Why Do I Even Own A House?

It seems that my house serves as a place to rest my head, shower my body, and reload my iPod, but little else. I am rarely there, and when I am it is not the peaceful oasis that I always imagine my home being. Would I have it any other way? Sure, but I don’t have the financial means nor the portable employment skill set to change much right now. Pity.

I Was Running. No Really, Running!
I ticked off approximately 4.5 miles on the roads last night. There were still too many moments during which I had to stop in order to catch my breath, or I “unfortunately” had to stop and wait for traffic lights to flip. The group with which I ran had set out to do a three-mile loop and I chose to tack on an additional mile, which unbeknown to me had a long, straight uphill within it.

After the run I gladly rejoined my companions for a pint or two at George’s Bar. I managed to limit my food consumption to popcorn and a shared plate of nachos as well.

It feels good to be committed to exercising again, however carving out time to fit it into my life will continue to be difficult.

Kudos To Good Neighbors
When I arrived at the hovel last night I was pleased to see that the fallen tree limb (see below) had been cut up and hauled to the curb. Not only that, the workers also cleaned up all of the leaves and pine straw that I tossed off the roof onto my driveway while I was up inspecting the roof. If all housework would be performed like magic by unseen elves then I would be much happier. I’m sure you would be too.

ITP Flickr Pic
Not having any “new” material I am still scouring the memory cards.
Life And Limb
This is a photo of the tree limb that had fallen into my yard and was waiting for my when I returned from Colorado.

Soon I’ll Be Able To Look Through Rose-Colored Glass
As if I needed to buy more camera equipment. However, yesterday I ordered more camera equipment which in the camera world was relatively inexpensive.

Yesterday I placed an order with B&H for a Cokin filter holder with an adapter ring for my 77mm lenses and a neutral density filter. I’m actually quite excited by this purchase as this will allow me to start taking longer-exposure shots on sunny days (think “silky water”).

Now if I can only find time and subject matter for my photography.

What’s Going On In Inman Park?
During my morning drive along Highland hurtling toward The Connector I saw many trailers and trucks parked along the road. It also looked like something was being set up (movie/tv filming perhaps?) in the green space that separates Highland from Austin Avenue. Anyone know the scoop?

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood – down
Current Music – listening to the “Hawksley Workman In Session” podcast from CBC radio 3
Website Of The Day – Today is September 11th. What were you doing seven years ago today? The September 11 Digital Archive is striving to preserve and present the happenings of 9/11/01.
Exercise (b)Log – running, 4.5 miles
Monthly Foot Mileage – 7.5 miles
Monthly Wheel Mileage – 73 miles
Mode Of Transportation To Work – My car
Monthly Marta Rides – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 4 (110)
Books To Read To Earn Kindle – 4

September Goals
No idea

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]

This entry was posted in My Daily Life. Bookmark the permalink.

21 Responses to Why Do I Even Own A House?

  1. Gentri says:

    You own a house to build equity… what is it, 90% of Americans have most of their wealth tied up in their house? You could also use it (as I will soon) to bring in a 2ndary income stream via having a roommate or a bachelor in the basement… A small wall where the steps come down and you’ve got a unit that rents for over $400 bucks in your area and it would be cheap to do, as you already have a bathroom. I know, not Paulie’s thing… but, it’s very doable. $400 hundred a month is a lot of chips and beer or, gasp, mowing and fixer upping by a local handyperson!

    Your neighbors were really good to do that. The law is basically, I think, “it falls in your yard, it’s your problem”. I don’t think they had any obligation to do what they did, other than be good folks…. can anyone confirm/deny this?

  2. But equity is only valuable if you can sell it (for more than you paid as well). And yes, no roommates for me that aren’t sharing my bed to my delight.

    I’m not sure, but given the fact that it would be my insurance claim in order to get my gutters fixed then I would assume that it would be my responsibility to clean up this tree limb. My neighbors were very thoughtful to handle the situation, and they will be receiving a hand-written “Thank You” from me for doing so.

  3. Martha says:

    Second on the roommate, been there, done that … I’d have to be pretty hard up to travel back down that road.

    Paulie, you own a house so you can put as many damn holes in the wall that you like, you can paint the rooms any color that pleases you, no need to ask anyones permission to get a dog (you really should get a dog, want Toby?) … it is your space to do with as you wish!!

