It was late November of 1984, and I had just signed a lease for my first apartment outside of Mesa, Az. I was feeling pretty good.

Annie had taken me to Venture in her convertible, and to the grocery store to stock the fridge with beer and groceries.

I was feeling really good.

At Venture, I had bought a basic set of dishes, pots and pans, silverware and towels. I’d bought a shower curtain. I’d bought a set of sheets.

We went back to the apartment and took everything inside and loaded the fridge and the cabinets. We had a couple beers and she helped me make up the bed. After making the bed she’d jokingly offered to “break it in” with me. I just looked at her funny.

Annie went home, and I cooked myself dinner, which consisted of Kraft Mac and Cheese that I’d bought for 4 for a dollar. After dinner and a few beers, I decided to take a shower and turn in. I got the new shower curtain out and went to put it up. That’s when I realized that the shower curtain didn’t come with rings. Damn. Not being deterred, I rummaged around in my saddlebags and found the length of paracord that I used to hang clothes and tarps with when camping. I cut the paracord into 6” lengths and tied them into loops over the shower rod into the curtain. I did that for all 12 or so holes in the curtain. Crude but effective.

I took my shower, feeling pretty good about things, and went to bed prepared for the next day.