This is mostly supposed to be a writing blog. (Mostly.) But I'm working toward 2015 being a year of significant change for me, and I want to talk about that for a bit. Starting, as it should, with some backstory:
I'm originally from southern California. I went to college at UC Santa Barbara, met two of my best friends there, and a year after I graduated, I moved with them to Vermont. Hell of a change, I tell you - living in the state that invented the term "sub-70 weather" for nearly 23 years and then heading to a place with winters that drop past zero? Actual zero, not just below freezing? Two years of that was enough, so we packed up and moved to Albuquerque, where I've lived since then.
After nearly ten years here, my friends moved back to CA, the end of a long story that's not mine to tell but only bears telling if alcohol's involved. I thought about moving with them again, but after taking some time to consider, I decided I didn't want to go back to California. I then spent the next year hunting for a job where I really want to go:
Seattle.
The astute among you will note that I've said that I'm still in Albuquerque, which gives an indication of how that job hunt has been going. It's a lot like my search for an agent, I might say. I think that still being in NM is a disadvantage, though; someone who's hiring wants an employee who can start next week, not next month. After giving it a year, I decided that was more than enough.
So, I'm moving to Seattle, job or not. The planned exodus date is at the end of March. And just typing that freaks me the hell out.
I've been purging my apartment of everything I don't need - you accumulate a lot over nearly eleven years in one place, believe me - and I've started searching for a moving company as well. The apartment search begins in earnest this coming weekend. There's a lot to do, and it's really stressing me out. This is the first time I've moved completely by myself. And while I have friends and family in Seattle, I can't ask them to drop everything and travel over a thousand miles just to help me move. So it's on me, all of it.
Despite the stress and fear, though, I'm excited about this. I've been to Seattle before - my friend there and I went skydiving to celebrate our 30th birthdays - and I love the area. It's also one of the geekiest cities in the country, which is always good. I just keep telling myself that this is a good thing, and it'll all be worth it, even if I'm freaking out about it now.
So, yeah. That's my major plan for 2015: getting the hell out of the desert. I'd also like to find a job I enjoy, write at least two books, and get one of those books to a point where I can start submitting to agents again. (I've never been good at thinking small.) Here's hoping it all works out, one way or another.
Wish me luck. O_o
Wow! That is a big decision -- and a big move! Weather wise, I'm thinking there's going to be a big change, too. Maybe not as drastic as CA to VT, but still!
ReplyDeleteI've heard that it doesn't actually rain in Seattle all the time - they just tell people that to keep everyone from moving there. ^_^
DeleteDefinitely wishing you luck. We've done that before, just my husband and I packing up and moving cross country. We've actually done that moving thing too many times, so we won't go there, but I'm wishing you all the luck in the world finding an amazing job, and as far as the apartment search goes, Craigslist is my best friend.
ReplyDeleteSomehow this is easier because it's a big change - moving across town would feel like a bother, but this will be worth it. I hope. O_o But thank you. And I don't have much experience with Craigslist so I'm a little wary of it, but I'll look into it.
DeleteFor housing, you can't go wrong with Craigslist. We used it in NYC, upstate NY, and all over Florida. Amazing resource. Now if you're buying something in cash, that's when you have to be cautious.
DeleteFair point. I did some searching via other places this past weekend, I'll start checking Craigslist this weekend.
DeleteThat will be a huge change! Hope you like rain.
ReplyDeleteThink positive - you WILL find a job when you get there. Go prepared to hit the interview pavement running.
I do like rain. I even have a raincoat already, though I've never used it here. :P And I've got all kinds of job search stuff I'm already doing, just going to hit it harder and be less choosy when I get there. ^_^
DeleteGOOD LUCK! Sounds exciting! I'm glad you're excited too, it's good to be in a good place physically it will help mentally I'm sure. Not that you need mental help you know what I mean lol Good luck with the job hunt too, and the books as always! *hugs*
ReplyDeleteWait, are you saying I *don't* need mental help? :P But seriously, thanks. I think this will be a really good change for me, and I loved Seattle when I was there.
DeleteI wish you tons and oodles and loads of luck - and I really admire and respect you for taking the plunge. It's terrifying, but I hope it brings a million wonderful things. Good for you, Mason, really. I've moved with no job before, and it's hard for a while - until it isn't. I would do it all again :)
ReplyDeleteEvery time I've moved, it's been with no job. So this is nothing new. O_o But thank you. I'm still stressing out about all this, but it helps to have so much support.
DeleteI can honestly say, things got better when I got out of the desert. For the longest time, I thought it had moved into my soul. My sister teased me that I didn't need to bring the desert with me since I moved in the middle of the biggest drought California has ever experienced.
ReplyDeleteAlso, yeah, the story of why we moved definitely requires alcohol, but things are better. I think you'll be able to breath when you leave again, even if there is that awkward stretch of trying to find a job. On the other hand, I'm sure the county (whichever one) is hiring. Everyone needs eligibility workers.
I think things will get better once I'm no longer in the desert, yeah. I was thrilled to be here and get out of Vermont's humidity, but that's worn off. :P And I'm glad things have gotten better for you. I am looking for city/county work as part of my search, found a few good jobs but nothing's worked out yet. Hopefully it'll go better once I'm actually there.
DeleteAh! This is SO exciting! I totally agree that you should go, job or not. My husband and I did the very same thing in 2013. We moved across the country with no jobs and we have no regrets. I know you're going to be just fine. It will definitely give you some things to write about!
ReplyDeleteYah, a change of environment will do me a lot of good, I know that. And as I said above, moving without a job has never stopped me before. Still trying to find an apartment, though. O_o
DeleteGood luck!! I have 2 cousins that live in Seattle . . . what kind of work are you looking to do? I could ask them if they have any connections for you :-)
ReplyDeleteHmm. I've been doing work with medical claims for years, but I've worked in a bunch of different offices, and I can learn to do just about anything. Vague, I know, but working for 11 years at one job has trained me very well for... that one job. Eh heh heh.
DeleteSounds like you're going about it with eyes open. I say, go for it and good luck! :)
ReplyDelete