It's all coming together.

As I start my next-to-last day at work, there's not a lot to do. I have farmed out all my files and am now at the point where I'm just helping out and answering the phone.

I have found a renter for my bedroom and now need to find a renter for the other available bedroom.

I have reserved the Uhaul trailer and marked out a space in the garage the size of the trailer, so I know what I have to work with.

Almost all of my clothes and personal items are packed up, and I have packed for the Dave Matthews outing as well.

I feel like I'm ready to go to Key West NOW and have to wait. It's a very surreal feeling.

Goodbye...

I only have three more working days with Clark County Title Company. I have really enjoyed my job here over the last 5+ years, and will miss my co-workers very much.

Props to Consuela, Goldfish, Teets, Jones Balones, Beyonce and Lee Ann. You have made every day at work a hilarious adventure, and kept me sane (as sane as I can be, anyway).

ouch

I have a horrible headache.

I'm Not Scared

Some people ask me why I'm going all the way to Key West. "Just for a guy?"... no, not JUST for a guy. Mainly I'm going because I can.

I have a great job here in Vancouver that I really enjoy. My boss has virtually guaranteed my job back and I've had another job offer for when/if I come back to Vancouver. I'm excited about the opportunity to check out the rest of the job field and broaden my skills.

I have a great house I just purchased in March. I am not going to sell it for a couple of years, and in the meantime will rent it out.

I love the northwest and have pretty much always lived here. I am really looking forward to living somewhere completely different and am not that concerned about heat and humidity. I like hot weather, and as long as I can sleep in AC (which my house does not have, but the apartment in Key West DOES), I'll be fine.

The cats are going with me, and technology will keep me in contact with friends and family in between visits.

AND the guy. He's fabulous and compassionate and intelligent and funny. And I'm in love with him.

So, I'm NOT scared to move to the opposite corner of the country, I'm excited!

Adventures Are Us.

The plan is being finalized...

I will be buying a hitch for my car and renting a U-Haul trailer to get the rest of my stuff to Florida.

I still need to get rid of the desk and the bed otherwise they will just be stored in the garage until I need them.

I feel like I am already on vacation. Work has become primarily doing cleanup so no one who comes along after me has to deal with it, and closing the few files that need to close by the end of the month.

Monday I have a BBQ to attend, Wednesday night is one of my last performances with Ella Mental, the 31st is my last working day. The next day the cats go to the vet to get their health certificates to travel, and I'll drive up to George, WA on Sunday the 3rd for my first Dave Matthews Band concert EVER!

The following day Rikki and I will head to Walla Walla/College Place where I will meet up with my mom and have farewells with all the family in the area. Mom and I will head back to Portland/Vancouver on the 5th, the 6th is my 30th birthday, 2am on the 9th Scott arrives at PDX, and that night is Comedy Sportz and Papa Haydn.

Traversing the countryside

Originally the plan was to drive to San Fransisco in my car and pick up the BMW being given to Scott by his parents, and drive both over to Florida.

Scott's parents said they would ship the BMW so Scott and I can drive in one car (mine) which sounds safer and more fun anyway, so Scott is now flying into Portland on September 9.

If I ship all my stuff in boxes to Key West, we'll probably spend a good $350 to send them.

I can buy a hitch for $119 and have it installed ($?) and rent a 4x8 Uhaul trailer ($203) to pull all the way.

I can sell my car here and rent an SUV or Minivan for about $800.

Anyone have advice?

Dental Adventures, Part II

Back to the Dentist today. Another crown.

I was shot twice, pried numerous times, drilled, scraped, lasered, and glued.

My face feels like I've been beat with a chain.

I'll be eating potato salad and guacamole, thank you.

Dr. Edwards is still the best dentist in town though...I'm not complaining or anything.

All Gone

I just woke up from a three-hour nap. The last 10 days have been fun and friend filled with guests from all over here for the Bob's World Message Board BBQ.

Dani, here in the states from New Zealand, picked up Jordan in Fresno and they made they're way to my house via Highway 1/101. They arrived on the Tuesday before last. Rikki, from Abbotsford BC, Canada arrived the next Tuesday, and Aaron and Kelsie arrived from St. Paul Alberta, Canada (by way of San Fransisco road trip) on Friday.

