Title of the book: How I moved to Santa Rosa and Died
Theme: Futility of life (pessimistic) Glory of life (optimistic) Life happens then you die (realistic)
Plot: Middle age man seeking better life reflects on past youthful dalliances, trials and tribulations while coming to grips with ever changing reality, takes bold new steps building on successes while trying to leave failures by the wayside, surfs with a stranger at a new spot, loses both legs in shark attack, as he dies tells stranger his life story, stranger writes book and makes millions and claims dead middle age man was "like a brother....I've even become close with his widow".
At least you didn't move to
Austin, Texas.
Blurb:
"The thing that California and Austin definitely have in common is that they're both very expensive," Alder wrote. "Austin is not cheap. Let the words sink in. Austin is not cheap, it's actually quite expensive."
Texas might not have any state income taxes, but it has plenty of other costs.
Alder pointed to the high price of energy, water, and services like pool maintenance and landscaping. He also wrote fellow transplants should budget for summer getaways, because "most anyone who can leaves Austin for a month or two" to escape the heat.
The "oppressive" heat — and the wintry cold, humidity and allergens — were major sticking points for the new Texan. So was the perceived lack of public space.
The lifestyle and surroundings weren't the only parts of Texas he took issue with. Alder found the locals to be rude, lacking in integrity and terrible drivers. Not even bumping into McConaughey at a flag football game could change his mind.
Alder wrote that Texas was a "conservative dystopia" and a "monoculture that doesn't seem to be aware of it's own blandness." He eventually pulled his three kids out of the local elementary school because it was run like a "micro-managed military academy."