Birthdays

So this weekend is my birthday. It's auspicious. On 07-07-07 I turn 56, and I've invited friends and family to celebrate. I am superstitious enough to take this as a good omen and to expect a good year ahead.

Some people go for dining and dancing on their birthday. I seem to always need to do a bit of housecleaning. It's a time to find lost socks, reconcile my checkbook, schedule the doctor and dental visits I've put off too long, as well as spend a bit of time reflecting on the year just passed and fantasizing about the year ahead.

Yesterday I indulged a bit in the fantasizing. I began thinking about all the new cool things I could do or places I could be in the coming year that would let me explore new parts of the world and excercise new talents and interests. Lots of ways to indulge my favorite pastimes.

However somehow, after daydreaming only a short while, I made a mistake and decided to do some reality testing. The internet obliged on a web site that shows how far your current salary goes if you move to your desirable locales. Unfortunately, every locale I was thinking about ended up needing more money than Austin. Check out the cost of living index calculator.

New appreciation for this city, which I have been living in for oh so long. And that's a good thing. Because most recently I have been dissing Austin - downtown is turning into a canyonland of lofts,upscale stores, and trendy destinations. The era of the young cosmopolitan professionals is eclipsing the lifestyle of downhome family-friendly slackers. All the glitter is fun but the charm of Austin is under a bit of attack.

Now that I know Austin is still a "cheap sleep" locale, I'll reconsider my attitude and try to embrace all this transition. And actually, there's alot of good stuff accompanying the growth. Stuff like new transit lines, new neighborhood pride, new arts, and new appreciation of Austin spirit.We'll see how it plays out.

In the meantime, I'll homebase here a bit longer, and find opportunities for cool forays beyond! This year's been great for that - Russia, London, Dublin, Java, Italy, Prague, Denmark, Paris, Boston, Vermont, San Antonio. May it continue!