1/31/2022

Hello Blog Readers!

I will try to keep this entry short-and-sweet, but with a lot of pictures.

After quite the day celebrating Gasparilla with Sam and Trey, it was nice to have the opportunity to just relax with them for the remainder of my time here in Tampa. We spent our time chilling, dining out, playing board games, and just going on adventures here in the city and in neighboring St. Petersburg. Tampa Bay was discovered in 1528 by the Spanish, and when it was discovered it was dubbed “the best harbor in the world.” I think I see why it was so named. I feel like I have found a place that preserves all of the very best things that I remember from my years in Santa Barbara and Southern California, but with none of the baggage of modern California politics. In just a few short days, this place (my sister and brother-in-law’s home) has indeed become a new home for me. I must admit that during my time here I have had to set aside many of the cruel jokes and negative stereotypes that I have perpetuated about Florida over the years. None of it was deserved. Tampa and St. Petersburg are beyond wonderful places. They are some of the best places in the country. If you haven’t been here, you should at least visit; and if you are thinking of moving here, you better hurry because I have a feeling that none of this area will be affordable in another couple of years.

In sadder news, we received word from my mom this evening that our family pet for the past 15 years passed away today (the dog’s name was Gigi). Gigi was definitely an old pup, had cancer, heart issues, and was suffering from seizures, so it wasn’t unexpected but still sad news. RIP Gigi.

On that somber note, my time here in Tampa comes to an end. I guess Tampa’s one Achilles’ heel is its summers, which are incredibly hot and muggy. But now that we seem to be networked across the United States, I’m seeing potential and a way to work together with my family on making quite the life outside of California. See, I’m inching closer to accepting my position in the graduate program up at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. If I can make a home up there along the shores of Lake Superior for my sister and brother-in-law to escape to in the summer, and their home down here in Tampa remains for me to escape to when Michigan winters become a bear, well, then life should end up being quite nice. America really is a land of opportunity and milk-and-honey. We should celebrate that fact more often.

Tomorrow I begin a long trek back west to Nebraska. I will be traveling through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, before shooting north and back to Omaha. Next stop, Birmingham. Let’s see what it has to offer! Sam and Trey, a heartfelt thank you for letting me stay with you here in Tampa. It’s been amazing.

Cheers,

-Rob