Someday

Asheville

I have not had much to say lately. Granted, I never do. Anyhow, things are going well, I guess though I am itching to get away somewhere. The problem is since I recently started a new job I don’t have any time to take off. For the first year of employment I only get 7 hours and 50 minutes of holiday time a month, so this doesn’t add up much. According to university rules an employee must maintain a minimum of 10 hours for emergencies and if you don’t you could be let go.

I would like to go home, but Savannah is 5 ½ hours away. It’s not quite possible on a weekend because it is practically a day of driving there and back, which does not leave much time for visiting. I would like to visit my friend Gloria in Arizona. She just moved there, but this is way too far for me to go. As well I would like to visit friends in New Jersey, but that too, is out of the question. Hell, I would like to visit my family and friends in the UK and Europe... and while I'm at it I wish to go on a world tour!

Labour Day is fast approaching and I have wanted to go to the mountains and visit friends in Asheville. The mountains are my element. I wish I could be living there again right now, but it is not where the Fates wish me to be. I made plans to go there, but I just found out even though it is a university holiday I have to come in for 4 hours that day. WTF?

It is a state holiday. The university is closed. Why is the library open 4 hours... and only 4 hours? As a socialist I find this very disturbing. It is Labour Day god damn it! So I resigned myself to the insanity and cancelled my trip, but there is the possibility I could arrange for a graduate assistant to cover these hours. We shall see.

I think I will visit Emma in Chapel Hill. I haven’t visited with her in awhile and she is the closest friend I have here in North Carolina. It’s not the mountains, but Chapel Hill... has hills. All my friends live all over the place. We are all so separated from one another and I have moved into exile.

Though it has been over a decade since I lived in Asheville, my heart is still partially there. Someday I will return and hopefully one day, perhaps I will live there again.

Special Vanity and Other News

I received my new Specialty and Vanity tag the other day. :) I miss my Georgia wildflower tag so I decided to find one I like here in North Carolina. The mountains are my favourite part of the state and I love the Blue Ridge Parkway so I went with this one.

Part of the proceeds goes to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, which aides in the upkeep of the parkway and the parks. Speaking of, I never understood why in the USA one drives on a parkway and parks on a driveway.

Anyhow, I also splurged and had the tag personalised and as when I created my blog I did not know what to call it so I gave it the number of my apartment at that time. So I have given my tag the name of my blog. Yes, my creativity is astounding.

In other news I am now domiciled in the loft. It’s a big change from the cottage. The children aren’t happy about it. I think they are a little freaked out right now. Nora-Grace is walking around hissing and growling. Tabitha is whining and pacing the floor. I can’t say I blame them as the current two rooms don’t have all that great of a view and they also don’t have as much space to run around in.

I still have more belongings to move from the cottage, which I will do tonight when I get home from work. It’s amazing how much stuff I had with me in the cottage. I purposely only brought in the minimal or at least this is what I thought, but it seemed to have multiplied.

During this last move I realised I really don’t need all that I have and can get by with very little. I have even more stuff all packed away on the first floor of the building. Some of it is what I put back into storage after I moved out of my apartment and some of the stuff I had in storage for five years back in Savannah. I seemed to have got along fine without it and sometimes I never thought about any of it. Often I would have panic attacks when visiting it because I would open the door to the 10 x 20 storage unit and be confronted with STUFF.

I think I am going to use this time in the warehouse to sort through things and get rid of it. It’s easier for me to write this then actually do, but it’s going to be an ongoing effort and project.

Car Stuff

Today I got my North Carolina driver’s license. I passed the knowledge exam with a perfect score. It cost me $32.

The other thing I had to take care of was the tag, title and registration. In Georgia, we call them tags, but in North Carolina, it is called a “license plate”. So I go down to the tag… err, license plate office and I discover something interesting. The registration office is not located in a state run building. It is a privately run office located in a tanning salon! Yes, I could have got a tan while I waited for my paperwork to be completed. ‘Tis very odd. Anyhow, this cost me $218.

The next thing I have to do is have my car inspected. We do not have automobile inspection in Georgia except in Atlanta and that is only emissions. So I do not know what to expect however I do know it will cost me another $30. Therefore, for me to have my car legal in North Carolina it has cost me $280. Bleh!

Could you imagine if I had Steve’s Bentley or Jim’s Jaguar… or even Kevin’s Audi? So, it could have been worse.

On the bright side of things, I start my new job tomorrow at North Carolina State University. Yay!

