On the Verge

Okay, I've done this before. I mean c'mon, I'm the girl that lived out of her car for two years wandering the country, taking work when it came around, living in community, or on people's couches. But to do it again, now that seems overwhelming. I lost my job last week as a result of this economy and, just like many others, find myself among the ranks of the unemployed. I have never imagined this before, I am a worker-bee for goodness sake. That's what I do, work. Slackers get laid off, right? Not those who put in 70 hour weeks. Apparantly, I am wrong. The further you move up the food chain, the more bucks are put out for you, the less stable your job becomes. So, here I sit, trying to piece it together.

I made a list, or rather had a strategizing session with my husband on recycled paper bags with Sharpies. Now, if that isn't a skill set, what is? We prioritized and came to the conclusion that top priority is to leave LA.

It is not that I haven't had a good time here. The weather has generally been nice except for those few weeks in September/October when the heat is so bad even going for a dip in the pool makes you sweat. The people have been friendly (over and over again, actually). The culture is right at your fingertips, although I can't afford any of it. Which brings me to my point, it is time to say goodbye.

The state government has failed in the worst way, there is no where to work. The fires in the hills outside my home are threatening me as I cough up a lung. And, the strip malls interspersed among outrageously priced real estate has left me needed something more. More than a water shortage, earthquake evacuation plan, and Britney Spears on the nightly news. What I need most is to be able to pay my bills without entertaining the thought of prostitution (just kidding:))

In all seriousness I have decided it is impossible to live here. I have worked hard, made it to the top, and now find myself, a year later right back to the beginning--actually past the beginning as before I at least had an income--and now, I am done. Goodbye LA. It may take me a year to get rid of you , so this is a slow break-up, but its over. I need to move on to someone who understands me a bit better, doesn't stand me up, and is a little more forgiving. I will cherish what you gave me but now I must gain a sense of myself again. Bon vogage!