K worth of fuel. During that time, I also prepared and consumed desert. Take three crackers and 1 packet of jelly, either strawberry or grape that can be obtained at a fast food place that goes with their breakfast menu, and apply a portion to a cracker and eat. Usually, 1 packet of jelly has enough material to apply to 3 crackers...and this constitutes 1 serving. You may have 2 or 3 servings only on one night during the weekend.
It was about 2 AM so I returned to the workout facility (the other place had activity going on, too) to discover a couple of people on the Stair Masters and several playing volleyball in the pool! At 2 AM on a Monday night!! Jeeez!! What is it about Monday nights? I retired to the park across the street, still sweating, and waited until they left. I was nervous about that; a single guy sitting alone in a dark deserted park in the middle of the night - I read stories about that and I'm talking about in the papers and police reports. Everybody left shortly and I sneaked in and got a couple of hours of sleep, snuck back out to the hot tub at another complex close by, swam a few laps and 'did' a small load of laundry. Until this oppressive heat set in, I could skip a day on the bathing thingy and still be good but not these days. In the morning, I feel grimy, gritty, sweaty and just generally yucky and the early morning body cleansing is a daily must, if not for anything else, for my mental attitude. I was able to get a couple more hours of sleep at another location.
Which reminds me; after you read this, go to your fridge and get three large scoops of rocky road, a chocolate/vanilla mix or Neapolitan ice cream and think of me while you slowly and sensuously consume that sweet, velvety coolness that slides so enjoyably to your tummy, caressing your esophagus lovingly while en route to its destination. And rinse down with a Dr. Pepper that has plenty of ice. Maybe some of your sensations will propagate across the space/time fabric and impede upon my awareness.
I spent today at the quiet pool lying in the shade with occasional dips in the cool water. With an occasional breeze going, it ain't bad. It's only when you expose your hide to that punishing 9 minute old solar radiation that it sears the flesh and starts people whimpering. I've been here since before lunch and will leave sometime after 7 PM to a fast food place, get something cheap and eat slowly, not necessarily savoring the fine cuisine but relishing in the cool climate controlled environment.
I spent $1 on a Mega Million lotto ticket for tonight's drawing of $122 million bucks. I know, I know...that $1 is the equivalent of one good meal (ethnic roll with deli meat) or two so-so meals (2 ethnic rolls with really cheap deli meat) or 4 borderline meals (4 ethnic rolls with 8 packets of mayo = 4 mayo sandwiches - basically, just stomach filler). By the way, an ethnic roll isn't the size of a dinner roll. Those puppies are large; one is about the size of half a sub...ehhhh, a sub sandwich from a deli, that is...
Anyway, about the lotto ticket, what the hell...sometimes just pick up the dice and roll 'em...
Stay cool,
David
P.S.
I had finished writing the above material around 5 PM and was relaxing in an empty pool with the small water fall lulling me into an even more relaxed state when a couple came down to the pool. After a few minutes, I was invited to help them drink their beer before it got too warm...to which I accepted; can't have beer going bad. As it turns out, the guy is graduate of a law school in OK and is originally from Dallas and in the lawn care industry. His wife is also in the same profession and is in the patent aspect of the legal industry. At least she is applying her education. The woman who was with him just graduated a couple of months ago from the same law school and moved to the Dallas area this weekend. Anyway, I spent a couple of enjoyable hours talking with them and drank a few of their beers. His wife dropped by after she got off work and seemed agreeable also. All had a sense of humor that I appreciated.
Like I said, sometimes I get lucky meeting the nicest people.
