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fogglethorpe · 09-09-2005, 06:15 PM

Phoenix vs. Philadelphia

or

“Go southwest, relatively young man…”

(Sunday, 5-15-05)

Forty years.

That’s how long it’s been. It’s how long I’ve languished in stagnant suburbs between Philadelphia and Atlantic City…suburbs that tout themselves as “historic” or “premiere” communities. It’s how long I’ve had to decide.

It’s my whole life. And, it’s about to change.

I have never actually lived in Philadelphia, but for most of my four decades I’ve lived nigh enough to see the soaring spires of One Liberty Place from the Southern New Jersey freeways….near enough to shoot over the Walt Whitman Bridge for work or cultural events…close enough to become a rabid Eagles fan.

Now, I am homesick for another place…a place I’ve never seen or visited.

“I don’t know…it’s just right”

(Inserted Sunday, 6-5-05)

It started innocently enough, as big things often do. My wife was researching Arizona online, and became increasingly interested, even excited, about going there.

“But why Arizona?” I asked.
“I don’t know…it’s just right” was her reply.

So, on a whim, I faxed a resume and cover letter to a Phoenix company, and received an enthusiastic reply in fifteen minutes.

I accepted the job, promising to be there in three weeks.

The events that followed confirmed over and over that a move westward was “just right” and imminent…

Our house went up for sale (one that we’d just purchased six months before) the day after my hire, and sold nine days later. We met people unexpectedly who were visiting from Arizona, or who had connections there. Our hearts began to long for a home we’d never visited. I awoke a few days later in the middle of the night, with the words “…carry the water to the desert” inexplicably in my mind.

I put in a two week notice at my job in Philadelphia.
“Why Arizona?” everyone asked.
“I don’t know…it’s just right” was my reply.
Suddenly I was a celebrity at work…I was “getting out”, and everyone was interested.

My wife and I took our parents to breakfast to break the news.
“But why Arizona?” they asked.
“We don’t know…it’s just right” was our reply.

Next:

An intentionally vague bit of history

or

“Long story long…”

09-09-2005, 06:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
fogglethorpe Upright Location: Valley of the Sun	Phoenix vs. Philadelphia Phoenix vs. Philadelphia or “Go southwest, relatively young man…” (Sunday, 5-15-05) Forty years. That’s how long it’s been. It’s how long I’ve languished in stagnant suburbs between Philadelphia and Atlantic City…suburbs that tout themselves as “historic” or “premiere” communities. It’s how long I’ve had to decide. It’s my whole life. And, it’s about to change. I have never actually lived in Philadelphia, but for most of my four decades I’ve lived nigh enough to see the soaring spires of One Liberty Place from the Southern New Jersey freeways….near enough to shoot over the Walt Whitman Bridge for work or cultural events…close enough to become a rabid Eagles fan. Now, I am homesick for another place…a place I’ve never seen or visited. “I don’t know…it’s just right” (Inserted Sunday, 6-5-05) It started innocently enough, as big things often do. My wife was researching Arizona online, and became increasingly interested, even excited, about going there. “But why Arizona?” I asked. “I don’t know…it’s just right” was her reply. So, on a whim, I faxed a resume and cover letter to a Phoenix company, and received an enthusiastic reply in fifteen minutes. I accepted the job, promising to be there in three weeks. The events that followed confirmed over and over that a move westward was “just right” and imminent… Our house went up for sale (one that we’d just purchased six months before) the day after my hire, and sold nine days later. We met people unexpectedly who were visiting from Arizona, or who had connections there. Our hearts began to long for a home we’d never visited. I awoke a few days later in the middle of the night, with the words “…carry the water to the desert” inexplicably in my mind. I put in a two week notice at my job in Philadelphia. “Why Arizona?” everyone asked. “I don’t know…it’s just right” was my reply. Suddenly I was a celebrity at work…I was “getting out”, and everyone was interested. My wife and I took our parents to breakfast to break the news. “But why Arizona?” they asked. “We don’t know…it’s just right” was our reply. Next: An intentionally vague bit of history or “Long story long…”