Craigslist Paranoia
I’m paranoid. Completely and hopelessly gripped by fear. Every listing I upload and every person I trade emails with is another chance to be caught, to be hunted down. My paranoia has me teetering between sharing everything and sharing nothing.
For example, I debated for a good two hours whether to post about the crummy homemade wine rack I sold tonight for $10. The item, which I found in Craigslist’s free section, required no work on my behalf, aside from listing it of course. Yet, I’m not sure it was worth it.
I am so afraid of a sting operation from the angry Art Collective Resident in search of her security deposit that I have almost been frozen in my own online tracks. What if, by the grace of the Internet Gods, the she comes looking for me, and worse, actually finds me me?
My internal monologue is like a mid-slumber call from the bathroom to my bladder. Both are annoying but I can’t piss my thoughts down the toilet.
I keep asking myself: “Should I list? Shouldn’t I? Is it possible to be found by a single listing on a site that sees thousands of new posts each day? Would someone really hold me at gunpoint over a $200 check I don’t owe?”
These are the moments when I truly hate the anonymity of Craigslist. For protection, though I suppose publishing this sentence renders my actions useless, I have adopted a new email address, strictly for Craigslist purposes, and a new name too. When possible, I tell people to call the house number, and I have stopped postings that might be obvious red flags for a regular reader of the blog. (Test me. See if you can find me on the Denver Craigslist page I will not only freak out, but I will send you a gift from the site.)
Even these actions don’t comfort me. The unknown has left me imagining the worst, and because I don’t know if the Tale of the Tainted Security Deposit is over, I suppose I’ll have to wait and see.
At the same time, I am afraid of being fired by both my jobs before I ever see my first pay stub. Recently the number of readers has jumped, and with it my relative secrecy in a Google search has disappeared.
Let’s hope I can remain anonymous in Denver.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 5:37 am
you certainly crack me up – I can see you being successful in whatever you set out to do… had you thought of compiling all of the posts with responses in a book? Keep up the good work. would you mind if I posted your site on facebook?
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:49 am
Stumbled onto your blog about two hours ago and haven’t been able to stop reading since. I’m captivated by your art house collective horror story. Hope it all turns out for the best. I wish I had it in me to be a Craigslist nomad.
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:27 am
You’re on AOL’s front page this morning. I think that’s hitting the big time; no?
Congratulations!
Maybe someone generous will send the “she” $200 so she’ll go away.
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:13 am
HELLO. are you the guy living on craiglsit exclusively for 9 months?
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:10 am
Stop with the insecurities. Whats the worse that can happen. You lose a job. You have to pay back $200. These things will not end your world. Be possitive. Take control of your life. Most bad things do not happen unless you let them happen. Remember you are smart. Your have courage, and it sounds like you have a great Dad. I am 67 and most of the bad things I thought would happen in my life, never did, and if they did – - – I lived through it.
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:37 am
never fear, new things are always around the corner. And I don’t suppose you started this whole “experiment” to stay anonymous… Time to make it all work for you. Its allllll good.
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:45 am
I haven’t been this hooked since the puppycam.
I love craigslist. First site I check every morning. What fun to find you “living” through craigslist. I am jealous.
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:47 am
Pay the $200. Consider it a part of your life education. Standing on principle this time is going to net out at destructiveness. Good luck with this, and as a (much) older person with oodles of hindsight, it’s clear to me that things will work out very well for you.
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:14 am
I’ve spent the morning reading your blog. It’s great fun. Keep going. I smell a movie deal when you are finished.
D
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:48 am
A great Vision, and a great read! You’ve inspired me to start my own blog. BTW, if you need some dough, you can always find properties for us. Whatever you do, with your ingenuity, I’m certain you’ll prosper! All the Best!
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:47 am
Such a clever idea. I love it. Good luck to you…
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:23 am
I don’t think I could do it… sure involves a lot of trust in humankind! Recently rented an apartment on Craig’s List (for New Year’s Eve in NYC) and it caused me great angst about whether or not the apartment would really exist when we got there. If you are traveling, come through Cleveland and I can put you up for a night or two.
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:25 am
I agree with Joyce. Soon enough you’ll be able to look back and laugh about it.
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Jason – Have just spent the last 3 hours reading your blog from start to finish…I must say, it was worth it! I have drank 4 cups of coffee, laughed til I had to get up and go to the bathroom and cried real tears as I read about your donation to the organization in California and the thought of the little girls from “the family” having to say goodbye when it was time for you to move on. I think what you are doing is not only admirable, but ingenious and ultimately the best step you could have taken for your future. I believe that God puts people in our paths for a reason and that ultimately, everything happens for a reason. I can promise you that even though you have had a few “uncomfortable” experiences, these will be outweighed by the “wonderful” ones. Forget about the “she” in California because every minute that you spend worrying or thinking about it is another time that Josiah wins. Unload that bad karma and energy….it will get you nowhere.
I promise to read your posts every morning when I check e-mail….don’t think I couldn’t do it since I am now “hooked”. Will also send your thread to my contacts list. I think there is great learning potential in what you are doing and am interested in my kids (23 and 25) take on all of this.
I too have recently “up and walked away” from everything I knew in life to become an executive chef in New Orleans…it has been scary, wonderful, exhilarating and eye-opening. Take life as it comes and enjoy it, Jason. It doesn’t last as long as you’d like it too!
