tick tock

I've been in SD for about six months now. I have struggled emotionally and financially for the most part in this beautiful part of the world, and I expected to, but just not quite so much as I have. I am in Aberdeen right now, in a hotel, with my Max and all our dogs. And what a royal pain it is to have to walk them ten twenty times a day! I had a great yard, a great house, in SC but I was miserable. Now I've got tons of minute responsibilities I never had to worry about before, less than half the space, and none of the yard. And I'm happy when I wake up. How is it that a simple change of scenery makes such a difference? Even in misery, and by that I mean my current miserable living conditions (not the hotel, I mean the place we're living), I'm happier on the inside than I have been in well as long as I can remember.
There's no money in my bank account and so much to do everyday in Rapid that I can't do because I took a vow of poverty for my dream job. Every day we go home to care for our doggies that have been in crates all day and stay in our neighborhood, too depressed to drive back to town for some excitement, too poor to drive anywhere else. And then: an opportunity! This weekend we're in Aberdeen on a work assignment.
I'd never been to Aberdeen, of course. I considered taking a job here instead of Rapid City but decided there was more for me in the Black Hills. Aberdeen is nice; the folks are friendly. It's a college town, too, though by no means is it like Athens, GA. I made the right decision for me, going to RC. But there's a great children's theater program here and I've made no friends or connections in the Black Hills to keep me there after my assignment is up. Except for Morgan, my boss. And to be fair, Max just got cast in a play, too. So I guess we're about to get really busy.

Youth Works helps us kick off the Day of Hope!

Mommy's Closet will represent Volunteers of America, Dakotas, this weekend at the Day of Hope, part of Hills Alive, a free summer concert this weekend. 

This year marks the 25th anniversary for this summer concert weekend. To celebrate, the festival has expanded to include a Day of Hope. Day of Hope is an invitation-only event for low-income families in the area. Everyone is welcome, but the first two hundred participants with an invitation will receive a box of groceries. 

Youth Works has come to Mommy's Closet each week this summer to help around the office. Today, we asked them to help us pack the boxes for the Day of Hope.

Youth Works Volunteers put the boxes together, expertly taped the bottoms to make sure no groceries spill out, and put one item from each group of groceries into a box. 
These girls found a pallet jack and filled six boxes at a time! Very enterprising Youth Works volunteers! 
Another group of volunteers will finish making and filling the boxes tomorrow for this weekend's concert and Day of Hope for Rapid City families.

my home is not my own

I was startled Saturday morning by a knock at my door. After our morning walk, my dogs, in my home, bother my neighbors. The police told me I have two options: shut them up or get rid of them. I HATE this place! I love my job, but this trailer smells bad from the neighbor's cats. There are about 20 cats that I've noticed, and they've been there 20 years or so, generations of them at my next door neighbor's home. I cannot help what they do in my home when they're locked in tiny boxes while I am at work. I hate this place, too. I love my job.
We went camping, the three dogs and Max. We had fun and went to Devil's Tower for fireworks. My brakes went out on the way back.
Seems my right rear brake got hung up and now I need a rotor. $292 later, I've got a safe car. But still my doggies, my beloved doggies, haunt me. In the mail was a notice from the landlord that they've got to go or shut up. Oh, and the entire letter was in caps and underlined. Classy folks at that rental agency. There are holes I can fit a cell phone through in the floor. There are no rentals that accept pets in the newspapers and I have yet to see a sign on a house around here.
I spend half my income on gas just to get to and from work from here, the only place that accepted pets when I moved to South Dakota. I came here with great dreams. I love my job, love the work that I do, but I want a place to live! How does section 8 approve a place with holes in the floor?!? And how can I complain to Section 8 when I've got nowhere else to go?
The life I was living did not make me happy. I found the courage to start a new one. I got rid of most of my pets, kept the three I couldn't live without, and now I may lose them too. Crying just makes my head hurt more. I don't think there are many opportunities in South Dakota. I love my job but it's only 8 hours of my day.

Entrance exam portfolio

The Golden Mean is one of the most classic rules of composition, used by great Greek sculptors as well as painters and architects of the Middle Ages. The proportional construction of the human body is in a relationship between parts of 1/3 to 2/3. When we divide a two-dimensional thing, we do it in such a way that the larger part is related to the smaller part as the whole is related to the larger part.(6.181 is to 3.819 as 10 is to 6.181)(p.21).

This is a photo I shot in the Badlands. I thought the main focal point of the picture should be centered, so I stood in front of the sign. According to my text, however, “…it is definitely wrong for a line to cut the picture in the middle…” apparently ever (p.37). I decided to employ the Golden Mean and at the same time eliminate the shadow from where my lens doesn’t open all the way. In cropping according to the Golden Mean, should I assume the line is the sign post or the wider sign itself? I chose the post since it is ‘background’ and the sign itself is what I attempted to capture.

