Two Heavy Metal Shows

So I realize these posts are a long time in coming. I suck. Don't forgive me. Beat me with rubber hoses. I deserve it. But in my defense, I have been sick the past week or so. I also actually started this particular blog over a week ago, got interrupted, and didn't have a chance to finish it until now.
Friday night (June 26th) I drove down to Louisville for the Scream the Prayer tour. It was the opening night of the tour, and I was super excited.
The place was called Headliners Music Hall. It's a rather nifty old brick building. It's not much to look at on the outside, but inside it has big old fashioned looking paintings on the wall of what appears to be 1800s ballroom dancing. It also happened to be in a really easy location to find and at which to park. Heck, acoustically it even sounded good.
The first band to play was called Oh Great City or some such thing. I think they may have been purely a local act. The kids looked like they were maybe 18, but they didn't sound too bad. They didn't do anything particularly interesting, but like I said, they weren't bad.
The second band and the first national act was Corpus Christi. They happen to have a rather well muscled guitarist with Fabio hair and now that I think about it, a face that looked like that of Tarzan in the Disney movie. The girls in the audience were obviously smitten. Two girls next to me would not stop repeating "Oh my god!" Seriously, they must have said that for a good five minutes. It was sickening. At least Corpus Christi did a pretty decent job of rocking. They were tight and sounded alright.
A Plea for Purging played third. I had been looking forward to their set, considering all the good things I had heard about them. I'd never listened to them before, so I was eager for the opportunity. They were just ok. They were clearly talented, but they just didn't seem to have mastered the art of songwriting.
For Today was next. They seemed to have a pretty large following in the crowd. Again, they were just ok. The vocalist took a five minute break in the middle of the set to start talking about the Holy Spirit. Great. The Holy Spirit is awesome, but this is a concert, not church. Play a song. You're just preaching to the choir, and if you're not, then you are pissing off non-choir members.
Agraceful also had its own following. My first impression of them was that if I breathed to hard I might blow the vocalist and the guitarist over. These guys were the scrawniest rockers you could imagine. And the band kind of annoyed me. I had never heard them before, but what I did hear didn't impress.
Gwen Stacy apparently hails from Indianapolis, and I think that fact alone brought them quite a strong crowd. They were actually better than I expected. I'd tried to listen to some of their stuff on myspace, but it had annoyed me so fast that I stopped. It was much better live. They weren't great, but they weren't bad either.
Oh, Sleeper played to a crowd that was starting to grow restless in the overly hot and muggy Kentucky evening. They weren't bad, but they didn't get a great reception from the crowd.
The next band to play was Project 86, my personal favorite band of all time. The first thing I noticed was that their guitarist was missing, and they played the show with their bassist on guitar and a couple fill-ins on bass and drums. Naturally, they sounded awesome though, but the crowd was absolutely terrible. I think Andrew (the singer) thought it somewhat amusing. He kept commenting on all the people standing around with their arms crossed instead of getting into the show. Project played nine songs, including two new ones off of their upcoming album. It was a good set. It was just depressing that they were an opener and couldn't play longer and that the crowd was so rude.
The Chariot was the first headliner. They were alright. They sounded fine when they actually played, but they spent way too much time making random noise, unrelated to their actual songs. I think part of this was fueled by the chaos they wreaked on stage. At one point, Josh Scogin (the vocalist) accidentally pulled apart the drumset and this caused a rather long delay in the show. This was especially bad since Haste the Day was still to come, and so they were on a time limit. It was kind of disappointing.
Haste the Day was the headliner. I didn't really care. They sounded fine, but they certainly didn't put on the best show. At that point, I think the crowd was tired, and a lot of kids had come to see other bands, so the crowd was very anemic. A good deal of people had left, and the result was a pretty sad display of crowd support for a headlining act.
Overall then, I have to say that Kentucky sucks. It is a terrible place to have a concert. Those inbred rednecks just waste space.
I did get to talk to Andrew from Project 86 after the show. I asked him where the guitarist was, and he explained that Randy had taken this tour off. They've been doing this for thirteen years and occasionally they need some time off.
Oh, one more thing to note about this show. As I was standing at the Project merch table, my back absolutely flipped out. I almost fell over. I was in so much pain, and I was only staying upright by putting all my weight against the merch table in front of me. I had horrifying thoughts of being stuck there and not being able to make it back to the car to leave. Fortunately after about thirty seconds it eased up, and I was able to walk. I still have no idea why it did that. It's been alright since then, if a little on the stiff side.