Sunnie
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Stop worrying.
You said there was no signed agreement.
Let them bark whine and complain.
And report the Art Collective to the health department.
Time to move on.
Change your phone number too.
Get out of Dodge.
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Stop the paranoia! Keep on “listing” If work finds out you’ll get another job!
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I say fix the paranoia! You are insecure because you made a mistake that goes against your better judgement. I predict you will find her at some point and give her the $200 you owe her.
January 23rd, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I just stumbled on your story on AOL today…We are losing our house to foreclosure after our businesses failed and we filed for Bankruptcy…but we are using Craigslist to sell off alot of stuff we had accumulated in the house and can’t take with us. Your story inspired me to use Craigslist to find other opportunities to help my family during this financial disaster. I wish you the best in your endeavor, I think you will probably get a book deal out of it and maybe some other great break is coming your way. Oh yeah…we found a house to move to, and my kids haven’t missed a meal…thanks be to God. Matt 6:33-34 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (I think Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves…so live for today and stop worrying about tomorrow, it’s freeing)
January 23rd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
I am SO inspired!Not only are taking all the fears out of Craigslist but after not having any work for months and living in worry mode, you are changing my perspective. No doubt its guts and adventure that send you on your way. Still, I’m sending you Reiki energy and many blessings on your journey. A nights rest and a meal are always waiting here in Syracuse should you pass this way. Thanks for sharing the adventure!
January 23rd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
wow i just spend pretty much all day reading all your posts so i can get up to date on your journey. your truely incrediable and no dont worry dont thing you”l be held at gun point
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:53 pm
My Saturdays usually start slow and I read a little news on AOL. Well it is now after 6 PM and my rainy day has been lived expeditiously through your last 4 months. Like reading a good novel on a rainy day. I am close to your Dad’s age and have to agree with many, you will get past the latest adventures and look back on them and laugh. As for the Art House, perhaps you should make good with the gal, your issue was not with her (she went through what you did for longer) and she even gave you a heads up. Maybe the 2 of you should team up and take this guy to small claims court for what he owes you both. The filth is just something a person has to deal with and if you can live with it. The drugs are illegal and I am sure he would not want the cops knocking on his door with court orders. Tell him pay up or he will have more people to answer to besides the two of you. No matter the outcome, keep posting and we will all keep reading. I am sure after the AOL story your interview in the Bay Area will soon been on the air.
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:23 pm
I followed an AOL link here too and wanted to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed your adventure so far. Can’t wait to hear what happens next! I grew up in Denver, so I’m especially enjoying this leg of the journey… Best of luck!
January 24th, 2010 at 12:05 am
Yea, I’m finally caught up! It’s taken me ALL DAY to read everything and watch all the videos. Your photography is beautifull! You are young, and you are tired today, and you probably haven’t had a good meal lately. You feel quilty, thus the ’scared’. I have mixed feelings about paying anybody “back” anything…but you seem to have a good head on your shoulders and I’m sure you’ll do the “right” thing for you…regardless of what your readers think.
Please keep up the writting, no need for all the fear, keep writing like you did a month or so ago…you were finding your groove…I look forward to your next post! “This too shall pass”
January 24th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I am a writer, too–and graduated twenty years ago, when it wasn’t easy to find a writing gig then, either. It has been a challenge, and I wouldn’t want to start all over again, but I can tell you that writing has been a rewarding career for me, and if you really want it, I’m sure it can be for you as well. The truth is, there aren’t many people who can write well. You obviously can, and you just need to find a market. Give it another year and the publishers will be hiring again. Online venues are great for exposure but most don’t pay much; book publishing is nearly impossibly and pays nil; newspapers are going down the toilet; the real money is with magazines and the LARGER online outlets. Get involved in some writers’ organizations to get tips about selling your work. Good luck!
January 24th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
maybe dads not the only awfulizer in the family.
January 25th, 2010 at 9:25 am
When you agreed to live in the collective, you agreed to pay the prior tenant $200.00. When you cancelled the check, you broke the agreement. The only person being “screwed” in this scenario is the young woman to whom you owe $200.00. Grow up and pay her what is owed her.
January 26th, 2010 at 12:36 am
Movie deal, book deal… Hmm. My Oprah senses are tingling.
January 26th, 2010 at 7:09 am
I am surprised at how much the “Art Collective” is on the offensive when all it takes from any party they’ve upset is a quick call to the police to end the drug-riddled escapades. For good.
January 26th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Jason! (aka shalom yaakov)
Do you still remember the little people (like not little little people, just the people who knew you way back before you were featured on aol) with all these new followers?!
congrats, way to go!
look how many people you’ve hooked and who cant wait to put their two cents into your business. awesome.
January 27th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Saw your blog bookmarked on Delicious. I love your site and marketing strategy. My Comedy Lessons Blog – http://learncomedyroutines.blogspot.com/
January 28th, 2010 at 6:53 am
Hey I just wanted to let you know, I actually like the composition on your website. But I am using Chromium on a machine running version 9.10 of Ubuntu and the UI aren’t quite satisfying. Not a big deal, I can still fundamentally read the articles and search for information, but just wanted to inform you about that. The navigation bar is kind of difficult to use with the config I’m running. Keep up the great work!