Last Hurrah

Tonight was my last hurrah in Steamboat. Which consisted of two slices of Mazolla's pizza and two PBRs and a small handful of close friends. Three, not counting the bartender (who quite possible is the greatest bartender ever), to be exact. For me that was the perfect way to go out this time. I really didn't want any kind of big send off, I forfeited that when I moved away six years ago.

Earlier tonight I tried to verbalize to Phrank how weird it was to be saying goodbye. I didn't really have the words for it and I'm still not sure if I do. I don't regret my decision to leave and I'm actually looking quite forward to this new chapter in my life. But there is a fair amount of sadness in saying goodbye. A handful of the people here have been a surrogate family for me for the last decade. They've been here for me during my dark moments as well as my joyous moments. I've learned some things from some of them and subjected all of them to my horrible sense of humor. As much as I'm ready to leave here, there are those that I will miss greatly.

On the other hand there are quite a few things here that I am more than willing to say goodbye to and be done with it. Real Estate agents and developers for instance. I can't stand those people. Not to mention the aging hippie types that thing the last great rock-n-roll album came out in 1975. And that's not even counting the neo-hippies of my own generation who are stuck in an era that they were in diapers when it happened. Stop holding a candle for Gerry and Trey. There is a contingent of people that live here that I'm quite fine with never having to deal with ever again. And I haven't even touched on the substance abusing crowd.

Wow, that took a different direction.

I guess when it comes down to it, I don't really want to say goodbye. I'd much rather give thanks to the people that were here for me in this place. My hope is that they all know that I'm grateful for being there when I needed them and that they will be in my thoughts as I go through life.

Thanks guys.