Today, October 5th marks my 20th year here in Chico California.
What I’ve learned so far:
1- It’s a better place to live than many parts of California
2- People here can be very nice
3- Politics here can be very mean
4- Success is in the eye of the beholder
I came here with a u-hail trailer, a cat, and a job. Have I been successful here? I think so. I’ve had some failures too. But I am very thankful that I have a loving wife, two wonderful children, a new cat, a paid for roof over my head, a stable business, and some community respect. I’m appreciative to many whom have offered support and encouragement in my 20 years here.
As for my detractors, well there this quote from Bill Cosby: “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Marshall, this blog’s for you.
This is my last entry on the old www.norcalblogs.com/watts blog, see my new one at wattsupwiththat.wordpress.com
All new entries will appear there though this will remain as reference until such time the ER upgrades to a new blogging platform.
UPDATE: 10/08/07
A couple of people at coffee this morning inquired as to whether “Marshall” above referred to somebody locally. That’s not the case. It refers to a person involved in science that I’ve been corresponding with related to my www.surfacestations.org project who has been giving me advice and encouragement in the face of some of the criticism I received about the project on the blogosphere. Any implied or imagined reference to anyone locally is simply a case of a shared first name.
Those who can make a good living up north of the Bay Area-Sacto-Stockton-Modesto-et all blob are in an excellent position. Slightly lower costs, God’s country, and a reasonable degree of cultural opportunities, food choices, etc as what the sprawlites enjoy. I attempt the watered down version of this, living at the urban-wildland interface at the edge of Bay burbs. But you’re living the real deal. Good job!