On Saturday (the 27th), I saw Becoming the Archetype in Franklin, Indiana in front of a crowd of roughly 35 people. It was a whole different experience than the Scream the Prayer show. I've been in tiny venues before, but I've never been to a show where that few people showed up. But I must say that for the people that were there, they did pretty well. Several kids were absolutely going insane moshing and circle pitting. The opening acts were obviously nothing more than openeners, but they were enthusiastic. Becoming the Archetype was awesome though. They brought some good old fashioned death metal to Indiana that night.
So I guess I could have stretched this blog out much longer, but I think that instead I will focus my efforts on further bloggings sometime soon. I know I have over a week of information to share with you my faithful readers. And as some of you may know, it was a somewhat eventful week, considering my boring life. Oh well, have a good day all of you wonderful people who read this.
P.S. the answer is gray...buttonless and gray.

Chicken Tacos

So some famous people died. I really don't have anything to say about that. So anyway....
Anna and I were interrupted from DDR twice yesterday by knocks on our front door. The first one came from Beulah (whose apartment smells like pee and old cat food), who had a leak under her sink. I was afraid it would be something major, and I might not know how to fix it. Mostly, I was afraid it would take a long time, and I'd have to spend so much time in her apartment that I'd vomit. It turns out that a connection had just come loose, and I was able to tighten it by hand. Yay. No puke. The second interruption came from Sara, who wanted me to call the exterminator because she saw mice outside her patio. It seems like an overreaction to me, but I called the exterminator this morning. They are supposed to set out bait or something tomorrow afternoon.
Anna's parents went on a camping and horse riding trip this week. They only ended up staying out for two days because it was so hot. Anna's mom said she almost cried one night because it was so hot and the flies were so bad. That would suck.
I made grilled chicken tacos at the in-law's house tonight. I think they went over well. I like cooking and having the things I fix taste good.
I'm wearing dark blue boxers with a black waistband.
My anus burns a little.
My testicles were burning yesterday.
I wonder what will burn tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow. It's finally here. Tomorrow is the first "Scream the Prayer" concert. I am so absolutely excited. I tried to use Google maps to get directions to the venue, but when I started looking at the map, something seemed off about the directions. I realized that it had me driving ten or so miles past the most convenient exit, driving a couple blocks south, take three consecutive lefts so that I was back on the road I had just left, going around a roundabout, and then getting back on the interstate the other direction to take the previously mentioned most convenient exit. I don't know why it thought this was necessary. Apparently Google wanted me to do some sight seeing in Louisville.
Chief is the most obnoxious cat. He begs at the table like a dog. He won't stop. Ever.
Howie discovered he can jump all the way up on top of the entertainment center. He then proceeded to knock over our wedding book and stare at us like nothing was amiss.
My mom is going to come visit this coming week. I have no idea how we will entertain her.
I don't know what else to say right now.
Don't worry, I'll give you all a full concert report.

