From Double Indemnity…

Phyllis: I’m a native Californian. Born right here in Los Angeles.

Walter Neff: They say all native Californians come from Iowa.

I was born there, in California.  Not LA precisely, but Pasadena.  Raised in Maryland of all places.  Lived here ever since I was a first grader.  I really wish sometimes mom had stayed there.  But I’ve been back and I can see now how California wasn’t her land.  How on earth it became mine I really don’t know, other then somehow, someway, the land of your birth always lays claim to you.

I wish I could go back.  I always know it’s getting bad, when I find myself heart-aching for that far away shore…and those Pacific sunsets…