writing a book

Being a Math major I have but limited command of the English language. In fact, in high school one English teacher I had called my writing pedantic when I wrote "an historic event" rather than "a historic event."

So, I thank all of those who think I should write a book. If I knew how I just might do it. But who wants to read about a post-op mtf transwoman, who graduated from the Naval Academy, spent five years in the Marines, raised two sons, traveled and lived in many states, some of them homeless and living in a car with a dog? I mean, just a typical American life, right?

As Sally said.... "makes me want to sleep!!!"

this country sucks

Enjoy your memorial day:

from a nyt article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/us/31iht-letter.html?ref=us

There are substantive issues. The unemployment rate among veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq is more than 13 percent. There are more than 100,000 homeless veterans, and women face special challenges. There are humongous mental-health deficiencies; the Pentagon estimates that about 20 percent of those who have served in these wars will suffer from mental health issues.

And the Department of Veterans Affairs is too bureaucratic. Currently, there are more than a half-million disability claims with the department; more than one-third have been pending more than four months. “The average veteran walking into the V.A. does not see much change,” Mr. Rieckhoff said.

While you have your parades ... we have no homes
while you eat your bbq ... we have no jobs
while you have your concerts ... we have no health care

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

back to normalicy

70's here for the next few days, 80s and 90s in Luray

Too funny

I thought today was Wednesday. I no longer know what day it is.

swimming

guess it's safe since I haven't seen that I caused any mass extinction of fish in Lake Champlain

real homeless people

I saw 4 "kids" last night while walking Guy on the beach. I've seen them before. They had a fire blazing from driftwood even though it was about a zillion degrees out. One of them offhandedly mentioned being homeless. They had full backpacks and were pretty grungy. I wanted to talk to them a while but they had a dog, a mutt that seemed really nice. Unfortunately it was an unfixed male and Guy has a problem with them so it would have been a lot of trouble trying to talk while keeping hm still. I really want to hear their story though so I will keep trying.

easy as falling off a bike

So, we get to a park where allegedly there is a beach for dogs. When I got there, it was more like a bunch of rocks, in a cove, down a cliff. However, the rocks did abut the water although the depth of the water at the edge of the rocks was about 5 feet and went down from there. After throwing the ball out for Guy a couple of times I realized that I had on a sports bra and denim shorts. Off went the blouse and I dove in!!!!! WOW, that was fun. I haven't been swimming in about a hundred years and it was so much fun. I'm out of swimming shape, but you really don't forget how. The hilarious part was when I went in, Guy went to the edge of the water and cried and howled and whimpered. Seems like he thinks that he is allowed to go swimming but I'm not. I only stayed a couple of hours because the sun and water is dehydrating and you know that I don't need sunburn and rehydration is a problem because of restrooms (or lack thereof.)

But I will be back. Anything to remind me that I am a human.

Avatar

I know this is supposed to be about homelessness but Avatar is one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Come to think of it, maybe if we even tried to be more like the Na'vi, there wouldn't be homelessness. And I mean the have nots have to try also.

A retrospective

It's hard to believe but it is now four months since I left Florida. Four months of freezing, sweating, sleeping in the car, eating unhealthy, being bored, being scared, pretending, hoping, despairing, and having a loyal friend next to me.

Kinda sounds like life, eh?

Third time is a charm

After two failed efforts to get to the top of Mt. Mansfield, we succeeded yesterday. Here is the link:

http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150938/mount-mansfield.html

It is every bit as rough as it looks and is more rock climbing for the top half than it is hiking. I will post a picture of me and Guy at the top as soon as it is downloaded to my Mac. The elevation gain was about 2000 feet in a mile and a half. Don't believe what is written because the first mile and the last quarter to half mile are relatively flat. My favorite part of the hike was when we stopped and sweat was dripping from me while Guy was burrowing in the snow. A bit surreal.

But we won't have to do that again in the near future. Guy is still sleeping it off and my legs felt like they were going to fall off.

Sometimes pain (the good type) is what it takes to make you realize that you are alive.

