OK, on the job front, I have nothing in the immediate future. But finished the brake work on the van, so next week's a new game.
For those who know me, my pet project has been a project called Hobo's List. This is a project to catalog resources for the poor in various communities to assist in getting aid to the people who badly need it. While the immediate target of this was intended to be the homeless, I have begin thinking about how it could be expanded to meet the needs of refugees and migrants as well.
I am beginning a launch and awareness campaign and will be handing off the web development and marketing tasks to a trusted affiliate, who I believe can help me take the organization to the next level. This includes a GoFundMe campaign, as well as a long range five year plan. I would encourage you to donate to help make this happen, as it means a lot of good for a lot of people.
And so, my weekend consists of reviving set lists, working on long range plans, and looking for jobs in the coming week. Fortunately, I get to do it with a better set of brakes.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
A Day in the Life
So I'm headed home, I guess. Townes is heading into the shop tomorrow, hopefully to resolve the brake issues once and for all.
But I figured in the meantime I'd give you a basic rundown.
This job was in Kansas, which means crossing a time zone. 9:30AM start, 3 hour drive (figure 4 for the time zone). So that meant getting up at 3 AM to get out at 4 AM to give myself an hour cushion (I ALWAYS allow a cushion, and always "plan" to arrive 30 minutes early, as sometimes I need that 30 minutes to find the site. Even when I don't, it's still nice to have a couple of minutes to collect myself).
Coming into town wound up being an adventure. The brakes, as I mentioned, are bad (read: nearly nonexistent), and it was pouring rain. I came upon the stoplight, which has a warning signal when it's about to turn to encourage highway traffic to slow down. When I passed it, no warning light. But it turned yellow with very little time for me to stop, and an almost certainty I would be running through the red light. And since there were cars on the cross street, this could be bad. Thinking quickly, I slowed as much as I could and pulled a hard right, making the turn with no trouble. Still, I was a bit shaken up by the near miss.
So I arrived at the site, a hotel that's about ready to open. My job (ostensibly) was to install the router. I walked in, was directed to the switch room, patch panels were in place, but...no switches. I called in and it looked like the internal IT was behind schedule. I helped the managers find the switches, but because I don't know the setup or internal network, there was nothing I could do except sign the router over to the manager and check out. Relatively easy assignment.
So I decided to try to pick one up in Dalhart that's been sitting there. I submitted an offer, the ticket was pulled. Not rejected, pulled (I get a notice if it is rejected or reassigned). This means the buyer didn't like my offer. Ah, well, you win some, you lose some.
So, headed back before noon with a good paycheck for the day. Which is pretty good; I'm going to need it for the brake work. Hoping that I'm back to normal by Monday.
But I figured in the meantime I'd give you a basic rundown.
This job was in Kansas, which means crossing a time zone. 9:30AM start, 3 hour drive (figure 4 for the time zone). So that meant getting up at 3 AM to get out at 4 AM to give myself an hour cushion (I ALWAYS allow a cushion, and always "plan" to arrive 30 minutes early, as sometimes I need that 30 minutes to find the site. Even when I don't, it's still nice to have a couple of minutes to collect myself).
Coming into town wound up being an adventure. The brakes, as I mentioned, are bad (read: nearly nonexistent), and it was pouring rain. I came upon the stoplight, which has a warning signal when it's about to turn to encourage highway traffic to slow down. When I passed it, no warning light. But it turned yellow with very little time for me to stop, and an almost certainty I would be running through the red light. And since there were cars on the cross street, this could be bad. Thinking quickly, I slowed as much as I could and pulled a hard right, making the turn with no trouble. Still, I was a bit shaken up by the near miss.
So I arrived at the site, a hotel that's about ready to open. My job (ostensibly) was to install the router. I walked in, was directed to the switch room, patch panels were in place, but...no switches. I called in and it looked like the internal IT was behind schedule. I helped the managers find the switches, but because I don't know the setup or internal network, there was nothing I could do except sign the router over to the manager and check out. Relatively easy assignment.
So I decided to try to pick one up in Dalhart that's been sitting there. I submitted an offer, the ticket was pulled. Not rejected, pulled (I get a notice if it is rejected or reassigned). This means the buyer didn't like my offer. Ah, well, you win some, you lose some.
So, headed back before noon with a good paycheck for the day. Which is pretty good; I'm going to need it for the brake work. Hoping that I'm back to normal by Monday.
....and the Hits Just Keep on Coming!
So, I got the brake line fixed, but the calipers need to be replaced, meaning a complete brake job. I was going to try to postpone it a bit, as we were hoping there was some brake, but a rather harrowing right turn to avoid running a red light out on the road changed that in a hurry. Given that the van has a high center of gravity, I count myself fortunate that I didn't roll it to avoid a possible collision.
So that means the surplus we hoped we have, we don't. Same old story, same old song and dance, really. And the more days I'm down, the less money I can make.
Going to limp back from the road today and hope I can get the brakes finished by the end of the week. All told, will be a total of $550 before we're done paying the piper on this one.
When I headed out this morning, I got everything together except the guitar. That doesn't matter for the IT side of things, but since it's my ancillary income stream, not a good game plan overall. Finding out the brakes still don't work means I'm headed back early anyway, but that wasn't a given when I left this morning.
On the plus side, my windshield, which has long served as a sort of transparent Elysian Field for the insect world has now been lightened of the corpses of several arthropods who had long since passed to their final reward, as a result of the rain in southwest Kansas. The rivers still aren't running up this way, but it's green enough that Dorothy might not have been so hasty to long for her egress.
At any rate, hoping the job this morning goes smoothly and swiftly. I'll feel much better when I pull safely in home.
So that means the surplus we hoped we have, we don't. Same old story, same old song and dance, really. And the more days I'm down, the less money I can make.
Going to limp back from the road today and hope I can get the brakes finished by the end of the week. All told, will be a total of $550 before we're done paying the piper on this one.
When I headed out this morning, I got everything together except the guitar. That doesn't matter for the IT side of things, but since it's my ancillary income stream, not a good game plan overall. Finding out the brakes still don't work means I'm headed back early anyway, but that wasn't a given when I left this morning.
On the plus side, my windshield, which has long served as a sort of transparent Elysian Field for the insect world has now been lightened of the corpses of several arthropods who had long since passed to their final reward, as a result of the rain in southwest Kansas. The rivers still aren't running up this way, but it's green enough that Dorothy might not have been so hasty to long for her egress.
At any rate, hoping the job this morning goes smoothly and swiftly. I'll feel much better when I pull safely in home.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Garden City....and Beyond?
So Townes got the necessary brake work done....but more is still needed. Unfortunately, going to need the brakes replaced, and that means money, which isn't exactly in the greatest abundance.
But, these things happen, and Townes has given me a lot of good miles. But I am going to have to step it up with as many additional revenue streams as possible. Going to have to start bringing in some money, any money with the guitar.
This week's deposits will put us a smidge above water for the first time in a couple of months. But there's always another expense looming, always another bill to be paid. It is unfortunate that the reality of first world existence means that every dollar you earn has another fellow's name on it. That's a reality I'd like to eventually change.
There have been a lot of folks begging me to take "good" jobs at $9 an hour, when the simple truth is, on an hourly rate, I make well over that. The trick is, I have to keep moving, have to keep going where the work is. And those slavers who offer $9 an hour can...well, I try to keep my blog PG rated, so I'll stop there!
My name's getting out a bit further, but there's still a lot of work to do. Now that I have Townes back, I may holdover in Kansas a bit and see what I can do. Next week, I'm kinda gunning to head back to Santa Fe to take advantage of the waning summer season. I have a couple of ideas to try out, and will keep plugging away till I make it work. Sure beats the ol' 9 to 5.
In the meantime, I am mulling taking another Kansas offer later in the week. It would certainly justify the stayover.
But, these things happen, and Townes has given me a lot of good miles. But I am going to have to step it up with as many additional revenue streams as possible. Going to have to start bringing in some money, any money with the guitar.
This week's deposits will put us a smidge above water for the first time in a couple of months. But there's always another expense looming, always another bill to be paid. It is unfortunate that the reality of first world existence means that every dollar you earn has another fellow's name on it. That's a reality I'd like to eventually change.
There have been a lot of folks begging me to take "good" jobs at $9 an hour, when the simple truth is, on an hourly rate, I make well over that. The trick is, I have to keep moving, have to keep going where the work is. And those slavers who offer $9 an hour can...well, I try to keep my blog PG rated, so I'll stop there!
My name's getting out a bit further, but there's still a lot of work to do. Now that I have Townes back, I may holdover in Kansas a bit and see what I can do. Next week, I'm kinda gunning to head back to Santa Fe to take advantage of the waning summer season. I have a couple of ideas to try out, and will keep plugging away till I make it work. Sure beats the ol' 9 to 5.
In the meantime, I am mulling taking another Kansas offer later in the week. It would certainly justify the stayover.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Forced Downtime
Well, I took Townes in to the shop today and headed off to day jobs in Amarillo. Aside from a previously scheduled job in Garden City on Wednesday, it looks like this will be the extent of my work, as I am waiting for tickets to process.
The brakes were a "better case" scenario: a hole in the brake line. It will still cost me, but less than a master cylinder or a larger repair. I'm going to have to wait until Monday, though, to launch out again, which is a bit of a pity, though, because it means watching a few tickets go by.
So the game plan is to work on set lists. I am still trying to get something going in that regard, and will keep trying. I'm trying to pick up some setlist ideas, and keep it fresh and lively. Also working on signage for the spots where I busk and trying to piece together some new routes. And not ignoring the ever present reality that it will only be a few months before I will need to start finding something more appropriate for winter weather.
