My New Home in Midvale, Utah

I've prudently decided not to discuss how I feel about the assassination attempt on the guy who told the grieving parents of children murdered in a school shooting to "get over it." I will say that I've never wished death on anyone for having different political views than me, but I'm tired of being gaslit that opposition to Mr. "Grab 'em by the pussy" is merely a matter of differing political views.

I moved into my new place this week. It was the only place I considered because I knew that if I looked at more options I would just get more stressed about choosing one. I also knew from past experience that if I prayed for guidance, like I stopped doing years ago, I would get no response and wear myself out straining to hear one. This place was the cheapest I was going to find anywhere and it didn't sound horrible, so I wanted it and I went for it. I think that's how I need to live my life - just going with the flow, not trying to "follow the Holy Ghost." I'll try to be informed and make good decisions, of course, but I've come to realize that because I'm not a billionaire, I actually have zero control over most of the things that affect my life. Agency shmagency. No, it doesn't piss me off at all, why do you ask?

I thought it would be just me in the basement and the two guys upstairs, one of whom is a friend of my friend, so it felt better than moving in with complete strangers. But I realized the basement was already inhabited as soon as I descended the stairs. The first thing I noticed was the smell, the most beautiful smell I've ever smelled. It assailed me every time I went up or down to move my stuff. I'd soon realize it was there to mask the cigarette smell, and now I've already acclimated to it, which stinks, pun intended. The second thing I noticed was the decor that had obviously been placed by an old woman. She was the first one I met, and then I thought it was just the two of us, and that was awkward. I was rather relieved when a younger guy introduced himself. And there's a younger woman too, but I've barely seen her, and I haven't talked to her, except that today she left me a note asking me not to put stuff in her cupboard. Time will tell if the smiley face and the word "Respectfully" were sincere or passive-aggressive. They worried me, but I'm trying not to jump to conclusions.

My friend who told me about the place had said something about me maybe having female roommates, but then for some reason he caught himself and didn't pursue that subject, and neither did I because I didn't want his friend to not let me have it, and then I forgot about that. I'm cool with having female roommates. I had a de facto female roommate several years ago when my roommate's girlfriend or wife moved in with us and the landlord didn't care. Sometimes she walked around the kitchen in a towel like she didn't notice I was there. One time she tried to convince my roommate to let her kiss me, quote, "so that he can say he's kissed a black girl and I can say I've kissed a white guy," close quote, but he didn't go for that. I swear. If you don't believe me, you can pray about it and know for yourself that it's true. Anyway, I'm neutral on this current situation except that I like it because it would probably scandalize my conservative Mormon parents.

My roommates are all kind of weird. I should fit right in. They're pretty quiet and keep to themselves a lot, which is great. I hope we can be friends without them inconveniencing me too much. There are two bathrooms right next to each other, as if the basement was designed with this living arrangement in mind. The bathrooms have sliding wooden doors that are only attached at the top and lock with a little hook and loop. The shower curtains are transparent so that psycho killers can't sneak up on you. The water doesn't get as hot as I'd like, and I had to close the air conditioning vent to stop it from blasting my naked wet body every time I got out. The air conditioning in this place runs constantly, and I mean constantly. The vent in my room was already closed, but I piled blankets up against it as well. My room felt like a refrigerator for the first couple of days. I guess I should be grateful for the privilege of freezing my ass off during a record-breaking heat wave. Oh yeah, I moved to this area just in time for a record-breaking heat wave. It's almost like the climate is changing or something.

With that exception, it's a nice area. I live in a quiet suburb, but if I walk two blocks, I'm on a busy city street. I've gone out exploring during the less dangerously hot hours. There are as many Mexican and Asian restaurants in my immediate vicinity as I could possibly want, and a 7-eleven so close that it takes a lot of self-control to not buy a Slurpee every day. I haven't yet seen anything as pretty as the town I left behind. Logan has prettier houses, prettier buildings, and prettier scenery. But with any luck, I'll get to spend more time with my friends who live in nearby cities. I hope they're not always busy doing lame adult stuff.

Oh yeah, and my room is full of boxes. I have too much stuff and not enough space. I'll probably leave most of my stuff packed up for however many months or years I'm here. It feels like a temporary situation, but I'm trying to live in the moment and not fantasize about a better future. One where I could afford my own house before I'm ninety, for example.