We are conditioned to read left to right, so action beginning on the left and proceeding to the right follows our natural inclinations and seem “correct.” I started with the sign on the left because that seemed to be the way the rule would follow. Since the sign is a ‘call to action,’ it should begin where the eye is subconsciously drawn to the photo. It looked kinda flat and two dimensional, though, from that angle so I decided to defy the authority and put the sign on the right and allow the action to be leaving the image rather than enter and found out the sign was not the action in the photo at all.

 When the sign is on the right of the image, the ridge behind it cuts away like a doorway.  This is the feeling I was trying to capture: the sign was not an entrance to an other-world experience but a title. The viewer can imagine the edge of the ridge as a doorway and enter on the left, creating an action point and proceeding to the sign on the right to describe it.

The lines move diagonally upward towards the right, creating a natural eye-movement towards the sign in the right and mimicking the reason street signs and banner ads are typically on the right (37). We tend to look for confirmation to the right since traffic signs are on the right. When the internet became popular, design ads became crucial to the retail industry and their research told them to place their ads on the right side of the screen. People focus on their task, center screen or on the left, and subconsciously absorb the ads on the right the same way they absorb billboard ads while driving. The viewer of this photograph is now drawn into the doorway created by the ridge and absorbs the name of the trail in passing.  I was able to make a cool thing I saw into a good picture by following the rules of composition. I learned that what I thought was the main focal point of the image (the sign) was more of an accent and the ridge behind it is what entices a second glance. Ultimately I also went with b&w because the colors were a bit distracting from the overall feeling of curiosity and invitation I decided the image should convey.

By the same principle of lines and action beginning on the left, the above picture became the below with the help of photoshop’s flip on vertical axis. I liked the way the boardwalk entered the frame to entice the viewer into the Badlands.

The photo on the left was a lucky shot for me as a beginner. The clouds covered the sun in just such a way as to creat the shadows needed for good definition. The lines rise from the lower left hand corner to the Golden Mean above and to the right and the shadows effectively show off the Golden Mean.

I took this picture of myself because I liked the way the tree bark curled away from the trunk, similar to the way the wind blew my hair. I didn’t like the shadow created by my camera, however, so I cropped heavily. While reading the rules for lines, I decided to flip what was left of the photo after I cropped it to make the angle of the tree begin at the bottom left and rise to the right.

  

This photo demonstrates  repitition. I flipped the image so the rocks would begin on the left to demonstrate the rules outlined in the first three chapters of my text.  I later decided it looked sorta alien when upright and I liked the confusion it caused. My mentor said it reminded him of a totem pole. I'm reminded of the Sound Track, a featured component of Disney's Fantasia.

Stay tuned for more images on my quest to be a photographer!!!

my horoscope told me to!

May 06, 2010

1. 
   

   Virgo (8/23-9/22)

   Sure, you're good at your job, but you also pride yourself at being an expert at some personal hobby. whether it's sewing, photography, poetry or something more esoteric, you should know that you're plenty good enough at it to make at least a little part-time cash. Earning from what you love doesn't lessen its value! Don't pass up any chance now to share your skill with others.
   
   
   
   
   
   I've been playing with the idea of submitting some of the pictures I've been taking while I explore the Black Hills. My sister sent me a link to a site that pays for stock photos. Yesterday, I asked my boss to introduce me to her father, a professional photographer, for some brush-up tips on lighting and framing. I'm bringing him dinner on Tuesday so I can pick his brain a little, and he's excited to be able to talk about the only true love of his life. 
   This morning, my horoscope sorta reiterated that I'm on the right track! I love my job.
   
   
   
   Lighting and angles and frames. I remember the name of the game is fill the frame. I think if I practice enough with my little point-n-shoot, well, by the time I get my SLRs, I may be able to take a half-way decent photograph again. I wish I had a digital SLR. The site my sister sent me only accepts stuff digitally. And they must approve at least 10 photos before they'll even let me post a single one. Please do not send ten photos of your dog. We already have lots of nature photos. Hmmm....starting to get challenging. Then I noticed a category for signs! And remembered the cool pic of the sign for the trails in the Badlands. A guy on the plane from Seattle told me to get Picasa. I've been using Gimp and Windows Live, which is the default program for pictures on this computer. I miss my photoshop!!! I think I may be able to acquire a copy for this computer but I need my old laptop to find the key for CS2. I used CS4 my last semester at Clemson, but I simply could not afford it even at student prices. Maybe my student ID will still be good when I get back there in June and I'll snatch it up then. I'll have to remember to do that. I've got to go feed Lucy's fish, Clyde, now, though, and get to work.
   
