Going to try to make this a semi-regular thing(life updates/musings)
So, about the end of June. Funny enough, I think this marks twenty years of me being on here. Long before social media was a thing I was kinda putting my thoughts out into the ether, as good or as bad as they were.
So, obviously not a year's worth of life updates going on but I'm going to power through them anyway.
The house I was going to get isn't going to be a thing, after touring it about a month ago. Partially because it's about 700sw/ft and absolutely tiny. The layout's better than where I currently live, but it's still not that great. The lot is decently sized, but a lot of it is on a significant elevation change(about 10-12 ft) so there's not a whole ton of usable space. Additionally the occupants of the cottage are older, have health issues, and are on a fixed income. My folks and I don't feel comfortable with making them leave, especially in this absolutely insane housing market.
What's going to happen is that I'm going to take over the other rental house. Ironically, I'm moving a grand total of half a block north. My work commute won't change. This comes with a few pros and a few cons. Firstly the house is larger; about the same size I have now if not a little larger. It's a three-bedroom, one-bath brick rancher and considerably newer than where I'm at now. This should mean it's going to be quieter, though I'll still have to deal with the yapping, misbehaved dogs next door. The lot is significantly larger and is on the only block in my neighborhood that's not zoned to allow two residences on one lot(the situation I'm in right now). There's a single-car garage on the property(instead of the cottage that I was going to convert to a large two-car garage), but I think that there will be more than enough room to get a good-sized carport back there. With some pavers on the ground, I think it'll be a good alternative for my projects. There's also a significantly large, covered back porch and the house seems to be overall more private. This opens the door for me as I'd like to actually entertain and have friends over; something I haven't really done in many years. I'm still a year out from all this and the wait is aggravating, but it gives me something to look forward to and work towards.
Work is still steady and really nothing to report there. I know that my current career path isn't going to be super sustainable in the long term, but I'm just too busy with getting ready for the move that I can't really focus on development in that area. I really need to coast for a bit and take care of things that are already on my plate. There's a lot going on and I don't deal very well with heavy multitasking.
On the vehicle front there's a fair bit going on. I got my Supra out from under my former friend's care and it's stuffed into my backyard. It's a very tight fit but it's relatively safe and under a cover. Unfortunately it has suffered the ravages of the elements for three years; enough for existing rust issues to rear its ugly head. There's significant rot at the driver's rear quarter; enough that it really needs to be patched up. I have a friend who is taking industrial welding classes who is willing to help, but admits her skills aren't quite there yet. Most likely we will have to wait until after I move to address this. Other than that, the fuel tank was damaged at some point; I'm not sure if that happened under my former friend's care or if it happened beforehand, but I had to purchase another fuel tank. Frankly, I could likely get the car running with a new tank and fuel pump, but I'm sure the engine is not very healthy. I've got another engine that's in pieces and freshly machined, but it's something that will also have to wait until after the move to really happen. I would be disappointed if it wasn't for the fact I've got the MR2 to play with this summer. It's currently in the shop for some significant work but should be finished soon. Considering our usual weather patterns I should have a good few months to play around in the JDM widowmaker until it starts getting too cold and snowy.
I've also decided that it's time I consider getting something new, and I'm aiming to have that happen next year. The top runner is the current Corolla Hatchback; primarily because it's one of a few entry-level cars you can get with a manual transmission(I dislike automatics and hate CVTs). The nearly 40mpg fuel economy on the highway is another major plus point. I want a significant down payment before doing this, so I'm going to wait until the spring to sell my current daily driver(my RAV4) and get the ball rolling on that.
As far as personal life goes, not much has changed. I have my significant suspicions that the friend I helped out is getting interested in me in a more than platonic fashion, but to be completely honest I'm not interested in her. Firstly I made the mistake of re-dating an ex last year and it ended disastrously. Secondly she doesn't seem to be interested in getting out there and finding a job, any job, to help her situation out. I understand that part of this is mental illness on her part and I don't hold that against her; at the same time I'm not going to date anyone who isn't working. Between jobs, sure, but not actively working or seeking work is a complete dealbreaker. I've learned my lesson, and that lesson involves not letting someone else become financially dependent on me. I understand the struggle with mental illness; I deal with it too. However, I've maintained a job as I know that I'm not going to take care of my goals and dreams without it.
I've mentioned that companionship might be nice, but I'm not going to take care of someone else's every need in order to have it. I think that is probably the largest thing keeping me out of the dating world. I'm a human being with his own thoughts, feelings, goals, and aspirations; I'm not someone's meal ticket. I've had the good fortune to not have gone through a divorce and lost most of my stuff; I've also had the good fortune to have not had children. I have practically zero debt and while I'm not as stable as I want to be I've got a lot going for me. I just know how fragile foundations can be and I don't want to lose it. My peace of mind and my stability outweighs the need for companionship, which makes me reticent to get back on that ride again.
Either way I feel like I can't really do much in the way of social things until I've got my place in some semblance of order and I'm on a bit firmer footing. It's rather frustrating and difficult, but that's kinda where my life is right now. I really want things to change, and soon. I've never been good with these periods of 'hurry up and wait'.