Crazy Heart

I'm not enjoying many movies lately and this is the latest. It's hard to comprehend the initial interest of the Maggie G. role in the Jeff Bridges role. I guess that as I grow older I am either sick and tired of, or just can't believe, all the lovely/hot young ladies falling in love with drunk, flabby, worthless POS's. O well, at least she didn't end up with him.

movies

Crazy Heart tonight, Avatar tomorrow

dumb move

Forecast high in Burlington on Tuesday - 88
Forecast high in Luray on Tuesday - 76

go figure

when you think you've seen everything

I've seen a lot lately, bears, chipmunks, beavers, sheep, cows, horses, goats. But today topped it. I was driving down a rural road outside of Burlington and what do I see but a camel!!!!! And it wasn't a cigarette.

Please god, don't let me ever find out why someone in Vermont owns a camel!!!!

an old saying

You know the saying:

Everytime one door is closed another one opens.

They got it backwards. It's "every time a door opens, another one closes."

I've been thinking. (Dangerous, I know.)

I live in a car. I get a little unemployment every week which keeps me in food, gas (for the car, not from the food) and I pay my bills so I don't lose my phone, credit cards, etc.

IF I get a job, where will I live? You think I have 1st, last, and security in my pocket. Even if I got a government grant (which there are) to pay security, and they only want first and not last, I don't even have that. What about utilities and those deposits?

Gee, I hope I get a job so I can refuse it because I live in my car.

SLAM

homeless in Vermont

I have found many homeless people in Burlington. I'm not sure what they do during the winter but I've seen them bunched together in a couple of locations, asleep on benches, and just wandering. Many of them are young adults, a lot like Portland. I'm doing too good a job of pretending that I am not homeless because they keep hitting on me for handouts. I haven't seen the under bridges like Portland and Fredericksburg, so I'm not sure what they do during rainy times either.

I need a job.

motel day

had to wait for another pay day. running out of lettuce. Get to watch the Yankees on ESPN. Also dyed my hair for the first time in months. I didn't realize that my standard color was too dark. This would have been a good time to go one shade lighter. But I am now stuck with this. It's not too bad and it matches my eyebrows.

damn - add another one

who should eat shit and die

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/pets/2010/05/19/2010-05-19_mute_boy_spoke_for_first_time_after_getting_puppy_silent_again_after_thieves_dog.html

I hate people

dog snoring

Any idea how to keep a dog from snoring? It's hilarious, but it does interrupt my sleep.

I can come clean

My trip to Burlington was the result of getting a call for a phone interview today. I did not want to come up with a blank as to why I think Burlington is a good place to live. Nor did I want to miss an in person interview if requested. I didn't want to say anything in advance for fear of jinxing myself.

Unfortunately I don't think it went that well. The job seems ok and I would definitely take it if an offer was made, but I doubt if I ever get called for the in-person interview. Allegedly I was the first person with the phone interview and they will have more in the next two weeks, but it seemed like a don't call us, we'll call you dismissal.

O well.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

My Mac seems back to normal.... for now soooooo.

No, it's not snowing here, but yesterday's hike was way above the tree line on Mt Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont. The hike was the roughest I've ever done. I really don't know how Guy made it up some of the rock faces. The snow came in a few hundred feet from the top when it was about knee deep in places. Guy burrowed in it. I avoided the slushy mess. But it was fun to find snow in the merry, merry month of May, although it was not a walk in the park.

damn damn damn damn

great day hiking, finding a place to wash, etc., etc.,

Then after the hike I try to turn on my mac and it's pretending that I don't have a battery.

I can cry.

Whew

Found a place to wash up and did laundry. Clean body in clean clothes. Next to godliness, eh.

Now to find a place to wash my hair....lol

(the place that I used to wash should be good for a couple of times per week.)

Burlington

Good -

COFFEE!!!!!

The local Walmart welcomes overnight parking.

found a library with WiFi and plenty of free parking.

