But these places and these faces are getting old
Chris Daughtry
I’m staring out into the night, trying to hide the pain
I’m going to the place where love
And feeling good don’t ever cost a thing
Let’s face it. Everywhere sucks to some degree. No mater where you live (with the probable exception of Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi) there will always be something you love about it as well as something you can’t stand. Having lived in two states, one province, two coasts and two countries in the last 28 months, I totally get that. Trust me.
In January of 2009 my daughter and I moved to the Toronto suburbs so I could take a job hosting a morning radio show on a brand new station. We packed up our life and moved to Canada only to later find out the assjacket station owner never had everything fully ready to go.
We sat there for 8 months living off the money I had, before realizing the station was never going on the air, so we left Canada and moved to Buffalo. Why? I couldn’t afford to go to California and Buffalo was close and cheap.
Over the past few months, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the future and I’ve decided that when Drama Queen finishes up 8th grade in June, we’re heading home to Southern California. I’m not sure where yet. I’d like to try to get back to Long Beach and the friends she went to school with from K-half of 6th with, but I’m not sure if that can happen.
I have some health concerns (more than the recent heart attack) and the reality is that I don’t have any friends here that I would feel comfortable calling in an emergency. It’s just the way it is. When I was working, I worked crazy hours and was too burned out to socialize. When I wasn’t working, I was poor and was unable to drive for a few months, which makes it difficult to get out and meet new people.
The bottom line is that we’re very much alone out here and it’s really getting to me. I have no support system. No friend to sit down with and vent about the shit in my life, or talk about the good stuff. As far as family, it’s just my mom and brother and they’re both back in California. I feel very lonely and I’m tired of feeling that way.
Be careful what you wish for,
‘Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don’t want.
‘Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don’t want.
These past two years have sucked some major balls. Take that as you will. I moved to the Toronto suburbs to take the next step in my radio career, only to get punched in the junk by a fat asshole. It’s all gone downhill from there. Buffalo is OK, but I would much rather be back around my friends.
I’m not sure how I’m going to handle this move financially or logistically, but I have to do it. I really feel like I need to move back for my health–physical, mental and emotional. Isn’t it funny how having friends nearby makes life a little better?
I will be looking for a place to live, hopefully in Long Beach, but I’m willing to look other places. If you know of a house which will be available for rent in early July, please let me know. It needs to be a house, because of Lucy.
I’m also going to be looking for a job and would appreciate it if you could keep your ears open. My dream would be to go back on air or to do something creative, but I’m open.
On a positive note, Wes the Sports Guy (my radio co-host) managed to arrange some studio time so he and I can go in and work on a demo. Not only are we getting studio time, we’re getting on air time, which means you can listen (both on radio and via Internet) as we cut the new demo and you can participate.
Wes and I will be tweaking the format of the show and taking it from a complete sports show, to something that includes both sports and humorous pop culture. Until we find a real gig, we will be starting up our weekly podcast again and we do have an offer to come to a small college station until we find a paying on air job. That means you can hear me rant every week. Maybe that’s a good thing and maybe not.
I’m looking forward to re-connecting with my friends and my VC homies as well as finally meeting those of you I’ve become friends with via the blog and Twitter. Packing again and moving cross country is no fun, but I honestly believe in my heart that its the right thing to do. This was a long agonizing decision, but I’m confident that I made the right decision. God I hope I did.
But these places and these faces are getting old
I said these places and these faces are getting old
So I’m going home, I’m going home
I said these places and these faces are getting old
So I’m going home, I’m going home
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I know exactly what you mean about being surrounded by friends and family. I packed up and moved out of state just once, built a life and stayed for 6 years. And then I moved back home to Southern California. (I’m so sorry! I wish I knew of some jobs/houses for you, but I don’t.) I think of all the places I would love to live. The idea of moving away again is very appealing to me, but the thought of starting over with no friends or family nearby keeps me here. It would probably be different if I was… Read more »
When you know it is right, it is right. Clearly, you now are not Home.
So, go.
