Back home? Or back from home?

[Gemini Cricket]

So, I just came back from a week in Hawai’i (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=7289) with my crazy family and my ailing grandmother. And here stands a changed man.
And as I gaze at the clock and write this, I can say that I am seriously considering moving back home to Hawai’i. And the way it feels right now, I’m going to start planning it.

But I thought it fair to weigh the pros and cons of it all.

Cons:
Film jobs are limited in HI.
Many, many of my friends are in CA.
You can’t do much of a road trip in HI.
Island fever.

Pros:
I’m lovin’ the weather in HI.
There are beautiful beaches in HI.
There are beautiful men in HI.
My fam is there.
HI was a place I wanted to retire anyway.
I don’t feel like I belong in CA.
People are nicer in HI. There’s a sincerity there that I haven’t found much of here in CA.
I’m pro-Aloha spirit.
I’m happier in HI.

I’m a nomad. I’ve been moving from place to place since 1989. And I need to settle down. I’m a nester and all this movin’ is no fun for me.

I think HI may be good for fighting my depression, too. I also think that my odds of finding a man in HI is greater.

Lately, I have been thinking about where I belong. And a big part of me feels like I don’t belong anywhere. I didn’t feel right in Monterey, I didn’t feel like I fit in in Boston and now I’m not sure about LA.

Maybe going back to school in HI is something I could do. Who knows?

Also, while I was home, I got to see a play at one of the community theatres that I performed in. It made me long to act in HI again. In fact, one of the higher-ups at the theatre asked me to seriously consider coming back.

I’m feeling like I want to be near my family, my home.

But I do feel like this could be a big fvcking mistake, too. I mean, island fever is island fever. But a boy can travel if he wants to.

One of my big hurdles will be finding a good job there and one that I’m happy with. But I also have connections there that I don’t have here.

I don’t know, I’m just thinking out loud here. It’s been at the top of my mind for several weeks now. My trip to see my grandma was something that came up that made me realize that what I was thinking was not so far fetched.

And for total selfish and superficial reasons, I can get laid-a-licious in Hawai’i. ;) But believe me, I’m not thinking of moving back for that reason or for a man…

I also am thinking that if Ralphie had not had an opportunity to move to Monterey from Hawai’i, that I may not have moved at all…

I don’t know. Yaddah yaddah, gabba gabba hey…

Anyone wanna gimmee their 2 cents?

[Alex]

Island fever (and the difficulty I have adjusting to the climate but even that happened eventually) is the only reason I know I can never again live in Hawai'i.

You've experienced the world a bit more since 1989 and so you know that sense of home there isn't just inertia.

You're not horribly settled in LA so moving wouldn't be a big hassle and if you spend three years back in Hawai'i and all this fades you can still move again and that's not a horrible outcome.

Yes, the economy for non-service jobs isn't great in Hawai'i but it exists and you'll get along. If you can afford it, going back to school would be great. The UH system isn't a world class school but it is perfectly good institution.

But really, if after years away it still feels like a home you want to return to that is a pretty strong sign (whereas when I return to my childhood home I experience some nostalgia and enjoy myself but know it is no longer a place for me).

[Kevy Baby]

Anyone wanna gimmee their 2 cents?Yes: don't leave.

But that is just me being selfish.

From this post alone, it sounds like you should be going back to HI. You don't sound happy here.

And as far as if things don't work out there, as you said; you are living the vagabond life. Moving again will be simple enough for you.

[Not Afraid]

Lately, I have been thinking about where I belong. And a big part of me feels like I don’t belong anywhere. I didn’t feel right in Monterey, I didn’t feel like I fit in in Boston and now I’m not sure about LA.



I think this is the thing that concerns me most. Are you sure you aren't just pulling another "geographic" (ie: running away to solve a problem that goes with you wherever you go)? Maybe it's not where you are living but how you are living with yourself?

(You know I've got to play Devils' Advocate here!)

[Gemini Cricket]

I think this is the thing that concerns me most. Are you sure you aren't just pulling another "geographic" (ie: running away to solve a problem that goes with you wherever you go)? Maybe it's not where you are living but how you are living with yourself?

