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rebeccmeisterWell, I had planned to drive out to Texas with the help of my rowing partner, K. However, she just found out that her mother is on her deathbed, so she must go back to Minnesota immediately. I must hope that things happen with grace in her situation.
All of which is to say, keep me in your thoughts the next couple of days. I'm not relishing the idea of doing this trip by myself, but I know I can do it and I *will* do it. If you are wondering why S isn't going, well, let me just say he is under a tremendous amount of pressure right now. My feeling on the matter is that even though I'm not looking forward to getting this thing done, I know I'm capable of doing it and will simply take my time and do what I must do. There have been many times when I have had to drive by myself to make sure something gets done (mostly ant-collecting trips); those trips can be very lonely, but when I know I must go, I do.
A friend asked me last night if I was excited about going to Texas. You know, when I moved down to Arizona, I did not have a lot of preconceived notions about what it would be like. I'd been to Tempe to visit and interview in the spring before I arrived, and just kind of shrugged my shoulders about the whole thing. I knew there was a lake, so I would get to go rowing, and I knew I would be working with good people in the lab. I had to get my driver's license right before I left for Arizona, and spent several sleepless, stressed-out nights thinking about whether or not I should buy a car at that time. I didn't. The first year of living in Arizona was particularly difficult, as I didn't know anybody else who was living car-free, and I had to teach myself how to get out and learn my way around the city.
I have to keep those memories in mind with this move. Eventually, I learned my way around the Phoenix area (not without a fair amount of griping over what it's like to live in the Greater Phoenix Suburbopolitan Area), and made many good friends, many of whom are similarly car-free. We've had so many rich adventures here and I have come to deeply appreciate aspects of the state. At the same time, I have no illusions about certain things, like the unsustainability of living in the desert, and the damaging effects of living amongst so much sun and dust.
I look at Texas, and I wonder to myself, am I shooting myself in the foot for not having a car the instant I get there? Will there be other people who live there and don't have cars? Will I be able to get myself to Austin or Houston? People who have cars often have a hard time imagining how a person can live without one, and more than anything I get tired of explaining to them that I am perfectly capable of getting myself where I need to go. That's a big item on the Not Looking Forward To It list - just the explaining.
On the other hand, I've found some promising things, including a bicycling gang and a tallbiker. There's a store where I can shop for plants - I am really, really missing having an herb garden. The lab where I will be working will be a very good work environment, and I think (and hope) it will give me time and space to contemplate my future.
So. I'm guessing it will be next Tuesday before I make any major updates, unless I decide to voice-post from the road.
All of which is to say, keep me in your thoughts the next couple of days. I'm not relishing the idea of doing this trip by myself, but I know I can do it and I *will* do it. If you are wondering why S isn't going, well, let me just say he is under a tremendous amount of pressure right now. My feeling on the matter is that even though I'm not looking forward to getting this thing done, I know I'm capable of doing it and will simply take my time and do what I must do. There have been many times when I have had to drive by myself to make sure something gets done (mostly ant-collecting trips); those trips can be very lonely, but when I know I must go, I do.
A friend asked me last night if I was excited about going to Texas. You know, when I moved down to Arizona, I did not have a lot of preconceived notions about what it would be like. I'd been to Tempe to visit and interview in the spring before I arrived, and just kind of shrugged my shoulders about the whole thing. I knew there was a lake, so I would get to go rowing, and I knew I would be working with good people in the lab. I had to get my driver's license right before I left for Arizona, and spent several sleepless, stressed-out nights thinking about whether or not I should buy a car at that time. I didn't. The first year of living in Arizona was particularly difficult, as I didn't know anybody else who was living car-free, and I had to teach myself how to get out and learn my way around the city.
I have to keep those memories in mind with this move. Eventually, I learned my way around the Phoenix area (not without a fair amount of griping over what it's like to live in the Greater Phoenix Suburbopolitan Area), and made many good friends, many of whom are similarly car-free. We've had so many rich adventures here and I have come to deeply appreciate aspects of the state. At the same time, I have no illusions about certain things, like the unsustainability of living in the desert, and the damaging effects of living amongst so much sun and dust.
I look at Texas, and I wonder to myself, am I shooting myself in the foot for not having a car the instant I get there? Will there be other people who live there and don't have cars? Will I be able to get myself to Austin or Houston? People who have cars often have a hard time imagining how a person can live without one, and more than anything I get tired of explaining to them that I am perfectly capable of getting myself where I need to go. That's a big item on the Not Looking Forward To It list - just the explaining.
On the other hand, I've found some promising things, including a bicycling gang and a tallbiker. There's a store where I can shop for plants - I am really, really missing having an herb garden. The lab where I will be working will be a very good work environment, and I think (and hope) it will give me time and space to contemplate my future.
So. I'm guessing it will be next Tuesday before I make any major updates, unless I decide to voice-post from the road.
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no subject
Date: 2011-09-28 06:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-28 06:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-28 06:18 pm (UTC)I don't know that I could survive the way you live - or rather I probably could, but my life would not be as rich in the hotter months because I wouldn't be doing long rides to farmers' markets, let alone to Tucson. But you are sort of living proof that you can!! (Some people are not strong on logic.)
no subject
Date: 2011-09-29 02:05 am (UTC)I have to say that, while it takes a lot of grit to live the way I have lived in AZ, I really wouldn't mind a single bit if it were all a lot easier. Shaded paths would make a huge difference, for instance, along with higher population density! But at the same time, I kind of figure that I am a pioneer of sorts, just showing what can be done.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-28 08:43 pm (UTC)Good luck on the road trip. If you need to talk to a friendly voice or would like some moral support from someone who's driving cross-country solo, feel free to give me a call.
Been thinking of you lots, lately!
no subject
Date: 2011-09-29 02:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-28 11:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-29 02:01 am (UTC)It's that old feeling that's hard, the first night in a new city. We know it will get easier, but still. Hard to be a stranger.