It is Official

I've made it official. I have alerted the post office of my address change. I am begrudgingly becoming a Nevada resident (for now, at any rate). I have found a lot of scenic beauty here in Reno. A different kind of beauty. Drier - much drier. I have also found a hell of a lot of strip malls. Seems the best way to navigate around these parts is to 'turn right at the Target' or 'go straight past the Win-Co and then you'll see it on your left'. Perhaps it is that way in most areas. Maybe once I familiarize myself with this town I'll see more than the casinos and big box stores. I can be an elitist, I guess. The Sierra Nevada's are beautiful and Lake Tahoe took my breath away. I'll focus on that.

I have applied for about 20 jobs, most of them online. So far not even a nibble. I have only met a few people since I've been here - part of the problem was that I threw out my back and barely left the house for about 3 weeks. When Steve signed me up for Match.com, I thought I might meet an acquaintance, at least, to help show me the ropes. Nope - didn't find a single "real" man there. Only Nigerian scammers. Sorry he wasted his money. I appreciate the sentiment behind his gift, however.

Haven't heard a peep out of my friend, Verna. But, I'm not surprised. I have never met anyone else who has as many jobs and works as hard as she does. Seven days a week she is a fitness instructor, personal trainer, community-college instructor and Pier One clerk and cashier. She needs all of those jobs in order to make her house payment and eat. And, oh yes, she's taking 2 college courses to complete her exercise physiologist certification. I saw that she was leading a fitness hike in Virginia City last weekend. Her objective is to make people have so much fun, they forget that they are working out. Great idea.

I have walked through 6 or 7 casinos in town. You know what job I want? Carpet designer for casinos. Have you ever looked at that stuff? Amazing array of colors and shapes and flowers. Wonder what kind of psychological research goes into floor covering decisions? Perhaps its purpose is to not only hide stains but elevate the mood of patrons, so that they feel 'lucky' and pump more dollars into the slot machines.

The casinos have been pretty empty, though, when I've strolled through. Maybe it is because I usually walk through during the afternoon. But, I bet business is way down from a few years ago. The cocktail waitresses I've seen look like the most senior members of the staff. They have been teetering on those 3 inch heels for many, many years and make it look easy. They still have smiles on their tired faces, though.

Never in all of my days did I think I'd wind up in this town. Perhaps the ghost of my father had something to do with it?