Final MBET from the US of A
Spain move in T-7 days
Friends, Family, Future Friends and Future Family,
Welcome back! It’s been a big, BIG couple of weeks. Let’s dive in. Friday, I approved some timesheets, did my own timesheets, chatted with some co-workers and then closed my laptop and descended on Monte Carlo (Minneapolis Fam know this spot) with said co-workers. There I met some other friends, who were brave enough to venture downtown, to confront massive traffic and minimum parking, due to an unseasonably rich crop of shimmering Swifties, swarming the neighborhood. Big thanks to all who made it out. Meant a lot to me.
Now, sitting on our “couch” which is really just a blanket on the floor, with a pillow behind my back and in front of the wall, I’m reminiscing about the most recent moments, which rocked my world. Last Sunday’s Fathers’ Day felt like a miracle. It all just came together perfectly, effortlessly and was so much fun and also deep. When I was younger than my kids are now, the most fun I could have, involved the Schwimmbad and Sauna with Pops. Cold Pools, Steam Saunas, Dry Saunas, Hot Tubs and such. Somehow this has continued into the next generation. Cedar and I spent the early part of the day doing the same and talking about this move. Not an easy subject. Somehow I think we got to an understanding that while this moment was hard and sad, it was also exciting and adventurous and that we’d figure out a way to stay close and make it work. We said a lot and we also said very little. It was good to sit with my youngest son.
After the spa, we visited Shalom and shared some special lunch whipped up by my hilarious middle child and daughter. Thanks Shalom! We capped the day with Guardians of the Galaxy 3. Because that’s the type of humor we like. Couched among all the ridiculousness, there’s a rich tapestry of experience that seemed especially poignant at this time. Thanks for an absolutely great day kids. Thanks Osh for the note, meant a lot to me.
While on this wave of gratitude, I have to express thanks to YAMAMOTO for an astoundingly heartfelt send-off. Thank you so much to all the folks recollecting stories and to all who contributed to the Memory Lane book. I did not see this coming. Some emotions sloshed over, while reading this. I will keep this book close. Thanks for the love, memories and camaraderie. Also, thank you to to the alumni, who made it out. You know who you are and I appreciate you for making the trip. Below are some photos from the scenes described above. One pic is not like the others, but when I say my daughter is hilarious…
My bike finally made it back from California. Phew. I packed a ton of stuff in that box. On the topic of making it back, Karel Schaap, a friend from the Netherlands and dad to my long time bestie Zachamon, made it to the final, FINAL, no this time really FINAL FINAL in person Drawing Club. That was an especially sweet surprise. He sent me off with a carved Sea Turtle gift. Man, that hit me. Thank you Karel. Peter, Sascha, Lukas, thanks so much for making it out as well. Mike the OG, Monster Madness Bauman (see wood muscle monster image below) thanks for helping me move my couch, while my back was out, thanks for the relentless inspiration, and excellent topics of conversation. You have a calmness and ease about you that is worthy of emulation, as are your drawing skills.
Matt, thanks for housing some boxes. Thanks for sharing your world with me. Get on the GrailHouse Leaderboard brother! Then we’ll just need Vaske to knock you off the top spot and dreams will have come true. Much love brother.
A couple of folks have mentioned, I jump from heartfelt moments to logistics. I chalk that up to 7 Million 8Hundo, 47Thou, 3hundo, 67 Project Management emails sent last year. On that note, MeenBean got the all-clear to fly on Friday. On Saturday, during FINAL Drawing Club, I noticed Bob’s Java has a poster from the town in which I went to elementary school: Aschaffenburg. After decades of going to Bob’s, how am I only really noticing this now, on my last day there? Tomorrow, Monday, we set up our Spanish bank accounts with a Santander rep, and hot on those heels, hand over the title to the Versa to a FB person from Fargo. Tuesday, we pack the rental car and drive towards Chicago, with a pitstop in Eau Claire. Our entire world of physical belongings in tow:
4 LG Suitcases
2 Carry-Ons plus slings / purses
Bike Box - filled with my entire gravel bike and bike-packing world
Dog Crate plus MeenBean, the MB part of MBET.
Out of this, plus what’s in our brains and with friendships here and yet to be made, a new universe of experience is about to be built. We hope you stay on for this ride and maybe even come out for a ride with me! In the meantime, we’re making our way down the beach and into the waves. Wish us luck. Cheers! :)
