So It Goes

Viva! Seattle Tacoma, viva viva Sea-Tac
Viva viva viva viva viva Sea-Tac
They’ve got the best computers and coffee and smack¹

So I’m moving to Seattle, hopefully before the end of the year.  I’ve been in North Carolina for a solid decade and have little to show for it, other than a liberal arts degree and a few dents in my heart.  That said, my pair of years as a freelance writer have gone better than I could’ve ever expected, with the kinds of experiences that haven’t paid well but have definitely paid off…if that makes sense.

But I’ve reached the point where I can either stay here, thrashing around and trying to make the most of the limited opportunities nestled between our three movie theatres² OR I can leave, heading for a city with greater possibilities and a thriving music scene that—hopefully—I’ll be able to cover.

There are a number of reasons that I’m packing up my Elvis Costello posters and heading for the Pacific Time Zone, but one of the biggest is that I’m tired of being known for what I was or what I’ve done or who I dated.  I was in line at the grocery store the other day, waiting to pay for my 2-for-1 jars of extra crunchy JIF when I saw someone whose asymmetrical haircut looked vaguely familiar.  After she eyed me over the rack of InStyle magazines, she said “Didn’t you used to date [EX BOYFRIEND’S NAME GOES HERE]?”.  And that was when the camel finally aspirated beneath a big straw stack.

It’s a small enough town that, at least once a week, someone at the gym reminds me of how I used to lose the same race every summer or I’ll see someone who I used to work with at the ad agency or any other variation on this scenario… and I’m tired of it.  I’m beyond ready to turn my attention to what I can do, what I will be, and what’s waiting around the next turn, rather than continually adjusting my life’s rearview mirror.

That said, if anyone’s willing to help me with my job search, I’d dig it like no other.³ Obviously, I’m looking for writing and/or creative-ish jobs and can even provide My Official Resume if’n you need it and want to pass it along.  Any advice, tips and tricks are appreciated and will be met with a sloppy kiss to your forehead.

¹ Words courtesy of “Viva! Sea-Tac” by Robyn Hitchcock

² Although the highlights on my resume haven’t been from this region—or even this country—so I’m not losing anything but a ZIP code and a shitty neighbor fond of pre-dawn piano concerts by moving.

³ Emails accepted and encouraged at thetyping [at] gmail [dotty dot] com