I had a buyer mention I was well below some of the other bidders. The good thing about that is, I'm not undercutting them on my hourly, where I am beating them is on travel expenses. In this area, any competent tech is going to have to travel, and the expenses are pretty similar. Because I'm only bidding one way travel on most of these jobs, I can honestly underbid without compromising a fair hourly rate.
Today's jobs were a "gimme". I needed to fill some time and make a few bucks, with the uncertainty of the van, so I bid a bit lower than I normally would. Still making money, just not as much as I would have normally. But now I go home torest work on my game plan.
The brakes were a "better case" scenario: a hole in the brake line. It will still cost me, but less than a master cylinder or a larger repair. I'm going to have to wait until Monday, though, to launch out again, which is a bit of a pity, though, because it means watching a few tickets go by.
So the game plan is to work on set lists. I am still trying to get something going in that regard, and will keep trying. I'm trying to pick up some setlist ideas, and keep it fresh and lively. Also working on signage for the spots where I busk and trying to piece together some new routes. And not ignoring the ever present reality that it will only be a few months before I will need to start finding something more appropriate for winter weather.
I had a buyer mention I was well below some of the other bidders. The good thing about that is, I'm not undercutting them on my hourly, where I am beating them is on travel expenses. In this area, any competent tech is going to have to travel, and the expenses are pretty similar. Because I'm only bidding one way travel on most of these jobs, I can honestly underbid without compromising a fair hourly rate.
Today's jobs were a "gimme". I needed to fill some time and make a few bucks, with the uncertainty of the van, so I bid a bit lower than I normally would. Still making money, just not as much as I would have normally. But now I go home to
Friday, July 25, 2014
Looks Like Some Unplanned Downtime is in Order
Well, I'm headed off the road for a couple days, but Townes has developed some brake problems, so depending on cost and complexity of repair, it could be a little longer.
I spent the night last night in Dumas at a pretty nice campground. The downside of roadside camping is there are usually not a lot of amenities, In fact, it's not uncommon to have to drive a short distance for toilets. This campground had some rather rustic toilets, but they had running water, so not as rustic as I've seen. And there was a fairly large recreation area, and the chance to stretch your legs is always welcome.
Today's jobs were fairly straightforward, so I finished them right away. With the brake problems needing to be addressed, though, I am glad I took them; there's a greater chance of having money in my pocket once the dust settles.
I have one job scheduled for Wednesday, but will have to hold most of the other jobs until I get Townes back.
I spent the night last night in Dumas at a pretty nice campground. The downside of roadside camping is there are usually not a lot of amenities, In fact, it's not uncommon to have to drive a short distance for toilets. This campground had some rather rustic toilets, but they had running water, so not as rustic as I've seen. And there was a fairly large recreation area, and the chance to stretch your legs is always welcome.
Today's jobs were fairly straightforward, so I finished them right away. With the brake problems needing to be addressed, though, I am glad I took them; there's a greater chance of having money in my pocket once the dust settles.
I have one job scheduled for Wednesday, but will have to hold most of the other jobs until I get Townes back.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
A Walk Through Pampa
Note: this was written ahead of time by pen rather than typed, because I too quickly forget the magic of the dance of the pen across the page and how skillfully it turns my thoughts into words):
I mentioned before travelling out to Pampa that, of all the places I've lived, Pampa never really felt like a hometown. And I felt that with a day to spare as I travelled through the area. But Dumas only gives one night at their free campsite, and Pampa one, and I travel at night, and there's more sentiment in Pampa, even if there is little.
So after searching for I don't know what, I grabbed lunch and headed for a shady spot in the gazebo across from the Schneider Hotel. I had slept in the free campground next to the railroad tracks, and trains make poor bedfellows, so a nap was in order.
I woke with some interesting lyrics in my head. Wish the muse had given me more, but it's what I got:
"...well, the nights are short and the days are hot, and there ain't much sleepin' in the parking lot when the sun comes up..."
...and that's it.
So I decided to stroll over to the Guthrie Center at the Harris Drugstore to see if anyone was in, but noone was. I walked around the back a bit and tossed some thoughts around like an old leather Spalding, sun faded and worn at the seams. About how I'd never lined up to their expectations, nor they to mine, about how they wanted me somehow to become musically what I probably don't want to be, and how I could have easily diffused a lot of the tension with the simple word "no", after realizing that designing the website was too tall an order with full time work, full time family, full time school, and a lengthy commute.
But the past is over, and sometimes stories are best untold until time removes the pain of the sting, and so I was careful not to let my thoughts wander too far in that direction.
My guitar and I headed east to the convenience store, a bathroom, and a cold iced tea. I was given an offer to play for my tea, but the boy I was asked to play for skedaddled across the store; he was having none of it.
Once upon a time, there was a Thursday night picking at the Schneider House; I think I'll hang around and see what gives.
...and then move on.
(Postscript: saw one of the old crew from the Guthrie Center board days. He was not unfriendly, but not welcoming either. So I decided to scratch the ideas to wait and see if pickers would show).
I mentioned before travelling out to Pampa that, of all the places I've lived, Pampa never really felt like a hometown. And I felt that with a day to spare as I travelled through the area. But Dumas only gives one night at their free campsite, and Pampa one, and I travel at night, and there's more sentiment in Pampa, even if there is little.
So after searching for I don't know what, I grabbed lunch and headed for a shady spot in the gazebo across from the Schneider Hotel. I had slept in the free campground next to the railroad tracks, and trains make poor bedfellows, so a nap was in order.
I woke with some interesting lyrics in my head. Wish the muse had given me more, but it's what I got:
"...well, the nights are short and the days are hot, and there ain't much sleepin' in the parking lot when the sun comes up..."
...and that's it.
So I decided to stroll over to the Guthrie Center at the Harris Drugstore to see if anyone was in, but noone was. I walked around the back a bit and tossed some thoughts around like an old leather Spalding, sun faded and worn at the seams. About how I'd never lined up to their expectations, nor they to mine, about how they wanted me somehow to become musically what I probably don't want to be, and how I could have easily diffused a lot of the tension with the simple word "no", after realizing that designing the website was too tall an order with full time work, full time family, full time school, and a lengthy commute.
But the past is over, and sometimes stories are best untold until time removes the pain of the sting, and so I was careful not to let my thoughts wander too far in that direction.
My guitar and I headed east to the convenience store, a bathroom, and a cold iced tea. I was given an offer to play for my tea, but the boy I was asked to play for skedaddled across the store; he was having none of it.
Once upon a time, there was a Thursday night picking at the Schneider House; I think I'll hang around and see what gives.
...and then move on.
(Postscript: saw one of the old crew from the Guthrie Center board days. He was not unfriendly, but not welcoming either. So I decided to scratch the ideas to wait and see if pickers would show).
More on the Santa Fe Busk
OK, truth be told, this past week I have been feeling a little out of sorts, and, honestly, conflicted about going forward in the direction I am headed. It's not only hard; sometimes it's just plain brutal. There are the reward moments, yes, and they are many, but the reality of checking your bank balance to ensure you're going to have the cash to get home and carrying your aluminum can cache with you just in case you can't is definitely not for the faint of heart.
And then I received news of another's fortune that made me realize I'm probably NOT just a headstrong fool for staying the course. Oh, I'm a headstrong fool, to be sure...but for other reasons entirely.
But I wanted to kind of spill some takeaways from the Santa Fe busk. It was a bust from the business end of things, but I learned, and that was really what I was there to do. I've seen some amazing buskers, but I also understand we need to develop our own style, and the only way to do that is to, well, do that.
I didn't do poorly; nobody walked away from me. But I didn't capitalize on the moments I could/should have. A filmmaker capturing the scene would have been a good time to belt out an upbeat rendition of "This Land is Your Land". A toddler, whose attention was divided between my guitar playing and the pigeons on the square was an opportunity I could have used for a song like "Ship in the Sky", "Mail Myself to You" or countless well known singalong songs. And given the number of young kids on the square, I figure it might not be a bad idea to learn some current folk/punk tunes.
Also, this was a mostly inattentive audience, there more for the ambiance than anything I could play. Even a veteran juggler/balloon artist was having difficulty drawing a crowd, so it doesn't escape my mind the possibility that I arrived on a bad day.
I definitely need some signage, though. I have some ideas, and may even be able to credibly draw a logo. Otherwise, I may be begging/cajoling my more seasoned Photoshop artist friends to help me with some design elements that are out of my range.
Lots of people busk for a living. The majority fail. But I figure if I approach it with the right attitude, there's no reason that I have to be among them.
And then I received news of another's fortune that made me realize I'm probably NOT just a headstrong fool for staying the course. Oh, I'm a headstrong fool, to be sure...but for other reasons entirely.
But I wanted to kind of spill some takeaways from the Santa Fe busk. It was a bust from the business end of things, but I learned, and that was really what I was there to do. I've seen some amazing buskers, but I also understand we need to develop our own style, and the only way to do that is to, well, do that.
I didn't do poorly; nobody walked away from me. But I didn't capitalize on the moments I could/should have. A filmmaker capturing the scene would have been a good time to belt out an upbeat rendition of "This Land is Your Land". A toddler, whose attention was divided between my guitar playing and the pigeons on the square was an opportunity I could have used for a song like "Ship in the Sky", "Mail Myself to You" or countless well known singalong songs. And given the number of young kids on the square, I figure it might not be a bad idea to learn some current folk/punk tunes.
Also, this was a mostly inattentive audience, there more for the ambiance than anything I could play. Even a veteran juggler/balloon artist was having difficulty drawing a crowd, so it doesn't escape my mind the possibility that I arrived on a bad day.
