Sam Woodfin's Micro

Do What You Can't Do

That's the lesson for today. Nevermind that Mars is hurtling backward through the sky (not really, folks; it's a trick of the eye); mine is always moving backwards, or sideways, at best. And I'm used to doing what I theoretically can't; but that's on a physical level, or on a medical level, and psycho-social cants are harder.*

I can't talk people into renting to me, if they don't want to. I can't afford to spend a month at Motel 6. I can't navigate frigging Santa Ana. I can't locate what doesn't exist. I can't convince Mom and Jerry to do what I want them to.

I can't change my brain chemistry without medication, and I can't function on SSRIs.

'Cept maybe I can change part of that.

I won't be raiding Mom's 'script anytime soon. But if thoughts really do shape reality (at least from the inside out), then for today and tomorrow, my Mars is hurtling gaily forward. The money will take care of itself. (What the Hell? It's not mine, anyway.**) I can talk people into all sorts of things. (With or without the aid of my bokken.)  I can create what doesn't exist.

And y'all are getting the hell out of my way when I'm driving!

*It ain't a typo, pedant!

**It's not even real!

Rainy Southern California

 

That's the Residence Inn in Fountain Valley -- and what counts for quite a bit of rain, out here -- through my car windshield. We're here until tomorrow morning, then heading back to Orange!

The Residence Inn is awesome, but I really miss Old Towne, and can't wait to get back there!

Think California and Missouri Aren't Different?

 

 

This part of a mural painted on the Walmart -- yes, Walmart! -- building in Huntington Beach. It's also the first time I've ever felt inclined to snap photos of Walmart!

And maybe positing this as a difference between Missouri and California is stretching it too far. But it's certainly a big difference between Cape Girardeau and Huntington Beach!

My First Paid Bit of Blogging!

And I don't mean "paid" as in "review a bunch of products for our advertisers, and we'll eventually give you a buck or two".

Yesterday marked the publication of my first post at Lisa Scarsi Photography. If you think you've heard that name before, and you're a regular reader of this blog, you're thinking right! Lisa is the photographer who donated her time and expertise to take these pics of Jerry at Hart Park in Orange.

One of the reasons I wanted to leave Advance was to find opportunities for paid work that 1. I could do, and 2. I could do without leaving Mom and Jerry. And this gig, even if it is part-time, is a big step in that direction. I'm ridiculously grateful to Lisa for the chance to make a little money writing, but also for the opportunity to write for someone who loves animals, who gets the artistic process, and who follows her conscience!

You can find the post here, if you want to see what sort of writing I'm doing for Lisa. As a bonus, if you're in the Orange County area, clicking that link will also give you an opportunity to get some great photos from an awesome photographer while helping another (not Jerry!) dog in need!

Approaching the Day with Dread

Even after driving all the way from Missouri to California, after the surprise (!) trip through downtown Oklahoma City, after the insanity that is California freeway traffic, I'm a nervous wreck about driving from the Residence Inn in Fountain Valley to view a duplex in Santa Ana and look at mobile homes in Orange. Some things don't change, I suppose.

But, truthfully, I've been doing fairly well with driving out here, given that I'm not an especially competent driver. I can find my way around Orange, easily. Parts of Garden Grove are comfortable for me, too. I can manage Main in Santa Ana, wheel my way down into the Costa Mesa/Huntington Beach border area, and I'm good with Edinger between Main and Beach Boulevard.

But from where I am?

I know how to get to Petsmart. I know that if I drive north, I'll eventually hit Edinger.

I do not know how to get where I'm going.

I know that, if I get on the right road, going the right direction, I'll accidentally pass my stop at least once, then have to make a block to go back. 

I do not know which streets are better for making that block. 

My plan, unlike my politics, is to turn right, regardless.

Here's hoping that the places I'm going to see today are worth the time, gas, money, and emotional energy that will be spent on going to view them!

I just keep reminding myself that, providing that I don't end up completely lost or accidentally enter a freeway, Orange is always worth the effort!

Well Done, Craigslist!

 

And I can still search for an apartment! It just takes an extra step!

