MegMo2017: Deets: Venue

The theme and date were the biggest players in our venue selection.  I knew that a picturesque wedding at Magnolia Plantation (one of the hottest venues in Charleston, pics below) in October/November would cost $6500 on a Saturday or $5500 for a Friday or Sunday or $4500 for a Mon-Thurs.  Guess what was not in line with the theme? 

If you guessed, "Any of that," you are correct. 

I was NOT willing to spend $4500 for a venue, in addition to having to have food catered from Magnolia's preferred vendors which generally have minimum cost requirements.  To use a preferred vendor, I would expect to pay $35+ per head for food.  Yet another hiccup with following our theme.  With a guest list of 100ish people, $3500 for food and $4500 for the venue was almost our entire budget.  Once you add taxes, fees, and tips, we were already over our budget.  Kthxnope.

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Knowing that the hot places like Magnolia were definitely out of our price range, I started to get very selective about venues.  I knew that I wanted a "cheap" place that wasn't cheap looking.  I knew that I wanted it to include the tables and chairs for the reception so we didn't have to pay for just the roof over our heads and add another headache of something else to find (rentals) for the big day.  I narrowed down the search to 3 places.

I've listed these venues in our original order of preference.  Teh German and I visited the first two together and I actually visited the 3rd choice on my own since I went during the day and he wasn't able to come with me (thus why I actually took photos of the place, abet shitty (to show him)).

Medicine Wind Farm  ($1200)

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Pros:

-Venue was located in Summerville which means cheaper hotels.
-Several options of locations on the grounds for an outside ceremony.
-Covered pavilion for a weather backup.
-The reception area had a pretty cool loft area.
-Reception area had a full kitchen.
-Reception area had a room that could be used for food so guests wouldn't cause a traffic jam while getting foods.
-Reception area had a room available with a "dead spot" that was perfect for a bar.
-Usable fireplace
-Speakers that could be used with an aux cable.
-Cool old wagon that could be used as a prop for whatever we wanted.
-Military discount

Cons:

-VERY rustic.
-Smelled like horse (since it's actually a horse farm on private property).
-Cowboy boots outside
-Old wagon was huge
-The bridal suite and groom suite were attached to the reception area and I didn't like the idea of our guests peeping inside accidentally or on purpose.
-Furniture in the suites was SUPER old.
-No ice on premises.
-Limited tables/chairs included.

Destination Goldbug  ($1000)

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Pros:

-Cheap!
-Sullivan's Island bridge view/waterfront
-Tables/chairs included for up to 100 people
-Bar area
-Renovations underway (for the bathrooms/kitchen)
-Patio area could be screened in to keep in heat/keep out bugs.

Cons:

-Very boaty with the plaques on the walls and there was also a fish somewhere.
-No bridal/groom suites
-It didn't feel like a big space.
-In Mount Pleasant (which is further away from Teh Ville than Summerville).

Alhambra Hall   ($1500)

grounds

downstairs formal entrance

super cool landing pattern

reception area

Bridal suite

Bridal makeup/hair did area

Groom's suite

Hallway from the Groom's suite to the entrance area.

Pros:

-Bridal/groom suites.
-Large private toilet for bride.
-Waterfront.
-Elevator to get up to 2nd floor.
-Ice on premises.
-All inside tables/chairs included for up to 200 people.
-Small kitchen area for staging.

Cons:

-Most expensive.
-Grounds are public park, which means that we could have party crashers.
-No outside chairs available.
-Fireplaces are capped so no actual fires.
-In Mount Pleasant.
-Requires an off-duty Mount Pleasant police officer if alcohol is served.



Now if you've noticed in my date announcements, you actually already know what venue we picked, but if you didn't, I'll just tell you.

We went with Alhambra Hall.

Yes, it was the most expensive location, but it was the location that we both liked the best.  Medicine Wind and Destination Goldbug didn't feel like us.  We aren't cowboys (much to Teh German's disappointment) and we don't really resemble the boat life (even though we are happy to enjoy our friends' boats, we'll stick with Bagheera and Suzi).  We felt that the hall wasn't overly rustic and was simple, which was perfect for us.  In fact, in many ways, the Hall reminds me of our house.  Large and simply furnished with a few touches of personality.  And ya know, the white walls are exactly the same...

I did take Teh German by Alhambra before we made the decision.  After our tour of Destination Goldbug, we rode to Alhambra since they are about 5 minutes apart from each other.  While Teh German was only able to see the building in the dark, I could tell he immediately felt more comfortable at the Hall than at either of the other 2 venue options.  It could have also been that I was his tour guide instead of a stranger we didn't know.

After we lurked about in the dark at Alhambra Hall, we headed to Poe's on Sullivan Island for dinner to discuss our options.  I told him what he'd seen were the 3 places that I could find at a rate I was comfortable paying.  There were other cheaper options out there (parks) and more expensive choices as well and I could keep looking, but I think I was able to make a decision based on the 3 we had seen.  He agreed with me that he could make a choice from our 3 options and we could end the search.

Before we had even left the Hall, we both kinda knew our decision, but I told Teh German we could listen to music while we rode to the restaurant.  I wanted him to be able to think about it without my interfering.  Once we sat down at our table and ordered dinner, we discussed the pros and cons of each of the venues and we both knew that we had each decided our favorite before heading to dinner. 

We both liked Alhambra Hall the best out of the 3 choices.  We were most comfortable at Alhambra, which in the grand scheme of things is one of the most important things to me.  I clarified with him as we waited on our food, "So, we're making a venue decision then?"  Teh German, "Yes."  Me, "So Alhambra Hall?"  Teh German, "Yes."  Me, "You're sure, even though you haven't seen it in the daylight?"  Teh German, "Yep."  Me, "Alright then, we just made our biggest wedding decision!"


Our decision of a venue directly affected our date and other budget items (photography).  The Hall was booked for both Oct 28th (Saturday) and Oct 29th (Sunday).  I didn't really want to get married on "the day before Halloween" or Halloween.  So when I suggested Nov 1st, Teh German agreed and said that was fine.  He also mentioned that 11/1 is an easy anniversary date to remember.  He's funny.  I know he would never forget because he never forgets our first-date-aversary either, and this was before he put it in his calendar on repeat every month.  /swoon.  But I'm glad I could make it easy for him.