I definitely need some signage, though. I have some ideas, and may even be able to credibly draw a logo. Otherwise, I may be begging/cajoling my more seasoned Photoshop artist friends to help me with some design elements that are out of my range.
Lots of people busk for a living. The majority fail. But I figure if I approach it with the right attitude, there's no reason that I have to be among them.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Summary of the First Two Months
So, I started the day in Hereford, continued on to Amarillo, and ultimately to Pampa. I'm sitting around finalizing my paperwork with nothing booked out the remainder of the week. I put in for work in Dumas Friday, but I'm not getting an answer and if the buyer stalls much longer, I may just call it and go home.
I like what I do, but I'm definitely going to have to get better at this. In addition, it hasn't escaped my attention that I have a few months yet until weather impedes my travel and will force me to find accommodations more robust than my van -- at least part of the time.
And when I'm struck with concern that this is very frustrating time to time, I have to remember that the conventional work paradigm was just as frustrating. I'm trying desperately to get momentum, but I don't know where the breaking point is. I have to learn a whole new career (busking), and I have to develop something consistently interesting in my writing that people are going to want to buy, or this gravy train isn't going to last.
I wish I could talk with folks who actually had a concern in helping me build my business and could give me more useful advice than "go work at the...(prison, dollar store, drudge job of the month). It's great general advice, but it's not getting me any nearer my goal. And it ignores the fact that I already logged a lot of years in the drudge jobs. I'll do what I have to do, but trying to find something more lasting and fulfilling is the goal.
I made money, and definitely not a shabby amount, but there was a lot of outlay for expenses, so we're not exactly swimming in cash. And I know the music/writing side is going to take a long time to build; I have an idea of what and how I need to develop to make my style at least slightly profitable.
I gained a wealth of insight and got some pretty solid ideas; the kinds of profit that can't show up on a balance sheet, but will make a difference in the long haul. I've gotten a bit bolder, a bit "harder", and a lot more tired. I've had some quality time with my guitar and been steered artistically in some directions I wouldn't expect. I'd tell you more, but, really now, wouldn't it be better to just surprise you?
The road's been kind so far, and I long for more of it. But I definitely have a lot of work to do in my downtime. Just trying to decide at the moment when that will be.
I like what I do, but I'm definitely going to have to get better at this. In addition, it hasn't escaped my attention that I have a few months yet until weather impedes my travel and will force me to find accommodations more robust than my van -- at least part of the time.
And when I'm struck with concern that this is very frustrating time to time, I have to remember that the conventional work paradigm was just as frustrating. I'm trying desperately to get momentum, but I don't know where the breaking point is. I have to learn a whole new career (busking), and I have to develop something consistently interesting in my writing that people are going to want to buy, or this gravy train isn't going to last.
I wish I could talk with folks who actually had a concern in helping me build my business and could give me more useful advice than "go work at the...(prison, dollar store, drudge job of the month). It's great general advice, but it's not getting me any nearer my goal. And it ignores the fact that I already logged a lot of years in the drudge jobs. I'll do what I have to do, but trying to find something more lasting and fulfilling is the goal.
I made money, and definitely not a shabby amount, but there was a lot of outlay for expenses, so we're not exactly swimming in cash. And I know the music/writing side is going to take a long time to build; I have an idea of what and how I need to develop to make my style at least slightly profitable.
I gained a wealth of insight and got some pretty solid ideas; the kinds of profit that can't show up on a balance sheet, but will make a difference in the long haul. I've gotten a bit bolder, a bit "harder", and a lot more tired. I've had some quality time with my guitar and been steered artistically in some directions I wouldn't expect. I'd tell you more, but, really now, wouldn't it be better to just surprise you?
The road's been kind so far, and I long for more of it. But I definitely have a lot of work to do in my downtime. Just trying to decide at the moment when that will be.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Things Went South Pretty Fast!
Well, things were going pretty good on this road trip, but as I've discovered, like a batter on a long hot streak, when things are going good, brace yourself, because they will get worse. The reverse is true as well, but I don't have as many long bad streaks, honestly.
I drove up from Roswell, a distance of about 90 miles, to discover near Clovis that I had lost a folder with several important work orders in it. I can PROBABLY get paid for most of the work (albeit I may have to accept a penalty). but there's one ticket out there that is almost surely a complete loss. The tracking and serial numbers were on the lost paperwork, so, barring the slim chance I can recover it (there is, fortunately, still a slim chance), I will not get paid a dime for that ticket.
The worst part came, though, when I was headed into Hereford. I went to the ATM to find my bank has locked me out of my account. They've done this before; apparently using the debit card anywhere other than in Clayton is suspicious activity, so I'll need to talk with them tomorrow and hope they can unlock the card without having to reissue it. If they have to reissue, the amount I have and the amount I need to get home are dangerously close to each other. Fortunately, I do have a few pounds of cans, for whatever they'll fetch.
But there's still an upside: I had put in offers for work in Clarendon and Childress, and was able to pull the offers, so while I won't make as much money as I'd have liked, I should be able to be home by the weekend rather than holdover and wait until Tuesday (and roll to Garden City on Wednesday). All assuming, of course, the worst case scenario, which I'd prefer assume just so I don't put myself in a worse bind.
I find myself counting my blessings, and there are, thankfully, many to count...but I will need to find a washroom and at least get my hair washed before morning. I do not look presentable for the job site. Again, first world problems, I know....but first world problems many of us take for granted.
I drove up from Roswell, a distance of about 90 miles, to discover near Clovis that I had lost a folder with several important work orders in it. I can PROBABLY get paid for most of the work (albeit I may have to accept a penalty). but there's one ticket out there that is almost surely a complete loss. The tracking and serial numbers were on the lost paperwork, so, barring the slim chance I can recover it (there is, fortunately, still a slim chance), I will not get paid a dime for that ticket.
The worst part came, though, when I was headed into Hereford. I went to the ATM to find my bank has locked me out of my account. They've done this before; apparently using the debit card anywhere other than in Clayton is suspicious activity, so I'll need to talk with them tomorrow and hope they can unlock the card without having to reissue it. If they have to reissue, the amount I have and the amount I need to get home are dangerously close to each other. Fortunately, I do have a few pounds of cans, for whatever they'll fetch.
But there's still an upside: I had put in offers for work in Clarendon and Childress, and was able to pull the offers, so while I won't make as much money as I'd have liked, I should be able to be home by the weekend rather than holdover and wait until Tuesday (and roll to Garden City on Wednesday). All assuming, of course, the worst case scenario, which I'd prefer assume just so I don't put myself in a worse bind.
I find myself counting my blessings, and there are, thankfully, many to count...but I will need to find a washroom and at least get my hair washed before morning. I do not look presentable for the job site. Again, first world problems, I know....but first world problems many of us take for granted.
Aliens Among Us
Yesterday was an interesting day. After I rolled out of Santa Fe, I caught the road down the Interstate to head to Roswell. At the very edge of the small community right off the Interstate, I saw another hitchhiker, in an area not particularly well suited to hitchhikers (although, what area is, really?). I pulled over and he was headed to Roswell. That was the second time that day we were headed to the same endpoint.
He was an interesting fellow. An aircraft mechanic, circumstances partly of his own making had put him on the road for awhile. He had left Seattle Saturday, and was headed for Roswell, hoping for work, although he didn't know quite what for (the alien culture kind of appealed to him.
In my travels, I'm finding a lot of people with stories worth the telling. Stories I certainly wouldn't have if I were staying at home. When we pulled into Roswell, I did my durndest to help find a mission, although none was readily available. I gave him the best tips I could from the road, and dropped him off at the best spot we could find, then headed out to make my own camp.
I got to thinking a bit about last week's meeting with Tim Z. Hernandez, and hoe nothing is to chance, really. When he found the names of the Deportees, he mentioned that his mother (or grandmother, I don't particularly remember that exact element of the story)had suggested it was his story to tell. Steinbeck and Woody both spent time with folks during the First Great Depression; it only makes sense that I would do the same during the second (which I still believe we're in, as I have seen ample evidence to support it).
My job in Roswell will be completed much faster than the drive over or out, and I'll be on my way into the TX Panhandle. I stuck my bid in for 3 jobs Thursday and Friday that should complete the week. The jobs, again, are reaffirming my methodology. If I were coming from home, there is no way I could bid them low enough for the customer's satisfaction, and they pay well enough if I don't need to be compensated for 400 miles round trip travel.
But we'll see if I get 'em. I'm hoping so; it could turn a marginally profitable week into a decent one.
He was an interesting fellow. An aircraft mechanic, circumstances partly of his own making had put him on the road for awhile. He had left Seattle Saturday, and was headed for Roswell, hoping for work, although he didn't know quite what for (the alien culture kind of appealed to him.
In my travels, I'm finding a lot of people with stories worth the telling. Stories I certainly wouldn't have if I were staying at home. When we pulled into Roswell, I did my durndest to help find a mission, although none was readily available. I gave him the best tips I could from the road, and dropped him off at the best spot we could find, then headed out to make my own camp.
I got to thinking a bit about last week's meeting with Tim Z. Hernandez, and hoe nothing is to chance, really. When he found the names of the Deportees, he mentioned that his mother (or grandmother, I don't particularly remember that exact element of the story)had suggested it was his story to tell. Steinbeck and Woody both spent time with folks during the First Great Depression; it only makes sense that I would do the same during the second (which I still believe we're in, as I have seen ample evidence to support it).
My job in Roswell will be completed much faster than the drive over or out, and I'll be on my way into the TX Panhandle. I stuck my bid in for 3 jobs Thursday and Friday that should complete the week. The jobs, again, are reaffirming my methodology. If I were coming from home, there is no way I could bid them low enough for the customer's satisfaction, and they pay well enough if I don't need to be compensated for 400 miles round trip travel.
