111402

 

San Antonio, TX

Thursday November 14, 2002

                   Wow, another awesome day. Who would've thought getting fired could be so much fun? Yesterday, I went in to work and was terminated. This morning I woke up around three because I had crashed out around eight the night before. My mom was on the computer and I was exhausted from walking all day. I stayed on the computer sending out my mails to different rooms on AOL. Lastly, I wrote up a report about my termination at the computer shop yesterday. It came out to be about four pages long and it contained a very detailed side to the story. The truth. I found a disk and put the text file on it. I thought since I need to go get my check today I might as well see if they can print out this report for me and have the owner of the company read it.
                   Around eight I decided I was going to have a productive day. For some time now, I've been wanting to rent a PO box for an idea of mine. I was expecting the PO box to be around sixty bucks, and I got paid a hundred and fifty last Friday. I had used the money for food and other things and was left only with about sixty five dollars for the PO box. When I had checked the other day on my lunch hour, the postal worker told me there weren't any #2 boxes available, but there might be later on in the week.
                   I grabbed my walking stick and headed off to the bus stop ten minutes away. The 622 came on time and I transferred to the 605 at the grocery store. We weren't that far from the grocery store when I got the idea to get off and walk through the trails in OP Schnabel park. I had learned of that shortcut recently. I went on a nature hike through the park almost everyday I was working at the computer shop. If I didn't go on the hike, I would have to wait forty minutes at the other bus stop for the bus that takes me to work. Anyway, I cut through the park to Prue Road. While I was walking on the pavement I thought of a dumb quote to add to my collection: "Sidewalks suck when you're wearing boots. Give me a dirt-trail any day." I finally made it to the bus stop. Since my mom's dirty house ate my watch weeks ago I didn't know what time it was but I assumed it had been around half an hour.
                   The 604 finally came and I rode it to the computer shop on Dezavala. It was almost nine. The guys at the shop get paid on Friday so I was going to see if my second-to-last check was there. I walked in the shop and I saw Rocky, one of the know-it-all(so they think) technicians. He said hello. I also saw a big box of donuts and I asked Rocky if I could have one and he agreed. I pulled out my disk and asked him to print something out for me. He happily agreed and even made me two copies. I asked him if he'd like to read it real quick and he said sure. When he finished reading it he told me, "Dude, I don't know what to say. I don't have a voice in this." I told him I understood, that I just wanted him to read it. I also told him, "You know who I would like to read this? Robert, the owner of the company." Rocky said he would make sure Robert got a copy. I'm going to call on Monday and see what kind of reaction I get when the owner finds out about his disgraceful team.
                   I asked Rocky if he knew what time checks would be in and he told me at lunch time. I was bummed out a bit, I thought I had to wait three more hours. Just then Rocky told me he would check with Kay, the lady who gives out paychecks. Soon afterwards, Kay came out with my forty-hour check for two hundred and forty dollars. Hooray.
                   Now I had more money and I needed to cash my check somewhere. I considered walking to the other side of the highway and going to the grocery store where I had cashed my $150 check last week, but that was a bit far. I then got the idea to walk three miles to the telemarketing place where I used to work. The inbound department gets paid on Fridays too and the check-cashing vans are always in the parking lot. I wasn't sure if they would cash a check that wasn't from the telemarketing place, but it gave me a destination. Also, I had just applied there yesterday(again) and was supposed to start work today. I had some important things to do so I needed to go by and reschedule for a training class next week anyway. I was going to try and kill two birds with one stone. I took off walking to Silicon.
