Virtual Flaneurism

New York Times has a terrific photo-article up entitled "Who Lives There: The Pyramid Atop Seattle's Smith Tower", which looks at the family who lives in a small glass lighthouse atop a nearly forty story tower in Washington. The photos are really worth a look at - I would love to live in a place like this.

Looking at the photos last night, I was immediately smitten with the home and found myself imagining the couple's path toward renting the space. I like to think that their decision to live there was one of those life moments where you initially dismiss an idea as absurd ("Live in a lighthouse atop an office building? Preposterous.") then this reasoning gives way to the realization that the idea is not actually absurd, nor impractical or impossible, and the prospect of doing whatever it is is actually incredibly exciting - an adventure if you will. The most universal example that comes to mind is that moment after a friend offhandedly invites you along on a trip and, after poo-pooing the idea, you realize it is possible for to go, that you really want to go, and finally, that you will go on the trip. It's the freedom of responsible spontaneity, if you will.

In some ways, I think that feeling may be one of my favorites.