But we'll see if I get 'em. I'm hoping so; it could turn a marginally profitable week into a decent one.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Nothin' Like a Roller Coaster Ride
I had discovered the night before, to my pleasant surprise, that job number 2 was literally next door to job number one. Job number one was a job that could have been done in about 45 minutes without the large amount of paperwork, but they were very thorough on making sure everything was done right. I guess someone missed a few steps in a prior job.
And so I rolled out of Las Vegas, and as I passed the last exit saw a hitchhiker on the onramp. His sign said "Santa Fe", and I was heading to Santa Fe, and so I figured it wouldn't hurt to have some company. Good company, as it turns out. He is a folk/punk musician (I didn't quite get his name), and although he wasn't thoroughly versed in Woody Guthrie, he was hardly illiterate in that area. Pretty good musician, actually, and a decent busker, so I extended an invite for him to make his way to WoodyFest next year and told him about the rideshare site.
My main purpose in going to Santa Fe (my only purpose, really, was the busker's permit (above). I am happy to see it gives me access to public areas outside the Plaza as well, but I did go to the Plaza to get the vibe and figure out what kind of setlist I want to prepare.Unfortunately, although the permit does allow a person to register a group, each member must register separately, so it could be fairly pricey for a band. I had hoped to register as a band and then bring along anyone who wanted to play along with on future gigs, but I guess they're onto that.
It was a slow day as far as people went on the Plaza, and I didn't get a lot of listeners. But I did get a cameraman for a travel show out east to shoot some footage, so my face may be popping up in parts out east. If it makes it into the final cut and someone sees me, I would be beyond tickled to see it. I thought about bringing out an original tune, but wasn't sure what I would do anyway.
And so it's on to Roswell. The second job in Hobbs didn't pan out, so I'll have some free time tomorrow, in Roswell, which might be a little frightening, depending on how you want to look at it. I start the day Wednesday in Hereford, and the free campsite formerly listed in Hereford has been taken off the map, so I'll probably wind up holding over in Clovis.
Fear and Self Loathing in Las Vegas
So I rolled into the rest stop yesterday afternoon. Rest stops are often a bit of a gambit, as they are often manned by maintenance crew, and, if you roll in overnight, they kind of expect you to sleep. They get sort of suspicious if you hang around for awhile with no reasonable explanation. And as far as I know, being a high tech hobo is NOT considered a reasonable explanation.
So I'm sitting around for a couple of hours, strumming my guitar and generally getting along peaceably. After a couple of hours, getting the stinkeye from the maintenance guy, so I decided to roll into Las Vegas and WalMart camp yet again. All the while I'm thinking hard about societal definitions of success, and how much "easier" it would be to knuckle under. A lot of browbeating and self loathing, which goes on a fair amount these days. I've never fit into a regular workweek, though, and I've spent a lot of years trying. But the alternative requires endless levels of enthusiasm and optimism that can be impossibly difficult to muster.
All the while, I'm getting FB updates from people who continue to villainize the recent Mexican immigrants in a way that is eerily reminiscent of Nazi Germany, and I'm wondering, maybe the time HAS come to move out of Tea Partystan, but to where? Feeling very much like a fellow without a home right now, and wondering if maybe that's the point. I know what I must do, I know where I must stand, but I also realize that stand leaves me very, very much alone in the place I call home. And it's hard to express just how depressing that can be.
So, as I bedded down for the night, I began mulling the title for the blog post this morning, and decided that paraphrasing Gonzo always works. The only problem is, I had the self loathing, gonna have to claim artistic license on the fear, right?
Ahhh, but karma as always comes through for me. I'm walking into the WalMart, and a motorcycle gang decides to whoop it up on the sidewalk in front of the WalMart. As if that wasn't enough, when I finally bedded down, a police officer pulled a fellow over not twenty feet from my van. I have to admit, I was a bit concerned that he was going to come poking around the van, as there was not the usual large assemblage of WalMart campers. He didn't, though, and I was able to get a peaceful night's sleep, then get up in the morning and have stuffys (sopapillas stuffed with eggs and meat, in this case chorizo, and smothered with green chile) at one of my favorite restaurants on the planet. It's the one indulgence I allowed myself on this road trip.
The Hobbs side trip tomorrow is a no go, so I may get a few hours to poke around Roswell. The first person to joke about me going home gets cyber dunked!!!!
So I'm sitting around for a couple of hours, strumming my guitar and generally getting along peaceably. After a couple of hours, getting the stinkeye from the maintenance guy, so I decided to roll into Las Vegas and WalMart camp yet again. All the while I'm thinking hard about societal definitions of success, and how much "easier" it would be to knuckle under. A lot of browbeating and self loathing, which goes on a fair amount these days. I've never fit into a regular workweek, though, and I've spent a lot of years trying. But the alternative requires endless levels of enthusiasm and optimism that can be impossibly difficult to muster.
All the while, I'm getting FB updates from people who continue to villainize the recent Mexican immigrants in a way that is eerily reminiscent of Nazi Germany, and I'm wondering, maybe the time HAS come to move out of Tea Partystan, but to where? Feeling very much like a fellow without a home right now, and wondering if maybe that's the point. I know what I must do, I know where I must stand, but I also realize that stand leaves me very, very much alone in the place I call home. And it's hard to express just how depressing that can be.
So, as I bedded down for the night, I began mulling the title for the blog post this morning, and decided that paraphrasing Gonzo always works. The only problem is, I had the self loathing, gonna have to claim artistic license on the fear, right?
Ahhh, but karma as always comes through for me. I'm walking into the WalMart, and a motorcycle gang decides to whoop it up on the sidewalk in front of the WalMart. As if that wasn't enough, when I finally bedded down, a police officer pulled a fellow over not twenty feet from my van. I have to admit, I was a bit concerned that he was going to come poking around the van, as there was not the usual large assemblage of WalMart campers. He didn't, though, and I was able to get a peaceful night's sleep, then get up in the morning and have stuffys (sopapillas stuffed with eggs and meat, in this case chorizo, and smothered with green chile) at one of my favorite restaurants on the planet. It's the one indulgence I allowed myself on this road trip.
The Hobbs side trip tomorrow is a no go, so I may get a few hours to poke around Roswell. The first person to joke about me going home gets cyber dunked!!!!
Sunday, July 20, 2014
A "Sunday Morning Coming Down" Kind of Morning
So, basically, I did not have a good start to the morning. For starters, last night I could not get comfortable on the foam pad I use in the back for bedding, so I hunkered down in one of the back seats of the van for half the night (I moved later).
Big mistake. Of course, I knew it would be, which is why I have the pad in the back in the first place, but I had to get some shuteye. I woke this morning with a pretty gnarly headache, on top of feeling fairly grimy after yesterday's work. After a good deal of contemplation and a small amount of java, I decided to trek up to the Ludlow Massacre site. Pretty sobering; the kind of history I wish we would spend more time teaching our kids, really. I was hoping to provide photos, but the Internet's not cooperating at the moment.
The Kristofferson moment, though, came as I was sitting in the park playing guitar. There's a splash pad in the park, and a family was splashing in it with their baby and their dog, while church bells chimed off in the distance. You really can't make this stuff up!
I noticed that the park's bathroom door had a lock on it, and decided it was as good a place as any to wash up. It was kind of refreshing to clean up without being hurried, and I've become more apathetic about cold water to wash and rinse my hair. I've never considered myself spoiled, but my general reactions to the road when I first started on it would indicate otherwise.
So I'm moving on to Las Vegas (New Mexico) in a few hours. I am pretty much sure where I'll put in for the night, and put out the second piece of art.
Big mistake. Of course, I knew it would be, which is why I have the pad in the back in the first place, but I had to get some shuteye. I woke this morning with a pretty gnarly headache, on top of feeling fairly grimy after yesterday's work. After a good deal of contemplation and a small amount of java, I decided to trek up to the Ludlow Massacre site. Pretty sobering; the kind of history I wish we would spend more time teaching our kids, really. I was hoping to provide photos, but the Internet's not cooperating at the moment.
The Kristofferson moment, though, came as I was sitting in the park playing guitar. There's a splash pad in the park, and a family was splashing in it with their baby and their dog, while church bells chimed off in the distance. You really can't make this stuff up!
I noticed that the park's bathroom door had a lock on it, and decided it was as good a place as any to wash up. It was kind of refreshing to clean up without being hurried, and I've become more apathetic about cold water to wash and rinse my hair. I've never considered myself spoiled, but my general reactions to the road when I first started on it would indicate otherwise.
So I'm moving on to Las Vegas (New Mexico) in a few hours. I am pretty much sure where I'll put in for the night, and put out the second piece of art.
Overnight at the WalMart
There are moments when I think this is ridiculous. That I should scrap it all and just get a menial job, or sell the house for the best cash offer and move somewhere else. The road is tiring, and around here, it's dusty more often than not, and sleep quality is not exactly optimal.
Then there are times when the best available spot to overnight is the WalMart.
I don't particularly detest WalMart camping. Any port in a storm, basically. But it feels so sterile, so artificial. There's no communication between campers; everyone pretty much keeps to themselves, they arrive late and roll out early. And if you arrive before sundown in the summer, the hot asphalt will bake you like a rotisserie chicken. To say nothing of the times when you get up fuzzy headed in the middle of the night and need to use the facilities, walk in, and are greeted by the friendliest WalMart employee ever, and all you can muster is a barely audible grunt as your bladder directs you on autopilot to the restroom.
First world problems, really. But we live in a first world nation, so it is what it is.
