I know what I want. I don't know if John knows what he wants in a house, but I've been preparing for this. I've been thinking about architecture, and interior design for years now. We aren't in the market for a fixer-upper, as we are remarkably unhandy. I am not interested in anything built after World War II. My ideal house would have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, kitchen counter space, and air conditioning. I want my own room, with my own desk and my own computer, so we must find something that could be converted to a study. The study and the extra bathroom are necessary so I can have houseguests without disrupting our routine. There has to be a great deal of sunlight for my garden, so there cannot be any major stand of trees blocking out the light on the majority of my property. I have a dog, so there has to be an enclosed (or enclosable) back yard. The house must face primarily east and west. I have lived in north/south facing houses for too long. I want light, and plenty of it.

Do you think it's foolish to be so picky? I don't. I see no reason not to search for exactly what I want. I'm willing to compromise in several areas, primarily location. The items above are not, in fact, negotiable.

John and Spike and I went to the Small Brewers Beer Festival today in Mountain View. I wasn't going to go, but I was so frustrated from coping with a recalcitrant javascript code that I flung myself out the door at the last minute. Only John brought his I.D., so we had to be vetted by a local cop in order to get in. He agreed Spike and I looked our respective ages, and allowed us in. Fifteen bucks bought us a four ounce glass and seven tokens for drinks. I was slightly outraged at the price until I realized it was a charitable function and our money would be going to local community non-profit organizations.

We tried Marzens, and Hefeweisens, and amber ales, and pale ales, and amber lagers. I also tried the home brewed root beer, and pear cider. The cider was particularly good, and not very alcoholic. Whenever I drink hard cider in England I get completely schnockered, so as the designated driver I was actually glad this was less lethal.

Spike entertained me by telling me how Californian our festival was. She's from Iowa and lived in Wisconsin for years, and so she is used to beer festivals that feature plenty of accordian music, and tubas, and people dressed up in lederhosen and dirndle skirts wandering around in between bouts of slap dancing and polka demonstrations. I thought it was pretty normal to have Thai food at a beer festival, but I'm from around here. It was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours, and I fixed my javascript problem when I got home. Who knew drinking was the only way to cope with bad code? Now I understand Brad's devotion to his local bar. Kidding, just kidding.

Spike's off to Australia in a week or so, and so's Brad, for that matter. It's a little hard to know they're going without me, but suddenly I think I can just about stand it. I need to be here to look at houses and gardens, and quickly learn about mortgages and percentages and points. If I'm very, very lucky I'll be moving in to a house in time to plant my fall bulbs.

I almost do not recognise myself in this portrait I am drawing you. I never thought I would have enough money to do this, or even want such a thing. But I do want it, and it doesn't seem as strange as I thought. I believe I have grown used to the idea of being a grown up.

Egads.

Past Life The Index Next Incarnation