Conversion

I'm writing this inside Bongo Java(the east sides super-cool, ultra-hip, snobbishly-exclusive coffee shop). I'm looking around thinking about how much I don't fit in while realising that I look exactly like every guy in here.

I've been converted. Converted to an East Nashvillite. For those of you who don't live here, East Nashville is an older part of the city that's being redone. It's full of either old people that have lived here since it was built, poorer families that have triple mortgages on their houses, and young adults that are alright with paying large sums of money for little brick tutor's with only one bathroom and two very small closets. I guess Michelle and I fit in that last group.

I actually like it here. There are things I miss about suburbia. Really I do. I miss being able to go on walks at night without worrying about gangs, a drive-by, or a wild pack of dogs chasing me down the street. I miss being able to leave anything(anything at all) in my front lawn without it being stolen when I go inside for a drink of water. I guess most of all, I miss that "safe" feeling you get from living on a cul-de-sac-wherever that comes from.

But nevertheless, I'm actually surprised how much I like city living. The fact I'm so close to anything is a real treat. I don't have to take an entire Saturday to run down materials I can only find in specialty shops. If I want to take Liam to the downtown library, no big deal. I can walk to a coffee shop(that's my favorite). I really feel like I'm part of the community and that has never happened anywhere I've lived before. I think it's because everybody is jammed in so tight, that you really pay attention to your neighbors. You make friends not because it's convenient or fun, but because if you go to the bathroom and forget to shut the door and/or blinds, they get the full show, and it would be nice to at least have some history with people who have seen you pee.

But my main point is that no matter where you live, despite what culture you bring with you, you're assimilated slowly. So here I sit, with my scraggly beard, drinking my overpriced coffee, in a super-cool, ultra-hip, snobbishly-exclusive coffee shop, typing on my computer in the middle of the day just like everybody else. Neat, huh?

Well, those are my thoughts for today. Hopefully my oil will be changed soon, and they won't find anything wrong with the Subaru. I HATE spending money on cars. Maybe I'll write about that next time.