In early June 1998, I left Cape Town, where I was born and raised, and came to London for a year-long experiment. I moved with the bassist from my band back home, and we’d decided to give it a shot in one of the great centres of rock and roll.
As you may be able to deduce, it’s now 13 years later, and I’m still not a rock star, goddammit ;) My time in the UK — more than a decade of which has been in the Big Smoke — has had its ups and downs, but I’ve developed a great amount of affection for the country, particularly for London.
However, one of *those* doors has now opened, and I’m passing through the portal. In about a month's time, I will be arriving in the German capital with a few boxes of stuff and strong hopes for the future.
I first visited Berlin about four years ago. I’ve been back a few times, and I love the place. It’s as cosmopolitan as London, but markedly less frenetic — as someone hailing from the more-than-laid-back Cape Town, and as someone now somewhat past his twenties, this appeals to me.
Most pertinently, my thoroughly amazing partner Doreen has accepted a job there at a good architectural office, and I’m happy and excited to say I’m tagging along.
I’m going to be leaving behind many things I care about. The most important of those is, of course, the friends and colleagues whose company I thoroughly enjoy. But, you know what, I don’t think such bonds will be severed — in part, thanks to the wonder that is the internet. I’ll also still be popping back from time to time, and I’m really looking forward to playing host in my new home.
I will be leaving my role as a ZDNet UK senior reporter, but I’m delighted to say that I’ll continue to work for the site on a daily basis, in a freelance capacity. It’s not hyperbolic to say that, having worked on the site for more than five years, I feel an immense amount of loyalty to ZDNet UK and the people who work there, and, well, I’m proud of the place. It’s the best enterprise IT site out there, IMHO, and I feel very grateful that the association will continue.
I’m really sorry to be leaving behind my band, Guns To Caviar, but the timing there works out as our excellent drummer Toby is about to become a dad (twins!) and that’s kind of time-consuming. It’s been a blast and, again, I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished.
I’m filled with anticipation, excitement and terror, and it would be an understatement to say this is a weird time for me. But I have no doubt I’m doing the right thing, at the right time.
Onwards!
David / @superglaze x
