I think today I feel like a grown up. Not just for today, but like I actually made it. I have manage to drag, crawl, scrape and grumble my way into adulthood. It hasn't been easy, but it's rewarding to be here all the same.
Now today isn't my birthday. I didn't get a new job, or a promotion or buy a house today. All in all, it's a fairly unspectacular Thursday in the Great NorthLeft. It's slightly foggy with a high of 85 predicted this afternoon. I'm working from home for now. The dog is crashed out behind my desk chair. Nothing inherently noteworthy. Except in my head.
It's been noted that I'm far more introspective on this blog that in person, to which I acquiesce to. As I've mentioned previously, I do use this blog as an external meditation area and brain download facility.
I noted recently that I've been back in (near) Seattle for about eighteen months. Somehow in that time I changed. I have a career. It's like a job, but with ongoing potential, fulfillment and growth opportunities that uses multiple skills and talents I have, plus requires that I continue to learn. It also pays a lot better than a job. It's soul sucking on a less often basis and much more self directed.
I have been paying all my bills plus cutting into my debt like a Canadian Lumberjack into a huge pine. I remember the times, not so long ago, when I was first overseas and could barely manage my month to month living expenses, let alone work on any debt from before. I was lucky it I didn't have to incur any new debt most months. If it weren't for mom's understanding generosity, I think I'd have had to move back within months. I used to be ashamed to admit that there were times I needed help paying my bills. Now I realise that most folks go through that time. Aside from my car loan, I've reduced my other debts (school loan, credit cards, misc loan) by over half since my return to the US. That's more impressive if you consider the amount of stuff there is to buy, do, see, in all senses pay for. I don't feel that I've deprived myself at all though. 25 and I have done heaps this year; baseball, football and soccer games, beerfests, music fests, camping, vacationing, etc.
Additionally, on the financial front, I started a Traditional and a Roth IRA (individual retirement account). I found and rolled old 401Ks (similar accounts sponsored by previous employers) into one account, and have begun funding another account on my own, as my current company doesn't contribute to one on my behalf. I'm committed to making sure I have some options if I make it to retirement.
I'm in a relationship that feels like a relationship is supposed to (I think). 25 has the poise, intelligence and planning of someone old than those years. He has been a true partner thus far. He helps around the house without my needing to nag him. He would rather talk about issues as they arise and avoid drama. He is accepting and understanding of my shortcomings and encourages my desire to work on aspects of my personality and my life. He accommodates my need for planning and also spur the moment plans. He makes me feel happy and at ease. From chaotic Seahawks games to backpack trips, he is never expects more than I can give and always seems to give what I need.
I have a new, very luxurious, grown up car. I live in a house and pay the mortgage. It's not my house, it's mom's, but she doesn't live here. I take care of the day to day tending of the house, the maintenance, the garden we planted.
I have two charges that I care for. Not children, but sometimes it feels like they are. Doctors visits, cleaning up after then, etc. If you count 25, it's really three ;)
I read the Sunday paper, I drink coffee every morning, I take my clothes to the dry cleaner on occasion. I think adulthood is official, and it feels allllriiiiiight.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
A Purchase
Not the biggest purchase of my life, it was under $200.
Not the most important purchase ever.
A meaningful purchase, no doubt.
25 and I have finally used them so now I can talk about it.
A couple months ago we made our first joint, couple purchase. Now we'd gone to Arizona and dividy up those expenses. I got the rental car, he got hotels, etc. This was a coordinated purchase.
We bought . . .
sleeping bags.
Lafuma lightweight 35, 600 down fill mummy sleeping bags that squish down in compression sacks to about 1lb 14oz and the size of a Nalgene bottle. They have been very toasty so far and easy to compress. I'd highly recommend them.
We coordinated the purchase because we wanted to get bags that had the option to zip together. There are double bags, that is one big, two person bag. Then the problem is who carries it? What if I want to go camping without him? I don't want to pack the weight of both. This way, we don't have to zip together, and we didn't last weekend, but we can.
