Wednesday, February 24, 2010
fill'er up!
In South Dakota, or at least in Rapid City, mid-grade is the cheap stuff because it's Enriched with 10% Ethanol. Regular and Premium are both pure gasoline. South Dakota, I've been told, grows a lot of corn. If we buy the Enriched mid-grade, we're supporting local agricultural business. I filled up with it today. On my previous tank of 85 octane, I got 207 miles before the gaslight came on. I wonder what it'll be with 13 gallons of Enriched 88? And premium here is 91. In Anderson, it was 87, 89 and 92 or 93 and regular was cheapest. Some things are surprisingly (if slightly) different. Like downtown, for instance. In Greenville, there are a few statues commemorating notable persons of local historical significance. And of course the Mice on Main. Here in Rapid City, there are presidents on every street corner. In Keystone, I understand, there's a mock-shootout every day that disrupts traffic and everything else for the duration. In Anderson, there's a statue of Radio and Mr. Whitner and fish. And have I mentioned the hills? The omg views on my way to work? And the fact that my job involves making my contribution to saving the world?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Living in the Black Hills
Which I don't. Not quite yet. I'd envisioned living on a mountain top somewhere with my dogs and Max. I know that's a lofty dream in my tax bracket but a girl can dream no matter what, right? So what I really want comes down to shelter and food at this point. I want a roof over my head that keeps me dry; I want unbroken windows and unblemished walls. I want to have my pets in a house that doesn't smell like the previous tenant's pets. I want a food stamp card that works at every grocery store, not just the fancy ones. Ok, I'm joking; I'd only shop at the fancy food stores anyway so it doesn't really matter ;)
What is in between me and my dreams? My income. AmeriCorps gives more than I can afford to decline even if I do have to live in a tin can for a year just to keep my job: at least we'll be able to keep our doggies. But the place smells like the last guy's cats. There is a cute little cat door in the wall that smells to have been installed quite a while after the cats came in or maybe it was locked most of the time. Sassi fits in it so she'll be free to come and go but Sophi and Troi will have to wait for us to get home.
I was so dispirited after looking at the trailer park--and it was covered in snow, mind you; I can't imagine but that it looks better covered in snow than bare--that I decided to search for options. My quest led me to Star Village, formerly subsidized apartments at the edge of town and only a few blocks from work. I drove up the hill and my ears popped twice as I approached the drab duplex community. I inquired from the elder gentleman at the desk and he told me in a British accent that he did indeed have a two bedroom super with a fantastic view and yes, I could have my dogs. Rent is $675 or some such number. I asked where he was from and he replied, "Africa; Victoria Falls. Have you heard of it?" "No." "It's one of the 7 wonders of the world! how is it you've never heard of it?" After our small talk, I got the key to the apartment and went to view it. As I suspected from the beige exteriors of the cinderblock buildings, the inside was very 50s as well: wall-to-wall linoleum throughout and tiny tiles in the batheroom. The bathroom window and the sliding glass doors in the living room (called the lounge by the fellow at the leasing office) opened out to a panoramic view of the city. I was home. I cannot think of a better place to be poor, I thought to myself. I went back to the office only to find out that the apartments are no longer subsidized, so I couldn't live there.
My only option at this moment is to take the trailer. But I have begun the process to procure a housing voucher that will be accepted by Star Village in the future. I will live on my mountain! Some year.
What is in between me and my dreams? My income. AmeriCorps gives more than I can afford to decline even if I do have to live in a tin can for a year just to keep my job: at least we'll be able to keep our doggies. But the place smells like the last guy's cats. There is a cute little cat door in the wall that smells to have been installed quite a while after the cats came in or maybe it was locked most of the time. Sassi fits in it so she'll be free to come and go but Sophi and Troi will have to wait for us to get home.
I was so dispirited after looking at the trailer park--and it was covered in snow, mind you; I can't imagine but that it looks better covered in snow than bare--that I decided to search for options. My quest led me to Star Village, formerly subsidized apartments at the edge of town and only a few blocks from work. I drove up the hill and my ears popped twice as I approached the drab duplex community. I inquired from the elder gentleman at the desk and he told me in a British accent that he did indeed have a two bedroom super with a fantastic view and yes, I could have my dogs. Rent is $675 or some such number. I asked where he was from and he replied, "Africa; Victoria Falls. Have you heard of it?" "No." "It's one of the 7 wonders of the world! how is it you've never heard of it?" After our small talk, I got the key to the apartment and went to view it. As I suspected from the beige exteriors of the cinderblock buildings, the inside was very 50s as well: wall-to-wall linoleum throughout and tiny tiles in the batheroom. The bathroom window and the sliding glass doors in the living room (called the lounge by the fellow at the leasing office) opened out to a panoramic view of the city. I was home. I cannot think of a better place to be poor, I thought to myself. I went back to the office only to find out that the apartments are no longer subsidized, so I couldn't live there.
