This is not surprise, given the dearth of low-cost options available to these employers. Time spent on paperwork and administration aside, most plans require an employer contribution or match. Those that don't typically have high fees, while cheaper plans either offer fewer choices for workers or have long vesting periods.

Today's small businesses and their workers need access to a retirement plan that is:

1. Efficient (low-cost);
2. Safe (well-managed); and
3. Flexible (scalable and portable).

In response, a growing number of states are picking up on the idea of an UVRA to meet those needs.

Um, a what?

UVRA (pronounced: oo-vrah) stands for Universal Voluntary Retirement savings Account.

The basic idea is to use a state’s existing retirement or investment infrastructure to pool the investments of thousands of workers at small- and medium-sized businesses. The result? Extremely low fees; professional fund management; and a portable retirement plan that helps smaller businesses compete with the big boys on the block.

UVRAs aren't intended to replace current retirement plans. They are designed for individuals and businesses without workplace-based retirement investing. It's a supplement to Social Security (which provides a defined benefit pension for older Americans, but alone is barely enough to keep many retirees out of poverty).

A growing number of states are looking into the concept, including: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland (House & Senate), Michigan (House & Senate), Pennsylvania, Washington and West Virginia.

(05-15) 10:55 PDT San Francisco (AP) --

In a monumental victory for the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the nation's biggest state to tie the knot.

Domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage, the justices ruled 4-3 in an opinion written by Chief Justice Ron George.

The CA Supreme Court ruling makes California the second state in the union--after Massachusetts--to legalize gay marriage.

Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Oregon all offer civil unions or domestic partnerships, which offer all of the legal benefits of marriage.

Hawaii, the District of Columbia, Maine and Washington offer domestic partnerships with some of the same legal benefits of marriage.

The court's decision is here (PDF).

UDPATE: This court ruling is a monumental step, but the fight isn't over.  Here's what's going to happen next:

Challenge For Gay Rights Advocates Not Over: A coalition of religious and social conservative groups is attempting to put a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine laws banning gay marriage in the state constitution.

The Secretary of State is expected to rule by the end of June whether the sponsors gathered enough signatures to qualify the marriage amendment, similar to ones enacted in 26 other states.

If voters pass the measure in November, it would trump the court's decision.

James Bailey Brislin
The Carpet City Chronicle

ENFIELD— The Enfield Town Council approved a zero-tax-increase-budget for fiscal year 2009, this evening. Included in the budget were a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) fund and a special revenue fund for the Board of Education.

These funds were established to ensure the prioritization of mission critical projects. They include: the purchase of textbooks, maps, technology, and equipment, the replacement of the gym floor at JFK Middle School (it is very dangerous to play on), the restoration of fourth grade band, and enhanced resources for special education.

Throughout the evening, the democrats attempted to portray the establishment of these funds as special interests and pet projects, not helping the children. When all was said and done, people could see it for what it was— partisan stonewalling and sour grapes. This lack of magnanimity illustrates the fact that the democrats have yet to master the art of minority party governance.

This success shows that it is possible to control municipal spending. This evening's vote has wider ramifications for municipal government.

For the first time in decades, the balance of power has been tipped back against municipal unions. Municipal unions had become used to getting their way, largely because of their ability to contribute to campaigns and smear people. Their power has been diluted by the blogosphere and muffled by the popular clamor for tax relief.

This shows that it is possible for the will of the people to prevail over special interests.

                                         Thank you, Rich

                                      Jump N Bounce Fun

Well, Dear Readers, here it is. Our house. Our cute, little, cape cod house in Connecticut. Isn't it just the most adorable thing in the world? It's like a little piece of heaven in Stratford, CT. Its a great house, but I had no idea how much you had to go through before buying a house.

Have you ever had that dream where you're standing naked in front of a crowd of people? That's pretty much what a mortgage approval feels like. You basically go to a bank, meet with the mortgage rep, and then proceed to pour your financial guts onto the table for God and everyone to see. They want salary amounts, debt amounts, loan amounts, credit reports, social security numbers, your grandmother's birth date - everything. And then they take 48 hours to judge how much that says you are worth. I'd rather poke my eyeballs out with bamboo skewers than go through that again.

But through some miraculous twist of fate, they approved us. When our mortgage originator called us to tell us the good news, I couldn't believe it. I almost said to her, "Did you see that Chris is in THEATER and I am in EDUCATION?" I mean, you know the real estate market is bad when the primary breadwinner is in EDUCATION and they can afford to buy!

