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Alex's days of hiking with us are apparently over. Bobby and I just spent the last ten minutes pulling about a dozen ticks off of his legs. We tried the new trail at Soldier's Delight the other day, and because Soldier's Delight is (unfortunately) not one of the best blazed trails in Maryland, ended up getting off the beaten path onto some sort of maintenance road through tall grass. Those of you living on the East Coast should now hear the ominous dun-dun-duuun music. Yep, we looked down and each had about twenty ticks crawling up our legs. We threw Alex into the tub when we got home with a half-bottle of flea and tick soap, but I've come to the conclusion that anything that claims to kill ticks is bull. Ticks are unkillable. They're like Morgoth. However, you can "thrust them through the Doors of Night" by flushing them down the toilet, which is my preferred modus operandi. The Ellicott City sewer system must be crawling with them by now.
So ... house. Well, Bobby and I went to look at houses on Thursday as planned, two in Westminster and one in Manchester.
The first was the farmhouse that was zoned for horses. What grabbed us about this one was the land: an acre of flat land with a small pasture and fenced backyard. The house didn't look bad from the outside, but we knew it would need some work.
Some work?
Quite a bit more, actually. Upon walking in, we discovered that it was old enough that it was built for people much smaller than Bobby, who is 6'3". He had to duck to get through doorways, and the ceiling fan in the kitchen nearly took off his head. But the basement sealed the deal: Bobby's one wish is for a basement he can make into a game room. (My one wish is for a room I can make into a study/art room.) The basement wasn't just unfinished but actually hazardous. The steps were falling down, the place reeked of mildew, and Joe the real estate agent spotted water damage right away.
So the farmhouse got scratched off of the list.
The next was a rancher in Westminster, the one that had the pool and hot tub. Unfortunately, we discovered that (if this is even possible) the house wasn't all that much bigger than our apartment with next to no storage space. It didn't have a basement. The kitchen was gorgeous and it had hardwood floors (and a pool and a hot tub) but ...
We scratched it off of the list.
So we were both nervous by the time we arrived in Manchester to see the rancher on what we affectionately call "Bart Simpson Road." This was the one we had liked best on Sunday: big, gorgeous, fenced-in yard; decently sized house (we're not looking for anything huge but we'd like to not run out of room to store what we already have upon moving in); and a beautiful, quiet neighborhood. But we prepared to be disappointed.
We weren't.
The upstairs was nice with lots of room, mostly new appliances, hardwood floors again, and a good-sized kitchen. But upon walking down to the basement, I knew that we would, in all likelihood, take it. The basement runs the full length of the house, so it's like having a second level. It's finished with a wood stove, perfect for Bobby's game room. There's a second room down there and two smaller back rooms for storage.
We were in love.
The backyard is huge and fenced in with a grove of trees and a picnic table at its center, perfect for outdoor parties. There are two storage sheds. And the next-door neighbor was outside, and we talked with him for about ten minutes about the neighborhood. He was an older guy and very nice and gave us his name and phone number if we have anything we'd like to ask him. The only downside to the house is that it does not have central air-conditioning, but as I told Bobby, we cool the WAU office with just window units, and it's greener to use as little AC as possible as it is a big contributor to global warming. I am fine with no air-conditioning, as I always tease Bobby that I am meant to be a tropical creature, but he was born first, so I had to be born in Maryland. (Yes, that's completely illogical, but I never should have been born in a state like Maryland or any place that gets snow, and you'd think I'd get used to it ... I don't.) He says that he can likewise adjust, so we're giving it the go-ahead.
So, in a half-hour, we're off to sign a contract making an offer. This is moving very fast, but everyone told us that it would.
The bad thing is that I've crashed from the (hypomania) rush I've been on for the past few weeks. It's a bad time for it, with the house stuff taking up much of our free time and the archive taking up what shreds I have left. If anyone reads this and I'm slow to replying to emails and projects, this is why. Any action necessitates staring into space for ten minutes immediately before and after, which diminishes my productivity a great deal.
Despite it, though, I'm still writing and almost finished with The Book of Lost Tales I, which has been a very rewarding read.
Last night, Bobby and I went to see the Heaven and Hell tour at Merriweather: Machinehead, Megadeath, and Black Sabbath (with Dio). Heavy metal isn't my first choice in music, but Potter had written down the wrong date (or something) and couldn't go, and Bobby's other friends all had other plans, so he was stuck bringing his old lady. I like and can appreciate just about any form of music except for the no-talent three-chord rock that emo teeny-bop wannabes like to pass off as punk, so I wasn't averse to going. I can appreciate a good guitar solo like any ex-guitar player can. But it got cold in Maryland! WTF, May is half over! And as soon as Black Sabbath came on, it started to rain. I was wearing a hoodie and wrapped in two towels and was miserable on top of ... well, just being miserable lately. So it wasn't the best time I've had at a concert, which is a shame, because I think that given different weather and a different mood, I would have enjoyed it much more.
