I had a career change in 2014. Went from doing sales to doing IT at a hospital. Got a promotion a few months ago and now making more than when I did sales. Have learned so much about computers and networking in the past few years. Changed the type of people I hang out with, been hanging out with more family type people and people that have their act together. Lost my dad in July of 2015, had to do more to help my mom. Been weight lifting. Discovered the world of 4K, HDR TV. Started really watching movies for the first time in many years. Still have my house and dog I found in 2012. Overall my life is much better than it was 10 years ago. Getting older people respect you more and you don't have to deal with near as much drama from people. Life experiences really help much life easier.

No telling what the future holds. I would still like to have a kid. I would like to get into a different role at my job in the next few years. Maybe get a new car.

Good to hear from you again Bassman! Still rocking the Ford Escape?

Likewise. Yeah I still have it. I get a new car about every 12 years.

vkimo wrote :

Good to hear from you again Bassman! Still rocking the Ford Escape?

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Hellooooo Retro-Daze!

It's been a while so I want to take this opportunity to recap where I am in my journey through life.

December 28, 2010 - my move-in date to my current apartment in the Tressa complex in Seattle. The Tressa is a "mixed income" residential apartment complex that accepts low income renters even if you have children and pets. Homeless people are welcomed to apply for residents if they have been accepted by the King County Housing Authority, or Seattle Housing through the Department of Social and Health Services, (DSHS).

March 2, 2010 - I became homeless when the apartment building I had lived in for 30 years was sold to a developer who evicted everyone, including me. It was through King County Housing that I was able to secure a one bedroom apartment at the Tressa despite having only temporary assignments through Robert Half Inc. 

Thanks to my King Co. housing voucher I was able to live rent free for six months while looking to steady work. The Tressa is a great place to live thanks to the pre-school on the first floor. It's wonderful to be around children and parents and pets - a nice mixing of ages and interests and two of my neighbors are from Somalia. 

The last time I talked to Billy (bassman21), I was settling in to my permanent job with the Wa. Dept. of Educ. District 121 as a member of the finance team. I started as a temporary employee in 2014 but became a permanent staffer in 2015.

Lately a combination of my endless workdays, and complications from diabetes, have taken a toll on my ability to stay online and chat with my friends. My 63rd birthday is just a few weeks away and with the help of my doctors I may be able to adjust my schedule and medications, allowing myself more time to post with you guys and cause plenty trouble, lol..

Edd! Thanks for the update on what's been happening with you. I wish you the best at your new place of residence. I hope your health and workload improve for you as well.

eddstarr wrote :

Hellooooo Retro-Daze!

It's been a while so I want to take this opportunity to recap where I am in my journey through life.

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Thank you V-man.

For the nine months I was homeless I got to meet some remarkable guys at the St. Martins Shelter, and the Downtown Emergency Service Center, (DESC). Both services helped me apply for housing assistance. 

Credit to all my online friends. Getting back on my feet was important - my desire to get back online asap!

Wow, eddstarr that's quite a time. Here's hoping your medical situation will improve. I hear from families of a lot of diabetes patients at work, and that's a tough deal to have. I'm glad you're back on your feet. 

Umm... the '10s was me in my new neighborhood (bought the house in 2009), meeting lots of people, getting involved with local activism and environmental concerns. And I started (also in 2009) working at festivals in beverage service. In December of 2015 I got a job on 2nd shift and had to scale back on a lot of that.

And speaking of the house, it has been a pit. I've lost a lot of time and a lot of money trying to piecemeal repairs, dealing with a catastrophe or two, and finding one major problem after another. At this point I feel rather confident that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I learned a lot about food and cooking. Culminating with adjusting my diet and losing 30 pounds last year. Also got into mixology. I largely quit smoking (still have one occasionally, under a pack a year). 

Two of my cats died. Pets don't live long compared to people, and mine lasted longer than most, but this was still devestating for me, especially the second one. I have one left. She is 19 years old and doing pretty well.

@shakin: Ups and downs. Glad that your home ownership woes seem to be fading. I can understand all that. It can put a strain on every other aspect of life, surprisingly. Congrats on the weight loss and battle with smoking! Well done sir!

Thanks, Vapes. I'm really looking forward to the next chapter. I just hope I'm not wrong for the 20th time!