Finish What I Started

I’ve been gone 9 months and have seen some things. But I did not anticipate just how nice coming back to the familiarity of my city would be. The energy, the high rises, the crap May weather and of course all the characters. From my friends, to the old school guys smoking cigars with permanent scowls on their face at the stuffy bars that emphasize blue cheese on your steak, to the Big Ten grads in business casual roaming the loop, to the Street Wise vendors (whose sales pitches and locations haven’t changed), and everyone in between. Everything is still in motion. It’s still the city that works. And I can’t help but question why I left it all, even though I don’t regret it.

Have you ever joked with your friends about how you don’t understand why you don’t just quit your job and move to a tropical place and work in a tiki bar? Retire early? I used to do it often over drinks/coffee/food as myself and my company would bitch about our jobs. Well, as being someone who actually explored the option of moving to a tropical place to retire early and work in a tiki bar I can say with confidence that it’s not for me. And it’s probably not for you either. Simple reason #1 is money. Assuming you’re not rich you then must also assume that said tropical place would have to be a developing country. The type where you throw poopy toilet paper in the garbage and get eaten alive by bugs in your sleep. That’s cool for about 2 days, tops. Not cool ever for some people.

More substance reason/theory #2 is that I think, as a human, I need to achieve things and progress both for myself internally and in the eyes of my peers. There isn’t much upward mobility moving to a tropical place. There isn’t much mobility period if it’s an island. It’s like Batman vs. The Joker. I f*cking HATE the rat race. But I need it to an extent. I need it to help drive me. I need it for the attention. I need it to motivate me to want more. But I will continue to fight against the slimy underbelly of it.

Reason/theory #3 is that I’m a city dude. I love the outdoors but nothing amps me up like the energy and lights of a powerhouse city. I wrote these thoughts down from one of my new favorite places, Mexico City. In line with what I mentioned above, cities are key for motivation and further achievement. People are doing interesting things. People talk about and get inspiration from people doing interesting things. Nothing compares to the energy of a city and the drive to be successful to keep up with it.

So it was the right time for me to move back to the U.S. I met several people who were able to completely let go and live in said tropical place, making money where they could and living life. I learned so many valuable things about myself while partially letting go myself. But I learned that I can’t let go completely. See the reasons above. It’s good to be back.

I’ve always had the nuclear plan of going back and working for a large tech company if I failed or couldn’t see this through. That plan still exists, but I only plan to use it if I fail. My point is that I plan to open my food truck and see this through. I’m realizing that quitting my job is the easy part relative to the big picture. If I don’t see this through to a radical professional change then I’ll still have regrets. I need to finish what I started. I will finish what I started. I’ve done the research, I’m confident I can work through the admin stuff, but I have a couple of large decisions to make before I can put any wheels in motion. Most importantly a final location and a name. Location because each state has different rules and regs for a food truck. Turns out you can’t completely copy the movie Chef and just operate a food business wherever you want. A name because you can’t register a business without a name. Anyone have ideas? The only names on the short list so far are “Chido, Carnal,” which translates loosely to “Cool, bro.” Or something basic, but catchy, like “Taco Joe’s.” Maybe I’ll create a survey and pull from the old market research days.

Moving on, my last days in Mexico were great. I’d made some friends in Oaxaca and a couple of us headed to the beach town to the south, Puerto Escondido. I tried my hand at surfing again, this time with an instructor on baby waves and I actually stood up on the board. It  was an accomplishment and great feeling to finally surf, albeit with a push on a kiddy wave. I then hit Mexico City for a few days en route to Chicago. Public service announcement, if you’re considering a city/cultural vacation put Mexico City on your short list. It’s close, safe, accessible to the U.S. and it’s a gem. My first impression from the air was that it’s a sprawling city. Absolutely huge. Wish I’d spent a 2 months there to be honest. There is a museum and/or public park on every corner. The restaurants and markets are world class and the Spanish Architecture in Centro Historico felt like Harry Potter World. Also add in the fact you experience real Mexico,  which is worth experiencing, which is nothing like the resorts, as you can imagine.

After returning to the U.S. and spending some much needed quality time with my family and then my friends in Chicago, it’s time to hit the road again.

So what’s next? I mentioned a road trip in a previous blog. That’s happening. I picked up a 1992 Toyota Land Cruiser that’s currently sitting in Seattle. I fly there tomorrow to pick it up. The world is a big place with so many things to see. Constant FOMO from this guy. But the U.S. also has a ton to offer that I’ve never seen. So I’m starting in Seattle and ending in Austin, Texas, where I’ll get some more experience working in a restaurant before diving in to my own thing. On the road trip I’m going to visit some friends and family, visit as many National Parks as I can, and try my hand a some backcountry backpacking. I’ve been a city boy my whole life. I only have one life. I want to switch it up a bit while I’m still capable of doing the backcountry. The pain in my knees from the 7 day hike in Oaxaca reminded me that it’s now or never if I want to push myself physically. So, considering I have 3,500+ miles of driving this Summer, I need some good jams. For those who have enough self control to not troll me, I created a collaborative playlist on Spotify. It’d be great if you guys could click on it and add some good jams. Thanks to those who have already contributed.

On to a couple shout outs before I go. First, to those close to me who make time and change their schedules when I come home to see me. To Paul who will be making his 3rd trip to come visit me somewhere in the world. I recognize that the world is revolving around me. Thanks. You can’t replicate 10+ years (in some cases almost 30 years) of friendship. The wholesome feeling and safety net of spending time with you guys, my people, is more important than I can put in to words.

Second, to those who have become close to me since I left. To my Ballymaloe people, who I feel like I’ve known for a decade, and who will be friends for life. Seeing you guys gives that same wholesome feeling. You represent such an important time in my life that we all went through together. It was great seeing some of you and I can’t wait to see others once I hit the road.

To Kevin’s Remote Year people who I remain in touch with. You took time to get to know me among all of the other interesting people you were with. You took me on a side trip after knowing some of you one day. You guys also represent an important time. When cooking school was over and I was a bit lost, you adopted me and gave me friendship and companionship from my first days in a super foreign place. I’ll always remember that time super fondly. And of course to Kevin for inviting me out and introducing me to everyone in the first place.

And finally, to everyone I met once I went solo. Starting in Nicaragua at Pitaya Bowls and ending in Mexico with my peeps I met along the way and from El Destilado. Most of you are/were fellow travelers with similar ambitions. You’re some of the most interesting people I’ve met and it was a hell of a ride.

Note that I have an acoustic covers playlist on Spotify (Sam Smith currently) with a view of the skyline while writing all this sappy stuff. Perfect environment for top sap.

I left Chicago on September 2nd, 2017, roughly 9 months ago. The journey continues tomorrow, stateside. Buy the ticket, take the ride. If anyone wants to hop in the Land Cruiser and explore the American West at any point this Summer, hit me up.

Thanks for reading.