Highway Quartermaster

There are two things that are under rated about being a drifter:

  1. You have more control over your time, so you only need to stand in lines or moving with the masses, in their strict schedules, if you want to. You can pick your time to get things done and go places when the masses are busy working.
  2. You can see your friends and family easier than if you had a job.

Not having money definitely causes problems, but at least you got your time on the planet which can not be replaced like money. That being said, you need to realize not to be a burden on others that are making money. They are in fact giving up their time-resource to make money and certainly don’t want to have to share their pittance with people that are more than capable of paying their own bills. I try to respect this in my travels.

There are a few open doors I can head to in Wisconsin and Minnesota in the February winter of 2003. After, getting fired from trucking, I decide to reset myself by visiting my parents and friends in Wisconsin. After getting the Dodge Shadow back on its feet in Sun Prairie at Doug’s house by fixing the drive shaft, I head north to spend sometime with the parents since they are irreplaceable and would love to spend some time with me.

Winter Wandering

My folks live near Rice Lake, Wisconsin in the center part of the state. They are more than happy to see their prodigal son return for a bit. They know I am trying to live that middle class American life. They have missed me since heading off on my trucker adventure last spring. 

While staying with them, I refile for unemployment in Wisconsin. I don’t even know if I qualify since I haven’t paid in much the past year or so, but I might as well. I am quickly on my way to my last dollar again, so some sort money is better none. Having a college education definitely gives me an advantage for figuring the the bureaucratic system and laws than your average drifter.

February 2003, I am able to prove and win my unemployment denial. I have never collected unemployment before so the paperwork-shuffle needs to be learned. The State of Wisconsin found that I made $8,851 in Wisconsin working from 10/01/01 to 9/30/02. I am entitled to $164/week while I look for employment. I am required to report in about my work search. I need to shoot for a target amount of job applications per week. The unemployment insurance payment won’t last long, but at least I got something coming in to make my next move.

My brother gets ahold of me while I am back at the parent’s house. He wants his Dodge Shadow back. However, he knows I’m going to need a car to get a job in this car-based job market, so he has new junker for me: a 1992 Geo Metro. The Metro has its own issues, but it gets 43 miles to the gallon. Perfect for a low-budget worker needing a job.

February 19, 2003: Highway Q

Another bonus as a drifter, you don’t have to force your travels during inclement weather. I find a gap in the winter stupidness of Wisconsin and head to southern Wisconsin to trade out the car with my brother.

Been blessed with a good family. My brothers and sister are not the type to tear you apart. If they don’t have nothing good to say, they don’t say it. Regardless of how weird my wander is, they have respect for me. 

Good siblings empower siblings. 

As an oldest sibling, I guess you are suppose to train the younger ones right?

Ideally.

Not to give myself a medal, but I think I can argue a that I may have contributed to the family properly.

The younger ones of the family turned out alright. 

Actually, they probably over achieved.

Kidding aside, their success and citizenry probably had more to do with my parents, the school system, and the community they grew up in. West central Wisconsin is not a bad place to raise a family.    

Perhaps I may have been a good influence in helping my youngers figure out the world. Most likely it was the parents and community.

The parents raised us as individual personalities. I think they read some-sort of Dr. Spock book back in the day or something.

Anyways, back to the next roadtrip….

Cue up the next road trip album.

Song playlist:

  1. Tool “Schism”
  2. Godsmack “I Stand Alone”
  3. Black Label Society “Stillborn”
  4. FogHat “Mumbo Jumbo”
  5. Living Colour “Back in Black”
  6. Pink Cream 69 “Looks that Kill”
  7. Primus “Jerry was a Race Car Driver”
  8. Dream Theatre “Instrumedley Modern Drummer Festival 2003”

My brother Dave is in southern Wisconsin with the next round of vehicle.

He is beginning to be the James Bond “Q” of car. A highway quartermaster.  

“What do you need? A car?

I have the perfect one for your next drift.”

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