Final thoughts before the move

Well, it has finally come. In the morning we are rolling out of here with Beamer and I in my car and my mom with her fiancee in the uhaul. It's been an emotional day- I mostly spent the entire day out with my dad and his side of the family. We went to Great Falls park, which was very beautiful and had a nice picnic. We did end up getting rained out, which stunk, but we had a good time (and Beamer did, too! He is currently passed out at my feet in bed as I write this). I didn't get home until almost 7pm and I still had a lot of stuff to do packing wise and getting last minute things together.

The truck is basically fully packed. I still have a hard time believing I won't be back until Christmas. At least in October, I'm planning on seeing some of my family again since I will hopefully be attending my mom's wedding in Myrtle Beach. Crazy to think that besides that, I won't physically see any of them until after finals during winter break.

I'm not quite sure I'm ready to embark on this journey, but is anyone truly ever ready for things like this? I guess there is one thing I can say is that I am making this entire journey with one of my best buds. He's been by my side constantly and I honestly don't think I could do it without him. He is one stable thing in my life and I definitely would call him my heart dog. Beamer boy, you've helped me through good times and bad, and I really thank you for every moment you've been together with me. A heart dog isn't something you can describe, it is just a feeling you have in your heart. You just know that they are extra special to you with a inseparable bond. I'm glad I will be making this journey with him by my side every step of the way. Thank you for everything, Beamer boy. I could not do this without you. <3

The final countdown

I'm typing this as my second to last day in Virginia is coming to a close. Today is the day that it really did finally hit me that I'm moving. A little late is better than never, I suppose. I guess it also doesn't help that yesterday I had a pretty bad day with one of my best friends (aka getting in an argument). I hope that things end up back to normal between us. But, not something I really want to go into at the moment.

But yeah, it really has come down on me hard today. I've been on the verge of tears a few times just for random reasons. I had to go to the bank and get this debit card mess cleaned up a bit (fraud on my old one, and the new one never came... so now I'm kind of stuck). Hopefully that new card will get to my new address next week. There are no Wells Fargo in the state of Missouri, so it's not like I can just go down to the bank anymore. I also stopped by work to say bye to everyone, as much as it pained me to do it since they didn't really do much for me in terms of a goodbye. I'm still bitter about it, but a few of them there I have become really close to, so it was good to see them before I left. It won't be until December that I see them again.

Also, Wednesday evening, one of the doctor's I work with did a photo shoot of Beamer and I out at Blandy farm (beautiful place). I saw some of the pictures and they are really gorgeous! I can't wait to see them all. I'm so glad she was able to do those for me and very grateful to her.

Mom had her going away party for me today, but it was mostly a family gathering, which was fine. I got a few wonderful gifts and a bit of cash to get me through when my loans come in. And, we packed a good amount of the truck tonight as well (that we picked up earlier today). Tomorrow, I am going to my dad's going away party at Great Falls park to see that side of the family. Then back here to pack the rest of the stuff in the moving truck. Sunday morning we begin our 14 hour adventure out to Missouri. I'm not quite sure I'm ready for this...

My Comic-con experience

I feel like I can finally breathe again... what a crazy (but amazing) past few days. I'll first say that this wasn't my very first con. I had been to Celebration V, a Star Wars convention, a few years ago. It was a large convention, but not nearly as large as SDCC (I don't think any other con can rival this one). So, let me start from the beginning.

Tuesday was rough, as many of you know from facebook and reading my blog. Beamer was not doing well and I was antsy about leaving. But, I packed my things and left for my dad's that night. He lives very close to the airport, so I am definitely glad that either dad or my step-mom to take me if needed. I woke up Wednesday morning at 5am, quickly showered, and my step-mom dropped me off. My flight was at 8am or so and everything went smoothly. I think almost the entire plane was bound for SDCC.

I arrived in San Diego about 10 pacific time. Waited just a little bit to meet one of my best friends out there (who's plane got in about 10:30). I was so excited to see her and experience on this trip together. We took a taxi to our amazing hotel, which we were lucky enough to have RIGHT next to the convention center (that one of our roomies got via the lottery system.) It was a Marriot, and the first thing I spotted when we walked into the hotel was the Windwaker- King of Red Lions life size model that was at E3. Needless to say, I was even more excited. It was located right outside the Nintendo Gaming Lounge, which I'll talk about later.