Outer Banks

Today Destin and I took a road trip to the Outer Banks. I think we both needed to get out of town and see the mighty ocean. We ended up driving to a rather secluded beach area on Nags Head. It was cold, but we had a good time and we took many photographs some of which are below.

Well, I would write more, but I am exhausted and I have a job interview tomorrow. Do you think I will get to sleep tonight? Ha!

The fabulous, Miss Destin.

Dynamic Duo

Moonscapes on the beach!

I love the macro setting on my camera.

We came across an abandoned hotel that was being buried by the sand. It must have been destroyed by one of the many hurricanes of two years ago. It is amazing how quickly nature is consuming this place. Destin and I have decided to move in.

I’m Here

I made it to Tarboro this Monday past. I left a day later the expected so I had very little help unloading the truck. So I moved everything all myself except at the very end when Miss Betty (aka StillMa or Destin and Emma’s mother) graciously offered to help with boxes and the beastly bedstead, which ways about the same as a Smart Car. She also provided constant pep talks. ☺

The next day I could barely move about, but I did my best. I did lose 3.6 lbs though! The house I am staying in while working in the loft is rather nice. So I have been trying to make it comfortable for a temporary stay without going overboard. Today I am still unpacking some items and searching for other items. It’s weird how things disappear when you move even though everything was clearly marked.

Last night I received an invitation from Robert Whitehead to attended a social function at the Blount-Bridgers House, a historic home directly across the street from where I am staying. Mr. Whitehead has some of his personal collection of African, Caribbean and African American art and memorabilia on display.

I met a few people and handed out my business card. It was quick little event, but I didn’t get to see much of the house. I will have to visit it some time later.

As far as Internet access goes I don’t have it at the house where I am staying, but there’s Internet access at the Main Street Café where I am currently writing this. Also I will be setting up a wireless system at the building where I will be living in soon.

You know it’s funny being new to such a small town. The people here are just so intrigued as to you who you are and where you come from. I mean just walking down the street people just stare. It’s a little unsettling, but amusing at the same time. I guess this is the closest thing to how a celebrity must feel like when out and about in daily life?

Moving Day

The day finally has arrived! I was supposed to have left yesterday, but it turned out I could not fit everything into the truck so I had to pull stuff, rearrange and decide what could be left behind for me to pick up at another time. This was an all day affair.

Now here it is almost noon and I'm still not ready. Ugh! It's time to adopt the Doris Day attitude. Ka Sera Sera, what will be, will be. The truck doesn't have to be turned in until 1:25 PM tomorrow so I have decided not to worry about it.

I am exhausted. I was up at 2:30 AM, 3:15AM, 4:40 AM and then I finally go out of bed at 5:00 AM. Now it's time for a 5 1/2 hour journey.

Well I must dash. I have a few more things to gather up and then I need to round up the cats. Oh, joy!

Last Minute Stuff

Wow, the moving day is fast approaching. I have plenty of last minute stuff to take care of and everyone seems to want to do something with me before I leave so trying to squeeze everything in is a bit daunting.

I was able to pay for two extra days for storage and this has pushed the moving day back to this Saturday. If I did not do this then I would be loading the truck myself. Now I have several friends who have offered to help. Yay!

However, I have so much to do in such little time, ahhhh!

The Tarboro Chronicles

This morning was freezing. I could not paint because it just wouldn’t dry very well and the paint probably was near frozen. The patches I did to the walls were still wet as was the caulk around the windows. I think my breath was freezing as it left my mouth and then fell to the floor and shattered. It was that cold.

Basically I cleaned everything up. I put all my tools away. I stared at pigeon shit. I paced the floors. I started thinking as to where all the furniture will go. I tried to light a kerosene heater, but all I got was soot… in my face. I thought about would my heaters be able to heat this place. I thought about how I will install air conditioners into the iron industrial windows.

I am heading home tomorrow. I have to figure out the move. Do I move everything now or do it later? There is so much stuff in the way of me getting my own stuff in I may need a month or so to clear things out first. Then I can return to Savannah and get the rest of my things.

The best news is I may stay in the house I am crashing in until May if I would like to. I think I am going to take them up on it for now. This means the cats and I will have a warm clean place to dwell. I can now work on the loft space at a more leisurely pace.

A few months ago I was so certain about this move, but not anymore. I’m still feeling disconnected from this whole thing. I am not sure why. I used to pick up and move all the time and not think twice. This time however I am so indecisive and removed.

