Saturday, December 16, 2006

We all have our ups and downs in life...but...sometimes the dark night of the soul descends upon us for an extended period of time. For the past four and a half years I have lived under a significant amount of stress and anxiety due to my divorce and my subsequent living situation. This fall my living situation became increasingly bleak and when it looked like it was about to reach unbearable levels recently and the orcs, goblins, and trolls were going to consume yours truly, Gandalf arrived on Shadowfax...just...in the nick of time...and...just in time for Christmas...What mysteries do I speak of you may ask?...This afternoon I met with an ER doctor who currently lives in Hawaii, in regards, to renting his house. Apparently he has been trying to sell his house for the past two months, without any luck, so now he has decided to try to rent it out...I was very interested to say the least. The house is over 1900 square feet. Hardwood floors, very nice tile walkways, new carpet, appliances, covered patio, and is walking distance from the college where my two sons plan to attend...and...walking distance to the church where they attend...and...a couple of blocks from the bikepath where I ride my bike...and...built in bookshelves!...Generally, I am not a compulsive person and I like to think before I make important decisions and I wanted my two sons to see the place considering they may come to live with me in the near future. After looking at the house they both enouraged me to rent it...so...at approximately four o'clock this afternoon I called my future landlord and told him I would rent out the house. It was a win, win situation for both of us. He was afraid he wasn't going to rent out the house and I was getting increasingly depressed about my living situation. I can't tell you how happy I am about my new living situation...and...Tomorrow I will begin moving in and I hope to be moved in completely before New Years Day, just in time to see my USC Trojans crush Michigan. A couple of additional perks. The landlord will pay for a gardner, and he is leaving his new washer, dryer, fridgerator, and microwave which will save me thousands of dollars because I didn't own any of these things.....Tomorrow is my birthday and I can't think of a better birthday present to myself than the opportunity to move into my new house. What a glorious day!!!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is all great news, Bilbo, I'm very happy for you and pleased to hear how nicely this all fell into place. However, I can't help but think that you steered my attention to this post simply to make sure that your jab at the mighty Wolverines would hit the bullseye.

Perhaps a friendly wager of products native to our respective regions is in order, as is often the case between governors, mayors or other representatives of the combatants in these big sports show-downs? I'll give some thought to what I'm willing to put on the line and get back to you on that...

Bilbo said...

Now Dave,

You know better than to suggest that we hobbits might have an ulterior motive for what we do. We, by nature, are neither subtle, nuanced, sophisticated, or ambiguous enough to do what you have suggested. We hobbits are simple,blunt,brutually honest, and on the up and up, except when it comes to the power of "the ring", of course....Regarding you friendly wager proposal...Just let me know what you have in mind and since you have been wrapping presents lately you might as well wrap what you are willing to put on the line and go ahead and send it now, that way, I will hopefull receive it the day after USC crushes Michigan...We hobbits are extremely impatient, it's our nature, you know? You can send it to my old address...P.S.,please don't forget to attach a nice pretty bow. We hobbits like shiny bows on our presents....

Anonymous said...

This is so awesome!! I can't think of a more deserving person to have a New Year's gift of a home than you.

And because I am thrilled that the Rose Bowl features the Big Ten and Pac Ten, I will be rooting against Dave and for the Pac-Ten with you Bill. :)

Julie

Bilbo said...

Thanks Julie,

I am having second thoughts about moving...after...I worked 14 hours today moving and sorting stuff out....and I figure I have another four or five days like today. I forgot what it is like to move...but...I am determined to get in my new place and get the T.V. up and running so I can watch the Rose Bowl game.

Anonymous said...

Julie wrote:

And because I am thrilled that the Rose Bowl features the Big Ten and Pac Ten, I will be rooting against Dave and for the Pac-Ten with you Bill. :)

To which I respond:

Quisling!

Yer a midwesterner now, Julie - I thought we stuck together!

(Actually, I don't mind a bit... I like that "me against the world" feeling...)

Anonymous said...

Bilbo, here are the terms of my wager. Since I've been on a pretty strong music kick lately, I think we should put regionally-based CDs on the line. I have in mind that I would send you a copy of Sufjan Stevens' "Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lakes State" in the highly unlikely event that the Trojans somehow get lucky enough to actually win the game. I'll leave it to you to determine what music you think is evocative of the California state of mind... I know there's a lot to choose from.

If Sufjan isn't your cup of tea, feel free to choose from one of these performers and I'll be happy to oblige: Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, Eminem, Iggy Pop/The Stooges, the MC5, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & the Supremes (or other Motown artists), some authentic Detroit techno, Madonna, Grand Funk Railroad, Alice Cooper, the Verve Pipe, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker... I would even make yo a compilation CD if that suits you!

So there's my ante. Wanna make a bet? Put yer money where yer mouth is, fella!

Anonymous said...

ROFL!! I just noticed this bet/wager. Wow! I think Bill ought to take you up on it. Sufjan is wonderful. He'll thoroughly enjoy it. And enjoy it he will. :P

I love the word "quisling!" I need to use that as a user ID on some obscure forum somewhere. Great word.

I heart you both,
Julie