So, obviously not a year's worth of life updates going on but I'm going to power through them anyway.
The house I was going to get isn't going to be a thing, after touring it about a month ago. Partially because it's about 700sw/ft and absolutely tiny. The layout's better than where I currently live, but it's still not that great. The lot is decently sized, but a lot of it is on a significant elevation change(about 10-12 ft) so there's not a whole ton of usable space. Additionally the occupants of the cottage are older, have health issues, and are on a fixed income. My folks and I don't feel comfortable with making them leave, especially in this absolutely insane housing market.
What's going to happen is that I'm going to take over the other rental house. Ironically, I'm moving a grand total of half a block north. My work commute won't change. This comes with a few pros and a few cons. Firstly the house is larger; about the same size I have now if not a little larger. It's a three-bedroom, one-bath brick rancher and considerably newer than where I'm at now. This should mean it's going to be quieter, though I'll still have to deal with the yapping, misbehaved dogs next door. The lot is significantly larger and is on the only block in my neighborhood that's not zoned to allow two residences on one lot(the situation I'm in right now). There's a single-car garage on the property(instead of the cottage that I was going to convert to a large two-car garage), but I think that there will be more than enough room to get a good-sized carport back there. With some pavers on the ground, I think it'll be a good alternative for my projects. There's also a significantly large, covered back porch and the house seems to be overall more private. This opens the door for me as I'd like to actually entertain and have friends over; something I haven't really done in many years. I'm still a year out from all this and the wait is aggravating, but it gives me something to look forward to and work towards.
Work is still steady and really nothing to report there. I know that my current career path isn't going to be super sustainable in the long term, but I'm just too busy with getting ready for the move that I can't really focus on development in that area. I really need to coast for a bit and take care of things that are already on my plate. There's a lot going on and I don't deal very well with heavy multitasking.
On the vehicle front there's a fair bit going on. I got my Supra out from under my former friend's care and it's stuffed into my backyard. It's a very tight fit but it's relatively safe and under a cover. Unfortunately it has suffered the ravages of the elements for three years; enough for existing rust issues to rear its ugly head. There's significant rot at the driver's rear quarter; enough that it really needs to be patched up. I have a friend who is taking industrial welding classes who is willing to help, but admits her skills aren't quite there yet. Most likely we will have to wait until after I move to address this. Other than that, the fuel tank was damaged at some point; I'm not sure if that happened under my former friend's care or if it happened beforehand, but I had to purchase another fuel tank. Frankly, I could likely get the car running with a new tank and fuel pump, but I'm sure the engine is not very healthy. I've got another engine that's in pieces and freshly machined, but it's something that will also have to wait until after the move to really happen. I would be disappointed if it wasn't for the fact I've got the MR2 to play with this summer. It's currently in the shop for some significant work but should be finished soon. Considering our usual weather patterns I should have a good few months to play around in the JDM widowmaker until it starts getting too cold and snowy.
I've also decided that it's time I consider getting something new, and I'm aiming to have that happen next year. The top runner is the current Corolla Hatchback; primarily because it's one of a few entry-level cars you can get with a manual transmission(I dislike automatics and hate CVTs). The nearly 40mpg fuel economy on the highway is another major plus point. I want a significant down payment before doing this, so I'm going to wait until the spring to sell my current daily driver(my RAV4) and get the ball rolling on that.
As far as personal life goes, not much has changed. I have my significant suspicions that the friend I helped out is getting interested in me in a more than platonic fashion, but to be completely honest I'm not interested in her. Firstly I made the mistake of re-dating an ex last year and it ended disastrously. Secondly she doesn't seem to be interested in getting out there and finding a job, any job, to help her situation out. I understand that part of this is mental illness on her part and I don't hold that against her; at the same time I'm not going to date anyone who isn't working. Between jobs, sure, but not actively working or seeking work is a complete dealbreaker. I've learned my lesson, and that lesson involves not letting someone else become financially dependent on me. I understand the struggle with mental illness; I deal with it too. However, I've maintained a job as I know that I'm not going to take care of my goals and dreams without it.
I've mentioned that companionship might be nice, but I'm not going to take care of someone else's every need in order to have it. I think that is probably the largest thing keeping me out of the dating world. I'm a human being with his own thoughts, feelings, goals, and aspirations; I'm not someone's meal ticket. I've had the good fortune to not have gone through a divorce and lost most of my stuff; I've also had the good fortune to have not had children. I have practically zero debt and while I'm not as stable as I want to be I've got a lot going for me. I just know how fragile foundations can be and I don't want to lose it. My peace of mind and my stability outweighs the need for companionship, which makes me reticent to get back on that ride again.
Either way I feel like I can't really do much in the way of social things until I've got my place in some semblance of order and I'm on a bit firmer footing. It's rather frustrating and difficult, but that's kinda where my life is right now. I really want things to change, and soon. I've never been good with these periods of 'hurry up and wait'.