I’m just an average dude. Kind of.
Pass me in the street and you wouldn’t have a clue that I don’t sleep in the same place every night. Meet me in a bar and you might peg me for a white collar executive or–since growing a rather healthy beard–the owner of your local lumberyard. Watch me pull into and out of a parking space 4 times to make sure my car is within the lines, and you’d never believe my lifestyle philosophy is so outside normal boundaries.
My story is the very epitome of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
I come from a stable nuclear family. My parents raised me in a small town that could’ve been anywhere in this country. They held jobs for long careers with modest incomes, working hard to ensure their children had opportunities beyond what was offered to them growing up. They took me on annual road trip vacations, drove me to Little League practice, and instilled in me a sense of work ethic, honor, and integrity that I carry with me to this day. A healthy childhood. Perhaps the most unique aspect of my upbringing was that my parents never divorced. They are still together to this day.
Since 2010, I have called Los Angeles my home. After attending a large public university as an undergraduate, I took out student loans to attend an exclusive private graduate school program in a new city. While my white collar work was in my field of study–which itself was something I enjoyed on many levels–my career paths are numerous.* During my time in the office, when the workday ended, my second workday began. I would write. Or play music. Or work on film projects. Considering these various pursuits, it was not uncommon for me to log 80-hour workweeks. While I could have chosen to make more money, enjoy a more relaxing lifestyle, and relegate my dreams to hobbies, I continue to pursue the creative arts because that is what I love. I do hope one day to realize the full potential of that love.
I am both passionate and practical. One must be in order to undertake such an unusual lifestyle. But I enjoy my free time as well. I thrive on sport and adventure, but as a participant rather than a spectator. I love deeply, travel often, and am always available for my friends and family. My most recent ex-girlfriend called me, above all, reliable. My coworkers call me determined. My best friend calls me an asshole. These are all, in some way or another, accurate descriptors of my personality.
People reading about this project will make various assumptions about me. Some of these will be close approximations, others will be harsh non-realities. Not everyone will agree with my choices. Despite that, I hope my story serves as a reminder to people that quick judgments about a person are often flawed. Behind every face lies an intricate brain with a unique set of experiences and points of view. If we respect and try to learn from them, we can only become better people ourselves.
– TOH
*UPDATE: At the beginning of the summer of 2014, I left my job at the office to live out of my converted truck-home. A lot has transpired since. I explain the early post-office years in detail in the diary section of this site and the most recent years on my new site, Devine Diaries, and its sister Instagram page, @devine_diaries. Regardless of where I lay my head for the night, the home-free lifestyle is one for which I feel deeply passionate. For those who choose it, it is a lifestyle I champion for its liberating mobility and simplicity, and likely will til my dying day.
“In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in some way, and in that I learn from him.” — RW Emerson
Exactly, JTN. Exactly.
I think what you’re doing is Fantastic! You’re more free than most of the people reading this. You have the world as your home and don’t have to pay a large sum of money to be able to sleep somewhere each night. Keep writing the journal and we will enjoy following the adventure!
I think your ex-wife has issues with you though…lol
Thanks, Richard! I appreciate the good vibes. It’s most definitely been an adventure and, yes, the decision to engage life in this way has opened me up to a range of new perspectives and experiences. Saving a little money doesn’t hurt either!
And while I am more free than I once was, I try to be careful about comparing myself to others. Not everyone needs to (or should) move into their office to liberate themselves from whatever it is that ails them. But it has worked wonders for me so I am happy to share my experiences! Thank you so much for your support and readership!
And yeah, I wasn’t even aware that I had an ex-wife. Perhaps my last Vegas trip was more interesting than I recall…
A last vestige,
A dying breed,
A weary traveler,
Down and untrodden road,
With only a napsack to call home,
But a sustaining adventure
To call his.
Possessor of the spirit of those Oregonian Trailblazers who preceded you, bravo.
I missed this comment earlier, oh Oracle one. All I need in my possession is adventure and my thirst will be cured!*
*Also, I’ve really been into sparkling water lately. But I digress…
You know what I think ought to be outlawed? Traffic jams and greed. The poor clueless slaves that sit in traffic jams to get to their crap jobs selling crap and then back to their shithole far away overpriced apartment that makes some asshole filthy rich just so they can have a place to take a dump?!!
Ok so I’m upset a little bit.
Suckers. Ever since day one they’ve been controlled by fear and a slave to the system.
