Thursday, December 10, 2009

THROWING IN THE TOWEL

Four years, two months, ten days. That’s how long I’ve lived in the boonies. And hopefully I won’t have to count the days much longer. I met with a realtor today to list the house. Rural life hasn’t worked out. I need to get back to the city.

I suppose things might have been different if I didn’t have a ferry to govern my trips to the city (and my friends’ visits to see me). I don’t mind driving distances, but I like to have control in when I travel. Being dependent of the ferry schedule broke me.

Of course, it was more than that. I’m simply not a country boy. Folks I met here avoid going to Vancouver at all costs; I, on the other hand, yearn for any excuse to get there. Dairy Queen Blizzard? Road trip! (That is a head scratcher. How could this area not even have a DQ? If anyone cares, it’s a goldmine of a franchise for these parts.)

I tried Internet dating, but guys were quick to press Delete (and maybe a blocking mechanism) when I explained where I lived. I even went to a couple of gay/lesbian events here. Typically, I was the only single guy amongst a horde of women and a handful of coupled senior men. People were nice, but I couldn’t find a connection.

Moving is always stressful. I’ve moved eighteen times since university so it shouldn’t be such a big deal, but it is. The angst heightens in the middle of the night, leaving me with raccoon eyes that are becoming more and more dramatic. What if the house doesn’t sell? What will I ever be able to afford in the Vancouver market? Should I rent? Who will rent a place to a guy with two dogs? What if I forget what traffic lights are for?

Breathe. One step at a time. The sign goes up Monday. Fingers crossed for a quick sale.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I admire you for sticking with it for so long... Coming from a big city myself, and having lived in my small (island!) city for almost ten years, I can empathize with you about some of that feeling of isolation. I've reached a point where I definitely won't move anywhere smaller than this, but would also think twice about an urban centre. My partner, on the other hand, is always wanting us to move to Van... But it won't happen any time soon, so don't worry: We (and our dog) won't be competition during your upcoming real estate hunt!

Aging Gayly said...

Thanks for the comment. I think having a partner might have made a difference. Either he would have insisted we get back to the city after two months of living my rural fantasy or perhaps he'd have made the isolation not matter so much. Fictional partners can be so perfect, you know!