                   ITT Tech, where I was a student for thirty days, was coming up. I was craving a cigarette so I walked to the campus and went to the designated smoking area in the back. There were lots of students out there smoking. I rolled a cigarette and noticed my bottle was out of water. I put the cigarette down in the ashtray and walked inside the school leaving my walking stick by the table I had been sitting at. I went inside and refilled my bottle at the water fountain. When I came back outside I saw this guy holding my stick and talking to other dudes. He looked at me and asked me if the stick belonged to me. I told him it did, but he could play with it if he wanted. He smiled and asked me what I needed a stick for. I told him, "Hey, you never know when you need a counter-balance. It helps me walk. When you use your upper body to move yourself forward, you walk faster, further and you don't get as tired. Also, what if I get attacked by a dog or something?" By then, a group of people had crowded around and I thought, "Cool, I have an audience." I told them that I was just walking by and had stopped to smoke a cigarette. I let them know that I had attended school there for thirty days back in September of 2001, but that I had withdrawn after I saw how big a joke it was. One guy laughed and agreed with me. I then started telling them about my plan to get rid of money and bringing world peace. They immediately thought I was crazy, except this one guy. He told me he thinks about things like that all the time. I asked the group, "Wouldn't you work for free if all your needs were already taken care of, so you wouldn't be bored at home all day, provided you had a job you enjoyed?" They all said yes. I finished smoking and told them peace out. While I was walking around the building I saw two guys walking outside. I asked them, "Hey, if you guys are going to split, you think you can take me to West Telemarketing, it's not that far." They apologized and told me that they were just walking right next door. I told them, "Thanks anyway, well, these boots are made for walking." They laughed and I said goodbye.
                   I walked about a half mile to the back of the telemarketing place. I had cleared out a trail along the fence of the apartments there and I walked through it to my old place of work. I walked down the hill and went up to one of the check-cashing vans. I asked the lady if she would be able to cash a paycheck from anywhere else other than that place. She asked me to see the check and my ID. Bam, cash baby.
                   I now had a whopping three hundred dollars in my wallet. I decided I was going to ride the bus to the U-Haul place and see if I could offer it to them to let me have some of my stuff back. Money talks, you know. When I called the guy who emailed me from Uhaul he told me if I gave them a thousand dollars, a quarter of what I owed them, that I could have all my stuff back and just make payments on the remainder of the debt. Well little do they know that if I get my stuff back, I'm taking off again and they can try and catch me.
                   In my possessions they're holding my old keychain. On my keychain is a spare key to Chasity's, my ex's, apartment. If I had that key, I could just walk in one day while she is at work and take back my computer and bed that she won't give back(because she thinks I'm crazy too).
                   When I got to the U-Haul place I asked for Al the storage manager. The kid behind the desk told me to hold on and walked off. When he came back, he told me that Al wasn't there. For some reason I don't believe him. I think Al was there all along, but Dennis O'Conner, the guy I talked to that was cutting me that deal, had probably contacted him to tell him not to let me have anything without a thousand dollars. I asked him if he knew what time he was supposed to return and he told me no. I said, "Okay, I'll just hang out around here and try in every thirty minutes. It's very important that I talk to him. You guys have all my stuff in storage." The kid said, "I know your story." Then he paused for a minute, like trying to figure out the next lie. He said, "Here, let me write down our telephone number and you can just call and check if he's here or not." I told him fine and walked outside and across the street to the bus stop. Just then it dawned on me, "Hey, I'm at the main office, I should call Dennis O'Conner himself and tell him I have three hundred dollars and if I paid them that much, if they could hold off on auctioning my shit December second."
                   I walked back to the U-Haul place and asked to borrow the phone. I pulled out my pocket-calendar and told the girl behind the counter to dial the 800 number for me. An operator answered and asked me what extension I wanted. I told her 161, Dennis O'Conner please. Dennis answered the phone and I explained to him that I was at the main office here in San Antonio and that I had some money to give them. I asked him if I gave them two hundred and fifty dollars, if they would not auction my stuff on December second. I always thought money talks, but I was wrong in this instance because he said, "Nope, we need a thousand. You stole our truck." I told him, "I didn't steal anything. I just borrowed it a little longer than I was supposed to. Now, if I had broken into it, hotwired it and taken off then I could understand you thinking I stole it. Besides, I'm trying to save the planet here, give me a damn break." He then said, "I am giving you a break by financing seventy five percent of your debt. All I ask is a thousand and you can get your stuff back and we'll work out a payment plan for the remainder."
