As you have probably noticed, I took some time away from the blog. I just needed a break for awhile, let the batteries recharge, let the air clear, and the dust settle. As much as I enjoy writing this blog, sharing this journey I call my life, it does take allot out of me, especially considering all the drama surrounding my life the last five months or so, I was just burnt out. I now realize there is such a thing as too much personal reflection. Not to mention, believe it or not, each of these entries can take hours, sometimes days to write. I simply didn’t want to do it half ass. So I am back, ready and anxious to get back to it. Well, were to begin…
So, as I left off nearly a month ago, I had just found a place to live in my new home town, Sartell, MN. And I do think everything does happen for a reason. As I have said before, I really wasn’t looking for a roommate situation, but it just sort of worked out that way (see archives). Well, I didn’t just get one roommate, I ended up with two. Here is how the story played out. After a couple of weeks in town, staying in a suite until I found a place to live, I was browsing craigslist for a town home or condo to rent, and by chance came across an ad for roommate wanted. Being St. Cloud the college town, of course I saw a lot of ads like this, but this one stood out, the place sounded great, the guy was the same age, his story was very similar to mine, I thought why not, let’s check it out. So Paul and I met for a beer and hit it off rite away, he was also going through a divorce, our lives almost mirrored each others in a way. I saw the place, it was great, and everything was a go to move in the following week. I still had reservations about having a housemate, but then again, I had just spent the better part of three months sitting in a suite, alone mostly, and it probably would have done me some good to have some company around. So the day I go over to start moving in, Paul says he has something to talk to me about, I’m thinking to myself, oh great, first day and already problems. Apparently a friend of his, Tim, was also going through an unexpected split from his wife, and needed a place to stay. Paul really wanted to help Tim out, and asked if it was ok with me if Tim moved in also, and he certainly understood if I wanted to back out and find someplace else or make other arrangements. I thought about it for about two seconds, realized I had just experienced what Tim is going through, and glad we could help him out even though I had never met the guy. So, we both moved in on the same day. Well, as it turns out both Paul and Tim are great guys, good people, and I consider them lifelong friends after just a month. It is almost uncanny how similar our story’s are, all married for many years with spouses we met very young, all have three children, all around the same age and social status. All of us had a very trying and lonely previous few months. None of us really wanted the situation we were in, we were just kind of thrown into it. We all at least now had a few people who could relate to what was going on, and someone there to lean on during the bad times, what a change that was for all of us. So let me tell you a little about the guys, Paul is a 34 year old die hard pilot, this guy loves aviation and anything that has to do with airplanes, as most of the decorations in the house will attest, airplane props on the wall, flight helmets on the mantel, pictures galore. He was a crop duster for many years, was on the cover of numerous aviation magazines for being the youngest pilot to ever fly this particular aircraft. He works in a corporate office at the moment however, being a crop duster means being away for months at a time, and he wants to be home for his kids. But you can tell he misses it allot. Paul has more energy than anyone I have ever met, this guy will not sit still. He will start doing push ups mid conversation, will jet around the house like the road runner on crack, and good luck keeping him on a chair if you stop for a beer. And I must say it rubs off a bit, it’s nice at times to be around someone with that much energy. He has three great kids, and has built a pretty good life for himself. One thing though, he has very strange and almost comical eating habits, I’m not going to get into it, but it really makes me laugh sometimes. How this guy lived this long I will never know. Tim is a 42 year old ex-Marine drill Sargent, though you would never ever guess that from meeting the guy. He is just such a laid back, non-judgemental person, and that one guy that everyone immediately likes. He also looks about 25, he really has taken care of himself and it shows. He currently works for the city newspaper as a web developer, has three kids as well, and also has a love for aviation. As with any marine he has a fairly high morale code, and just a great all around guy. Having a love for technology, we have allot in common, and as with Paul, we get along extremely well. In fact we all get along almost too well. We hang out almost constantly when we are home, I think that is one of the reasons I have not had time to post lately, I can’t get any alone time. Whether it’s hanging out at home or with the kids, watching a movie, checking out the town or just bantering back and forth. Good luck shutting your door for a few minutes of peace and tranquility, give it 10 minutes and the gang will be in their. You would think that would bother me, but it doesn’t, it’s nice having quality people you enjoy hanging out with, and boy do we have fun. After just a month I could tell you some of the most insane, unbelievable story’s and experiences we have shared. Some would make you laugh, some would make you sick, and a few would have your head shaking in disbelief. Yea, it has been allot of fun I must say. Oh yea, one thing Paul likes to do is stick his butt in your face while you are sleeping and snap a picture, below are some shots of a few of his recent victims. I told him that if I ever wake up to that, he is going to be talking in a slightly higher tone for awhile. They did interchange my regular and hard boiled eggs last week, you should have seen my face when I went to crack an egg I thought it was hard boiled, those idiot’s. Lol, and one day Paul got a hold of Tim’s protective mouthpiece he uses for boxing, let’s just say I’m glad that thing is not going in my mouth, sorry you had to hear it from me buddy. Anyway, great bunch of guys, we all click, and get along extremely well, and no matter what happens, these will be lifelong friends.
As far as the living environment, I couldn’t ask for more. The house is great, my living area is great, and I am more than satisfied. I had planned on getting a real bed almost rite away, I didn’t think my back was up to spending an extended period of time on an air mattress or the like. Boy was I wrong, by chance I picked up this Queen double height deluxe air mattress with memory foam top for like $40 on clearance, down from $150, I thought it would get me buy until I got a mattress, well as it turns out it is one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept on, and though I may upgrade down the road, I am no longer in a hurry. My mom also gave me some very comfortable sheets and a true down comforter, it is very cozy. I am living pretty minimal, I picked up a $5 picture at the thrift store, and a desk on wheels and a comfy office chair, I really don’t need much more than that. Maybe a few more pictures for the wall down the road, but I have tons of framed photos of family and friends, so I am happy. I spend hours on the computer, and I hate having my desk facing a wall, and the way I have my work area set up is perfect. Even though its all out in the middle of the room. I treated myself to a message pad insert for my office chair since I do have a few back issues, and it is heaven. I also did up my bathroom a bit to make it a little more homey. Click on the Flickr link on the rite column to see some recent pics of my room and living environment. We are all fairly clean people, and you will never find a dirty dish in the sink or a glass without a coaster, which you would think is strange for three guys living together. Guess our wives had us trained well. I didn’t add any shots of Tim’s room, but it’s kind of funny to see, he has a single tent air mattress, sleeping bag, and an alarm clock. It brings living minimal to a whole new level.
On the home front, things have been going much better. My wife and I are getting along very well, and the kids are doing great. I think we would even consider each other friends again. She is making rite choices, and I really like the direction things are going. If you had told me three months ago we would have the relationship and friendship we have now, I would have called you crazy. So that of all things is the most important news I have to share. I have been spending a ton of time with the kids and family, at least two days a week, and it feels great, I missed it allot. We spent the other day at the park, and you will find some pics in the Flickr link. Though I am not going to get into it rite now, we do have a few issues with our oldest daughter, she is still struggling with a few things concerning the separation and other stresses in life, and handling them in a very selfish manor. But on a whole everything is about as good as it can be given the circumstances.
So all in all life is pretty good, and I have no complaints. The drama has all but subsided, my family and those closest to me are healthy and happy, what more could a person ask for. I am excited to be back to the blogasphere, and will be posting updates again daily. Thanks for sticking around.
Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want. ~Margaret Young