Well, last night didn't go quite as planned. I arrived at the workout facility a little after 9 PM and there were several people there. I went ahead and worked myself in and finished up with a good workout around 11 PM. At that time, there was only one guy working out and another one on a laptop sitting on one of the two long benches. It seems that that particular location has a spot where one can utilize a wireless connection and access the Net for free. At any rate, during those two hours, I was subjected, via the two TVs present, to the cognitive stimulating and morally fortifying broadcasts of the WWF in all its' glory and splendor. And people wonder what's wrong with the youth of today. And to think that those EM signals are speeding away from our planet at light speed and will eventually be intercepted by an intelligence. Anyway, after working out, I loitered at the adjacent pool for about an hour, enjoying drinks of cool water and a couple of hits of tobacco and still sweating in the always enjoyable warm mugginess. Since I was wide awake and rev'd up, I drove around the neighborhood for about 30 minutes checking out other spots. I stopped at another 7-11, got some ice water and sat in an adjacent parking lot and did a crossword for about an hour. I did come across several strong possibilities for future camping spots but the current heat conditions renders them undoable at this time...and I burned 11K worth of fuel. During that time, I also prepared and consumed desert. Take three crackers and 1 packet of jelly, either strawberry or grape that can be obtained at a fast food place that goes with their breakfast menu, and apply a portion to a cracker and eat. Usually, 1 packet of jelly has enough material to apply to 3 crackers...and this constitutes 1 serving. You may have 2 or 3 servings only on one night during the weekend.
It was about 2 AM so I returned to the workout facility (the other place had activity going on, too) to discover a couple of people on the Stair Masters and several playing volleyball in the pool! At 2 AM on a Monday night!! Jeeez!! What is it about Monday nights? I retired to the park across the street, still sweating, and waited until they left. I was nervous about that; a single guy sitting alone in a dark deserted park in the middle of the night - I read stories about that and I'm talking about in the papers and police reports. Everybody left shortly and I sneaked in and got a couple of hours of sleep, snuck back out to the hot tub at another complex close by, swam a few laps and 'did' a small load of laundry. Until this oppressive heat set in, I could skip a day on the bathing thingy and still be good but not these days. In the morning, I feel grimy, gritty, sweaty and just generally yucky and the early morning body cleansing is a daily must, if not for anything else, for my mental attitude. I was able to get a couple more hours of sleep at another location.
Which reminds me; after you read this, go to your fridge and get three large scoops of rocky road, a chocolate/vanilla mix or Neapolitan ice cream and think of me while you slowly and sensuously consume that sweet, velvety coolness that slides so enjoyably to your tummy, caressing your esophagus lovingly while en route to its destination. And rinse down with a Dr. Pepper that has plenty of ice. Maybe some of your sensations will propagate across the space/time fabric and impede upon my awareness.
I spent today at the quiet pool lying in the shade with occasional dips in the cool water. With an occasional breeze going, it ain't bad. It's only when you expose your hide to that punishing 9 minute old solar radiation that it sears the flesh and starts people whimpering. I've been here since before lunch and will leave sometime after 7 PM to a fast food place, get something cheap and eat slowly, not necessarily savoring the fine cuisine but relishing in the cool climate controlled environment.
I spent $1 on a Mega Million lotto ticket for tonight's drawing of $122 million bucks. I know, I know...that $1 is the equivalent of one good meal (ethnic roll with deli meat) or two so-so meals (2 ethnic rolls with really cheap deli meat) or 4 borderline meals (4 ethnic rolls with 8 packets of mayo = 4 mayo sandwiches - basically, just stomach filler). By the way, an ethnic roll isn't the size of a dinner roll. Those puppies are large; one is about the size of half a sub...ehhhh, a sub sandwich from a deli, that is...
Anyway, about the lotto ticket, what the hell...sometimes just pick up the dice and roll 'em...
Stay cool,
David
P.S.
I had finished writing the above material around 5 PM and was relaxing in an empty pool with the small water fall lulling me into an even more relaxed state when a couple came down to the pool. After a few minutes, I was invited to help them drink their beer before it got too warm...to which I accepted; can't have beer going bad. As it turns out, the guy is graduate of a law school in OK and is originally from Dallas and in the lawn care industry. His wife is also in the same profession and is in the patent aspect of the legal industry. At least she is applying her education. The woman who was with him just graduated a couple of months ago from the same law school and moved to the Dallas area this weekend. Anyway, I spent a couple of enjoyable hours talking with them and drank a few of their beers. His wife dropped by after she got off work and seemed agreeable also. All had a sense of humor that I appreciated.
