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Signing out of Chicagoland
Here I am, in my last few bittersweet days in Chicagoland before I head off to New York, back to Chicago for a day and then to Sweet New Home Seattle. And though I’ll miss all my friends and family, I’m aching for new adventures and yearning for a place to start fresh.
There’s something strangely cathartic about the rigorous packing and resolve required in making your first big life move. Something surreal about tightly taping box by box of your belongings shut. Something doleful about saying goodbye to friends you’ve spent years creating memories with and sharing each others’ ups and downs. Moving away from all I knew seemed daunting just a couple of years ago, but now I can’t imagine doing things any other way.
To top off the teeming week this past Saturday, my family and friends plopped the proverbial cherry on the sundae by throwing me a fabulous going-away party replete with Seattle-themed decor and cake. Although I was in the throes of a nagging cold and impending laryngitis, I managed to have a marvelous time well into the wee hours of the evening along with most everyone in attendance. Having so many friends together in one place was amazing!
Do any of you know homeowners who happily bawled uncontrollably as they were handed the keys to their first home or collapsed in delight after they stepped into their new condo? Because I’m hoping my feelings will be analogous to theirs when I step foot into my new place in Seattle.
Favorite Quote of the Party: As the crowd mingled about my yard, my Father snickered to me, “Well, Karen, there’s no turning back [from moving to Seattle] now.”
Very apropos indeed.
See you in SEATTLE!!
Posted: June 5th, 2007 under General Real Estate.
Tags: chicago, Chicagoland, going-away-party, Seattle
About the Author: Karen Kirr
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Comments
2.
Comment
from Robbie
Time June 6, 2007 at 8:37 am
I can’t find it! Maybe California or Arizona can lend us theirs?
BTW - Did anybody else notice the Kingdome on the cake?
3.
Comment
from Karen
Time June 6, 2007 at 11:38 am
No worries, Ardell. It’s been rainy, chilly and overcast for the majority of the past week plus here in IL :(.
4.
Comment
from ARDELL
Time June 6, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Karen,
One thing about this time of year, is the length of our daylight is going to really WOW you. That is my favorite part of Seattle in summer. Now through 6/15-6/30 we have the LONGEST days! Doesn’t get dark until between 9 and 10 p.m.
Are you coming to the naked painted bicyclist show?
5.
Comment
from Geordie
Time June 6, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Karen-
Don’t be scared. They blew up the Kingdome years ago. Sure, you get to pay for two stadiums now, but they are both quite nice.
Ardell - we have the sun here on the Eastside of the mountains. Don’t worry we’ll take good care of it.
6.
Comment
from The Tim
Time June 6, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Four. Four stadiums (if you count Key Arena). We’ll still be paying for the Kingdome for a good while now. Last I heard there’s over $150 million still owed on the long-gone icon. And don’t forget the soon-to-be-basketball-free Key Arena.
1) Kingdome
2) Key Arena
3) Safeco Field
4) Qwest Field
7.
Comment
from Karen
Time June 6, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Oh no, I hope the Sonics don’t leave Seattle. Is there still a possibility they will stay?
9.
Comment
from The Tim
Time June 6, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Karen,
The owner of the Sonics (Clay Bennett, an Oklahoma City businessman) has stated quite firmly that unless he is able to build yet another new arena on the public dime, he’s taking his ball and going home (in other words, moving the Sonics to Oklahoma City).
Public funding has been shot down by the City of Seattle, King County, and the state legislator, and is essentially dead. The latest proposal has been by the Mukleshoot tribe to build an arena in Auburn. From what I’ve read that plan doesn’t have much traction, either.
Personally, I think that Mr. Bennett’s actions since buying the team in 2006 have been nothing more than a show so he can claim that he “tried” to keep the team in Seattle. Consider the scenario: Oklahoma City wants a team. An Oklahoma City businessman (that also wants a team in Oklahoma City) becomes the owner of an NBA team. Hmm, I wonder where this is going?
11.
Comment
from Karen
Time June 7, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Ardell,
You’ll have to illuminate me on the naked painted bicyclist show. Sounds intriguing. Is it in Capitol Hill?
12.
Comment
from Jeff
Time June 7, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Naked bikers are in Fremont for the annual Solstive parade.
Fremont is much better than capitol hill!
http://fremontartscouncil.org/
13.
Comment
from Rhonda Porter
Time June 7, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Ardell, we are going to Fremont the Solstice…right? 
Clothed, of course!