If we were Mount Pleasant residents, we wouldn't have had to pay as much for the venue, but we aren't.  Oh well.  That said, if we were Mount Pleasant residents, we'd pay a lot more for day-to-day things, so ya know.. trade offs.

We kept our decision on the DL until after we signed the contract with the venue.  We told our family and close friends so that way they could go ahead and start figuring out travel arrangements.  But once we signed the contract, it was game on and social media official.  I won't lie.  Signing for the venue made it feel the most real to me.  I think Teh German was equally excited.  Or it could have been that I swung by Metto before our contract signing and surprised him with coffee.  Ya know, either one.

We have a venue!!!

MegMo2017: R&D- The Vendor

R&D (research and development) is actually the first step of the strategic planning cycle.

After suffering through the best and worst of the internet to find the information you need, you've probably got something to go off of!  If you're like me, you probably had to "contact me" for no less than 5-10 vendors per item you need (venue, photography, caterer, etc).  For me, I took a little over a week to wade through the murk.  I was shooting off emails and contact requests left and right.  Some of those were actually over email, some of them were through The Knot's "request information" thing, some were just via websites with the perfect amount of information.

I had warned Teh German when I started wedding planning that it was going to be all or nothing.  I wanted to dive right in, accomplish the big pieces from the start and be done with the most stressful stuff right away and not let it take over my life for an extended period of time.  I know how I am when I'm trying to make decisions and I feel stressed and it's pretty nasty, so this way of going about the process was best for me.  Obviously, this method may not work for you.  #differentstrokesfordifferentfolks

I am very lucky that I had a chunk of downtime at work where my projects were quiet and I didn't have much in the way of tasking.  I was able to devote most of my time to wedding stuff and things.  This also corresponded with when my coworkers found out we were engaged, so they were hyped and excited to help in whatever ways they could (the ladies who plan our holiday dinner every year were happy to help with food and venue suggestions).

During the wedding blitz week, we had appointments every afternoon after work except for Friday (which was just lucky and also because most vendors are already booked on Fridays with events).  We met with a photographer on Monday evening, a wedding coordinator on Tuesday evening, 1 venue on Wednesday night, and another venue on Thursday night.  In addition to all that, I was sending out emails back and forth with so many vendors my head was starting to spin.  Also, I went to a venue alone on Thursday at lunch since I could go during the day when Teh German couldn't.  It wasn't ideal, but I did actually take pictures at that one!  I took Teh German by the venue I had toured during the day after our appointment at a different venue on Thursday night.

Here's the decision breakdown:

• We decided on catering the week before when I had half-jokingly suggested one of our favorite restaurants and Teh German agreed it was a good idea.  When I checked the prices, they were definitely in our budget, so that was an easy yes.

• We agreed to use the coordinator on Tuesday night after we got home from meeting with her.  I had spoken with one other coordinator and wasn't overly interested and 2 people in real life had highly recommended this coordinator for various reasons that directly affected us (anything she owned we could use for free (decorations/tables/etc) and she provided solid bartending servers).

• We made a venue decision Thursday night over dinner between the 3 places we had looked at that fit in our budget.  One place had cowboy boots (2 boots to be exact), one place had fish on the walls (it was a boating club), and the other place was on a public park-ish area.

• Teh German put the photography decision in my hands since it was my biggest priority, and I confirmed my number 1 choice on photographer on Friday after some price negotiations.  I was in contact with no less than 10 different photography vendors with vastly different price ranges.  I know my photography style so that helped eliminate many of them if price hadn't already.  Price was actually an eliminator for my #1 choice originally and I had selected another #1 choice within our budget.  When my original #1 was willing to negotiate, I couldn't say no.  Ok, I could have, but I didn't want to.

• Also on Friday, I may have found a DJ that is willing to give us a discount in exchange for website creation services.  She was already willing to give us a discount because I had pointed out that her website was lacking vital information, but when I slipped in that it was easy to create a website, she offered a trade and I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

I am still working on decisions regarding videography.  I'd love to have video of us saying our vows and the toasts and first dance and kiss and reception entrance, etc etc.. but videography costs as much, if not more than a photographer and well.. that just isn't in the budget.  I can't even pretend it's in the budget.  I think I have found an alternative, but I need to find a few guests with a steady-ish hand who are willing to watch what is going on through a screen before I pull the trigger on that commitment.

I have appointments at 3 different dress places in Charleston the weekend of Feb 19th.  Teh Mom, Teh WJL, and Teh Running Bestie will all be coming to Charleston at the same time (holy moly!) and my goal is to find a dress that weekend.. in my budget.

I have started researching hair/makeup persons.  It's going poorly, as I expected, because this is something I care very little about.

I'm less worried about Teh German's outfit because if all else fails, I know he has 2 suits in the closet that he can wear, even though he's already said he wants a new suit.  Cool bro.  I'm taking care of my wedding clothes, you can take care of yours.  PS.  I'm probably wearing white.  Anything matches with that.  You're welcome, love you, bye!

Our coordinator has said that she knows people for hair/makeup, cake, DJ, servers, bartenders, and rentals (chairs, ugh).  She also informed us that she can create our bouquet/boutiners and table centerpieces with flowers.  File all those things under "things I don't have to overly worry about" if I can't make a decision.

Oh yeah, and one final vendor that I almost forgot about.
I signed up for an annual membership at our city's gym.  At $50 a year, it's way better than a box gym and way less busy.  I'm not planning on losing a bunch of weight, but mostly maintaining where I'm at once I lose that one extra holiday cookie.  This vendor is actually a 2-fer since I workout to clear my head and get some me time. 

I'm feeling fairly confident that I've got all the big stuff tackled and now it's just a waiting game (as always) to get to the finish line.

How long did it take you start the R&D process?
How long did it take you to select vendors?
Tell me all the details!  I'm here to make you feel less like a crazy person!

Music Monday #13 and Weekend Review {11/24}

Music Monday

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<a href="http://www.canidecideanotherday.com/" title="can I decide another day?"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZpb9AhJadASE9JguVjsd3DW4DMpC8BGz6SP_6M2YAewHfpWi3kzeNS8S-po2SHs43hULafeqZuORN2tEb_z9bvnvMp-NGce9utv87hAvb8jTjskMMcWYt0N8TqTelXYhqwTiV3HxtUxu/s2048/Music_Monday_Button_02.png" alt="can I decide another day?" style="border:none;" /></a>1

There's a band call Like a Storm that has been playing on Sirius Octane.  The song I normally hear is "Wish You Hell" but I was unable to find that on grooveshark, so I sampled a selection of their music and picked another one for you.

