Speaking of razors, that stuff piles up, right? I got soap when I checked in here. In terms of toiletries, I had soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, some moist toilet paper, and a shovel as my toiletry kit walking in. I was given some soap. A guy named Keils was nice enough to spot me two razors. I had to drop $1.40 for shampoo. Even the little bottles were $1.50, so I ended up getting a full-sized bottle of VO5.
I'm lucky my hair was already cut short, otherwise I'd be walking into every interview a shaggy mess (hey, add “haircut” to the list of things I need money to buy to get a job). My fingernails are a mess and I don't have any nail clippers, but I can rip the excess off myself. They'll grow smoothly in a bit.
It's a lot of little things. When I arrived in town, I didn't know which bus I'd have to take to get to Purgatory Shelter or how far away it was. I hiked for, well, I don't know how long because I don't have a watch or any service for my phone. I hiked across town, then I hiked there and back again the next day to visit the library.
Both days I wore the same clothes and they smelled like hell by the third day. Fortunately, Larry, my bunkmate, spotted me a super-large sweater. With that, I could shower, sign up for a spot to wash my clothes, then freeball in filthy jeans and a super-large sweater while my shirt, undershirt, socks, and underwear washed.
Technically, I was supposed to get a voucher for the local thrift store that would get me some essentials, but I didn't see a case worker until Friday and I couldn't get to the Thrift Store until Saturday. I'm not complaining; it's just that things don't always go the way we expect them to.
I'm very fortunate things have gone as well as they have and to have everything I have.
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