We Didn't Start the Fire

No we didn't light it, but we're tryin to fight it.
'We Didn't Start the Fire' - Billy Joel

So the title of this may be slightly misleading, because one of us obviously did start it, but we'll never know for sure who. Many of you are aware of the living situation that I have been forced into, but here is the short version for those that don't. Due to circumstances beyond our control, three of the five people that were moving into the grand house that we'd planned, are now forced to live in the apartment next to where I have been living. This weekend has been spent moving all my belongings approximately 30 feet. I live in the dining room, which has been given privacy due to my ingenious contruction of the grandest box fort ever crafted.

However all of that came inches away from being destroyed. During the course of moving things into the kitchen, the stove got bumped on, albeit to low, but on nonetheless. My microwave was near enough to the one that got turned on that it caught fire. The part that almost made it worse was that, also in the interest of privacy, a bedsheet has been hung on one wall of the dining room, the one that looks into the kitchen, by the stove. Had the flames gotten another six inches toward the dining room, the sheet would have gone up, and from there....well I hate to let my thoughts wander there. Thankfully I have owned a fire extinguisher for quite some time, and it was very accessible as it was one of the few remaining items left in my old place. Aaron quickly grabbed it and extinguished it. So now I can say that thankfully all that happened is that the kitchen, as well as almost all my belongings are coated in fire extinguisher powder. Certainly a better fate than nearly befell us.

Someone Told Me Long Ago, There's a Calm Before the Storm

I know, it's been comin for some time.
When its over, so they say, it'll rain on a sunny day.
I know; shinin down like water.

I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain,
Comin down on a sunny day?

'Have You Ever Seen the Rain' - Creedance Clearwater Revival

So as most of you know, we have been searching for a house for quite sometime. We have hit a variety of roadblocks, some from bad luck, some from people's unwillingness to rent to a non-family. However things were starting to look up. We found a place that was nice, and I seemed to have convinced the landlord that we were good people.

Elsewhere, I took some time off work, which allowed me to focus on the aforementioned house search. While I was at it I tried dealing with other problems, with mixed levels of success. It was good to get away from my job for a while as it had been wearing me thin, especially since I haven't had time to actually hang out with people after work.

It seemed like things were headed in the right direction. A house soon, an imminent raise at work, slowly working on getting things back in order. But then it all came crashing down in a heartbeat. I believe I can honestly say that this ranks as one of the single worst days of my entire fucking life. A shame I can't take solace knowing that misery loves, and has plenty of, company.

I have, for once, decided to deal with this in an unhealthy way. Drinking until I can't feel feelings anymore. Or at least doing shots and beers until I'm totally obliterated. I feel its ok because its not to ease the pain, but to make everything around me funnier. I don't know why I felt like justifying it, but there I go.

It has been said that the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. I stare at the incarnation of that and wonder if I can summon the divine and be forgiveful. I also wonder how to pick up the pieces of that which has been shattered. And do so while remaining silent on so many things that bother me, for the greater good.

It's the Terror of Knowing What This World Is About

Watching some good friends scream, let me out.
'Under Pressure' - David Bowie and Queen

I agree with what many people have said, that it is best to call things as you see them, to give the complete truth as best as any person can. But on the other hand, one has to wonder what battles are worth fighting. I almost started one such battle last night, but realized that no good could come of it and I walked away. In fact I had to do it twice in rapid succession, though that second one I threw out a bit of a warning shot. And the third battle that probably is worth fighting is, unless something happened at the time it was being fought, would be illegal. It's great realizing how much of it is completely futile. I will take solace knowing that people saw things in much the same light that I did.

It's a shame that the weekend ended on such a stupid note. However in spite of that it was good times all around. Good retirement party for Grandpa Win, good random BBQ Sunday evening, good music Saturday morning (and Sunday as I watched stuff I missed).

Though back briefly to the point of fighting battles. Life would be much easier for everyone if they would just listen to me. I believe I mentioned once that I instructed a man to take care of someone very dear to me and he failed. The width and breadth of his failure has became clearer to me today. The last time someone threatened those I care about to the degree that this person has, my intervention was swift. I sincerely hope to avoid such a scenario again. As my self-proclaimed trainer has said, it is my moral imperative to fight injustice wherever it may rear its ugly head. Oh how very right he is.

Oh Baby, Baby, It's A Wild World

You say you want to start, something new.
'Wild World' - Originally by Cat Stevens, as performed by James Blunt on July 7th, 2007 at Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom

Live Earth, a series of concert around the world, calling for people to come together and help stop our planet's climate crisis. I'm not going to go off on a diatribe right now about global warming or corporate responsibility or politics. What I am going to say is that whether or not you agree with the information out there on the topic, the steps that are being called for are a benefit to you. Buy energy efficient Compact Flourescent or LED bulbs and shut off lights and electronics when they're not in use. Saves money on your power bill, which is always a good thing. Plant a tree, car pool or take public transit on occasion, there are many things that you can do that are both good for you and good for humanity. And on top of all of that, the music is damned good.