Hi, I'm Snazzy and I'm Trucker

1-2-3-one, 1-2-3-Two, 1-2-3-.......................................

 

Alright mc8541ss your forgiven, now stay safe over there. Big Duker the V.A. Hospital is located there. Yep ! No staying off Lancaster St, as Life Goes On.

I sashayed into the Dallas V.A. Hospital and was given the bad news. They were full up and no beds available. Yep ! I was handed a bus pass and sent to the Salvation Army. What a deal ! So, I stood at the bus stop with my bag in my hand. Yep ! It had turned dark and I was unsure which bus to board. It took me half of the night to find my way. Anyway, it didn't do me any good to find the joint, because they locked their doors at 9 pm. So, I decided to find a cheap motel. There were several run down bed and bugs in the area. I was beat and just looking forward to hitting the sack. I didn't speak, whatever language the clerk did, and paid the $29 dollars. My room was at the far end and I made sure to deadbolt the door. I did a quick look see for any hidden boogie men and didn't find any. So, I opened my bag and decided on a cool shower. Yep, it was June in Texas and the a.c. didn't work. Anyway, after my shower I decided to venture back to the motel office. It had several vending machines and I was hungry as a Grizzly Bear. After selecting my midnight snack, I sat in my room and felt a wave of depression. Yep ! Somehow I'd really screwed up my life. Here I was in a strange town, all alone, and not a very promising future to look forward to. The green motel vacancy sign flashed through the stained curtains as I dozed off.

The next morning I awoke and discovered that my suitcase, wallet, and my shoes were missing. Yep ! The front door was shut, but not dead bolted from the inside, as I had left it. At first, I just couldn't believe my eyes. You know, I'm sure it was a Kodak moment. Anyway, I knew that this wasn't a good thang ! Yep ! I didn't have a bank account, so when I had left from the halfway house in Lubbock, I'd cashed the check. Yep ! All $2,000 to my name was gone, vanished, no more, nada, disappeared, along with any hopes of every seeing it again. I stepped back into the bathroom and did some investigating. Yep ! There on the tile floor were wet tennis shoe tracks that came from the shower. I pulled back the curtain and solved the mystery. Some Dirty Dingus had crawled through the small attic above the tub. There was a square sheet-rock cover, that was used for maintenance, but the Dingus had used it to commit his burglary. I was in shock and had to keep from going berserk. I ran barefoot to the motel office and demanded that the cops be called. Of course, they showed up and wrote a report. The foreign clerk even handed me a pair of worn out size 16 clown shoes. Yep ! I was a site to see, as I clod-hopped back to the Salvation Army. What a deal !


The V.A. had councilors there that ran their 12 step program and were suppose to assist nuts like me. It was the same ole, same ole ! Yep, a bunch of drug addicted, homeless bums, that were happy for 3 squares, and cot to flop. Now, the facility was nice, it was brand new, and as big as a five star hotel. The whole second floor was reserved for the Veterans and I was admitted. So, I explained what all that had happened me. Of course, all the Councilor was concerned about was if I had stayed clean and sober. I mean, what difference did that make ? If your raped by the courts, robbed, and left wearing clown shoes, being sober isn't anything to brag about. Anyway, the deal was, that I was required to follow my treatment plan. I was restricted to the Salvation Army, had to attend 30 N.A. meetings in 30 days, and take random drug test. What a deal ! The first week, I had to sleep in the wino barracks downstairs. Yep, it was for skid row bums and the upstairs didn't have any bed openings. My second week got me a semiprivate room that I shared with Slim. He was a true living example of a life gone wrong. He had served in the Korean Conflict and had been highly decorated. Then he had been a successful businessman, but began having mental problems. His wife had died of cancer and he ended up on the streets. Yep ! Ole Slim reminded me of that song 'King of the Road'. Anyway, he was pleasant enough and told some good tales. I especially enjoyed his war stories. They were believable, action packed, and above all told from his heart. I liked old Slim and learned a thang or two from him. Yep ! Them old bums have seen a lot and lived a lot. What a deal !

Finally my 30 day lock down ended and I was allowed to report for my vocational training. Yep, basket weaving 101, what a deal ! Well, it wasn't actually basket weaving. The V.A. had contracted with the city of Dallas and jointly they operated a work program. It was just down the street from the Salvation Army. We'd walk in a group and report to the old warehouse. There, we did piece work for some private companies that paid for our labor. Of course, the V.A. got minimum wage, but only paid us about half of that. I was assigned to the cement bag filling. Yep, hot, dirty, heavy, back breaking, and above all. Yep ! Not my cup of tea ! But hey ! My felony court date was just around the corner. All I had to do was work the program, fill them stinking bags of cement, and try to stay sane. To be honest, I was about at my wits end. I mean, how in the hell. Well, you know what I mean, as Life Goes On.

Let's break Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Well maybe next time I tell you to Run you'll listen. We're all crying with you.