I'd black this blog out for the day, if I knew how to do that without losing the entire thing, but I'm hosted at TypePad. It's not as easy to disappear and reappear as when I was hosting my own site!

And blackouts aren't what really matters. Stopping SOPA? That's what matters! The people we vote into office need to be paying attention!

Shitty Doggerel

My dog is sweet and handsome.
You'd love to pet his head!
But if you let him sleep with you, he'll poop upon your bed!

My dog is smart and witty.
He'll make you think so, too.
But if you let him get too close, I'm sure he'll poop on you!

My dog is quite the character!
One of a kind, for sure!
Despite poopy proclivities, his heart is big and pure!

So pet my dog and play with him!
His love, I guarantee!
And when the poop's been cleaned away, he'll thank you with some pee!

My Morning, Thus Far

1. Wake up at 4:45. I'm back on shelter time, apparently.
2. Get breakfast. Eat it.
3. Get cigarettes. Enjoy a couple of brisk jogs through crosswalks along the way.
4. Check in at Foursquare.
5. Take picture. Send to Twitter.
6. Write haiku. Send that to Twitter, too.
7. Work on rough draft of article.
8. Argue with Mom.
9. Finish rough draft of article and submit it for edits/approval.
10. Let Mom out to smoke.
11. Carry dog to bathroom.
12. Wash dog poop from face.
13. Bathe dog.
14. Put clean blanket in dog crate.
15. Put dog back in crate.
16. Let Mom back into hotel room.
17. Feed and water dog.
18. Send "Good morning" text to friend.
19. Write this blog post, because I want you to know about that dog poop bit.

It's 9:07 a.m.. How's your day, so far?

New Craigslist Ad/Reddit Post

I posted this new ad to Craigslist, this morning:

We're not on the streets, yet. Due to the generosity of certain animal lovers, we have very nice temporary shelter, but need to find more-permanent accommodations before the 24th. I'm a 41-year-old female, and I'm a full-time caregiver for my mom, who has dementia. I also work online, doing print-on-demand stuff, and just started my first (very part-time) paid gig as a blogger. The third member of our little family is a disabled dog who gets around in a wheelchair. My mom has a steady income via Social Security, and we're receiving food stamps, but my income is both low and inconsistent. We will, however, be supplemented for up to one year by donations taken in for my dog. (You can see the newspaper article about him here: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/jerry-332038-woodfin-dog.html) And, once we're settled, I can apply for in-home assistance and/or adult day care for my mom, which should free up more of my time for work.

What I'm looking for is someone willing to rent to us. I've been assured, by the organization that took in the donations, that we can afford up to $1000/month for rent. I'm not short on skills I can offer, either, if you're in need of a writer, need something drawn, if you need computer help (Windows/Mac/just a bit of Linux), or dog care. That said, our rental application is going to look like an absolute joke. What I need is a landlord willing to take a chance on renting to us. What we're looking for could range from everything from a single-family home to a single room, providing that it's large enough for the three of us. I'll need a place to park my car (on-street is fine, too), and I have one friend that I like to have over on a regular basis. Internet access is an absolute must, whether you cover that cost or I do. Ground floor is almost a must, too, given that neither my mom nor my dog navigate stairs well. Something close to or in the city or Orange would be very, very nice.

We're drug-free, I drink very rarely, and we're willing to keep the smoking outside.

I can supply personal references, references regarding the aforementioned supplementations, and work samples. I have a personal blog. You can easily find out way too much about me before you decide to rent to us.

Please only contact me if you're willing to rent to us, and please be straightforward about the place you're willing to rent when/if you reply. I enjoy meeting people, of all sorts, but I don't have much time to waste on anything that isn't productive, right now.

That said, you can contact me via email, or call or text me at 714-398-6078. Text is preferred for first contact, if possible.

 

You can see the actual ad here: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/hou/2799496576.html

And you can see the modified cross-post to the Orange County subreddit here: http://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/ogwah/homeless_sort_of/

I hate having to ask you, dear reader, for the constant crossing of fingers, but hey... You know what to do...

Cooking at the Residence Inn: Adobo Beef with Broccoli, Carrots, Snow Peas, and Butter