But then there are moments, glimpses, that I'm doing something right. I know I'll get better at the process over time; that fumbling over my belongings will be replaced by a slightly more efficient system that's constantly planned every time I meet yet another obstacle I hadn't anticipated. And then when I walk out and breathe in the fresh pine air and look up to the mountains hovering over the skyline, I can briefly forget the asphalt underpinnings of my campsite and remember that this is temporary, and that one day not long hence I'll be heading back to my own bunk, if only for a few days. I am still trying to imagine the life of those who have to do this for months, even years, with no respite (I had a comfy four days at home prior to this trip; and before that, five days in a tent that was a more luxurious retreat).
I have my first hobo sign ready to plant, and will do that as well as sit down and play guitar today. I'm trying to work up the boldness of a busker and just walk in and ask to play, but...still building to that point. I desperately want to head up to the Ludlow Massacre Memorial (14 miles away), but I'm in gas conservation mode, as I have a lot of miles to put in before I roll back home.
If payments come through properly, I very well may be heading to the Mobeetie music festival. I've never been and have long wanted to go, but seldom had the chance.
Then there are times when the best available spot to overnight is the WalMart.
I don't particularly detest WalMart camping. Any port in a storm, basically. But it feels so sterile, so artificial. There's no communication between campers; everyone pretty much keeps to themselves, they arrive late and roll out early. And if you arrive before sundown in the summer, the hot asphalt will bake you like a rotisserie chicken. To say nothing of the times when you get up fuzzy headed in the middle of the night and need to use the facilities, walk in, and are greeted by the friendliest WalMart employee ever, and all you can muster is a barely audible grunt as your bladder directs you on autopilot to the restroom.
First world problems, really. But we live in a first world nation, so it is what it is.
But then there are moments, glimpses, that I'm doing something right. I know I'll get better at the process over time; that fumbling over my belongings will be replaced by a slightly more efficient system that's constantly planned every time I meet yet another obstacle I hadn't anticipated. And then when I walk out and breathe in the fresh pine air and look up to the mountains hovering over the skyline, I can briefly forget the asphalt underpinnings of my campsite and remember that this is temporary, and that one day not long hence I'll be heading back to my own bunk, if only for a few days. I am still trying to imagine the life of those who have to do this for months, even years, with no respite (I had a comfy four days at home prior to this trip; and before that, five days in a tent that was a more luxurious retreat).
I have my first hobo sign ready to plant, and will do that as well as sit down and play guitar today. I'm trying to work up the boldness of a busker and just walk in and ask to play, but...still building to that point. I desperately want to head up to the Ludlow Massacre Memorial (14 miles away), but I'm in gas conservation mode, as I have a lot of miles to put in before I roll back home.
If payments come through properly, I very well may be heading to the Mobeetie music festival. I've never been and have long wanted to go, but seldom had the chance.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
...and the Clock is Ticking!
So, I'm back over at McD's after a brief stroll downtown that was delightfully interrupted by a rainstorm. I was in one of those "leave me alone" moods, but walked by the museum. After two or three minutes, I wrestled with the internalized debate of "should I or shouldn't I?", deciding ultimately to tell my social anxiety to stuff it for the next half hour or so...only to have them close the doors just as I headed across the road! And, the worst part is, they aren't open tomorrow!
I have no compelling reason to head down the road; I processed my tickets here the first go around, working against the 30 minute loiter time limit and a hundred teens sharing the Internet and needing access to InstaGram! So, now I'm back with the same 30 minute loiter limit.
So, on the trip, I made the decision to start categorizing unlisted places where folks could park overnight (and maybe even sneak up a tent if they're discreet about it and don't set out the tiki torches). It's actually somewhat surprising how abundant they are.
So I'm figuring at this point to stay in Trinidad through tomorrow and see if they have any goings on on Sundays in which I might have interest. I'm unfortunately two weeks ahead of their big summer festival. I'll probably settle down in the park with my guitar tomorrow if nothing pans out; I'm certainly planning on it tonight, even though tonight's sojourn is unfortunately another WalMart campout, so fun is not high on the agenda...although, with thunderstorms coming through, I could revisit the idea of the Thor costume. But I really have no designs on discovering the quality of Colorado's mental health facilities.
...and I might toss in a kazoo solo or two in honor of Friday night's entertainment, DB Rouse.
I have no compelling reason to head down the road; I processed my tickets here the first go around, working against the 30 minute loiter time limit and a hundred teens sharing the Internet and needing access to InstaGram! So, now I'm back with the same 30 minute loiter limit.
So, on the trip, I made the decision to start categorizing unlisted places where folks could park overnight (and maybe even sneak up a tent if they're discreet about it and don't set out the tiki torches). It's actually somewhat surprising how abundant they are.
So I'm figuring at this point to stay in Trinidad through tomorrow and see if they have any goings on on Sundays in which I might have interest. I'm unfortunately two weeks ahead of their big summer festival. I'll probably settle down in the park with my guitar tomorrow if nothing pans out; I'm certainly planning on it tonight, even though tonight's sojourn is unfortunately another WalMart campout, so fun is not high on the agenda...although, with thunderstorms coming through, I could revisit the idea of the Thor costume. But I really have no designs on discovering the quality of Colorado's mental health facilities.
...and I might toss in a kazoo solo or two in honor of Friday night's entertainment, DB Rouse.
It's Saturday, but it feels like a Monday
So I hit the road today after 10 days idle (and returning from vacation in that span). Much of my travel is contingent on having cash on hand, so I couldn't book early in the week.
I was diligent in making sure I had what I needed, except, except....30 miles from home I realized I had forgotten my laptop. I called my daughter to meet me at the state line with it, and started the road trip a half hour behind schedule.
The last time I travelled through Lamar and La Junta was in the other direction, and in the midst of a rather nasty dust storm. It was refreshing to see the green, to see water flowing through the creeks, and was not nearly as hot as it could have been for mid July.
I rolled out of La Junta to finish my paperwork in Trinidad. I arrived to find two busses full of kids in the parking lot, meaning I am competing with them for bandwidth. I'm not sure where I'm going to put in tonight, as tomorrow is (at this typing) an idle moment, but I should put out the first artwork. It may not be where I camp (especially if I choose a WalMart parking lot), but it will be in a public spot.
I was diligent in making sure I had what I needed, except, except....30 miles from home I realized I had forgotten my laptop. I called my daughter to meet me at the state line with it, and started the road trip a half hour behind schedule.
The last time I travelled through Lamar and La Junta was in the other direction, and in the midst of a rather nasty dust storm. It was refreshing to see the green, to see water flowing through the creeks, and was not nearly as hot as it could have been for mid July.
I rolled out of La Junta to finish my paperwork in Trinidad. I arrived to find two busses full of kids in the parking lot, meaning I am competing with them for bandwidth. I'm not sure where I'm going to put in tonight, as tomorrow is (at this typing) an idle moment, but I should put out the first artwork. It may not be where I camp (especially if I choose a WalMart parking lot), but it will be in a public spot.
Friday, July 18, 2014
The Road Ahead
It's been about a week and a half since my last assignment, so I'm itchy to head out. I had to pass up some good ones because of the cash situation, but hitting the road starting tomorrow.
The assignments I have in Lamar and La Junta, CO had a window between the 17th and 19th; because my next assignments are on Monday the 21st, I'm rolling out the 19th, with a down day on the 20th. On Monday, I head to Las Vegas, where I picked up a second assignment to piggyback with the first. It's one that I would normally not be able to take, but I was able to get them to switch dates to accommodate my travel schedule, so there's that.
From Las Vegas, I head to Roswell on Tuesday, then Hereford, Amarillo and Pampa on Wednesday. That's as far out as I'm booked, and not really wanting to head into Oklahoma on Thursday or Friday, but certainly will for the right job offer.
This road trip will be the first one where I will leave items at campsites. I'm also planning a stop in Santa Fe for my busker's permit, and will see if I can pick up a spare dollar here or there with my guitar. I don't know what's available, but hoping to start learning these communities and developing contacts over time.
WoodyFest was a welcome retreat, and a reminder of what's really important. Over the years, it has come to mean a lot to us, and there are very few reasons we would even consider missing it. This one was especially cool, though, meeting people like Lance Canales, Carlos Rodriguez and Tim Hernandez, who are doing incredibly important work.
I should be back to more regular articles once I'm on the road, as my connection is a bit sporadic back home.
The assignments I have in Lamar and La Junta, CO had a window between the 17th and 19th; because my next assignments are on Monday the 21st, I'm rolling out the 19th, with a down day on the 20th. On Monday, I head to Las Vegas, where I picked up a second assignment to piggyback with the first. It's one that I would normally not be able to take, but I was able to get them to switch dates to accommodate my travel schedule, so there's that.
From Las Vegas, I head to Roswell on Tuesday, then Hereford, Amarillo and Pampa on Wednesday. That's as far out as I'm booked, and not really wanting to head into Oklahoma on Thursday or Friday, but certainly will for the right job offer.
This road trip will be the first one where I will leave items at campsites. I'm also planning a stop in Santa Fe for my busker's permit, and will see if I can pick up a spare dollar here or there with my guitar. I don't know what's available, but hoping to start learning these communities and developing contacts over time.
WoodyFest was a welcome retreat, and a reminder of what's really important. Over the years, it has come to mean a lot to us, and there are very few reasons we would even consider missing it. This one was especially cool, though, meeting people like Lance Canales, Carlos Rodriguez and Tim Hernandez, who are doing incredibly important work.
