Catch-up

So it has been awhile since I have written to you guys. A lot has happened since the Magic House - and mostly everyone knows why. Kristen, Jake and I are moving to Chicago (where Kristen is from and her immediate family lives). In fact, as I write this, Kristen has already moved. She left this morning - I won't see her for a few weeks and it kind of sucks. I will be leaving around the beginning of July, but I will be back visiting often. Kristen got a new job and she starts tomorrow (Monday, June 15). I don't have an actual job lined up, but I plan on doing some work that I already have going on here, and trying to get some new projects on my own, so that maybe I can fulfill my dream of owning my own architectural firm and working for myself - being my own boss. I never really liked having a boss and this is the perfect opportunity for me to give this a shot. So I have been dealing with that for the past several weeks and we have also been preparing for Kristen's departure.

We have also been preparing for my departure, with the help of some really good friends. Everyone has been extremely supportive and Kristen and I are beyond thankful for that. Just Friday night we went out to dinner and a Glorious Blue show with some of our closest friends - they set it up and it was such a fun night. We ate at Dewey's Pizza in Kirkwood, which is a gourmet pizza place and is absolutely delicious. The Stewarts know Kristen and I love this place and we all share that sentiment, so they set it up for us getting everyone to come. We went to see Ray's show afterward and this was kind of sentimental for a few reasons. First, I met Kristen at a GB show because she was friends with the band members and so was I. Secondly, Ray said the guys tried to learn "You and Me" by Lifehouse which was our first dance at our wedding. He said that didn't go so well so instead they played "Far Behind" which we played as the final song at our wedding because it was one of the old-school songs that GB used to play when we first went to shows (and would sing loudly in my car on each drive home.. haha). Even though the lyrics sort of send a mixed message for what we were doing, the act of hearing the song was the important part and we appreciated the gesture. After that, most of the party went to Barneys... one of Matt's favorite south side bars... haha!! It was a lot of fun and we closed the place down at 3am!

So before all of that partying and cutting loose, the last few weeks have actual been quite stressful. We are still trying to sell the place here in Maplewood and we really have no idea how that is going to go. The unfortunate part is that we are moving out of state, so we need to find a new place. We will be renting in Chicago and we both have been working pretty hard to find a place we like, we can afford, that is in a good neighborhood, that meets our needs, that's a close commute for Kristen, and that will accept my 60lb BIG MAN!!! Aside from that, we know we will be pinching pennies for a while since we will be carrying a mortgage AND a rent, plus I won't be bringing in a steady income... sounds crazy right??? Hence my current stress level. Also, I am frustrated at my current job because I have just over two weeks left and I thought I'd be sailing through, but my boss is trying to absolutely slam me with work so it gets done before I leave... I am really having to earn this last paycheck and it is the hardest I've worked in years. Not to mention that I took on a major side job, so after I leave that hell-hole at 5pm everyday I come home to more work... arrgghhh. I know its all good things and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it just seems like a lot all at once right now. It's a small price to pay for moving my life 4 hours away, but I really needed to take this time to vent. The silver lining is that I had a few meetings in Chicago with prospective clients this past week and they both went well. I think I will have some good, cheap office space and I got several leads on more prospective clients. It will be a long, uphill journey, but it will make me happier and stronger.

In happier news, I found out last week that I will be Ray's best man at his wedding September 2010. He said he doesn't have a brother who typically fills this role and that he has always considered me an honorary little brother, so he asked me. I shared this sentiment and accepted happily. This made me really gleeful and surprisingly humble. You see, this will be the third time in a row that I am a best man in a wedding. I was Weltig's 5 years ago, I will be Justin's in 5 weeks, and then Ray's next year. It feels great to have such wonderful friends and to know that I have made such a profound impact in the lives of these three guys and what I can only assume are several more... but like I said, I'm staying humble. It is my honor to fulfill this duty for my closest friends. Also, the Weltigs will be having another baby boy in less than 3 months. I saw the 3D ultrasounds and the little guy looks cute. I'm looking forward for my little godson to have a little baby brother to play with, and, if my sister and bro-in-law move down by Weltig, my other godson will have some buddies! Again, that is another experience that I am grateful for and truly humbled by - the godfather thing.

I can't think of much else to share right now. I need to step away from this computer for awhile, so I will try to jump back on soon and be less cynical. I am excited for Independence Day, the All-Star Break, moving, and J's wedding - so all of those "events" should bring about great stories that are more typical of my usual blog posts. Later, guys! Thanks for reading!