Dirty Southern Rock

I'm just sitting here rocking out to the new Maylene & the Sons of Disaster album. It's filthy gritty awesomeness.
Anna's parents are currently in Brown County with their horses, camping and riding. I hope they have a good time. This is the first time in a decade that Anna's father has taken off of work for something besides a wedding or a funeral. I feel bad for him because this entire week leading up to them leaving Anna's mother has been complaining that it will be too hot and wondering if they could just stay at home.
Because of said trip, Anna and I have the responsibility of letting their dogs out to pee and do dog related outdoor things. We were planning on sleeping there, but then we realized that Anna's mother had covered our bed in stuff that we didn't feel like moving. I guess Anna will go back over there tomorrow morning while I am in the office.
I called my father yesterday for Father's Day. It was the first time we had talked in six months. This isn't to say that we don't get along or anything. We actually have a good relationship. It just seems that, especially these last few months, whenever I call he is at work for a late night conference call with Malaysia or on a business trip or even on a hike. Last night I had to call back three times in order to actually get ahold of him. He had been on a hike until really late, but I couldn't not talk to him on Father's Day. Apparently he is now a pro staff shooter for Trinity Wood and Game game calls. So now the companies that associate themselves with these game calls are now sending my dad free equipment in exchange for him saying "I shot this buck using my 'Rip-Cord' arrow rest." It's kind of cool I guess. The reason he is associated with this Trinity Wood and Game place is that he is good friends with the guy who owns it and makes these calls. The coolest thing is that now this guy wants to accompany my dad out this fall and video him shooting something. How awesome would that be?
I'm looking forward to the opportunity to do some deer hunting of my own this fall. It will be awesome to be able to go pretty much whenever I want. I just need to shoot something.
So it looks like my mom might show up here sometime next week. I guess there is a family reunion in Iowa that she is going to, and she figures that if she's going to go 2/3 of the way she might as well go ahead and impose herself upon her eldest child. It will be an interesting thing. Maybe she'll give me money or something.
My birthday is in a week and a half. Get me something good.
I am so unbelievably excited about Project 86 this Friday. It's going to be so incredible.
I love chocolate milk. I already had a big glass, but I'm really craving another one.
I changed the guinea pigs bedding today. Anna had me shred up some old newspaper to mix with the stuff we buy at the store. I think I fried the shredder doing this. I guess we'll see if it works tomorrow or not.
I don't even really know what color these boxers are supposed to be. I think they are blue, but they are so old, it's hard to tell.
So the Rockies continue to win. Man, you have no idea how much I hope they keep it up. It will make everything better if they have a good year. I might even forget about the impending doom that is the Broncos.
Ok, my chocolate milk craving has gotten the best of me. Goodnight faithful friends and scheming enemies.

No Underwear Today

I root for a winning baseball team. Seriously. It happened. Probably won't be true tomorrow, but at least, it's true for a day.
We didn't do the Salvation Army thing Thursday night. Anna's grandmother went to stay with Anna's aunt and uncle, and the Major is on vacation. So there was no one there that would have expected us to be there. It was fantastic not having to deal with dear grandma.
Chief is currently looking at me and himself in a mirror. He loves mirrors.
I'm so excited for the new music and concerts coming my way. I'm less than a week away from seeing Project 86 and the very next day I get to see Becoming the Archetype. And on Tuesday, the new Maylene & the Sons of Disaster comes out. This is such a good summer for music.
Speaking of music, the new mewithoutYou is growing on me.
I'm trying to refresh my knowledge of Project 86 lyrics. So that if my some chance I get pulled on stage during their concert I don't embarrass myself. And actually know that's not an impossible chance, since they are going to bring fans on stage this tour to perform a song with them on their very own mic. "Off with your head!!!!"
Anna and I went over to her parent's house last night, and I fixed dinner. We had breaded pork chops with an onion and chive sauce and some onion and chive mashed potatoes. It was decent.
After we left her parents, we went to Half Price Books in Greenwood. I want to buy the entire inventory of that store. I love that place. I got several books and could have purchased several thousand more, given the chance. I found a Hemingway I didn't have and the two Ishiguro's I didn't have. I also grabbed another Nabokov. It should be some good reading.
I don't know what we are going to do today. Maybe I'll grill something.
Anna's parents are leaving tomorrow night to go camping and riding. Her mom is absolutely dreading this. The forcast calls for 90 degree weather the whole time. She keeps asking her husband to bring an air-conditioner. I have a feeling it will be an interesting experience for the two of them.
Anna's been sneezing all morning. I hope she isn't getting sick.
I'm getting sort of kind of hungry a little bit maybe. I think I'll go find some nourishment. TTFN. (don't you like my cutesy teen texting abvreviation?)

It's Anna, dog. Ha. I'm so ghetto. And I don't really have much to say. Pretty sure this is a pointless post.

I'm sitting here trying to make a list of everything I want to get accomplished for the day and all I'm hearing is thunder. Only it's not really thunder. It's Howie and Chief rolling really hard into the wall. Which makes me think of a funny and kind of sad story I heard at the vet. Someone had to bring their dog in because the dog swung his toy around so hard and hit himself in the head so hard that he got a concussion from it!

Anyway, I'm starting to get used to not having much to do. That means we've had a super super clean apartment since we've moved in. Not likely to stay that way, but hey, it's kinda nice while it's lasting.