Fortunately everyone here has been rather nice. Destin has helped me with moving things around and giving suggestions. Betty brought me lentil stew last night for dinner and a sandwich for lunch today. She’s such a mum!

Perhaps when the whole moving process and construction process and finding a job / clients process is over with I will feel much better about this.

The Tarboro Chronicles

This morning I could not get out of bed, as my back would not cooperate. I have a back issue, which I never have bothered to have fully checked out. Apparently it’s a slipped disc. Anyhow I wanted to get up and out of bed, but my body would not cooperate so I stayed in bed ‘till I couldn’t any longer.

It was pathetic I had to roll myself off the air mattress and then get on my knees. I then proceeded with some Yoga exercises. With the aid of a wall and fireplace mantle I managed to stand up. I took a nice long shower and then proceeded to shave. That was an interesting experience! I had to spread eagle, slightly bend forward, prop myself up with one arm while using the other to wet my face!

I then made breakfast and hurried on out the door. I went to a hardware store to pick up a few items and then headed to the hellhole. When I got up to my level those two pigeons where hanging out in the area I just cleaned. You can imagine my distress.

I shooed them away and managed to get them out an open window. I then proceeded to close all the windows so they could not return. I feel a little sad for having to evict them from the building. They were paired together and I believe pigeons, like love birds mate for life. I don’t think they built a true nest nor did they lay any eggs yet because it is winter. However I am keeping my ears out for any peeping sounds. If I hear them the windows are going to be opened again. My love of animals and nature runs strong. I’m extremely empathetic. Yes, this means I am a sap.

However, I know it is for the best because I just can’t live with all the shit. Literally!

Today I managed do some repair work on the ceiling in the temporary living room / kitchenette. I patched several holes in the drywall. I hope it will all be dry tomorrow because I would like to get both rooms painted.

Working on a ceiling patch.

I managed to butcher a door, but I did get it hung. What can I say? The jig saw went right when it should have gone left! I also caulked the windows and added some weather stripping though I think it’s not going to be too effective. The windows are old iron industrial windows.

I also need to replace each pane of glass because they are currently opaque, which is to say you cannot see through them. There is one window that has a few panes of glass, which are clear, but I would like them all to be the same. I also think it’s important for the cats to be able to see outside.

Having this view has been keeping me going.

My plan was to head home tomorrow, but it looks like that’s not happening. I have way too much to do so I will stay until Saturday if I must. Like I mentioned before I still need to paint.

The weather has been progressively getting colder since I’ve been here. Tonight it’s supposed to go down to 22F and tomorrows high is only going to be 35F. This should prove interesting since the paint can states you should not paint below 50F. I have to paint anyway because this all needs to be completed before I leave.

I miss Nora-Grace and Tabitha. ☹

The Tarboro Chronicles

Today was my first day working on the space. The loft, the studio, the HELLHOLE! What the bloody hell am I doing? Why am I here? WTF?

No, no. I know why I am here. I know what I have to do. It’s just not sitting right with me. Perhaps it’s all the work I must do to get this place habitable. Perhaps it’s because I am in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps it’s because it’s all unfamiliar. I think it’s all of these things. Though when I was younger I would not have thought twice about it.

The face of trepidation, anxiety & exhaustion.

Okay, let me take a sip of my bourbon and water. Ah… that’s good. When I got up this morning I had to return the U-Haul trailer. The return place was in what more or less I would describe as “The Hood”. It is a storage place and there are a few U-Haul trailers outside in the parking lot. There was no sign of an office. I had to enquire in a fuel station where a rather large, pregnant looking teenager with stringy greasy hair and acne greeted me.

“You’re not from around here”. I replied; “No mam, I’m from Georgia.” Georgia? What you doin’ here?” I finally get a word in … “Yes, Savannah, Georgia and I am relocating here.

“Why you moving here? No one moves here. Everyone leaves.” She starts to cackle, “Get out while you can!” I finally get to inquire as to where the U-Haul office is located and she points across the street. This “office” is located in the rear of a house and it had no signs. Anyhow I returned the damned thing late, but the smoking lady with the no smoking signs did not charge me extra. However I did have to drive back across the street and unhook the trailer myself.

So today I began working on the space, but I did spend about an hour freaking out about why I am here. Seeing the space now for the second time I discovered some more “issues” that are going to make it more of a challenge. I started to think about actually moving to Florida instead! Y’all know my opinion on Florida.

There are two pigeons flying about on my level. Now how do I get them out? At one time there were quite a few pigeons and so there is quite a bit of pigeon shit EVERYWHERE!

