Choose Your Own Adventure

Wednesday January 21, 2009 (12:30A.M.) I finish work, speak to a friend on the phone and the decision is made.
Wednesday January 21, 2009 (2:15A.M.) After rushing around, packing, my cab arrives.
Wednesday January 21, 2009 (3:47A.M.) Delay.
Wednesday January 21, 2009 (4:30A.M.) Delay.
Wednesday January 21, 2009 (5:00A.M.) I, finally, board the train and proceed to sleep.
Wednesday January 21, 2009 (11:32A.M.) The train arrives at it's final destination.

Union Station, Chicago, IL, USA

I've never done anything quite this drastic before. Uprooting so quickly, on a whim, and heading out of town to a city that I've only visited twice to stay with a friend of a friend and pray something work-wise will materialize soon... Soon enough that I don't overstay my welcome in my friend of a friend's apartment and can move into someplace else.

I pull out all the stops: posting on craigslist for a room to rent for $50-$100 a week, even asking if anyone needs a housesitter... Desperate times.

Monday January 26, 2009 (2:10A.M) Still keeping positive that things will work out. Starting to feel as if, maybe, I've reached beyond Friend Of Friend's comfort zone and need to go. I've been very respectful, I keep my things in the corner of one room (a backpack and a small suitcase,) I clean the bathroom every time I take a shower, I try to pick up around the place whenever I see it slightly out of order and, frankly, just try to stay as invisible as possible. I understand, however, that sometimes people just need their space, free of any foreign objects... Including runaways from Cleveland, Ohio.

Luckily, I met someone today who has a room he may be willing to let me use for a one or two weeks. Cowboy Brian seems like a genuine guy, constantly playing the host, never speaking ill of anyone., taking care of those who need it.

I hope my ride on this underground rainbow road doesn't end soon. I'm kind of enjoying my adventure. It is slightly unsettling not knowing what comes next. At any moment I could be in a cab on my way to the Amtrak... Back to Cleveland.

I'm so close to breaking past IL and to all of the other states beyond... States I have never seen (except a weekend in California) and would really like to explore. There are times I wish our society was still as it was years ago, when a traveling man could hitchhike his way across the U.S. and stop at farms, offering assistance in return for a hot meal and a place in the barn to hang his hat for the night. Now, there are just too many forms and required ID's and suspicious people for anything like that to happen.

So, keep faith. I am. I will accomplish what I've set out to do. It's sort of like my own reality show, my own survivor.

Survivor: United States of America.

Stay tuned for the next episode.... It's bound to be an exciting season.

Check Out The Old Me

www.newyorkmessiah.blogspot.com

The Brink Of Thirty

I've officially been twenty-nine years old for one day.

To me, this is when the new year actually begins. I wasn't born January 1st. Therefor, the new year doesn't begin until my new year begins. So, right now is the start of my new year. My 2009. My 29.

Over the past few years I've had my up's and my down's. I've been through my own trials and errors and successes. I've had my problems. I've kept my promises. I've had my heart broken and I'm sure I've broken some hearts. I've learned to trust and I've trusted too much. I've broken trust and some have lost my trust in them. I'm still lonely. Yet, I'm surrounded by people who love me dearly.

All I know for certain is this: Everything I have done, am doing or will do, is mine.

In twenty-nine years, I have learned one important lesson: As dark as the path ahead may be, it's still my path to light.

I accept, love and hold myself completely responsible for every experience I haved had.

I now sit here, in Cleveland, Ohio. I'm supposed to be back in Manhattan. Plans change. Life goes on.

Here's to 29 more.


"It's hard to find people who will love you no matter what..."