"Everything I'm looking for 

Is right back here where I belong"

It's hard to have faith that you make the right choices when nothing seems to be going the way you planned.

FRIDAY

I left Target early on Friday to interview at a temp agency.  I had to stop at Walmart before going to work to pick up pantyhose since I knew I wouldn't have time to buy any before I needed to leave for the interview.  I left Target and parked in a deserted area of the parking lot and changed into my dress and put on my pantyhose, ick.  

Despite all my efforts, it didn't go nearly as well as I had planned.  I kind of expected a temp agency to have a list of positions available since they said I was a perfect match and they specialize in secretary/administrative support positions.  When I asked her how long till a position opened up, she refused to even estimate a time frame for me, telling me only that their agency brings in 20-50 new clients each week with only 15-35 positions to fill per week.  Excellent.  Additionally, I think the interviewer definitely had an issue with my blue hair, which she brought up before I could ask if it was a problem.  She didn't even tell me what the next steps in the process was.  Fail.

I came home afterwards in a pretty serious funk.  I also had a comment from Jana on Thursday's post about how maybe baby-sitting wouldn't be such a bad gig, which encouraged me to actually get serious about the care.com profile and applying for some jobs on there.

Mr. Mystery's birthday presents arrived and so did my Disney Movie Club order!  Woot!  Maleficent was part of that order, which we watched while we were eating dinner, which was pizza because I just couldn't be bothered to stand in the kitchen and make dinner, even though kielbasa had been the push back menu item for several days running.

Mr. Mystery came home from his motorcycle ride and opened his birthday present (the beer of the month club for the next 6 months) and "helped" me with dinner, as in, watched me add the extra cheese and mushrooms and put it in the oven.  He did take it out of the oven though, so he did actually help.*  

Meri fell asleep watching the movie.
She's so unbearably adorable, I can't even handle it.

After the movie, it was bedtime since he had to be up early for his motorcycle class and I had to be at work.

*Mr. Mystery was sitting beside me as I was writing this and he wanted to make sure everyone knew that he helped!

SATURDAY

After working till noon on Saturday, I met Teh SC House Finder and her family at The Citadel stadium where the Charleston Animal Society was holding a chili cookoff.  There was a photobooth!

lots of people!

Sesame was there with their alligator chili.
It was interesting.

photobooth!
We were obviously unprepared for it to start.

I felt awful because I told Teh SC House Finder that I'd give them a ride home since her parents left, and the tiredness hit me very suddenly around 4.  I'd been on my feet since 0630, except for the 15 minute break at work and the car ride to the event.  

When I got home, I was exhausted.  I had to make dinner since I had to work on Sunday and I needed leftovers to bring for lunch.  Standing in the kitchen was painful.  It hurt my soul and my feet and my body all over.  

Mr. Mystery came home from his class, despite his desire to go on a ride since the day was gorgeous and it was forecasted to rain all day on Sunday.  We ate dinner and watched some TV and Mr. Mystery gave me a foot rub because he's a saint.  Later on, he started a bath for me because he realized just how burned out I was.  After some relaxin' in the tub (tmi: together), we went to bed where Mr. Mystery gave me a back rub because really, he's a saint.  

Sorry ladies, he's mine.  I'm not big on sharing (or team work, so I'm learning from working at Target).

SUNDAY

My shift at Target was for the backroom on Sunday, which was delightful.  The entire work day, which was 3 hours longer than I'm used to working, was less stressful than working with the flow team for a short day.  It was nice being back in the backroom, because that's where I worked when I worked at Target in college and back when I enjoyed working at Target.  I was able to figure out most of the things on my own.  I did ask where all the employees were that pushed the stuff to the floor and I got laughed at.  Apparently, that's the backroom's job at this store.  Seriously?  You have timed pulls and you expect the team to be able to complete those AND push it to the floor?  I was not impressed.

I've not been impressed with very much of anything about the North Charleston Target.  I'd love to tell the store manager all about it, but my opinions are quite negative and I'd like to continue receiving a paycheck until I have found other employment.

I came home to bathed dogs and a dinner plan and a response to one of the care.com applications I'd put in.  Mr. Mystery made scallops wrapped in bacon, mac and cheese, and broccoli for dinner and it was delicious.  I always like it when he cooks since he always makes delicious noms, but since I'm usually already home, I take care of dinner so we don't end up eating at super-late-o-clock at night.

While we were watching TV (and I was writing this), I made Mr. Mystery read the story of Beyonce by The Blogess.  He thought it was hilarious.  I was pretty sure I liked him, but that might have pushed me over the line.  I might love him.  I once had to deal with someone who didn't think that a huge metal chicken wasn't funny.  

Finally, it was time for bed.  Thankfully, Monday is the 5th and final day of working with no days off.  DISLIKE.  Terminal leave ruined me.  Or the fact that I've not had to do much manual labor for the last 6 years, which I was fond of and my old ass body appreciated immensely.  My body is ready for a break.

In exciting news, Teh Sister is arriving with her household on Wednesday!  I'm supposed to work a split shift that day, buttttttttt we'll see about that.  Honestly, it's not high on my list of things to do.  I purchased all the goods for thanksgiving dinner and I'm excited to see the battlefield happenings of the kitchen with Teh Sister AND Mr. Mystery at the same time... AND EAT ALL THE TASTY NOMS!!!

Finally, Mr. Mystery's bday is on Wednesday and I really would like to do something awesome that isn't making dinner and sitting in front of the TV, but he's extremely difficult to impress and I have no idea what to do to make his bday special.  Suggestions are welcome!

Monday is upon us, Gentle Readers.  Hope this week treats you gently.

Also, it's Music Monday so tell us about your jamz and link up with us.  We're fun and musical.  

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Linking up with these ladies:

Music Monday w/ Stories, Songs, & Praise and Love Woke Me Up This Morning |
Monday Morning Gossip w/ Join the Gossip | Weekend Recap w/ Dateless in Dallas | Weekending w/ B Loved Boston

Fashion doesn't agree with me...