(You know I've got to play Devils' Advocate here!)
Not sure.
Could be.

[wendybeth]

No moving until after April, mister.

[BarTopDancer]

My 2 cents: Do what makes Brad happy.

But beware of sharkies there!

[lashbear]

Sooo, how many Disneylands are in HI ?

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Not to get personal on my end but an anecdote of sorts. I've lived within the same 20 or so miles for 95% of my life. My family is here - pretty much everyone I know is here and I'm not a very happy person. Granted I am a totall loser and nowhere near the person I want to be, but I don't think being in another place geographicly would change much. The sun still rises in Hawaii as it does in L.A. (Only we have a choir...)

I think delving deeper into the "why's" will help you choose what's best. I'm not sure "fitting in" is that solid of a reason. Meaning, I've lived here 34 years out of 37 and I still don't fit in. But, I'm here.

There's my $3.50...

[innerSpaceman]

I have to agree with Not Afraid that the sense of being happier in Hawaii was likely just the blush of yummy feelings that wash over you there. As soon as the wash is done, you will still be you.

I hate to play armchair psychologist (ok, maybe I don't hate it so much) ... but happiness does not come from circumstances. It has nothing to do with where you are, what you have or what you do. It's all about who you are, who you are being.


If you have to explore that more fully by moving back to Hawaii, so be it. I think you will realize that, even with the beautiful weather, the friendllier people, the hot guys who throw themselves at you, the loving family and the home sense ... happiness does not flow from any of these things. Good mood and happiness are not quite the same thing.


Of course, I'm completely biased. I have 30 other reasons for you not to move ... but they're all pretty selfish, I guess.


I stand by the happiness thing, tho.

[Snowflake]

Well, echoing NA and iSm, no "matter where you go, there you are" is a struggle I've had. And, yes, I admit it, I ran away to Virginia, I did. I was not happier, happier for the experiences I had, but I am also very happy to be home (home to CA anyway).

I do not think there is anything wrong with wanting or feeling a need to go back home to reconnect, and rediscover. After all, you can always make another move to a larger landscape (after setting up your HI retirement). Nothing wrong with traveling.

Seems to me your musing has many good points for going, and many good points for not going. Bottom line is, you gotta do what you gotta do, even if it is temporary for 2, 3, 5 or 10 years.

Gotta say, I'm voting you stay in California because then I'd see more of you. Totally selfish, but there you have it, I am a selfish bitch.

[Chernabog]

I think HI may be good for fighting my depression, too. I also think that my odds of finding a man in HI is greater.

That's the part that concerned me. Are you saying that those two things are linked? Because a) pulling a geographic WILL NOT help depression (unless you're someplace like Texas and people are throwing rocks at you for being gay) and b) finding a man won't either. If you're depressed and you meet prince charming, then you'll be a depressed person with a prince charming.

Lately, I have been thinking about where I belong. And a big part of me feels like I don’t belong anywhere. I didn’t feel right in Monterey, I didn’t feel like I fit in in Boston and now I’m not sure about LA.

LA definitely takes some time to get used to. It is huge, there are so many people and sometimes it is hard to find your niche. I do understand feeling like you "fit in better" one place over another. I fit in very well in New York, and not as well in LA where I am from.

Maybe going back to school in HI is something I could do. Who knows?

Going back to school for what degree? What is it that you want to do that makes you get that degree? (Do not get a degree, just for the virtue of having a piece of paper). In your line of work, the best places are LA and Vancouver... unless you're thinking of switching gears entirely.

Not a bad thing, (and of course I have my own selfish reasons for wanting you here) I just wouldn't want to see you move for the wrong reasons, or leave with the mentality of "If only I moved to <insert location here> I would be happy, meet my prince charming, all my dreams will come true, who is this wicked stepmother and why is she feeding me a fruit salad", etc. etc. ;) I hope there's no rush or anything, but that you sit down and ponder this stuff for a while. Sometimes, it is impatience, or a reluctance TO set down roots -- if reality doesn't meet high expectations, then it's easier to move again.... then you always have the mindset of "well, I'm probably leaving anyway" and it prevents you from doing the thing you say you want to. (I'm not saying all this is applicable to you, but maybe part of it is, just food for thought.)

