This has been a difficult year, possible the most difficult year of my life.
I Wanted to go back but Couldn’t
So September was a bit of a hell. See, I was supposed to be going back to University, but manic people don’t save money and so I literally could not go back even though I wanted to. Worse, as my summer job was ending my mom’s boyfriend threatened to kick me out of his house if I didn’t get a new job. I don’t stand for that kind of treatment, so I left anyway. Even though I was incredibly manic, I still stand behind leaving.
At the end of August, I appealed to a high school friend, Brad, in my hometown 4h north to help me out and give me a place. So, I went back to my hometown and lived there, no questions asked, and decent rent for a room. I stayed for about four months.
So, living on my own and a little surprised about the whole ordeal, September was my first month as a real adult. One year of post-secondary didn’t really do much for me maturity wise, and I think any parents can confirm that that’s the norm. Anyway, I applied to a few jobs, screwed around, played video games and watched Netflix. But I also started doing what I always do when I have a lot of free time.
I Started Projects
August had been a mess, off meds for a couple weeks, and in that time I managed to not go to school and to lose my place of living. I actually continued to not take my meds after moving too, because I am smart. /s Anyway, I started a YouTube channel and a blog. Both are dead, but the blog was important. It gave me experience that was very helpful when I started danieltriumph.com.
I also drew. A lot.
October I got hired at a department store… like a small town version of Wal-Mart. November, I woke up one Saturday with crippling depression and an ear infection, and I just watched Luke Cage until Sunday. Needless to say, I went back on my meds and within four days I was back to that normal, semi-functional depression us bipolar kids are so used to. In time, I got at my job.
December is when I started paying off my debts. By February I had my credit card, back rent, and school balance paid in full. That’s about $1800 in two months on minimum wage. February was Kabaret; I do amateur acting with the community. I got to play a Viking, a Newfoundlander, and But, it was a bit of fun. Then I hovered until April when I got a better paying job.
April and May I failed to save. In fact, I am god-awful at saving, and so this month I only had half of what I needed to go back. Shame. But in April I bought and started www.danieltriumph.ca, my blog. Since then I’ve posted a piece of fiction every single day. See, I’m an English / creative writing student. I should be writing, but to be honest this blog is the first time I’ve actually finished a piece.
April brought two big changes. I moved into my other friend’s grandparent’s spare room and dropped my rent by a lot. Then I also got a new job that paid 1.5 times what I was making at Giant Tiger.
I learned very quickly that I was allowed to listen to music at my new job. That lead to a search for audiobooks. I think the first thing I listened to was The Lost World by Michael Crichton. Then, I figured since I had forty hours a week, I would listen to Harry Potter. I’ll keep it short about that. Harry Potter was a disappointment, stick with the movies. For more info, check out my reviews.
July is the beginning of hell.
On the 26th my tires locked and I spun around 180 degrees, landing in the opposite ditch, facing the opposite direction. We’re still dealing with insurance bull. Since then I’ve been without a car, meaning I take a cab into the town to do my groceries. It’s $13 one way, ridiculous way to live. I took the day off of work and wallowed. Then at around two in the morning, I had a weird idea. I followed that idea until the end. Here’s what came of it.
Anyway, things kept getting worse. On the day of my birthday party, no one contacts me. I get worried. I decide to walk into town, it’s an hour walk. I get into town, have McDonalds, and start messaging people. Jeremy, a friend and ex-Giant Tiger coworker (I think he still works there), messages back. “Oh yeah, I’m still in. I had muted the conversation and forgotten about it lol.” Hey that’s cool.
Things beginning to look up, I head to the LCBO and get Screech (Newfoundland rum) and a six of Stella Artois. Then Nick messages me, “Hey I’ll take you to a restaurant, do you prefer whiskey or tequila?” “Whiskey.” We eat out. I have an appetizer and not much else, as my stomach is still filled with double big mac. We have a really good talk about religion. It turns out that Nick, and atheist, was inspired by my ordainment and also became a minister!
So a small group of us get together. Rum > whiskey. It’s a great night. We play boardgames, go out to the 24-hour convenience store and play Pokemon Go (I thought that app was dead to be honest, guess not), and then get back and watch Anna Karenina 2012. I completely spaced out for the last half hour, but let’s just say the 2012 adaptation isn’t done right.
Then we got home. I don’t know how, cab maybe?
But now it’s crunch time. My job is becoming the most boring, torturous thing I’ve ever done. I check on my university application. My application for second year English has been stalled, and so I call the school. Need more information about what I was doing during Sept 2015- April 2016… Umm, I was at that same university? They should know that, I was at their school? Well, I send the info. Automatic email reply. “On vacation for a week.”
…
So one week into August I call them. “Oh, yeah your file was in new student not returning student. Can’t do much though our system’s down.”
…
So one day later, “Yeah, you’re in good standing, just register your courses, apply for a loan if you need to.” I’m in! I apply for a government loan (they’re less dangerous) and it’s pending now.
Then literally yesterday an old college friend messages me on facebook. “I saw you might be coming back to Windsor. The place I got with Dmar has an open room, interested?”
Is God on my side?
I just finished paying the first and last month’s rent. Now I have like $100 in my account, but my next pay is very large due to over time. (I got it today, over $1000… Should be good.)
So, as of today I’m going back to university. Application got approved, government loans will probably cover not only the course but also housing and a bit of food. Just when I start looking for housing, an old college friend tells me he’s looking for another roommate. It’s like gears shifting into place.
I’ll tell you if things work out in a couple months.
Forever,