Now, back to that big big dream

[sysiphan]

So it's my fourth month at my new job. I'm getting better at the job, which is good. I really am grateful to have it during these tough economic times, but I also long to do things which are more fulfilling and make a bigger difference in the world. Fortunately, I've started to have more energy after work and on my days off, so I am trying to get going on projects again, namely the Sunflower Village Initiative. This is the most important thing to me, it continues to be what I want to do with my life. I still feel like I spin around in some of the same circles with it. Increasingly I recognize this as my own need to change and grow. I have to deepen my commitment and persistence. I need to take action much more consistently. I need to nurture relationships with people who are doing what I want to do. I want to develop humility but also make sure that I am finding opportunities to incorporate myself into the movers and shakers of this movement. Recently I've been encouraged by some news about how solar, wind, and other energy endeavors are making substantial progress. I guess I feel like there are a lot of people in the world doing and working on what I want to be doing and working on, but I'm not really in that realm. I'm not going to quit my job for now. Daniel really does need to go back to school and have that opportunity to get his own education. But I want to work more on my days off on making this happen. Right now the main thing I've decided is that I need to take some advice I've recieved from a lot of people over the years: go check out existing and forming intentional communities. I'm finally not limited by school work or not having a car. All that's standing between this and me is my own laziness and lack of focus. I'm aiming to change that. Started working on a database today, prioritizing intentional communities nearby. Once I have a list, I'm going to start making plans to visit, and invite others to join me. I'm hoping for a multiplicity of effects: 1) Get ethnographic observations that will serve as examples 2) Increase my involvement in the community of W. Mass in the realms of intentional communities, sustainable agriculture and economy, and hopefully solidarity with less privileged groups/communities, 3) Increase the bond between myself and people I might potentially create a community with, and let them see other intentional communities first hand. I'm hoping that this last one in particular might lend itself to encouraging us to find out how we want to follow up on this dream, individually and collectively.

Daniel and I have a kitten, Samwise, that we adopted the last week of December. He's about 5 months old now, and huge compared to when we first got him. He's a pretty sweet little animal, but Daniel and I are trying to break him of a few habits. It's good for us to have another creature in the house, especially when one or the other of us is gone for long periods. I also really like it when I wake up to him curled up near my head or on my chest, or sleeping between me and Daniel.

Daniel and I were hoping we could go to Alaska this spring, and then I'd come spend some time in Seattle. But we really want to move back to Northampton. It's our favorite place to live - we really thrive there. So Daniel's probably going to go to Alaska, and I'm going to visit Josh and Dana in Seattle. Another spring/summer, Alaska.

Ah yes, I've been watching BBC's Robin Hood. If you have any appreciation for Robin Hood, you might want to check it out. It's definitely the best version I've ever seen. My favorite thing probably comes down to Marian not being any kind of wimp, and all the characters having depth.

Maybe I'll post again next month. :p