So LDG, does that make you a Cleveland Browns Fan? or the Bengals? I'm the Same way with Dallas(I *HATE* Them Cowboys!!!)
The Move was planned going back to 2006 for me, and back to the 1990's for my Wife. We came here on a "Honeymoon Part 2"(part one was Montauk L.I. in February, and Mohegan Sun just after that) in August, after loosing my Wife's Dad the Month Prior.
As for the weather, when you go from 6-8 Snow Storms per Year(On Long Island) to 3 accumulations of more then 1 inch in 3-1/2 years, then you Enjoy the Wether.
I'm right in the Middle of the state, 2 Hours North of Sky Harbor Airport In Phx., and 2 Hours South of The Grand Canyon. So we don't get the 115 Degree Temps that Phx. or Tucson Gets. I'm also only 4-1/2 hours from Vegas, so I get to drive to SHOT instead of Fly...This Year will BE my 4th SHOT(with a Press Credential).
As for "The Change".....Well. I had a falling out with several Partners, the 3 main ones being "Friends" of 10,15, and 45 years Respectively. Basically they did not like the fact that my Integrity was not for sale.
I come from a Military(Dad was a career Army Reserve Sgt. Maj., with active duty during the Korean War, and As a 37 Year old Reservist in Vietnam In 1965.) and Police(also Dad, a Federal LE) Family, with about 11 Predecessors having served in the Four Branches, including two Recent (Older Cousins) members being General Officers. I served just 3 weeks shy of 12 Years(5.5 active and almost 6.5 as an active reservist). With Desert Storm, I had decided That I "Had enough." I was a Chief Warrant Officer, and was a Helicopter Pilot for the Most part, but I had a few secondary jobs that took me "out of the Cockpit"
If you have seen the Movie "Black Hawk Down," I served in that Aviation Unit from 1/1982 until I left at the end of Desert Storm. The 3 Pilots who died were friends of mine.......and the 4th, who was a POW for 11 Days and has written 3 books, Is also a friend....
I'm currently writing a Book about Mine and My families' Careers In the Military and LE....and I wrote a Book(coming out 8/30) on my 30 Years In Sports Media.....called "Confessions of a DraftNick"....
As for switching to "Shooting & Outdoor Media,..." After I moved here I decided I needed to switch gears. I had spent 30 Years Teaching(26), Coaching Football(18), Coaching NY Special Olympics(14), and Writing(since I was 11). and I decided I wanted to do something I enjoyed, and I wasn't Enjoying Football anymore. Now I enjoy watching Games much More then I did when I was sitting in the Press Box.
But Even in Shooting media, there are people who would just as soon screw you as they would help you....