"this is temporary" the mantra until i find a place to settle. leases are relative
the chances were low, but I needed the money to start saving so the move planning could become serious. did the night shift thing for the first time in 13 years; tried manufacturing plant work but overwhelmed by the intricacy of moving parts and annoying inconsequential details documenting, also giant corporate environment not really my thing. made $5k in 3 months then took december off for reasons. nothing like loopy saturday afternoon drinking...found another job in about a week much more laid back got to experience warehouse and loved it, saved the rest of moving money (and even still had 1/3 left after the trip). found my true niche in wanting to manage inventory, even trained other workers in the basics, gained confidence in demanding proper instructions from management. too bad the owners were part of the mormon cult and stingy as hell; both managers left within 6 months and the one that really connected to me quit randomly a day before e my last scheduled. great thing is he saw my potential and we're still in touch cuz he siad he would definitely want me to work for him in consulting. also ironic that he's getting tested for neuropsych diagnoses suspecting being on the spectrum.
preparing for the big move had a bit of anxiety, had 3 weeks off work to pack up my stuff from the whole house and attempt last social hangouts. still managed to see Luis as much as possible, he was very supportive after october and we got even closer...his official ask came on christmas eve and i even surprised myself saying yes i would be a partner. took all those up and down years/rounds of 18 months to prove i could really trust what we have. still disspointed in sydney's immaturity/lack of effort in planning/recognizing the offense to me, but she seems to treat him well enough.
trip was wow. kai-ele, olga, dad. i was so intimidated and yet after it really wasn't that big of a deal, just drive and eat. could have done more stops but had to get to hotels on time and return. still very surreal feeling that i did it and yet i wouldn't mind actually planning more fun with different friends. more details maybe later.
summer at mom and dad's house while looking for work and apartment=suffocating flashbacks when they were both home more than a few days in a row, at least i found work in a month. love the new job factory not warehouse at all which i do miss but at least here i am on track to managing inventory in the future. the school i went to has been useful but i wish it was fresher and more confident; apparrently i've also gotten pretty good at interviewing. having only been there about two months have already learned quite a lot and can see doing this as a career at least for a few years to start. like i had told my old manager, i want to know enough to decide if i want to stay given the culture and environment; trying to not be too ambitious all at once.
it's refreshing working with all guys, have managed to make some casual social with a few which is a nice supplement considering the local lack thereof. steve of all people has been the most present! also james...crazy that i've known him almost 20 years and we're FINALLY within driving distance that we can hang out in one day, he's about an hour away more toward baltimore but has social connections closer to here. the girsl are all in pittsburgh (rosie, sherry, aubree). olga=san fran, lynette=rome, then california people are now a flight away. super happy that i got to see aubree when she visited lancaster it had been 9 years and i barely remember when she was in PA w/Alex since i was used to her ohio life; very glad she's oout of that small town and w/zach in carnegie. i hope to make a trip out there to visit people soon, i owe sherry a call...
home feels like it when my computer functions in my own space. need to establish regular piano gig and resume French study now that my brain has wrapped around factory basics passing assessments. then perhaps i can begin the Book over the winter after getting into an exercise routine.