After checking in early (I'm so glad they let us), we went to find some food since we were both starving and had been up super early. We found a subway and chowed on some food while deciding what to do next. We went back to our hotel for a nap afterwards. Then woke up for dinner with one of my friend's friends from SDCC last year. We went to a great Irish pub and the food was so good and filling. Finally, back to the hotel once more for sleep for the night since it was going to be a long 4 days.

The first day of Comic-con had finally come at last. I got up about 7am, showered, and then headed for the convention center. I had no plans that day except to spend it in the exhibition hall. I am so glad I had a full entire day in there. The place is huge and there is no way to describe it. My first plan was to go to the Dark Horse booth and get the SDCC exclusive Bronze Normandy SR1 from Mass Effect. Only 300 were made and I had to have one. I attempted to get in line (after it was cut off numerous times) and finally waited for a total of about an hour and a half. I don't remember exactly where I went from after that for everything, but I know I was at the Nick booth early on to see all the Korra things. I bought a limited edition print, the LoK Soundtrack, a Korra shirt, and a Naga plushie that I was SO lucky to get. They guy at the Nick booth could tell I loved Korra and they all appeared to be sold out at the moment. But, he managed to sneak one for me (and he apparently got really reamed out for it) but I am very grateful to him! I wish I had gotten the Pabu one still, but I can get that one later. I also went back to the Dark Horse booth a bit later for their non-exclusive section and bought the Korra art book and The Search part 2. I did buy quite a few posters (some are gifts) and some other art things. I got a really gorgeous Star Fox poster that is Japanese style I really really wanted. I also got 2 Mass Effect shirts. My friend got me a really beautiful Totoro plushie which I'm in love with. I got a Stormtrooper bobblehead and Dany figure from the Funko/Pop figures. And of course, lots of free things.

After spending the whole day in the exhibit hall, I still didn't get through the entire thing. I saved that for Sunday and I met up with my friend to camp out for Hall H the next day. I camped out in the Hall H line while she camped out in the everything else line for a chance to meet the cast of Game of Thrones, which she actually did get (very happy for her!) I met some great people to talk with during the night and only got about 3 hours of sleep. There was a party going on in Petco park for a good portion of the night right next door. But, oh well, sleep is not very important at Comic-con and expect to get very little of it.

Our waiting did pay off as we were in the front section of Hall H. We saw a panel on At World's End (a follow up to the other two movies of Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz). Looks great, though I haven't seen the other two movies yet. Then it was a Veronica Mars panel which I didn't care much about. Then Kick Ass 2 (looks amazing!) and Riddick. Vin diesel made an appearance and he honestly looked/acted/sounded like he was high. Finally after that we got to see The Walking Dead panel (one I was there for!) The panel was great and the trailer was even more amazing! Most of the cast made an appearance and even Norman Reedus (Daryl!) I thought he wasn't going to be there, so that was a great surprise as he is my favorite character. The Game of Thrones panel was after TWD and was also great. So many fantastic actors were there- Peter Dinklage (Tyrion!) and Emelia Clark (Dany!) two out of the three of my top characters. The 'In Memoriam' that they played first off was REALLY hilarious at first and then turned out to be a bit depressing. But it showed EVERY character that had been killed off so far. We also got a ticket to turn into the fulfillment room later for some awesome GoT swag (bag, shirt, book, journal... and a few other things!)

Finally after being out of Hall H, we went to the exhibition hall for a bit. My friend had her signing and I wandered a little bit. It was 3pm by that point and we were super tired after only sleeping 3 hours. After her signing we called it a night.

Saturday morning, I woke up at about 4am to get in line for Ballroom 20. They were showing Futurama, The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad and finally True Blood. I really shouldn't have gotten up that early for it since I actually left after Futurama. I didn't feel like being in that room the whole day and I did other fun things (the Futurama panel was great, though! We got to see part of the series finale). I did have to sit through the Once upon a time panel for a little bit and it was really painful to watch. I did leave for most of it to go to the exhibition hall and got some pet yoda ears for Beamer (they were free!) They give you a pass to get out and you have to be back before that panel is over. I booked it back to my hotel really quickly to get my Korra CD and art book for a signing later that day.