                   I had really been hoping that me offering them some cash would work, but oil well. To tell you the truth, as long as I got my Adidas soccer shoe bag back, which you can't buy in the states, or even in Germany anymore, I would be happy again. Screw the rest of my stuff. I had kept everything in that bag. My CD player, CDs, first-aid kit, pens, a small knife, napkins, toothbrush/paste and a whole lot of other stuff that comes in handy. It was a total survival bag. If I had that back I would take off to California. That's what I'm waiting for, to see if I can get any of my stuff back.
                   Anyway, I told Mr. O'Conner that he had made himself crystal clear and wished him a good day. I then walked outside and sat down, rolled a cigarette and waited for the bus. I got the idea to go talk to the lawyer that lives in front of Chasity's apartments. I wanted some legal counsel on what I could do about my stuff. Then I thought that after I talk to the lawyer I can go over to Chasity's, climb up in her balcony and visit with my son/dog, Stuart through the glass. I knew she would be at work but I missed Stuart so much and I just wanted to see him, even if it was just through the sliding glass door. I got on the #4 bus to North Star Mall then transferred to the 534 that went to the lawyer's office on Wurzbach. Right before I10 I noticed there was a GNC nutrition center there. Hey, I needed to go there so I wrote it down in my calendar. When I got to the lawyer's office I didn't see his Mercedes in the parking lot but I went and checked anyway. I asked the receptionist, "Is Mr. Bass here?" She told me no and I said thanks anyways and left. I walked across the street and through Chasity's apartments to hers in the back. Maybe today would be my lucky day and she would be home, so I knocked. No one answered. I didn't even hear Stuart barking or anything. I thought he was probably crashed out under my bed. I climbed into the balcony and starting calling Stuart. He never came. I couldn't see inside very well because the vertical Venetian blinds were drawn. I rolled up a cigarette and started smoking it. All of a sudden, there's Stuart! Aww, it had been over a month since I saw him. He was all licking the glass and whining. I miss him so much. I wasn't sure what time Chasity got off of work, but it was like three or something. I was hoping she would come home and let me visit with Stuart, but I got bored of waiting. I also remembered the GNC place closeby.
                   You see, not too long ago, when I was hungry I found this big can of this stuff called Muscle Blast 2000. It said complete nutrition on it, so I would just mix some with milk or water and drink those for meals. Hey, I wasn't hungry anymore and I was eating right. What do I need to eat regular food for? I walked over to the GNC on the other side of I10. As I was walking there, I thought of another cool quote: "If you know how to do it, more power to you." I walked inside and told the girl, "Okay, let me explain to you my situation. I am an avid walker. I don't have a car, that's how I save all my money. Now I got hooked on this stuff my brother had and I'm all out. It said complete nutrition so I just ate that when I was hungry. One can lasted me two weeks. I was wondering if you guys had any." She asked me if I remembered the name and I told her I didn't, but I would recognize it if I saw it. So she invited me to look around. I told her, "Umm, it didn't seem like it would be that expensive. To tell you the truth, it looked like something they would sell at Walmart or something." She was all, "Well you could go look there." I told her, "Nah, that's ok. I don't feel like walking to Walmart. I guess I want a replacement then." She started telling me all about the GNC products they had, except the price. I asked her how much the first one she pointed out was and she checked. It was thirty dollars. I told her I didn't want to spend that much money on it. She went down the aisle describing each one and telling me how great they were. I asked her if there was any risk in not eating solid food and just eating those shakes. She told me no, that it was even healthier to live like that. The next one was fifty dollars. I was getting frustrated. She showed me a couple more that were out of the question and I finally gave up and started to leave. "Ahh, I guess I'll look it up online or something. There has to be a better deal than here." Just then, she bent down and pulled out some of the exact same stuff I had been looking for. Muscle Blast 2000. She went, "Oh, here's something else and hey, its only fifteen dollars." A smile came across my face and I said sold. I even had three flavors to choose from. She knew about the cheaper stuff the whole time. She was just trying to sell me the more expensive stuff, I bet.
