Fall of 1999 - I'd finished my masters, recently started working here in New Orleans. I headed to New York City for Halloween. Or, really, I headed to New York City to reconnect with that city I love, and it coincided with Halloween. ...The weekend involved heading down to the Village for the parade, and almost getting crushed by the crowd, all of us penned into some scaffolding. Hmm, I'd forgotten about that.... But, what I started out saying.... I remember telling my friend Mary, whom I was staying with, that I planned to buy a car. A used car. My first car. And that I planned to do so by mid-November. She seemed surprised by the short time frame that I'd set for myself. In some ways, there was no pressure - taking the bus to work was convenient, I was free to use my parents' cars in the evening and on weekends. But I'd set my goal and announced it, not really sure how it would come to fruition. But it did. I found my ideal car - a Honda Civic hatchback - and remember picking Sam up from the airport in it when he came for Thanksgiving a few weeks later.
I'm a big believer in saying it, and it will be so.
November 30, 2007 - In the same vein, I formally announce my goal to find an apartment by the end of the year. Actually, I'd like it to be found in the next two weeks, so that we can use our ten day break between Christmas and New Year's Day to move and settle in. Again, there's not much pressure, as we're still living with my parents and they have not announced plans to kick us out. We have decided not to buy a house at this time, so there is more flexibility in where we choose to live not having to be perfect. But I'd like it be perfect enough that we're happy to stay there for at least a few years. It should have hardwood floors, a yard for MrMan to play in, a washer and drayer, and a den/study/third-bedroom where our non-sleep lives can take place away from the front door to the outside world. One should have to walk up a few stairs to get in it, as basement living is not my goal. Central air and heat would be nice. As would neighbors we get along well with. And all of this will be in a price range and a neighborhood we feel comfortable in. Universe, make it so!
1-check, 2-check, 3-check, 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30 - check. All days present and accounted for. Thus ends NaBloPoMo.