I think the reason why he moved into a single is because he was thinking of his future.   See, his girlfriend will graduate college next year and he's already made plans to move in together.  I failed to tell him that a 500 square foot, one bedroom apartment, will not do much to improve the relationship.  Hell, I don't even want a place that small.  What really boggles my mind is his choice to move out.  He practically had a one bedroom apartment as it was.  I was never there.  2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, balcony, and about 1,000 square feet to go along with it.  All that and I was still paying more rent than he was.  Our rent: $825.  His portion: $400.  Hummm...something didn't work out there.  I think I wanted the place more than he did, or something.  Either that or my negotiation skills have slipped over the years.

So, back to my original story...about going apartment searching.  We have this company here, and I think they're around the country, called, Apartment Search.  A "no-fee" apartment hunting service.  Well, heck, that sounds like a good idea.  They'll do all the hard work for me, right?  Um, not quite.  He gave me a couple listings that were in my price range and what I was looking for in an apartment (studio or one bedroom--more a place to stop over every once in a while, than an actual apartment). So, I'm thinkin' this is a good deal.  I leave--with a hand shake--and make my way home.  I called a friend to tell her about the places he had told me about.  Seems like she may know the neighborhoods better than I do.  You ever hear about those places where all the shootings take place?  Well, that was one of them...

I'd still like to take a look at it, but for now I'm going to have to do some more searching.  I've never been very good at finding places to live.  Funny thing about the application, though.  It asked a few questions, none of which the person even read.  But one question that I thought was cute:  "where was your favorite place to live and why?"  Damn, that one's easy...at my parent's place, that place with the free rent and food.  That's my favorite place to live.

Speaking of which, I almost forgot to tell you all another funny thing that happened to me last night.  I got home and checked my e-mail.  Had one from my sister.   It went something like this:  "Just checking in to see how you're doing.   By the way, mom's house burned down about 3 weeks back, guess it slipped my mind and I forgot to tell you.  Call me."  Ok, I admit that I've lost a little touch with my family over the past two years, but this...?  This is a bit much.   My first instinct is to call my sister to see how much damage was done.  The second was to start thinking about how much of my stuff was in storrage there.   Basically, the first 18 years of my life were packed away in a closet someplace.   I'm a pretty sentimental guy, so those things actually meant something to me.   Much more, I'd like to replace them.   Gee, mom, thanks for letting me know...

Rent is due today, I better go get that written out before I forget.  I also need to pack up some of my room so my roommate can move out.  Oh, did I mention he got a place a month early, so he wouldn't have to move out all at once...?  Yeah, more on that tomorrow.  Needless to say he took the big TV from the living room and left a 13 inch in it's place.  Which reminds me of something else I need to do...cancel the cable (since I'll never watch anything on a 13 inch TV, anyway).  So, that's my battles for the day.  No TV watching, no crazy antics, just the life of a regular guy trying to find himself.