 

Yep Big Duker and it ain't over yet, as Life Goes On. Oh, Happy New Year to all Snazzers, Lurkers, and Guest.

I guess living at the Salvation Army, wearing rags that were donated, and hanging with bums, kind of made me one. It's a hard life when your down and out. John Q. Public doesn't know what to think of you. Most business owners will run you off, if you just look the part. Most men on the street you pass are afraid of you. I guess they think that your going to rob them, or maybe they think it's contagious. I was cussed and threatened one day, because some John Q. discovered that his car battery had been stolen. Yep, I was just walking back from the soup kitchen and he raised his hood. Some Dirty Dingus had cut the cables and made off with it. Now, it wasn't me ! Matter of fact, as I was walking towards the man, I noticed him raise the hood. He was parked on a downtown street and it was high noon. I was going offer, to take a look see, and try to help him out. Oh no ! Because, I was a street person, that was that ! Yep ! I was the one who stole his battery. He ranted and raved at me, as I stood there and took his abuse. Yep, I'd learned from Mike the Beard and Slim. When your on the mean streets there is no need to stand up for your dignity. You lost that the day you became a member of the lost society. Yep, when you live day to day depending on others for charity. Well, dignity and respect cease to be something worth fighting over. Anyway, what good would it of done ? Yep, I could of bowed up and kicked his butt ! Then what ? Johnny Law would of hauled me off quick as a flash.

Now, don't get me wrong ! Just because it's best to avoid any problems, doesn't mean that at times, being willing to fight might save your life. Yep, I could deal with the public. I mean if I was told to move on, or accused of stealing a car battery. So what ! Big deal ! But, never allow yourself to be robbed by your fellow street companions. Yep ! That was always my biggest fear. Yes fear ! If your on the mean streets and a gang of thugs decided to beat you to death. What would you do ? Run ? Fight ? Try to use reason ? Hell ! No man knows what he might do. It depends a lot on many factors. My situation happened very suddenly. I was late leaving from the warehouse and didn't walk with the group. Sure enough, the Dallas Globe Trotters spotted me. They were all 6' 9" tall and wanting to put the hurt on someone. I didn't know them ! Hell, that didn't matter, they swarmed around me and the games began. You know ! Give a smoke pops ! Hey ! You don't like N-WORDS ? I decided that running wasn't an option and fighting would of been suicide. So, I just stood my ground and cheesed a lot. Now it's funny, it was like a pack of wolves that didn't know what to do. I mean there I stood not showing any fear and smiling at them. They all looked at each other and then began laughing. Yep ! Just an old crazy bum that wasn't worth beating on. As, soon as they crossed the street I released my grip. Yep ! I had my razer knife in my pocket and would of gone down slashing. No ! I wasn't brave ! I was shaking like a leaf and still shutter thinking back to it. But hey ! It worked ! Never show fear and always keep your smokes and money hidden in your socks. Also, keep your friends close and your blade closer, as Life Goes On.

Nightey night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Geez Snazz! I must admit this brings back some memories! UGH

 

Yes AllLab life is full of memories some good, some bad, and most forgotten, as Life Goes On.

In September 1993, I appeared in Judge Half Witts court to answer to the felony auto theft charge. I'd hired a my own attorney with the money that had been taken from me. Remember, back when PO Hitler had arrested me over a year and a half ago ? Yep, I'd been in the system that long and it had been almost three years to the day, since my first DWI arrest. My Lawyer was the same man that I'd used to get my criminal record expunged. Remember back in the early 80's about the underage girl ? Man ! There sure is a lot to remember, as Life Goes On. Now ! Don't forget there will be a test at the end of this ! Anyway, it was the same crap ! Yep ! Deal time ! My Lawyer sat down with the Prosecutor and they cut it up. I wasn't allowed to hear their conversation. I mean it was just my bacon they were discussing. So, anyway here was the offer. If I plead no contest to a reduced charge of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Now, back then that was felony in Texas, but there was a loophole. Yep ! There is a thing called deferred judicial sentencing. What it meant was, that I would plead no contest, and the Judge would find me guilty. But ! The judgment would be sealed and it would only be released to other courts. Yep, as long as I didn't get charged with another crime, I could honestly deny the charge ever existed. Now, to be honest, the only reason I took the deal was to avoid being a convicted felon. Yep ! All the State had to prove was that I drove a car without the owners permission. Yep ! I had a good defense and maybe I'd been found not guilty. But hey ! If I didn't take the deal, Judge Half Witt was going to require me to post a $10,000 bond, or be back in jail for six months awaiting trial. On top of that ! I was sick of being treated like a mental patient. Yep ! Sign on the dotted line and I was a freeman. It went against every fiber in my body and I had to force myself to sign the paperwork. Well ! They took my thumb print and I was bum rushed out the door. What a deal !