   

Peanut butter and chocolate chips

just need a little butter, brown sugar and flour. Shortbread is equal parts butter and sugar, twice as much flour. Cook long and low. I subbed peanut butter for part of the butter and used brown sugar. Added some chocolate chips and then the flour. And some vanilla. 
Pressed out little rounded button-shapes and baked for an hour at 250. 
Finally found Black Hills Milk and they deliver in Rapid City on Saturdays. Delicious raw ice cold milk and fresh warm peanut butter chocolate chip cookies! Local growers meet commodities from the food bank, food stamps fill in the rest. 
My car broke down in Rapid Friday night so I walked to church this morning. Sassi followed me and attended mass in the foyer in my lap. I'm 3.2 miles from Our Lady of the Black Hills but during coffee hour after mass, some people had seen me walking and I told them about my car. They gave me a ride home. I talked to Karlie today. She said she doesn't go outside any more; it's too hot, she's due in two months and sweats rivers. I just think wow. I'm wearing gloves, scarf, three layers of shirts, boots, two socks, jeans and hat when I walk today. When it's cold, the chickens don't lay eggs. I only have one. 

a chicken from the food bank

What can you make with a whole chicken from the food bank? Well that depends on what else you got, and what you have lying around the house. I put it in a large pot and covered it with water and bay leaves and some other herbs. I simmered my chicken for several hours, until the meat was falling off the bone and melting on my tongue.
I separated the meat from the bone and tossed the bone scraps. Dogs ate the skin, and I put the broth in the fridge to cool. I got a little over a pint of broth which I used to flavor rice all week (and to entice my dogs to eat the dog food that was on sale). Using a quarter of a cup for the dog food and about half a cup each time I made rice, the broth really did last all week.
The meat I split into two bowls. One was used for Chicken Salad Sandwiches, and I got enough for 4 sandwiches with just the pulled chicken and mayonnaise.
So far, I haven't really used much besides the chicken, and gotten several lunches and a few side dishes. Here's where we get a little creative: Chicken Divan, my favorite comfort food of all time, and oh so needed right now. 
I had a can of butternut squash soup so I used that instead of condensed Cream of Chicken soup, but I added some cream and simmered it to thicken before assembling the casserole. While that was simmering, I steamed three heads of broccoli and trimmed the florets off, tossed the stalks. Broccoli in the bottom of a casserole dish, spread the pulled chicken over that because everyone loves layers. 
Since I was cooking the soup, I had to wait till it cooled to add the mayonnaise. Mayonnaise acts as a binder, like eggs do. In a casserole, mayonnaise makes the finished meal creamier than if you added eggs. I added the curry powder to the soup while it was cooking to get the best flavor out of it, and then let it cool. Mix with mayo and squeeze half a lime or lemon. The soup mixture becomes the next layer and it will sink during baking to surround the chicken and broccoli in creamy curried yumminess. I shredded some sharp cheddar on top and put it in the oven at 350. 
Next--the breadcrumbs. Melted some butter, just enough to moisten the panko, and spread over the shredded cheese. If you put the Divan in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese together, I find it easier to spread the breadcrumbs than loose shreds of cheese. 
Bake an hour or so and enjoy over rice! Which is why I was making rice all week. 
I got nine servings of the casserole, 4 sandwiches, and broth for several servings of rice out of one food bank frozen whole pullet. 

Relocation is Go!

One of the reasons, ok the main reason, I applied to become a VISTA was the relocation package. About half of the relocation expenses were deposited into my account yesterday. I spent some time looking up air fares home to pick up my Max and couldn't find anything under $180. That might be a good price, Rapid City, SD, to Atlanta, GA, but I decided to wait. I haven't secured a ride to Anderson from Atlanta just yet.
I have a cousin in Denver who just invited me to go see Conan O'Brien next weekend, on Mother's Day, actually. I can't wait; I haven't seen this cousin in close to 10 years! 
So things are looking up for me! I got all excited and forgot to check my oil and *pow* my car checked my exuberance. My air conditioning compressor seized up and melted my serpentine belt which caused it to separate. When I called AAA to request a tow truck, they told me I hadn't paid my dues so they couldn't send one unless I could pay cash. They were incorrect; my dues have indeed been paid. So this morning I called back and got a truck, really frustrated that their computers don't seem to register my payments. I believe this happened last year, too. I mean, driving across the country like I did would've been folly without AAA. The serpentine belt kind of keeps everything running in sync I think, and the guys at Goodyear said it would be at the very least around $1500. Ups and downs. So it goes.
There go all my plans for the next month or so. It'd be cheaper to buy a moped at this point, but I called a few other mechanics who seemed to think they could fix my car for much less if they bypass the air conditioner. Maybe it won't be so bad in the end, but I really didn't want to spend any money this week.