Some of you might be thinking "sleeping bags? that's a big purchase?" Yep, sure is. These bags were roughly $170 a piece. A chunk of change no matter how you look at it. We knew we'd want to camp and backpack several times this year, and probably next.
It was an investment in our time outdoors and in the relationship. We bought bags that wouuld allow us to go do the things we wanted to together, but it the relationship went belly up, we could walk away, taking our respective sleeping bags with us.
The bags are in the garage, living with our combined camping gear. It's all mixed up together, just the way joint possessions should be. Communal property. When we buy new gear, he buys some, I buy others and they all go in to the same box. I know part of the reason I was able to select the Optima is because I knew we'd have his Subaru to use for hiking and camping.
It seems a merging has begun.
Not the most important purchase ever.
A meaningful purchase, no doubt.
25 and I have finally used them so now I can talk about it.
A couple months ago we made our first joint, couple purchase. Now we'd gone to Arizona and dividy up those expenses. I got the rental car, he got hotels, etc. This was a coordinated purchase.
We bought . . .
sleeping bags.
Lafuma lightweight 35, 600 down fill mummy sleeping bags that squish down in compression sacks to about 1lb 14oz and the size of a Nalgene bottle. They have been very toasty so far and easy to compress. I'd highly recommend them.
We coordinated the purchase because we wanted to get bags that had the option to zip together. There are double bags, that is one big, two person bag. Then the problem is who carries it? What if I want to go camping without him? I don't want to pack the weight of both. This way, we don't have to zip together, and we didn't last weekend, but we can.
Some of you might be thinking "sleeping bags? that's a big purchase?" Yep, sure is. These bags were roughly $170 a piece. A chunk of change no matter how you look at it. We knew we'd want to camp and backpack several times this year, and probably next.
It was an investment in our time outdoors and in the relationship. We bought bags that wouuld allow us to go do the things we wanted to together, but it the relationship went belly up, we could walk away, taking our respective sleeping bags with us.
The bags are in the garage, living with our combined camping gear. It's all mixed up together, just the way joint possessions should be. Communal property. When we buy new gear, he buys some, I buy others and they all go in to the same box. I know part of the reason I was able to select the Optima is because I knew we'd have his Subaru to use for hiking and camping.
It seems a merging has begun.
Monday, September 09, 2013
We Survived!!
25 and I went backpacking over the weekend. We've been camping together several times now, always car camping. This was decidedly different.
I hadn't been backpacking since I did the Camino de Santiago de la Compostela in northern Spain. Even then, it was like when I "backpacked" around in Asia, but always staying at hostels, not in a tent. In Asia, I could leave it in my room, throw it on the bus, boat, train, etc. For the Camino, I had carried my pack while I walked between 6km and 42km daily, from place to place.
For this trip we met the five people we'd spend the night camping with. A couple of them are very good friends. We get along like family, for all the harassment that includes. I could spend lots of time with them and we don't rub on one another (too much). A couple of them were acquaintances that'd I'd not want to spend too many nights with. We made the hour and a half drive from the meeting point to Rachel Lake Trailhead. The next four hours were mostly spent staring at the ground as I tried not to trip and smash my face into any of the all too numerous rocks and roots that made up the trail. Roughly 4.5 miles to Rachel Lake with a 31.5 pound bag felt considerably longer. There was a moment (ok, maybe several) where I asked myself why I thought this was a good idea. I haven't been hiking in over a month. Heck, I haven't even made it to the gym. Did I mention it rained/drizzled/misted on us all day Saturday? In hindsight, that was probably a lifesaver. Our sunny descent on Sunday was fantastic but we would have baked going up in 70 degree temperatures.
We camped in view of the lake and were rewarded with some incredible views Sunday morning when the clouds finally blew away.
