A-Typical male's journal.

I've basically been given the message that it's not ok, even though I can normally write a journal entry fairly quickly. Not always--and they'd be better if I took more time. So, I've got a bit of writer's block just from the location, and my feelings about it.

Add to that that Hawk and Informer are gone, and I'm in a bit of a down mood. Not depressed, really, just down. We helped them pack their truck most of yesterday, which was an adventure in and of itself. At least, it was a comedy of errors that resulted in us trying to lift our washer and dryer into their truck last night at 8p, instead of at 11a, when they would have been the first things on. Even that would have been simple, but they were towing a car, and couldn't get the car off the trailer (and thus, the trailer off the truck) so we couldn't put down the ramp.

So there we were, lifting this 200 pound washer into the truck. We amazed ourselves getting it in. The dryer, by comparison was simple. Even for me, the weakling of the bunch.

We convinced them to wait one night, and rest, at our place. We had four cats, four people, two dogs, and an uncertain number of fish (I haven't counted them yet). Needless to say, crowded. On top of that, we were all tired, and our patience had pretty much run out.

Informer and Hawk had been arguing about what went and what stayed all day-he's trying to get her to leave all her ex-SO's stuff, claiming that we bought it. I don't remember it as being part of the deal, and Informer was somewhat upset about it, but resigned to it. In some ways, she needs to leave most of it behind. I hope she took something small, to remember Pam by, later, when it hurts less.

Azura was also in a mood by this time, not really smooth with the social graces. I know I wasn't the best to be around either, but I'm not sure what that was. Probably just that ritual anger that people get when they are leaving. They get a little angry at each other, then it's less sad when you say goodbye.

I woke up this morning around 4 coughing. Informer was in the other room coughing, too. I eventually found my cough drops and got to sleep. When I woke up at 6:30, Informer and Hawk were packed and almost ready to go.

I only just have time to get ready in the morning, so while they were getting situated with their cars, I started getting ready. When I got out of the shower, I heard "Bye Joe" from the hallway, and they were gone. They didn't even wait 10 minutes for me to get dressed. I was--still am--kind of sad about that. In fact, I'm crying now. Be back in a minute.

Carrie, our other friend from that group is going to return to his native state of Pennsylvania, as soon as he secure the job he's looking at. Which is pretty much a certain thing. Ozzymandias, and his wife, are planning on moving sometime this year, as well. I'm not sure who this leaves us knowing in town--no one close, certainly.

I don't know if we'll ever find a stable group of friends in Charlotte. It's not the kind of town that people move to for the culture, climate, or any other reason beyond 'getting a good job'. So, it's also an easy town to leave. Hawk told us yesterday that he'd only met three people who'd been born here in the 18mos he's lived here. I haven't inquired so much, but my experience is similar.

So, we sit a bit torn between our nesting instincts supported by a nice house, and my job; and between wanting to move out of this city that I just don't like--without friends here, without a support network, it feels heartless and lonely. Even to people who are happy together.

Generic Joe's A Typical Male