I'm not a large person.. and I don't mean I'm not fat.. I mean.. I'm vertically challenged.  This doesn't mean I'm oddly proportioned (except for Tuner and Volume (aka my boobs)), it just means I'm small.

So when I buy sunglasses, I try to buy frames that are small.  Mostly so you can still tell I have a face, but also so I don't look like a bug.

I got some fake-lys right before I left Bahrain.  A white pair and a black pair.  The black pair broke right before Thanksgiving.  I dropped them on my way in the hangar and the arm broke halfway down and there was no fixing it.  They were still wearable, but the remaining arm piece kinda digs into my temple and it looks kinda silly.  The white pair have endured a LOT of abuse from living in my purse.  The arms are broken in several places, but they are still wearable.  Ghetto, but wearable.

Before leaving for Australia, I really wanted to have new sunglasses so that way I wouldn't have to be embarrassed about the ghetto-ness that was my Fake-lys.  On Sunday, I went by Kohl's since I have several coupons to there from Teh Sister.  I didn't have anyone with me to help me judge, which was tricky, but luckily, I have a cell phone....

This is what I sent to Teh Sister via text message:

Big and rounded.

big and squared.

I'm not actually sure what is up with those strands of hair that are standing straight up.  I guess I rock the Alfalfa look since no one mentioned it to me?

big and flared.

big and white.

Hello, 1993 called, they want their glasses back.

When I saw the last pair, I knew I had to take a photo with them to sent to Teh Sister.  I'm pretty sure that Teh Mom had a pair of actual glasses in frames like this, except the frames were gold instead of black.  I used to wear Teh Mom's glasses around because I wanted glasses too (everyone else in my family has them, I felt left out).  I also later wanted braces.. except I actually got that wish.. partially.

She said that she would actually go out in public with me if I was wearing the white ones so I bought those and a black pair that are not pictured here.  YAY for new sunglasses!  Although.. I probably should have picked up a case for them since I'm so abusive....

Strategy, I haz it..

One of the scariest thing about PCS-ing is not knowing where you'll be living in the very near future..  At least, in my opinion.

That was one of the scariest things about Bahrain.  Couple that with an inability to do any research online to find a place before hand.. Yeah, I wasn't a happy camper.  In the end, it worked itself out though.  45 days of hotel living (ugh, please Navy, never make me have to do that again) provided the time and opportunity to literally go out and find a place.  That was a treat, not.

For MD, things are quite a bit easier.  I can actually look online and research places in advance.  Recently, I was in contact with my future-LPO and she said: You should have a place when you get here.
Me: WHAT?!
Her: Is this your first shore duty?
Me:  My first real shore duty, yes.
Her: You can look online.
Me: I'm coming from Bahrain.
Her: Well, maybe you get something special then.

Excuse me, very nice lady I've never met, I will not just live in a place I've never been inside/laid MY eyes on in person.  Sorry, not happening.  I do get 10 days for house hunting leave after I arrive in MD.  Maybe I'm just a freak, but how am I supposed to find a place to live in 10 days?  Apparently, it is do-able though, so there is that.  The Navy will reimburse me for staying in the Lodge/Gateway for 10 days...  That is it, any time longer than that and it comes out of pocket.  45 days of TLA must have me spoiled.

"Great fixer-upper!!"... bet I wouldn't see this photo while looking online. (image)

So.. I've been doing "moving" research.  I don't like to call it house hunting, because moving research makes it sound like I'm literally moving my body or something, which I'm not actually, unless you include hand activity over the keyboard (pretty sure that came out dirtier than intended).  Either way, moving sounds literal, and it is kinda, since I'll literally be moving across the world... again.  It can also be confused for working out, potentially.  :)

For a few months, I considered buying a house/town house.  Teh Bear has successfully talked me down from that ledge.  He explained how renting gives me the advantages of getting to know an area (including the bad parts/the loud parts (hello jets)/good parts) and, depending on my rent amount, will give me the opportunity to save more money for a larger down payment, which was solid thinking.  But... in true Teh Megan form, my brain just keeps thinking, but you're wasting money by renting!  In the meantime, every one else is asking me if I'm planning on staying in Pax River after my Navy contract is up (assuming, I don't reenlist.  Again, solid thinking).

After at least 2 months of debating this issue back and forth with myself, I've come to realize Teh Bear is right (he's been doing that a lot lately).  So now, I've eliminated the buying option, I'm looking for places to rent.  The prospective-LPO did suggest staying away from Great Mills Rd.  Fantastic, I need advice like that if you want me to have a place by the time I get there w/in 10 days of arriving.  That has been helpful.

This wouldn't make me happy... (image)

I've been doing most of my searching on realtor.com.  My first thing is to check out the distance to base on Google maps/what side of the peninsula it is on.  I really don't want to have to deal with bridges on my commute.  Especially when it comes to winter time...  A closed bridge that means I wouldn't be able to get home, and that would make for a not happy Teh Megan.  I'm also able to narrow down options by my desire for 2 bedrooms and at least 1.5 bathrooms.

I plan on having company, so a 2nd bedroom was a must.  Teh BFF and I living together is the reason for having 1.5 baths.  When you come home and you both have to go business, and waiting isn't an option for either of you, 1.5 bathrooms is not only appreciated, but required.  I also really like the idea of having a fireplace, but its not a make or break type thing.  The idea of having a garage would also be cool, but again, not required mostly due to how much the price increases.

Then it comes down to townhouses vs apartments.  Realistically, I'd like a townhouse.  I like the ability to get away from others by not being on the same level as them (something I learned from living with the ex-fiance).  I also like that the kitchen isn't on the same level as the bedrooms.  Meaning, if I burned something, the smell might not necessarily reach the bedrooms... Or in the instance while Teh Bear was here, we made bacon and EVERYTHING smelled like bacon for at least 24 hours... I was not pleased.  Plus, a townhouse usually mean less neighbors.  Less neighbors = less noise.. I'm down for less neighbors.

Then reality hits, which is ironic (to me), since I'm usually on realtor.com.

Side story about why I think its ironic: I confused realty and reality when Teh Mom, Teh Sister, Teh Granny, and I went to the beach once.  I asked my mom why were were stopping at the reality place.  She was super confused till I showed her the sign, which actually said realty.. still makes me giggle to this day.