One of the best and most important parts about this trip for me was knowing that my faith in 25 was/is well placed. He never chided or chastised me for being slow. He always maintained visual contact and wasn't concerned when I wanted to stop along the way. We pulled together as things got tougher, not pushing each other about nonsense as we were tired and hungry. He told me I looked beautiful when I knew I could only look anything but. He was patient to the nth degree. He agreed for mutual benefit when I suggested that maybe we pass on the additional 3+ miles straight up and back to Rampart Lake. We really worked as a team to set up camp, make meals, clean up, etc. I don't think I can fully express here or even to him how far he's exceeded my expectations and burrowed even farther into my heart. I know that a good relationship is supposed to be a (relatively) equal partnership, but I suppose I've never had or really expected that.
We are planning a multi-night backpacking trip with a couple of the same people and a couple others. It will be one night of car camping and three nights backpack. I couldn't feel better about my choice of team and tent mate. We have started preparing for that trip to the Enchantments by considering the choices we made last weekend and seeking to improve upon them.
If you don't hear from me in October, assume I either; A) didn't return from the mountain, B) maimed myself to the point I can't type or C) . . .
I hadn't been backpacking since I did the Camino de Santiago de la Compostela in northern Spain. Even then, it was like when I "backpacked" around in Asia, but always staying at hostels, not in a tent. In Asia, I could leave it in my room, throw it on the bus, boat, train, etc. For the Camino, I had carried my pack while I walked between 6km and 42km daily, from place to place.
For this trip we met the five people we'd spend the night camping with. A couple of them are very good friends. We get along like family, for all the harassment that includes. I could spend lots of time with them and we don't rub on one another (too much). A couple of them were acquaintances that'd I'd not want to spend too many nights with. We made the hour and a half drive from the meeting point to Rachel Lake Trailhead. The next four hours were mostly spent staring at the ground as I tried not to trip and smash my face into any of the all too numerous rocks and roots that made up the trail. Roughly 4.5 miles to Rachel Lake with a 31.5 pound bag felt considerably longer. There was a moment (ok, maybe several) where I asked myself why I thought this was a good idea. I haven't been hiking in over a month. Heck, I haven't even made it to the gym. Did I mention it rained/drizzled/misted on us all day Saturday? In hindsight, that was probably a lifesaver. Our sunny descent on Sunday was fantastic but we would have baked going up in 70 degree temperatures.
We camped in view of the lake and were rewarded with some incredible views Sunday morning when the clouds finally blew away.
 |
| No snow when we were there! |
We are planning a multi-night backpacking trip with a couple of the same people and a couple others. It will be one night of car camping and three nights backpack. I couldn't feel better about my choice of team and tent mate. We have started preparing for that trip to the Enchantments by considering the choices we made last weekend and seeking to improve upon them.
If you don't hear from me in October, assume I either; A) didn't return from the mountain, B) maimed myself to the point I can't type or C) . . .
Friday, September 06, 2013
What a Difference a Day Makes
Life is what happens when you're busy making plans they say.
What if I was making the plans that rushing up to meet me?
My contract is set to end the last week of November. I've know that since May. That's not a shock. I keep track of it so I know when I have to start the job (yes, it's like a second job) of finding a new contract.
I thought the new contract offer would come in October. These things take time to put together don't ya know. 25 and I knew it would mean a talk. We'd had a talk about having a talk. I never say "talk" because that's not how we are. We can converse openly about things in the relationship and don't let it build up in to a "We need to have a talk" moment. Living arrangements, next job, etc would all be up for discussion.
I got my next offer yesterday. The parent company of the current hospital system I work for has other hospital systems around the nation. Specifically, there is one in Omaha, Nebraska. It's in the middle of the country, in the flat, vague states of the midwest. Reminiscent of Missoula and Spokane, not exactly the place I'll want to be in January with the snow and the cold and all.
The details were few but important. Start December second, break for Christmas/New Years, runs through the end of June. That's good news. I already know folks on the team, the pay is good, my contracting company would be the same. I had lots of questions about the minutia of the new contract and then the brakes in my brain sqealed to a halt when I realized the talk had just been rescheduled.
