That’s the fireswamp! We’ll never survive!

Nonsense, you’re only saying that because no one ever has…

I’m sure you’ve all been waiting with bated breath for the next exciting installment to the blog and well…. Let’s just call it “fashionably late.”

The past five weeks have been pretty amazing as things kept falling into and out of place.   Ultimately they culminated with my spending this past Saturday packing things into the RV and heading East.

Originally the trip was pretty well laid out and seemed to be planning itself.  Circumstances relating to the clinical trial I have been working changed however, and at this point I am unsure what will be happening come the end of the month.   In any case, in a couple of weeks I’ll be nestled away in the pine forests of Maine seeking out my next adventure.

Right now though, I wanted to say hello and introduce you all to Buttercup.

I met her online this summer and well, from the moment I first saw her, I knew there was something special about her and there was a lasting relationship between us destined for our future.  Early on I wasn’t sure things would work out after I learned that there was another suitor from out of state who had already committed to taking her away.  Thankfully though, I was persistent and diligent in keeping her in my sites. When things didn’t work out between her and the other gentleman, I was ready and waiting to swoop in and take her away on the adventure of a lifetime.  Some things are just meant to be and we’ve been together ever since.  Aside from a few growing pains and getting used to being with each other everyday, things have been fantastic.  I couldn’t be happier about the things to come and the adventures we’ll share.  Gordy has been pretty accepting too as we are adjusting to our new lifestyle.

We’ve made it to Detroit and are getting ready to meet up with some college friends later this week before heading over to Cleveland and then on to Portland Maine.

If you have any suggestions about things to be sure to see along our way, be sure to get in touch and we’ll do out best to get a picture and post it online.

All our love,

Erik, Gordy, and Buttercup.

Buttercup

Buttercup

Gordy RV

Gordy

9/11

When I left my house 12 years ago, late for class, I knew that a plane had crashed in New York.  My class was cancelled and I went back to Lincoln Manor to watch TV with my housemates and tried to comprehend why this crash was so different than any other.   As the day unfolded, I realized that this was a “where were you when” moment.  The word “terrorist” didn’t mean then what it does now and I didn’t have to take my shoes off when I went through airport security.

Life happens and sometimes it isn’t pleasant.  We learn from the past and strive to be better in the future.

Some things are harder to move past than others but all we can do is our best.

Remembering, not forgetting, and hoping for a better tomorrow.

Self Employed

Today was my last day of employment at the university and I now find myself self-employed as the founder and CEO of ETM Trial Monitoring Services.  At least the name sounds good!

It’s been an interesting week as I’ve been wrapping up loose ends at the University while at the same time opening up many cans of worms for the road that lies ahead.

I’ve been posting and selling things like mad on craigslist… thank you craig… and the house is starting to look like… well it looks the same.  I have a lot of stuff.

My friends have had several babies in the past couple of weeks and that’s awesome.  I’ve even been able to see some of them.  Unfortunately they don’t quite fit into my old clothes yet so bags of them would be inappropriate gifts….or would they?  I could be like, “Hey, here are some vintage clothes from the future for your baby!”  Everyone’s a winner!

I also received a call that there is a showing of my house set up for this Sunday.  I’m hoping that if they aren’t interested in renting the house that they will at least have an appreciation for the movies I don’t want anymore or some good second hand chairs.  Everyone needs chairs and they probably want to watch “Drumline” or “You Got Served!” at some point.

What it really means is that things are moving along and my master plan is falling into place.  And if it doesn’t, you can be sure that I’ll pretend that that wasn’t my master plan to begin with and that whatever ACTUALLY happens was REALLY my master plan.

I won’t blink.

In the beginning…

I’ve never been a blogger, or a blog reader.  I have however, on many occasions, talked about how starting one would be a great idea.  I guess we’ll see if I was right once this little experiment finds its legs.  In any case, it would seem that blogs, as do all things, need to start somewhere and that’s where we are now, the beginning.

I’m 33 and doing my thing…. whatever that is.  The structured life of “things that are supposed to come next,” ended for me a while ago and I’ve been cruising through life ever since.

My most recent adventure involves the purchase a small RV and the decision to move out of my house in exchange for life on the open road.  You’ll meet her later and I’m sure there’ll be more to talk about then.

Now back to figuring out how to move the contents of a five-bedroom house into a 21 foot RV.

See you at the river,

-Erik