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December 19, 2005
Choosing Home
I've lived all over the United States. Once, I was so desperate for love and a life outside of this country, I flirted with moving to Amsterdam. Nowadays, I call Chicago home. There are very few places in the States that make me happy. I need a metropolis full of different people, an assortment of culinary indulgences, a Trader Joe's, and most importantly reliable public transportation. Last weekend, I visited friends in Milwaukee who tried to convince me that their city was a better, smaller version of Chi-town. Frankly, I don't need a smaller city. And I'm not interested in packing up my crap to move anywhere that I have to drive to work. I have to believe that taking public trans is about more than just saving gas money. Its a recognition that in our oil-dependent country, where everyone is separated from one another, I enjoy doing something relatively small to help the world. Further, I enjoy reading on my way to work. And since my wrists aren't always my friends, I enjoy giving them a bit of a rest on my commute to work.
I also obviously enjoy living in a big city. And I've been thinking lately why it is I keep looking only for jobs outside of my current state lines. Am I weak to run away from a city I love simply because my heart was broken? Perhaps. Because there is no WTTW in NYC or Philly or any other city that draws me towards it. There's no Chicago Tonight or Check, Please! on the public airwaves in another town. But there are more friends and perhaps more career opportunities in those fine places, so maybe I do need to give up this city I love to find a more fulfilling life.
More on oil:
"The Price of Oil," by Peter Maass in the Sunday NYT Magazine
Posted by cj at December 19, 2005 08:35 PM