About three months ago, we discovered toxic black mold underneath our kitchen sink. Two weeks after that, Anne and I packed up some bags and moved ourselves and our dogs out of our house, while a team of hazardous materials removal dudes tore apart our kitchen and made our house look like Breaking Bad.
A month after we moved out, we were able to come back into our house, because the mold (which originally appeared to be a few square feet, and ended up being much, much worse) had been successfully removed. The only problem with getting back into our house was our kitchen remained (and remains) torn up. Our refrigerator is in the middle of our living room. Our dishwasher is on our patio. We have no sink, so there’s no running water, so we can’t cook.
It’s all a real pain in the ass, and it’s made this entire summer feel like something we are enduring, rather than living.
But.
It’s important to me that I keep and maintain perspective. Starting at the very beginning of this, with the toxic black mold: nobody got sick, and we discovered it just before it spread into the walls in a way that would force us to literally tear our house down.
Insurance denied our claim for reasons that I think are bullshit. We tried and failed to fight their denial, and while it’s infuriating that they got away with it, we’re very grateful and very lucky that the whole thing didn’t cost as much as we feared, and we’re grateful and lucky that we can afford to pay for it out of pocket.
We had to be out of our house for over a month, but our friends let us stay in their home (they were out of the country), so we didn’t have to endure the cost and weirdness of living in a hotel for thirty days. We got to take our dogs with us, and we were in such a quiet and unfamiliar location, it gave me the solitude I needed to focus and finish the manuscript of the novel I was writing.
Did I bury the lede on that? My novel is currently with my editor, and even though I still need to do some work on it, it’s that much closer to being finished and published. That’s kind of a big deal for me.
Our same friends offered us their house in Hana if we wanted to get out of town for a little bit, and Anne used points and miles to get us an unexpected vacation in Hawaii for less than the cost of a single plane ticket. I’m grateful for that.
After we got back from Hana, we were able to move back into our house, even though the kitchen was (and is) all torn apart. We’ve had to eat out for every meal, which has not been awesome, but I’m grateful that we can afford that, and that we live in a place that has lots of healthy and affordable options to feed ourselves. I’ve been joking that we’re sort of like college students who eat out of take away containers, but with a fancy budget.
When we got back into our house about a month ago, we expected to live in the chaos for about five days, before everything was finished and restored to the way it was before … but everything takes longer than expected, and as of this morning, my refrigerator is still in the middle of my living room.
But.
I’m grateful that this summer has been, in perspective, a series of mild inconveniences that haven’t wrecked our lives. I’m grateful that Anne found someone who could replace our hardwood floor with an exact match, even though the boards in our house haven’t been made since the 1940s. I’m grateful that they matched the floors perfectly. I’m grateful that they were able to rebuild our cabinets and save our countertops so perfectly, you can’t even tell that they’re new. I’m grateful that the people who have done all this work on our home have been kind, honest, hard workers (who my dogs love, which is important. If your dogs don’t like someone, respect that, because dogs seem to have good instincts about people for some reason.) I’m grateful that, when this is all finished, I don’t think we’ll be able to tell that anything ever happened, because everything is matching close to perfectly.
I haven’t spent this summer making things, like I wanted to. I haven’t started writing anything new. I haven’t spent any time on my blog since June, and though it feels weird, I haven’t really missed it. I feel like I am in this part of my creative cycle where I absorb and consume and get inspired by other people’s creations, so I am nourished and ready for the output part of my creative cycle, whenever it decides to arrive.
I’ve spent this summer reading lots of books, and watching almost one movie a day. I know that sounds like goofing off and fucking around, but for me, it’s a fundamental part of my creative life and my creative self. I get inspired by good things and bad things, and I’ve consumed a lot of both this summer. I have found the same kind of comfort and familiarity in a book that I had when I was a kid: no matter where I am or what’s going on, I can open a book and lose myself in it. I’ve found so much happiness and comfort in the books I’ve read this summer, it’s inspired me to dedicate myself to finishing my novel asap, so I can maybe give people who read it the same escape and happiness I’m getting.
