So I've made it to Salt Lake City and am currently sitting at the apartment of my friends Chad and Cherri, using Cherri's computer to write this. 

I tried the sign thing...didn't work too well.  However, there are some charities, churches, and civic groups who are out there and available to help folks in my position - I'm sure not the first or only one to be stranded far from home.

I've also had help from friends, and it has DEFINITELY made a difference.  I don't want to name names, because I know that some people are kinda squeamish about anyone making a big deal out of their selfless acts...but you know who you are, and I'm here to tell you I wouldn't have made it to where I am - by which I mean "I'd still be somewhere in northern Nevada trying to get to SLC" - so thank you, and if you're feeling like five bucks or fifteen bucks doesn't matter, you're way wrong.  It matters a lot.

Aside from the financial contributions, I really need to say that the phone calls, e-mails, and facebook messages I've had, regardless of whether they're from people who have tried to help financially or not, have really saved my sanity.  I'm not a normal guy, and as I've erconnected with so many folks from back home over the last few years I think it's safe to say that at least a few of you know I've never been a normal guy.  I might end up eking out an existence in some factory job, but if I'm ever going to be truly successful on a financial level it's going to be because I do what I do and I am who I am and I stick with that.  One consequence of that personality - defect?  enhancement? - is that it's hard to know sometimes if anyone really gives a rip.  Especially with the things that have been going on here lately.

Knowing that people care - knowing how many folks care enough to drop a line or make a phone call or whatever, get in touch and make sure I'm okay and alive - means more to me than a million dollars.  Pragmatically, yeah, I need money so I can get home...but when it comes to what I actually CARE about, knowing that I have real friends who give a damn, even if I haven't talked to you or seen you in twenty years or more...you can't buy that, man.

So thanks.  I hope that in the course of doing my thing, I'm able to give back something - a laugh, a hug, a thought, advice, inner peace, the world on a string, whatever - that returns the favor.

And that's enough maudlin rambling.  Here's what's up:  

- Going to bombard local charities tomorrow to see if there's anyone who will work with me to get me all the way home.  If that doesn't work, I'll try to hit multiple charities, or work out an advance tour, or something.  I'll post here before I leave, so people have some idea of my actual level of need - I'd hate to have people contributing only to find out that I was all set.

- When I get to MI, I'll be living with my sister out on D Ave, off Riverview.  It's a bit out in the sticks, but hell, it's Kalamazoo - I can STILL be in Portage from there in 30 minutes.

- From there...who knows.  More videos, for sure.  Obviously I'll have to do something about work.  Not sure how hard I'm going to work on building the web design thing...my heart's mostly not in it anymore, but I run hot and cold on it, and I'm sure not going to turn down any opportunities.

That's me for now.  Thanks again to everyone for your help and positive energy.

-jh