I feel like I've been hemorrhaging funds left and right like a wild man today, but taking a look at the situation in gnucash right now, I don't think it's really all that bad. This is assuming, of course, that I haven't overlooked anything terribly important (which is entirely possible, given the number of variables being juggled around in my brain). This is one of those times when having a couple of credit cards becomes highly useful.

Shortly after posting this morning's brief little rambling, I proceeded with the task of getting my hands on a moving truck. This required some crossing of fingers, since neither bouncing nor I had bothered to reserve anything in advance. I succeeded in finding an available truck on the second place I called, and asked if I could pick it up at 11. "No problem" came the reply.

Having gotten this step accomplished, something within me clicked into high gear, and before long, furtiture and other items were moving so fast that sparks nearly began to fly inside the lair. My strategy was to get the big furniture ready and out of the room first, since everything else had a lower priority with regards to the moving truck. After getting some things preliminarily ready, I jumped into Tobias and bounded off to the New Lair to sign the lease, get my keys, and make sure everything would be in readiness.

Papers, papers, papers. Contracts to sign, some of them redundant, some minor and trivial, and others just common sense translated into legalese. Thankfully, everything looked reasonable and equitable, so I signed all the contracts, followed by a first rent check, and was handed several keys: one to my place, one for my mailbox, and one to the jacuzzi. After one false start mixup involving the locks having been changed, and confusion as to which set of keys was which, I got access to my new place.

"Yes!"

I wanted to stay around and revel in it, and I did for a few short minutes, but there was much to do, and I was already significantly late for my moving truck reservation. I briefly scanned over the place, and headed back to the Louisville Compound. At the compound, I convinced bouncing to drive me to the U-Haul facility, We did much circling around seaching to find a place that's just a block off the route I take to work every morning, but the Yahoo map was vague, and the streets have many names.

We arrived at U-Haul at 11:45. The attendant had turned another customer down who had wanted the truck for "only about an hour" right after I had called, and held the truck for me, which made me feel doubly guilty for having specified a now obviously unrealistic timeline, but also grateful that they had kept it waiting. But that was all past, and the truck would now be mine for the day. All I needed to do was show my driver's license, scribble my signature yet again (and again), and hand over a piece of plastic which would be charged after the truck was returned, so milage and any other service changes (such as cleaning fees if I were to return it in a rancid state, or without replinished gas) could be tabulated.

Sure, sign it all away! I just needed the truck. I was also offered the option to purchase insurance for an additional fee, which would absolve me of liability for damages to U-Haul equipment in the event of an accident. Normally, I forego such things, since I generally consider it a waste of money, but this time, I decided to get it. This decision was motivated largely by the realization that I am completely lacking in experience with usage of such a contraption, hence making the risk of something going wrong much greater. Probably nothing would happen, but I just felt better without that potential liability on my shoulders. I didn't regret it as I walked out of the office and bouncing drove me to the truck.

Got in, put the key in, spent a few minutes orienting myself, and shifted the automatic transmission into Drive. Easy enough to handle, given the circumstances, but the lack of a normal rear view mirror was a continuing source of disconcertion. I slowly got used to using the side mirrors, and drove the truck to the Louisville Compound with relative ease.

After this, many more hours than I would have liked were spent trying to get my stuff into some semblance of order. Me, bouncing, and dad loaded my furniture into the truck first thing. The initial plan was to take one trip for my things, and another for bouncing's, but the truck proved to be large enough to more than accomodate both of us in one trip. Nevertheless, I still needed to load all my stuff first, so all of bouncing's would be easily accessible to unload, since his apartment would be the first stop.

After I boxed a few things up, bouncing and I took a break to eat lunch at Subway. Once there, I remembered that I had completely run out of cash the night before, except for 1 dollar bill. Bring on the plastic!

We returned to the Louisville Compound, where I spent much time wading my way through the mess in an effort to get something done. At this point, my room was completely void of furniture, but everything had been emptied from dresser drawers, taken off the shelves, and transferred from the desk to the floor. This included Argo, who was still in a running and working state, but with everything on the floor. There was so much crap scattered everywhere that it was barely possible to get anywhere else without stepping on something.

My ultimate goal was/is to filter every item through the "is it worth enough, or useful enough, to be worth carting along to my next residence?" algorithm. I knew there was no way I was going to get through it all within the day, but theoretically, everything except the big furniture could be carried in Tobias later, so I focused my efforts on things that would best put the truck's bulk capacity to use. I went through my books, some of which I decided weren't worth keeping. (I don't know what I'm going to do with the old rejects. Throwing books in the trash doesn't feel right, but they're so dated and/or crappy that I can't imagine anyone would want to buy them used. "Navigating the Internet" (c) 1992, anyone? Maybe if I'm lucky, a used bookstore will give me a quarter for it.)

