deer, shooting stars, and sasquatch

The Fabulous Girlfriend, the Beautiful Son, and I are spending the weekend with friends in northern Minnesota. It's been wonderful, with sleeping in late, smelling actual oxygen (instead of the haze above fourteenth street, in which i normally find myself), good food, wine, campfires, and enjoying a home which is so beautifully constructed and placed that Tony Soprano Himself would give the joint a nod. The family we're staying with this weekend have elevated the term "Host" to above and beyond all previous definitions i've used before. beautiful family, in a beautiful setting.

Today i had my photograph taken with Babe the Big Blue Ox. Saw some minnesota lake seagulls (they don't look all that different from the French ones). talked with my mom over the phone. planned a stop by the family farm in northwest iowa on our way back home.

we talked about the move, dear reader. in a few short days, much planning comes to fruition as i move from one market to another. this move will have me on the west coast. i'll see the pacific ocean for the first time in my life. essentially, this is the beginning of our new lives together, TFG, TBS, and I. and Patches, the cat.

the logistics are probably pretty typical: i'll move out there first to establish a base of operations, while the family travel to the atlantic seaboard for a large unschooling convention. upon their return to the midwest, they'll pack up and move to the above said base of operations. with luck, skill, and cunning, it will be located in Corvallis, Oregon. the job is a short commute away, in Eugene.

many details have already been settled, more remain. it's been a busy time, dear reader. but, weekends in a paradise like this are just the recharge i need. ahead, the last week of work at the "old" NBC affiliate, the going away parties, the last week of rehearsals with my beloved band. the last regular show. a big campfire and cookout. loadout of the computer, board, synthesizer, and other miscellaneous stuff left at my little loft apartment downtown. cleanup.
pretty much, a complete walkaway from my life here for the last twenty years. i'm more than ready.

The PA and drums stay here with the band. the beloved air rifle stays here, with the beloved Wumpus Extremely Extreme Shooting League. the in-yo-face salsa garden stays here, with the beloved Wumpus Extremely Extreme Gardening League. my friends will stay here, as long as they can stand to. For three weeks, it will be me, this laptop, the Suburban Snarfler, and I out in the wilderness of western oregon. I miss TFG already.

wish us luck, dear reader.