TikiIslandByrdMan
Introduction
I am a male.
I joined expat.com on 28 June 2017.
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TikiIslandByrdManposted on the thread Is the DR loud?
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TikiIslandByrdManposted on the thread Is the DR loud?
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TikiIslandByrdManposted on the thread Confirmed issues with OVERSTAY OF TOURISM VISA
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TikiIslandByrdManposted on the thread Confirmed issues with OVERSTAY OF TOURISM VISA
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TikiIslandByrdManposted on the thread Conceal carry
Expat experience
Promoting my album and living as a singer-songwriter playing around town and the range.
The sense of community, the land, the rivers and lakes, mountain biking. The change of seasons. Pretty much loved everything. Friends, the town itself, great food and lots of activities and events.
The Cost of Living!!!
Signed a management contract as a songwriter
Just loved the desert itself. Everything about it. The colors, vegetation, landscape, wildlife, heat, weather, clubs, cafes, the dynamic difference of areas and regions from the Valley to the Mogollon Rim country, Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, all the lakes, the rivers, the town and area of Tempe, the Heard Museum. Tucson, Tubac, Nogales, I just loved the whole Arizona experience.
Traffic. Crime. Sherrif Arpaio, too many police.
Signed to CBS/SONY Norway as a recording artist
The history, culture, architecture, society, the moodiness of the weather. The long, warm summer days and cold summer rains. The autumn season. The fish, seafood, and national dishes, cheeses, and certain local food items were delicious. Very clean and intimate town that's not too big to walk across its entirety in a matter of hours. The crisp, clear, clean Nordic air. The waterfront, the many rivers and ponds and the fact that one could be in the pristine wilderness of the Norwegian forested hills in ten minutes from downtown via the streetcars "trykks" and "T-bannen." Though Oslo is very urban it still has at its heart a very village feel and aesthetic. There are myriad fantastically cool, atmospheric cafes, pubs, and restaurants all throughout its labyrinthine layout. So many parks and green spaces as well. Additionally, there are many scenic and tranquil islands dotting the entire Oslofjord.
The expenses! The lack of proper parking and traffic can be insane. But I guess that's true of most cities. I loved Oslo and a part of me will always remain there. If I was going to be picky I could say that the weather can be challenging. And the winter days are SHORT!
Playing and touring with my bands AWOL and then 100 Days
The vibe, history, and weighty atmosphere. The subtle yet pervasive melancholic ambiance of the city. The moody skies. I also loved the small village feels of certain districts and enclaves within London such as Camden Town and Brixton. The ethnic foods of the many cultures of the city. The clubs, the pubs, the architecture, the social scenes.
The expense! The congestion of certain parts. The grit that would be on your skin at the end of a day riding tubes and busses. The seedier old buildings in winter where the bitter cold winds blow through resulting in one's never being able to get warm. The lack of dynamic countryside.
Childhood from age 5, California school system, surfing, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, gliding, graduating, joining bands, working the clubs playing all over the state and beyond...
The landscape - the land itself, and the sheer variety of activities and geography, the nature, and seemingly endless options and choices for pretty much anything from foods, cultures, and music to climate and environment.
The congestion of Southern California, the traffic, the pace, the pervading sense of materialism, "toys," and things over experiences and inner-value. The rate of development at the expense of the land.
Born, adopted. Spent first formative years on the windward side of O'ahu on the US Marine base at Kaneohe.
Everything!
Leaving
