neyo

Today was a huge day for me, I had to pack still, get across town and take the long train ride upto Manchester on my lonesome. I’m not gonna deny, today felt awkward; as independent as I might seem, there was an air of discomfort between myself and my Dad. I guess it’s one of those situations you really can’t ready yourself for, both for me and him, but yeah…

So it all started off badly, I simply couldn’t sleep last night, as my previous blog post suggested. I ended up sleeping, roughly 5am, and my alarm awoke me just 3 hours later. After significant snooze time, I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower at 8.30am, before traipsing downstairs for a much needed cuppa. Both my brother and Dad were sat down there, and it almost felt like they were ‘waiting for something’. I guess this is a ‘big day’, for them too, and I could feel it. I was very tired and far from talkative, which maybe I regret in retrospect, but it’s hard for me too? I had to do my packing; anyone who knows me will know I don’t tend to scheduele things, I prefer to be impulsive and last minute. So packing was done with maybe 30 minutes to sit around waiting for the taxi. My suitcase was bulging and far heavier than I expected, I could barely lift it (no comments please!!). My Dad hitched a ride with me to the station, and soon enough it was time for goodbye. It’s funny in many ways, because I don’t see it as ‘the end’ or a ‘new chapter’ although it maybe should be considered so. I do see myself venturing south at every opportunity, and i think traveling has shown me that this isn’t as hard as it might have been, 12 months ago.

The Journey sucked, to be frank, I had a huge heavy suitcase, and I didn’t feel comfortable trying to drag it sideways down the aisle of the train, and so I spent my time, with my case near the toilet. Yes that was 2 hours and 40 minutes playing toilet assistant to the wealth of people perplexed by the simple two buttons that operate toilets on Virgin Trains. I was drained, from lack of sleep, and felt an overwhelming need to just slump someplace and let the world pass me by. I couldn’t, I had to be strong and stick it out, I knew this would be an incredibly long day! I managed to sit through an episode of the Bungie Podcast, World Football Podcast, Boagworld Podcast and a couple of replay’s of R. Kelly’s (Feat. Usher), ‘Same Girl’.

Arriving in Manchester, I quickly found Stuart, and we made the seemingly small journey to the apartment. I’d made it clear I was both very very fatigued, and somewhat miserable as a result, but also my suitcase was the bain of my existence on this very day! Our apartment is supposedly 300 metres from Picadilly station, but trust me, it felt ALOT further. I can’t say how heavy my suitcase was, but I’d hazard a guess at 35Kg, dragging it was a nightmare. I think I had to stop about 6 times because of cramp, and it was just awful, I couldn’t wait to get to my new home.

My new home? I’ve seen pictures and spoken to Stu many times about it, but given the circumstances, i’d never actually seen the place, first hand. I have to say, I am really really pleased with what turned out. First thing you notice is how everything is shiny and new, and very much Ikea. Everything looks really stylish and new, and it is, it feels a bit like a showroom really, and it’s going to take a while to be able to comfortably call this ‘home’. After checking the place out, and being bewildered by simple things like, ‘where does the trash go?’ we headed on out. Stu wanted to show me some of the things Manchester had to offer and I think he did a good job. I’ve not properly explored the city before, but it seems there’s plenty of things going on, and a whole lot for me to learn. After getting some food, I had to nip over to the estate agents to sign some paperwork, and pickup my keys.

Later in the evening, we did our first shop, how romantic, ay? Turns out the best place is supposedly the ASDA Walmart which I reckon is about a mile from our apartment. It’s apart of the City of Manchester complex, and so that means I have to go past the Manchester City stadium, ALOT. It should pain me more than it does, if it was Anfield, well… I’d have to throw things for sure, I guess I could have worse neighbours than Sven Goran Eriksson, ay Stu?

Dad called me in the evening, and we had a good chat which was really nice. I hope we can keep in constant contact, I really don’t see why not, but yeah it was nice. I don’t know why either, I guess it’s one of those family things. JAy also called me, to rub in the fact he has Internet, and I don’t. Thanks man. I finally died, kept falling asleep trying to watch ‘Shaun Of The Dead’. It’s been a long couple of days for me, but I’m here now, I am ‘home’. I can’t deny it doesn’t feel like home, it feels like I am someone’s place, just stopping over, and it’s going to take a fair bit of time. I hope it’ll turn into something I feel I can call home, but at the moment, it’s all a bit strange…