Though this post has been written for some time and I wanted to upload it sooner, the weekend simply got away from me (sorry Marcus). Friday night Dipti and I went to Lime (an awesome little Tequila bar in S. Baltimore) and back to her place to watch the Olympic opening ceremonies, Thom and the guys (and Erin) hosted an awesome “Moving to Kansas” bbq at his home on Saturday and on Sunday, I picnicked with my dear friend Sharon and the rest of her public defender crew out on the Chesapeake. Trying to squeeze in as much time with my friends here before I leave is absolutely exhausting! But you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way!
So without further pause…
The Top Ten Things I am Looking Forward to in Abilene
10. Laundry room on the second floor
For those that haven’t been to my apartment building, let’s just say that it’s…uh ….an interesting place. Think crack den meets international dorm. There was a time in my life when I enjoyed the eclectic feel of the place and the neighborhood, but as I get older, I notice that my tolerance for the craziness has significantly diminished. The worst part of living there was the very scary laundry room in the very scary basement. Inevitably I would put it off doing laundry as long as I could and hope that on the chosen day the elevator might work. In our new home, the laundry room is on the second floor just down the hall from the master bedroom. I can’t wait! Who would have thought that the thought of doing laundry would make the Top 10 list!?!
9. Dharma or Diego
It was a long road to Abilene for Marcus and when we finally got to the point of deciding our next step, I half jokingly cut a deal with him. If we were going to live in the country, we would need to subscribe to a bunch of magazines, leave Kansas once a year to watch an AVP tournament live (which we’ve done for the past two years) and adopt a beagle puppy. Yes, I used the tried and true “Can I get a puppy?” line, and (I think) it worked! I’ve been trying to think of names for the little guy (or gal) and keep coming back to Dharma or Diego. Or, maybe Dharma AND Diego???
8. Seeing the stars
Not a whole lot of ambient light in a town of 6,400 and night seem darker there. Looking forward to navigating the nighttime sky and can’t wait to see my first meteor shower!
7. The sound of the train passing through town
I’m not sure if we can hear church bells in our home, but I do know that we can hear the sound of the train as it passes by. Not really sure what’s on the train, or where it’s going or where it’s coming from, but I guess that’s yet another thing I’ll learn once I get there!
6. Stopping smoking
The time has come. I promised Marcus that I would stop smoking when we moved in together and I’m ready. ‘Nuff said.
5. Gardening
The last time I was in Abilene, Marcus and I mapped out the property and started making preliminary plans for both a raised vegetable garden and a clipping garden. Though we’ll have to wait until next year to plant the vegetable garden, Marcus has already started the clipping garden. In the early weeks, I used to get pictures of the seedlings, but haven’t gotten any recently and can’t wait to see it! As far as vegetables, I’m hoping to grow green beans, tomatoes and a variety of peppers (jalapeño, bell, serrano, anaheim, and orange habanero) to start. Our neighbor has several beautiful raised gardens and I hope to talk to her about her experiences. My good friend Leslie recently told me that blueberries grow particularly well in Kansas – definitely going to give them a shot!
4. A radical change of pace
While I love city life, it can be a little distracting. There always seems like there is something to do, especially in the summertime. One thing that I really like about Abilene is the sense of community. There’s may not be a lot to do, but when there is (e.g. the fair, Country Stampede, the rodeo, etc) the whole town shows up.
3. Working on the house
Neither Marcus nor I have a lot of remodeling experience. Sure, we can both paint and do routine maintenance, but as far as big stuff goes, we have a lot to learn. We’ve already made our maiden voyage to Home Depot in Manhattan (the Little Apple) and I suspect we’ll be spending a lot of time there in the near future. Marcus has a great eye for design and I’m looking forward to go through each step of the process with him. Good thing we have the DYI network!
