Beauty Finds Her Way. Always.

I'm resting cross-legged atop my van on a calm, dark road at the edge of the world --- or maybe it's only the edge of Vancouver Island, but you'd be hard-pressed to identify the differences.  The night is warm and my iPod sits unplayed somewhere beneath m perch, because tonight it is the ocean's playlist tempting me with her beats.

I feel free.  Employment has been spotty over the past three months; and though not my reasoning for adopting the lifestyle, certainly a fact made easier by its inception.  I feel grateful.  I am so well supported and cared for by this city and my community of loved ones.  It was my libation-indulging friends who provided the cans I returned for this morning's coffee, and a girlfriend's home that I cleaned for Vanna's gas top-up today.  Though my consumption has eased recently, my needs continue to appear and be met.

Warmer days have meant leaving the windows open at night which has done wonders for the humidity levels.  Condensation build-up throughout the night caused me to be concerned about the development of mold which for the time being seems to have been remedied.  I've also discovered almond milk as an alternative to dairy (an alternative that doesn't require refrigeration).

Things to Think About

Rite of passage for the young vandweller... Being rejected because of your circumstances... and mold.

Yes.  That is correct.  I was dumped because I live in a van.

I think.

However, because it was only the second date, it may not really constitute a full-on 'dumping' I 'spose.

Also?  Mold.

Today marks the beginning (hopefully not of the end) of my certain to be ongoing battle with mold.  I tore my bedding apart to discover black spots forming on the wood platform of my bed.  Am now in the research phase.  Will be sure to update y'all throughout the freaking process.

And also?  Girls bestfriend: memory foam.  Have been sleeping like a baby for a few nights now since purchasing the mattress of craigslist.

If You Lived Here...

YOU'D BE HOME.

My Office.

Dining room view.

Making the Most of It

Party like a Van Dweller

When you live in a van, it's important to take Saturday night selfies when waiting to pay for your propane refills at Walmart...

Perspective, Maybe?

I've been offered a position in which they'd like me to live onsite.  I applied with awareness of that requirement, only knowing that I have the freedom for that to be a non-issue.  I'm realizing though, that being offered a place to live, though not a con, I'm not viewing as a perk of the job either.  My current home is neither a result of circumstances, a means to an end, nor a sacrifice/compromise.  At the end of every day: I am home.

Additionally, Quinn and I have now made the park a part of our weekly routine.  She returns when she is in need of the loo.  It works rather well for both of us.

And, I've started dating again.  I've chosen to keep my current circumstances to myself initially.  After three first dates, no one has proved themselves ready for the reveal that is my home.  Some of my friends have opposing views on this... mostly the ones who A) do not live in a van, and B) are in a stable relationship.  So essentially, they can take their oppositional views, and suck it.  Namaste.  

March Update

So I've been living in a van for two months.  I really don't think of it anymore, it just is.  I am working a corporate job and it's going well.  One of my colleagues found out about my living situation, we went together to pick something up and it was kind of unavoidable, I didn't love the idea of him finding out, but he was cool with it.

I don't want to jinx my self, but in the two months, I'm yet to encounter any problems with authorities or parking.  I think it was definitely a wise decision going with the incognito minivan instead of a camper van and I keep her as innocuous looking as possible.

Also, you'll learn pretty quickly what establishments mean when they say "restrooms reserved for paying customers only."  They are generally saying the restrooms are for paying customers OR those who look like they could pay, so even my pajamas now are fairly respectable looking, just in case I need to make a mad-dash for the nearest establishment.

Denver Hayes?  A solid friend to make if you are a corporate lady van-dwelling: collared shirts, wrinkle resistant.

I find that parking under streetlights is often a safer bet, because then no one notices any flashes of light that may escape your window coverings.  And also, my goal for March was no parking tickets (after the debacle that was the entire month of February) and so far so good.  I've been diligent with sign-reading, metre-paying, and spot-switching.