Sharing

I forgot to share with you all the ONE picture I got to take from my bike ride last week. Here it is: This is the old executive building next to the White House. The monument looks like Fame. I don't know the history, but I'll find out and probably edit this post to add the history. I love the French architecture. Architecture is something I really enjoy looking at. I'll be better about taking pictures the next time I ride. There are some lovely spots along the Potomac that make for great pictures. I just got so hyped about riding that I didn't stop. It's fun, and the exercise is really good for me. Today, I bought a little carrying case for my bike that fits under the seat. It'll hold my tools, my lock, my camera, money, and maybe a few knickknacks like gum or something. But honestly, I don't need my lock when I'm trail riding, and the lock takes up most of the space. I also bought a little hand pump and a small bit of bungee cord. Never know when you might need it... I just need to get a spare tube so I can fill out my little emergency kit. I wasn't able to find a decent seat post. They didn't have any suspension posts and I want one to replace the current one. I also looked at this guy's english basement apartment in a nice section of Capitol Hill. I have been considering moving out of where I am and closer to the center of the city, preferably somewhere near Capitol Hill. Why do that? I like the things the city has to offer. It's not for everyone, mind you, but so what? I like it. In deciding where to live, I have a few factors: 1. It must be a central location, not too far from the major escape routes. 2. I don't want to travel with rush hour traffic since I work outside the city. 3. It must have easy access to downtown. Of course, safety is a factor, but it's not the only other factor I'm considering. Safety is one of the reasons why I'd like to uproot from where I am right now. I don't live in a terrible spot, as my apartment complex happens to be in a relatively nice area, and they have security patrols. But the complex does have some problems with the people outside the complex. There were a couple of robberies not too far from here, and there have occasionally been problems with car theft. Now, I don't expect every place to be immune to this, but if I can improve this situation and still have the three things I listed above, I'd be golden. I don't expect it to be some place where I could purportedly ride my bike at night - I wouldn't want to do that anyway, despite the lights I bought. I guess I want to feel more like I used to... a certain level of comfort and safety that I grew up with. I didn't grow up in the 'hood - when my parents sensed something like that was happening, they'd move. It wasn't ghetto, but it wasn't lavish, either. It was a level of suburbia that was just comfortable enough. They did what they could for us (me and my siblings). We were under 2 hours from New York for the majority of my formative years. And when they moved to Richmond in the middle of my high school years, the house was a step or two up and the neighborhood was better. In a strange way, I'm searching for home. I took the New York bar because of that. I didn't feel like this place was home. I do see myself eventually going back to New York. But I think that I have put a root or two down here that is making me unwilling to leave. Doh! Oh well... we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I have a handle on my life, it's not out of control. I think that right now, just being flexible and keeping my eyes open for opportunities is my best bet. And in the meanwhile, I am making myself feel more at home. Eventually, I'll have a more concrete idea of what I want. But I'm well-taken-care-of in the interim. Good enough, for now.