I feel like I've not been myself the last few days. Small problems and what should be largely existential worries seem to weigh heavier than usual. I think my batteries are low... and they need a recharge.
Mrs. Geek and I were planning to travel to the Land of my Birth after Christmas to see my family. That trip may now be jeopardy. I got the tickets about 6 weeks ago, but did not think to reserve the vacation time until recently. That is because nothing gets done the week after Christmas at Company O. Well, it may be that something needs to be done at Company O. right after Christmas. If I had the vacation time approved, they would have to plan around me... but I didn't and I have to plan around them. I've been feeling like a prize idiot.
I've also been depressed about the prospect of buying a house in the next few years. I'm seeing one too many statistics about how astronomically expensive it is to buy real estate here right now. An article summarizing a Federal study about housing prices appeared in the paper... in the county to the south of us, housing prices rose by 60% in the last 5 years. In the county to the north of us, that figure was 83%. Looking at the figures for just last year, the increases were 12% and 16% respectively.
What does this mean? Let me put it into perspective: if a house cost $300K to the south of us five years ago, it now costs $480K. In the north, that cost is $540K. And the house you could get 5 years ago for $300K? It has 2 bedrooms, and 1.5 baths... probably at about 1200-1400 square feet. It's not a palace. If you own land around here, it's all gravy... but if you are like Mrs. Geek and myself, you're first time perspective home buyers out in the cold.
Mrs. Geek and I had some rather spirited discussions about what to do about buying a house in the next couple years. We did not come to any kind of agreement. We've decided to table the issue until the new year. A cooling off period sounds like a good idea. This is the first big disagreement like this we've ever had... This too sucks.
Finally, all this stress I've been putting myself through is affecting my health. I was sick last week. I think I'm getting sick again this week. At least it will be a quiet weekend. Thank goodness for that.
said drgeek
on 2004-12-02 at 10:43 p.m.
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