Apt. Checklist

This post is more for my future reference. I've learned a little bit about apartment hunting this year. I signed a lease last year that I wish I wouldn't have. At the time, the apts. I was looking at seemed like they were getting snatched up quick so when I came across the last apartment on my list that I was willing to settle for and it was available, I signed the lease. The first day in my new apt. I found out how thin the walls were. I could hear the beep of my new neighbor's microwave. Awesome! These interior walls we share are not insulated.

To keep myself and hopefully you from falling into this trap I will make a list of simple things to look for that should give you pause before signing that lease. 

Things to avoid. 

1. Sinks without garbage disposal. 

2. Window AC units. (They tend to produce mold)

3. Incorrectly wired outlets. (carry a GFI tester with you)

4. Knock on interior walls if you share them with neighbors. Do the walls sound hollow when compared with perimeter walls?

5. Check the circuit breaker. Does it still use fuses?

6. If there is an attic space, take a look at the insulation.

7. Does the stove range and bathroom have proper ventilation fans?

8. Keep an eye out for roach turds. 

9. Does the parking lot flood when it rains? Knock on a nearby door and ask your future neighbor when the estate agent is not around. 

10. Can you see daylight around the entry door when it is closed?

11. What do the neighbors think of the maintenance crew?

12. Does the place have a dishwasher?

 These are just the glaring problems I have with my current apartment. This apt. is at the corner of Villere and Wilkinson in Mandeville LA. 

I will not miss this simple, run down, moldy box when I leave Saturday. Fuck you Mandeville. 

Sent from my iPhone

Before you get started on Christmas

I haven't posted anything serious in awhile because I have been prepping to move to Austin. I have spent a lot of time reflecting and trying to figure out whats most important to me without other peoples ideas influencing me.
As Christmas is approaching take some time to think about what you want to give those you love. What do you bring to the table? You are not money. You are acquired skills. You are integrity. You are a wall to lean against. You are an emotional receptical. You are a live wire.
My family and friends that spend time with me and really talk with me, I love you so much. Even you that don't see eye to eye with me and tolerate my views I love you shit tons also.
I saw this on Reddit and that's what kind of inspired this post. Put in over time with friends and family and not work. I'd rather spend 3 hours talking to you over coffee than receive a flat panel tv from you.

Joaney's Bday

We went to the mall today to buy some dolls at the Disney store.
Joaney made sure to mention it was her bday so they made a big
announcement. I'm not sure if Joaney realized the whole song and dance
was for her. We went back to the northshore and played on the
playground for a bit before it started to rain. I felt bad for Joaney
since the weather was kinda funky on her bday. She is gonna have a big
party at her moms next weekend so she have another chance at some
better weather.

The Liev Shrieber

Paleo Debunking

Here's a pretty good post that answers many people's bs questions about Paleo. I say bs questions because most people from my experience don't really want the answers, they simply want the work done for them because they are usually too scared to change how they perceive something like diet or religion. I get it, it can be crazy fuckin' hard to up root those ideas we were told as kids. It takes the ability to look at yourself and admit that maybe you don't know everything or more accurately, you were lied to.

Debunking Paleo.

It may be smarter to rent

This guy is really good with money. I have read his book. For people like me (individuals/singles) it may not be the best move to buy real estate.
I will teach you to be rich.

Go check it out, it's a very refreshing perspective.

Red meat causes Cancer.

I'll put this in text so you can know exactly how I perceive this topic and so you don't think I am changing my words/story. I do not believe red meat causes cancer. I'm not including processed (deli meats) or CAFOs in this statement because as someone who subscribes to the Paleo style approach I remain wary of those products. That does not mean that I never eat those meats but I do try to avoid them when I can.

It makes sense to me that the fewer processes you subject your food to in preparation of eating, the healthier the food will be. These days no food is perfect. Grass fed cows graze on grass that might be sprouting on top of soil soaked with crop fertilizer run off and you would never know. I just think that is better than cows fed corn that was directly treated with pesticides and genetically modified to resist a list of conditions. I don't think cavemen were dropping dead from cancer, or maybe they just didn't live long enough to get cancer.

There was a study where "millions" of people were questioned on their eating habits and researchers came to the idea that red meat must be the culprit I guess. I have not read the study but I've hear a lot of people freak out about it in the media. I don't think you can ask millions to recall what they ate the night before and write it on a piece of paper a "study." For me a study needs to be a little more controlled for me to give it any sort of cred.  I will list sources below that have convinced my feeble brain that it is ok to eat meat. Read over them and let me know why you think these sources or studies are bunk.

Red Meat: Part of a healthy Diet? Great post because Robb links to the sources he references.

Paleo podcast episode 70. Robb addresses this red meat cancer study directly. The show is also transcribed for the hard of hearing.

Time Magazine Can a High-Fat diet beat Cancer?

Paleo Diet Site- member submission- Nurse goes against what she was just taught in nursing school.

Meat does not cause cancer Science writer with an interest in nutrition but cites his sources.


There are undoubtedly many more sources out there saying that red meat does not cause cancer.. Why is good beef (fatty cuts of steak)more expensive? Because it's more nutritious? Because it's a comfort food (twinkies are cheap)? It doesn't cost much to raise a grass fed cow that eats only the free grass that just keeps growing out the ground. If a calorie is a calorie then why don't we price food by caloric content? This is just food for though.