My DVDs were easy to box up so I did them. The cds were already in the handy carrying cases that are their permanent homes, so it was a no brainer to throw them into the truck. My tv went too. It is possible to get it to fit into Tobias. I know this because I was able to transport it home once upon a time, but that's not an endeavor I would recommend repeating.

I thought about putting my sound system and dvd player in the truck, but I decided that's a task better handled by Tobias. I didn't feel like packing them with the elegance necessary to make me feel comfortable that they wouldn't be damaged, Such items are better left in the care of Tobias's tender cradle. (Yes, there are advantages to moving just across town, and having an ample span of time in which both places can be occupied to do it.)

After I got tired of pillaging my closet shelves, I took to the task of challenging an even greater horror. I ducked into the crawl space underneath the house, where I had stowed many items over the years, which, at one time or another, had driven my room to the point of madness from overcapacity. The air was thick with the stuffy dust smell, which we hope is not asbestos, but very well could be.

I thought there might be potential for stuff to transport in the moving truck, but it turned into nothing more than a massive "clear this area out!" obsession, and yielded little that I felt would pass the filter. Some things have an ancient sentimental value, but are never ever used in any practical way anymore. The cassette tapes I listened to as a child. The boxes from old 8-bit Nintendo games. A copy of Turbo C++ 3.0.

More than once during the course of the day, I had a Citizen Kane moment. What in the world do I do with all this sort of stuff? Keep accumulating it and dragging it around with me for the rest of my life? Things which will never be seen or paid attention to, except when moving days such as this one occur. But it breaks my heart to throw significant items from my past into the garbage. Maybe I had one or two Toy Story 2 moments too.

My attempt at a compromise: Expunge the bulk of things, but keep a few of the really, really important ones. I know that even they will probably never have any use, but it appeases my memento-esque instincts.

By the time 1600 came, I knew the point of diminishing returns had been reached. Besides, bouncing was ready with all his stuff, and waiting to go. I packed a couple of final boxes, looked at the still impossible to navigate floor of my room, and called it good. Helped bouncing load up his stuff, and we were off.

As I slowly became more accustomed to the moving truck's operation, I concluded that it was actually a very nice vehicle. Comfy seats, easy handling (considering), and big big mirrors. A fine piece of hardware.

1700. We arrived at bouncing's new abode, and began hauling up his stuff. At this point, we quickly began to discover one of the disadvantages of both having chosen majestic dwellings high in the third floor of our respective complexes. I don't think some of those muscles have worked that hard since... since... since... I earned a bunch of karma points! (Transporting both bouncing's stuff and mine was still nothing compared to that occassion.)

At the entrance of bouncing's apartment complex, we had met dad, who came on the scene and helped carry stuff. bouncing offered us some bottled water from his fridge, which we drank before heading to Bitscape's new lair. As we drove in the moving truck, and dad followed in his car, bouncing suggested that we take him out to eat as a gesture of gratude for helping. I thought this sounded like an excellent idea. (He still hasn't figured out where he is going to move to, and seems a bit down lately. Anything we could do to try and help raise his spirits would be a good thing, I think.)

1800. Bitscape's new lair. At this point, the party acquired another follower, as mom came out of her apartment (still furniture-less, but she must have spent most of the day there doing something). More third floor stuff. A few blisters and sore muscles later, the truck was empty.

Since I had neither cups nor anything in the fridge (I only had the chance to walk through it once this morning after signing the lease, remember?), I offered everyone one of the complimentary mints that had been left on the counter top by the apartment management (mmmm... mints), and everyone else in the family seemed quite impressed with the place. (My mom thought the exterior of the buildings resembled a design like a castle. I might have to incorporate this into a catchy new title for the place. I've been trying to think up something that sounds good. "Bitscape Lair high atop the Westminster Castle"? Too long for common usage. "Bitscape's Castle Lair"? Mmmm, I like that one.)

1900. We exited the Castle Lair. This time, bouncing rode with mom, since they wanted to stop by their apartments. I drove the moving truck, and dad followed me in his car, as the sky went dark. I stopped at a gas station, and bought what I thought was going to more than amply replace the gas we used. Turns out it barely even moved the needle, but it was enough to return it to the state we had rented it in, or very close to it (only Louisville to Westminster and back). I would have liked to have had a comfort zone, but my gas milage instincts are obviously out of alignment with those of a multi-ton vehicle with a V-10 engine capable of transporting every non-vehicle belonging I own, assuming I had the will to fit it all in. Getting turned around to get out of the gas station was an interesting exercise in how to maneuver an unwieldly beast, but with care and caution, I think I managed it admirably.

