Week. Over.

It's been a ride, that's for sure. I received my first groups, my first pop-up groups, my first frustrations, my first offer of a date (declined), my first concert tickets purchased, and first day of sweating out a hangover (literally).

I'll write more over the weekend, but I want to say that yesterday was somewhat of an epiphany for me. I've received a few e-mails and calls from friends expressing sadness that I'm not making the trip back in June, and that my trip in August is pretty much booked. I want all of you to know that whatever you're feeling, I'm feeling it 100 times worse. Those that know me well, know that the absolute last thing in life I want to do is let someone down. And I know I do it a lot. And every time it happens, it tears me up inside. I over commit myself and then everyone suffers.

I just want you to know that I'm sorry. I want to be there in June. And I want to be available in August. My entire life of friends and family are going to be crammed into two nights there, and it sucks. It really, really sucks. I know I'm going to forget something, or someone, and I hate it.

Sorry to be so morose today....it was a bit of a rough couple of days, and this morning didn't help the situation. I promise I'll be more upbeat in future posts. I miss and love all of you.

~Moe

Funny, the way it is....

Life is the most interesting, mysterious, enjoyable experience ever. Things change so quickly, in a fraction of the blink of an eye. Realizations that although some things are not as they seem, they more frequently are. It's truly a small world, and part of the reason for my change of locale was to escape it. And then I realized I can't. I'm exactly the same person, doing the exact same things. It's taken me less than three weeks to realize this. And the best part about it?

I love it.

I love that I have the guts to go for what I want. To take the worst possible situation and make the best of it. To see, to truly see, the good in everyone, even (and sometimes especially) the people you think are complete a-hole douchebags. I love that I'm doing exactly the job that I love, in a place that I love. I had lost the passion for doing this job before, and I needed to be away from it for a while. To experience more. I'm so much better equipped to deal with all the aspects of this job, and I've regained my passion for it.

I could sit here and be upset about my vacation being put on ice for a year, but I'm not. I know that the postponed concert will happen, and it will likely be 1,000X better because of the delay. After my trip to Target in the suburbs, I could be sad that I have to replace most of my worldly belongings, but I'm not. I know that I get new cool silverware and a shower curtain that I've wanted for a while. I miss my couch, and it would have been the perfect style. But it would have been too big.

So many opportunities present themselves in life, and if we don't jump at the opportunity, it just....passes us by. I see the status updates and the Twitter feeds of all the things I'm missing out on in Minneapolis, and then I realize there's a festival here literally every weekend. Greek Fest, Creole Tomato Fest, whatever, opportunities that I would miss in Minneapolis if I WERE there. And I wouldn't even know it, because I'd still be stuck in the same rut. I don't mean that to sound like it probably does. I mean that I'd be doing the same things, with the same people, in the same places. And here, I may be doing the same things, but it's different. And somehow, seems better.

I'll close by saying this: I TRULY hope that my friends and family, who I love with all my heart, come to visit me. So they can experience this city. It's really amazing. I hope that whoever reading this has a dream, and passion. And when they have the opportunity, they take it. They break out of their shell. They jump so far out of their comfort zone, they can't even see it.

Because if I can, ANYONE can. And you should. Ask yourself what it is you want out of life. And then go for it. Don't let anyone tell you can't, or that you shouldn't. Or anything. Just do it. You won't regret it, I promise. Not for one single second.

A friend of mine said something to me that was quite poignant - don't regret anything you've done, because at the time you did it, it was EXACTLY what you wanted. No regrets, no looking back. Only going forward.

One last thing: if you live in MN, please, PLEASE, quit complaining about the humidity and road construction. I'm tired of those being the only two things I see on Facebook and Twitter. Spend some time here in August and you'll never complain about either again. Besides, isn't that what you suffer all winter for? Humidity and road construction?

Not homeless!

Lease has been signed and delivered!!! I have a key! To an apartment! To my apartment!!! How flippin cute is this entrance!?!?!?

For those of you that have seen it, I KNOW how PERFECT my couch WOULD have been. It saddens me to a high level that I didn't bring it with me. It was TOTALLY a New Orleans couch. Not as much as the news of the U2 concert postponement, but greatly saddens me. But, we're being upbeat! Shuffle is reading my mind today, I'm excited to have my own place (as much as I love room service and our housekeepers, living at the hotel has begun to get old), to decorate it and make it my own. I'm excited to discover the neighborhood and hang pictures. To buy bar stools for the super cute breakfast bar. TO HAVE A DISHWASHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It really is the little things in life, friends. This one is huge for me, and I'm beyond excited. Work is going well; I have my first clients and I'm almost comfortable around here. I did have to cancel my trip back to Minneapolis in June however. The U2 concert was the reason the trip was planned in the first place. I'm ultra bummed out because there were plenty of other kick ass things I had planned (girly golf outing, Twins game, possible road trip to the Dave Matthews concert, spending time with an angel - in every sense of the word). But mostly missing out on the opportunity to spend a week with the people in my life that I love the most and my new nephew. He still hasn't arrived, but now I have to wait another month to see his sweet face. And when I'm back in August, I'm only back in the cities for a couple of days, so I know I won't get to see and touch and hug and kiss everyone that I want to. It will still be wonderful, and I'll get to meet and welcome a beautiful newborn to the family, I just wish I had more time.