A six and a half month contract away would mean big changes for things with 25. We had been talking about maybe living together when his lease is up in December. That's got to be considered NOW. If I'm away, what is happening with the dog and cat? Who's taking care of the house? How much with custodians for those things cost? What about the mental and emotional strain of being at a distance for so long? And those depend on the minutia of how often do I get to go home and for how long, is the pay enough to stay on, etc.
No wonder I didn't sleep well last night, I can't get my brain to stop long enough.
What if I was making the plans that rushing up to meet me?
My contract is set to end the last week of November. I've know that since May. That's not a shock. I keep track of it so I know when I have to start the job (yes, it's like a second job) of finding a new contract.
I thought the new contract offer would come in October. These things take time to put together don't ya know. 25 and I knew it would mean a talk. We'd had a talk about having a talk. I never say "talk" because that's not how we are. We can converse openly about things in the relationship and don't let it build up in to a "We need to have a talk" moment. Living arrangements, next job, etc would all be up for discussion.
I got my next offer yesterday. The parent company of the current hospital system I work for has other hospital systems around the nation. Specifically, there is one in Omaha, Nebraska. It's in the middle of the country, in the flat, vague states of the midwest. Reminiscent of Missoula and Spokane, not exactly the place I'll want to be in January with the snow and the cold and all.
The details were few but important. Start December second, break for Christmas/New Years, runs through the end of June. That's good news. I already know folks on the team, the pay is good, my contracting company would be the same. I had lots of questions about the minutia of the new contract and then the brakes in my brain sqealed to a halt when I realized the talk had just been rescheduled.
A six and a half month contract away would mean big changes for things with 25. We had been talking about maybe living together when his lease is up in December. That's got to be considered NOW. If I'm away, what is happening with the dog and cat? Who's taking care of the house? How much with custodians for those things cost? What about the mental and emotional strain of being at a distance for so long? And those depend on the minutia of how often do I get to go home and for how long, is the pay enough to stay on, etc.
No wonder I didn't sleep well last night, I can't get my brain to stop long enough.
Thursday, September 05, 2013
What a Difference Eighteen Months Makes
It occurred to me, while driving, as all the most important and inane things occur to me then, that I've been home roughly eighteen months now.
I wasn't the first of our brave band of Jakarta sisters to go. La Rus went first. She make the jump back to California. I've been down to visit and reminisce. She's one of the few I still talk and text with on a regular basis. Last week she was awed that her daughter is starting eighth grade. I just saw her last year and I swear she wasn't nearly that old then. Guess that means age is probably sneaking up on us too.
I was the next to go, last February, landing more permanently in Seattle in March. Since then I started a new career and worked very successfully in it. I've traveled both for work and fun. I'm in a relationship (gasp!).
I'm not even close to the one with the most news. The kiwi got engaged several months ago. She is posting out save the dates for her wedding in Bali next year. What a great excuse to go back and help her kick off married life right.
There is yet another member of the tribe with even more news. UK, my former sushi companion and life line for many a night in JKT, has not only been engaged, and been married, but she's become an incubator. I'm secretly hoping for baby chicks but I doubt I'll get my wish. She's flown the coop and headed back to England while her hubby sails the seven seas.
That's a year and a half for ya. Who'd have thunk we'd all come so far in such a sort time? And yet, it feels as though my days in Jakarta were ages ago.
In a mere year and a half, I've settled in to coupledom. We prefer to be home, cooking, relaxing. Gone are the clubbing days of staying out until 7am in the most random places in Jakarta. Instead of going to the pubs and clubs, I host beer and cocktail "parties" at my house, party being best described as a simple gathering of people. We enjoy a beerfest on occasion, a backpacking trip, a recent pursuit of vegetable gardening and such. Though I'd hoped for this, even yearned for it, I'd also kibitzed friends who had become "boring" in the coupledom. Who never came out any more. Now, the kidding has come full circle. 25 and I went to a birthday party for his friend. It was in Seattle. She is several years younger than me so the gathering was in Capitol Hill, in a series of bars and clubs. 25 has never been a wild partier and drinker in the time I've known him. After a couple hours of awkward small talk with people we didn't know, and some quality time with his friend and her bf, we hastily make our retreat. We still didn't get home until 1am and we were both knackered. The friend's bf said he knew we'd be the first to go, that it wouldn't be our scene.
