"Moving On" - Commentary by Tony Seton

Moving On

With my departure from the rural wilds of the northern tip of the Sacramento Valley, induced by circumstances to leave the nest, I am imbued with an opportunity to refine my meaning of life, perhaps to come up with a new description of myself. Not a PR image, but a more accurate reflection of the person who’s looking back from the mirror.

After six years in Redding, I don’t think I’m much changed as a person. More humble, a little bruised, less certain. But unless I’m misreading the spiritual tea leaves, I’m on the right track. I can see less far into the future, but I’m not peering as intently. I am not resigned to my future; rather, I’m realizing, internally, that I don’t have to know what it will bring. This is a process by the way, and if you haven’t been through it, it’s a bit bumpy.

There has been much other learning as well. I never knew anything about guns, and now I know how to shoot ‘em, take ‘em apart, clean ‘em and put ‘em back together again. I learned about animals, enjoying Buster the Dawg and some cats, but also living amidst coyotes, rattlesnakes and other wild creatures. And earning my private pilot’s license and my instrument rating have been the most important learning experiences ever, as readers of this space know well.

Another significant change is in who I am politically. I’ve been exposed -- nay, immersed -- in things conservative. I found myself (mostly) alone amidst (mostly) conservative Republicans who didn’t believe in a two-party system. And now I am returneth to the land of broader thought. Here’s how my friend Steve describes my move. "Braving camouflaged dear hunters, PTA moms wielding large platters of cookies and surveillance by the local Young Americans for Freedom, Seton escaped from Redding. We welcome comrade Seton back to the land of the living minds." Thank you for that, Steve.

Marvy Marin is not the be-all and end-all, but it certainly feels more like home to my heart and soul. There is tremendous excess here -- the nannies drive Mercedes SUVs -- but there is also more appreciation for those who question authority. That’s important to me, especially at a time when those in authority are behaving in such a dangerous manner. It is truly a much healthier environment in which to discover my new identity.

And that’s SetonnoteS...I’m Tony Seton.