Lakefront area with wifi and power and restrooms until mid evening
enough stores and malls for rainy day coverage

Yankee baseball radio network

Guy likes swimming in Lake Champlain

Bad

WalMart doesn't have popcorn!!!!!!

No restrooms after mid evening (so far as I can tell)

No hiking within about 30-40 miles

Fairly spread out so lots of mileage (AKA gas money) on the car

All the parking downtown is expensive so I will have to stay away from there until the evening.

Really Bad

There was a family restroom at the entrance to SNP in Luray so I was able to take a sponge bath on a daily basis. So far, nothing like that here. I SO do not want to go back to stinking so badly that I can't stand myself.

Portland

For some reason I feel like I am back in Portland. However, the MAJOR difference is that a station here is part of the Yankee network and I am now listening to the game watching the sun set over Lake Champlain.

Obviously there is wireless here. AND a restroom. Wonder how late it is open. The one bad thing is no power. I'll have to find some like I did in Luray.

Vermont

I'm here. Don't ask.

One more day

For many reasons, all poor, I an leaving Luray. It's been a great month or so and I have many "friends." However,

1. I don't have a job and no real prospects for one.
2. Although it isn't hot yet, it will be soon.
3. My transmission is getting worse and I'd better get where I can get a job, even art time, soon or I'm stuck here.
4. With the number of Confederate flags on display, I'm lucky that my being a left wing pinko hasnt been discovered.
5. I'm running low on new hiking places.

Wish me luck or send me $1300 for a new clutch.

another person who should eat shit and die

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/highschool/05/11/track.controversy/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=Sbin

Left hand meet right hand

I applied for a part time cashier's job at Shenandoah National Park 3 1/2 weeks ago. You know how long it would take Walmart or Target to fill a position like that, right

Well, that's not the Federal Government.

Yesterday this was in the Washington Post.
http://fcw.com/articles/2010/05/11/federal-hiring-process-memo.aspx

Ironically I had just requested some information about the status of my application before I read the article. This was the reply.

The rating process normally takes 4-5 weeks from the closing date to
complete. However, due to the large number of applications received for
this position is may be an additional week. Once the rating process has
been completed you will receive a letter in the mail regarding your
qualification status and whether or not your application was referred to
the selecting official.

That means that interviews won't even START for six weeks after posting for a part time job that requires a high school education and can be performed by trained rats.

Obviously, I won't still be in Luray when they finally make their decision.

what to do

might as well watch Camelot. Could do worse. Thank dog for wifi and Netflix.

sign

very depressed. It's raining waaaayyyy too hard to hike. So I am sitting here in the car. Exciting life, eh?

Plus la change

Another week in Luray. As long as the weather holds out, I can take it. Saturday there was a street fair that is the highlight of the year here. It was so like the ones in NYC that the only thing it lacked was the socks vendor. It depressed me a little because I miss many things from NYC. I left the fair as soon as the entertainment started. Country religious songs sung very badly. OUCH. That's worse than Christian rock.

Then the Met had Lulu as it's final Live at the Met show of the season. It is a 20th century German opera which is an oxymoron. Add to that it is atonic and it sounded like hot pokers were stuck up the behinds of screetch owls. Last week was a little known and less often played serious opera by Rossini. It was better than I thought and it had the advantage of the lead role being sung by Renee Fleming.

Yesterday was "Little Devil Stairs" and the view was amazing. It actually was down the side of a canyon. Some people hiked up it but I wouldn't even try it as the name should have been "Giant Devil Stairs". I took the long way around and added three miles to my hike. But it was a beautiful day and I have nothing else to do.

But I think of how other people fill their days with TV, sports, shopping and other myriad things to pass the time and I know that I shouldn't complain.

AMAZING

She makes me feel like a piker for ever complaining

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/05/07/homeless.project/index.html?hpt=C1

Truth in Advertising

For those who think that a mother and two cubs is not equivalent to the three bears, rest assured that today I saw daddy. He was big and luckily about 100 yards away and across a stream. Now, I know that neither the stream nor the 100 yards were any deterrent to him. However, seeing as I am not lunch I was hopeful that he couldn't be bothered. He couldn't and I continued in a different direction.