14.
Comment
from ARDELL
Time June 7, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Yes Rhonda,
We’re still on for the Fremont Solstice parade. Maybe we can get Karen to join the party.
15.
Comment
from Karen
Time June 8, 2007 at 2:36 am
Hi, Rhonda & Ardell,
The parade is June 16, right? This is the day when I will arrive in Seattle so it likely will be a crazy busy day for me! Maybe I’ll be able to hit the Solstice Pageant though since it’s later in the day. But I’m so up for all these events, gotta enjoy summer while it lasts ;). I wish I was getting in a day earlier. You’ll have to keep me posted on any neat happenings you go to, most all sound like a blast!
16.
Comment
from Rhonda Porter
Time June 8, 2007 at 5:43 am
Hi Karen,
The parade is on June 16. Landing in Seattle from Chicago and attend a parade with nudist and bicyclist? why not! I’ve never been to this event…I’ve heard a lot about it.
Are you driving from Chicago?
17.
Comment
from Karen
Time June 8, 2007 at 8:06 am
Hi Rhonda!
Yep, I’m driving with my NYC brother I don’t know if we’ll get in until around 1pm that day, but I can assure you I will be joining you and Ardell and whoever at some of these events, gotta take advantage of the sun while it lasts!!! I hope we get into Seattle earlier than 1pm on the 16th, you never do know for sure. You’ll have to fill me in on other highly hyped summer fests, I can’t wait to get out there! Have you ever been to Bumbershoot?
18.
Comment
from The Tim
Time June 8, 2007 at 9:40 am
Karen,
If you’re interested, here’s the latest on the Sonics:
Bennett says meetings with investors net nothing on new Sonics arena
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
19.
Comment
from ARDELL
Time June 8, 2007 at 9:45 am
LOL Tim, it’s your role in life. Don’t apologize for it. Someone’s gotta do it. And here I was thinking they were only going to Renton after hoping they’d be as close as Bellevue. 
20.
Comment
from ARDELL
Time June 8, 2007 at 9:48 am
Karen,
We can start a new weekly thread. What can Karen do in Seattle THIS week
21.
Comment
from Karen
Time June 8, 2007 at 10:02 am
Tim,
Ohhh, that story is a downer, but thanks for keeping me up to snuff. I figured they were going to either Oklahoma City or Vegas. It’s a shame! Ardell, I am hoping between my eventual job and grad school I have time to explore the city! I hope the thread won’t just be: “What portions of the Seattle U. library can I check out this week?” LOL
22.
Comment
from Keva
Time June 16, 2007 at 4:55 am
Hi Karen!
I’m really interested in what you think of your new city. I’m originally from Wisconsin, now living in Providence, RI, and am debating a move to Seattle next spring. My biggest worry would honestly be making new friends once I get there! Best of luck to you, and enjoy your new home!
23.
Comment
from Bri
Time June 16, 2007 at 6:40 am
Karen,
Best of luck on your move. You’ll be fantastic and I look forward to reading about your transition.
-Bri
24.
Comment
from ARDELL
Time June 16, 2007 at 8:07 am
Actually Karen, one of the things on my “go see” list that I haven’t gotton to (besides today’s Frement Solstice Parade) is the new Library in Downtown Seattle. It’s not “new” anymore, but I’d still like to get there.
I was dating an architect when it was being built, and studying a lot of Seattle architecture under his “tutelage”. Switched to an RE/Music Industry guy and never made it to the Library
25.
Comment
from ARDELL
Time June 16, 2007 at 8:08 am
I SO want to take the Seattle Duck Tour, and do a few “Ardell takes the bus” articles.
26.
Comment
from Karen
Time June 17, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Thanks Bri, Ardell & Keva for well wishes, I just got into Seattle yesterday (after the 2,100 mile drive!) so things have been crazy busy. Bri, I miss you! Hope you are well! I am getting the hang of the streets etc. Though, when we rolled into town yesterday the traffic on I-5 was bumper to bumper, courtesy of the Fremont fest and the Race For the Cure. My NYC brother became all wild-eyed, since the traffic was actually worse than NY, according to my brother. I am definitely going to do a few “Karen takes the bus (and gets lost)” articles. New city, gotta experiment!! Also, already met some new friends through my roommate at a neighbor’s b-day party! Everyone was so friendly!
1. Comment from ARDELL
Time June 5, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Someone hurry up and put that big picture of the sun back up in the sky before Karen gets here!