Where I'm At (and not metaphorically speaking)

The City

Sacramento. It's a lot like the Corleone family. JUST when I think I'm out...

I was born here, and it took me until my mid-20s to finally leave here. Moved to Phoenix. Then, somehow ended up back here. Moved to San Diego for almost seven years. Then, back here again. Most people who've lived here probably understand. You try but...soon enough, you're back, wondering how the heck that happened.

For me, it was about more affordable living and getting back to being near friends and family again that I'd been away from too long. A good move. A little disheartening that I'm now living within walking distance of my old high school (again), but progress in life is not measured in miles.

So, back in town. The town that IS the capital of the state, regardless of what Shaq likes to think. And living on my own for the first time here in Sac. It was either with family or with roommates the other times, so good to be back on my own terms. I'm not going to feed you the whole history of the city here, but I can tell you a few things about life here. Pretty decent place to settle down. Got a wide variety of areas to live in, from the strip malls of the suburbs to the bustle of downtown to more agricultural outlying areas, if country living is what you're looking for. There's a LOT of growth going on here, and whole communities are seemingly springing up overnight. We've got lakes, we've got rivers (and riverboats, no less), we've got your modern attractions and your more historical (Old Sacramento is a popular place to check out and hang out).

And did I mention the Kings?

Aaron, Tim, me and Greg at a Kings playoff game at Arco Arena.

Sacramento found its heartbeat, and its identity, when, a number of years after its first professional sports franchise came to town, the team suddenly started winning...and making headlines. The town went crazy for basketball, and for the team they loved, and in many ways the Kings finally put this city on the map. Everyone here is a fan. And not just fans. It's been long talked about that Sacramento has the best sports fans in the nation. Devoted, fanatical, exploding with pride. Oh, Kings fans also don't turn over cars and set them on fire when their team wins. Just thought I'd point that out. The Maloof brothers, owners of the team, became Sacramento royalty, and gave the city something glorious to call their own. The changes in the city since that big 1999 season that started it all are immeasurable. It somehow unified the citizens into a proud and strong whole. Where once people MENTIONED they were from Sacramento, they now proclaim it with pride.

Can't say that they weather's perfect here, but really, it ain't bad. Yes, the summers are too hot (but when you've spent a couple of summers in Phoenix, you learn its not THAT hot) and the winters, for my tastes, a bit too cold and rainy. But no snow in Sac-Town. While many other cities close down in snowstorms throughout the winter, Sac just gets kind of soggy, so really nothing to complain about. It's still California, so you can still occasionally find yourself soaking up 70-degree sunshine on a February day.

What's the night life like? A lot of it is centered downtown, where most of the clubs and bars worth going to are. A lot of fine restaurants to be found. I'm a big fan of California Fats, myself. I don't do near the amount of going out that I did when I was in my twenties, but when I do hook up with my people, it'll often be at my favorite place to cut loose in Sac, an English-style pub called Streets of London where you can grab a few pints with friends and chow down on some really decent shepherd's pie.

Ahh-ooooo...Streeets of London...

As anyone in Sac is proud to point out, the location is excellent for getting away for the weekends. You're ninety minutes to two hours away from either beach (Santa Cruz), snow (Lake Tahoe), gambling (Reno) or larger metropolitan adventures (San Francisco). It's a good town to settle down in, and is growing every day. What can I say? It's home.

Home Life

I live alone now, after a number of years with roommates. When I say I'm done with roommates, I mean that in a good way. I've lived with some of my best friends in the world, and had great experiences each time. But I reached a point where I needed to get back to being on my own again. You just hit that age, you know? And I like my space. After a long day of work, it's nice to come home and be able to plan your time the way you want it, get the things done you want to. And I always seem to have things to do.

Es mi patio, holmes

With roommates, I tended to watch a lot more TV, but that was more of a social thing, and since living alone my tube time has dropped dramatically. I do have very large DVD collection and stack up a couple of shows on my DVR, but most of my nights are spent at my computer, either writing or working on web pages. I'm very project-oriented...always have a few dozen going at once. The creative time without distraction helps with that, free from the temptation to hang out and watch basketball or TV with the guys.

In the living room

I like my place. I have it set up the way I like it, and it's a comfort to come home to after a long day. I have a housekeeper that comes in once a week and keeps it up and changes the sheets for me. I've got framed movie posters on the walls like I always told myself I would if I got my own place again. I have a nice, quiet little complex free of noise and drama, and in a neighborhood that I'm very familiar with. I have a nice patio that's handy for cigars and such with the guys those times I do have company, a big kitchen (at least the biggest one I've had thus far), a nice big walk-in (or roll-in, in my case) closet in the bedroom, a computer network going so I can link up with my laptop for writing time on the patio during the summer. Got myself a bar that's also good for company, and finally have some nice furniture for once in my life (dare you not to fall asleep on my couch). Pretty much just what I was looking for in a home of my own, and it's one that I couldn't afford in San Diego, so another bonus of Sacramento life.

What the...? Who turned that on? Someone's playing a prank on me! Honestly, that kind of thing ain't my bag, baby...

I am more of a homebody these days, and enjoy having a home that my body digs. Big parties were great in the old days, but now? I'll take a quiet evening of productive time over having the neighbors call the cops. Just part of getting older, I guess. No complaints.