[Moonliner]

If you are going:

I'd say find that perfect job first. Check with industry contacts here, Internet sites, etc... Perhaps you could even come up with your own Hawaii based film project and get someone to fund it, or set yourself up as a local guide for visiting filmmakers, start a film summer camp for howlie students. Apparently there is a lot more money in that than I would have guessed. Moving and then looking for a job leads to holding a spatula at Big Kahuna Burgers.

I like my family close but not too close. A 20-30 min drive is good. You can see them when you want but they are not showing up unannounced all the time. Your mileage might vary.

If Not:
Work on those inner conflicts: "I’m a nomad" and "I need to settle down"
There are insincere A-holes in LA, there are insincere A-holes in HI
There are good sincere people in LA there are good sincere people in HI.

When were you last happy? What's changed since then? Is it people or place that really made the difference? For me happy is stability, for others it's chaos. What is it for you?

[JWBear]

That's the part that concerned me. Are you saying that those two things are linked? Because a) pulling a geographic WILL NOT help depression (unless you're someplace like Texas and people are throwing rocks at you for being gay) and b) finding a man won't either. If you're depressed and you meet prince charming, then you'll be a depressed person with a prince charming.

This is wisdom.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Echo, echo, echo.

Yes, I want you to stay so we can see you.

I do think that you're chasing something you may not be able to find outside of yourself.

You want to work in film, you should stay here. If you are not passionate about your B career, that malaise will set in again and you WILL be back in LA. I predict it. What you do with the majority of your days is very, very important.

I'm sure that some nomads are happier with instability, however, instability doesn't seem to have brought you happiness. As someone who has her own problems with depression, I can tell you, it has nothing to do with where you are, who you're with, or how blessed you seem to be.

[blueerica]

I echo much of the above statements, and thus, I have little to add... just to say that I support whatever decisions you make. I just hope that you put a lot of thought into those decisions, and I think that's exactly what you're doing by airing them out here.

<3

[innerSpaceman]

Of course, if you ultimately choose to go, there's that whole kidnapping thing we might pull.




(but, then, you'd enjoy that, wouldn't you?) ;)

[Morrigoon]

Well, I'm going to buck the trend here. For all the voices against "pulling a geographic", I actually think there are times when that can be very effective - typically when you catch yourself in a rut and you need to effect a major change in your life to shake things up a bit.

Do you feel you're in a rut? I hadn't gotten that impression.

I also understand what it's like to feel like a place doesn't suit you (hel-LO, I lived in Texas for a while!) Different places have different cultures, that's just how it is. Some geographic cultures will suit, and some won't. The pace of life is decidedly different in Hawaii, just as it is decidedly different in New York. The attitudes of the people is different, just as they are different between Northern and Southern California.

As nice as parts of NoCal can be, if you had me living there and gave me the choice to move "home" to SoCal, I'd do it, every time. If you feel the same way about moving "home" to Hawaii, then there's nothing wrong with that. You've tried elsewhere, and you've found that Dorothy was right: there's no place like home.

Depending on the source of your depression, it may or may not be something that can be changed by moving. But it will at least answer the question of whether or not it can be changed. Then you can address any other causes.

California will always be here, her golden coastline shining in the afternoon sun. If you feel it's time to be in Hawaii, do it. You can always come back.

(That being said, I'll miss you terribly)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Well, I'm going to buck the trend here. For all the voices against "pulling a geographic", I actually think there are times when that can be very effective - typically when you catch yourself in a rut and you need to effect a major change in your life to shake things up a bit.
Sure, but I think what concerns most of us is the list of times he's tried the change of scenery thing. Of course, several of those weren't entirely his own choosing, but I think everyone's just encouraging him to be sure he's taking the opportunity to be honest with himself and to realize that, even if Hawaii is the right place for him, simply the act of moving there isn't going to solve the particular issues he's mentioned.

