So, last night, I decided I'd try to set up my Pez dispensers somewhere. The question is where.... I started this morning by counting and organizing them. I have 118 normal ones (including the Star Trek Collector's Series), 2 motorized ones (I think the motor is burnt out on one, so you have to use the hand-winder on the bottom), 2 miniature ones (although they don't dispense, and they only hold 4 pieces each), and one that looks like a freakish cross-breed of a plush toy and a Pez dispenser.
I organized them into groups--Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Star Wars, Simpsons, Peanuts, Garfield, etc.--and just left most of them sitting on my table, which means there is no room to eat at said table. The Star Wars are hanging out with the cardboard bust of Darth Vader, who now wears a cap on top of his helmet. The Muppets--with two Kermits--are standing behind the army of frogs that hang out on top of my TV--Kermit's army. The Star Trek Collector's Series--still in the box--is on the wall near the thermostat. Finally, the Simpsons--with an extra Lisa and an extra Maggie--are on top of the fridge, just watching. The rest reside--at least temporarily--on my table. ...I think I know where one group can go, but I won't reveal that here.
On a completely different note, I've only been here two weeks now, and I'm on my third roll of TP. This new high-fiber, low-fat diet is making my toilet work overtime. Good thing water is free and I have a plunger. The good side of this diet is that I've lost 15 pounds in about a week. The only time I've lost weight faster was on my 5-day fast--I lost 16 pounds, but put 6 of them back on the first day I started eating again. At this rate, I'll be back to junior-in-high-school weight (250 pounds) by the end of the month (I'm currently 275). The weight loss will probably slow down however, and I might only make it to going-home-after-freshman-year weight (260 pounds--I lost 45 pounds my freshman year and put 40 of them back on over the summer).
17 August 2009
10 August 2009
Apartment Version 2.0 Features
I neglected to mention many of the features of Apartment Version 2.0 in my last post, so here goes.
--Marvel at the two towering tape towers!!! One is a roll of painter's tape and 9, count them, 9 rolls of electrical tape--no two of which are the same color!! The other is 19, you heard correctly ladies and gentlemen, 19 rolls of duct tape--in 19 different colors!
--Be amazed as the apartment converts from daytime mode--with seating for 7 and a table for eating or playing games--to nighttime mode--with seating for 5 and a bed, or sleeping room for 4!
--Become hypnotized by the lava lamp!
--Gaze deeply into the eyes of the bust of Darth Vader, made entirely out of black cardboard!
--See the results of a tube of cyanoacrylate cracking and exposing the contents to air
--See the blue line demarcating the boundary between where shoes/sandals/flip-flops are allowed, and where they are forbidden!
--Watch the video made as a German 102 class project, which highlights my rollerblading skills! Wait, on second thought, don't watch that. You won't be able to appreciate the amazing skills.
--Play video games on the system with the best graphics money could buy in 1995! That's right, ladies and gentlemen, it's a Sega Saturn!!
--Hear tales of free laundry, free heat, and free water! "Did he say free laundry?" Yes! FREE LAUNDRY!
--Look on in wonder at the filing cabinet that can slice open fingers! (I'm okay, just need to keep putting on new band-aids in the morning)
--Marvel at the two towering tape towers!!! One is a roll of painter's tape and 9, count them, 9 rolls of electrical tape--no two of which are the same color!! The other is 19, you heard correctly ladies and gentlemen, 19 rolls of duct tape--in 19 different colors!
--Be amazed as the apartment converts from daytime mode--with seating for 7 and a table for eating or playing games--to nighttime mode--with seating for 5 and a bed, or sleeping room for 4!
--Become hypnotized by the lava lamp!
--Gaze deeply into the eyes of the bust of Darth Vader, made entirely out of black cardboard!
--See the results of a tube of cyanoacrylate cracking and exposing the contents to air
--See the blue line demarcating the boundary between where shoes/sandals/flip-flops are allowed, and where they are forbidden!
--Watch the video made as a German 102 class project, which highlights my rollerblading skills! Wait, on second thought, don't watch that. You won't be able to appreciate the amazing skills.
--Play video games on the system with the best graphics money could buy in 1995! That's right, ladies and gentlemen, it's a Sega Saturn!!
--Hear tales of free laundry, free heat, and free water! "Did he say free laundry?" Yes! FREE LAUNDRY!
--Look on in wonder at the filing cabinet that can slice open fingers! (I'm okay, just need to keep putting on new band-aids in the morning)
09 August 2009
Apartment Version 2.0
Why do people look away from a 280-pound man who has just been jumping in puddles? Is there something unusual about that?