We don't officially own the house yet. We are still under contract, but our closing date is June 27. Mark your calendars because I will be posting one heck of a celebration post on June 27. Then I will most likely disappear for two weeks while we take care of important things like finding the right place for the tupperware and connecting the cable.

In addition to buying the house, I did manage to graduate this past weekend. My incredible and crazy family made it up to celebrate with us, which was so above and beyond because they will all fly up here in two weeks for Chris' graduation, too.

My Dad, Chris, Me, My Mom, and My Sister, Ginny

Can you see the relief in my face?

My favorite study-buddy.

All in all, its been a pretty good month so far. We'll celebrate Chris' graduation and his getting a fantastic job in two weeks when everyone and their mother (literally) will be in town as he graduates from Yale Drama. But for now, I'm trying to allow myself to stay in the moment. To be excited about what I have accomplished with my masters degree, and to relish the fact that Chris and I are on the road to homeownership.

I am also allowing myself to think of all the hardwood floors that Molly will now be able to chew and scratch. It's a beautiful house, but what were we thinking? We just bought a house made of wood for our giant, fat headed lab to destroy. What are you gonna do though? Home is where the dogs live.

Nordstrom - A reader writes: "There is a dedicated room off the lounge area of the ladies room for nursing.  There are three chairs, changing area and sink."

One promising move was the passage of HB 5600, a Connecticut Fund for the Environment-supported bill which makes the state's previously enacted greenhouse gas emission reduction goals (a 10% cut below 1990 levels by 2020, and an 80% cut below 2001 levels by 2050) mandatory and directs agencies to take specific actions towards meeting these goals. On the transportation side, the bill directs ConnDOT to study expanding high-speed rail, light rail, and freight rail within the state.

Another bold (but misguided) initiative, the split of ConnDOT into a Department of Highways and a Department of Public Transportation, Aviation and Ports, died a quiet death in the Joint Committee on Appropriations. While we agree with backers of the bill that ConnDOT needs to devote the same amount of attention to public transportation as it does to highways, we felt that splitting ConnDOT was the wrong way to go (we outlined our reasoning in the Hartford Courant back in March).

Newly confirmed ConnDOT Commissioner Joseph Marie, set to begin work in June, will now be able to set a progressive transportation agenda that incorporates land use into transportation planning decisions, emphasizes maintenance and repair of roads and bridges over expansion, and fast tracks high-priority mass transit projects like the New Britain-Hartford busway and the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail.

New Haven Board of Alders Passes Anti-ConnDOT Split Resolution

In related news, the New Haven Board of Alders passed a resolution last week opposing the ConnDOT split bill. Congratulations to the Board members, and particularly Alderwoman Erin Sturgis-Pascale, who championed the resolution.

Image: CTTransit New Haven bus. (Photo Adam E. Moreira/Wikipedia Commons)

So what are the region's elected and agency officials saying about the gas tax holiday?

New Jersey

Governor Corzine tried to walk an awfully thin line to support Clinton, while gently panning the idea: "I want to say it's not my favorite idea, but realistically she is paying for it and it is a three-month period," Corzine said. Just the day before, Corzine stated that he hasn't ruled out raising the gas tax to pay for transportation projects and fund the Transportation Trust Fund.

NJ DOT Commissioner Kris Kolluri has been less equivocal, pointing out that a summer-long federal gas tax holiday would cost New Jersey $190 million in federal transportation aid allocated for bridge and roadway projects that mean 6,300 jobs.

At the federal level, Sen. Robert Menendez is co-sponsoring a gas tax holiday bill. He said, "Thank god we don't have economists making necessary public policy." The Senator even made the idea one of his campaign issues back in 2006. (So did Bob Dole in 1996.)

New York

We know Senator Clinton's unfortunate position, but what about the rest?

Sen. Charles Schumer has jumped in with his senatorial colleague saying, "Big oil companies ought to pay for it. Take some of the money out of the royalties. Take some of the money out the windfall profits and reduce that gas tax." (Of course, the wisdom of this approach has been discredited.)

