“Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.” — James Dean (1931-1955)
Sometimes, when we go on vacation, we get to see how we could live. Through the eyes of friends and family we become part of their lives and how they live. As much as I enjoy large cities for all the variety, I’m finding more and more that the call to smaller cities or towns has an appeal. Being an unknown in a large city is ok but being part of something more personal, often something that can be achieved on the smaller scale is something that I do think society needs to move back towards. During my stay in Halifax last week for my aunt’s wedding, I finished U-Turn: What If You Woke Up One Morning and Realized You Were Living the Wrong Life? It was interesting to read as it highlights what, I suspect, many late bloom trans individuals go through. One of the things that Bruce Griersen identified is that what appears as a U-turn may, in fact, not be a u-turn but rather the actualization of an existing point of view.
The thing that changes it from what exists in dreams to reality can be anything from the smallest incident to a major stressor (often, major stress factors are identified as catalysts to moving forward with dreams). I think for me I’ve always wanted to live a simplier life, one without TV (or limited TV), more interaction with others, simplier life habits and living closer off the land. I’m not foolish enough to think that it’ll be the ultimate solution to life’s challenges but I found I’m more relaxed and more centered with life. We spent nearly a week in Halifax and more specifically, in Jollymore/Purcell’s Cove where my aunt and now-uncle live. I would need a driver’s license (I’m finding more and more I do need one now so perhaps it’s time to get one) but I could live with that if it gives our family a better sense of family, connection, etc.
One of the things I like is that you and your neighbours have to get to know each other, partially for survival and partially because of being courteous, particularly in Canada. Part of me would love to be in Nova Scotia but even moving to the coast of B.C. (say, near Vancouver since I need to be somewhat near an airport) would be great. B.C., in particular, would be nice given their support of GRS as part of their health program. I sorta wish there was some kind of support for health care for Canadians who live just over the border or something (I understand the why nots and such — makes sense). If we had to stay in the US, Washington State or Oregon would good alternative areas. As much as California appeals to me, the reality is that it’s too expensive to buy a house in unless my salary doubles overnight or something. Although, as I write this, I did a quick search and it seems that the average for housing in many areas are too high (most areas seem to be around the $400K and higher range along the west coast although Oregon was cheaper as it was in the $300K range).
For now it’s a dream but we will, at some point, find an area to settle down in and make those dreams reality. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy life as is and continue with the flow. Thus far, it’s been pretty good. I’ll probably have some more thoughts to add once I’m back home. I actually on the road this week and it’ll be nice to finally be back. I’m sure Bobcat will be thrilled to have one of us home for a bit.