My Next Step

Last week was my last day at a job that allowed me to live a comfortable life but was unsatisfying. It was a tough decision, but it felt like the right move. Now, I have to figure out what's next.

One reason why I decided to leave was because I wasn't passionate about what I was doing. I have the chance to find my calling which could involve writing for a living. The thing is, I din't know if I have the stones to try. The reason I never pursued film school was I couldn't see myself living life of a starving artist, and I wanted security. All that got me was regret.

So, now what? Do I try to make it in a field that's hard to break in to or do I play it safe? That's a tough one.

My Ocean Front Property

Being in Galveston for Thanksgiving has reminded me how much I like being next to the ocean (the gulf in this instance).

I know that this is a pipe dream, but I need to end up somewhere that is close to the water. Ideally, Hawaii or Mexico would be the place I end up, but I'm not picky.

There's just something about being in a beach community that's appealing to me. Maybe it's the people, or the vibe, or the atmosphere that does it for me. Regardless, this is when I feel the most at home.

My New Goal Revisited

Last August, I made a goal for myself that I would be back in the Pacific Northwest in a year's time. Obviously that time has come and gone, and I'm still here in Texas, so that didn't end up happening, but I have been giving it more thought over the last couple of weeks.

The original plan was for me to end up Seattle since I had already experienced Portland, but in all reality I'd be happy with either. Heck, anywhere on the West Coast would be nice at this point (well, almost. Don't know about L.A.). I just feel like being on that side of the country would match up with who I am better than my current location even though I'm a Texan born and raised.

Honestly, I think I'm just nostalgic for what I had in Portland, and I'd like to have it back. The thing is, I don't want to give up what I have here in Texas either. While being back home, I've realized how much I need to be around my family, and I've been spoiled by being so close to them over the past two years. I don't know if I can go back to living half-way across the country and only getting to come home once or twice a year.

If I was a smart man, I'd compromise and settle down in Austin which has similar sensibilities as Seattle and Portland  but is still close to those I love. I just don't want to feel like I missed out on something by not living in Seattle for a spell. Plus, I've always gotten by on my looks and not on my brain ;)

My Return to the Darkside

This Tuesday, Apple should be sharing information about the next generation of the iPhone and with all of the buzz going around, I have to admit that I'm thinking about going back to the darkside known as Apple.

Prior to the iPhone 4 launch, I was in the market for a new phone but I became disenfranchised due to antenna gate and Steve Jobs half-assed approach to the debacle. I ended up jumping ship to Android and bought the HTC Aria.

Now, I've been happy with my Aria, but it could not replace my original iPhone. Sure, being able to root my phone and have more control over what I could do with it was a nice change, but I missed the bells and whistles that came with the iPhone. In the end, the Aria just couldn't compare.

Sure, I could upgrade to another Android handset, and I've been tempted by the Droid Incredible and other similar devices, but the sirens song coming from Cupertino may be too strong. I'll have to see what the new iPhone is all about first, and more than likely I will probably end up going with the iPhone 4 if the price is right, but going back feels kinda dirty.

There is another option which is to be happy with what I have, but for some reason that's not my style. Regardless of which route I take, I'm definitely interested to see what Apple has to say this Tuesday.

My Getaways: Back East

Over the last couple of months, I've made it a point to actually use my vacation time, and I've gone home every time I had some time off. While I love going back home, the last few times I've realized that I need a real vacation. I don't think I have the time or money to go on my dream vacation, but I would like to explore more of the country.

I'll fully admit that I'm a West Coast kinda guy. I've been missing the Pacific Northwest terribly, and I'd love to spend some extended time in San Francisco, but I think I need to check out the Eastern U.S. to see what it has to offer.

There are a few stops that would be mandatory, but I'd like to changes things up a bit too. New York City is a no-brainer mostly because I want to see why so many people heart NY. I don't think I could actually live in a city like NYC, but visiting every once in a while could be fun. Another stop that I'd have to make would be Boston, which for some reason is the only East Coast city that I could see myself living in despite never being there before.

I'd like to go back to Washington, D.C. since I was young when I visited last time, and I'd think I'd appreciate it a lot more a second time around. Another city that would be interesting to check out would be Philadelphia. Again, it's a place I don't think I could settle down in based on what I know about it, but I definitely want to experience it.

Other cities like Pittsburgh and Baltimore would make the expanded list, and since I'm a beach person I'd like to hit up some of the coastal getaways. Oh, and Miami. I'd even be up for visiting places in Connecticut, Maine, and the rest of New England. For an international flavor, I'd be willing to check out Toronto.

Seeing all of theses places is a lofty goal, but one I'm totally willing to strive for. Honestly though, if I'm able to get to a few of them, then I'd be happy. Now, I just need to start saving up...