Thursday, June 2, 2022

boat camping trip

 I'm thinking of taking my 14ft aluminum boat on a 2 to 3 day camping trip.  Starting at Kent Island Md. and going up the Chester river to Chestertown Md.  Close guess on distance is approximately 20 miles .  The river continues on, I might consider traveling up river further. More thoughts on this trip later. 

 

Monday, May 30, 2022

plan of action

 Store hours are being cut. Don't know why, doesn't make sense but I'll be turning those free hours into commercial crabbing and fishing time.  That's my original plan anyway.  To work as a stock dummy in off season then work crabs and fish in season. Makes sense since that's where the money is.  I adapted to a regular pay check and steady income from the beginning of this job. Not much money but steady work.  With gas and bait prices through the roof  I was kinda content with the income from store job.  But this little push of the hours being cut might be just what I need .  I don't have to catch much to make more money then I am now, it's more about getting out of comfort zone. 

My plan was-is to work p.t. in off season then do commercial fish in season until age 62 . I then would collect S.S. and do commercial crab and fish  for my income.  Maybe I should re evaluate this.  Maybe I should up the focus on fishing now and see where the road leads. I think Im stepping  over 20.00 bills to pick up 1.00 bills with working this retail stocking shelves job. Amazing how I can take the path of least resistance and feel comfortable with it.  But then again it's probably because I know everyday on the water is not profitable.  haha. The full time commercial guys say, "anyday not in the red is a good day " . I'm well aware of the self employed life style.  That's probably why I'm satisfied with working for a paycheck instead of busting ass everyday for a possible profit. 

Anyway,  I will be pursuing the commercial fish and crab venture this season, even if on a part time basis.  I see a future in catfishing here. 

Well,  it's 7:15 am on Memorial day.  In parked in front of store waiting to do a 3 and half hour shift. Hardly worth the time of showing up, but wanna keep this job for a while.  Time to punch in and watch all the hot women who insist on dressing as cock teasers and  go shop at the Dollar store. 

                              Ray

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Working retail.

 Took this gig last October, 2021 as a winter job.  I been saying I will get a winter job for several years now and never have.  Well I'm still here and actually not hating it too much.  Retail is new to me. Stocking shelves drinks cooler and freezer section is my main job.  Not difficult work but the being on one's feet all shift is tiring.  I think I'll be OK.  

Being a van dweller affords me the opportunity to work for less then poverty scale income, literally.  The job pays shit wages but everything else about it works for me. Location, hours, indoor work and steady income seal the deal. Dealing with the public is a new and  interesting thing,  but that's a story for another time. 

I'm typing this post to myself while on a 30 minute lunch break.  No one else will be reading this,  haha. So this will be a future look back into my perspective on this day, after unloading 1100 pcs. truck delivery. 

I really started wondering about my sanity since I actually like this job. I blamed and still do  blame the  bad brain Fog from covid for questioning my sanity and judgment.  Oh well. Do mentally challenged people realize they are challenged  ?  Catch 22.  

Living out of a van is still totally awesome.  I been at this close to 11 years.  It's really convenient to have lunch break on the parking lot of where I work, in my Roadtrek class B. 

I recall questioning my sanity after a few years of van dwelling in the beginning of this journey.  I still ask myself why a single guy , especially a younger man would pay very expensive rent moneys for a place to sleep. 

#vanlife #Roadtrek #ClassB 

 

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Retired guy, working .

4,14,2022.

Long time no post. I'm not a blogger type. I just type .

Had the Covid Sept. 22  2021. Was a long bad trip. More then moderate pneumonia but mostly the brain Fog was the scary part.  That lasted months, and still have some lingering symptoms.  Speech and thoughts don't always line up. 

Retired but working part time as a stock clerk. Not a bad side hustle, but it's my only hustle and I'm fine with it.  Doesn't pay that much, but a guy living out of his van doesn't need much in the way of money.  Location is perfect, hours are perfect. It's also a physically demanding job which I like.  Get a nice workout in while earning a few bucks.    

I wake up 5am, leave my night parking spot and head to store, there in 5 minutes. I'm the only one on the parking lot.  I make coffee and do morning routine. I'm there a good while before manager arrives to open, but I like to be there ahead of morning rush.  This is where #vanlife shines. I'm home everywhere I park.  Store opens. I work my shift, usually 5 to 6 hours.  Out the door by noon-thirty. I'm a stones throw from my #gym and the local bike trail.  I need to get a bike rack on my van . Can't ride my bike if it's not with me.  The plan for this summer is work am Mon thru Thursday am. Gym and bike after shift. Fridays are for crabbing,  Saturdays and Sundays for selling my catch and misc. life activities.  Sounds good on paper. Let's see 👀 how this summer works out. 

My 3 year plan is work this side hustle and crab-fish commercially part time. When I turn 62 I plan on collecting S.S. and then doing crabbing as my main job. Plans........ 

Gym stuff. Still lifting regularly.  Been working #5x5 strong lifts for a while.  Was out 4 months because of having the Covid. Been working to regain to previous levels. 

#Vanlife is still the most awesome thing.  Love my #Roadtrek.  I don't see myself ever going back to a sticks house, but one never knows what can happen.  I'm 11 years this Aug, of 2022 as a #full time #vandweller.  

 


#vanlifeblog 

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Almost a year since last post.

Faith in God, Always. 

SOBRIETY,  closing in on 4 years,  Jan 7th, 2017 sober date. I plan on living the rest of my life 100% sober.  

