Linda and me at the "Bon Voyage" party. |
Last week I basically gave an accounting of what was coming up for me. It confused a couple people as to if it all already happened or not. I guess I mostly “recap” everything, so the change was a little confusing.
I just had so many plans and things on my plate that I needed to get it all down.
I am currently sitting in my 670 square foot apartment in San Diego. It's not as spacious as I am used to, but it is new and really clean. Since I don't have much with me, it seems spacious enough.
But that's getting way ahead of myself.
When last I wrote, it was two Sundays ago and I was at the Denver International Airport, recapping what I had going on in the next week. I had just visited with my parents and had had a photo shoot with uber-sexy Dominic. ~swoon~ (def. boyfriend material guys ~sigh~ If you live in Denver, ur lucky!)
My parents have finished the reconstruction on the house and I am so glad that I got to see the finished product before it gets sold. The new 3rd car garage really adds to the value and look of the house. Inside it is totally redone and modernized. They are hoping to sell it soon, though my mom says the market is sluggish for houses in their area and price range.
I got back to Austin late Sunday night. Bill, my roommate, came and picked me up in my truck. It was great to have a familiar friendly face to greet me at the airport and to help me lug all my camera equipment.
Living with Bill is/was really spoiling me. He takes on so many of the house duties that I really feel like I am living with someone who puts in as much energy as I do. Well, actually much more.
Pathetically, I was pretty stressed throughout most of the week. I had to go into the office everyday and try to spill out 16 years worth of information to my poor assistant Beej. He kept slapping his head over his forehead when I would bring up “just one more” duty or project that I keep.
All week long I was so stressed that I was nauseous through most of the morning. Sometime around 10-11am I could get on top of the stress, I think because I was getting stuff done. I guess everything seemed insurmountable, and so much had to be done that I would wake up at 5am and start playing out all the details of what needed to happen to make this move to San Diego in such a short period of time.
Should I bring Kitty! with me? How will she be on a long road trip or in apartment? How will I juggle her with the move in, hotel rooms, and all the crap I am going to have to load and unload on my own? I knew I was staying with Janet in Tucson on my first night, how would Kitty! and Kodi (Janet's ole dog!) get along? After I arrive in San Diego, I didn't know how long it would take me find a place to live. How would she be in a hotel for that long? She gets nutty when she is in a strange place and I am not there.
I had decided it might be best to leave her in Bill's capable hands for a week or two until I get settled, then fly her out to San Diego. It sounded expensive and stressful on Kitty! My friend Jules said she would watch her for 6 months, but I felt like I might not see her again or she wouldn't be attached to me the way she is now..and well, I am kind of attached too.
I waffled back and forth hourly. When I get to thinking about all this stuff, I tend to think linearly, and ruminate about only two available options. I get in a circle, and it is worse when I get stressed. So I had to wait till the evenings when my head was clear enough to think it through.
I finally decided on a third option. Bring Kitty! with me, then board her for 4-5 days while I stay at a hotel and search for living arrangements. Duh! She does pretty well at the kennel, and then there would be no need to fly her out, and I wouldn't worry about her being underfoot or stressed by all the moving.
With that decision made, I could concentrate on the task of what to take with me.
I spent a couple lunch hours running around town trying to tie up lose ends. I reserved a U-Haul trailer, and surprisingly it came to about $180 bucks for a 6 day rental and all the “extra” equipment (hitch, lights, insurance blah). I set the pickup date for Saturday and prayed that they would have one in inventory. Gas would be the major expense. I think I spent 360 bucks on gas.
The other lunch hours were spent with friends who wanted to take me to lunch and do “one last thing” with me. I really felt like I got to see most of my friends before I left, with the exception of Bill Evans. Amy and Barbara took me to lunch on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
The office also threw together an impromptu lunch party on Wednesday. Pat, the party organizer, jokingly suggested we cater in Wendy's and I thought that was a pretty funny idea, so he was stuck with his own brilliant idea. It's so appropriate! He took everyone's orders and most everyone choked down greasy fries and hamburgers in my honor.
We sat out on the back grassy area, just above the sewage treatment area, even more appropriate!
Most of the staff were around, and even Jules swung on by for the little party. After the delicious meal, fellow staffers roasted me with a few more memorable moments of my time at BCI. Crowd favorite is the “Bryan with massive amounts of brownie in his teeth coyly flirting with a cute waiter at Texas French Bread” story.
I told a few stories about staff and on myself as well, trying to keep things lighthearted and fun.
I had put a memo out to staff that anything in my office was “fair game” and to come on by and grab anything anyone wanted.
