Around the World in Many Years

Well, I can't seem to get my hands on the article to type it up here for everyone else to read, so until then, I'll just post about the current stuff. o.o

lots has been happening lately, I've been feeling nostalgic for a special someone again. Thusly, I've found a cute girl (online, again) who I'm interested in. I'll likely ask them out even though I've only really known them for three days. O_o

Also, on strange events, there has been an odd occurance of a raven everywhere I go.....Might have to do with a new friend I have by the name of Raven? Naaah......o.o;;;;;;

Then there is the matter of evil twins. O_o

One of my co-workers here is VERY identical to a good friend in Austin, TX. Same name, same interests, same body type. Its very, very, creepy, and when I first saw him, I thought my friend had moved out here. o.o;

But, the one here, his social skills are lacking; he aggresively attacks people with a barrage of questions, making him not-so-enjoyable company. Evil is simply used as a light term, not evil as in pure evil. ^_^;

Which leads me to wonder about the girl I recently met....same name, same interests.....yeah. I'm hoping that the previous was the evil twin. ^_^;

On other news: I got a cell-phone, and have been dodging my landlord lately. My first paycheck was MUCH smaller than I expected, and the need for communication was more important to me than a roof. My car provides that. o.o

I guess thats about it for now, still no internet at home other than for Phantasy Star Online. But someday....maybe.

The posts are few and far between right now. Guess thats what happens when you don't have ready access to a computer. ^_^;;;;

Things are finally looking up, I managed to get the job with DoubleTree. Unfortunately, they weren't allowed to let me stay there. The day that I found out I got the job, I also discovered I had a distant relative in Concord, CA (Not too far from here). After talking to him and telling him my situation, he managed to get me a decent car. ^_^

I went to spend a couple days there until orientation for the DoubleTree job, and that ended up being an ordeal in itself. He has a dog. Nice dog, followed the "Bark worse than bite" idea, as it would bark at me, then back away. XD
Unfortunately though, my allergies went haywire, and my first night there was filled with constantly waking up to horrible asthma attacks. The following days continued the trend with blocked sinuses and asthma attacks. At least they had an inhaler on hand for me to use and keep, which greatly alleviated the worst of it.
While I was there, I helped my Uncle work on a house he was remodelling and getting ready to sell. In exchange, he gave me the parts for a computer, which is only missing a monitor now. ^_^

Now, the car. It's a Grey 1984 Nissan Maxima, top-of-the-line for its time. Only one real problem with it, and that is the fact it leaks power steering fluid VERY quickly. That, and there is two other minor details.....
It's currently at non-op status, which means that it isn't registered. Easily solved....if I had a driver's license. o.o Now, I hadn't actually thought far enough ahead as to how I was going to get the car back to Rohnert Park, big oops, since I had to be back by 9AM on Friday for Orientation. My Uncle and I came up with a solution, if I could call my friend and have her come down again in order to follow behind me so that my non-op status was hidden, then things would be ok. I had driven on a farm while I was working there, and I'd taken the driver's ED course in high school.

Well....the 2 1/2 hour drive (I got lost a couple times) from Concord to Rohnert Park was unescorted, my friend hadn't called back so I had set out on my own. For my fourth time EVER driving a car, I think I did a really good job. ^_^;;;;;
I got lost trying to get out of Concord, had to make a couple U turns, Y turns, park in stalls and pull out to turn around, drive uphill, drive downhill, park on a slope, get on and off freeway exit ramps, change lanes, left turns, right turns, one way streets, and even rear ending someone once I was only a few miles from work. -_- Thankfully there wasn't any noticeable damage, and the guy was very polite and let me go.....good thing for me. >_<

With my car, I was able to live in it for a week, due to its non-op status, I had to keep it on private property, which I did by parking in the back of the DoubleTree Hotel. They may not have been able to let me stay there in the hotel....so I didn't mention I was staying in the parking lot. ^_~
Made a few new friends, and I really like the job. Its a little slow at times, but if I ever get little projects, etc, I can bring them and work on them while getting paid $8.25/hr. ^_^

Had a place to shower, used the bathrooms at the hotel to shave and groom, and basically kept myself presentable for the job. Two days ago, I also managed to finally find a place to live, and moved in offically yesterday. I owe 0 in back rent + security deposit since I only had $200 up front. Landlord seems really nice. His son seems a little different, though its probably just first impression jitters from his tattoos and piercings.

