where to go and when
Today is the 5th day of the 21st week, the 23rd day of the 5th month, the 144th day of 2024, and:
- Day of Vesak
- Declaration of the Báb
- Eat more Fruits and Vegetables Day
- International Chardonnay Day
- International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
- Lucky Penny Day
- National Best Friend-in-Law Day
- National Taffy Day
- Stop the Bleed Day
- World Crohn's and Colitis Day
- World Turtle Day
- the Flower Moon is officially full at 9:53 AM EDT
- And Voyager I is 46 Yrs 08 Mos 18 Days, 15,132,704,936 mi/24,353,735,433 km/162.79466626 AU from Earth
Quote of the day:
"Yield to temptation. It may not pass your way again."
~ Robert A Heinlein
Last night, when I laid down to go to bed a little before 10 PM, the temperature outside was 82°F. The temperature in my apartment wasn't much below that. I turned on all the fans in the bedroom - the useless HVAC unit, the floor fan, the window fan pulling in the outside air [in anticipation of the forecast overnight low of 67°], and the under-the-covers fan - and tried to get to sleep. It was a restless night. At 3 AM, Alexa confirmed the temperature outside was still 74°. In the morning I arose, exhausted.
My lease states that A/C will be turned on "as needed" or by May 22nd. In Montgomery County, it used to be that the temperature had to be above 65° for three nights running before the heat could be turned off. In a response to climate change [or maybe to simplify the calculation after many tenant complaints], that was changed to a directive stating A/C had to be provided as of May 15th. The Enclave stated they would comply, and indeed on Wednesday, May 15th, the heat was turned off. Notice how I worded that - the heat was turned off. I don't know about the other buildings, but BLDG B's HVAC units were simply circulating room temperature air. I put in a service request, it was first marked as "in progress" and then on the 20th "resolved". I immediately put in a new service request with the same statement, which was then marked "in progress". Although there has been no official statement, when I called the management office, I was told we would have A/C on Saturday. Of course, my bedroom unit hasn't worked correctly since before COVID, so I still might not be sleeping soundly...
As I have said before, it is the lack of A/C more than anything else that will motivate me to finally move out.
My son-in-law weighed in on the subject of moving at our Mother's Day brunch - he pointed out that if I moved closer, I would be more likely to see more of the family, and even offering to help with monthly expenses. He suggested getting a 2+ bedroom place so the girls could have their own sleep space when they came over. Nowadays, they have to camp out in sleeping bags on the carpet in the living room while I sleep on the sofa, and he was thinking if I was nearer, and if they had better sleeping, and if my complex had a pool, that they could come over and stay more often.
I would like that
So the apartment search is on once again, somewhat different this time as I am not as focused on downsizing to a one bedroom or substantially reducing my monthly cost. I do not plan to rely on my family, for as long as I am working, I can handle the expenses. That isn't much different; it was already quite apparent that I would be working as long as possible, meh? My basic non-negotiable requirements have not changed:
- in unit washer and dryer
- access to high speed internet
- cat-friendly
- storage availability
There are a couple of givens in those requirements, the most important of which is that there be air conditioning and such standard kitchen appliances as a microwave and dishwasher, preferably a garbage disposal as well. I would still prefer garage parking, or at the very least, assigned covered parking [such as a carport]. To my astonishment, many newer apartment buildings have eliminated balconies [or ground floor patios], leading me to ask myself which is more important, garage or balcony?
Each year, as the issues here at The Enclave become more pressing, I get progressively closer to deciding to move. This time I have gotten to the point where I actually scheduled a tour of the apartment, albeit in July when one of those units first come available. And, for the first time, I've given thought on how to move - pay rent on both apartments for a month, measure the new place, get Verizon in there to lay the cable, decide what will fit where and get that packed up. I've saved up bubble wrap and sturdy boxes, and bought moving labels, large markers, and extra packing tape. Triscuit will have to be boarded at the vets for a couple of days [that is very traumatic for a rescue cat, but it's better than the alternative]. Anything that does not fit in the new digs will just have to be given away or discarded. I will rely on Absolute Organizing Solutions to pick the mover and clear out the old apartment - Vernestine, who is the owner, has helped my friend in DC for years and has provided assistance to me as well in clearing out the Disaster Area. And, at the very end, I will return to the apartment for one last walk through when everything is done, and take one last #theviewfromthebalcony picture, for losing that wonderful view is going to be one of the hardest things about leaving.
And then I have to worry about getting my address changed everywhere, making sure my mail is forwarded, changing my pharmacy, etc etc and so forth.
I really do not want to do this, but apparently I have to. If something falls through this year, then I will have to do it next year
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