In minutes I had a half dozen people putting sticky notes with their names on them on all the items in my office. My “Austin” based photos went quickly, as well and the various works of art that Jonatan had given me. They were all bats and I figured they should stay at the “bat place.”
The day bed..er…I mean couch also was hotly contested. Mary wanted to take it home, but I think staff vehemently overruled her and “the couch” is staying put. Not sure if my assistant will do therapy sessions for staff, but it's great to have a place to lay and rest for 5 minutes and let your blood flow all horizontal-like.
On Thursday night a model that I had worked with in Chicago was due to come in. I had also vacillated back and forth as to whether I should cancel the shoot. I emailed Sean, the model, and he said he would be cool with anything and that he was looking forward to coming down. Bill also volunteered to help out entertaining and getting him from location to location.
Bill and I drove out to the airport to get him. It's been so nice having Bill keep me company on all these jaunts to the airport. Sean's flight came in a little late but he was looking cute as ever. He is tall and lanky, and is just, well, adorable.
We got back to the house, watched a little TV, and then crashed.
Friday I left Sean at the house to be picked up by photographer Robert for a day long shoot together.
Friday at the office was very busy. I finally left the office about 3pm and it felt like a bear stood up off my chest. I thought all the stress was from moving, but a lot was just the “prep for leaving” that was driving me crazy. Or likely, half the battle was over.
Saturday Sean and I did a photoshoot and it was lots of fun taking him around to a variety of locations. It was great getting some outdoor shots to go with the studio shots we did in Chicago.
After the shoot, Bill, Sean and I arrived at the U-Haul place where there were several people screaming at the workers about them not having a truck for them, despite their reservation. Yikes! Fortunately all I wanted was a trailer and they had lots of those.
We came back to the house. Sean and Bill helped me load up the trailer. Bill worked on breaking apart my bed, while Sean kept me company while I tore apart the two computers in my office. The rest of my stuff, closet, bedroom, and bathroom, had long been packed. It basically took about a half hour to load up. The breaking apart the bed and computers took most of the time.
I had lots of room leftover in the trailer, so I guess I packed right. I didn't want to bring tons of stuff.
David came by and took us over to Rudy's BBQ for one last Texas BBQ meal.
Then my other friend jbb showed up to help move, but we had it all done, and I really just wanted to have him come on by for the last night.
Before going to bed, Bill gave me a little haircut so I would arrive freshly shorn for my new job.All this fussing over me relaxed me. Pampering!
I woke up about 5am Sunday morning, and tried to sneak out without waking anyone up. Bill got out of bed and made sure I had French Toast for the road. It was dark and not a lot of fun backing the trailer out of the driveway while all morning blurry-eyed.
Kitty! and I drove for about 5 hours before we stopped for a potty and photo break.
I got the new Star Wars trilogy DVD and a listened to all three movies twice (the second time with the Director's commentary). The timing of the release of these DVD's was perfect. Three movies I have seen so many times that I don't need to “watch” them-just listen….it kept me totally entertained the first day of driving.
Kitty!, on the other hand, just sat in the back sleeping the entire time.
Weather was strange. The closer I got to the desert environments the more it would rain. I went through about 5 rainstorms, making hauling the trailer all the more joyous.
I finally got into Arizona around sunset. Wow! The sunset was amazing! One can easily see why they decided the borderlines between New Mexico and Arizona. The landscape clearly shifts into an all new format!
I pulled in kind of late Sunday night into Tucson. Janet and Erik were still up, along with their little boy, Jared. I was too tired to take pictures, but Janet's house is just amazing. I had my own room, but before heading off to bed, Janet I got caught up on each other's lives. I sure miss being around her and her sister Jo.
I got up early Monday morning Actually, 5am in Tucson, but 7am for me. Janet also woke up and saw me off safely.
I pulled into San Diego around noon on Monday. I met with my new employers for lunch then tried to figure out what to do with Kitty! and the dang trailer. I tried leaving it a friend's place, but after several failed attempts to back it into the driveway, I just decided to go check into the hotel and deal with it the next day.
I got a tour of San Diego and we went to go look at a few apartments. The first one we looked at was actually perfect, but we didn't really feel right taking the first one we saw.
We looked at one other. It was much “cooler” than the other, and right in the heart of gay ole Hillcrest. But it had a couple drawbacks, like being right above a major road, and I had no place to park my truck.
I got checked into the Red Lion Hanalei, with its Hawaiin Theme. It was a little tacky, but the hotel room was very very nice. There was a convention leaving of retired state troopers, and incoming were retired bomber pilots. The crowds seemed arthritic, and they kinda ate up the fake Hawaiian environment.