Of course, I'll throw out a selfish reason for you to indeed move to Hawaii, Brad...gives me an excuse to visit. :cheers:

[katiesue]

I can completely understand. I'd move home in a flash if it were at all possible. Sure you're still you no matter what location you live in, and your problems are still the same. But there is a difference being at home where you feel comfortable.

San Diego isn't my home. I've never felt at home here. I don't like it here. But unfortunately I can't move. Which makes me tend to like it even less.

There are pros/cons to living anywhere. You just have to decide for yourself which ones you can live with and which ones you can't.

The other thing is - some people have the place where they grew up. And other people have home. And there is a difference. Susanville will always be home for me. Even if my Mom moved and I no longer had a lot of family there. I'm 6th generation on my Dad's side to live there. It's just where I'm from and it's very hard to describe to the people who only grew up somewhere.

I wouldn't rush into anything. But if your trip has you thinking about it then ponder it some more. Look for jobs. Figure out costs of living. Check out schools. You can do all of this from LA. And give it a little time. If in a couple of months or more you still feel very strongly it's the place for you then maybe it is.

[Chernabog]

Well, I'm going to buck the trend here. For all the voices against "pulling a geographic", I actually think there are times when that can be very effective - typically when you catch yourself in a rut and you need to effect a major change in your life to shake things up a bit.

Just speaking from my own experience with having pulled a geographic to New Orleans back in 2004, it was a good experience retrospectively because:

1) It taught me the lesson of "wherever you go, there you are". I thought my problems were Los Angeles and my parents. My problems followed me to New Orleans because I was in New Orleans. Once I had lived in New Orleans for a few months, suddenly my problem was New Orleans (I didn't come to the realization of the true meaning of my having gone until well after I was back). I wouldn't want to see GC move to Hawaii only to come to the same realization, in Hawaii, but it's hard to see sometimes.

2) I had gone through school for 7 years after high school and had never taken a break. I needed to clear my head from the "but I've never taken time off to do what I REALLY want" mentality. But again, see #1. My problems cropped up, and I still didn't get to do what I thought I wanted (which I could have done, and am doing now to a degree, in Los Angeles).

3) It was a whole new experience/city I had never experienced before.

4) I get to make nutritious desserts for New Years Eve parties. ;)

So all in all, it was good that I had pulled the geographic because it stuck my issues in my face WHEN I CAME BACK. I went with the "all my problems will be solved" mentality and holy lord was I in for a rude awakening.

Again, I don't want to psychoanalyze GC over the 'net, but that was my experience.... just food for thought if he thinks it applies to his situation!!!

[Deebs]

San Diego isn't my home. I've never felt at home here. I don't like it here. But unfortunately I can't move.


^This describes my situation, but substitute Stockton for San Diego. I hate it here; I married into it and am trying to divorce out of it. Not so simple.

I wouldn't rush into anything.

Sounds like there are enough voices of caution here to keep that from happening, but I agree. :cool:

Again, I don't want to psychoanalyze GC over the 'net, but that was my experience....

Well, yeah, there is that.

Just a little friendly psychoanalysis...
I'm trying not to jump in with too much, because I haven't spent much time with you, other than talking about our dogs and Boston. And a little bit of movie talk.

I can feel the kindness with which this is all meant, and I haven't been around here long. You're really well loved here, which will follow you to HI if you decide to go, of course.

just food for thought if he thinks it applies to his situation!!!

Exactly.

[Kevy Baby]

^This describes my situation, but substitute Stockton for San Diego. I hate it here; I married into it and am trying to divorce out of it. Not so simple.It sounds like katiesue got the better deal. Or at least the lesser of two evils.

[Deebs]

It sounds like katiesue got the better deal. Or at least the lesser of two evils.

Shhyeah. :rolleyes:

[katiesue]

It sounds like katiesue got the better deal. Or at least the lesser of two evils.

I'd take Stockton myself but only because I'd be in at least driving distance from home.

[Disneyphile]

I'll echo the "whereever you go, there you are" sentiment.

