Things I’ll Miss About California

Next week, I shall close up residence here on the west coast of the United States and set up my new home in Georgia. There will be no new posts to this website during the month of March. Regular  Tuesday and Friday postings will resume on April 3, 2012. However, I will be posting on Twitter during March, so if you want to know what’s going on in my world follow me there.

After having spent more than three decades in California, there are some things about this place I will not miss, such as: 1) Expensive Real estate; 2) Expensive gasoline and 3) Dysfunctional state legislature. (I’m sure there is a pattern here.) But there are also some things about California I will miss because they were one of a kind experiences, such as:

The Pacific Ocean.

clip_image002There is something to be said about being able to watch the sun set in the ocean. There’s a calm that comes over you as realize that you looking at the end of the day, the end of all that was; but if you just turnaround you’ll be greeted by a new day in a couple of hours, a new day filled with light, hope and promise…if you just turn around.

 

In-N-Out Burgers.

clip_image004This hamburger chain makes burgers the way they should be. The fact is, once you’ve had one, you’ll wonder why you’d ever eat another “fast food” chain’s fare. I grant that some people don’t like the company because the food wrappers, bags and cups have Bible verses on them. I say “get over it.” The food is good and you don’t have to eat the wrapper or the cup anyway.

 

The Marines of Camp Pendleton.

You don’t have to read this blog for more than five minutes to understand how much I have enjoyed my small association with the Marine Corps in general and the Marines (and civilian employees) of Camp Pendleton in particular. I will miss them because day in and day out these professionals made magic happen every day for the American people without publicity and without fanfare. I recall an episode of Futurama entitled “Godfellas” in which the robot, Bender becomes home to a race that worships him. There is a line spoken in that episode that I’ve never forgotten and applies to the Marines of Camp Pendleton. The line is, “When you do things right, people won’t be sure you’ve done anything at all.” Most of us don’t give these Marines a second thought, but because they do what they do, we all can sleep at night.

These things I will miss, but I’m also looking forward to starting my journey into the unknown…into my future. I won’t ask you to wish me luck because “luck” shouldn’t be part of any planning strategy,  but I’ll take your best wishes and hope that I’ve planned well enough to be successful.  See you in April.

6 comments

  1. All the best as you start this next phase of your life! May your neighbors be friendly, your furniture arrive undamaged, and may you always know where your towel is. 🙂

  2. Bill, It was a pleasure working with you. Thank you for always taking the extra time to do things right not only with the unit but with myself. You have always gave due notice to giving me guidance on many issues to include my future. I wish you the best wishes on your retirement and your future. May you have great days with your family, Enjoy that new home and the only work you should be doing is enjoying everyday of not doing anything but what you love.

    Things California will miss about you:
    1. Your state tax money
    2. Your property tax money
    3. Last but not least your money….Just kidding

    We will miss you…

    • Thank you, Jose. It was a joy to work with you as well. And you’re right about the things California will miss about me. However, they don’t have to fear. I’m sure Georgia is prepared to step in and collect my money and do as good a job as California did.

  3. Bill,

    Today is our furst day without you and it is sad. We had our meeting with the big boss today and he told us everything is going to be alright. It may be “alright” but it will never be the same. Your picture made the “wall of shame” in my office and whenever anyone asks “who is that?” I will gladly say “my friend and the best boss I’ve have ever had…” Thanks.

    John

    • John…thank you so much for the very kind words. It is an honor to make your “wall of shame.” I wish you and yours the very best of everything. You will always have my warmest regards…Bill

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