It's been so long since I've written on my blog--almost two and a half years--I've almost forgotten how to work this thing. And who knows, maybe this will be my last post for another two and a half years. Or ever. I hope not.
We're leaving the "love palace" at the end of the month. Mike's kids moved to New Jersey with their mom in June of last year and it's taken us this long to conclude that 4000 square feet for only two people is a wee bit on the crazy side. So we're downsizing to 2700 square feet, which is still more than double the size of the house I grew up in on Lincoln Avenue in Albany and shared with four siblings, two parents, and a dog.
Our next stop, and I can hardly say this with a straight face, will be Sun City Anthem, a 55+ community just up the hill from where we are now. Yes, it's come to this. If you've ever been through a 55+ community, you may have noticed the average age is actually more like 65+. Or 75+. Or whatever, all I know is I'm gonna look like a friggin' supermodel strutting around the pool at the community center. Okay, yeah, I said it.
Seriously, that place really appeals to me. For one, "active adults" are generally pretty well behaved, and the older I get, the more I appreciate people who mind their manners. Yeah, I said that, too. Also, it will be nice to have someone else take care of the pool. Keeping our pool clean now is a Sisyphean task--one day it can be pristine and then a good wind and rain storm will turn it into a Louisiana swamp. (First-world problem, I know.)
Mostly I am eager to plug into the dance and yoga classes they offer, and make good use of their beautiful exercise facilities. Plus they have their own TV station and a performance arts group that I want to get involved with. I never thought I'd say this, but can't wait to see what it will be like to be a part of this community.
Of course, we could hate it. But that's the beauty of renting. Whatev. We'll move on. Right now I'm psyched. We're purging, getting rid of crap that doesn't bring us joy. Making room for new energy.
Just the thought of this change of scenery is stimulating my creativity, which has been in the SHITTER for a couple of years now. I haven't written a goddamn thing except resumes and proposals, and I'm at that age where one by one my friends are turning 60 and some are even dying. I want to write another book, maybe a screenplay, do more speaking, direct more energy to comedy... and the most ironic thing is, in my day job all I do is tell people to follow their dreams. And at the end of the day, I'm too tired to work on my own freakin' dreams!
Along with this move, I want simplicity. Less stuff. More saying "no." More time.
Jane Fonda refers to 60 as the beginning of "life's third act." This is where it all comes together, she says, and we become who we were meant to be, hopefully culminating in a satisfying conclusion. Well, I'm getting ready to script that third act and it's going to be amazing.
Stay tuned.
