It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...
It has been just over 6 months since my move to the West Coast and I think just last week was the first time that I unconsciously thought of my apartment as "home" rather than "where I'm living". It is a subtle distinction, but significant. My little West Hollywood finally feels like home. I recognize my neighbors (both in my building and the area). I know the sounds and the feel of the place. There is a feeling of comfort when I park The Jeep and walk up to check my mail before heading up the small flight of steps to unlock my apartment. I can make recommendations on where to go to get good Thai food, or the best place to park when going to the silent movie theater. I know the shortcuts to get past rush-hour, no-left-turn intersections.
Boston was/is my heart's home. The people I love most in the world are on the East Coast. But my new home doesn't feel awkward anymore. I genuinely enjoy living out here rather than lamenting my departure from the east. Overt influences (amazing weather, excellent food, great job) certainly help with that transition, but I think it has more to do with the fact that I've just ... attuned myself to where I am, finally.
One of the few things I have left on my "finishing the home" list is to get the gas grill for my porch. I'm hoping to get that done before mid-April (coordinating the transport and hefting with a friend of mine) and then it will be time for kebobs and grilled turkey dogs and steaks and grilled vegetables and burgers and ... ahh, the wonder of grilled food! I can't wait.
I have also developed a very peaceful little tradition over the last month or so. I spent my last 90 minutes or so before heading to sleep out on my porch, reading. Just enjoying the little breezes that blow along, reading new books. That is part of it - I'm forgoing re-reads for the rest of 2008. I have shelves full of books that I love and ones that I re-read enthusiastically each year, but I am devoting 2008 to the NEW books.
So that is my LJ plea ... give me some new titles to read. Stuff that you think I have never read - topics I've never explored. I'll take anything: fiction, non-fiction, historical, heavy, light, graphic novels, academic tomes ...
Please. Help me fill up another bookshelf.
Boston was/is my heart's home. The people I love most in the world are on the East Coast. But my new home doesn't feel awkward anymore. I genuinely enjoy living out here rather than lamenting my departure from the east. Overt influences (amazing weather, excellent food, great job) certainly help with that transition, but I think it has more to do with the fact that I've just ... attuned myself to where I am, finally.
One of the few things I have left on my "finishing the home" list is to get the gas grill for my porch. I'm hoping to get that done before mid-April (coordinating the transport and hefting with a friend of mine) and then it will be time for kebobs and grilled turkey dogs and steaks and grilled vegetables and burgers and ... ahh, the wonder of grilled food! I can't wait.
I have also developed a very peaceful little tradition over the last month or so. I spent my last 90 minutes or so before heading to sleep out on my porch, reading. Just enjoying the little breezes that blow along, reading new books. That is part of it - I'm forgoing re-reads for the rest of 2008. I have shelves full of books that I love and ones that I re-read enthusiastically each year, but I am devoting 2008 to the NEW books.
So that is my LJ plea ... give me some new titles to read. Stuff that you think I have never read - topics I've never explored. I'll take anything: fiction, non-fiction, historical, heavy, light, graphic novels, academic tomes ...
Please. Help me fill up another bookshelf.