So ... house. Well, Bobby and I went to look at houses on Thursday as planned, two in Westminster and one in Manchester.
The first was the farmhouse that was zoned for horses. What grabbed us about this one was the land: an acre of flat land with a small pasture and fenced backyard. The house didn't look bad from the outside, but we knew it would need some work.
Some work?
Quite a bit more, actually. Upon walking in, we discovered that it was old enough that it was built for people much smaller than Bobby, who is 6'3". He had to duck to get through doorways, and the ceiling fan in the kitchen nearly took off his head. But the basement sealed the deal: Bobby's one wish is for a basement he can make into a game room. (My one wish is for a room I can make into a study/art room.) The basement wasn't just unfinished but actually hazardous. The steps were falling down, the place reeked of mildew, and Joe the real estate agent spotted water damage right away.
So the farmhouse got scratched off of the list.
The next was a rancher in Westminster, the one that had the pool and hot tub. Unfortunately, we discovered that (if this is even possible) the house wasn't all that much bigger than our apartment with next to no storage space. It didn't have a basement. The kitchen was gorgeous and it had hardwood floors (and a pool and a hot tub) but ...
We scratched it off of the list.
So we were both nervous by the time we arrived in Manchester to see the rancher on what we affectionately call "Bart Simpson Road." This was the one we had liked best on Sunday: big, gorgeous, fenced-in yard; decently sized house (we're not looking for anything huge but we'd like to not run out of room to store what we already have upon moving in); and a beautiful, quiet neighborhood. But we prepared to be disappointed.
We weren't.
The upstairs was nice with lots of room, mostly new appliances, hardwood floors again, and a good-sized kitchen. But upon walking down to the basement, I knew that we would, in all likelihood, take it. The basement runs the full length of the house, so it's like having a second level. It's finished with a wood stove, perfect for Bobby's game room. There's a second room down there and two smaller back rooms for storage.
We were in love.
The backyard is huge and fenced in with a grove of trees and a picnic table at its center, perfect for outdoor parties. There are two storage sheds. And the next-door neighbor was outside, and we talked with him for about ten minutes about the neighborhood. He was an older guy and very nice and gave us his name and phone number if we have anything we'd like to ask him. The only downside to the house is that it does not have central air-conditioning, but as I told Bobby, we cool the WAU office with just window units, and it's greener to use as little AC as possible as it is a big contributor to global warming. I am fine with no air-conditioning, as I always tease Bobby that I am meant to be a tropical creature, but he was born first, so I had to be born in Maryland. (Yes, that's completely illogical, but I never should have been born in a state like Maryland or any place that gets snow, and you'd think I'd get used to it ... I don't.) He says that he can likewise adjust, so we're giving it the go-ahead.
So, in a half-hour, we're off to sign a contract making an offer. This is moving very fast, but everyone told us that it would.
The bad thing is that I've crashed from the (hypomania) rush I've been on for the past few weeks. It's a bad time for it, with the house stuff taking up much of our free time and the archive taking up what shreds I have left. If anyone reads this and I'm slow to replying to emails and projects, this is why. Any action necessitates staring into space for ten minutes immediately before and after, which diminishes my productivity a great deal.
Despite it, though, I'm still writing and almost finished with The Book of Lost Tales I, which has been a very rewarding read.
Last night, Bobby and I went to see the Heaven and Hell tour at Merriweather: Machinehead, Megadeath, and Black Sabbath (with Dio). Heavy metal isn't my first choice in music, but Potter had written down the wrong date (or something) and couldn't go, and Bobby's other friends all had other plans, so he was stuck bringing his old lady. I like and can appreciate just about any form of music except for the no-talent three-chord rock that emo teeny-bop wannabes like to pass off as punk, so I wasn't averse to going. I can appreciate a good guitar solo like any ex-guitar player can. But it got cold in Maryland! WTF, May is half over! And as soon as Black Sabbath came on, it started to rain. I was wearing a hoodie and wrapped in two towels and was miserable on top of ... well, just being miserable lately. So it wasn't the best time I've had at a concert, which is a shame, because I think that given different weather and a different mood, I would have enjoyed it much more.
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-19 02:22 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-24 10:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-19 03:45 pm (UTC)*This* is why, even in the heat of North Carolina, I wore full-length jeans. I cannot stand bug bites and am allergic to bee stings anyway, so it's better to cover up. I guess I got used to it. But even so, I'm having sympathy itches for Alex.
