The I'm Back Post

So I’m back. I am typing this from the study which Mum has kindly relinquished to me as I delve into the job market and need a computer to apply to various positions. Coolio is to my left on the couch as she is apparently not too keen on cohabiting with the other pets at this time. She’ll just have to enjoy being in solitary until she can harbor up the strength to do anything more than hiss at Max through the glass door. I’m living out of boxes in the guest bedroom trying to avoid unpacking more than necessary so as to avoid the inevitable re-pack when I find an apartment/job.

The drive up was relatively painless. The car was brimming with stuff and weighed down the Celica so much that it was visibly sagging over the back wheels. It took 14 hours in total due to the loaded car and my insistence that we slowed down when crossing over any large bumps or changes in road surfaces. Coolio made the trip alright but clearly didn’t enjoy it much. Sarah and I switched off driving but where both very much ready to fall asleep by the end of it all. The check-engine-light came on halfway which is never good but I have since got that diagnosed and the ball rolling on fixing the issue. Though it was a little unnerving at the time.

I will do a separate posting about my going-away-party on Monday after work, as soon as I get the pictures from Sarah’s camera. In short though it was awesome to see everyone before heading on out and proof that I made a lot of good friends in Orlando. Stay tuned for more on that front. Anyway I better get back to sorting through emails and applying to things.

The Roachzilla Post

Last night while I was lazing about watching the news my apartment was invaded by Mega-Roach. The ballsy little bastard scampered right in front of my TV paused for a second in front of Coolio and darted with super roach speed over to the lamp. It scaled the thing and dropped onto the couch. By this point I was on the other side of the room running for the fly swat screaming “Kill it! Kill it!” at Coolio (who was more impressed with shiny stuff on the TV apparently to even notice the intruder). The flyswat did nothing but send the horrible thing across the room and give him a head start in what would be a 5 minute round of hide and seek. I eventually found him and sprayed him directly with bug killer until he was slovenly enough to flyswat in half. I disposed of the two halves in two separate locations (to avoid them from reproducing) and went back to watching the TV. The thing was huge. The apartment is new so I haven’t had anything besides a few wood ants since moving in, and after rampant roaches at the old apartment I have laid trap after trap and continually spray perimeters to avoid roaches from moving in. I am not worried about other roaches really after Roachzilla last night, primarily because I am confident that he ate every other roach within a 5 apartment perimeter (aka it was big and gross). But also because he happened to come in form the kitchen right when the trash guy was doing his rounds. I think he was in the large dumpster or bags those guys lug from door to door collecting our waste from the bins in the hallway. Least that’s what I’m telling myself so I can sleep at night.

The I Might Be screwed Post

Today I head off to work to find a little note in my door fluttering to my feet as the door is opened. It tells me how a guy from a residential construction company will need in my apartment today to work on my windows. I immediately run back inside and secure Coolio in the bathroom- the only room in the place without windows. Sure enough when I come home I find my blinds are half open and Coolio’s muffled whines coming from under the bathroom door (the radio I left on was a pathetic attempt to muffle them apparently). After letting her out and apologizing profusely, I noticed my Christmas tree was laying in the middle of the hallway too (how I missed it before I don’t really know).

Ordinarily I store my tree in my water closet, because the landlord forgot to lock it. We are not supposed to store anything in there, but hey, it’s a one bedroom apartment and I feel bad tossing a fake tree that only got two months worth of wear ok!?

Why is this a concern you ask? Well in-order to know I shouldn’t be storing stuff in the closet someone would have had to work for the apartment complex-and not just been a window contactor. So…if they know I wasn’t supposed to keep stuff in the WC there is a good chance they also know that I am not supposed to have Coolio there either. And I very much doubt they where fooled by a radio and a closed door. I sincerely hope it was just a case of maintenance guy let them in and did a routine check of the WC, maybe the fire detectors and extinguisher, and not someone from the leasing office… but I have a sinking feeling I might be in trouble. I guess I’ll find out on Saturday, as there is a Tenant Appreciation brunch down at the clubhouse (with door prizes!!) that promises made to order omelets. How can I resist such bait??? I feel like the mouse in that Doritos ad. Hopefully it won’t get messy.

The Damage Inspector Post

Today was the date for my apartment inspection. I received notice a week ago that from 9-5 today I would have no running water, and that starting at 9am all apartments in my building would be inspected for damage. Not too much to be worried about being that I work from 9 to 5 and have very little need for water during my time away from home. However leaving the apartment with Coolio in it is another matter, being that I’m not supposed to have her here… As far as I can tell no one came in. Everything was just as it was left this morning and there was no note to say anyone had entered (which they have left in the past on unexpected visits). Could have been a case of they came, did a half-assed inspection (my room was locked with Coolio inside) and left. Or didn’t come at all. Or came, saw the note on the locked door, and went to go tell the boss. Hopefully I won't be slapped with any fines or upped rent.

The Holiday Homecoming Post

Heading home tomorrow for the holidays, back up to NoVA. I am looking forward to getting to go back, seeing the family, friends and Sarah. I expect there will be much tearing of paper, eating of turkey and bowling of potatoes (ask Uncle Bob, he explains it best). Being that I’m permanent at work now I’ll be getting paid for Christmas Day as well as Boxing Day which is fantastic, as I kinda lost out over last break as far as earnings go. George will be bringing his kids over to play with Coolio while I’m away which is very nice of him. I do feel bad ditching the officially dubbed ‘Family Christmas Cat’ over the holidays, but bringing her back would close to double my ticket price and probably be pretty unpleasant for her considering the short nature of the trip.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and your family. Or Happy Holidays if you’d more PC well-wishing.