The Road

It's about 10 at night. I'm sitting at a desk in my hotel room in Champaign, Illinois.

No, Julie hasn't kicked me out.

I haven't said this to too many people yet, but I got a job about a month ago. It's a short term contract gig, which is the reason for my silence. I dunno about you, but I've gotten tired of hearing me say "I'm working" or, "I'm out of work". I figure...it's only until August. I'm just gonna go to work and leave it at that.

The problem with this job is I'm on the road during the week. I'm upgrading servers for a major hotel chain, and if it's more than an hour from home, I have to stay at the property. Makes sense. Champaign is about three hours from DeKalb, and I don't feel like leaving for work at 5 in the morning to drive to work.

Neither Julie nor I like me being so far from home. It's rough, especially since I'm going to move in with Julie very soon. She's been going through her stuff, making room for me. I've got to go through my stuff and get rid of some things that I won't need.

And then there's the fact that I can't see her every day, can't hold her or kiss her. That's not pleasant either.

Still, it's a job, and I'm very happy to be working, don't get me wrong. I like working, and this is a good, solid work. It happened so fast...they called me Monday morning to see if I was still interested, then called Monday afternoon to see if I could start Tuesday!

But I'm in a hotel about 168 miles from home.

I'll be back there come Friday, and we'll have the weekend together.

It's kinda ironic. Growing up, I would've loved a job where I'd be going from hotel to hotel. Now...

I have a home. I have a family. I'll work, I'll be on the road, but my heart's not in it as it would've been even three years ago.

Who would've thought...I'd have a family. They're still there, waiting for me, back home.

But for now...goodnight from Champaign.