Well, that’s another thing to worry about. Turns out that having a house-boat comes with both perks AND challenges, one of which is pest problems. Who knew? I just thought that since I was floating out here in the sea, barely attached to any sort of terra firma sans a rope connecting me to the pier, I’d be safe from that nonsense. What’s that phrase? Nature finds a way. Well, the ants have certainly found their way onto my boat…somehow. So first I’m calling the Sorrento pest control, THEN I’m consulting a pest expert because this is just silly. What, are they some kind of ocean ants? They look like the regular, annoying kind to me.

Alright, so this is my punishment for trying to be alternative. I just had to eschew the regular house of the common folk and go for a house boat. I’m renting, so it’s not like I can’t just leave and go elsewhere, but up until now it seemed like a pretty good decision. I like the ocean, and there’s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of the water gently lapping against the side of the boat. The gulls took a bit of time to get used to, but only a couple of weeks. But then, of course, you really start to notice the irritating stuff. The neighbours are surprisingly loud, and I’, not yet sure if I’m actually allowed to cut the tether to the boat and move somewhere else. I wouldn’t have the slightest clue how; do you just call the landlord and have them pilot it elsewhere?

And then the living room is pretty cramped, as is the kitchen. It’s not really a place for entertaining more than a couple of people. Now I need pest inspections to make sure there aren’t any more curiously-aquatic insects infesting the place. I think the landlord’s instructions were to call for pest inspection in Dandenong, but…eh, I need them fast. And at least I don’t have to pay for it myself. Rental life, for the win.

-Alyssa