New Year

This has absolutely nothing to do with my soon to be life but everything to do with good friends and interesting times.

A few weeks ago I received an email from my friend H. She and her husband are having a NYE party at their house but it's going to be themed. They want to have, as she puts it, "a dapper party". We are encouraged to dress from the mid to late 1960's (a la Mad Men - a show I have never watched). I'm not one to shirk theme parties or the fun of dressing up so I've decided to go Brigitte Bardot inspired. The 1960's weren't really a time for long hair with a few exceptions very late in the decade and I don't quite feel like dressing like a hippie. I assumed by "dapper" they meant cocktail attire so a few trips to the thrift store and I came away with a short gold & silver sequined cocktail dress, gold & clear kitten type heels and a gold purse (this is more shopping then I've probably ever done in my life for an "outfit"). I was able to attain a very close approximation to what I saw me wearing in my head so that was a very good thing.

I never do much with my hair so I actually had to search how to style a messy yet glamorous looking 'do as well as 1960's make-up tips. It is now 12:40pm and I am beginning what is going to take me several hours to do since curling my thick hair takes forever and I want the curls to be sort of wilted and wavy in time for the party - where's my bump-it when I need one?

I'm looking forward to the party and seeing some friends whom I haven't hung out with in a while.

READ MORE - New Year

Yay Hootie!

I am now the proud owner of that 1987 Camper Van it was named Hootie when I bought it and thus it will stay named Hootie.

Big thanks to AJ from cheaprvliving.com for making a couple phone calls and speeding up what has been a 6 week purchase process. To George for also attempting to call and for going with me several times to look at it and to Silver for taking me to get it tonight, helping me back it into my driveway without taking out my or my neighbors house and for running me to the grocery store since I really don't have a legal daily driver until the van gets registered.

READ MORE - Yay Hootie!

Dreaming of Mutant Caterpillars in My Skin

Had the worst dream just before I woke up this morning. It was extremely disjointed and didn't last very long. Gobie had some sort of wound on the back of his left leg. It looked like his skin was split down the back of his leg. Then the dream jumped to the front of my left leg with the same sort of split and to the upper part of the back of my calf where it looked like the skin was peeling off in a big square. I had some faceless female look at it and she started pulling these large white caterpillars out of my skin. They were holding on with pinchers on their butts. Chick says she doesn't want to mess withthe wound on the front of my leg because they were still in the "egg phase" and that's when I woke up.

Bizarre.

READ MORE - Dreaming of Mutant Caterpillars in My Skin

Saturday Morning In The Trailer Park

8:30am - Take out trash
9am - Call police because my idiot neighbors are standing outside in 33 degree weather in bath robes or no clothes playing tug-o-war with a 5 month old baby in a car seat.

"Adam" seems kooked out of his mind on something.

Ok this is 40 minutes later. "Adam" is hopped up on PCP and had to be tazed. There are no less than 8 police cars outside of my house. "Adam" is gone in an ambulance but the police are still here deciding whether to take the children's mother. The folks who own the house next door are "Adam's" parents and they also called the police.

I can't wait to get out of here.

READ MORE - Saturday Morning In The Trailer Park

Frustration Continues

For the second time dude has stood me up about the camper van. I'm extremely annoyed.

READ MORE - Frustration Continues

Just Another Day In The Trailer Park

I've lived in a mobile home for almost 6 years now. When I first moved here the neighborhood was nice - quiet, well maintained homes. I had elderly folks on either side of me which worked for me since I was on night shift and needed to sleep during the day. My biggest complaint was the noisy scrap business in the neighborhood behind the park.

Two years ago my elderly neighbor to the left either died or moved (I don't know which) and a younger group moved in. Within a month I had the sheriffs department beating on my door asking me if I've seen "Adam"

As an aside here. I keep to myself and don't really speak to my neighbors. Being on night shift I never really got to know any of them aside from a hello here and there so I had no idea who "Adam" was.

Adam apparently had a warrant out for his arrest and not only did I have to deal with the police beating on MY door to ask about him but I would have to hear them beating on the neighbor's door at all times of the day and night. At one point the property management asked me to call them if I saw "Adam" in the neighborhood because he was banned. Banned from a trailer park? That's got to be hard to do.

Recently "Adam" has been back next door. It's been a while so I assumed whatever he was wanted for and whatever issues the property management had with him was cleared up. That's when the screaming started.

Now that I am not on night shift anymore and since losing my job I am home all the time. On a daily basis this kid is pacing up and down the street screaming into his cell phone. Yelling obscenities with no thought whatsoever that he's in front of other people's houses and yelling. Trailers aren't well-made. My walls are just barely thicker than a door- so about two inches or so. I can hear everything that goes on in the street, in my neighbors yard and, when the windows are open, everything that goes on in their house. I've stepped outside a few times and told him to go yell in front of his own home or stop yelling all together.

They let their kids play in my driveway (two summers ago they set up an itty-bitty kiddy pool IN my driveway for their kids to play in.) They park in my driveway if I leave room (without asking) Far be it from me to sling around derogatory terms but these folks epitomize white trash if ever anyone does.

This past Wednesday I had their car towed out of my driveway. I've tried to be nice since I had to live next door to them (for now) but I've been pushed past my limits.

About an hour ago I could hear loud talking outside and looked to see the woman, her two children and some guy sitting at their picnic table. 15 minutes later there's screaming - I expect to look out and see "Adam" yelling at his girl in typical fashion but instead there's a group of 6 people standing in front of my truck IN my driveway threatening to shoot and stab each other. I opened the door and yelled at them to get out of my yard and away from my house - this didn't work. They simply moved to IN FRONT of my house to continue threatening each other so I called the police.

