My Past, Present and Future - How I became homeless and why I am not worried!

in #blog7 years ago (edited)

The Past

In 2003 I started a new career as a truck driver, prior to then I had done many many different things. I was a geek, worked in restaurants and fast food, did construction and a whole lot of other things....some of which I am not proud of.

Over the 14 years I have been driving a truck I have been screwed over by company after company in various ways. The trucking industry is a brutal and unforgiving place to make a living.

Over the last 4 years I have worked for 6 different companies and lost damn near everything I own in the process. I have almost nothing left of any value and really really am tired of getting dry humped every time I turn around.

WIN_20170706_14_50_35_Pro.jpg

The Present

Until today I have spent the last 2 months working for a car hauling outfit in Mansfield, TX. I knew shortly after starting here the company was in financial trouble. I stayed with them cause I had no money, no where to live and no backup plan. I had hoped to that I could sock away some money before things took a turn for the worst. Sadly, that was not to be. I recently learned that the company was in such dire financial straights that they had started screwing drivers. Mainly on their pay, myself included. So today I quit that job, cleaned out my truck and am now homeless with very little money and a determination to get out of the trucking industry for good.

WIN_20170610_17_08_17_Pro.jpg

The Future

My van is a 2003 Ford E150 Coachmen Conversion van (wanna be RV). The brakes are shot, the tires are shot, the front end is shot (can't hold it in a straight line on the highway) and the Air Conditioning is broken. It does have a queen size bed in it so I can sleep in it at night. Once I get somewhere and put some stuff in storage....Van is slam full right now.

I am thinking I am going to head to Colorado later today (once the heat dies down somewhat). I have always loved Colorado, the West Slopes are amazing, nature is amazing, weed is legal and the weather is much nicer if you are homeless (sleeping in your car).

I can work online during the day at various coffee shops and such that have WiFi. I can write more posts and devote more time to them. I can do Video's of the places I go, wildlife, etc. I can camp out in nature in my van at night. Of course I will have to:

  • Make it to Colorado (West Slopes)
  • Have my van still running and drive-able
  • Get a couple batteries or good Solar Panel to charge batteries that run an inverter (I have inverter already) so I can power my fridge, laptop, etc.
  • Put a bunch of stuff in my van into storage once I get there.
  • Start making enough money to live on within two weeks from today (actually collecting the money); as that is about all I have for money right now, assuming my van doesn't break down on the way to Colorado and eat it all up.

Conclusion

I am currently in Mansfield, TX, I will be leaving here today and driving up US 287 to just north of Amarillo, TX where I will cut off on US87 into New Mexico to I25 up into Denver where I will hit I70 over the mountain to the Western Slopes. If you live anywhere near this route and can offer any assistance (Couch Surfing or a better ride) please let me know ASAP. If you are live in Colorado and wanna meet up when I get up there let me know. If you are desiring something from Colorado and do not live nearby or can't afford to go there to see it/get it please let me know. If you just like my crazy ass and wanna offer moral or financial support please let me know. You can reach me on Facebook (while I am traveling), just send me a friend request or message me through FB Messenger; that is the quickest and easiest way to get a hold of me while I am driving!

DQmTvsJsWMLG1nA4CA77osbpML51CaxmrHWsCGa6enQCmAW_1680x8400.png

DQmRhDtjokAZnGKi4QwheqksKTFo6m4fsjMYsNNrsitC1xk.gif

DQmTvsJsWMLG1nA4CA77osbpML51CaxmrHWsCGa6enQCmAW_1680x8400.png

I am a proud supporter of minnowsupportproject (aka minnowsupport), if you haven't already joined check them out over on their Discord Channel by clicking below:

U5drWMHTzho28CV1Lm6Awwys14VUvHq.gif

Update #1

My old 2003 Ford Van has crappy dry rotted tires and no Air Conditioning. I had to stop in Decatur, TX and get a room for the night. I am going to leave out early in the morning and drive north before it gets too hot. Will probably stop somewhere mid day tomorrow and get a room then drive on to the Western Slopes on Sunday morning.