For my novel, I needed to find a slasher movie from pre-83 that wasn’t Friday the 13th or Halloween. It needed to be something that the kids in my story would have rented at the video store, and even though I could have gotten away with using one of those popular and well-known films, I wanted to find something different for reasons I’ll get into when I start writing my “here’s how I did it” posts about the novel, in the run up to its release. The upshot of this is that I’ve watched a TON of early 80s slasher movies this year, and holy shit am I primed to write and make one of my own, because I understand them at a granular level I didn’t think was possible, and I want to see what happens when I make my version of that kind of thing, even if it’s just a short script.
I’m grateful for the time I’ve had to do that level of research (some of them have been fun to watch, others are just terrible, but it’s always been worth it), and I wouldn’t have made the time if my house hadn’t been torn apart. Maybe I’ll even work an unfinished kitchen into the story, as an homage to this whole shitshow.
So. It’s been a summer of mild inconveniences, and I’m grateful and lucky that it isn’t so much worse. I’m grateful for the life I have, and for the people I get to share it with, especially my best friend and wife, Anne. I hope that, wherever you are and whatever your personal circumstances are, you get to share your life with someone who is as special to you as Anne is to me. I hope that you have the privilege (like I do) of looking at bummer things that happen, and finding some perspective that makes them feel less frustrating and annoying than they could be.
This is the first post I’ve written since I deactivated my Twitter. I wonder if anyone will see it? I wonder if I’m wrong about Twitter not making any difference in blog traffic or book sales. I’m going to feel really silly if I am. Anyway, I hope you’re having a good summer, and I hope that any inconveniences you have encountered have been mild.
Thanks for listening.
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Glad to hear the horror of the mold is behind you and the horror of the slasher movies was fun. I’m subscribed to your RSS so I don’t need Twitter for updates, in fact I’m spending the day off Twitter just because. (I only keep it because it’s my only contact with two friends way out in the desert.) I set up on Mastodon (https://mastodon.social/) last night, it’s an open source Twitter clone with very specific user guidelines (no Nazis!) and I figured I’d let you know about it if you ever feel the need to get quick messages out again.
I subscribe to your RSS feed (inoreader.com) and had no idea you were off twitter because I’ve never been on twitter.
RSS here too.:)
Same!
RSS represent!
Glad you are well, and still on Tumblr and posting here – even if much more occasionally. I’m always tickled when you and I are on Tumblr at the same time (oh look, its Dita Von Teese, Wil must be online). Our summer has also been one of upheaval with lots to be thankful for – despite two unexpected open heart surgeries for a family member, two new kittens, a seized car engine and the start of middle school, we are all doing surprisingly well (although one of the 2 of us without a chest scar is still rotationally sleeping with rambunctious kittens in the living room).
I am sure not being on Tumblr WILL affect your blog’s popularity. But I am also sure it won’t really matter.
Cheers Will, I too am on a twitter break whilst I work through a creative process. I am also thankful for not being sucked into the depressive funk for several months. Even if you don’t get as much feedback as you would like, you inspire and wider audience than you know. Thank you.
I love that part of the creative cycle, and it’s absolutely important! Really looking forward to the novel whenever it’s ready. And what is this thing you mentioned called Twitter? :o)
Never felt that Twitter is important. The people who want to follow you will. Sad to hear of the crazy summer, but glad you had Anne with you all the way. And dogs are absolutely right when it comes to people! Keep looking for that light in everything. Nice work!
Thank you for sharing, Wil!
Thanks for letting us know you’re alive and well and that you’re taking care of yourself – can’t wait to get a chance to read your new novel.
