Another Quick Update

So much has been going on the last couple of weeks and I have been bad at keeping y'all updated. In this brief moment before heading out for a bit of lunch with a parental unit, I give you some tidbits and nuggets of information on how things are going here in the Hub City.

• I have signed a contract on a house and will (hopefully) close the first part of August. Only real problem was I missed getting low interest rates by ONE day (went from 6.125% to 6.75% in 5 hours the day I went in for my mortgage).
  
  
• Work is going well; I'm slowly getting settled in on what it means to be a shift supervisor. So much to learn in so little time. The "gang" that works here is great and it seems a bit more relaxed than in my previous office.
  
  
• Lubbock drivers STILL don't know how to drive, even after 5 years. Stupid college students talking on their cell phones and not watching out for other people. People forgetting that there is a nifty device called a turn signal that they can use when changing lanes. I just can't wait to see what it will be like the first heavy rain event or winter storm that blows through here...NOT!
  
  
• Living out of a hotel is great the first 4 days you are in one. After that it gets old. I don't have a real kitchen to cook in and frozen dinners are getting boring. The "continental breakfast" is nothing more than day old bread for toast, some bagels or English Muffins that don't fit in the toaster, and some kind of reconstituted fruit juices that are supposed to resemble apple or orange juice. I might have to learn how to drink coffee just to get something that tastes good in the morning.
  
  
• I thought the mosquitoes in the Top o' Texas were bad. Nope. This town has them worse. Getting out of your car and walking to the door at the hotel has caused me to sprint through hungry hoards of blood-sucking mosquitoes that were so thick you needed a light saber to cut through. Right now I count 7 itchy bumps from being outside for 15 minutes, one of which is on my cheek. Damn thing itches like mad!

Anyway, such is my life right now. Gotta run...time to get some local items taken care of and then start getting ready for our family vacation to southwest Colorado. Highs in the upper 70s, lows in the 40's, and chances for rain each afternoon. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I am now a Vagabond

Well, I've landed in the South Plains. The house closed with one minor hitch...the buyers delayed until 2 pm so I had to wait a couple of hours to get my check. It was worth it however; it gave me one last opportunity to eat lunch at Rudy's with friends and get a little bit of Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 in as well. However, in true words of the term - I am now a Vagabond.

There wasn't much fanfare when I left; just a look in the rear-view mirror at the town that I have known for the last 5 years. I had a couple of days to say farewell to my friends, my house was empty, and I didn't have to go into work. But there is a sense of sadness knowing that I won't be able to call the C's to see if there is a free evening for Super Smash Bros. on the Wii (or some Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 with Mr. C.). I won't be able to go to iForty (as often) nor have the fun evenings afterwords with "the gang" when we sit down for dinner.

This move does bring with it new opportunities however. I look forward to renewing friendships of old and getting back involved with playing guitar in a worship setting. I'm back in college town so I'm hoping (hint...hint) that friends will come on down and stay for a weekend of Raider sports. Eventually, maybe, possibly when I get settled, I'll finally be able to get that big screen and an Xbox360 (or the Wii) with Xbox live to meet my friends on the battlefield or Super Mario Kart track.

So, here I am. A vagabond back in a town I left 5 years ago. Time to unpack and get some clothes ready for the first day impression tomorrow at work. Tomorrow...laundry and the story of the hotel.

P.S. To the gang back in the Top 'o Texas: to quote Sallah from Indiana Jones I and III: "I am missing you already..."

Housing Update

Here is the latest news from the housing front. The buyers of my home here in the Top o' Texas wanted to bump up the closing date by two weeks which is physically impossible as I still have to live in my house through the end of this week. SO, we struck a compromise and I close on my current house on the 21st. Whew! I'll have to make sure all my ducks are in a row for the closing but it appears all is coming together well.

I decided this morning to put an offer on a house in the Hub City so that process has now started. Currently am awaiting info on whether the house is still on the market and if the seller is even interested in my offer. Should that go through and the haggling isn't too far out of touch of what comps in the 'hood are (see, I'm learning the real estate lingo with all this moving stuff taking place), I'll hopefully have a contract by tomorrow. Why the rush? With all the mortgage mess with Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae, there is a great likelihood that rates will jump quite a bit this week. Best to try and lock in a low rate if I can!

Last but not least...movers come Thursday to pack and Friday to load. Ought to be interesting...I STILL don't have my travel orders. No travel orders = no hotel at the guv'ment rate. No hotel = sleeping on air mattress and sleeping bag over the weekend (well...not really. I'll probably crash over at the Clark's).

Dang. I've got a WHOLE LOT of stuff to take care of.

In the next three days.

While working day shifts.

Can you say small panic attack???