I am not,
nor from what I can recall having ever been, a willy-nilly sort of a person.
Research is my friend and I try to gather as much information as I can before
making any large (and sometimes small) decisions. It can be purchases such as
when I bought my previous car, I examined the fuel efficiency, the cost of
estimated maintenance, durability, resale value, and which features I wanted
and which dealership carried what I wanted. I also research before buying
televisions, booking hotels (price comparisons and reviews on various sites),
and even the very Chromebook model that I am currently writing this blog post
on...basically, I research EVERYTHING. Heck, it makes sense that it is part of
my job too, since I actually enjoy it. I also researched the best environmentally
friendly homemade laundry detergent since we use the gray water from the
washing machine to water a section of our backyard. I even researched the best
homemade dog treats (which I now do once a week instead of store bought since
the dogs had some unpleasant reactions after they had some Milkbones the last
time.
So,
it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I also do my research when it comes to moving
and living in various states. Fortunately, the nature of my military background
required me to live along the coast, and as a San Francisco Bay Area native,
that never bothered me one iota. Sure, I have been stationed in some places
that I was not too fond of for one reason or another (basically anywhere on the
East Coast...sorry, just not my preference), but I was able to make do, knowing
that I wouldn’t be there forever. I have lived up and down both the East and
West Coasts, and traveled to close to two dozen foreign countries. None of that
prepared me for where I am currently living though.
While
I conduct background research on 99% of the choices I make, I moved to Texas to
follow my heart. Good thing he’s worth it, because I am not fond of this state.
When filling out my “dream sheet” (basically requesting where I want to be
stationed based on the openings and my rate/rank), I researched the areas where
the billets were located. I know what I like and what’s important for me to
feel comfortable. None of those things are located here in Texas (or at least
not in the area where I live). Some of the things that I like to know about a
place to help me in making decisions on where to live include:
●
Temperature
●
Outdoor activities
●
Political atmosphere
●
Eco-consciousness
●
Cost of living
See, I don’t think that is too much to
consider when thinking about where to live. All of those things are important
to me and can help me to thrive if given the right conditions. For
temperatures, growing up in NorCal, it was rare when it hit 100 degrees, and
when it started to get warm, say around 80 degrees, at least there was a cool
breeze coming in from the San Francisco Bay and you knew that Mother Nature’s
air conditioning (a nice thick layer of fog) would roll in. Here in Texas, a
few days before summer “officially” began, we had already experienced a week of
90+ degree temperatures and broke the triple digit barrier. This week we are
expected to be over 100 degrees for a few days at least, which makes me not so
happy. You see, the heat makes me irritable. Sure, you think it makes you
irritable, but it’s a little more intense for me, as it gives me both headaches
and stomach aches. My eyes are photophobic, so the glaring sun doesn’t help
much and my ethnic background is basically all of the pale cultures that you
can think of...which makes me Casper the Friendly Ghost white and I burn very
easily. I also don’t like the feel of the heat from the sun on my skin...so
Texas is splendid for me. Can you feel
the sarcasm as it drenches you, akin to the beads of sweat that form on your
brow, the drops that trickle down your back, ending their journey in your butt
crack?
This
brings me to the outdoor part. I lived in Oregon before I moved to Texas, and
at least once a week, the dogs and I would go hiking in the forest and nature
preserves (Oregon is kind of known for their trees). It was both a good workout
(I would wear a weight vest, usually adding an extra 20-30 pounds for our 5-6
mile hikes). During the summer or warmer days, we just went a little earlier in
the day, beating the sun and then making it home to sit in front of a fan or
open up the windows for a breeze. Nature is and has been a large part of my
life. Sure, nature is everywhere, even here, but it’s not the kind of nature I
enjoy. I nearly cried the other day because of the fact that I miss trees. Not
just the trees themselves, but missed what they represented. You see, I work as
a freelance writer and am a full-time graduate student, which means I work from
home, on my own schedule. I enjoy the freedom my work allows and I used to use
that flexibility in my day to do things that would recharge my mind, such as
hiking in the woods with the dogs. I have built my reputation in the writing
world and have worked up the ranks to a point where I can earn close to what I
used to make as a direct care provider, without clients physically assaulting
me or making credible death threats. I now have a little more spare time, since
I am making more per page. In the past, such an increase would allow me to
spend more time outside, however, here in Texas, I despise the idea of going
outside in the heat. Also, there are no forests to wander around and get lost
as I recharge. The closest hiking trail to where we live is a sand dune. I kid
you not. A. Sand. Dune. That just doesn’t cut it for me. There are a few trees
here and there, but NOTHING like what I am used to, nor prefer.
Okay,
now let’s talk about politics. They say polite people don’t talk about death
nor politics...but who's to say I’m polite? Back to my roots...I grew up in a
liberal family, where differences were accepted and most of my family are
registered democrats. Also, the Bay Area is a rather liberal location too,
which I am very fortunate to have experienced. I have brought that with me wherever
I have lived, as it is part of who I am; like the saying goes…”You can take the
girl out of California, but you can’t get rid of the hippie.” Well, maybe I
made that up...but regardless, it’s fairly accurate. I have found myself thrust
into a land, akin to the Twilight Zone mixed with a zoo. I was aware that
places like this existed, but I had never experienced it for myself. I hear
that other places in the state are more progressive and liberal, but that is
not the case where we live. I am used to being the outcast and outlier of
society; this is a bit more extreme. I have found myself living among staunch
gun-toting, liberal hating, proud to be oilfield trash republicans who have
little tolerance for people who may think differently. I have been told that I
don’t belong here since I am not a fan of guns in restaurants and because I
don’t think that prayers belong in a public school. I try to understand the
thought processes of others, but I just go mad when I try to apply logic to the
residents in this area.
So...yeah.
I am planning my escape from this hell hole that is West Texas. We should be
sprung from here in less than two years and I am already planning on where we
need to move that can tick all of my boxes and allow us to be a happy couple. I
feel bad that I am crabby at times due to my location, as that is not entirely
his fault (aside from the fact that he grew up in the state). I know what it
takes to recharge my mind and body...and Texas just doesn’t have it. So
residents of Washington...I may be coming for you soon. Watch out and get out
of my way...I think there are trees I need to hug.
