Leaving on a Jet Plane, Pretty Sure I'll Be Back Again

[jianantonic]

I'm pretty good about conserving water and energy and keeping my bills down.  My average monthly electric bill is just a little over $60, and water is usually right around $20.  The last time I was in my apartment was 12/25, and I turned the heat way down to 55, unplugged everything except the fridge, made sure all the windows and doors were sealed up, and of course didn't expect much of a bill for January.  However, this month's electric is still $56, and water was $17.  Doesn't seem like much of a savings.

I guess things like the water heater and even keeping the house at 55 use a lot of energy, so I guess the electric bill isn't too worrisome, but it seems the water should've been significantly lower.  Z's dad suggested that there's probably a minimum monthly charge or something.  Lame.  But whatever, I've spent almost no money in the last month, so I won't sweat a $17 bill.  

It sounds like I'm getting my audition with one of Z's pro teams either this week or at one of the February tournaments.  The team boss called Z yesterday to tell him he was looking for clients for the two of us as a pair for either San Diego or Toronto and also Victoria.  I'm a much better player than my 330 points would indicate, so I'm what's known as a bracket buster, and Z and I have been working really hard on our partnership.  I'd probably be a good 5th teammate to come in and replace the client in the second half of every match.  Their teams are almost always bracket 1 or 2, but with me pulling the average down, we could slip down a bracket (or 5 in Gatlinburg), making the competition easier, since clients are almost never actually bracket 1 and 2 contenders.  So anyway I'm excited about the possibility, but I won't get my hopes up.  It's an unpredictable biz, to say the least.

Whether I make the squad or not, it does look like we will be going to a lot of tournaments.  We found $89 plane tickets from Baltimore to Portland for the Portland regional, so we're only going to be in Cville for the two weeks after Bermuda before flying back out west.  Then after Portland Z has a client for Vegas, and then another client for the Detroit NABC, but just one or two events.  We may go out to Detroit a few days before his client wants him so we can compete in the mixed pairs.  After Detroit we'll either go to Toronto or San Diego, depending on which client wants us more, and from there I think Victoria is next, then a few weeks off before Gatlinburg in April.  So for the end of March and early April, I think we'll be back east, and then we'll probably stay in VA for a little while after Gatlinburg, but I don't know for sure.  Z probably has a new client for Raleigh in May, so it wouldn't make much sense to go back to Oregon before then.  However the schedule pans out, the bridge is certainly picking up, and it really looks like we'll have more time out west.  

I do love it Oregon, but it's not like we're planting any roots here.  We've got enough different places to stay when we're here that we don't really have to worry about apartments or hotels as long as we're cool with living out of suitcases, and we are, for the most part.  I'm not selling my place in Charlottesville, but I am considering putting it up for rent.  I'll work on getting it cleared of my nonessential things when I'm home in February and then see if I can get any bites at GE for renters.  My parents have had no trouble filling their apartment with GE employees and interns for 3-12 months at a time, so hopefully I can have similar luck.  Because my mortgage is low, I can charge a pretty low rent and still make a profit.  The only question then is do I clear ALL my shit out and rent it as a 2/2, or do I leave my shit in my bedroom and only rent out the spare room?  I'm leaning toward spare room only, but that might make it a less attractive rental.  We'll see.  I like that I can be flexible, anyway.

Z is taking me to Newport beach today.  It's clear and almost warm (47F at the ocean), so it should be a nice day for a drive.  I'll try to finish Atonement in the car so we can catch the matinee tomorrow before we fly away to Bermuda.  I could get used to this life.

Peace.

Comments

[kixeldorado.livejournal.com]

I believe there is a minimum charge with Albemarle water, but I don't really remember- either way, it's still cheap. Even with myself and 2 roomies in a fairly decent sized townhouse with an old washer that used a LOT of water, we rarely had to pay more than a $35 total bill for a month. Here it's all included in the rent and I don't look at the bills so I have no clue how much water we're using, but it's probably a lot.

What neighborhood is your place in? I think you may have said once, but I don't remember.

I'd say the 2/2 would be more attractive as a rental, but that's only because right now I'm living in the landlord's bedroom with all of his furniture. It's not what I wanted, but what I wanted I couldn't have (stupid eagles landing no pets policy) and so this was cheap and available.

But for a short term couple months lease, the spare would probably work better.

Also to consider - utilities included? Furnished or unfurnished?


Have fun in Bermuda! I'm shivering and jealous! :)

[jianantonic.livejournal.com]

I live right near Eagles Landing at the Villas at Southern Ridge. I'm not moving my furniture out so it'd be furnished for sure. Utilities would probably be included just because I don't want to mess with changing the bills.