2. A cook’s kitchen
Even though we eventually want to redo the décor of the kitchen, the kitchen has a nice layout and can easily accommodate two (or more) cooks. I love the island in the middle with an extra sink. Even though Marcus can get a little bossy (he sometimes slips into Chief Resident mode) we have a good time cooking together and love to entertain. Within the next year I hope to publish a collection of our favorite recipes through http://www.blurb.com/.
1. Starting a life with Marcus (finally!)
We did it! Although the past year not at all been easy, we somehow got through it and in some ways it’s made our relationship stronger. Each time we’d get together for a long weekend, it took us a day or so to find our groove and before you knew it, it was time to say goodbye. Thank goodness we won't have to go through that again!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Top Ten Things I Will Miss About Baltimore
With only a week to go, I've been reflecting on my 17 years here and thought a Top Ten list was in order, so here goes!
Top 10 Things I Will Miss About Baltimore
10. Having the ability to walk (or take public transport) everywhere I need to go
I haven't had a car in years and found that city life doesn't really require it! Sure there's the occasional Wal-Mart run or the late night ear infection that necessitates a run to the urgent care center, but those are few and far between. My friends and I always joke about actually getting in someone's car to go "off campus", i.e. out of Mt. Vernon.
9. An international airport, just 20 minutes away
I love to travel but dread the return trip with it's accompanying "I just wanna get home" feeling. BWI is only 20 minutes away from the downtown area. Looks like when Marc and I travel to our next destination (I'm hoping for Istanbul, Turkey), we'll be flying out of Kansas City (5 hours away of additional travel time, roundtrip). Oi!
8. Baltimore Beach Volleyball and the Toyota Pro Beach Challenge
I've already written about the amateur beach volleyball league but did you know that Baltimore host's an amateur volleyball competition? While it's not the AVP, it's a ton of fun, and the competitors come from all over the US to play their hearts out. One year my friend Dipti won VIP passes and we got to hang out in the players tent with the free food, drink and SHADE! Totally fun!
7. Hearing the church bells
There's no less than 5 churches within a two block radius of my apartment and it's comforting to hear the church bells ring on a regular basis. I read that Anne Frank, while in hiding, would mark time by the ringing of the bells in the church near her canal house. As my final days approach, in some small way, I can appreciate what the ringing of the bells must have meant to her - time is passing, sometimes more quickly, sometimes more slowly than we would like. Granted I'm not really hiding out from the Nazi's or anything. (Side note: I visited that church while in Amsterdam and climbed the tower and got some great pictures of the city.)
6. Restaurants, restaurants and more restaurants
Within steps of my apartment I probably have 30 choices of restaurants. Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Seafood, Pub Food, Korean, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, Italian - you name it, it's there. Abilene has two Mexican restaurants and several others that are famous for their chicken fried steak with white gravy. I suspect that Marcus and I will be eating at home a lot and REALLY improving our culinary skills!
5. Mick O'Shea's Irish Pub
"We went there for everything we needed. we went there when thirsty, of course, and when hungry, and when dead tired. We went there when happy, to celebrate, and when sad, to sulk. We went there after weddings and funerals, for something to settle our nerves, and always for a shot of courage just before. We went there when we didn't know what we needed, hoping someone might tell us. We went there when looking for love, or sex, or trouble, or for someone who had gone missing, because sooner or later everyone turned up there. Most of all we went there when we needed to be found." (From The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer)
4. Baltimore Book Festival and the Enoch Pratt Annual Book Sale
Even though Baltimore is no longer the City that Reads, there is a literary scene here and it converges each year at the two events listed above. The Baltimore Book Festival takes over Mt. Vernon square the last weekend of September and hosts writers and readers from around the world. The best time to get there is early in the morning, so find a buddy that likes to wake up early. (Thom might be looking for a partner in crime this year!) Last year I met Tim Gunn from Project Runway who read from his latest book and answered questions from the audience. (He's much thinner and smaller than most would expect and so, so, friendly - not pretentious at all!) The Enoch Pratt Book Sale is always the first weekend in December, perfect for holiday shopping. Warning: Its a madhouse, so work out a strategy before you go. They'll set up in the expansive lobby the day before, so you can figure out the lay of the land. Last year I focused on scoring as many different types of cookbooks as I could. At fifty cents for hardbacks and twenty-five cents for paperbacks you can't beat it!
