Do you know how much it stinks to finally grow up and deal with things in the "real world"? I definetly figured this out quickly last week. As I have discussed before, I am signing my lease for my apartment on Friday. This is all exciting news and such, however along with an apartment meant I have to set up arrangements to get TV/Cable, internet, and energy. Naturally, I assumed this would be a fairly simple process, much like signing up for a new email account, or something of the sort. WOW WAS I EVER WRONG...

First of all, I logged onto the websites of the local cable and internet providers, hoping to compare prices and get some basic information on their packages. No. That's asking too much, apparently. I found it ironic that their websites did not list any clear prices for me to compare, but rather I had to CALL the companies individually and begin setting things up (whether or not I wanted the service) in order to understand a price. I found the sales representatitves to be pushy and confusing, and I was quickly overwhelmed into agreeing to mystery packages of services for my new place. After wasting THREE HOURS (this is not an exaggeration) on the phone, giving out my credit card and social security number to these companies (which was required, mind you. I am not normally one to give out either information very easily), I had two dates set up for service men to come out nd set up my cable. I found that there was no other way to get the information I needed to make a decision about my services without actually making the decision...if that makes sense.

i think/hope I finally got this sticky situation figured out It took a lot of research, talking to friends who have been through cable/internet/new home setup, and a few firm responses to the pushy sales representatives. This situation taught me how harsh and confusing the real world is going to be, and that not everything is simple and cookie-cutter. Preparing for this new apartment has definetly helped me realize how nice it has been to live in the dorms for two years, because you don't have to worry about cable, heat, water, internet, etc...bills. However, we all have to grow up sometime, and perhaps this is my time?

Hey everyone.  It sure is good to be back.  As I mentioned in one of my blogs from last spring, my roommate and I were considering getting an apartment.  Well, that dream came true.  We recently moved into our own place, and just for the record, no one told me it was going to be this hard.  Now, as a normal college student, I don't have a lot of money.  So what is my obvious concern during these first few weeks in the new place?  What am I going to eat?  It turns out cooking isn't as easy as Mom always made it look.  It just isn't like the dorm days when I could walk down to the food court and swipe my card whenever I am hungry.  No, it's not like that at all.  And so I have found out what living in poverty is all about.  Ok, so it's not real poverty, but I am hungry.  I am having to learn to stock up on cheap food.  My diet right now is consisting of potatoes and corn dogs.  I did however hit the jackpot the other night when my dad sent me a meatloaf.  For one night, Nick and I lived like kings.  In reality, it's not that bad.  I know that I'm going to have to learn to fend for myself at some point, so this kind of forces me to do it. 

On a brighter note, I am still trying to win the lottery.  I am thinking that if I can hit one good run, I can stock up the apartment with food for a year.  So I am still waiting for that to come through.

Overall, I really like the new place.  We've got it furnished with couches we got as presents from our grandparents, as well as posters, various decorations, and a fake cactus, which Nick hates.  The cactus I own, however, was spawned in another one of my get rich quick schemes.  During our first few days at the apartment, we didn't have cable.  The only channel we could get had Antique Roadshow on, which I personally find fascinating.  I sat there and watched as these people brought on old paintings and clocks only to find out that they were worth thousands.  So in a spur of genious, I went to a yard sale and bought the fake cactus for 50 cents.  As I learned from Antique Roadshow, the value things increase greatly over time.  So, in theory, my cactus should balloon in value from 50 cents to $1000 shortly.

Anyway, until one of my schemes to make money actually pays off, I am going to continue to live off corn dogs.  It's actually pretty fun.  See ya everyone.

- Jesse