Coldly Calculated Design September 30, 2009
The past few weeks have been pretty hectic for me.
One of my roommates told me that he bought a house, so I’d need to be out of the current house within 2 months. So I started looking at places… Finding a new place wouldn’t be too much of a problem, I just didn’t want to sign a lease because I don’t like feeling like I’m “trapped” in one area.
While I was in California, a “viral marketing/social media” position opened up at the company where my friend works. I should mention that I wasn’t actively seeking work, since I’m pretty happy with where I am right now (doing in-house SEO for a company here in the Philadelphia area).
Anyway, I figured I’d might as well go for an interview for the hell of it, especially since Joe (the guy who flew to Cali with me) and I had some time to kill on our last day in Cali before our flight. So I borrowed a suit from a friend and went in for an interview. It was the shortest interview I’ve ever been on (about 10 minutes total) but I felt that it went pretty smoothly. The company also seemed pretty cool. Some friends of mine had been trying to sell me on the idea of moving to California for a while now, but I hadn’t seriously considered it.
Anyway, I got back to PA and went back to work. My friend notified me that the viral marketing/social media job was just an internship, and that it didn’t have potential to turn into a full-time position. However, he also told me that an SEO internship (which would turn into a full-time position) had just opened up. A few days later, I got a call from 2 of the guys at the company. They wanted to offer me the SEO position.
As I said before, I’m happy with my current job. It’s a very laid-back place to work, and I usually don’t wake up dreading going to work… What more can you realistically ask for? However, I have had some sort of “travel bug” for quite a while now. Ever since I spent time in Ghana, I’ve wanted to move around while I still can. I feel like time is flying by faster than ever before, and I won’t be young (and “unattached”) forever.
So after several largely sleepless nights and a ton of stressing over the decision, I chose to take the job in California. This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, because I know they would have made it worth my while if I stayed with my current employer. Everything seems to be falling into place though: I need to be out of the apartment I’m currently in very soon, my desire for “a change of scenery” is getting stronger, and I know enough people in California that it won’t be a hard transition for me.
So that is what’s happening. My last day of work here in Pennsylvania is on the 5th. I’m moving out of my apartment on the 6th, and beginning my cross-country drive (accompanied by my younger sister) to Los Angeles on the 7th… Need to be in LA by the 11th.
I’ve never driven across the country before, so it should be a cool experience… Hopefully I won’t go insane spending that much time behind the wheel. The next few weeks of my life should be both exciting and stressful, but I’m looking forward to it… And welcome any suggestions as to where to stop along the way, or advice in general.
So this is my last weekend here in Philadelphia. Going to a Phillies game Friday night. Waking up early Saturday to drive to DC, spend the day there, and check out The Disco Biscuits at the 9:30 club. Driving back on Sunday to see Between the Buried and Me (accompanied by In Flames and 3 Inches of Blood) at The Troc.
Not sure what else to say about this. I’m gonna miss all of my friends here, but I see this as a temporary move, and absolutely plan on coming back to Pennsylvania for the long-term. Wish me luck?
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roadie Oct 1, 2009
Nice, you leave on the day I ship out. Hope the trip is a smooth and safe one for ya man. Might end up in Cali myself sometime mid next year =]
Jays Oct 1, 2009
Make sure you get a medical card while you are out there.
Divine Oct 1, 2009
I’ve been reading your blog for sometime now. A couple of years actually, and I’ve never posted a comment. But I wanted to congradulate you. And wish you luck. I’m from Cali and I love it there. I couldn’t afford to live there though. So I know about the long drive, I live in florida now. But anyways, congrats and good luck on your travels and I hope the transition is a good one. And I hope you find the time to share your expierence with us all.
Bear Oct 1, 2009
I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now, in fact it may even have been your inspiration that got me blogging. Good luck on your move, I think you will love California. After a while you may not feel so strong about moving back to the cold, rain, snow, humidity, etc. I know I’ll never move back to Michigan, Indiana, Massachusetts or even England. Mind you I’m in Northern Calif in the Bay Area. Wherever you end up enjoy life and don’t let the little things get you down. Again good luck and I’ll keep a look out for your next postings.
pmaster Oct 1, 2009
Which interstates are you planning on taking?
alan Oct 1, 2009
Cali seems like somewhere everyone needs to live in at least once. good luck and if you need to hole up midway, I’m in Kansas City with some good home brew. have u thought about twitter’ing?
