Roommates

Freshman Year of College (2002-2003), Mudge House: MK. I could barely remember the kid's name, that's how well we got along. Totally different people. He was an uber-geek that loved to hang out in Wean Hall playing CTFwS. I was even more of a shut-in than I am now and rarely left my dorm. Yeah, Freshman year sucked.

Sophomore and Junior Years of College (2003-2005), Webster Apts: JH and DH (not related). This is when I first learned to cook: Top Ramen with tuna, Top Ramen with eggs, Top Ramen with cheese, and most anything I could put on a George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine. Also, I learned not all roommates respect your stuff.

Senior Year of College (2005-2006), Beeler St: Four guys I loved and am still Bros with. One I did not and no longer keep in contact with. A lot of good times at that house. From "renting" TVs and punching holes in walls to late night Wendy's runs and setting your roommate's sweater on fire. Good times.

Berkeley (2006-2007), Crack House: KM & JW. The sum total of our living room was four G-branded bean bag chairs, a foof couch, a 42-in LCD, and a foosball table. Despite this, I had a serious girlfriend at the time. How, I cannot begin to comprehend.

San Francisco (2007-2008), Clipper House: Let me just sum up the roommates at Clipper House by saying I went to the wedding where two of them got married. Flying in from Australia. And I will go to all of their weddings, if and when they choose to get hitched, and if they'll have me.

San Francisco II (2008-2009), China House: From the Clipper House, I met two Craigslist randoms who turned out to be THE BEST ROOMMATES EV4R!!1! Although this house was marred by insufferable neighbors. Who, to quote my roommate, "Really need to get fucked. In the ass."

San Francisco III (2009-2010), New China House: THE BEST ROOMMATES EV4R!!1!++. I bought a lot of tools and did a whole bunch of home improvement projects on an apartment I left after a year.

Sydney (2010), Real World House: I lived with a bunch of students, drifters, and working holiday visa holders making their way through Australia. I shared a laundry with 13 other people. I also shared a kitchen without an oven. I imagine if I were still a 20-year old backpacker, I would have enjoyed living there, not having to worry about furnishing an apartment or having stuff that wouldn't be destroyed. Fortunately, I am not now, nor ever was a 20-year old backpacker.

There were also two summers where I lived in temporary housing, but also with roommates:
2004 - In the Wallingford Social Club, although only one club member was present.
2005 - In an Imperial College (London) dorm room with a grad student from Germany who didn't drink and made 8-bit electronica music. Bad 8-bit electronica music.

Sydney II (present), My Apartment: I live alone for now. There's a spare bedroom which I may or may not end up renting out to someone. Buying furniture for this place has been the scariest decision I have ever had to make because it feels "permanent". 'Is this the couch I have for the next Y years? What if I don't like the color in two months? What if I'm allergic to it? And it costs how much?' On the plus side, I dream about the entertainment system I am going to build. On the down side, all the fruits of my newfound financial discipline have gone straight down the counter-clockwise flushing toilets.

In the last 8 years, I have had to move 9 times. At no point did I ever make a decision about living anywhere that had any semblance of permanence. Leaving SF, it took me a grand total of four days to get rid of all major belongings. I don't know what the point of this post was.