washwords

Oops, I did it again.

So, last night at my coop board meeting, I asked an innocent question related to of our house rules and our rights and responsibilities as owners. No biggie, totally normal and within the realm of reasonable happenings at a coop board meeting. Right? Right.

Except…. the question I asked was “So, what are the rules about subletting again, as in, can we?” and this is a building of 300 people, 300 people who I went through the grueling coop conversion process with; 300 people who include several friends, one ex-bf and his newlywed wife, also a friend; 300 people who I argued with and against on message boards and meetings over several years.
So, the meeting was barely over when…
“So…. what’s going on?”
“Where are you going? Why are you leaving?”
“What’s happening!!!???”

The truth is that my boyfriend and I have been talking, t a l k i n g, about the future. A future where we might be together… more… permanently. Given that he has dogs and other suburban responsibilities, my beeaaaautttious coop is out for us, so…

I hadn’t realized asking would mean I’d now opened myself to investigation, congratulations, advice and even this gem “So… you’re not sure it would be permanent. Subletting not selling?” I think that friend was kidding. I think.

Lesson learned. Even when you’re anonymous, you’re not. Even when you’re You in Real Life, there are things folks don’t know about you. Till you tell them. Publicly. Oops

Tags: identity, outing, out, living together, talking, future, relationships, moving in together, suburbs, city, coop, rules, coop rules, regulations, oops I did it again

My new friend, Eleni and her husband, are wanting to give. They’re wanting to give big – they’re wanting to give… themselves, to a child who needs them. Below is her letter that asks simply, can you help in any way, big or small, with this giving?

I know mentioning adoption, fertility, babies, spurs emotion of all kind. Whatever it spurs in you, I hope you’ll read her eloquent thoughts and keep her in mind, and in your heart.

Dear Friends:

After five years trying to conceive, we have made the decision to adopt a child. We feel adoption is a beautiful way to bring a child into our lives and to fulfill our dream of becoming parents. We have a lot of love, support, guidance and laughter to give.

Read the rest of this entry »

Why should women settle for Mr. Right Enough? — Newsday.com

BY MEGHAN DAUM | Los Angeles Times, March 3, 2008

…by all means, if you’re truly listening to yourself rather than buying society’s relentless parenthood sales pitch, have a child, find a mate or both. But when it comes to Gottlieb’s case for “settling” at all costs, I can’t help but wonder if what’s missing from the prototypical unhappy single woman’s life isn’t a man or a baby but an imagination.

There are infinite ways to define a fulfilling life. Why enshrine the one whose accompanying illustration shows a marriage certificate and a baby stroller? Talk about settling.