Further musings on "like"

As difficult as it has been to be here in NZ I have found that once I hit my breaking point it has all become a bit easier. I think I needed to get to that point where I was so frustrated with my life here that I had no choice but to give up or change it. Well, never one to give up (its much easier to just not try in the first place) I figured that I needed to change perspective.

I do some days have quite a hate on for Christchurch. The idea of being here much longer than January, some days, does make me seriously reconsider sticking around. But for as much as I miss things about Vancouver I am starting to wonder if I might find those things here if only I were to change my definitions. I really miss cheap fresh food, I miss East Van queer dance parties, I miss independent cinema (oh cinematheque), I miss indie rock concerts, and I miss the company of having a lot of acquaintances even if I didn't have many close friends. But all of those things do have the potential to be here, I just haven't really gone looking.

What has stopped me? Well money has been a big part of it. In my time here I have found that I have either been working too much and have no time, or not working enough so don't have enough money. Soon that will balance itself out as it has been confirmed that my new job is starting next Tuesday. The no time thing may become a factor as I will still be working the cattery as well, but the cattery has also become a major social outlet for me as my boss there is pretty awesome.

I think also what has stopped me is that in the back of my mind is the thought that I will be leaving here in a years time, so whats the point in creating that network just to have to pick up and leave it all all over again.

But when I think about going back to Vancouver and suffering through another winter of rain and dark for months, or going back to the hustle and bustle of the city that I find holds a lot of aggression. I mean, winter here is stunning and locals have been saying this is a tough year. The people that I have met are super friendly and super accommodating. This is a beautiful city and country even though it is quite conservative, drinking is a sport rather than a past time, and racism is rampant. So its hard to think about giving up the good here to go back to Vancouver so soon. Maybe I am not giving it the time it needs to foster itself into an amazing city yet. I am just not sure my waffling will help any.

Oh Christchurch why can't your food be cheaper, your dances be eastvanesque, or your ocean be closer to downtown?

Oh Vancouver why do you have to do nothing but rain, for months, and months?