new spaces

I was talking to a fellow blogger (Devon Kelley-Yurdin, http://www.moodhair.blogspot.com/, http://www.devonkelley-yurdin.com/ really pretty art), and she said, “that’s the thing with bogging. At some point in every entry, you always regress to how overwhelmed you are with life.”

Yes, Devon, that’s what I’ve been doing. I’m going to stop now. The vast majority of the time, I do not feel overwhelmed by life. It’s just when I feel like writing, it’s usually because I feel overwhelmed by life.

Not tonight! Tonight I feel optimistic and in control. Until I look around at all of the untended-to papers scattered on my desk. Or until the dog starts barking and chasing the cat who is hissing and running over the keyboard, which is happening right now. I am completely in control of life! Nothing overwhelming happening here!

Anyway, Square One needs a new place to live. My current landlord has told me more lies that I can continue to count. The space is cold; we share a nasty men’s restroom with the restaurant next door, which thumps Baliwood bass no matter how many times I ask, “please, please, for the love of Krishna, will you turn that music down?” We need more space for more yoga mats, or will soon. And the biggest sin of all: I pay too much. I won’t sign another lease. I just won’t do it. That means I need to be out by March 1.

I found a place I really liked in Oakland. It was perfect in so many ways. High ceilings, good location, patio, owner willing to do a lot of the work, very, very cheap rent. But the city of Oakland is going to require me to get a conditional use permit, which costs $2500. I just don’t have it. Not with first month, last month, security. Not with a new commission-based career and absolutely no idea when I’ll see my next paycheck.

That’s why you all need to buy a house now and buy it from me! Square One is about to be homeless! Tell your friends, damn it!

Right now though, I am really not overwhelmed. Truthfully. I’ll find something. I’m just not sure how ideal it will be. Emeryville doesn’t have the same permit problems as Oakland, although my idea of putting us in a really cheap warehouse simply isn’t permitted, even in business-friendly Emeryville. I’m just not hip enough to be illegal. What’s next?

The space right next door is available, but I don’t like it. It has low, asbestos-tile ceilings. I’m going to go in there and see what’s above them, but it doesn’t seem promising. I will keep looking. Calmly. And when I’m not calm, I’ll try not to blog about it. Too much.