Getting the Heck Out of Dodge

[X5N]

I hate my life the way it is now -- I won't give the whole sob story as to why, maybe in the Pour Your Heart Out thread -- and I want to move away from the suburbs of Los Angeles, to reinvent myself and shape my life the way I want it to be. The planned destination is Seattle, but I'm not sure where I'll wind up.

I'm pretty sure it's not going to be as rosy of an adventure as I may have thought at first. I may hit a worst-case situation. So I'm making a request for some tips/guides/etc.

I Free/semi-free housing

I'm looking for...

---Tips for how to safely sleep in one's car.
---Heads-ups regarding any anarchist/leftist intentional communities -- or any, really -- on my path -- see below -- that may be willing to let me stay for a day or two or even on a more permanent basis.

II Making money

Yeah, I know.

---Panhandling tips/guides.
---Other non-employed ways of making money.

I'd also like to know of any neat anarchist infoshops/coffeehouses/projects/etc., that may likely welcome a helping hand from a job experience-less geek like me even a year from now. Even if it doesn't pay, but would just provide me with some security as far as not starving goes.

III Repairs, etc.

I know about as much about cars as I do about um...quantum physics? Ah, that sucked.

Anyways, I need...

---Simple repair guides, like for fixing something wrong with a car.

Also...

---Tips on how to protect one's car from being stolen.
---Guides on what self-defense implements would be legal.
---Guides/tips for getting cheap food/drink.
---Any other tips/guides/etc. you may think would be relevant.

Now, as for the path I'm taking, I am planning on driving up to Seattle, with San Francisco and Portland as stops in between, where I will sleep and whatnot for a day in each. If I fail in Seattle, I will go elsewhere, ideally somewhere west of the Rockies and not in California -- including Canada and Alaska. If it's totally life or death I could go east of the Rockies, or to somewhere in California. Or to Iceland. :D

So...any helpful input will be welcome. I'm aching to go to bed as I type, so I'll possibly update this later on.

[Dunk]

You want to purposefully move from the suburbs to a car? Unless your situation is one in which you're the victim of some kind of abuse and there is literally no alternative to freezing your ass off in the backseat of your car in Seattle, do not make that decision.

[citizen of industry]

Put an asshole on a plane in Cleveland and an asshole comes out in Seattle.

Seriously though, change of scenery always does me a world of good. No chance you could get to know some comrades up in Seattle before you go so you can arrange a free place to stay and some grub while searching for a job?

[Smyg]

DIY zines are your friend in this case. No idea how to upload pdf's to show them, so I'll have to relegate you to searching the internet.

[dodger]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC0ov7S7SG0&feature=feedlik

It's not "HOW THE WEST WAS WON" but I like it.'''
Good advice from the rest of the. posters...I left home in teens returned 18yrs later. younger bro said best bloody move. 1960's uk was a paradise...full employment....I only had few exams...factory fodder, but i learnt a trade ...never gone hungry. As you well know it's different kettle of fish now. Ever thought of staying with relatives or family friends....ease your way into a job and of course don't be a burden ...pay your way. Change of scene...Iknow how being in a rut feels anyhow am sure you'll get plenty of good advice....best of luck!!

YER got yer whole life ahead of yer....as they USED to tell me many many years ago ....hahaha Boring old farts!!

[RED DAVE]

Go!

You may spend some cold nights, but you won't starve. Your life is ahead of you.

Go!

Damn the fucking consequences.

RED DAVE

[X5N]

You want to purposefully move from the suburbs to a car? Unless your situation is one in which you're the victim of some kind of abuse and there is literally no alternative to freezing your ass off in the backseat of your car in Seattle, do not make that decision.

I have a plan. I just want to know things just in case things go awry.


Put an asshole on a plane in Cleveland and an asshole comes out in Seattle.

Seriously though, change of scenery always does me a world of good. No chance you could get to know some comrades up in Seattle before you go so you can arrange a free place to stay and some grub while searching for a job?

I do have a comrade in Seattle who says he'd may be able to let me stay in his parents' basement or whatever, or find one of his friends who I could stay with, in the event that I may need such assistance. He even has a job that he could potentially hook me up with.


DIY zines are your friend in this case. No idea how to upload pdf's to show them, so I'll have to relegate you to searching the internet.

Thanks.

And, upload them to file sharing sites like mediafire.

[Lenina Rosenweg]

There's a website which links up people willing to open te their homes to couch surfers either for a small payment or for free. Unfortunately I forget where it is, its bookmarked on my old computer and it may take me time to find it. I believe I saw this on the DIY section of this forum.I know that's not much help.

Good luck, Seattle is a cool place.