Mayor Bloomberg had this to say: "It’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard in an awful long time from an economic point of view. I don’t understand why you think there’s any merit to it whatsoever. We’re trying to discourage people from driving and we’re trying to end our energy dependence. We don’t do that — oh, and incidentally, we’re trying to have more money to build infrastructure. All three of those things go fly in the face of giving everybody $30 a year. The 30 bucks is not going to change anybody’s lifestyle. The billions of dollars that we would otherwise have in tax revenues can make a big difference as to what kind of a world we leave our children.”

Meanwhile, the New York State Senate has passed a bill suspending the state gas tax, led by Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island). On his website, under a picture advocating anti-idling laws to fight asthma from auto emissions, Lanza says he wants to "make gasoline more affordable during the summer traveling season." The bill was co-sponsored by Long Island Sen. Charles Fuschillo (R-Freeport) and upstate Sen. Joseph Robach (R-Monroe).

State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno released this statement: “The vast majority of New Yorkers, especially Upstate, must rely on their cars to get to work and school and do not have any mass transit. The rising price of gas is costing them $10 to $20 more every time they fill up their tanks. The Senate, like John McCain and Hillary Clinton, support cutting gas taxes because it is the right thing to do to give New Yorkers relief.”

State Sen. Liz Kreuger (D-Manhattan): "I voted against this legislation because it is bad fiscal and environmental policy that will only result in windfall profits for oil companies and no real relief for consumers."

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver isn't letting the idea fly in the Assembly. He said: "There is absolutely no guarantee that tax savings would be passed on to consumers. In fact, I believe that oil companies will simply raise their prices to eliminate any cost savings for the public."

Governor Paterson didn't reject the proposal out of hand, but called it a "leap of faith" and said "This is something we could legislate, but not implement."

Connecticut

Sen. Joe Lieberman has not said much on the record, but last month he co-sponsored an amendment to an unrelated transportation bill that would have instituted a federal gas tax holiday (the amendment, which was introduced by Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl on behalf of Sen. John McCain, was later withdrawn).

In the Connecticut General Assembly, a last minute budget proposal put forward by Republicans included a state gas tax holiday, but the session thankfully timed out.

Canterbury is of where I type!  Home of 38 active listings and 1 new one.  I have been stalking this town relentlessly for a couple of interested parties and while I have always been a fan of this Windham County town,  checking out the nooks and crannies has led me to fall in deep like.  I think I have a crush on what the town website dubs "a gem in Connecticut's Quiet Corner", Canterbury.

I have learned that Canterbury was previously part of Plainfield and was incorporated in 1703.  And another juicy tid bit, it is the birthplace of Moses Cleveland, founder of the City of Cleveland, Ohio.  It is the home of the Prudence Crandall museum which I must make a point to go visit. 

What I have seen is some gorgeous land with lots babbling brooks and streams.  The town covers some 40 square miles and its principal industries are dairy farms and small businesses.  It is true New England lovely; Canterbury does the small town thing quite well!

You can check out the official town web site at www.munic.state.ct.us (some gorgeous pics are on this site)

And the real estate is:

Total Active Listings:  39                           Range of value:  $65,000 to $574,900

Total Pending Listings:  4                          Range of value:  $63,900 to $300,000

Closed in last 60 days:  5                          Range of value:  $74,900 to $565,000

Average days on market:  67.8

Average sales price:  $249,360

We started from a list of ten properties, narrowed from a larger list.  From the ten homes we'll preview, we will select about 5 - the ones that could be the most profitable, are in the best condition or are in a great location.

Basically, there will be something for everyone. Here's what we could be seeing:

• A multi-family that could be an income producer very quickly with minimal work with a lot that might yield an additional home for less than $150,000?
• A starter home in near move-in condition for less than $90,000?
• One of two single families that need work but are in great, single family areas?

Not only will you get to see these properties in person, I'll analyze the property and its value for you, Kelly Meuser from McCue Mortgage will tell you how to finance the purchase, Pillar to Post will help you determine the condition and Attorney Will Watson will help you avoid legal pitfalls.

Haven't signed up yet for this tour?  There's still time. 

Space is limited. Register today at www.mccuemortgage.com/openingdoors.htm or call 1-888-576-2283.

 Read on for more details...

Have you been thinking about investing in real estate, but are not sure where to start?

Or thinking about buying a foreclosure property as your primary residence?