I've asked two friends to pick me up from the airport so I can surprise Max. I want to surprise him that night if possible. I haven't seen my son since February 11 and I've got a month left to go before I get to hold him in my arms again!

Childcare at Western Dakota Tech

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_27a14016-3142-11df-90ff-001cc4c002e0.html
I'm sure I can use this somehow...

Just what does it mean to be poor? How are the poor measured?

Washington Post: 

US Supplemental Poverty measure according to the Commerce Department will now take into account a wider range of expenses and income to create a truer portrait of which Americans are financially fragile. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/02/AR2010030202316_pf.html)

The old definition was based on the cost of food and a family’s cash income. The new measure acknowledges that food has become a smaller share of poor families’ costs and will consider expenses such as housing, utilities, child care and medical treatment. It will also include financial help from housing and food subsidies and money from jobs as well as cash assistance programs (TANF and other welfare aid?).

Two years ago, New York initiated these new measures and their poverty rate was 22% by the new formula, 18% under the old.

New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/us/03poverty.html?scp=1&sq=poverty&st=cse

The old standard is anachronistic as it was based on the Agriculture Department’s cheapest meal plan and on the assumption that the average family spends 1/3 of total income on food.

Federal officials describe the supplemental measure as experimental and a work in progress. It establishes a poverty threshold that depends on the cost of food, shelter, clothing and utilities “plus a little more” for “a population that is not poor but is somewhat below the median.”

The threshold would be adjusted to calculate the value of in-kind benefits, like food stamps, and whether homeowners have a mortgage. Tax credits would be added to the total income and benefits; taxes, work expenses (including commuting and child care), and out-of-pocket medical costs would be deducted.

VISTA Carrie:

I will earn this year $10296 in disposable income. My rent is $500, paid by Section 8 through Meade County Housing Authority which adds up to $6000 annually. My childcare will be covered up to $300/month at $3600 annually if I use all of it. I’m not sure what insurance costs per month, but it’s provided for myself and my son. My Food Stamps are (for myself) $200/month and including my son for a family of two $367/month so annually between $2400-4404.

My outgoing expenses are transportation and utilities, mostly. My car takes about $35 to fill up once a week, so $1820 annually. I just moved in to my place, but my utilities were estimated at $55/month for natural gas and $40/month for electricity. Since I have not yet received a bill for these services, I will use those numbers for my calculations. Gas to cook with, heat my home and water, will be around $660/year; electricity for that same year should be around $480.  I have to pay a pet rent monthly for $30/pet and I have three. So $360/year/pet for a grand total of $1080, and we must add a $300 deposit per pet in addition to the monthly privilege fee: $900.  My outgoing for this year will be: $4940 (deposit + monthlies). That doesn't leave me a whole heck of a lot of income to play with.

By “play with” I must include my membership to the YMCA and my cell phone bill. I received a sponsorship for the gym which means I pay $16.85/month for a single-parent family membership. The membership includes my son, so I feel that it’s worth the expense for both of us to be members: $202.2 for the year is quite a bargain when it concerns our physical health and well-being (now we're up to$5142 annual expenses).  So my annual disposable will now be $5154. 

My cell phone bill is $107/month. Because Verizon generously offers a discount to government employees, my bill will be $60! Which comes out to $720 for the year and brings me down to $4434.

This means that to eat out, to visit a national park, go to a movie or even rent one at the Red Box, toilet paper and Saran Wrap, toothbrushes and paste, shampoo and conditioner, razors, deodorant, toilet cleaner and other consumable products not covered by my Food Stamps, must come from a monthly income, after the bare essentials, cell phone and gym membership, of $369.5.   In a four week month, that’s about $92.375 per week and $11.92 per day for a 31-day month.  True, that’s more than I’d get if I were one of those kids in an undeveloped country, but I’m making $4.95/hour!  If I add in my total Food Stamp benefits, I still only come out to $7.05/hour.

So am I poor? The 2008 threshold for one individual under age 65 is $11,201 according to http://www.irp.wisc.edu/faqs/faq1.htm and my family consists of two. Since my total income is below the poverty threshold for one, I must look further to find the threshold appropriate for my family size. Two people are living below the poverty line if the total annual household income is below $14,051. If I include my Food Stamps as income, and my annual for Food Stamps is $4404  for the two of us (we’re at a total of $14,700 right now, FS + my cash award) and my rental assistance which will be $6000 by the end of the year which brings me up to $20,700 for my family of two if we include my supplemental housing and food assistance.

