Wanted to let everyone know that after 25+ years in Southern California, I am in the process of moving back to my beloved OKC.

I've wanted to do this for a while and the timing was finally right.

In addition to kicking OKCTalk up a notch or two, I am now partnering with Jeff Bezdek to help grow and expand Vox Audio Visual (Vox Public Audio (http://www.vox-av.com)). Vox has landed a bunch of great clients (OU, LIFT, Pump Bar, Lisbon Lofts, and a bunch of high-end smart home projects in SoSA) and we see great potential for growth. More on this later.

I have already rented a place in SoSA Heights and partially moved in when I was in town last week. It's a beautiful renovation with stunning views and I'm excited to be downtown, within walking distance of the Vox offices on Automobile Alley and tons of other great places.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sosaview.jpg

I'm still in California wrapping up the final move and the sale of my house. But I'll be heading to OKC by the end of the month.

Very excited about all this! Looking forward to being much more active in the community and getting to meet many more of you.

congrats! -M

Welcome oklaHOMA. Punny I know.

I called it in another thread. Congrats! Excited to have you here full time!

I called it in another thread. Congrats! Excited to have you here full time!

Yeah, been lots of hints in various threads but didn't want to say anything until things were pretty nailed down.

Now, I have about 3 weeks of hell in terms of getting rid of things, closing on my house sale, moving, etc.


It was fun to stay in my new place for 8 days and get the feel of actually living downtown. I walked my arse off and did tons of urban exploring. Everything looks so much different when you are actually living there and walking around.

Awesome!

Looks like you'll be able to join the gunners watch parties at Skinny's now.

Looks like you'll be able to join the gunners watch parties at Skinny's now.

Yep!

Oddly, there have been watch parties here in SoCal for a long time but after going to a couple, it was just too much hassle. Now, I can just ride my bike over.

Woo Hoo!!!!!

This is awesome news. We should have recurring OKCTalk gatherings like retrometro does.

Great news! I did the same thing back in 1962, leaving Santa Susana (which was still not part of LA) to return. I do still miss driving the old SH118 route home and back on my lunch half-hour through the pass -- but not a whole lot!

This is great news! I guess I missed the hints, I knew you had made a nice trip here and posted some great pix, but I didn't see this coming. Welcome Home and best of luck with Jeff in your new (ad)venture!

Wow, congratulations, and welcome home! :)

Congratulations!

Big Congratulation Pete!

Great! Welcome home!

p.s. when is the housewarming party?

And all seems right with the world, now.

'Bout damn time !

Great news for the board.

Glad to hear it Pete! Welcome home.

Congrats!

p.s. when is the housewarming party?

I'm sure I'll have one.

The way the building is configured, two units share the top level rear deck and two the middle-level deck. My new neighbors and I have already discussed doing some sort of joint party where we let people wander between the places and decks with different offerings at each stop.

Even from the ground level green space in the back, the views of the skyline are stunning.

Fantastic news for OKC! I know we compliment you here and there, but you've really raised the profile of civic activities -- and ways to participate -- through OKCTalk. Your expertise, attention to detail, in depth knowledge, and leadership are what distringuish this message board from other online spaces. It's easy for outsiders to complain about negative posts or threads -- and often overgeneralize those posts as representative of the entire site -- but, on the whole, this site does far, far more good than bad.

I don't live in OKC, but because of OKCTalk I often update my friends on civic issues and encourage them to get involved. I have also applied a lot of lessons learned on the site to the city I live in now. I am sure being in OKC in person will only help you continue your great work. Thanks for your work and congrats on your move. Welcome home.

Welcome back Pete!

Quite a get for the OKC area. In your face Tulsa!

It seems we've had several prominent members leave OKC, so it's pretty cool the big guy is returning.

Congratulations Pete. Uber happy to have you home!

Welcome Back! You couldn't of picked a better time to return to Oklahoma.

Congratulations Pete!

It's a tidal wave of SoCal immigration to OKC. My twin brother, who has lived in SoCal for about 40 years, is retiring and moving back to OKC after the first of the year. Coming home is great.

Congrats and welcome back! :)

Great news Pete! I'm sure Jeff is very pleased to work with you too.

I feel like i know you from reading your posts on here and the ou sites over the years even though we've never met, welcome home

Congrats Pete

Post when settled and we'll schedule an OKCTalk lunch.

Yep!

Oddly, there have been watch parties here in SoCal for a long time but after going to a couple, it was just too much hassle. Now, I can just ride my bike over.

Did you buy one of those cool Indian Scouts they are selling at the 10th st dealership?

^I think he's referencing his bicycle.

^I think he's referencing his bicycle.

Oh, someone was talking about buying one in one of these threads a while back and I was thinking it was Pete.

As ultimatesooner said, I too feel like I know you Pete even though we have never met. This site is awesome and it is all because of your hard work. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this place. Welcome home good sir.

Welcome back home!

Hope to be your neighbor soon. Good luck with the move.

Pete, what kinds of things do you have in store for OKC Talk? You had mentned you were going to "kick it up a notch or two"

Pete, OKC is going to need engaged, civic minded individuals like yourself to make positive changes and move the city forward! Best wishes and the best of luck !!

Sidetrack for a minute...every time I see this topic, I automatically think of the scene from Rocky Horror Picture Show even though it is "I'm going home". Do you have a corset and garters Pete?

https://vimeo.com/49969222


https://vimeo.com/49969222

My 3 Labradors, traumatized cat and I all made it back home today. Glad to be back!

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/dogsokla.jpg

Those are nice looking pooches !

Glad you and your babies made it here safely!

Welcome Home! OKC just got even better!

Beat that, Tulsa. :-P

Beat that, Tulsa. :-P

Lol. You don't see Tulsa getting Pete's! ;)

Welcome back Pete.

I just now saw this thread! Congratulations! Personally, I've missed your puppy-dog pics!

Cant believe I missed this thread. Pete, hoping to meet you soon and welcome back!!!

So now that you've been back for a little over a month, how are you settling in?

So now that you've been back for a little over a month, how are you settling in?

I was planning to do a little update but the short version is I'm really happy to be back!

That is apart from having a hard time acclimating to the allergens and ending up with a horrendous sinus infection. :)

I'll write more later.

Were there times during the ice storm when you thought, "What have I DONE?!?!"

Welcome back! Although I'm not as active as I once was when I was a moderator and helped start this site, it's still nice to be able to follow development here and follow your story. Thanks for all you do for OKC and this site.

...
That is apart from having a hard time acclimating to the allergens and ending up with a horrendous sinus infection. :)



Sadly, you'll probably just have to get used to it. I've been back since 2009 and have gotten sick more times, and worse, than I have ever been anywhere else I've lived in the 15 years before that, pretty much all due to what's in the air. Have to use a neti pot almost daily, bleah...