I've posted it on other parts, so I'd better put the main topic here. And I trust you all very much, much more than my family. (Yes...sad, I know )

Due to my family's inability to operate in a loving way I am going to be hitching a Greyhound to Denver, CO sometime in the next 2-3 months.

I'd like some questions answered by you all, those who live IN Denver and those who've taken Greyhounds before.

1. What foods can I take on the bus? I don't want to get OFF the bus unless I have to, as many Greyhound stations are in bad neighborhoods.

2. I'll be getting off at the Greyhound station on Union. What's that road and area like?

3. What do I have to do to take my laptop with me?

4. Am I CRAZY?

Everyone has said that this is completely insane of me to even THINK about doing, but, as the butler in The Beverly Hillbillies once said, "I believe it to be self-preservation!"

5. Apartment complexes in close proximity to workplaces. I'd rather not have to drive, as, well, I have no car. I have a learner's, but I fail to see the point in getting my license when I HAVE no car.

Don't think I'm not already doing my research, though. I've looked up several possible places to stay, I just...need a few tips, from those of you who might live there.

I don't know about Greyhound's rules. I do think they would be happier if you paid rather than hitched, though.



We have quite a few areas where they have developed the all-in-one...workspace, living space above, retail space around where no car is needed. Our light-rail service has expanded and is expanding more in the north, south, east and west directions...to downtown. Which is where Union Station is (I think that's where you arrive).

Downtown Denver has cool parts, dark parts, risky parts and lovely parts. People of Denver, though, are great at helping out, giving directions, being of aid.

Do you have Rocky Mountain Fever, by chance?

LA

I meant paid...just trying to sound cool.

RMF, what makes you say that?

Once upon a time, it was the term for the draw to Denver from people from all over. It's outdated, the RMF reference.

I can't understand why everyone doesn't have it. Just wondered what was your draw to choose Denver.

LA

What draws me, frankly, is the cold weather. I really do not enjoy warm weather here in the south (and the d@mn ants that come with the heat), and Denver is cold, and as I've been told upon research, a place with a robust enough economy.

Plus, it's miles and miles away from my family.

I've had a friend who already lives there tell me much; but she is in college and thus, she can't really tell me everything. (She goes to the Art Institute which monopolizes a lot of her time)

Thanks for the article, by the way, I'm reading it currently.

Perhaps I should explain why I am moving.

My father gets very upset when he becomes...drunk. When I do not agree with him he becomes violent; and if he becomes too violent (not striking me) he dares me to call the police, because "I have something on you!"

And my grandmother will do nothing.

I feel abandoned. Lost...

You are definitely old enough to strike out on your own. And it seems that in your family the more distance the better.

I'll bet that your dad says what my dad said to me when I left home - You'll be back with your tail between your legs.

I vowed I would never live under his roof again. And I kept that promise to myself; when I go visit my family for more than a day I stay in a motel rather than sleep under his roof.

What are your job skills? Have you considered the other side of the Rockies? Salt Lake has a booming economy for some jobs.

I want to stay in Denver because I have friends there that have agreed to let me be the third roommate.

I've worked at Wal-Mart for a year, and have decent skills as far as cashiering goes.

Okay with the computer. Super writer (tooting my own horn), and as far as proofreading goes, typos make me go batty.

Get yourself away from your father.
ASAP

I'm rounding up things to pawn.

The plan is to leave tomorrow night.

My grandmother is doing everything possible to get me to stay. Why? It's puzzling...

She's even getting MAD at me. As weird as that might sound.

...and now HE is coming in apologetic and saying he's sorry.

I'm sick of this...

I am 20.

I've been trying for a long time to do this; but I found myself incapable of saving. I'd always blow it on something...

And her, his target? I never thought about that...

My plan isn't all that concrete...but...better a little hungry, than insane.

Thanks, Pep. This REALLY helps.

Karma - I used to guest-teach college methods classes for psychology and family life on the specific topic of dysfunctional family behavior specific to alcoholism. I started out with Madonna's song "O Father" with a power point presentation (or in the old days a slide presentation synchronized with the music)

I would talk about the children they would encounter in their classrooms and the compensating behaviors those children exhibit that have an impact on their learning experiences.

I had a baby mobile - with all of characters balanced very carefully. I showed what happens with that family when a child in recovery has to leave the balancing act that family does and everybody has to play their part to keep the dysfunctional family carefully in place; how the family will scream to keep everybody in their place on the mobile so that they don't have to deal with themselves.

Karma - you're about to leave the mobile. They are going to scream. They will try to pull you into the drama, even from a distance. Do exactly what Pep tells you to do - limit their access to you. You may want to have your friend read your emails for you to act as a filter. Alcoholic families can be really vicious to break from. I had nightmares as it chased me to college when I left home. I'm the only child in the family that lives further than 20 miles from home. I live over 6 times that amount of distance. I have to. I'd love to live in the valley where I grew up; it's beautiful and my son will be going there to college. But to maintain my own mental health, distance it is!

I guess it's a good thing that my family doesn't even KNOW my email address?

And that I have only a cheap Tracfone with about 80 minutes on it.

Going off with less than $1000 is insanity of itself, but you two...

Ach. Sorry, I am rambling. I can understand why this is disliked by the family; because I refuse to play nice. Therefore; I am the target. I am sure they will not have a hard time replacing me...

I hate to leave the family dog behind, also. I was always more attached to her than to everyone else.

But I can't take her with me.