So I must not be poor.
Fancy that. 
My VISTA, though a Vow of Poverty, will keep my head above the water while I work in service to those who are involuntarily poor. 

a slice of humble pie

Sweet Land of liberties indeed. I have so many opportunities at my fingertips and yet so very many restrictions as well. As an AmeriCorps VISTA, I was under the impression that my paycheck would be counted similar to a Work Study. By that, I mean that it wouldn't count at all. As a single parent and a student, I was protected by a myriad of programs that allowed me a rose-colored view of poverty: my needs were always met and sometimes exceeded. So I assumed that my VISTA year would simply continue my protected status in a different part of the country. And to a certain extent, it is true. To an extent.
And I am making friends. I was able to transfer my Section 8 voucher to Meade County, just outside the Rapid City where I work. My needs would still be met: a roof over my head and some assistance with utilities. OK. But I have dogs and there seems to be a prevailing prejudice against dog-owners in the Black Hills. I was unable to secure a decent shelter, or decent to my standards. My standards include walls that meet the floors and do not allow sunshine in through the corners. My standards involve a central heating system that does not double as a home for the neighborhood cats. My standards do not involve excrement of any kind and when it's really cold, my new home does not smell so bad but once it warms up for an hour or two in the afternoon, the smell is quite uncomfortable. My maintenance guy did fix my heating vents that were not heating but did not replace the piping so whenever the heat comes on, fluffs and tufts of cat fur drift up from the forced air, and I wake up with a scratchy throat and stuffy nose. The prevailing aroma of excrement is slightly worse outside than inside. My neighbors seem friendly enough and have children and pets as well. I can make it work for a year since I won't have to pay for it myself. Yesterday, though, I received a letter from Meade County Housing stating that I will owe $170 per month on that modest shelter! While I was willing to reside there for free, I don't see how I could in good faith I could pay my own rent in addition to the $30 per pet monthly pet rent. AmeriCorps pays $858 for me per month. That income is in addition to Food Stamps and insurance for myself. And Max's childcare will be taken care of for the summer; he'll qualify for Medicaid. So my basic needs will still be met. Am I spoiled, perhaps, to feel that my housing should keep out the weather and strays? I chose VISTA in order to make a difference, to help others who live in poverty strive for something better. Perhaps, I thought, I must live in such humble surroundings because I need to make that trailer park a better place for people to live. I'm reminded of Orwell's Road to Wiggan Pier on so many levels. This is my Road to ...what? Sturgis? Road to Success? Road to Rapid City? Road to the West and a better life? Is this why I ran through the St. Louis Arch, to dwell in the squalor of those I hope to save in order to truly know what their needs are and address them fully to the best of my ability (and here I find my self quite motivated).

This is a small hole that was covered quite eloquently by a Pink Floyd poster when I moved in. Maintenance guy suggested I replace the poster.

This couch covers a dramatic dip in the floor and somewhat blocks out the sunshine fro the corner. It currently serves as Sassi's bed. I'm not a couch-up-against-the-wall kind of girl, so I confess I resent having to keep it in it's current location in order to keep the weather somewhat outside. Sassi enjoys the couch.

This hole is the only way to reach an electrical outlet from my bathroom. The maintenance guy came out over the weekend and installed a 6-plug extension cord and mounted it against the wall on the other side. I now have a thick cord stapled against this wall. He suggested I replace the entertainment center from the living room into this room as the previous occupants did; that way, I'll hide both the holes in my bedroom.

This is where I'm to clean myself. As you can see, the water does not contain itself by the edges of the tub and has spent time among the crevices created by previous tenants in this circa 1960 mobile home. So far it's only occupant is a large spider that has recently relocated and I'm still sorta afraid to relax in it. Below, we have another poor joining between wall and floor. Or maybe it's ceiling this time.  

This is an outlet that shoots fireworks when I plug something into it. 

This is another space where the floors and walls no longer function as originally intended. Or maybe the original intention was this exactly: to fall apart before the turn of the century?

And to be completely fair, once I put up half-curtains at the bottom of this window, the view will be amazing. When the sunshine spills out over these hills in the morning and evening, it's quite stunning. The fog is only slightly less impressive by it's density. Being 3000+ feet above sea level, sometimes the clouds visit and nothing is visible through the pea-soup thick of it. 

Parked beneath the bowl to see what there is to seeSassi feet in the snow

Cheezin beneath the Stratobowl.  Shoulda worn some mascara 

just...wow...

look how you identify your coffee from the long line of other coffees...

fill'er up!