So, having said that, I will be in Minneapolis on Wednesday, August the 4th, and Monday, August the 9th. Save the dates, peeps.

First weekend in the Big Sleaze...

And there was nothing sleazy about it. Friday after work, we were in need of cocktails, so my assistant and I headed to the local. We sat around chatting for a while when the douche from the previous evening waltzed in. Wearing a backwards hat. Sweet, sweet vindication. I love when I make good decisions.

A good friend of mine mentioned that he had another friend that just moved here. We had tried getting together the during the week, but couldn't connect. Anyhow, he said he'd meet us at the bar. In the meantime, another couple of guys had come into the bar, one of whom was also from Minnesota! Finally!! Backup for me!! I wasn't outnumbered by Saints fans!! The five of us laughed and drank and then departed. My assistant needed to get home, so C and I dropped her off. Then he decided he wanted to try his hand at being a "tour guide". So I capitulated and agreed to let him drag me down Bourbon Street. I had been there on a Wednesday, but that was nothing compared to a Friday night in the Quarter.

It's all really fuzzy, but suffice to say, we had some decent beers at the BeerHouse (I think that was the name of it), a Hurricane at Pat O'Briens (during which I NEEDED to call Andi and share the news with her, even though it was 1:30 in the morning and she was DYING to hear from me at this time), bought a "wish stick" at a voodoo shop, and then ended up a a blues bar. The last place was pretty cool. We were testing the theory of bars never closing around here, but only lasted until sometime after 4:30....what can I say, there were cocktails involved?! Suffice to say, I didn't really move out of my bed on Saturday. I ventured out for a bloody at Jean Lafitte's Old Absinthe House, and a gyro, and that was about it. Until 4 or so, when my assistant called again.

She was my tour guide for the afternoon/evening, and let's just say it was a MUCH different tour. We drove around in the Quarter, the Marigny, Mid-City, Bayou St. John and a couple other places. I showed her the house I was looking at and she agreed that it was adorable (more on that in a future post). It happens to be just a few blocks from THE Irish pub in NO - Finn McCool's. Irish as in, owned by Irish peeps right off the boat. A few pints of Guinness were had, and then it started...the whiskey drinking.

I do not generally drink whiskey. I do not generally do anything with whiskey except look at it with disdain. Or pour it out. I strongly dislike the flavor. In the last couple of years, I have been ok with drinking Jameson when it is the only thing in the house, or bar, or garage. I rarely enjoy it. However, when a "nice"* Irish guy that reminds you of Ireland buys Red Breast whiskey (which apparently is pretty good stuff), you drink it. And then you return the favor. And before you know it, you're extremely jealous of your sister, who happens to be a certified whiskey taster.

*in yet another future post, I will explain further the quotes surrounding the whiskey buyer.

Another friend had made an introduction to one of his friends, so I cleared with my assistant that it was cool for me to take off. Plus, I figured she was in good hands. So, off we went to Mick's for karaoke. Drinks were had, bad music was listened to, some good music was listened to and eventually I just needed to sleep....called a cab and made it safely to the confines of my bed, Sunday was pretty much a repeat of Saturday - minus the bloody. I did drink about three gallons of Gatorade though, and was still thirsty. Ordered a pizza for dinner, took a long, hot bath, and watched a ton of chick flicks. Of all the places to have a Sunday Funday, this is the place for it....I just wasn't having it yesterday. There will be many more opportunities, I'm sure.

Tonight will be another low key night. Hopefully picking up keys for my new apartment(!!!) and then watching the season (and series) finale of 24. Have a packed week of training at work, volunteering at work, and still figuring out exactly how I fit in around here. I'll get there. And then I hope all of you do too.

P.S. I WILL be at the Vikes/Saints game 9/9/10. It's official. My buddy bought two tickets and I have my name on the other one now. So, my offer still stands....I'm going to buy 4 tickets - first peeps to send me flight confirmations have first rights to purchase said tickets from me. I'll sell them for what I paid....though the one I'm going on is just south of $200. Do with that info what you wish!

Possibly the worst news ever....

Ok, so that might be a bit of an exaggeration. I just read that Bono (of U2 fame, for those that have lived in a cave for the last two decades) injured his back prepping for the upcoming tour and had to have back surgery.

The last time U2 came to Minny, I bought a ticket the day before the show for $125. I sold it the night of the show for $300. Anyone that knows me knows I have few regrets. This is one of them. When I heard they were coming back, come hell or high water, I was going to be at the show. I bought into the fan club so I could get presale tickets and I did. 2 GA tickets.

I bought my plane ticket yesterday. YESTERDAY. 6/25 - 7/4. So long as the concert isn't delayed more than a week, I will still be able to go. If it's rescheduled for any time after 7/3, I'm fucked. I know this is karma messing with me and I think it's bullshit. If I don't get to see them, the universe can go fuck itself for all I care. I KNOW I shouldn't have sold those tickets, but don't punish me like this!!! Please!!

Also, I wish Bono a very speedy recovery and truly hope it's nothing serious. Aside from enjoying their music immensely, Bono is a humanitarian in every sense of the word. I may not agree with all of his political views, but the man wants to make the world a better place. And he puts his money where his mouth is. I have mad respect for him and hope that he gets better soon.

Or discovers cortisone shots.