Final Visit?

Back in April, Southwest Airlines ran one of their usual screaming deals on airfare, in this case, the ability to fly from Baltimore to Phoenix for only $99 each way.  So I made plans to fly to Phoenix in August to visit the parents and friends out there because I figured I could use a vacation by then.  Besides that, I also used the sale to make a stopover in Las Cruces, NM, since I have not been there since leaving to move to DC just over four years ago.  I was due to make a visit.

How was I to know quite a few circumstances would change between now and then?

As I sit here at the household it is myself, my dad, and two dogs in a house that looks much more bare than I have seen it in years past.  So just what the hell has happened, and why is it that it could be my final visit?

In the middle of June, my mom flew to San Antonio for an interview with a hospital because she was ready to move on.  The first hospital screwed up royally with her interview, but then while she was there, another hospital called and asked for an interview and she went in, interviewed, they liked her, so they offered her the job she wanted, and at the price she wanted as well.

So this last week, her and my dad drove out to San Antonio with some of her things and got her moved into an apartment.  He has come back to Phoenix in order to sell this house before moving on to San Antonio as well.  I hope and pray that he is able to sell the house fast because it just plain blows to have to sit around and wait for someone to buy your house before you can join your wife where she is at.

Anyway, so for me, this is likely my last visit to Phoenix for a while because when both of my parents are gone, there isn't a huge incentive for me to come over here.  This area was my stomping grounds for maybe two years, and even then, it was only when I went home to visit my parents from college.  If anything, I'm more likely to go to Las Cruces and Silver City simply because I have friends there.  I'll miss this area, but at the same time, life goes on, and at least it can be a central location for me to stop at before heading somewhere like the Grand Canyon.

The flight to Phoenix was uneventful, a non-stop from Baltimore.  The unfortunate thing was that I checked in late enough I ended up toward the back of the plane in a window seat.  Most people would cheer at getting a window seat, but for me it meant less room to be able to stretch out my legs and less chance to get up and move around.  On the other hand, I did get through three episodes of The Wire, and I should be able to finish a few more this week.

Most of my time so far has been spent relaxing, and running a few errands as well, but they have been more of the fun errands.  I got to try some awesome Dim Sum yesterday at a local restaurant, as well as pick up authentic Italian deli meats from down the road.  I've also gotten up and started running again, though I had to pick up a knee brace because one of them is bothering me badly enough it's forcing me to slow to a walk.  I'm going to test it out tomorrow and see if it helps me out.  I must also look up knee exercises and stretches.

Beyond that, I'm just going along with whatever comes my way.  I've connected with a friend here and we'll probably be doing lunch sometime this week.  Maybe I'll make some new friends as well, and perhaps that would give me more incentive to come back to Phoenix sooner rather than later.

Damn Weather

WTF is with the weather in Phoenix right now?

For all you who made remarks about how I was going to be in the nice warm Phoenix weather, it's 39F right now, and earlier this evening I was covering plants with my dad so they don't freeze this evening, especially with the wind chill.

I want warmer weather dammit, if only because I have no one I can snuggle up to in order to keep warm ;-)

So Far So Good

I have been so lazy for the last two days, which is totally not like me, but it is something I deserve right now.

The most I have really done is go and finish Christmas shopping with my dad and run some other errands, but otherwise I have just been hanging around the house, catching up on some reading and video games.  Hell, I've even been sleeping the full 8-9 hours I should be getting as well.

I haven't been entirely lazy though, I've still been doing the shovelgloving to help offset any extra eating this week, and I have been watching my snacking because that is the sort of habit I would break while here.  Of course I do whatever I can to help out around the house.

Do I really have anything planned?  Nah, I'm on vacation, and that's how it should be.  What I am reminded is that it is a bit harder for me to go out and about in Phoenix since I don't have my car with me anymore, but that can't be helped.  Besides, it's the holidays and some folks are busy with their own families.  Still, I will see if I can find time to visit with folks I know.

I'm just glad to be here and make a bit of a change of scenery.

Phoenix, Day 6

Wow, has it really been my sixth day in Phoenix?

So what have I been up to the last few days?

To start, I found out that Root Seller Gallery and Apothecary moved over to a new location in Phoenix, so yesterday I went to check out their new store. They've done quite well with the new space, and there's definitely a lot to look at. I picked up a present for JH while I was there, along with a few other items. I'm tempted to go back for an item for myself...I have until Tuesday to decide if I want it.

