Many of you know that we are moving to Washington DC this summer. We're excited. As always though, there is the headache of finding a place to live, schools, making new friends, etc.

This time it's gonna be easier though. We're going to rely on the free market, scarcity and competition. Here's how...

I have to be out there in March. Ginet and our contributions to the gene pool will come when school is out. I'll have about three months to find a place for us to live, where we'll attend church, good places to run, ride, swim, eat and so on.

When I get out there I'll attend church in a couple of different congregations. As I introduce myself in Sunday School, I'll say, "Hi my name is Zach. We're moving out here in late June. I have a wife and four kids. We'll show up every Sunday, whether you want us to or not. We've had variety of experiences helping out in church. We own a truck and know how to help people move. My wife is a great cook and knows how to take meals to new move-ins, new babies, sick people and survivors of the recently deceased. We don't require much care and feeding. SO, if YOU would like US to be in your congregation we'd like YOU to find US a house. We can pay X amount of dollars in rent. We require at least X square feet in the house." I'll go on to give them the other specifics we require about yard size, bathroom fixtures, carpet colors, appliances, HVAC specs, shingle size, lighting and so on and so forth. Once my introduction is done I'll pass out our family resume with our contact information. Finally I'll ask, "Whose house am I having dinner at tonight - because I'd be happy to interview for the position as well." Then I'll sit back and watch the offers roll in.

It's already well documented that my wife is cool. This year for Christmas she gave me the gift of more time. Ohhh, you say, I didn't know you could purchase that from Costco. Well you can't, but don't fret, here's the skinny.

I'm not a big fan of the dark. Not really scared of it per se, just prefer daylight. I've got more energy for getting stuff done when the sun is up. If I have to run an errand at night, I'll frequently break down and drive, even if the distance is less than a mile. Those days are over. She bought me a light for my bike.

It's amazing. It's bright enough that oncoming cars were perplexed. They could tell I wasn't a car, but my new light was bright enough that they knew I was more than a flashlight. The collective reaction was to slow down and pull as close to the shoulder of the road as they could.

How does all this translate into more time? I can now get up and get riding before the roosters are up. I could also head out the door just as the sun is going down if need be.

Thanks to zimbio.com for the photo.