Good: I cashed in a few of giftcards yesterday and got myself an ice cream machine, which is now not-so-quietly humming away in the kitchen. Hooray for ice cream! (Mint chocolate chip, for those wondering)

Ungood: I can't find the floorplan of the new apartment where I wrote down all the room measurements. How am I supposed to mentally organize my books and furniture without wall dimensions?

Okay, so. Since I moved, I haven't been able to get credit. No credit card companies or loan companies will give me money. Because I am trying to move, I can't afford the deposit up front without saving for a while, so I was trying to get a card to put it on.

Now, I just presumed my credit file was bad. I got a credit report today, and in actual fact I've never missed a payment on anything, and have a high (good) score.

Hurray!

So, what's the problem?

Companies have details of areas by postcode (think ZIP code). I didn't realise this. Upon looking up my postcode, they tell me these gems:

"People living here are in general qualified to a below average level and the typical employment type is classified as consisting of a mixture of different types. Unemployment stands at 26% higher than the national average... The level of investors in this area is 33% of the national average and the financial risk associated with this postcode is classified as being roughly 9 times the national average."

So, I now understand why nobody will lend me money, so I can't move to a better area. Hrmph!

Companies have details of areas by postcode (think ZIP code).

Dude, you got redlined.

Any chance you could change your "official residence" to somewhere else, like a relative's house in a "better" area? What a nasty little Catch-22 they've got going there!

Maybe you can get a line of credit through your bank or credit union, since they'll be able to verify your income, credit history, et cetera. Or a short-term loan through the same.

Yeah, I am going to try increasing my credit card limit again. Failing that, a bigger bank overdraft might do it.

I figure if I save until May I can get enough for a deposit to move, but it's just a pain - I hate waiting for things!

Amused at the statistics these agencies can provide - what newspapers people read, internet usage, etc. Of course, I'm a statistics anomoly apparently.

Bummer, so my New Year's Party seems to be falling apart. Folks who were previously on the fence are saying no, one couple who has always attended had something come up and might not be able to make it and a bunch of people just plain haven't responded which, knowing them, means they're not coming. It's looking like it's going to be myself, the GF, a friend and her husband.

Two pregnant ladies and their SOs sitting around on NYE is a little more low-key than I was going for.

Oh, well.

ION, there was a anti-drunk driving ad on TV last night that gave me the wiggins. Cops, judges and inmates singing "Everybody Plays the Fool" with a subtext of "Drive drunk and someone will make you their prison bitch."

It's really starting to sicken me how much of a joke that's become. When was the last time you even heard the topic of prison rape come up without a smirk or a cheer?

I was so lazy today. I got up three times. This time, I think it'll stick because I'm dressed.

I need to go out and get groceries. And take the trash out. Maybe I'll vacuum. I don't know.

Northern NM got socked with snow. Think I heard that it broke a record 50 years old. Crazy. Meanwhile, it's still way above normal here.

I got up, ran despite my lazy inclination, and ended up with that postural hypotension, quite dramatically.

Home, taking it slow. Since I came back and snarfed and showered, I've been napping my last full day in JA away. I think it's about time I made another run at the fridge.

I love this fridge. It puts mine to shame. There's all this food in there, and much of it is already cooked.

Ah, that does sound lovely. Enjoy the napping and the joy of prepared yummy food.