So Reed is done today and with his first week at college and since I haven't heard much I assume he's doing fine. I've been using this week to concentrate a little more on finding a job. Did have an interview for a HS library job which could happen but..... Substituting is another option and I get going on that next Wednesday. A third option has come up since I went down to this gorgeous resort about 12 miles east of H'burg. They need some people to man the concierge desk and since I'm an information professional, that might just work. Probably won't make much but don't need much. I did sneak over and watch Reed scrimmage with other guys on the EMU team as they get together every afternoon. Thought he did well and looked strong. Hopefully he can continue to develop.

Got this from Reed on his first weekend at college "I did a lot of group bonding exercises and met some really cool people. Played some pickup ball with some guys on the team. I'm still trying to transition from Guam to US ball. It's fun though!"

Yesterday was move into the dorm day for Reed. Met his roommate who Reed had already been in contact with and his parents. Nice people from Maryland. Had to buy Reed pillows and pillow cases and somehow in the middle of this I lost my keys but finally got him settled and left him to do the new roommate thing. He sent me an email later "We had a few full court games today. Pretty tired haha but they were fun." Copied new keys and from there I went to check out the Rockingham County Fair which was kind of a bust. Finished out the night 20 miles away in New Market for an interesting performance of The Wizard of Oz. I thought it was going to be a children's performance but it was adults in this tiny little old opera house that maybe held 120 people. It was fun and the evening went quickly. A couple of the performances were very nice. Today I headed early to the market to get a loaf of bread and happened to cross paths with Reed on his way to breakfast. That was kinda weird as I was only in front of his dorm for a minute and here he came out. Later Reed emailed to say he needed soap and toothpaste. Found out even later he needed them delivered as he was just too busy. I evidently have not briefed him enough on the concept of a store-that he can buy things at.

So we're getting Reed ready for school. Physical we have to take again, stuff to buy, nothing big but it takes some time. Last night I went and joined about 25 people of the Shenandoah Valley Civil-War Era Dancers. It was fun. Met the Registrar for EMU who had just been looking at Reed's UOG transcript that day. We laughed how things work out. Theoretically, today is Reed's last day of living with his parents. :-((

Headed to Reston Sunday to pick up Reed. Not only was it a late bus--1:45am but it was an hour and a half late. We didn't get back to cousin Ry's place till 4am. Stayed the next day to go to the Nationals game. Was hoping to head back to H'burg after the game and we even left before the game was done but problems with the Subway (our train broke) plus I wasn't feeling well had us stay overnight with Ry again. Got back the next day. Here's a pick from the game and a really nice stadium experience. And an artsy photo Reed took of the stadium itself.

Spent much of the day looking for bargains at yard sales in the Shenandoah Valley. Managed to do a big (77 mi)circle that included Broadway, New Market, Luray, Elkton and then back to Harrisonburg. Perfect day. Beautiful country. And even got some bargains.

OK So I finally got my car back after 5 days down at Blue Ridge Automotive. And I can't thank Chad and Brandon and the guys down there enough for working so hard to get the car up to spec. Evidently Taj Singh went to great lengths to hide the condition of the car in order to sell it to some unsuspecting doofus like me. He committed at least one federal offense in disabling the warning system in regards to the fact that there was no passenger side airbag among some other things that had to be fixed. Let me repeat, Taj Singh of Gainesville VA is a crook. Cost was $1615. I'd be mad except for the fact that I have this great view.

Took my car to get it inspected today. This should be interesting as you may remember and/or please refer to a previous post. I'll let you know. Also Reed emailed that he had a great time at the Jacksonville - Tampa Bay football game. He sent along a picture.

Spent much of the last 3 days doing the Rt 11 crawl. Even though they say it's just Saturday, it's not. Route 11 Yard Crawl Saturday, August 9, 2014 Shenandoah County, Virginia It's back and it's better than ever! Save with over 43 miles of bargains! This event will feature our historic towns along Route 11 and include business sidewalk sales, yard sales, antiques, food, and much more along the designated scenic by-way of Route 11 in Shenandoah County.

OK so Reed came in 2 days late because of the typhoon on Guam but got here fine. For the next few days we worked on getting him acquainted with Harrisonburg and slowly getting my new apartment livable. Wednesday night he left Union Station in Washington for girlfriend Jade in Jacksonville FL. And although we quite a time finding the place he got off without too much hassle. And the best thing about my apartment? Has to be the view.

Reed came in tonight right on time. Good to see him. We'll head back to Harrisonburg tomorrow.