711

711, originally uploaded by benjaminjaybaier.

The house in this picture has been a big part of my life for the last 5 years. The same week Emily and I met I auditioned for and joined H Is for Hellgate. This was the house Jamie Hellgate lived in and where we practiced. Jamie (and Mel) moved out and Keren, Emily and I moved in.

The last 4 years in this house have been amazing for me. In this time different folks have come and go. Emily and I are married now. Other couples that live in this house are on the road to marriage. There have been so many parties, birthdays, and BBQs. There was a time we had over 700 bottles of wine stocked up in the basement. There have been many rehearsals and jams with H Is for Hellgate, We Wrote the Book on Connectors, and others. It has been a place with enough space and freedom to allow us to be creative.

Today I was alone in the house and put on the first H Is for Hellgate album. It was recorded in the basement. I had a rush of memories and emotions from the last few years. I think it's exactly what I needed to prepare me for the next few months. To remember all the good (and bad) things that have happened and know that those things will always be a part of me.

That being said, it is now time to look ahead to the future and of course continue to attempt to live in the present moment without dwelling to much on the past OR future.

Emily and I will live there for another month before moving down the street to The Bucy's before moving to Portland this winter. I'm excited to begin this new chapter in our life. Let's just hope we can find a house this Rad when we get to Portland!