Finally, things are starting to go well, there is an uphill climb for the next three months, but at least I'm not at rock bottom. And with each piece rebuilding a foundation for me, I sometimes wonder when it'll all fall apart again. Not an if, but a when. Likely in about three months, if history dictates when the demon hits. Then again, maybe this severe dive was the demon?

Good news at least, and in a couple weeks I'll be with internet at home, instead of here at work. A long time coming, but at least it is finally here. -_-;

Yesterday I went to check back on old friends and let them know how I was doing, one of them did something really cool, and I'll try and post about it tomorrow (insert procastination for the next few days).

"...with nothing but a backpack slung over his shoulder, he headed out..."

Wow, this past while has been really hectic. Between working, and looking for a place to stay, I've hardly done anything else!

Last friday, my friend went on vacation to Nebraska, and everything was arranged with a landlord for me to move in that day. But when I called him up, he had decided to change his mind at the last minute and rent to someone else instead. -_-
So I was left without a place to stay, in panic I called every single place in the classifieds, etc. But none of them were successful. At last, I managed to get ahold of a new friend I had met about a week before, and she came down from Santa Rosa to help me out. ^_^;;
I loaded the stuff in her van, and I attempted to stay at her place. Having to be discreet about it due to the landlord not liking overnight visitors. And if that difficulty wasn't enough, she had 5 indoor cats. I'm allergic to cats. >_<

I tried it for a night, but got horrible asthma attacks and couldn't breathe. My body was beyond tired before I finally managed to find a way to alleviate the raspy breathing long enough to fall asleep. A different solution had to be found.
That one came in a solution that I really, really, detest. A homeless shelter. Once I got there, it didn't seem to bad. Almost cheery, actually. Then it came time to actually sleep, and shower. Showering with five really stinky guys isn't exactly my choice arrangements. o.o;

Then there came the sleeping, lots of people snoringloudly and flatulating loudly and intermittently throughout the night. -_- It was horrible to get to sleep. Even worse when I had to get up at 5:38am and they kicked everyone out. After that, I knew I needed to find a different solution, and fast!

I spent all of monday looking and calling and applying to different places, trying to find a roommate or someone to stay with. I was not going to do the homeless thing again, the shelter was NOT worth the cost of everything else.

Had a couple interviews, and other job stuff inbetween, since I didn't have work that day. (As a side note, when I went in to work to check out the new schedule, it seems that I'm not on it for this upcoming week....joy.) After calling a few places looking for roommates and having no luck, I finally found a place. I could only hope that it would work out.

Along the way, I stopped by a gas station, and the nice clerk gave me a bunch of free donuts and drinks. Then proceeded to tell me of places in which I could sleep, progress perhaps as a back-up?

Found the place, and was told that since I wasn't an SSU student, they weren't going to rent it to me. That was lovely, hopes being dashed so quickly. So I tried to call my friend, hopefully figure something out. Thats when they called someone they knew who lived on the SSU campus, who then called a dorm of guys, who said I could stay there the night. Problem solved. ^_^;;;

....For now. o.o
I'm looking for a place still, still job hunting. But at least I got a library card, and a bank account, and slowly attempting to piece my life together. Hopefully something will come out of this....hopefully. >_<

"An unsearched bush, is a safe one. - Shell station clerk

Well, I'm at a fun sleepover here. Been job hunting the past few days, still promising, just nothing great today.

I also happened across a few really good pixel artists. So I'm hoping that my game development will be able to progress again as well. I've got formal interviews with them this week, so I'm hoping all goes well.

I think that about covers it. This place is quite wonderfully pretty, but I'm too lazy/busy to bring my camera around and show off the area to all of you readers. Maybe someday though.

"Urban ninja at Office Depot!"

