There is something I love about moving. I have moved every year for the past five years; even if only across a courtyard, it was cause for excitement. This year we are two people moving across town. The apartment we spent the past year in was cozy and nice enough, but really only the living/working space had much personality. The new place is much bigger, so it feels almost spendthrift even though it’s a fantastic deal; New Haven is completely spoiling my real estate sense of the real world.
What I find exciting is making all my stuff disappear into boxes and then emerge in a different environment, and then adjusting all of the little rituals that make up my life in order to adapt to those differences. Taking out my contacts, boiling pasta, or putting on my shoes takes on new significance by making me stop and think about each step of the action. In my current apartment, for instance, I adopted a completely new and revolutionary concept of face-washing in the morning— over the bathtub, because the sink is too small to contain all the drips and splashes. It looks ridiculous, but I can be as messy as I want.
I also like the moment of the last look around an empty room, which I always find quite sad, but so loaded with anticipation— not a feeling I’ve experienced in any other situation.
Next week is moving week, and it’s also WWDC! So ready for an iPhone nano. My dad is there and will be sending back live reports.