Scott Oct 4, 2009
I have been reading your page for years but never commented. I have lived in Bucks County my whole life. Blah. You will love it out there. I have only visited California 3 times but each time was great. Cost of living is high but well worth it. There is no way you will miss this crappy weather here in Pa. Historical sites aside, what else does the east coast have to offer? I drove across country once. It was awesome. Enjoy your trip man, and when you do come back for a visit, hit me up and we can go see some shows. You turned me onto Killswitch as well as a lot of other great bands and now I’m hooked.
Adam Oct 6, 2009
Do you still use the “ballhair” e-mail? You hooked me up with an mail invite some time ago. I just got an e-mail from your ballhair e-mail stating that you’re stuck in the UK and need $1500 to get back home. Might as well post it…
Am in a great sorrow writing you this note,Just wanted to inform you
about something very important,i could barely think straight at this
point,i hope you come to my aid. Because something very terrible is
happening to me now,i need a favor from you now,I had a trip here in
United kingdom.
Unfortunately for me all my money got stolen on my way to the hotel
where i lodged along with my bag were my passport was ,And since then
i have been without any money i am even owing the hotel here.
So i have limited access to emails for now, please i need you to lend
me about $1500 so i can make arrangements and return back I am full of
panic now,the police only asked me to write a statement about the
incident and directed me to the embassy,i have spoken to the embassy
here but they are not responding to the matter effectively, I will
return the money back to you as soon as i get home, I am so confused
right now.i wasn’t injured because I complied immediately you can get
the money sent to the hotel Manager information that is the only way i
can receive the money to pay up the hotel bills and return
home,through western union transfer or money gram hotel manager
information below.
Name: Jordan Heinze
Address: Portland Street, Greater Manchester
City: Manchester
ZIP Code: M1 4PH
Country: United Kingdom
MTCN Number :
I will be waiting to hear from you since i can’t access the internet always
Kind Regards
Justin Oct 7, 2009
Hey, I’m from California (about 30 minutes north of LA) and have been reading your website for as long as I can remember. Once you move out here, we should meet up and I’ll buy you a beer or 6.
John Oct 23, 2009
@Divine and @Bear, thanks for the kind words, seeing stuff like that is what keeps me motivated to keep this site going (if you could even consider this site “still going”, haha).
@alan, thanks for the Twitter idea. Kinda hard to do it well from a non “smart phone”, but I gave it a shot and I think it worked out alright, seems like a good amount of people checked out my tweetpics, or whatever you call them. It was about time that I actually used Twitter though… Now that I’m at a marketing firm in LA it’s all I hear about.
John Oct 23, 2009
@Scott, I dunno, I like having 4 seasons. Maybe I’ll eat my words after living here for a year or so, who knows? I’m def sorta homesick right now though, but maybe that will go away after awhile. I loved running during the Winter in PA.
@Adam Yeah I dunno what happened with that man. Someone got into that account and sent that same message out to every email address that I’ve ever mailed from that account. I had used it to send ringtones to my cell phone before, so I got that email in the form of like 10 separate text messages (b/c of 160 chars per txt) at like 4 in the morning, and I was so confused. Sorry about that though, I changed the password and it should be all good, pretty much a junk email address anyway, don’t use it for anything important.
@Justin, where at in California? My job is in El Segundo. I think we’re going climbing this weekend, someplace called Stoney Point… Ever hear of it?
robotics Mar 29, 2010
Mind you I’m in Northern Calif in the Bay Area. Wherever you end up enjoy life and don’t let the little things get you down. Again good luck and I’ll keep a look out for your next postings
mkv to avi May 21, 2010
Hey, I’m from California (about 30 minutes north of LA) and have been reading your website for as long as I can remember. Once you move out here, we should meet up and I’ll buy you a beer or 6.
convert flac to mp3 May 26, 2010
I have carefully read and fully remember your site, hope you can as soon as possible to publish a post, I wish you good luck
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hasan Sep 1, 2010
Cali seems like somewhere everyone needs to live in at least once
Kidney stones treatment Sep 10, 2010
Friends, I wish you good luck
Agriturismo Abruzzo May 20, 2011
Congratulations for your blog is very nice and interesting!
Blackpool Renderers May 22, 2011
Hello! I’ve been following your website for a long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Austin Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the excellent work!
jessica Jan 19, 2012
Wishing you best of luck dude.
Im sure you must have made new friends by now!!