In May of 2005, a week after college graduation, i I loaded up a new-to-me car with my cat, several clarinets, some suitcases of clothes, a big box of “Important” papers and various other possessions and drove East to Chicago from Spokane, Washington.
I was the rare soul who leaves the West for the hustle and bustle that resides east of the Rockies. I had fantasized that I would begin my adult life by finding a fantastic social justice position and I would suppliment that meager income with freelance writing, and I’d find myself being truly happy in the city of broad shoulders.
Life didn’t quite work out the way that I planned. Instead I got a ho hum non-profit job, dabbled in blogging, dodged the law school bullet, became obsessed with biking and discovered a unknown talent for balloon twisting. I also fell in love with Chicago, met amazing people and realized that a job sitting in a cubicle was not at all fulfilling.
So, now in May of 2011, I’m going to do a little bit of backtracking. I’m going to pack up that now Chicagofied 1997 Geo Prizm (which is now missing a stereo), with that same cat, just one clarinet, an awesome bike, camping gear, a few changes of clothes and whatever other sentimental possessions I decide to keep and that will fit in my little car.
It’s strange to think that that car was packed completely full when I moved to Chicago. Now, I can barely think of many things that I’m planning on keeping. Over the six years I’ve been here, I’ve lived in 4 different appartments, with many different roommates and have accumulated an entire set of belongings. Granted, almost everything was bought secondhand, at disreputable furniture stores or at Ikea, so I feel like starting over won’t be as hard as it could.
Have you ever thought about starting from scratch? What do you own that you could never imagine giving up? Do I own anything that you’d really like?
Hey Jami,
When I moved from Alabama in 2000, all of my earthly belongings fit into the bed of my ’91 Chevy S-10. Since coming back to Chicago, I moved 9 times. After each move, I tossed things that I hadn’t used since the last move. This weekend, I’m moving again, but this time it’s much easier. Most of the furniture I have was from the free section of Craigslist so parting with them is not an issue. I’ve upgraded vehicles since and now all of my possessions will fit in the back of my ’99 Yukon (clothes/electronics/books/bikes). This move will be the easiest, because my new furniture will be delivered and I can carry all of my belongings by myself in two trips at the most. I’m not married to my possessions and I look forward to each time that I start from scratch.
Good luck with your new beginning!
Shawn
Are you leaving Chicago, or moving to a different place in Chicago?
I’m going to be leaving Chicago in May, but i’ll be traveling back in June/July, and then leaving for a cross country bike ride in August. If you’d like to join, I’m organizing a group to the Indiana Dunes for the first Saturday in August.
Yea. I think I’d be down with that. Will you be organizing it on thechainlink?
Absolutely. I hope to get a good crowd of folks to see me off. My plan is to at least bike to DC, and hopefully beyond as long as everything goes well.
I’ll also be doing RAGBRAI, and some other midwest riding in June and July, though they likely won’t be day trips. Obviously, everything will be announced here.
Jani
Thanks for posting on my blog, I commented on your post btw. It’s a good thing that you are doing the cross country bike ride. That is something that I have wanted to do since my 20′s, and I still hope to do someday. I think that I will do it once my three old kitties time has come to depart the world. They are getting older,(12,13,14) but still healthy. Another thing, if you do make it to DC, you should try to make it to Florida. hell, I might even try to make the trip from Orlando to Miami if you are to make it that far! Now, how are you going to be carrying your balloon gear with you?
Wow- I love your new format on your page.Goes with your mew move! Exciting that you will be traveling so much. I have always wanted to ride the RAGBRI. I left my long held job and home years ago and moved overseas years ago. It will be fun to follow your four and two wheeled oddessey!
Wow- I love your new format on your page.Goes with your mew move! Exciting that you will be traveling so much. I have always wanted to ride the RAGBRI. I left my long held job and home years ago and moved overseas years ago. It will be fun to follow your four and two wheeled travels!
I really love the blog style here. What a case of the student surpassing the teacher! I want to do an interview of you on my blog after your summer trip. Would you please pencil that into your schedule for me? Have a great trip – and I’ll be following you on your blog!