Goldilocks and the Seven Dwarfs

After my ex and I split I was in Florida and she, with the boys, were in North Carolina. I had them (the boys, not the ex) for long periods of time and the drive was boring, to say the least. One of the methods I used to keep them occupied for the drive was to tell them fractured fairy tales, ala Rocky and Bullwinkle. So I told them about Cinderella and Gretel, Hansel and the Three Bears, etc. Of course they shrieked with laughter at my “mistakes” and corrected me. It is one of my fond memories. I wonder if they remember it, or Boa Constrictor,

My right leg is killing me. (more about that in another post) and about a half a mile into today's hike I see three bear cubs about 20 yards ahead. As we are closer than I want to be I strike my walking stick against a rock to make some noise. One starts to run off but stops since the second did not follow and the third disappeared. I waited a couple of seconds and out came the third bear, which wasn't a cub, but was the mommy. Now a major league fastball can travel 20 yards in about 1/3 of a second (that's exactly the distance from the mound to home plate.) A world class sprinter can cover that distance in about two seconds. (One Mississippi, two Mississippi) It would take a black bear about a second to cover 20 yards.

The mommy looked at Guy and me and I looked back without making eye contact. (Making eye contact is like crossing the proton streams in Ghostbusters) I banged my walking stick against a rock another couple of times, then the bears finally ran off.

So, I have my pain, and many of my readers are much worse off (as I said, another post) so life isn't a fairy tale, there is no Goldilocks, and no “happier ever after.” But I can guarantee you that there are “..the Three Bears.”

I don't count

Is the census over? I haven't been counted.

WHY I HIKE - Part whatever

Yesterday and today are days off from hiking. I usually relax and do “errands” these days and it gives Guy”s and my legs a much needed break. However, it is now 1:30 and I left the motel at 11 (check out time) drove to two places to get my oil changed, stopped at the post office to pick up my mail (Netflix), did my laundry, and ran into a grocery store for some ground beef to mix with Guy's kibble. Now what? Luckily, I found that book. And we will walk a little on the Greenway. I'll run into the library to post these BLOG entries. Maybe a crossword puzzle or two. Just a day or two of ildeness is enough to drive me up a wall. Plus, it is hot out here.

AGAIN, WHAT FILLS UP THE DAYS OF THE TRULY HOMELESS?

BIGOTRY

The car needed an oil change so I looked on line to see what places there are in Luray. The only one mentioned was “RAMSEY'S AUTO SERVICE.” Please remember that name in case you are ever in Luray. When I arrived there I saw a sign that said: “ENGLISH spoken here. If you don't understand English go back where you came from.”

Now I doubted the wisdom of pointing out to Mr. Ramsey the efficacy, or lack thereof, in printing a sign in a language that gave instructions to people who didn't speak that language. Obviously, the sign wasn't meant for tham at all. It is intended to shout to the world: “I am a bigot and I want to associate only with other bigots.”


I got my oil changed somewhere else where the only sign said: “Cash or check only. No plastic.”

POPCORN

I may like Luray BUT besides no decent coffee, there is nowhere to buy a bag of popcorn. Who ever heard of a Walmart that didn't sell popcorn?

time to get ready

another night of comfort done. I ate, drank, and slept well. Unlike Saturday night when it was so warm and humid that I couldn't sleep because of Guy's panting. Last night would have been worse because it was about a million per cent humidity with thunderstorms so I couldn't have opened the door and windows like I did on Saturday. Luckily, it seems that after the showers today it will get a little cooler and less humid. I really have to get off my duff and look into heading north.

it's confusing

why after lots to eat and more to drink, it is now almost 11 and I am not in the least bit sleepy, yet I am ready to crash by 10 on the nights I am in the car. I guess I just want this to last.

Plus I still have some wine to finish.

OUCH

Gone are the days of $35 Motel 6's. $60 after tax this weekend. O well.