Back in 1988 I wrote a paper for an urban studies class at the University of Washington entitled, "West Seattle - Backing into the Future." It was an unflattering piece, to say the least.

At the time, I had some gripes with West Seattle that I thought were serious: no decent restaurants or movie theaters or other urban cultural attractions; no decent pizza; a decidedly unhip and old fashioned shopping junction; in general, a "being left behind" quality to life and a deadness in the overall vibe. Life seemed to just be moping along. A bit opinionated, ya think? In any case, that was my view then.

I moved away across town, yet kept my connection with West Seattle through visits to family members who maintained their West Seattle lifestyle.

Then about four years ago a kind of re-attraction began. No dramatic thoughts or conscious decisions. Yet I saw myself leaning back to West Seattle in so many ways. I switched my YMCA membership from the University District to West Seattle. Right there I'm coming over three times a week - sometimes four.

I found an honest and excellent car repair place (the Foreign Car Workshop) across the street from the "Y." (My '83 Subaru demanded kind, quality attention.)

I kept up my regular appointments with West Seattle Dental Clinic (the fabulous Dr. Dunham and Micki, his wonderful hygienist). I began to shop at the PCC on California as a convenience as I was over here anyway. In short, all the things you do in your neighborhood, I began doing here!

So, as I took up a search for office space to open a private counseling practice and guitar lesson business, I simply knew it had to be in West Seattle. No decision necessary. It had been decided and somehow I followed. I had become a West Seattleite.

Sometimes just listening and following that voice inside that tells us what to do leads us in unexpected directions. For me, it was back to West Seattle. What fun to follow it and see what happens. And what a good thing that I have followed it here. We change, times change, places change. Or perhaps an ability to appreciate a sense of community grows within. Who knows? I do know that our urban village fosters that sense and people seem to live into it.

My business percolates, and I have a wonderful partner (James Bederaux-Cayne) who I share the office space with. Who knew that the place I called "boring and unhip" in 1988 would have become a warm and welcoming community which I am grateful to have found my way back to.