In South Dakota, or at least in Rapid City, mid-grade is the cheap stuff because it's Enriched with 10% Ethanol. Regular and Premium are both pure gasoline. South Dakota, I've been told, grows a lot of corn. If we buy the Enriched mid-grade, we're supporting local agricultural business. I filled up with it today. On my previous tank of 85 octane, I got 207 miles before the gaslight came on. I wonder what it'll be with 13 gallons of Enriched 88? And premium here is 91. In Anderson, it was 87, 89 and 92 or 93 and regular was cheapest. Some things are surprisingly (if slightly) different. Like downtown, for instance. In Greenville, there are a few statues commemorating notable persons of local historical significance. And of course the Mice on Main. Here in Rapid City, there are presidents on every street corner. In Keystone, I understand, there's a mock-shootout every day that disrupts traffic and everything else for the duration. In Anderson, there's a statue of Radio and Mr. Whitner and fish. And have I mentioned the hills? The omg views on my way to work? And the fact that my job involves making my contribution to saving the world?

Living in the Black Hills

Which I don't. Not quite yet. I'd envisioned living on a mountain top somewhere with my dogs and Max. I know that's a lofty dream in my tax bracket but a girl can dream no matter what, right? So what I really want comes down to shelter and food at this point. I want a roof over my head that keeps me dry; I want unbroken windows and unblemished walls. I want to have my pets in a house that doesn't smell like the previous tenant's pets. I want a food stamp card that works at every grocery store, not just the fancy ones. Ok, I'm joking; I'd only shop at the fancy food stores anyway so it doesn't really matter ;) 
What is in between me and my dreams? My income. AmeriCorps gives more than I can afford to decline even if I do have to live in a tin can for a year just to keep my job: at least we'll be able to keep our doggies. But the place smells like the last guy's cats. There is a cute little cat door in the wall that smells to have been installed quite a while after the cats came in or maybe it was locked most of the time. Sassi fits in it so she'll be free to come and go but Sophi and Troi will have to wait for us to get home. 
I was so dispirited after looking at the trailer park--and it was covered in snow, mind you; I can't imagine but that it looks better covered in snow than bare--that I decided to search for options. My quest led me to Star Village, formerly subsidized apartments at the edge of town and only a few blocks from work. I drove up the hill and my ears popped twice as I approached the drab duplex community. I inquired from the elder gentleman at the desk and he told me in a British accent that he did indeed have a two bedroom super with a fantastic view and yes, I could have my dogs. Rent is $675 or some such number. I asked where he was from and he replied, "Africa; Victoria Falls. Have you heard of it?" "No." "It's one of the 7 wonders of the world! how is it you've never heard of it?" After our small talk, I got the key to the apartment and went to view it. As I suspected from the beige exteriors of the cinderblock buildings, the inside was very 50s as well: wall-to-wall linoleum throughout and tiny tiles in the batheroom. The bathroom window and the sliding glass doors in the living room (called the lounge by the fellow at the leasing office) opened out to a  panoramic view of the city. I was home. I cannot think of a better place to be poor, I thought to myself. I went back to the office only to find out that the apartments are no longer subsidized, so I couldn't live there. 
My only option at this moment is to take the trailer. But I have begun the process to procure a housing voucher that will be accepted by Star Village in the future. I will live on my mountain! Some year.

Wow what a week

Rapid City is an incredibly friendly, stunningly beautiful city. In one week, I have made several acquaintances and driven over 200 miles just exploring the countryside looking for a place to live. Unfortunately, my beloved dogs will prevent me from living in any of the aesthetically-pleasing areas I have searched (extensively). It's lookin' like a humbling experience in a transitional trailer park is the only thing available at this time. Fortunately the little trailer has a tiny cat door, so my miniature Dachshund will be able to let herself out to use the restroom. Unfortunately the cat door smells to have been installed after the cats marked the length of single-wide tin and carpet for their very own.
The YMCA here is as amazing as everything else. There's even a towel service and a special swim-suit water extractor! Which will make working out rather convenient. There's a special Express for Women workout room. It's express because you work out on a timer instead of counting reps; hence the title "express." It was created with the working woman's lunch hour in mind. There are two lap pools (one 8 lane and one 4 lane) for exercising and a huge indoor family pool that is comparable to the Anderson YMCA's outdoor pool. There's a Youth room for older kids while parents work out. The youth room contains a Wii with several controllers, several couches and pool tables, air hockey and other table games, 3 computers at the computer station, a snack bar, and special-entry access to the basket ball courts if that's not enough.
If I choose to live here for several years, I'm just not sure I want to live in a little tin box. So I've started researching subsidized housing closer to my job and in the city. There are 5 Catholic churches within the city and several in the surrounding areas. The Catholic school, St. Elisabeth Seton, goes through high school and offers college scholarships to students! I'm volunteering tonight at the neighboring Cathedral, Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
When I decided to relocate to SD, I wrote to the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce for a relocation guide. And I'm glad I did. On Thursday, I attended the Young Professionals Group social sponsored by the Chamber. I met several chamber Board members as well as the printer who designed and printed my relocation guide! The social was hosted in the print shop this month, and I look forward to seeing everyone again at next month's social. Since I had been in South Dakota for a mere 4 days by that time, it was easy for me to strike up a conversation with each of the professionals who attended and they all made me feel very welcome.

