Marching on

Why would someone admit they: A) spent $14 on a hamburger they could have gotten for $4, and B) order a hamburger at an expensive steakhouse on a commercial?

… With the beginning of March comes the knowledge I am almost done with my typical two months of struggle that happens every year at this time. I’d like to say I am optimistic March won’t be so bad.

Why would I feel this way? Well, I look back at how bad January was and usually it is two months of ache for me every year so maybe I am in the clear. Another sign is a fortune cookie I got from Panda Express this past weekend saying my luck was about to change for the better.

Alright, so maybe the later isn’t a strong piece of evidence. I will say there has been some good news.

… I don’t have to worry about moving in the immediate future. Yes, I’ll still have to pay an increase of rent, however. I did learn my roommate wasn’t going to move out on April 1st as I believed. So I don’t have to move out in a hurry and look for a new place.

The apartment looks different on the outside from when I first moved in. There are awnings and a new coat of paint on the outside. The inside is going to be done in the next few weeks. Of course, I work nights so it will not be good timing for me.

So I’ll have to pay more in April. It’ll be nice to live in a new place for that month or few months that follow.

… Not worrying about moving gives me time to look for work. My big concern before was moving out then finding a job far from where I lived. Or worse yet, I’d take a job that I really didn’t want because of where I lived.

Now that I’m solid on where I’m living, I can look for a job I’d love to have, a much better position to be in.

Of course, I can’t get too comfortable. The transfer is still coming up and my goal is still getting out before it happens. Again, I may have received some good news as I might be able to transfer and if I don’t like it, I could still get the buyout.

If I can’t find a new job, at least I’ll have work – that’s what I’ve been told.

I do have help in this transition. A family friend is helping me get my resume in order. I’ve learned a lot so far.

… And if February was an early end to my yearly turmoil, then the last day of the month will be remembered as one of the best days of my life.

The problem with what I do for a living is most of my friends are committed bachelors, it comes with the territory. Males working in a sports department of a newspaper, for the most part, can’t find someone to love. It’s sad but true. This job is one of the many reasons why my relationship didn’t last. (My friend getting married isn’t in the newspaper field in case you are wondering.)

So when a friend gets married, you’re excited. You’re even more excited when you get to play a part of it. My job, play the music.

The ceremony was short, sweet and perfect for them. He was the groom with no groomsmen, not even a best man. They were married by a childhood friend of his.

I’d like to say I was perfect, but I made three very small mistakes, but nothing to do with the music, just microphone volume was too low sometimes.

Playing the music was fun but at one point it was lonely as many people went outside leaving the dining hall nearly empty for almost an hour. I had to stay behind as someone needed to stay with the music. People came back towards the end and we all had a good time. The important thing is the newlyweds had the best time.

Afterwards, we went to the home of the groom’s parents for a casual dinner. I’ve known the groom for nine years, since we worked together at the school newspaper, but never knew him beyond that until the past two weeks. I got to meet more of his family beyond his parents and sister. I also got to know his wife more over the past couple of months.

It was a tremendous honor and privilege to serve in some capacity at their wedding. I hope for nothing but the best for them as they begin their life together as husband and wife.