I'm stoked, plain and simple. This past weekend I fulfilled a decades-old dream--I saw the broadway production of Phantom of the Opera. I've been wanting to see this since I got involved in music. I had came oh-so-close twice before: once in NYC and once in London. Both times circumstances dictated me going to Les Miserables instead (which is my all time favorite musical). So you can imagine how happy I was that the traveling production of POTO was coming back to Seattle. It was magical, brilliant and everything I could have hoped for.

I am already planning on going to the Broadway production of Lion King when that hits town next Feb, and I'll probably go see Spring Awakening as well--I don't know too much about it other than it won a ton of Tonys last year, including best musical.

For the last few months I've also been trying to decide if I should be a season ticket holder at one of the local theaters. they have a really good package for the under 30 crowd and a good line up of shows. Today I got a courtesy call from the theater thanking me for attending Shrek: The Musical. It ended up being a sales call and I bought. I'm now going to get to see The Drowsy Chaperone (Best Musical winner), Memphis, Sunday Afternoons in the Park with George, and Grease. I get to park free and get dinner discounts. Overall I'm really excited to see that much theater. and yes....I'm still straight. :)

 

ddv

well, We finally closed on the house this week. I ended up making a small sum of money. I wish it would have been more considering how much we put into the house over the last 3 years, but at least I didn't have to pay anything and I don't have to worry about it anymore.

 

I'm mostly moved into my new apartment. I still have some coffee tables to assemble and sort through/organize the office/storage room. But I'm taking my time and all the essentials are in place. I absolutely love my new apartment. It felt more at home the first night when I just had a bed and the TV set up then the house did the past 3 months. I'm so glad I was able to move back here (we lived in this complex before we bought the house). This is the right place for me to start my new life.

 

I've posted a few picutes of the new place. Check them out.

 

ddv

My mom is a great artist. For as long as I can remember she has been sewing, cooking, baking, doing stained glass, etc. Arts and Crafts were always a part of my childhood (but sadly, not part of my persona that contained any skill).

This past weekend my mom was featured in the local paper for her Brazilian Embroidery--a sweet new 3D technique she has been mastering. I'm so proud of her and thankful she is being recognized. She has already taught a few classes around Billings and is planning on teaching more.

The story: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/09/20/features/life/22-embroidery.txt

The pictures: http://www.billingsgazette.net/shared-content/gallery/?galleryid=2&albumid=97

The video: http://videos.billingsgazette.com/p/video?id=2145616

As most of you know, this last weekend was the weekend I finally got to move into "my own" place. I've been living alone for months now, but it really felt like I was just living in the half-empty version of "our house". It felt like I couldn't move on until I moved out and had a place that was just mine.

I got the signed the lease and got the keys on Saturday morning. I headed down to the signing with a car full of breakables and art--no sense driving that way empty handed! After I did the final walkthrough of the apartment, unloaded the first of my belongings and then headed all the way up to Lynnwood to meet Abi and the realtor to get some papers signed and notarized for the house sale. Then I grabbed a tasty gyro for lunch and went back to the house to break down my home theater system.

I had decided a while ago that I would treat myself to a new/upgraded Bose home theater stereo with the proceeds from the house. They give a credit for turning in an older system, which mine definately is. So I got my perfect new system with all new cables and dropped that off at the apartment along with more art and breakables.

Sunday was move day. My buddy Rob and I went and picked up the uhaul and then headed to the house. Another co-worker got to the house about 9:30am and he and Rob started loading boxes while I broke down and packed up the bed and bathroom. The move was supposed to start at 10, but by the time I got downstairs around 10, nearly all the boxes were already in the truck! I guess it pays to do all the packing and get all the boxes in 1 room ahead of time. 4-5 others showed up around 10-10:30 and helped load all the furniture and larger items. Then we loaded up and headed to the apartment. There was no trouble unloading and hauling stuff to the 3rd floor, so we were all done and cracking open the beers just after 12:00pm! Not too shabby if I say so myself.

It was so nice to have that many friends show up to help a guy start his new life. I got most of the boxes unpacked already... I just have books, movies, music and "office" stuff left.

Home Sweet Home!!

 

ddv