Life on the streets
Well up until this past weekend, I was staying with my parents on their couch. I was given until Dec 1st, and after that I would be out of the house.
December 1st came this past Friday, so I took my belongings and headed out to find a place to sleep.
I’m not sure that I can explain the feelings I have towards not really caring anymore about finding a place to rent. I’ve gone through the ringer with room-mates, landlords, etc and I’m sick of it all. I’ve never established credit so it is difficult to find a place that will rent to me without a huge deposit, plus cable/electric/water deposits as well.
The cost of moving into a new apartment in Pinellas/Hillsborough has got to upwards of $1500-$2000, and for what? A place go and have all of your personal stuff around you, to have a place to sleep and watch tv?
I have all of that. Right now I carry my MacBook Pro around with me, download all of my tv shows off the internet, have Starbucks T-Mobile internet access for $19.95 (with no deposit), and have a roof over my head.
During the week I play at various free poker tournaments for bar tabs, and entries into tournaments for WPT/WSOP seats. This helps occupy a majority of my M-F evening schedule. After that I find a spot close to my work, recline the passenger seat all the way and fall asleep.
Weekends, I spend a lot of time hanging out at Starbucks. The WiFi there is great, and I get my Blockbuster Online movies and tv shows I haven’t had a chance to watch and catch up. Sometimes I go and see a few movies in the theater, and the time passes quickly.
Time outside of work is a tough thing to fill, yet I’m trying to fill it with activities that are cheap/free and it hasn’t been much of an issue yet.
I am considering getting a part time job again for evenings/weekends simply to help pass the time, plus making an extra few bucks isn’t that bad either (I do still have a M-F job that I enjoy). I want to find a job where I don’t have to wear some stupid uniform though, which can be difficult for just part time evening work. I like wearing my mock turtleneck and jeans (khakis at work) all the time, so if you know of somewhere that isn’t that restrictive on dress code, I’m open to ideas.
Either way, I’m not depressed, sad, or bored. I’ve got a lot of things that I do to keep myself busy and when I don’t have anything to do, I just goto the park and chill out.
I know that this post doesn’t make a ton of sense to most people, but when have I ever been someone that has been like everyone around me? I’m happy right now for the most part. I don’t really hang out with a ton of people, but I’ve always tended to have a small friend base anyway.
All this being said, I know that my logic seems flawed, but I just don’t care anymore. I’m sick of having to fork over truckloads of money simply to have all the things I currently have. I will continue to keep you updated on how things are going, this certainly isn’t the end of this blog or any other that I run. If anything I now have more free time to keep them updated with new and better content.
Thank you to everyone who reads and subscribes to my blogs/websites/etc. I appreciate all of the great comments and feedback that I get on a daily basis.
If you ever want to contact me about anything, I’m online nearly 20/7, AIM/Gtalk/Skype: NickStarr; email: me (at) NickStarr.com.
Thanks again,
Nick Starr
Technorati Tags: blockbuster, car, homeless, hotspots, life, Movies, t mobile, Thoughts, tmobile, tv, video, Weekend Wrap up
Shawno said
am December 4 2006 @ 7:40 pm
As long as your spirit is in the right place, that’s all that matters.
Would it be so bad though, to get some credit established?
Menta said
am December 4 2006 @ 9:05 pm
Why can’t you wear a uniform at a job? I think if you are desperate enough you would take any job, uniform or not. I know I would.
Danny said
am December 4 2006 @ 10:44 pm
JESUS CHRIST DUDE! You’re gonna start caring pretty soon, man. You’re young, healthy, and single. If I were you, I would consider a change in scenery.
John said
am December 5 2006 @ 10:52 am
Come on, Nick.
Living in your car? I mean seriously. Sure you can manage your T.V. shows and WiFi fine, but you will feel A LOT better about yourself if you find a home. Don’t you want somewhere to be comfortable as opposed to sitting in your van and watching 24, falling asleep, waking up and then getting out of the passenger door of your van?
Do you not want a bathroom that you can access at night?
Seriously.
Nick Starr said
am December 5 2006 @ 11:06 am
I think there is some confusion. First regarding a job that would require a uniform.
I have a good paying job where I am on salary. I don’t NEED a 2nd job, I just think that it would help pass the time. Since I don’t NEED it, I can afford to be picky about where I work for a 2nd job.
Secondly, I don’t have a van anymore, I have a Hyundai Accent.
doug said
am December 11 2006 @ 5:48 pm
sell your car and find an apartment near your full time job that you are going to loose if they find out you are homeless, I would (fire you that is).
