Greetings from Central Texas (Austin)

[mwtichen]

Hello. You can call me Matt. I'm one of the many transplants to the Austin area, but unlike some, I grew up in the South. I was born in New Orleans, and was raised in a suburb on the North Shore (note: the South Shore of Lake Ponchatrain is New Orleans).

I'm pretty open-minded, but also very conservative. It's been a long journey for me. I've dropped out, returned to school, gotten married, returned to school again, landed a "professional" job, realized that working for other people kinda sucks, and now I'm focusing more on things I've neglected.

I like drawing and I hope to sell some portraits or caricatures at the local farmer's markets. I regularly exercise and spend a lot of time with the family. I'd be out there taking more risks if I didn't have the responsibilities I have now. I still consider my family a blessing, as it's forced me to be a better person. I'd like to spend more time with my brother or two sisters, but most of us have scattered across the US.

My level of religiosity waxes and wanes. I was raised Roman Catholic and returned to the church after my father passed away nearly 3 years ago. Some days I have doubts, but I drag my son to mass every Sunday and plan to do so until he's received the sacrament of confirmation (technically it's his choice, but I haven't met anyone that went through chatechesis only to stop at the end). My wife isn't Christian, but the church doesn't mind so long as you raise your kids to be Catholic.

Anyways, what I'm really looking for is some community. Realistically, that probably won't happen in an online forum like this, but talking with kindred spirits is not a bad substitute. I'm happy to have a civil, authentic conversation with the fans of Mr. Cromwell (or him).

[HoratioSeymour]

Great post! I'm finding it curious what's the connection between Cromwell and New Orleans? I've heard from multiple sources that he not only lives in the area, but that a lot of his "closest" ones are from that area.

I can't work for other people but sometimes you have no choice in this stupid economy and economic system. Here in NYC, people live to work and are slaves to corporations. I am only here because it would be unwise to quit college already in the middle of it all.

[mwtichen]

Thanks Horatio. I'm not sure if Mr. Cromwell lives in the New Orleans area. I think he mentioned somewhere that he's staying in Louisiana. It would certainly be interesting if he did live in the Chocolate City (so named by the infamous Mayor Ray Nagin).

I haven't been to New York, but your description matches much of what I've heard.

You are so right about being slaves to corporations. Most Americans are wage slaves.

As far as quitting college, it would be unwise to quit if you already took out student loans. Having no degree and student loans is worse than having a degree and student loans... but if you don't have any loans, you might as well choose to do something else.

Edit: Out of curiosity, what did you choose to major in?