What?!?!
Yes, we were in the process of scouting out the city ten years ago and around my sixth anniversary as an Apple employee, we flew there to scout prospects for both of us.
Why?
Somara and I figured there would be more opportunities for her new career via culinary school because the area has numerous resorts for snowbirds. I also felt I needed a change of scenery due to my career with Apple being in a rut.
The short version.
I couldn’t get a solid enough commitment from either Apple Store in Phoenix to risk transferring on a wing and a prayer, aka un-/underemployment after our Austin house was sold off. This gave me serious cold feet. Somara had better luck, she received an offer to do an internship with a place in Scottsdale. Then I saw how much more driving around I had to undertake in Phoenix. You think MoPac and I-35 suck? Don’t get me started about the annoyances of I-10, I-17, 101 and 202. Staying put in Austin seemed to be the wiser move.
The aftermath.
Somara relocated to Phoenix for school for about four months. She had a pretty good time. Learned plenty. It just wasn’t going to pay squat to support the two of us if I ended up pounding the pavement upon arrival. Her cat Wicca had an even better time without the other three cats to pick on her. I remained behind to maintain the house, go to work and care for Miette, Molly and Nemo. Fortunately, matters with my job turned around courtesy of a manager I continue to miss and respect. Another positive side effect, we finally bought cell phones.
Epilog.
Not moving to Phoenix turned out to be an incredibly wise decision in hindsight. The city was one of the ground zeroes for the Great Recession several years later. Had we relocated, I’d say the odds favored us being screwed. Besides, the brief trip got me to re-assess what I did love about living in Austin regardless of employment. It would’ve been nice to see my friend Rad more often though.
So to reminisce, this month’s header is a picture Camelback Mountain. A cool natural landmark in Phoenix. When we were there in 2002 for Rad and Kim’s wedding, our hotel room could see it nearby. I think my 2001 stay for work was too.