Apartments are cheaper, which means the ability to save money.  Most of the townhouses I've seen are right at my BAH (money for housing) level, which means that utilities would be coming out of pocket.  If I can find an apartment for cheap enough that my BAH would cover my rent and utilities, I'd be golden.  If I can find an apartment for cheap enough that my BAH would still be more than my rent plus utilities, that would be even better, because then I could save the extra money.

This is all find and dandy, but I'm still only looking online.  Some of the places I've seen only have a photo of the outside of the property, which is super inconvenient.  I want to see how small the kitchen is, I want to see those hideous wood panel walls, I want to know that you have gas appliances (yuck).  Most of these things require actually visiting a property to know, which is why only having 10 days to find a place seems over/underwhelming to me.  Overwhelming because is that enough days.  Underwhelming because I feel like you should get more.

For now, I'm a month out.  I'll continue fighting with the internet for my "moving" research.  Hopefully, this will help me eliminate options.  Someone also suggested that once I get there, I just drive around and literally look for places.  Which doesn't seem like such a bad idea.  Who knows.  I contacted the housing office at Pax River and they sent me a flyer for places that have special rates for military.

I was very interested in one place from the flyer, despite it being an apartment.  I like the floor plans, the buildings seemed nice (assuming those weren't stock photos on the website, although I did also check Google Earth), the commute isn't that far, and the community has a pool/fitness center (which means not always having to work out on base).  I was also woo-ed by the fact that you could "place" furniture on the floor plans on the website.  I was totally enamored.  Cool technology will always win me over.

Now its just a matter of saving all these bookmarks and setting up appointments to go look at these places once I arrive.  So much to do, so little time.

Preparing for the future

If you weren't aware, November 4th is quickly approaching, hallelujah.  But before November 4th is October 24th and before that is October 4th.  You don't really care about these dates, but I do.  Because Oct 4th and 24th are the days the movers are coming to take my belongings, and you have no idea how NOT excited I am about smelly arabs being in my apartment.

Yellow = moving days, Green = for Courk, Red = VERY IMPORTANT, Black = MD, :) = America!

Do YOU remember?

The only date Teh Sister cares about in October is the 10th.  It's her birthday.  She'll be 21.  It's cool that she was born on a year that ends in zero, because that means whatever number year it is, plus however many decades old she is, that's what number her age is.  It's pretty much the only way I have of keeping up with what year she was born, besides those annoying 10-10-220 ads in the late 90s.  Teh Bear is the same way, sans the born in 1990 part.  Lucky me.

Recently, I made a list of things the movers can take in their first sweep and things that needed to stay behind for the last 20 days.  I have to say, its really hard to sit in your bed and think of all the things you want to have packed away until further notice.  There are also things that are hard to remember, like my big blue circle chair.  I was staring at it the entire time I was making the list, and still didn't see it as something that could be packed, although it can be.

The biggest things area of things that I want to keep for the last 20 days is kitchen stuff.  When I told the personal property guy (PPG) this he said, "Your apartment didn't come furnished?"
tM: Yes.
PPG: It didn't have pots and pans?
tM: ...It had a pan and a dirty spatula, spoon, and small knife.
PPG: Your building owner sucks.
tM: Tell me about it.

The Navy could save a lot of money by reducing money they give sailors in Bahrain for housing.  We can't pocket any of the money, so it all goes to the building owners, unlike with BAH in America.  As an E5, I pay 756BD a month for housing.  Oh, you want that in American?  $2011.96.. EVERY MONTH.  Locals would pay no more than 400BD for the same exact place, but because they know that we're military, they charge as much as we are allowed to get.  Who says that military members are the only ones committing waste, fraud, and abuse?

So because my building owner sucks, I'm having 2 packouts.  PS, I still love my apartment, sans the bugs.

The first one will be stuff that I don't need.  Which will include the love seat and recliner (that have been serving as booster chairs for boxes in the storage room), decorations, picture frames, books, hopefully candles, the floor lamp, big blue circle chair, wrapping box, uniforms that I won't be needing anytime soon..  There's probably more stuff hidden away that I could find to be packed away.  The first shipment is supposed to arrive in MD mid-Nov, so anything that I would like to have as soon as possible should be sent with the first packout.

The 2nd packout will be anything remaining that doesn't get mailed home or packed in my suitcases.  It isn't set to arrive in MD until mid-Dec.  I'm, again, planning on doing the suitcase living for at least 2 months.  Rah.  That should include all my kitchen stuff and whatever clothes don't get put in suitcases.  I'm mailing the uniforms that I'll need in MD to NC, so that way they will be there before I arrive and I can just throw the entire box in the new car with my suitcases, essentially saving valuable suitcase space for more important things.. like pants and sweatshirts.

The difficult part about the entire process is the waiting.  I feel like I can make it sound so simple.  I can plan it out and have everything done before hand if I wanted.  But, it all relies on others, which I super struggle with.  I'm a Type-A control freak.  I'm sure as soon as the movers enter my apartment and start going through everything I'm going to want to freak out on them... instead I'll just light some candles and mutter under my breath while saying, NO that doesn't go.  They will then do their bobble head thing and probably wrap it and put it in a box anyways.

At the end of September, a guy from the moving company stopped by to do a survey on what I'll be moving, so that way he knows what the movers will need to bring for packing stuffs.  He spoke pretty good English, but I doubt any of the movers will understand any of the Southern Drawl that pours from my mouth.  He asked that I have the stuff that I want in the first packout separated so that way its easier for the movers.  What I took that to mean was, they probably won't speak English, so anything you say to them, sans pointing, will be met with the bobble-head-nod and a noxious cloud of body odor.  Grand.

When I had my packout in GTMO, I didn't do anything.  Actually, I just sat on my bed to stay out of the way.  4 Jamaican men were jamming stuff in boxes so quickly that I was mostly in awe.  So this time, I apparently have to help?  Meh.

An organized mess, this is what my dreams of moving look like.  (image)



 *HHG = Household Goods, which can be used interchangeably with personal property..  aka my shit.

Life drama 1

This probably isn't the first of my blogs about life drama, but this is the first time I've labeled it as such.  I'm thinkin' its pretty clever, so I'm going with it.

