Money Pit Sweet Money Pit

I have been a proud new (to me) homeowner for a full week now. I plan to move in officially in mid-May, so that gives me about 3 weeks to get it move-in-able. Here are the associated costs:

$1000 for drywall (professionally installed), to get my son's room in good shape
$2500 for plumbing, because the main sewer line needs to be replaced
$1200 or so for a new fridge and range, assuming I can get a good deal
$??? for electrical work
$300 to fix a badly installed window
$1200 to sealcoat the stucco in the back
$500 to seal the roof
$??? for bars on the basement windows
$500 or so for paint

I'm sure there are a few other expenses I haven't considered, but these are the ones I know about. So if you happen to know of any contractors who do pro bono work for poor non-profit employees, let me know!

Stay tuned for renovation reports. For now, I'm just going to sort through my stuff to see if I can sell anything.

Shameless Plug -- Exile's SHINING CITY

In case you haven't heard, Theatre Exile's production of Conor McPherson's Shining City is FABULOUS. I could go on about all the glowing things reviewers have been saying, or about all the emails I've been getting from patrons who loved the show. I could tell you how the cast, director, and designers came together to create a seamless, eloquent, and heart-wrenchingly honest evening of theatre. I could, because I've done all these things through other venues -- I work for Exile, so it's my job.

Rather than repeat myself, I'll just urge you to come see the show before it closes on the 25th. You won't be disappointed. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 215-218-4022.

Weekend Happenings

In the spirit of spring and a renewal of posting, I wanted to let everyone know that I will be attending the Free Library Festival this weekend, April 17 and 18. (You should go too--tell your friends!)

Although the festival launched in 2007, and I'm usually a proponent of this sort of thing, I have yet to attend. According to the library's website, the event is "an annual 2-day celebration of books, music, people, and ideas." Hosted by Philadelphia's Central Library on the Parkway, the festival is a free public event that draws 25,000-35,000 booklovers from across the mid-Atlantic region. "Highlights include appearances by celebrity authors, engaging children’s programs, live music and other performances, plus a Street Fair & Literary Marketplace featuring numerous literary exhibitors—including publishers, booksellers, independent authors, and cultural organizations."

I'm not yet sure which events I'll be able to hit, but here are a few of my favorites:

• Robin Black | If I Loved You, I Would Tell You This
• Storybook Parade
• Heidi W. Durrow | The Girl Who Fell From the Sky: A Novel
• Chang-rae Lee | The Surrendered
• David Lipsky | Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip with David Foster Wallace
• Second Annual First Person Inter-City StorySlam: Philly vs. Washington D.C.
  

And that's just a taste of what's going on Saturday. Many more on Sunday (including an event with Sapphire, the author of Push, the novel for which the movie Precious was based).

Other noteworthy going ons this weekend: I'm getting my first tattoo!

Winter is over, spring is here ...

It would seem that with Winter, came Commitments -- of the sort that prevent one from sitting in front of a computer and reflecting. Pop Culture Casualty had a baby, for heaven's sake! And the rest of us ... well, one thing or another. I know for myself, though, I've found myself wanting to return to OFP and muse, and ask questions, and make random assertions about the things going on in my life. So, welcome back, dear readers! Are any of you left?

This has been a VERY busy season for me. After spending the past decade either completely immersed in academia, or mostly immersed in child-rearing and attempting to be immersed in academia, my new work life (marketing and devo for a theatre company) is a sea change. As is, of course, living on my own, having been in my previous relationship for 13 years. I feel like I'm becoming an adult, finally, at 37.

To speed this process, I appear to be buying a house. All on my own, on my I-made-more-my-first-year-out-of-college salary. It's not the house of my dreams, and it's not in a sweet neighborhood, and I won't even have the money to do a budget makeover, at least for a while. (Avocado range and late 80s-era fridge, anyone?) However, it's six blocks away from my office, 2 1/2 blocks away from the Broad Street line, and a world away from me having to depend on anyone but myself.

Closing date is Thursday, April 15th, if all goes well. I have to be out of my apartment by June 1st, giving me a month and a half to do some work on the place before I move in. If I'm lucky, and my friends are generous (which they are), I should at least have everything fixed that needs to be. And after we move in, I'm thinking of sharing the place with a new friend:



If this cutie isn't still at the shelter, I'll see about one of her fellow orphans. I may be a grown-up, but I like sloppy dog kisses just as much as my six-year-old.