Not making time to write, obviously

Lots going on, which is why I'm not posting more--I have heard from several of the peanut gallery that I need to entertain them. Still trying to find a place to live, train, go to Cleber Luciano's tournament tomorrow (missed it today because I trained till about 3pm and then ate "lunch"), start thinking about working (sent my resume to a couple people who may hire me for consulting gigs), and otherwise figure out my life.

So, since Tuesday I've just trained; spent time on craigslist and looking at apartments in towns like Long Beach, Lakewood, and Whittier; hung out with Felicia, Wen, and the usual New Breed suspects; and talked on the phone with various people (Debbie, Adamarie, Jennifer*). I'm also supposed to be cutting weight for the Pan Ams, a big BJJ competition at the end of the month. Going to Chinese buffet and eating my weight in bread with olive oil and garlic probably doesn't help. Also doesn't make me pleasant to train with. I'm at 145 right now and if I want to make it into the 141 and under division, I need to get to about 138, because they weigh you with the gi on.

There's one apartment in Whittier that I really like the sound of. It's a studio, which is all I can handle right about now; the thought of furnishing a one- or two-bedroom place freaks me out too much. It's got a garage parking space. It's partially furnished, with dressers, stools for the kitchen bar, and a murphy bed. It's carpeted. And it's in a cute part of town near Whittier College, which is apparently Richard Nixon's alma mater. PLUS, it's month-to-month. So I can continue to nurse my commitment problem. I haven't seen it yet, but it's going to be shown starting Monday morning. So Monday at 9am I'll be calling and setting up an appointment.

I really think that once I get into a place of my own some of my anxiety and uncertainty will dissipate. Like I always say, it's so great that the guys there have let me stay for as long as they have, and I'll be forever grateful. But the lack of privacy is starting to wear on me, I guess. Weirdly, once I can have a space of my own again, I'll probably feel less lonely. Certainly I'll feel less rootless and more able to settle in. And I'll try not to remember that I will also still be able to have one foot out the door if I want. I'm committed to staying here at least through May and really LIVING here, rather than just squatting here.

Whittier also has a Trader Joe's. I went there the other day to get some groceries, but also to case the joint, of course. I liked it. Once I get settled I'll be able to check out whether they're hiring. One thing at a time--wow I sound like a recovering alcoholic.

Anyway, I finished watching the UFC earlier tonight and dinked around a little. Tomorrow morning is training with the usual suspects, hightailing it down to Cleber's tournament, which is wicked far (welcome to LA, where you spend most of your life in the car), and then probably getting back in time to set the alarm in time to call the apartment place on Monday.

I'll also try to take some pictures. Eben is in town for the weekend; Eben is a black belt under Kamole who is a New Breed instructor. He's been in Portland for the past couple months at the New Breed up there and is here to train for the weekend before he goes to Kauai for an MMA fight. I never got any pictures of me with him. Plus, Sean is back on the mat after almost a year of not being able to train. I never got any pictures of me with him either.

So there you go, peanut gallery! A short, boring post completely devoid of pictures. Don't say I never gave you anything.