                   Wow, a two-week supply of food for fifteen dollars. You can't beat that with my stick. I paid her and she put it in a big plastic bag. I hung the bag over the end of my walking stick and carried it over my shoulder, all hobo-style. My stick was the perfect counter balance and I could even hold it there without using my hands. I went outside to wait for the bus. I didn't know what time it came so I rolled a cigarette. I smoked it all and the bus came right after I had finished it. When I got on the bus, guess who I see sitting there. Chasity. She was coming home from work. We smiled at each other and instinctly gave each other a hug. She told me, "I was thinking of you today." She still seemed a little freaked out by my presence. I asked her, "Can I please see Stuart?" She said yes. I was happy. :]
                   We got to her apartments and got off the bus. When we walked to her apartment she told me to wait outside, that she would bring Stuart outside with his leash. I waited on the steps and then she opened the door and Stuart rushed at me. His tail was wagging and he was so happy to see me. He was licking me like crazy and I bent down and gave him a great big hug. We missed each other so much. Just then Chasity said she was hungry and she didn't have any food in her apartment. I asked her if she wanted to go to Jack in the Box right across the street. I told her I had money and I would pay for her. She thought about it and said, "I want Taco Bell." I told her, "It'll be my treat. I remember all those times you cooked for me back when we were together." She seemed surprised.
                   She went inside to do something before we left to go eat. Stuart stayed outside with me the whole time. When Chasity was ready, she pulled Stuarts leash to come inside. Stuart started growling at her and cuddled up to me some more. He didn't want me to leave. I embraced Stuart and told him, "I know boy, we're going to go though. I wish I could take you with us." I then stood up and walked up the stairs to the door. Stuart walked inside the apartment, but when he saw that I wasn't entering, he tried going outside again. Chasity tugged on his leash but he resisted. I told Stuart goodbye and went down the stairs. Chasity locked her door and followed me. We started joking around like we always had, but whenever I tried telling Chasity about my ideas she just wouldn't listen. She said, "Oh, I thought you were sane again." Oh well, I thought. She'll see soon. We walked to the taco bell and she asked for two cheesy gordita crunches. That's something Chasity has ordered for years now. Thing is, they don't have them on the menu so you have to know about them. I hadn't eaten one since I had been with Chasity so I ordered a total of four. Chasity pulled out some money and I told her not to worry about it. She insisted again then went, "Wait, how much money do you have?" She saw all the bills in my wallet and took her three dollars back quick. I told her, "Yeah, but I need as much of that as possible for my debt with U-Haul, but I don't mind paying for the food." She said okay and only took back a dollar.
                   We ate and cracked jokes like back in the old days. She told me, "You know, you're the only one that can make me laugh." I told her that wasn't true because we were laughing at something she had said. I said, "You can make yourself laugh. Give yourself some credit." She went, "Yeah! I don't need anyone else." "Atta way to strive for independence, Chasity," I told her.
                   When Chasity and I separated, I was more than willing to remain friends with her. I care about her a lot. We had just changed and weren't compatible as lovers anymore, but I still valued her friendship. I learned a lot living with her for four years. You just can't stop caring about somebody you've grown so close to. It was Chasity that started having a problem with the way I was. I have been like I am the whole time we were together and she accepted me then. Why wasn't she now? Maybe it was because I wasn't with her anymore. I don't know.
                   Anyway, I asked Chasity if I could burn a CD of some files I needed off my computer. She told me that my computer wasn't working. "What do you mean its not working?" I asked. She said she thinks it has a virus. I asked her if I could go inside and try to fix it, or at least determine what was wrong with it. She told me, "Oh, I've already had it looked at by someone else." I replied, "Well, you haven't had me look at it. Let me." For some reason, she didn't want me going in her apartment so she just ignored my request. Chasity also told me she was leaving for Florida in the middle of December and if I would be able to come get my shit out of her apartment. I told her, "Of course. You're going to give it back to me?" It seems that now that she doesn't have a use for my computer she'll let me have it back. What a crook.
