Winds of Change

Winnie the Pooh: Happy "Winds-day", Piglet.

Piglet: [being blown away] Well... it isn't... very happy... f-for me.

Winnie the Pooh: Where are you going, Piglet?

Piglet: That's what I'm asking myself, where? W-Whoops! P-P-P-Pooh!

Winnie the Pooh: And what do you think you will answer yourself?

It's that time again. I'm trying to simplify. One partner, three sons, two passions: music and martial arts. Everything else is icing. (And too much icing makes you fat!)

We want to move.

I've been accused of having an incurable case of wanderlust. I've been called a "gypsy" and a "nomad", and I used to take offense at this. Not any more.

The great thing about growing older is that you grow up. Sticks and stones no longer break your bones, especially when you understand that those who are hurling the objet d'hurt are usually envious of whatever it is you're doing.

Why don't you just settle down and buy a house? 

Yeah, this is what I've heard for years. We make enough to buy a house. It's the "settling down" part that doesn't appeal to us. It's the fact that we'd be tied to one particular area for years before being able to consider selling and moving. This may be a good thing to you, but I know, without a doubt that we wouldn't be the multi-faceted people that we are without the exposure to the different settings that pepper our past. 

The most boring people we know are the ones that have remained too long in one place. 

Think about that.

I want to move. I love Alameda, but our space, despite its amazing location, is too small and too crowded. Even if it were filled with only my immediate family (and that hasn't happened in years!), it still lacks the required space to give each other space. Like my mother before me, I'm too communally-wired, always inviting those in need to stay a while...a looong while.

Don't know what it is exactly, but I need some space. And so the search begins, or continues, as I'm in the middle of checking out leases. Alameda is an island paradise and I'm hoping to get a place close to where we are now, but it looks like we may actually be moving to San Pablo. 

What?? Back to the hood??!!

I know, I know. Despite my years of chanting "location, location, location" to keep away the ghetto demons that lure unwary house-hunters back into crime-infested jungles with the timeless temptation of lower rents, I have found a space and it's love at first, second and third site.

And it's in the hills. 

There something about being above sea level that instantly provides you with a feeling of safety. Maybe it goes back to the days of castles with high towers, built on hills. I don't know, but the house is wonderful. Besides the pre-req living room, dining, kitchen, blah, blah, blah, there are three bedrooms, one loft, a huge basement and laundry room. This all translates to: 

SPACE, mofo.

I don't have to see you, if I don't want to, and vice-versa. 

We don't have the house yet, but the point is, we're looking for space. Even if this isn't the one we end up with, the need to breathe and the need to move about freely are forefront in our decision process. There is also a faboo home on Bay Farm Island, which is also considered part of Alameda, and this home has a ton of space, as well. We'll see...

Wow, the simplification process continues. Who am I and what have I done with the real me?