The officer could barely hear me over the people screaming and the one boy was still sitting at the picnic table and asked if I was calling the cops. "Yes I am." So now the chick is pissed at me and while I'm on the phone she starts berating me, "You're getting ready to lose your house, you [sic] about to feel that. I don't have no place to take my babies. I got two kids who don't have anywhere to go so thanks for that"

This is my problem how? It's my fault you and your guy scream at each other to the point that the neighborhood is sick of you? It's my fault you're 19 and have two kids? It's my fault you can't support yourself?  it's my fault that people I don't know are standing in my driveway and threatening bodily harm to each other? It's my fault that I'm concerned that this may actually come to shots being fired which may or may not punch through my two inch walls and hit me or one of my cats?

Sorry, sister, none of these things are my problem. My concern is my safety, the safety of my property, the safety of my cats and sadly the safety of YOUR CHILDREN who you have out there in the middle of this horrible screaming match. Get over yourself.

The police came out and by that time everyone had, of course, scattered once they heard I called the cops. I met them outside and told them where everyone had walked off to and came back inside. Now I just need to concern myself with retaliation either in property damage or by this chick trying to fight with me (which she will lose) so now I'm off to purchase a locking gas cap since I'm all but pretty sure these assholes siphoned the gas out of my truck once already.

READ MORE - Just Another Day In The Trailer Park

Pillow Pads

Or plasmacytic pododermatitis (Also called Mushy Pad Syndrome/ Disease). Just noticed that one of my cats has this going on with both of her front paw pads. She's not an overly cuddly kitty so it could have been there for quite some time. It doesn't seem to be causing her pain and they aren't ulcerated or bleeding so I'm not going to worry so much. The apparent tie between that and FiV has me somewhat concerned but it's a little late for that now with 6 indoor cats. I'll just have to keep an eye on it and I suppose if it ulcerates I'll start treating with doxycycline (which I have and can safely compound down to a dosage for her) or steroids (hooray for that ginormous first aid kit I've created)

I'm wondering if she has a flea allergy or other allergin sensitivity since she'll sneeze profusely if I spray anything in the house like air freshener, perfume, carpet cleaner. Definitely something to consider as we move forward with van dwelling.

Poor little Cuda-bug.

On the plus side my 20+ years as a veterinary technician just saved me a $200 veterinary visit just to find out what this is and how to treat it. It probably also saved her the stress of going to the vets, the pain of possible biopsy and medications she likely doesn't need!

READ MORE - Pillow Pads

Not To Count My Chickens And all That

But . . .

This may be my new home! I'm headed out to see it on Saturday. I already know the paint is worn - I'm ok with that. I know it's owned by a mechanic and I know he loves this van. I spoke to him a week or so ago about looking at it and he didn't show up so I wrote it off. Today I called just to see if it was still available and it turns out the guy was hoping I would call back about it for two reasons he said:

#1 Everyone who has called hm about it had intentions of turning it into an ice cream truck so he wouldn't sell to them.
#2 He said he'd probably be willing to take my 1998 Dodge Durango in partial trade because his daughter needs a vehicle.

I did disclose that the Durango has some issues which he didn't seem concerned about.

Has the world really decided to take its thumb off my forehead? I certainly hope so.

Now the question is how comfy will 6 cats, a mouse and myself be in this? I think we'll be ok since I have been working to prepare the cats for smaller space by moving us all into my 8 x 10 office in the house for the past 5 months. Oddly, the two who didn't get along well before moving into the small room are now best buddies who sleep together in one little cubby every night (when they aren't sleeping on top of me).

Today has been a good day. Let's hope Saturday is just as good!

READ MORE - Not To Count My Chickens And all That

Last Day?

So today's the day.I'm supposed to have all of my property (including my house which I can't afford to move or put in a new community) out of the community by 11:59 tonight and I am no closer to having a livable vehicle than I was a month ago. I have no idea what is going to happen come tomorrow and I am not out of this house.

I stopped by Carmax today to see what they would give me for my truck since I've seen a couple of in shape camper vans for ~ $3000 - they offered me $1000 for my truck. WTF? With that I would have a total of $2000 to my name - not enough to buy the camper vans. So what now?

I look like I've aged 20 years in 2 days. I'm back to not eating and not sleeping. I'm so lost right now I don't know what to do. I've listed everything I own on Craigslist with nothing selling. I can't talk to anyone without bursting into tears. What a fucking mess.

READ MORE - Last Day?

3 Days To Go

I need a miracle. Still no van or RV. I just don't have the money and with still needing to be able to get around I'm scared to just sell my current vehicle outright because even that doesn't give me much.

READ MORE - 3 Days To Go

Black Friday

Also Black Thursday? Cyber Monday? What the fuck is next?

It's complete brainwashing. They tell you if you're late you won't be able to get the best stuff you don't need to give to family members to prove you love them. WTF?

Or

Prove you love your family by leaving and gong shopping. I am annoyed that Walmart is dragging employees out of their homes at 9 - 10 this evening. That Toys R Us is opening this evening at 9.

Where does this end?

Valentine Chocolates will be in the stores the day after Christmas. Who the hell wants two month old chocolates?

By the way I'm trying to quit smoking (this isn't going to be the try but I'm attempting anyhow)

READ MORE - Black Friday

Received Another Credit Card Invitation

Again from Citi Bank. This time it's the *NEW* Citi Thank You Preferred Card.

Seriously? I guess they're thanking me for sending the last invitation back? This time I'm sending all my weekly grocery circulars to them in their little postage paid envelope. I had to tape the damned thing shut to get it to stay. From now on this is how I'm gong to treat all bulk mail pre-paid envelopes that are sent to my house.

READ MORE - Received Another Credit Card Invitation

To Those Of You Asking Why - Why Indeed

I can't understand people who say they still don't know what Occupy is about. It's about you - occupying your own thoughts and seeing there is a major problem with this country. You may not have an immediate solution but how can any one deny that there is a problem?

Occupy wants you to come peacefully to the general assembly and listen and add your voice. You don't have to come agree on everything and anything - maybe you will be the voice that solves a problem.

