Alright, so how’s it going with Andreas far away in Los Angeles? Not so bad, I suppose.

Here’s what I’m enjoying the most:
1. Having only one person in this li’l studio apartment
Where Dre’s spread of Mac-Synth-Keyboard-Speakers-Wires went, I now have room for a whole squadron of houseplants. Where his POS (Piles of Shit) were, I now have room for MY POS.

2. Being able to wash dishes while my tea water boils.
Andreas had made a rule that there was to be no washing of the dirty dishes while he was still in bed asleep. This makes sense, since washing dishes is clanky and loud, but it was just such a convenient time to do dishes. I hate doing dishes, but the time that it takes for my tea water to boil is just about perfect for emptying the small kitchen sink. Not doing them in the morning often meant not doing them at all.

3. No need to rush home.
When Dre was around, I was always eager to get out of the office, excited to get home and see him. What thrilling events would we do that evening? Read outloud together? Rent a DVD? Get drinks with friends? Go for a walk down to Volunteer Park? With him not around, I’m in no hurry to get anywhere. While this is mildly depressing, it’s also anxiety reducing. I don’t feel like I’m missing anything when I’m at work.

4. Less laundry
Despite the frumpy appearence, Dre has a LOT of clothes. Mostly tshirts, mismatched socks, and boxers, but still: he could go weeks before running out of clothes, and so there was always a 2 story mountain of dirty laundry. No longer! Now there’s just my li’l mole hill.

5. I get both pillows.

Things that suck:
1. No rides to/from work.
Andreas was a fantastic chauffeur, and I got really spoiled with the rides to work every morning. My commute is still just a 10 minute bus ride or a 25 minute walk, but getting rides was about more than saving time. It was about starting the work day with the taste of a kiss still linging on my face.

2. Cuddle Deprived.
I was raised a cuddler, and remain one to this day. I miss it.

3. Harder to get to the Y by myself.
My exercise regime has suffered for the last week. I started working out alone, but somehow it’s being hard to go back to doing it alone.

4. I have to cook for myself.
However, there’s a hidden advantage: I can prepare what I want, instead of Dre’s trademark vegan stirfry goulash.

5. No nookie.
Need I say more?

Luckily, I already have a ticket to go down and visit Dre for his birthday, which is in three weeks. Everything is fine.