Tick tock

I want to own a house.

That is the first step in becoming a true adult in my book. It is the first step to setting yourself up financially. It gives you roots to begin planting your own family (read: children), and it gives you a lot of perspective on exactly what you want (and where you want to be).

So I want a house.

I've been combing the Remax Web site because it is the best I've found so far if you want to browse photos and listings without obligation.

I don't know what Brad or my next career move will be. I do know that the options are limited in the Charlotte area: for me, CPCC, the Observer and maybe the Gaston Gazette (unless I go into PR); for Brad, take away CPCC, and probably the Gaston Gazette.

I think the next move may be in the Piedmont Triad (don't get too close to Greensboro though, I wouldn't want my parents to think I lived near them). When I think about it, there are two major cities and one semi-major city (duh, triad means three). That means the W-S Journal, the Greensboro News & Record, the High Point Enterprise, several colleges and sports coverage that would go beyond preps.

So as much as I love the shotgun houses in Huntersville, and as much as I would love to live near the Normans, I think our next move will be away from the Queen City. Not to mention the amount of home you can get for the money is WAY better in Winston.

Let me apologize in advance if you do not see or hear from me until around summer 2008. I am scrimping on all expenses to build a nice down payment on my first step to adulthood.

Baby steps

Not exactly big news, but it made my night. The editor told me he would probably have permission to post the IMD job early next week. For corporate talk, that's pretty big. For reality, it's just a small step. A big step would have been "I've been given permission." So we continue to wait, and hope first quarter numbers don't spook the suits in Richmond into a hiring freeze.

Brad and I are off to Charlotte this weekend for "RENT" at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. I'm excited, although a little sad. Poor Queen is sick and missed her showing tonight. I hope she can exchange her ticket and go with us tomorrow.

That's about all I have for now. Like I said, baby steps.

Non-update update

So I'm sitting here at work waiting for the press and remembered that I haven't updated my blog in a while.

Then I thought long and hard and realized that I don't really have much to talk about.

The biggest news is the wedding of Amanda and Jake.

It was pretty and cute, but almost the most untraditional thing I've ever witnessed. Let me explain:

1. There were no bridesmaids or groomsmen, just attendants. That meant both sexes on both sides of the aisle (including one girl in a tuxedo).

2. There was no "normal" bridal music. Attendants marched to a song from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and Amanda walked to a Ben Folds song.

3. There was no sign of Christianity anywhere in the ceremony. They did have a Native American poem. No prayers, no blessings.

4. They said vows I think Amanda wrote. The gist of them had something to do with not expecting more than the other could give, etc. etc. Interesting...

5. Amanda didn't throw her bouquet and they didn't have cake at the reception. I was a little sour about that, but when they wheeled out strawberry cheesecake slices I got over it quickly.

After a great boatride around the river, the Normans (sans CJ) were off to the Wilmingtonian for late-night pizza and Balderdash. And fun was had by all, or at least I hope so.

Part 2

I get back to Daddy's house (two houses away) to find his car in the driveway, but no sign of human life. I make lunch and sit down in front of an antenna-only TV. Court shows galore. Someone kill me.

Obviously I fell asleep.

I wake up and still haven't seen anyone. I go in their bedroom to find them both asleep. Whatever, I'm leaving. They knew I was going to come down.

I decide I'll hit up a few stores on my way back to Hickory. I hadn't heard from the girls, so I figured our late lunch/dinner plans were off.

But first I have to say bye to Granny.

She's been waiting for me. See, she was afraid to use her little porta-potty she keeps in front of the living room TV without sturdy support nearby (read: not her hired nurse, but me).

I'm sure there are lots of people in this world cut out for this kind of thing. I am not one of them. And if I ever get to the point that I need that sort of assistance, someone pull the plug. I'm being completely serious.

Back to my visit. So I had to assist Granny in ways I will not go into much detail on due to their graphic nature. Just know in my last two visits, this has been my lasting memory. Granddaddy is still at the oncologist (isn't that what cancer doctors are called?), so I don't get to say goodbye to him.

I hit up stores. Nothing like a little retail therapy to cure your ails. Especially when you hit up two craft stores. There's also nothing like a gargantuan overtime check to make it even sweeter.