Now, I guess you think that my troubles were over ? Nope ! I had let my drivers license expire for over two years. That meant that I had to retake my written and driving exam all over again. That was just for an operators license. The new law that had gone in effect in April 1992, required me to get a CDL. Yep ! No longer did a class A Texas license allow you to drive Interstate. On top of that, I was several thousand dollars behind in my child support payments. Let's not forget that I was broke with no place to live. What else ? Oh, my feet stunk too ! Anyway, I had a meeting scheduled with my VA councilor for the next morning. I was still having to ride the bus, because I didn't even have a car. Now, money wise I had saved up a small fortune. Yep ! A whole $ 149.22 ! Geez ! Anyway, I bedded down that night for my last time at the good ole #### Nation Army. Yep ! I hate to knock them, but hey ! Those religious nuts actually kicked me out every evening because I refused to go to their stinking revivals. Man ! I thought that even sinners were worth saving. I mean they really escorted you off the property and had you wondering the mean streets. That's while they were inside and safe, praying for goodwill towards man. What a deal !

Let's break Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Snazzy, Finally a free man, Hopefully he can stay that way.

Dang it Snazzy; I'm to old to be dropping and giving twenty, Cause MC push-ups are still 4 count. I'm still trying to recover.

 

I sat in the councilor's office with all my worldly possessions. Let's see, my laundry bag filled with my clothes, .... Yep ! That was it ! Except, what I was wearing and the $ 140.00 bucks in my pocket. What a deal ! Anyway, I was happy to move out of the #### Nation Army. There were too many rules and too many nut cases. It's a shame, because from what I had witnessed, I'd dare say that at least a third of the homeless are certified nuts ! They'd be better off and so would society, if the government, or a charity organization, would step up. I know ! No ones got the money ! Yep ! Anyway, the councilor finally sat behind his desk and read over my file. Of course by now it was the size of two New York phone books. Now, for you folks that haven't dealt with the V.A. It's your typical government agency. You know ! They have to have a ton of paperwork and work slowly. That's alright, I mean you kind of expect that. It's like, your really not paying out of your pocket. Well, unless you pay taxes, or served your country. Anyway, they hire a lot of veterans. Matter of fact, that's probably a big plus, for getting the job there, and if your disabled. Well, even better. Now, being around folks that have a missing limb, or a glass eye, or all burnt up, and look like a crispy critter. Now, that doesn't bother me a bit. Especially when they treat you like a human.

Crispy Critter offered me his hook, " Glad to meet you Barney. I see here, oh excuse me. Darn thing falls out all of the time. I lost that eye in the mess hall, in 66. It says here that your court cases are over and you've gotten over two years sobriety. Good for you ! Now ! What are your plans and what can I do for you ? "

I was shocked, " You know ! Your the first one to ask me that ! Everyone else has just preached to me about the 12 step program. To be honest, the only 12 steps I want, are to walk out that door ! This is the craziest thing I've ever seen ! A guy gets a couple of DWIs and bam ! Yep ! Your a drunken alcoholic and a dope fiend ! I swear ! "

Crispy rolled back in his wheel chair, " I know what your saying ! That 12 step program works for some, but for most it doesn't. Now listen to me ! You've been through a lot and the hardest part is over. It's time we looked at your future. Now I know ! I'd be willing to bet that your ready to call it quits. Just hear me out ! "

I kept my seat, " Now listen ! I'm not going back to that #### Nation Army flop house and be treated like a red haired stepchild ! And I'm #### sure not going to admit myself here at the hospital ! I've had enough ! The court can't threaten me anymore and I'll never commit myself as long as I live ! "

Crispy turned up his hearing aides, " Barney ! Here's what I'm offering you. We'll get you over to the Dallas Housing Authority and they'll furnish you with a free apartment. I can pull some strings here and get you hired on as a civilian employee. How does $ 12.00 per hour sound ? "

I feel out of my chair, " That'd be great ! Hold it ! What's the catch ? "

Crispy rolled his eye, " No strings attached ! You just try to make the best of it. We'll look later on, maybe getting you some type of training, or perhaps some more college. You just need to simmer down and let me do what I can. You know ! We've both got our crosses to bare. "

I had to spill my guts, " Councilor Critter ! Now you seem like a real nice guy and I appreciate what your trying to do. But... Well, I haven't ........."

Crispy held up both hooks, " Hey ! If you haven't been working your program, well that's too bad ! But, I tell you what ! You know who that's hurting ? Now, wake up and fly right, or I'll beat with my wooden legs ! "

So, he gave me a bus pass to the Housing Authority and I was given my rent voucher. Yep ! Ole Barney got himself a nice one bedroom, right next to Blue Bird airport, right off of IH 20. The following week I started my job at the V.A. Hospital as a civilian employee on the maintenance crew. Ole Crispy Critter was one hell of a nice man and I'll always be grateful, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Oh, Snazzy... I was SO MUCH to believe that everything is going to be alright...

 

Sounds like things are getting better Snazzy. Don't like that living near Blue ? Bird Airport. Pretty tough neighborhood. But got to be loads better than Sal Army. Don't be shootin marbles with anyones glass eye.