I then went to the Dark Horse booth again and they were doing an unscheduled signing with one of the Producers of the new Dragon Age game from Bioware and one of the concept artists with this poster I really wanted! I got in line for that and got 2 posters (they were double sided) signed on each side by them. Next I went back to the Nick booth again to get in line for the Legend of Korra signing from the Track Team and the co-creators of the show, Michael and Bryan. I was so glad to get this signing and meet the composers and creators of one of my favorite shows of all time (hell, I have a tattoo from Avatar... I am dedicated lol). I also got my picture with Bryke (their collective name as they are known). I did go back to the hotel after that since I really wasn't feeling well. Going off of not much sleep and not really having eaten much of anything all day. I tried to take a nap, but couldn't sleep. I managed to eat a few cheesy chips from the restaurant downstairs, but it didn't seem to help. I just basically crashed at about 9pm that night and didn't wake up until 7 the next day.

Sunday was the final day I had in San Diego. I heard that Tom Hiddleston was doing a signing later that day, so I tried to get tickets but didn't (it was a lottery system). I fast walked to the marvel booth but was still very far back in line. It only took 45 minutes out of my day, but at least I can say I tried. I looked a bit more around the exhibit hall and then went to the 501st panel they had. It was a great panel and definitely inspires me more to make my stormtrooper armor and join their group. After, I once again went to the exhibit hall and finally finished going through it. I then went to the Nick booth for the last time to wait in line for the alleged Korra poster giveaway at around 3-4 ('if they had any left' they kept telling us). We missed them on Friday since we were in Hall H all day (and we also missed the Korra panel in Ballroom 20 that day as well. They aired the ENTIRE first episode of Book 2 of legend of Korra. I am so angry, still for missing it, but I don't regret going to TWD and GoT. Comic-con is one of those things where you have to choose the better of the two options and you cannot do everything, unfortunately).

They did have a lot of left over posters so after waiting at least an hour, we got them! I am so happy to have this beautiful poster, it was one of the things I wanted to get from SDCC. My friend and I walked a bit more around the exhibit hall and then we finally called it quits and went back to the hotel. We had both checked our luggage with the bell hop since we had to be out of the room at noon. I picked it up and packed the rest of my suitcase with the things I bought earlier that day. We took a taxi to the airport and grabbed dinner together. We sat talking for a while since we had a long wait for our flights (we got there about 6 and we didn't leave until about 10ish). Saying our last goodbyes, I went through security to wait for my flight. Definitely an emotional goodbye as they always seem to be with my friends now. We only see each other two or three times a year and I won't see her again until Christmas break. I would not change this experience for the world, I had such a great time with a wonderful friend. I just wish more of my friends could have been there!

I am already trying to figure out how I can come back next year. It is going to be tricky since I'll be trying to get my residency for vet school. Summers are only 6 weeks long (July and part of August) and we are only allowed to be out of the state for 2 weeks in the summer just due to the residency issue. I also need to spend time with my family as well, but I would give anything to go to comic-con again, too. I think I'm going to buy my tickets once the pre-sale comes and if for some reason I cannot go, I can just return them. But as my friend says, once you go, you are compelled to go back every year. You just cannot imagine not going to comic-con.

Now I'm finally back home after my flight (it landed at 6am this morning) and I slept a bit at dad's before heading home. Beamer was super excited to see me and I've already unpacked everything. Now the real work begins since my move is on Sunday and I haven't really packed that much with comic-con kind of in the middle of it all. I need to get on it, now, and figure out what all I want and need to bring with me. I have a busy week coming up with everyone wanting to meet before I go and two going away parties. Mom's is on Friday and Dad's is on Saturday.

I think I'll end it here for the night since this is getting really lengthy. Here are just a few pictures.

 

 

 

Beamer sick and Comic-con

I just have some time sitting at the airport, so I figured I could go ahead and update my blog. I thought this week couldn't get much worse, but it did. On Monday night, Beamer threw up his dinner and some grass. Didn't think much of it- though Sadie did eat some of it before I could clean it up (our black lab). He was a little lethargic that night and ushered me to bed, which he never does. I was just hoping he would feel better the next morning.

