A New Adventure...

To those who I see on a daily basis, this might be some old news, but I was asked to hold off announcing what are amounting to some extreme life changes going on in Chez Ali-Hassan. So here it is…

I’ve decided to accept a position with Razorfish in Chicago as the Associate Director, Social Media.

It was a tough decision to leave Cleveland. This is a totally underrated city. World class restaurants and bars (oh my god, how am I not twice my size), culture, and a blue collar “roll up your sleeves” mentality that quickly made me forget about that east coast city that I called home for so many years (though, I’m never going to be an Indians fan… that just won’t happen). In the seven years I’ve been here, I’ve loved getting to know the personality of this town. Clevelanders are passionate about this place, and don’t give a damn about anyone who knocks it. As one of the better bloggers around, Alexa, says “Cleveland is a plum.” I couldn't have said it better myself.

(Oh yeah, before I forget--- to the people at Forbes who decreed Cleveland as the most miserable city in America: kiss my ass!)

While I’m sad to leave Cleveland, I’m so psyched for the new adventure Chicago is going to be. First of all from a professional standpoint, this was a no brainer. I’m going to help build a social media team with some of the smartest people in the industry, and I couldn’t be more excited. Hell, I'm giddy.

I’m also excited about getting to know a new city. The architecture, culture, the food (THE FOOD), the Cubs and the Blackhawks (I WILL NOT root for the Bears, White Sox, or Bulls). Who knows, I missed out on the Red Sox winning the series by living in Cleveland at the time, maybe the Cubbies can pull it off this year?

I would be lying if I didn’t say I’m a bit scared about what all this means, leaving my friends and my family and the comforts of normalcy that Carlie and I started to build, but I know that this is going to rock. Plus, I promised that we could get a big enough apartment so y’all can come and visit. So by all means, look us up- we’ll get some deep dish, check out a game at Wrigley, or drink beer somewhere.