Mice Infestation: Not An Emergency…

So this post is more of a way for me to air a few grievances than a substantive update… Anyway, Cori and I are staying on base in temporary lodging, which is supposed to be like a nice hotel or condo.  Last summer, during my internship at Patrick AFB (just south of Cocoa Beach), we were in brand new quarters, near the beautiful Banana River for half the summer; the second half of the summer we were in the older TLFs off-base, but this was ok because we were only about twenty yards from the beach.

I wasn’t expecting to stay in an ultra-extravagant place at Tinker.  I understand that the Air Force works under budgetary constraints, and “temporary” lodging can sometimes be designed with the weekend traveler in mind.  So I wasn’t thrilled when I saw the TLF we’re staying in–it’s a one bedroom number, with the bathroom sink immediately beside the kitchen refrigerator.  But the lack of space is something I can deal with.  What I don’t like dealing with are creepy-crawlies, like roaches, crickets, and mice.

I’ve actually seen only a few crickets in the TLF, and no roaches (so far).  And honestly, coming from Florida, bugs are something I’m kind of used to.  What I’m not used to are mice scratching in the walls at all hours of the day (and night).  Last night Cori actually saw a little furry visitor scurry across the kitchen floor and into the counter under the oven.  Bleh.

I called up the hotel front desk, to report a possible mouse infestation.  Now I’m used to dealing with folks in the Air Force–usually professionalism and courtesy are the rule, not the exception.  But the woman working the front desk–Jessica, in case you really want to know–was anything but polite.  I told her we had been hearing mice scratching in the walls, and that my wife had seen one or two of them.  Jessica bluntly told me that this wasn’t an emergency–and not to worry, since the mice were probably just looking for a warm place to sleep, since it’s getting colder at nights.  I’m not kidding–this woman was trying to reassure me that mice scurrying over your feet was nothing to be concerned about.

I was livid, but I tried my best to keep my temper.  I told Jessica that I wasn’t paying nearly six hundred dollars (for two weeks) to have put up with rodents for roommates.  We have a small dog staying with us, and contagious diseases like rabies is a big deal.  Man I was pissed at this lady.  I worked really hard to stay calm, and I think I mostly succeeded, but I told her I wanted someone to deal with the rats within the week; I know it’s not an emergency, but geeze, what kind of a person tells you to just suck it up when you’ve got to fall asleep to the sound of mice scurrying in the walls???

Sigh.  Deep breath.

So this is just one little thing, not even really a big deal in the grand scheme of things.  Other than the  problem with mice, Tinker has been really nice.  (Words that rhyme are the most fun aren’t they?) I’ll try to post on more pleasant things soon.