Across the country (Chicago) and paying a company (we will be reimbursed) but... it's not been ideal. Instead of having everything packed and loaded today so we could leave first thing tomorrow, we're hoping to get out by mid-afternoon. And the relocation company has been almost entirely unhelpful.

I HATE moving. My wife and I joke that the only time we've really ever come close to divorce is when we've moved.

I actually dodged the graveyard shift and will keep working days. That is nice.

I love moving and helping people move.

If ya'll ever move to Boston let me know.

I only ask the standard fee of beer and pizza.

If this was Chez Geek you'd be Mr Reliable. Got it.

Hmm, I know there are different levels of movers from a simple load and move to packing your stuff for you. If you haven't moved on a large scale before, getting your house packed can be far more daunting than you anticipated. I say this having moved multiple times myself and having helped others on several dozen occasions. Major pet peeve is folks not having the house packed.

I enjoy helping now that it's my choice. When I spent a summer in Minnesota, there was a mover who would do things at cost for any pastors moving in and out of the area, all the pastor had to do was provide the labor. My dad, myself, and my two younger brothers were often the labor. I didn't have a choice in the matter. Now that I do, hanging out and doing some manly work is pretty fun. Plus the pizza and beer. Mostly beer.

I spent pretty much my entire childhood like that. All of my free time I was voluntold to move teachers and pastors into houses, put in sprinkler systems for a church lawn, move sod, set up and take down tables and chairs for every little event at church or school.

Now when people ask me to come help with that sort of thing for a party, or an event of some sort, or moving, I kinda reflexively get ####ty about it. I still do it, but I just don't get any enjoyment out of it, and I'm ready to leave ASAP.

EDIT: It didn't help that when I reached the age where volunteering for that sort of thing finally could mean something, I was still being voluntold to do it, and couldn't get anything out of it as a result. It was just another brick in the wall for me and Dad.

Ah yes, voluntold. And my mom still doesn't understand why I'm such an ####### when she wants me to do something for someone. The truly sad part is I'm happy to do stuff for almost anyone else if they ask, but my kneejerk reaction to her is just one of animosity. I know that doesn't make me particularly virtuous, but I really don't care any more.

Zainab and I lived in Dallas until three years ago. She still works there. One of her coworkers was at the protest.

This sounds so stupid but it feels different when it happens at home.

It really does. It resonates on a different level. It's one thing to watch it on TV or read about it. Another entirely to live through it.

We literally just left the city yesterday. They took several of the victims to the hospital my wife used to work at. I've driven that intersection plenty of times.

Just awful.

I hate this waiting for the names/pictures to be announced.

Like, statistically, I probably didn't know the officers cause DPD is huge but still. You live in a bad neighborhood in Dallas, you tend to see cops around a lot.

And coincidentally guess where I was flying to last night / wee hours.

Just a bit longer and you should have names released, Russ. Don't think I should say more than that. (Heck, they may already have done so with the left and right hand syndromes).

Sympathy and empathy to those feeling the effects (and I know the snark about comments don't help but - not to sound callous - my first concern is doing something concrete so I'm asking for a pass).

Wow. I was away at the beach from last Monday to Friday, then spent the weekend recuperating and cleaning house. Internet was spotty at best so here I am catching up on the madness that was last week in America. Baton Rouge, Minneapolis, Dallas - very sad tragedies and a needless loss of lives. Geez.

I've finally finished traveling and moving (mostly...) and signups for this game are now open!

Check it out and let me know if you're interested!