I've finally run out of pre-written blogs.  Which makes me kinda sad since I was doing so good at staying on top of the blogging.  Life has kinda been running amuck (spell check says this isn't word, but I'm using it anyways) lately.  Its things I can control, like going out and being social, or choosing to focus on chatting with Teh Bear instead of distractedly giving him 2 word answers while he tries to chat with me while I write a blog, or my Private Practice marathons.  Either way, seems like since Ramadan started, I've been doing more things, which is ironic since its so freaking hot and we have this stupid clothing regulation we have to follow that the locals don't even adhere to.  I really should make a list of reasons I hate being in Bahrain, it would make me feel validated to look back on it later and realize that this place was mostly miserable.

I guess a good indicator of life sucking is when you go to the doc for your yearly wellness assessment and you're told that you're a medium risk and the HM2 has no suggestions for you, because you work at NAVCENT and your life just sucks.  That was actually Teh HP Wizard's experience, but still true nonetheless.

(image)

Recently, life has been about planning for November.  Its a lot to look forward to and definitely a lot of planning is required on my part.  Planning is my thing.  But planning also = stressing.  Stressing over things I can't really control, which is kinda pointless.  Which leads to a vicious cycle of me trying to plan.  I start planning, realize I can't do anything because I'm overseas, get frustrated, get stressed, Teh Bear calms me down, I calm down, I become apathetic to planning, I give up planning, I get bored, I realize I miss planning, I start trying to plan again, I get frustrated.... see?

What is happening in November?
Teh Megan GOES TO AMERICA!!!!!!!

I've started progressing in small steps.  Transfer package = step #1.  One glitch in the transfer package equation. Are you planning to ship a vehicle to the U.S.?  ____ Yes      _____ No

A few months ago, a local approached me and asked if my car was for sale.  I told him not at the time, but potentially down the road, before I left Bahrain.  I got his number and told him if I decided to sell it, I'd call him.  Well, it was time to call.

After looking at it, and taking it for a test drive, he had the money to buy the car 2 days later.  He had misunderstood when I had told him I needed to know if he wanted to buy it within the next 10 days (because the transfer package has a deadline).  He thought that meant he needed to buy it from me in the next 10 days.  After 2 calls in the middle of my sleeping time from his english speaking friend, I finally explained that I needed to know for paperwork purposes, but didn't want to actually sell the car until October (definitely will need to keep my car until late October, its hot in Bahrain and walking to work doesn't sound like fun to me, kthx).  He seemed to understand.   I did assure him that I would definitely sell it to him in October and wouldn't put a sign in my car to sell it in the meantime, that I would contact him in October and we could get the paperwork stuff settled and it would be his.  Promise.  He said ok.  Glad that was settled.  That only caused moderate drama for 24 hours.

What does all that really mean?

This means Teh Megan will be purchasing a vehicle when she arrives in America.  Rah, for meeting the stereotype of deployed sailor returns home and buys new car.  I'm looking at the 2011/12 Kia Sportage.  I went and talked to the car dealer man on base, because they offer some pretty nice deals, and he told me, "There's a reason Kia's have 100,000 mile warranties.  They also don't drive well."  At which point I promptly responded, "Well, I've test driven one, and its what I want."  He then proceeded to tell me how great the Ford Escape is and started looking in his database for Escapes.  He later emailed me a quote for a $17k one that had a lot of extras!  Those extras included everything a base model has, nothing more.  A/C isn't a perk buddy, its standard.  Rah.  It also included a manual transmission, which I had already said no to.  I was apparently wasting my breath with Mr. Car Dealer Man.  I wasn't impressed.  I went back online and read more Sportage reviews.  They aren't bad on gas, people say they drive stiff so they can feel every bump in the road, but I'm used to driving 4 inches off the ground, so when I drove it, it felt smooth to me.  I talked to Teh Dad and he is going to try and test drive one for me in the near future to tell me what its like, since the American base model and European base model (which I did test drive) have different features/engines, and I definitely wasn't a fan of the European base engine... or that stupid 120kmh warning.

After I arrive to MD in my new vehicle, I will need to find a place to live.  Preferably with 2 bedrooms and at least 1.5 baths and a yard (fenced in if neighbors are close) and will allow dogs.  I'm not picky or anything.  If nothing else, this will at least narrow down some options.  I'd prefer a townhouse type place, if I was given the choice of townhouse vs apartment, in a dream world, I'd find a house, but not holding my breath on that one.

(image)

After I find said place, I will then need to buy furniture.  A LOT OF FURNITURE.  I currently own 5 pieces of furniture: a skirtless loveseat with a very uncomfortable fold out bed and a recliner with a broken arm because the movers ripped it off (thanks, jerks), and 3 tables... with hearts (they were given to me).  I could have gotten the recliner fixed, but it is so old, its really not worth the headache of doing the fixing it paperwork through HHG, especially when English is the 2nd language of most people that work in the office.

So, a bed, a mattress, a couch, end tables, a chair, a dining room table, chairs for the dining room table, maybe a desk, maybe a tv, something to put a tv on, a book case (or a few), night stands, kitchen stuff, washer and dryer, microwave.. Idk, things that fill a house.  Things that came with my Bahrain apartment.

I considered buying a townhouse, but I'm not really sure what the market is like and/or if there are places within a range that I could afford.  In addition to all the other expenses of American living that I'll be incurring.

Like:
cell phone
internet
car/property insurance
gas
moving expenses (I've learned that even if the Navy gives you money to move, its never quite as much as what you actually spent)
new uniforms (including that stupidly expensive goretex, which I will actually have to get before I arrive, but it is for MD)

I'm sure there are other things that I'm leaving out that I just can't remember right now.  Because while living in Bahrain is expensive.  I don't have to pay for electricity.  My gas bill is practically non-existent (yay Middle East), my cell phone is prepaid and I rarely use it since Skype is free, I don't pay for internet (unlike GTMO), I did pay for car insurance and my renters insurance, but they were fairly cheap since my car is old and my furniture was provided.

On the other hand of planning, I am retardly excited about the proximity I will be in of really awesome things.. liiiikeeeee My Raleigh Parents (my last roommates from college who moved to Philly), Mrs. Boomkin and Mr. Voices, Washington DC (helllllo photo opportunities (cherry blossoms in the spring, national monuments, etc) and/or lots of people I know).  I'm also halfway between NY and NC.  Which means that a trip to see the NY relatives is more of a possibility than it has been.