The House
YAY! Go you. It looks like Alex won't *need* to go on those hikes, and the house seems just perfect for you and Bobby.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-24 10:28 pm (UTC)I can't tell you how much we're looking forward to this house for Alex. He sometimes gets a lot of energy at night, but Bobby and I, having worked all day, aren't really in the mood for an hour of wrestling around on the floor with him. So it'll be nice to have a yard to turn him out into to (as Bobby puts it) "blow the stink off." :^P
And you're right: It really is perfect for us, which is why I'm beyond ecstatic that we got it! :)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-19 03:49 pm (UTC)Good luck on the house! Even though they're work and expensive and everything else, no way do I want to live in close confines again.
I'm also a person who dislikes cold weather, how this came to be when all my ancestors are from around the Baltic... Why I live in Minnesota is anyone's guess.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-24 10:32 pm (UTC)We got the house. *scared* But we need it, for the space as much as for not getting screwed every year come tax time because we don't have a mortgage to write off.
And how you stand Minnesota as a person who doesn't like cold weather ... I'm having sympathy shivers! I mean, I'm losing my patience with Maryland, and at least we have somewhat reasonable winters!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-19 04:30 pm (UTC)We don't have A/C in this house and honestly, with ventilators... it's doable. Our summers are becoming more extreme every year, but we just adapt and let our sun boiler soak up all the extra energy. Did they explain why there wasn't an A/C? It might be that the house is cool enough during the summer. My parents house are always so cool during the most hot summers, so you never know. Details, photo's soon.. pretty please?
And don't worry about being late with e-mails and such, all in good time {{{hugs}}}
oh and Ticks are Evol! Poor Alex.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-24 10:47 pm (UTC)Being "green people," we're actually kind of excited at the chance to cut our energy consumption by not having central air. We have it now, and it's so easy to say, "Eh, it's a little warm, let's put it on." (It's roaring away now, as I type this.) Now, we'll have to look at alternatives or *gasp!* just adapt.
And don't worry ... I've promised photos enough to make everyone sick of this house, and I intend to hold true to my promise! :^D
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-19 04:33 pm (UTC)Cheers for finding the house you have been looking for. It's going to be hellishly exhausting to pack, move, unpack, get settled in, and generally becoming used to the changes that this will bring, but you are going to be happy as soon as you turn the new house into your home. I'm sure that you will fully enjoy the extra space and your muses will be pleased about it as well. ;)
Life has been busy and tiresome over here as well, but I'm trying to cope with it and I'm positive that you are going to do just fine as well. In the mean time, have lots of hugs from me and I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything about thenew house goes as smooth as possible. *mwah*
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-24 10:51 pm (UTC)I hear that fleas are next to impossible to banish from a cat, so it's probably best that Blackey not get to enjoy the outdoors. :( Alex had fleas when we got him, and those are nasty bastards too. I often tell Bobby that I look for the purpose in every creature on this Earth, knowing how interconnected we all are, but I have a hard time finding the use for ticks and fleas.
Speaking of muses and the new house, I've already informed Bobby that we'll be getting more Elves once we move. >:^D Good man, he goes along with me!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-19 06:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-24 10:52 pm (UTC)And Westminster doesn't have a famous abbey, though it does have a damn fine Taco Bell! :^P
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-19 08:23 pm (UTC)And yay for finding a house!
