How In The World Did This Happen?

Wisconsin, to Ohio, to Kentucky, to New Jersey (ew!), to New York City, to the Hamptons. I've had to explain that chain many times over the years and it always goes something like this:

"So how did you end up here?"

To which I invariably reply: "I have absolutely no idea."

That's more or less true. Most of that progression really doesn't make sense, from here. I suppose each step made sense at the time. Even the left turn to New Jersey, which had no place in my southward migration, has a perfectly logical explanation - but let's not dwell on that since the guy is long gone now. But by then, I was very seriously in love with New York City.

I think it's interesting that my love affair with New York has lasted longer than the one with the guy who dragged me there.

New York City and I... we're still very much an item, but it's a long-distance thing now. And I have this little thing on the side, with the Hamptons. And why shouldn't I? New York has 8 million other people taking up its time and attention, after all. All I want is miles of beautiful beaches, country roads, quaint and historic towns, privet hedges, maybe a few movie stars... is that too much to ask?

When I lived in New York, we spent a lot of time together. I made a point of visiting as many of the local landmarks as I could, both the ones for the tourists and the locals. After all, I was living in a place that people regularly visit as a vacation destination and it seemed downright rude to ignore it. I have a rather impressive collection of ticket stubs and programs to show for it.

Now I'm doing the same thing in the Hamptons. I've declared this summer to be my Hamptons Summer, and I'm on a mission to see and do as much of it as I can. Naturally I'll do this in my own very unique way (and if you know me at all, you understand that statement). So keep an eye on things here if you want to look over my shoulder at the Hectic Hampty-Hamps.