Tuesday, October 02, 2007

moving on

We've lived in Chicago for 11 years now, before that it was Boston for 32 and now we are off to California (city not determined yet) for the next phase. This next chapter feels like it could possibly be the most significant, meaningful, fulfilling and happiest yet, but only time will tell. You know it's funny but when we first moved here to Chicago we didn't know anyone, we were kind of unfamiliar with 'the lesbian community' and I started this blog in hopes of getting connected with some lesbians out here. Well, I did get connected with some other women- some lesbians, some not and some not so much but sometimes on weekends... I made some solid connections with friends from the blogging world as well but now It's time to start the whole process over again in a whole new city. Man, it sounds exhausting.

So here I sit in the comfort zone of my own home thinking about starting the process again. The thought of it is exciting but anxiety provoking at the same time. We wouldn't have made this decision if we weren't convinced at a much deeper more powerful level that it was the right thing to do. It's hard to think about leaving because we have built so much stability here over the last ten years: I have neighbors I trust my house key with, numerous friends I could call on a moments notice, a stable job with benefits up the wazoo, local coffee shops and liquor stores that know me and say hello as soon as I walk in, a mechanic and vet we trust whole heartedly, a house full of furniture and we have a very convenient, easy life on top of it all. On one hand it's so easy to stay and so tumultuous to leave but staying would equal stopping and leaving feels like growing- so we go.


We're going to California because we've been talking about it for years now. Plus they have the weather we crave, the food we love, the lifestyle we lead, the attitude we want surrounding us, the good spas C.Love can connect with, the beauty we prefer to look at and the ocean air that feeds our souls. But the real reason we're heading out to CA is because we know it's part of the puzzle, our whole life puzzle-(or path). As scary as this whole move is, it is overwhelmingly calming at the same time, it's kind of creepy. California is unfamiliar to us so we want to make sure we end up in the right area. You know... a lesbian friendly area... with cool shops and restaurants and stuff. Good luck to us, right?

So here goes, move #2. We are headed out to Long Beach at the end of October to check out the area, so if anyone out there can recommend a few potential places to live please enlighten me. One of my firsts posts was about the lesbian scene in Chicago and "a Lesbian in Los Angeles" had a few words to say but I need waaaaaaaaaaaay more. My biggest issue right now is trying to figure out how to tell people not to give us anything when we throw a huge going away party in December to say goodbye; (nothing except wine gift certificates that is)that and bringing our cat on the plane. I can feel this blogging thing will be used for a lot more than chit chat over the next 3 months so I'm warning you all now. A lot is going to come up for me and hopefully I'll see you on the other side -in sunny, warm California. Cheers.

13 comments:

SassyFemme said...

Following your hearts to a place you crave and know is right for you is scary, but the best thing in the world. You'll be surprised how quickly the unfamiliar becomes the familiar and the comfortable, especially when it's where you know you belong.

Enjoy the journey!

SheA said...

r.d. - how awesome!!!!! I have never lived in Cali- but have visited, what a great place...ocean..warm breezes......nice!!

Trinity2 said...

Both of you are doing what I hope B and I will be doing in a few years - only to Florida panhandle.
I feel your anxiety right now just thinking about it - yeah, I know it's a big thing. You two are so brave and this is going to be wonderful! I am going to ask my friend who lived in long beach some good places. Cheers!

Kelly said...

Follow your hearts and your dreams, R.D. I'll see what info I can dig up for you on Southern California sites. :)

Zoe said...

Sounds exciting. Glad you finally decided to just go for it.

r.d. said...

I hope so sassyfemme, I hate when things feel strange but we're putting a whole lot of trust in this one. Thanks

I know shea, that's what I'm saying! warm breezes...

You'll get there t2, don't worry (but first you gotta live together)- just joking... let me know if you get any info from your friend-thanks!

That's exactly what we're doing kel, thanks for the support- it's so easy to back out...

Thanks zoe,
I know, right? Sometimes it's what you have to do even though it's not usually how I operate. This time I gotta go with the gut.

afuntanilla said...

good luck with your plans. an exciting (and scary) time!!

Middle Girl said...

wow...i've done a lot of moving, but all in the same state. congrats on getting the decision made and much luck as you gather information, chart the course and forge ahead. exciting times indeed! :)

Maria said...

This whole post just felt very right to me.

Good luck. I know lots of people in California, but unfortunately, no one all that interesting. I'm sure they are out there, though....

Does your job travel well?

r.d. said...

Thanks afunt! You rock... and roll.

Thanks so much only daughter- exciting yeah, but it feels a bit surreal. It is a huge, huge step and I've actually only moved once before out of state- Boston to Chicago. This move feels way bigger.

Maria, when you said that the post felt "right" to you, that put a smile on my face but of course I'm curious as to exactly why. If you care to elaborate, I'd love to listen. When I think about this 'adventure' , at one level I get so freaked out I feeze and on another the excitement is out of control. In answer to your question, yes- my job does travel quite well but I'd like to take the opportunity to change course all together and do something else.
Thanks!

storm indigo said...

r.d., it sounds wonderful. i think it is wonderful that the two of you are following your dream.

i have wanted to make move across the country for a while now and have been afraid to do so, especially alone. i am very excited for you both.

r.d. said...

Hi storm, I understand- it's a whole diffrent ballgame if you're alone. I say hold on to the desire and when the time is right you'll know it... but it still be scary as hell. Thanks for the encouragement!

Mac said...

California?!?!?
What? When? Whoa!
Good luck and best wishes!

(of course this means you'll be throwing a HUGE "going-away" party, right?
heh heh.