I'm missing a wedding this weekend that I really really would like to be at, and that makes me sad. It's just too expensive right now, especially since Hoffer only gets paid once a month.

I don't really have much to say, and since I'm not exactly dying to update you on my choice of underwear, I think I'm out. Have a fantastic day.

You know you attend a country church when...

I'm rather sweaty at the moment. I've been assembling a computer desk, so I finally can set up my desktop and stop stealing Anna's laptop.
I currently have two loads of laundry drying, and they should be done in approximately half an hour. I am hoping that I'll have time to finish up this blog entry and take a shower before they are done.
We went to the Wednesday night service at Anna's church. Afterwards, one of the church members was selling fresh chicken eggs in the foyer. Anna said this was a sure sign that we were at a country church. I bought a dozen. One of them is huge and looks like it could possibly contain two yolks.
I had to call the electrician over this morning. A lady's kitchen light stopped working. The kitchen lights in this place are the fluorescent kind, and apparently they contain a component called a "ballast" that regulates the flow of power. When these go bad, they require an electrician to replace them. Blah blah blah. I know you're all interested.
Sarah came over today. She and Anna are going to try to make a nice piece of artwork to hang in our living room. We had lunch, and then we went to Hobby Lobby to get some canvas and some paint. Lunch didn't sit well with Sarah, so she went back home before she and Anna could get started on the project. I think they will work on it this weekend.
We've decided we are going to give Anna's father a Rural King gift card for Father's Day. That is if there is such a thing as a Rural King gift card. And don't worry, Rural King is exactly what it sounds like. Hick paradise. It contains everything from baby chicks to horse feed to ammo to Carhartt clothing.
Anna's grandmother called us up on Monday and requested (read: demanded) that we come and take her to the doctor in the morning to get her blood drawn. The woman can drive. There was no need for us to do such a thing, but because she asked, we had to do it. I moved my office hours so that I could keep Anna company on this torture trip. I didn't want her to be alone. It's horrible being around that lady. Every single thing she says is either a complement to herself or an insult to others. She is evil.
I'm getting kind of thirsty. We have some chocolate milk that expired three days ago. Maybe I will have some of that. Farewell all.

Blue Looney Tunes Boxers Covered in Images of Other Looney Tunes Boxers

I taught the high school Sunday school class this morning. The topic was the fruit of the Spirit, and how it relates to the problems in Galatia.
I'm starting to suck at posting to this thing. I think most of the issue stems from sharing a computer.
Anna and I have determined that Chief is part Bengal. We're serious. He is an "undesirable" Bengal, but he is a Bengal nonetheless. He fits all the traits typical for Bengal cats, including a seeming immunity to squirt bottles and a fascination with toilets and running faucets.
On Thursday night, Anna and I went over to the Salvation Army to try to help with their evening service and meal. Anna's grandmother plays the piano for them, and we were hoping that doing this would keep us in her good graces and help us avoid having to actually go see her. It was an interesting experience. Anna's grandmother absolutely pounds at the piano. I find it interesting that she's so opposed to alcohol since her playing sounds like something straight out of an old west saloon. Apparently the wife of the Salvation Army major loves that style of playing, and she kept going on and on about how Anna's grandmother was an answer to prayer. It was disgusting. I wanted to puke.
The best part of the evening was when dinner was served, and Anna and I found ourselves sitting with her grandmother and a transvestite. No kidding. An honest to goodness transvestite. We're not sure if dear grandma knew or not.
Friday was Karen's last day helping me out. Now I am on my own. It's kind of scary.
I have to get the emergency alert system in the apartment fixed. There are cords in every apartment that can be pulled to alert this apartment and the office of an emergency. They aren't working. This is bad.
I took the electrician around to all the apartments on Thursday morning. It turns out that an entire wing of the building had the air conditioners wired into the wrong units.
I went to Wal-Mart tonight. When I was leaving, I noticed an empty box of KY lubricant sitting in a cart. I thought to myself, "Wow, someone was in a hurry. This sure is a romantice place too."
I am waiting impatiently for new Project 86.
The Rockies have won 11 straight to match their longest streak in team history. And yet they still have a losing record.
I promise I'll try to update more frequently. I apologize on my knees to my dear and faithful readers. Forgive me for my wayward ways.

