As most of you know, my mom was in the film industry as well as being a free spirited gypsy queen, so we moved A LOT. As I child I went coast to coast: L.A., Texas, New York, Oregon, New York, back to L.A. back to New York, Texas etc. Occasionally we’d end up in places like Tulsa Oklahoma, but that was rare. Anyway, our adventurous lifestyle affected my sister and I in very different ways.
My sister set down strong, unbendable roots as soon as she was able (she’s lived in the same neighborhood for 18 years)
I took the other path. I love new places, fresh starts. I love moving (okay not the physical carrying boxes part) and road trips, and meeting all the people who-while they have different accents, sayings, home teams etc-are really a lot alike.
Anyway, out of all these places I’ve lived, with my family and since I left the nest-there have only been a handful where I felt completely at home. Where people were just as…unusual…as I. 
Note: I was going to add pictures but my computer is deciding to drive me insane today. Sorry 
Venice Beach-I loved it. Lived there when I was 10. I walked down the beach, watching the weight lifters, the crazy acts, the strange characters. There was a man anyone whose ever been there would recognize. Turban, guitar, roller skates, beard…ringing any bells? He used to follow me around and sing to me. Who wouldn’t love that?
Norfolk, England-I spent a summer there, so I think it counts, I’ve lived less time in other places. I spent my time in England-when I wasnt in the haunted cottage or the haunted pub across the street-traveling around to see the standing stones and chalk drawings on hillsides. I decided then, at 17, that I loved how open minded about the Woo Woo that British people were. I sat with an old man nicknamed Wop in the bar, a salt of the earth kind of guy, while he told me very calmly about witching stones and ley lines and the mischief making spirit that liked to toss things around the bar on occasion. I’d love to go back.
Montrose-Houston Texas I was young, working at two Ice Houses (garages made into beer bars for those wondering) as a beerback, and having a blast. Montrose is fascinating. So much so, I made sure I put it in my first book Lifting the Veil. A large LGBT community, artists, goths, anyone who is a bit unique…they pop up here. Though Austin’s logo is Keep Austin Weird, I believe Montrose still deserves that title more.
Sedona Arizona-This is my heaven. At night the stars cram the sky, clear and bright and brilliant. At sunrise and sunset the famous red rocks catch on fire and gleam like a magical mirage. And it just feels different here. Thousands of tourists drive through, as well as road dogs. Road Dogs are young, usually dreadlocked nomads, who travel through Sedona every year, playing drums and sitars in bars and restaurants and sleeping in campgrounds until the first snow. The locals were just as colorful, and so different. From the rich folks with their giant houses on the hills, to the resort workers living in tiny apartments on the bottom. We were obviously the former. Cookie was a resort chef and I was a vocalist in a local band. It was way too expensive, but oh so much fun.
I’ve been in the same state, in normal places, for nearly six years. I just moved into a nice apartment in a nice neighborhood with nice neighbors. But I long to go back to where the weird things are. Maybe next year.
June 17th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I was just on Venice Beach with some friends and we saw Turban man-he’s 100 years older than dirt and still roller skating around with his guitar! Someone took a picture…
Your England adventure sounds awesome! And your description of Sedona is so lyrical-would love to see it, someday.
June 17th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
We’ll definitely have to take a smutketeer trip together.
And I can’t believe turban man is still there-and able to rollerskate! Seriously, I saw him over 20 years ago.
June 17th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I love it! I want to go to Sedona now! Field trip!
June 17th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
ooh…they all sound fun!
June 17th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Crystal-YES!
Dayna-they are. I loved living in each and every one.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I can relate with the moving thing. I’ve more more times than I count on my fingers and toes–and yours, probably. But, I’m in the boat with your sister–I’d love to just settle down.
I hated New Mexico, but, I have to admit (grudgingly) that it has the best sunsets. The mountains turn purple and pink and it’s gorgeous, so amazing. I’ve never seen the sunsets in Sedona, but it sounds similar.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hey Lanie! I’ve lived in New Mexico as well-it is beautiful!But Sedona is in a whole other class. I almost wrecked my car when I first turned the corner and saw those red rocks.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
sounds wonderful….I go nowhere, but when the kids graduate, we’ve discussed taking our show on the road.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Thats definitely something to look forward to. I would love to have one of those fancy, rock star RV’s…with computer hook up of course, and just travel. For all my moving there is still so much I havent seen.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I told you! You need to move to Virginia City, NV!! Se can dress up like cowgirls and hang out in the saloons.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Feisty-Don’t think that hasn’t crossed my mind.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Ah standing stones. When we went to Britain we visited as many standing stones as we could and at one my husband decided to take a stone as a souvenir. This particular set was in the middle of a golf course. On the way back to the car he started having a panic attack and decided he needed to return the stone. As we drove through town he clipped a car parked at the side of the street, smashing its mirror. When we found a policeman to explain what happened my husband discovered his watch had stopped right about the time he took the stone. The cop solemnly proclaimed that the fairies had stopped the watch and caused the accident as a warning. Then he told us that the mirror could be snapped back on, no harm, no fowl. True story.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
That is an awesome story! You should use that. Yeah, the Fae don’t play.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
June 18th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Oh awesome!!! I have only “lived” - meaning changed my address to another state - one time. Hated it…then came back “home.” But I love to travel. All those places sound so interesting. I’m with Crystal…road trip!!!!
June 18th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
I’m lovin’ this road trip idea