I've been riding a wave of pleasant (if that's possible) nostalgic melancholy since my getting to Richmond.

Now, keep in mind that simply coming back to Richmond - in 2001 - was probably a mistake. A career and personal misstep in a big way. Wasn't good for the relationship, was several giant steps backward in the job market (though that was acknowledged at the time), and generally wound up messing things up in a big way.

However, I had some great times here. Those are the memories that last, that gleam when the light of memory is on them. I'm a very sentimental person, especially when it comes to trivial things. I can't intentionally throw away any card Rachel has ever given me. Packing up the apartment here, I'm having to get rid of a lot of stuff - mainly stuff we accumulated in Richmond, some older stuff. I'll run across some little trinket that will trigger a memory of some trivial event that involved it, or the acquiring of it. Thing is, tht makes packing take SO MUCH LONGER than it should be. I should be done, but I have moments of "I want to enjoy my couch. It's my couch and I'll miss it." or "Wow. I haven't looked at this since _____ gave it to me, I should take a look."

Memory keys I've run across, and things I'll miss... many of which are long gone regardless...
I'm not leaving yet, but at this moment it's important to me to let those of you involved know that you meant/mean a lot to me, and I'll always smile remembering these times.

Putting up my original show, Martin & Olive, and working with the people who gave so much.
Visiting Ross in his shop every Wednesday.
Eating Mongolian barbeque at the Greywolf Grill with well, pretty everyone I knew here.
Driving around to shop and see movies on "geek-out" days with Matt and/or Chris.
Even though there are many negatives wrapped up in the circumstance, touring in Hamlet with a great group of people, doing damn good work most of the time.
My Christopher Walken-themed birthday party. You guys are the BEST.
"The Tempest" - the dressing room and "we're goin' to VIET-NAM! woohoo!"... that still kills me. That and Foster's interpretation of my "Patrick Stewart's one-man Back To The Future" idea.
Hawaiian shirt / driving hat / carry your broadsword day on the "Rumplestiltskin" tour.
Aerobie.
John Waldron, Jonathan Manning, Matt Jones, Matt Woods. Chris Booth. Stephen Seals. Larry Tobias.
Ross Aitken. James Denvil. Scott Wichmann. Katie Roecker. Robbie Winston. Drew Etheridge.
That's just the beginning of a list of great friends I met and worked with while around here, and would love to work with again.

Regardless of the bad things that may've ever come down at any point, I smile when I remember how much good there was.

I won't get into itemizing anything negrantive, because it's not worth my time.