    I understand feeling down about the house. I haven’t done much to my place in years and it was really starting to get to me. These major cleaning/ organizing projects are helping. The next step is to pick a few issuses that have been bugging me for years and getting them resolved. You should think about it…redo a bathroom, paint a room, new lights, new countertops, just a little something to renew your interest in the house. Heck spring for pizza and beer and I’ll help out.

    Your neighbors are pretty cool.

  4. When both neighbors are nice does that mean that I’m the problem neighbor?

  5. Martha says:

    Yes! 😉

    You are the one that has that rag tag group hanging out in the driveway early Sunday mornings. They look like trouble to me.

    Speaking of Sundays…I was thinking about starting up the run again on Oct 5, will you be around?

  6. I will be around on Oct 5 unless I decide to stretch my Nashville trip to Vanderbilt through the weekend. *Somehow* I am scheduled to run ten miles that day. Yikes!

    As for house work I am going to scrub the hell out of my house some day soon.

  7. Gentri says:

    “When both neighbors are nice does that mean that I’m the problem neighbor?”
    Yes… but I’m sure in a good way! 😉

    With a basement like that, Paulie can have a separate bachelor apt… no need to actually “have” a roommate. Small electric stove and sink hooked to current system. That is why it would be good. Outside back entrance = peace extra $$$$

    FYI M, regarding having a new service panel installed. On the books electricians were quoting me $1200-1500 to UPG to a 150 AMP panel. Off the books were around $800 including panel. Unless it is still 2 wire/cloth wrapped w/no ground and not Romex, you don’t need the whole house rewired, as long as cloth is not falling off… that’s bad. The new panel would allow you to expand to build your electrical empire out… however, I suspect you can get away with an upgraded circuit for the dishwasher and use a “dual” aka 2 in 1 15 amp breaker to open up an extra space. Although it should be on its own, it can be on a lesser used circuit also. Plumbing should be easy for any handyman to do, as yours is plastic??

  8. Martha says:

    Okay great! I just put a 10 mile run on my calendar for 10/5.

    *Somehow = left foot, right foot, repeat.

  9. Barb says:

    damn Gentri – that sounded way too much like you know something about electrical! I’m impressed.

  10. Gentri says:

    Barb – I’m not called Gentrif*ckation for my looks, that’s for sure!!!! 😉

    Electrical is just one part of my “mad random renovation skills” set, but updating a house built in 1924 (with knob and tube wiring) and a house built in 1960 will teach you a lot of stuff… even if just for self-preservation reasons… one experience with lighting was enough!!!!

  11. Barb says:

    Luckily for us, our wheelhopper friend Sgt. Shrinkage is real electrician, and since he does commerical stuff now, he thinks residential work can be fun. He taught Allan a bunch, and now our 1958 house is all re-wired.

  12. Gentri says:

    Yup, mine too! (1924 one, that is. 1960 one may take awhile!) That’s a good contact to have!

  13. I’m not a real electrician…. but I play one on TV.

  14. Martha says:

    @ twitter

    I was just sitting thinking if I didn’t have to work it would be so easy to get that second workout of the day in…I think I’ve lost my mind.

    My trainer suggested that we should do a tri together…I’m pretty sure some ex is paying her to try to kill me.

  15. If you are contemplating a second workout in a day then you’ve gone off the deep end…

  16. Martha says:

    would you like to join me?

    I think I’m developing some body image disorder…this is going to get interesting. Stick around folks!

  17. Heck no! I’m already obsessed with my body — and for all the wrong reasons. Obsessing for the “right” reasons is no better in my mind.

    btw- how did things go with “Bring A Friend Day?”

  18. Martha says:

    It’s funny if I look at a picture from two years ago I can see the change…but without that comparison I don’t feel like I’ve made any progress.

    Oh, BAFD went okay 😉

    I seem to remember someone saying “I thought I was going to pass out on that hill” and “you guys don’t take breaks, we take breaks”… it was fun

    Harold was there but seemed a little off his game, old age must be catching up with him.

    So we’ll see you there next month?

  19. I am very bad with gradual change in people. I never notice people, including myself, gaining or losing weight because it usually happens gradually.

    So we’ll see you there next month?

    Nope. Never. It’s just not my gig.

  20. Barb says:

    I like how Martha keeps asks Paulie all the time to go to Boot Camp.
    Even I have figured out by now he isn’t going to go………

  21. Martha says:

    I think it is a well known fact that, when it comes to men, I will waste a whole lot of time hoping for things I will never get.

Comments are closed.