The Soda Stand

Archive for October, 2011

The next few days will have me flying down memory lane.  Four years ago today, I drove out of my hometown headed towards my new life here in Louisville.  I have fond memories of my trip across the country.  It was a four day road trip with a very good friend and it was the beginning of an evolution of myself that I’m quite happy with.

I took some time yesterday, after I renewed my driver’s license, to cruise through some of those memories here on this blog, reading about the road trip and the first few weeks here in the Ville.  I’ve come a long way.  I’ve struggled, I’ve fallen down, I’ve stood back up and kept walking.  I’ve brushed myself off so many times, it’s amazing I’m still here.  Four years later and I’m reflecting about how far I’ve come.

Sitting here today, I don’t realize how very much has happened to me when I first moved here, and over the course of the years since I’ve been here.  However, after reading those blog posts yesterday, it’s amazing to me I’ve stuck it out.  I was pretty miserable for awhile.  So much crap was thrown in my way, I almost gave in and ran home.  I didn’t though.  I am here, in this town, for a reason.  I realized that when I found out Rex was buried here after I got here.  Not every day you move into the town (without realizing it) where one of the loves of your life is buried.  Not coincidence.

I vividly remember when the movers finally showed up to deliver my stuff.  I vividly remember that because I’m still bitter about the couch.  I’m sure I’ll get over it someday, but until then, I’m bitter about that moving company.  I read about how worried I was about finding a job.  I vaguely remember worrying about that at the time.  I read about how the stairs in that first apartment kicked my butt.  I vaguely remember that.

Reading the posts reminded me of Ms. Gold Tooth and the crazy she brought to the building.  I was reminded of the creepy neighbor guy who lived there before her.  I was reminded of how Chloe and Josie would drive me crazy barking over nothing as they too adjusted to our new surroundings.   I was reminded that almost immediately upon moving here, my allergies exploded and it’s been a four year battle with those.

As I sit here relaxing before leaving for my GA meeting, I think back on those four days of the road trip and I smile.  It was an experience of a life time and I’m grateful I got to experience that.  I keep those memories locked up in a little memory box inside my head and heart.

Moving out of Las Vegas was one of the best tings I’ve ever done for myself.  I’ve grown more emotionally in the last four years than I ever thought possible.

Yes, I still struggle.  A lot.  But no one ever promised me life would be easy, just worth it.

Until next time…

• Shoulder is healing up, but it’ll be another 4 or 5 weeks before I can lift more than 5 pounds (that my therapist knows about anyway).
• I’m allowed to do one arm rows with 5 pounds and I do that a lot.  If The Trainer doesn’t put them in my workout, I do them here at home with 3# weights.
• Work is going decently.  Do I have complaints?  Yes.  Yes I do, but I keep them off this blog, Facebook and anywhere coworkers linger.
• I want the new iPhone so badly I could cry.  However, I don’t get an upgrade discount until April so I suffer with the crappy Blackberry battery life and move on.
• *IF* I come into some money before April, I can guarantee you I’ll upgrade sooner.  But since I don’t see that happening anytime soon, I’ll be counting down the days.
• Apparently, I have a “bullpen.”  This is according to Dr. Drew’s show.  I’m okay with that cause it tells me I’m playing the dating game better than I have before.  Nothing serious and nothing major, just fun and good times for me.
• My financial life is slowly, but surely, getting into order.  I get one thing caught up to have something else come up.  I get that caught up, just to have something else push me down.  I’m working on it and I’ve got a plan.  As long as I follow that plan, I’ll be okay.  Here’s hoping more shit doesn’t hit the fan and I get knocked on my ass too many more times.  It’s frustrating.  And scary.  I eat a lot of ramen noodles.  Good thing I like those things.
• I took two days off at the end of this week coming up.  Specifically so I can sleep in and do nothing.  It will also save me gas on driving 32 miles per day to and from work.  There’s a method to my madness.
• I was upset the Yankees didn’t get into the ALCS.  However, I’m quite happy the Rangers are going to the WS and not the Tigers.  Yes.  I cheered for the Rangers specifically because the Tigers beat the Yankees and I didn’t want them to get to the Series.  I’m a petty fan like that.  I don’t cheer for the team who beats my favorite team.  Just won’t happen.
• WWF is on Facebook now and I have eleventy billion games going.  How do people actually get shit done when they are constantly playing their turns in WWF?  Seriously!
• I’m slowly cleaning and de-cluttering this apartment.  I moved here with the equivalent of a 3 bedroom home into a 2 bedroom apartment then into a 1 bedroom apartment.  I still have enough shit for a 3 bedroom.  Driving me batshit crazy.
• I’m stuck in this apartment for another year due to finances and not being able to get a newer place or one closer to work.  I need to get okay with that in my head and do what I can do.
• The neighborhood has gone downhill quite a bit since I moved here 4 years ago.  Not digging it!  It’s also on the complete opposite end of town than any of my friends and coworkers.  I don’t like that.
• I’m pretty happy with where my life is right now.  Even with all the crap happening around me and to me.  I’m content and quite grateful for what I do have.  In a perfect world, none of us would have to suffer financial difficulty, emotional turmoil, physical pain, etc.  Acceptance isn’t easy and I work on it daily, but I’m there right now for today.

Until next time…