Light Blue Boxers (with no "modesty" button)

I'm doing laundry. It's nice having two washers and dryers available to you. It's also nice living in an apartment full of old people who are already asleep. It's also nice having the keys to the coin trays on the washers and dryers, so that I never have to pay to do laundry.
Chief seems immune to the squirt-bottle.
We got to see Sarah's apartment in Indianapolis today. It's very much one of those moderny city-y apartments. Her boyfriend has an awesome couch.
We also got to meet her cat, Coach. Coach is orange and friendly.
We picked up a charcoal grill at Big Lots today. I'm excited to have a patio on which to have a grill and a grill on which to put some hurting to massive piles of meat.
Anna's walking around the apartment singing songs to all the animals. First she sang to the pigs. Now she is singing to the fish. "One little fishy, two little fishy, Howie smacks them in the face..."
Anna and I went to see "Up" with two of her cousins. Earlier in the day, Anna's grandmother stopped by our apartment, and I made the mistake of telling her we were going to the movies that night. I had no idea at the time that it was a mistake. In fact, I just found out tonight that it was a horrible mistake. Apparently old Nazarenes hate the movies. They think they are right up there with dancing and alcohol. Well, me mentioning this little fact to Anna's grandmother turned into her giving Anna a huge lecture on "how far the Nazarene Church has fallen." I wasn't actually a witness to this since I was in the office at the time, but Anna tells me that dear Grandma H started going off on how women should never cut their hair or wear pants or put on make-up or have pierced ears. (Just a reminder: Anna cuts her hair, wears jeans and make-up, and has pierced ears). I had no idea that I was going to set off such a tirade.
An exterminator comes by the apartments once a month to spray the units. He came this morning, and I had to lead him around to the different apartments, knock on the doors, and let him in. Most all of the tenants are really nice about it all, but that doesn't change the fact that it is horrible entering some of those apartments. Several of the tenants smoke like chimneys. Two of the apartments, in particular, require a deep breath before entering. You walk into those units, and it's like walking into a cloud. It hurts to breathe. Even some of the apartments where people don't smoke are terrible. A couple apartments smelled like feces. One smelled of urine and wet catfood. Oh, it is an awful thing.
I just remembered that I have to get up early to meet the electrician again tomorrow. I guess that means I should hurry up and get the laundry finished so I can go to bed.
Goodnight all.

I'm actually fully clothed

I sort of had my first interesting experience as the apartment manager here. It's not even that interesting, but it did kind of scare me.
Anna and I were sitting on our patio, enjoying our evening, when we heard sirens and saw flashing lights. We could tell they were headed past our apartment building when suddenly the sirens stopped, and the lights kept flashing. I got up to go check it out and came around front in time to see the paramedics wheeling a gurney into a tenant's apartment. I had horrible thoughts of having a dead resident on my hands. Fortunately, she seemed to be alright. I heard the paramedics (or, more likely, EMT's) asking her questions about dizziness and vomiting. They brought her out under her own power. I guess she just started feeling sick.
This experience was made scarier for me by the conversation I had with Karen earlier about past residents. She had mentioned in passing that one lady had died. Naturally, I wanted to know if this death had actually happened on premises. It had. She spun me a horror story of being in the hospital visiting her dying uncle when she gets a call from her husband saying mysteriously "there's been a death." She told me that when she got back to the apartments the parking lot was full of police and that the coroner was already there. She ended up having to find the woman's file so she could notify the next of kin.
Now do you understand why an ambulance showing up here for the first time made me a little nervous?
Pre-orders started today for the new Project 86 album. I'm still debating which option to chose. Do I want the albu, t-shirt, and dog-tags? Do I want the album, a limited edition printing of "Songs to Burn Your Bridges By," a different t-shirt, and dog-tags? Heck, I could even get the new thing on vinyl. It makes me wish I had a record player.
Chief loves destroying toilet paper. When we get up in the morning, he usually has managed to unroll about half a roll and shred it in the bathroom.
Chief also has an ongoing war with a wash cloth in the tub. Yesterday, we woke up to find this cloth in the middle of the living room.
Howie just sits back and watches all this happen.
I've unloaded a whole pile of ammo at some innocent cans the last couple days. Maybe it's the rifle shooter in me, but I'm not yet pleased with my pistol grouping. Though, I will say this. I could put ten out of ten slugs into a human sized target in under three seconds without any problem. No, I'm not threatening anyone, unless of course that person is giving me reason to defend Anna and myself.
We have a hippie friend who just joined the army. She's going through basic right now and keeps writing to us about how she hates to have to use her "weapon." I just laugh at her silly hippy ways.
Any suggestions for a high school Sunday School class? All I want to do is teach them the merits of metal music.
Anna says it's her turn for the computer. Adios my lovely readers.

what now?