Well, I'm here. Just a little bit north of San Francisco, CA. Arrived earlier today, met who I'm staying with, and am already setting up plans for tomorrows job hunts. I'm liking it so far. ^_^

On the bus ride, I met yet more interesting people. O_O One was attempting to instruct me on the gangs and how to tell who is what, but on a level that they match with. Similar slang etc. It had some very valid points, and I'll at least keep it noted in case there is any need for the information.

The land of silicon, perhaps I'll find what I'm looking for?

"Don't let the trolls get you, they're really sneaky." - Lady on the bus.

Oh wow....nearly two months since I've posted anything. I haven't forgetten really.....honest! ^_^;;;;;

Nothing really of importance to say I guess. Or maybe I've subconciously decided to make this a blog of my travels, rather than a true blog where I post even when I have little interesting to talk about. Regardless, now I'm starting up travel again!

Lets see....short recap of what was missed....Still no luck finding a job, was even turned down by telemarketing, THREE times! O_o Never thought it'd be possible.
Had my 18th birthday on the 24th of Febuary, practically like any other day, just like normal. -_-
Lost a lot of really good friends. Betrayed by one I thought was my best friend. I still have a strong desire to kill-on-sight. -_- At least a couple of my other friends managed to get back on speaking terms. ^_^;;
And....I'm travelling again, thanks to a free ticket that had been offered. No job luck, despite my trying, so I'll be trying in California.

San Francisco.....its been well over 8 years since I last went to California. I wonder how much its changed? I wonder how much my perception has changed? O_o I have a couple friends down there, hopefully I'll be able to meet them, though I still worry about getting too close and having them rip out my heart. -_-
Regardless, I am a bit excited to travel, and this will be a much warmer place. No more hell on ice!

I guess some things are hard to put behind you for a while...now I'm doting on the friend thing again. Regardless though, In about a week I'll be in California, in an attempt to start my life anew! Here comes more adventure!

"Its so comfortable inside your own little world, your own box....but I prefer it out here. Just watch your step!"

Its been an interesting past few days. I've been hunting for things with my friends, trying to get my plans together so I have the next couple weeks taken care of. In the meantime, I've got a book to work on, since I'll be getting paid to finish it now, and I badly need the money. ^_^

I've been watching lots of anime lately, getting back into one of my enjoyable pasttimes since I haven't had any obligations. Thankfully, I've been able to take care of some things too, so anime has become as enjoyable as it once was!

Anyway, I should stop procastinating and get to working on my stuff! ^_^;;;

"Thats not a speed bump, thats a curb!" - Greg

The past while has been interesting for me. Especially the past two days. I'm hoping that this new venture works out and I make enough money to last me until I can get an hourly job. ^_^ Being 17 puts a lot of damper, many places refuse to hire me for one reason or another due to my age. Insurance mostly though.

On my maintenance work, the ringworms are nearly all killed off. (Yay! No more purple! ^_^) And I've decided to move onto the next step.

So much snow, it hinders my desire to freely wander. I have nothing against snow, other than the fact that I don't like dealing with it. Looking at it is fine. Playing in it, ok. Sometimes it can be nice when you have someone else there by your side (Gee, I always seem to come to that, don't I? >_>). But I don't like it otherwise. No shoveling, no black ice, no tromping through it to get wherever. I guess this is why Texas keeps calling me back. XD But all of my recent trips to Texas haven't been all that happy, and I can't help but think that there is nothing left for me in Texas. Then again, there is always that single glimmer of hope that I always seem to manage to find and cling onto until I'm well into the pond of crocodiles and have no way of getting out when the glimmer vanishes.

Foolish mistakes, but everyone makes them at times. ^_^;; Soon though, many of my challenges shall be abated and I can actually put my skills to good use. U.S.A. and their annoying 18 laws. -_- But soon no more!

"Emotions are too powerful a thing, even more powerful than a bomb, for it is emotions that give us motivation and cause to USE that bomb."

