Carsblog

Thursday, 18th of June, 2009 6:45 pm UTC

Plannification

First, let me keep the donation shingle hanging out in plain view.

To escape the impending homelessness, what we're looking at right now is a cheap mobile home, which rents quite a bit cheaper than most apartments. Even the worst neighbors in the most squalid conditions would be a step up from the situation we're in--especially if we have a working phone line, and an internet connection which would allow us to get back to something like business--and certainly will be preferable to being completely homeless. We may be able to make this happen for substantially less than our originally stated goal.

We're still going to have to raise up to $2000 more, though. With my bad credit, I'm not going to be eligible for any great move-in deals, and I will have to set up utilities and everything. I live cheap; I've never paid for frills like cable, which some people these days think of as necessities. But I will have to set up electric and phone.

I will work as fast as I can to get a new job. My problem, since I left Sears (where I worked for over ten years) hasn't been an unwillingness to work, but a seeming unwillingness by employers to hire me. Why? Pick a card, I guess--not a whole lot of valuable skills, a bad back, spotty work history (now), bad credit, crossed eyes, and a kind of halting, stuttering nature (works for Bob Newhart, not me). Most of my best qualifications are obsolete--stat camera operation, developing film, that kind of thing. I have had trouble getting even a "McJob". People who interview me these days give me the hairy eyeball, as if I'm some kind of leper. Early on at Sears, in the offices, I was a promising, young so-and-so; after my back accident, managers suspected me of being drunk. It's the crossed eyes and sleepy nature, not to mention the Walter Brennan-style limp. I guess age plays into it, too--I'm too old for most jobs, yet too young to greet people at Walmart.

In past months, I seem to have at least beaten back one of my negatives, that chronic daytime sleepiness. I have to drink a lot of Vault, and find sugar in between. However, I will need to eventually see a doctor; diabetes runs in my family.

But first things first. If you haven't donated yet, please consider doing so! Every little bit helps. And I can't thank you enough, those of you who have donated, some up to $200 at once!

Thank you.