MOVING

I recently had a big move this weekend. Well, not that big, I moved to what is equivalent to a 10 minutes walk from where I was living before. Kind of a frustrating move, cuz you feel like you didn't actually move even though two couches were carried down 4 flights of stairs, and an entertainment center had to be dismantled and put back together again.

I have some steller friends in my quiver, who all showed up to help out and contribute to the cause. I of course returned the favor with delicious pizza and a trip to a local beer garden where I picked up the tab. I've come to the determination that a true test of a real friend is if they're willing to help you move when they are available. I had one guy spring a last minute "my ex-girlfriend just booked a last minute train into the city...so I'll be entertaining her starting tomorrow morning". You mean by "entertaining" that you're gonna be throwin' her around in the sack because you STILL can't break it off clean? Got it.

I've done this for several of my friends more than once and I'm happy to do it again (help them move, that is). For some reason, I see it as an excellent opportunity to serve my friends in a very needful way. Most people balk at the thought of helping someone move. But these people, more than likely, are just lazy. You know you're gonna be rewarded with a full stomach of something rife with saturated fat, plus enough beer to get your buzz on if you choose....so why not say yes to it? Think about it. You're burning mass calories during the actual move, and then putting them back at the end with food and brews. It evens out and no trip to the gym is necessary that day.

On different but related note. Time Warner Cable customer service sucks beyond comprehension. We transfered our account to the new address but we now have shoddy wireless internet. All I wanted was to schedule a tech to come out and change out our wireless router. 30 minutes later of being transfered to a bunch of imbecile's, I'm told that the soonest they can get a tech out to me is over a week from now. That's cool TW, I'll just keep paying for the service like there's no issue until then. Of course we can go without internet even though our cycle started on Oct 1st and it's now approaching the middle of the month!

I would switch to Verizon Fios, but the surprise of paying an additional $60 in hidden "we don't even know what that is" fees is even more daunting of a prospect.

SAYING GOODBYE TO SINGLENESS

I'm about 2 weeks away from getting married in New Orleans. It's very exciting and it's definitely the best decision I've ever made in my life. Granted, it will be a committment and a lot of sacrifice, but what kind of person do we really evolve to be without those virtues? Not much of one, in my humble opinion.

Nevertheless, I have come to realize retroactively (and will probably have more realizations once I'm a few years into my marriage) that there is definitely something to be said for the single life. You see, I've spent 90% of my adult life as a single person. I was never a "player of the field" if you will. I had some girlfriends over the years but probably not as many as the next guy. I guess I was just okay flying solo. I'm used to my autonomy, my own decisions, choices, tastes, and freedom. So for me this is a big step and will prove to be an interesting transition. And I do look forward to further refinement as a man...which only a woman can perform.

Having said that, I thought I might recap on a slew of things that I'll either miss or won't be doing anymore as a single dude living in a major market. Mind you these are just a few things I'm pretty much saying goodbye to, not that I'll NEVER engage in these activities/endeavors/interests again, but I'm considering them gone. So here's what I'm saying adios to:

Playing air bass
Leaving my socks right where they are because I'm fine with where they are
Sitting on the edge of my bed for 30 minutes in my robe deciding what my next move will be
Leaving beer bottles visibly out because I think it's art
Foosball
Knowing exactly where stuff is
Wearing my concert t-shirt's just about everywhere
pretty much my wardrobe as I know it
loud rock & roll
wiffle ball
Pizza at 3am
Flirting with girls
Looking at girls
Talking to girls
Merely acknowledging that other girls exist
Fetching my own beer (that's a joke, hope you get it)
All the Van Halen I can take
Crashing on my buddy's couch cuz I'm too lazy/hammered to head home that night
The Ultimate Fighting Championship
My money
Any friend who's merely been a drinking/goof-off buddy over the years
All female friends (not that I had any)
Singing R&B ballads simply because I'm in the mood
Peeing with the door open
that piece of furniture

.......the list is long and distinguished, I'm sure I'll add more to it over the years.

None of these thing am I truly holding onto too tightly, like St. Paul said, "when I became a man, I put away childish things." And thus I will too.

But I will NOT...repeat NOT.....start wearing loafers and yacht shorts! Ever.