What I see when I look at Occupy is a lot of people helping other people. It's giving hope to people that we can fix the USA before it is driven straight into a brick wall. It's giving people who have been feeling worthless a sense of doing. Occupy communities are taking care of each other, feeding each other, clothing each other, offering medical aid, emotional support, literacy, sobriety, historic learning, and most of all a chance for each person to feel like they can be heard and not so alone. How is this bad?

At this point I believe Occupy needs to invest the money they have amassed and purchase communal living properties for the chance to continue to spread the message of awakening and to plan where this needs to go from here. We have a better chance of organizing in space where we don't have to battle every day, in space where the electricity is not questioned, where shelter is available and warm and where we can cook to feed everyone more easily.

I'll be out there soon, at different occupied cities, voicing my concern about where we go from here. In the meantime I'll continue to raise an eyebrow when folks say they don't understand what Occupy is saying.

READ MORE - To Those Of You Asking Why - Why Indeed

9 Days

O. M. G. I have 9 days until I have to be out of the house and still no vehicle. Going to look at a 1987 Starcraft Camper Van tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

READ MORE - 9 Days

Interactive Post

What do you see?

Seriously, I want to know what folks see in this picture.

READ MORE - Interactive Post

Feline Wake Up Call

There are days when I wonder how I went down the path of owning pets - let alone 6 cats. Today is one of those days when I'm spending my mid-morning tea wondering what sort of wake up call I will be provided with once we're all living in a RV.

At 4:05 this morning I awakened to the sound of the Shop Vac turning on. I know exactly what happened - one of the cats was standing on it trying to get a better look at the mouse and they hit the button. Whoever did it scared the shit out of themselves, literally.

Ahh, the joys of cats.

READ MORE - Feline Wake Up Call

Occupy Oakland Chat Mod Heavy-Handedness

Much like the Global Revolution chat (since it was built on the same model) the Occupy Oakland Live Stream chat is modded with an iron mute button. If you say anything that remotely disagrees with them they will block your messages and threaten to ban you.

Did they not learn when the GR chat room crumbled with most of the moderators being removed?

When people let power go to their heads to the point where they are just waiting for someone to ban or block they need to be removed. It happens it's part of human nature - look at our current government. They are dong the same thing. These chat moderators who let this small ridiculous power go to their heads need to be removed from the positions they are in. I'm sure they started with good intentions but along the way those have gone and now they are too busy chastising anything someone says that does not directly agree with them they are forgetting the whole point of all of us coming together.

Do away with heavy-handed moderating. Anyone who has seen me around knows I am a supporter of Occupy so why are my messages cleared from a chat room simply because I disagree with a moderators decision? I left before I was banned but I'm sure that happened anyhow.

Global Revolution removed most of its moderators and the chat was bumpy for a day or two but now runs better than ever. Mind your mistakes and learn from them people or we'll never be able to change anything.

READ MORE - Occupy Oakland Chat Mod Heavy-Handedness

Occupy The Media

A collection of videos from Occupy



RAW VIDEO: Chopper footage of 100,000+ Occupy Oakland Takes back Highway

This week in video:

Berkeley Protest-Occupy Cal 11/9/11 Part 1 

Berkeley Protest-Occupy Cal 11/9/11 Part 2

  Occupy Cal 11/9/11 PART 1    A note about this sort of tactic. The front people need to wear a small backpack filled with a ream of paper. Wear it backwards to protect your chest. An awesome way to re-purpose paper.

 'Occupy' Protesters Heckle Bachmann

 London student protest 9 November 2011: Arrest of Occupy protestors in Trafalgar Square

Occupy Asheville Veterans Arrested during Veterans Vigil 11-11-11

Portland Among Cities Grappling With How to Handle 'Occupy' Protesters

 Occupy Homes: New Coalition Links Homeowners, Activists in Direct Action to Halt Foreclosures

 

 

 

READ MORE - Occupy The Media

Searching Craigslist for RVs

I cheat and use searchtempest.com. I do a full search every 6 hours for 75 miles of Laurel, Md for the following terms:

motorhome
motor home
RV
Tioga
Class C (Has to be a small class C 25' or less)
Class B
Winnebago
Camper
Camper Van
Van
Bus
Conversion Van
Step Van
Box Van
Cabover
Cab Over
High top
U-Haul
Moving Truck

I don't think I'm missing much in this search. I do it though the recreational vehicles and cars/trucks section. My main issue is that some of the money I need to use to buy the RV is sitting in my driveway in the form of my 1998 Dodge Durango. The trade of the truck for full/partial payment would be preferred since I will need to drive the vehicle away. Being without transportation will not do right now as I have too much to do. My preference is for a Rv but I may need to get a van for a short period. It is not just me traveling my cats will be along for the trip so I have a need for more space than if it were just me. The herniated disc in my neck screams that a high-top is a necessity.

READ MORE - Searching Craigslist for RVs

Bring Back The Hard Times Tokens

I have 22 days to move out. I'm packing and trying not to panic. I came across an early 1900's Baltimore News trade token in my stuff (no idea where it came from) and thought,

Here's the answer to Occupy Wall Street's issue of overcrowding/ feeding. Create a token system in exchange for positive, peaceful activism or as a trade for time spent at various needed points.

See Hard times token (clicky*clicky)

READ MORE - Bring Back The Hard Times Tokens

25 Days Until ?

But I'm stressed. Seriously stressed. I still haven't found a RV that I can afford. Having anxiety issues now is not good. My nose is pressed to the edge of my comfort zone.

READ MORE - 25 Days Until ?

Previous Life - Veterinary Technician

 Dear Pet Owners,

Most of the vet techs in your local hospitals are not college educated and we are likely more experienced than most registered techs. Does this surprise you?

I started working in animal hospitals when I was 14 years old - as a kennel assistant. I'm 36 now and have only worked with 2 registered technicians in 6 hospitals in my career. AT 16 I was learning how to administer anesthesia, placing IV catheters, using a vacutainer to draw blood, reading stool samples, running Idexx machines, looking at urinalysis results and other things I was not supposed to be doing until I was 18 by law.

