Going Home

Friends and family, some of you are already aware of what I was doing Feb 19–21. Most of you are not. I apologize for my neglect. The three days altered my life course in a powerful way. So here is a summary:

• I flew to Berlin,
• marveled (in double-decked bus-tour fashion) at the city’s sites,
• strolled the aisles of an ancient, but active flea market and purchased the kind of fairy tale trinkets that only old Europe can supply,

• visited Checkpoint Charlie (which, I am sorry to report, is in puzzling disrepair),
• spent an afternoon photographing pre-war gravestones,
• and sat in a conference room with a company I’ve long admired to virtually construct my dream job, handpicking one delightfully typographic commission at a time.

In short, it was a good time.

What this all means, dear friends, is an unexpected restewflocation. My new work, which began this week, will eventually take me to San Francisco. I will spend three more months in Stockholm, just long enough to catch a glimpse of the prodigal sun as it emerges from winter hibernation. In mid- to late-June I’ll fly back to SLC, gather my belongings, and truck it to the Bay.

When I focus on the new location, specifically Berkeley, excitement builds. The East Bay village topped my List of Potential Post-SLC Home Cities before Sweden unpredictably surfaced. After all, it’s where James and Jen are! And Berkeley is green. It has the requisite hilly terrain and proximity to wilderness to stave off a destructive pining for the Wasatch. Berkeley is young and progressive. The area newspapers are well designed. There is no shortage of concert venues or art shows. Most importantly, a move to Cali will sever the space between me and my love. It’s time to end this state of being away from Jamie. Enough, I say!

So, NoCal sounds great, yet my thoughts inevitably stray to the only home I know. It feels strange to end Sweden without a return to SLC. The nostalgic valves of my heart are the most powerful. They torture, pumping the stuff of memory and longing with alternating pangs of bliss and hurt. I despise and cling to that tenacious part of my soul. I thought this experience in the isolated north might have a numbing effect, freeze it out of me, but it only heats and sinks deeper. I feel more homesick than I thought I would. I miss things I never thought I’d miss — stuff like Maverick convenience stores and local TV news. It’s laughably sad.

To abandon thoughts of my first home is a losing battle. In some sense, I'll always roll back into that valley like a heavy marble. Instead, it helps to remember that there was never a better time to look away from SLC. The dear house that sheltered my first 21 years of life is sold — Bob and The Veig wisely abandoned endless dusting and yard work for condo luxury. There are vital friends and family left in SLC, but the future clearly points west.

Salt Lakers: I miss you all. I will see you on the way to my California home.
Photos of Berlin to appear here soon.

Comments

[todd]

Congrats Stewf. You'll make it back just in time for all the election fun!

[Dave]

Even though i already knew of the move, let me just say congratulations yet again. Couldn't happen to anyone better.

As for ye old SLC, I wouldn't morn too much. "Our" legislature just ended their session and now Utah is even more bizarre. Kilby has degenerated into a high school hangout with so many faux trucker hats, the stage is barely visible. Urban Lounge has just recently installed a hipsteromoter to make certain the rif-raf stay away.

But I understand what you mean about this valley. I think they drug the water. The valley just has a certain look, feel and smell that keeps people coming back.

[Eric Rolph]

Have you ever heard of a thing called fluoridation? Fluoridation of water?

Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous communist plot we have ever had to face?

[flim]

ouch, ouchie! my heart!

stewf. I am so happy for you and your life is spreading its lovely feathered wings to float up where you belong. and california is much more appropriate for a person of your creative potential.
but ouch! I better at least SEE you before you stewflocate. you're an awfully rare bird.

much flim love for stewf

[Evan]

Does this mean you'll be wanting Monkey back? If so, you may want to prepare yourself for a round of fisticuffs with my mother. She's grown so attatched to the kitty that she's assured me she won't give her up without a fight -- after which you'll be able to pry Monkey from her cold, dead hands. This denotes a remarkable amount of progress having been made over the past few months. Shortly after Moneky first moved in, she cornered my mother with a series of threatening lunges. No joke. My mom was literally in the corner, screaming for help. Now she sleeps soundly under the covers of my mom's bed at night. <3 Monkey.

--Evan

[Steupf]

I am not surprised in the least to hear Monkey has gained more fans. She is the finest cat I've known. Playful and loving. Although my pal Jeremy would say she needs discipline, I adore her.

That said, I have never seen your mother, and so would have no idea whether a round of fisticuffs is wise. Given my current pathetic physical state, I may have to give up my beloved kitty. We shall meet and discuss upon my arrival.

Thanks again for providing such a nice home, Evan!

[Dave]

Sounds like Monkey is mellowing out with age. Happens to the rowdiest of us i guess. Whatever happened to Ms. Willa btw? I truly miss cartoon nights with good friends and fine feline companions.

[Milan]

Congratulations on your return hom! I knew that the Swedish habitat would get tiresome/mediocre.

Now what exactly is this 'dream company' you speak of? How does one go about making Steupf less vague in such 'semi-huge' posts?

[Kristin]

Awesome news! Mysterious company is getting a heck of a deal in you, Stewf.

"Dream job"? A company that pays you to examine and drool over typefaces, new and ancient? You'd better keep it a secret or you'll be flattened in the stampede!

[janean]

Just reading all 9 of the comments on this new long blog entry. What happened to the original first two? They were Matt’s and mine, respectively. I’m sad that they disappeared since I can’t possibly repeat myself in such an open venue.

[Steupf]

Flim - Much stewf love back at the flim.

Dave - Willa is with Jenn, who admirably puts up with that cat's debilitating paranoia.

Milan - Waffles, pinochle ferret, jumper cable.

Kristin - Thank you! I'll tell you more about it at TypeCon in July.

Janean - When I "fixed" the code on the comments page I lost the comments that were there at the time. I'm sorry, I am web deficient.

[Miss Tiffany]

This reminds me of a poem. I'll have to do some looking. Or a song. Hrmm. Anyway, I'm happy for you Stewf. Green and glazed over with jealousy, but beaming and glowing with pride. Hope that's ok.
As for leaving SLC. Yeah, just when we had actually hung out you left. And now you leave again. :^(