3. The stillness of the City after a heavy snowfall
Sometimes the sirens, honking horns and fairly consistent yelling from the homeless folk outside my apartment can be wearing, but after a good snow, everything gets just a little quieter. It's almost peaceful, if Baltimore can ever be described as that. Though we haven't had a heavy snow in years, my urban tribe and I always looked forward being snowed in and meeting up at Mick O'Shea's (see above).
2. My professional life and relationships at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Writing about this one is tough. I came to DHMH right out of the Peace Corps and even though I had two years of experience working as an epidemiologist, the experiences that I've gained here are pretty amazing. I've had the unique opportunity to work in three different programs (Veterinary Public Health, Emergency Preparedness and Infection Prevention and Control), each position more challenging than the next. Thanks to my mentor, Dr. Brenda Roup, I think I've finally found my calling in infection prevention and control. Her guidance over the past three years has been invaluable and without her support and willingness to teach, I doubt I would have passed the certification exam on the first try. I know I still have a lot to learn from her but she will be in my life a long time, even if we can't yell over our cubicle walls to each other:) Words are completely inadequate to describe the respect and admiration that I have for my colleagues. Say what you will about "State workers" but these are some of the brightest, hardest working public health professionals that I have ever met. Over the past 8 years these people have become my family and I am going to miss them dearly. I sent out the obligatory "thanks for the memories" email to over 650 colleagues that I've worked with over the years and probably got 225 responses, wishing me well in my future endeavors. Completely overwhelming! My DHMH "Baked Potato Topping" send-off is scheduled for Tuesday and I've already informed tmy colleagues that tears are not a topping...
1. My friends
Another tough one to write about. So many good people have come into my life and I am going to miss the convenience of seeing them and just hanging out. In the words of the Grateful Dead, "What a long, strange trip it's been". Hard to believe the experiences we've been through over the years - births, deaths, at least one arrest (not me mom, not me), partying til dawn (and the subsequent recovery period), bbq's, concerts, and most of all, growing up. We're all a little bit chubbier now, a little greyer, and I would like to think a whole lot wiser thanks to those experiences.
There is a scene near the end in Wicked, the musical, when Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) sings to Galinda (Glinda, the Good Witch) about what she means to her. I think her words capture it beautifully and so I end this post with those lyrics (no tears this time Dipu):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now, whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...
Check back soon for the Top Ten Things I'm Looking Forward To In Abilene.
Top 10 Things I Will Miss About Baltimore
10. Having the ability to walk (or take public transport) everywhere I need to go
I haven't had a car in years and found that city life doesn't really require it! Sure there's the occasional Wal-Mart run or the late night ear infection that necessitates a run to the urgent care center, but those are few and far between. My friends and I always joke about actually getting in someone's car to go "off campus", i.e. out of Mt. Vernon.
9. An international airport, just 20 minutes away
I love to travel but dread the return trip with it's accompanying "I just wanna get home" feeling. BWI is only 20 minutes away from the downtown area. Looks like when Marc and I travel to our next destination (I'm hoping for Istanbul, Turkey), we'll be flying out of Kansas City (5 hours away of additional travel time, roundtrip). Oi!
8. Baltimore Beach Volleyball and the Toyota Pro Beach Challenge
I've already written about the amateur beach volleyball league but did you know that Baltimore host's an amateur volleyball competition? While it's not the AVP, it's a ton of fun, and the competitors come from all over the US to play their hearts out. One year my friend Dipti won VIP passes and we got to hang out in the players tent with the free food, drink and SHADE! Totally fun!