Two days ago I saw LOTR: Return of the King for the third time. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it more the third time than the first two. The first time the sound would cut out often, the second time I had a very annoying person sitting next to me making comments every 2 minutes. -_- And this time, no interupptions or distractions. There were still some parts I disliked, but overall I wasn't wishing for it to end barely halfway through. XD

Job hunting has been going ok, have a few leads, and hopefully I'll have something in a week or two. Or maybe just something to do so I don't go insane with just playing video games. XD

Though having no obligations IS nice, allows me to think about things and work on things I wouldn't otherwise be able to do. That and my body has fallen into disrepair, and it needs some recoup time. ^_^

"...When hell freezes over!"
"Wow, look at all this snow."

Well, adventures and the wind of fate bring me to my new location. After things felt like they were pushing me out of Arkansas, suddenly events happened that seemed like the cursed demon of bad luck found me and was trying to keep me there.
Having my wallet stolen about one week before Christmas(Oooh, today, Merry Christmas everyone! ^_^) And thusly losing the 0 stored in it upset me. The fact that it happened when I was in the shower, by someone who lived there and knew right where it was infuriates me even more. After filing a police report, I then return to the place and have two of the people threatening me. Something that wasn't out of the ordinary there, unfortunately, but it was the last straw and I finally decided to leave. I felt safer on the streets. (Except for the streets in that area, perhaps ^_~)
I was also quite annoyed by the fact that the one over there whom I thought was a friend didn't do anything one way or the other. Oh well, easy come easy go, I don't think I'll be having respect for that person anymore. No loss I think either.

It seemed that the manager Vicki at Pizza Inn was understanding, and hopefully the inability to give two weeks notice before quitting won't hurt me in the long run. >_> But I will miss the work environment, albeit not necessarily the pay. XD

The big loss will be all the friends I still have, those that helped me out those last few days I was there, and even afterwards. At least I have ways of staying in contact with them. ^_^ And I got pictures! Bwahahah! I'll find a way to get them off my digital camera(Christmas present, from all my friends, pictures for me. ^_~)

All things said and done, maybe NOW I'll be able to get on my feet, and also work towards other small goals I have. ^_^;;;;

"If I used my mind, I'd be in jail."-Joshua (co-worker at Pizza Inn)

No internet yet, though I've been trying to get it. -_-

Not entirely satisfied with where I'm staying now either, and am starting to feel like being a hermit and not letting anyone touch anything of mine. I understand the young kids, 5 and 6 or so who don't really understand yet the value of things, but I get terribly annoyed by older people who damage them. I so badly want to move AGAIN. >_<

The gypsy blood calls, and because I desire to move, things are falling into place to allow me to do so. I don't know if doing so is the right choice though. I just haven't had any of my close friends who have nothing to do with my real life to talk to. And lacking a phone, I can't even call them. What I deeply wish for is not to be found around here it seems. Though maybe something can show up in the next week.

I just have become very stressed and haven't had any suitable output for it, and not having internet and/or long distance phone access on a permanent basis is quickly causing the stress to build up. Sadly it isn't as though I could shell myself away and not worry about it. -_- Oh well, perhaps I should end this with some good news.

Road trip is planned for the near future, sometime around January. ^_^ All the way to California, and back. A week, hopefully two of sightseeing and possibly dropping in on friends along the way. ^_~ Maybe even dropping off....But I don't know. For now I hope its merely the fact that I'm stressed and it continues to build quickly rather than an actual need for departure. But I won't know for a few more weeks. I'm just glad I have so many friends here who are rooting for me and are willing to help me to the best of their abilities. Sometimes I don't feel I deserve it.
...
Okay, now I'm getting a little teary eyed. >_> Guess I should wrap this up and take care of other business. ^_~

No quote this time, mind is too occupied by other things.

Life has been beating hard and furious, as I've had little down time from work and other events. I'll just sum up the past events in a few short statements:
fleas, lack of sleep, dirty, theft, frustration
Now I'm getting settled finally and hopefully I should have internet in the next week or sooner, depending upon when I get things arranged with the internet company around here. -_-

A new chapter has begun though, and so a new cycle begins, and it slowly starts to whir up to its normal full speed once again. ^_^

I shall attempt to post more complete entries later on, recapping my Thanksgiving feast as well as my new living arrangements, seeing as how nothing else entirely interesting pops into my head at this current point in time.

"Open says somebody else."- Steve A.