eredien: Dancing Dragon (Default)
Eredien ([personal profile] eredien) wrote2010-06-30 03:54 pm

Done is Good, moving edition Redux

I am moving back to Boston. Probably in August but prossibly earlier.

Q: Why Boston?
A: I am moving back to Boston, rather than elsewhere, because I already have people I care about there, and activities I care about and can get back into. I also have a therapist who I was already working with. These were the main reasons I chose Boston; it wasn't for the cheap rent. I had hoped to go elsewhere, and was thinking about it (I had been excited about leaving for somewhere else I'd never been to remake my life), but once I realized I wouldn't have to go through the work of finding a therapist I trusted again, Boston was the clear best choice. People in Boston: I hope to see more of you all soon. I expect that our relationships will be somewhat the same as a month ago, and somewhat different.

Q: Why Moving?
A: [livejournal.com profile] rax wasn't sure if she wanted me to move to Bloomington in the first place, but I didn't find that out until two days before the move, largely because that was when she realized it. We decided to move anyway, partly because I had plans here of my own and partly because of the dismal timing of her announcement, and mostly because we decided that if what I was having problems with was "working and having a relationship at the same time," it would not make sense to just concentrate on one or the other; what I needed was both, and time. We agreed that we would try and work on our relationship together after we moved.

Things have been vastly better for me personally since moving here and getting a little time to breathe, and getting out of some of the patterns and roles I had accidentally put myself in, but they have not gotten better enough for her to feel comfortable living here with me. Besides not knowing if she wanted to move, [livejournal.com profile] rax realized two weeks after moving here that she doesn't know if she wants to marry me, and doesn't know if she wants to marry anyone in particular, ever. So she is also under a lot of introspection and stress, and the fact that I am trying to work through our relationship now as-is with all my issues isn't helping her make up her mind about anything else she has been thinking about.

We are currently still engaged and currently still interested in remaining in a relationship.

Q: Why August?
A: [livejournal.com profile] rax and I were planning on being in Boston at that time anyway for some mutual friends' weddings. I may go earlier, I may go later.

Q: What happened to your relationship?
A: I am trying hard to recover from abuse in my past--and that's good--but the way in which I am doing that has been actively damaging to me and to her. I have been using her to try and heal from something that she can't heal me from. It has hurt me, and hurt her, and I have been using our relationship to hurt myself emotionally (which is, of course, also hurting her). So I need to get some space and fix my head.

Q: What is going to happen to your relationship?
A: We are going to continue to have a relationship and try to be together long-distance. We don't know if it's going to work out, but we are hoping it will. The plan is to visit a few times, and talk on the phone and try and figure out how things are going. Eventually, if it is getting better, then we are going to try living together in Indiana again at some point in the future. I am scared about having a long-distance relationship--my last serious long-distance relationship left too much room for me to misunderstand the other person and too much room for me to misunderstand myself and my commitment--but I think I have learned something since then.

Q: Is anyone else moving?
A: I am taking my gecko back to Boston, but leaving Oolong here with Rachel. The move was stressful enough on the cats last time, and we both think that separating them again is going to do more harm than good. It will also be vastly easier for me to find an apartment if the only pet I have lives in a tank.

Q: Can I help you or Rachel?
A: If anyone has any job or pet-friendly apartment leads in the Boston area, hopefully in reach of public transport since I will not have a car, please let me know.

Q: What now?
A: Now I am going to bed because I was up until 4 last night, worrying that something like this might happen. In two weeks I am going to visit [livejournal.com profile] lotusbiosm, [livejournal.com profile] seishonagon, [livejournal.com profile] thespooniest, [livejournal.com profile] angstnokami, and B. in Virginia.

Q: Is this what you want?
A: No. I want to stay in Indiana and try and work this out. I just unpacked my office last week. I spent 3 hours hanging up the awesome new projector system for the Wii. I was looking forward to hanging a feeder for hummingbirds in July and August.

Q: Do you think it is a good idea for you to stay in Indiana?
A: Not at this time, if [livejournal.com profile] rax and I want to save our relationship, which we do.

