"I shall stay until the wind changes."

And I think it is beginning to change.

I'm seeing evidence of things changing. People here in Colorado are moving to different areas. Vermont. Connecticut. Chicago. Arkansas. Some are people I thought would always stay here.

At the same time, this past winter, a particularly cold one here in Denver, was difficult for Dennis. He was in more pain than usual. He loves the freedom he feels while skiing, but he also suffers with cold, with altitude, and with storms...three things that skiing actually requires. (Unless you ski in Alaska, or perhaps Whistler/Blackcomb, which eliminates the need for altitude.) Worse, he had a fall while skiing this winter that probably aggravated some major rotator cuff pathology. He will require rotator cuff surgery later this year, unfortunately.

Mark has retired, but then he swiftly got bored, and decided to take a job with United. I see him rising in the ranks of wherever he is rather quickly.

And me? Teva has kinda taken over my list of priorities, even surpassing my career. I mean, she is a sentient, lovable being, and I want to provide for her. And money, for now, is not an issue, thanks to the Dad and Bro Benevolent Fund, so to speak.

Upshot

We're getting older, all comfortably in middle age by this point. It's time to start enjoying life a bit more. To cut to the chase, I feel like California is calling us. A few years ago, I contemplated having two places – one in San Luis Obispo, or close to Pismo Beach, which Mark really loves, and one in Palm Springs, which would be more my style, I think. Summers in SLO, the rest of the year in Palm Springs. I'm not interested in PS for its gay scene, really. More for its mid-century and especially its tiki vibes. But it feels like a great place to enjoy our later years. And SLO is nice and moderate, a lovely and mellow college town with vineyards and great scenery all around. And a gorgeous beach. It feels like this might be a possibility. In both cases, altitude, storms, and cold are not issues, so Dennis would be in much better shape.

Dennis would be happy to move. He loves Colorado, but he doesn't really have many friends here or much holding him here. I'm in the same boat. My career – such as it is – is not dependent on location.

The only downside is that Mark has just taken on this job that does require him to be here in Denver. At least for now. Who knows what will happen from here? The upshot though, is that Mark needs to be occupied. Boredom never suits anyone, but he is prone to it, unlike me and Dennis.

But it's time to dream, and to see if we can put a foundation underneath them. I think we can. I think it's necessary, actually. Watch the links to the side of this to expand on things I'd like to see in my future.