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Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream

Adam Shepard

For Derrick, who knows what he wants and goes for it.

And for BG and Marco, who are almost there.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Disclaimer and Author’s Notes

Introduction July 24—Setting Up

One Welcome to Crisis Ministries

Two EasyLabor

Three Another Day, Another Dollar

Four Big Babies

Five Sundays with George

Six Hustle Time

Seven Job Hunting 101 with Professor Phil Coleman

Eight Put Up or Shut Up

Nine “First and Last Day”

Ten Adventures in Moving

Eleven Movin’ On Up

Twelve Workers’ Consternation

Thirteen Winter with Bubble Gum

Fourteen Culture Shocked

Fifteen Fighting for Respect

Sixteen One Last Move

Epilogue A Year Later: A Didactic Look at What I Learned and Where I Go from Here

About the Author

Credits

Copyright

About the Publisher

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

There are a number of people that deserve more than a simple “thanks” for their assistance in the writing of this book.

First shout-outs to Amy Brust and Nicki Jhabvala, who turned an amateurish first draft into a respectable second.

To Dan Strone, my agent, who breathed new life into a book that I figured would remain self-published forever. And to my editor at HarperCollins, Serena Jones, who brought a passion to this project that parallels my own.

To the rest of my review crew, who should not by any means be discounted for being “the rest of my review crew”: Molly Beam, Angela Caira, Neil Cotiaux, Sarah Haynes, Jen Golojuch, Jaime-Lyn Pickles, Jan Richards, Surry Roberts, Erik Shepard, and Michael Thomas. A special thanks to Iain Levison and Fred Hobson—authors much more skilled than I will ever be—who kept me grounded.

To Teresa Pierrie, my ninth grade English teacher, who sparked a passion in writing that I may not have discovered on my own. And then showed me how to do it.

And, most importantly, to my parents—George and Joanie Shepard—who instilled in me the knowledge to conceive such a project and inspired me with the courage to complete it.

DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR’S NOTES

Please be forewarned that my story does contain some profane language. I considered censoring the entire book in an effort to reach a wider audience, but, in the end, I decided it would take away from some of the people that I met along the way. Submerged in a world that used cursing as a form of expression, I wrote it like they said it, even toning it back somewhat with guys like Phil Coleman and Brooklyn Bonesy.

It is NOT recommended that the reader repeats the exact actions contained herein. By reading this book, the reader agrees to release the author, the publisher, the book seller, and all other interested parties from any liability stemming from events related to the contents of this book.

The truth is that I wouldn’t wish my experience—especially the first seventy days—on anyone. Go to school, find your passion, save your money, live your dreams.

Finally, last names have been changed in order to protect the privacy of the people with whom I was associated throughout my year. Additionally, some of the names of the organizations with which I was associated have been changed.

INTRODUCTION

July 24—Setting Up

My mom is nervous. My pops seems more excited about it than I am. My brother anxiously awaits my departure so he can take possession of my bed and all of my clothes after I leave.

My friend Sana is merely curious, while my friend Matt thinks I may have simply gone mad.

And maybe he is right. I am very frustrated.

I am frustrated with the whining and complaining.

Frustrated with the lethargy and lack of drive that seems to be overcoming a younger generation in particular.

Frustrated at always hearing how it “used to be” when people talk about the good ol’ days in the same breath as their perceived demise of America.

I am really, really frustrated with the poor attitudes that seem to have swept over my peer group. Frustrated with hearing “I don’t have” rather