Lost in my own 'Hood
Exercise: Day 2. Baby G and I stuck close to home last night, as we've "inherited" a new kitty from reader Mel-a-rific. (We're just fostering Lola for a week to see if she and our brood get along.) Anyhoo--we walked in the neighborhood so that we wouldn't leave three anxious cats alone for too long.
I've only been in my neighborhood for a little over a month. Since I moved in 2 days before I started my full time job, I haven't had much time to wander about. So last night Baby G and I finally did some wandering. The neighborhood is pleasant enough: most homes were built in the 1970s, have nice green yards, and either pickup trucks or hybrid cars in the driveway. All the recycling bins held a generous amount of cardboard and beer and liquor bottles. (Fair citizens here are not only hearty drinkers, they are responsible recyclers as well.) We walked for about half hour while I quizzed Baby G on possible interview questions. (She's applying for jobby jobs.)
We made our way up and down various streets, many of which forked off into dead ends or twisted back on themselves. (I think the developers must have been stoned.) I knew what direction we were walking because the sun was setting. When we returned home, all three cats were sitting in the living room in a triangle formation, each alternately staring down the other. I laughed and pushed one out of the way to do stretches. There has been some hissing, but no fights or tussles as of yet. Mostly they're all just very confused.
My allergies are confused, too. I've been sneezing, but so far have had no itchy watery eyes. Hmm. Gonna go knock on wood veener now. Breathe deep, Gentle Readers, for as Dr. Tobias P. Keith says, Freedom costs a buck o' five.
4 comments:
i think you might find this interesting
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5455743
and this
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1006750
cheers
Man, everyone that comes to this town will be faced with the allergy demons...ask Stef, she didn't believe but now she's a preacher. Mine hit me in the fall and I pretend like I don't know what does it...I'm much-a-believer in psychosomatic illnesses.
I hope the Bojangles kitty isn't causing too many problems...yet. Cat B misses her and is confused with her new found freedom in the house. She's wondering where her beating by a clawless paw was this morning!
Well, I can come over tomorrow and smack Cat B around if you like. I've chewed off all my fingernails this week. Angst, anyone?
But seriously, Lola B is doing just fine. I know deep down she's sweet as a puddin cup. It's just going to take a few days for the kids to get along, that's all.
Ack, I grew up in a neighborhood with not one, but two cul-de-sacs. My street was a plain dead end; however, no fancy French terminology for us. (We always knew when the 'rents were coming home, since we were the last house on the block. Schweet!) Yes, I grew up in the 'burbs of a small town. How bourgeoisie is that?!
Cul-de-sacs nonwithstanding, suburban neighborhood development is, as you know, pretty boring. They feature houses built 6 inches from the house next door, tiny yards with saplings (planted to replace the 100-yr-old oaks that once stood there), and the same beige brick facade. Beige seems to be the color of choice in these environments.
You've been to your parent's neighborhood...which means you've also "been" to practically every other suburban neighborhood developed since 1990.
As for Austin being too-cool-for-school, well perhaps that's true. There's certainly a traffic and transportation crisis here. But the rise in population does speak to the city's unique attractions, laid-back way of life, and live-and-and-let-live atmosphere. For the most part, you can be yourself here and find plenty of like-minded folks to have a beer with, go to the local swimming hole with, or start an eco-business with.
You really can't beat living here, although with the huge influx of ppl and their 3.2 cars each, living here just might beat you.
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