The poorest I have ever been.

This blog entry shall document the poorest financially I have ever been.
Age:21
Occupation:not working...anywhere
Residence:none
Car:1980 Olds 98, of which I own half of,1973 Cadillac El Dorado,cant afford to drive
Future:bleak,bankrupt

At this point in my life, I had rejected college, rejected the Marines, and had fallen after foolish pride and the plotting of others had rendered me unemployed and sinking fast. I had nothing, and my mother booted me out of my own house (I mean 50% owner, like with deed) after less than 14 days back after two years of surviving on my own. I was cut in pay due to the schemeing of two drunks who worked at my plant. On one fateful day, I got tired of always waiting on this alcoholic inspector to do her job, so I made waves. She got a talking to, but no other reprimand.Over the course of the next 6 months , these gals sabotaged my work, getting me demoted. This enraged me , and in my youthful wisdom (yeah right), I said these woman were human garbage, and no way was the company going to do this to me."Full of empty threats" I said.They cut me 3 bucks per hour, and cut hours. I went downhill fast, as I was used to living on BIG MONEY, and hadn't learned about living beyond my means yet.When I quit, it was the first time since I was 13 years old (old enough to legally work in Michigan) that I didnt have a job. And I couldnt find work. No one would hire me, no jobs to get really. I hustled cash, mowing yards and helping old ladies and such, but just gas money.Anyway, after two nights in the car, with my last uncashed check in hand, I sought out my childhood married friend, George. When I pulled up, the front door burst open, and out stormed shawn, his wife.She walked past me down the street.George come out a miute later, got in my car and said,"cary, she's moved out, we're getting a divorce.what you doin here?".We drove to Lansing and back, and talked in depth about how messed up our lives had become.Needing a roof, and George needing half the bill money, he let me move in that night.I gave him my last paycheck and said if I wasnt working at the end of the month, I was leaving. I always pay my own way, always.The next day,George called home and put me on the line with his boss, Bob Petersen.I started work that night washing dishes in Bobs restaraunt.I thank God I was blessed with a job at Bobs place, because I was given a meal every shift I worked, so really, I didnt have to buy food. If I got a job at a gas station, I would have starved to death.The november of that year, George and I had to pay out everything we made, and still didnt make ends meet.We had the utilities shut off for 3.5 weeks, in november, in Michigan, until we gathered 300 dollars to get service again.Seems, prior to the split up, Georges wife had NOT paid the energy bill.From December of 1991 through April of 1992, I was in court getting sued for money, every week.Once a week folks."Is this your debt Mr.Ellis?""yes sir.""Are you trying to pay it back?""yes sir""judgement plaintiff".More penalties,more court costs.Thanksiving dinner was a ham pizza and we split a 2 litre of Coke.I had lost my money, all my friends except 3, my reputation, and most of all, I had disappointed my family. My Grandparents, who were the only positive role models in my whole stinking life looked at me and said,"What happened Cary? You ALWAYS do well, but you have failed.Maybe we were wrong about you."Rock bottom.Tough love, smart grandparents.They knew just where to go.I wept that night.The next day, I woke up and made a plan.Bankruptcy is the answer now.My granddad said,"cary dont do this, we will pay your stuff off, and you can start fresh..".With the resolve of George Patton, I said "no thankyou."The best thing I ever did for myself.Its what Iam most proud of, with out a doubt.I stood up, dusted off, and suffered, and worked, and learned.I never looked back.Things didnt improve very fast at all, but I steadily got better jobs, got training, got college, and just plain got on.