Living in the city shifts the balance somewhat. Now I am unknown to my neighbors--except for what they hear through my open windows or view when the shades are up. And they do hear and they do view. Because in some instances, they are only a few feet away! For example, they know that I am a private person, because I don’t leave the blinds up at night. And they know what kind of music I listen to, because I do like the windows to be open when the weather hovers in the mid 50s. And by now they probably know that I am an artist.
And this is not a huge city where I now live. Fewer than 40,000 people, but it is configured like a city with people living and moving about near me. I find that I like the energy of it. And I like the availability of almost anything I can think of. Seared ahi tuna? No problem. Minutes away. Art supplies? No Hobby Lobby, but there is a Michael’s. Walmart or Target? Yes, but I may never go to either one because there are so many preferable options!
I can order both necessary and unnecessary items from Amazon or Overstock and not worry about whether I will be home when the packages arrive, because there is a desk clerk to receive them. Of course, the desk clerk also knows exactly what I have ordered if there is a description on the box, and if not, he usually just asks…
Moving to a different time zone has thrown me off, as well. I am two hours earlier than where I used to be. And for those of you who already know of my aversion to the concept of time, well… this is something I also try not to dwell too much upon. I am attempting to live more impulsively and not blame the clock for my downfall.