Cheap Motels: The Good And The Bad

 INSTANT SIDETRACK: Gives me a great excuse to use this cool GIF again!


What I have learned, at least here in Texas and Tennessee:

1. Internet speeds seem to be a lot faster than at more expensive places.

I stayed 10 wonderful nights at a Marriott Extended Stay. REALLY nice room, 2 flat screens..a nice little kitchen. Relatively slow internet. DSL speeds of around 3 meg down.

Cheap places have given me about 10 meg downstream.

2. WAY better showers!!!!

For the first time I think ever, I had to back down on the amount of water coming at me in the shower here. I CRAVE a shower that feels like it's taking my skin off. Thing is, this one WAS taking my skin off! It was great!!!

More expensive places use those cursed "Water Saver" tree hugger shower heads.Cute and P.C., but wimpy and it never feels like you get all the soap rinsed from "those" places!

3. "Colorful" occupants.

The higher priced places draw a more common, casual crowd. Cheap places give roofs to folks who are pretty entertaining. Who needs T.V. when you have a Jerry Springer audition right outside your door! Speaking of which....

4. T.V

The higher priced places have this won, hands down.

Ok..downside...and this is a BIG one!

PREFACE SIDETRACK: Before I share this, let's review.

I spent nearly every night from August 4th, 2009 to March 24th 2012 in The Sovereign Conversion Van Of Wonders. But for a few nights in donated motels and hospital rooms. I shared said living space with Bob The Formerly Van Eating Dog. I would take Bob out for regular walks, sometime in wooded areas, with no adverse conditions arising.

One time, I stopped at a Walk In center for homeless types, to check in on things and collect mail. There was a specific day when two folks were there, one sleeping on the floor, and another (God bless her) who looked like she had not showered in a year.

This was a day I decided to let Bob join me, because the woman who ran the place liked him a lot.

Bob, being the adorable canine he is, drew the attention and affection of all there, including the 2 aforementioned folks. I was concerned about fleas, etc. I felt really bad about this crossing my mind, but given the circumstances, it was not unreasonable to be considered.

I kept Bob at a bit of a distance.

I had maintained a vermin free environment to live in. I recalled having been at Penn Station many years ago in N.Y.C. and seeing a guy half asleep (read: wasted) and clawing at his skin because he itched so much.

I wanted to not have that experience in my resume.

Thus....I took great precautions.

Cheap Motel Downside:

Say hello to my new friend, rolling on his back "haw hawing" because he bit up my ass!

 Yeppers...bed bugs!

I had already spent a few nights at my current locale with no adverse results. Once I found myself in a position to do a couple of weeks at a time, they put me into a different room on the 2nd floor.

Now I not only have to use stairs, but I am very itchy as I do so!

Over 3 years homeless...most of that in my van. Never so much as a mosquito bite.

I get a solid roof over my head................

As I enjoy the very intense shower and speedy internet I must pause from surfing or typing to ....

well...

Scratch.

And so it goes....

Well...This Was Pretty Interesting....

Finally got my second sale today, and I feel pretty good about it. The company is talking about transferring me to a place I would LOVE to be in. I won't elaborate much more, so as not to jinx things, 'cause this place would be uber cool!!!

So...I had to get to Walgreens to buy a couple of things when I get waved frantically at and a nice young lady with a poodle asks me about the writing on the van "Homeless Advisor". Now, this is not unusual as, in the past, others have come to me asking advice. If I know something, I share it...but c'mon...really...I live in a van...a Sovereign Conversion Van Of Wonders....but a van none the less.

Anyhow....

She asks me if I know about resources and services and such to help people get back on thier feet. I try explaining I am from Jerzy...with the disclaimer that I don't know Snookie...and that my knowledge of Texas is quite limited.

SIDETRACK: Ahh, for the days when everyone associated Jersyans with "The Sopranos" and types like that. #GoodTimes

Well...turns out it's for her "baby brother" who just did a 10 year stint for...ahem...MURDER!!! Said criminal infraction having occurred while he was on parole for attempted murder.

Practice makes perfect, I suppose.

I have met victims of some horrible crimes...but never a "big sister" to one who helped another achieve room temperature.  It was kinda startling!

I gave her some Google search ideas, the names of a couple of national agencies and that was pretty much that.

During our conversation, a nice young man of African lineage says to me, in a very happy tone while pointing... "JERSEY"!!! And into the store he went.

On his way out he stopped by to talk for a bit. Seems he was born in Central Jersey, near Routes 1 and 9....Colonia...and was raised in San Francisco. Told me he works for American Airlines and was bemoaning the recent contract his union signed with the air carrier. Some judgement came down in favor of the union...kinda...and he felt some relief at that.

It was a nice conversation and he went his way....I went mine.

On the way out I notice a white Lincoln Town Car and a "McCain/Palin" sticker in the rear window. At the traffic light, I honk to get the driver's attention to  pay compliment on said vehicle. Turns out, it was the same young man I had been speaking to moments before.

In the brief and hurried chat before the light went green, I learned he put that sticker in the window, admires Glenn Beck, and is staunchly Conservative!

How the hell did THAT happen?!?!??!

Born in New Jersey.
Raised in San Fransisco.
Black American.
Union Member.

And this guy had his head on straight!

Must be something about Texas.

I am impressed.

Gets more interesting all the time.

Brief La Tee Da...

HOLD THE PRESSES!!!!! I was given 5 more nights at the place I a staying already. THANK YOU P and V K!!!!

Had to stay home from work today. I think the combo of BIG HEAT and not much food at all took it's toll on me. I had to cut my day short yesterday because it felt like I was going to pass out. Sucks because my job is commission only.

If anyone reading this has or knows someone who has, free Marriott nights they can spare PLEASE reach out to me! I was given some nights at one here in Bedford, Texas. I am 3 miles from the office and 1 mile from my territory. So please, ask around and let me know at road2rl@gmail.com. I am at the Marriott TownePlace Suites 76021

Will keep you all posted.....