New Jersey, My Star Cross'd Lover
I can't count how many times I've uttered the phrase "the only good thing to come out of New Jersey is Bruce Springsteen", but it's not a small number. Admittedly, Bruce Springsteen is an incredibly redeeming force. He makes a lot of things that could otherwise be bad, good. But after this past weekend, I noticed that my view of New Jersey is changing. The Boss holding Long Branch, NJ close to his heart. When in the course of Karla events, it becomes necessary to visit a place many times, without ever really wanting to go there, I start asking questions. Why here? Why so many times? What am I supposed to do with my long and unsought relationship with this specific locale? My 15-year history with New Jersey starts with my high school/college love. His family moved there after he graduated high school and it became a place for which I subconsciously pined during the summers. He was spending most of his year just outside of Philadelphia at...