One of my work friends, Laura (who at 20 has her shit more together and is more mature than I can hope to be at 30), burned two of John Mayer's CDs for me.

I'd always liked his catchy little ditties and practically melted with romantic-y feelings the first time I heard "Your Body is a Wonderland." (Because who wouldn't melt if someone said to them "never let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it"? I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm sort of in love with him.) But it wasn't until I heard "Why Georgia" on the radio that I knew I had to check him out.

And after listening again to the song that made me want the album, I realized that it felt like an anthem.

"I am driving up 85 in the
Kind of morning that lasts all afternoon "

I live near I-85!

"It might be a quarter life crisis
Or just the stirring in my soul"

Why, I had (am having?) a quarter-life crisis!

"Everybody is just a stranger but
That's the danger in going my own way
I guess it's the price I have to pay
Still 'everything happens for a reason'
Is no reason not to ask myself

If I am living it right
Am I living it right?
Am I living it right?
Why Georgia, why?"

Not a day goes by that I don't wonder why I chose Georgia - why I chose this life. I still don't really have the answer to that. All I know is that when things get really bad and I think about packing it all in and running home, I get really sad. I don't want to leave this place. This vibrant, warm city that is about to come alive with dogwoods and green leaves. This year marks the first time in a long time that January wasn't a cold, dark oppressive gloom. That must mean something, right?

I was recently trying to explain to someone why I quit my job and moved and for the first time what I was saying really made sense. I went into it beyond my normal short answer of "I wanted to." I told him that while my life was professionally perfect on paper, I was miserable in every other way. I hated where I lived, I didn't have many friends, I was bored most of the time. Now it's exactly the opposite. I'm pretty much always happy. There's always someone to call and hang out with. I'm pretty much never bored. (Although as a child of Atari and MTV you know I still get bored from time to time.) So what's more important? What makes a better life? I think I found my answer.

So perhaps I didn't know know why I was choosing Georgia. Maybe Georgia chose me.

 

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The notify loves the singer-songwriter.

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