Well, today sorta became a big day for me. After getting a message from some friends of mine, I found that they were looking for apartments. This has been something I've been mulling over since I finished my third year of college, and decided it would be worth looking into.

After a few days of talking with the parents, getting some things sorted out financially, I took a trip down to the campus to look over potential places to stay. The intent was to gather as much info as possible about what was available.

Things sorta went quickly from there. Because it was "late" in the season, apartments were becoming scarce. One of the few available looked excellent, and with two of us unsure of where they would be living, and a third (me) preparred to make the move, we jumped.

So now, effective August 1st, I'll be moving into my first "new place." .... Wow, I gotta take a moment. It's one of those big steps that you never really realize is going to happen eventually. But at this point in my life it's time to take the initiative to find to set out on my own. I'm fortunate enough to have a place that's affordable now, with enough jobs close to campus that I won't have problems finding income while I'm settling in. And I'm moving in with two people I've known since I started my college degree.

What does this mean? I really don't know for sure. For starters, I'll definately be working a lot more, and hopefully at something closer to what I'm used to. Working in the food service industry for the past seven years (with a few breaks for a more normal desk job) have been nice, but I've got to get going in the field I've been studying for.

The truth is, I'm nervous as heck. I know I'll be alright, but it's like that feeling you get when you first move into the dorms. Only now I'm pretty much on my own.

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Vote Mauer:

It's time for my sales pitch. Many of you I'm sure watch baseball, and I know a lot of you are life-long Minnesotaners. (Minnesotans?) Either or, as you know...the All-Star Game is fast approaching. And we as fans have only three days to cast our votes for the players we want to see start.

Now, any good Minnesotan baseball fan should know that Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been on a tear as of late....taking the lead in batting average at a whopping .378. But that's not all. I'll let the numbers speak for themselves. Joe ranks almost consistantly better than his top four competitors for the All-Star starting posistion. So, my fellow Twins fans, do your part and cast your 25 online votes for Twins catch Joe Mauer.

Because you know he'd do the same for you.