Partial Update
Please forgive my recent brevity and vagueness. I have been busy.
I've become the content resident of a small apartment at the back of a big old house, on Victory Drive in Savannah. It's a mile from the historic (tourist) district, but this is a pretty nice neighborhood. Victory Drive itself is quite elegant, and I'm a short ride from Daffin Park, the biggest in town. There's a large, gorgeous ornamental pool with twin fountains there, as well as endless athletic facilities. I'm just a bit farther from Forsyth Park, which is a bit smaller, more downtown, and endlessly more famous. I've found it's a very lively, cheerful and interesting place at varied times, though I'm usually just passing through. It may become central to some future artistic endeavors.
It's really nice having a place with private kitchen and bath again. I'm actually starting to cook some for myself, which I've never made a habit of in my life, except at certain jobs. My apartment is reasonably attractive and homey, and the water pressure is great. Downsides? Road noise and roaches. But I'm getting used to the noise, and apparently, the roaches are getting used to me. That is, they're getting used to the fact that I've shed any vestige of ahimsa (non-harm philosophy) and I consistently murder them on sight. Either their numbers are decreasing significantly-- dubious, in a house this size with many tenants-- or my reputation precedes me in roachy circles. They appear ever more rarely, perhaps only on (losing) dares or bets. Still, I assume they'll touch everything, so I seal all foods quite carefully.
When I first moved here, with its month-to-month lease, I thought it'd be quite temporary. Now I'm not so sure.
Life is full of blessings in disguise. I had a nasty bureaucratic mess upon moving, which delayed my taxi license long enough for me to find a better job. I started last week as a courier for MGA, a small local company. It doesn't pay great, but it's otherwise damn nearly my dream pre-degree job. I drive a scenic route to Brunswick to deliver varied valuables, mostly medical supplies. It suits me on many levels, including my loves of driving, exercise and responsibility, and the fact that I see the ocean each day of work. :D I'm well-supported by very likable management, I'm independent, and I meet lots of fine people in my rounds. I drive a nice van with a very good radio. I can blast music or sing at the top of my lungs, regularly, for the first time since my car died last July. (My cab had no radio. Singing a capella was quite good for me, technically, but it got old at times.)
Another blessing in disguise has been having no net access at home. It's really helped me to focus on reading and writing. The results have been dramatic; I'm thinking better than I ever have in my life. This, combined with the conclusion of a stressful but successful job hunt, turns my thoughts seriously toward my educational future. The options are very promising, but they're rather complicated in relation to work, money, transportation, and social issues. I'll try to explain better sometime.
While having no net at home has been helpful, it's had downsides too. IM was a crucial part of some of my best friendships. You probably know who you are. Please feel free to email anytime ( gsc1@mchsi.com ) if I don't get to you first. I will reply, happily. The other thing is my lack of deviantart access. It's not a huge problem yet, because I'm more in a studying and absorbing phase. However, my deviantart site is very important to me artistically and socially. I'll have to catch up sometime.
That said, I want another and more professional visual art site. I may begin working on this soon. I feel as ambitious as ever, and significantly more capable.
I'm afraid I can't begin to effectively describe my social situation, nor do I currently desire to. Please respect this. All I can say is that I feel better than ever, and I'm learning more every day. I seem farther and farther from expressible things, but perhaps my powers of language will catch up eventually.
Savannah is a truly outstanding place for bicycling. I do lots already for work and errands, but I go out at times just for fun. It's incredibly fulfilling when I'm not in a hurry, just to glide by the old houses and trees, and to see all the people. I just stared at my beautiful candy apple red Fuji Monterey (bike) a while. It's increasingly central to my life, and it's almost perfect.
However, I'd also love a motorcycle or a car. Partly for practical reasons, but perhaps mainly so I could go to the beach whenever I want to. I hope to describe the unique charms of the Georgian coast sometime. :)
That's it for now... I hope you're all well. I miss you, some especially so. Take care and write anytime!
Love, Greg