soft swell

Change seems inevitable again. I reached my two year mark here in the L.A. area last month, just as I had reached it the first time back in '97 and I ended up moving back to Chicago and restarting life over there.

I'm not certain what's going to happen this time. My anchor, Nanay, continues to be rather ambivalent about living here. She complains how expensive the rent had become (though there doesn't seem to be any immediate problem paying it every month, and she doesn't expect me to chip in but instead insists I save all the money I make), and that the gangs seem to be encroaching nearby (as long as the local police do their job she should have nothing to worry about). At the same time she's extremely happy here with a very comfortable and quaint neighbourhood where all her errands are within walking distance, free shuttle service to anywhere in the L.A. area when she needs it, and most importantly, a healthy social life with two good friends and events to attend. My brother, D, is here too, five minutes away. And I think a part of Nanay feels obligated to stay here for him, especially after all the good things he has done for her and Dad.

I've been gently nudging Nanay to seriously consider moving up to northern California, near my oldest sister, N. I told her the rent there is less costly. Naturally this has much to do too with my life's desire to be in San Francisco and it would be great if I could share a place with Nanay and commute to the city to work and get culture. And Nanay would be close to N. My two best friends, J and K, live up there too and that would be amazing for me.

One influential factor, no doubt, is that where I work right will be closing down in two months and I will be laid off. Much to think about.

We'll see. As K said over the phone, it's an exciting time for me at the moment.