Changes already – I’ve modified how these posts now appear. Instead of writing them as Facebook status updates, I’ve set up this simple WordPress blogging site and then I’m putting a link to each blog post in a Facebook status update. So I’ll own the content, not Facebook, although I’d still love to get your encouraging likes and comments on Facebook. At least for now as I figure this out.
Leaving the home I love
The photo shows just a portion of the expansive ocean view and spectacular sunsets typical of what I enjoy from my light-filled, eighth-floor apartment in Kerrisdale, a leafy West Side Vancouver neighbourhood not far from the University of B.C. The southwest vistas that nourish my being will be very hard to leave. The place I’m buying in Vancouver Cohousing on the East Side at 510 square feet is 40 percent smaller, has almost no direct light, and what I see is the apartment across the courtyard.
Now I’ve always said that if I couldn’t have a view, I’d like to be in a courtyard setting. There’s a beautiful mountain view and acres of shared space in our huge common house, including a studio for yoga and other activities, shared office space, guest rooms, community kitchen, lounge, and much more. And most especially, there are the amazing people who make up this collaborative, self-selected community. Over the almost four years we’ve been developing Vancouver Cohousing, we’ve made all of our decisions by 100 percent consensus – everyone agrees – increasingly efficiently, without going crazy, and with lots of hugs and laughter. In my life I’ve had a lot of acquaintances, but not many close friends. In cohousing I’m looking forward to deepening my friendships in our community.
Part of the reason for moving into cohousing is in lieu of partnership. The search for such a connection led me this afternoon to another blind date, this time with S. from North Vancouver, who contacted me on Match.com. Truth in advertising this time. We had a very nice conversation at the Elysian Room cafe on West 5th and will probably do it again.
This morning I woke up before 7, in time to see Canadian men’s tennis No. 1 Milos Raonic lose an exhibition final in Abu Dhabi to Spanish No. 1 Rafael Nadal in straight sets. At least I put in more than an hour on the treadmill desk watching it on my computer monitor. Then I did five minutes each of chanting, meditation and yoga, before preparing a Moroccan Spicy Carrot Salad for the kiddush lunch after Shabbat services at Or Shalom, my spiritual community not far from cohousing.
