Movin' Days

6/30/05 - 1:28 pm

The movers are here. Today is the last day I will be in my kick-ass Seattle apartment. By tonight, sadly, I’ll be completely out and the Seattle downtown living experience will be behind me. I’m sitting on my sheet-less mattress, typing away on my (sweet) new laptop, waiting for the movers to finish all their work and leave me quietly in an empty apartment. Gwen is lying next to me, on the mattress, obviously tired from the busy week. She’s been a tremendous help over the course of these “movin’ days”, during which, I must add, her uber-planning and task-mastery skills have been on impressive display.



6/30/05 - 7:06 pm

I was interrupted during the last post. The movers are still here. Unfortunately the company was under-manned today and they sent only two guys rather than the standard three. I don't have a lot of stuff (this apt. is only 650 sq. ft.), but overseas moving requires every non-box item be wrapped completely in reams of brown wrapping paper. Then, all my stuff gets loaded onto crates on a truck which must be sealed. (Think "Raiders of the Lost Ark" crates, only larger).

As the last few things trickle out, I'm eager to get to my cousin's house for some dinner (BBQ), drinks, and some battle croquet. Hopefully there will still be daylight by the time I arrive. I sent Gwen over there ahead of me a little while ago.

Moving always conjures up a series of emotions in me. There's the excitement of moving on and trying something new coupled with the anxiety and uneasiness of leaving the familiar and the stable. And then there's the nostalgic pangs of "this is the last time I take a shower here...", etc. Luckily, I've been through this sort of thing before. Though, I will say that the ante is upped once again because of the overseas issue this time. But overall the emotional waves that normally accompany this kind of massive life upheaval are a little dulled this time around. Not sure why (though I have some ideas), but they are, which is nice.

Before I leave this apartment, I will go up to the roof one more time and glance out at the fair city which I've come to really enjoy. Overall, I give Seattle the city a big thumbs up. I will miss the food, ocean views, and feeling of a true downtown during the night. And so close to my pad! I doubt I'll ever be able to live so "cosmopolitanly" again. I remember being hesitant to move out of my old Tacoma pad because of all the trouble of moving and so forth. (And I had to that one myself without the benefit of movers). But oh man I'm so glad I didn't let the sticky inertia get the best of me. The move has been more than worth it. And with it, Metrosexual Mick was born. And lives. Either way, this is the coolest building and apartment I have ever lived in. Cool building, cool view, cool locale. In many ways I'm sad to leave it. If work brings me back here (for my final year of military committment), I definitely would not be above moving right back into this building.

Tomorrow my mom and I will drive out and head east and south with Houston, Texas being the final destination. Gwen will be along in her car, caravan style, for much of the trip until she needs to break off for Chatanooga, Tennessee, which is where her mom lives. I'm looking forward to a little road trip time with Mama Stup. It was she, along with my sister, who initially drove my Toyota Tundra out here in the first place. That was three years ago. Now I will drive the truck back to Papa Stup, who will of course be waiting with open arms. Once there, I will be giving my dad the truck (meaning he will take over payments, though the truck is more than half way paid for). There are a few things on the old Tundra (which has 60,000 miles already after only three years) which need fixing. I'm looking forward to accomplishing these tasks upon arrival in Houston, with Papa Stup supervising, of course. Yes, destiny is speeding me toward "A day with Papa Stup and the truck", which also turn out to be the name of my first book. I'll think about it. At the very least, I may try and keep a running diary, Sports Guy style, about the day. I'm sure it would be enjoyable.

The movers are wrapping up and its time to get rolling soon. More to come. Again, these are bloggable times. I'll try to stay up to date. With the new laptop (which ROCKS, again), it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

"We always had time on our side, but now it's fading fast...."

Mick

Testing the New Picture function

Looks like it worked. (Regarding the pic - its the last thing you see before Fwats schools you.)

It's Saturday. Big night out with Heath last night; multiple clubs, a good bit of alcohol (but not too much thankfully). Went to bed as the sun came up. It was my last weekend night in Seattle, which kind of bums me out.

This morning went to my last brunch at Rosebud. That ALSO bummed me out. As I left, I shook hands with the (clearly gay) manager who I'd sort of gotten to know (could I have written that with any more innuendo?) over the past year and thanked him and chatted with him for a bit. He said he was sad to see me go. I love that place. Its neck and neck for my all time favorite breakfast place. (Ricobono's in New Orleans is right up there). I'll definitely go back if/when I'm back in Seattle.

And with that, I'm off to Portland to see the Yarris clan and my friend Leah.

Toodles!

So behind....

The last several weeks have been chock full of blog-worthy items. Lake Powell, the end of residency, military outprocessing, a Fwats/Eryn visit, moving to (fucking!) Europe, a possible trip to Portland, an upcoming cross-country drive with Mama Stup, the end of an era in Seattle, several days of Papa Stup time forthcoming, the upcoming Board certifying exam, etc. So much stuff to put out (and pics, lots of pics to boot), so little time to do it well.

If I was a true writer, I'd have my pulitzer from writing about these ongoing weeks....

But I'm not. Alas. We wait.

Suffice to say, I'm full of nostalgia, stress, hope for the near as well as distant future, and a whole lot else. My entire world is transforming - I'll try to keep up as best I can.

I wish I could go back to Powell and live in that semi-dream state.

A couple of quick pics:





Chilling on high at Powell....




Three Amigos and good sushi




Three idiots and a timer on the camera (in my apartment)



See you soon...

Moustache May

Here's the Photo Expose. Keep in mind that all the male graduating residents (including myself), essentially shaved on the last day of April, then grew and cultivated our staches from dirty wisps up to trimmed chick-magnets. Note the narrowness of the stache - its all the Army allows. We all shaved June 1st - it was a bittersweet day.




"That's right baby - it's real."





"Excuse me - I don't think I heard you. Did you say you wanted to FUCK WITH THIS!?!"





Moustache May - A full month of half-hearted smiles...





"Don't make me put a picture of Calvin peeing on YOU on my truck...."





"Hey, it boils down to this - I'm sweet and I know I'm sweet."





That last thing chicks see before they enter moustache bliss....





(Immediately after) "First time with a moustache baby? That's OK - those tingles will pass in time. Although some might say they never truly go away..."





Don't make me angry...




And there it is. I'll post more from call tomorrow if there's time. Life is hectic right now....