Musings While in My Sleeping Capsule

WanderingRain · Nov 30, 2012

I've been on the forum now for a year or so. In that time, I only slept in my van for a total of 7 months so far, all of it during winter times. Earlier this year, I went overseas to be with my folks for an extended time (5 months). So unlike most folks on here, I don't get to travel out that much. But each night I bed down, I am always happy and excited. No matter what happened during the day, each night now that I get to spend in my little metal tent, I am positively gleeful. I dunno. Maybe it is the freedom I feel and the contentment of having a small home all to myself. My own little private space. I still have yet to build more things onto it. The whole project is on hold for now while I try to make more money and just survive.  But each night that I retire from the world, I feel relaxed and right at home here in my little bed. Snug as a forest animal in its lair...  Thoughts like that cheer me up.  Most of this blog is probably my musings on these things until I can truly take off and go for the full build experience. For now, I remain happy and warm.

WanderingRain · Nov 30, 2012

An Excerpt from my blog below. thought I'd share again. Originally posted on November 3: <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" /> Today was a very good day. Went out on a date. It was good. She doesn't mind me living in a van. She's very cool about it. I am glad. As we left the Vietnamese place where we had dinner, we came upon a beggar on the street. Even living in my van, I am so blessed. More than that fellow on the street who has nowhere to go. I gave him a bottle of water and we went on our way. It is amazing how very happy it makes me to have these few possessions. And how lucky I am to have shelter tonight... a warm comfortable bed... a small house to call my own. I am truly happy and content. Even when we measure me and my meager belongings to the world, I still come out part of the 1%. I have a full tank of gasoline. Savings in the bank (I can go 3-4 months without earning anything). A space to call my own. Clothes to keep me warm. Food to keep me fed and healthy. We need so little to keep us happy. This I am discovering each and every day. I sleep tonight in my little nest warm and cozy from the night air. At one with the world. At one with nature. Good night, America. Sweet dreams to you.

WanderingRain · Nov 30, 2012

My body's a bit achy today so I decided to turn in early.  After a while, sleeping in my little home feels natural.  I did have a slight alarm yesterday, though. I saw some cop lights flashing! I thought I was sunk for sure. I turned off the laptop to be in complete darkness and risked a peek out the curtains. OK, it turns out, the cop just stopped a motorist nearby. Whew... I spied on them for a bit. Got nothing else to do. I did not feel like turning on my laptop again until I was totally alone. So I just sat in the dark interior of my van listening... looking out my curtain. They took forever to ticket the guy. I thought they'd never go away. Finally, they did. Whew... It's not the equivalent of being rousted, but it was a close brush. It brings me to my second thought as I sat there peeking out of my van... It seems to happen to every van dweller that it's only a matter of time, I guess. And it is beginning to feel like when I read about someone announcing they were rousted for the very first time, do I sense a feeling of subdued pride there? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">  It's like "street cred" or something to be rousted it seems. heheh. I could be wrong, though or just misreading it. But I mean that in the best way.  I don't wanna be rousted. I do belong now here now that my vehicle is practically a fixture in the office complex. One day, when I can get a battery and a roof rack and all that good stuff... and the time to set it all up! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I still work long hours and barely have time for anything else. Well, I am signing off for now. I'd put these blogs in the Captain's Log area, but I feel that I do not qualify yet until my ship has officially begun sailing. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Till then, I enjoy everyone else's posts.

josephusminimus · Dec 1, 2012

You appear to be doing a worthy job of living and appreciating it.  Life doesn't necessarily get any better than that. As for the rousting, it will probably happen sometime and afterward they'll have done what they did, you'll have done what you did, and you'll just go back to living in the consequences of it all incorporating the residue into the future self it makes of you. The rousters come in too many guises to anticipate - cops, con artists, gangsters, bosses with all the flaws bosses are capable of having, you name it.  They're what I think of as 'bouncers'.  People who choose to make themselves part of the price everyone else has to pay to dance. No point spending much time thinking about bouncers during those night-time contemplations.  Just pay the price and keep dancing.

WanderingRain · Dec 2, 2012

Indeed, indeed! Thanks for sharing. Your definition of the "rousters" and "bouncers" coming in all forms reminds me of Carlos Castaneda's writings where he refers to those who make your life difficult as "petty tyrants". It reminds me of this song as well: Love the lyrics to that first song... It's simple and direct. "I am my own man". <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

WanderingRain · Dec 2, 2012

Oftentimes my nights are spent here blogging just before I sleep. It's become a daily routine now. After a long day of work, I settle in for the night and look around the 'net for ideas and inspiration. Just another animal snuggling into its burrow for the night. No matter how busy the day's been, I welcome being in my small oasis. It's peaceful and dark in here. Perfect for sleeping even though it's bright outside. I've seen a lot of articles today and other people's blogs which now give me plenty of ideas on how to improve my little home. Soon, I will get to do that. After I get my work projects done.

