Binghamton – The Wandering Enigma

Storm Stella

This week was a long, exhausting week for me. Storm Stella decided to dump an unprecedented amount of snow in parts of the Northeast. Particularly in Binghamton, NY, where I happen to live, we got over thirty plus (30+) inches of snow. While I escaped the worst of it, I have my own tale to tell since I was stuck at work all week.

Monday night / Tuesday morning there wasn’t but a few inches on the ground in Ithaca, NY. I couldn’t get up a hill, so I ended up parking in a garage and walking to work.

After work I trekked back to the parking garage. I was annoyed the attendant was trying to charge me when I was told by my employer there was no charge since there was a state of emergency and I was an “essential employee”. Eventually leaving without paying anything and a scowl from the attendant, I almost got my car stuck in a snow bank because the hotel didn’t plow their lot. I ended up parking a block away in front of someone’s house.

Wednesday morning I received a call asking to report to work. The Administrator ended up coming to get me. I was going to pay for another night but my boss offered for me to stay at “the cottage” (our training center). During lunch, the maintenance guy and another guy passing by had to help push my car out of the snow drift. Checked out of the hotel, brought my car to work and finished a 16 hour day (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.).

Thursday morning, I reported to work at 7 a.m. Since I was working on my day off, I would get Friday off and was already scheduled to be off for the weekend. So, I got a three-day weekend! Worked until 11 p.m. again. Finally drove home and passed out from exhaustion.

During the week I learned of the 30+ inches of snow dumped in Binghamton. Wow, I haven’t seen this much snow since I lived in Michigan in the 1970’s!! Some two lane streets are literally only one lane. Pedestrians are walking in the street <—- annoying!! Most of the corners of the streets are now blind corners, you can’t see either way unless you risk inching out and getting hit. Cars are still buried everywhere. It’s a mess but I’m glad to be home!

Here is a graphic of how much snow Binghamton, NY has received this year along:

Now I get to enjoy a three day weekend!

Since the beginning of my sobriety in December 2007, I have lived in Binghamton, New York. I have grown to dislike living in a town/city even more than when I lived in Southern California in active addiction. Now, with my employer fifty six miles, an hour and a half drive on back roads, in Ithaca, New York, it’s time I look for a new place closer to work. Lately, I have asked my Higher Power/The Universe for a financial push to help assist me in finding a new home closer to where I work and a little more.

Living in Binghamton while working in Ithaca has its benefits. My rent is really low compared to other places in Binghamton. Both Binghamton and Ithaca cater to college students, so rent is astronomical in both places. Many of the amenities I need are also right around the corner. It’s quiet on my side of town with an occasional incident here and there. The landlord isn’t the best (getting things fixed is always a pain) but is more than understanding when times get rough and I can’t pay rent on time (only a few times in the last six years I’ve lived here).

The are some major issues living so far away. As mentioned, it takes me an hour and a half to get to work. There are no shortcuts. I have to travel backroads (either North than West or East, then North). This can be a challenge when the weather doesn’t cooperate, especially in Winter. Therefore, at least three hours of my day is sitting in a car dealing with stupid drivers, scared wildlife, bad weather and unmaintained roads. This is taking a toll on my car in maintenance, as well as the cost for gas.

Yet moving close to work has its benefits and issues. The standard of living is much higher. For instance, my salary is higher than any place in Binghamton, much higher. Obviously, with the higher standard of living, all my expenses are going to increase. Thus, I have vowed not to move to Ithaca proper but to one of the outlying areas where rent and expenses are not as expensive.Its hard when you have expenses like a car payment, student loans and other debt.

Perhaps this is selfish but I’ve asked my Higher Power for a very large financial push. I have dreams like anyone else.

For instance, here are a few things in life I would like:

This house is “calls” to me every day as I drive by going to work. It’s a vacant house in Willseyville, NY. It’s under $100K but needs a lot of work. Recent taxes around $500/yr. Off the road, in a nice nook, on Route 96B. Neighbors are not encroaching, the side of the mountain as a backyard, the front of the home is off the road. It just needs a wood fence from prying eyes surrounding the backyard. This house is perfect!

Got to have a decent truck for those rough Winters. A 2016 / 2017 Toyota Tacoma 4 X 4, paid in full. Insurance would be an issue but I’ve accounted for it.

Just those two things and enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life. Enough money to wipe the slate clean of outstanding debt (that I’m paying from my addiction days) instead to put in a retirement fund. An emergency fund for the home, car repairs, insurance costs, etc. I’m a few years from fifty with no savings what so ever. Of course, a little vacation money if the need arises too. Is that asking for to much?

I’m patient. It’s selfish to ask for it all at once and now. I know that my HP, Universe and/or the Gods will provide for me when I can handle it.

The Wandering Enigma

Tag: Binghamton

Survivor of Storm Stella

Asking for a Push