I’m not that nervous about moving back home to Twin Falls. It’s the city of my birth. I grew up there. Often times I even miss it to the point I have dreams of being back there all the time. So why am I so nervous about going back?
I left Idaho to get an education. I studied journalism at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. From there I began a career in the news media business. I worked at three different TV stations, two magazines and five different newspapers. I was a journalist in North Central Texas for nearly seven years. Then COVID-19 happened and the news industry got rid of thousands of jobs, including my own. Then I came out trans and the entire state of Texas turned its back on me. I struggled for 2 years to make it in Dallas but I failed. Now I am going back home to recalibrate.
I grew up in Twin Falls. I have countless fond memories of that small city in the Idaho dessert. I proposed to my girlfriend at the time while living on the outskirts of town. I shopped at the Magic Valley Mall. I worked at the K-Mart down the street. A K-Mart that is no longer there I might add. I cruised the city streets on a Friday night with my friends when we had nothing better to do. There is a part of me that misses it.
Then there’s the part of me that dreads going back. I never could make it in Twin Falls. Sure I was job hunting there one, during a downturn in the economy and two as a high school drop out. Of course the employers weren’t interested in hiring me. I had a really spotty resume back then too. It was full of holes. Now I have a rock solid resume with experience and top notch references. I have experience in multiple fields. I am ready to go back not defeated by Texas but ready to conquer southern Idaho.
I am not looking forward to being back in Mormon country though. However as a pagan witch I know how to fend off their advances. I won’t succumb to their willy ways. I have to be cautious in that regard. I can’t let on to potential employers that I am a pagan nor that I am a transwoman. I have to keep all of that to myself. One positive though is I actually still have a few friends there, many of whom are supportive of my decision to transition. I fully intend to get plugged into the local Pride community as well. I will bring my camera to the Pride events and interview the organizers for my web series, The Trans Station, which I fully intend on reviving once I am settled in.
Another good thing I got going for me is I will be living with a friend who is also family. My sister in fact. She will take care of me. Not only is she offering me a home but she is going to protect me from the evil Republicans with her wit and charm. I only have to seek out part time employment which will give me the extra free time to pursue my video projects and writing full time on the side.
Boise, a fairly good sized city, is only a short 3 hour drive away. I have quite a few friends there too. I am hyping myself up for this big move because for once I am not moving to a strange place. I am just going back home where I belong.
