WhIowa?

Brain Dump:

So, why are we pondering a relocation to Iowa? Why am I considering Iowa? Most of the none of you who read this know that the primary impetus for even thinking about all of this is the fact that Andi's job situation is not quite the right fit; the search for solutions to this situation have lead to some far-ranging considerations and Iowa is starting to emerge as our frontrunner. So, again, why Iowa?

Well, like all of these kinds of decisions, it's a complicated equation. In fact, I've even done some Wallacey pro-and-con tables (and the ol' Ben Franklin treatment) to get a handle on my thoughts. Of course, the play is still in motion and nothing has been decided, but here's the short form:

We've not really clicked with Albuquerque and one of our earliest maxims upon moving here was that we're just giving the town a shot. Well, we're two years in and the shot seems to have hit the rim and is rolling off. And, yes, that makes two mixed sports metaphors. Iowa City has a lot to offer: It is literate, liberal, safe, and small. It was trees and seasons and a river that runs through -- and occasionally over -- it. It has galleries, restaurants, and more than one first-class book stores. The public library is a thing of beauty and the town has several independent presses and publishers. That's a lot of culture and biblioattraction.

On the other hand, Iowa City is far, far, away. There are no direct flights to the west coast. The zoo is a two-hour drive away. The nearest Pottery Barn is even farther. More importantly, Eastern Iowa has almost no wilderness; only some hiking and very little camping. It's a somewhat worrisome combination of remoteness and, well, lack of remoteness.

To compound that issue, I don't have a job lined up. In fact, the prospects are somewhat dodgy, at least in the short term. If we were to move, it would mean that I would be floating a bit, feeling the pressure of not only not having a job, but also having given up both a solid job and the option of a second job in ABQ. Furthermore, making sure that I approach the disconnect of unemployment with a sense of clarity, health, and balance, will require no small effort on my part.

Finally, a possible move comes with the fiscal implications and falderal that one might expect... Selling a house in an iffy market and going through the hassle of getting the house ready for showings and salability are not the least of these. Long-time fans and close, personal, Friends of Shane know that one of my least favorite things in the world is dealing with selling a house.

Without going on and on, how does this add up to Iowa City being a prossible future for us? Well, one of the biggest parts of the puzzle is Colin and Iowa City has a lot of positives: It's got great schools, it's got a lot of kid-friendly things to do, wonderful health care, and very little crime. Another part, obviously, is Andrea: Not only the job situation, but also the care for her FMD, are big pluses. And, as for me, there are jobs to be found, eventually, and I think that there might well be a golden lining of being able to spend some quality weeks or months with Colin before being drafted back into the 9-to-5. Moreover, a little gap would give me time to get to know the town, to chart the recovery community, to allow myself to be at home for a while. Also, the fact that the University has a world-renowned (Heck, Iowa City is one of UNESCO's three "Cities of Literature") writing program might be an opportunity for me to ignite my old goals of getting some writing done. If I've ever whined about not having time to make some of my dreams of being creative happen, then this just might be a chance for me to put my keyboard where my mouth is.

And, even I don't write, I might be able to get a real bookstore job, which is just about my greatest fantasy.

What does this all boil down to? A complex decision, and one without a clear answer. However, I try to choose action over hedging. Most of the arguments for staying put are borne of some combination of complacancy and fear and I'd rather we take a reasonable risk at improving our quality of living. And, on that front, did I mention that the cost of living in Iowa is a lot more sane than here in Albuquerque? Even if it takes a while for me to start producing income, this is a golden opportunity to reconfigure our, er, "portfolio" and strengthen our long-term money situation.

And, I think, once we move, we'll get a cat.

"Why America is Still Awesome"

http://www.cracked.com/article_16935_why-america-still-awesome.html

From John Devore.

