The most liberal and conservative big cities in America, in one chart.

[pink-o]

41. I was too far from my family--and there was no internet, skype or vibr

We communicated by snail mail, and I didn't come home very often. Too expensive for my family to come to me, so on my last visit to San Francisco it occurred to me that my parents were older and I was so far away that if anything happened to them it would take me way too long to get back. I saw my dad's grey hair and my mom's new wrinkles and decided I missed them and would give America another try.

Hah! So here's the kicker: when I was 23, my "older, decrepit parents" were younger than I am now! I had 30 more years to hang out with my mom, and my dad is still sharp at 90. They fooled me--I could've spent another couple decades traipsing around the continent.

But seriously: I'm glad I came back. The time I've spent with my family has all been worth it--I had a great mom who was devastated when I left home so young. She was so happy to have me back that I didn't feel I could run off again. Instead, I took them traveling with me and we spent the 90s and the aughts hanging out in Spain and Italy. I still go back a few times a year, so I get the best of both. Maybe I'll retire in Lazio and then everyone can come visit me!