The rLog

Situation Resolved
Created: 5/22/2009 7:14:00 PM

No move. Upon receiving my 30-day notice I was offered a rent reduction. The place I was considering would eventually be cheaper - but it would take nine months to make up the difference between my new, lower rent and the costs of moving, paying rent on two units simultaneously during the transition, and whatever cleaning fees I would be charged. Plus - I just am not going to find a place with this many squirrels and birds for the cats.

I'm embarrased to say I am considering moving
Created: 5/16/2009 7:23:51 PM

I had better start looking into putting a professional moving company on retainer, because it is getting a little too embarrassing to ask my friends to help me. I've already moved three times in four years, and I think I've worn out my credit. Even worse, it isn't for the usual reasons this time. There is no old smokey guy underneath me. The condos are peaceful and quiet, filled with old people. I've got a great location where I can walk and bike to all sorts of things. I have plenty of green outside my window and nice tall windows at that.

No, this is strictly a practical decision. If I moved somewhere less desirable, I figure I could shave $400-$500/mo off my rent. While I do want to stick with a 2br unit so I can maintain an office, and I would like to stick with something reasonably nice with a high walk-ability factor - I don't know that I can justify my current rent in light of the current state of the economy and the reduced income, mostly from reduced bonuses because there is no business. The additional rent wasn't a problem when I was making more, but it was probably an unwise move that I need to correct.

At present I'm inquiring about a condo in downtown Campbell. It is still a walkable area, very close to the Los Gatos Creek Trail still, and only four blocks from the light rail station. I won't have the nice view, but it is a newish building and I can hope for an air conditioner that doesn't just wheeze cold air when I'm trying to work at home on hot days.

So if I force you to learn a new address, I apologize in advance. The good news is that with VoIP, at least you won't have to learn a new phone number!

A new favorite passtime
Created: 4/20/2009 1:42:09 AM

Archie has decided he really enjoys laying in front of my monitor while I work into the wee hours of the night. As you can see from this photo I just took, he positions himself directly above my keyboard so he can play with my dancing fingers.

He IS pretty big...
Created: 4/12/2009 2:48:22 PM

No doubt this will be uninteresting to the majority of you, but rLog is pretty busy and needed some fill. Natalie asked for more pictures of the new fatso (maybe I should have named him Orson?) so here they are. Scenes from a typical sunny morning:

Other things chewed on:
Created: 3/16/2009 11:02:15 PM

Now you include my pens in that list. He must figure that since I don't chew them, he will chew them for me. He leaves good, deep teethmarks.