The Debate

Over the last week or two, we've moved a little bit away from this idea, this idea of plunging into the unknown and dropping into Hawaii for a year, maybe more, maybe forever. Over the last couple days, my own mood has shifted back. Shifted back so strongly that I can't even remember what arguments we've recently used to talk ourselves out of it. So, let me put on my best Rory Gilmore hat and work on a little pro / con list to help keep the debate in focus.

Some why reasons why we should go

1. I want us to explore
2. I want us to have new experiences
3. I want to travel a path where the outcome is unknown

Reasons why we shouldn't

1. We'll be jeopardizing our current lifestyle
2. Uplifting and starting over will expose us to so many unknowns
3. The cost of living in Hawaii is so expensive
4. Our current lifestyle is pretty sustainable
5. It will be a lot of work to make the move
6. We're not very disciplined, and tend to waste time, simply moving is not going to solve this, in fact, adding more flexibility into our lives is likely to make us even less disciplined
7. I will likely have to work many more hours to support us, and as I result I may write less. I may also use that as an excuse not to explore and get us outside whatever "box" we most easily fall into when we first arrive

From a pure list length stand point, it seems to argue that we don't go. But let's try to distill this "against list"

1. fear of losing what we have
2. fear of losing what we have
3. fear of having to work harder and fear of losing what we have
4. fear of having to work harder and fear of losing what we have
5. fear of working harder
6. fear that we can't change and fear that we'll have to admit we're losers and fear of being poor (losing what we have) at the end of the experience
7. fear of working harder

And what about the "in favor" list. What does that distill to?

1. excitement and optimism about where unknown and unplanned for experiences may lead
2. excitement and optimism about where unknown and unplanned for experiences may lead
3. excitement and optimism about where unknown and unplanned for experiences may lead

I'm tempted to say that the reasons against going all have to do with fear while the reasons for going are more about being courageous, but I think that much simplification might be slightly disingenuous. What it really says is that we know what he have in staying, leaving may put much of that at risk, or at least make it much, much harder, and I don't really know what I expect us to find in the new locale.

You know what. I think I'm approaching this wrong. Well, not wrong exactly, but... I think what I should be doing is making arguments for and against staying in Austin. That seems the place where I really need to start. I can move on from there to fors and against moving to Hawaii.

Hawaii. Surfing

Hawaii. Surfing
Originally uploaded by Bracani....Antonio

night surf in hawaii

night surf in hawaii
Originally uploaded by venicewow

just a little daydreaming

So I am sitting at work taking a quick lunch. I keep thinking "I'd rather be in Hawaii." Said of course with my new Hawaiian accent. I could be out enjoying the beautiful weather and swimming in the wonderful ocean. Rather I sit here wondering how I will pass the next five hours. Five hours - how will I pass the next two years?! Lot's of fun and exciting things will be happening over the next two years (not to rush those along too fast), but I can't wait until 2010. Nothing exciting will be happening over the next 5 hours though, so I wish I could hurry them along.

Awesome job setting up the blog. I love the pictures! Thanks.

Aloha!