                   I walked up to Fredericksburg Road and waited for the 91. My bottle was empty and I was out of tobacco so I crossed the street and went to the store and got some stuff. I went back outside and caught the 91 to the telemarketing place. They had just opened up a Subway sandwich shop there and I went in and got a yummy soup. I waited for the bus that went to my friend Bob's house. I showed up at his house and he let me in. I asked him if I could mix me up some of my health shake stuff and he told me if I washed a glass. It was about six forty five. Bob told me that his girlfriend's cousin from Jamaica had come to visit and that she had some really good Jamaican weed. She got off work at ten. I asked Bob if I could crash there if I washed some dishes or something. He said okay.
                   I went to the garage and smoked a cigarette and just chilled out there for a while. I was almost out of weed myself and I wanted to buy a bud or two from Bob when his girlfriend got there at ten, but I didn't really want to spend the night there. I asked Bob if he could hold some for me for tomorrow, and he said he didn't know. At seven twenty I started walking towards the bus stop where the bus gets there at thirty six. I had found a shortcut to the bus stop through the ditch and some woods. I took off. My feet were aching from all the walking I had done today so I took my time walking there. When I finally got to the bus stop I was paranoid that I missed the bus. Remember, I don't have a watch. I sat at the bench, rolled a cigarette and started smoking. It seemed like I had missed the bus so as I sat there smoking and cars were driving by I just stuck my thumb out and smiled. Just as I had finished smoking my cigarette the bus finally comes. I boarded it and looked at the time. It was seven fifty. Damnit, that's what time the bus is supposed to be at the grocery store so I can transfer to the bus that takes me only ten minutes away from home. I rode the bus to the grocery store and went inside and used the courtesy phone. I called my mom's house and the machine came on. I figured she was on the computer and it took her a long time to answer, so I dialed again. Sure enough, she answered on the first ring. I told her, "Mom, is there any way you can pick me up from the grocery store? I've been walking all day and my feet are real sore. If you don't feel like it, I can always walk." She let out a sigh and said, "Okay, I'll be right there." I waited for her at the bench at the far side of the store. About ten minutes passed and I saw her car. She paused on the other side of the store assuming that's where I'd be waiting and I saw her turn around. I was pissed, "She better not leave," I thought. I grabbed my stuff and my stick and walked out to the parking lot. She had backed up into a space and was going to just wait for something to happen, I guess.
                   Anyway, we got home and I was already dog-tired. I lay down on the bed in the computer room. Before I know it, my mom comes in and wants to use the computer. It was like eleven at night. I just ignored her and pretended to be asleep already. For some reason, the computer wasn't booting up right. She got all mad and started blaming me, telling me it was from all that crap I put on there. I told her that I had my own hard drive attached, and that my shit didn't interfere with hers. That she didn't know anything about what she was talking about. She started swearing she was going to take the computer away, but we all know that threat is so empty. My mom is hooked on the computer and she couldn't live without it. I told her, "Do it already. What are you waiting for?" She asked me why it had been turned off and I told her because I got that same error that she did, and it needed to rest. She came back with, "Oh, I thought you said you didn't need to turn it off." "Yeah, as long as it's working fine you don't, but now that it's having problems, it needs to rest." I don't know how many times I've told her that computers aren't perfect, they're man-made machines and sometimes they fuck up for no apparent reason. She just doesn't understand it. It's common-sense, no? Just like now, I had started typing up this paper last night and the computer froze, so I saved it and decided to crash because I was tired. When I woke up this morning, I unplugged the extra hard drive I had installed, hoping that would make a difference, and I was right. Everything works fine now.
                   Okay, that pretty much wraps it up for my cool day. Peace.

- Victor

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