I'm happy to admit, both to him and here, that he was right.
I wasn't the first of our brave band of Jakarta sisters to go. La Rus went first. She make the jump back to California. I've been down to visit and reminisce. She's one of the few I still talk and text with on a regular basis. Last week she was awed that her daughter is starting eighth grade. I just saw her last year and I swear she wasn't nearly that old then. Guess that means age is probably sneaking up on us too.
I was the next to go, last February, landing more permanently in Seattle in March. Since then I started a new career and worked very successfully in it. I've traveled both for work and fun. I'm in a relationship (gasp!).
I'm not even close to the one with the most news. The kiwi got engaged several months ago. She is posting out save the dates for her wedding in Bali next year. What a great excuse to go back and help her kick off married life right.
There is yet another member of the tribe with even more news. UK, my former sushi companion and life line for many a night in JKT, has not only been engaged, and been married, but she's become an incubator. I'm secretly hoping for baby chicks but I doubt I'll get my wish. She's flown the coop and headed back to England while her hubby sails the seven seas.
That's a year and a half for ya. Who'd have thunk we'd all come so far in such a sort time? And yet, it feels as though my days in Jakarta were ages ago.
In a mere year and a half, I've settled in to coupledom. We prefer to be home, cooking, relaxing. Gone are the clubbing days of staying out until 7am in the most random places in Jakarta. Instead of going to the pubs and clubs, I host beer and cocktail "parties" at my house, party being best described as a simple gathering of people. We enjoy a beerfest on occasion, a backpacking trip, a recent pursuit of vegetable gardening and such. Though I'd hoped for this, even yearned for it, I'd also kibitzed friends who had become "boring" in the coupledom. Who never came out any more. Now, the kidding has come full circle. 25 and I went to a birthday party for his friend. It was in Seattle. She is several years younger than me so the gathering was in Capitol Hill, in a series of bars and clubs. 25 has never been a wild partier and drinker in the time I've known him. After a couple hours of awkward small talk with people we didn't know, and some quality time with his friend and her bf, we hastily make our retreat. We still didn't get home until 1am and we were both knackered. The friend's bf said he knew we'd be the first to go, that it wouldn't be our scene.
I'm happy to admit, both to him and here, that he was right.
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
Bumbershoot 2013
Some day I'll figure out how/why that is a synonym for umbrella . . .
but in the meantime I'll continue to enjoy it as the biggest, multi genre fest in the great Northleft (look at a map and think about it).
My friend D drove up from the land of hipsters to attend with 25 and I. We hung out at the house Friday night and created an attack plan for the next day.
Over the course of the weekend we saw:
ZZ Ward
Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience
Heart
Tegan and Sara
fun.
Vintage Trouble
Ra Ra Riot
Death Cab for Cutie
The Maldives
MGMT
The Sheepdogs
plus we heard part of:
Ayron Jones & the Way
alt-J
Cascadia '10
It was a fantastic weekend. The weather cooperated. We walked to and from Bumbershoot from 25's apartment. He's not there much these days so we got a lot of use in with the three of us staying there. It was very nice not to have to pay for parking or mess with looking for a lot. We probably put in a couple of miles per day walking.
