Philanthropy?

I want to try a new approach. First I'll explain why. I've been trying to sell my stuff on eBay and have been completely unsuccessful. In fact that's an understatement. I now owe eBay money for setting up a store with them. Great! I haven't been able to find a way to dismiss the store either. I'll have to figure that out soon. So, I have a brand new hate on for eBay. I've never made money off of it. It's cost me money. It sucks!

I'm not sure how to sell my stuff. I think a local used book store may buy my books and possibly the VHS tapes. Maybe list somewhere else. I have no clue. But I still need to clean up so that isn't even the worst of it.

If I sold all the stuff I want to, I doubt that I'd have enough money for anything including next month's rent. I still don't know how I'll be paying that. I'm going to have to buckle down and pitch some articles to magazines in hopes of making some money doing so.

Anyhow, as far as the RV deal, I still really want to do it. July is later than I'd hoped but still what I'd like to aim for. Maybe I've been watching too much TV while house and dog sitting. In particular, I've been watching Pimp My Ride. So it occurred to me that maybe there are people out there who would be willing and/or interested in helping me out in return for promotion.

If anyone reading this knows anyone who has some sort of (preferably diesel) class C motorhome that is in decent condition that wants to get rid of it for free or cheap or in return for promotion. Then maybe there is someone able to help me convert it to biodiesel. Maybe there are others who specialize in interior custom work or something.

I know there must be people out there looking to help out. There's got to be someone looking to get rid of a trailer they don't use any longer. Everyone can use a little promotional boost. I'm happy to do it. Especially if it means I have a place to live. :)

If you know anyone who may know someone or whatever, send them a link. It may just keep me from living in my car starting in July.

Minor Setbacks

I didn't give notice at my apartment so it looks like I'm stuck here another month. :( I'm still not 100% certain how I'll pay the rent but I'm going to have to put more effort into my eBay store. I have updated my Amazon store so please click the links on the page and buy lots. ;) Or just remember this site when you are going to make a purchase at Amazon and remember you're helping someone live out their dream!

There is some good news! I recently was hired to post occasionally on a blog at http://www.smartcanucks.ca ! Thank you for complimenting me on my writing (and giving me a job of course). I find it very refreshing thinking up new ideas to post! So far it seems well received and I've been getting a lot of positive feedback/comments. This has given me some much needed confidence and I'm now also seeking other freelance writing opportunities.

Today I'm feeling a tinge of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) I think. It's so dark out that I need to have the light on at 6pm! Lately it's been bright enough until 9pm. Oh well. I heard it rain a bit earlier. Hopefully that'll help take care of all the wildfires in the area. I actually do love the rain but the darkness and dreariness seeps into my soul somehow. I've decided not to let it totally ruin my day and have been doing my best to stay upbeat.

I've been checking out RVs online lately from every source I could possibly think of. I'm hoping to start looking at some very soon. I sent an email query about one from Craigslist but haven't had a reply yet. I kind of have my heart set on a Class C motorhome but would consider a Class A if it worked out to be more affordable. The Class B and B+ models are too small and dark for me to live in full-time. Of course, at the rate I'm going it looks like I'll be tenting it for awhile!

I have been slowly working on cleaning my apartment. Ugh! Actually, I had a brilliant plan for attacking the sink full of dishes. It worked extremely well. Two words - baking soda. I swear I have never seen my dishes so clean! That stuff is simply miraculous! I've been using baking soda and vinegar for cleaning lately not only in an attempt to be more green, but because I'm sensitive to a lot of other cleaners. It's also dirt cheap (pun intended) and has been around forever!

I helped my dad plant his vegetable garden last weekend. I'm pretty sure I have him to thank for wanting to get more in touch with the past. Apparently more people are getting into gardening - which I think is awesome. I think there are some things from the past that need to come back again in order for the preservation of life on this planet. Technology is awesome, don't get me wrong, but it should compliment our lives. Gardening is a basic thing that anyone can do that our ancestors did. You know exactly what you're eating if you've tended it from a seed. If, like me, you can't garden (because you live in an apartment or whatever), find someone who does and/or go to farmers' markets.

In the Beginning...

This is the first of what I hope will be many posts about my personal RV adventures. As of right now I am unemployed, I will be dropping out of college tomorrow, and I do not yet have an RV.

Here's the plan:

- Sell all the excess "stuff" I've accumulated through the years.

- Apply for grants that are available to writers, find people who want to advertise on my site, build my own actual website, perhaps sell some articles to magazines all in an effort to raise enough money for the next point...

- Buy a used RV in June. I've been doing a lot of online research but still need to go in person and check some out. I've decided that I want a Class C model, preferably diesel, not too short - I like the idea of having a bedroom in the back with a queen sized bed and some storage space, one designed for four-season travel, it would be a bonus if I could find one that already has solar power.

- I plan to give my notice so I can move out of my shitty apartment by the end of May.

- I'm researching business cell phone and possibly internet plans. 

- I don't have a destination in mind at this point. I think I want to stay within the province of Alberta as long as I feel like it - until I've seen all I can. I have applied to be an ambassador of the province.

My goals along the way...

- A sort of working vacation of sorts.

- Learning to live with less "stuff" and reducing unnecessary shopping and clutter.

- To seriously think about the purchases I do make in terms of need, source, waste.

- To live as "green" as possible - solar power, solar heated water, recycling, not using toxic toilet chemicals, solar oven, whatever else I can think of.

- Eating consciously - buying from local sources like farms, u-pick lots, farmers' markets, independent cafes and coffee shops, also minimizing waste (and waist) by not buying packaged foods whenever possible. 

- Health is an absolute priority - beyond food as mentioned above, I plan to keep fit by running, possibly buying a foldable bike that I could bring along, maybe checking out local yoga classes or fitness facilities if they'll let me for free. :) 

- Meet and talk to people along the way. Get a feel for what's going on. 

- Discover neat towns with funny names, neat landmarks, interesting festivals, etc. 

How will I support myself? 

- Writing - keeping up this blog and hopefully also a website and possibly gaining some ad revenue from it (or an angel investor? or donations?)

- Writing - submitting articles to various magazines and newspapers

- Writing - books - maybe a guide to RV living in Alberta, whatever experiences I have are sure to make for good writing, there are also some books I've got going already that I just need motivation to finish up. :)

- Aside from writing? Well, I'll be shopping smarter which should save on the need to spend. Still, I'll have to put gas in the tank somehow. If necessary, I'll do odd jobs as I go along. Someone actually has coined the term Workamping. 

- Contesting - may be slightly more difficult without a "home address" but I'm sure I could get a post office box.

- I've contemplated selling advertising space on the RV. Just a thought.

- Work for payment in kind - like help out for a free meal or something.

Obviously I'm not doing this in order to get rich. If I happen to sell some books or whatever, that would be a pleasant side effect. Primarily, I'm at a point in my life where I really need to shake things up. I've never lived outside of the city I'm in now. I just want to transform my dreams into reality. I'm looking for my niche in the world. Staying where I am only makes me miserable. Why not do exactly what I want with my life? If I don't start now, it may be too late!