I do think you're a little nuts for worrying over the archive if it exhausts you! But then, I always knew you were crazy. ;P Really, I stare off into space for closer to twenty minutes before each task! So you're still nuts. :P
Speaking of three chord rock, have you seen this? So true. The sad thing is, I like the occasional Nickelback song...but I guess this explains why I like it in small doses! :P Also, it should be noted that I am one of those people who cannot stand conflicting sounds. That is why I have the dead-to-the-world headphones; I cannot stand hearing the tv going as well as some other music. It drives me mad. Yet this didn't bother me at all!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-24 11:05 pm (UTC)I actually like Nickelback. :^P And my speakers don't work, so I couldn't play the songs side by side, though I find it ... interesting, if it's true. (And I trust you that it is.) Though I'd argue with "Webshite" that any artist is going to have a degree of similarity between works. This is without hearing the songs side by side or looking at a guitar tab. But people could make the same accusations about me as a writer and they'd be right. It's called style. :^P
But like I said, I've never looked at Nickelback's tabs. I've never identified them as a three-power-chord monstrosity ... at the same time, they're certainly not on par with earlier rock. I mean, whatever happened to the guitar solo? These days, you learn a few basic chord shapes, and you're on MTV. I mean, c'mon, I can do that!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-25 05:00 pm (UTC)Similarities I don't mind. I'm sure the same accusation could be made about my writing too! But even I was amazed at the extent of the sameness in these two songs. But as I said, I enjoy the occasional Nickelback song. Plus, I don't think they deserve to be grouped in the same no-talent category as some other singers out there, who are only on the scene because of famous siblings.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-19 08:26 pm (UTC)Speaking of no-talent music, why is it that Christian rock music is allowed to suck more than other music? (Not to insult Christian rock listeners...) My roommate and I agree that it seems if the lyrics mention Jesus, the actual score is allowed to suck way more than a song with non-God-praising lyrics.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-19 11:49 pm (UTC)I admit I do kind of like the Newsboys, though, even though lines like "Those here without the Lord, how do you cope?" obviously aren't for me to like :P
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-20 01:53 am (UTC)What I want to know is, if lyrics are the criteria for judging a song's worth, how am I supposed to rate orchestral music?!? ;)
It's ok, I'll admit to liking the occasional Jars of Clay song. ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-20 02:17 am (UTC)I think you're supposed to judge orchestral music by the composer (or the movie, if it was written for a soundtrack) or something, actually--if he spreads the gospel in other ways, then you can buy his music! Or something. (Though I admittedly don't remember seeing many of the teenybopper girls writing to the magazine asking about orchestral music...)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-22 03:43 am (UTC)Ohh, I get it. Ok, so soundtrack for The Passion of the Christ is fine to buy, but no Harry Potter soundtracks, since those promote witchcraft and will clearly send you straight to hell!
...Guess I'm going to hell. xD
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-22 07:40 am (UTC)Sure!
Heh heh, pretty much. Though sometimes a review for a soundtrack went more like, "This song and that song are okay on the soundtrack to This Movie, while this song and that song are kind of iffy. Speaking of This Movie, here is how a Christian should look at it..."
And I guessed I was going to hell when the guy was saying Star Wars was an iffy movie series and promoting Touched by an Angel as a good show. ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-24 11:13 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-24 11:48 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-25 01:40 am (UTC)/snark ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-24 11:10 pm (UTC)"Rap music," she said, and they were excited because they liked rap music too!
"What artists?" they asked, and she answered that she liked Jay-Z and Chingy and Fifty (Fitty? :^D) Cent.
Then they let her listen to their rap: white guys rappin' about Jesus. Dude.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-25 04:56 pm (UTC)I got tricked into going to some church service/youth group/concert thing last year. Someone asked me if I wanted to go to this concert on Friday, so I said sure. Then it ends up being this fall-down-on-your-knees-and-sing-"praise-Jesus!!!" shindig. I was annoyed. I don't mind people inviting me to Bible study, when they're straight with me about it, and are cool with me saying "No thanks". But what does that say about your particular religion/church when you have to trick people into coming to events?
We also have Christian rock concerts occasionally on campus. My roommate and I have noticed that such events have a distinctly "Christian (semi-)fundie" vibe.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-19 11:52 pm (UTC)And yay for finding a house! :D
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-20 12:21 am (UTC)Personally I think ticks are the offspring of Ungloliant, just shrunk down to pocket-size. You wouldn't happen to have any Silmarils handy, would you? They might make decent tick repellent, although I doubt the light would do anything more than irritate the disgusting creatures.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-20 07:10 am (UTC)The house sounds great--- I hope everything runs smoothly in that regard.
*huggles you*
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-20 09:07 am (UTC)I hope things continue to move quickly & smoothly on the house front.
Concerning ticks, my mother's dog got a tick medicine (one drop of something in the neck) and she's virtually tick free. Maybe consult the vet? And I hope y'all got vaccination for the ticks! They've declared all of Bavaria "high risk" area this year and our GP is doing nothing but vaccinating against ticks atm. I really should check if my immunization is still good. I fear not. :-S
Ah, no high can last. But it would be nice, wouldn't it? Be good to yourself. And with all the exciting things happening in your life you'll feel better soon. :-)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-21 06:59 am (UTC)Ticks are disgusting. But then I have a policy of avoiding contact with anything that has more than four legs - with the possible exception of ladybugs, that for some reason I have never associated with the insect-group... Go figure.
Anyway, good luck with everything, and remember to stare into space without having to do something afterward every once in a while.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-21 07:44 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-05-21 07:35 pm (UTC)We don't have tick problems here because we don't have nearby access to trails and forests like you do - I wonder which is worse. On the other hand, mosquitoes are monstrous this year. And they didn't die out when the -relatively- cold weather started (a couple of weeks ago, really)