I spent a fair part of my day cleaning up pigeon shit and tomorrow I shall do the same and probably the next day too. Don’t worry I am wearing a mask. Those nasty droppings have particles that can cause blindness and I don’t want that. Who ever heard of a blind interior decorator?

Insulating the windows is going to be a bit of an issue too. Temporarily I intend on using that stick on plastic, which you shrink with a hair dryer, but I am not sure it will stick to the iron frame of the windows because there is very little frame to begin with.

My intention is to build storm windows out of wood and Plexiglas, but this is too expensive for me now. I may have to figure out away to do it anyway.

Ah, satisfaction!

I did manage to cut an entrance between the two rooms I will be living in. It was quite rewarding using a reciprocating saw. I actually lost myself in it and didn’t think about my insane life for about 30 minutes. I also was able to vacuum years of dirt, dust and cobwebs.

This will be the temporary living room/kitchenette.

It turns out I don’t have to stay in the building while I am working on it. My friends’ mother has a sister who purchased a house next to hers. It is a renovation project as they live in Florida. You see, I just can’t get away from Florida people! Anyway I am staying in this home. It is a wonderful house. It has a fabulous wrap around porch with Corinthian columns. The original house was built in 1895 and there was an addition added in 1915. It has been completely renovated with new wiring, windows and kitchen. The hardwood floors have been refinished too and there is an instant hot water shower, but most importantly there is HEAT!

Well, I’m off to bed. I believe tomorrow should prove equally interesting.

North Carolina

Today I am heading to North Carolina with a load of stuff. I have a rather large armoire in the trailer, but most of the items are for creating a habitable space in the “warehouse” area of the building.

Of course, this is the week of cold weather in N.C. It supposed to warm up a bit after I return home! I truly prefer cooler weather to warm or hot, but I like to be personally warm with the cold around me. Therefore, this should be interesting.

Also according to the directions on the paint cans, it states one should not paint when the temperature is below 50F. That’s just great. It’s supposed to stay below 50 degrees until Saturday. I have to get the painting done so I am going to do it anyway. I need to get as much completed as possible before the bigh move on the 31st.

I have my tent, sleeping bag, and blankets, camp stove, etc. all packed. Yes, I will be camping… in a tent… in a warehouse. Heh, heh, this should be fun!

Moving

This past month has been an emotional rollercoaster, but no more! I am tired of it and quite done with it. Thanks to all for the kind words and support. It is appreciated.

Anyhow, I am about to make a big change. I have decided to definitely move to North Carolina at the end of this month. I have been busy trying to get things together for the move.

One of the best things I have done is to have let the people in charge at the storage place know I will be moving my belongings out at the end of the month. I have had the storage unit for over five years!

I will be moving to the town of Tarboro, population 11,138. The town is an hour east of Raleigh. I will be living on the third floor of a 19th century former Belk department store building. The mother of my friend, Emma, owns the building. She said I could do whatever I wish to third level. Therefore, I shall.

I will be turning part of the 3,000 + square feet into an incredible loft! It will take a long time, but I am up for it. I still miss the loft I had in Atlanta many moons ago so this is rather like reliving it.

The only thing is it is a bit rustic. Perhaps that is an understatement. It truly is rustic. Yes, I will have to admit that. Essentially, it is going to be rather like camping for a while, but I enjoy camping!

I will be heading to Tarboro next Tuesday to prepare the space for habitation. Much needs to be done to make it livable. Therefore, I will be spending a few days working on it. Then I will head back home and finish gathering the rest of my belongings for the final move on the 30th.

I am going to try to document the process with pictures and possibly video. In addition, there is a chance I will be moving this blog to my .Mac account because I can utilise all the services I am paying for.

Below are some photographs of the place I am heading to.

Enjoy!

This is the side I'll be living in. The top row of windows are mine.

This will be the main living space. Ceiling is low, which will be best for heating.

Taken from another angle. I need to construct a wall in the open space and create a door.

Looking through and back into the large open space. Oh look, there's Emma.

This old office will become my bedroom.

This is looking out one of my windows.

Change

Tarboro Court House

I have returned from a wonderful time in North Carolina. My friends and I had a blast. It looks like I will be moving back to North Carolina next year! My friend Emma is planning on opening a nightclub in Durham and she wishes for me to design the interior. I am excited for the possible project as well as moving my business up there and hopefully getting some new clients in the Raleigh area.

