I Want to Believe in Myself Once Again...

So I just returned from the Third Circle of Hell in which I was raised...

'Twas interesting. I got to spend some time with the two guys I used to always get into shenanigans with the last year I lived there before I met Rachel. It was very eye-opening to see how our paths have diverged. Don't get me wrong...they are true friends and have always been there when I needed them but I've just grown up I guess. They are both working dead end jobs while I am ever rising in a major company and am going to start shopping for a house next year (which trust me, takes a hell of a lot more in the Valley than it does back there) as well as having started many significant side projects (the jazz band I play in, the production company &c)...

It was also nice seeing Sirch and the old group from the Game Store. Although it was amusing how little I've kept in touch. Half the people there were at the party I had met Rachel at and some of them thought we were still together. I got a good laugh out of that. It was almost as funny as Kathryn's voice mail asking us to go see Petersen speak at a rally last year (which was also amusing since I was an active volunteer for his campaign at the time calling people to come to the same rally).

All in all it really was a trip of self-reflection. Since I've left there I've gone from sodomizing dress codes to always being named "best dressed" at work. I have completely freed myself from all connections with organized religion. The other amusing thing is just how many of my old compatriots have either gotten married (pitiful archaic custom) or have had kids (with most of those I know not exactly intentional...still successful on avoiding that issue...hanger jokes aside). I've gotten several articles published in journals and am working on getting one I co-wrote with my father (on the practical possibilities of microbial life on Eurpoa) published.

Some things were hard going back. Seeing that mom still holds to her delusions of faith, seeing the state of most of my friends, seeing the grip that peasant superstitions still hold on that town (couldn't even order a Martini when Stripey and I got some grub...wtf). I guess the truth is that I just outgrew that town and probably had done so when I was back in High School. I need a big city where I can catch anything from an Opera to some damn good jazz. (On that note...gotta love the rhythm room....seeing Buckwheat Zydeco there only falls second to when we all went to see The Who earlier this year).

When I got back to Phoenix Katie was asking me all sorts of questions. She raised the issue of if we (Rachel and I) had not moved out here when we did, would I be the same as my friends. I can honestly say no. Anyone that knows me knows that I have such a drive for my key passions (education, music, writing, and film) that I had not choice to leave such a po-dunk town and would have left no matter what. With my next vacation in the spring I was thinking about going back but think I'll take the time and either go sailing with the girls or head down to the Coronado mountains again. Although of course, next fall will be my free trip to Waikiki (Nice perk of business travel -- I get to keep all of my frequent flyer miles and hotel points for personal use) I already have 1.5 round trips with SWA and have 4 free nights of Marriot points for the Waikiki beach and 3 with Hilton but by the time I take the trip I'll will have spent so much damn time in Warner Center (in Woodland Hills) that I will have a full weak at the Marriot on the beach that it will suffice to just stay there...plus anyone that knows me knows why I am now officially creeped out by Hilton Hotels...Gold level VIP or not...

Well Alas, must finish some chores and do an EKR before the day is out. I've got to leave time to get music ready for our annual new years bash of insanity.