Kaetlin Perna
January 12, 2007

I’m on a layover flight through Chicago, from Buffalo to Phoenix. Its 5:20p central time in the middle of November. The man next to me, who smells of Jim Beam, leans over looking out the window. “What are you looking for?” I ask. He says, “Anything – I think we’re flying over my childhood home.” He continued to point out landmarks: a mall, a golf range, the old Navy base, I-95 and yes, his childhood home. The street lights flickered below as we made our decent into O’Hare, and this view, this gorgeous view only brings me memories.

At 16 years old, when deciding on college to attend, I was accepted to Rhode Island College in Providence, and Columbia College in Chicago. I either wanted to be a writer or a filmmaker (and hey look, I’m sort of both!) I wanted to take anthropology and film classes and I wanted to revel in the cosmopolitan atmosphere that is Chicago. Instead, I ended up attending Arizona State, fell in love with comedy and became the girl you’re reading now. My college comedy crush, however, moved to the Windy City soon after his 2003 commencement. (I, again, seethe jealously).

At 18 years old, I decided I wanted to try comedy myself. I reapplied to Columbia College and was accepted once again. I looked at Second City for classes and I was sure that this is what I wanted. Presently, for some reason, it’s something I keep denying that I do want; despite the fact my mother tells her friends that I am a comedian. (I’m not). Again, I was deterred and ended up attending New School University for a semester with the intention of move to New York City (that didn’t happen). It’s always been Phoenix and Rochester; Phoenix and Rochester, the city I sorta like-mostly hate and the city I’m comfortable and grew up in.

Now, I’m at a point where bills are getting paid, I’d midway through my 22^nd year, and I have to decide where I want to go from here. I’ve given New York plenty of chances, and the more I go there – the less I want to be there. It’s busy; I always feel like I have to be doing something. And given my chosen vocation, I can live anywhere! Portland seems nice; in LA, I have people who want me (and there are beaches!); Seattle is gorgeous; Boston is a mini-NYC; Toronto, I’d need a work visa – the same for Vancouver, and Chicago I’ve always wanted, but never actually tried.

When all is figure out, and solidified in my life, is when I need to know but not for another year at least. Who knows where I’ll be career wise then. Chicago will always be on my mind, maybe I should take a trip or two to figure it out. Thing is – I know no one. I know people in New York (not that I feel like they like me enough to move there). Lord knows I would hate starting from scratch again, but who knows…Chicago might be the ticket.