Neurotic Ramblings

Archive for July 14th, 2009

*I wrote this last Thursday after a chat with a good friend of mine about
his kid and outdoor activities for kids. After being out of town this
weekend, I think I have a better appreciation for this town and the
foundation it gives its youth. It may not be perfect, glamorous or
innovative, but it’s home.*

Austin was an awesome place to raise to my kids.

I miss Zilker Park. Playing with the kids, walking down the creek, riding
the Zilker Zephyr, children’s museums, just the whole atmosphere.

I fucking miss it like you wouldn’t imagine.

I’m crying right now because it hurts that I took that away from my kids. I
brought them to a shitty ass town with no diversity, where everyone is
judgmental and one-track minded.

I like the fact that people are more family oriented and tight knit here,
but fuck. There’s nothing fun to do! Same old park, same old resacas that
stink and aren’t even pretty to look at.

No driving up by the lake to see the dam. No driving up the hills and
looking at the gorgeous scenery. No picnics at the park, lunches at amazing
restaurants or hanging out in our beautiful apartment just watching movies
and being a family.

And what cuts me even more is that they miss it too. It’s always “Mommy,
remember when we used to take walks by…or go play at…or when you would
take us…” It fucking breaks my heart.

I need to go back. And I will. But I’m afraid by the time I get there my
kids will be “valley kids” with a “valley mentality” and a “valley
attitude”. I would hate that.

I want my kids to grow up appreciating the differences in people. I want
them to explore and expand their knowledge to the brink of their capacity.
I don’t want them to be close-minded. I don’t want them to think that this
is all the world has to offer. I won’t have that.

And I know I can teach them all that here and the way they see the world
doesn’t all have to do with where they live, but how they are raised. I
know that.

It was just so much easier to do that in a city that invites creativity,
praises individuality and opens up the possibilities of the unthinkable.

Three more years, babies. Only three more years.

*As a side note, my monkeys are up in Austin right now spending time with
their cousins and the rest of the other side of the family. They’re having
a blast. And I couldn’t be happier if I tried.*