An early memory of mine is when my mother told me that there was no future for me in Southern Illinois, and when I grew up, I’d have to move far away. She was

An early memory of mine is when my mother told me that there was no future for me in Southern Illinois, and when I grew up, I’d have to move far away. She was right. I did, right to the Bay Area. When I go back and visit, the area has gotten more economically depressed, and frankly more stereotypical. And to put a cherry on top, I am completely unemployable there.