Indiana Wants Me ...

I am truly humbled and appreciative of all the support and help given to me by people. Many of these are folks I don’t know personally. Some know me from my writing, others from the HOW Magazine (HOWies) crew, forums, Facebook and Twitter. Thanks to you all.

I own a specials thanks to Nicole Block and Stefan Mumaw. Nicole took me under her wing, helped me coordinate things and helped keep me remotely sane. Stefan actually went out and bought me clothes and other stuff and shipped it down to me in Fort Lauderdale. By the way, both Nicole and Stefan are HOWies and they’re a true testament to the heart-filled graphic design community. I am forever in your debt.

I’ve been remiss in keeping up with this blog. I apologize. It’s not that things have been chaotic. They’ve just been a wee bit overwhelming. First, I was invited to stay with a friend. He’s a [former] graphic designer I’ve known for about 15 years. But, we had never met in-person. I hopped on a bus to Fort Wayne, Indiana.

As a side note, bus travel is an … er … experience, but it gets you where you’re going. That is, if you

pay close attention. One guy didn’t and was left behind at a stop. It’s a little cramp and you’re lucky if the power outlets and wi-fi work. Nonetheless, good ‘ole Greyhound got me to Ft. Wayne in one piece. My phone doesn’t have a provider anymore so I rely on wi-fi. Every bus station we stopped at long the way had wi-fi, so it wasn’t a problem. Fort Wayne? Not so much. No wi-fi and no working pay phone (remember those?). How was I going to get in touch with Chris to let him know I was in? I had texted him from the bus, so fingers were crossed. Chris showed up in his Dodge Ram within a few minutes. Whew!

Off we went to Churubusco, a little south of Fort Wayne. It’s small, colloquial town that reminds me of where I lived in Ohio. Same type of architecture and landscape, albeit fewer hills. Chris has a three bedroom house on a little less than one acre. It’s all quite nice and beats the heck out of Florida

sidewalks. Northeast Indiana is a little colder than Ft. Lauderdale in May but I’m not complaining at all.

I’ve been looking for a job and have been doing some freelance work. It looks like I’ll be staying in Churubusco / Fort Wayne for a while. I’m in the process of looking for an apartment. I’m still feeling anxious but that should settle down once I find a place to live and get a full-time gig.

I’ve learned a lot through this experience so far. First, I really can’t count on my family. Second, I found that I have many, many friends and supporters I never knew about. In many ways I am blessed. Thank you all for your friendship and support. I don’t know what I would have done without all of you.