Eh?

I am accused of being overly cryptic in my online communications. Usually, my vague ramblings are no more than me trying to work through something in my head. Sometimes, there’s actually something going on.

The past few months have fallen in the latter category.

Next month is the ninth anniversary of the Otis clan’s South Carolina citizenship. We moved here by accident, my wife following a job and me following my wife. We both ended up with great jobs and working for a great guy. We got married here and we had a kid here. We did just about everything that means anything to us from this home base on Mt. Otis. We met some of our best friends in the world, many of whom still live in what we lovingly call G-Vegas. We love this damned city and all it’s given us. As I’ve said before, all things being equal, I could probably live out the rest of my life here happily.

Most times, though, things aren’t equal. This happens to be one of those times.

We’re leaving Greenville.

We’re actually leaving more than Greenville. We’re leaving South Carolina. In fact, we’re leaving the United States. It’s not happening tomorrow, but by the time most folks are celebrating Independence Day in the U.S., I expect us to be living in another country. We’re not moving far, but we’re moving far enough.

I expect to write about this a lot more in the future. For now, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the whole concept.

The concept?

We’re moving to Toronto.

Brad Willis

Brad Willis is a writer based in Greenville, South Carolina. Willis spent a decade as an award-winning broadcast journalist. He has worked as a freelance writer, columnist, and professional blogger since 2005. He has also served as a commentator and guest on a wide variety of television, radio, and internet shows.

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35 Responses

  1. Heather says:

    Wow! good luck to you!

  2. Chilly says:

    Wow thats quite a change. Good luck!

  3. StB says:

    Best of luck as the new goalie of the Maple Leafs!

  4. Su says:

    Details! I need details! Lots of luck!

  5. Franky5Angel says:

    Daanng….lucky. Hey now you can visit my uncle that got deported BACK to Canada. Ahh…free basic health care, no other country really hates Canada, well, except the U.S., oh and now you can actually use the french you learned in High School to order fish….poisson, ey!!

  6. BSN says:

    There is neither good steak nor parking in Canada. 😉

    ‘Specially TO.

    Good luck – I’m making a move, also, in about two weeks.

  7. iggy says:

    wow.

    i guess i need to brush up on my canadian jokes.

    congrats on the move.

  8. TripJax says:

    Wishing you the best in America Jr.

    Do they have the internet in Canada?

    In all seriousness, I’m bummed we’ll no longer be only 3 hours apart. I’ll be sure to get to G-Vegas whenever you make your way back…

    …good luck good sir.

  9. Uncle Ted says:

    …now the Leafs call you up to drive the Zamboni!

  10. Bracelet says:

    4 hours from Detroit. Nice.

    Enjoy your powerful dollar and new accent.

  11. Brian says:

    Big news! Good luck!

  12. F-Train says:

    Wow. Craziness. Good luck with that (you hoser).

  13. Golden says:

    Arrrrgggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  14. Pauly says:

    Sweet, you can send lil Otis to Degrassi Jr. High.

  15. Katitude says:

    yes there is good steak, parking and internet in Toronto *grin.

    Can’t wait to have another local blogger!

  16. Klopzi says:

    Canada’s a great place to live. Although you’ll find Toronto is exactly like any other U.S. city, just with higher taxes and less violent crime (assuming you avoid Jane and Finch area).

    Unfortunately, you’ll also be stuck living in a city with the worst hockey team in the NHL – past, present, and future.

    Other than that, enjoy the Great White North! We’ve got poutine, real beer, and online poker!

  17. Mean Gene says:

    Take off, to the Great White North
    Take off, it’s a beauty way to go…

    I hope someone else is a McKenzie Brothers fan.

  18. KenP says:

    Keep your stick on the ice!

    If the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

    You should fit right in out in the burbs around Possum Lake.

  19. Drizztdj says:

    I suggest teaching the boy how to skate. I’ll be near G-Vegas in June to give lessons on cross-checking and how to whistle with missing front teeth.

    Good luck with the move sir and definitely try the poutine.

  20. ToddCommish says:

    As a journalist, you must be very careful about writing from Canada, as the road signs and printed documents may lead to chronic misspellings in your articles.

    Here are some u’s to sprinkle liberally through your future, more colourful [sic] writing.

    uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

  21. JoeSpeaker says:

    Mmmmmmmmmm, whiskey.

    Best wishes for you and the fam as you head north. Work on your long vowels.

  22. Bam-Bam says:

    I knew the sun shone for a great reason today!
    Even over the EH-Vegas weekend, things downtown T-Spot seemed to glimmer where there once was only city grunge.

    E-mail to follow in the very near future, or shoot me a line as a prompt. We need to talk!

  23. TheTrooper97 says:

    mmmmmmmmmmmm… cold weather. For that I am a bit jealous. Good luck!!!

  24. Travis says:

    Dude, what are you doing? It’s freakin’ cold here!

  25. Random101 says:

    Good luck Mr. Otis.

  26. Biggestron says:

    Wow, bloggers have a lot of lame jokes about Canada. It’s such an easy target too…

    Give me a call if you ever want to hear how it is for an American living in Canada.

  27. 2hands says:

    They sell absinthe there, you know the stuff Jack the Ripper drank.

  28. joaquinochoa says:

    Wow…so many B-Listers thru D-Listers leaving remarks here…not sure I should, but out of respect I will. At least mine will be worth reading, that is just how A-Listers roll.

    Otis, I’m happy for you and I hope your soul can find a happy place there. Maybe you will become one of those crazy hockey dad’s that storms the ice after the kid who checked his kid on the boards. Or maybe you will become the drunk Dad who sits in the stands and ridicules his own kid. Either way, I do hope your soul finds a bit of a resting place in Canada, A.

    I use to write for a bunch of movies doing final editing up there in Toronto…good stuff. Since you are a good writer I’m sure there will be work up there for you. The film festival which is early September is also a great time, I highly suggest you catch it if you can.

    OK I have to end this post here. But like I said, have a good time and this move abroad will make your son a more worldly person even if it is only Canada.

  29. SHEP says:

    WOW, dont leave us! When will you let us know the details on what where when why and all that stuff?
    Its time to plan another going away party and tourney. G-vegas party at my house. I hate to see you go and you better come back to visit frequently.

  30. pokertart says:

    Toronto is gaining a great writer. We’ll be lucky to have you.

  31. uncle b says:

    I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Liam had an mri and his cancer came back. He has to do radiation 30 times, 5 days a week. Seems like a lot of crap to put a 4 year old kid through. They’ve been through a lot, so give em a prayer.

  32. The Daly Report says:

    Not sure why you’re leaving, but 10 bucks is 10- bucks. – The other McKenzie Brothers fan.

  33. JAR says:

    Wow. I spent 14 years of my life in Western NY, across Lake Ontario from Toronto. It’s a gleamingly clean city with a lot to do. Hope this is a very positive move for you and your family. Best wishes…

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