My only option at this moment is to take the trailer. But I have begun the process to procure a housing voucher that will be accepted by Star Village in the future. I will live on my mountain! Some year.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Wow what a week
Rapid City is an incredibly friendly, stunningly beautiful city. In one week, I have made several acquaintances and driven over 200 miles just exploring the countryside looking for a place to live. Unfortunately, my beloved dogs will prevent me from living in any of the aesthetically-pleasing areas I have searched (extensively). It's lookin' like a humbling experience in a transitional trailer park is the only thing available at this time. Fortunately the little trailer has a tiny cat door, so my miniature Dachshund will be able to let herself out to use the restroom. Unfortunately the cat door smells to have been installed after the cats marked the length of single-wide tin and carpet for their very own.
The YMCA here is as amazing as everything else. There's even a towel service and a special swim-suit water extractor! Which will make working out rather convenient. There's a special Express for Women workout room. It's express because you work out on a timer instead of counting reps; hence the title "express." It was created with the working woman's lunch hour in mind. There are two lap pools (one 8 lane and one 4 lane) for exercising and a huge indoor family pool that is comparable to the Anderson YMCA's outdoor pool. There's a Youth room for older kids while parents work out. The youth room contains a Wii with several controllers, several couches and pool tables, air hockey and other table games, 3 computers at the computer station, a snack bar, and special-entry access to the basket ball courts if that's not enough.
If I choose to live here for several years, I'm just not sure I want to live in a little tin box. So I've started researching subsidized housing closer to my job and in the city. There are 5 Catholic churches within the city and several in the surrounding areas. The Catholic school, St. Elisabeth Seton, goes through high school and offers college scholarships to students! I'm volunteering tonight at the neighboring Cathedral, Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
When I decided to relocate to SD, I wrote to the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce for a relocation guide. And I'm glad I did. On Thursday, I attended the Young Professionals Group social sponsored by the Chamber. I met several chamber Board members as well as the printer who designed and printed my relocation guide! The social was hosted in the print shop this month, and I look forward to seeing everyone again at next month's social. Since I had been in South Dakota for a mere 4 days by that time, it was easy for me to strike up a conversation with each of the professionals who attended and they all made me feel very welcome.
The YMCA here is as amazing as everything else. There's even a towel service and a special swim-suit water extractor! Which will make working out rather convenient. There's a special Express for Women workout room. It's express because you work out on a timer instead of counting reps; hence the title "express." It was created with the working woman's lunch hour in mind. There are two lap pools (one 8 lane and one 4 lane) for exercising and a huge indoor family pool that is comparable to the Anderson YMCA's outdoor pool. There's a Youth room for older kids while parents work out. The youth room contains a Wii with several controllers, several couches and pool tables, air hockey and other table games, 3 computers at the computer station, a snack bar, and special-entry access to the basket ball courts if that's not enough.
If I choose to live here for several years, I'm just not sure I want to live in a little tin box. So I've started researching subsidized housing closer to my job and in the city. There are 5 Catholic churches within the city and several in the surrounding areas. The Catholic school, St. Elisabeth Seton, goes through high school and offers college scholarships to students! I'm volunteering tonight at the neighboring Cathedral, Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
When I decided to relocate to SD, I wrote to the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce for a relocation guide. And I'm glad I did. On Thursday, I attended the Young Professionals Group social sponsored by the Chamber. I met several chamber Board members as well as the printer who designed and printed my relocation guide! The social was hosted in the print shop this month, and I look forward to seeing everyone again at next month's social. Since I had been in South Dakota for a mere 4 days by that time, it was easy for me to strike up a conversation with each of the professionals who attended and they all made me feel very welcome.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Almost home!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
On my way
This is a truck hauling great big tires.
You gotta zoom in really close to get this one. It's just outside Dalton, GA, northbound from Atlanta.
You gotta zoom in really close to get this one. It's just outside Dalton, GA, northbound from Atlanta.
