The Six Year Itch

The birthday trip is my favorite tradition. Screw The Masters- this a tradition like no other. Even in the lean years I would go somewhere. Sometimes it was my only flight all year. Back when United flew to JFK. Flying from one Eero Saarinen designed airport to another- interestingly, I took a birthday trip to St. Louis two years later.

Architecture is something that inspires travel. Since I traveled from a young age, parents would ask why I didn't take a job in Architecture. Because not everything I enjoy has to become a money making venture.

Every so often I take a birthday trip and think about relocating to the area. Not often and only on the birthday trip. Visiting Palm Springs I was offered a job. My life was in shambles and that trip probably took me over budget. I did not move cross country to work in a yogurt shop.

They remained open for a couple years so it would not have been a long haul job. It might have put something in the win column when most jobs at the time: you have heard the phrase "Go hard or go home." Managers on those crummy jobs preferred if I would go home.

Fast forward to San Diego. On this trip I thought about the possibility of taking a job with a hotel General Manager I could stand. In the moment, we had a good time. Could I afford to live in San Diego? There is plenty to do and I stayed where I was.

On the current birthday trip I was surrounded by good people. I meet nice people whenever I am traveling (except in Utah) although this was something different. Enjoying a new movie theater in Helena on Discount Tuesday and their library which had a lot of DVD's I wanted to watch- seeing "Now Hiring" signs made me contemplate a move to the area.

Moving requires more than desire. Driving all my junk across country- no matter how much is donated or thrown out there is too much to box up and carry. Would a low paying hotel position bring about progress? I can make a difference on my current job.

In spite of management's strange machinations. Lead from the middle. Reminded of something Jacob Schmitt said: nothing works in Montana.

My hotel had a swimming pool and hot tub. Legally. Both were at roughly sixty degrees and not worth using unless I want to make an ice bath video. I enjoyed the downtown area. One library and one movie theater are nice. I need more.

There are plenty of dark, cheap casinos. They manifest the concept of "Dank". I was planning to drive to Butte. There was construction or closed lanes on the highway. No workers- just traffic jams.

Parking in a garage to enjoy my movie- the validated parking pass would not go into the machine. I created a line and a man with a monthly pass let me out. Would I want this for a future?

On a walk back to the hotel I happened to see Jacob and his girlfriend doing yard work. It was a hot day so I mentioned they were "Toiling in the field." You find the work you can find. I could not maintain a travel schedule if I lived in Helena unless I wanted to connect on a tiny airplane to Denver.

That is expensive and roundabout. I am used to a certain lifestyle. It's a nice place to visit. Would I want to spend my life where not a lot works? That is one reason I left Arizona. Goods and services were inadequate. I was also surrounded by weird old men.

I had a great social life until I didn't in Phoenix. Another story, another article.There are pros to Helena. I wouldn't know what their winter is like. Cold and snowy. I would be reminded that nothing works in Montana. Except Jacob.