A different kind of look-at-me post, or 'Joining sj.co.uk'

I'd long promised myself that I wouldn't make a look-at-me post when I finally hit 5,000, and so here I am, making a look-at-me post.

But ... only sort of.

I'd been meaning to post this for a while, but never got around to it, and when I got within a few posts of that coveted full-member status, I figured why not kill two birds with one rounded-number stone.

A little more than three months ago, I quit my newspaper job, and a little less than three months ago, I packed as much as I could into four suitcases, a carry-on bag and a laptop case and moved to England.

I did it for a number of reasons, but mostly because a series of opportunities aligned such that I almost had to. The house my grandparents lived in now belongs to my father and had been sitting empty since my grandfather's death two years ago. And I had few real ties to the U.S., other than steady employment, and in our industry, nothing's ever that steady. And, well, if you've got the opportunity to experience socialis(!)ed medicine, why turn it down, right?

Not everything has gone to plan, mostly because I still don't have a damn job. But I've been going to football matches, and now I can post about that on the Soccer Thread without raising any eyebrows. And even though I don't have a job, I can go to the doctor if I need to.

Oh, and I'll host the SportsJournalists.com England outing. Apparently there's something called the British Baseball League, so technically it qualifies.

 

I'll be in London from Sept. 14-16.

 

And mazel tov on 5K.

 

So if I do take my girlfriend up on her offer of London this summer, I have somebody to party with? Awesome!

 

Better change your handle, buddy.

 

Congratulations, even if you are in the land of SOCILISM!

 

deskslave, where in England are you? I might be headed over that way myself soon enough. Dad is from Belfast, he's thinking of moving home, and if he goes, I'm following him. Just went over for two weeks recently and had a ball. Absolutely love Ireland and England, and my parents are the only thing really keeping me here right now.

If I'm ever in your neck of the woods, first round is on me.

 

Cheerio old chap. Enjoy that side of the pond.

 

Just outside of Portsmouth, on the South Coast. About a 1 1/2- to 2-hour train ride from London.

 

Hey man. I'm jealous. I spent four months in London (so if you need any advice on where to go there, let me know) and I traveled all around Europe. It was an awesome time and I strongly considered heading back over the pond after I graduated. And congrats on hitting 5k.

 

Oh, I forgot to mention the dirty little secret I've hidden all this time on SportsJournalists.com: I'm actually an English citizen, despite having never lived there, until now. I've been a U.S. permanent resident (green-card holder) for more than 20 years.

 

It' a DERN FERINER! Git him!!