7. Hearing the church bells
There's no less than 5 churches within a two block radius of my apartment and it's comforting to hear the church bells ring on a regular basis. I read that Anne Frank, while in hiding, would mark time by the ringing of the bells in the church near her canal house. As my final days approach, in some small way, I can appreciate what the ringing of the bells must have meant to her - time is passing, sometimes more quickly, sometimes more slowly than we would like. Granted I'm not really hiding out from the Nazi's or anything. (Side note: I visited that church while in Amsterdam and climbed the tower and got some great pictures of the city.)
6. Restaurants, restaurants and more restaurants
Within steps of my apartment I probably have 30 choices of restaurants. Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Seafood, Pub Food, Korean, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, Italian - you name it, it's there. Abilene has two Mexican restaurants and several others that are famous for their chicken fried steak with white gravy. I suspect that Marcus and I will be eating at home a lot and REALLY improving our culinary skills!
5. Mick O'Shea's Irish Pub
"We went there for everything we needed. we went there when thirsty, of course, and when hungry, and when dead tired. We went there when happy, to celebrate, and when sad, to sulk. We went there after weddings and funerals, for something to settle our nerves, and always for a shot of courage just before. We went there when we didn't know what we needed, hoping someone might tell us. We went there when looking for love, or sex, or trouble, or for someone who had gone missing, because sooner or later everyone turned up there. Most of all we went there when we needed to be found." (From The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer)
4. Baltimore Book Festival and the Enoch Pratt Annual Book Sale
Even though Baltimore is no longer the City that Reads, there is a literary scene here and it converges each year at the two events listed above. The Baltimore Book Festival takes over Mt. Vernon square the last weekend of September and hosts writers and readers from around the world. The best time to get there is early in the morning, so find a buddy that likes to wake up early. (Thom might be looking for a partner in crime this year!) Last year I met Tim Gunn from Project Runway who read from his latest book and answered questions from the audience. (He's much thinner and smaller than most would expect and so, so, friendly - not pretentious at all!) The Enoch Pratt Book Sale is always the first weekend in December, perfect for holiday shopping. Warning: Its a madhouse, so work out a strategy before you go. They'll set up in the expansive lobby the day before, so you can figure out the lay of the land. Last year I focused on scoring as many different types of cookbooks as I could. At fifty cents for hardbacks and twenty-five cents for paperbacks you can't beat it!
3. The stillness of the City after a heavy snowfall
Sometimes the sirens, honking horns and fairly consistent yelling from the homeless folk outside my apartment can be wearing, but after a good snow, everything gets just a little quieter. It's almost peaceful, if Baltimore can ever be described as that. Though we haven't had a heavy snow in years, my urban tribe and I always looked forward being snowed in and meeting up at Mick O'Shea's (see above).
2. My professional life and relationships at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Writing about this one is tough. I came to DHMH right out of the Peace Corps and even though I had two years of experience working as an epidemiologist, the experiences that I've gained here are pretty amazing. I've had the unique opportunity to work in three different programs (Veterinary Public Health, Emergency Preparedness and Infection Prevention and Control), each position more challenging than the next. Thanks to my mentor, Dr. Brenda Roup, I think I've finally found my calling in infection prevention and control. Her guidance over the past three years has been invaluable and without her support and willingness to teach, I doubt I would have passed the certification exam on the first try. I know I still have a lot to learn from her but she will be in my life a long time, even if we can't yell over our cubicle walls to each other:) Words are completely inadequate to describe the respect and admiration that I have for my colleagues. Say what you will about "State workers" but these are some of the brightest, hardest working public health professionals that I have ever met. Over the past 8 years these people have become my family and I am going to miss them dearly. I sent out the obligatory "thanks for the memories" email to over 650 colleagues that I've worked with over the years and probably got 225 responses, wishing me well in my future endeavors. Completely overwhelming! My DHMH "Baked Potato Topping" send-off is scheduled for Tuesday and I've already informed tmy colleagues that tears are not a topping...
