And so it begins...

I have just completed my first day as a resident of New York. Weird. I mean, I haven't exactly had it set in, really. John is with me for a week, which is good, because trying to make this transition on my own would't be half as much fun without him. Still, it's all quite weird, thinking about the fact that I'm not leaving this time.

People have been calling, wishing me well. I had a few people over for a party before I left, and they all hugged me like I was leaving the planet or something. Like I was never coming back. But wasn't I? After all, John is still going to be in Carrollton, and I'll be coming back to see him every chance I get. Of course, he'll be coming to visit me as well, but surely I'll be down there my fair share, right? My friends certainly didn't seem to think so, by the way everyone was goodbyeing me. And I couldn't help thinking, "Come on, guys! Have a little faith in me, won't you?"

I got to New York and immediately went to the Bronx to see my new apartment. I may not have furniture yet, but I couldn't resist my curiosity any longer. Besides, I wanted to meet Jane, my new Canadian roomate. I knew she'd be cool from our phone conversations, but I couldn't imagine from her voice what she'd look like. I finally saw her coming out of what I would discover was my apartment building... she was short, fair skinned, wearing glasses, and with medium length dark blonde hair with a bold streak of blue running through it on the right side of her head. At once, I knew I'd be fine, and that this girl was definitely my kind of people. I also felt a little weird because I showed up dressed somewhat conservatively (what can I say... I had packed away all the fun stuff), and figured I'd end up projecting the wrong idea about myself, but I figured there'd be plenty of time to cure that, were it the case. The verdict on the apartment? Perfectly charming. Bigger than I expected. In fact, it was distinctly reminiscent of my apatments during my undergrad, of which I have some of my most valued memories (Terrace Gardens... once you've been there, you don't forget). John agreed with that impression of the place, and we both saw the similarity as an extremely good omen.

Speaking of John... he spent his very first day in the city today. He played it cool on the subway, although he did look a little overwhelmed at times. He's the sort that likes to be in control of his environment... just the sort of person who gets emotionally knocked on his ass when confronted with New York for the first time. We walked the city, rode a couple of trains, did some window shopping... then he caved in and did something touristy, going through Madam Tusseud's and enjoying himself quite a lot. All in all, a full day. The best part of it: John wants to stick around and do more tomorrow.

The thesis is still incomplete, but just barely. At some point, I'll sit myself down and crank it out. But not just yet. Right now, I want to play, and soak in my last week with my boy before our all too long separation. I know I can do this... I'm certain of it. Just let me have this week, and I'll be ready. Or closer to ready, at least, and that'll have to do. After that, bring it on.

Steadily onward...

Okay, so I don't have long before I leave for New York. One week, to be exact. And, to be honest, I can't say I'm too stressed about the move. Besides, I have plenty to worry about before leaving.

On the top of that list is my thesis. Yeah, I have one more shot at revision, but there seems to be a lot left to do. After that, it's over and done with, but it also means I have a week to do it in. Officially, it's not due till mid August, but I really don't want to have the thesis on my mind once I'm already in New York. So tonight, I fully intend to stay up and pound out a buch of work. That's what IHOP is for, right?

I've often been criticized for my penchant for all-nighters. Sure, it's not the most intelligent option, but it works for me somehow. Maybe it's the aesthetic I like... the student hard at work, long into the wee hours, high on coffee and academic idealism. Or maybe I just like the food at IHOP. At any rate, many of those who frown on my late night habit believe it contributes to my health problems. Frankly, they're probably right. But hey... old habits die hard, or not at all. This definitely qualifies as an old habit. Let's hope it proves worth my while tonight.

A series of beginnings

I've started many things in my life, and I haven't regretted too many thus far. I've had a few friends begin blogs, and I thought, "the hell? I'm not starting a stupid blog. Who'd care?" But now, thinking on it a bit, I realize that's not the point... actually, it's a question I should legitimately be asking. I mean, how should I know who'd care, and who am I to determine that? I should be willing to offer myself and let others decide if they care... its a philosophical principle I'm trying to adhere to in terms of art and performance, so just go with me on this.

Here's a brief glimpse at me, in my general time-and-place... I'm finishing my thesis, which gets me my MA in psychology. By finishing, I mean that I'll be doing some rather minor here-and-there edits; for the most part, it's done. As far as getting it DONE, I'm going to shoot for finishing in two weeks.

Next week, I'll be laying down tracks on my CD... I'm a little freaked out about this one, becasue my voice is acting a little wonky with allergies and all. Nevertheless, I'm doing this, rain or shine, and all my new stuff will at least be recorded somewhere for the sake of my remembering how my own songs go. I mean, okay, it's oficially my first CD, but I don't know. I'm not going to get rich on it or anything.

In two weeks, I move to New York, and I start my first semester of PhD work at Fordham. John- my legally bound partner in crime- will be going with me for the first week, then coming back to Texas for the begining of his last year of teaching at the high school and the simultaneous completion of his masters... we're all very proud or whatever. Thing is, it's all in a day for us... if he wasn't doing three or four major things at once he'd get bored. I don't know if he gets it from me or if I get it from him, but that's how it's always been with us.

I have some general preparations to attend to before the move, including the general fare (packing, goodbyes, goodbye party, etc.), as well as setting up my meds and appointments with my doctors before leaving. I'm not due for my next scan until sometime around spring break, so all I need to be sure of is that I have enough of a levothyroxine prescription to last me between now and then. Besides, who knows... I might find a doctor I really like while I'm up there.

Speaking of going up there, I'm racking up a list of what I hope to do there. Fencing is definitely high on the list. Accordingly, so is working out daily, which means getting acquainted with the school gym facilities. I'd also like to find a venue or two for performing my stuff (bars/coffee houses?), perhaps even get invlved in theater, which I've missed very much for the past two years. If there's any time for it, I'd love to find a good kung fu school... it's been too long since I've had a sifu to work with. For now, that about does it.

That's me, for the moment.