2008-10-23

Powerless


Yesterday, the power company shut off our electricity. From our understanding at closing, the bank that owned the house before we bought it was supposed to transfer the account to us. However, the after-hours operator informed Jenny that such a transfer is not allowed due to a policy change at the beginning of the year. Apparently, an account transfer can only be made in one direction, the buyer requesting the transfer. I can understand that as a way of securing accounts against transfer fraud and ruining credit. However, I am displeased with the way the power company handled this. They gave us no notice of the shutoff. They simply pulled the plug unceremoniously. We understand that they don't have our names or phone numbers, but they obviously have our address. They could have put a letter in the mail or a hanger on the door or something to tell us that we may have forgotten to transfer the account. And because we didn't find out about the problem until the office had closed, we had to suffer all night without power. Power that lets me watch the newest South Park after volleyball. Power that recharges my cell phone while I sleep. Power that tells the furnace and water heater to turn on when needed. We will be calling during business hours today to get the account in our names, and hope that the power is restored before our electrician friend shows up to check a few wiring issues this afternoon.

2008-10-20

Moving In

Saturday, we moved in to our new house. We didn't have all the help we were hoping for, but we got everything into the house by the end of the day. We even changed the locks. Now we start the long unpacking process.

It is still surreal to own a house. Just this morning, while getting ready for the day, Jenny and I didn't leave the upstairs until we were walking out the door, as if we had forgotten we don't live in an apartment anymore.

I guess we have a lot to get used to.

2008-10-14

Starting a blog


Hello World!
Welcome to my new blog. My name is Benjamin J Hobbs and I am the Lead Programmer on TrainMaster Train Simulator. I have a lovely wife, Jenny. I'm surrounded by a loving family. I attend a terrific Church. I have decided to join the Blogosphere to share funny and interesting stories from my life. I don't plan on writing anything inflammitory nor do I plan on being derogitory. I hope you make a habit of reading my thoughts. Here is the first:

I decided to begin this blog to commerate a milestone in my short 25 years on Earth. Today, I bought a house. After a brief two months of looking, Jenny and I placed an offer on a nice little two story in South Lansing. The offer was accepted and we went smoothly through the loan process. And today, we signed the papers that transfered that property into our possession. We are tremendously excited and hope to show off the house over and over. Tonight, we will be camping out on our air matress, and tomorrow, we will be back in our own bed. To understand how much that makes us happy, you can spend nearly three weeks on your sister-in-law's futon in the basement at your in-law's house. Not that I didn't enjoy my time with them, I am just relieved that I'll have my own space again.

Tune in again for moving annecdotes from tomorrow.