I moved to the Midwest for two years to "leave behind" my divorce and other "woes" in my hometown of Vegas. During those two years, I struggled to have friends, and the "world was still against me". It wasn't until I moved down to LA (which I figured would "fix" my "problem" again, since I always dreamed of living here since I was a kid), and then spent more than a year without a single friend here that I realized what the real issue was: ME and my attitude. I blamed the world for not having friends, and I was a real whiny-ass, complaining about everything and wallowing in "woe is me" (i.e. "nobody wants me", etc.). Well, no wonder I had no friends - people don't like to be around that, and I can't say I blame them.

My world changed and I finally "fit in" once I changed my outlook and attitude. The hardest thing to do was learn to live with myself. But, once I had that mastered, then everything became wonderful.

Just look within and fix those things, and then decide if you still want to move. And, if you do, then go for it. :)

[Morrigoon]

Well, to be fair, he IS moving "back home". So you could say he's coming to the conclusion of "pulling a geographic".

[Deebs]

I'd take Stockton myself but only because I'd be in at least driving distance from home.

Ah, this is true.

I feel outnumbered here. Stockton is my ex's home and he has his whole family around. I have a small family to begin with, and it got smaller last year when my dad died.

I don't pretend that my life would be magically wonderful and perfect if only I could get out of here. But I do think it would be less sucky. And I want to be near the DL and my favorite person.

[Disneyphile]

I don't pretend that my life would be magically wonderful and perfect if only I could get out of here.
And that's why moving wouldn't be a bad thing for ya - you've already addressed the real issues. :)

[Not Afraid]

Well, I'm going to buck the trend here. For all the voices against "pulling a geographic", I actually think there are times when that can be very effective - typically when you catch yourself in a rut and you need to effect a major change in your life to shake things up a bit.

Do you feel you're in a rut? I hadn't gotten that impression.



Considering that GC FINALLY got the job he had been talking about for a LONG time and has only been there a few months, I can hardly say that he's in a rut. Brad, you've achieved some of the goals you set out to do. Be proud of your accomplishments, accept them as accomplishments and set more goals. Moving would probably be a step backwards. It might seem "comfortable" but comfort isn't always equated with happiness.

Besides, do you REALLY want to be that close to the craziness of your family???

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Well, to be fair, he IS moving "back home". So you could say he's coming to the conclusion of "pulling a geographic".

This is true - though...

I too do not want to psychoanalyze GC, nor do I think that my experience completely speaks for his. I am just going to share my experience, in the hopes that it helps.

I "pulled a geographic" for several reasons - to run from my abusive relationship (and, for the sake of honesty, because it's damn hard to watch my mother suffering), to get away from a state that simply didn't provide cultural fulfillment, and to seek jobs in the industry in which I so very strongly wanted to work.

Moving back home, especially within those first two extremely difficult years where I - like Teresa - knew no one and had no job in my field - would have just been pulling another geographic, running before I knew what it was I was running from. I may have moved to LA, in part, to get away from things that were haunting me... but I STAYED in LA because more strongly in my mind, I knew I needed what Los Angeles had to offer. And offer it did. ANY city takes real time to feel like you're truly home.

This is my story - not Brad's. Not all of it applies, maybe even none. But I thought I'd share it.

And I want you to know, dear, that we all love and support you, no matter where you are. Some of our friends are asking you to consider what it is you're running from, and that's an important question. But I think another important question is, what exactly are you running TO? What do you want to do with your life? If you're patient, can you do it here? Can you do it there?

In the end, these kind of life changes have to be a leap of faith. I think - as Deebs says - everyone is trying to offer their experiences and thoughts out of kindness and love. And every leap of faith needs to start from a springboard of clear thinking (and sometimes, that's hard to do solo - and maybe it's why you reached out for our opinions.)

[Disneyphile]

Some of our friends are asking you to consider what it is you're running from, and that's an important question. But I think another important question is, what exactly are you running TO? What do you want to do with your life? If you're patient, can you do it here? Can you do it there?Exactly. :snap:

[Gemini Cricket]

So much to read, so much to read. I'll read it all when I get home. (I have 456 emails to sort through. Ha!) Lots of catching up to do at work...

[Snowflake]

So much to read, so much to read. I'll read it all when I get home. (I have 456 emails to sort through. Ha!) Lots of catching up to do at work...