WanderingRain · Dec 2, 2012

Wasn't feeling too sleepy yet so I scrambled back to my work space and prepared my meal for tomorrow... Crockpot ground meat with potatoes and carrots. Seasoned with garlic powder, chopped onions. I'll add salt and pepper later on when it is done. Not bad for 30 minutes. It'll be ready tomorrow when I get back to it.

offroad · Dec 2, 2012

Wandering - nice zen lifestyle. Good inspiration. Like the label of BOUNCERS and will have to use that as very appropriate to communicate. Am always surprised by people working, and finding stealth camping areas.  You are saving $20000 a year by stealth camping in a van, as apartment costs will be that.  Have intuition that once more people become masters at this van dwelling you will see a general surge in it.  Sure you need a house to raise kids, for an educational home base, but common jobs just can not pay the $300,000 needed to own a house in a lifetime.  How can two people making $50000 combined pull off a mortgage like that. Stealth van dwellers might be able to save enough in ten years to pay a house off though. Maybe.

WanderingRain · Dec 4, 2012

Offroad, I believe in your theory. If I began this early enough, I would have amassed quite an amount today, if I van lived. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I don't want to even think about all the money I poured into apartments and rentals over the years.  Which is why I am so glad whenever someone new in their early 20's is eager to start this kind of lifestyle. I am so happy for them that they won't be pissing money away like I did. I began this when I was 38. Imagine if I began this at 25 or so. It's like investing in government bonds. The earlier you begin, the more money you will accumulate.  Not that I am accumulating a fortune now. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">  I was lucky to get onto this lifestyle before my own financial trouble hit.  I am at a slow period right now, but because I am van living, I am still doing fine.  I agree that we need so little to be so happy. Even now, I am looking around and am thinking of ways to eliminate more things in my life.  After all, we never really own anything in this world. We only are temporary stewards. Even super millionaires lose their wealth when they croak. Imagine all the hours these self made men spent accumulating such wealth. And little surprise that some of their kids are often hungry for parental love and affection. Everything has a cost. And when their times are up, they scramble to look for a charity or foundation to fix their names to. Because in the end, even they recognize that all that wealth must be given away or it will not serve anyone, least of all their own rotted bodies. I agree that in the future, we may have a societal shift in people wanting to van dwell. It's been in our DNA since time began. Which is why we have gypsies. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> There's always that class of folk who live their lives carefree and wander about at will to the consternation of the powers that be. Hope we form a strong lobby by that time to insist that we remain free. Peace!

WanderingRain · Dec 6, 2012

Found this today. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> A boat dweller. I feel lucky I don't have to pitch a tent each night. Still, must be cool living in Boston... Not as a boat dweller, but just living around that area. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Man-calls-14-foot-canoe-on-Boston-Harbor-his-home-4091822.php

WanderingRain · Dec 6, 2012

Getting chilly in my little metal tent. Time to triple the blankets. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

wrcsixeight · Dec 6, 2012

For the last Few years I have been pretty stationary, but still Van dwelling but overnighting on Private property with my own bathroom facilities.  In exchange for these luxuries of not worrying about the roust, or poopin in a bucket, I lend my carpentry skills to those that provide me with these staples. Lately, There has been some drama in the area, not really directly involving me, but still causing a degree of anxiety. At one point, listening to my parkingspot lord go on and on about some aspect of a neighbor, I tuned him out. I mentally took stock of all my possessions on the property, and decided I could have them all loaded in 15 minutes and leave this area with no loose ends, never to return, if I so choose. It was amazing how much peace that thought brought. But for the immediate future, I'm gonna avoid the roust, and the bucket, and just keep on keeping it simple.

WanderingRain · Dec 6, 2012

I hear ya, SixEight... You are lucky to have that parking spot with facilities. The noise is a little thing and yeah, you can tune that out. Whenever I visit my folks for extended periods of time, there IS noise everywhere! Dogs barking, kids wailing, TV's of the neighbors blaring... The noise is incessant. That's Asia for you... neighbors are packed on all sides and you can literally reach out and touch their houses.  Like you, it gives me comfort to know this isn't forever and there are ways to tune it out. I guess that is the one thing we have --this ace up the sleeve where as you pointed out...  you can walk out of there in 15 minutes flat without looking back. IT is comforting to know that and I am happy about my situation knowing the exact same thing as well. In my case, it'll take something like maybe 3 hours to pack everything away, but it can be done and I can essentially be out of here in that small amount of time. But we don't because it's still a good life and a nice trade off all things considered. Happy camping, my friend!