Still by laws in some states, including Maryland, unregistered technicians (or assistants) are not supposed to administer anesthesia or medications - yet we do day after day.

I've spent a decade of my life on overnight shifts with no one else in the building except me. I've lost 6 animals in those years. Most of them were not a surprise though there were a couple that were.

The thing I will miss the most aside from the animal interaction is the discounted veterinary care. With 6 cats vaccines alone are a small fortune. Hopefully I'll be able to barter work for care if I should need it and for annual vaccines. With my resume I don't think it will be an issue.

The awesome thing about being an ex-veterinary worker is I still have friends in the field who can get me the stuff I need. A friend of mine is donating some small saline bags that will expire in the next 6 months for my first aid kit as well as getting me a few of the large sturdy cooler boxes that refrigerated vaccines and medications come in.

Now that I know I only have 30 days to find a vehicle before I am truly homeless I need to start selling my large appliances - the washer, dryer and fridge are going. I don't want to purchase a cooler in case I end up in a RV that has a fridge. Why spend money if I don't need to? The weather has gotten cool enough at this point that I can leave anything I need refrigerated outside in a cooler. A couple of bungee cords embedded in the thick styrofoam will keep any small critters from easily getting in. It;s a temp fix for a couple weeks until I know for sure what I need to get.

READ MORE - Previous Life - Veterinary Technician

Halloween

For the first time in all my years I am not really celebrating Halloween. Usually I'm hanging with friends or handing out candy - I at least have a horror flick on. Oh I just remembered they have the Ghost Hunters live thing tonight and I think that douche with Ghost Adventurers is also doing a live show.

The Ghost Hunter deal will be on my TV only because Josh Gates is hot. So I guess I'll have some Halloween background noise but overall this is a low key holiday for me this year.

I gave some Halloween props to some folks up the street who do a big display every year. Since I won't need or use the large props in a small mobile house. Nice to know they'll be enjoyed.

Happy Halloween folks. Be safe, be spooky!

READ MORE - Halloween

Citi Bank AAdvantage Card

For the second time in 4 months I received an invitation to get one of these cards. I shredded the first one but am sending this one back. I wrote in large letters with a black sharpie that I have already defaulted on this card once and am sending the application back to them.

In fact, I believe this card is the one in collections with the judgement against me. They tried to garnish my wages but since I was released from my job the month prior there is no wage to garnish. Their next step will, of course, be to place a lien on my house.

Get in line behind the mortgage company and the property management it forms to the left.

Why would they offer me a card that I already defaulted on? Bizarre.

READ MORE - Citi Bank AAdvantage Card

30 Days Notice

Just received a 30 day notice from the community. Says I need to have all property removed from the community by Dec. 1. I wonder if this also means my house or if they are still going to pursue the lien?

READ MORE - 30 Days Notice

Snow in October

Not typical for MD. I'm starting to panic about getting a RV and getting out of here before the weather really kicks in.

READ MORE - Snow in October

Brake Debacle Continues

So I still don't have my truck back from Mr. Tire. They're saying some hydraulic valve is the issue but they aren't sure. So they requested I purchase the part and they'll install it for discounted labor, What? Uh how about you find out what's wrong before you ask me to purchase parts that you aren't sure are broken?

I called this morning and asked them to put my truck back together so I can come get it.

READ MORE - Brake Debacle Continues

Why Did No Police Help Scott Olsen?

Video of Scott Olsen being shot in the face with a "non-lethal police projectile"

This is shocking but what is even more shocking is that NO POLICE MOVE TO GET THIS MAN HELP. On the sidelines not only do police watch as other protestors try to get aid to Scott but they additionally toss a flash grenade into the group.

Since the start of Occupy I and many other people have been saying that the police are not our enemy. They are doing their job, what they are told to do by their superiors. After all, they each have their families and their lives to consider with respect to earning a living. None of us wants to see another family struggling to eat.

In my mind I thought that a good portion of police officers become police officers because they have an interest in helping the communities they work within. I thought there's a few bad apples but overall the police are good folks who mean well.

I'm rethinking my opinion.

No officers came to aid Scott as he lay unconscious on the concrete - not one officer came over the fence to help a person who was clearly wounded.

Why?

In Albany, NY police refused to arrest protestors which is a terrific first step in police officers taking their own minds back. I think we can all agree that some laws are in place for good reason but not all laws are worthy of enforcement. We need those police who joined the force full of good intention to help us in our good intention. We need to weed out those officers who joined the force so they can legally beat, harm, hurt, and otherwise harass peaceful citizen who are exercising their rights as Americans to have their voices be heard.

I can not understand why Scott received no aid. Why were there not ambulances there and ready? Obviously the Oakland PD knew what they were about to do by attempting to break up a large group of people. You can't tell me they expected there to be absolutely no injuries that would require medical attention. Even the crowd running from the tear gas canisters can cause a litany of sprained ankles, cuts, abrasions and broken bones so why were there no emergency assistance people on site?

Our system fails us - again.

Hang in there Scott! A lot of people are thinking of you and hoping to see you make a full recovery.

READ MORE - Why Did No Police Help Scott Olsen?

Time Article from 3/2010

10 Ideas for the Next 10 Years 

By Reihan Salam Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010

Middle-class kids are taught from an early age that they should work hard and finish school. Yet 3 out of 10 students dropped out of high school as recently as 2006, and less than a third of young people have finished college. Many economists attribute the sluggish wage growth in the U.S. to educational stagnation, which is one reason politicians of every stripe call for doubling or tripling the number of college graduates.

But what if the millions of so-called dropouts are onto something? As conventional high schools and colleges prepare the next generation for jobs that won't exist, we're on the cusp of a dropout revolution, one that will spark an era of experimentation in new ways to learn and new ways to live.