Like I said, sometimes I get lucky meeting the nicest people.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Homeless - 25
Hello there,
While working out the other day, there were a couple of younger guys in the facility who were talking about the Bible and quoting scripture, pointing out current events and reassuring each other that the end times are just around the corner and that they were counting themselves as among the few lucky ones who have a validated ticket for the 'forever ride'. Naturally, I was minding my own business; that is, attempting to tame the wild, elemental forces trapped within my supple musculature when one of them asked me, ''Do you believe in the Bible, sir?". I don't have any problem with any life form attempting to come to grips with that non-rational part of us that seems to be embedded within the force of life by using whatever tools that is put in their path by the spirit of the universe or God or whatever. Now, I tried to avoid the conversation (shoulda had an ipod!), I didn't want any part of that particular dialogue; been there, heard that but the workout place is only so big and I guess the universe couldn't function at its' maximum potential unless I got roped into this discussion. I knew by overhearing their conversation that they didn't want any meaningful dialogue; they were only after affirmations and reflections of their belief system...which I don't have and/or share. Well, maybe at one time I did but my relationship with the universe has evolved into something different.
Anyway, I responded that that was a difficult question to answer. I went on say that I have no doubt that there is something greater than us, so beyond the human condition that we are unable to even begin to think about it; that that power has attempted contact with each and every human throughout the course of history and will continue to do so for the duration of eternity; that all religious texts are but a dim, distorted reflection, at best, of interactions between that power and men that had to be filtered through language and current cosmological understanding and, as such, those interpretations, in my opinion, are suspect and should not be taken literally as a pretense in the hope of arriving at a state-of-being that is driven by purely egotistical concerns - such as wanting to live forever.
Needless to say, there was a pause and, capitalizing on their brain lock, bid them to have good workout and returned to my own which I had the good fortune to complete in relative peace. I remember thinking how I got off lightly that time. Doubtless, I was being damned within the confines of their thoughts but that they would pray for my lost soul anyway. Ahhh, I can almost smell the sulfurous fumes, hear the wailing of the eternally tormented and Satan cackling hysterically 'You eeeediots! Of course I made you do it!'.
I was fortunate this past weekend. I just happened into a couple of pool environments that had cold drinks, agreeable humans to interact with and food in abundance. Grilled chicken, beef, chicken and pork; cold beer and water as well as one of the causes of post event hangovers...Jello shots. The weather has settled into a normal Dallas summer at least for the time being, that of being a 100 F. with the heat index somewhat higher. Having a pool nearby helps but the water in it is starting to warm up. The water at the 'quiet' pool, the deeper one that is shaded by trees the majority of the day, remains refreshing cool though.
Contending with the heat over the last few days has presented me with the opportunity to restructure how I spend my time during the day and night. I've been using the vehicle more than usual over the last several days due to the heat and the remnants of this irritating sinus infection. Except for Sunday, I spend the hottest part of the day at a branch of the library. The evenings I spend at the quiet pool. The nights are a bit more trying. With nighttime temps in the 80's and muggy, the truck is too hot to sleep in and sleeping in the bed of the truck is not an option due to safety concerns. There are a couple of places that I have access to that are climate controlled. I usually sneak into one or the other around midnight and sleep to 4:30 - 4:45 AM at which time I sneak right back out of. I relocate to catch another 2 or 3 hours of sleep during the coolness (?) of the morning. I'm going to move my workout routine to the late night hours since that facility has AC also. That is a departure from my preference but I think it'll be better for the situation. I'm rev'd up after a workout for 2 or 3 hours so maybe that'll be ideal for my situation until the weather cools back down. If my circumstances continues into the winter, that may be an ideal strategy for then, too. Well, look at the bright side; at least I'm not in Baghdad where it's 115 F. during the day...and let us not forget about that pesky ordinance that has an irritating habit of treating living tissue in a very aggressive manner.