Fortunately, my mommy prepared for just such an occasion: I can stay with a friend of hers in Kansas City, Missouri, tomorrow night. The airport is about fifteen minutes away but tomorrow's bed is 10 hours away.Well, I was prepared to do this whole trip alone, so I guess I'll be ok. I'd just gotten used to the idea of having a companion in time to lose it again! Well, I guess I was meant to do this on my own, a transition to my new life and living on my own. Yup. LemonAide.
Under a bridge
On the brighter side, when I was at Sears waiting for them to balance my tires, I walked around the mall here in Antioch, TN. I got a free jewelry box from Kay Jewelers just for filling out a credit application. It's a tiny little black box with a pillow, a cleaning cloth and a velvet bag. My flash is on the fritz; I'll upload it tomorrow.
I miss my Max. No hugs or snuggles tonight or when I wake up :(
After driving several hours, I was looking forward to a hot shower to loosen my back enough that I can pop it back into place before I go to sleep. Now I wonder if one can be considered clean after bathing at a Super 8.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
I met him on myspace...
How scary is it to pick up your life and leave everything behind to start a new one? Not as scary as it could be, thanks to social networking sites like myspace and facebook. I am relocating halfway across the country to Rapid City, South Dakota, and I don't know a single soul in the state. Rather, I didn't know anyone until I changed my zipcode under 'personal info' on myspace. I sent out little feelers and go a couple of replies, mostly along the lines of, "good luck! You'll love it here...I moved here from somewhere else and it's great...etc" but there are still friendly folks out there, even online. I checked some of the myspace statistics from a few years ago and am referring to one of my favorite videos, "Did you know?" In the most recent Did You Know video, the myspace segment included the number of users and compared users to citizens of a country. If myspace were a country, it would be the fifth largest population, right between Indonesia and Brazil.
The link above will take you to a page with boring but relevant statistics. Social networking sites, specifically myspace, make it less scary to pack up and go because I now have friends to look forward to meeting when I get there. I say I used myspace to connect because on facebook I really only connect with people I already know, friends and family and old teachers and classmates. Myspace is more like the internet bar scene where I can say "How you doin'?" and wink. I don't feel comfortable reaching out on facebook because it just feels more intimate, more professional. Myspace, however, is where I can be me or be goofy or ask if they know of any houses for rent outside the city (where spaces are more affordable).
While trying to connect with new folks, I also answered several roommate wanted ads in the online edition of Rapid City Journal. I got a couple of good conversations about weather and stuff only a local will tell ya, you know, stuff the Chamber of Commerce deliberately leaves out of the relocation guide (which has tons of really interesting info anyway so it's totally worth the inquiry). Ironically, in a city of 77000 and a myspace population in the millions, I made friends with a myspacer with whom I'd already spoken when I was looking for a room to rent! What are the odds of that? I don't care to calculate, but I speculate that it's not something on which I'd bet.
All the more reason to get up and go! The thrift store came by today and informed me I have to pack up everything in boxes for them to pick it up. The freecycle folks all call with inquiries but not one has stopped by. If you want something for free, just ask for my address and you go through it. Don't text me 20 times asking for descriptions of stuff you don't even have to pay for. Browse through it yourself! Sheesh.
The link above will take you to a page with boring but relevant statistics. Social networking sites, specifically myspace, make it less scary to pack up and go because I now have friends to look forward to meeting when I get there. I say I used myspace to connect because on facebook I really only connect with people I already know, friends and family and old teachers and classmates. Myspace is more like the internet bar scene where I can say "How you doin'?" and wink. I don't feel comfortable reaching out on facebook because it just feels more intimate, more professional. Myspace, however, is where I can be me or be goofy or ask if they know of any houses for rent outside the city (where spaces are more affordable).
While trying to connect with new folks, I also answered several roommate wanted ads in the online edition of Rapid City Journal. I got a couple of good conversations about weather and stuff only a local will tell ya, you know, stuff the Chamber of Commerce deliberately leaves out of the relocation guide (which has tons of really interesting info anyway so it's totally worth the inquiry). Ironically, in a city of 77000 and a myspace population in the millions, I made friends with a myspacer with whom I'd already spoken when I was looking for a room to rent! What are the odds of that? I don't care to calculate, but I speculate that it's not something on which I'd bet.
All the more reason to get up and go! The thrift store came by today and informed me I have to pack up everything in boxes for them to pick it up. The freecycle folks all call with inquiries but not one has stopped by. If you want something for free, just ask for my address and you go through it. Don't text me 20 times asking for descriptions of stuff you don't even have to pay for. Browse through it yourself! Sheesh.
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