Spring creeps closer, though taking out the trash today, you would not have known it. I woke up briefly this morning to crack the window, thinking it was too warm with the radiator's humming, but saw what I think was snow flurries. Nothing is certain, least of all at the end of March, which sometimes comes in like a lyon but goes out like..well...a different lion. At least in Chicago, where we are liable to have snow well into April.
Most of my week was quandaries and thoughts about an eventual necessary move due to rehabbing--new places and plans--hopefully still in the same building, but if not, likely the same neighborhood. A decision I won't have to make for at least another year and several months, but one that is on the horizon. The rehabbed units they've shown off so far are gorgeous in a newer, shinier, modern way and I could see myself acclimating to things like dishwashers and open plan kitchens in the same old art deco bones. It's hard to think of leaving this apartment I've spent most of my adult life and would stay longer if I could (even while the paint peels and plaster crumbles around me.) The new units are enticing, but also entail more money, which seems a precarious thing to think about now that I am out here on my own without that steady, regular paycheck.
The good thing is I can always work harder for more money--a luxury (or a curse) that I did not have as a salaried employee. And have the bandwidth to do so if necessary. So we shall see...comparable rents in the neighborhood aren't much shinier and certainly not as lovely. I thought about buying, condos or house but excessive student loan debt and abysmal savings aren't promising, nor do I like the idea of having to upkeep a home on my own (ie, the risk that your fridge breaks or heating system dies and you suddenly have to spend hundreds to fix it.) There's a safety in renting from unplanned expenses I've appreciated, as well as in-house fixers for shit that breaks. I think I am destined to be a lifelong renter. But these decisions are still a year or so off, since I'll likely be renewing my lease for another year and staying put.
In other news, I got another proof copy for animal, vegetable. monster, earlier in the week and we are very close to having a book. I think there are just a couple margin issues I will fix and I'm done. I've been busy with lessons and press work and just generally occupied this week, so my promo push will have to wait for early April when I will start posting content, trailers, and order info. I'm aiming to have it released before my birthday at the end of the month.
Other than that, I wait for fairer weather and am making my way through season 2 of Bridgerton, which is a sort English major Austenesque treat and design/dress porn rolled into one. I've also been watching the posts out of AWP with interest. I'm of conflicting emotions on a conference that costs writers that much to attend and only serves the writing biz/academic establishment, but have appreciated the feeling that everyone is in one place (well not everyone, but more people than usual in one place.)
