"LA's fine but it ain't home, New York's home but it ain't mine no more."
Early in my young adult years as an itinerant musician, I took up temporary residence in Los Angeles, the only extended period of my life when I've actually lived outside of New Jersey. For several reasons, LA and I were not a good fit, which made my return to my beloved home state quite welcome. My unease with LA life in the early 70s also helped to permanently cement Neil Diamond's clever phrase from I Am, I Said into my lyric-addled brain.
More than a half-century later - with visits to my new grandson in Los Angeles a regular occurrence - that lyric now fits me even more snugly. I like it OK out here - that tired and anodyne adjective "fine" is perfect, actually - but I still have trouble picturing myself feeling settled in LA. Great weather, nice vibe, ocean nearby, what's not to love? And if that hoary cliche is at all accurate and home is where the heart is, at present, LA holds many of the winning cards.
Still, hard to predict if the desirable elements and those winning cards will persuade us to re-locate. In the meanwhile, this week the little man and I are perfecting drum interludes from Wipeout, analyzing the cinematography of Citizen Kane, and translating The Odyssey from the ancient Greek. Stay tuned for regular updates.
Well sounds like LA was missing an important ingredient until now. How fortunate to have a little buddy to lavish all that good learning and good loving on!
ReplyDeleteRegina; Thanks for the comment.
DeleteHave you considered renting?
ReplyDeleteCookie; Thanks for the comment. We've talked about renting and are still considering it but given the cost, our best alternative is probably to try living in our car.
DeleteHey Pat,
ReplyDeleteCould this be related to your earlier post 'But, However Still'. Again, an interesting and difficult quandary to be in. My sister and Brother In Law recently moved back to NJ after living in Buffalo for 3 years to be near their grandchildren. But, as has been suggested above, they are renting an apartment - in a house directly downstairs from their son/daughter in law, and grandchildren (quite convenient) and they live there when they visit - they're going to try one week a month, but the 7 hour drive isn't that easy.. It made telling their grandchildren that they were moving a little easier.
Be well,
Bob
Bob; Only a reader as attentive as you would notice the close parallel between this post and "But, However, Still"; thanks for that. The tiny difference is the earlier one was referencing my ambivalence about moving because of how rich my Act Three friendships are. Friendships like the one I have with people like you, supporters of my music classes and my blog. Can't thank you too many times for that.
Delete