Four Years Later

Four years ago, about when I am writing this (11.22 PM) I thanked a nurse who came to the apartment, declared Rick dead, arranged for the coroner to release the remains to me and verified that I faxed the paperwork for his cremation so that the ball got rolling on that.

So, I've been a widower for four years.  It's been an amazing journey.

So let's look at what went wrong first over the past four years.

• I could have planned my San Francisco exit better.  Although I got what I wanted and then some out of my landlady, I should have not waited until the deal was inked to get rid of stuff.  The reason why I waited was just as the deal was about to be inked, she had an, "emergency," and needed to go to LA.  I didn't trust the woman to go through with it and was ready for a fight.  Should have not worried about her and just gotten my act together and gotten out.
  
• I was in and out of a roommate situation for four years that I really didn't want to continue.  It was an interesting ride, but I should have gotten out sooner.
  
• I haven't done as good a job as I should have regarding the health issues that cropped up after five years of caregiving.  Part of it was being aimless, but a few things have cropped up and I have to get to work on getting back into reasonable shape.
  
• I have not gone to Guatemala to give the Amate the good bye he deserved.  Especially over the past three weeks, he has popped up in my dreams.  I miss him very much.
  
  

Now, let's look at what went right.

• I got out of San Francisco.  I had wanted to for years and finally did it.  The uprooting was good for me and I don't have to deal with the effects of the economic cleansing of San Francisco.  I don't whine about being displaced in the least.  I'm happy I left for bigger and better things.
  
• I found a place that feels like home.  That place is Tijuana.  To an extent, I fell down when I quit the above mentioned roommate situation and this is the place that said, "Welcome home.  Glad you're back."  So I'm here.  I've picked myself up.  I've dusted myself off and it's on to the next round.  I've also revised my kitchen budget (Now MXN 12,500) and Washer / Dryer budget (MXN 20,000)
  
• I am catching up on the travel front.  Six trips to Texas, three to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Monterrey, Mazatlan, Mexico City (three times) and San Miguel de Allende (also three times)
  
• My new annual tradition is going to the LA Auto Show.  I might even do it on Thanksgiving Weekend.
  
• I've found I can date.  Kissed some frogs, but there may be a prince that came out of it all.  Stay tuned.

So, the adventure continues.  Let's see what life has in store for us.