I should be back to more regular articles once I'm on the road, as my connection is a bit sporadic back home.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Rest: Equal Parts Frustrating and Fulfilling
My life is a comedy of errors. Before heading out on vacation, we had to make a payment to the electric company. No problem, right? Normally that would be true, but something about the phone payment made me think it had not gone through, so I did an online payment as well. So, two times payments. This, of course, cut significantly into our vacation fund, as did needing to take on two new tires on the van prior to vacation. Then, while out and about, I had a tread separation on the tire on the car. The hits kept on coming.
All of this meant coming home with about $10 cash to our name until Thursday. That means the van remains parked until the payments process on Thursday, at which time I can head back out.
That was a hard thing to take on Tuesday, when I had to pass on a VERY lucrative Wednesday night job. And Thursday and Friday look dicey at this point, although that can change at a moment's notice.
But I've noticed that, even though I don't want the downtime, I usually need it more than I am willing to admit. Because I wasn't going to be able to do the drive straight through on Sunday night, we put in at Elk City and left early in the AM, getting home. I then proceeded to sleep pretty much the remainder of the day. Tuesday I was feeling miserable, and am still in the process of getting over that. So the downtime was pretty much needed, although it still falls in the "no fun" category.
All I have booked for sure at this point is a job in Los Alamos next week, and a job in Garden City, Kansas the following. But I knew when I started this it would be a lot of uncertainty, and slow going at times. I joke that I might as well be a professional musician, because I pretty much live the life.
In the Los Alamos stop, though, I am planning on getting my Santa Fe busker's permit to make myself "official". Don't know yet if I'll get time to actually busk. Stay tuned!
All of this meant coming home with about $10 cash to our name until Thursday. That means the van remains parked until the payments process on Thursday, at which time I can head back out.
That was a hard thing to take on Tuesday, when I had to pass on a VERY lucrative Wednesday night job. And Thursday and Friday look dicey at this point, although that can change at a moment's notice.
But I've noticed that, even though I don't want the downtime, I usually need it more than I am willing to admit. Because I wasn't going to be able to do the drive straight through on Sunday night, we put in at Elk City and left early in the AM, getting home. I then proceeded to sleep pretty much the remainder of the day. Tuesday I was feeling miserable, and am still in the process of getting over that. So the downtime was pretty much needed, although it still falls in the "no fun" category.
All I have booked for sure at this point is a job in Los Alamos next week, and a job in Garden City, Kansas the following. But I knew when I started this it would be a lot of uncertainty, and slow going at times. I joke that I might as well be a professional musician, because I pretty much live the life.
In the Los Alamos stop, though, I am planning on getting my Santa Fe busker's permit to make myself "official". Don't know yet if I'll get time to actually busk. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
A Brief Rest
Last week was crazy. We went on our annual vacation/sabbatical to the Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma. Thanks to a user error, we wound up paying our electric bill twice, which, combined with a blown tire, left us cash short for the week, but I'm not going to complain too much about it. That is, after all, a very important part of what I am doing; discovering the painful day to day realities that many are forced to live with.
We're back home now, though, and waiting to get paid (an all too familiar occurrence) leaves me grounded for the next couple of days. Not sure what the end of the week will bring up, but I have some good prospects out towards Santa Fe, NM next week, and I know I'll be closing out the month in Garden City, KS.
I am still trying to figure out how to be more efficient on the road, as well as how to market myself beyond the tech gigs in the areas where I am working. I'd be more than eager to accept any help you can provide in that regard. I'm pretty much straight ahead folk, and I don't bring a band with me, so that means I work cheap! In fact, I'll work free for senior centers and nursing homes...any chance to get my name out there.
As for the IT work, I pretty much charge 50% of my regular rate for site work on the road. Just email me at handofjustice42@gmail.com, and I'd be happy to provide a quote or work while I'm in the area. I will be posting up my schedule both here and on the Facebook site, so you can feel free to use that to check my schedule. Once I have enough of an audience to justify a fully functioning website, I will do that as well.
Also a reminder, don't forget to check the campsites I patronize. There will be some really cool easter eggs popping up there soon. When/if you find them, comment and post them here, and I would be very appreciative!
We're back home now, though, and waiting to get paid (an all too familiar occurrence) leaves me grounded for the next couple of days. Not sure what the end of the week will bring up, but I have some good prospects out towards Santa Fe, NM next week, and I know I'll be closing out the month in Garden City, KS.
I am still trying to figure out how to be more efficient on the road, as well as how to market myself beyond the tech gigs in the areas where I am working. I'd be more than eager to accept any help you can provide in that regard. I'm pretty much straight ahead folk, and I don't bring a band with me, so that means I work cheap! In fact, I'll work free for senior centers and nursing homes...any chance to get my name out there.
As for the IT work, I pretty much charge 50% of my regular rate for site work on the road. Just email me at handofjustice42@gmail.com, and I'd be happy to provide a quote or work while I'm in the area. I will be posting up my schedule both here and on the Facebook site, so you can feel free to use that to check my schedule. Once I have enough of an audience to justify a fully functioning website, I will do that as well.
Also a reminder, don't forget to check the campsites I patronize. There will be some really cool easter eggs popping up there soon. When/if you find them, comment and post them here, and I would be very appreciative!
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Rain In the Summertime
So I headed back to Okemah last night, but missed the nursing home set. The navigation system wasn't particularly happy with my chosen route, and kept trying to turn me around, but my route was 50 miles shorter.
I don't mind them developing artificial intelligence; I am just seriously hoping they don't develop artificial attitude to go with it.
I played my set at Lou's, and headed back to the campground, played a few songs and headed back to the campground. The skies were pretty dark when I woke up, and some weather rolled in. Not too much wind, though, and it passed pretty quick.
I'm enjoying the break from the road.
I don't mind them developing artificial intelligence; I am just seriously hoping they don't develop artificial attitude to go with it.
I played my set at Lou's, and headed back to the campground, played a few songs and headed back to the campground. The skies were pretty dark when I woke up, and some weather rolled in. Not too much wind, though, and it passed pretty quick.
I'm enjoying the break from the road.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
WalMart Camping in Ponca
So after yesterday's drama and marathon drive, I finished at the site and headed up to Ponca City. All in all, I'm glad I made this drive at the end of the day, as it was a long one.
Unfortunately, I could not find a place to tent camp, so I defaulted to the WalMart parking lot and slept in my car. Thank goodness for sunroofs; it was a very humid night. Sleeping in the car wasn't entirely unpleasant; I'm just very self conscious and wasn't wanting gawkers.
I woke up this AM and made a first trip to McDonald's for the wifi and power. I was there about 10 minutes before the power went out. I tried the city wifi, as I still had about an hour's battery life left, but couldn't get an Internet connection, so I searched for a bathroom to change. I couldn't find a particularly good one, so I wound up having to walk past the clerk at a smaller convenience store with a bundle of clothes under my arm.
This is one thing I do miss about the van; the ability to change at will.
I have a few shower design ideas I want to put in place on the van, but it's ultimately going to take a little bit of trial and error, and it will certainly take finding a place of semi privacy.
It is amazing to me how difficult some of the tasks we take for granted can be, and equally amazing how much less I care when I walk into a store. I used to follow the tried and true rule of paying for something every time I use the restroom or the Internet; I'm gradually realizing I can't afford that every time, and just using what I can. So far, no more than a few dirty looks, but that may change in time.
One more job, though, and I'm headed back to Okemah. I'm more than ready!
Unfortunately, I could not find a place to tent camp, so I defaulted to the WalMart parking lot and slept in my car. Thank goodness for sunroofs; it was a very humid night. Sleeping in the car wasn't entirely unpleasant; I'm just very self conscious and wasn't wanting gawkers.
I woke up this AM and made a first trip to McDonald's for the wifi and power. I was there about 10 minutes before the power went out. I tried the city wifi, as I still had about an hour's battery life left, but couldn't get an Internet connection, so I searched for a bathroom to change. I couldn't find a particularly good one, so I wound up having to walk past the clerk at a smaller convenience store with a bundle of clothes under my arm.
This is one thing I do miss about the van; the ability to change at will.
I have a few shower design ideas I want to put in place on the van, but it's ultimately going to take a little bit of trial and error, and it will certainly take finding a place of semi privacy.
It is amazing to me how difficult some of the tasks we take for granted can be, and equally amazing how much less I care when I walk into a store. I used to follow the tried and true rule of paying for something every time I use the restroom or the Internet; I'm gradually realizing I can't afford that every time, and just using what I can. So far, no more than a few dirty looks, but that may change in time.
One more job, though, and I'm headed back to Okemah. I'm more than ready!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
"He Who Gives Up A Little Happiness for a Little Security"
So, last night, I had the luxury of pitching the tent, which was good, as I was in the car rather than the van. As I looked up through the mesh at the stars above, I pondered ol' Ben Franklin's words. While they usually get applied to government, it makes a pretty decent life philosophy as well.
You don't have to look hard to find stories of people who have given 20, 30, 40 years to a company only to walk in one day and have the boss tell them they're on the unemployment rolls. Or that their pension has been stolen due to mismanagement. Or health care force them out of a job. The sad thing is, a lot of these folks sacrificed the happiness of doing what they want for the illusion of security that a regular workforce job provides.
I kinda had to remind myself of that this afternoon, when an awful, repeated thumping came from the driver's rear corner of the car. We'd had some wobbling for a bit, but couldn't source it. As I got out of the car and checked, I initially saw nothing, but decided to drive on to the next town, about 6 miles away. A mile in, though, the road widened because of a cutoff point where they had started building a 4 lane highway. This gave me a 30 to 40 foot cushion from the road. I decided not to risk finishing the drive into town and change it there.
As soon as I put the donut spare on and finger tightened the bolts, though, the jack slipped. Fortunately, no harm no foul, but a tad bit scary. So I made the ride on the donut, aware that there was no way I was making the 220 mile drive to today's next assignment.
