The Oracle of Apollo Snippets from the life of Apollo Lee

Six Years

On this day in 1999, I moved to the Silicon Valley from Northern Idaho. Six years ago, I moved to a major metropolitan area for the first time in my life and started to live in area in which I knew one person (Hello, Kai!). With a few hundred dollars, my car, two computers, my clothes, some O’Reilly books, and a small selection of dishes, I drove out and began to build the life I live today.

In that six years, I’ve worked as a web developer in a sexy startup, four large corporations, and for various small projects. I’ve gone dancing on more than thirty of San Francisco’s dancefloors with myriads of lovely people, in front of speakers playing the music of more electronic music artists than I can even count and every significantly known house DJ and live act that has performed in Northern California since I moved here.

I’ve made lots of wonderful friends, lost a few, and lost track of too many. I’ve desired some people, pushed most others away, and mostly just tried to better my life. I’ve stopped smoking and started cycling. 12,416 miles have passed under my wheels in five counties and untold hours have passed under my feet as I got my groove on in four of those five.

I’m not famous. I’m not rich. But, I’m home.

For all those I lost track of along the way, for all those I count among my friends today, for all those I worked with, for all those who shared my dancefloor and heard my hand flute, for all those who endured my rants and raves, for all those I felt affection for and never informed, for all those who included me, for all those who helped me learn something, I thank you for these six years. I still get excited when I realize that I live in the Silicon Valley. When I see that CA in my address or drive half an hour to arrive at a club in the most beautiful city in North America, I sometimes still have trouble believing that this is really my life. I’m glad I found it.

I’m not finished. The best is yet to come. I hope you’re there to share it with me.

smiles Have I ever told you how proud of you I am? I look at the total miles you’ve racked up and just stare in awe. I don’t ever say anything about it because all I have to say is “woooooooowwww….” 🙂

I don’t know what catagory I fall into for you, but for me you’re one of those people that really did affect my life, and made huge changes in so short a time. I know that if it weren’t for our short meetings and all that resulted I wouldn’t be where I am today — I would have never been brave enough. I thank you for that.

I miss you, but I am so very happy that you’re doing well and more, that you’ve found that place that feels like “home”. Los Angeles was that for me, and I feel akward and out of place not being there. My sense of belonging shakes even more when I’m not able to see or to walk. It would be better, I think, if I felt at “home”. Home is so important…. sometimes the most important thing. I’m glad you have that.

You don’t have to be rich. You don’t have to be famous. I love you just the way you are. And if you become rich and famous I will love you no less. To me, you’re Apollo, and I think of you often and thank whatever diety caused our paths to cross. I hope they cross again. I miss your dry, sarcastic banter, laughter, and hugs.

hugs and kisses

Jenni