You get what you need

You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need   ~Rolling Stones 

I started writing this post May 7 but didn't finish. I was looking through my old posts and re-read what I'd wrote. The quote above still means as much to me today as it did on May 7. Let me explain...

For the past 2-ish years B and I have been working on living in the same city. The plan has been ever evolving, but for a good part of the time, B was applying for jobs in the Bay Area. Meanwhile we lived 90 miles apart during the week and together on the weekends in Sacramento or the Bay Area. It worked, but we knew being together would work even better.

Fast forward to October/November 2009, maybe the lowest point of the recession, and the highest point of frustration that we both reached for trying to both be in the Bay Area. We brainstormed and B suggested transferring with our companies to a Denver. At first I wasn't sure I was ready to leave CA. So much still on my bucket list to see and do. After a day or two, I was completely on board (110%, even) . 

We thought transferring with our companies would be fairly easy. Since we'd both been able to move out to California on a transfer, why would going back be any different. I had one interview and B had three. None of which produced a job. We started talking about if one gets a job, do we both go...at what point do we pull the plug and both move. During this what do we do next contemplation, B was contacted out of the blue by a recruiter in the East Bay. He'd interviewed with the company over a year earlier and they wanted to see if he was still interested. He met for coffee and next thing you know, he had an interview.

Meanwhile I FREAKED OUT. In my mind, we were half way packed up and planning our move to CO. Once we had jobs, we were out of this state! I'd already thought about where we were going to live, how fun it would be to be close to family and friends, not to mention we'd worked pretty hard on crossing items off our CA bucket list. Thankfully at that same time my mom had planned a trip to CA. Having her here was a life saver. Her perspective, encouragement and "go with the flow" attitude was exactly what I needed. 

Two interviews in, I stopped looking for jobs and started looking for apartments here. At that same time my promotion was up for discussion amongst the management team. I'd been unofficially in the role since July 2009 and officially (minus title or pay) in the role since December. I was cautiously optimistic. 

Thursday, May 6 B was offered a job (YAY). Step-up in job, with a great company and IN the Bay Area. Double bonus - they also have an office in the Denver area!

The weekend of May 16 we celebrated B's birthday/new job, enjoyed time with friends and participated in Bay to Breakers. An all around fabulous Bay Area weekend. 

Monday, May 17 B gave his noticed and worked his last day in Sacramento.

Wednesday, May 19 I interviewed (aka jumped through corporate hoops) for the promotion. I also looked at an apartment that felt like 'the one'. 

Thursday, May 20 I was offered said promotion (YAY), we submitted our application for said apartment, OH and celebrated my birthday. My dear friends threw me an amazing birthday fiesta!

Friday, May 21 our references and background were checked and we were offered the apartment (YAY). We paid the deposit, signed the leased and capped the day off with a celebratory drink. 

That whole week I had to pinch myself; it was a landslide of good things and something we'd tried for 2 years. Although it meant we were officially staying in CA, it was a good reminder of our ultimate goal through this whole process - we'd finally be together! The fact that it all happened at the same time also reaffirmed my faith in the universe.

So there you have it. It's not exactly how I thought it would be. I like to think that means it will be even better than anything I could have HOPED for and exactly what I need.

Let Life Happen

On Wednesday as I was headed home from work I received the following text...
Ashlee: My friend is opening for sean hayes in oakland tonight at the new parish, going to try and go, you should too!

My immediate thoughts: OH Sean Hayes, how I love thee - It's a school night - I have stuff I was planning to get done tonight - I've really wanted to see him in concert - I love spending time with Ash - it's good to be spontaneous and go OUT on weeknights.

Me: Call me when you get a second, very interested!

Meanwhile thinking: I wonder when it starts *yawn* I'm already tired - last minute concert tickets are usually more expensive - and parking in downtown Oakland...

Ashlee: Doors open at 8pm, tickets are $15. Call you in a few.

Ummm can she read my mind? That's not too late and totally affordable. Done, I'm going. Look at me - I'm spontaneous!!

The concert was at a new venue in Oakland called The New Parish - small stage with standing room and a balcony above with a few tables and chair. Exposed brick and dark wood accents, very cozy.

We arrived a little before the opening act, and we able to chat with Ashlee's friend, Andrew. He is part of several bands, one of which is Kacey Johansing, and plays the marimba. I had not heard of Kacey Johansing, but really liked her music. Her lyrics are very Bay Area focused and she sounds, to me, a lot like Fiest. She's also doing some right because her band is comprised of five guys playing all the instruments. As we enjoyed our PBR's we laughed at the hipsters at the very front of the stage dance. Or do you even call that dancing? What ever it was, we were entertained at least.

After a loooooooooong intermission (it was a weeknight, remember?), Sean Hayes made his way on the stage. It was well worth the wait!! He is kind of a goofy looking guy, although he was looking more trendy in a deep v-neck, but once he starts singing you can't help but love him. During the first or second song I looked over to Ash and said "I am SO GLAD we're here! I kind of can't believe I didn't know there was a concert." (I was a little bit obsessed from the first time I heard him.)  Ashlee agreed and said "some of the best things are unplanned...you just gotta let life happen." Maybe it was the great music or the spontaneity, but her words rang so true to me. I am a total planner; although on the scale of Type A's, I'm not quite as stringent as others. I like routine, structure, having a plan of attack.  Through friends and a non-planner boyfriend I'm learning that it is just as great to go with the flow, and let life happen.

We had so much fun singing and after a while could not help dancing too. Sean played a few new songs, as well as some that I love, such as Alabama Chicken. So strange and goofy, but so fun to sing. Every single person was singing (except maybe the big scary bouncer who was looking for the illegal substances)! We left before the concert ended, so we either missed or he didn't play one of my favorite songs, Big Black Hole and the Little Baby Stars. It's a favorite for these lyrics:

You're always gonna find problems 
That's just the way things are 
Now how you choose to deal with them 
Make problems what they are  

I couldn't agree more.

Sean Hayes is going on tour with the relaese of his new album. He's playing in Santa Cruz or Petaluma, as well as other cities on the west coast. If you are at all into indie-folk, I highly suggest the concert. Might be the best $15 you'll spend in April.