(image)

Its nice to daydream about all these things, but its a lot more stressful to actually make these things happen.  And everyone has already told me, you don't leave for a few months.  EXACTLY!  A FEW months.  So far I've only received one email from my sponsor, and I know there are people that don't even get a sponsor, but I'm kinda psycho, and I have lots of questions (which my old LPO can attest to from when I got my orders to Bahrain, I sent him at least 2 pages of questions) that I'd like answered or at least some friendly guidance about the area/places to live/how my job will be/etc.  Its just nice to know things before you have to dive head first into them... for me anyways.

I can haz stress-free PCS?  No, ok fine.  Just as long as I can haz 'Merica.




   

Allowed excitement.. gushy warning!

Teh Bear is COMING TO BAHRAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm impressed with what I can do in paint sometimes.

The tickets have been purchased, Americans are still currently being allowed in the country (which was something we've been monitoring due to political climate issues), dates are set... AND WE ARE UNDER 30 DAYS!

It took a VERY long time to finally get to this point.  As in, when I left in September, it was like, well, see you in a year, deuces.  Maybe a lot sadder than that and we actually already knew that his vacation time was in July (standby for the reasons on why that was a bad decision), but not the point..

It has been over 250 days since I've been in Bahrain.  I mean, its not in the 300s yet, but damn if we aren't getting close!  Let me break down 250 days for you, in case you're bad at math like me..  Got here Sept 23rd, its now almost mid-June, so for estimation sake, we'll say June is 1/2 a month and the Sept time was 1/2 a month, so that equals 1 month.  Add the rest of the full months, which is Nov-May (7).  7+1=8.  By the time July gets here, add one more month... 8+1=9.

Side Note: I know I have spring fever when anytime anyone mentions 9 months, I immediately think, that is a human gestation period, exact inner monologue quote.

There was a lot of debate about vacation.  Mostly was the cost.  Lesson of the year: vacationing during the summer is EXPENSIVE.  Vacationing during the summer after bin Laden was killed, which caused gas prices to rise for some reason = even MORE expensive.  Good time to vacation?  Late Jan-April.  Hello birthday trips!  (that may or may not be a hint hint for Teh Bear.........)

ITALIA!!!

Originally, I thought that this would be a perfect opportunity to finally get to the destination of my dreams..  ITALY!!!!  We looked at several package options, but it was very complicated to deal with one person needing airfare and one person not (if I hadn't flushed R&R down the toilet by taking leave in Feb/Mar if I were to use R&R).  It was also expensive, and we made the mistake of comparing the July price with prices at different times of the year.  It was quickly decided that we weren't ever taking vacation in the summer evar again.  The estimates were around $4k, then add food/touristy things/extra incurred vacation costs, and I had a feeling we were looking at more money than I was wanting to spend.. and by feeling I mean, deep depression over the fact that I was looking at the trip of my dreams and telling myself no because of the price tag.  Siiiiigh, one day, Italy, one day we will be together.

Then we looked at other places that could be potentially cheaper.  My 2nd choice?  Scotland.  Mmmmm, love those accents.  Again, July prices weren't giving me any warm and fuzzies, and any flight through the UK is ridiculously expensive, not really sure why the Heathrow airport has to rape people with their extra taxes, but I wasn't a fan.  And the same issues for price were coming up with all vacation costs not being nice to ze pocketbook.

YAY YAY USA!

At the time, my R&R was still available, and there was consideration of coming back stateside, but that would still include hotel costs if I was in FL for any period of time, along with food and etc costs (my ridiculous love of shopping in America?).  And that would have also included a flight to NC, and coordinating my flight back to Bahrain, because R&R flights are usually arrive and depart from the same place (yay for military inflexibility!).  And lastly, it would mean split time.

So then the thought occurred to Teh Bear, why not just fly him to Bahrain?  Well, thats so damn clever!  Why didn't I think of that?  Well, because its the Middle East in the middle of the freakin summer (which is why we shut down that idea of going to Egypt and doing a Nile River tour, and add political hot mess to that list).  And because Bahrain isn't a vacation for me, its the place I live (and it sure as hell ain't a vacation).  But it is 2 weeks of no work, and I mean, people take 2 weeks off of work and sit at home, right?  Right.  Good.

So now the cost is just the plane ticket (thank you Osama for getting killed and making the prices of tickets rise) and groceries and whatever Teh Bear decided to buy while he's here.  For a while, the biggest concern was the political situation in the Middle East, but particularly Bahrain.  The Saudi's rolled over the Causeway (very long bridge between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain) in March and they've been parked roadside the hot protest areas since they arrived.  Its a fun time to go to the mall and see the APCs and tanks just chillin beside the road, blocking the exit to what used to be the Pearl Roundabout (/tear).  We were quite worried about him actually being able to enter the country, cause to waste spend $2k on a plane ticket to arrive at your destination almost 20 hours later and be told, sorry you can't stay....  My reaction to that is probably something I shouldn't think about.

Its like Where's Bahrain instead of Waldo...

We projected that in May we would make the final decision on vacation.  May has passed.  Bahrain is currently letting Americans enter (and the base has even lifted the dependent ban).  Italy is still expensive.  My R&R is no longer available because I took leave with Teh Sister visited in Feb/Mar and taking leave makes you ineligible for R&R benefits (dumb rule, but I don't make them, and I'm a peon who's opinion doesn't matter).  I've also been talking about Teh Bear visiting to my Bahrain Peeps (since the idea of him visiting first was discussed) and they are interested in meeting him or in the case of a few, wanting to meet the person who puts up with me, harhar.

I made myself wait until the tickets were purchased and we had less than month to count down till I got excited (because honestly, I've been counting down since I knew Teh Bear's vacation dates almost a year ago, but I've been keeping it on the DL).  I know how crushed I get, and how easily it happens, so I knew that this painful delayed gratification would be worth it in the end, just in case something didn't work out... or in the case that everything worked out, I could be ridiculously excited and giddy and my "tail" could wag uncontrollably (don't judge me, I get really excited sometimes, people are lucky I don't pee a little on the floor).