When I woke up yesterday, I could immediately tell he still wasn't his full peppy self. No happy wake ups, he wasn't very excited for his breakfast (I only fed him 1/2 a cup of food). No happy food dance. Sadie also wasn't every enthusiastic to eat, either. We spent the morning on the couch and he slept beside me. When I tried to get him down around 10, he had trouble standing up and using his hind end. He managed to get off the couch only to hold up his right rear leg and then he sat down and refused to get back up. I immediately called the vet to get him in- I was just going to wait and see how he was doing up until this point but his rear end scared the shit of out me.

I took him in and one of the vets just found some abdominal pain- so fast him for 12 hours and they gave him an anti-nausea shot. He was burping a bit that morning. I took him home and then ran a few errands. Came back home and he seemed to not have improved at all. Still having issues with his rear end. I also noticed that Sadie's gums looked pale to me, so of course I was worried. She was moving a bit more sluggish this morning. Back off to the vet I went with both of them.

Sadie's exam was unremarkable, even a quick ultrasound didn't show anything. They could tell Beamer was having trouble getting up and they seemed to think he could have strained something in his rear end or a possible tick-borne disease. Both dogs just had their full panel yearly bloodwork and heartworm/lyme tests last week, so I highly doubted a TBD. But, we put him on Minocycline anyway just in case. I felt that I needed to do something for him. They also talked about his hips, but those were xrayed when he was neutered at 9 months and those looked alright. Plus, I wouldn't think hip dysplasia would have such a quick onset of overnight- it would be more gradual.

I took both of them home for the night. Beamer still looked like he felt bad, but there was nothing else I could do. I would have run bloodwork if I hadn't just done it two weeks ago. And maybe xrays if I knew what exactly we were looking for. Not taking a shot in the dark. A quick ultrasound while we were there showed normal spleen and no foreign body seen. But with 2 dogs acting up, my mind first went to some sort of poison. We called both the neighbors and checked the yard, nothing out of the ordinary.

The hardest part in all of this is that I left for my trip last night. I hate leaving Beamer anyway, but when he is sick it is so hard. I half thought about staying home, but my ticket and everything is non-refundable. Mom is going to be home to watch him, so he has a good caretaker in case he isn't better. She will take him back today for some workups if he hasn't improved. I'm still waiting to hear about him this morning.

It is hard to get excited about my trip when my baby boy is sick, but I'm trying to get pumped. I'm meeting one of my best friends in a few hours and I cannot wait to have a weekend full of nerds like me and meeting new friends. Also, buying gifts for my awesome friends! So many great things to see. I spent the night at my dad's last night since he lives 10 minutes from the airport and my step-mom drove me this morning. I'm sitting in the boarding area just waiting for the moment. Everything appears to be on time for now. I'll update sometime later!

Bad week to good

Today marks 2 weeks until my move to Missouri. Crazy how it is going so fast but I keep putting off packing. I have done a fair amount, but still have a ways to go. It is also 3 days until I leave for Comic-Con!! It is creeping up fast! I figure once I get back from there, I'll get most of my packing done.

I had my last day of work on Friday, and it was probably the worst day I've had in a while. Work actually went fine. I was the surgery assistant and only worked until 3. But, no one seemed to care that it was my last day. I won't be back home until Christmas and I won't ever be working there again. There was no card, no parting gift, or anything, really. It was really hurtful and I was holding back tears all day once I got home. I felt forgotten, unappreciated, and worthless. I still feel that way even a few days later... I've worked there for almost 6 years (on and off when I was away at school) and full time now for over one year. I learned everything from them and they taught me all the skills I have right now. I am grateful for that, but the work environment has been terrible (management...) I've been an ideal employee... never called in sick, rarely, if ever late. I'm just trying to figure out why no one seemed to care to even get me a card for my last day. It might not have hurt as much if we didn't make a big deal over someone else who left a few months ago with a small food party, card, and everyone pitched in some money, including myself. I guess, I'm just ranting and trying to figure out why... I'm not sure if I ever will. Friday night I basically cried myself to sleep...

Late Friday night, mom came in with a surprise to cheer me up. She said she was going to torture me on the way down to the Jimmy Buffett concert the next day thinking we had lawn seats. But it turns out she got me Orchestra seats as my going away present!! So yesterday, we drove down to VA beach to tailgate before the concert. We stopped at Cheeseburger in Paradise in Fredericksburg for lunch and then had a nice dinner of pasta salad, fruit salad, guacamole, and chicken sausage on the grill complete with 2 margaritas! The concert itself was amazing and we were SO close to the front. I was beat by the end of it and mom somehow managed to drive the 4 hours home while I was passed out asleep. So a bad week turned good, I guess.