One of my camping spots, the one with the 24 hour 7-11 that is adjacent to a small strip mall, has been closed since the first of July due to some remodeling at the direction of the new corporate owners. I felt uncomfortable spending the night there, the feelings of isolation and increased vulnerability no doubt, so I moved to the other camping spot, the one with the large shopping center and 24 hour fast food place. Last week I was awakened by a couple of cops around 4:30 AM supposedly checking to see if I was alright; thank God, I sent everybody home a couple of hours ago.They asked what was going on with me and I told him and asked if there any problems by my presence here. He replied no and said to take care and they left. The next night another policeman stopped by around the same time (what's up with the early morning calls?!?) and said there had been numerous complaints about my presence at that location and that I couldn't sleep there anymore and suggested to move further north. There was even mention of citations for future transgressions. Let's see...one night there is no problems regarding my presence and the following night there have been numerous complaints. Complaints about what? I leave no trash lying around; I'm courteous to all; my hygiene, while not as impeccable as it once was, is still what I regard as above average; I haven't thrown any wild parties, played the TV/stereo loud enough to invoke sound pollution sanctions nor have I initiated any construction/home improvements to my property. And both times, they didn't ask for any documentation regarding personal identification, vehicle ownership or proof of insurance.
Hmmm...maybe it was my longer hair or maybe someone is jealous of this free-wheeling life-style. Oh well, maybe the universe will function better if I spend my nights elsewhere. At this point, I'm concerned over the possibility of additional fuel expenditures. These two locations are at the hub of my 'range'; an area that supplies what I consider important assets such as access to several pools, a workout facility, several options regarding hygiene activities, access to climate controlled environments that are already proving useful. Also, I can park my vehicle at either location and walk to any of these assets but now that my presence has been magnified on the radar screen of human authority figures, I may have to adjust some things. I'm not sure I could discover another area with the mix of resources that I currently enjoy. It might not be easy to move to another locale. After all, I did actually live in this area for a number of years so many people are used to seeing me. Only a few have an idea of my situation. To be a new face in a new environment might draw attention that I don't want.
I mentioned last week about suffering from a sinus infection, an unavoidable downside of being alive. I'm still not at 100% but at least I don't have much of that Darth Vader voice left. The thing is that if I was a home-with I could have driven this Satan-spawned creation back to the nether regions from whence it came with several doses of Grandma's Award Winning Homemade Stew (also patent pending). I've made some improvements to the recipe that I think she would've agreed with. I usually get a 2 - 2.5 lb. roast, not too lean nor with too much fat, and cut it up into sizable chunks and I mean chunks, people, each piece good for 2 - 3 bites. Throw the meat, salt, pepper, medium sized chopped red onion, 1 can of extra hot Rotel tomatoes and 1 can of whole tomatoes into water and cook over medium heat for about an hour or so or until desired tenderness. That's the baseline and with some potatoes thrown in later, it's good to go. There are some additional spices that can be added all together for one batch or any single ingredient to one batch and another spice to the next batch, alternating according to mood or whim or fancy. To wit: a bay leaf, a couple of sticks of celery diced up, 3 - 4 carrots chopped up in a chunky way and/or a few diced Jalapeno peppers (easy there, pardner!). After the meat has reached the desired stage of tenderness that is best determined by a taste test, cut up some potatoes on the chunky side, enough for just one meal per person. Serve up in a bowl with a tablespoon, knife and fork with cornbread and/or crackers and copious amounts of ice water or ice tea. From experience, I can tell you that this dish can be eaten as breakfast, lunch or dinner or a snack. At each meal time, reheat in pot on stove (no microwave) and add some fresh chunked up taters and consume. I prefer fresh taters myself. I find that the cooked taters that have soaked until the next day are not as crisp. After the third day, if there is any left, and there shouldn't be, I would suggest throwing out the remainder but I have no experience regarding this particular type of event.
