Photos: Holidays at SeaWorld

Lease then ideal conditions

I didn’t want to.

I really didn’t want to renew my lease for a mold infested apartment for another year… so I didn’t. I could pay $200 more per month for six months (in addition to the “standard” $115 rent jump), or I can “upgrade” to a one bedroom/one bath unit and pay only $150 more in base rent. I still plan on moving… but not for six months. It’s not ideal, but it works…sorta.

I’m still looking for places. The problem is, I haven’t nailed down where yet. I want something suburban… but I don’t have a car. Unfortunately, any meaningful form of public transit it found in the city. Along with crime, traffic and, worst of all noise.

I would move back to Baltimore, but that not only has a “been there, done that” aura to it – it also feels like “giving up.” Pretty soon, I’d be writing unpaid “theatre reviews” no-one reads (I know, I checked my site stats), and that’s the absolute LAST thing I want. I know Autism is all about “sameness” and “routines,” but my last “official” diagnosis was ADHD so I can’t stand doing the same thing over and over again ad–fucking–nauseam. Let’s not forget all sorts of “fun” (aka “horrible and traumatic”) memories it would kick up (you can look them up yourself, many of them are still on here).

Both New York and DC have better access to jobs and have more expansive transit options… but they’re a LOT more expensive to live in. Sure, I can make it work, but I just don’t see it happening. I also looked at Myrtle Beach because it was listed as 2018’s “Best cheap beach town” by some magazine or another (and after checking various apartment rental sites, I can confirm they are)… but their one bus line stops service at 10pm.

One place I’m looking at is Philadelphia. It has its own mix of cheap split up townhouses with shared laundry rooms, and newer “luxury” units… but I’ve never lived there, so it would all be new to me. Pluz (uhn-lieg Fladda), I a’reddy speeg da lag-wedge.

The main problem right now is inventory. There’s just not much available this time of year compared to April or May when the school year ends and graduation season begins. Hopefully, by then, I’ll have better news for you…

(Art credit: Emm Roy, Emm’s Positivity Blog)

 

Hard (and lonely) times ahead…

Today marks nine months since my mom’s death. I don’t like harping on it in this blog, but it’ll be my first holiday without my parents and the rest of my family is in Pennsylvania. It’s not going to be easy, but I have no choice but to get through it.

(Art credit: Emm Roy, Emm’s Positivity Blog)

So, Thanksgiving? My older brother is tailgating at his wife’s alma-mater. My oldest brother is going over to his brother-in-law’s house. My aunt (dad’s side) is spending time with her husband’s family, and my other aunt (mom’s side) is spending it with her boyfriend’s family. My uncle (mom’s side) is going to his sister-in-law’s House. Sooo, where does that leave me?

A lot further ahead than I am for Christmas. I mean my older brother is throwing a “Holiday party” the weekend before Christmas. I’m not 100% sure if I’m invited or shall I say “welcome” given his attitude towards me, but it IS Christmas. Besides, the bigger issue would be logistics. How do I get there? How do I get around? Where would I stay? How would I get back? People who have cars don’t have that problem.

It’s the same reason I’m probably not attending my oldest brother’s birthday later this month. To be fair, it’s the weekend before Thanksgiving so travel (probably) wouldn’t be as bad… but I’d rather not risk it. #Sorrybro