Almost home!

Today when I woke up, the snow covered my car. And all the bushes. And all the other cars. I guess that's what happened anyway because I'm not sure which white puff is my car. I'm in Sioux Falls, SD, my first stop in the state of South Dakota. When I got in yesterday, I met some other VISTAs at Bowden, a youth center downtown, to make valentines cards and have some soup. Then last night. I got to meet yet another local VISTA here in town who was just moving in to her apartment. She transfered from another position in SD so she just got into Sioux Falls, too. They all say wonderful things about my new boss, so I'm even more excited than I was before. My little dog still has separation anxiety and I've been putting off getting her a box, but today's the day: my Rapid City roomie has an emotionally challenged dog as well. This morning I'm making eggs Benedict for my generous hosts, one of whom is outside braving the snow in order to contribute grilled Brats to our Valentine's breakfast. I also have spinach and mushrooms sauteed in case anyone wants an omlette, and a tomato-onion-sliced almond chutney over all. A sweet way to start a sweet day. Hot cocoa or coffee, anyone? I already had my morning oj!

On my way

This is a truck hauling great big tires.You gotta zoom in really close to get this one. It's just outside Dalton, GA, northbound from Atlanta.

Which way?!? To Chattanooga!

Well, I got a late start. Turns out, leaving my Max was much harder than I'd imagined, so I stayed one more day. Today we got off really late because my last-minute travelling companion caught a stomach bug. So much for not travelling alone! My Uncle is flying home tomorrow from Nashville Airport. 
Fortunately, my mommy prepared for just such an occasion: I can stay with a friend of hers in Kansas City, Missouri, tomorrow night. The airport is about fifteen minutes  away but tomorrow's bed is 10 hours away.Well, I was prepared to do this whole trip alone, so I guess I'll be ok. I'd just gotten used to the idea of having a companion in time to lose it again! Well, I guess I was meant to do this on my own, a transition to my new life and living on my own. Yup. LemonAide.

Under a bridge

On the brighter side, when I was at Sears waiting for them to balance my tires, I walked around the mall here in Antioch, TN. I got a free jewelry box from Kay Jewelers just for filling out a credit application. It's a tiny little black box with a pillow, a cleaning cloth and a velvet bag. My flash is on the fritz; I'll upload it tomorrow.
I miss my Max. No hugs or snuggles tonight or when I wake up :(

After driving several hours, I was looking forward to a hot shower to loosen my back enough that I can pop it back into place before I go to sleep. Now I wonder if one can be considered clean after bathing at a Super 8. 

I am barely breathing I can't find the air...

Video with myspace population info

http://techradar1.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/facebookmyspace-statistics/

I met him on myspace...

How scary is it to pick up your life and leave everything behind to start a new one? Not as scary as it could be, thanks to social networking sites like myspace and facebook. I am relocating halfway across the country to Rapid City, South Dakota, and I don't know a single soul in the state. Rather, I didn't know anyone until I changed my zipcode under 'personal info' on myspace. I sent out little feelers and go a couple of replies, mostly along the lines of, "good luck! You'll love it here...I moved here from somewhere else and it's great...etc" but there are still friendly folks out there, even online. I checked some of the myspace statistics from a few years ago and am referring to one of my favorite videos, "Did you know?" In the most recent Did You Know video, the myspace segment included the number of users and compared users to citizens of a country. If myspace were a country, it would be the fifth largest population, right between Indonesia and Brazil. 
The link above will take you to a page with boring but relevant statistics. Social networking sites, specifically myspace, make it less scary to pack up and go because I now have friends to look forward to meeting when I get there. I say I used myspace to connect because on facebook I really only connect with people I already know, friends and family and old teachers and classmates. Myspace is more like the internet bar scene where I can say "How you doin'?" and wink. I don't feel comfortable reaching out on facebook because it just feels more intimate, more professional. Myspace, however, is where I can be me or be goofy or ask if they know of any houses for rent outside the city (where spaces are more affordable). 
While trying to connect with new folks, I also answered several roommate wanted ads in the online edition of Rapid City Journal. I got a couple of good conversations about weather and stuff only a local will tell ya, you know, stuff the Chamber of Commerce deliberately leaves out of the relocation guide (which has tons of really interesting info anyway so it's totally worth the inquiry). Ironically, in a city of 77000 and a myspace population in the millions, I made friends with a myspacer with whom I'd already spoken when I was looking for a room to rent! What are the odds of that? I don't care to calculate, but I speculate that it's not something on which I'd bet. 
All the more reason to get up and go! The thrift store came by today and informed me I have to pack up everything in boxes for them to pick it up. The freecycle folks all call with inquiries but not one has stopped by. If you want something for free, just ask for my address and you go through it. Don't text me 20 times asking for descriptions of stuff you don't even have to pay for. Browse through it yourself! Sheesh.

