You aren't wrong about California sucking ass. I only came back to give my kids a chance to be around family before I retire. I'm looking at Oregon or Washington right now for when I leave the state. I have family in Idaho and Texas, but I'd rather be close to the beach. If I didn't get such a good offer in the LA area, I would have left California after failing in the Bay area.

I guess we can be happy we have wives and kids. I don't know what state I'd be in if I had zero support. Although it's tough not having any other friends. I made a lot of friends in the military, but they always end up being like airplane friends, only around until the ride is over.