Journal Entry #58 - Ramping Up Massachusetts

JOURNAL ENTRY #58

Name: Manley M Collins

Social Security Number: 5 7 9 – * * – 6 5 4 1

Date of Birth: 06/21

Place of Birth: Washington, District of Columbia

Country of Birth: United States of America

Date: September 1, 2020

Topic: Ramping Up Massachusetts

As my normal routine goes, I start doing the information systems, paperwork, and process to go through most federal, state, county, and city systems to get my information known to the state.

I did start walking Boston area at the same time I did purchase the Lyft's BlueBikes membership.  I have owned my own bicycle so I wanted to try something different.  The adventures of Lyft begun.  I had a Lyft account since Washington, DC, but the problem has always been that I did not have a vehicle to transport passengers.  I re-filled out my application, but I did not have a Massachusetts driver's license.

I went to seek out medical services, the first encounter was the Boston Medical Center's McInnis Health Group, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. This is the first encounter with the Massachusetts State Department of Health.  I became a member of the MassHealth insurance and community public plan.  I received a thorough initial testing and reporting of being associated with the Mass and Cass drug-infested, public nuisance community.  I got my first drug toxicology report.  This is my first time seeing all the types of drugs in the medical field that was not health or chemistry class.  You will see it in my medical and health post.  It was a unique phone registration process.  My primary care physician recommended Truvada again.  I did take the medication for HIV prevention. My STD, STI, and HIV full panel was negative.  I was speaking with Snow Company - Gilead - MyStory marketing campaign.  Unfortunately, the MyStory marketing campaign did not work out as expected as if the expectation was for me to become HIV positive, lose a kidney, or lose a liver while on the medication or something.  It is slightly hard to do with an above average, healthy person.  Later on, I was selected for the Gilead Sciences PrEP Advisory Community Board.  I was paid an honorarium and it was an informative three hour session.

Next department was Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).  I guess this is the England version of Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that is known across the rest of the United States.  However, the pandemic sure changed a whole lot of process.  The RMV was partially open and the lines were long.  I went to the Haymarket location.  I am still not use to the neighborhood names and locations.  Following the same pattern that I did in Connecticut, I  registered for the permit, then get the driver's license.  I had my recently expired Washington, DC driver's license, which came in handy everywhere that required a government ID.  I felt so good that having an expired driver's license made it pointless to steal wallet or use ID.  The PTSD situation from lost wallet made me continuously trim down wallet.  I did download and read the Massachusetts RMV manual several times via smartphone PDF. I did have the eye exam at the Haymarket location.  The Massachusetts learner's permit exam was not held onsite so I was permitted to take the exam at a random computer.  I went straight to FedEx Office and use the computer system there.  I barely passed on first try.  In order to be environment friendly I guess, my learner's permit was a paper for the driving test - non endorsed, which means I did not get a hard copy permit like other states.  I scheduled the first driver's test in November 2020.  Massachusetts driver's test require a sponsor, which a third person in the vehicle while taking your driving test.  My sponsor came from Chinatown neighborhood called Boston Metro Driving School.  Since I visited Brockton, I knew that location and scheduled the driving test.  When I scheduled it, the paper stated November 10, 2020, but on my calendars I had November 11, 2020 for some odd reason.  My sponsor took me and we reviewed the paper.  I was pissed and lost out of $250 for the sponsor, $35 for the driving test, and the Brockton RMV was closed on Veteran's Day.  The Massachusetts RMV did have learner's permit expiration for two years.  Since I was angry and mad, I waited until closer to my expiration date to re-take the driver's road test and got the same sponsor school.

Next department was Department of Mental Health.  I had to get to DMH before I have DMH do me.  I realized in life that the departments I did not use or see growing up comes out in way that I least expect or experienced it.  I had a great time filling out packets of paperwork to get all the medical and health experiences from all the other states into this system.  Something new that I encountered was a two-way authorization for the transference of information.  I was like uh-oh this should be fantastic synchronization of all the states that were part of medical and health issues.  On every form, I made sure to check everything.  The case file or information system should be overloaded and stacked to the from floor to ceiling.  Massachusetts DMH did not provide any specific services because I already had set Arbour Counseling Services for psychiatric care and therapy, Massachusetts General Hospital for psychiatric care, primary care physician, STD/HIV testing, and emergency services, and McInnis Health Group BMC BHCHP for primary care physician, emergency services, and HIV/STD testing.  I spoke to someone twice regarding the information packet and services needed.  Everything was being done by postal mail.

