Call it a night. The party's over.
And tomorrow start the same old thing again.
In this world of fiber optics and instant gratification, eighteen months seems a long time to shutter the door at Lunker Hunt global headquarters. If you consider the same duration in reference to your lifespan...well, it's not such a long time after all. My wife and I have decided to spend that amount of our life embarked on an adventure sure to excite and terrify in equal parts.
A few months ago we were knocked off balance with an option to move, but we're hitting our stride once again. Uncertainty will be certain in our lives from this day forth, of that much I'm sure.
It is a brief moment in time really. Lengthy enough to expand our world view, develop new friendships and provide a story for the twilight years. Short enough to miss little back home and enable stepping back into "real life" at full speed - by then, all the more stronger.
And when this next party is over we will look back, appreciate the amazing opportunity and set sights on the next big thing. Until that day, my friends, when we meet again.
A toast to a new adventure, and to friends far away. Enjoy, my friend, and we look forward to your return.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Gān bēi!
DeleteDon't hold your breath, maybe we like it there.
What a great experience this should be for you guys. Congrats! Here's wishing you the best (and at least an opportunity or two to wet a line) over the next 18 months!
ReplyDeleteXie xie T-Rage, I'll take a pole but I'm not sure if I'll use it. Just buying food will be a challenge...and I have no idea about the laws surrounding fishing.
DeleteWe'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when,
ReplyDeletebut I know we'll meet again some sunny day!
Keep smiling through, just like you always do,
'till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away!
Good luck Clif!
Zhù nǐ háoyùn to you too Howie. I take back all the bad things I've said.
DeleteI'm not unfamiliar with the phrase " Wait. What?" but in this instance even I've been caught off guard. So, to put it in terms I can understand, I'll just ask...
ReplyDeleteYou're moving to China??? For the giant carrots???? :)
Shi, but giant carrots are simply a fringe benefit.
DeleteOh good, because I thought that was rather a drastic move for carrots, no matter how ginormous. Good luck over there. Watch out for Godzilla. Or was that Japan? Oh well, who knows....
DeleteShanghai is one of those places I would go to for an assignment. Just missed an opportunity last year. Best of luck to you both. It will be an excellent adventure.
ReplyDelete谢谢 Steve, I know the feeling. This is my second try at an international relocation and the first one to go through. Keep trying.
DeleteGood luck over there. Hell, there's got to be something to blog about. Doesn't have to be about fishing. I'll leave you on the blogroll then I'll know when you get back. Not doing an International House Hunters thing are you?
ReplyDeleteMark
Mark, no house hunters international per say but we had a great time during the home finding trip.
DeleteWow...very sad for us...but, hopefully good for you. And I didn't think that canal fishing was your cup of...well, good luck to the LH family! Your humor will be missed.
ReplyDeleteRD, it won't be missed per se...just forced upon a new unwilling audience.
DeleteWe'll miss you man! But . at the same time that's an awesome opportunity and I don't blame you for enjoying it to the fullest! We'll be here when you get back :)
ReplyDeleteJM, you'll be here? I hope everyone is.
DeleteWhat an intense bunch of changes. Oh, the stories you'll tell!!! Congrats all around.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Mud, we've got a lot going on. We've also got the stress to prove it. Right now I'm just looking forward to getting there and being done with the move.
DeleteClif, you should have us, your friends, write guest posts for your blog once or twice a month for the duration! It would be a shame to lose all those followers. And it could be a fun and interesting experience especially if you can add some interesting rules for posting.
ReplyDeleteIf you leave, what am I to do with my hours at work??
I have an idea. During work, spend enough time to write and polish your best work ever. E-mail it to me promptly and, when you get no response, publish it in the only place it should exist...your blog.
DeleteMy followers aren't being lost, they just have more time now to read Old Man River.
Hey, Clif, I just heard. How sad. Even though I haven't been able to keep up with your (or any) blog lately, you'll still be missed. Now I have to find a replacement for your part of the five-headed hydra this Spring.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever need help, let me know. I have relatives just a stone's throw away in Shanghai. And a ton in Hong Kong.
Best of luck! And congratulations on the pending arrival of Lunker Hunt Jr.!
Sad for you maybe, I couldn't be happier.
DeleteCheers to you and your wife. From the sounds of it, the party is over until some night 18 months down the line. Selfishly, I hope you find your way back to the US and to the blogging machine after 18 months. Enjoy China. I think Tim is right. Guest posts from everyone. Hell, I'd do a guest video.
ReplyDeleteYea, we'll see how I feel in 18 months - I ain't going to promise a thing. See my response above to Dr. Timmy. Maybe you can do a guest video on his site in exchange for his best work ever. :)
Deleteit was only a month, but that time my wife and I spent traveling through asia was awesome. I can't imagine what 18 would be like. good luck and have fun with whatever comes next!
ReplyDeleteThanks man, everyone says they loved their experience. I'm sure we'll have similar stories.
DeleteClif, I wish you well.
ReplyDeleteWho knows? Maybe you'll find your Lunker in China and be forced to report back for blog duty. There's bound to be some bass over there. We all know they have lunker bass in Japan now, and there's no way China would let the little island show them up, right?
I am taking a rod and a few flies. We'll see if I can figure out the laws about fishing, if any.
DeleteClif,
ReplyDeleteI leave the blog world for a few months and come back to find this! AWESOME opportunity for you, and I'll bet yo u'll find some thing to fish for over there. (I did on a visit over there a few years ago) I always loved my time in China and think you will too. Enjoy!
Wolfy
I can't wait to see whats going on when I return. I predict a major break through in something related to outdoor blogging.
DeleteYeah - Rebecca will be re-vamping the OBN for the 534th time.
DeleteThe excitement level in that comment is overwhelming.
DeleteCheers, man! All the best to you and your wife on this leg of the journey!
ReplyDeleteI expect to see you fly fishing in China, soon, especially since one of my two favorite freshwater fishes is in northern China--the Lenok, and then, maybe you can hop on over to Mongolia and catch a Taimen. My best wishes for you and your wife, and looking forward to your posts. Travel safely and well and have lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to find places to fish, but it's tough when everything is in Chinese and I can't speak/read it. If you have any clues, let me know because my tackle should arrive this week.
Delete