When you move somewhere new in the 21st century, you trail behind you a set of digital tendrils back to the place you moved from, each of which tugs on you until you snip it off. I keep getting alerts from weather services about the tremendous rain in San Francisco. My favorite Bay Area music venues keep emailing me about upcoming shows. I unsubscribed from DoTheBay and NoisePop and SketchFest. Getting rid of these from my social feeds and inbox feels a bit like burning the bridges behind me. Each one brings a sigh, a doubt, a surrender.
I’m hoping to find local replacements for these events and venues, but I gotta tell ya: the music scene here feels pretty bleak in comparison. Pittsburgh seems to be bypassed by a lot of bands, big and small. I’ve set my Songkick to both PGH and Cleveland (2 hours away) in the hope of catching more of my favorite bands, but I expect some trips to NYC, Washington, Chicago, etc. just to see shows in my future. Please don’t make me go to a big music festival.
I told myself most of the things I enjoy can be done from almost anywhere but that’s not really true. You forget how many things are connected to a physical location. Try to find my favorite scent? Nowhere nearby. Thai massage? Nope, none in the entire city.
It’s not all bleak. I can still get great cocktails and tons of craft beers. I’ve found some decent tacos. But everything is an adjustment and nothing is exactly the same. Which is I guess what moving is all about. You either fight it and complain or open yourself to the new.
I’ve been here a week now.
For all my moves, the transition to-do list was: haircutter, english book store, good coffee. I hear ya... I still get emails from Nerd Nite SF, and miss it so dearly. I hope you're able to find replacements that come close.
In 1993 I moved from Seattle to St. Louis. I had lived my life in coastal areas: New Bedford, Mass, Los Angeles, Seattle. St. Louis was quite an adjustment but it did expose me to perspectives and experiences I would never have gotten otherwise