Last year, D had gold status for Starbucks. They are a major sponsor and have an area to get freebies and free drinks. As I recall, the lines weren't bad last year and we had a few coffees. This year we almost always had to wait to get in, and the lines for coffee fluctuated from almost non-existent to stupid long. I have a gold card so we had use of that special area. In the gold area there was instant coffee, tea, bottles of coffee + milk (caramel, vanilla or low fat). In the general area there were espresso machines running. Both sections had changing areas and I think the plugs were full every time we were in there. In the gold section on day one they would open a bottle of the cold coffee you preferred and pour a 12 oz cup full, then hand you the rest of the bottle. There were also individual packets of their instant coffees to take. By day two they would pour you a cup but wouldn't hand you the bottle. By day three, all the instant packets were behind the counter. We reckon between the free instant stuff and the drinks we had, we had about $50 in goods.
Sunday was absolutely packed. I noticed last year that the crowd seemed young and this year younger. Maybe that's more indicative of the fact that I'm getting old, but I stand by it. The crowds Saturday for Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience and Heart back to back was definitely a little older and mellower than the show with Tegan and Sara & fun.. The line for the main stage wrapped through the grounds form over a quarter mile. It only took 20 minutes to get in to the Key Area but they've got to work on that for next year. I don't remember the lines being as long when the main stage was in Memorial Stadium.
All in all, lots of great people watching, excellent company, fantastic music. Tickets that would have been 182 dollar plus tax if I bought the at the door were only $75 when I bought them presale months in advance. Only one trip to and from Seattle, low gas use and no parking to pay for. We took snacks to reduce the amount we spent on food. Free Starbucks helped too.
It'll be interesting to see if 25 and I are back there again next year.
but in the meantime I'll continue to enjoy it as the biggest, multi genre fest in the great Northleft (look at a map and think about it).
My friend D drove up from the land of hipsters to attend with 25 and I. We hung out at the house Friday night and created an attack plan for the next day.
Over the course of the weekend we saw:
ZZ Ward
Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience
Heart
Tegan and Sara
fun.
Vintage Trouble
Ra Ra Riot
Death Cab for Cutie
The Maldives
MGMT
The Sheepdogs
plus we heard part of:
Ayron Jones & the Way
alt-J
Cascadia '10
It was a fantastic weekend. The weather cooperated. We walked to and from Bumbershoot from 25's apartment. He's not there much these days so we got a lot of use in with the three of us staying there. It was very nice not to have to pay for parking or mess with looking for a lot. We probably put in a couple of miles per day walking.
Last year, D had gold status for Starbucks. They are a major sponsor and have an area to get freebies and free drinks. As I recall, the lines weren't bad last year and we had a few coffees. This year we almost always had to wait to get in, and the lines for coffee fluctuated from almost non-existent to stupid long. I have a gold card so we had use of that special area. In the gold area there was instant coffee, tea, bottles of coffee + milk (caramel, vanilla or low fat). In the general area there were espresso machines running. Both sections had changing areas and I think the plugs were full every time we were in there. In the gold section on day one they would open a bottle of the cold coffee you preferred and pour a 12 oz cup full, then hand you the rest of the bottle. There were also individual packets of their instant coffees to take. By day two they would pour you a cup but wouldn't hand you the bottle. By day three, all the instant packets were behind the counter. We reckon between the free instant stuff and the drinks we had, we had about $50 in goods.
Sunday was absolutely packed. I noticed last year that the crowd seemed young and this year younger. Maybe that's more indicative of the fact that I'm getting old, but I stand by it. The crowds Saturday for Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience and Heart back to back was definitely a little older and mellower than the show with Tegan and Sara & fun.. The line for the main stage wrapped through the grounds form over a quarter mile. It only took 20 minutes to get in to the Key Area but they've got to work on that for next year. I don't remember the lines being as long when the main stage was in Memorial Stadium.
All in all, lots of great people watching, excellent company, fantastic music. Tickets that would have been 182 dollar plus tax if I bought the at the door were only $75 when I bought them presale months in advance. Only one trip to and from Seattle, low gas use and no parking to pay for. We took snacks to reduce the amount we spent on food. Free Starbucks helped too.
