SWIM wants to leave California behind. There's just too much screwed up about this place, and his life has been ruined because of his poor decisions in the past. He also needs to leave his fiance behind and move on. And last but not least, he needs to free his family from the legal troubles he's cast them into.

He would like to know how exactly to go about getting from CA to NY, hypothetically, on a ridiculously low budget.

Tips on hitch-hiking, train-hopping, etc? How can he start up a new identity if/when he gets there? What should he bring with him, and how long might the journey take?

This is a serious inquiry. My friend's been trying to turn his life around while staying here, but it isn't going to happen unless he goes somewhere else.

Thank you.

I'm going to ignore that swim shit and address you.

I really hope you think hard about what you're about to do to your fiance and family by disappearing. Don't just say everyone will be better off and justify it like that the rest of your life. You're in legal trouble? Man up and deal with the consequences.

If you're in trouble for a crime with an unjust sentence hanging over you then I would understand.

If you have no money your best bet is hitch-hiking and train hopping indeed. Hitch-hiking is especially risky because all it takes is one squad car to drive past and stop you. At that point chances are he's going to run a check on you and haul your ass back to California. If someone pulls over for you look around inside the car and at the driver; if you don't feel comfortable getting in then don't. You aren't required to accept every ride that stops, but be polite about it.

Trains are just dangerous; you need to accept that right away and realize that anything can happen trying to get on those things. I've never done it but some common advice I hear is be very careful about jumping on or off moving trains. The speed can be hard to judge and before you know it you could be rolling at about 40 miles per hour. There can be regular checks too so they may detain you or just tell you to shove off. EDIT: Actually these days you'll probably be thrown in jail more than anything, it's a risk.

As for building a new identity. That's tough in the modern world. You'll just have to start from the bottom and build connections with people who can help you out. You'll have to take jobs that pay off the books, but chances are you'll get stiffed on a few paychecks.

Again, just think about what you're doing to the people who get left behind. Don't be selfish. Good luck.

Thank you a lot for the advice.

It has nothing to do with the sentence itself, but the fact that I would have to rejoin the Woods on the inside. I am NOT a gangster, I never will be, and I am not about white power. I want nothing to do with that shit, it's bad karma.

Train-hopping couldn't be too hard; I have a friend who'll drive me to a podunk train stop in AZ where I can easily hop on and slip inside. Honestly I think it's less sketchy than hitch-hiking.

Thanks a lot for the advice.

What stuff should I bring with me?

DXM, what part of CA? Norcal, Cencal, or Socal? City would be cool, but unneccesary.

Catch me on AIM (same sn as on here)