Jump on The Bus...the Real Estate Investment Road Show bus. This FREE seminar on wheels will take you for a tour of several foreclosed properties in New Britain. Hosted by RE/MAX Precision Realty, McCue Mortgage, Atty. Will Watson and Pillar to Post Home Inspections, we'll tell you what you need to know before you buy. It’s a classroom on wheels!

Now is the time! With a variety of properties to choose from, low mortgage rates, and reduced prices, there is no better time to invest in real estate!
Some of the things you’ll hear about are:
√ The different types of foreclosure investments
√ How to find properties
√ Evaluating properties
√ Financing options
√ How to make an offer on a property in foreclosure

Space is limited. Register today at www.mccuemortgage.com/openingdoors.htm or call 1-888-576-2283.

May is Foster Care Month for the CT Department of Children and Families (DCF):
Visit this link for more information.

As an alumna of the CT foster care system, I want to take this opportunity to thank DCF for their support, commitment, and dedication to the community.

Dear DCF:

You deserve more credit than what is given. Continue the work you are doing with our children. Work on building foster homes, instead of group homes and shelters. Foster homes are less artificial and more cost-effective.

As an adult child who technically "overcame" abuse and neglect, the PTSD that results is from before your intervention. Sometimes, I wish that you would have entered my life before my teen years. One day, when I have resolved more of my pain, you might find me again. It's too painful to return to you today.

Public Safety Commissioner Leads Effort To Revive Chaplaincy Program

By TRACY GORDON FOX

Courant Staff Writer

It wasn't religion or faith that brought Public Safety Commissioner John A. Danaher III to the conclusion that the state police chaplaincy program should be revived.

It was bad behavior.

After learning about some of the misconduct state troopers were being accused of — drunken driving, domestic violence, alcoholism — Danaher said he thought that perhaps the department was not adequately supporting its own, not helping troopers haunted by what they'd seen: horrific crashes, violent deaths and sexual assaults against children.

So Danaher invited a rabbi who had written a book called "Spiritual Survival for Law Enforcement" to speak and help him revive the chaplaincy effort. In the audience on April 28 were state police supervisors along with about 15 priests and rabbis from across the state who had volunteered to be part of the expanded program…

Danaher said he started thinking that having clergy available to troopers "might help them find another direction to solve their problems, whether they were marital issues or alcoholism."

"It could make a difference if they could have someone to share that burden," he said.

That led him to read Rabbi Cary A. Friedman's book, and, Danaher said, "It rang so very true to me."

Troopers, he said, "are tougher, much tougher than most."

"Indeed many would question the need for a chaplaincy program," he said. "They would say to their fellow trooper, 'Look — just suck it up and deal with it.'" But over time, Danaher said, "This work can wear even on the best of them."

Danaher is right on the money. Police officers are forced to come face to face with great evil on a daily basis. Over time, this exposure to evil has the potential to corrode the soul. This challenge cannot be confronted by therapy. It is best dealt with by a priest, minister, or rabbi; It is a moral problem, not a psychological one:

But each exposure to wickedness, tragedy or catastrophe withdraws from that "spiritual bank account," he said, and can lead, eventually, to "spiritual bankruptcy."

Quoting American crime author Joseph Wambaugh, formerly with the Los Angeles Police Department, Friedman said: "Law enforcement involves a daily drop of corrosion on your soul."

And that's where the bad behavior often comes in, Friedman said.

"In spiritual bankruptcy, an officer loses faith, hope, confidence and optimism and engages in all kinds of destructive and self-destructive behaviors," he said. "Abuse of power, professional misconduct, domestic violence, marital difficulties"…

"It's the chaplain's sacred privilege, honor and responsibility to minister to law enforcement officers," Friedman said. "Reintroduce the hard-core veteran to the type of person he or she once was," Friedman said. "To be able to connect with God."

It is hard to come face to face with great moral evil without becoming jaded. Quite frankly, it was a challenge that I faced as a reporter for The Tower: how do you come face to face with evil at the highest echelons of power without becoming cynical and disillusioned? Fortunately, I benefited from the spiritual direction of good priests. It is good to see that the state police have rediscovered the importance of state police chaplains.

State Police Master Sgt. James Dolan is pictured with the Rev. Michael Dolan, his brother, on the ground of St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. Father Dolan is the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Hartford. (Michael McAndrews / The Hartford Courant)

It is clear they are on the right track. They have appointed a priest with a strong reputation to serve as Chaplain:

The Rev. Michael Dolan, who joined the new chaplaincy program, knows intimately what state troopers face: His brother is state police Master Sgt. James Dolan.