Many known human maladies have met their doom when encountering such a formidable mixture of nutrition and well-meaning.
David
While working out the other day, there were a couple of younger guys in the facility who were talking about the Bible and quoting scripture, pointing out current events and reassuring each other that the end times are just around the corner and that they were counting themselves as among the few lucky ones who have a validated ticket for the 'forever ride'. Naturally, I was minding my own business; that is, attempting to tame the wild, elemental forces trapped within my supple musculature when one of them asked me, ''Do you believe in the Bible, sir?". I don't have any problem with any life form attempting to come to grips with that non-rational part of us that seems to be embedded within the force of life by using whatever tools that is put in their path by the spirit of the universe or God or whatever. Now, I tried to avoid the conversation (shoulda had an ipod!), I didn't want any part of that particular dialogue; been there, heard that but the workout place is only so big and I guess the universe couldn't function at its' maximum potential unless I got roped into this discussion. I knew by overhearing their conversation that they didn't want any meaningful dialogue; they were only after affirmations and reflections of their belief system...which I don't have and/or share. Well, maybe at one time I did but my relationship with the universe has evolved into something different.
Anyway, I responded that that was a difficult question to answer. I went on say that I have no doubt that there is something greater than us, so beyond the human condition that we are unable to even begin to think about it; that that power has attempted contact with each and every human throughout the course of history and will continue to do so for the duration of eternity; that all religious texts are but a dim, distorted reflection, at best, of interactions between that power and men that had to be filtered through language and current cosmological understanding and, as such, those interpretations, in my opinion, are suspect and should not be taken literally as a pretense in the hope of arriving at a state-of-being that is driven by purely egotistical concerns - such as wanting to live forever.
Needless to say, there was a pause and, capitalizing on their brain lock, bid them to have good workout and returned to my own which I had the good fortune to complete in relative peace. I remember thinking how I got off lightly that time. Doubtless, I was being damned within the confines of their thoughts but that they would pray for my lost soul anyway. Ahhh, I can almost smell the sulfurous fumes, hear the wailing of the eternally tormented and Satan cackling hysterically 'You eeeediots! Of course I made you do it!'.
I was fortunate this past weekend. I just happened into a couple of pool environments that had cold drinks, agreeable humans to interact with and food in abundance. Grilled chicken, beef, chicken and pork; cold beer and water as well as one of the causes of post event hangovers...Jello shots. The weather has settled into a normal Dallas summer at least for the time being, that of being a 100 F. with the heat index somewhat higher. Having a pool nearby helps but the water in it is starting to warm up. The water at the 'quiet' pool, the deeper one that is shaded by trees the majority of the day, remains refreshing cool though.
Contending with the heat over the last few days has presented me with the opportunity to restructure how I spend my time during the day and night. I've been using the vehicle more than usual over the last several days due to the heat and the remnants of this irritating sinus infection. Except for Sunday, I spend the hottest part of the day at a branch of the library. The evenings I spend at the quiet pool. The nights are a bit more trying. With nighttime temps in the 80's and muggy, the truck is too hot to sleep in and sleeping in the bed of the truck is not an option due to safety concerns. There are a couple of places that I have access to that are climate controlled. I usually sneak into one or the other around midnight and sleep to 4:30 - 4:45 AM at which time I sneak right back out of. I relocate to catch another 2 or 3 hours of sleep during the coolness (?) of the morning. I'm going to move my workout routine to the late night hours since that facility has AC also. That is a departure from my preference but I think it'll be better for the situation. I'm rev'd up after a workout for 2 or 3 hours so maybe that'll be ideal for my situation until the weather cools back down. If my circumstances continues into the winter, that may be an ideal strategy for then, too. Well, look at the bright side; at least I'm not in Baghdad where it's 115 F. during the day...and let us not forget about that pesky ordinance that has an irritating habit of treating living tissue in a very aggressive manner.
