The City

“Am I crazy? Would you think I was crazy if I told you I wanted to move to Boston?

I never saw myself living in a city before, but now it seems like a possibility. I'm tired of school, I already lost my dog - had to send him home. You'd think that being in the heart of canoe country, and having immideate access to the BWCA, studying to become a park ranger or something... I'd be happy. I'm tired of this place, tired of this town, tired of school... I wouldn't entirely drop out of school, I'd hopefully find somewhere to go in boston, and live with my g/f. We spent most of the weekend talking about the possiblity, and it seems quite likely.

It's not like I'd just drop everything and move today, first I'll finish up this semester, and she'll be here in 3 weeks so we'll live together for a month before deciding if I'll move out there or not, so we'll decide together, and see how school is going.

So... what's it like in the city, i've been there, never lived there before. I wouldn't be totally isolated from the wilderness would i? I mean, I'd have weekends that we could go backpacking, and I'd have an entirely new area to explore, new people to meet, TT'ers in the area.

I'm just looking for opinions... on living in the city, moving in with my girlfriend, backpacking opportunities. Nothing is final, we still have a lot of time to think and make decisions.

I fear what my parents would say if i told them I was going to boston... I wont even mention it to them until they get a chance to meet her, and we make a more final decision.”

“OMG are you nuts????!!!! This is the crazyiest thing I have ever heard of. If you go you should tell your folks. Sneaking off would be a childish act.”

“Wife and I have visited Boston several times. Have backpacking friend there, too. Also applying for a job there.

Great city, IMHO. Also close to many hiking options.”

“I didn't say anything about sneaking off... just not mentioning to my parents that the thought has crossed my mind before they get a chance to meet my g/f, and we make a more final decision.”

“simer,

you are crazy.

'da Capn”

“Be sure and wear a hat.
You don't need to be birthing any babies at your age! ;)”

“oops, my bad, didnt read it close enough ;) I know they have a good university in mass., i had friends who went there. HUGE school. Make sure you finisih your education. If you guys love each other she wont interfeer too much with it since it will mean better employment opportunitys later on”

“go for it - as long as you can do it without hurting your education.”

“never listen to advice.

Follow your drummer, unless you do something really stupid, you can always come back.”

“pple go off to school all the time..just make sure you have a solid footing on your own living arrangements, and set up in one of the colleges there. Having here their will just be a fringe benefit...go...plot our the expenses....make sure you can handle it...find a good school...and take off...screw all these other naysayers”

“Boston has the worst traffic of any city in the US.”

“There are plenty of good things to do in Boston.

It is a pretty expensive city, the drivers are rude, but its got the highest percentage of young folk (college age.early 20s) of any city eexcept Austin Texas.”

“The best part of Boston is the sign that reads, "Now leaving Boston; come back soon."”

“aawww, i like Boston! their traffic is actually only 7th worst in the nation.”

“Make the most of your opportunities and the area where you live, no matter where it may be.

I'm tired of this place, tired of this town, tired of school.

Based unon this statement, I believe that you will just be trading one wilderness for another, city or not. (A city can be a jungle!)

Aren't you the same youth who had so much trouble getting that first date about a year or so ago? And now you're ready for the responsibilities of living with a girlfriend? Taking a girl or woman out of her home environment is seldom successful.

My suggestion is to "immideate" immediately forget about running and try to be successful with your studies and get envolved with some community activities in order to make it a better place.

Or, call your folks and solicit their advice. Ask them what they expect from you. Listen to them, think about it and explain your feelings and ideas. They may know something about life.

And don't despair. You will find yourself. To quote Garrison Keillor, "Be well, do good work, and keep in touch." I and we do care about you.
Paul”

“how can you not like Boston, everyone knows your name.”

“Like pedxing says, it is an expensive city. That doesn't mean the food and gas prices are a little higher. Housing costs are really high. Make sure you both have good jobs. There are a multitude of outdoor adventure opportunities within a reasonable distance.”

“Usually i don't even mention the... what's it called... well, let's just say that expenses aren't a problem, I don't like to base my decisions on that fact, but to move in with her, we'd be quite well off, just a side note.”

“I say do it, you're young and it would be a good experience. I'd say keep in mind though that there's a reasonable chance you may not like it, and want to move again, so be prepared for that. I'd also say consider keeping the doors open for your education as much as possible. Also, be prepared for your parents to flip out on you.

Enough semi-negatives, Boston is a wicked cool town. It's my favorite "big city". They don't drink water out of water fountains. They drink it out of "bubblahs" which I find fascinating. The White Mountains aren't too far away, and the state line of Maine is only about an hour away, and there's lots to do up there. A tip: If you put a "Yankees suck" sticker on your car, people will think you're cool.”

“Besides, not every guy has the chance to be a "kept man"...”

“Ha! I do.”

“I think nowslimmer has a point. You're doing quite a few things you're not finishing, simer. On the one hand, it would be good to see you finish something... to see it through to the end. On the other hand, there's no time to take an adventure like the present.

Just don't always run from problems. Face them straight up, on their ground sometimes. Beating the hel loutta them is a hoot!”

“I want to go to Boston. That's it. 4 weeks left of this semester, if i could I'd be in boston right now... it'd be better than sitting here awake at 3 in the morning wondering why it hurts so much.”

“why Boston???????????”

“That's where my g/f is... with the leading roll in the nutcracker. That's why she's not on her way here.”

“Just relax man. If she loves you, she'll still be there for you when the Nutcracker finishes. Sometimes you have to take something on faith and just let what happens happen.

Believe I know it sucks. I'm trying to take my own advice as we speak, and it's hard.

In the meantime you have to learn how to be happy with yourself. I'm not saying that it won't feel like something is missing from your life, but you can't let that part take over and ruin every day between now and then.

Good luck man.”

“Cheer up,simer190. It is beginning to sound like you need a date or to play in a rough football game, or both. Something to get your mind off the only girl in the world. It's snowing. So how 'bout some basketball, racketball, or a swim. They do have a Phy. Ed. plant, don't they. If not, try a game of checkers. And say hello with a smile to every girl you see.

It only took me 11 years to get over the last one. (Mainly because I was raising daughters alone.) But I knew that better days were coming. And they are. only 12 more days. Actually, I could leave today, but I'll stick to my schedule. I don't want to miss too many classes.”

“I really should quit sulking and do something, I have a month now... it seems like forever. It's not that she won't be there when the nutcracker finishes, it's that she'll be there... in Boston. I love her with everything I am, that's why i wouldn't allow her to give up her part in the nutcracker to come see me. She'll be there when it's over, and I am to believe she'll still be here for me 20 years from now, I know that's a lot to say, or expect, but that's what I believe, I'll be with her forever.

Thank you guys... I still want to go to boston when the time comes.”

“What classes are you taking, NS? I didn't recall you were doing that...

And Simer, we all have stuff in our lives like you're facing right now. It's truly awfully hard to just sit back and let things happen as they're supposed to... but ya have to do it, or you'll drive yourself nuts.

Hey and if you're home over the holidays, we should get together for a hike sometime, K?”

“K, i'll let you know when if i'm around, sounds good.”

“Lizs - My Martial Arts training in aikijutsu is referrec to as classes. We have two hours of class each Mon. and Wed. evening. I've been planning my trip to minimize the number of classes missed. I will leave on a Thursday morning and return on a Monday in time for class.”