The other night I went out with my mom and a friend of hers to the Ft McDowell Casino to play slots. It's an activity that my mom and her friend do every so often. Basically they go out there at about midnight and play slots for a few hours, moving from machine to machine and playing different ones that "feel right." and at the end they split the proceeds. Well we did pretty well for themselves, me especially on the penny and two-penny slots. One machine has bonus games just randomly show up while you're playing, and one of them I had to keep choosing what bonus I was going to get, eventually I matched getting 40 free spins, so I got to sit back as the coins came in. I had originally put in $20 and I walked away from that machine with $60...and this was a two-penny machine!

We also would be the folks who were playing the big Wheel of Fortune slot machine which does have a big wheel in the middle for the bonus game, and so when we'd get the bonus going we'd stand up and clap. There were a few folks that were staring as we did that but we didn't care, it was all about fun! Also, since it was the middle of the night, there was no one there, so it meant that we basically got to go to any machine we wanted to. The only time we were kicked off was when they were collecting money out of a row of machines that we were playing, which was too bad because I was on a bit of a hot streak with that one.

Friday Night I went out to Apollo's Lounge for karaoke. That place has undergone a renovation since I was last there 2.5 years ago, the major thing being the addition of an outside patio for smoking. It's just basically your neighborhood bar, but with karaoke that's actually up-to-date with the song offerings, unlike most other bars. I had called a friend of mine from college, Robert, and we met up and chatted for a while before I headed home.

Saturday night I talked with JH on the phone for a bit since we hadn't chatted much during the week except via a few text messages. He was leaving a party and heading over to Town, which he would later tell me was a blast and that I need to go with him. Next time he gets tickets or if the cover isn't too outrageous I'll definitely go. I also visited with another buddy of mine, Antonio. We had started chatting online at random one night when I was in my last year of school, and it turned out he had gone to the same school so that spring break we met at Phoenix Pride since he was working one of the booths. Anyway, he's planning on moving to San Francisco this summer and he's always wanted to go so this should be a great opportunity for him. At the very least it means I know someone should JH and I ever travel out that way.

This morning was Easter of course, so it means I was up early hunting eggs in the backyard with my brother. After lunch my dad went to take my bro back to college. My mom and I were going to go to the botanical gardens, but then it just got too hot to be outside for a long period of time. It seems to have skipped the 70's and gone straight to the 80's temperature-wise here, it will probably be another long, hot summer.

Tomorrow my parents and I will be going to watch the Brewers take on the Rockies for spring training, that should be a good game. Tuesday night there are tentative plans to hit Padlock Cellblock with Antonio for a beer, then Wednesday I head back home.

I'm just glad to have taken this vacation, I haven't had to think about work and I can just relax and do nothing. Of course, I have also felt weird about actually sitting back and doing nothing and have had a few moments where I have wondered if I needed to be doing something to stay occupied.

Lazy Day

I promise tomorrow will be better...

The only thing I did today was go over to Fry's Electronics to look for some items and basically wander the store. I was rather disappointed in their video game section because it is quite clear which manufacturer has their foot in the door there. Two aisles of Playstation, one aisle of XBox, and one aisle of Nintendo. On the other hand, the fact that there was a big section of clearance PSP also says something about how well that system is doing.

Now if I didn't have to travel with it, I would have considered picking up Guitar Hero III today since it was much cheaper than the rest of the stores I have seen it at.

I did pick up a few movies though, namely ones I had seen on Netflix that I decided were worth buying. I picked up Kill Bill Vol 1 and 2 and Hot Fuzz (they were out of Shaun of the Dead).

Beyond that I just kind of hung out at the house. I have been playing my brother's copy of Trauma Center: New Blood on Wii. It's an interesting game, but man does it get frustrating at times. I may consider adding it to my Gamefly queue or picking up a used copy.

Run Away, Run Away!!

The thought that comes to mind right now is the commercials for Southwest Airlines, Wanna Get Away?

Well I certainly got away alright. My morning started out with an early wakeup call, a dropoff at the airport (thanks babe!), two hops and here I am at the parents house in Phoenix.

It's been over a year since I have visited my parents so I was due for a visit anyway, especially since I couldn't afford to go last Christmas. Thanks to a sale, I decided to get outta DC and head over this way. I also knew I needed to do it now because of how things are going to heat up at work over the next few months with projects hitting the field.

So I'm here, and now it's time for fun and sun. I can't freaking wait, I don't have to think about work for the next seven days, and I get to do whatever I want.

By the way, did I mention I have the worlds best boyfriend? Not only did he actually get up at 4:00 this morning to drive me to the airport, he said that he won't bother me while I'm on vacation, he won't call unless I call him first. That's such a refreshing change from a boyfriend that calls me up and cries over the phone because I only talked to him for five minutes in the past two days, so that must mean I don't care about him anymore. I like it when I can be trusted.

Too bad the pool is still about 40F.