The Rest of My Life

I think there are moments in a life where things are good or OK and then a decision is made and then there you are, you have started the rest of your life. Things make sense and feel right and you are off and running. For example, Sarah Erlinder, she had created a great life in Brooklyn, had really come into her own, and then she went to law school. I remember thinking, hey wait, why are you going to the mid-west? Why would you leave NYC? What? In law school she has taken off and does all of these extra circulars and is on a law review (although it is gender based, a law review non-the-less) and is killing it. And when I think of her and am always like this is the rest of you life. You are here. I was lucky enough to see her twice in the past month or so and each time I was so happy to see her as the adult and colleague she is going to be. Another example are my old housemates Nate + Lex. They bought a condo this past summer. I know these kids well and I know that they are going to get married have kids and dogs and live in VT forever. Its funny because to me they have always seemed to just be sort of delaying the inevitable. The moment they moved out of our apartment I was like, "this is the rest of your life." They have taken the first huge step in that direction, shared assests. Its also funny to think about how one day something just makes sense. Like it didn't before, not ever, and then one day, its like ok. Lets do it or try it.

Right now, for me, this is the rest of my life. I moved across america, somehow snaked my way into a sweet program (that is too perfect), am using my skills to help people, and feel connected to my work. What. How did this all happen and why did I have to travel 3,600 miles. I don't know. It is the beginning of the rest of my life. I sort of have a 3 year plan. It doesn't seem scary. Wow.

Yesterday, I adopted a five year old, golden retriever named Riley. Another, this is the rest of my life. I mean he is going to be with me for upwards of 10 years. He could be at my wedding, know my children.... Right now things are a little awkward. Today we went running. He's fat, so, I think (and hope) he's pooped. I am heading home for lunch to walk him.

This is from Thursday (in an email)

Today was one of the more embarrassing moments in my past few years. I had a succcessful meeting with Department of Human services and was given food stamps. Yes. I walked out of the place with a small, cute Oregon Trail card with money for groceries. I was psyched. I still haven't gotton my stipend and so this morning for breakfast I had almonds and an apple. (yes, Darzy, I know this is an ideal meal for you, but I had run and am at altitude...) Anyway, lunch rolled around and the plan was to head to the grocery store and use my food stamps and then go home and have lunch. Perfect. I spent about 45 min shopping. With all of the free money I decided to buy a lot of stuff like mustard, olive oil, two things of cranberry juice, peanut butter, and a lot of basics. I spend all my money and realize I cannot possibly walk home with all of my groceries. I left the building and was in the parking lot. I saw a nice lady walk out and I asked her if she could drop me off with my groceries. No, but you know you are allowed to take the cart home as long as you bring it back. Yeahright. Another lady hears us talking and says, "Really, you can take it home. I see those carts all the way on the west side of town." At that point I was forced to choose between asking another person for a ride or walking home with a grocery cart. I choose the cart. Absolutly embarrassing. That coupled with the fact that I had just used food stamps. I was pretty much poster-worthy poverty. Well, except that I was wearing danskos and jcrew. Whatever. So embarrassing. And then I brought the cart back. Terrible.

Fantastic

I really do have a place in my heart for David Brooks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/opinion/09brooks.html?em&ex=1192334400&en=1dfe5eacabc50b4a&ei=5087%0A

And its not to late to go to dental school...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/business/11decay.html?em&ex=1192334400&en=f0c14efae07f84f9&ei=5087%0A

1988 Finalist All-American City

On a water tower above town, 1988 Finalist All-American City, is proudly painted. I think this captures Lakeview very well. This town seems to be caught in a moment that has passed. Its crazy because everyone has cable (and cannot believe that I do not even have a TV) and the internet is cheap and there is free wireless for everywhere. I guess what I mean is that I would think that techonology = modern. Here that is not the case.

All shops are local. The exception is a Subway (which everyone tells me is the best place to eat because it's fresh and that it is OWNED by local folks) and a Safeway (grocery store.) The people that I have seen around town, at the movies, during meetings, all wear very dated clothes. And whats weirder is that everyone wears glasses that are from the 80's and 90's. And there are a lot of old american trucks in very good condition riding/cruising/tearing around town. The movie theater plays one film a week. Friday-Saturday-Sunday at 7:30pm. Its $5.00. And the popcorn and candy are reasonably priced.

Walking around town everyone smiles and waves. Running the other morning two groups of highschoolers waiting for the bus heckled me. "Hey lady its real warm out." "Where are you going so fast?" I was like, seriously, you are in high school and waiting for a bus. Common.

People are very kind and neighborly. The only furniture I have is a futon mattress on the floor and a crazy creek. This morning a woman gave me a new microwave (I mean, I don't think I will really use it but...) and have been offered a bed and a few couches and a dining room set.

The Oregon Outback a.k.a. Lake County

Alright, I am firing up this old travel blog with new posts on my latest adventure to the West Coast. Why I am here will come later but for now some stats on my new home:

-8,300 square miles
-6,800-7,500 people (depends on who you ask)
-Connecticut would fit nicely into this county
-worldclass flyfishing, hunting, ranching
-no lake that I have seen
-a large meth problem
-only one chain, Subway, which everyone suggests I eat at
-lots of good coffee
-1:23, ratio of bars to churches

I asked some folks about where running is good and was told repeatedly to watch out for cougars (not the 30+ women but the actual predator.) Ok. I asked what I can do and the reply was not run into them or bring a pistol. This afternoon I was told I should learn to shoot just in case I come across any sort of predator like a cougar or a bear. Nice.

Even though Lakeview has a population of 3,500 it somehow seems more isolated then Vinalhaven, ME. Shocking.

The best thing I have found is this place called the meat locker. It is a butcher shop with all beef and other meats from this county. They cut, cure, marinate, and smoke everything right there. It is heaven. Last night I had some smoked beef, 1.4 lbs, I got home and didn't have any silverware, just a large knife and stood in my kitchen and ate about half of it. So good. I think I am going to go on atkins.