26Sep15

It is official... we have moved to San Diego.  A lot life has slipped by in the time I have been in NorCal.  Its amazing as I look back the events which has shaped our lives.

• Loma Prieta earthquake
• Meet mom in '90
• Moved to North Beach in SF
• Got my dream job at Genentech
• Married mom '92
• Had two wonderful surprises... You in '92 followed by Jasmine in '97
• Moved to Ingleside Terrace
• We had to say goodbye to Uncle Richard in '96, followed by my mom in '99, 
• Moved to Mill Valley
• Your graduation from Katherine DelMar Burkes in '06
• Your acceptance in TEAM '08
• Then 2010... The year from hell.  In rapid succession we said goodbye to R-ee in Feb'10, you in Mar'10 then G-pop in May'10
• Jasmine's acceptance in TEAM '13
• Jasmine's graduation from HS and 1st year in college '15

Packing up the house and your stuff has very hard.  We are still keeping a few of your things like 'lizzy as you will always be a huge part of us.  Leaving the house and the memories was bitter sweet.  The drive to SoCal was too long and too quiet for me.  It was way too much 'me time' to ponder life's thoughts.

But alas, this is now a whole new volume in our lives with Jasmine in NYC, mom splitting time Tahoe/SoCal/ the open road, and me in SoCal. To be honest, I am a bit scared of what the future holds.  I can see/feel my time here getting shorter w each passing day.  Yet I sense there is something more to do or more for me to contribute.  Is it just a cliche from an old man trying to stay relevant?  I hope not.

10July2015

Happy Birthday Alicia!  Hard to believe you entered our lives 23 years ago in SF.  It has been a long time since I last posted here.

We've got lots of changes coming soon.  Jasmine is headed to college in NYC.  Can you believe it!  She is going to The New School in Manhattan.  This is kinda bitter sweet.  I remember the conversations with you about wanting to go to Colorado College and the various acceptances you received to the others.  But your heart was set on Colorado College.

We're moving to SoCal in a couple of months.  I have taken a position at a start up company with some friends.  Right now, I am down 3 weeks a month Sunday through Thurs or Fri.  When I am there, I am putting in 12 hours per day.  I realize you felt I was out of touch when I worked these hours.  So when I am at home that 1 week, I try to stay in close touch with Jammin and Cathie to make up for when I am not around.

With this move, we are going to find Leftie a new home.  You do not know Leftie.  She is a surivor.  We have had up to close to a dozen chickens since Jen, Taylor, and you brought home the original trio.  But Leftie has lived the longest.  BTW... We call her Leftie because a racoon ripped off half of her right wing....yet she survived.

Oh, since you last saw me, I have lost a large amount of weight.  You probably would not recognize me today. I have always needed to take better care of myself but I needed a kick in the rear.  I started looking around and did not see many... if any 300 lb 60 year olds around.  I am now the lightest I have been since I entered college.  Hopefully, I will be around for a bit more before I see you again.  I'd love to see Jammin graduate from college, maybe marry, maybe even be a grand father.

We still have a fair amount of your things still around.  Going through it will be hard.  I told mom, I want to keep Lizzie.  We've done a fair bit of 'surgery' on her but she is still hanging tough.  I'm not sure what to do with what we have left.  But I am sure, it will be emotionally difficult.

Let me know if you're listening...