The skateboarding dog is "Munchie Grable" an Olde English bull doggee. Friend him on Facebook

I was traveleing back on the Sunset Lmt Amtrak from New Orleans where I had been visiting my daughter's family. Being on a perpetual budget I purchased a coach seat for the three day ride home to San Diego. I realize Amtrak places tiny squares of throw away linen for head rest covers but I just didn't feel like it was new or the seat was especially clean. I ended up sleeping in the lounge car on the padded plastic seats across a bench and chair. How I could have used an Allersac! I was kind of folded up on the bench but I new I was bug free! The scenery was amazing across Texas and I met some really great people. I love train travel.

This is an excellent post! I too was teased horribly in Junior high for all teh reasons you were. I even had people throw food at me while jeering and chanting. I turned into a swan eventually and realized how cruel and mindless to tease someone based on looks. I too turned inward and read, became a jeweler, studied economics and philosophy for fun and realized how insipid and sad my tormentors were.

I march to my own drum and never give others permission to make me feel bad or good. It is all in my own hands. I recently broke up with a guy who tried to make me feel bad about gaining a few pounds when his life is really a hot mess from fianances, to his children to his lack of options. I see his misguided attempts as his own low self esteem. As for me I'm always going to be okay because I say so.

C'est la vie! This is a perfect example of why the minimal life is so much simpler. Imagine if you had the usual amount of dross to schlep into your new apartment? Horrors! Something better awaits!