The triangle area is much larger then Savannah and I believe my business will thrive better in that region. I am also excited about experiencing the four seasons once again and cold weather... and the variety of trees... and hills... and FRESH AIR!

If I do go through with this move I already have a great place to live. I would live in Tarboro, which is an hour outside Raleigh. Emma's mum has a business in an old 19th Century Belk department store building. I was offered the upper level to convert into a loft. The whole idea is just too awesome!

Now I have a lot of thinking to do.

Home Away From Home

I’m off on a road trip to North Carolina for a few days. I need to take care of some business and future possibilities as well as visit with Emma and David.

Marshall Continued

On Monday Jimmy had a project to work on so Erin, myself and the kids went on a picnick up river on some land they recently purchased.

Running our errands in Marshall to prepare for our picnic.

We ate good food and enjoyed the fresh air while the kids played in the river.

Erin, Pinatuba and Mezmer enjoying the water.

Iris and Mezmer in the river.

Mezmer was being like an otter. He stripped down to practically nothing and was just splashing around and having a grand ol' time. Iris was a little more cautious, but enjoyed it just the same.

North Carolina is experiencing a drought and so the French Broad River is extremely low right now. Iris kept trying to go out further and further. We had to keep reeling him in.

Later that night we went into town (Asheville) and stopped in to one of my favourite book stores, Malaprops. Then we went for sushi.

Jimmy and Mezmer

Erin and Pinatuba

Me and Iris

The whole gang

Afterwards we went for a walk and pickeup some tea and coffee. I really miss Asheville. :( It was nice to see everything and everyone again.

Heh, heh...

Someone has a good sense of humour. What a great name for a band!

Leaving North Carolina was difficult. I really didn't want to return home to Savannah. It was rather sad because Iris really didn't want for me to leave. He became rather upset and difficult. He actually packed a bag of all his favourite books and said he was going with me. He tried to hide from his parents so they would not know what he was up to and then when it came time for me to go things got dramatic.

Needless to say there were a lot of tears from everyone. When I got into my car to leave Iris grabbed hold of one of my car door handles and would not let go. Erin had to pry him off. It was a tearjerker!

Anyway I'm home now and I'm kind of sad.

Marshall

Downtown Marshall

I arrived in Marshall safely. It's wonderful to see Jimmy and Erin again as well as their two son's Iris and Mezmer and their new daughter, Pinatuba.

Jimmy's expression say's it all about my arrival. (mobile phone image)

Erin, Pinatuba and Mezmer.

Iris running circles around me.

After settling in we went over to the island that sits in the French Broad River and visited the farmers market. We talked with friends and local farmers and purchased some food stuffs for our evening meal. We also purchase a bunch of beautiful flowers.





Later Erin made a wonderful meal. We sat around and talked about things and just got caught up on our lives. We ended the evening lying out on the deck counting planets and shooting stars. Iris and I kept count on the satellites and alien spacecraft and watched out for fiery bird poop falling from the sky. You know, from the occasional passing phoenix.

Mountains

The drive from Chapel Hill to Asheville takes about four hours. Then it's roughly another 25 minutes to Marshall. Driving on I-40 and seeing the mountains begin to rise on the horizon is very exciting to me. I start to feel my soul lift because I am returning to my element.

It's been almost ten years since I lived in Asheville... and I still miss it.

Good Friends

David and Emma

I arrived in North Carolina safely yesterday. Emma and David were happy to see me as I them. We went out last night to the opening of the Eccentrik Festival art exhibit in Raleigh. It was fun. We drank wine and ate cheese. You know, the normal stuff at a gallery opening.

At the gallery opening.

Then we ended up at a nightclub called Flex. It’s full of big burly gay men. I was fresh meat, but Emma protected me. When we arrived the music was really good, but then about and hour and a half later… it sucked so we went to the Hibernian for food.

This is a mirror picture. That is to say the picture is taken of us in a mirror at Flex.

The Sarah look.

David and Emma at the Hibernian eating some kind of meat covered home fries.

Kara, Joe, Sarah and Mike at the Hibernian.

Me and Kara. For some reason she is clutching Emma's purse real scary like.

Sarah and cute Mike. ;)

Today Emma had a radio interview at NC State University. I went along to the studio and laughed at her. ;) The rest of the day we hung out with her friend Leech and ate Mexican.

Emma, Leech and myself speeding down I-40.

This evening we are laying low because Emma has a migraine and I have to be up early in the morning. I have decided to head up to the Asheville area and visit with my friends Jimmy and Erin.