I’m getting so upset that I think I’m gonna write all this down on a big piece of cardboard and stand at an offramp holding it up so everyone can read it. Or maybe Venice beach.
Huh, I saw this comment while listening to Modest Mouse’s “Bankrupt on Selling”. Ain’t it funny how life deals your hands, even in the details?
You’re not alone in your frustration. It’s a flawed design and not all of us are compatible. Vent away, amigo. But keep searching for how you fit into it all while you do it. Or maybe you’ve already found it–as an agitator after all.
Look out of for the guy in the truck, honking and winking when he sees you standing with your sign. Meanwhile, I’ll keep crapping rent-free on my way to financial independence, thank you very much.
He was born with the gift of laughter and a sense the world was mad.
Over the years, this very first line of a book called Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini has become my creed. And after reading your bio, I would say it pretty well describes yourself.
About twelve years ago, I took as my refuge my 1989 Dodge 250 custom van and went through exactly what you describe as your experience. This went for about a year and a half until I meet my ‘partner in crime’, a most unusual (she was a hoarder) woman named Alicia who invited me into her home in Sherman Oaks. A learned woman with a college degree and we had a glorious relationship for eleven years until exactly one year ago in October she passed away with pancreatic cancer. I find myself still coping with this. I left her over six and half years to take a job as a resident manager in Hollywood and since the job included an apartment, we had to part company. However, we always stayed in touch and had many experiences together afterwards. Now, I have been pink slipped and have to leave by Nov.l.
A class action law suit instituted by lame brained tenant was the only reason they had to get rid of me, through no fault of my own.
I still have the van, always a back up thinking something like this might happen….and it has. I also have now a 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage. I have every intention of returning to the van if no job appears on the horizon and that may well happen. Your web site has been a welcomed sight, owing to your recent article in the LA Weekly.
You write quite well. I also do that and write reviews of various events and theatre openings…no pay but it gets me in gratis.But the stark reality lies ahead and I have a lot of decisions to face but trying not to get too stressed out. It will be a very interesting two and a half weeks.
I learned a lot when I was living out of my van and that will help a lot in this new venture.
If you like to throw a few words in this direction, I would be appreciative of that.
Take care.
Bob
Thank you for the kind words, Bob. You seem to already be very capable of handling yourself in such a transition, so surely you’d have more wisdom than I when it comes to living home-free. I’ve not read Sabatini (yet) but I wouldn’t be surprised if there are parallels. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are parallels with a lot of folks. You and I. Others.
Choosing to take the road less traveled attracts a certain set of consequences. What is fortunate now is that, with this kind of lifestyle, there is a widely expanding community that is gaining a voice. This is no longer a remote, underground phenomenon. It’s a movement. YOU are part of a movement. Whatever fears or obstacles you may face within your lifestyle choice, know that you are far from alone in experiencing them. Much the contrary. The strength of your choice grows as the numbers who share your views increase. So rock on, my friend.
I love your story and your courage. I am a 57 year old woman with a husband, two teenage sons, a dog and a HUGE beautiful home, but I long for the simplicity of a “tiny” home (with or without wheels), the wealth of more time for travel, passions, and less clutter physically, mentally and spiritually. I hope when the kids are out of the house to get there one day!
No one else agrees with me 🙁
but life can work in mysterious ways!
Thank you, Ellen. I appreciate your kind words and support your ambitions and hope you find the way to fulfill them some day:)
Ellen, I really hope you find what you are looking for. My wife and I have been married 49 years and like you, I dream of simpler living.
We are fairly close to our version of simplicity. My wife just won’t go to the next step, so a compromise is always present.
I really enjoy the living vicariously of all you beautiful people.
Wow..I know a lot of people who are a day away from homelessness. We should really try as humans to be grateful for the small things in life like shelter. Also, remember someone is always in a worse situation than you. Good luck to all those who have the courage to go for their dreams!!!
That’s right, kmw. Our struggle is always relative:) Thank you for the well wishes.
Hi! Just wanted to say that I love your lifestyle, have you read about yearbnb? It’s a guy who lives in bnb’s in Asia because his job makes him travel a lot, it’s very cool
Why dont you place an add in Veriety magazine,in hollywood,I did that once,its expsesive,and say your an out of work actor. To get a sag card, you have to have 3 walkon I recall,just show up,any movie studio,stand around, extra is what they call them.
