Almost daily, someone asks me why I left Alabama to come to New York, 'specially now that I've lived here FIFTEEN YEARS, the first THIRTEEN-POINT-EIGHT of them a constant struggle; an uphill battle with splotches, jots and tiddles of manic incredible interspersed here, there, and the occasional everywhere. My most recent answer, and it surprised me: To hear the word "YES." For the millionth time responding, but for the first time really answering, I've figured out why it's OK to release my death grip on 'Bama and latch on to New York City--because at some point, somewhere, and with just a few tries, I will come up with a crazy notion, a new idea, a way something may never have been done before, and I will ask, "hey--you wanna try this with me?" And someone, somewhere, will inevitably say yes. Why? Because no one moves to NEW YORK CITY without that mindset. One does not simply leave the safety, security, love, comfort and ease of their lives in Little Town, USA--or ANY country, for that matter--to come to NYC to play it safe. Chances are, they've already taken the biggest chance they could've possibly imagined by packing their lives into a couple o' beat-up and borrowed suitcases to chase some ridiculous dream that seems like the only thing in the world that makes sense to their center-of-the-universe soul lodged in the same body with asmall-town mind. And it is spirit-expanding and freeing beyond all comprehension to have made that realization and to know that I'm not turning my back on my roots when I embrace my wings. So, thanks, random cool-haired dude at table 207. Your genuine interest in my talent and passion found something in me I didn't realize was hiding. Your friend, James E. Bullard, New Yorker. ... and Crimson Tide enthusiast.