Chained...

It has been far too long since I posted last I know. And I know in the process of doing so many other things, I have now lost a few faithful followers and for that I am sorry. I do miss everyone, and I REALLY miss the daily journaling this post has allowed me to be a part of, the daily dribble of information that I can safely allow to gurgle up on my blog. I love going through the process with you, my faithful few. You've been witness to my creative process, listened to me whine and you have been responding to posts that run sometimes weeks in age. I cannot promise change to happen overnight, or even soon, but change is now definately coming. Watching the boxes pile up and my hair turn slightly more grey each day has been a rewarding process in character growth. I am getting there, to the point in my life where I will have time to spend in front of a computer. Right now, it's a labor of love to be here. At the end of the day, after having just spent 9 hours or more on a computer, one of the last places I want to be is on my machine. I am not addicted, I'm chained. It's my source of entertainment and my source of income, it's really hard to hate it and really hard to love it, but I do love what I do and where it can take me. Bear with me a little longer. In June I will be unattached to the full-time place of employment and free to wander the world, spinning tales of our adventures. I am thankful to be here and thankful you are reading this. This IS a beautiful day.

The Door Opens...

Photo: Bruce & Tia, Bruce's first jump off student status, some time around 2001. Photo by Mike Swain.

I remember back when I was first learning to skydive, years ago now. I remember vividly my first tandem jump. The breathless moments before the door opens, the pit of my stomach in my throat. Anticipating the alien world between airplane and earth at 15,000 feet. The chill of the upper atmosphere as the Cesna cuts through cloud and sky. The door opening. The cool air filling the craft, the dizzying crawl to the door, then reaching into the 70mph air for the strut. Waiting as my friend John readies himself and us for our descent.

That's the feeling I have right now, safely planted on the ground today.

We signed the contract on the house yesterday. It's now official.

My throat is tight, my stomach IN my throat. I listen to one of my newest favorite songs, "The Adventure" by Angels and Airwaves. We're on the strut of the aircraft, the door is now open and we're preparing our adventure through the alien world between what we have now and our dreams. We have spent the last 12 hours fantasizing about what we're going to do with ourselves in the coming months. We have the opportunity to not need a home for a while now, so we can take a trip, have our honeymoon finally (after almost eight years!), escape the gravitational pull of Sarasota and all that is familiar to us. Find open spaces to the west, hunker down in a cottage in the mountains of New Zealand for an art retreat, or motorcycling across the continent, the possibilities are endless and I am looking forward to the much needed extended rest and escape. No bills, no responsibilities except to our selves. A true gift. Larger than I have ever imagined.

To say that this process has been difficult or a challenge would not do justice to it really. I know I've been distant, disconnected, depressed, weak and bitter. But in it all, it has been all part of my process. All been about finding the depths of my soul, the depths of my character at it's worst, and being tested. The 15 month ordeal of us selling is finally coming to an end.

So, we now have less than a month to pack up (closing April 10th) and move to temporary quarters. Strangely, all of our accommodations for months to come will be temporary and alien, stability is now out the window.

And I couldn't be more excited.

Back on the table

The short version: I think we sold our house today.

Ok. Take a breath. I know I just dumped a load on you all. But did you hear me?

I THINK we JUST SOLD OUR HOUSE today!

I know I said we weren't going to discuss selling or moving or ANYTHING involved with that whole fourteen month fiasco, but... a buyer found us without the house being ON the market. She loves the house and has made a tentative verbal offer (which we will be making written in the coming days).

[gasping]

Where do we go? What will we do?

Well, my friends. We'll keep you posted. Who knows where we'll turn up next, maybe your back yard!