Good morning everyone! Been awhile since I posted a long form missive on my blog, so those of you who aren’t following me on Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, Yelp etc. might want to take a trip to my Social page if you want to keep better track of me. As it is, I’m generally pretty busy keeping track of myself. Here’s my latest attempt at summarizing my situation, my moods and my many mirth-filled meanderings.
Realtime Tim
I’m sitting here this morning under the heavy shade of an abnormally mature tree in the parking lot of a collection of strip malls. This tree was probably planted when the (now defunct) K-Mart opened, which I expect was in the 70’s. I was already in junior high back then and now I’m sitting next to a tree that’s probably 45 years old. It’s a bit humbling realizing that this tree is really only just getting started and I’m already inching towards the finish line.
Anyway, it’s barely 8:30 but I’ve been up since around 7:00, which is about an hour after sunrise and the normal start of a working day for me. I slept in the lot at work last night so I could recharge my laptop and wake-up to a free cup of coffee (and a close bathroom…lol) before rolling out of the lot to my current location. I just happen to have the day off and am taking full advantage of the cool breeze and morning tranquility (none of the stores are open yet) to compose this missive and upload it on some very excellent free wifi near enough I can snatch it from my post here in the van. A homeless guy just wandered by, looked back over his shoulder at me and commented “Nice setup you have there”. Perspective, folks, perspective.
Perspective
Unlike so many of YouTube van and RV channels, I don’t bounce around the country like a BB in a paint can. That’s far too expensive and way too much work IMHO. I’m much more ‘grounded’. I’ve been at the same job and the same ‘address’ almost since the day I arrived here in Colorado. I am a known quantity up and down these urban streets and benefit greatly from the respect I receive from people on all social levels. For better or worse, I’ve become somewhat notorious around here.
It’s kinda funny. I’m a beacon of hope for both the homeless and the home bound.
Brother Can You Spare a Dime?
I do my best to act as a role model for the many homeless and beleaguered souls I cross paths with as a result of my occupational awareness of the issues they confront. They often have very little, so it’s no surprise that they are impressed with my setup. I always point out to them that I got where I am from where they are (economically at least) on what amounts to $8.50 an hour (after my 15% loss for student loan extraction) in about two years. Let me note that all too often, the individuals I encounter have already squandered more free resources than those I have earned. They’ve squandered (and will likely continue to squander) every opportunity presented. I’m not assigning blame, just noting for the record.
Pulling yourself up by the bootstraps is a hard thing to do if you are not if full possession of all your faculties and therefore, I do not mean to impugn the failures of those with far less fabulosity than I have.
It’s extremely difficult to wipe off your boots when the rug is constantly being pulled out from under you.
You Play Golf!!!??
On the other side of the economic spectrum are the more affluent, who have also taken an interest in me, generally because I’m so freaking fabulous overall and specifically because I manage to do it all while living out of an ancient minivan. Old as she is, Nelly Belle cleans up well, runs well, and has an interior modeled after the inside of Jeannie’s bottle (if Jeannie had a 32 inch flatscreen). I keep the interior sharp as a tack. Neatness counts. I sense a lot of envy from guys who are undoubtedly making way more money than I am, just as I can sense a bit of resentment and jealousy from others because I can afford to be so carefree. Being a working, widowed, single male with no family responsibilities and no house payment certainly allows me much greater financial flexibility that many (most?) people making way more than me. Yeah, I play golf, and don’t be surprised if you see me dining at a restaurant you assumed I was priced out of. I’m 100% dedicated to making my life as pleasant and stress free as is humanly possible and I’m dam good at it. This fact alone is enough to engender fear and loathing towards me in at least a small subset of the population, most notably that recalcitrant 35% of folks still swinging off Trump’s nutsack.
Politics
Trump is a lying scumbag. Was before the election. Has been since the election. Probably should be in jail or geriatric care. If he fires Mueller I’ve already informed my boss that I’m immediately going on strike. I’ll be out in the streets with a placard along the highway within fifteen minutes of that news. I encourage other true patriots do the same.
Relationship Status
It’s complicated right now but be assured that the glorious and sordid details would shock and amuse you. The blurb on any potential autobiography will undoubtedly be “A Must Read”.
YouTube
I’ve shifted quite a bit of my creative output to YouTube over the last couple years and will probably continue to do so. I’ll continue to post here on my WordPress blog as time and situation warrant.
Near Future
Re-retirement at the end of the year and a hard shift to finding land and building my tiny home.
Enjoy.
The Tim Channel 