Monday, April 20, 2009

Suicide in Paradise?

I read an article in the new magazine, Singular Los Angeles, titled, "Eden", about a trip a daughter and father took to Tahiti. There was a line in the article that struck me.

"Moorea (located in Tahiti) has many fatal traffic accidents, a high rate of alcoholism and a high suicide rate...'You're basically stuck on the island for your entire life," he (tour guide, Herve) said with a shrug, "so yes, it's beautiful, but there aren't a lot of options. People can get depressed."

I've been asked by people, regarding my move back to Wisconsin this July, why? Why would you opt to leave sunny Southern California for 4 months of winter in the Midwest? Herve's comment reveals that no locale is immune to life's realities. Family and friends, the job market, traffic, overcrowding, your passions and pursuits and the perceptions you have of where you're living have a great affect on one's psyche.

Southern California or Tahiti. Makes no difference.

3 comments:

  1. Back to Wisconsin? Where abouts? My big sis still lives in Manitowoc and Moms in Milwaukee. CA is complete madness (in my opinion)

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  2. I couldnt agree with you more Jeff, I lived in SoCal for a little bit too and happiness comes in different forms, mine was back in Milwaukee with my family and friends that I grew up with. Can't wait to have you back here so we can spend much more quality time together.

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  3. Same here Jeff - it's like Marcus Areleus alluded - "You can have the mountains inside your head and yet not have to worry about falling"

    I love traeling, but I love coming home. I hope I gave my sons the feelings of 'roots and wings'.

    Southern Cal can be a suicide in driving alone - or smog -LOL

    Courtney

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