"First things first: Don't freak out about the title. I know things look bleak. You're stocking up on shotgun shells and Dinty Moore Beef Stew, dreading the day you inevitably have to pitchfork-fight a hobo over the last piece of firewood in the Hooverville. Hell, you might even be thinking that Kanye West was wrong for once: maybe "The Good Life" isn't all that. Maybe the mass pursuit of diamond-spackled grills, champagne Jacuzzis and McMansions the size of Vatican City was not actually the happiness we totally had the right to pursue..."

Indiana Jones : This just might have improved the Crystal Skull movie...

Beautiful Bookstore

*Sigh* Lovely...

http://www.merkx-girod.nl/

Oh, an administrative note:

Probably due to the fact that I mentioned Harry Potter yesterday, I have received a few trolly comments that don't really need to be posted for my family to read. So, for the time being, I've disabled comments.

Sorry!

PS -- For the one gentleman who felt compelled to call me an "idiot" for using the state abbreviation for Alaska (AK) instead of the one for Arkansas (AR), I sincerely apologize. I should have assumed that you would have intimate insight into a private joke.

Amarillo, TX

Another easy, pleasant, day. Piper and I have developed a pretty good rhythm for gassing, eating, and rest-stopping... I think we're almost ready for our trucker hats.

Made it to Russellville, ArKansas...

...pretty casual day. Tomorrow, it'll either be Amarillo or all the way to ABQ.

Piper is a little nervous, but taking the travel fairly well. I've been stopping about every hour-and-a-half for a potty break, so I suspect that she might actually be getting more attention than she'd accustomed to. Combined with the stress and lack of sleep in the car, she's probably pretty exhausted. Still, she is eating, pooping, and doing OK.

As for me, I've really been enjoying the driving. I'm pretty sure that I could step it up several notches, in terms of putting the miles behind us, but I'm liking the time to be somewhat casual. I've been listening to The Deathly Hallows to pass the time (and having a hard time swallowing some of the stupidity of the characters this time around (Why the inane secret clues, Dumbledore? Harry, why don't you just "Accio Handgun!" and take care of "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Asked-Why-He-Didn't-Put-His-Soul-Into-
More-Secure-Objects" the old-fashioned way?*)), as well as dictating some journal stuff by means of Dragon Naturally Speaking (the actual copy of which looks hilarious, by the way. I think I'll leave it unedited for posterity).

Anyhoo, I'm tired, so it's lights out.

*I know, I know...

Greatest thing of the week (2000 NES games for firefox, no MAME)

FireNES

http://firenes.en.softonic.com/

A vote for change

Yes, I was right and they are remaking Highlander

If only they can get Jesse Rae involved...

So go the days...

On the life front, we've bought our new place in ABQ (Yea!) but have yet to sell our home in Chapel Hill (Boo!), we've got moving and travel arrangements set, and things are rolling along. As it stands now, Andi and Colin and Humphrey (with the able assistance of Rachel) will be flying out on the 16th, at which point I will hit the road with the dog. A variety of family and friends will be gathering at the other end to help make life manageable for the first week we're in Nuevo Mexico, so I feel pretty good about the plan.

In a general sense, I'm really anxious to get this show on the road. I have truly come to love Carolina, but I am very ready to turn the page. New lives, jobs, and adventures are right around the corner.

In terms of Shane's world, I've been sneaking in some quality workout time, tying up my social and mental health sphere, and spending a lot of QT with Colin. In between things, I've been trying to not be grumpy, daydreaming about more sleep, obsessing about Indiana Jones a little bit, and generally trying to keep things moving along smoothly.

Duncan

Sadly, our family lost Duncan today. He had been behaving strangely and, in a rapid succession of events, we took him in to the vet, discovered that he was suffering from Feline Leukemia Virus, and -- ultimately -- made the tough decision to help ease him off of his very difficult path. I don't really have any poetry in me at the moment; suffice it to say that we're sad and tired and it is so surreal to lose a part of the family who was with us for over eight years. I believe that he had a good life.

Graduated yesterday -- Woo-hoo!

An Engineer's Guide to Cats