Life Disrupted, or A Fresh Start?
Positives and Negatives
Last month, I moved from Muncie, Indiana, to Southern California. The move and everything leading up to it disrupted the flow of my writing. But now I’m back.
This post is a life update.
I’ve been settling into my new life in Southern California, where I grew up.
First, I will list some positive and negative aspects of the move. I’ll expand on the items below for those who want more details.
The Positives:
Southern California weather
Traveling to the mountains and the ocean in a single day.
I’m making new friends, which is improving my social life.
I started playing pickleball.
I have resumed mountain biking (and a little road cycling)
The Indiana house sold in one day.
I’m close to family, after being apart from them since 1987.
I’m teaching a new friend the basics of Buddhism.
Life is good.
The Negatives:
Southern California traffic.
I miss my friends in Indiana.
My daughter is on the other side of the country.
I will have to drive to see the snow.
If you’re still with me, here is a little more about the positives:
Southern California weather
I’ve quickly adjusted to lots of sunshine and very little rain. I enjoy how the temperatures drop in the evening, much more than in Indiana, and the humidity is relatively low. I always said I loved experiencing the changing seasons, but enjoying outdoor activities year-round without much adaptation will be nice. I won’t, for example, have to stop cycling or mountain biking due to cold temperatures.
Traveling to the mountains and the ocean in a single day.
After moving here, I spent a week at Lake Arrowhead. It was nice to unwind, relax, go fishing, and enjoy a week alone in the mountains. I took all my fishing rods and tackle and left them at the house for future trips. I will return in a few weeks and take my mountain bike along this time too. When I returned from Arrowhead, I got in the car and headed to the beach for a birthday party. Yes, I experienced the mountains and the ocean on the same day.
I’m making new friends, which is improving my social life.
I joined dating apps, which have worked out quite well. I’ve had some dates, cancelled others before they happened, and met some lovely people, some of whom are now good friends. I’ve also had people cancel on me. It works both ways.
I started playing pickleball.
One of my new friends turned me on to pickleball. We met through a dating app, but we didn’t date. We texted and called and realized we weren’t a match, but she’s my new bestie, and now I’m hooked on pickleball. When I told her last night that, despite not being a match, I was attracted to her, she promised to punch me if I ever hit on her, so there’s that. She’s also got a great sense of humor! I took a group pickleball lesson, and the instructor invited me to join his intermediate course series. Bonus: I met someone new in the intro class who is now my practice partner.
I have resumed mountain biking (and a little road cycling)
I borrowed a mountain bike from my brother. It’s a large, and I ride a medium. It works, but it’s not ideal. I had to get new pedals and shoes, but that’s all. So, I’m adapting to full suspension after having last ridden a hardtail. The trails literally begin in my backyard, and they go for miles on actual hills, not bumps. Hundreds of miles of trails wind through the local hills, and I love it. I also have my fixed-gear bike for the miles of paved cycling trails. There is a 30+ mile loop around the valley that doesn’t cross any roads. I love it.
The Indiana house sold in one day.
Yes, housing here should be on the list of negatives, but the good news is that the house in Indiana sold on the first day on the market.
I’m close to family, after being apart from them since 1987.
I moved away from California in 1987 to begin graduate school, so I have been gone for quite some time. Knowing I don’t have to rush around to see everyone feels nice. No, I’m here for the long term. Yet that doesn’t mean I necessarily will stay where I’m currently residing. California is a big place!
I’m teaching a new friend the basics of Buddhism.
One person I had a date with is now a good friend. We didn’t have dating chemistry, but now we text and talk regularly. She will be my art gallery partner, among other things, and wants to learn about Buddhism. She’s an avid reader, so we decided to read something together. She lives an hour away, so dating wouldn’t have been ideal. But that’s as far as I will go with teaching. Several people have asked me whether I’ve considered teaching again. The short answer: no.
Life is good.
See all of the above.
The Negatives:
Southern California traffic.
Do I need to explain this one? Okay, here’s one example. It took 40 minutes in one direction during rush hour and 20 minutes not during rush hour. And that was not for a long drive. The lights take forever, as there are so many lanes of traffic, and every intersection is huge. Well, not every one is large, but everything seems huge compared to Muncie, Indiana. At least the roads are pothole-free. Yay! It’s amazing what it feels like to drive on super smooth roads. I love it.
I miss my friends in Indiana.
I have some dear friends in Indiana. I miss them a lot. I miss places, too, but not as much as people. Okay, except for Savage’s! But Savage’s has great memories and great friends!
My daughter is on the other side of the country.
Okay, this one sucks. What else is there to say? Nothing. It. Sucks.
I will have to drive to see the snow.
But it doesn’t take long to get there.
This post was unlike what I usually write.
Next week, I will resume writing about Asperger’s. Stay tuned.
Thanks for reading.