Next was CVS Minute Clinic for my third HPV (Gardasil-9) shot, only CVS could have seen this one to reach me before vaccination age expiration.  I had to travel to the Harvard (Cambridge) neighborhood to get the vaccine dose.

Next since Massachusetts was a big research domain, I applied for several Boston Clinical Trials regarding my mental health issues.  I also tried the FaceBook heavily advertised OpenBiome, this was interesting to get paid for bowel movements to transplant in diseased patients.  I did the interview and filled out the paperwork.  However, I did not meet the criteria and got banned for life. OpenBiome did fulfill their bargain with an Amazon gift card.

Next finding a job, of course, since FedEx South Carolina in my previous post did not work, I gave FedEx Boston Logan International Airport a try.  I had my interview along with someone else. It was an okay interview.  However, a young, Black male that was with me during the same time and left the same time, was going through his issues and gave plenty of concern about having clean urine for the drug exam.  I really did not what to say.  I kept to myself on the Airport bus to the MBTA (T) station Blue Line.  This is one of my last W-2 positions. I never saw that individual rambling off ever again.

Next department was Boston Public Library.  Copley Square was beautiful and big, but most of it was closed to the public.  I applied for the library's e-card services, then I had to use my paper driver's permit to get an actual library card.  The computer reservations had to be scheduled several days in advance.  It was on laptops.  I did not have my own computer yet because it was a delayed purchase waiting for the pandemic stimulus help.

Uber and DoorDash worked me all over Boston and Greater Boston neighborhoods.  It was a little hard to get acclimated to the Boston streets because they did not follow the format of Washington, DC, New York City, Atlanta, or Chicago.  Massachusetts was still white (Caucasian) as my research indicated.  The minorities (African-Americans, Latinos, Migrants, and Immigrants) were in the Southern neighborhoods like Dorchester, Roxbury, Roxbury Crossing and East neighborhoods like East Boston.  I am still waiting for reality to hit to see who is affording the $3500 rent for a one-bedroom Boston or Boston suburb apartments, $1,500,000 mortgages, and I had a townhome of 3800 square feet for $3500 mortgage payment in the city.  It seems like community is the theme in Boston, Massachusetts; in which, no one actually got to know anyone, but at least be cordial, respectful, and treat each other with dignity and communicate.  I think that is what Connecticut had too, but life did not let me stay there too long or just off and on because it was harder.

Journal Entry #21 - Happy Independence Day, Volunteer Life, and Community Service

JOURNAL ENTRY #21
Name: Manley M Collins
Social Security Number:  5 7 9 - * * - 6 5 4 1
Date of Birth:  06/21
Place of Birth:  Washington, District of Columbia
Country of Birth:  United States of America
Date: July 31, 2017

TOPIC: Happy Independence Day, Volunteer Life, and Community Service
DEPARTMENT: United States Department of Agriculture
DEPARTMENT: United States Department of Labor
DEPARTMENT: United States Department of Defense

Happy Independence Day to all United States of America citizens and upcoming citizens.  Thanks to all the servicemen and servicewomen who fulfilled and are fulfilling the tasks to help America keeps its freedom and independence AND promote democracy in other nations.  It has been an interesting journey doing food in a variety of ways.  I always had a volunteer life and community service life.  I spoke about it very little or it is on LinkedIn.  Since I do not have the money to donate, donating my time is the next best thing.  Let's start with month of July.