It's important to keep in mind that behavior that seems irrational from a middle-class perspective is perfectly rational in the face of straitened circumstances. People who feel obsolete in today's information economy will be joined by millions more in the emerging post-information economy, in which routine professional work and even some high-end services will be more cheaply performed overseas or by machines. This doesn't mean that work will vanish. It does mean, however, that it will take a new and unfamiliar form.

Look at the projections of fiscal doom emanating from the federal government, and consider the possibility that things could prove both worse and better. Worse because the jobless recovery we all expect could be severe enough to starve the New Deal social programs on which we base our life plans. Better because the millennial generation could prove to be more resilient and creative than its predecessors, abandoning old, familiar and broken institutions in favor of new, strange and flourishing ones.

Imagine a future in which millions of families live off the grid, powering their homes and vehicles with dirt-cheap portable fuel cells. As industrial agriculture sputters under the strain of the spiraling costs of water, gasoline and fertilizer, networks of farmers using sophisticated techniques that combine cutting-edge green technologies with ancient Mayan know-how build an alternative food-distribution system. Faced with the burden of financing the decades-long retirement of aging boomers, many of the young embrace a new underground economy, a largely untaxed archipelago of communes, co-ops, and kibbutzim that passively resist the power of the granny state while building their own little utopias.

READ MORE - Time Article from 3/2010

Move Out Date Is Imminent

Today the sheriff posted a notice on my door about my eviction court date - it's tomorrow. Why do you only get one day notice? Not like I was going to show up but 1 days notice? In any case, I noticed on this eviction they have asked to foreclose my right of redemption which means they want me out no matter if I were to pay or not.

Not sure what sort of timeline this gives me.

READ MORE - Move Out Date Is Imminent

The Fuzz (Part 1)

Figured it might be nice to put some faces to some names of the soon to be on-board crew. I'm sure I'll speak of them often.

 Barracuda (L) - female, Cuda for short. She's extremely shy. I've had her for three years and she's only just starting to approach me to be petted. She's 4th as far as age. Gobie (R) - male, suffers from brain damage due to head trauma. He's the love bug of the bunch makes up for the fact that he isn't the brightest. He's 2nd as far as age.

Anchovy - male, oldest. Yeah, he looks like an alien. He suffers from urinary issues which are controlled via diet and occasional fluid therapy. He loves EVERYONE as long as they are paying attention to him.

READ MORE - The Fuzz (Part 1)

Brake Debacle

Last week I dropped $400 into the rear brakes on my Durango. I need to sell it, I need to fix the brakes so I can get as much as possible out of it and so I feel ok selling it. I can not sell someone a vehicle with brake issues, I just can't.

The repair was a complete failure on Mr Tire's part. They fixed the brakes less than 8 months ago and here they are messed up. They said some cylinder failed and that's what I paid to replace plus the labor because the last work was more than 6 months prior.

I don't drive a lot. I've driven the truck 3 times and now the other side is messed up. I'm headed back to Mr Tire tomorrow and I'll be damned if I'm paying a dime for whatever is wrong now.

READ MORE - Brake Debacle

Hellraiser

Okay, folks who know me know I am a horror junkie. I worked in the horror industry for 10 years as a moderator to a very well-known horror search engine, I worked as the author program director at the horror conventions that said website put on, I've worked as a horror fiction pre-reader and editor - so, I know my way around a horror tale.

Hellraiser has been and always will be my #1 horror movie. Sure the mythos gets a little foggy in the middle of the 9 movies that have been put out. Especially since 5, 6, 7 and 8 were all written as stand alone films that incorporated the Hellraiser mythos after the fact.

6, 7 & 8 were pretty much crap and 9, since Doug Bradley refuse to reprise his role, is already missing something as far as I'm concerned. I know Doug rather well, he's a wonderfully articulate guy who cares about the Pinhead character (see his one man show, AN EVENING WITH DEATH or read his book BEHIND THE MASK OF THE HORROR ACTOR if you don't believe me) and if he is unwilling to take on the role then I'm almost dreading seeing it.

Once upon a time a few years ago (4 now I think) I was looking to purchase a houseboat which I fully intended to dub HELLRAISER and deck it out in full Hellraiser motiff - perhaps my new home on wheels will go that way? I doubt I would be allowed into a campground if I did that though ;)

There were talks of a remake of the original that also does not have Doug as Pinhead but because the folks at Dimension Films are morons and the revolving door of directors the project will likely never grace our eyes and I'm thinking that's probably a good thing before they do any more damage to the franchise. The films really should have stopped at  after we got the full back story on the Lament Configuration .

Edit 11:15pm = Just finished Hellraiser:Revelations - the title has nothing to do with the movie. It should have been called Hellraiser: Shenanigans because this was one turd of a film. The absolute worst of the franchise so far. Guess that's what happens when you have your special effects designer write the script, replace Doug Bradley as Pinhead with a horrible actor who seems as though he's never seen a Hellraiser move (and by the way where were the sclera lenses? Pinhead is not Pinhead if he's got regular eyes FFS) and then film the whole thing in 2 weeks. You get a shoddy movie that is horribly acted and looks like it was filmed in two weeks.

Ugh. Gary, I'm sorry, I adore you but please stick to the effects and let someone else handle the writing.

READ MORE - Hellraiser

OWS Money Hoarding?

I read an article earlier (as soon as I dig it back up I'll post the lin) that said that the OWS people have pulled in over $250,000 in monetary donations and tons of supplies.

Can we talk for a minute on why that money is not being funneled to other occupied cities? Why they are not sharing their money and supplies as most of them are pushing for.

I started off a very strong supporter of this movement but daily my support wanes - from overbearing moderators in the chats who ban people for exercising their 1st amendment rights to watching what was a movement for change turn into a single solitary goal of ruining the banking structure.

Sure, I'm poor and losing my house but I really don't care about the fed or any of that garbage. I'm upset because we, as Americans, do not get the fair say in our government that we should and people in general need to look out and do for each other more. Those are my only two investments in the Occupy movement.

