It's really amazing how many folks change what they say from day to day with regards to "Official" persons.
You think you've got a handle on where they are going and what they are saying, when out of the blue, Nope, gotta change what we said you were going to do, because reasons that we just... made... up.
So, folks, you know I love you and all you do for me. Continuing my odyssey on the streets and detailing every day.
(Strange Days on the flip.)
So, after logging off, getting back in the car, and driving back to Seaside with a quick stop for some Ramen... I get into our paid for hotel room, and find that we have no towels, (Which I didn't notice on first glance), and the TV remote doesn't work. Management of the hotel agrees to replace the remote. Which left me using a wash cloth to dry off, but hey, any port in a storm, right?
SO, kids get their game time, we watch some cartoons, and they hit the hay around 9. (Standard Bed Time) I try to sleep, and end up finally falling to sleep sometime after 2. (Last thing I remember.) Better than last night at least, because I think that at least I've got a couple weeks of stability...
Woke up this morning at 9. Seven hours. Not perfect, but better than I'm used to. Head to Del Monte Center to meet parents. Mom doesn't show. Step Father hands me small bundle of letters which apparently arrived over the weekend, and suggests I put in a change of address. Wants to know if there is anything ELSE I'm going to be demanding they do for me. I smile and Nod, until check is in my hand. Head Immediately to bank.
Bank Of America Refuses to cash the check. Since the check is dated the day that I opened the account, seems that there will be a hold until the check clears, from which I get a hundred bucks a day. Good thing I'm NOT paying for my lodging, because I'd be fucked... (Wait for it...)
Drive to VTC, after receiving email that they need to talk to me. Am informed that they situation has changed. I will no longer be supported for 2 weeks in the motel. Just until the 20th now. I smile and nod, and ask for contacts in northern Oregon and Southern Washington. I'm told they'll get that info to me as soon as possible.
Leaving, receive a call from VA HUD-Vash Rep. Wants to make sure I'm "Squared away". Inform him of the situation with the housing. Am told not to worry, If I'm still homeless I just need to file again, and they'll help me. Presumably after another 6+ hour wait while I show that I really, really need a place to live, pretty please. I smile and nod at the phone. I ask for HUD-Vash contacts up north. Am told that they will get that info to me as soon as possible.
Hang up, and flashing blue and red lights appear in my rearview. Am pulled over. Spend an anxious two minutes, before CHP officer smiles at me and looks in my back seat. Apparently he didn't see shoulder belts on my kids and wanted to make certain theey were buckled in. Fortunately, kids have listened to me today, and actually buckled their seatbelts... Let go with a suggestion that I might want to install some. I smile and nod.
Head to Monterey Courthouse, to speak to VSO about filing for 100% compensation as unemployable. (Haven't worked in 5 years.) Am told officer will be at office on thursday, and will only be seeing people in the morning. Told to arrive 1 hour prior to his arrival, as it is first come, first serve. Same day as HUD-Vash intake meeting. Now stuck with choice of which mandatory meeting I should attend. Probably going to go with VSO, since I can go to the HUD-Vash any week. Of course, next week I'll probably be leaving the area, but hey, gotta do what you gotta do...
Fed Kids. Burgers. Morale was low. Headed to library.
Began typing. And that's been my day so far.
Just really infuriating how nobody seems to be in a hurry to get around to my problem now that I'm "housed". To be honest, I'm starting to think that the official response to the problem of homelessness can be summed up with the following policy:
"Delay them until they go somewhere else and become THEIR problem."
So, back to the apartment search. I wanted to take a day to take a break, but seems that the fates are conspiring to make that impossible. Ah well, once I finish here, I'm going to start making as many calls around this area as I can, even though I know I will not be able to afford the apartment. One of the criteria for this housing that I have right now is that I WILL be looking for a permanent solution. Might as well go through the motions, even though it has not worked for 6+ months.
Just a little frustrated. Not with the folks here, who have been nothing but supportive, but with the folks around "here" in Monterey. I'm always amazed by the number of homeless folks at the library, and I know why they end up sleeping in tents. With the amount of hoops you have to jump through and restrictions/changes in same that you have to deal with, the temptation to just give up is insane.
On the plus side, my daughter found her MP3 Player. It was in her purse.
1:51 PM PT: Going to go check out a place in Marina. Can't afford it, but at least I can document active searching for a place.
Take care folks, and I'll be back tomorrow, same Bat-Channel.