Got an apartment... and guess what happened?

Latest news: Seems I will stay here in TX after all. Got a paying job that'll keep me funded for a while but also need to find a stable place. And so...

I was recently approved for an apartment with a roommate.
But the process was excruciating. It is as if someone in the matrix knew of my van living times and decided to send a message to its minions to punish this errant rebel and teach him a lesson.
I was subjected to the worst runarounds and requirements. None of my old records of being a good tenant mattered. They really zeroed in on the gaps in my rental record.
Fuck! I was overseas, can't they understand that?
Whenever I produced what they wanted, they needed something else.
One apartment complex wanted me to produce the original blue ss card ... you know, the one which they don't want you to keep in your wallet?

Anyway, long story short, I will never do this ever again.

This has been a very bad homecoming and an excruciating 2 weeks.
The matrix knew I had lived and enjoyed life overseas and while here, rent free in my vanhome. Now, it will punish me for getting away with enjoying life without having to pay through the nose for it.


I know I am being targeted for being my own man. The system is not designed with a struggling entrepreneur in mind. From apartment complexes that demand you show them some kind of employment with a giant corporation to a tax system which nickle and dimes you for all you're worth, the matrix is designed to funnel you into a life of full time employment for some large company. Pursuing a dream has its costs. I found a way around the costs by living partially overseas. And the system is punishing me for not living in one city full time all year round. This is why I was subjected to this rigmarole. Never mind that I've always been a good renter. The gaps in my renting resume are a red flag to them. The only overseas people they respect are soldiers and Doctors. These are the costs of being your own man. This is the cost of pursuing a different path in life. But hey... they can have their laugh. They can only keep me down so long. One day, it will be different.


Fuck this system. Next time, I am getting me my house on wheels and rolling outta here.

A Potential 180!

Well, just having arrived here in Texas after 4 gruelling flights, one would think that's enough. It seems the plans I have been making and the reality on the ground haven't met nicely. The plans that I thought would come about and their promise of funding are about to go kaput in my face. So... in the interest of saving funds, I have been considering going out to Asia again where I can live cheaply with my folks.
You see, I have been supporting them from afar for the last few years now.
The current economics cannot sustain 2 households. It has to be merged into one.
It's still cheaper to fly myself out there all the way back instead of hacking my own way here in the US of A. So where does that leave my plans of van wandering? In flinders for now.

Time to regroup and rethink.
For now, this might end up being one big round trip "vacation" even though I haven't really been touring but just visiting relatives.

Next few days will be more certain.

A wish to vanish

There are days when I just feel like I want to go and vanish off the face of the world for a while.
Where I am, I feel very unwelcome at the moment.
I don't know if it's just me, or if my hosts are getting irritated by my presence here at their place (most specifically the in-law).
Tomorrow, I go look at some apartments.
I wonder if this is the right decision or should I just throw caution to the wind and keep looking for a wheeled home. I have one last project to take care of and I feel like I can do a good job if I was somewhere stable and safe and free from distractions and worry about shelter, food and cramped conditions.

After this project, I will be free. So I suppose I am settling down for a while into a 6 month lease. Only until this project is done.

Finally getting ready to Go!

It's been a remarkable journey visiting my folks in the Philippines.
A happy 5 and 1/2 months later, I am ready to go home now.
I brought some work over here to keep me busy and to keep money rolling in.

A lot of peeps still don't know this kind of life is possible. Whenever I say I am staying 5+ months, it is always assumed to be an extended vacation or I quit my job. Neither. I am still working daily but I just changed locations.

That's what I love about this lifestyle. I hope to continue it as  I get back Stateside to gather up the pieces of my life there that I left on hold.
Should I get an apartment now or go ahead and find a rig for myself?
It is such a tough question.
If I am looking for a rig, I will have to go homeless for a while. Nothing new again. But the allure of having a fully functional kitchen is very attractive, I must say...

On the other hand... well... the road does beckon.

We shall see!

No May or June updates!

I was just looking at my blog just now and realized I have no May or June updates.
I guess I have been very busy with life down here in the tropics.

I spent those months working, attending family gatherings as needed and mostly trying to have a good time.

On thing that hasn't changed is my love of good food. In honor of the land I miss, I had me a good old fashioned American burger complete with hand cut fries. All homemade and very delicious!

Toured the old ruins of Intramuros Fort --the old Spanish colonial seat of power in Manila established in the 1600's.

Shopped for local veggies and fruits with my trusty Woolworth's Green Bag.

Even out here we must use reusable bags... The good news is groceries in the area are beginning programs like "Bagless Wednesdays".

Then eat some more. :) Somewhere in there, I managed to get some work done. Freelancing is tough, but manageable. I just wasn't able to get more progress on my novel as much as I would have liked to.

Well, be back in the US of A in a couple weeks' time!

Not fully living the life I want... but life is still OK

I am not mobile these days.
I am staying in the home my parents bequeathed to me.
It's funny how these things work out.
Still, it is good to be with them. They took care of me when I was small so I reckon the best thing to do is return the favor ten fold if I can. I am working from online right now, making my cash purely by online sales and projects. I am relying on electronic transfers for payment and the ever trusty Mastercard to keep me funded overseas.

Despite the heat, I am having a good time of it.
I suppose one doesn't need to resort to van living here. Places are so cheap. There are apartments here for rent which only cost $100 a month. To a low income guy like me, that's a bargain. Definitely cheaper than going on the road.

Knowing what I know today, I chafe in this house even though it is good shelter. I know building techniques that'll make a home even more efficient at retaining cold air from the evenings... air flow, insulation... it's all rotting in my head for lack of execution. And of course, I have few resources at the moment to pull it off. I cringe each time it rains and all that water just goes to the drainage canals.
I am burning money away by turning on the airconditioner all the time. A huge pity. Anyway, those are just my thoughts. 
That's probably one of the things I miss about being in the US of A. At least we have begun to build sensibly now in some areas. Such smart buildings and green homes are unknown here and it guts me each time I wander around noticing all the wasted potential.

Nothing much to report except working on some side projects to make some cash.
Recently started going to a gym and been walking more to get fit.
Food is good as always. I keep having massages. The little things that make me happy.

I think I'll stay here for a long while.

Self Improvement

I just recently started going to the gym.
My arms felt like lead the next 3 days. But it is good. I can already feel unused muscles coming to life. Right after that morning, I went and got a Thai massage. That felt really good.

Tomorrow I'll walk the round track and begin again. And back to the gym.
Even when I wasn't exercising, I did look ok.
Always did a bit here and there...
But now  I got this opportunity to do really well.
This body wants to be fit. I will finally answer its call.