"I'm thankful for the training and honored to be able to join in something I know so well from personal experience," said Michael Dolan, vocational director for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford.

James Dolan said troopers may be more likely to confide in a clergy member than a peer or a supervisor when they are having a problem, be it a family issue or alcohol abuse.

Many people have a connection with clergy, James Dolan said, "with a familiarity and trust outside the agency.

It is good to see that the state police appreciate the value of a strong chaplaincy. Regardless of religion, chaplains have a vital role to play as moral and ethical advisors to the state police.

After I’d moved away from home, I’d always had a rule when it came to living arrangements. Basically, my rule was to not live with anyone, unless I was SLEEPING with them. I broke this rule only one time, and it was 16 of the ugliest days that I can remember.

In my early twenties, I was low on cash and I didn’t drive. (What an attractive guy, eh?) I moved down to Connecticut to work for my good friend Ric to be his night/Sundays manager at a lighting showroom. For the first month, I lived with Ric. But after that time we both were ready to part ways. I had a big challenge in front of me because I needed a place in walking distance, AND it had to be cheap. I met with Ric, his wife Rebecca, & my girlfriend at the time. This girlfriend had to drive me around and buy dinner sometimes, by the by. I’m a gem, what can I say? Anyhoo, We found a place that had a room for rent for $385.00 a month, and I could walk to work.

 Walking to work is unusual in Ct. Most people gawked at me walking home. It’s like they’d never seen a guy walk! I think it would have been funnier if they pointed at me too. It might have made it worth it for me. Or perhaps throw tomatoes at me. No imagination, these Connecticut drivers.

When we got to the address, we discovered it was a room in a trailer! (ulp).

I met the “owner,” and I’ll call her Ann Marie for sake of the story. She was from Florida, and she REALLY wanted me to take the room. I told her I’d think about it. When we got back to Ric’s house, I had all three people chide me about my rule, saying I didn’t have a choice! I HAD to take it. This included my girlfriend. Finally I conceded & moved in. Ann Marie told me that she had selected me over a Vietnam Vet! I was flattered. (I think)

The first wonderful thing I had to deal with had nothing to do with the room. My girlfriend told me a week into living there that she didn’t like me living with another woman. I’m not a cheat, but I see her point. However, WHY DIDN’T SHE FUCKING SAY THAT BEFORE I MOVED IN?!? You know, the time with her glaring at me telling me I didn’t have a choice and I HAD to take the room? Sheesh.

My living habits were quite simple, really. In the mornings I would come out to shower & grab breakfast & go to work. At night, I would either eat out, or make my beloved Kraft Mac & Cheese. Then, RIGHT into my room. In there it was VHS movies or Sega Genesis keeping me busy. (As I said.. what an attractive guy, eh?)

Basically, I didn’t want to friend up with Ann Marie. Although, I believe that she at LEAST wanted to friend up, if not more. After all, the trailer wasn’t even a doublewide! I was always a shoulder tap away if you catch my drift.

One night she got home and called me out to the kitchen, “I’ll be right out” I said in annoyance, because I had to pause my damn Genesis game. She had just gone food shopping, and started pulling out some familiar products from the bags: Pepsi (my life blood… ask my dentist, he’ll tell you), Life Cereal (ask Mikey), and that’s right… Kraft Mac & Cheese. I was befuddled at first, but soon after I pulled out some cash and gave it to her. She wasn’t thrilled when I told her I wanted to buy my own shit. (in a nice way, for the record).

About two weeks in, the first of two GRIM nights took place. She got in this awful argument with her ex-husband. The screaming match was so loud, I couldn’t hear myself think! (Think about playing the Sega Genesis, that is). I didn’t want to pry, so I let it slide for the night. The next morning I was leaving and I asked her if she was ok. She said “Oh yes… I’m fine. I’m great thanks. No worries”.

I begrudgingly told her that if she wanted to talk, I’d be there for her. I was still fearing that she wanted me to sleep on the other side of the trailer at that point. She thanked me, & off I went to work. Before I could get out of the park, I realized I forgot something. So I go back to the trailer & Ann Marie is on the phone with the police! And she said the following, verbatim: “Yes… that’s right… and THEN he said he was sending a Haitian up here to kill me and my roommate”!