WanderingRain · Dec 7, 2012

Today was another good day. Began a new project. Got paid half for the last one. Good money... good stuff coming in... Celebrated today by having a couple of lobster tails (boiled in the hot water heating pot), microwaved rice and broccoli with some lemon butter sauce for dipping. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Happy times... Always ending the day here in my little hideaway.

WanderingRain · Dec 8, 2012

After being land locked for a while (my last trip being Corpus Christi), it is great to be out in Enchanted Rock for a change. Great vista and landscape and one of the treasures of Texas for sure. Pair that off with dinner at the German town of Fredericksburg and you got yourself a neat little day trip.  <a style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nguFWbIwiXs/UMP_e14I_tI/AAAAAAAAAHo/A4Hk82LBc0c/s1600/20121208_123509.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img style="cursor: move;" rel="lightbox" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nguFWbIwiXs/UMP_e14I_tI/AAAAAAAAAHo/A4Hk82LBc0c/s320/20121208_123509.jpg" class="bbc_img" /></a><div>I am watching a house this weekend and yet I still think about sleeping in my little home.  I guess I am so used to it that I prefer my own bed in a strange way... </div>

josephusminimus · Dec 9, 2012

 Good spot, Enchanted Rock. I used to get out there a lot when it was further away from me.  Now that it's just up the road I haven't been back in a long time.

WanderingRain · Dec 10, 2012

It's cold tonight but I am ready. Last night, I wasn't ready. It was warm and muggy... only got one blanket layer. Woke up in the middle of the night (thank you, bodily alerts), and added two more hastily. But tonight, I am warm and cozy... 2 comforters and 1 woven blanket... long sleeved cardigan with jogging pants and thick socks.  Happy as a clam tonight.

WanderingRain · Dec 16, 2012

It's nice and cool tonight.Just relaxing here in my little cubby hole.I have enclosed my bed head area with a tent made from a spare blanket.It helps keep the warm air around my face and it also hides the computer glow from the outside even more. I have curtains, but if you really look closely, you will see the computer monitor glow at night. Of course, anyone just passing by will just think the little light seeping out may be just the ambient lights of the buildings around me. I am parked in a well lit area under a yellow street lamp. Anyway...Man, I am gonna miss my little home! I am gonna miss this wonderful white van.It's been really fun. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">I am going overseas to be with my folks who are staying at my place in the Philippines. My grandaunt lives with them there... 3 retirees. I'll be coming over to keep them company for a while... And to have someone young and fit present to be with them for about 6 months. Thirdly, instead of supporting myself here with my van living and supporting them there with monthly electronic transfers, it'll be easier to consolidate the expenses together if we lived under one roof. Since they can't be moved here, I will be going there. Which is why I have decided to sell my little home.The maintenance, registration, etc while I am not present will just go to waste. And in the meantime, the new owner (my former boss), can use it for his purposes and it won't sit around for a long time unused. He wants to buy it anyway to use for out of town trips for the company. After all, I am also planning on getting another, taller vehicle for my actual van conversion plans.Although I love the layouts of the many squat vans online, I want one I can stand in to be THE house van I want to be really serious with. It'll be a couple months yet before I bid my little home farewell. I'll still be here, though, blogging but certainly not from my little nest as I am doing so right now.I believe the testing time is over. I love this life, would not have it any other way. Now to construct the right vehicle that'll continue my van living!

WanderingRain · Dec 18, 2012

back in my little cubby hole tonight. Busy day, few things happened.   It's been a hectic weekend. On the same day I saw "The Hobbit" (Friday), the terrible events out east happened. I was in a good mood Friday but the event did sour it a bit. But boy... not until Saturday morning, having woke up from my Hobbit high, did I finally lay in the rants thick and heavy. I dunno. I guess because I care in my own way. Sunday, I took the entire day off and went out and got some Barbecue, hiking in nature and then dinner (which consisted solely of iced tea --was still full from the Eat all you can Brisket). Monday today was just working and following up on a few posts... mostly clicking "like" and "share"... my Saturday tirades have run their course. Angered a friend tonight because of a flippant post (having to do with religion and how I had recently switched-- I keep forgetting how touching some folks can be and how seriously they take this stuff.).  Found out some things about myself... learned a few lessons online about debating hot and contentious topics. Well, at least I ain't the vanilla person I was who was always get along, agree along with everyone.  Nah, I am becoming opinionated in my middle age. Am 40, will unleash opinions. Good night, everybody. Stay warm in your moving homes and be well.

Seraphim · Dec 18, 2012

Enjoying reading your posts.  Stay warm.

Musings While in My Sleeping Capsule

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