Homeless - 46

Greetings, fellow 2008 humans,


Hope you survived the holidays; specifically the NYE festivities and the eating and the drinking and and was not responsible for too much property damage and...whatever else people do on festive occasions across the face of this planet. I'm sure my experience doesn't encompass it all and I don't think I want to hear what all of ya'll did. I'm still a growing life form and don't want to be further encumbered by strange and delightful vices that undoubtedly cost time and money and god knows what else. And the good news to start of the New Year is...that the Apocalypse hasn't happened yet so all of us still have a chance.


I haven't been able to write as much lately due to the part-time job that I wrote of earlier. For the next couple of weeks, it will continue to be more full-time until mid-January; at least, that's what I told them that I'm willing to contribute to help them to conclude year-end retail responsibilities such as inventory. I run the register, sweep, clean, stock and clean the break room and the bathrooms...all the fun jobs as well as counting using the base 10 numeric system. Good thing I paid attention in college some of the time. As long as I'm there, I do prefer the place be clean and orderly. Being on the feet through out shift duration is somewhat tiring. The customers continue to be nice so far and am really enjoying that part of the job. The first check arrives on 1/16 and I hope that I'm there long enough to get another one.

My New Year's Eve started out with the idea that I was going to detract from the usual practice of festivities and spend it quietly in the place that I've been hanging out at lately when there is nothing else going on. I checked my voice mail and received an invitation to drop by a benefactor's place. The invitation mentioned 'hot tamales'. After foolishly inquiring whether they were home-made or came out of a can, I shaped a course for that location and spent an enjoyable evening. The menu consisted of tamales, turkey, veggies and several beers as well as good conversation which is one thing that I've been lacking lately. I also squeezed in a shower (they might've been appreciative of that particular fact since I spent a full day at work) as well as washing a load of clothes. The canine seemed glad to see me or maybe she just recognized another human that could be successfully hit up for more treats; can't decide which. I brought in the New Year, fell asleep at 2 AM and awoke at 11:30 AM, showered, ate and thanked them for the hospitality. All in all, the new year started off great - full stomach of damn decent food, all clothes clean, freshly showered (I know - two in less than 16 hours, life is good!!!) and a spring in my step with a song in my heart.

I was gifted with a ...gift card...for a popular sandwich place over Xmas. I had the chance to eat there a couple of times. While sitting there consuming the meal (and free Dr. Pepper - brought my own cup!), I was thinking that I was having a balanced meal. Think about it - there's meat with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, peppers, cuke slices on a toasted wheat bun with mayo. Made me think of other delivery systems - tacos, hamburgers, etc. However, I would like the desert to be kept separate though - something about a chocolate chip cookie and Jalapeno pepper in the same bite doesn't set too well in the head.

The cold weather has been costing me additional fuel expenditures. On the really cold days when it is in the 30's or below, I usually run BT for a few minutes in the late evening and when I arise around 5 AM to get the chilliness out of the air in the vehicle. The two blankets that I have keep me comfortable during the course of those nights and the sweatsuit helps, too, in seeing me through in warmth and comfort. The truck is parked with some protection from the evil cold winds of the north and west so that helps some also. I have discovered that the western portion of the truck is colder than the eastern portion and have adjusted my sleeping habits appropriately. Usually, after returning from the hot tub, I throw the attire that has completed the 'hot tub cycle' in the back of the truck to be hung up on the clothes line that I've put up (a hooked bunji cord stretched across the width of the bed near the back of the cab). Less than an hour later, after finishing some coffee, I went to hang the items up and discovered that they were frozen solid. I did notice that it was cold that morning but I didn't think it was that cold. Anyway, the hanging up was delayed for a couple of hours until the sun started making its' contributions in earnest. The only thing that gets cold is my nose which I leave hanging outside the blankets and the towel that I wrap around my neck and encase my head. On the cold mornings, it is tempting to sleep in but there are things to do and people to stalk.

It is supposed to be a pretty weekend and I hope it turns out that way; I'm off work this weekend. I'm looking forward to spending some time at the library catching up on things, maybe work in a workout and catch a decent free meal at a local grocery store. I swear...I'm going to start gaining weight with all the food I've eating lately.

Lastly, I give thanks for having survived this far in these circumstances. I can only attribute my continued existence to the kindness of strangers, benefactors and luck, fate, destiny - whatever you want to call it. Maybe the spirit of the universe isn't done with me yet. It seems that I came across a saying somewhere along the way that went something like 'if you are still alive, your purpose here has not been completed'.

Personally, I think I'm providing some amusement for the pastimes of the deities...and maybe I'm not the only one.

Have a good year, month, day, hour...

David