It’s been a while since I have written.  Tonight I just returned from driving some repeat clients to the Moody Blues concert in Syracuse and back.  I should have purchased a ticket to that concert as well – I’ve never seen them live.

Anyhow, this post is about an opportunity for a new friend in my life who goes by the name of Hannah.  Sometimes she goes by “your Grace” but that goes for another story in another life when we are both cats (or Jack Russell terriers).  Vanilla Sky.

Hannah has the opportunity to continue her undergrad and get a degree in her select program.  She’s incredibly bright and a hard-worker at that (also she has an incredibly wicked set of eyes – thanks to Hannah’s mom and dad).  The problem lies in room & board.  It’s not cheap anywhere!  And in order to support yourself, you would need to get a job.  This job would have to pay for a) rent, b) food, c) gas, d) social expenses, and e) etc.  Rent itself would cost between $ 300 and $ 600 a month.  On top of this job, she would be taking a full course load of level 400 courses for her senior / final year at Geneseo.  And depending on where she would be living, there would most likely be never ending distractions / drama.

What would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song,
And I’ll try not to sing out of key.

I have a big heart and perhaps I get this from my father – a soft spot in my heart to help those in need particularly those who deserve such chances in life.  Rather than see her struggle while trying to juggle a full course load and an almost full-time night job, I have proposed a plan:

I have a spare bedroom in my house.  The house itself is roughly 2100 sq ft, 1.5 bath, with attached garage and a double wide concrete driveway (yes, I know, bad choice for living where I do – a learning experience to say the least).  I live in Henrietta, NY, which is about a 30 min commute to SUNY Geneseo.  The room is n feet wide by m feet in length and located on the bottom floor of my raised ranch.  I have not measured it but Hannah has seen it and it also has a walk-in closet to minimize the expense of purchasing a dresser.  There is already a bed inside as well, a queen-size.  I have a desk she can use if needed.  She can park on the driveway as well instead of the endless search (& switching sides of the street each day) for on-street parking.  I have a snowplowing guy who takes care of the driveway each winter too.

Here are some pictures of the exterior:
 

Rent would be $ 5200 per year which translates to $ 100.00 per week.  This expense can be a wash as long as she agrees to certain household chores to be completed weekly.  These chores include dusting, polishing, mopping, cleaning the kitchen / bathroom / house, taking out the garbage, shoveling the walkway leading to the front door in the winter, tidying up the landscape, vacuuming, help with organizing, etc.  Not everything would have to be done each week but listed are primarily examples.  She would simply need to set aside a few hours per week to accomplish such.  Laundry would be separate and not considered a household chore.  Dishes would be listed under the same since that is more of a personal responsibility.  Hannah can attest to how clean my place is right now.  And plus I have a couple of exercise machines at home which would eliminate having to set aside time to go to a gym.  I have a lot of paperwork that needs to be organized but that would have to be done by me alone.  I own a couple of businesses so that kind of gets out of control pretty quickly.  And what’s with all that junk mail (both in postal and e-mail)?!?

Who am I?  I am Bridget’s friend’s friend who had taken the time one day to set us up where she had said that we would be perfect for each other.  I was a bit hesitant when she told me Hannah’s age but something told me that I should maybe give it a try.  I normally do not date anyone more than 10 years difference of my age and that is a stretch in itself.  My last girlfriend was 1 year older than I.  I am 37 years old by the way, 38 at the end of this month.  We had gone on a few dates and I was enamored by her kindness and compassion and that we have many things in common as well.  She is also my main inspiration to get back into healthy shape.  I tried to show her what I could offer her if we decided to pursue a relationship.  I never asked for anything in return however and she can attest to that.  I’m not that kind of person.  I am a man but I have manners and the utmost respect for women in general.  To make this story short, Hannah admitted to me that she was not attracted to me and a romantic relationship would not be in the cards.  I respect that and I’m 100% on board for having a purely platonic relationship.  She had also said that it may be God’s plan that we are in each others lives however the truth to that is unknown.  I side 50/50.

Anyhow, that is my proposal – I would like to see her succeed and lightening up the burden may help.  She would still need to get a part-time job for essentials but at least the most expensive expense would be taken care of.  If you have any questions, feel free to call me.  Hannah has my number.  I won’t be available on Saturday until 7:00 PM or Sunday until 5:00 PM.  If I am missing anything, please let Hannah know and I will make an addendum to this post.