Putting down (particle board) roots

In the six years I’ve been in California, I’ve only ever bought one “real” (i.e., quality) piece of furniture—my bed frame. Everything else I’ve bought has either been generic Target grade products (i.e., plastic drawers, crappy particle board shelving) or the occasional Craigslist find. I think a large part of the reason for this was holding onto the idea that I’d be moving back to Virginia in a couple of years, and so there was no point in purchasing nice furniture that I’d only have to sell at a loss a few years down the line. It’s the same reason my cell phone still has a Virginia area code.

That trend finally changed last weekend, though, when I used the Christmas bonus my boss gave me to help purchase a replacement for my warping, rundown old Target bookshelf. I decided on an Ikea bookshelf that was twice as big and much sturdier (though still made of particle board) and have been swooning over it since.



So other than having a place to finally put all my graphic novels and clearing up my desk to actually be used as a desk again, what does this mean? Well, it means I think I’ve finally warmed to the fact that I may not be going back East any time soon. I’ve found a very nice niche out here surrounded by a solid group of friends, a fantastic girlfriend and a nice job that I enjoy (though I hope to make changes in that area this year).

Will I still move back East some day? Probably. As my parents get older I’m going to get more and more antsy about being so far away in case something happens to one of them. But for now I’m comfortable making my own way in California and seeing what may come.

Hopefully that will include awesomeness and corgis.