Better yet , a wool and copper desk set. It’s my seventh year in the “Deep South”, at my company, in a place where I only knew one person. The March 3, 2010 marks my Turner-versary; my Atlanta-versary.
So much has changed in seven years yet so much hasn’t. I often wonder how I would be different; how life would be different if I had stayed in Tulsa. I lived in Oklahoma since college and moved to Tulsa after college (except those 6 months in Edmond). I was comfortable there but after having three companies I worked for go bankrupt (2 of the 3 are still around . The other one; that’s a another story (See this and this)) and ending a short marriage that wasn’t right, there just wasn’t much for me there. It was time to move on.
My options came down to Portland, Phoenix or Atlanta. Atlanta won the bid. As mentioned, I knew one person in Atlanta. My friend Eunice, who helped me get my foot in the door to get my job. On a pre-move trip, I found a cute house in Inman Park then made the big move.
The first year was tough. I missed having friends I could call up for a drink or brunch. I found myself perpetually lost in a city without a straight street or consistent naming. Nobody to ride bikes with. Rowing club too far way. Lived in a great neighborhood with restaurants, theatre and live music almost at my door step but nobody to go with. It was very lonely; even for someone who likes being alone.
Now here I am at the seven-year mark. I have all the evenings I want planned. I am a season pass holder at a couple of theatres, go to restaurants and live music often – and only have to go alone when I want to go alone. In seven-years I have been happy, sad, sick and in the best shape of my life. My heart has hardened in some ways and softened in others. My spirit has evolved. I have an incredible circle of friends; a job I only dreamed of seven years ago; traveled to places, seen and done things I wouldn’t have ever imagined.
It’s all beyond what I imagined yet nothing surprising. Overall, I would say it’s been a good seven years. Who knows what the next seven years will bring… Here’s to us!
“It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy;– it is disposition alone. Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others.” ~ Jane Austen
Congratulations! That sort of longevity at companies isn’t typical these days – Kudos to you.
I guess I didn’t realize you ride – Cool! We should do a Tweetup bike ride sometime
A tweetup bike ride would be so cool. Will start some talk about that. I don’t ride much in ATL – terrified of the traffic.
wow! doesn’t seem like seven years I have a lot of fond memories of visiting you in Atlanta we have taking some fun road trip. seen a lot of cool places and eat at a lot of great resturants. Your a great tour guide. and packed a lot of boxes
Yeay you, yeay seven years, YEAY EVOLUTION!
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