I am now in Phoenix Arizona

[Grudge]

I arrived Sunday last week and have been setting things up in my new apartment since then. I drove a UHaul truck all the way from Dallas, and my two cars were driven by my wife and her relatives. We had to stay at a couple of hotels. Doing it this way, we saved what might have cost $4,700 for the furniture movers + $1250 for transporting the two cars, as well as a lot of uncertainty around when this would all arrive at the new location. Still ended up costing around $3,000 but that got covered by the wife's relocation assistance program from her job.

We passed through New Mexico's Albuquerque, which did not impress me in any way, and the small city of Tucumcari which is referenced in For a Few Dollars More.

Phoenix is hot and dry, even in October. I'm having to drink a lot more water to stay hydrated. Being outdoors in the late morning or afternoon is not a good idea because of sunburn. From just about any location or angle, you can see mountains in the distance, which is an interesting sight. I have not had a chance to see a lot of this metroplex but from what I have seen, it's not that impressive, and I can't see myself settling here for the long-term. I'm residing in one of the more expensive and developed neighborhoods, in a 3 bedroom apartment, that's one the things I feel a little better about, but that's about it.

Sorry Skinner, I had hoped we could meet at least one more time so you could show some cool guitar tricks but life didn't play out that way, the job-workload has been unforgiving while at the same time I had to manage this relocation.

[User]

I hear a lot of conflicting things about Phoenix, it will be interesting to see how you like it over time. I mean, once life goes back to normal

[Grudge]

That's a valid point, pretty much anywhere I go at this time I'm not going to see much liveliness due to the pandemic.

[agony bagony]

phoenix, poor bastard. what a terrible place