My father-in-law was born in a ``holler`` and couldn`t wait to get out of TN. Made a good life and lots of money living in So.Ca. And he never wanted to go back to live there. Times do change however. I have pleasant business dealings with some in TN. And a few I know have moved there, to Texas and So. Carolina. Of course there are the relatives too! As you say the world is not just in LA or So. Ca. It isn`t exclusively to the east of LA either. California now may be many of the things you suggest, but it`s the 5th largest ecomony in the world and we have one of the greatest assets.. the weather. By the way, were is PTSC located anyway and why? If you were at the SHM you had to notice the perfect weather! Fourth generation Californian here, and I can remember when LA was a true paradise. And that was just 25 years ago. San Diego is being ruined as I type! IMO.