The Stars at Night are Big and Bright

So....big news here at Casa de Cheeky.

The CroutonClan is moving to Austin.

Some of you poor souls who follow me throughout the rest of the statusphere probably already knew that. The whole thing has had me so preoccupied and introspective that writing something more than 140 characters long seemed like climbing the Cliffs of Insanity without a rope.  That's why I've been wasting your my time writing about movie characters and music instead of my normal fart-strewn narratives (if I've written at all).

I didn't want to jinx it. 

Here's the deelio.  You may recall a few months back when my former employer saw an opportunity to kick me in the teeth and send me off to explore the magical bureaucratic world of COBRA and unemployment benefits.  Although this has given me ample time to re-exert my role as Alpha Parent and work on my tan, it's a lacked a certain something. 

The New York job market, at the same time, has collapsed like democracy in Iran. I started out with some enthusiastic recruiters but it wasn't long before I stopped hearing from them.  Everyone I knew described themselves as either "keeping their head down" or "shit-canned, too."  And although the prospect of financial destitution may be appealing to Depression Era cinemaphiles it forced us to consider radical alternatives to make ends meet.

Which brings us--literally--to Austin.

The job itself is fundamentally similar to what I was doing before (which I loved) but with more responsibility, better clients, and people who clearly recognize talent when they see it.  It's in a state with no income tax.  And I have as yet to meet anybody who has been to Austin that doesn't claim they LOVE it.  With a shrug and a collective "Why not?" we went for it.

Holy crap.  It worked.

Now we're faced with a bazillion choices that are making our heads swim.  When do we move?  Do we buy or rent?  Where will Cheeky go to school?  How do we deal with the summer heat?  Do I drive like a liberal asshole, a redneck asshole, or just a regular asshole?  Do I loathe the Cowboys, or just despise them?  Human sacrifice. Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria!

It's enough to drive a man batty!

Despite it all, though, I'm totally psyched.  I'm really glad to have a job again.  I'm thrilled to be moving to a city known for music, tex-mex, and its cultural idiosyncrasies.  I even know a blogger or two down there, which should make the acclimation a little bit easier.

More news to follow soon...it should be a grand adventure...

Comments

[Chookooloonks]

Congratulations, and welcome to the Lone Star State! E-me offline, and I'll point you in the direction of some pretty great people in Austin. You're going to love it!

K.

[Hygiene Dad]

Wonderful news. Austin-from the few times I've visited-seems to have a great community and culture. Though different from the Big Apple, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[Kathy]

Congratulations on the new job! I've heard nothing but GREAT things about Austin. Should be an excellent adventure!

[MrsBigDubya]

Congrats!

I loved Austin when I visited, so hopefully you will come to love it too.

Best of luck

[lumpyheadsmom]

Congrats.

Things I know about Austin:
1) There's a car in the parking lot at work with a bumper sticker that says "Keep Austin Weird."

2) You are going to live there.

[Holmes]

Once again, welcome welcome. Dinner at our place once you guys are settled.

[carmen]

Congrats, I heard Austin is great! Keep on posting :)

[Joel]

I'm guessing Cheeky is going to start demanding things now in Spanish or a rough Texas drawl? One thing you'll really like is the constant sun. Our move from Michigan to Atlanta has feeling all gushy with Vitamin D!

[the weirdgirl]

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! I've never been to Austin but I've heard interesting things. Mainly, that you'll have to become a hipster. Sorry dude.

This also means you're only a hop, skip, and a jump from CA. You know you're always welcome to come play video games.