Reminiscing

...::: This post is mainly directed towards all my Alabama friends :::...

Everyone can clearly see that I am building a house. If everything goes as planned, I will close next Wednesday. I realized tonight on the way to band practice that, this will in all likelihood be the last time I ever pack up my gear, go out the front door, and load it into my car, all from my parents house.

My parents house. The place where I have resided for nearly 20 years. A flood of memories swept through my head tonight. So many great times with friends were had here.

Shane, Melody, Bunny, Jeff, Jeremy: Remember “Sweet Home AMCOM?” where the ceilings are so blue?

Shane, Melody, Bunny, Remember when we use to play “You Don’t Know Jack?” on the computer all night?

Shane, Melody, Bunny, Jeff, Jeremy, Shama: Remember the New Year’s where we practically got snowed in here?

Jeff: Remember all the Nintendo games we played?

Jeff: Remember all the nights we met here and then headed out to Wilson Morgan and then Applebee’s?

Jeff: Remember all the nights we met here and then headed out to The Brick and then Applebee’s and were back by 10 PM?

Jeff: Remember all the days we would meet here, drive to Nashville, and then get home at 3:00 AM?

Clay, Casey, Scott: Remember all the Anime' we use to watch over here and the anime' club we started?

Vern: Remember how every day after class at Calhoun, we would work out at the gym and then shoot basketball all afternoon in the driveway.

Jeremy: Remember all the times you would come over and play on the drums?

Andy, Lisa, Constantine: Remember all the Christmas’s when we would all get together and just play and sing and record all day? I’ve got video of that somewhere.

Dee, Andy: Remember all the insanity in high school when we started our first band and practiced here?

Jonathan A., Jason T, and Kevin: Remember in the 7th and 8th grade when we use to play music here? That was the first time I ever heard KISS, Ozzy, and Metallica. Wow, we were into some heavy stuff!

Jonathan and Solita: Remember when you guys use to come over and we would play Sega Genesis in my bedroom? -aside- that one time when you and Delora (Green SUV?) and Solita and I went to Birmingham to the Galleria when I was 8th grade(?), we ate at Ruby Tuesday's and that was the first time I had ever been to a "fancy" restaurant without my parents.

I can’t believe I’m getting sentimental. I’m just moving 2 miles away. But, I know that this is going to be a huge change for me. The whole process has been just crazy from the start. This time last year, my boss and I were discussing developing a small subdivision. He was looking at land in Huntsville and I had done some initial design of the subdivision and gotten some rough estimates for ground prep. But now, after actually going through the whole process of building, all the headache and hassle, I am totally looking forward to just moving in and living there a long time.

The idea of BRAC initially excited me. I thought I would build, and then try and sell in 2 or 3 years when everyone moves down. But when I look back on everything that’s happened, I launched into this project with the whole idea of this being my “dream home” and “home I would raise a family and retire in.” I upgraded a lot of things and spent money on things that I wanted. It is my heart and soul which I poured into the design and floorplan for 2 years prior to construction. Plus, I look at all the hard work my folks have put in cleaning and everything else during construction. It just doesn’t seem right to sell it just because there is money to be made.

Everyone has been calling and im’ing me asking me if I was moved in yet. While I am sad to move out of the place I’ve lived for 20 years, I am really excited at the prospect of making new memories in my new home.

It was brought to my attention at Festivus that I’ve seemingly alienated folks, good friends, over the past year. Not on purpose mind you, but time just got away from me with everything that was going on. It’s no excuse. But, I’m totally making steps to correct that. I think Trivial Pursuit 90’s edition at Jawana’s was a great start the other night.

You've all been such good friends to me over the years, and I wouldn't trade our times together for anything else in the world. You have helped me become who I am and I really appreciate each and every one of you for that.

I look forward to making many many many new and great memories with you all in the years to come!

(By the way, I just got word that a certain radio show, which happens to be the 3rd most popular internet broadcast will be coming back to the airwaves in the near future!)