Anna

I like our apartment. I like living in Columbus. I like a life with a lot less stress... But I need something productive to do! I'm not very good at doing nothing. It makes me grumpy and really antsy. If I'm going to work for a school somewhere, I'll start in the beginning of August. Who will want to hire me for a little over a month and a half? I think I'm going to start volunteering at the local humane society. That's where Casey ended up last summer after that storm. The people were great to her. I'd like to do that... And the Salvation Army has a dinner and message every Thursday night, and I told them I'd go over and help serve meals and do some musicy stuff for the service. I don't know what else to get involved in for a month and a half.

Dark Blue Boxer Briefs

I was examining our new kitchen chairs today and realized that they are sculpted to fit your butt cheeks. And I don't just mean that there is a slight dent in the center for your butt. I mean that it looks as though someone left their butt-print in our chairs. Now I am kind of wishing that there was also a spot dedicated to holding manhoodial organs.
We stopped by Menards today to get some flowers to plant by our patio. We got a couple day-lily's and daisies and a rose bush.
There is a leak in the mechanical room. The plumber is coming at some point tomorrow morning to have a look.
The fire alarm guy was here today checking our system. Apparently he has to come back and replace an "exit" sign.
Anna got some new decorative pillows yesterday for our bed. It looks nice, though I will never understand a woman's need to have pillows she doesn't actually use.
Anna made her father come over this evening to see our new place. I used this as an excuse to fix our first real dinner here. I made breaded pork chops with an onion/chive sauce and ranch mashed potatoes. I must say that it was pretty tasty.
After dinner we went over to see Anna's grandmother. The awkward thing about this apartment is that it is a Salvation Army thing, and Anna's grandmother plays piano for the Salvation Army right next door. We didn't want to tell her we were here, but we knew it was inevitable that she would find out. Now I guarantee she won't love us alone about coming to see her since we are so close, and she will probably come over here all the time and stick her nose into our business. I would just like some peace and quiet.
We have a light in our "hallway" that randomly turns off and on. I hope it doesn't burn our apartment down.
Howie is being slightly more social after snubbing us for two days following flea treatment and Comcast technicians. Anna and I were discussing today what goes through our cat's heads. For Chief it must be something like "WEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!" and for Howie it must be "Oh no, what now?"
I would love to have my own computer back, but that has to wait until we have a computer desk. I just don't feel comfortable doing any serious writing on this computer.
I think I might retire soon. I'll get a quiet place in the country and put up signs that say "Trespassers will be shot, survivors will be shot again."
I met the lady today who had said she would move out because we were taking over. Apparently she has been telling Karen for a year that she is going to move out. She seems very passive/aggressive. At first, she seemed real sweet, but it didn't take long for me to detect the spite behind her words.
We met the Salvation Army Major (and his wife) who heads the Salvation Army church next door. I think Anna about had a seizure listening to him talk about how great Anna's grandmother is.
Anna and I agreed to teach the high school Sunday school class at her church. I hope this goes alright. It will be interesting avoiding denominational specific doctrines and such, but I think we can do it. I can't in good conscience repeat doctrinal positions I don't believe, but I do think that Anna and I can be a good influence on these kids. I honestly believe we can be the best teachers these kids could have. I don't think there is anyone else in the church in the right postion to communicate with them. I just hope that we succeed.
Well, Anna just got out of the shower, so I think it's time for me to hop into it.

A Quicky

So I was looking through my statcounter stats for this blog and seeing what sort of strange visitors had happened across this thing. Apparently some creepy person from Sweden found our blog by googling "naked hoffs." Isn't the internet fun?

