New Jersey - The East Coast California?

Hustlers grab your guns; your shadow weighs a ton, driving down the... 206? Although not quite as catchy, this rendition of Phantom Planet's "California" might still be just as relevant. I recently traveled to the Golden State to look at colleges, relax and to be fully blown away by the beauty of the West Coast and the Pacific. Not even shows like "The O.C." or "Beverly Hills, 90210" could prepare me for the cliffs of Malibu, the small-town charm of Newport Beach and the glitz and glamour of Rodeo Drive.

I'm writing this article from my house in Chester, New Jersey while sitting underneath a Rand McNally portrayal of California, so I am still unsure of which state I should pledge my blind, undying allegiance too. I've lived in New Jersey since I was two years old, a whopping fifteen years ago. I was always content with my state, happy with the people, the government and just overall proud to be a resident here. About a year ago though, I was flipping through the channels and stumbled upon Fox's "The O.C."; a show about the hardships of growing up rich and beautiful in an upper-class neighborhood where burning down model homes and shooting your boyfriend's ex-convinct brother in the apartment of your former lesbian-lover are all a part of growing up. Needless to say I was absolutely captivated. I spent all my hard-earned money that my parents gave me on the DVD box sets, and locked myself in my room for hours at a time laughing, crying and becoming fully-submerged in the Southern California mindset. After watching all ninety-two episodes I had come to one conclusion; offer my dear departure to New Jersey, and go headfirst into the Land of Milk and Honey.