we are the sum of our experiences. here are a few of mine.
the golden state
i used to live in San Francisco. SoMa’s sidewalk joints jolted me awake as my skateboard thumped over them on my morning commute. at work i learned to compete with colleagues sitting right next to me.
my apartment was bare. bed, desk, monitor, with 4 plastic spoons, forks, knives, plates, and bowls. rent: $3550. from the 19th floor i heard glass shatter when crackheads broke into cars outside.
living in California sucked; it was one of the best decisions of my life.
the empire state
i used to live in Manhattan. i lost 65 pounds jogging in Central Park and subsequently learned anything is possible. during my first winter i accidentally bought counterfeit Timberland’s. they deteriorated into rubber crumbs as i sat at my desk in the Financial District.
apartments stretched from Bushwick to East Harlem, Kips Bay and Murray Hill. i went from 4 roommates to 2, to none, to a loft with a spiral staircase and unlimited disposable income.
after 6 years i couldn’t travel further than 10 blocks from my apartment. no taxis, bus, or train. if my feet didn’t take me i didn’t go. i made daily reservations for lunch alone to avoid 3 minute wait times.
the peach state
i used to live in Atlanta. there i learned the definition of Hipster. in rap capital of the world fashion my car, moped, book bag, and many other belongings were stolen. my house was robbed, he took my Xbox.
in Atlanta i was a broke college student with 3 jobs. i started multiple companies and hired employees before having my first sip of alcohol.
the nomadic state
i used to switch countries every few weeks. i wanted to see if 100s of cafes, bars, restaurants, and TripAdvisor tours could make me happy. i started a travel blog and built an app that helped rank my favorite places.
eventually i grew sick of traveling. today i barely tolerate people talking about traveling. a stamped passport is like wearing Hot Topic — another cheap (expensive) attempt to appear interesting.
the ROK
i used to live in Seoul. a nearby Chinese virus had swept the nation and made life less fun than it should have been. between evading the cops and being sued by startups and board game companies i became a full time entertainment personality.
but i am not a circus monkey, i am a builder. so i bought a couple houses online, put my girlfriend (now wife) in a suitcase, and returned to the land of the free.
the Longhorn state
i used to live in Dallas. from my window i heard country music blaring at next door Katy Trail Ice House. women’s wardrobes were simple: yoga pants. i later moved to Austin. same wardrobe.
in one of these places i attended church, in the other i helped open a spa. both are still around today. if you don’t like rivers and microdosing you’re cooked. if you prefer hanging out with 2 people instead of 30, it’s over for you.
the neutral state
“wherever you go, there you are.” it took me a lot of places to learn this. now i live in the woods. when i observe retarded people mere miles from my bedroom i want to go home.
when people ask for recommendations i have only 1 thing to say: there are seasons to life. cities are for working, suburbs are for kids, wide open spaces are for living.
i’ve worked, i’ve lived, i’m having a daughter, and i’m exactly where i need to be.