Tangent:  Hello NAVCENT.

One of the only pics of a building on base that I've ever found on the internet.  Not even searching NSA Bahrain yielded good results to show my family where I work..  But this is it.  Being in the Navy has given me a deeper appreciation of windows...

YYYYAAAYYYYYY TEH BEAR IS COMING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

was that amount of !'s excessive?  good.  I'm that excited.

   

AND THE WINNER IS......

Me when it comes to making a decision..  (Image)

A Dell XPS 17.  Its a refurb, but it will still be new to me, kinda like buying a used car.  Cheaper, but still new enough.


I'm pretty excited by the decision.  Mostly the MAKING the decision, finally.  I'm pretty sure I sat at the submit order screen for 14 of the 15 minutes I get for inactivity.  










The inner monologue went something like this:
Am I getting what I wanted?  Am I getting too much?  What is the difference between BD-RW and DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM?  Should I just get the better BD-RW?  When the hell would I ever burn a blue-ray disc?  Did I get the processor I wanted?  Should I just kick it back down to the minimal version, save $100?  Should I just go with the 1gb video card instead of the 3gb?  Should I just go with 6gb of RAM instead of 8?  You know you are being ridiculous, right?  But its a blue-ray player, Teh Bear has been buying blue-rays and if I want to watch Toy Story on my computer, I'll need the blue-ray player, because Lord knows operating that PS3 will make my brain explode.  You know you've looked at computer for DAYS now, and you have seen what's out there, and you've asked for help, and no one has really made any concrete suggestions, so you're on your own?  Be a big girl and just click the damn button.  But what if I'm not getting what I want?  How is this computer NOT what you want, you just picked it out, dumbass.  (Yes, I call myself dirty names in my inner monologue.)  Yeah, but there's so many options?  Should I just go spec out a new one and see if there's any good coupons?  Oooo, should I wait until June 1st and see if any Dell Outlet deals come about?  *shift body, screen falls all the way back with a pop*  Ok, no, I won't wait.  But what if when I check out they charge me tax and shipping and then that extra $100 that I just spent is doubled cause of tax?  Oooo mmmm geeeeee.


Finally, I unfroze (which is a sign of me panicking), and open a new tab to the dell outlet one last time to make sure that I was getting the right one.  I mean, I know people preached APPLE to me, and some people threw some other brands at me, that I couldn't really find/didn't meet my standards, but what's a girl to do!?!?!?!


So I looked again at the submit order button.  Realized there was NO tax AND Dell is shipping the computer to the APO.  


SUBMIT ORDER.  
check.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36 hours passed without an email from Dell confirming my order.. oh and yes I had written the beginning of this blog in the excitement and blissful glow of being soon-to-be-new-computer-owner...  I had a purchase ID, but not an order #... 2 VERY different things.


The last 12 hours of those 36 included several calls to Dell.  I tried calling so many times at work that I'm sure I can recite the "this call isn't toll free from your location" message... in Arabic...  ok, maybe not, but potentially parts of it.  I think the guys says poop at some point.  I couldn't get a working number, so those annoying pop up boxes when you are trying to configure a new computer that ask if you want to chat with a rep?  I actually had to use THAT to talk to someone this afternoon about the lack of order confirmation.  Sushi Sheesha Seeshi T gave me a number to call that ACTUALLY worked, and I finally spoke to a Dell rep.  I told both the chat person and the phone rep that I wanted to make sure the order was cancelled.  The phone rep assured me that the order wasn't going to go through anyways due to shipping it to a PO box.  No, lady, an APO isn't a freakin PO box.  GOSH.


So, with that order cancelled, I sorted through all the options again, this time finding one slightly better because it has facial recognition!!!!  Which is one of those stupid cool things that I was pleased with.


This time I shipped it to Teh Bear (who has recently become my personal postal worker, and for that he is awesomest) and put in the correct billing address (oops, my bad).  I got a purchase confirmation email AND an order confirmation email in the SAME MINUTE, which completely negated Teh Bear's argument about how I was being impatient about the first order, thank you, Dell (you assholes).


What I ended up:
-- XPS L702X Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
   Unit Price: $1,049.00
   Quantity: 1
-- XPS L702X
-- Documentation
-- Service Software
-- Label
-- NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M 3GB graphics with Optimus-- Service Software
-- 9 Cell Primary Battery-- Certified Refurbished
-- DataSafe Online Backup Software
-- Service Software
-- Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM)
-- 17.3 inch HD+ (900p) WLED Display-- Dell Support Center 64 Bit 2.0
-- Elemental Silver Aluminum
-- Power DVD Software
-- 64BIT Operating System
-- Operating System DVD
-- Shipping Material
-- Wave Systems Software
-- Internal Backlit Keyboard - English
-- Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 and Bluetooth 3.0-- Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Operating System DVD
-- AC Adapter
-- Software
-- No Media Selected
-- Microsoft Office Starter
-- Processor: Intel Core i7-2720QM processor (2.20 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.30 GHz)
-- 500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)-- Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Panzer software version 1.2
-- 125V Power Cord
-- Facial Recognition Software-- Information
-- Processor Label
-- Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
-- 500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM) 2nd Drive-- Label
-- 8 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)-- Software
-- Dell WebCam Central
-- Image Restore Software
-- Bracket
-- Roxio Software CD
-- XPS 17-L702X: 1 Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis (Included In Price)
   Unit Price: $0.00
   Quantity: 1
   Total Price: $0.00
Subtotal: $1,049.00
Shipping and Handling: $19.99
Shipping Discount: -$19.99
Sales Tax: $68.19
Total Amount: $1,117.19

I feel like out of all the systems I looked at and for, I got the best deal for the best specs with this system.  No, it didn't have a fingerprint reader, but that was one of the surprise cool things about the Stupido 17, along with the lid design.  It will most likely come with a silver lid (which are great for Peace Frog stickers).  But it won't have the insides of the computer showing, and the lid will close properly...  I won't have to worry about coming home one day and my computer not having a display anymore (yay peace of mind, peace frogs, peace of mind.. hehe get it?).

Retro Peace Frog is the bestest, which is why I have the towel and used to have this sticker on the very first laptop and on my car, and I have the outline peace frog on my Camelbak bottle.  I'm kind of a Peace Frog fiend. (Peace Frog Store)