Sunday, June 26, 2011

Starting to Feel at Home

First post after our move.  Yeah, yeah, we moved again, and, although this move was very hastily executed and poorly planned, it went fairly well. As of right now, our old apartment is emptied out and 90% cleaned/reconditioned, our storage has been moved and the lease terminated, and all of our “critical” stuff has been placed in the home. Actually, most of the stuff that remains in our garage as of now will probably remain there (or in the basement) because we don't really need it...

In any event, our new place is looking very home-like: No piles of boxes laying about and only a very few number of items we are unable to find quickly when we want them. This is a really unusual move for us in that fact, actually, as we tend to live out of boxes for nearly a month before getting to where I feel we are today.

As with every move, we have found a few things in the neighborhood that are less-than-desirable, but so far no major issues. The largest so far (for me) has been the dog population. I can hear as many as a dozen different dogs barking at any given time during the day, and there are at least two or three that live outside even at night, making Shyla's late-night potty break a bit of a pain. I suppose this is all okay when considered in the perspective that they are all confined to fences and are only leaving their messes within said confines. The actual inconvenience is relatively minimal, even if it is a bit annoying.

On other regional residents, we also have a relatively large community of ants, whose leaders, I'm quite certain, will be most displeased with my recent declaration of war on them. You can rest assured that my combat methods will be quite... lethal...

As for the neighbors, I've at least been pleased with most of the humans I have encountered here. Mostly elderly people along with a couple of people close to our age, and all seem to be very quiet. Actually, we're probably the noisiest people in the area as a result of our reluctance to close the windows and turn on our air conditioning. In any event, everyone we have met has been cordial, and we will strive to be equally pleasant to them in return.

And oddly... on our first day here we became acquainted with a feline resident of the area with whom we have not seen or heard of since. He was a very friendly butterscotch colored critter that acted as if he was supposed to be here...

So tonight I'm watching Return of the Jedi whilst enjoying a few generic alcoholic beverages. It is cool and the weather is calm, and I really couldn't find anything serious to complain about even if I wanted. I wish everyone could find it in themselves to be at peace in such a manner tonight.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Father's Day 2011

I may not be in Bellefontaine to visit my dad this Father's Day because of our move, but I'll be thinking of him over the weekend. He wasn't the perfect father (and that is a statement I think even he'd agree with), but how many parents get the distinction of being perfect? Quite frankly, I could count out the glaring faults if I really wanted to, but when it was all done he'd still be my Dad. Fact is, there are a lot of positive things about me that are the direct result of something that he taught me, and it is easy to forget the more positive aspects a person when you're upset about something else.

Furthermore, at least in my case, it is amazing how everything that has ever upset me can fall to the side now that the finality of life is so apparent. My Dad has cancer, and, honestly, I've finally learned what it means to forgive every grievance (real or perceived) that I've ever had with him.

Looking back on things, I think he's put up with plenty from me too...

In any event, I hope we can all appreciate our own fathers this Father's Day, if for no other reason than the fact that we are not guaranteed another Father's Day with them.



Thank you, Dad, for everything you did right as a father, and even some of the things you have done wrong. I have watched those around me every day of late in awe of just how much my life has benefited from you.