Safe from the Losing Fight

It’s been a long week in that I’ve been juggling both trying to get a contract jump started and ironing out the final details of the move. The movers will be here Monday (or perhaps Tuesday), then I have a nice leisurely three day drive out to California (leisurely because last time I took the 25 hour drive in two days). However, today I have “off,” from the move stuff at least. Hopefully I’ll also have the chance to go hang out with some friends today for the last time for a while.

Despite the busy week, last weekend was pretty special. Elaine came into town, for one thing. Second, she also had organized a birthday party/farewell party for me, which one of my friends was kind enough to host. It was great to see everyone, catch up, and touch base with them before I take off to the land of fruits and nuts. It felt more like a going away party than a birthday party, save the most excellent Justice League “Happy Birthday” banner. (The hosts have a four year old son…)

Anyway you cut it though, it was a lot of fun, and the food was amazing. It was pot-luck and everyone brought some sort of finger food and/or dessert. Except one of my business partners who brought smoked beef brisket, with homemade barbecue sauce. It was delicious, and something that you can’t in California. I lived there for two years, and never once did anyone show up unannounced at my door with a pound of brisket. No manners whatsoever.

The real present was something Elaine organized behind my back. She had put together a scrapbook of photos from various friends. She had done most of it in advance of the party so there were photos in there from people who couldn’t make it. Like pictures of an open cockpit biplane that myself and Rob, who was afraid of flying, had gone up in. The photos were definitely reflective of the people who took them. For example, Hiroshi sent in photos of his two cats, whom I’ve never met (I like cats though).

That said, Elaine didn’t forget my birthday. She also got me a birthday present, which was the latest Pearls before Swine book. Of the newspaper comics, Pearls and Get Fuzzy are my favorites. Very funny stuff.

Despite the move being imminent, I’m pretty calm about it. I think it’s a combination of having most of everything that needs to be done, done, and having done this three times before. i.e. I’m getting jaded. Whatever the reason, I’ll be glad when it’s over.

See you in Cali.