I am personally generally against the ban Alex Jones thingy, not because I don’t think he is a disgrace of a human being, but because if Silicon Valley billionaires get told they can ban whoever they seem fit, they will not do it with the intention of making the internet better, but making their lives easieR, so it isn’t anything we get for free. Regardless, I appreciate you taking a stand for what you believe in, in the end it is all we can ever do. Also, scared my house is going to get mold.
Of course we’ll see it and read it Wil! Twitter appears to be the preserve of assholes (like insurance companies) and not worth the time and effort. But you’ve had an interesting summer and damn glad no one was affected by the mould. Nasty stuff.
Email subscriber, so I was only occasionally alerted to new posts via Twitter. Thanks for continuing to share. Congrats on finishing the novel! Good friends are the best, aren’t they? 🙂
Commenting to say that I read your blog via RSS, am happy to see you back, don’t care in the least about Twitter. Sorry to hear about your kitchen. I went through something similar myself once, because of the teeny-tiniest flood that turned out to be a pinhole leak in my fridge’s water line that managed to seep into my cupboards long enough to destroy their bases. It was ever so tedious. But I’m glad you’ve got some perspective on the frustration and glad you managed to enjoy your summer!
I saw this post! I’m here! Even thought you’re not on twitter!
Congratulations on finishing your manuscript. I’ve written couple of (unpublished) novels (which suck, hence the “unpublished”) and finishing is a huge moment (even for people like me who revise and then end up putting it on their shelf instead of sending it to an editor).
It’s great to hear from you, and Twitter be damned.
Dood! Once in a while I wonder “Where’s Wil?”, when I then remember you always share the extremes with us, so you must be middling-OK. Glad I read things right.
Tuck Fwitter. Switch to Mastodon.
You’ve got me thinking I really should edit my novels, each of which I created as a very long stream of Mastodon “toots”. I recently re-read them after setting them aside for nearly a year, and they didn’t make me projectile vomit (the usual reaction to a puke draft), so I’m calling that a Good Thing.
Glad to hear from you. Looks like your summer is improving!
What a hell of a summer you had! So glad it’s behind you (for the most part). Just let us know what social you want to use and we’re there.
I’m so happy you wrote this. You and Anne kept everyone smiling with your bed head and her awesome pix, but today, hearing what’s going on and that you’re in a good head space about your summer, was wonderful. Thank you for continuing to share your life with us (and you’re not wrong about Twitter)
I’ve been off Twitter for 2 years, but you’re in my feed.
I read your blog via rss reader, so you leaving twitter won’t make a difference to me. Glad to see a blog again after so long!
Sounds like you and Anne handled all this with calm grace. Please give yourself permission once in a while to goof off and fuck around. I am delighted that your book is at the editor’s. You are such a good writer. I look forward to reading it.
We’re seeing it! We’re seeing it! I am also an rss gal, for what it’s worth. I twit not.
RSS feed here also. Reading about your summer makes me feel grateful for all blessings my family receives everyday. Hope your kitchen get done soon.
I have your blog set to email me about new posts. You inspire me. You also help me understand my nephew who lives with depression and anxiety—I am eternally grateful for your open blogs. His summer was inconvenient busy for me as well—I had planned a more “fun” summer. At least I get to brag about my A in the poetry course I finished last week at Harvard. I practiced exactly what I teach with the essay! It is an enormous confidence boost knowing my methods earn an A!
Hi Wil , I’m happy you guys got through that ! I will miss you on twitter but am thinking of moving on without it as well. Great catching up on WordPress, looking forward too your next post. I am happy that there are still people like you both out there, it comforts me, board game night tonight!! .Much love and respect, Troy .
I also subscribe through email, so yep, still here. And I’ve missed your posting, although I understand you not missing it. But YOU FINISHED YOUR NOVEL AND IT’S WITH AN EDITOR. That’s so exciting! (As for the Saga of the Moldy House, I’ve been following it on Twitter and boy, what a nightmare! So glad it’s at least getting taken care of and you’re all back in your house.)