Right now I am very disenchanted with the "people running things" and don't believe there aren't set leaders because there are and they will bite your face off if you speak against them.

READ MORE - OWS Money Hoarding?

Television

I watch very little TV as I've said but I do have a few guilty pleasure shows. Psych is one of those. The show cracks me up and is a nice giggly diversion from my current stresses.

READ MORE - Television

Milk

I drink a lot of milk. I'm not kidding I can go through about 4 gallons in a week. 2% is where it's at! Of course living in a vehicle milk became a concern since I live on the stuff. Storing gallons is going to be difficult and it's not always easy to find bagged milk. Recently a friend cleared out her pantry and gave me a box of goodies including a box of Borden Shelf Stable Milk. I love Borden cheeses (mmm cheese) but was skeptical about the milk.

I stuck it in the fridge and used it the next day and to my surprise, it was good. I couldn't really tell a difference between my regular 2% and this milk.

HOORAY FOR SHELF STABLE MILK!

The down side is the container sizes versus the cost. Shelf milk is much more expensive but it's going to be one expense I'm going to take on. There are few of my daily creature comforts that I am taking with me traveling - my bed, my cats and now shelf stable milk.

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Occupy - What Now?

This is just my streaming consciousness on what I think needs to happen for this to at all be successful.

I've seen a lot of the different GA's in many places having the same issue. They keep getting bogged down by the comfort issues that they put the important stuff until the end. The facilitators for each group need to have mini GAs and each night of the week should be dedicated to ONE MAJOR topic. It gives the mini GAs a chance to poll and take votes then bring those issues to the larger GA.

Does any of this sound familiar?

We have a government system that mostly works it just isn't working for us (the people) anymore. Instead politicians are bred to be just that and they have corporate sponsorship to do it. I think one of the major flaws with our current government is the electoral votes. They're crap. The popular vote is what should be deciding our leaders. We the people should be picking our leaders and frankly, any American who wants to be president should be able to run.

READ MORE - Occupy - What Now?

Trial Sized Stuff!

I was doing some browsing today for trial size condiments. People who know me know I always say that food is merely a way to get condiments into my body. Now, you won't find me sucking ketchup out of a bottle or anything - there has to be food but the Don't Drown Your Food shows of my childhood were lost on me.

Mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, honey - these are main staples of my diet. When I get into a vehicle I really don't want to have to deal with bottles that may leak or get knocked over and I'm hesitant to leave mayo in my vehicle unrefrigerated even though I've read it's ok to do. Individual packages seem to be the solution so a brief internet search and I found minimus.biz. Wow.

Most of my pantry shopping will likely be done here. I'm one of those people who takes 4 bites of something and is full. Because of this I eat multiple times a day - upwards of 6 times or so. I only do one hot meal daily so this sort of shopping works well for me. I'm going to have to hit some local stores and see what I can find there and then fill out my non-perishables and cleaning supplies through the website.

READ MORE - Trial Sized Stuff!

Doing Something For Myself Tomorrow

I finally have the money together to go get my eyes checked and get new glasses. It;s been over 10 years since I could afford to do so. I'm having horrible headaches so I'm excited to get this fixed.

READ MORE - Doing Something For Myself Tomorrow

Goodbye Red Head

I've been a red-head for a few years now. Before that my hair was black. I'm now attempting to color as close to my natural lightish-brown color. Why? Because keeping up with hair coloring on the road is not something I want to deal with. Plus, I'm curious to see all the grey.

READ MORE - Goodbye Red Head

Occupy Boston

I'm just waking up this morning and I'm seeing reports that protestors were arressted in Boston.

I'm about to say something that is likely to be unpopular with my brothers and sisters. I do not speak for them, I speak for me.

The Boston folks were, as far as I know, politely asked to move back to their original encampment by the mayor and the police. The reason is because the second park just underwent expensive replanting and general landscaping.

If you were politely asked and offered a very good reason you should have moved and considered other options today. Instead several of our voices were arrested for no good reason.

Not only do we need to demand respect fro our side but we need to consider the other side. The people who may not be out there marching with us but are sympathetic to our plight. Ruining a recently renovated park that YOUR taxes paid to fix is a little on the stupid side.

READ MORE - Occupy Boston

A Few Of My Favorite Horror Flicks

I've been busy and have missed a few days in the horror list so here's a random list of some of my favorites

1. Hellraiser
2. Sleepaway Camp
3. Cloverfield
4. The Thing (original please)
5. Silence of the Lambs

All well worth watching on a chilly October eve.

READ MORE - A Few Of My Favorite Horror Flicks

OCCUPY YOUR HOME

The mortgage company has finally piped up and sent a threatening letter. They say they I am in default (duh folks, I made a conscious decision to stop paying you 589 days ago) and they say I haven't responded (nope, sure haven't) and if I don't contact them in 7 days further action may be taken such as acceleration of my loan. Meaning they may ask for all the money I owe in full (is anyone else laughing.) Seriously, the WHOLE thing , eh? Good luck getting that. I'm going to declare bankruptcy and live in an RV.

Right now to save my home I would have to pay $6,700 to the mortgage company and 3,000 to the property management (ground rent) let me pull that out of my unemployed ass. It's not worth not eating to even attempt to pay for it when I can use the bit of unemployment I get to ensure I have a place to go when I lose this place anyhow. I've been hanging on by my fingernails for 3 years here - I'M NOT DOING IT ANYMORE!

All these letters tell me is that they haven't EVEN begun the legal process to take this house from me and they aren't going to let some rinky dink property management sell off a 3 year old $40,000 trailer in great shape for the measly $3k I owe. Oh no, they're going to want their money. So for now I have time to hang here rent/ mortgage free while they fight over who's going to get to take my house from me. Gives me time to stash some unemployment money and get a decent RV for the cats and me to travel in the name of good instead of running in that wheel of misery I've been in since I was old enough to be put to work.