1. My friends
Another tough one to write about. So many good people have come into my life and I am going to miss the convenience of seeing them and just hanging out. In the words of the Grateful Dead, "What a long, strange trip it's been". Hard to believe the experiences we've been through over the years - births, deaths, at least one arrest (not me mom, not me), partying til dawn (and the subsequent recovery period), bbq's, concerts, and most of all, growing up. We're all a little bit chubbier now, a little greyer, and I would like to think a whole lot wiser thanks to those experiences.
There is a scene near the end in Wicked, the musical, when Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) sings to Galinda (Glinda, the Good Witch) about what she means to her. I think her words capture it beautifully and so I end this post with those lyrics (no tears this time Dipu):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now, whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...
Check back soon for the Top Ten Things I'm Looking Forward To In Abilene.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wrapping Up - Literally!
It's been a hectic, but productive two weeks since I last posted. Marcus came into town last weekend and brought some much needed relief and sanity into my world. He's moved at least a dozen times in his life and even though we have very different packing "styles", he's a real pro. Within 48 hours, utter chaos became organized chaos, and we were even able to squeeze in some good food and little fun.Thom, Todd, and Woody swung by on Saturday and were a huge help. We got the sofa and box springs to the landfill - no small task! Ever try to get a rather large sofa down a rather small spiral staircase? Not at all my idea of a good time, but after figuring out the angles we finally got it out of the apartment and into the back of Todd's truck. Thom took custody of my plants and Todd and Woody picked up the items they could use. The dining room is now the "staging area". Even though nearly 85% of my belongings are packed up in boxes, I'm able to exist fairly comfortably. Sure, there's a little "Now, what did I do with that?" going on, but if I can't find it, I somehow make do.
In the middle of all this, the world lost a good man on Saturday. CJ Roup (my mentor's husband of 32 years) died from multiple complications following surgery for esophageal cancer. I was fortunate enough to be able to see him (Thanks Dipu!) on Thursday and even though he was sedated and on a ventilator, he was responsive and knew that he was surrounded by loved ones. His obituary was published yesterday in the Washington Post and he will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery on August 12th. CJ, if you are somehow reading this, I'm REALLY gonna miss your corny email jokes!
(Kinda) good news on the job front. Kansas Department of Health and Environment has offered me an initial phone interview for a surveillance epi position. Even though I really want to pursue a career in acute care infection prevention and control, any job is better than no job. Unfortunately the position is located in Topeka, not Salina as originally posted. If I get this job, my 11 block walking commute will turn into a 1.5 hour drive - YIKES! We'll see. Right now I'm looking at all my options.
The coolest thing about this week: I bought my plane ticket! One way to Kansas City, first flight out, Sunday August 17th! Even though it would have been nice to see the country by train, it was just too complicated. Marcus would have had to pick me up in Topeka in the middle of the night, in the middle of the work week. So instead, we plan on going to brunch and then furniture shopping for our new home. Those of you that know me well, know that I'm not much of a shopper, but right now, I can't think of a more perfect day!
Joey
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Bump - Set- Spike!
As many of you know, one of my favorite things about summer is beach volleyball. For the past two years, I’ve played in an intramural league in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, organized by Baltimore Beach Volleyball. Even though we technically don’t have a beach in Baltimore, sand courts are created overlooking the harbor and on hot, sticky Wednesday nights, I’d meet up with my teammates to laugh, catch up with each other’s lives, and of course, play volleyball. Even though I only saw them once a week and rarely on the off-season, the time spent with them on that makeshift beach will always be one of my favorite memories of living in Baltimore.
Though I’m not able to play this year, the lessons learned on the courts are playing out as I make this transition from Baltimore to Abilene. For those unfamiliar with the game, the classic pattern of play is bump, set, and spike.
