What's going on, Albuquerque?
Sojourn
Have I said lately just how much I love Albuquerque, and New Mexico in general?
If I haven't, I feel the need to state it anew. I love the climate, the landscape, the cuisine, and the great people we've met in person and on-line (via Duke City Fix). I feel great about the opportunity I've taken to revisit the state of my youth (geographically speaking; I've never left the figurative state) and I'm doubly glad that my wife, who had her doubts prior to our relocation, has loved it all too. We've had great hikes, cool road trips, and a terrific time under this startling blue sky and this blasting, nearly audibly-shining sun (the radiation burns notwithstanding; that's my own fault).
It's been (and here is that over-used word again, but know that I mean it in the purest of senses) awesome.
But it's not home.
You know how, no matter the great time you're having on a vacation, you nonetheless have that feeling of satisfaction and relief when it's time to pack up and go home (unless of course your life is truly wretched and you were just fooling yourself into believing a vacation would fix it)? That's where we are now. It's been a shade in the corner that has become progressively more solid in recent weeks, and we couldn't even put a name to it until one day, when a news story featuring Portland was aired and the missus and I looked at each other and said, nearly simultaneously, “I want to go home!”. Now everywhere we turn we find references to Portland, or Oregon in general. It's like being haunted.
I won't lie and say that every aspect of our residence here has been faeries and chocolates; certain elements integral to my current job suck the very suckness, and the “luxury apartment living” we're presently experiencing is a farce. Those things hardly count as reasons to shove all of our junk into a truck and motor off back across half the nation, and of course they aren't the reasons we're leaving Albuquerque. How to explain it? I can only assume that a long-time Burqueño would feel the same way after a year in a new city, however much they appreciate and enjoy the experience.
In short, it's not a Burque thing. It's an us thing. Sounds like I'm breaking up with a mate, doesn't it? Sort of feels like that.
So come the last week of August we're loading up and rolling back whence we came. We've taken the opportunity to shed some bulky belongings in favor of more streamlined living and to help finance the move. We've already made overtures to our prior apartment community and the manager has responded with open arms. Employment ? The economy is still wobbly but I have confidence.
To those who welcomed us here; Thanks Very Much. You are first among the reasons we intend to visit this wondrous land again in the future. Until then, I'd like to keep up with events via DCF if the other members can tolerate such. I promise to wipe my shoes!
If I haven't, I feel the need to state it anew. I love the climate, the landscape, the cuisine, and the great people we've met in person and on-line (via Duke City Fix). I feel great about the opportunity I've taken to revisit the state of my youth (geographically speaking; I've never left the figurative state) and I'm doubly glad that my wife, who had her doubts prior to our relocation, has loved it all too. We've had great hikes, cool road trips, and a terrific time under this startling blue sky and this blasting, nearly audibly-shining sun (the radiation burns notwithstanding; that's my own fault).
It's been (and here is that over-used word again, but know that I mean it in the purest of senses) awesome.
But it's not home.
You know how, no matter the great time you're having on a vacation, you nonetheless have that feeling of satisfaction and relief when it's time to pack up and go home (unless of course your life is truly wretched and you were just fooling yourself into believing a vacation would fix it)? That's where we are now. It's been a shade in the corner that has become progressively more solid in recent weeks, and we couldn't even put a name to it until one day, when a news story featuring Portland was aired and the missus and I looked at each other and said, nearly simultaneously, “I want to go home!”. Now everywhere we turn we find references to Portland, or Oregon in general. It's like being haunted.
I won't lie and say that every aspect of our residence here has been faeries and chocolates; certain elements integral to my current job suck the very suckness, and the “luxury apartment living” we're presently experiencing is a farce. Those things hardly count as reasons to shove all of our junk into a truck and motor off back across half the nation, and of course they aren't the reasons we're leaving Albuquerque. How to explain it? I can only assume that a long-time Burqueño would feel the same way after a year in a new city, however much they appreciate and enjoy the experience.
In short, it's not a Burque thing. It's an us thing. Sounds like I'm breaking up with a mate, doesn't it? Sort of feels like that.
So come the last week of August we're loading up and rolling back whence we came. We've taken the opportunity to shed some bulky belongings in favor of more streamlined living and to help finance the move. We've already made overtures to our prior apartment community and the manager has responded with open arms. Employment ? The economy is still wobbly but I have confidence.
To those who welcomed us here; Thanks Very Much. You are first among the reasons we intend to visit this wondrous land again in the future. Until then, I'd like to keep up with events via DCF if the other members can tolerate such. I promise to wipe my shoes!
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Comment by Rob Creighton Garrison on June 27, 2010 at 11:31am -
"More sophisticated"? There's a potentially dangerous phrase! Heh.
Thanks, Uncle Jess. DCF has been a very welcoming place and a great resource. I'll be reading and posting. :o)
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Comment by Ron Da Bomb on June 27, 2010 at 11:41am -
Best of luck to you, man. I really enjoy your writing. Send me a note if you become prolific blogging elsewhere so I can keep up.
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Comment by Rob Creighton Garrison on June 27, 2010 at 11:50am
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I will, Ron, and thanks. :o)
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Comment by Barelas Babe on June 27, 2010 at 12:22pm -
You'll be missed! Best of luck to you on your return.
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Comment by Rob Creighton Garrison on June 27, 2010 at 12:37pm
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Thanks, BB!
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Comment by Ben Moffett on June 27, 2010 at 3:15pm -
I'm thinking DCF is more valuable to out-of-town Albuquerqueans than those residing here. You can keep up with stuff and hustle back as warranted, watch key videos from here, enjoy the gossip. You might take a few creosote bush leaves, pinon needles, one-seed juniper pollen etc. along, and some dust in a bottle. Shake it up like an enclosed Christmas snow scene in glass when the mood sets in and you have a fix of New Mexico enchantment.
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Comment by Rob Creighton Garrison on June 27, 2010 at 3:45pm
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Ben, that's an AWESOME idea! AND a New Mexican cookbook. I'm gonna school some friends about proper New Mexican cuisine. :oD
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Comment by Barelas Babe on June 27, 2010 at 4:45pm
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Another tip is to find out if there is a Portland UNM alumni group that does a green chile roast. The Lobo alumni website shows one in Seattle, which is a bit of a drive, but it might be worth it...
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Comment by GaleM on June 27, 2010 at 8:13pm -
I came to Portland from Albuquerque a year ago. It's been a difficult year, particularly adapting to the weather. I have enjoyed all stories about ABQ, and will them. I'm not a UNM alumni, but I'll surely join you & your wife for a green chile roast!
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Comment by GaleM on June 27, 2010 at 8:14pm
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Okay, that sentence was supposed to say "...stories about ABQ, and I will miss them!" :)
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