On a completely different note, my apartment (Version 2.0) has just been opened to the public. There are still some bugs in the system, but I hope to have most of them fixed by the release date of Version 2.1, which is yet to be determined. There is now seating for up to 5 individuals--not counting fold-up chairs, the bed, or the floor. The interface has undergone an upgrade, so you won't be seeing as much plain white space as with Version 1.0. We have also upgraded the sound system to meet 2.1 speaker settings. Hopefully those that were displeased with Apartment Version 1.0 will be more satisfied with Version 2.0, and those that never saw Version 1.0 will drop by and enjoy the updated look and feel.
On a completely different note, my apartment (Version 2.0) has just been opened to the public. There are still some bugs in the system, but I hope to have most of them fixed by the release date of Version 2.1, which is yet to be determined. There is now seating for up to 5 individuals--not counting fold-up chairs, the bed, or the floor. The interface has undergone an upgrade, so you won't be seeing as much plain white space as with Version 1.0. We have also upgraded the sound system to meet 2.1 speaker settings. Hopefully those that were displeased with Apartment Version 1.0 will be more satisfied with Version 2.0, and those that never saw Version 1.0 will drop by and enjoy the updated look and feel.
04 August 2009
I'm ba-ack
I arrived in Ames last night, and I feel tired. My apartment is a nice little place, so that's a blessing. I've been walking around town today running errands and trying to get a job. This morning, I got change for a 10 because I would be riding the bus a lot, and it would feel like stealing to use my ISUCard when I'm not actually a student. Turns out CyRide is free this summer--at least until the 15th. So now my wallet is fatter than it needs to be.
I bought a shower curtain today, because my shower didn't have one, and it was hard trying to shower while worrying about how much water is getting on the floor. I tried my best, but still ended up toweling more water off the floor than off of myself. My towel was still damp at 3--and I showered before 8.
Just 2 weeks until the dorm dwellers initiate their arrivals, and I'm looking forward to seeing many of my friends before they start getting too involved in classes.
I bought a shower curtain today, because my shower didn't have one, and it was hard trying to shower while worrying about how much water is getting on the floor. I tried my best, but still ended up toweling more water off the floor than off of myself. My towel was still damp at 3--and I showered before 8.
Just 2 weeks until the dorm dwellers initiate their arrivals, and I'm looking forward to seeing many of my friends before they start getting too involved in classes.
03 August 2009
Move-In Day
Today I move in. I'm currently doing the laundry and making a checklist so I don't forget anything. (I will anyway, just watch) The apartment probably won't be very furnished until Saturday, when my parents rent a van, because it's hard to fit large items into a Kia Rio. Still on the lookout for a job, and I pray I'll get one soon. Otherwise, I'll have to dip into the savings account to pay the rent next month.
31 July 2009
3 days
I know, yesterday I said there were 5 days left, but I was operating on false intel. Apparently, Monday works for my dad, so I shall be moving in on the day of the moon, the third day of the eighth month of the year 2009. In case you can't tell, I'm excited.
Dad and I are going to a Barnstormers game tonight, the last night before mom returns from her trip to the west side of the state. It's the first Barnstormers home playoff game in nine years--the last one was before the AFL team moved to NY and became the Dragons, now we have an AFL2 team. I was at that last home playoff game, the only Barnstormers game I've ever been to that ended in a loss for them. Sadly, I cannot seem to find my Barnstormers cowbell, so I may have to attend the game without it. I'll have to keep looking. It must be packed away somewhere.
Dad and I are going to a Barnstormers game tonight, the last night before mom returns from her trip to the west side of the state. It's the first Barnstormers home playoff game in nine years--the last one was before the AFL team moved to NY and became the Dragons, now we have an AFL2 team. I was at that last home playoff game, the only Barnstormers game I've ever been to that ended in a loss for them. Sadly, I cannot seem to find my Barnstormers cowbell, so I may have to attend the game without it. I'll have to keep looking. It must be packed away somewhere.
30 July 2009
5 days
Just 5 days until I move back to Ames. I'll have my own apartment--the last spot in the building. I'm looking forward to seeing all of my friends again. My lease actually starts on the Monday, but that is a bad day for my dad, so I won't be physically moving up until Tuesday. I'm excited to be out on my own and having a kitchen where the gas doesn't get turned on by an insane cat who likes to be up on the stove, and who won't notice if the burner is lit, even if his tail is wrapped around it.
28 July 2009
Watch out, Ames
I've been looking for an apartment since the ugliness with my mom (posted earlier in the blog) and it hadn't been going well. That is, until yesterday. Yesterday, my dad lent me an ApartmentFinder.com magazine. I used it to find PPM (Professional Property Management) and I applied online.
After applying, I went outside to mow the lawn. With the mower we have--cordless electric--you can only mow the lawn for half an hour--45 minutes if the lawn is already fairly short--and when I came in to plug the mower back in to charge it, my cell phone rang. It was PPM, asking about my application. After a while of talking, they told me that since I hadn't rented before, I could either pay 1.5 times the deposit, or get a co-signer. And oh, by the way, we're having a special on the deposit in that building right now--$200 instead of $410--so you'd only have to pay $300. I didn't realize it then, but that was God's way of saying "Get going. I will only hold a spot here for you for so long."
