Solo Homeowning: 90 Days In

So, when I last wrote, my ceiling was getting repaired.  In talking to my therapist, Rob, I revealed that I was more upset about my ceiling fan being broken than the roof.  Rob validated my feelings, likened it to a sandcastle being knocked down.  After all, I’d put in quite a bit of work on it.  I look at my home as a living piece of artwork.  Fortunately, the complex did replace it.

In the past month, a futon has entered my guest room; Chester has claimed it permanently.  I also did a bunch of shopping at HomeGoods: placemats, silverware, coffee mugs, and a nice paper towel holder.  I felt so smug being the only solo guy there, until I saw another one.  Oh well, humility is good, I suppose.  That said, the smugness returned when I became a rewards member.

Chester’s gotten used to the new place very quickly.  He has more space to move around it, and he alternates between the futon, the new recliner in the main living room, and me when I sit on the couch.  The new bedframe has made the bed higher, so he can’t jump on it.  I got him some steps to reach, but he didn’t feel like walking on them.  Oh well, I tried.

There was a trip to New York to see my Mom and brother, which was a nice break from the routine of waiting on furniture, moving boxes, and being on the phone with blinds specialist, contractors, and customer service representatives.  I love the blinds I have (especially the blackouts in my bedroom), even though the installer does have to return due to one of the valances being unbalanced.  It wasn’t an exotic vacation (or any kind, as I did schoolwork in parts).  But I did get to have some fun.  I saw Deadpool and Wolverine with my brother, met up with fellow singleton Doug in Hoboken, and had dinner with John, another singleton, at one of my favorite old haunts, Mahwah, New Jersey’s State Line Diner.  There was also some solo time in Ridgewood, NJ, another cool Jersey town, and a walk in Nyack, my favorite spot in Rockland County, with my Mom.  This break was needed.  And that Amtrak trip is always fun and relaxing; I plan to do it more.

​Friday, August 16 marked three months I’d been in the new home.  And, coincidentally, it was the day I needed to report back to school for our opening faculty meeting.  Roberto put in a new outlet by my nightstand; I left once they came in.  Of course, once I got to campus, he texted me wondering where the paint was.  D’oh!, I thought.  I had to get back on the subway, walk to my place, go to the storage unit that housed the paint, and bring it to him.  Fortunately, I was able to make the session on time, and my chair was understanding about this issue.  As per my previous post, if a sick child is a valid enough reason to be late, a home issue should be as well.

Things did get a bit surreal when I entered and left the Van Ness-UDC station on the Red Line.  I used to live right there, five minutes from campus.  Now, I was commuting there with the rest of the suburbanites, with the Washington Post app on my phone ($1 a month for the “educator rate”) to keep me company.  I was reading an article about how JD Vance isn’t actually pro-family.  My righteous indignation was interrupted by the loudspeaker blaring “Van Ness – UDC.”  It hit the moment I exited the train and entered the platform.  I no longer live here, I thought.  After the session ended and I waited for the arriving train, it hit again.  This stop is where I used to exit to go home.  Now, it’s just the start, I thought.  But, when I entered my place, and Chester gave me that look that said, “Treats! Now, human!”, I knew I was home.