Spade said
am January 9 2007 @ 7:18 pm
You sound, in your post, like you are convincing yourself that you are in fact happy. If this is what makes you happy then that is great. Go with it, do it, live it. Just make damn well sure you are truly happy and not by justification.
Brianna said
am March 5 2007 @ 5:28 am
Hey Nick. I commend you on your lifestyle. Not very many people have the courage that you do to abandon the keeping up with the Jones’ game. I’m actually thinking of doing the same thing myself. I live in Vegas and am trying to get a flight attendant job. My hope is that they’ll transfer me to L.A. after training where I’ll get a conversion van and live out of it when I’m not travelling around the world. I’m really looking forward to the experience of being totally independant of bills and society’s idea of what life should be like (plus saving up all that money). All hail the Urban Vagabond!!
Kev said
am March 29 2007 @ 9:56 am
Lived in my car briefly last summer and it looks like I may have to this one. It was tough but I like the idea of a camper van.
Johnny said
am April 2 2007 @ 7:43 pm
Hey Nick, I just wanted to say that its impressive that you have managed to do that! Once you break away from the cultural stigma of HAVING to live in a house its really a fun way to live. Living in your car frees up time and money that would normally be wasted in simply having a place to put material goods. I just bought an old toyota tercel and I think that I may try taking out the rear and passenger seats and making some sort of bed for the summer. Let me know what you think? I’ve read some good articles on it and if I tint my windows black and get a curtain no one will notice. Then I can work less and still be saving money towards university!!!
Congrats bud from another person who wasn’t born rich or culturally bound!
CZzyzx41 said
am April 2 2007 @ 10:01 pm
So out on your own? While I can’t say I disagree with your attitude about renting (I do it myself and hate giving my money away every month) I can’t say I totally agree with your choice to live out of your Accent. Where do you piss? Shower? Jerk off? When’s the last time you had a real home-cooked meal? I’m thinking that in time you’ll want a place to call home, or at least the ability to meet a potential mate and not have to tell them that you have to go back to their place because you live out of your car. I’m not judging, just offering an opinion that wasn’t asked for (then again so few expressed opinions were asked for). I hope the best for you and I hope that you are able to achieve all the goals you set out for yourself. If you’re going to be at the Expo this year, I look forward to meeting you again. Till then, take care.
Uncast.net
Nick Starr said
am April 3 2007 @ 9:32 am
CZzyzx41: As far as a home-cooked meal, I go to my parents house at least once a week, and my mom always has something cooked to eat (she’s a house wife).
As for a place to bring a “potential mate”, I haven’t been on a date in 3 1/2+ years. I had a beautiful 3br 2-story town house for over a year, and in the entire 3 1/2+ years I’ve been single, I haven’t even been on one date, gotten one girl’s number, or even had a girl show interest in me. So, when that “opportunity” comes along, well honestly, I don’t think it ever will again (not b/c of my living situation, just because I’m un-datable).
CZzyzx41 said
am April 4 2007 @ 12:12 am
Wow. Sorry to hear. To be honest, eHarmony (and online dating services in general) just tend not to work for many people. It could just be that I’ve met the minority that they haven’t helped but frankly it’s their loss not yours. You’ll find someone. Just be patient. I know, hard to do when you’ve got a libido.
Anyways, again hoping things look up soon and hoping to see you at the New Media Expo in Sept. Probably at the D&D party again. Keep your chin up. Life isn’t all valleys and not everyone you meet is a jerk.
CZzyzx41 said
am April 4 2007 @ 12:15 am
OH, and you can call me Daniel. This is just a name I use online. It keeps me easily traced and helps keep me honest. Talk to ya later.
michelle said
am September 29 2008 @ 3:08 am
i commend your positive outlook about being technically homeless. i am in the same situation. i just left the british army and am now living in my vauxuall astra. i have signed up to many employment agencies who disappointingly don’t seem to be able to offer too much in the way of employment. over the last few months i have had interview after interview but there is always someone else who is better qualified. i have managed to secure a waitressing job at a pub on weekends but this is only minimum wage. a few hours a night, i think i only got it because the landlady felt sorry for me. as for trying to get housing. for any type of government housing i have to wait 6 years. i don’t have enough money to feed myself let alone pay a bond for a poxy bedsit. all in all i feel lost and in a downward spiral of self loathing and depression. so i say to you; more power to you if you can enjoy living like this because i really don’t know how much longer i can do it. i would sell my computer to pay for food but most potential employers want you to send CV’s by email and i can’t miss my chance at getting a job.