Ciao

Our farewell to friends had an Italian theme as it took place over the course of three nights during Wilmington's Italian Festival last week. On Wednesday we went to the fest with Tina & George and Libby & Kevin. Thursday we returned with Gordon & Cindy. And Friday was our grand finale: an Italian dine-around with Chris & Anke and Shane & Quincy (pictured above). Each of the nights was a memorable time and a bitter sweet good-bye.

Change is in the air and not just for us. Others are moving before summer's end as well, one couple to Chicago and another to Boston. It is a good thing that the friends we made here are rather "worldly" because this way we will likely see them again. In fact, we already have tentative plans to meet some of them in Paris in a few years. We're also hoping for some visitors in California.

On Thursday we will be moving into a furnished studio apartment on a temporary basis while we look for a more permanent place to rent or buy. We learned the lesson upon moving to Wilmington that a three or four day visit is not enough time to find a place in which to live, so we didn't even attempt to fly out to Santa Barbara to look around in advance of our move. This decision really adds to the fact that we don't know what to expect when we get there. I have a feeling it's going to be another world.

We may not have chosen our townhouse in Wilmington if we had had more time for a house hunt, but that doesn't mean we didn't enjoy living in it. It was a comfortable home. I was sad to disconnect our theater system last night because it was such a pleasing setup. I have the same fear each time I disconnect my computer: that it will never turn on again because it got rattled too much during transport or that I won't find all of the power outlets in the new house to be in the right places. Over the weekend, when we patched the holes we put into the walls, I remembered the time we put into painting them. We picked neutral colors so that the house would sell easily -- so much for that -- but truth be told, I kind of like neutral wall colors anyway. Our yard here was not very big, but getting rid of the lawn mower was tough: it and I took care of each other. We'll have to buy another one some day, and who knows what that relationship will be like.

The Bud Light Film Crew is moving on without me. The new guy shot the next two videos back-to-back down at the beach a week ago. I'm jealous that he has so much time before the deadlines and wondering what kind of editing software he is using. I'm worried he's going to do a better job than me. I'll be the first one on the web site on July 1 to view his first video. Aren't you curious?

We're definitely seeing the sad side of the move right about now -- all of the packing and good-byes -- but the happy side will reveal itself soon. I think California is going to present some wonderful opportunities for us, as well as new friends and an exciting chapter of exploration. We'll remember Wilmington fondly, but there are no regrets as we march forward. In some ways it's nice to leave on a high note, while things are going so well.