Q: How are you feeling?
A:
...Discouraged.
...Like I can't believe I have to pack again.
...Confused.
...Frustrated that I cannot just go live with previous housemates.
...Like I am not looking forward to that drive.
...Worried about money.
...Guilty.
...Slow to change in a meaningful way.
...Hoping that therapy will actually do something this time.
...Terrified.
...Sad
...I miss my cat already.
...Boston is probably going to seem noisier and more dirty than normal to me this summer.
...Worried that the friendships I have in Boston are going to crumble under the stress I will be coming back into them with.
...Excited that there is something concrete I can do to try and fix my and [livejournal.com profile] rax's relationship instead of trying to throw myself at things to see what sticks.
...Hopeful that [livejournal.com profile] rax, once she has some breathing room, also finds that there is something she can do to fix our relationship.
...Thrilled that I might have the ability to try going on medications for the first time ever.
...Happy about being able to intern at the maskmaking workshop again in my spare time.
...Excited that there may come a time when [livejournal.com profile] rax and I want to be in the same room together again.
.................Generally exhausted.

Sympathy is ok, although arguably of limited utility at this juncture; sniping will be discouraged.

Things to do before moving back to Boston:

    Find apartment/roommates
    Find job
    Get bedframe + mattress
    Packing
    Pack Truck
    Laundry
    get warmpacks for Tokai
    Send out email/LJ announcement with new address
    Change of Address
    Go to Bank
    Charge Phone, iPod, computer
    Water plants
    Go to pet store to buy gecko food for first week in house


Things to do after moving:

    Bring boxes into house
    Return moving truck
    Set up gecko area
    Setup bed
    Sleep
    Eat
    Finish last part of [livejournal.com profile] rushthatspeaks' origami mobile
    Call parents/email friends to let them know I am alive
    Water plants
    Find new vet for Tokai, transfer records
    Change voter registration back again
    Change addresses for companies, gov't. again
    Unpack
    Transfer old computer to new computer
    Changes of Address for memberships, college again, email flyers, amazon, etc.
    Reregister for Boston museum email newsletters
    403(b) paperwork
    Bryn Mawr Boston Membership Cards
    Redo resume
    Put 5 layers of paper mache on basilisk mask so I can release mold & give back underlying layer to E.
    Do business cards
    Setup my website with resume, portfolio of artworks/design
    Setup dad's website
    Paint mask
    Return mask head to E.
    Start doing taichi in the morning
    Setup appointment with old therapist
    Find new church
    Visit bike mechanic
    Get haircut if I can afford it
    Finish last part of [livejournal.com profile] rushthatspeaks' origami mobile

[identity profile] audesapere.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 08:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I am sorry to hear you won't be here - I was looking forward to getting to know you IRL! Please let me know if there's anything you need help with on this end of the move. I have some good friends in Boston so I'll email them and see if they have any leads, if you want!

[identity profile] seishonagon.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 08:13 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* I'm so sorry you're having to go through this, though I'm thrilled that you're getting resolution on some things, and that you're going to get to try some things you've never done before. Going back to a place you know and discovering it's different than you thought can be a wonderful experience, and I hope it turns out to be that for you.

Looking forward to seeing you!

[identity profile] blondestwolf.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I am sorry to hear this... (Moving... OK, obviously, moving puts an additional stress on relationships, but I really have had other friends break up right after moving.) Anyway, I hope you can find an apartment that you like, I will think about you when I hear about friends' places. Are you looking to live in Somerville again? And with lots of room-mates, just one, or none? Most landlords don't consider geckos "pets" so you don't have to look for "pet-friendly" on an apartment listing.
zdenka: Yellow leaves. (all will yet be well)

[personal profile] zdenka 2010-06-30 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm really sorry to hear it.

I would like to hang out with you when you come back to Boston. Maybe I can try to make that vegan orange cake again.
ext_122215: Photo of my short blue hair. (Default)

[identity profile] goddess32585.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Whoa. That's some intense stuff going on for you, [livejournal.com profile] rax, and you&[livejournal.com profile] rax. I don't typically try to send affection through the 'net, but: *good vibes*

You know our house has a vacancy Sept. 1? I have been too busy to advertise it around, but we have interviewed one person already; if you are remotely interested, let me know and I'll make sure not to sign any paperwork before we get a chance to chat.

[identity profile] fiddledragon.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 09:04 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs*

I can recommend Center Real Estate Group as having generally excellent rental agents. And if you need a place to crash and don't mind Waltham, our new apartment will have quite a bit of extra space for a short-to-medium-term stay. At least, it will once we get a couch or two...

Also, I should possibly put you in touch with my brother's girlfriend; she's studying maskmaking and puppetry at Hampshire.

[identity profile] aurelia-star.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry that this is going on. *hugs*

I'm here if you need to talk/want to talk.