And good luck!
Came from TRDC.
Thanks Kim! The wings are great and so is the pizza, but it’s not home. Thanks…..
Visiting from TRDC…hope that this is the start of some really great things for you!
Congrats on the move, I know it will all work out for you. Please please please post where we can follow you and Wes on line. I can’t wait to here you on the radio.
Thanks Karen. Right now our website, http://www.wesandjr.com is looking very shabby. We’re doing a whole site re0design, but there are some audio clips to listen to. On the main page is a promo for the new project and my voice is the first one you hear. If you do listen, please let me know what you think. I quickly set up my mixer and mics in the dining room and I edited it quickly on my Mac. I need to get into a studio…
That made me cry a little, but in a good way. I always wondered how you ended up in Buffalo of all places!
You absolutely have to go where your heart leads you! And your reasons? They make perfect sense and I would do the same thing in your shoes.
Thanks Jenn. The road to Buffalo kinda sucked ass. The Canada job would have been great for the resume and it would have been fun. I was going to be JR In The Morning on CFAO. I was also going to be the color analyst for junior hockey broadcasts. Too bad the dude never got the station on the air. He brought me in from California and a guy in from a few hours away. The crappy thing is I left a station to take this opportunity. Oh well….
Wow!!! I believe in family and friends, and if you have them, all is good!! Going home will provide comfort, and flexibility with DQ, she needs her grandma and Uncle too, sounds like a win-win to me!! Good luck, can’t wait to see how this journey unfolds. My dad always says…Better days are coming – and this is coming from a man in a wheelchair for the last 12 years – if he can have hope, we all can ! I gotta believe it !
Thanks Deanna. I forgot to mention I have a niece who is 18 months that I have never seen before and a nephew I haven’t seen in 2 years. DQ is an only child, so being around young cousins will be good too.
Though I hate to read that you’re leaving, I see you’ve given it a great deal of thought and it makes perfect sense. Great decision, man. Besides, you’ve suffered though enough Buffalo winters.
Tyrone–I forgot that you live in the ‘Cuse. I think I need to get out there for a couple beers before I go. You ever come out to Buffalo?
This is the best decision EVER! I think being close to real friends & family is going to make a world of difference-both mentally & physically for you and DQ. I can’t imagine how hard the move will be, but if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask, ok??
Best decision you’ve made yet. You’re going to be so much happier. Don’t worry, I won’t say I told ya so a long time ago. Happy for you and DQ that you’re doing this. Besides, Buffalo? Pffft.
J
Congrats to you and your family! I’m not sure you can really go wrong with Southern California. Besides, I’ve found that some things won’t leave you alone and I’m guessing this is one that would have bugged you until you moved. Will be looking forward to the podcast!
Thanks Christina. It should all be fun. I really miss doing radio.
I’m glad that you’ve found the path that is right for you. I know that you’ll make it happen; you’re due for something good 🙂
Thanks Kat, fingers crossed!
It sounds like the right decision JR!! So happy for you and your drama queen!
Good luck with everything. We’re all rooting for you!
Just think, no more crappy ass winters to deal with…
Thanks Susanne. The winters will definitely improve, but I will say that there is something cool about trudging down an icy street to go see a hockey game and surfing on Christmas is great, but not quite the same as a white Christmas. There is good and bad in both places. If I had family and some friends out here, it would be a lot different.
Yay! I’m so excited!! I can’t wait to go. I want the guided tour through all of the places I have been told all about. This is gonna be great!
I think getting back on track with the radio is the best choice you can make. Im proud of you and cant wait to see what good things happen next.
I love you!
Muse–Thanks. It should be interesting.
Jamie–Appreciate it! Sounds like your SD party will be off the chain and shit…
YAY!
This is going to be a very good move. I just know it.
Congratulations, babe.
You and your daughter deserve some good things in your life.
Here’s to new beginnings in old places . . .
Cheers!
Kris
Thanks Kris. I’m excited, yet a bit scared at the same time. Know what I mean?