The following was written on June 23rd, 2008 and posted on July 06, 2008

So here we are. In an unfamiliar town, in an unfamiliar apartment. Dial-up internet only. The library offers internet, but with no proof of residency, we are only allowed 15 minutes a day. This is a little crippling, as you can imagine. But we’re working on getting that proof of residency, and should have better access next week.

I would like to take a short moment, before I really get started on this to thank all of the great people that have let us stay with them here in California.

When we first arrived we stayed with @daisyavenue and @markdavidson. Michelle was a most gracious host. We stayed there for almost 2 weeks. Thanks for having us and treating us well, Michelle.

Next, we stayed with @MONEKE for right at 2 weeks. Moneke was a generous host, and we enjoyed being there very much. We met Moneke for the first time at TweetUp LA, and after a little talk it was easy to see that we were kindred spirits. Thanks for everything, Moneke.

Then we took the train back into L.A., where we stayed with @ophelia for about 4 days. Ophelia treated us like we were her own children, and still does. Ophelia even helped us find the apartment we are in now.

And the apartment we are in now, subletting from Shannon Kelley. I can’t thank Shannon enough for this. He barely knew us, and still was willing to take us in. Now we just need work so we can repay Shannon for his kindness by getting that rent check to him.

Since moving in here on Sunset Blvd, we’ve met nothing but great people. We are less than a block away from a bar called “The Short Stop,” whose bartender, Joe, is ever so gracious. The regulars there are awesome, and they don’t mind if we come in for the company, since we can’t really afford to drink at the moment.

And so, to Michelle, Moneke, Ophelia, Shannon, and Joe, this is for you:

Of those we’ve mentioned,
And those we’ve forgot,
You are surely
of the first lot.

***

This city is so very strange. It’s so easy to lose all hope and sink into a spiraling depression, but you soon find yourself spiraling back to the top with an “I want it all, and will get it, whatever it take” attitude.

-Jack
I Listen.