What's really missing?

islandboy,

I "miss" many goods and services but I realize that most of those services can only exist in a place with a larger population and most of those goods are only affordable in places where they can be delivered by truck. So, while I might wish for more variety in the stores or lower prices I choose to live with the limitations inherent in living on an island because I appreciate what is here far more than I miss what is absent.

Well said. i have a feeling that will be the consensus.

Workers who "can't sit still" will be quite welcome in some businesses where they have trouble getting employees to move faster than a slow ambling walk. That is a frequent complaint from employers who have moved from the mainland and are still getting used to the cultural and climate differences here that don't have everyone running around at a frenetic pace.

A slower life can be good, but it takes some getting used to for some transplants from the mainland. You can capitalize on that, though, and make an employer very happy.

If you prefer to start your own business here, you may find it irritating to hire workers who do not have your same itch to keep busy. If that happens, try to keep in mind that the workers aren't necessarily lazy... they're emulating what they've seen all their lives and assume that they're being good employees. Interviewing to find a good personality fit is important, as is training once they're hired. Don't assume that they'll automatically know how to do things you learned on the mainland or that they have the same understanding of what "customer service" means!

After almost 8 years here, I still miss, in no particular order:

-Taco Bell
-Arby's
-Burger King
-Krispy Kreme
-good draught beer (although I haven't had any alcohol in over 8 months...I still miss it!)
-Paying lees than we do here for everything except alcohol
-variety
-snow...Oh! Wait a minute! J/K!!! Haha!
-being able to just 'pop in' on family
-choices (which kinda goes along with 'variety'. We get what we get and you learn to live with different things. Not necessarily worse things, just different things.)

OK, I agree... I do miss Taco Bell!

And the good Mexican restaurant chains that abound in Washington State.

And Thai food.

But that's about it.

And considering what I have here that I did not have in Washington (warm weather, for starters!)... I'm happier to be here.

Some of the things I miss:
Tailgating
Stadium seating and watching a movie in peace
Food Delivery
$100 utility bills
Concerts and other various cultural entertainment
Sushi
Taco Bell
Having a yard to hang out in.
Road Trips
Barnes & Noble
Running Trails
Fresh Southern Fruits and Vegetables
15-20k sq ft Health Clubs with 24hr access.....

I guess I should stop thinking about what I miss and start thinking about why I am here.

isalndboy: If you really are a type A, a red flag goes up in my mind. You will probably want to seriously consider if you can adapt. As for missing "stuff", well, it is just stuff.

THAT! will not be a problem. My "can't sit still-itis" quickly disappears when I'm on STX. And the reason I'm asking the question is more to see where opportunities lay than to find out what I'll be missing. Because you are so very right, it is just stuff. I work for myself and I'm so swamped right now that I've been working 7 days a week all year - had five days of so far in 2005. Type A simply means that I'm always busy doing something whether that something is working or planning the move to STX. No my friend, adapting will be the easy part. Hell, I'm already on the island in my mind.

What's really missing? Let's see, I've got my 30 minute sunset video shot at Off-the-wall, a cold Estate Diamond and diet, my feet are up on the coffee table and my honey is sittin' next to me on the couch. I'd say nothing - except being there.

alexandra-

coming from that tiny town makes stx seem huge, huh? just messing with ya. i just gotta bug my fellow washingtonians (especially ones from sw wa). much love.

-adam

I was happy to get out of the small town... but then I spent 20 years in and around Seattle. Not such a small town! And the weather still stunk!

you sweet heart! your missing.

The guy who said the people emulate what they have seen is funny!

Please for a moment imagine what this place would be like if THOSE PEOPLE were all type A.

Now take a deep breath and beg forgivness for your sins.

" "I miss" many goods and services but I realize that most of those services can only exist in a place with a larger population and most of those goods are only affordable in places where they can be delivered by truck. So, while I might wish for more variety in the stores or lower prices I choose to live with the limitations inherent in living on an island because I appreciate what is here far more than I miss what is absent. "

This person MUST be a writer. Beautifully said exept eventually you come to hope they never arrive and forever change the fabric that is Island life.

Enjoy every idiosyncracy, every day.

You guys are a trip!

My husband and I are about to sell everything and move to STT...these e-mails warm my heart and make me realize that the islands are filled with people as wacky as us and we will fit right in...we can't wait to get there:)

Laura and Sam
currently in Georgia

Which Island are you on? Here on STT, "Beni Iguana" has dynamite sushi! Give them a try and maybe you won't miss it anymore? There are other places for sushi, but I'm not a fan of any them. However, Beni's is in a class by itself. Awesome sushi!

I have to admit that I am a Sushi snob. When it comes to Pizza there is great pizza and good pizza in my book but with sushi, I am a bit more critical.
I live on St. Thomas and have been to Beni Iguana. I like their mussels but the rest is not my cup of tea. The fact they have a rice machine that spits it out by the sheet says it all. In Japan they can spend up to two years just learning how to make the rice. To see it spit out conveyor belt style takes away from the flavor and the experience. I love sushi enough that I keep trying them however. Lately I have actually had better Sushi at the Buddha Bar. Still not great but it fills the sushi void. The sushi at Old Stone Farmhouse can be pretty good. I still have not ordered it from the Japanese guy down at the East End Market. I hear that is good so I will have to try it.

Maybe my taste buds are being swindled by the Iguana Sauce? Haha! IMHO, Budda Bar was just so-so and Old Stone Farmhouse was OK...Sushi by Sato was great! I hear that he will still cater, though, so that might be an option. Ever had his?