... moved into the city from a little burg in the country. I have a great fence and a decent yard that I can make a vegetable garden out of - gave up the mortgage and moved to an area that is kinda hip, kinda gangland.

So tonight, I'm sitting in the yard reading a book, drinking some wine and chilling. When I hear what sounds like a drive-by shooting. It was a couple blocks away, and I recognized the sound of a shotgun - weird weapon to use, but anyway.

I came in the house and looked out the front to see cops doing U-turns in front of the house and then the police helicopter flew over - complete with the spotlight.

Freedom wise and financially this area is far better than where we were, but ... then we get this excitement.

You know, living in the country and hearing gunshots - you don't even shrug, but living in the city - it's an odd bird. I'll have to check the papers tomorrow to see what went down.

Strangely enough, though, living in the country I heard so many sirens - waking me up in the middle of the night and all damned day - it seemed. But this little spot in the city is usually quiet and kids ride their bikes and families go for walks together and I see and hear kids playing like the old days.