5/28/17

Hello readers,

Wow!  It has been forever since I have posted to this blog.  The image you are seeing is the phenomenal view I had from my hotel room at Hotel Murano.  I was in Tacoma for my friend Patrick’s wedding to his beautiful bride Sheena.  It was a fantastic wedding that now in hindsight I wish I would have spent even more time enjoying.  But, with my law firm back home currently going through some extreme changes with a senior partner jumping ship and my future uncertain, it was very difficult to focus on the blessings of the moment. There was a lot on my mind.  I was stressed and elsewhere. Still, I’m incredibly happy for one of my best friends in life and his future to come.  Congratulations!

I have to say, after spending some time in Tacoma, it’s a lot like the older, cooler, more popular, richer (etc.) sibling that Redding, California will never be.  First, whereas Redding just wishes it was situated on the shores of Lake Shasta, there’s Tacoma, right on the waterfront for everyone to see and enjoy.  Second, while Redding makes some use of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen on the horizon, Tacoma has Mt. Ranier, one of the most beautiful mountains on planet earth, right there, taking up space, no matter where you are in the city.  Third, while Redding spends the majority of its summer with temperatures in and around the 100’s, Tacoma seems to love having its temperatures constantly and always in the 60’s to 80’s (i.e. perfect weather).  Finally, whereas Redding struggles with high levels of poverty, drug abuse, homelessness, and a difficult job market, Tacoma seems to be flush with cash.  Sure it has some homelessness, but with the housing market booming like it is in the San Francisco Bay Area and many of its citizens dressed to the nines even for an everyday stroll on the waterfront, Tacoma’s economy is absolutely THRIVING compared to the economy in Northern California.  I spent much of my time here with mouth agape, staring at the prosperity of this place and wondering what I’m doing with my life in such an impoverished, downtrodden place. A place where the taxes and regulations are out of control. I’m kind of tired of all of it.  At the same time, it’s my home, and a part of my heart still wants to fight for it…

Anyways, now with the wedding over I’m spending the rest of my time off on a bit of a road trip.  I’m spending this evening in Bozeman, Montana enjoying the amazing whiskey cocktails that the Copper Whiskey has to offer, and tomorrow I’ll be heading to Little Bighorn and then Mt. Rushmore.  Then it’s off to Omaha for some deep chats with old family and friends.  If the trips during the last two years were about finding myself in a spiritual, what-do-I-want-with-my-life sense of being, this trip is about survival and reminding myself why it is I am alive in the first place.  It could prove to be an incredibly profound journey.  We’ll see.  Anyways, every day for the past week or so, I’ve been up before 6 a.m. and going to bed well past 11 p.m.  I think I’m well overdue for a good night’s rest.  More travels to come.  In the meantime, say a prayer for me.

Cheers,

Rob