I enjoy the new life breathed into First Baptist Church of Washington, DC.  I enjoyed one of several social events across the city of Washington, which was the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Summer Organ Recital Series 2017 plus BusBoys and Poets Brookland.  It was my first time at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  It had wonderful designs per dome and beautiful storytelling per dome, stained glass windows, or exterior/interior columns. The Basilica has five masses starting as early as 5:15 AM and latest one 9:00 PM. The Basilica has The South Gallery Organ and The West Chancel Organ, both housing 9,393 pipes, from which 157 stops play 172 ranks.  The largest pipe of the south gallery, standing nearly 40 feet, weights close to 900 pounds, while its smallest pipe is no bigger than a simple pencil.  You would need a copy of the program to see all the names of the instrument or pipes…..I said ‘WOW!” to everything.

Position #32 - Capital Area Food Bank
I started the month volunteering for a community event for 16 years and older on L St NW between First St and New Jersey Ave.  Two different communities (Asians and other minority groups).  The Asians must have been there since 3 AM.  CAFB was very hip to use keycards/keytags to keep track of households.  CAFB gives very fresh food.  I even had to sign up even though South Carolina informed me first how free food distribution works with the free lunch program and mom collecting can goods, the 12 inch block of government cheese, and white paper canned peanut butter; and New York provided additional education on how free food distribution works regarding its CSA programs. Illinois gets no credit for what it did.


Position #33 - Bread for the City
It is very unique offerings. I only took advantage of the food distribution program. I attended a volunteer orientation session to start my volunteer relationship.  Great food distribution program, but wish there was more ready-to-eat type foods.

Position #34 - Central Union Mission
This men only shelter is a unique group of people. The setup is great and offering all the type services, laundry, various improvement programs, bed/sleep distribution around 3pm daily, and security wand you down at the door. I am volunteered in helping with clean up of the shelter and serving dinner.  This is starting my volunteer relationship.  I think something is the food, but I am allergic to something maybe the meat since I have not ate certain meats after a long period time.  I love the cupcakes and cookies.  The full service meal is great...the serving of water became larger.  I enjoy seeing traveling organizations, radio stations, corporations, and other neighboring Virginia/DC churches serve as volunteer.

Position #35 - Martha's Table
First, this organization seem small, but when I discovered it calendar and other services.  It is a large non-profit organization with plenty to offer for everyone.  The meals are unique.  it may be mish-mash, but you get all your needed nutrients.  I love the sandwiches, lemonade, trail mix, and fresh fruit for later.  I have started my volunteer relationship even though I have to book a month or two in advance.

Position #36 - S.O.M.E. (So Others Might Eat)
I was first introduced to this organization through a member (Ken) of my church years ago around 2010, but did not know what the organization was.  In 2017, I heard they served breakfast and lunch.  All the shelters bus those who want a full course breakfast or lunch.  Families and women are more acceptable here.  A lot of male cliques are here. I took the time to volunteer.  I got the souvenir hat, a printed name tag, and wore an apron.  However, some crazies or angry people have done unusual outbursts to make Jerry Springer Live come true.  I have started my volunteer relationship.

Position #37 - Caviar
Hannah and Caviar DC team has their hands full trying to service DC and Virginia. Everytime, it comes around to deliver for Caviar/Square, the weather just would not act right and I saw my schedule reliability rating went from 95% to 38%.  I kept wondering why I was not getting much orders.  The experience has been crazy. If you attempt to deliver while it is raining/storming on a bike, they will give you an address that do not exist. Also, they attempt to send you to pizza places that have enormous boxes you cannot fit anywhere.

Position #38 - Americorps/ByteBack
This is my first experience with a nonprofit. The Americorps organization was formed by President Clinton and additionally funded by President Obama.  I like the commitment to community service and its initiatives, but it is a full time job to make the hours for a little bit of money and no benefits (benefits are offered through public services).  I was glad to run into the FEMA Americorps team at the Capital Area Food Bank community event. Also, picture attached. ByteBack offers classes to adult learners. The experience has been unique from 10 attendees dwindled down to 2 attendees. Or holding at 7 attendees and showing up once or twice a week missing some material, etc.  Byteback crew is great. I look forward to the new move from NE Brookland to NE NoMa.