I deactivated my Twitter account today too, and I’m on counter.social. I like it, but I’m already missing some things about Twitter. I occasionally exchange tweets with Ken Jennings and John Roderick about something I hear on their podcast. I listened to one today and realized I couldn’t do that. It’s also where I keep up with you, Anne, and Scalzi, to name a few.
I hope they straighten Twitter out, or at least get a good start on it before 30 days is up, because there’s a lot I’ll miss about it. I think there’s enough there to be worth saving of they care to do so.
I deactivated Twitter too! Thanks for sharing with us and have an awesome day!
Oh someone saw it…keep on blogging, Wil. You are not at all the person I expected you to be…which is the greatest complement I can give.
All the best,
Conrad
I’m glad to hear that you got your black mold problem taken care of, my husband and I weren’t so lucky when we got hit with it. Good luck on your book, I can’t wait to read it! Much love to you and your family❤
I’m so glad you’re looking at this through eyes of gratitude! That’s hard for a lot of people, myself included, but it inspires me. Thank you for writing this post! I hope things get put back together in your kitchen soon, so you both can move forward in comfort. Can’t wait to learn more about your upcoming book release! Sounds fascinating!
Felt the same way when our house flooded (broken main beneath our slab) four years ago. Water came back up through our washing machine and our bathroom, and flooded most of our house. The water was shut off that night, but mold grew during the interval when we awaited repairs. We lived in a hotel for two months, and as you say, it felt more like existence than living at times. But a healthy perspective helped. Everything got repaired. We had insurance. Our house looks great. We (my wife and I) still have each other. Finding solace in perspective is very healthy.
Thanks for sharing. All the best to you and your family, Wil.
I got off of ALL social media and it’s been awesome!
I was never on Twitter, but I have read some of your tweets and threads on that site. In order to return to sites I have visited before, I use the “Anchor” tag to store URLs in my own, personal HTML files; and I have your blog site listed in my personal “Internet.htm” file so I can navigate to it whenever I wonder what you’re doing. I still have your “exile” site listed there because I’m too lazy to delete that line from the HTML file. (I’ve not gotten into RSS yet.)
You do you. If deactivating Twitter makes your life and health better, that’s great.
When my house was hit by a tree firemen boarded it up. We sat on the sidewalk and laughed hysterically after they guided us out of our house. Nothing but the wall and our window and our window a/c were damaged. We figured insurance would kick in and they’d repair the wall that was missing and we’d be back to normal in two months, tops. The insurance fought us. Three different sets of friends let us crash on their couches over the course of six months. Our house still wasn’t fixed when we broke up from the stress and all it caused. I lived out of my van for another two months in winter before the wall was repaired literally overnight after the insurance company finally gave in. It’s been three years. An apartment and a house later and I’m still terrified of every tree that sways in the wind, because one branch could bring my entire life to it’s knees.
This has been a very hard summer on me but with some triumphs and major failures. After 7 months fighting with financial aid I finally started Grad School. July 30 I began my New Media Journalism Masters of Fine Arts Studies at Full Sail University. Due to currently being legally blind and homeless for a week, I failed my first research paper. My Profess though is giving me a chance to redo.
On Lucky 7-11 I turned 45. Sad though I have never married and depressed I am alone and not found my best friend and married yet. I am a hopeless romantic. I am so jealous you Wil found someone while I am all alone. 🙁
Glad for the update. In my opinion, Twitter eats up way to much time better spent on creation and reflection.I do miss your podcast, though I understand that it consumed a great deal of your creative energy. I get an email when your blog is updated. The delete button allows me more control over the content of my inbox. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and explaining your silence. I was worried. Looking forward to your novel.
Hi Wil – FWIW I didn’t even realize you had a Twitter
Hi Wil and Anne, So glad the mold is gone and nobody got sick. Also a plus your puppies got to stay with you. They are such great companions, aren’t they? Good luck with the remodeling of the kitchen. Hope it goes quickly. And yes, some of us are still listening.