Well, don't blame us, you asked for it! ;)

[Disneyphile]

Well, don't blame us, you asked for it! ;)Precisely. With this crowd, you ask one question and get at least 40 different answers. Just like if you ask for bacon, you get 5 pounds of it. ;)

[Moonliner]

Precisely. With this crowd, you ask one question and get at least 40 different answers. Just like if you ask for bacon, you get 5 pounds of it. ;)

Please!! Can I have bacon?

[Kevy Baby]

With this crowd, you ask one question and get at least 40 different answers.From 20 different people.

Please!! Can I have bacon?
Just like if you ask for bacon, you get 5 pounds of it. ;)


http://www.garfieldsmokehouse.com/usrimage/cat2.jpghttp://www.garfieldsmokehouse.com/usrimage/cat2.jpghttp://www.garfieldsmokehouse.com/usrimage/cat2.jpghttp://www.garfieldsmokehouse.com/usrimage/cat2.jpghttp://www.garfieldsmokehouse.com/usrimage/cat2.jpg

[Alex]

I meant to ask, if you did go back to Hawai'i, would it be to Honolulu or one of the neighbor islands? My recollection is your family being on the Big Island but maybe I'm misremembering and I'm thinking of someone else.

[Gemini Cricket]

I've had one of my random changes of heart again and have decided to move to Burkina Faso. The reason being that I like saying "Burkina Faso" so much.

I also lied, there was a lull and I decided to read all of the above.

First off, my depression and being with someone are not linked. It does read that way, but it was more me vomiting it all out there in one breath.

(The ladies in scheduling are singing Sugar Ray songs right now. Is murder still illegal?)

What is a big draw for me is the culture in Hawai'i. It's more than just another state, Hawai'i is its own country in many ways. There is a lightheartedness that I enjoy and a level of courtesy that I have not experienced much here. It's hard to explain. I also feel that when I express myself with Hawaiian courtesy, I get taken advantage of. Not everyone, but some... especially in the field I am in. I don't have the killer instinct to be the kind of person that could step on someone's neck in order to achieve something. And I feel that that is not a quality you necessarily need back home to survive and achieve goals. (Again, there are people in Hawai'i that would gladly use your lower intestines to climb up on on their way up the hill of success. But not as many as here...)

Boy, this would be a good Skype conversation, I tell you what. I have so much to say.

Now that I've started to get back into the groove of work, the pull towards moving is not as strong today. Maybe it was an iSm-esque impulse that made him want to move to San Francisco that moved me too. Don't know.

It's not off the table, though.

And, no, I would not leave before making certain that a good job was waiting for me in Hawai'i.

Alex - The fam is on O'ahu. My mom's side of the family is from the Big Island, my dad's from Kaua'i.

I also have reached a level of understanding and love with my immediate family. I get them now and they don't affect me as strongly as they once did. They're mellowing with age, and maybe I am too.

I've also been thinking about getting older. I'm not the same Brad that worked in the industry when he was 21. I'm much wiser now... and much less accepting of putting up with the Hollywood diva attitude. (See: Swimming with Sharks or even Devil Wears Prada as prime examples.) Instead of being "oh, wow, they're high-maintenance but they're also important Hollywood people", I'm more like "get off that high horse, snob. I'm pushing 40, don't fvck with me" now.

I'm rambling.

Anyway, if I can think of more to say, I'll post it.

Any comments?

[innerSpaceman]

GC, when I first moved to L.A., it was with the intention of breaking into the movie biz. It didn't take much familarization with it to realize that the cut-throat, dog-eat-puppy, step on neighbor's neck culture was not only too intimidating to me ... it was a culture which would ruin my life even if my most fervent career and artistic dreams came true.

I ran from it. I probably just wasn't gutsy enough to pull it off, but I'm glad I escaped from the constant temptation to become even more of a lousy prick than I already am.


You don't have that weakness of evil personality to deal with. But I have to point out that your vision of "Los Angeles" is skewed by the signature industry of Los Angeles.

