The aurora borealis calls to me.

Unlike my beloved Jaelle, I have not been bounced from house to house like a superball in a hurricane. Though I've traveled for as far back as I can remember, home has always been the Portland area. I grew up out here. I've seen my home town change drastically. I've witnessed the changes wrought on surrounding communities, as familiar landmarks are stripped away or mutated into something both alien and empty.

Also unlike Jaelle, I've never really found much joy or wonder in the city. Granted it has some pleasant benefits such as places to eat and avenues of entertainment, but the trappings of urban life tend more often than not to emphasize the "trap" portion of the word.

So why Alaska? Wyoming is way too flat and featureless, not to mention that my choice of likely natural disasters runs more toward tsunami and lahars than tornadoes. Besides, there is something frontier like about relocating to a rural chunk of Alaska. What that says about my sanity given the level of investment in personal responsibility such a choice demands, I don't know. What I do know is that it's something I've desired for pretty much my whole life.

Now, it looks like the wheels are finally starting to turn, bringing that outcome closer toward reality.

I'm excited. Aware of the huge investment laying ahead, but excited.