Living on the Frontier

Lately, I have felt that I reside on the frontier. Now, I am not arguing that Seattle has changed little from when Lewis and Clark first laid eyes upon this bay. Instead, I feel I live in what can be considered a frontier within the modern context. Of course, Seattle is a fully developed and modern place. But lately it has felt far more removed from the remainder of the country. Perhaps, this is the Alaska syndrome (where people from Alaska often feel more a part of Canada than the U.S.). The weather has been relentless, as it has been pretty much anywhere in the country. My apartment has been the victim of several power outages. When these occur, I find myself without heat, hot water, or lights. Of course this provides me an opportunity to enjoy a candle light dinner and read a book. This experience reminds me of living at some remote cabin, not within a metropolitan core. Then the Seahawks make the playoffs, and no-one around the country gives them a chance at winning. It is as if no good football can possibly come from this remote corner of the country, further reinforcing my notion of frontier. Don't get me wrong. I love living on an edge. People are free to be individuals, less influenced by the ebb and flow of national trends. You are free to challenge ideas and be more liberal in solutions...nobody cares if you flop. So the next time the lights go out, just remember how nice it is living on the edge.