Ghosts of Derbies Past: Everton vs. Liverpool, 23 November, 2013

A thrilling derby, a lonely hotel room, and belonging. There was a time when I believed a life lived out of one’s suitcase was glamourous. A new city every night, with all of the attendant sights and sounds. For a kid that lived in a claustrophobic home - even a metropolis like Los Angeles felt small. The world, though, was out there to be seen.
And why not? My parents had crossed an ocean, leaving behind their respective families, to place their stake in the American Dream(tm). Adventure was in my blood and I planned on living up to my birthright.
But here I was, on November 23rd, 2013, watching Liverpool take on Everton in what would be a thrilling match, alone in my hotel room. All glamour in the idea of constant travel more or less erased.

The match came at the end of my first c...