[X5N]

There's a website which links up people willing to open te their homes to couch surfers either for a small payment or for free. Unfortunately I forget where it is, its bookmarked on my old computer and it may take me time to find it. I believe I saw this on the DIY section of this forum.I know that's not much help.

Good luck, Seattle is a cool place.

CouchSurfing, unless you were thinking of something else.

I forgot about that. It's one option on my checklist.

Thanks.

[ellipsis]

If you need info about the bay area and San Francisco in particularly, PM me. there are public squats with open door policies in Oakland, lots of free food everywhere etc.

also i know a little bit about cars.

[bricolage]

I want to go and live on the ice somewhere, mountains and lakes and drinking in the snow. What's Alaska saying these days?

[X5N]

If you need info about the bay area and San Francisco in particularly, PM me. there are public squats with open door policies in Oakland, lots of free food everywhere etc.

also i know a little bit about cars.

Thank you comrade. :star:

I'd be a bit concerned about going to Oakland, as I'm pretty much mugger-bait given my appearance. However...is it as bad as I hear? Are there any areas that are particularly safer than others?

Same question in regards to SF.

[Smyg]

Alright, mediafire. Got just a few ones that can directly help in one way or another, most the zines I've got relate to more violent subjects I'm afraid.


http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?2cr0qw3hcmx1ijc
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?oyba60mymtmab17
http://www.mediafire.com/?8qowlmjdqomsglj
http://www.mediafire.com/?bqx414e8nttq86k
http://www.mediafire.com/?08l8tfdk39414p6#1

[ellipsis]

Thank you comrade. :star:

I'd be a bit concerned about going to Oakland, as I'm pretty much mugger-bait given my appearance. However...is it as bad as I hear? Are there any areas that are particularly safer than others?

Same question in regards to SF.

I don't know what you hear. I have never had problems in oakland, I also haven't explored it all. Yes MOST areas of oakland are completely safe and suburban like.

How does one look like mugger bait? I am a 155 lb white dude, no problem on my end. Its all about how you carry yourself.

[X5N]

Alright, mediafire. Got just a few ones that can directly help in one way or another, most the zines I've got relate to more violent subjects I'm afraid.


http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?2cr0qw3hcmx1ijc
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?oyba60mymtmab17
http://www.mediafire.com/?8qowlmjdqomsglj
http://www.mediafire.com/?bqx414e8nttq86k
http://www.mediafire.com/?08l8tfdk39414p6#1


Thanks. :hammersickle:


I don't know what you hear. I have never had problems in oakland, I also haven't explored it all. Yes MOST areas of oakland are completely safe and suburban like.

How does one look like mugger bait? I am a 155 lb white dude, no problem on my end. Its all about how you carry yourself.

The National Geographic Channel lied to me. :o

I too am a 155 lb -- more like 160 now :crying: -- white dude. But I figured it would mostly be due to my boyish appearance and skiddish, awkward demeanor.

[ellipsis]

The National Geographic Channel lied to me. :o

I too am a 155 lb -- more like 160 now :crying: -- white dude. But I figured it would mostly be due to my boyish appearance and skiddish, awkward demeanor.

think about east LA or compton, i am sure there are parts you would never go and then parts that are indistinguishable from any part of the LA metro area.

[X5N]

think about east LA or compton, i am sure there are parts you would never go and then parts that are indistinguishable from any part of the LA metro area.

I suppose.

I blame living in a sheltered suburb and having a paranoid father.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I want to go and live on the ice somewhere, mountains and lakes and drinking in the snow. What's Alaska saying these days?

we're saying: "we don't like outsiders 'round these parts!"

Anyway, with regard to sleeping in one's car: the times I've done it, I've usually chose to park in big box store parking lots or motel parking lots. Usually those locations are well-lighted and have other cars parked at all hours of the day, so your car doesn't look sketchy.

[ellipsis]

I gotta say, if you are unsure of your ability to be in oakland, you might not be ready to head out on your own, living an austere precarious life which requires skills you do not yet have.

But if you gotta go, you gotta go. Bring a buddy.

[X5N]

I gotta say, if you are unsure of your ability to be in oakland, you might not be ready to head out on your own, living an austere precarious life which requires skills you do not yet have.

But if you gotta go, you gotta go. Bring a buddy.

I'm unsure. I have a fear of the unknown, but also, I really do not want to stay here past next year, for various reasons.

I don't have a buddy to bring. I have some acquaintances, but nobody who would know me enough to want to go on a road-trip with me.

[Lynx]

You can sleep in your car for free if you do it during the day, preferably in day use areas of parks and rest areas. During the night you drive.