South of Sunnyside started as an exploration for me; I had blogged before starting here, but not consistently, and without focus. With the crash of the housing market I found myself trying to cope with the loss of value and potential community in my neighborhood, and I needed a way to process all that Kim and I were experiencing. Looking back over the last several months, the posts started to wane as I started to feel more and more like we were fighting a battle we just can’t win. I’ve since turned my attention outside of the neighborhood.

With the New Year comes new commitments: I avoided the typical weight loss pledges and resolved to trim the blogging fat. I’m consolidating my blogs and tidying up my web footprint.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll turn the lights out, and point everything to my latest endeavor, JamesCollier.me. All old links and content will be kept, they’ll just be under a new domain, archived with all of my current thoughts. I’ll do the same with jrcollier.com and a few other sites I’ve dabbled with.

All of this is really so I can focus more on my passions, especially Paprika Studios and TasteFresno (and maybe a new idea or two).

To those who have read and commented, thank you.

Me thinks the opening of the highway isn’t far off…

It’s a project that I’m very attached to, and I’ve had my head down in code working on the third generation of the site, which launched late Sunday night. If you’re a foodie—read, if you like food—check it out. It’s a community site, so you can create an account, share recipes, review local restaurants, and salivate. I’ve been doing that a lot lately (working on the site and all).

Once I get a few more wrinkles ironed out, I’ll be finishing up the re-design of South of Sunnyside—it’ll add a bit of personality to my words, I promise.

Okay, your turn: what have you been up to?

1. That the Baskin Robbins commercials are effective (I’m not debating whether or not they’re annoying)
2. That if you’re going to go out at night for ice cream and cake, you should make sure that you don’t have a headlight out
3. That if you do have a headlight out, and you get pulled over, you should make sure you that your registration doesn’t say September 2009, and that your insurance card isn’t from 2007
4. That Fresno PD can be very understanding
5. That ice cream and a slice of cake are much more economical than ice cream cake

There you have it. Knowledge is power, and power tastes like ice cream and cake (and cake).

So why are my neighbors hanging Christmas lights?

At least they’re taking their time and hiding all the cords…

Me: We’re looking for a fast-growing shade tree to plant next to our front bedroom.

Nursery owner: Well, how tall do you want it to grow? How tall is your house?

Me: (thinking)

Kim: (in serious tone) Well, it’s a single-story house. I don’t know—100 feet?

Nursery owner: (looking at Kim like she’s crazy)

Me: (looking at Kim like she’s crazy)

Kim: (with a look that acknowledges that her calculations are a little off) Oh, no, it’s probably more like 65 feet.

Me: Let’s go with 15-20 feet.

Nursery owner: Right. Well, maples are probably what you’re looking for.

I love her more every day.

Further east, the merge onto the old highway is completed, and can be driven on (it’s required, actually, if you want to travel past Temperance Ave.). So, what are they going to do over the next two years?

Please stop it. You’re being ridiculous.

Fast forward a few years: I left my role at Community Food Bank to take on a newly-created role at Fresno Pacific University. I worked down the hall from Kim’s father, John, who has been vice president of finance there since 2003.

I left the university in February to pursue my own business; two weeks ago, an announcement circulated around campus that John would soon leave, as well, after accepting the job of vice president of finance for…wait for it…Fuller Theological Seminary.

(Didn’t see that one coming, did you?)

Obviously, this is an exciting time for John and the family. The transition will be slow, as Kim’s twin siblings will finish high school here, but within two years we’ll be the only family members left in Fresno—since that seems to be one of the re-occurring themes among boomerangs and creatives, this could get interesting…

I’ve noticed that when it comes to sunlight, many Americans don’t have access to adequate sun coverage. Such people often defer to tanning beds for “emergency” treatment to avoid long lines at public clinics pools. They cut holes in perfectly good walls so that they can filter in light and heat from the outside.

It’s just not right.

We in the Valley have an over-abundance of sun coverage—really, much of it is taken for granted and goes to waste. We have more than our share of heat and natural light, so I think we should spread the wealth. (Call me a socialist if you must.)

I propose a solar reform. Access to sunlight for all.

Contact your congressman; tell them I sent you.