The great thing about L.A., over perhaps all other cities in America, is its vast and very varied population. You can find the nicest and best-fitting people. But working in the Industry is not the best way ... unless you can wall that off from your personal life ... and not let that culture form your view of an entire city or your entire life in that city.



So .... if you're going to give up the BIZ to move to Hawaii for the nicer environment, I suggest you first try the easier move of just giving up the BIZ and staying right here in L.A. It will get nicer on Day 2.



Now, I'm NOT suggesting you do that. Just pointing out that it will take hard work to both work in your chosen field, where I think you have much potential for success, and to be satisfied with the humanity of the world around you. It can be done ... but it's a definite challenge.

[blueerica]

Go figure I'd check my yahoo account and there'd be an email staring at me, saying "Escape to Hawai'i."

Teases!

[Gemini Cricket]

Go figure I'd check my yahoo account and there'd be an email staring at me, saying "Escape to Hawai'i."

Teases!
Tell me about it.
I went to a Hawaiian BBQ place here in Burbank and instead of playing the usual Hawaiian music overhead, they were playing the Tracy Chapman song, "Give Me One Reason".
"Give me one reason to stay here and I'll turn right back around..."

:D

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Regarding the biz - maybe I'm still too naive, but I think that there are at least SOME people in this town who've made it by being nice instead of stepping on adam's apples. I'm moving foward with the understanding that I simply don't want to be a big CEO or an A-list director if it means I have to sacrifice my own ideals. And there are certainly companies that are better to its employees than others, from big studios to small firms.

That said, I am also observing that even the tangential participants in the industry (read: marketing) have to give a whole lot of time and energy to it that would be difficult to sustain in the very-long-term. I've spoken occasionally with EH about it, and she's said something very wise, that perhaps the industry isn't as ageist as much as very fast-paced, and people who grow older and wish to spend time doing other things may, in fact, prefer not to stay at the office until midnight two nights in a row. (Hell, *I* prefer not to. I'm so tired today!) Or go see plays every night looking for talent. Or keep up the evening barfly act looking for connections. There really are more important things than that, and I suspect that as they get older, more people realize this.

[madmonkeygirl]

Brad don't move til after April please. I would so have to find another dog sitter and i don't want to find someone i don't trust nor board the doggies either...i'm in a delima then.

I too suffer from depression but i've lived here all my life. I almost relocated in 95 to Georgia and would never have found happiness with Matt nor my life that i live now. I think moving to Hawaii would be running away from what lies deeper inside but that is just me.

You can ride but you can't hide away all your problems. Only you can decide what is best for you. To me home is where i lay down at night where my sweetie is where my animals are. What makes me happy. But you have to do what is right for you in the end.

But please give me notice so i can make other arrangements if necessary about April then.

[Gemini Cricket]

Well, I may have the decision made for me. Apparently, my company is laying off people today. Writer's strike... I've already heard of 2 people that are now gone.
Ugh. My stomach totally hurts. (Psychosomatic, of course.)

[innerSpaceman]

UM ... the strike will be settled in days! The DGA made a really good deal, and the WGA is going to have to accept that or something very close ... and they know it.

Their membership was very supportive of the strike, and that support is now strongly behind accepting a deal along the lines the DGA made.


It's all over but the signing. Two weeks tops.

[Gemini Cricket]

My source tells me I'm staying put. Which is a good thang.
Whew.
Lots of people getting let go though.
:(

[Kevy Baby]

My source tells me I'm staying put. Which is a good thang.
Whew.
Lots of people getting let go though.
:(That is so not fun to be around. Let us know how it turns out!

[Gemini Cricket]

A couple of people here are sympathetic to the people that got released. But, and this is the Hollywood attitude that bugs, some are like 'Glad it wasn't me' and 'Well, I didn't like him anyway'.
Ugh

[Gemini Cricket]

Well, I still have a job. What a weird, sad, crazy day...

[wolfy999]

But are you happy with your job? Think about it....(old saying here), remember lifes too short!

[ozron]

What a roller coaster you're on, GC!

Take a deep breath.

Have a drink.

Repeat.

[lindyhop]

GC, I wish you a little less tumult so you can sort this all out. Take care.