Ha Ha Ha! Did I just say RELAXED!!

So, scratch that last part. You know, the one where I said I was relaxed. Between here and there in my dash to get out of Dodge I've hit a major road block. You see, my car? The unregistered one? That I just put 250$ bucks into, to try and fix up? Is dead. D. E. D. Dead. The transmission is gone completely. So, last night, I tried to gamely limp it up the hill to the Transmission Shop, but didn't even make it a mile. I'd had the forethought to have J. come follow me and with the help of a stranger who was walking by, who happened to own a tow chain, and lived only a block from where I stopped - my car was towed the rest of the 4 or so miles. In the rain. The last bit we had to push. Did I mention that already? In the rain? So, now this morning, after borrowing my boss' car to get myself there I find out that the transmission will be about 2,100 to fix. I only paid 3,000 for the car. So it's getting scrapped. I called around and after being told by some that I couldn't pay them to take the car, I found one that will give me 100$ for it. So, now I've got J.'s sister W. coming with a van to help me put all my stuff into her van. R. is going to give me a ride the the airport on Thursday so I can rent a car - drive it back down to Provo - load it up and then drive it back north to Boise where I'll stay in a hotel. Then on Friday I'll drive it to S.'s house, then have him follow me to the airport to return it for a grand rental total of 250$. Sheesh. So, laugh with me now. Here I am on this big adventure I asked for. It's turning out to be a lot more then I asked for. Now, I'm not only homeless, I'm wingless too. With out my car, I'm grounded. I really wanted to be able to drive out to Glacier National Park to see the meteor shower on the 1'st of September. I wanted to be able to go to SL tomorrow to say goodbye to some friends, I wanted to be able to drive out to see my cousin's before I left. But... oh well, I guess it's not like I'm dying. I'll be back. In the mean time - while I had some more excellent tips for living in your car organized in my brain to share with you, this latest adventure has knocked them out and so I'll have to leave you with just this one... if your plan is to live in your car, make sure it it's in proper condition or it's just going to cause you more grief.

Homeless... Homeless... Like the Christ Child was...

That title should be sung. Like the song. By that one guy. Who does Christmas songs. So, I debated about what to title this post. Because what I want to tell you about is really, What I've Learned From Being Homeless Volume 1. So, I guess, here it is... in no particular order...
*Don't leave your paperback books in the back windshield or the sun will melt the glue and then you'll have to read them one leaf at a time. (Which is actually quite fun.)
*Take a shower whenever and wherever you can, even if you don't think you need one. Who knows when you'll get another chance.
*You could pay 7.00$ for a burger and fries and eat for one meal, or you could buy apples, bread, peanut butter, jam and eat for 7 days.
*Don't keep Lingonberries in your cooler if you ONLY eat them with Meatballs. Or mayonnaise for that fact if you only eat it once a year. Cooler space is precious space.
*Keep your clean underwear and t-shirts on top and accessible. Or be willing to pay 10$ a pair for new ones at VS. Or, be ready to slum it for 5$ 3 packs at Walmart.
*If you find a quiet, shady spot - remember where it is. And don't tell anyone else who lives in their car or they might kife it.
*Take good advantage of the amenities of the Library. Namely, books, air conditioning, internet, bathrooms, drinking fountains and soft chairs. You can take a nap there if you have a book in your lap. They won't kick you out. I know. I tried it.
*A duffel bag is invaluable for when you are sleeping at the Gym. It's good for discreetly carrying your pajamas and shampoo into your work.
*Keep your candy bars in the cooler. I hope there is no explanation needed with this one.
*Dollar theaters are wonderful inventions for passing time late at night as well as are Red Box DVD rentals you can watch on your lap top.
Okay - Those are my big lessons learned thus far. But remember - I've still got a week and a half or so to go... So this really is hopefully Volume 1.
(In all honesty I've been "homeless" since Monday at Noon and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. I've spent time sitting under shady trees in the Canyon, taken naps in the library and the park, visited friends and read A LOT - all things I love to do. For the first time in my life, I'm wondering why I've spent so much of my time working. I really feel like I'm learning how to relax all over again. Believe it or not, now that the stress of moving is done, this is the most relaxed I've been for quite some time...)

Aaarrgghh!!

See that title? That's my stress yell. I'm a little stressed. Which is actually quite funny. Let me tell you why... First, how do I know I'm stressed? Because my one eye is twitching uncontrollably, my other eye is big and red because The Sty has returned, the skin on my finger tips is peeling off, my hair is falling out, I have a lead weight in my stomach and a two inch fuse. Now, why am I stressed out? Because I've only got one more day to pack up and move my house, I'm only two thirds done, the storage unit is 3 miles away instead of 2 blocks, my car is unregistered so every drive out there is a dance with fate - is that a cop behind me? I'm at a mandatory impound now - I don't have enough boxes, I've too much crap and I've got to be to work at 5pm. Luckily, I do have a friend with a trailer coming to help tomorrow... - Also, because I'm leaving for Spokane for the weekend on Friday and the only one to cover my shift is no one's first choice, and then when I come back I'm homeless for two weeks with another weekend trip to Cedar City - provided I can get that shift covered - and then I'm taking off forever from dear friends and loved ones on my way to who knows what!! Sheesh. Okay, now why is it funny? Because this is the adventure I wanted. I mean, I ASKED for this!! And today, this is very funny. Very, very funny. Now laugh. Ha ha ha ha, whaaa!

It's Time to Move on... It's Time to Get Goin'

So, I'm packing and packing and packing up. It seems to be a little bit overwhelming. Mostly I'm struggling with my desire to have it all done and ready to go but I've got some stumbling blocks. See, I'm moving all my crap to a storage unit, but I don't want to pay for it unless I have to. So, what I've got packed up to store is just sitting here in my living room. I want it OUT. Also, I want to pack stuff up, but I don't have enough big boxes. I've been saving little boxes (you never know when you need a good sturdy box for mailing a package, right Mom?) but they are useless when trying to box stuff up. And lastly, my roommate, who got married on Friday and is on her honeymoon for a week or so, still has all her stuff around so I'm trying to pick and pack my stuff amongst hers and I look around and it feels like I've still got so much junk. I'm trying to throw it all way, get rid of it, clean up, detox, cleanse, but it's harder then I thought. I want to live my life like the water wheel. In order for the wheel to turn it needs to have the momentum of dumping the water before it can pick up any more. So, I want to be free enough to gladly and willingly hold on to less with the understanding that the world will provide for my needs and I'll have the ability and capabilities to pick up things again as I need them. I like the sound of that anyway... So my last day of work at C. is this Friday and I'm happy for it. Sad of course to leave all my great girlfriends there who've made my life great, but excited to feel like I'm ACTUALLY starting my big adventure. And it means I can get moving on packing up. My last day at the Q. isn't until the 29th but that's okay by me. It will be nice to have a check in September. And I like it there. Most days. Well, it will be nice to have something to do with my afternoons off once I'm done packing and all anyway.