We journied to the U-Haul station, where, to my dismay, other trucks occupied the entire available space I had been instructed to park if I returned after the office had closed. I pulled up next to the gate, and pondered what to do next. Dad got out of the car, and asked where I was supposed to park, and I told them that the area had been occupied.

He suggested that I use one (or two) of the spaces normally designated for cars, and they would easily figure it out. I started backing up, making sure to stay clear of my dad's car to the rear of me, and prepared my maneuver. It was then that I heard a shout from my dad, accompanied by a slight crunching sound. I hit the break, and then realized what it was. Out the other mirror, I could see the one of the other trucks, which had rudely occupied the space I had been told to take, and my rear was in direct contact with it. Doh!

Forward. Drive. Maneuver into the parking space for a car and a half, get out, and survey the damage. The mirror of the other truck was severely bent, and the door had a dent in it. I couldn't detect any visible damage on my truck, but it was dark, so that doesn't mean a whole lot.

My gut got a very nasty knawing feeling, and I got sick. My mistake: In a moment of unforeseen circumstances, I got careless and rushed. It was dark. Minimal visibility. I was inexperienced with handing such a piece of machinery. Shit happened.

We concluded that there was nothing more that could be done at that moment, I dropped the key in the mailbox, and we headed back to the Louisville Compound.

Once there, I looked again at the terms of the insurance I had purchased. "In return for paying the appropriate Safemove or Safetow fee, U-HAUL will waive charges against the customer for ACCIDENTAL damage to equipment resulting from COLLISION, UPSET, OVERTURN, or FIRE. This damage does not apply to damage resulting from intentional acts, misuse, or gross negligence."

There it is. I'm going to give them a call in the morning, explaining the whole thing. Hopefully, it will be covered without dispute. Based on the wording, I'm pretty sure my case should be covered, although I suppose "gross negligence" could be argued. I feel awful that it happened. I also can't help but be pissed that they didn't bother to provide sufficient parking for all the trucks being returned. This is NOT what I needed right now. I guess there's not much more to be said on that until tomorrow. Ugggh.

At the Louisville Compound, bouncing and mom were already in preparation for getting a reservation at The Cork in Boulder. After plans were made, in the interum, bouncing returned to his place for a few minutes (he's got pretty much all his stuff moved in now). I took a shower at the Louisville Compound, and successfully convinced myself that everything would turn out alright.

We went to meet bouncing at the Cork, and I drove Tobias, and stopped at the ATM on the way. Good old Tobias. Sane, sensible handling, decent acceleration, and familiar controls. I felt safe on the road again. (Some people report a greater feeling of safety when they are in a larger vehicle which cannot be easily demolished by other vehicles. I think I'm just the opposite. I like my enclosure small, low to the ground, and maneuverable.

2040. Mom, dad, and myself got to the restaurant a few minutes late, where bouncing was already waiting. Par for the course on such a day. We sat down. Everything on the menu looked good, and expensive.

I ordered a nice big stake, and a caesar salad. After a day like today, it really hit the spot. Mmmmm... stake and baked potato. Perfect. Everyone else ordered dessert, so I decided to give in and do so too, and ate a yummy piece of chocolate cake. After a day like today...

bouncing and I paid for our portions, plus dad's. I thought it would be nice to pay for mom's too, but when the size of the bill came, neither of us objected when she threw some money in with ours. It was a worthy meal.

Now, the present scene.

Bitscape sits on the floor of the Louisville Compound, sometimes cross legged, sometimes not. Argo's monitor sits on the floor in front of him, with the keyboard directly in front of it, also on the floor. A small space in the giant mess has been cleared, where stuff was pushed aside to give Bitscape a place to sit and type. The room is an absolute disaster zone.

My bed is at my Castle Lair. So is my tv. So is a bunch of other stuff, like my dvds, cds, dresser, various books, and random boxes. Here, I have my stereo, mountains of garbage, and Argo. Argo.

Let this be a moral lesson to take to heart. I go where Argo goes.

In Adventures in the Sin Trade, Parts I and II, Xena had to leave Argo behind to go on her spiritual quest into the land of the northern Amazons in search of her True Love(tm) in the Amazon land of the dead. When she returned, she promised Argo that never again would she abandon the beloved beast. We must learn from this illustration.

[Suddenly, without warning, Bitscape collapses on the floor and wreathes for a few moments, an awful wave of cramping pain having overtaken the right leg. Slowly he gets up, and types this paragraph.]

I gotta stretch this thing. I gotta sleep. Besides, I think this rambling's duration of informative content has passed. Much to do tomorrow. Peace.