Codejnki's Blog
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Dear Michigan
Jan 1st
Dear Michigan,
It is hard to believe that we’ve been together now for almost nine years. You’ll be happy to know that our relationship is the longest relationship I’ve had of my adult life. But, you’ve probably noticed over the last couple of years things have gotten rather strained between the two of us. You’ve suspected it, and even confronted me about it, and yes, I’m leaving you for Texas.
I’m sorry I resorted to telling you in this manner, but you have a habit of throwing completely irrational tantrums when I’ve tried to talk to you about serious issues in the past. Before you get defensive about this do I need to remind you about my divorce and two foreclosures? You’ve accused me of fighting dirty in the past, I’d rather think of it as being prepared.
I know we’ve had good times in the past and I’ll try to stop by and say hi when I’m in the area. But for now I’d appreciate it if you’d give me the space I need over the next couple of weeks while I pack up my things. After that I think we can both move on to better and healthier relationships.
It’s been fun.
Moving to Texas
Oct 28th
I will be moving to Texas some time in the next 90-100 days. Where I am not exactly 100% sure, but it is looking like the Austin area. Right now I am waiting on work to let me know what my relocation package will be so we have some sort of a budget number in mind.
The last time I moved across the country I did it for a couple of hundred dollars. If it didn’t fit in the car then it didn’t come with me. This time though I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. I’ve acquired quite a number of “things” that I’d like to bring with me. Curse this American consumerism.
Oh well, soon the cats will be packed up in their carriers, and we will be on a grand road trip. Or at least that’s what I hope.
If you can read this…
Oct 25th
So you may have noticed a few changes around here. For starts there is the new theme. The older theme was starting to bug me. Secondly (and more importantly) the forced membership and log in.
The reason for this is simple, two sad individuals who I would no longer like to associate repeatedly pull up my blog, my twitter feed, my girlfriend’s blog, and her twitter feed to keep constant tabs on our whereabouts and going ons. We implemented an IP ban on our sites and set our twitter feeds to private only to watch Statcounter activity that indicated they simply were moving to mobile devices and with increasing compulsiveness.
So, to finally nip it in the bud I’ve implemented a members only policy, with moderated user accounts, and feed keys.
This is the last bit that will affect anyone who would like to continue to read the blog. The standard RSS feed no longer works. It will stay empty. Instead in the admin area under your user profile you’ll see a custom feed URL that contains a random string. Use this new feed link in your favorite RSS reader and you’ll never know that things have changed around here.
And with that we return you to our normally scheduled program.
It’s that time of year again
Oct 20th
It is that time of year again where I begin to look back on the previous 365 days and try to determine if I’ve achieved the things that I wanted to achieve. Sitting here right now I realize that this entire exercise would be far easier if I did something smart like make a list and tack it to the wall or some shit like that. But no, I don’t.
Monday I turn 33. I’m officially in that age range popularized by the phrase thirtysomething, although I’d like to think I have slightly better fashion sense than the late 80’s boomers. I’m not quite sure I can remember the moment I moved from my twenties to my thirties, but it seems to have zoomed past me faster than a coyote with a faulty booster rocket strapped to his back.
The next four months will prove to be somewhat a full time period. Most of this is due to the impending relocation to Texas. For those of you who know me the first thing you are thinking are “You are moving again????”. Yeah…I’m moving.
This time it is off to the Lone Star State. Right now we are looking in the Austin area but probably won’t make a final decision till we actually get there and take the first apartment that doesn’t look like total crap. Then again my lovely and wonderful girlfriend has been doing excellent research on the area and has found quite a number of gems that are totally worth looking at.
In the mean time, anybody in the Detroit metro area need a house in the burbs?
Long time no post
Oct 11th
If I had a $1 for every time I titled a post with that, well I think I’d have about $4, still.
Right now I am sitting on a couch watching reruns of the Mythbusters as opposed to taking care of the mountain of dishes that has been stacking up in the kitchen. I know that the girlfriend would much prefer if I was to take care of the kitchen so I am fairly certain that I’ll go take care of it here shortly. But for now I think I’ll finish this post up.
Recently I’ve been focusing on a major project at work that has kept me on the road, in meetings, and feeling overwhelmed. The way I see it, the project itself is a major contributor to the fact that I have little to no sleep.
Other than that, thinking of witty and clever blog posts has been low on the priority list.
Well that pile of dishes isn’t getting smaller by itself. Later.
Citi-Mortgage — The power of search
Jul 14th
Using various tools I keep an eye on where readers come from. For most of this year I have been getting a consistent dozen people or so per day who find my site based on my Citi mortgage rants. I’ve even drawn a few comments from people frustrated and in the same situation I found myself in. Someone commented today that they they needed a new mortgage servicer. If only it was that easy. Most of us never even get the chance to decide who services their mortgage. Usually it is decided by people other than us, the ones who have to pay the bill at the end of the day.
I’ve done a lot of thinking lately about mortgages and how all consumers would be better off if the whole system was scrapped and rethought.
Were you aware that even in bankrupcy, the judge does not have the power to create new terms for your loan? Car, RV, credit cards, just about anything else that can be bought with credit a bankrupcy judge has the power to dictate new terms to both you and your creditor, not on a mortgage.
Why is it if I don’t like the service I am getting from my mortgage company, I have to go through the humiliating process of re-financing? If I don’t like the mechanic who is servicing my car, I can take my car to a new mechanic any time. And he usually won’t require two years of tax returns, pay stubs, and blood vials to complete the transaction.
I’m beginning to wonder if there is a need to start a push to our congress people to reform the mortgage industry back to something that is consumer and home owner focused.
Travel, redux
Jun 13th
Well I have begun working on the road again. It has been a while since I’ve done any long term travel and this is the first time I can remember spending a weekend in away from home in a couple of years.
Right now I am in lovely mid Illinois and it is humid and kind of nasty.
Due to the number of meetings that I’m required to attend during the work week, this afternoon was my first attempt at actually getting real work done.
This trip has had some interesting events happen, the most interesting being that my hotel room started leaking because of a frozen air-conditioner on the roof.
But I have won over $45 at the casino playing penny slots. I should probably stop that while I’m ahead.
Google SketchUp
May 16th
I downloaded Google SketchUp a little earlier and took some measurements of my unfinished basement. After a short period of time I’ve got a layout that I like. That is, if I had the cash.
