And here I is in Texas yet.
I left beautiful Virginia, Susu, Nuala, our little casa on the mesa, and the most wonderful neighbors in the world, Thursday morning August 11th, and headed west. The Dallas adventure had begun.
I convoyed to Dallas with another displaced at&t employee, Roger Bach. I can't imagine I was very pleasant company for poor Roger, I have complained incessantly about having to make this move ever since it became known the Richmond office was being closed. Sue reminds me that I shouldn’t complain as it could be far worse. Roger found out his 16 year old son has bone cancer in his arm just about a week prior to the announcement of the office closing. I can't imagine carrying around that type of baggage at a time like this. I look at his situation and feel awful that I think I can complain. I've come to realize that I am quite fortunate in my situation but it hasn't stopped me from complaining all the more.
Roger and I took 2 days to make the journey from Richmond to Dallas with a stop overnight in Jackson TN.
We arrived in Dallas late Friday afternoon after a scare about 2 hours out. Roger had pulled off the highway about 5 miles in front of me and called back to let me know where to meet him. A few minutes later he called and said his car had stalled and wouldn't start again and he had coasted into a gas station. We managed to get the car restarted after about half an hour and drove it to a mechanic who ran a diagnostic on the car and said it told him a wiring harness had come loose and pin number 10 on the harness was not making good contact. The harness was in the back of Rogers car buried under about a thousand pounds of Cra_! The mechanic suggested we move some of the junk up to the front of the car to see if relieving the pressure might solve the problem. We will never know if that was really the fix or not but Roger made it the 2 hours into Dallas with no further issues. I made it in time to get the keys for my apartment and didn't have to spend the night in another hotel.
And here I is in Texas yet!
Putting on a brave face.
Sights along the way.
Long and lonesome road.
I couldn't stop thinking about our dear neighbor Pammy. Wonder why that was ?
Pretty clouds but nary a drop of rain.
Don't ask, I don't remember. Memphis maybe????
The meager possessions. Looks pretty good for the Shanty Irish.
This is a picture of the apartment from across the street. I'm in the East wing.
Monday the 15th I started at the new office in Dallas. Not as bad as I'd heard but nothing like Richmond. I'm going to be hard pressed to enjoy myself out here! There Is one bright spot and that's the fact the office is only 6 blocks from the apartment. Once I feel comfortable with the environs I'll try to ride the bike over. That might make a small dent in my carbon footprint.
Friday the 19th I headed over to El Centro College and started the ball rolling on getting back to school. I was back Saturday with student ID in hand and took the "Accuplacer" exam which determines what subjects need remedial work. Boy.... Do I feel like an idiot! Must be like the Army in that they tear you down then build you back up again. I did OK in English and basic math, but suck in Algebra and my knowledge of using the computer for word processing and Power Point. The upside is that I know I can ace Algebra, and learning more about using the computer shouldn't be a problem.
My plan is to enroll for the Fall session and knock out the prerequisites needed for the Nursing program, hopefully within the next two years.
If I'm lucky at&t will offer another package inside of 2 years and I can jump on it and head back to Richmond to finish School. I want to be back there by hook or crook in two years max!
Today Sunday August 21st. I started by sleeping in until 8:45AM and missing the 9AM Mass.
C'est la vie.
Last Sunday I tried the mass at Holy Trinity, maybe a 10 minute drive from the apartment, and was pleased with the choice. I was able to hear the sermon and homily without working at it. Today's mass at Saint Thomas Aquinas was a bust. Couldn't hear any of the mass, and the people just didn't seem as friendly. It might have been a bit closer but for my money I think I'll head back over to Trinity.
After mass I went back to the apartment and took the bike out for a spin around White Rock Lake. The Ride for Jim final ride was today so I thought this would be a nice tribute. I had a couple take a pic of me in my Ride for Jim jersey and then somehow managed to delete the file. What a boob!
Below are some of the picture I managed to save.
I think that Great Blue Heron out there is from Richmond too. I remember seeing him on the Rivah on one of the walks with Nuala
Kayakers on the lake.
Not a mile out from the apartment I manages to unclip my right foot for a stop signal and then leaned to the left. SPLAT! That's the Polack in me at work.
When I got back to the apartment I dressed my wounded knee using the 1st aid supplies sweet Susu sent along. I suppose she knew she was sending me away with all sorts of sharp and pokey things for the kitchen, not to mention the bike. 1400 miles away and the woman can still take care of me.
The operating room, Nurse Ratched at work,
Susu didn't miss a trick, I've got it all in these boxes!
GOOD AS NEW!!!
The End... for now, XO