And at any time I can file bankruptcy and stop them in their tracks under either 13 or 7. I really don't see a reaffirmation of debt from me so I hope they don't count on it.

READ MORE - OCCUPY YOUR HOME

My lil nightstick is gonna get a workout tonight"

NYC police officer brags and premeditates the beating of protestors including a demonstration of how he plans to beat them.

Shame, shame NYPD the whole world is watching.

READ MORE - My lil nightstick is gonna get a workout tonight"

Change

I'm amazed that our people have been calling for change and even our current president ran on a platform of change and here we are 3 years later with no change.

With the last presidential election many Americans stepped outside of their comfort zone and elected Barrack Obama based on his platform of change. Racism runs rampant in this country and Obama's win should have been an indication of the sort of change Americans were looking for - after all, how many of us believed he would run the presidency differently purely because of his skin color and because his whole platform was based on his skin color? How has America changed other than that small fact? He has run this country just like "Big White Money" did. Good Americans were duped and what did you get for your trouble? Just look at what's happening around this country.

I'm going to say what I've been saying since I was a teenager - this country needs to stop electing people who are bred purely to be a president. We need to go back to have the everyman in office for our voices to be heard. I have voted outside of party lines since I was old enough to vote.

The Constitution was created to be changed, so that we were not locked into a system that wasn't working. Having your voice heard in today's politics is like screaming questions to a red carpet celebrity if you're a no name publication - you will be ignored. Now if you're a big name publication you'll have your VIP passes and a seat at the table next to t he celebrity of your choice as long as you greased someone's palm for the seat.

Economic separations have always existed in history and in every situation where that divide became too great and unfair the people rebelled. Throughout history you can see case after case of people becoming aware of their exploitation and fighting back.

This country is at a jumping off point the stand that people are taking now will be one for the books as long as people stand strong and find one voice.

READ MORE - Change

Occupy Baltimore

What a good group of folks out there. I'm just getting home from dropping off some food/ sleeping gear/ paint. I got into Balt. around 11 and parked in one of the garages (The Gallery garage is only $6 if you enter after 4pm and leave before 6am on weekdays) and headed over. They are an organized but small group that I suspect will grow over the next few days. I will be adding my voice after 8pm until around 3 or 4am each day.

Sorry kids no movies today. I need to crash.

READ MORE - Occupy Baltimore

Go On With Your Bad Self, Lawrence!

Lawrence O'Donnell speaks about police brutality with NYC protestors

READ MORE - Go On With Your Bad Self, Lawrence!

Occupy Movement?

I am not generally a TV watcher. I keep movies on for noise, I gave up watching the news when 20 minutes into a broadcast I realized they just told me about 8 dead people in my city. No weather, good news, politics - just 8 souls removed violently from this world. Who needs that sort of emotional beat down?

Yesterday was the first I've heard of the Occupy movement. Call me a supporter although I think they need to get a central message out because for now the media is treating this like a circus. They keep asking "what is the message?" and "what are you protesting?"

The difference between what's going on here and the Arab Spring (by the way whomever called this the American Autumn - love it) is that they had a singular solitary message and it was clear. I'm all but pretty sure the message that the 99% need to give is that we can live without their consumer goods but can they live without us buying them?

The answer is to stop giving money to corporate America for a bit and see if they get the message. The protestors out there with their high end electronics, designer clothing, buying food from chain restaurants - there is no message in that. STOP BUYING CONSUMER GOODS. Barter with friends/ neighbors/ local farmers for what you need. If the 99% trade our goods amongst ourselves we can survive, thrive AND send a message that we do not want our lives to be financially controlled anymore by the 1% of wealth.

So there you have my view of what I feel needs to happen, I hope this movement grows in strength and clarity and if it's still going when I need to leave here I will be heading to add my voice to the masses in person rather than from my little trailer.

I have added links to the two sites that so far seem to contain the most information to the sidebar.

WE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE THE US DOLLAR WORTHLESS BY NOT USING IT ANYMORE! THIS WILL BRING EQUALITY TO ALL.

READ MORE - Occupy Movement?

Let The Right One In

 I want to say that this is one of those movies that is best viewed without watching the trailers. Trust me they give too much away. This movie is more about story than gore (though there is blood)

Let The Right One In (official trailer) is a Swedish film so it's either dubbed or subtitled depending on your choice. It was remade last year as Let Me In (trailer) here in the states. Both versions are worth watching and although the US remake follows the original very closely the original is still the one to watch.

Why? Simply put because the filmography is beautiful and most of the time bright. The US version is more dark and gritty and to be totally honest I wasn't as sympathetic with Oscar in the remake as I was with him in the original.

If you watch the movie and like it I would also suggest the book. It covers much more ground than either of the movies.

READ MORE - Let The Right One In

Hello, Mother Nature It's Me Cherry

And I'd really, really like to know why it's 20 degrees colder than it should be this time of year. Can we please have the 70's of early Autumn back.

Maryland has been in a terrible cold snap the past couple of days - bad enough that parts of Western Md already got an inch of snow. I hope this isn't an indication of the winter to come and that if it is I am in my vehicle heading somewhere warm. 51 was our high today, that is usually our overnight low it's currently 49 and our low tonight is supposed to be 46. WTF I ask.

I know it's cold not only because I am wearing multiple layers but because the cats are staying close and rotating who sits on me. This is full blown winter behavior for them because I have never been a big heat or AC user. It dries me out too much and causes nose bleeds. I do turn the furnace on in winter but the average temperature is usually 50 and then in summer the windows are open and fans are going.

On the bright side we've had a lot of rain this past month which means the trees are going to be beautiful in about a week or so.

READ MORE - Hello, Mother Nature It's Me Cherry

Martyrs

Let me say that if you have a weak stomach or if most theater horror movies are too much for you DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE. It contains disturbing/severe aberrant behavior involving strong bloody violence, torture, child abuse and nudity

The movie is also dubbed or subtitled since it's a French flick. Just so you know.