Uh, did she just say “ROOMMATE”? I’M the fucking roommate!! What the fuck?!

After she got off the phone, I questioned her on this & she told me there was nothing to worry about, and that he ALWAYS does stuff like that. Really? Yikes! When I get in fights, I just leave the room, or not speak. Not ONCE have I ever wanted to employ a hitman. At this point, she and the trailer were on notice.

The final straw came on the 16^th day. I got home from work, and before I could whisk into my room she pointed at this note on the counter. “Read that” she says. I don’t remember exactly what the note said, but let me paraphrase:

 “I’m coming for my room tonight, and I won’t take no for an answer”.

This note was from the chap that was the Vietnam Vet, who she turned down to give me the room. She told me not to worry, because her friend Timmy (for the sake of the story) was coming this evening. Timmy was also a Vietnam vet. It was weird to think that I had one Vietnam vet standing in the way from another one taking his room back. I wouldn’t have been surprised if the dude looked like Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now.

That night Timmy came over and was at the kitchen table with Ann Marie. I was playing Altered Beast on the Genesis. And then… GUESS who came to dinner? That fucking guy SHOWED UP for his room!! Timmy ran out the door after the guy, and ran out of the park. I was ALL done after this.

I approached Ann Marie and told her I had to move out. My life was threatened twice in 2 weeks. She told me that it wasn’t her fault, and I agreed. However, I told her I chose not to live in Lebanon, because I didn’t want to be bombed. I don’t want to be where my life was in danger. So I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse… I would co-pay for an ad to get a new person in there. And after the person paid their security deposit, she could give me my security deposit back. She was crying happy tears after I told her I wouldn’t just walk out on her.

Later, Timmy came back and told us the police caught the other guy. He was at a cheap motel in the area hiding out. It turned out that he had a long record in Texas, including child molestation & aggravated assault. I don’t need to tell you that if this guy made it into the trailer, I would have handed him his new Sega Genesis to go with his new room.

I THOUGHT the night was over. But I woke up at 3am to a lot of voices. I peeked out the window & saw a paddy wagon out front. I said to myself “I wonder what’s going on now?” That was until I heard more voices coming from inside the trailer. So I opened the door, sporting my shorts & T-Shirt and my hair sticking straight up in the air. I saw 7 plus police officers in the kitchen, and Ann Marie swearing her ass off at them. After they carted her off, they asked me: “Do you know where she keeps her gun?” I said “GUN? GUN???? No… I didn’t even know she had one”!

Apparently, after we said nighty night she called Timmy up and told him she had a gun and was going to blow her brains out. Are you fucking kidding me?! Good god.

To be honest, I’m glad she didn’t pull the gun out on ME! I can imagine her waking me up with the gun pointed at me: “I don’t want you to leave!” Of course, I’d have responded: “Leave? Leave? Did I say ‘LEAVE’? I meant to say ‘LEASE’. LEASE! That’s what I MEANT to say… heh heh”.

The officers asked me to call them if I found a gun. I told them that would be impossible, since I’m moving out IMMEDIATELY. After they left, I called Ric 3 times until he picked up. I told him he had to come pick me up right away. He asked why, and I said “She has a gun, she’s gonna blow her brains out, blah blah, I’ll tell you later”.

The next day I came back for the rest of my stuff. I saw Ann Marie and I told her after the incident I was moving out. I asked for my security deposit back, and she told me “That’s been absorbed”. I said “What? Absorbed? What do you mean absorbed?” She said “It’s been absorbed, and it WILL stand up in court.” At that point, I was just happy to walk away with my life.

See? Always follow your instincts. This woman was a fucking kook. I had no business living with her.

Rebecca called Ann Marie a few months later to try to get my deposit back. She refused, because of all of the issues that I brought into her house. When Rebecca asked what the issues were, she responded “He made me buy him cereal! AND he left his pubic hairs out for me to see”. When Rebecca told me this, I had my first laugh about the whole thing. Specifically because I thought it was interesting that she thought the cereal thing was worse than if I left my pubic hairs out for her to see.

I’m the king of OCD. You’d think my whole body was shaved after I leave a bathroom. There was no way it was my short hairs she was finding. That is, unless she was speaking metaphorically. Because essentially she did have me by the short hairs. Oh well.

Any time after the events in this story when a friend asked me to room with them, I told them: “That’s been absorbed”. I’m close with my  friends, but not THAT close.