I grew up in the Oregon
rain forest where my father was the director of a summer camp. It
was beautiful, quiet, and miles from any town. I moved to San Diego
because, like any teenager, I was sure that anyplace opposite to where I lived
would be superior. I was into skateboarding and music so I fled the rainy
farm town where I went high school to attend college in a sunny coastal
city. I didn't realize that I would end up not really caring about
all of the things an outsider thinks that Southern California is and instead
finding community with some amazing people that have compelled me to work hard
on creative projects. And the funny thing is, now that I've settled
in, I watch the weather report anxiously for rainy days and escape to the
mountains as often as possible.
Why
do you continue to call San Diego home (Besides the Weather)?
I call San Diego home in
spite of the weather because it's got big city perks but feels like a small
town in a lot of ways. I can ride my bike anywhere I need to go and I see
the same friends all day, all over. We don't have a thousand amazing
artists, musicians, restaurants, shops or venues, but we have some good ones
and they are well-appreciated. People here are thoughtful and inspire me
to do meaningful things and I don't think that could ever be traded for cooler
bars, different scenery, or anything. The tightly-knit creative community
here is supportive rather than competitive and if you want to start something,
people will rally behind you.