We no longer live in Broad Brook. It feels weird even saying it, as I sit here in the cool breezes of a California evening. But we don't.

While we were in Rome I received a job offer in the San Francisco area. Did I just say that? Really? Why do I ever complain? Why do I ever let thoughts of tough luck and regret enter my head? Who is not a fortunate little bastard if not me?

OK, existentialist meltdown completed. Let's begin again.

We no longer live here...

We now live here...

This is pretty exact as both pictures were taken from our actual homes in each place (and both by Marissa, I might add.) The first from our front door in Broad Brook, CT and the second from our patio in San Mateo, CA.

From over 70 inches of snow to just around 70 degrees and sunny. From wild turkeys in the parking lot to a choice between Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian or Mexican cuisine just across the street. From calculating time zones to call loved ones to having them here in under two hours. Wow.

In all seriousness, I was damn lucky to have spent time in Broad Brook because that meant I had gotten a job at a good company during a time when nobody in my field was getting a job anywhere. And New England treated us well - just read my posts from the last two years and you will understand why I am indeed a fortunate little bastard. Our time spent in New York alone was fantastic, let alone Boston, Montreal, Vermont, Rhode Island and yes, many parts of Connecticut.

But it was not meant for us to stay there, and I am glad that we are now here.

Oh, and we drove here. And during a spring when nasty weather killed hundreds along our necessary route, including a city very near Broad Brook literally the day after we left, we had perfect weather the whole way.

If I treat everyone I meet from now until I die with kindness and respect I still wont pay back the good karma I have used up. But I will try.

Stay tuned for my next post, when I recount our coast-to-coast adventure.