On the interminably long drive in (slowed enough by the donut, I had to follow a road maintenance crew at 10-20 MPH for over 10 miles. No bueno, and thank goodness the Clash CD was in!), I got a bright idea and rescheduled tomorrow's assignment, which was about 45 miles away, for today, and have several evening hours to make the run closer to tomorrow's assignment. The downside, of course, is no morning at the lake tomorrow, but I have the sneaking suspicion that somehow I'll handle it!
So, to sum up, things to be grateful for today:
1. Actual, not merely perceived, freedom
2. That the tire tread didn't separate while we were travelling out and my daughter was driving
3. The reschedule that saved me a few miles on gas, and made up for at least a portion of the tire, which eventually would have needed to be replaced anyway.
This also means I get back to Okemah earlier tomorrow! Definite win!
You don't have to look hard to find stories of people who have given 20, 30, 40 years to a company only to walk in one day and have the boss tell them they're on the unemployment rolls. Or that their pension has been stolen due to mismanagement. Or health care force them out of a job. The sad thing is, a lot of these folks sacrificed the happiness of doing what they want for the illusion of security that a regular workforce job provides.
I kinda had to remind myself of that this afternoon, when an awful, repeated thumping came from the driver's rear corner of the car. We'd had some wobbling for a bit, but couldn't source it. As I got out of the car and checked, I initially saw nothing, but decided to drive on to the next town, about 6 miles away. A mile in, though, the road widened because of a cutoff point where they had started building a 4 lane highway. This gave me a 30 to 40 foot cushion from the road. I decided not to risk finishing the drive into town and change it there.
As soon as I put the donut spare on and finger tightened the bolts, though, the jack slipped. Fortunately, no harm no foul, but a tad bit scary. So I made the ride on the donut, aware that there was no way I was making the 220 mile drive to today's next assignment.
On the interminably long drive in (slowed enough by the donut, I had to follow a road maintenance crew at 10-20 MPH for over 10 miles. No bueno, and thank goodness the Clash CD was in!), I got a bright idea and rescheduled tomorrow's assignment, which was about 45 miles away, for today, and have several evening hours to make the run closer to tomorrow's assignment. The downside, of course, is no morning at the lake tomorrow, but I have the sneaking suspicion that somehow I'll handle it!
So, to sum up, things to be grateful for today:
1. Actual, not merely perceived, freedom
2. That the tire tread didn't separate while we were travelling out and my daughter was driving
3. The reschedule that saved me a few miles on gas, and made up for at least a portion of the tire, which eventually would have needed to be replaced anyway.
This also means I get back to Okemah earlier tomorrow! Definite win!
Morning By The Lake
I must admit, I've been pleasantly surprised by the majority of accommodations I have found. OK, some of the campsites have been little more than bare lots, hardly conducive to tent camping.
Because I have my car with me rather than the van, I decided I needed to try to find a place to pitch a tent, if possible. That ruled out WalMart (although that wasn't a horrible disappointment).
I had seen a listing for Elk City Lake, but it wasn't where I thought it was, so I had to scoot back over to a hotspot to get directions. It's a very nice campground, although the lake, like all the others around here, was a tad low. This one has a 3 night limit, so I'll probably use it again tonight due to its proximity to tomorrow morning's site.
If anyone's interested, I am thinking of leaving "easter eggs" at my campsites. Not going to say what, but I at least consider them moderately cool. And who knows, if one day I ever get rich and famous...
Well, the odds are long on that happening, but I need to leave these things in an area where they are easily discovered but hopefully won't be discarded. I don't want to geocache them; while that would be nice and all, it would not accomplish my goal.
The one thing I ask; if anyone collects the items, it would be nice if they would let me know; that's the only way long term that I will keep doing it.
If you know me in person, I just might TELL you what and where the easter eggs are, but if I don't, well you just may have to guess. I'm hoping to make this a fun (and maybe slightly educational) experience.
Because I have my car with me rather than the van, I decided I needed to try to find a place to pitch a tent, if possible. That ruled out WalMart (although that wasn't a horrible disappointment).
I had seen a listing for Elk City Lake, but it wasn't where I thought it was, so I had to scoot back over to a hotspot to get directions. It's a very nice campground, although the lake, like all the others around here, was a tad low. This one has a 3 night limit, so I'll probably use it again tonight due to its proximity to tomorrow morning's site.
If anyone's interested, I am thinking of leaving "easter eggs" at my campsites. Not going to say what, but I at least consider them moderately cool. And who knows, if one day I ever get rich and famous...
Well, the odds are long on that happening, but I need to leave these things in an area where they are easily discovered but hopefully won't be discarded. I don't want to geocache them; while that would be nice and all, it would not accomplish my goal.
The one thing I ask; if anyone collects the items, it would be nice if they would let me know; that's the only way long term that I will keep doing it.
If you know me in person, I just might TELL you what and where the easter eggs are, but if I don't, well you just may have to guess. I'm hoping to make this a fun (and maybe slightly educational) experience.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Crisis Averted, and Being "That" Guy!
With some chagrin, I must admit, I've become "that" guy.
You know the one: the guy who handles everything with a deft flick of the phone and either a web search, a phone call, or a continuing combination of the two. It can be annoying, for sure, but it is my lifeline.
So when my lifeline goes down, well....
The earlier events would have made for a very good slapstick comedy. See, I could get Internet at McDonald's, but not phone. I could not get phone in town; had to drive 2 1/2 to 5 miles south of town to get a phone signal, with no data. So sorting things out involved stopping at McD's, driving to where I got a signal, and back to McD's over and over again.
Aaaah, the joys of rural life.
I had been contemplating purchasing a "roaming" TracFone specifically for the dead spots; today sealed the deal. I could have handled the phone without the data.
So, in researching free campgrounds, I found one 15 miles from tomorrow's site, but the comments appear it is now a paid site (although an inexpensive one), so I am staying in Elk City. My intel says that it is good for three nights, so if the campground is up to snuff, may make it my base of operations through Wednesday. I'm offering the site asking for a revisit next Monday; since we'll have to hold out until Monday AM to take our 14 year old out to Falls Creek, this actually could work out nicely, as it's directly on the way home. We'll see, I suppose.
Anyway, I have a phone to set up and a tent to pitch.
You know the one: the guy who handles everything with a deft flick of the phone and either a web search, a phone call, or a continuing combination of the two. It can be annoying, for sure, but it is my lifeline.
So when my lifeline goes down, well....
The earlier events would have made for a very good slapstick comedy. See, I could get Internet at McDonald's, but not phone. I could not get phone in town; had to drive 2 1/2 to 5 miles south of town to get a phone signal, with no data. So sorting things out involved stopping at McD's, driving to where I got a signal, and back to McD's over and over again.
Aaaah, the joys of rural life.
I had been contemplating purchasing a "roaming" TracFone specifically for the dead spots; today sealed the deal. I could have handled the phone without the data.
So, in researching free campgrounds, I found one 15 miles from tomorrow's site, but the comments appear it is now a paid site (although an inexpensive one), so I am staying in Elk City. My intel says that it is good for three nights, so if the campground is up to snuff, may make it my base of operations through Wednesday. I'm offering the site asking for a revisit next Monday; since we'll have to hold out until Monday AM to take our 14 year old out to Falls Creek, this actually could work out nicely, as it's directly on the way home. We'll see, I suppose.
Anyway, I have a phone to set up and a tent to pitch.
Always a Monkey Wrench in the Works; or,.the Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
Steinbeck allusion intentional.
This is the sucky part of the road. The part where you don't know how you're getting to the next road. The part where it starts getting real.
Against my better judgment, we went ahead and launched out to Okemah for WoodyFest, our annual trek. I was going to have the family wait until Monday, when checks came in, and, once they were in, go back and get them. A lot of driving, but a little bit more secure.
It worked well in theory. The theory that they would get paid on payday. Unfortunately, the end of the day has come and gone, and not only no paychecks, but no answer as to WHEN paychecks will be in. It may be tomorrow; it might not, and until we have an answer, we don't know.
So much for the "security" of working for someone else!
So where that leaves us is with me having about HALF the money I need to finish my assignments and return to my family. And, more importantly, without the money to pay for the campsite when they set up the trailer on Wednesday. Add to that the fact that Straight Talk service is EXTREMELY sporadic in the state of Oklahoma, giving me very limited communication with my family, and you have the makings of a mess.
I can think of a thousand critiques folks could offer, and a few would be right, but honestly, even if we had started off with a bankroll of $1000, I have known folks who have had mechanical difficulties shut them down on the road just as quickly.
I have been racking my brain, trying to figure out why everything is so much harder than it has to be, and can only conclude that it is for a learning experience for me. There's no easy way to say this, this sucks. In the last six months, I have sold off a good deal of our belongings for the mere pittance I could receive for them, and am running short of items to sell. I'm making money on the road, but it takes awhile for it to come in, and a job at the dollar store would pay less than I'm making, so that's out. Not to mention, being tied to their schedule would force me to reject more assignments. But more importantly, I am gaining an understanding that forces me to a less judgmental, more compassionate approach to the people I meet. I am sure there are folks reading this with a million questions, a million judgments, and they have a right to those, but maybe that's the lesson: just because we have a right to them does not mean that we have to share them.
I don't know what will happen with the paychecks; perhaps they will be right there ready tomorrow morning, perhaps not. I do know it would be much easier if we had an answer in that regard. Because the delay is already putting a delay in getting paid on another job that will require a site revisit (due to out of scope work, but I will likely not get paid if I don't do it, and there are expenses associated with it).
I wish I knew a good spot to busk.
This is the sucky part of the road. The part where you don't know how you're getting to the next road. The part where it starts getting real.
