I'm a Buffalo born native through and through. Most people in my position never or barely leave Buffalo. I decided a few years back to make a dramatic change in my life. I left job security, friends, family, and a "comfort zone" behind. Destination? A two hour drive away to Toronto, Canada. Think the story can't be interesting? Keep reading please. I'll be bluntly honest and admit I barely had money to my name. Buffalo isn't known for their high paying jobs. I made it to Fort Erie, Ontario to meet my cousin at a horse racetrack just over the Canadian border, and I was already in trouble. She promised to have a ride arranged for me from Fort Erie to Toronto. Guess what? No dice, no cigar. Her buddy didn't believe she was bringing a family member to work for him at the racetrack in Toronto. So he didn't leave any space for me when he was going home. He even bluntly told me "I never really believe what your cousin says" As the races were coming to a close, the sun setting, and with my fading cell phone reception, I thought it was time to walk with my garbage bag full of belongings back to Buffalo. At the last possible moment there was hope. As I stand with my thumb out and garbage bag and suitcase next to me, a man and woman hauling horses back to Toronto ask where I'm going. When they discover I'm going to the exact location they are, they tell me I can join them on the journey...but not in front with them, I'd have to sit on a pile of hay in an empty horse stall in the trailer with other horses in order to join the ride. I'll save you the suspense and say I made it to Toronto and I at least had a cup of coffee on the way. I immediately begin working on the racetrack and my new life in Toronto is set to begin. I set up a POF dating profile (first Matched date was horrible), I earned my stripes at the racetrack (bitten by horses, feet stepped on, and the ultimate horse kick to the ribs, oh and my arm almost ripped out of my body), but I was the happiest person you would ever meet. Grateful for just a chance at new opportunity. But living with my cousin on the racetrack had it's woes. I had to move out and into the actual city of Toronto, right downtown. Toronto is way different from Buffalo. As a guy, I'll tell you the girls are better looking eye candy. The buildings are huge. The shopping is insane. Everything about Toronto was much much better. I even met an amazing girl that helped change my life trajectory around. The thing about Toronto is it's a very fast city. Lot's of drugs, lots of parties, lots of bars, but fun bars, not the run down "I hope I don't get stabbed tonight" Buffalo bars. The nightlife is beautiful and I'm not referring to clubbing. The city lights at night are amazing. I'm a very personable guy and can make friends anywhere I go. I made friends really fast with some high ballers that had high rise condo's. The view (and alcohol and drugs) were amazing. I never felt so alive in my life. I was 50 feet away from Floyd Mayweather when he made a surprise visit to Uniun Nightclub. That's the amazing thing about Toronto, you never know who the hell or what the hell will happen. I went to a swingers nude nightclub and was approached by a tranny (transexual if you're not familiar with the term) Definitely not my cup of tea but you get the point, ANYTHING can happen! I went to my first drag bar (men dressing like women and singing karaoke) and had a blast! My first apartment was a student's residence apartment where I slept on an air mattress with my garbage full of belongings and suitcase. I went to my first nude beach, found a job as a DJ at a male and female strip club (is there a trend here..?) Toronto helped me feel alive. Just writing this brings back those memories. It was a launching pad for many more journeys to come, and the overall message here is don't be afraid to take that step into the unknown. Sure, you'll have to ride on a pile of horse hay to do it, get approached by trannies, and sleep on an air mattress that has no air in the morning, but it's about the experience of the journey.