excising the negative

I need to put myself on a temporary media blackout.
Too many stories this week on the news, internet, and in print of men who kill their wives, girlfriends, and children.
Too many of these men feel no remorse for these killings. What the hell is wrong with the male state of mind these days?

it'll be good for parties

First we found the house near friends and good things in Decatur. But it was the only house we looked at and I had questions about things like whether the wiring was compatable with our computer equipment, etc. Monster planned to redecorate - hang new fixtures, etc., which I said he needed to ask about first since we were dealing directly with an owner who lived close by and had more of an interest in his property. The answer was negative for both.

Then we found the house in his dream neighborhood of NorthCrest - a midcentury modern ranch style house.
So he emailed the owner of the Decatur house and said "thanks but no thanks."
Then we found out the NorthCrest house was already leased - credit check pending.

Yesterday, we found out the NorthCrest house was again available because the leasing company didn't approve the previous applicant. We printed out the lease and credit check forms and met the realtor at the house after I got off work so that I could see and approve it.

It's very noisey because it backs up to the highway but is reasonably quiet with the windows and doors closed. It's also a lot bigger than the house in Decatur and where we're at now. We're also running out of time. So I said okay and agreed to a one-year lease.

Now we just have to wait for them to approve us.

Monster suggested we have a yard sell to get rid of more stuff before the move. I just looked at him without saying anything. Then he added "or maybe not..."

still house-hunting

We didn't take the house near the Gothfather after all. I was concerned as to whether a house that age had grounded outlets or the ability to switch to new outlets inexpensively. Monster wanted to decorate and replace lighting fixtures, etc. The response from the owner was negative to both.

Meanwhile, a friend-realtor had pointed us to a mid-century modern ranch in Monster's beloved Northcrest neighborhood.
Monster emailed the first house owner to say thanks but no thanks.

Then we found out the 50's Ranch was already leased, pending credit checks, to someone else.

The search continues.

We still are doing drive-by's without stopping to take numbers on houses that are not attractive enough from the outside to someone who refuses to live in a building with siding or a hump of dirt in the front yard.

Soon we'll run out of time. Then, maybe, we'll find a place.

Chocolate

Chocolate!

A benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

All the chocolate you can eat. And they even serve real food too! And the proceeds go to a good cause.

Go tonight and have a great time if you have an extra $60.00 lying around and can dig on a ton of chocolate.

Date: Thu 06/21/2007 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location Villa Christina
Contact
For more information please contact the Georgia Chapter at:
T: 404-325-6973 or E: georgia@cff.org

Homo Sapiens

Other animals use tools and have lifelong relationships. We are the only creature that makes art.

too much caffeine

Didn't do my usual weekend shopping until last night. Usually, we drink fresh-ground coffee that I buy whole bean from Aurora (delish!) but it was too late on a sunday to shop at most independent stores by the time I got out. So I bought Cafe Bustello at the grocery, along with the other few necessities. Had two cups of Bustello this morning and I am still buzzed. And to think this used to be my usual brew for years! I phoned Monster to warn him to cut down on coffee intake this morning, but did he listen? He called me at work not long after I sat down at my desk to let me know that he now understood what I meant when I told him the coffee was dynamite. Unlike gourmet coffee, Cafe Bustello is not something to sip and savor quietly. It is rocket fuel.

Friday night: Went to Twinkledome for Bowie Worship night.

Saturday: Drove around looking at houses and taking numbers, etc. Had lunch at Dekalb Farmer's Market. Spent evening with friends in East Atlanta.

Today, I'm mopey. Stressed over the whole moving thing. Looks like we'll be living in Decatur soon.

I got jokes.

This from Maure.


I got jokes.




Sweet.

If you don't vote, you can't complain later.

I did consider going to the Condominium Association meeting tonight. I thought on it for a day or two last week when, because absolutely no one showed up for the last impromptu Unit Owners meeting, someone said maybe we should reschedule for the 14th and give everyone a little advance warning to plan on being there. Since then, there has been a non-stop bitch fest via email involving everyone in general and two people in specific. I've been to a lot of condominium association meetings in the past. I know how they usually go. This will not end well and will not address any of the changes that actually need to be made in the building.

kinda blue today

Nothing new on the house hunt. Working during the week, I won't have time to search again until the weekend.

Last Sunday, we got to take a look at a house in unincorporated Decatur that looked okay, though a bit smaller that where we're at now. I'm trying to get Monster, who has the business card of the owner of the one and only house we looked at, to send a polite email to them saying that we're definitely interested but need just one more week to decide. I don't want them to immediately assume we don't want to live there. I also don't want the place we relocate to be the only place we saw.

Meanwhile, via email, arguments among different members of the owners assocation at the midtown condo remind me of how tired I was of living there and how frustrating it still is to deal with everyone there. As God is my witness, I will never buy another condominium or advise anyone else to invest in a piece of a building you have to share with several other people.

moving II: the oracle

I predict:

Between now and the time that we finally sign a lease, move out and settle in to a new place, I will be drunk often.

Moving in August

We're moving out by the beginning of August. We have no idea where we're moving to yet.

The owner of the house we live in is being relocated by his company back to Atlanta in September, so we've got a month to find a new place to live and keep our stuff. I'm thinking we should be close to where I work as possible. Monster drives a lot for what he does anyway, so location is really not important to him but my car is very old and will not be running too much longer. My current employer is in walking distance of a MARTA station, so if I could live very close by or near MARTA as well, it will not be as traumatic when I'm without a car, temporarily or permanently. Less money being spent on gasoline would also be a huge help, as would less commute time.

The newspaper seems useless for rental houses, as do most online listings. We really need to just get out and drive around the area we need to live in. We were going to look at rental in houses in Kirkwood and East Atlanta yesterday, but the house in Kirkwood was already rented and occupied. The house in East Atlanta - well, the current tenant bachelor guys were out drinking late with their landlord last night. Looks like that house may not be available to new tenants now.

We looked at one house in need of a lot of work that was for sale. The location was great - next to the houses of freinds and in walking distance of more friends, as well as cool shops, restaurants, and cafes. It also has a great back yard with a lot of potential. It has water drainage problems in the house that will require jackhammers and possibly a new roofline. Monster reminded me that we are in no position to buy a house anyway.

Today, there will be more house hunting, hopefully, before going to the movies with friends this evening.

Screen on the Green

Casablanca at Piedmont Park was perfect, complete with Baton Bob marching while dressed like the hat-and-trenchcoat Humphrey Bogart from the waist up. It was an abbreviated trenchcoat. Next time we picnic at the park, I'm planning to get this and this.