I sent off my application fee and deposit--which they required before I could get one of the apartments remaining--yesterday, so they should call me back later today or tomorrow. There are 3 spots remaining in the building so I'm praying that I get one.
If I get one of the spots, it'll just be an efficiency--no bedroom, just a murphy bed. The building I'm hoping to get a spot in is just across the street from Lake LaVerne, so I'll be close to two major CyRide routes......oh, and my friends, I guess. Now all that's left is finding a job.
After applying, I went outside to mow the lawn. With the mower we have--cordless electric--you can only mow the lawn for half an hour--45 minutes if the lawn is already fairly short--and when I came in to plug the mower back in to charge it, my cell phone rang. It was PPM, asking about my application. After a while of talking, they told me that since I hadn't rented before, I could either pay 1.5 times the deposit, or get a co-signer. And oh, by the way, we're having a special on the deposit in that building right now--$200 instead of $410--so you'd only have to pay $300. I didn't realize it then, but that was God's way of saying "Get going. I will only hold a spot here for you for so long."
I sent off my application fee and deposit--which they required before I could get one of the apartments remaining--yesterday, so they should call me back later today or tomorrow. There are 3 spots remaining in the building so I'm praying that I get one.
If I get one of the spots, it'll just be an efficiency--no bedroom, just a murphy bed. The building I'm hoping to get a spot in is just across the street from Lake LaVerne, so I'll be close to two major CyRide routes......oh, and my friends, I guess. Now all that's left is finding a job.
24 July 2009
Sleeping is hard
I had real trouble sleeping last night. I was too upset. Even my favorite baseball team getting a perfect game from their ace pitcher and pulling even in their division couldn't help me sleep--and yes, I'm a White Sox fan. Wanna fight about it?
Anyway, here's why I was--and still am--upset. My mom is currently out of town for work--nothing unusual there--and around 7 last night, the phone rang here. Since people that want to call me call my cell, my dad was the one that answered it. He talked for a while, making notes on the little pad he keeps in his pocket. After he hung up, I asked what it was about, and he told me that mom was going to be out of town for the rest of next week instead of coming back on Tuesday. I thought there had to be more to it, but I didn't press him. Instead, I announced my plans to find an apartment and move out. He didn't seem to happy about it, telling me that it would be expensive.
Shortly after that, I went to lie down in my room because it's too hot in that living room unless you're sitting where my dad sits. After a couple minutes, my cell phone rang. I picked up, saw that it was my mom, and said hello. She asked if dad had told me what the call she had just made to him was about, and I said "just that you'll be later getting home than you thought before." She told me that she had filed for divorce, and went through the usual "it's not your fault" thing. She hung up, and I started to cry. I realized that my timing on the apartment news was bad, and I started to see the family dynamic differently than I had before. I had always seen my dad as the buffer that kept my mom and me from killing each other, but now I'm starting to see that I was the one that kept them from fighting. I don't see myself at fault for the divorce, just as the reason they stayed together this long--and that's why I couldn't sleep last night.
I should say that I did actually get some sleep, but not much. I fell asleep about 1, but was awakened by one of the cats yowling in the kitchen at 2 in the morning. I couldn't get back to sleep until about 4, and then slept straight through until 8.
Anyway, here's why I was--and still am--upset. My mom is currently out of town for work--nothing unusual there--and around 7 last night, the phone rang here. Since people that want to call me call my cell, my dad was the one that answered it. He talked for a while, making notes on the little pad he keeps in his pocket. After he hung up, I asked what it was about, and he told me that mom was going to be out of town for the rest of next week instead of coming back on Tuesday. I thought there had to be more to it, but I didn't press him. Instead, I announced my plans to find an apartment and move out. He didn't seem to happy about it, telling me that it would be expensive.
Shortly after that, I went to lie down in my room because it's too hot in that living room unless you're sitting where my dad sits. After a couple minutes, my cell phone rang. I picked up, saw that it was my mom, and said hello. She asked if dad had told me what the call she had just made to him was about, and I said "just that you'll be later getting home than you thought before." She told me that she had filed for divorce, and went through the usual "it's not your fault" thing. She hung up, and I started to cry. I realized that my timing on the apartment news was bad, and I started to see the family dynamic differently than I had before. I had always seen my dad as the buffer that kept my mom and me from killing each other, but now I'm starting to see that I was the one that kept them from fighting. I don't see myself at fault for the divorce, just as the reason they stayed together this long--and that's why I couldn't sleep last night.
I should say that I did actually get some sleep, but not much. I fell asleep about 1, but was awakened by one of the cats yowling in the kitchen at 2 in the morning. I couldn't get back to sleep until about 4, and then slept straight through until 8.
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