Thanks for the suggestion, Stan. Fortunately I’ve got my bases covered now though:)
You remind me of, and seem to be something of an urban version of Eustace Conway, aka “The Last American Man” (Elizabeth Gilbert, 2003). He learned how to fend for himself since a very young age, and led a life closer to nature. He actually spent a considerable time living in the Appalachians, on-the-go. I read the book in Environmental Philosophy class years ago and your story instantly reminded me of him. It’s actually written by one of his ex-wifes/gf. If you haven’t read it, I think you’d enjoy doing so.
Kudos on your courage to pursue happiness despite the hardships associated with going against the grain of social norms and what’s generally considered the norm. Western society has turned into a sort of Factory where the “workers” are actually slaves, shackled to their monthly bills. Some may say that at least we can afford stuff and other nations have it much worse… the paradox is that, coming from a not-so-well-to-do nation myself, I can attest to the paradox that in many such places, people work a lot less, have a bit less, but are happier…
You are certainly on to something.
Finally, I hope Bob is doing well. He posted in October of last year, I wonder if things worked out favorably for him.
Thank you, ESN. For the words of encouragement and the reading suggestion. Once I finish one of the four I’m reading, I’ll look up “The Last American Man” at LAPL.
I wonder about Bob, too. And a few other folks who’ve stopped by to say hi…
Love your story..I hope
everything goes well for a long long time
Thank you, Marcia. I appreciate your kindness.
I have thought about doing this for a couple of yes now BUT, I seriously doubt it would be safe for a female. I need another option. But seriously, take care of the kid if he is your blood !
Not everyone has the luxury of being able to enjoy the benefits of this kind of lifestyle, it’s true. Though I do see many females living home-free in ways they feel are secure, these are more often than not the exceptions. As for “the kid”, I am MOST THANKFUL that any children of mine are entirely fictional. Otherwise, I’d be spending this time somewhere trying to be a better father:)
It takes extraordinary courage to go through what you’ve been through and above it all come out positive and optimistic. I really appreciate how candid you are with your life. You’ve made many sacrifices but you sound like you’re doing pretty well for yourself! 🙂 Please continue to write and express yourself. You only live once!
Thank you for the kind words, Jane. I’m working at it. Determined to make that one life count!
I have a few words to share. Many not a few but…I hope you don’t delete this comment…
I see a lot of the same mentality that my father had when he left my mother and I and decided to “embrace” his “artistic” needs – I didn’t find out until recently he was living in his car shucking Ramen much as yourself until I found his blog and went through his posts. I think because of the same similarities in attitude I cannot agree with your logic.
I guess I should be honest and say – you come off as selfish and a bit underhanded megalomaniac, all to satisfy your need to write and film. I give you slack for wanting to express yourself but I find this fringe starving artist lifestyle so depressing. Art will always be around and you will always have an opportunity to express yourself. But there are some things and far too many lives who cannot and will not wait. I bring up my father again because your blog and ‘voice’ is so eerily similar to his…I can see you share the same mentality.
I mean, what kind of film or doc or book are you or have you made/written that is so earth shatteringly important you have to adopt a roving crank lifestyle to accomplish it? Is being an “artist” so important you must live this way?
I support your freedom of speech here, Diana, even if your tone is a little disrespectful. Sounds like this story conjured some unresolved feelings that you’re unfairly projected onto me. I hope you can find peace with what seems like a very painful part of your past. I wish you the best.
I think you are on to something. First, while I was reading your story I imagined how I could live in my office – 4 solid walls, a locking door, lots of floor space and cabinets – not to mention bathrooms with a shower, full kitchen, wi-fi, the nines. If I didn’t have a husband, 2-kids and a 3,000+ sq. ft. house – it’s seems like a great option! I hope business owners see this and imagine how offering a housing benefit would attract a slew of bright professionals – i.e. Offer positions downstairs in an office but make the floor above available office/studios – free of charge. They may have employees who also come to work much happier, in a better financial situation, and more dedicated to their company – no one frazzled from a long commute. I think ANY young professional would vie over the opportunity! Best of luck to you…
Perhaps they will, Erin. As long as we don’t return to the days of the “factory town” where such a thing was essentially compulsory, I can’t help but think it’d be a viable option.
Like many, I’m sure, not by choice . I was forced to live at my workplace for about the same amount of time..I hope your story helps others realize that many good people are in trouble and need our help. Thanks for sharing.