Update #2

If you want to help me out you can VOTE on my comment in @gmuxx' latest contest here:https://steemit.com/contest/@gmuxx/contest-gag-giveaway-3-x-5-whaleshares-on-your-post#@venuspcs/re-gmuxx-contest-gag-giveaway-3-x-5-whaleshares-on-your-post-20170707t202409973z

Update #3

To ensure I have some funds to live on while I transition and figure out what to do next I decided to power down. I am not cancelling the delegations I have going. I am not leaving steemit. In fact I will be posting more and more once I get situated in Colorado. I am only powering down a percentage of my Total SP which will yield me 248 Steem a week for the next 13 weeks. That is enough for food, smokes (and weed) and gas for my van and will allow me to be mobile and explore places so I can vlog it on steemit.

Update #4

A poor man's dinner....whole chicken from Walmart ($4.88 + tax) and a Powerade Melon.

WIN_20170707_18_02_30_Pro.jpg

Update #5

My old van (ie home) for now! It is loaded to the gills right now!

IMG_20170707_131523.jpg

IMG_20170707_131543.jpg

Update #6

Nerves are kicking my arse so I can't sleep. Got up and @zenchess messaged me and offered a donation. That KAF dude sent me $20 via Paypal. Now when I get to CO I have $30 to get some good weed with thanks to him and the 5 SBD I received earlier. Gonna be posting a video in a few days of me sitting out in the wilderness at my campsite smoking a big bowl of Blue Dream and getting baked like I am a piece of meat in the Sahara Dessert!

Update #7

Update #8

My phone took a crap this morning, I had to stop in Harrold, TX to get on WiFi so I could do a reset and restore my phone....will be back on the road shortly!

Update #9

I made it to Amarillo, TX stopping for fuel and food then heading north.

Update #10

Heat got me again at 1 PM CST I shut down in Dalhart, TX. I am about 150 miles from the Colorado/New Mexico line. I will spend the night here (and hopefully get some sleep) then leave out Early AM and hit Colorado around sunrise. Should be able to make it to Glenwood Springs, CO tomorrow.

Update #11

Special thanks goes out to @robertdurst10 for the generous donation of $20 SBD.

Update #12

Special thanks goes out to @lifewithcrypto for the generous donation of $5 SBD.

Update #13

Made it into Colorado this morning, will post pics in new post later today.

Update #14

Special thanks goes out to @luvabi for the generous donation of $5 SBD.

Sort:  

I haven't been homeless, but surely broke and in debt, and recently (still paying it off). I also had about the same amount of SP as you do now and had to take it all out when it was only ranging 10 to 18 cents per Steem. Really sucked. Lol.

Resteeming this to 11,000+ followers and wishing you the best, Richard! :)

I wished my VP wasn't in the crapper and I could vote on this comment like 10 times. But I can't so a "Thank You!" will have to do!

I read something about you here on steemit tonight. Apparently you are 'Legend'. Good on you for helping Richard out!

Life can be tough. Glad you pulled threw!

Good Lucky mate...I was going to say I think I no the reason why you are going to Colorado :)

It sounds like a good plan! Wish you the best <3

Inspiring

good luck! sounds very tough but you can do it!

You already free bro!!! Nothing to hold you!!!

100% upvote, Resteemed, I sent a small donation, And I will be pimping this post.

Much love mr colbert. :P

Thanks for the $BD when I make it to Colorado the first gram is on you....I will think of you with every puff I promise!

Goodluck to you Robert. Here's hoping things get better soon!

Robert or Richard?

It ain't Robert....LOL

Richard,sorry lol

Wow you say you wuvs me and still called me by the wrong name.....but you are cute so I will let it slide!

Im sorry Dick. I wuvs you Dick xD

Delicious chicken.

You dont stop believing on yourself and you never give up on life. For every problem there is a solution. Be brave, always believe that He is great and someday... He will bless you. 😊