Leaving London

London Eye, March 2010

Just because we decided that London isn't right for us any more and that this is not the place we want to raise our son doesn't mean that I am entirely happy about leaving. Well, the current riots by a bunch of brain-dead morons who have nothing better to do than burning down buildings and loot stores sure help make us feel better about our choice.

The worst part is undoubtedly being far away from our friends in the UK. I probably won't need all ten fingers to count the truly important close friends (maybe not even both hands), but I am certainly lucky enough to have them. I may not see these people every day or even every week, but it is comforting to know that they are just around the corner.

When I left Israel I didn't quite realize I left Israel. I was in London for an undecided time before it became permanent. When it dawned on me that I am staying in the UK for the foreseeable future it was a bit of a shock, thinking about the many friends and family I left behind. I used to visit Israel often in my first few years away and at first all of my friends got excited about it. "Mickey is coming from London! Yay!" But eventually with every subsequent visit the novelty wore off and it was more like "Mickey is coming from London! Meh!" Soon enough many faces faded away into the background and I found out who were my real friends who stuck with me and kept in touch despite the infrequent visits.

Nowadays it's the age of Facebook and Skype and it's far easier to stay in touch.On-line you really have to actively try and cut people out of your life and even then you're bound to keep encountering people you rather wouldn't if you used to hang out in the same circles at some point.

Still, I will miss certain people for certain activities. I will miss Janey who's my favourite horror movie watching partner, someone to share the giggles with any time we witness something utterly horrifying or gory. I will miss Kenric for lengthy gaming sessions blowing up aliens, zombies and alien zombies. I will miss Sally for face to face comics collaborations. And the list goes on.

I will make new friends in Winnipeg; I already have. I just hope not to lose any  old friends in the process.

It's weird being in our North London home which isn't really ours any more. To walk to streets of my neighbourhood which isn't really my neighbourhood any more. It's a bit sad. A bit. At the same time after getting to live in it for two weeks I also miss our new home and neighbourhood in Winnipeg, so at least we are not leaving here to the unknown; we have a pretty good idea where we are going.

We are going home.

Mickey