Every Intention of Buying a Bed

I went out today with definite intentions on buying a bed. But the malarkey the idiots in the mattress industry have foisted upon us unsuspecting public people was just too much. I ended up almost buying a bed, but they didn't have it in stock. So instead I just walked out.

Good thing too, because I probably wouldn't have gotten a bed I liked. But it was an experience in feeling like an idiot. And it got me wondering about what the hell these guys are up to.

Google coughed up a very decent article on Slate about The Mattress Trade. Everything in there rings true to me.

I actually had the following conversation with the mattress sales-person (an aging man named Walter).

Walter: I can let you have either of these models for $599. Just pick out the one that you think is more comfortable.
Me: So these beds are the same price and quality
Walter: Yes. It's just a matter of chosing the one you prefer.
Me: Okay. So then why is this one labeled "Silver" and this one labeled "Bronze"?
Walter: Well, that's just a rating system they have. They say some mattresses are bronze, some are silver, it goes all the way up to "Solid Gold".
Me: So the one labeled "Silver" is better than the one labeled "Bronze"?
Walter: It's a scale. A measurement of quality. Bronze is good. And silver is good. It's a scale they have.
Me: Um. Okay. So the Silver is higher-quality?
Walter: Not neccesarily. They're very similar in quality, these two beds. They have the same warranty. It's just a scale, and you should really just see which one you like better.
Me: Right.
Me: So what makes this one "Silver"?
Walter: They decided it was worth a silver rating.
Me: You're very good at this.

You can read the official non-information information about the Sleepy's mattress rating system here. Here's a good quote "Platinum Plus mattresses make every night a night to remember and look forward to, for the gift of tranquil, deep and deeper drifting sleep."

But I mean, as the Slate article points out, there's really no need to go the traditional box-spring & mattress route. If you find a mattress with the appropriate firmness for you, then you shouldn't need a box-spring.

How will this melodrama play out? I don't know. I have to go to Ikea and see if they can hook me up with a sweet, stylish and comfortable bed. I have a lot of hope that something like this mattress and this bed-frame will be just the ticket for me.

I got the keys today

I went over to my new apartment today to meet the owner (and her new family) and get the keys. The owner is incredibly friendly and gracious. The apartment is just as good as I remember it. New fixtures, freshly painted, clean and spacious (especially since there's nothing in it).

I took some photos. I'm afraid I could never get a job working as a photographer for a real-estate agent. But I mean, they get the general idea. I should have taken a photo of the stairs leading up into the apartment.

Here's a rough idea of the layout of the apartment.

• Walking up Washington Drive
• My apartment from the street
• Walking towards my apartment
• My new front door
• The dining nook (the kitchen's behind the wall)
• The kitchen (as seen from the dining nook)
• The bathroom
• The bedroom & closet

I took the picture looking down Washington Drive while standing in the middle of the road. There's almost no traffic on the street. Because it's a private road only people who have business there can use it. That also means that parking on the street is allowed.

There's plenty of storage in the apartment (lots of closets and attic storage). There are two nice large windows in the living room, one small one in the bathroom (above the tub), and another large one in the bedroom. There seems to be a good amount of light that spilling into the apartment.

Everything seems to be in good condition. I'm really looking forward to March 1 when I move in

Savannah is beautiful

I have to admit, I was a little worried, going into this thing, that Savannah might not be the best place to play in February. That the trip, with it's connecting flights, and rental cars and all those further complications, could potentially be a disaster.

But, sports-fans, it was not a disaster. It was a rowsing success. I had a fantastic time.

Images and short writeup below:

The weather was beautiful. The sun was shining, and the temperature got above 70 on both days. The fields were soft and covered in green grass. We played on Saturday at Forsythe Park and then on Sunday, the co-ed teams joined everyone else to play in Dafin Park.

There were no public restrooms at Forsythe and that was a problem. But otherwise, the tournament was a rousing success.

It took us a while to shake off the rust from several months without competitive ultimate. We were the only team from up-north, so most of the teams we played had been practicing and competing throughout the winter. Predictably, we came out flat and tanked all our games on Saturday.

Sunday, however was another matter altogether. We came out stiff and tight, despite the efforts of the fantastic hot-tub and heated pool at the Doubletree. Once we'd loosened up, we were able to wrestle the chumpionship trophy all for ourselves, an official 5th place finish. But that number can't capture the quality of our Sunday play.

Walking to the fields

Hutch & Sweaty (me) posing for the camera

Trying to play some defense in the 2nd game

Courtney leading a rousing game of Cowboy/Stripper-Pole/Spoon

The Cowboy/Stripper-Pole/Spoon Movie

Lee's Pictures on iPhoto
Daniel's Pictures on iPhoto

Not too many photos (currently) of the drinking and whatnot that went on off the fields. A good time was had by all, and Savannah is a very gracious host.

I am now very sore and stiff, especially my legs. The lesson being that there's no amount of off-season training you can do to prepare yourself for the stresses and strains of actual ultimate.

And I can't wait to do it again.