Part 2 Looking back at 1/29/1996

6.25 an hour times 26 hours a week equals 164.50

164.5 a week times 4.5 weeks equals 740.25 monthly earnings

that equals 8775 a year which will still put me below the poverty line

but if I can work 40 hours a week then I will make 12k a year, if I pay 400 a month in rent then I will b paying 40% of my wages on housing, and "recommend" you never ever pay more then 25% of your monthly income in housing.

But if I am not able to find work beyond the part time job, I will be forced to pay 54% of my income in housing.

I was impressed with both folks who interviewed me.  I hope to only have to keep it 3 to 4 months becauase of my deep desire to get out of this deadly city

At the light rail stop I sa 2 teen boys.  Even though the one boy was standing next to a garbage can he threw his fast food cup into the river.  Not only is it against the law but it brakes my heart.

He went on to break another law in quick succession when he got on the light rail train without purchasing a ticket.  That can result in a uge fine.  Once he got on the train he told his friend that he has a disease called "clap"

Upon my arrival at the Woodberry light rail stop, I stopped by the Clipper Mill memorial.  (the clipper hill studio fire)  Numerous items had been left at the memorial earlier today. Flowers, cards and teddy bears.  Makes me a little bit sad.  Apparently today is one of the deceased firemen's birthday. 

"Looking back at 1/27/1996

It's been a maddening, stressful week especially since my self imposed deadline of getting out of Estelle's* house.

I've sent out about 17 resumes.  I took the Income Maintenance Specialist test so that I can work as a food stamp caseworker but I failed miserably.

I met a guy who goes by "Ice Man" who works at the Information Desk of the State Office Building.  He asked me out.  I also met a guy named mr. almoni he told me to call him Mr. All Money!  He lives 3 dorrs down from me on Keswick Road in the Hampden section of Baltimore city and is 98 years old!  Remarkably he has lived at this same address since 1918!

After the security guard at the State ofc. building helped me with directions he gave me a hug.  I talked to him while waiting on bus 27/he's very intelligent, fascinating great conversationalist.

On Thursday, I went to Raven Bookstore hoping to find some of my friends hanging out there and see if any of them can give me a ride to the Oregon Ridge Nature center but I had no luck.

I am literally jumping out of my skin, I can't concentrate and there is always some sort of obstacle to me finding work.  I have just 70 bucks to my name and not a penny in food stamps

Henry from the Raven had me come over to his place so that I would listen to his poetry.   He's a nice guy but intense.  He dropped me at the Rotunda afterwards where I killed 7 hours!  Hard to believe how much time I kill in that place.


Made a friend named "mark" who lives on Chestnut/just as sweet as can be.  He took in a family once that is a tempting offer however I'm afraid to ask because I have already been in 2 very dangerous living situations and don't need any more trauma.

looking back at November 18th 2007

I had hoped to go over to Towson University public library to blog with the entire university is under terroristic threats and no one is allowed on the campus this is so typical Baltimore!

The High Wire

There are plenty of reasons to feels like you would need to be high all the time in Baltimore too!  Noise and danger and mean people all around you, check out this elightening documentary of my "home sweet home"

"Longstanding appointment at the Rotunda"

The Rotunda Mall is in the Hampden section of Baltimore city. It used to be the neatest place. There were about 10 pay phones, a hamburger joint, well one could do virtually anything at the Rotunda.

But I hate going into places that have security guards. They never needed security guards until about 5 years ago.

  When I needed security guard Monday, it took me nearly 15 minutes to find them. There were 2 men in a truck in the parking lot who were casing out women. They honked at me when I was pulling into the lot (they were parked with engine off) just to try to scare me. I honked back and they started laughing. My intuition told me these guys are bad news. When I got out of my car I heard them say "she just got into the Camry"

  I reported them but the female security guard acted as if she'd never remember the description of the car I gave her.

I told my doc. about it and he said "oh yeah, when i was in the mall last week having pizza, I saw a purse snatcher run past me. The mugging took place in the mall in broad daylight"

Then after my appt. I saw Lorraine in a mall hallway (there are 3 stories of offices upstairs) and she said that one of her clients was mugged at knifepoint in the mall lot last week.

Sadly, I will probably stop going to the Rotunda Mall.