While I love writing, I've never really be able to find the time to sustain a single online project. February 12th 2014 obviously had a significant impact on my time - for all the right reasons - but even then, when there was a chance to write about things and create a more textured narrative to what was happening to me and my life, it still ended up being put largely on the back burner with the primary focus being on more simplified, punchy mediums like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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| Tyler's Twitter Profile |
Since creating Tyler's Twitter account @JustTylerCove in February of 2015 (as good a 1st birthday present as I could have imagined!!!!!), that has been where I've lived online. My story because Tyler's story because they are so intertwined, it would be silly not to put all energy into that, especially after seeing the monumental exposure increase we encountered in August 2016. I'm especially proud of Tyler's Instagram as well though it doesn't quite get the same attention as his Twitter, but there is some great work on there too. Throw in Cecily's Instagram as well and a renewed love of YouTube and the channels I subscribe to, it doesn't leave much space to do "my own thing".
The last blog post (as of today) that I wrote for Tyler's page summarized the last 8 or so years of my life. From the MSc, to the difficult few months that followed completion of the course, right through to the incredible news that eventually our hard work had paid off and we had landed our dream move to the USA to work in North Chicago.... And that brings us to now.....
There's no guarantee that time will be as kind to us as I hope it might be but I always found it easier to be creative and write when I was travelling so the idea of being somewhere new for an extended period of time gives me hope that the spark of inspiration and desire to document the new experiences will reignite and maybe even on a broader level than the current scope allows, I can start telling mine and by extension my families story again.
It's almost nailed on as a certainty that we'll be living pretty much equidistant between Chicago and Milwaukee. If it's not smack in the middle, it's only going to be out by 10-15 miles at most. So before we even start, there are two cities to explore. Of those two, Chicago would generally be considered as one of THE great American cities so you can up the wow factor significantly because there's a reason Chicago is so beloved.
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| Wrigley Field. Home of the Chicago Cubs |
Those who know me well, will know that I am a big baseball fan. Second sport, only to football (no, I will stand my ground and continue to call it football - or at least footy for as long as I can!!!) so being in the Chicago / Milwaukee area presents the chance to watch not one, not even just two but THREE Major League Baseball teams within a short drive. The Milwaukee Brewers with a new, purpose built ball park may end up being perfect for family trips with the kids. There should be more "distractions" there than at the other two options. US Cellular Field (sorry, I just can't bring myself to call it the Guaranteed Rate Field) home of the Chicago White Sox and ironically the first ballpark I ever saw a game played in back in 2003, will be a bit of a trek the other side of downtown but a good American League / Interleague option none the less. And then we come to Wrigley Field. One of the two great historical ballparks still in existence (sorry Campden Yards) running joint first alongside Fenway for the nostalgia factor.
Wrigley Field, famous for its close proximity to houses at the read of the ballpark and its ivy covered outfield wall, is probably the thing (to do) that I am looking forward to the most. Baseball in general I guess. If I can't my Forest with me, I can at least find something else that I love to get back involved with. Of course, baseball in general extends to things like having a session in the batting cages. Or taking the kids to softball. Or even just being in the right time zone so watching a game doesn't require an IV hooked up to a gallon of Monster Energy drink just to get to the 7th inning stretch!
Beyond baseball there's also NFL, NHL and NBA to sink my teeth into and against my better judgement, I'll be taking my Callaway Big Bertha's with me too and will certainly be looking forward to getting a round of three in at some of the local courses. Just got to find me a golf buddy now!
The first trips into the main downtown areas of Milwaukee and Chicago will be quite special if we time it right. The dozens of videos I've watched on YouTube all paint a cracking portrait of Chicago as a place to visit with lots of things to do and see. A trip to the bean, a pizza at Giordano's, a sightseeing trip on the river, the SkyDeck and beaches!!!!! To name but a few from Chicago. And Milwaukee having the Harley Davidson museum and a rich German heritage and culture means there will be lots of fun things to do there too!
We're going to be about a 5 and a half hour drive away from the Twin Cities, Detroit and St Louis. A bit further afield we can get to Columbus, Nashville and Cleveland. That's just the cities that I know. We may not be in an area blessed with densely populated national parks that sit on most peoples lists, but there will be things to do. More things that we will have time for. And that's exciting. A long list of too many things to do, especially over the summer, should extend that "extended holiday" feeling deep into the back end of the year.
And then, when we hit winter time (and can get over the shockingly low temperatures that I'm sure will take us by surprise even with as much foresight as we can have!) we'll be able to enjoy snow! And be able to plan around having snow, which will be even better.
Weather in the UK has a bit of a reputation. And I for one am not going to be joining the line of people to defend it... It's mostly terrible. Not in the way people think or stereotypically gets reported (yes it rains, it's not as often as you think, yes it's depressing when it does) but more so in that it can be completely unpredictable. From warm spring like temperatures over Christmas to 6 weeks of rain in July. You can't really plan because you never know what you will get from season to season.
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| Bit cold? |
My understanding of the greater Chicago and Milwaukee area is that seasons are pretty well defined and largely predictable. Which is great. We can form a plan!!! Heck, we might even get a white Christmas! And actually be able to celebrate it with a real tree and all the trimmings! Being able to watch Tyler and Cecily feed off the feeling that it is actually winter and that Christmas might match the cliche's they have seen in the numerous movies we force them to watch through December to try and ignite even just a little bit of yuletide enthusiasm, will probably make the move worth it on its own.
But it isn't just that. There's so much more I haven't even mentioned (the dream of the 1967 Chevy Impala lives on!!!) but as it inevitably seems to be doing a lot lately, time has got the better of me and I will have to bow out for now!
Next week, we're in Chicago so I will hopefully begin my rise from the flames and be inspired to post about that too! If not, it will likely be once we have moved over in May and if that is the case, I bid you god speed and will see you on the other side!
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