Thursday, January 8, 2009

So This Is Home.

When I began this blog about a year and a half ago, I found a quote I felt summed Noah and I up perfectly. If you're actually reading on our page (cuz you rock it old school, I can respect that), you can refer above - but for you Google Readers, allow me to recap:

"It's when you're safe at home that you wish you were having an adventure. When you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home."

At the time, we were definitely safe at home. And I was okay with that.

But there was a bit of an itch that needed scratching.

Friday morning we drove away from our safe at home stage, spent a few (un)eventful days on the road (which I've already made you endure) and as of 4:00 p.m. Sunday evening, we drove right smack into our adventure.

You know it's going to reek of adventure when you drive along your new avenue counting building numbers - 83, 87, 91... and realize you live next door to the fine fried chicken eatery "Pluck U." We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

The first walk down the dim, skinny hallway to our January home was a little, "oh man, we're nuts."

Then we met a neighbor on the sidewalk who was looking to move in the next few weeks, he suggested maybe we find a two bedroom place "and you and your husband can be in one room, my brother and I will be in the other?" Noah and I set some pretty wacky ground rules when we said "I do." One of which was to never move in with perfect stranger brothers in Manhattan. I know, it seemed odd at the time... The exchange left me feeling a little, "oh man, we're really nuts."

Monday morning, we had our dependable little BMW washed and the oil changed for its new owner (just treat 'er good...) and went grocery shopping for the basics. After we took out a second mortgage to cover these extravagant activities, I thought, "oh man, we're seriously nuts."

We made a few appointments with some realtors to view some apartments in the Village and decided to try to offset 36 hours in the car by walking the 8 mile roundtrip (or so says MapQuest, and it doesn't even know about the dead end we ran into and had to retrace). In the essence of time, we spedwalked (word?) on our way there. But as we made our way back toward midtown, dropping into any store that caught our attention and stopping for the requisite $1 slice of pizza to call our dinner, it hit me.

We're really lucky.

Bring on this adventure.

And heck, bring on Achmed. And his brother.

14 comments:

Hilarye said...

Oh my gosh! I can't wait to read about them all! Thats so funy about the guy asking to move in with you! Wow! How fun! Can't wait to hear about work!

candace said...

what?? against sharing an apartment with Achmed? ha ha. I don't think he'd follow your no clutter rule anyway!

Ashley said...

Where am I supposed to sleep if Achmed's occupying the second room? :) Sorry I couldn't talk long last night, I can't wait to hear more about the crazy city. And I have to tell you, I chuckle a bit every time you refer to your car as dependable. As it is the only car that left me stranded on a freeway with a newborn in back, waiting for J to walk back from the nearest offramp with a tow.

Melissa said...

Al, you're hilarious as ever! I can't believe it's been so long since I've seen/talked to/facebooked you etc. :) Your documentation of new adventures reminds me in some small way of our summer in DC...new, expensive, city life, and crazy metro people stories to relate each night. I so want to call to catch up and hear all about this new life you're jumping into that as of yet has been super vague via your blog. I'm guessing right now you're swamped as is, but maybe I'll drop you a line soon anyway. I miss you, and your funniness! I knew you and Noah were due for throwing a new twist to life sometime soon. :)

Melissa said...
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Tabbi said...

I love this post, you're a good writer. I'm glad you made it safe and sound. If I don't do the inauguration thing, I might come up to NYC over MLK weekend. Have any plans?

Heather said...

Good luck with it all! It's fun to read your updates, I love your outlook on things.

Hannadam said...

$1 slice of pizza, ah man sign me up!

Amy said...

How exciting for you guys! I can't wait to hear more about your adventures--Good luck with settling in!!

allyn said...

please tell me you are joking about the bros? this is quite the adventure and i will be looking forward to each update. you have definitely gone to the right place for adventure, anyway.

Quinn and Linds said...

So does New York pizza really taste better...even the $1.00 kind??

Natalie | Make Today Great said...

I'm excited for you!! I know I suspected that you were crazy to start the poor life -- but that's because I've been doing it for so long I've lost my mind too out in California.

I actually do have married friends who took on a roommate to have a nicer place -- it's so weird -- but they have a view of the ocean so they love it! haha

How exciting for you I'm glad you guys made it safely out there!

Whitney said...

haha, i had to laugh at the expense of food! it's terrible out here. we basically have to take out another school loan just to feed ourselves...jk
that is hilarious that guy asked if him and his brother could live with you guys! glad your adventures are starting and having so much fun!

Kami said...

I love you Allison! I can always count on your blog to make me laugh out loud! Bless your hearts for taking on this adventure (and not the I feel bad for you kind of bless your heart...the I think you're awesome kind!). I'm so excited to visit and for you to visit and for us to see each other again! Good luck with the apt. search...