So even though I posted about picking an apartment and filling out an application for it, it wasn’t final.  Dave’s credit made the landlord nervous, despite the fact that it’s on the up and that we’ve always paid our rent on time here.  So we had to write various essays about how we’re good tenants, we’ll pay our rent on time, etc.

The contract went back and forth a few times while they made various provisions (we can’t smoke- damn!).  Well, this morning we initialed the final changes and paid our deposit + first month’s rent. Finally, it’s done.  It was a tough week and the stress of jumping through the hoops had us both on edge.

We weren’t planning on paying the first month’s rent so early, but it was a stipulation of the landlord’s due to Dave’s sketchy credit.  (Come on 7 years from now!)  Dave had been putting out his feelers to sell his car in the next few months.  Every day he had a new idea about what he’d do with the money: buy a commuter bike, upgrade the components on one of the road bikes, buy a vespa, pay down student loans, etc.  So we decided to sell it earlier than planned in order to pay rent 2 weeks early.  (Not having to pay rent for 1.5 months will be nice, though!)  And now we’re a one-car family.

We’ve gone green!

Whatever.  We’ve both been biking to work and whenever we go anywhere it’s in my car.  So far, we haven’t really missed his car.  Not once in all 48 of those hours.

One benefit of where we’re moving is that it’s probably one of the most walkable parts of Houston. (Yes, that’s like saying the warmest part of Siberia or the most liberal part of College Station, TX.) Our apartment is within 5 blocks of the library, our yoga studio, drug stores, the light rail, coffee shops, anarchist bookstores if you’re interested, restaurants of varying $$$$ ratings, the most important of which is Chapultepec, which is not even a block away.

If you can think of one reason why we shouldn’t eat migas or chilaquiles for breakfast every weekend at a 24-hour cheap Tex Mex joint, please let me know.  (Okay, there’s the money and the orange grease and the heart attacks and the fact that apparently I’m a Pitta and should avoid spicy foods, BUT STILL!)

Anyway, I’m looking forward to using my car less.  Ever since I got my Dahon and a cool bag (which I’ll mention later), it’s easier to be much more European about my cycling.  Which is to say less spandex, more groceries.  Also looking forward to cooler weather when I can bike somewhere without the sweat dripping my down face into my mouth or my clothes being completely drenched.

HOT.