Category Archives: move

the language we speak…

25 Sunday Oct 2015

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This morning is the first day I’ve woken up feeling moderately human. I actually woke at 7:12am saying is it monday? is it monday? OMG I’m going to be late. As it turns out, it is sunday; but when you’ve been off work for a week, trapped at home, and hopped up on drugs, you lose track of time.

I was starting to feel better yesterday. Actually got a shower and out of the house for a few minutes, even if just to go buy dog food. I had to get out of the house as I was on the verge of a tiny meltdown. I really miss Portland. I miss my neighborhood Vietnamese restaurant with my favorite pho (extra important when sick). I miss being able to walk to the grocery store. I miss all the weird creative types. and I really, REALLY miss my friends and community dinners.

I am trying so hard to meet new people and I have made some wonderful, wonderful new friends. But starting from scratch is so hard. My favorite new friend and I bonded over a moment at a women’s get-to-know-you game, where I gave a true glimpse of the real Lula. One of the ladies said I find it so hard to make new friends now that I’m over 40. Off the cuff, without even thinking, I said “I find it so hard to make new friends because most of the time I’m thinking you’re an idiot and I wish you’d just shut the fuck up.” This got a laugh from the table, but I immediately worried who I had offended. Little did I know, my message was received and shared by two of the ladies at the table.

So often since coming to Memphis, I feel like I’m speaking a foreign language. People don’t say what they mean and don’t mean what they say. So me, in my true self, speak frankly and honestly, cannot get anyone to give me a straight answer because they aren’t actually hearing the words I am saying, and not interpreting them in the literal sense I intend. I’ve never been good at game playing, other than to stir the pot. I’m a master pot-stirrer 😉

Other than going to church, or volunteering, how do you recommend connecting with other people? I’m looking for any and all suggestions, no matter how ridiculous.

They’re creepy and they’re crawly…

30 Thursday Oct 2014

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And they clearly missed the memo. My last house, they generally abided by the rules. Stay out there, stay up there… You get to live. Come down here… Die.

There are spiders everywhere! If I unpack a box and toss it in the carport to breakdown later, mere minutes later, there a big black spider taking up residence. They dash across the living room floor.

The worst was the tiny one in my car last weekend. I’m certain the people in the cars around me thought I was having a seizure. All the while I was batting and flailing at the minuscule monster, I kept thinking of NPR’s Car Talk. There was a story about a woman who was trying to sell her car CHEAP and the man looking at it couldn’t figure out what could be so wrong for her to walk away from a perfectly good car.

At least Ginger is finding some pleasure in her new toys. She certainly is not earning her keep by keeping them at bay.

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Happy Halloween! 🎃

settling in

16 Thursday Oct 2014

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I may never move again…

Unless it’s to New Orleans, DC, or a tropical beach paradise. I’ve had such a hard time getting involved in anything outside of work and meeting folks. The last time I moved to a new city I had just graduated college and had a few friends in the same town. Starting from scratch is hard work. I’ve really had a difficult time staying positive.

Part of why I haven’t posted much… Nobody likes a whiner.
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This past weekend we moved into our new house!! I have my bed. (Win!!) The living room is my most chaos free zone (less furniture, it was easier to set up). IMG_2302-0.JPG
We are swimming in a sea of strategically placed boxes. I have a path through the kitchen. The mover really messed me and hid my dishes in an unmarked box.

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I learned from my neighbor I’m on a rails to trails project called the Green Line. Not only do we have a lovely neighborhood for our morning walk, we now have easy access to nice long walks on the weekends without getting in the car.

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I’ve been looking at different ways to volunteer as a way of getting out and meeting folks. This past weekend I volunteered at the Cooper Young Regional Brewfest. I’d found a Mississippi beer that’s quite tasty and when I checked out their website I found the beer-fest.

I don’t have internet access at the house yet. I’ve been doing everything on my phone (so I hope all these photos look ok and sorry the formatting looks so wonky)

Now that we are settling in and the funk seems to be lifting, I’ll be back to to posting more. I’ve mostly decided to stick with my anti-Facebook stance. I think I’m willing to do it, then fb creeps me out again.

Thanks friends for all the cheerleading and support y’all have sent my way. It’s been a huge help!

cheers

I’m on a roller coaster

13 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by in move

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I’ve started half a dozen posts. Each one tells a different story and has a different emotional bent. My emotions and thoughts about this move have changed every 15 minutes. One minute I’m sobbing uncontrollably, the next I’m laughing, and the next I’m bored.

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I’ve been ready for a change for awhile and I know once I get settled in a space I can call my own and make a few friends I’ll be ok with this. In the mean time though… This transition is a little tough.

I’ve never had a training course with my employer that has not made me feel like a complete dunce. This is no exception. Once I’ve finished all the horrible training classes and moved into whatever the new job has been, I’ve be able to feel successful. This class is truly the worst class I’ve ever taken. The instructors are disorganized and don’t know the topics they are teaching. How can you expect me to be successful if I am not being taught by someone successful? Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. I’m in the middle of that adage.

That in itself has made this move even more stressful. What has made it bearable are my new neighbors. I’ve met a couple of other professional folks who are also in limbo. We’ve been meeting for dinner and drinks to commiserate about our respective jobs.

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Ginger is making sure I plenty of snuggles. Coe makes sure I get out for a walk every day. I’m sure I’ll look back on this time and forget how horrible this part feels. In the meantime, pass the beer nuts.

 

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I’m taking suggestion on where to find good cocktails in Memphis!