Bump: to receive a high powered serve from the opposing team, redirecting it with the forearms
With only four weeks to go, I’m feeling that I’ve got about a hundred balls flying at me, especially at work, and I’m doing my best to keep them all “in play”. Working for government, there seems to be endless forms to fill out regarding benefits, reinstatement rights, and my 401k. So far, professionally speaking, I think I’m on top of it. After work, the fun continues with meeting with movers, arranging for utility shut-offs, filling out change of address forms for the USPS, and notifying everyone from Netflix to the magazines that I subscribe to of my new address. I just hope I am not forgetting anything!
Set: The tactical skill in which a ball is directed to a point where a player can spike it into the opponent's court
De-constructing my life here in Baltimore has obviously been keeping me pretty busy, so I haven’t had much energy to work on “setting up” my life in Abilene. I simply cannot do both at the same time. Though I’ve officially applied for one job at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, I’m really hoping to pursue acute care infection prevention and control. I met some great contacts at the APIC national conference and will be in contact with them once I get unpacked. Right now, I’m feeling ok about this as I will be paid for a few months as I run out my leave from DHMH.
Spike: A ball contacted with force by a player on the offensive team who intends to terminate the ball on the opponent's floor or off the opponent's blocker.
Spiking the ball is the ultimate thrill for any volleyball player and is the culmination of a lot of teamwork and a little luck. In any volleyball game, you may not even get the chance to spike the ball, but I’ve been given that chance. As hectic as things are right now, I’m fortunate in that I have a great teammate (Marcus) and feel confident that, in the end, we will figure it out – together.
Disclaimer: I never said that I was GOOD at volleyball, just that I enjoyed playing;)
Joey
Though I’m not able to play this year, the lessons learned on the courts are playing out as I make this transition from Baltimore to Abilene. For those unfamiliar with the game, the classic pattern of play is bump, set, and spike.
Bump: to receive a high powered serve from the opposing team, redirecting it with the forearms
With only four weeks to go, I’m feeling that I’ve got about a hundred balls flying at me, especially at work, and I’m doing my best to keep them all “in play”. Working for government, there seems to be endless forms to fill out regarding benefits, reinstatement rights, and my 401k. So far, professionally speaking, I think I’m on top of it. After work, the fun continues with meeting with movers, arranging for utility shut-offs, filling out change of address forms for the USPS, and notifying everyone from Netflix to the magazines that I subscribe to of my new address. I just hope I am not forgetting anything!
Set: The tactical skill in which a ball is directed to a point where a player can spike it into the opponent's court
De-constructing my life here in Baltimore has obviously been keeping me pretty busy, so I haven’t had much energy to work on “setting up” my life in Abilene. I simply cannot do both at the same time. Though I’ve officially applied for one job at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, I’m really hoping to pursue acute care infection prevention and control. I met some great contacts at the APIC national conference and will be in contact with them once I get unpacked. Right now, I’m feeling ok about this as I will be paid for a few months as I run out my leave from DHMH.
Spike: A ball contacted with force by a player on the offensive team who intends to terminate the ball on the opponent's floor or off the opponent's blocker.
Spiking the ball is the ultimate thrill for any volleyball player and is the culmination of a lot of teamwork and a little luck. In any volleyball game, you may not even get the chance to spike the ball, but I’ve been given that chance. As hectic as things are right now, I’m fortunate in that I have a great teammate (Marcus) and feel confident that, in the end, we will figure it out – together.
Disclaimer: I never said that I was GOOD at volleyball, just that I enjoyed playing;)
Joey
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Pickin' and Stickin' Six Weeks Out
Exactly six weeks from this weekend, I'll be starting my new life in Abilene, Kansas - my excitement tempered only by all the work that needs to be done. There seems to be a million decisions that need to be made, not the least of which concerns what to bring or leave behind. I find it hard to believe that as a Peace Corps Volunteer, ALL of my worldly possessions once fit into exactly two pieces of luggage. How on earth did I accumulate so much stuff?