Friday's event was an enchilada dinner at my house, attended by the houseguests along with John, Tony, Roxy and Jessica. We enjoyed the enchiladas by the light of video clips of the Flight of the Conchords and Russell Peters. After I went to bed, Terry stopped by to greet everyone.

Saturday after church was the BBQ... John was back, with his son Jesse. Tony returned as the grill master and Roxy re-joined us along with buckets of potato salad. Terry and his sons Alex and Andrew joined us and took the initiative to set up the Ultimate Croquet set. David came all the way from Lake Oswego, Jim arrived from Bremerton, Bob and Chels (with Blake, Megan, Michelle and TJ in tow) from Portland and Milwaukie, Bobby McGhee finally flew into Portland at about 11pm.

We were treated to breakfast at Elmer's this morning by the guest of honor and then everyone continued on their way... Rikki drove back to Abbotsford, Jim went back to Bremerton, Dani and Jordan and headed south back to Fresno, Aaron and Kelsie left for Pasco on their way back to Alberta.

Now I have no excuse to start sorting and packing for my move to Florida. I have started four piles.

1. Take with me in the car to Key West
2. Ship to Key West
3. Pack up and store
4. Get rid of (sell or give away)

The Best $6 I've Ever Spent

I went to the Clark County Fair last night with my coworkers. I paid my $5 to park, $8 admission, and $25 for an unlimited ride bracelet (with which I rode 3 rides). I spent $6.50 on raspberry lemonade and french fries, and later $4 on a large coconut and mango shaved ice.

I had a great Fair experience, but the best expenditure of funds was the $6 I handed over for the "power jump". The attached pic is my fellow escrow officer Tamara as she is preparing to be flung into the air.

For a mere $6, you are hooked into a harness while standing on an inflated trampoline. Your harness is attached to bungee cords which are then tightened and you are pulled into the air.

One of the facilitators grabs your feet and pulls you down, stretching your bungees, and then releases you and you FLY! Awesome. Unbelievable. The most fun I've had in YEARS. I did back flips and screamed for joy.

If you get the chance to take part in antics such as this, spend the $6. It's worth it.

Stuff for Sale...

I need to get rid of a bunch of stuff... some will be given away, some I'd like to sell.

$50 - Corner desk, two parts, shelf top on desk bottom.
$10 - tall, narrow bookshelf, probably 6x1x1.
$300 - CA King bed and 2 sheet sets that fit it.

I'll add more as the list grows and changes.

I'll also be giving away some clothes and shoes... clothes 8-12 and shoes 9-10.

And the Countdown Begins.

37 days until departure for Key West, Florida.

An apartment/townhouse has been decided on and confirmed, including approval of the wild kingdom.

I am now starting the sorting and selling/giving away/packing and storing process, with more claimants for my stuff coming out of the woodwork daily.

Details go marching on and on...

My official last day of work for Clark County Title is currently scheduled to be August 31st. If I have managed to pack up my house by then, I will probably work the following week (excluding Labor Day) just do have a little extra money.

Scott is nailing down housing right now, and is buying a plane ticket to come out for my birthday, arriving in Portland on September 8th.

My birthday party is on the 9th and we will head out of town on the 10th.

Stops scheduled:

• Yuba City, CA to visit Walt, Dixie, Carrie & Grandpa Lysinger
• San Fransisco, CA to visit Gary & Carla Cumpston and pick up the other car
• Phoenix, AZ to see Dad, Heather, meet Makayla, and maybe see a few AZ Bob's World-ers.
• possible stops in Texas to see Frakes family and/or my highschool buddy JT.
• Little Rock, AR to enjoy a respite at the home of Melva Hicks, gracious mom of my good friend Kiri.
• ???? There's a crowd in the Carolinas that want to meet me... so that may be a detour.

AND... I already have a potential job starting to look like a good possibility!

If anyone is interested in stuff... I will be giving away and selling a bunch of stuff. Clothes, some furniture, etc.

My plants are pledged to my mom and Kirsten, and I'm giving all my yarn to Michelle A. and Christina.