We’ve been shuffling around people and running various other errands today.  Tracey has been a good sport about staying at HQ to help with answers, etc.  I noted in her Facebook stream a picture of all the boxes in the living room with the caption “here we go again.”

Seems like everywhere I go today people are friendly.  It’s as if St. Louis is glad to have us leaving although many of the comments have been “sorry to see you go.”  The teller at the bank was happy to hear we sold the house but acted disappointed to hear we were leaving town.  Even the cashier at St. Louis Bread Co. asked if we “liked it in St. Louis.”

We have to admit with the reality of the move hitting us hard, we will miss many things about St. Louis.  Here’s a quick top 10 (in no certain order):

1. Senor Pique.  It has to be the best Mexican restaurant we’ve ever eaten at.  Authentic “from grandmother’s kitchen” recipes combined with the friendliest people, not to mention they pour a great margarita!
2. Wildwood Barbershop.  About the most politically incorrect barbershop in West County but then again aren’t most barbershops politically incorrect?
3. 3 Nicolet.  Our home here was very special to us. The Panovec/DMB weekend of 2008 was a tremendous highlight not to mention the many butts smoked on the back patio.
4. WashU. I haven’t been the best person to stay in touch with my classmates from WashU but can say the school and all it offers to someone locally as an alumnus will be missed. 
5. BBQ Reviews.  We’ll have to get back into the hunt for good BBQ Virginia style.  Trying new places here in St. Louis with people so passionate about BBQ was definitely a highlight of being here.
6. STL Cardinals.  We’re not baseball fans but I can certainly tell you I relate more to the Cardinals now that I’ve spent some time away.  We may be able to catch a game before leaving this week!
7. Schlafly.  This local craft brew is special.  They can’t make it east fast enough for us.
8. LAN HQ.  LAN HQ is always where we are however the concept reached new heights here in St. Louis.  Our bar was always stocked with brew, good Q, smoking dead animals over long holiday weekends, etc.  We certainly lived well here.
9. Free cable TV.  We’re not cable employees anymore and I tell ya I now understand how everyone else lives.  We may be Verizon Fios customers when getting to Richmond.
10. Friends.  With the last year of commuting I haven’t been much of a friend but can say I met and worked with people here I know we’ll be friends for life.  Thanks to everyone for supporting us, laughing at our jokes, and for tolerating our every day rants.  We’ll miss everyone and we’ll always have a light at our home for you wherever we may be.

Happy Trails St. Louis.  Cheers!

Since this is the last official weekend here in St. Louis I imagine we should be writing some kind of ode to St. Louis post.  Not sure on that.  I have a last “St. Louis Screw” post already in my head.  Can’t decide if we should leave on a positive note or not.

Maybe we could talk about the barber today.  At age 62-ish he told me he still loved the interaction with the “folks, even the ass holes.”  He said you would be amazed at all the people that come through his store that vent about work, etc.  His philosophy has to been to make every interaction entertaining.  Sounds like a good one to have.

We’re visiting Senor Pique one last time tonight.  This certainly has to be one of the highlights of being here.  It’s not just the food or the people but the opportunity to have something familiar and comfortable.  It’s nice to hang out with others that can’t answer the “what high school did you go to?” question.

We’re in limbo on our last concert here in St. Louis too.  Yes, I was awakened this morning by Tracey who couldn’t find our DMB tickets.  She thinks she shredded them with some old bills or something.  We’re praying they can be replaced or found before Wednesday.  If not we have tickets to four other shows.

Packers come Monday.  Trucker comes Tuesday.  We close on the house Thursday and hit the highway right after.  The kitties have arrangements until we get into our new place later this month.  Tracey and the girls also are planning some time with family.

Maybe in the morning we’ll feel more like looking back on our time.  For now we say so long with a big hello to our future.

Hasta…

There’s no braggin’, no competition, no beatin’ down on anyone this year.  I’m workin’ on the mix for me, for me.  You want to ride along, be prepared for a solid groove with some antics. There’s plenty of soul and rhythm.  There’s plenty of new interests with many influencers of old.

Want some teasers?  Follow the twitter feed.  I decided this morning that I would slowly roll out the mix through Twitter.  There will be bits and pieces that will make you wonder “what the heck is he thinking?”  Hopefully by the time we get to Memorial Day the entire mix will make some sense.  If not… aeh.  We won’t worry about it.

That’s right, a little St. Louis did rub off on us!

Salud!