Moving Day

I wan't to start with an introduction about myself so those of you reading can have a better understanding of my character. My name is Taylor. I am a 25 year old student with a career focus in Journalism / Writing / Public Relations. I'm about 3 years through school now about to receive my A.A. I took some time off due to financial reasons which held me back. The last 10 years of my life has been surrounded with music. To be more brief I have been involved with punk rock music. In and out of bands, traveling, and playing shows I finally put it to an end. A life of a musician is becoming nearly impossible. With the hard work, dedication, and money involved only leads to a lifetime of debt and being homeless. Time for a change. I am moving to Brooklyn, New York today in search of a life.

So finally the day is here. It really makes me think about how fast we get old. We wait for so long, then the day is here and we are that much older. I made the decision to head north for New York last May of 2010. I originally went up there to visit my brother Brandon as a birthday gift from him. I remember getting in the car, he poured me a cup of coffee from his home-brewed batch, and first thing he tells me "So I promised Dad I would talk about you joining the Navy." Great. Another lecture about what to do with my life. Although I did not end up joining the Navy, that New York experience changed my life anyways. I realized nothing was working for me at home in Orlando and I needed a different pace. Something to drive me and give me motivation. The fact that I had my older brother living in Brooklyn was an opportunity for me to get up there and get started. I took it.

For the next few months all that was on my mind was New York. I mentioned it to my band, but not seriously. In my mind and in my heart I knew I was leaving. For those of you that play in a more serious band, you understand that your band becomes your relationship. Your members become your close family. It wasn't until October I let them know I was leaving, and we broke up.

Now last July I had retained my old job with the Rickshaw Company. I was with that company a few years ago, and had spent 4 years with them. I was let go due to strep throat and could not bring myself to get out of bed to make it to my shift. I know...it was bullshit. It's obvious they wanted a whole new staff. Anyways, back with them I was making money again. I'm talking about $1,000 a week during the regular summer season. As I thought I was back on my feet my move to New York nearly slipped. But, a month later, I was let go again. This time it was for a friend/co-worker to ask me to take a picture of him with George Lucas. When I heard "Hey Taylor, can you take a picture real fast?" I turned around, and there was Mr. Lucas with his eyebrows raised waiting to move on with his day. Of course I would not try and delay his time any further so I quickly snapped it and went back to work. Later that evening I got a call from my manager telling me "Taylor, unfortunately I have to let you go. I'm sorry. I know it's bullshit and please don't make me feel any worse than I do." I was back to square one. Broke.

I was back in New York in September. My brother was getting married. I swear New York is just waiting for me. I always have a reason to come right back. That weekend of the wedding I met a girl in Brooklyn. She slipped me her phone number in a small breakfast diner that contained world-famous pancakes and she later became my girlfriend. We spent the last 3 months together long distance and have seen each other twice since then. We fell in love. Obviously this gives me more then enough reason to come right back. If it weren't for her I wonder if I would follow through with my plans. Push to shove.

3 days ago she left me. She doesn't have the time to commit to the relationship, plus a few other problems between us. Working 3 jobs, and being a student makes perfect sense. I get it. But we don't always get the full story. There is always something left out. I'd rather not ask and just try to understand the best I can and move forward from there. We didn't speak til' the next morning. From there it led into a discussion about what went wrong between us and what we can do to make it work. After 2 hours I'm not sure where we stand at this point or what is even going on. All I know is right now I am alone. I always sensed that she felt desolate. It shows. I just wanted to prevent her from feeling that way, and know somebody loves and cares for her. She is plagued with a series of unfortunate events and a painful family history. I will go no further out of respect. There's not much I can do at this point except wait. I still love her.

These last few weeks have been real hard for me. I have had way too much time on my hands. Every day gets longer only allowing more time to think too much. I have said goodbye to basically everyone I need to at this point. The hardest is thinking about my closest friends I grew up with since 3rd grade, and my family. I will miss and love all of them. It won't be the same. With every decision comes a sacrifice. I can't thank everyone enough in my life for all they have done to help me. With all I have learned I will take into the future only to receive success. Thank you.

There's my life in a nutshell.

With under 5 hours before my flight I have to finish packing a few things. I arrive tonight at 9:24 p.m. and my new life begins. I hope you continue to read and see where my life goes from here. I will try to write as frequently as possible. Goodbye Florida.

Touching, isn't it?