We did it! It’s finally done! We went downtown this afternoon and Andy & I signed the lease on a 2-bedroom apartment, the one we saw near Sheridan and Belmont. It could have been more hellish than it was, but it was hellish enough. Today is exactly 2 weeks after we filled out our application. I thought we would never get approved. It was only after faxing them Andy’s mutual fund statements and a signed statement by Elizabeth telling them how much I made in tips that they finally relented. Like she told me, “They’ll make you jump through hoops, but you’ll get the apartment.”

After the signing I told Andy we should get a drink somewhere to celebrate. It was about 2.30 in the afternoon. He said, umm, something non-alcoholic would be fine. I wanted to go to Trader Vic’s, but it wasn’t open yet. So we went next door to the Downtown Bar & Restaurant. I got a whiskey & coke and Andy just got a coke. I paid the bartender $11 and then Andy and I toasted. I got very sleepy. We talked about various details and then took the el back north. I went home and took a long nap.

Boy, lots of stress is gone. Sure there’s plenty of stuff to do now, but the uncertainty is gone. I’ll get cracking on the details tomorrow. Might actually make a list. May 1st is in exactly two weeks. Nice symmetry: we decided on the place 2 weeks ago, and in 2 weeks we’ll be moving Andy in. I’ll move in on May 8th.

What can I say? Andy gave me a Dawn Powell book for our anniversary on Monday. I started it today and it’s amazing. It’s a damn shame she didn’t get the recognition she deserved while she was alive. I’m listening to “Cachaito,” this album by the bass player from the Buena Vista Social Club. Been listening to it every day since I got it on Saturday. Amazing stuff. Grooves. Saw “Belle de Jour” last night at the Film Center with Steven. That film shows me something new each time I see it. I felt a real kinship with “Eyes Wide Shut” seeing it this time that I never noticed before. Steven really enjoyed it too. The discussion afterwards barely scratched the surface.

Sometimes it just doesn’t seem feasible to summarize everything that’s going on. So I guess I won’t. I ought to try to write more often. Andy really liked the poem I composed for him, and I really liked the card that he write for me. We both almost cried. You can’t ask for much more poignancy after 2 years with someone.