We share the same hope, Gianni. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Sending good energy your way. We are enslaved to the system, and it literally strangles our hopes and dreams, dampens our creativity and worst of all- damages our health! So many people in the corporate world fighting to keep their jobs, because without their salaries they can’t afford their home, their car and to send their kids to private school. And they wonder why their health is declining. It’s a “cut-throat” corporate world that celebrates greed and narcissism. Thank you for sharing your journey! I will be making a transition this year, and currently trying to figure out the details. I’ve been living rent free for the past 6 months and I have to say, I feel so much more freedom in identifying my personal dreams and how to achieve them. I am more creative, more motivated and my mind is clearer than ever before. I’ll be on the lookout for you. 🙂
Soaking it in and passing it right back around to you, Kate. Thank you. I’m glad you’re finding your own peace through this lifestyle, and happy you, too, are spreading the word through your work. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Kate.
I’ve been living it for 7yrs now. I was married 20yrs, separated and lived in my truck till it caught fire caused by engine on 405 fwy. moved in with a friend. later lived in a relationshipt for 11yrs. after that 7yrs now living it.
some friends family security gaurds know. it’s not for everyone. some may say we’re selfish or irresponsible, they’re entitled to their opinion they dont know the problems that leaves us with this choice, life throws you a curve ball or better yet “the devil is in the details”
things are looking better there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.
just yesterday I wanted to create a blog about it and as the song goes “you beat me to the punch” what irony lol
many areliving in RV’s but not many can say Office.
Thank you for putting it out there
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, FVP. Why not create your own blog? Your thoughts are as unique as mine, and who’s to say I’m doing it the best? That said, I appreciate your support and thank you for the kind words. I hope my story helps get this movement more positive publicity for all of us.
It seens you have found a great peace in not falling into the “rent game”. I applaud your discipline, creativity, determined “push” toward your goal. Keep on keeping on. I got your back Been there, done that. Priceless!! What can I say? Genius peace living LOL
Thanks for having my back, Curtis! I appreciate it:)
Wow! I came upon this blog after seeing it on yahoo… I can totally relate to you, except that I am apart of this “system.” Currently an undergraduate at a state university, it seems likeIi have no choice but to further my education in order to compete and qualify to do what I love. Was it worth the student loans to get through grad school? I am in that dilemma, and very uncertain for the future. Thank you for an inspiring read.
Great question, Shaine. Both of my degrees give me definitive advantages on the job market, but earning my graduate-level degree on student loans yielded crippling student debt. I recommend you find a way to earn your degree(s) without debt. Attend schools where your tuition is paid, hustle for financial aid, avoid the mismatched interest rates that drag on past a lifetime. But if you yearn for an education, do find a way to achieve that. Best of luck and please keep in touch to let me know how you are doing.
Hello there, OH!
I may be car dwelling in the next little bit. I have been living with my ex of a few years, sharing the same room, for fear of the unknown. It’s time for a more healthy situation, and my own personal healing from taking some experimental shortcuts in LA. I’m subleasing a friend’s place for 4 weeks for a transition/downsizing period, and then when I get back from San Francisco, I’m planning on car dwelling for about 3-4 months. When you try to exist so much outside of yourself, like I did, you end up losing a part of your identity and your ability to feel in control. Even my modest rent payment was over 25% of my monthly income after taxes – $1800 a month with any kind of debt on top of rent just isn’t doable for me right now. I’m downsizing a lot now, preparing to fit it all in my Jetta (not a camping vehicle).
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know it won’t involve me compromising myself or my values in any way anymore. Thank you for showing me what can happen when you leap.
Thank you for sharing your story, A22. It sounds like a little independence is just what the doctor ordered, and the home-free lifestyle, however temporary, can be a great way to achieve that. Let me know if I can provide guidance with any issues that may arise. And good luck!
What kind of truck do you have (make and model) and what kind of shell? Would you recommend another make/model and/or shell?
Email me and I’ll be happy to discuss details, but in general I’m working with a mid-size truck and a regular SnugTop shell. My recommendations would depend on your dimensions, your goals, and your specific needs.
I love your simple lifestyle, practicality, and courage. I’m doing it too!
Thank you for the kind words. And go on with your bad self! Are you officing? #vanlifing? Favor-sharing?
Also an office hobo! I’ve been living in my office for over a year now with no regrets. Turned out to be a great decision.
Great story, this is the kind of articles that I like to read.