1-30-10

Today is frosty down here in the dirty south: 33 and rainy, sleety, etc. In Rapid City, it's a balmy 18, and I can't get there fast enough. My clutter is going out the door (oh, who am I kidding? it's all in boxes to bring). Thanks to myspace, I've made a few acquaintances. One of my new myspace buddies had a room to rent, and I had spoken to him on the phone before reaching out on myspace. What a small country, myspace. Imagine my surprise: of all the ads in Rapid City Journal for roommates (6) and all the people on myspace (thousands upon thousands) and I cross-referenced!
I've rounded up most of my loose ends, tying them into knots or cutting off the frayed ends. Llllllooooooooooonnnnnnnnggg drive ahead of me and it's comin up fast. I'm starting to get really nervous about the drive, but my new boss found a co-worker to put me up for a couple of weeks while I get my bearings and find my own home. I can even bring my little Sassi, an emotionally disturbed miniature dachshund who is never more than arms length away from me. 
Home. Amid the Black Hills of South Dakota. How strange that seems, coming from South Carolina. My family hails from New York and I always thought I'd go there when I got a chance, but I'll be working on New York St, so it's about the same thing. 
And on my own for a while, too. I'm going to miss my special little guy! But he'll have a Journey to the Center of the Earth type of adventure with family while I settle in and I'll fetch him soon.

Car care--gearing up to head out west!

Got my oil changed by the wonderful men at Concord Baptist Church. They have an oil-change ministry and once every quarter, I get a postcard reminding me to get my oil changed at zero cost to me. They check my radiator and refill my antifreeze, check my lights and blinkers and wipers, horn, tire tread, and, of course, change my oil. The ministry services single parents, elderly and disabled people and they have a permanent list of clients that has over 100 names! That's a lot of people that have well-cared-for cars because of Tim Borsum and the other members of Concord Baptist, that big church on the corner (you can zoom down to street view and actually take a virtual walk around the church!) with the grapevines like Olive Garden.
I am so very grateful for the folks at Concord Baptist, for taking care of my car and having donuts and coffee for me while I wait. I love spending time, talking to all the other families who benefit from this service.

Relocation Guide

Came in the mail today. It shows the main attractions within an hour or so from Rapid City. I'll be 70 minutes from the Badlands, a barren, moon-like landscape. RC is also home of the second and fourth longest caves in the world. And Deadwood is where Data got lost in the holodeck was filmed. There's so much to do, so much to see! I'll never shine if I don't glow. 

AmeriCorps VISTA in Rapid City, South Dakota

AmeriCorps is similar to the Peace Corps except we help people right here in on our native soil. In exchange for my service, I am almost sworn to poverty like a Franciscan monk, but all my needs will be met. I will receive a small "cost-of-living" stipend, a housing voucher, food stamps, insurance and child care. VISTA will even pay a handsome relocation allowance as well as a large sum towards my student loans. I qualify for these government programs because my income while a VISTA is well below the poverty level. I get to go to my own Wigan Pier  and be somewhat homeless in Rapid City for a few weeks while I look for a place to stay and work my new job. And since I work for the government, what better place to begin my new career than under the shadow of Mt. Rushmore?
Even so, the poverty level is so unforgivably low that if I were to receive child support, I would not qualify for child care.
Setback: my cousin in Nebraska, that I'd hoped to stay with on the drive out to RC, will be out of town that weekend so I'm tsol. She'll be in Rapid City about two weeks later, though, so we'll get to meet then. She works for the Salvation Army and suggested I stay at the YMCA :) The weekend I bring Max back, we'll stay with Madeline in Nebraska.
I sorta had a traveling companion lined up but he's been m.i.a. since I gave him the start date, less than two months away. Cold feet, I guess. Which sucks because his mother lives in Missouri and I was hoping to stay there one night on the drive out too. So I may be about to strike out on my own, on my own. And with absolutely no where to stay other than in my car. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather spend a week in a car with, honestly, so I'm a little less excited to be arriving at my new life on Valentine's Day alone than I was earlier. Well I'll have my little dog, and in a city of over 70,000, surely I'll find someone  somewhere to ease the transition to city life.