Position #39 - UberEats
This team I was able to discuss over the phone and online only. International calls were something very different. To join this organization, they made sure you get the rough patch. I remember delivering a cupcake from dupont circle all the way to glover park area.  The hills were a killer.  I remember one confrontation with Uber to get me to cross the bridge to Anacostia. Another confrontation with Uber was at 10:45 PM, a customer had a work address in, but discovered she wanted the food delivered Alexandria, VA on a bike.  Uber needs to address if they want deliveries like that please offer Uber cabs/taxis to get the UberEats driver there and back to DC.  Uber very interestingly tries to emulate the others, but I still can not believe how many trips I did for this company.  I did cover all four quadrants (NE, NW, SE, and SW) with this company.  George Washington University and Georgetown University seem to use this service quite a bit.  You have to get creative delivering McDonald's.  This is the only delivery company that said Happy Birthday to me.  When you join UberEats, just give them my invite code ManleyC23UE.  Just like the intelligence or Microsoft community called me ‘SharePoint’, the Washington, DC market and community are starting to call me ‘Uber’ or ‘UberEats’.

Position #40 - Grubhub
This team with Patrick, and others, give a very unique experience.  Something always happened to my bike when working or going to work for this company.  It is very interesting the three (3) or four (4) California companies do not talk about you.  Seeing the large signage on Douglas Development HQ in downtown Dc was nice, but with the new system of merging WhenIWork and Grubhub app terminate all the drivers who may have changed their schedules or miss a block.  I chatted with Jordan Oates about this and he was able to reactivate the account.  You surprised me and gave me a Virginia trip, but when I am not on GPS, I took WMATA/metro and made the delivery.  When you join Grubhub, just give them my name as a referral.

Position #41 - Postmates
Neil and this crew is hilarious. Postmates try to deliver everything. Soft drinks and ice cream, etc., and the driver has to be creative to deliver Wendy's.  This was my first company delivering soft drinks. During some trips, I had to substitute the drink for bottled water because I did not know how to do fountain drinks. One morning, I remember delivering two packs of paper from one office to next door office on the same block.  Howard University and NorthEast DC uses this service a lot.  Postmates did send me a warning of my 5 star rating to dropping below 4.7 star rating....slight suspicion or paranoia is the minorities seeing me a whole lot.  Using the PEX card is nice feeling in knowing there are commercial prepaid card. I even got a personalize PEX card right around my birthday.  The only annoyance is getting/photoing the receipts into the system/app.  When you join Postmates, just give them my name as a referral.

Position #42 - DoorDash
This is a very creative service for flat rate, but short trips.  Posting a time when the order is delivered gives the driver a huge break and not have to rush to customer regardless if they say ASAP (as soon as possible).  The RedCard is a great experience and do not have to photo the receipt into the system.  I love the personalized texts.  The only downside is one trip per hour.  When you join DoorDash, just give them my name as a referral.

Position #43 - Metropolitan Police Department
Guess what?! MPD disqualified me based on an old psychologist (about 73 years old) opinion.  I took the new written test (100% reading, 81.67% writing, and 56.52% video test). I did send an appeal to the deputy director and director.  The video test I guess for every option that says shoot with deadly force I guess I should have picked that option instead of providing customer service.

Position #44 - United States Capitol Police
Since MPD disqualified me and I failed the video test, I moved on to United States Capitol Police.  I applied here before years ago via paper application.  Let's see what happens.  If I fail here, most likely I will continue to go through all the law enforcement and fire agencies.

Position #45 - United States Air Force
Since MPD disqualified me and I failed the video test, I decided to accept Alabama as one of the possible states to go to for training.  In 1999-2000, I wanted to apply and had the application when I lived in Atlanta, Georgia.  In 2017, let's see what happens as I apply for every branch of the military, including reserve forces.

Position #46 - DC Government
Just keeping me D*MN busy with CPR, AED, First Aid, Emergency Preparedness training and whatever else on SERVE DC as a volunteer.  Mayoral campaign, I started visiting the ANCs.  Every ANC so far has been different from zero (0) minutes (no meeting) to four (4) hours.