For quite some time now, I have been contemplating moving out of New York. The people are rude, the prices are high – and the sharks in the business world far outweigh the bait. So now that I am no longer working at the Herald and no longer living in my apartment – this is the perfect time…
…which is why in less than twelve hours – I will be on a plane – and on the way to San Diego, California.
For now, I will be staying there for at least a month, and “rebooting” my life. I will do a lot of thinking, soul searching – and living, something I can’t do here in my current situation. In other words, I am the type of person that needs completely new surroundings in order to re-evaluate my life – and while I’m there – that is exactly what I am going to do.
While there, I will be staying with my friends Wendi and Karen, and seeing my friends Sandy and Deborah. All four of them have been extremely supportive and helpful regarding this trip – and I am very thankful for that.
I call this a trip and not a vacation because it is the farthest thing from that – it is a necessity. If I do not go on this trip, I will not be able to deal with the issues in my life that are currently plaguing me, and will be unable to do any soul searching and become a better person. While I am very much looking forward to seeing my friends and the beautiful city of San Diego – I am looking even more forward to re-introducing myself to the one person I have missed very much – myself.
I depart from JFK thanks to my cousin Steve who got me a “Buddy Pass,” which entitles me to a flight at a severely discounted rate. I will be stopping over at either Phoenix or Vegas, and then continuing my trip to what may very well become my new home. I know many people that have transplanted themselves to California and become extremely successful – and I think that if I play my cards right – I can do that too.
I have packed nearly every piece of clothing I own, including suits, résumés, tearsheets and anything else I will need to transplant myself. Christine has Beavis and I know she will take good care of him, my stuff is in storage and is safe – and honestly, even though I am typing this column here in Brooklyn – my mind, heart and soul are already there.
I have always been a proud Brooklynite and New Yorker and have written many articles and columns about how great this city is – but it has seriously deteriorated since my younger days. Even yesterday, as I went to a meeting in Downtown Brooklyn, I hopped on the #2 train and got shoved off the train by a man who looked at me after I expressed my disgust at him and said, “I have to go to work, that’s how it is!”
As a plane I am on leaves the ground tomorrow for the first time since September of 2004, I will certainly miss certain people here in Brooklyn, but I will not miss the city itself – because in all honesty – I no longer consider it my home.
California, here I come.