Share

Yesterday in its entirety was exactly what I needed. I spent all afternoon hanging out with Chelsea and Chris, had an enjoyable dinner with family, and ended the night with a bunch of friends at my new favorite bar, the Brickwall.

Seriously. I'm in a terrific mood and have not stopped smiling... and for that, I am incredibly thankful.

Just thought I'd share.

Welcome Wagon

Greetings from Maryland!

I'm currently living in the Vancherie suite at the Old Cheseapeake Hotel in Havre de Grace, which is a harbor town on the Cheseapeake that has a lot of antique shops and old people. Atleast there are several bars in walking distance, including an irish pub with a 2 for 1 Guinness special! There's also a nearby promenade which is right on the water and leads to a lighthouse. And the hotel is only 5 minutes away from the brand new Mitre building where I work (the commute will be longer when I move into my permanent home next month though), which is quite convenient.

I really like the job so far! The type of work I'm doing is definitely something that interests me, and I actually enjoy working in a corporate atmosphere (my previous position was a full-time job, but it lacked a certain level of professionalism). Perhaps best of all, the people at Mitre are extremely friendly and welcoming.

Take my officemate Susan, for example. Just last night, she invited my boss (who still works in New Jersey but was visiting for a few days) and I out for dinner to an italian restaurant. At first I was nervous to go to dinner with my new co-workers, but I quickly felt comfortable once the meal began (although maybe it was the wine?). By the end of our dinner, Susan made a comment along the lines of "we're like a family." In a way, it's true. After all, I'll be spending 40 hours a week with these people. It's been a difficult adjustment living in a new state, but with such welcoming co-workers and the tremendous support of friends and family back in New Jersey, I know I'll be just fine.

My boss plans to permanently move down here in a year or so. She made it clear during dinner that she's in no rush to move, however, because she doesn't want to leave everyone she knows in New Jersey behind. I sympathize completely. When I asked her what exactly her plans are when she moves and how she'll allocate her time between New Jersey and Maryland, she replied, "I don't know. I'm just in it for the adventure." Cheers to that.

Then I returned to the hotel and realized that I locked myself out. Oops.

Music Is Happiness

Today I was thinking about all the concerts I've been to in recent memory and so I decided to make a list for absolutely no reason.

2009:

4/5 - Girl Talk (Barton Hall, Ithaca, NY)

9/13 - Muse (Walter Kerr Theatre, New York, NY)

9/26 - Phoenix & Passion Pit (Central Park, New York, NY)

10/23 - Portugal. The Man & The Temper Trap (Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY)

11/13 - Mute Math & As Tall As Lions (Nokia Theatre, New York, NY)

2010:

1/18 - Owen Pallett (Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY)

1/20 - Freelance Whales & Still Life Still (Mercury Lounge, New York, NY)

2/9 - Yeasayer & Javelin (Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY)

2/21 - The Phenominal Handclap Band (Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY)

3/2 - The Ruby Suns & Toro y Moi (Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY)

3/27 - Miike Snow & Delorean (Webster Hall, New York, NY)

4/9 - Cymbals Eat Guitars & Bear In Heaven (Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY)

4/30 - Here We Go Magic (Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ)

5/5 - As Tall As Lions (Irving Plaza, New York, NY)

5/8 - The Receiving End Of Sirens (The Palladium, Worcester, MA)

6/3 - Stars (First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA)

6/5 - Delorean & Restless People (Glasslands Gallery, Brooklyn, NY)

6/19 - The Morning Benders & Freelance Whales (Governor's Island, New York, NY)

7/7 - Delorean (Stuyvesant Town, New York, NY)

7/8 - Minus The Bear (Webster Hall, New York, NY)

7/22 - Dinosaur Feathers & The Antlers (Hudson River Park's Pier 54, New York, NY)

8/8 - Memory Tapes & Restless People (Williamsburg Waterfront, Brooklyn, NY)

8/8 - The XX (Central Park, New York, NY)

8/18 - Crystal Castles (Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA)

9/24 - Porcupine Tree (Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY)

10/1 - Born Ruffians (The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NY)

10/7 - Miike Snow (Terminal 5, New York, NY)

10/29 - Local Natives & The Ruby Suns (Webster Hall, New York, NY)

11/4 - Wolf Parade (Trocadero Theatre, Philadelphia, PA)

11/11 - The Morning Benders & Twin Sister (First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA)

Considering the concert I'm going to in just a few days, I will have attended 30 concerts in the last two years! What's even crazier is that 29 of those concerts are within the last 14 months; although it's arguable that I was really at The XX concert (the venue was filled to capacity so I simply listened from afar while sitting on a big rock and discussing life issues with Corey) and the Born Ruffians concert (I was there physically but not at all mentally) so I guess it's really been more like 27 concerts in the last 14 months. Still pretty awesome.

Leaving Town

The next chapter of my life begins this monday; I'm moving to the great elsewhere.

I'll actually be living at a hotel in Maryland until I move into a permanent location closer to the end of the month, so it will essentially take me a little while before I am in fully moved in. Once I'm all settled, I expect some visitors!

I've been meeting up with friends, family, and former coworkers over the last two weeks to catch up over lunch or dinner, hang out during a party or a concert, or just reminisce and chill. My mom calls it meeting up to "say goodbye" and my dad calls it "getting closure" on this stage of my life. But I'd like to think that's not the case. I'd like to think that, although I'm entering the full-time workforce and ultimately moving two hours away, my friends and family will remain my constant. As I've said plenty of times before, this doesn't change the fact that you'll still see plenty of me.

I truly enjoyed traveling all over the state (I've actually put 2,000 miles on my new car in less than a month!) to spend time with all of you. I've had the priviledge of hearing or reading the kindest words from many of you over the last two weeks, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart (that yearbook I received at Ramapo is honestly my most prized possession because of everything it represents). I promise you that not a day will go by that I won't be thinking of you, and not a day will go by that I won't be looking forward to the day we meet again.

Bring it on, Maryland.