Got your RSS feed. Twitter is too unreliable. Keep on bloggin’! Glad you survived the mold and the refrigerator in the living room! Life goes on! Don’t you love renovation in place of your living space?
If you could write a complete script for Serial Apeist I and many others would be ever grateful.
It’s been a hell of a summer, eh? Happy birthday to both of you, and your kid (s?). Seven years ago right now I was living in a hotel with a barely 1 year old because we nearly had the same thing happen. We had brand new floors installed and when the installers put the fridge back, they pinched the water line to the icemaker, which eventually leaked, down the wall, under the brand new floor and into literally everything. We had three layers of floor removed, half a wall, carpet, padding, brand new kitchen floor and the worst part was when the brought in the dryers they didn’t tell me it would heat my house to 110 degrees which killed about 40 plants, many that I’d had a very very long time. I’m still sad about that. However, our insurance didn’t argue about a thing – they covered all repairs, the hotel we had to live in, and meals for the entire time. (I love you State Farm!)
We’ve traveled more than usual this summer, but because of the nature of travel of my job – the kids haven’t been able to go. Hopefully next year. I’m holding my breath until school starts because THE LITTLES ARE GOING TO YOUNG 5’s YOU GUYS. All day, 5 days a week, and it’s free. I’m going to have some free time, alone, that I’ve not had in nearly a decade.
I’m super proud of you for getting your novel out. Highest of fives, my friend. I can’t wait to read it. I miss you here, but life has to be lived your way.
I get notified via email. I don’t understand RSS.
I only used twitter for news, following comedians, politicians and journalists. I deactivated anyway because I want to be a part of the message. I am working on counter.social finding a replacement for my news. I don’t know what the eff is happening.
Z clung to me like glue all day and said mommy like 100,000 times. They’re asleep now so I’m going to have my beer and fuck off. Tomorrow I get coffee with a great friend, and then I am getting dressed up to go out to a wedding and I am hella excited.
Have a great night, Wil!
The beauty of not having an active Twitter…I’ve read your blog on and off for years, but actually follow you through WordPress (and Tumblr…and Instagram)! The beauty of life is sometimes we get dealt a crappy hand and we end up having to figure out how to win anyway. You and your wife seem to have done the best you can to adapt to the hand you were dealt, and it sounds like you’re gonna come out the other side just fine. Hopefully your fridge will eventually find its way back into your kitchen soon, but until then, just think of it as a conversation piece for random visitors. I believe this is my first comment on your blog, too.
Congrats on finishing!
twitter sucks black mold! looking forward to reading your novel! 🙂
Given how much toxicity people report with Twitter – I don’t just mean the content, I mean how leading a Twitter-tied life warps your life – I’m always surprised that people are still on it.
RSS person here, and still very much enjoying your posts. Thank you for blogging.
We’re all still here, Wil, waiting to listen to whatever you want to say. Who needs Twitter anyway?!? Good luck getting the house back together! Glad you found it early enough and are all ok .
Who needs Twitter?? Seems like most of the comments are rss viewers or email subscribers… And as to 80s slasher movies, you can’t go wrong with maniac cop, or night of the demon, or the exterminator… My favorite was always hitcher, but that might be a little out of synch for your time frame.
Glad you’re staying positive. Chin up mate and remember, if you’re going through hell, just keep going!
Glad to hear from you Wil! I’m really glad you posted this.
feedly here and I almost never check Twitter anymore. Facebook either. Too much hate being spread that I’ve decided to remove as much of it from my life as possible. Hate consumes more time than love and I’d rather spend a bad day with my dogs than a good day with anti- social media any day of the week. Keep up the good work and write here when you can. If we miss you, there’s always reruns of Tabletop, Big Bang, and Star Trek to tide us over!