There And Back Again

It's been a while since I graced the pages of my blog, so much has happened since. Went to Michigan, then Charlotte to Haley's graduation, visited New York and became a great uncle. Everything is proceeding at a rapid pace, 2010 is a blur with 2011 fast approaching. There is so much left to do and such little time to do it, but I'm cramming in everything as fast as I can. Change has come in my life and I'm adapting well, thanks President Obama.

In 1998, I want on an interview out of the country to Montreal, Quebec and fell in love with the city. Naturally, I did not get the job, but I always swore I'd get back there one day. Well, twelve years later I'm headed back to a city that captured my soul. I went there in March of that year, with snow drifts up to two feet, but that did not deter me. Playing in the snow was pure joy and I got around the city center very well. This time I'm going in the dead of summer, but the weather will be more forgiving with daytime temps in the mid 70s. That is quite a respite from the 100 degree weather we've been having in Memphis.

It's funny how things happen in one's life. I left there not knowing when I would be coming back, but the fact is that I kept my pledge. I wonder what is going on with that company I interviewed with, just how are they doing? I've been in Memphis for a year now, and it seems like I have done more here in that one year than I did in my 22 years living in Atlanta.

For me Atlanta is fading in the distance with each passing day. The city has imploded since I left. No matter how much "boosterism" the locals banter about the city, it's best days have come and gone. For at least the next decade, Atlanta will be a stagnant city with other regional players catching up with it.

Memphis is primed to be one of those cities. There is more here than Elvis and Dr. King. Slowly, this region is coming into its own and will be a place where people will have to take a serious look as a business destination. I believe Mayor Wharton will take Memphis to new heights.

I've come to the right place at the right time. Little did I realize that a guy with a funny name would have a profound effect with one word - Change. Those who embrace change will prosper, those who don't will be come irrelevant, it's that simple.

Change, thats is taking me to Montreal on Monday.