Synopsis: A young woman's quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child leads her and a friend, who is also a victim of child abuse, on a terrifying journey into a living hell of depravity.

Martyrs Trailer 

 I saw the unrated version so I have no idea what the R rated version has cut out. I would suggest seeing the unrated version so you don't lose any of the story.

READ MORE - Martyrs

Exorcismus

Ok so I'm a sucker for exorcism movies and I'm about to say something that most 'true' horror fans are going to cringe at - I disliked The Exorcist and it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Linda Blair is a complete douche in person. For its time it may have been scary but we are beyond that now so even as a classic, I'm not a fan. I just don't get the hype. That isn't to say that I don't recognize what the movie did for the horror film community - I just didn't like it.

This brings me to tonight's fare in Cherry's 31 Days of Horror. Sure. I just posted about a flick but I just watched another so deal with it or stop reading.

EXORCISMUS - I am not going to post the released synopsis - if you want to read it Google it. I fell the stated synopsis actually gives too much of the movie away. It's a standard exorcism movie but it's character driven and has an ending that matches the film unlike some others I could mention (The Last Exorcist) I'll admit to having issues with movie endings - they rarely make me happy. This one fit and for that I give it a 6 out of 8 cherries.

I also give it an extra half cherry for having the presence of mind as a British horror flick to include Doug Bradley in the cast. It may have been a short part but it was a nice surprise to see an old friend. :)

READ MORE - Exorcismus

Yay, October!

I love the Fall and October is my favorite month of all. The smells and colors of falling leaves, pumpkins, big bowls of hot comfort food, apple dumplings and Halloween!

I'm sure there are more than a few sites going over horror movie lists and I am no exception so get your flashlight, grab your teddy bear and, if you dare, peek through your fingers as I undertake Cherry's 31 Nights of Horror

First up YELLOWBRICKROAD  (click to watch the official trailer)

Synopsis: 1940: the entire population of Friar, New Hampshire walked up a winding mountain trail, leaving everything behind. 2008: the first official expedition into the wilderness attempts to solve the mystery of the lost citizens of Friar.

READ MORE - Yay, October!

Fixture vs. Personal Property

I received a letter from the property management that they are going to exercise their lien and auction my house. I still haven't been given a 'get out by' date which sort of scares me. I don't like not knowing how much time I have. While the house is mostly packed and moved I still have stuff here that I intend to sell - a huge list of things I won't need/ can't use on the road like toasters, mixers, 99% of my clothing and convection space heaters. Not to mention all of the big furniture.

As I was sitting here compiling my ad for Craigslist I started wondering about the washer, dryer and refrigerator - they came with the house but can I sell them? After a bit of research I learned that yes, indeed, I can sell all three. The stove must remain as it is considered a fixture, the dish washer must remain because it is built in therefore a fixture. Likewise the furnace and AC. But, hell, the washer, dryer and fridge should bring me in about a grand together. Add it to the RV for Cherry fund! Woot woot!

READ MORE - Fixture vs. Personal Property

One Of The Many Reasons I Need To Be On The Road

Animal Rescue Needs New Home

No, I can't offer land but if I was that way I could offer support and an able, animal intelligent body for the move.

I hope they find somewhere to go.

READ MORE - One Of The Many Reasons I Need To Be On The Road

Preparations

I'm finishing up the first pass through what little bit of clothing I have in the house right now. Before I decided to live in a vehicle my plans were to stay briefly with my mother so I moved a very large portion of my belongings to her garage. We've since progressed our relationship to where we're not on speaking terms so the moving of stuff has been halted. On the good side what's there almost everything I would want to put in storage (anything that had value to be sold later) and a very large number of boxes of stuff I already marked to be sold so what's left here was the clothing I wear most often and all of the furniture and a few odds and ends (somehow my tool box/ camp gear and renaissance garb didn't go to DE - a premonition perhaps?)

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How I'm going to Attempt to Make Money

I have always been able to take anything that was an interest or hobby and find a way to make it an income generator. For years I have been making my own hand-sewn journals out of recycled leather, paper, thread and a little Mod Podge. I want to start making my own thread and paper. I'll have time to learn to do that soon. In the meantime, I'll have time to make a few extra journals and sell them. The tools needed are lightweight and take up little space. Supplies wouldn't take up much space either..

I sculpt lightweight pumpkins and jack-o'-lanterns. I have no idea why the fascination with pumpkins aside from they represent Fall which is my favorite season. I'm sure I could sell them. Right now I give them away as gifts.

I make my own simple knitted scarves. Pretty sure I could sell those too. Again, lightweight tools not a lot of supplies.

The more I type this all out the more confident I become as far as the financial part of my wandering life. I'm at a point where I can not continue to work and come home to an empty house. Eats, sleep, wake - rinse and repeat. It's not a life. If I have other means of making the cash I need to survive and be able to enjoy myself doing it while using the work skills and knowledge I have to help people who need it - then why not do life that way?

READ MORE - How I'm going to Attempt to Make Money

Great Big Halloween Parade of Light and Luminaria

This is an awesome MD event. Yeah it's got a great big title bit it's also a huge amount of fun.

This years theme is  !Wildlights Wildlife!, celebrating the spirits of the wildlife in the park and beyond (extinct, mythological…).  The Parade features glowing creatures and otherworldly wild-things, stilt walkers, illuminated floats, marching bands and surprise performances.

Check out their website for more details - clicky clicky.

READ MORE - Great Big Halloween Parade of Light and Luminaria

Frustration

I'm frustrated at the vehicle purchase process.

READ MORE - Frustration

Bad Day

Today has been hard. I'm doubting myself and doubting my choices. It's likely because I'm feeling very, very overwhelmed right now. There is so much I need to do but there are things that have to happen before I can take those steps.

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Greetings From Maryland

Hi there! I'm a 36 year old female who currently resides in a single-wide 64' x 14' mobile home with 6 cats (more on them later). I've been here for 4 years and have hated every second of it.

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