Here I Go Again

I'm up super-late, and I just finished a fantasy football draft. You didn't think I was going to miss fantasy this year just because I am moving and was out of the loop last year, did you? If I could do it from South Africa, I can certainly do it now.

And I can drop a little Whitesnake reference for The Rob.

I leave today. When I wake up, I have to return the cable equipment I'm using right now, then load up the car and go to the auto train. Yes, the auto train. I had been dreading this drive down to Miami for weeks...only now I don't have to do it.

Turns out that U-Haul and other truck rental services have priced themselves over $2000 to move from D.C. to Miami. I didn't have enough notice to use movers (which prob would have been cheaper). Then Farmer suggested I try Amtrak to ship my stuff. When I went to their site, I stumbled over the auto train. Amtrak runs one train in the country which allows the passengers to bring along a car packed full of their stuff. That single train line runs from Lorton, Virginia to Orlando, Florida. Ther eis no other auto train to choose from...as if I needed any more evidence that this whole situation was fated to happen.

It's only 250 miles from Orlando to Miami...as opposed to 1300 miles from D.C. to South Florida, with me driving a truck and towing my car. Not a bad trade. I mailed out my stuff today using FedEx Ground, and I am leaving behind my queen bed. The bed has been with me since 1999, and has seen Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Northern VA and Maryland. Goodbye, old paint. You'll stay with my parent until I need you again.

On top of it all, I had a little going-away gathering which Dave attended. The Rob, Dave, Rob, Ed, Ashley and Tom Kim all teamed to give me a going-away present: an iPod! I was stunned. In fact, I was speechless. I've been wanting an iPod for years now, but hadn't been in a position to justify the purchase economically. Now I don't have to. Considering I don't live near most of the people who chipped in for it, that makes it even more meaningful. Thank you.

Right now, I barely even feel weird. I'm just excited and burning with the desire to succeed at my new position. I just want to get down there. I just want to live on my own again -- and this time, I want to stick with a job and a city for longer than one or two years. It's exciting.

I'll give the same speech I always do: it may be a while before I am online again, blah blah blah. Except this time, it's real. I don't have a personal computer where I'm going. I don't even have cable set up there yet. So unless I get assigned a laptop for my job, it might be a while before I can get back on the site. I certainly won't be logging on from work, and there's no IM allowed there either.

I'm way too tired to write anything more profound, and I don't think I'd know what to say anyway. A part of me is still in disbelief at finally realizing the fruits of my labor through such good fortune. Remember: I've done this before. This move is a lot less drastic than the last one. I'm actually staying in the country this time, and there are lots of cheap flights to and from Miami. So don't forget about me! I won't forget you. I hope you are doing well, and that you'll come down to the beach for a visit. My new 2-bedroom place was designed for it.

The 10-year reunion is still on this Thanksgiving weekend at home, and I'll be there.  Noah gets married this month in NYC, and I'll be there.  Kate and Jared get married in D.C. over Halloween, and I'll be there.  But for now...

Here I go again on my own. Going down the only road I've ever known.

Peace and Humptyness forever,
Jide

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