It'll be interesting to see if 25 and I are back there again next year.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Come Hell or Highwater
I'm going to get back to blogging
A) because a very lovely British gentleman has asked me recently if I was keeping on with it. He said he liked reading it and wondered where I'd gone. You know who you are you cheeky ginger.
2) because it is a fantastic place to unload the crapola that floats around in my head.
and #) because there's no way I'll remember this still when I'm old, or maybe next year even.
I'm resolving (again, I know. What's this, about my fifth rededication) to get back to it, err this.
That being said, yes of course there are reasons I haven't been blogging. The 55 hour work weeks are one of the most obvious. Since I started my current project mid-April I've worked over 850 total hours. That's a might high average since you've got to deduct the last two weeks at a mere 40 hours/week. The company put the ka-bosh on all the overtime. I'm hoping the pendulum swing back to OT again when things get (farther) behind schedule.
I also haven't been blogging much because when I'm not working, I'm with 25. That's still happening. I think at some point we because a thing. A couple thing. Who knew that today, one day short of the anniversary of our first date, I'd be blogging about being with him? Not me. Definitely not me. The best part of that? He knows.
He knows that he wasn't what I (thought I) was looking for. He knew and was equally slow to get into a monogamous, exclusive relationship. He knows that I'm in a fair amount of awe that he's put up with me this long and keeps coming back, always with a smile on his face to put one on mine.
I think round-about the last blogs I'd just given over a drawer, and then two, to him. Now he's got an, albeit small, dresser and a chunk of space in the closet. His hiking and camping gear lives in the garage all mixed in with mine. Our boots covered in the same mud dust from our last time out. He's got a key, and the garage door opener built in to his review mirror is programmed for my house.
He's in. In a big huge way, he's in. In a fantastic and if I think about it too much, fantastically scary way, he's in.
I've been single for a long time. There were minor flings over along the way, usually ending as quickly as they began. It's been the past five plus years. He knows that. He understands and, I would venture, agrees, the molasses speed has been a good thing. Because here we are, 364 days after first saying "Hi, you must be . . . " and he's still here.
A) because a very lovely British gentleman has asked me recently if I was keeping on with it. He said he liked reading it and wondered where I'd gone. You know who you are you cheeky ginger.
2) because it is a fantastic place to unload the crapola that floats around in my head.
and #) because there's no way I'll remember this still when I'm old, or maybe next year even.
I'm resolving (again, I know. What's this, about my fifth rededication) to get back to it, err this.
That being said, yes of course there are reasons I haven't been blogging. The 55 hour work weeks are one of the most obvious. Since I started my current project mid-April I've worked over 850 total hours. That's a might high average since you've got to deduct the last two weeks at a mere 40 hours/week. The company put the ka-bosh on all the overtime. I'm hoping the pendulum swing back to OT again when things get (farther) behind schedule.
I also haven't been blogging much because when I'm not working, I'm with 25. That's still happening. I think at some point we because a thing. A couple thing. Who knew that today, one day short of the anniversary of our first date, I'd be blogging about being with him? Not me. Definitely not me. The best part of that? He knows.
He knows that he wasn't what I (thought I) was looking for. He knew and was equally slow to get into a monogamous, exclusive relationship. He knows that I'm in a fair amount of awe that he's put up with me this long and keeps coming back, always with a smile on his face to put one on mine.
I think round-about the last blogs I'd just given over a drawer, and then two, to him. Now he's got an, albeit small, dresser and a chunk of space in the closet. His hiking and camping gear lives in the garage all mixed in with mine. Our boots covered in the same mud dust from our last time out. He's got a key, and the garage door opener built in to his review mirror is programmed for my house.
He's in. In a big huge way, he's in. In a fantastic and if I think about it too much, fantastically scary way, he's in.
I've been single for a long time. There were minor flings over along the way, usually ending as quickly as they began. It's been the past five plus years. He knows that. He understands and, I would venture, agrees, the molasses speed has been a good thing. Because here we are, 364 days after first saying "Hi, you must be . . . " and he's still here.
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