I am also still working on my Mass Effect run-through. I am nearing the end of ME2. Just a few more loyalty missions and then to get Legion and then the ending! I hope to finish it up before comic-con so that I just have ME3 to work on once I get back. Still hoping to have that finished by the day I leave, but we will see.

One week left of work

Wow, time keeps flying by and I keep procrastinating on my packing. I have one more week left at work; my last day is next Friday. I do work tomorrow, though, which stinks. But, I'll be glad to get out of there and have my awesome week at Comic-con and then almost another week at home before I leave.

Today, I took 4/5 of the pets in to get their vaccinations up to date. Everyone has a clean bill of health (even our 7 year old labs) except for Cali, one of the kitties. She is only a year old and has somehow managed to break off her lower right canine. So, looks like that is going to have to come out sometime next week before I  don't have my discount anymore. I also had Beamer boy in there on Wednesday for bloodwork. Everything came back perfect including his distemper/parvo titer a year later (on a one year vaccine). I'm hoping to vaccinate him the least amount possible since he is a golden retriever. He still got his lepto, lyme, and kennel cough vaccines since he goes everywhere with me. Beamer also has a yeast infection in his paw pads... so dealing with that at the moment. The first sign of allergies, though it could be from him just licking them or his paws staying wet.

Like I said earlier, I am really putting packing off. I really have no motivation to do it and also packing means I am moving, which I want to put off as long as possible. Plus, I still have no idea how much I want to take from my room upstairs. I was hoping to only take a few things, but now I'm not so sure. I think most of my packing is going to be once I get back home from comic con. I'm still nervous, scared, excited, and a hundred other emotions about moving, but it is an all new adventure for me and I have a fantastic woman waiting out there (at least, I am hoping! Fingers crossed!)
Things will soon all fall in place.

Also, yesterday being the 4th, I went to my grandmas for a few hours for some food and fireworks. It was nice to see her and my cousins again. Then I came home and played Mass Effect 2 for quite a few more hours racking up more quests. I'm probably about halfway through the game at this point and then onto Mass Effect 3 (prepare for lots of feels... that game tugs at my emotions too much).

Finally, I have 2 new followers! Yay! Hope you all are enjoying my blog (all 3 of you!) I guess my shameless post on SDN worked. For now, I'm getting off here to play some more Mass Effect 2 tonight. 

Time is slowly creeping away

I can't believe that it is now July- less than one month until my big move. Crazy how time flies. I only have two more weeks left at work (finally, I can't wait to get out of that place). Then the week after that is comic-con, and then finally I'm leaving July 28th, which is a Sunday.

On Saturday, my co-workers and I went to the local Japanese restaurant for a nice dinner. We all had a lot of fun! Last time we did that was in November, so it was good to have one last outing before I left.

I've also been off these past two days, so I started my Mass Effect run-through a few days ago. My goal was to play through all 3 games before I leave, but hopefully I'll finish before comic-con. I finished ME1 this morning (on veteran mode) and started a hardcore run-through of ME2 today. I definitely feel accomplished, at least in the world of Mass Effect.

As far as packing and such, I really haven't done much. I've got about 1 box packed and that's about all I've managed to do. I'm finding it hard to actually figure out what I'm taking with me to Missouri; what I'll need or eventually want. Since I won't be back home until Christmas, I'm really going to have to think hard about everything.

So anyway, that's really all that's going on for now. I've had some ups and downs with friends lately. Had a blast visiting my lovely wives last weekend, and I am still having a really nice time talking to a lovely lady out in Missouri. She is just fantastic and again, I can't wait to meet her. (And, I'm pretty sure I had a dream about her last night that involved some pretty intense kissing/cuddling). It was pretty awesome.
I guess my down would be that one of my best friends since I was young, seems to be growing apart from me. I'm not sure what's going on, but we've hardly talked lately. Maybe it's my impending move, I'm not sure, but I hope we can sort this out.

That's all for tonight, it's 11:30 and I have to be at work at 8 in the morning (ugh!)