One of my camping spots, the one with the 24 hour 7-11 that is adjacent to a small strip mall, has been closed since the first of July due to some remodeling at the direction of the new corporate owners. I felt uncomfortable spending the night there, the feelings of isolation and increased vulnerability no doubt, so I moved to the other camping spot, the one with the large shopping center and 24 hour fast food place. Last week I was awakened by a couple of cops around 4:30 AM supposedly checking to see if I was alright; thank God, I sent everybody home a couple of hours ago.They asked what was going on with me and I told him and asked if there any problems by my presence here. He replied no and said to take care and they left. The next night another policeman stopped by around the same time (what's up with the early morning calls?!?) and said there had been numerous complaints about my presence at that location and that I couldn't sleep there anymore and suggested to move further north. There was even mention of citations for future transgressions. Let's see...one night there is no problems regarding my presence and the following night there have been numerous complaints. Complaints about what? I leave no trash lying around; I'm courteous to all; my hygiene, while not as impeccable as it once was, is still what I regard as above average; I haven't thrown any wild parties, played the TV/stereo loud enough to invoke sound pollution sanctions nor have I initiated any construction/home improvements to my property. And both times, they didn't ask for any documentation regarding personal identification, vehicle ownership or proof of insurance.
Hmmm...maybe it was my longer hair or maybe someone is jealous of this free-wheeling life-style. Oh well, maybe the universe will function better if I spend my nights elsewhere. At this point, I'm concerned over the possibility of additional fuel expenditures. These two locations are at the hub of my 'range'; an area that supplies what I consider important assets such as access to several pools, a workout facility, several options regarding hygiene activities, access to climate controlled environments that are already proving useful. Also, I can park my vehicle at either location and walk to any of these assets but now that my presence has been magnified on the radar screen of human authority figures, I may have to adjust some things. I'm not sure I could discover another area with the mix of resources that I currently enjoy. It might not be easy to move to another locale. After all, I did actually live in this area for a number of years so many people are used to seeing me. Only a few have an idea of my situation. To be a new face in a new environment might draw attention that I don't want.
I mentioned last week about suffering from a sinus infection, an unavoidable downside of being alive. I'm still not at 100% but at least I don't have much of that Darth Vader voice left. The thing is that if I was a home-with I could have driven this Satan-spawned creation back to the nether regions from whence it came with several doses of Grandma's Award Winning Homemade Stew (also patent pending). I've made some improvements to the recipe that I think she would've agreed with. I usually get a 2 - 2.5 lb. roast, not too lean nor with too much fat, and cut it up into sizable chunks and I mean chunks, people, each piece good for 2 - 3 bites. Throw the meat, salt, pepper, medium sized chopped red onion, 1 can of extra hot Rotel tomatoes and 1 can of whole tomatoes into water and cook over medium heat for about an hour or so or until desired tenderness. That's the baseline and with some potatoes thrown in later, it's good to go. There are some additional spices that can be added all together for one batch or any single ingredient to one batch and another spice to the next batch, alternating according to mood or whim or fancy. To wit: a bay leaf, a couple of sticks of celery diced up, 3 - 4 carrots chopped up in a chunky way and/or a few diced Jalapeno peppers (easy there, pardner!). After the meat has reached the desired stage of tenderness that is best determined by a taste test, cut up some potatoes on the chunky side, enough for just one meal per person. Serve up in a bowl with a tablespoon, knife and fork with cornbread and/or crackers and copious amounts of ice water or ice tea. From experience, I can tell you that this dish can be eaten as breakfast, lunch or dinner or a snack. At each meal time, reheat in pot on stove (no microwave) and add some fresh chunked up taters and consume. I prefer fresh taters myself. I find that the cooked taters that have soaked until the next day are not as crisp. After the third day, if there is any left, and there shouldn't be, I would suggest throwing out the remainder but I have no experience regarding this particular type of event.
Many known human maladies have met their doom when encountering such a formidable mixture of nutrition and well-meaning.
David
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