LIFTING HEAVY .gyms were shut down from 3rd week of March to July 1st or there abouts. Took a while to make my gains back to where I was at time of shut down. NBD. body's need to adapt to change. It sucked starting over at weight amounts that I use to warm up with were my max lift after shut down. 

VAN DWELLING,  life is good. just passed the 9 year mark back in August.  The pros far outweigh the cons. I cannot for see myself ever buying a house again, or even paying rent. maybe rent a room for short term if situation dictates. but doubtful.  I know all the pros and cons of home ownership.  I owned my house for 25 years.  Me and the bank of course. I got to pay all note and interest and also maintain the building for the true owners, bank and government.  Never again. Not even out west where some land is dirt cheap. no thanks. when I start to travel home will be where I park it. I get bored, I move on. The whole idea of owning land or a house  these days is not appealing to me. Its just something for the establishment to hold over your head and make you comply to their orders. Dont listen to us, we will take your house and auction  it. No thanks . I lived through the threat of that when I owed back taxes.  Literally was advised , pay up or your house is ours. Ok, I believe you. 

COMMERCIAL CRABBING and FISHING.  
Started out very good crabbing early season. Was selling crabs as fast as I could catch them. As season went on and temps got warmer the problem of deadloss became significant . I was iceing crabs down but still suffered too much.loss. So I didnt crab much of the summer , July and August mainly. Started again in September.  But was having problems with my gear. Long story. Did a good bit of eeling, learned a lot . Will be crabbing and eeling again next season. I plan on trotline crabbing along with using commercial crab pots. This will pay dividends.  The pots will be working for me while Im doing trotline crabbing.  I will check and empty pots 3 days a week , while trotline crabbing 2 or maybe 3 different  days . I will be checking eel pots on same trip as crab pots. They will be set in same area. 
      
Ideally I will work pots on Tues, Thurs and Sat or Sunday.  Trotline would be on alternate days of Fri and Saturday in early season.  As water temps warm I'll be able to trotline closer to home. In early season I have to drive about 70 miles each way  to crab . Its a pain but the money is there.  After July 4th or there abouts,  I'll be trotlining locally.  This makes life a Lot easier. I hope to have refrigeration before next season. That will be a game changer. 
My first experience of eeling was this past season.  Will be eeling for sale next season. I kept my catch this season. Salted and ready for crab bait next season.  Eels make excellent trotline crab bait. Not sure if they produce well in crab pots, if so I'll be using for bait there also. If not, I'll be selling eels as well as baiting my line with them. 

 




Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Christmas Day 2019

Its been a while since posting. Merry Christmas. 
     Still lifting regularly and with a purpose and goals. I just did back rack yesterday.  I ve been useing the 5x5s strong lift plan. This training plan delivers ! Im doing incline bench at 275lb for 5x5s,  and back rack 285lb 6x5s yesterday.  thats 30 reps at 285#. Yes, I had to emphasize that number. I am very proud of 30 reps at 285lbs.  Its still amusing to observe those observing me while I lift heavy weights.  😀. 

My plans or goals for over winter. I don't do New years resolutions.
 CUT BODY WEIGHT.  Yep, Im a power lifter and most are on the large size. ( belly included ) I want to drop at least 25 pounds by spring. Very do able. But will it affect my lifting strength ? I expect to some degree  , but not much.

BICYCLE TRAINING.  Yes it get cold around here but a 1 hours bike ride 3 or 4 times a week is possible thru much of the winter. This is not only good for leg strength and cardio but keeps the mood up as well. winter can get me in a foul assed mood, but a bike ride in cold air helps my outlook.  I plan on doing the airport loop around BWI , its a 12 mile loop with some moderate inclines or hills to give some challenge as opposed to the flat straight B&A bike trail.  

WEIGHT LIFTING   many goals but I ll just say this. I plan on keeping with the 5x5s  ( plus 3xs and 1s ) training for the foreseeable future. If I can add 5lbs a month to my workout weight on each of my main lifts I will be beyond happy.  who the hell wouldn't ? I find it amazing I was doing a self designed plan very similar before I ever learned of the renowned 5x5s  plan. I  was doing basically the plan but based it on the Prilepin's chart.  The results are shocking. I m lifting like I never dreamed I could.  25 reps on incline bench at 275#  ....... ?  After I do this workout I look at my log book and still can't believe Im doing it. 

TREADMILL, about 4 to 6 hours a week this winter, just to keep some cardio moving.  If bike riding that week treadmill time will be less. I  guess 8 hours a week combined is a good number. 

CURLS, yes. I need to focus on curls. I have big arms but will be better after a solid biceps training plan.  Noted. 
RUCK MARCHING - Hiking , throw the old backpack  on occasion.  I  have an abundance of places to do this. Noted. 

Tune up my B.O.B. and refresh on some prep /survival skills.  Not a winter project but definitely need to get squared away. Ive acquired some new to me bags and backpacks for this purpose.   This is a constant. Keep bags and plans current. 



Sunday, November 3, 2019

Back Rack

banged out 325# today. Awesome breakthrough.  Did a 325# for 1 rep about a month ago. Today did 4 sets x2 reps.  It felt great. 7 plates stacked plus a 10lb to top it off.  Yep, it must look completely outrageous to watch me lift this weight. I warmed up with my  typical 225# x 10 reps for 1st set. had some eyes on me for that too.


#lifter#pumpingiron #gym #meathead #focus #powerlifter