Raw Danger!

Things have been semi-hectic since my last batch of entries, which outlined my second trip to Seattle. Fast-forward almost a month, and I find myself a few days out from my third trip up there, but it’s different this time: I’m going with the intention of relocating. A job is waiting for me, and Lish is willing to give me a place to stay briefly while I find a more permanent housing solution. Everything else is currently a mystery, however; aside from the short time I lived on Maui, I haven’t moved much and so most/all elements of relocating are foreign to me. As someone who still feels like a kid most times, this entire thing is a little scary, but it’s also exciting and I am treating it as a grand adventure.

Even something as basic as the drive up seems like a major event. It’s over 1200 miles from here to there, and I think the furthest north I’ve ever driven is Zuma Beach in Malibu, so there will be much to take in and observe. It looks like a viable path involves taking the 5 all the way up through Oregon and into Washington, so the only potential hurdles are other drivers, mechanical failure, and trying to stretch too long between gas stations for either gas or rest stops. Online maps list the entire trip as 19 hours long, so my goal is to try and make it in roughly 36. It isn’t uncommon for me to be awake for 20 hours on any given day due to sleep issues, but there’s a difference between tossing and turning in a bed, and guiding a large heavy object down a highway, so rest sounds like a good option in the interest of not killing anyone on the road.

I’ve been packing my things, and despite unloading almost 90 percent of my belongings around 2007, I find myself with a fair number of boxes filled with things that are completely unnecessary. Fun things, mementos from various happenings, but nothing vital for everyday living. Perhaps once I’m settled, I’ll start listing things for sale online. In years past, retail therapy has been my friend, but I find that I don’t need it as much any more. The idea of living with a handful of possessions is a neat idea I’d like to actually realize at some point.

Another strange thing about moving away is seeing people and places for what is possibly the last time. I’ve managed to meet up with some people for a goodbye visit, and I’ve gone to my preferred stores and restaurants for a final go-round. I didn’t make it to every place I’d wanted and there are people I won’t get to say goodbye to, but this came together so quickly that I feel lucky to have fit in as many as I have. I feel like I’ll come back to visit, so the option to see people will be there in the future, but I’m not sure how often I’ll be here. Maybe some people will just have to be remembered fondly and that’s that?

This whole thing has been a whirlwind. For years, the imagined goal was a small place to live on Maui, quietly minding my own business and doing my thing. Even as recently as July, this was the plan. Then I got to know Lish, went to visit Seattle, and was floored by the entire experience. I remember picking up a Piroshky Piroshky, sitting on the stairs that look out to the freeway and water, and thinking to myself, “I could live here. I would live here.” I went in expecting it to be similar to visiting Los Angeles, in that it’s interesting to visit, but driving away is arguably more rewarding than anything contained in the city itself. But it was different, and I can’t put my finger on exactly why. The weather, people, and overall atmosphere of the place are all great, at least from the time I’ve spent there so far. I know no place is perfect, and I know every place will have things I majorly dislike. Having a great friend there is already a giant plus, and I have nothing but good things to say about Lish, as she’s basically incredible. I’m hopeful of actually making this work and having good times with good people, so I think as long as I don’t lose that, things will go okay.

I would write more, but laundry is done and so it’s bedtime shortly. My last handful of days here are going to see me double-triple-quadruple checking things to make sure I’m 100% ready to roll, and Tuesday morning is when the road trip starts. So the next time I write in this might be awhile, but will hopefully be an outline of a positive experience. Fingers crossed. See you later~