To Move or Not to Move

I've been schizophrenic about whether or not to move. I keep going back and forth. We've looked at a few places. As excited as I am when we're looking, I usually decide not to submit an application.

Pros to Moving:
Get the fuck out of a studio apartment.
Starting out fresh as a couple in a new place.
I'm tired of the nomadic strung-out homeless people roaming our corridors.
We can have a mish-mash of combined furniture.
Possibly a bigger kitchen, a bigger bathroom.
A room where we can close the door.

Cons to Moving:
Good-bye $1200 rent.
Our studio is actually a very large, high-ceilinged beautiful apartment.
The one-bedrooms aren't too much bigger than our current situation.
Valet parking.
I adore my cable car commute.
Our choice of nearby Club One facilities.
Dean's friends and favorite watering hole are nearby. I could care less about this one.

So we wait. I'm sure it won't be long before the perfect opportunity comes along.

Breaking News from TMZ

The one thing that keeps me sane at work (besides the vending machine) is having internet access to the celebrity blogs. I just can't get enough! But isn't it interesting how you never have to look past your backyard to get unbelievable news. Like finding out that two people at work were fired for doing the dirty in the stairwell. Smile! You're on candid camera. Holy crappola! The two people are married…but not to each other. And the woman has kids. Un-friggin-believable. I thought my life was crazy!!

It Takes a Village

I don't know the exact figure, but there must be well over a thousand people who volunteer for Burning Man.  There are few paid positions so active volunteerism is truly core to the organization.  The more I'm involved, the more I'm amazed by how it runs so smoothly despite its massive growth.  I am the Volunteer Coordinator for the ARTery which is the group that supports the artists and their artwork. Around this time, we send thank you cards to all those who volunteered or somehow participated in making the event special (like artists). These cards are alphabetized in boxes at headquarters where they are signed by staff, coordinators, and other volunteers. They will be mailed in time for the holidays.

Pulling off what seems like a small task (holiday cards for volunteers) is actually a hefty feat. The card needs to be designed and printed. We collect addresses, double-check addresses, email and bug volunteers for their addresses.  We have to go into the office and sort through thousands of addressed cards to find our volunteers, take the cards out, write cute holiday messages, then put them back.  This is a major operation.  OMIGOD, I was there for hours. And the ARTery is one of the smaller volunteer groups.  Consider that Burning Man runs an airport, a cafe, a post office, a DMV (department of mutant vehicles), emergency services...

I'm so proud to be part of an amazing organization.  Thank you to all those who volunteer.  It couldn't be done without you.