~Emily

[identity profile] tirerim.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
My friend Laura is looking for roommates for her apartment -- it's about a 10 minute walk from Davis Square, about a block from Tufts. Technically no pets, but exceptions can be made for small ones, so your gecko would probably be fine.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/roo/1816486190.html

[identity profile] tiamat360.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
I am so sorry. Best of luck to you in this extraordinarily trying time.

I don't know if you ever knew the apartment [livejournal.com profile] occultatio and I lived in for two years, but it was pet-friendly and very close to the Porter Square T stop. Can't remember the name of the place we rented from, but the building was on the corner of Forest St. and Oxford.

[identity profile] darthbitsy.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't really know what to say to other peoples relationship troubles, but *good thoughts*.

And wow, that's quite a list you have.

I know someone who is looking for a room-mate, she was hoping for July, but might take Aug. I'll put you in touch.

[identity profile] rivenwanderer.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
*hug* that sounds really tough.

Do you want people to reach out to you to do low-key social stuff when you're back in Boston? (I don't always know when a person wants that and when they want space, so I'm asking.) If you like, my basement jewelry studio could totally accommodate another person if you want to quietly work together on any kind of crafts on evenings or Sundays.
sovay: (Default)

[personal profile] sovay 2010-06-30 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs*

[identity profile] gallian.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs*
weirdquark: Stack of books (like this)

[personal profile] weirdquark 2010-06-30 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry all this is going on, and I hope moving back to Boston does good things for you. ::hugs::

[identity profile] rushthatspeaks.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs*
ext_646: (Default)

[identity profile] shatterstripes.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Eeek. Good luck working this all out. *hug*

Sorry we won't be around to amuse and distract you, except maybe for a brief meeting if you make it here before mid-July...

[identity profile] jessiehl.livejournal.com 2010-06-30 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry. Let me know if I can help in some way.

[identity profile] ab3nd.livejournal.com 2010-07-01 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs*

Let me know the timing as the day draws nigh. I'll be around to help.

[identity profile] krinndnz.livejournal.com 2010-07-01 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
I wish well for both of you. It's a suckful situation to be in. I believe that graceful recovery from issues like this is most important, and I see you two heading in that direction. Good luck.

[identity profile] a4yroldfaerie.livejournal.com 2010-07-01 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
We have a vacancy in my apartment that comes with an optional bedframe & mattress to buy and is there til September. I saw someone mentioned a place Sept 1st, so maybe in combination it would work. We might have someone for August, but I don't think that is definite yet so if you are coming before August then I think preference would be given to you (I have to check with my roommate if the other girl is a definite or not), and also if you wanted to buy the bed. This would mean you could also get a smaller truck, or maybe skip the truck depending on what you are bringing back.

The apartment is also going to be available in September, but will require roommates. The landlady was not going to rent it to us, so we found a new place, and then she decided she wanted to rent it after all. If you are taking the room we could look into what would be involved in keeping it if that was something you wanted to pursue and it's a place you want to be.

You have not been to my place. It is a 4 bed/2 bath in Brookline about 30 seconds from the Green C-line. Pets are allowed with no extra fee. There is a washer/dryer, dishwasher, deck, and tub with jets. It is a 2nd floor walk up that is more like a 3rd floor walk up because of outside steps. If you might be interested I can email my roommate about the deal with the other girl for her room, and send you photos and cost info. It would be cheaper during the summer than during the year if you decided to stay & find roommates.

Hope this helps at all. What sort of job would you be looking for?

Also, /hugs and support. Let me know what you will need when you are in Boston.

[identity profile] foleyartist1.livejournal.com 2010-07-01 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
This is probably the most coherent and thoughtful and healthy post I have seen in response to any similar situation. I want you to know that you are in my thoughts during this sucktastic time, and that I have an immense respect for what you are working on here and why.

[identity profile] thomasyan.livejournal.com 2010-07-01 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
Best wishes to both of you.

I am impressed by the clarity and self-awareness you are both showing.

I am happy to hang out, if you want. And I understand if you have other priorities.

Please do post/e-mail to let us Boston locals know if you'd like us to reach out to you, or if you think that would exert excessive psychic pressure.
ext_76029: red dragon (Mungo closeup)

[identity profile] copperwolf.livejournal.com 2010-07-01 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
Hi. Sorry you are hurting. Glad you have a plan to try making things better.
ckd: two white candles on a dark background (candles)

[personal profile] ckd 2010-07-01 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Good thoughts to both of you. I'm sorry this is so difficult.

[identity profile] koshiii.livejournal.com 2010-07-01 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
Sorry to hear about all of this. I hope everything works out for the best.

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