Hiromi_X
Off to...The Void
It is OFFICIAL: The inhabitants of the People's Republic of Hiromistan, who at long last are enjoying a period of stability and economic recovery, will now relocate from central Texas to...the Midwest, where they will have no shortage of cheese and snow.
Revolutionary Leader Hiromi X had hoped to go to the Bay Area so that she could enjoy year-round motorcycling and surfing, but alas, lifestyle considerations alone do not serve as justification for relocating an entire republic, and so fate has decreed a sojourn in what Ms. X has been wont to term "The Void."
Seriously, I never, ever thought I'd live in the Midwest for any length of time. In June, I'm moving to the heart of the Great Lakes region to a city known to be fairly cosmopolitan.*** The weird thing is, I'm more familiar with Asian geography than midwestern geography! On the plus side, Canada will be nearby, but I don't think I'll need to flee there any longer since Dubya is getting the boot soon. Also, I'll be within striking distance of culture; e.g., Chicago and New York. On the minus side, the probability of finding good Tex-Mex and BBQ outside of Texas is effectively nil, and I won't be able to ride my bike for like 2/3 of the year. And I'll be in the Rust Belt, the denizens of which have historically (in the 80s) not looked favorably upon we of Nipponese extraction.
I feel weird. I'm having trouble adjusting to the whole idea of moving to The Void.
***ain't gonna disclose the exact place in order to preserve a level of anonymity.
Comments
I wish you well with the relocation. You sound like I would if I suddenly found myself moving to the midwest - bewildered that such a thing could happen. lol I hope it turns out to be a good move.
1. Posted by Nadia on March 17, 2008
What also confounds is the utter lack of ocean. The total landlocked-ness of it. I spent my childhood on Okinawa, lived by the Japan Sea when I lived there, and where I've lived in Texas, it's just a three hour drive to the ocean.
I feel anxious, so cut off from the ocean. I *love* the ocean.
2. Posted by Hiromi on March 17, 2008
I've lived on both coasts, the south, the mountain west and NYC, but never the mid-west. I've actually been considering Chicago as my next move.
As for being able to ride... I get some pretty strange looks when I don my heated gear and ride through the twin tiers in the winter. As long as the roads are clear of snow and ice I don't hesitate to head out.
I hope the move goes smoothly and that life keeps getting better for you.
3. Posted by Brian on March 17, 2008
As someone who is slowly plotting her own escape, hoping desperately to leave the state from which young people leave more than any other, I'd love to ask how you came to choose the location you did. You know, if you think you can talk about it without giving too much away.
And we'll be rooting for you.
4. Posted by Timory on March 17, 2008
Timory, you from Louisiana?
5. Posted by Ray on March 17, 2008
***WILD APPLAUSE*** Girl, you get a whole BUCKET of confetti thrown in your general direction!
You'll find as you move further north, the snow becomes less a chore to deal with especially in a moderately sized city, 'cause they have to deal with it and drive in it. And public transpo tends to get better too, for when you need it. Check out the more centrally located areas with easy access to said p.t.
When in need of good barbecue, you can make your own. I taught myself sopapillas (shrug). And Tex-Mex is (mostly) exported through the lower 48 to where it's not super far away to get to. Don't forget to check for the Whole Foods & Farmer's Markets in the area.
Cheese is good. Cheese is very good. Snow... Snow is alright.
6. Posted by darkneuro on March 18, 2008
Oh yeah, Whole Foods (if you have one) imports a lot of local Austin products, so you can still get good chips from El Milagro and good salsa.
Tortillas are another story.
7. Posted by Ray on March 18, 2008
Congrats on the move! Had you chosen the Bay Area lifestyle, I could have helped unload your belongings... Good luck in the midwest. A good number of people that I know living in California grew up in the midwest and east coasts...
If you miss the ocean, just let me know and I'll send you a bottle of the Pacific!
Best of luck
8. Posted by gregarious on March 18, 2008
The bay area morns your loss, by which I mean, damn, here I was hoping to get my hands on you.
Break a fuckin' leg, kid, as they say in theater.
9. Posted by elvis on March 18, 2008
Thanks, everyone, for your good wishes!
At least the change in climate justifies a shopping spree...
10. Posted by Hiromi on March 18, 2008
All hail Revolutionary Leader Hiromi X!
I lived in the midwest for several years. You could do worse, trust me.
11. Posted by Omnipotent Poobah on March 18, 2008
I love moving and new beginnings!
Knitting you a theoretical kitty-ear hat and matching scarf in celebration. Theoretical because I can't really knit. But man, does the hat look cool as theoretical fuck.
12. Posted by Miss Syl on March 18, 2008
Congrats! Good luck with the move. While not as warm (sorry, no surfing), the Great Lakes are large enough to seem like oceans. You can always give waterskiing a try. Depending on where you'll be, there might even local Japanese car factories. I know Ohio has at least one Honda factory. Michigan, though, is a different story!
13. Posted by GB on March 19, 2008
Detroit? If so, I can hook you up with a scooter club if interested.
14. Posted by SheenV on March 26, 2008