Questions / answers thus far:
there's been a lot of good advice in this thread thus far and a few understandable questions.
I'm going to answer them all here as I can no longer edit the main thread.
first off, great suggestions - some of these were already on my mind (gym, library, camping specifically) and seeing them reinforced via comments is encouraging.
to answer some questions that have been raised:
1. > homeless in the USA? Just cannot understand how this would happen
I'm still trying to piece this together myself. I failed multiple job interviews that were very difficult, ran out of unemployment and am now facing eviction. it takes 6 to 12 months to get into government housing in colorado. unless i get a job before that, its the car, the woods or the street.
> 15 years full stack
I don't get it either.
2. > How resonable is the person/company you rent from to secure an agreement to stay on despite the late rent?
zero reasonable. they filed after 3 days and after i explained that i'm having health issues.
3. > Have you applied for unemployment?
yes, i was approved as my reason for quitting was appropriate, however it ran out quickly as rent is extremely expensive.
4. > Built In Colorado job
I am aware and use it, however yes the process is slow
5. > if he were a brilliant engineer he probably wouldn't be on here with this post
Define brilliant. i certainly haven't claimed to be brilliant, but i do claim to be an excellent employee, extremely fast learner and someone who has never been fired and who has always excelled at their job. I suspect some people think i'm brilliant and others do not.
6. > Why would 3 days late on your rent involve a court date and eviction?
Denver / Colorado is harsh as fuck, apparently.
7. > It'd be really shocking to me if this happened in the US without some prior history/grounds for eviction
then be shocked, my friend. its happening and i've never been evicted in the past nor has my wife. nothin but smooth sailing in my past. this is denver
In all of this i also forgot to mention that I was diagnosed as being bipolar which has helped wreck my life.
8. > How have you been an engineer for 15 years and still: Rent an apartment, Don’t have a few laptops lying around, Don’t have any savings while having no kids
This series of questions assumes that i have made sound financial decisions over the years. i have not. it also assumes i do not have a child whereas I do from a previous marriage. also, it assumes i've never owned a house, i have... doesn't mean i still do.