Moving

[mrdreamjeans]

It's hectic around here as I am coming to the conclusion of "Man of La Mancha" (We close on May 16.) and I'm preparing to move back to Texas soon after. I've made several close friends in the past 14 months and have a couple of longtime friendships here that bring me joy and will continue to do so.

I will miss my friends, but I've decided that Seattle works best for me as a favorite place to visit. I don't like the economy and cost of living. I must face it; as much as I hate the political and physical climates of Southeast Texas, it is what I know. Plus, family counts a lot with me....and the immediate family is all in Texas. I keep asking myself if I want to live 2800 miles away from my folks in the last years of their lives and the answer is no.

Tim (BarakSF) and I are doing a tandem move. We've helped each other several times in the past 5 years with moves, and as it happens, it works out to do so this time. Tim is coming here to see my show; after, we're driving my truck to SF to grab his stuff, then returning to Seattle to pack my belongings, tandem driving to Wisconsin, unloading his stuff and then driving on to Texas and storing my things. I am hoping to get back out on tour soon, so storage is the best option for me at this time.

Tim and I are fortunate to be such good friends. We do traveling and adventures very well. BlueDevilSF, BearBrat and TexasFurr are great guys and I will look forward to seeing them soon. Perhaps, I'll also have the opportunity to meet a couple of other Live Journalers whose blogs I so enjoy!

So - My schedule is complete La Mancha on the 16th, drive to SF on May 19; visit SF and help Tim pack and load through May 22; leave for Seattle on May 23rd; pack and load my stuff with Tim's assistance on May 25; leave for Wisconsin on May 26; spend Memorial Weekend in La Crosse; leave for Texas on June 1 and arrive in Brenham (near Houston) late on the 2nd or early on the 3rd of June.

Thanks for the words of support, the easy laughs, the opportunity to read your thoughts, ideas and sentiments. I really look forward to live journal as a way to get to know a special group of people who take the time to chronicle the daily beats of their lives.

Comments

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

Look forward to meeting you when you're here!

Visit to SF

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

That would be very nice!

[handlebear.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that you and Tim will be doing it together. I hope to meet you when you're down here,

A Team

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I hope to meet you too! Tim and I have helped each out with all of the major moves we've done since we first met in 1997. We are realy good at traveling congenially together, as Tim was often with me on the road when I was touring in Phantom and Evita. It's a great chance to get acquainted with cities around the country too and meet folks you chat with online or through live journal:)

Moving/visiting

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

While I'm glad that neither you or Kow are doing this major transplantation on your own, your notations have me wondering...

I must the the coldest, most insular bastard on the planet. While I've lived in Minneapolis, and grew up in a town in Michigan's U.P., I rarely go back to visit, tho both towns are a day trip away (I haven't been back to da U.P. since '97 when my mother died), on the times I have visited, the idea of looking people up never occurs to me.

On a level, this is due to lack of planning on my part, but also due to the concept that I have no desire to impose myself on the lives of others. Besides, what would we do, especially with partner in tow? My high school class' 25th reunion was a joke: What do you say to people who had nothing to say to you 25 years ago?

No....I have to reassess. It's not that I'm cold or insular, there's simply no one TO visit in either town.

I'm almost envious that you will have people to bring you back to such far-flung places. Almost.

Texas

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

There is much I don't like about Texas, particularly the heat and humidity and in the past few years, the politics. (I'm somewhat of a politics junkie having been a political reporter for about 5 1/2 years in the '80s. My new motto - "Be Patriotic - Vote Bush Out!" However, I do love snd miss my family and I am an integral part of it.

I say that with the unwavering knowledge that my family knows everything about me and my past relationships and are good friends with both of my exes. I also have four friends in Houston of from 15-27 years standing who are always there for me. That is important to know too:)

You'll probably read a blog from me in July or August ranting about the weather, but other than that, I travel so much, I know my other close friends will see me often. And I will be back to Seattle and SF again and most likely will work in both places again. They are two of my favorite places to visit:)

Re: Texas

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

My family knows all about me as well. It helps that both my sisters are Lez-beings. However, we are a far-flung lot: I'm in Wisconsin, my kid sister, the Donut Dyke, is in western Kentucky, while my older sister, the Dutch Dyke of Denver, is in Colorado (Both sisters are younger than me). Our older brother lives somewhere outside of Golden,CO, but we try to ignore him as much as possible.

My partner's family lives in Battle Creek, MI, and we go visit them on occaision. While they know we live together, I'm not entirely sure his mother entirely understands what that means...or willfully refuses to understand it. The important thing is that they have accepted me whole-heartedly, which I find both amazing and humbling.

However, referring to an earlier topic, when we go to Battle Creek, we don't go looking up my PARTNER'S friends, either. It seems that there is a pattern set...

I look forward to reading of your travel adventures, as well as your theatre/singing stories.

[mncuddlecub.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure of the geography as I try to think about it in my head, but will you guys be driving through Minnesota? Might be nice to meet, even if it's just for coffee or even a quick bite to eat or something. Let me know!

Moving Through Minnesota

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Hey Keith! Tim and I will be driving Interstate 90 the whole way from my apartment in Seattle to his home in La Crosse. It passes through Minnesota, south of Minneapolis about 70 miles. One place I remember, because I stayed there overnight is Albert Lea, Minnesota. You're in Minneapolis, correct?

Re: Moving Through Minnesota

[mncuddlecub.livejournal.com]

Yep, for the most part. I live in a suberb just south west of Minneapolis called Eden Prairie. Albert Lea is a little bit of a drive, I wouldn't want to mess up your schedule. Maybe we could meet half way or something, I don't know... we can continue to discuss... and while we're at it, what day are you thinking you'll be passing by?

Re: Moving Through Minnesota

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

As far as we can plan, we should be through there the Thursday before Memorial Weekend.

[bigsabu.livejournal.com]

so i just find out you're here and now you're leaving.

[sigh]

will you be at karaoke tonight so i can at least introduce myself?

Bearaoke

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'll be there tonight about 8:30pm. I'll be the one in the Houston Cap:) Please say howdy!

Meeting

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Robert, It was great meeting you! Sorry about going on a bit, but I'm a bit shy when first meeting someone and often overcompensate. It was a fun night with Jonathan's birthday and all. I will look forward to reading your blogs. Next time I'd like to meet your partner. You are the first live journal writer I have met. Yay! All the best! Neil

Wisconsin

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

While I know you and Kow will be travelling thru Wisconsin, I also know Kow will be initially landing on the western edge of the state, near the Mississippi River. My understanding is that the area is beautiful, with cliffs overlooking the river at some spots. Be sure to linger and take in the views. I'm in Madison. While it is on the Interstate, it is doubtless out of your way as you go to/from Texas(Going thru Iowa is a more direct route), so I am not asking you to stop by, especially for my sake. Send a happy thot my way as you motor on.

Safe journey.

Re: Wisconsin

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I think Madison is a terrific city and I know Tim loves it too. It appeared at the top of several quality of life studies for cities around the US when I was doing such research. At this time, Tim and I haven't decided the exact route to Texas. As you've suggested, the most direct route is to return to Albert Lea, MN and drive Interstate 35 through Des Moines and Kansas City, through Oklahoma to Dallas and then on to my town via the back roads I know:) I made this same trip last summer. If we should take a sidetrip to Milwaukee, Chicago or Rockport where we have friends, we'll be through Madison. We'll give you a heads-up:)