Last weekend I was pretty paralyzed and overwhelmed with the thought of packing. Needless to say, not a whole lot got done. This weekend however, I seem to have turned the corner. A wise woman recently shared with me the Pick and Stick method of packing and organizing: Pick something up and Stick it somewhere it belongs (e.g. a box, the donate pile, etc). Not a very efficient system, but effective. (Thank you mamayamas.)
It's also comforting to know that I'm not doing everything by myself. Marcus will be coming into town on the weekend of July 25th to help with some of the things that require an extra hand (e.g. removing the door so I can get the couch out, breaking down the few pieces of furniture that I'm taking, etc.) My friends Thom, Todd, Mikey and Woodland are also stopping by that weekend to go shopping at 'Chez Joey'. So...by months end, I should be pretty much ready to go.
Speaking of going, I'm toying with the idea of traveling to Abilene by train. Even though I'll take about two days, I think it might be fun to see the country by rail. We'll see! Right now though, I've got to get back to pickin' and stickin'.
Joey
Last weekend I was pretty paralyzed and overwhelmed with the thought of packing. Needless to say, not a whole lot got done. This weekend however, I seem to have turned the corner. A wise woman recently shared with me the Pick and Stick method of packing and organizing: Pick something up and Stick it somewhere it belongs (e.g. a box, the donate pile, etc). Not a very efficient system, but effective. (Thank you mamayamas.)
It's also comforting to know that I'm not doing everything by myself. Marcus will be coming into town on the weekend of July 25th to help with some of the things that require an extra hand (e.g. removing the door so I can get the couch out, breaking down the few pieces of furniture that I'm taking, etc.) My friends Thom, Todd, Mikey and Woodland are also stopping by that weekend to go shopping at 'Chez Joey'. So...by months end, I should be pretty much ready to go.
Speaking of going, I'm toying with the idea of traveling to Abilene by train. Even though I'll take about two days, I think it might be fun to see the country by rail. We'll see! Right now though, I've got to get back to pickin' and stickin'.
Joey
Monday, June 30, 2008
Let the Adventure Begin!
Hello! Welcome to my very first post of my very first blog! I've created this little space in the blogosphere for a couple of reasons. Firstly to allow you, my faithful friends and family, to keep up with all the latest as I transition from living alone in a tiny one bedroom apartment in Baltimore, Maryland to building a life with Marcus, in our first home, in Abilene, Kansas.
"WHAT???", you say, "Abilene, Kansas? Never heard of it!"
That's ok, many people haven't. To get you better acquainted with my soon-to-be new home town, I've added some links just to the right of this post. Please feel free to check them out.
Secondly, I've started this blog as a creative outlet for some of my many random thoughts - hence the title. Don't worry, I'll try to filter them;) I have some pretty big changes ahead and I'm looking forward to sharing the surprising revelations along the way.
I'm not exactly sure how frequently I'll be posting, so be sure to check back often. For those of you that are computer challenged, you can bookmark this page by clicking on Favorites (at the top of the screen), then Add.
Thanks for stopping by. Comments are always welcome. Simply click on the comment button below and follow the instructions. 'Til next time...
Joey
"WHAT???", you say, "Abilene, Kansas? Never heard of it!"
That's ok, many people haven't. To get you better acquainted with my soon-to-be new home town, I've added some links just to the right of this post. Please feel free to check them out.
Secondly, I've started this blog as a creative outlet for some of my many random thoughts - hence the title. Don't worry, I'll try to filter them;) I have some pretty big changes ahead and I'm looking forward to sharing the surprising revelations along the way.
I'm not exactly sure how frequently I'll be posting, so be sure to check back often. For those of you that are computer challenged, you can bookmark this page by clicking on Favorites (at the top of the screen), then Add.
Thanks for stopping by. Comments are always welcome. Simply click on the comment button below and follow the instructions. 'Til next time...
Joey
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