I got back to the hotel and took a long bath to soak out all the road drama. The parking lot was wide open, and I had no problems parking my truck and trailer.
In the morning I took Kitty! over for a five day stay at a kennel in Hillcrest. Now I was free to continue my search for a place to live. Phew!
After viewing a few more locations, I decided the first place we had found was the best. We showed up at the complex, and in a whirlwind of paperwork, I had a key to my new temporary abode.
We went back to the hotel and I got my truck and trailer and a friend helped me unload all my crap then carry it up to my new second floor apartment.
The place is about 700sq ft. Not big, but with only my bedroom and office with me, it is just what I need. It has all the appliances, and I should be set for the next 4-6 months till I decide what my next move will be.
I had everything unpacked and totally setup by Tuesday night. Not bad. Everything was going according to the very rushed schedule.
You can see by the rooms, that it is a little barren (I actually don't like “things” on the wall)
Kitty has a “pee and poo” park just out the door. She likes to sit up on the deck and watch all the dogs come and go. Then she's all spastic when we actually go down there with so many delightful ~shudder~ scents to sniff.
Wednesday was my first day of work. I REALLY like all the people I am working with. This is gonna be a lot of fun!
By Friday I was completely settled in, and had already been to the beach a couple times. Like I said, I totally dig the people I am working with, and I feel like I have just slid right into the groove.
Friday night I picked Kitty! up from the kennel, and she was so excited to see me. She looked great, and she had an excellent Report Card. Good Girl!
This Saturday I spent the day getting to know my area. I deliberately got myself lost and “practiced” all the roads.
Urging me on was my search for a new TV. I didn't back very well, and everthing arrived all scratched and scuffed. The little TV I brought with me didn't survive the trip. The audio is shot.
I found all the high tech places- Best Buy, Target, and two Circuit Citys. I eventually bought a new TV. It is High Def..but I don't think the quality is worth it. I may return it later this week.
Oh yeah, I also don't have cable or Internet. They were supposed to show up on Friday, and the management was supposed to give them a key and show them in, but the installer just showed up, and when no one answered, he left. Damn!
I brought about 10 DVD's with me (all my science “Discovery” channel stuff) and with no cable, I have run through most of them. I need to hit Bill up to send me about 30 DVD's to keep the noise going here. Too quiet.
No Internet hasn't been a problem though. I have five neighbors who haven't thought to lock off their wireless networks, so I have just been using my laptop to get on and check mail occasionally. But all my accounting and check balancing stuff is on my main computer, and I HOPE I have enough money in my accounts! Time Warner will be out next Wednesday. It will be good to get that part settled.
Let see. Also on Saturday I found a groomer for Kitty! David recommended it. It's called My Beautiful Dog-o-mat. It's in gay ole Hillcrest, and the location gave me ample opportunity to drive up and down the streets and get my bearings.
I learned that 6th street become 163, and that Texas/Qualcomm St. is my new best friend for getting in and out of the city. I even found David's old house.
I found the Gold's Gym on Rosecrans, and went in to get a workout in.
I was told that I have to join their gym. That my out of state membership was only good for 17 visits. What?!?! I've never had any problems working out anywhere. And why 17?!? Why not 18?
They told me I could get a 6 month membership for $399 bucks. Buwhahahahaha.
I was like, “Let me get this straight. I paid a giant initiation fee 5 years ago. I have been a member in good standing for five years. I even have about 5 referrals to you all. And now you want me to pay 65 a month, well, and plus my 25.95 for my other membership that I don't want to cancel?”
“Yes. Your reciprocity is only good for 17 visits at other locations.”
I was surprised he knew the word reciprocity. This made no sense at all, cuz I can work out at any Texas gym. When I have been in other states, I just scan my ID card and it's no trouble at all. I am sure somewhere in my contract it says something, but that's pretty shitty. Why yak about all your locations, and it being an advantage if you limit it like that?
Of course the gym is being reconstructed and it looks like shit. I said “Whatever. Where is the locker room?” You have to go through the pool area to get to it. What?
I am so tempted to write Gold's and tell them how shitty it is, but I know they don't care. For that price I may as well go work out at Powerhouse with all the gay boys. Which is what I plan to do. At least at Powerhouse I can say “Whatever.” and they “get” that I mean, "Ur an asshole."
Reciprocity my ass.
I picked Kitty! up late Saturday night, and we snuggled in for the night to work. She really likes her new deck.
Sunday, was of course spent working on this journal entry. I did find a bicycle shop and bought some maps of bike routes in town, so I hope to get out and explore the area on my bike.
That's about it!
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