It's funny, with the kids out of school this week, we have all this "time" (hah hah) to "catch up" !
Which means, we've been busier than ever. Monday, we went to the County Recorder's office to submit our passport applications. Tuesday night, we went to Tuesday Dinner at our longtime moto-friend's Jack's house. I caught up with friends who I've now known pushing 20 years, but our kids were the only kids there. Wednesday, I went out for Coffee and Cheesecake (though a disagreeable GI system ruled both those out) with a different segment of my life, my Mom friends, who I've now known pushing 10 years. Somewhere in there, Dave and I dropped off and picked up our cars for service -- my 10yo car failed smog and needed service; hopefully it will pass this weekend, but even if it passes, it's time to start thinking about car #3 in my life.
So at Coffee with my Mom friends, we decided to team up for a camping weekend this summer! So odd, this intersects both parts of my lives: I used to camp a LOT with my moto-friends, though all on motorcycles and only caring for myself -- now I'm doing it in a car, meeting up with Mom friends, and with children -- lots of them. Both worlds involve tents, but are universes apart!
Recently I've mused about what I'd have been like, who I'd be, if I hadn't been raised in the most urban environment there is in the USA. I really loved the city life as a kid, though of course it's all I knew -- but as an adult, I really gravitated toward the outdoor-lifestyle more easily afforded on the West Coast. What would I have been like had I been raised in the suburbs in the world's most perfect climate, as my children are? And if my parents had been into camping and skiing as much as I am now? Probably very sheltered as my own kids will be -- I'm pretty sure I was raised with harsh reality as a daily partner, whereas my children are just one step shy of the proverbial silver spoon. I really have no idea which is worse or better. My drive to take them camping and skiing competes with an underlying urge to show them what Real Life is about -- but what the hell do I know? And how strong is my desire to show them the rest of the world? Is it just passing talk to make myself feel better about being so comfortable? Sure is easy to claim that I want them to know how the rest of the world lives from my 2-story 4-bathroom home with two well-stocked refrigerators -- as long as we don't get too uncomfortable. I want them to know how privileged they are, but without causing myself any discomfort. Does that make me a total hypocrite?
That said, I'm OK with some "discomfort" planning camping in relatively luxurious Silicon Valley!
4/19/12
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