Against my better judgment, we went ahead and launched out to Okemah for WoodyFest, our annual trek. I was going to have the family wait until Monday, when checks came in, and, once they were in, go back and get them. A lot of driving, but a little bit more secure.
It worked well in theory. The theory that they would get paid on payday. Unfortunately, the end of the day has come and gone, and not only no paychecks, but no answer as to WHEN paychecks will be in. It may be tomorrow; it might not, and until we have an answer, we don't know.
So much for the "security" of working for someone else!
So where that leaves us is with me having about HALF the money I need to finish my assignments and return to my family. And, more importantly, without the money to pay for the campsite when they set up the trailer on Wednesday. Add to that the fact that Straight Talk service is EXTREMELY sporadic in the state of Oklahoma, giving me very limited communication with my family, and you have the makings of a mess.
I can think of a thousand critiques folks could offer, and a few would be right, but honestly, even if we had started off with a bankroll of $1000, I have known folks who have had mechanical difficulties shut them down on the road just as quickly.
I have been racking my brain, trying to figure out why everything is so much harder than it has to be, and can only conclude that it is for a learning experience for me. There's no easy way to say this, this sucks. In the last six months, I have sold off a good deal of our belongings for the mere pittance I could receive for them, and am running short of items to sell. I'm making money on the road, but it takes awhile for it to come in, and a job at the dollar store would pay less than I'm making, so that's out. Not to mention, being tied to their schedule would force me to reject more assignments. But more importantly, I am gaining an understanding that forces me to a less judgmental, more compassionate approach to the people I meet. I am sure there are folks reading this with a million questions, a million judgments, and they have a right to those, but maybe that's the lesson: just because we have a right to them does not mean that we have to share them.
I don't know what will happen with the paychecks; perhaps they will be right there ready tomorrow morning, perhaps not. I do know it would be much easier if we had an answer in that regard. Because the delay is already putting a delay in getting paid on another job that will require a site revisit (due to out of scope work, but I will likely not get paid if I don't do it, and there are expenses associated with it).
I wish I knew a good spot to busk.
Gearing up for a Possibly Busy Day Tomorrow
So I rolled out on today's AM assignment, and replaced the switch as requested. They asked me to remove the power injector from the loop to the AP.
Uhh, Houston, we have a problem. The AP is not connected. So I checked out from the site.
I got about an hour down the road, and the buyer called me. It seems they MEANT to include a request for me to cable the AP in the ticket. Only problem, they didn't specify it, and I'm out here without cable or a stepladder. It's a drop ceiling, so that's all good, so I told them if they can get a ladder onsite, I'll buy a premade patch cable (reimbursable) to connect and return tomorrow, as I am working 30 miles away.
It makes the idea of backtracking (to the tune of about 120 miles) more bearable. This does justify a return trip fee.
Meanwhile, a ticket about an hour from where I'm working came in to replaced UPS batteries. Easy peasy. and a good add on, if not horribly lucrative as a stand alone (and this is, after all, the reason I am doing this; to scoop up these smaller jobs while I am on the road).
But I am not booking after 10AM. Wednesday. ALL WoodyFest after that!
Uhh, Houston, we have a problem. The AP is not connected. So I checked out from the site.
I got about an hour down the road, and the buyer called me. It seems they MEANT to include a request for me to cable the AP in the ticket. Only problem, they didn't specify it, and I'm out here without cable or a stepladder. It's a drop ceiling, so that's all good, so I told them if they can get a ladder onsite, I'll buy a premade patch cable (reimbursable) to connect and return tomorrow, as I am working 30 miles away.
It makes the idea of backtracking (to the tune of about 120 miles) more bearable. This does justify a return trip fee.
Meanwhile, a ticket about an hour from where I'm working came in to replaced UPS batteries. Easy peasy. and a good add on, if not horribly lucrative as a stand alone (and this is, after all, the reason I am doing this; to scoop up these smaller jobs while I am on the road).
But I am not booking after 10AM. Wednesday. ALL WoodyFest after that!
Saturday, July 5, 2014
It's 2AM, I Must Be...Uhhh, SOMETHING!
So we rolled out of the house on July 4 for the annual trek to Okemah. We had to wait until my wife and daughter finished their shifts at work, though, and agreed to give it a little time and rolled out at 4PM (we wound up making it 3:30). Straight out, it's a 7 hour drive (6 if you push it, but because of the number of police on the roads for the holiday weekend, it would have been a horrible idea to push it).
I led in the van, my daughter followed in the Acura, which probably saved me a half dozen speeding tickets because of the aforementioned increased police presence. I had purposed, as it was a Friday night, to see if there was picking available at the Harris Drugstore in Pampa. There was, so I stopped and played three songs (I held it to three, reminding myself this was a BREAK!)
As we were heading out, my daughter saw a picture on the counter: me, June Thomas, and Sam Doores (would have been 2007). Since June has passed on and Sam's career has taken him to bigger and better things, it was fun to see a picture from the "wayback" machine (she snapped it from her iPhone; when we get reliable Internet, I will share it).
We made more stops than I had hoped to; I wanted to make sure my daughter was OK in the car, and when we cleared OKC, we knew we were an hour away. I had debated pulling over for the night, but none of us was particularly keen on sleeping in the vehicles.
We arrived in at 2AM to an empty campground. Nobody, we even beat in the traditional early arrivals. We tossed around whether to set up the tent or sleep in the vehicles; the tent won. We broke a connector, but were able to tape it up and hope to order another for the manufacturer. I wasn't going to wrestle to get mattresses out, so we took the bedding out and called it good.
We awoke to two distant neighbors, who had rolled in in the wee hours of the morning. It's gonna be a great year, as usual.
I led in the van, my daughter followed in the Acura, which probably saved me a half dozen speeding tickets because of the aforementioned increased police presence. I had purposed, as it was a Friday night, to see if there was picking available at the Harris Drugstore in Pampa. There was, so I stopped and played three songs (I held it to three, reminding myself this was a BREAK!)
As we were heading out, my daughter saw a picture on the counter: me, June Thomas, and Sam Doores (would have been 2007). Since June has passed on and Sam's career has taken him to bigger and better things, it was fun to see a picture from the "wayback" machine (she snapped it from her iPhone; when we get reliable Internet, I will share it).
We made more stops than I had hoped to; I wanted to make sure my daughter was OK in the car, and when we cleared OKC, we knew we were an hour away. I had debated pulling over for the night, but none of us was particularly keen on sleeping in the vehicles.
We arrived in at 2AM to an empty campground. Nobody, we even beat in the traditional early arrivals. We tossed around whether to set up the tent or sleep in the vehicles; the tent won. We broke a connector, but were able to tape it up and hope to order another for the manufacturer. I wasn't going to wrestle to get mattresses out, so we took the bedding out and called it good.
We awoke to two distant neighbors, who had rolled in in the wee hours of the morning. It's gonna be a great year, as usual.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Back Online and the Vacation Gambit
So, I have been completely away from the Internet for 48 hours. Really a little less, but I was too exhausted to do anything but hit the sack and post a few smarmy Facebook replies last night.
I spent Monday and Tuesday helping out with cleanup at Inlow Baptist Youth camp in the middle of the Cibola National Forest on Monday and Tuesday. Monday involved helping to disassemble an old water tank; morning wasn't too bad, but by afternoon the heat was downright brutal. I was definitely glad to get out of the sun the time the day was out.
Tuesday was a bit cooler, although the afternoon still was pretty hot. There was a breeze there, though, that we'd been practically begging for on Monday. No Internet, no cell phone, I was about as cut off from civilization as I've been in a long, long time.
The first thing I saw when coming back was a message telling me about bills that had come in and were overdue. I explained as best I could that this is precisely WHY I'm living on the road; there simply isn't money back home in my field, and I've no desire to completely uproot, when we have a home and are content with it.
I'm working on booking Oklahoma next week during vacation, and, if all goes well, should have vacation booked and then some. The festival doesn't officially kick off until Wednesday night, so Monday and Tuesday bookings are OK, and even early Wednesday bookings, as long as it works me back towards Okemah. We'll see, but if all of my offers are accepted, we'll actually make money on this vacation trip. Not as much as a non vacation week, but as we've learned, ANYTHING extra right now helps...a lot.
Beyond that, who knows at this point. I'm booked in Garden City Kansas July 30, still trying to fill the two weeks between.
I spent Monday and Tuesday helping out with cleanup at Inlow Baptist Youth camp in the middle of the Cibola National Forest on Monday and Tuesday. Monday involved helping to disassemble an old water tank; morning wasn't too bad, but by afternoon the heat was downright brutal. I was definitely glad to get out of the sun the time the day was out.
Tuesday was a bit cooler, although the afternoon still was pretty hot. There was a breeze there, though, that we'd been practically begging for on Monday. No Internet, no cell phone, I was about as cut off from civilization as I've been in a long, long time.
The first thing I saw when coming back was a message telling me about bills that had come in and were overdue. I explained as best I could that this is precisely WHY I'm living on the road; there simply isn't money back home in my field, and I've no desire to completely uproot, when we have a home and are content with it.
I'm working on booking Oklahoma next week during vacation, and, if all goes well, should have vacation booked and then some. The festival doesn't officially kick off until Wednesday night, so Monday and Tuesday bookings are OK, and even early Wednesday bookings, as long as it works me back towards Okemah. We'll see, but if all of my offers are accepted, we'll actually make money on this vacation trip. Not as much as a non vacation week, but as we've learned, ANYTHING extra right now helps...a lot.
Beyond that, who knows at this point. I'm booked in Garden City Kansas July 30, still trying to fill the two weeks between.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)