Spinning Showerhead Thing of Doom

Yo, yo, my peeps. What is up with thee?
I'm sitting and writing these profound thoughts to you from the comfort of some old gray boxers. I also happen to be sitting at my brand new kitchen table in my rather nice (though sadly devoid of a dishwasher) kitchen.
So obviously I got the apartment manager job thingy. Essentially my duties are to maintain the property, assist the crazy old people should they have an emergency, and forward paperwork to the main company branch.
The lady (Karen) who had held the job before us is still around. Apparently she quit in October but they couldn't find anyone qualified to take the position, so she stuck around long enough to find a replacement. She's going to help me out through next week.
In the short time that I have been here, Karen has told me a few interesting stories about this place. These include tenants setting fire to microwaves, ovens, couches, and dryers. They also include a child-molesting great-grandfather who is forbidden from coming on the premises. I have a feeling that I'll end up with some good stories of my own if I stay here long enough.
I shot a snapping turtle in the in-laws' pond the other day.
I'm looking forward to a chance to settle in and breath.
It took us a couple days longer to move into this apartment than we originally intended, but we're finally moved in and getting settled.
We got cable and internet installed today.
We also gave Howie and Chief flea medicine today.
These last two facts have made Howie very mad at us. He spent most of the day sulking under the futon.
Karen appears to be in really poor health and has lots of doctor appointments. She had an appointment this morning, and since it would have only been my second day in the office, I just didn't open the office.
I also learned that Karen's husband receives full government disability for the medical consequences of his exposure to "agent orange" in Vietnam. Like Anna keeps reminding me, whatever else happens, I will almost certainly leave this place with excellent story ideas.
I may or may not grow up to be a lesbian. I haven't decided yet.
The shower head that this apartment came with might have been the most poorly designed device ever. After one use, I declared to Anna that I would get a new one. So I did, and I installed it today. It claims to have a setting in which the water actually spins. I need to see this in action, so now I think I am going to go give it a test run.
Now have fun picturing me showering with my new shower massage spinning water thingy. Mmm, naked Hehoff.

New Apartment :)

Anna again. :)

Big news! No, we're not pregnant. Haha. We quickly discovered we can't say anything news-related to anyone at church or they automatically assume that. I don't particularly like that. Anyway, Hoffer got the job! He's now the apartment manager for an apartment complex for the "elderly/aging." I like it here a lot. It's really nice once you get past all of the handrails. Haha. It was a converted nursing home and sometimes still feels very much like a nursing home, but it's nice and I like it here. And you can't beat free rent. Haha. Well, not exactly free since Hoffer's doing work for it, but you know. I'll let Hehoff tell you more details since this is kinda his thinger. I grabbed the camera to show you some pictures. :)


The pictures all went in backwards and I don't feel like changing it. Oh well. Here goes.

This is part of our bedroom.




This is the other side.

Bathroom. Feels lots like a nursing home bathroom, and I don't like that there's no lid on the toilet. But whatever. It's big. And I discovered that all of the handrails in the bathtub are good shelves for shampoo bottles! Ha. I need some pictures or something for in there.

Here's my piano in the second bedroom. It needs some snazzing up in there, too.

And here's my piano music/teaching stuff bookshelf. I just like it cause it has a dog on top. :)

Here's the other side of the second bedroom. Or part of it, anyway.

Here's the piggies. :) The intercom-looking thing is an emergency system. In case one of the residents falls or gets hurt or sets something on fire (I'll let Hoffer elaborate. I kinda feel like there will be lots of good stories coming from this. On the edge of your seats, I know.) they have a pull-cord to tug on for some help. It sounds some sort of tone (We have yet to hear it) and we can tell where to go by what button lights up. Exciting.

This is the kitchen. My name is General Obvious. I decided not to be a Captain. Anyway, it's nice to have some counter space and lots of cabinets that I can reach.

This kitchen is big enough for a dining table! :) And that door opens to a pretty big pantry thingie. Also exciting.

And here's the other part of the living room. Yep, it needs some pictures. My sister and I are going to make some and I'm excited about that. Those doors open (both of them... They have some kind of fancy pants name, but I can't remember what they are) to a little patio. I'm going to plant flowers out there and put some bird feeders out. That way I can fit in with the ladies around here.

And here's the other side of the living room. You can see into the kitchen and the second bedroom. Woo.

Miss you all like woah. That's right. Like woah. I said it. Over and out.