My Seattle Move: Tuesday, December 27

So I've been cranking away as best I can.  I got a lot done over the weekend, still a lot to do.  I found out that I will get the money that I was hoping to get, but won't be able to even use it until Thursday - which means I go forward with my initial plan to just junk all of my current furniture and exercise equipment (except the dumbells) and buy new when I get to the new place.  I also got almost all of the required stuff out of the way - renter's insurance is transferred effective 12/31, internet is scheduled effective 1/2, electricity and gas should be on effective 12/31 (which will let me warm the place up a bit), and then other utilities.  SDG&E will terminate on 1/2, I have to call Time Warner and get them to cancel on 12/31 (if I wanted, I could cancel them anytime, logically, since I have unlimited 4G through Verizon).  The only thing remaining is auto insurance which I have to deal with separately - but I can manage that part.  I have to call Allstate and get a quote for that.  I have to call the local agent and find out about a $16 charge that is pending, but other than that I should be fine on auto insurance.  I just need it for 1 month or so until I get settled in; it's required to drive in WA and I wouldn't have it any other way since I have no idea what the driving conditions are out that way.

I have to give it up to the Altima.  Right now, there are four crates in my trunk, 95% of my clothes surrounding them, and my Insignia 42" LCD.  All in the trunk.  Mind you, these aren't tiny crates; I mean they're nearly two feet long, 15 inches wide, about a foot deep.  And I got 4 in there WITH a TV and a bunch of clothes!  By the time I finish packing I will have unfortunately a total of 8 crates to contend with.  I plan to have the junk haulers take literally everything else that isn't a computer or cabling.  That goes down tomorrow.    I won't then have a couch to sit on or a coffee table to work on.  The iMac is packed and ready to go, I have to get the Thunderbolt Display from work, and I'm almost done getting all of the stuff ready for the junk haulers.  That's Wednesday.

Thursday, is when the shredding company will pick up my box that needs to be shredded of 5-some years of data that isn't critical but needs to be shredded.  I will have that in my car on Thursday, they will come to my place of work to pick it up, and I will pay them $60 to make it go away.  You might think me crazy for paying so much, but realistically...the risk of identity theft is so great it's a small price to pay.  Plus I simply do not have time to go down to a shredding facility, unfortunately.  I'm working on very short timing here and every single minute counts.

Today I'm doing what packing I can of small personal items.  All garbage is gone, so now it's just sorting things out into crates in prep for the move.  I won't have the day tomorrow, only the evening, and the junk haulers will need a clear path to get all of the stuff out, so I'm forced to speed things up, and likely will be working through the evening until 10.  Problem is, the light in my bedroom died today, so I won't have any adequate lighting at all to work with :(

My Seattle Move: Monday, December 26

Some companies make their employees work this day, and they get a three-day-weekend.  Mine wants to make sure you get both Eve and Christmas off, even if they fall on a weekend.  SO we got Friday and Monday off in addition to the weekend.  Unfortunately, instead of Christmas cheer, I get to continue packing.  Yay.

So yesterday I figured out that my Altima's trunk space is larger than I thought it was.  In theory - THEORY - I should be able to fit six full crates in the trunk alone.  I don't think I'll need that many, but it's nice to know I can pull that off.  I plan to put four in there, then some clothes on top and around for cushioning (I'm heading into the mountains, you know), then have the Insignia LCD on top, and some more clothes.  That seems a dangerous bet but I don't really have a choice.  The AQUOS alone is likely to fill up my back floor pretty good, then I've got the Thunderbolt Display and iMac, both of which have massive boxes.  That doesn't give much room for the stereo or the laptops, or the keyboard, or the printer...*sigh*.

Today I'm going to have to get as much done as possible, because I have to work Tuesday - Thursday.  According to research, I very well might get caught in pouring rain...or worst, a blizzard, when I hit the mountains.  Stories of people getting caught and dying due to hypothermia.  For some reason, on a major interstate, I find the likelihood of that remote.  However, I have to be ready for the possibility.  The tentative plan to prepare for this is to stock up on some food items, just in case I have to be stuck somewhere or shack up somewhere.  I have a spare jacket in the back seat, and I'll be double layered on the clothes since it'll be cold in any case.  Worst case, I can use the car's battery power to run a hot kettle for hot water.  The car is virtually new - I just hit 10,000 miles, so I'm not worried about breakdowns.  Got the oil and filter changed on it, tires checked out, fluids topped off.  I have to buy tire chains today or tomorrow from Autozone.  Apparently they're required in certain areas even if you don't end up using them.

I've never used tire chains because I've been stuck in this hellhole of sunshine for the majority of my conscious life.  I've been in snow before, many times, back in Arkansas and Texas, but I was a kid then.  TO me snow was a plaything, now I have to treat it as a life-or-death situation, and I'm on my own.  I'm going to ask a friend if she would not mind keeping an open line of communication with me during the trip.  I'm going to enable Google Latitude so she can follow my progress, that way if something were to happen, she will know where my phone signal died off, and it should be reasonably easy to locate me from that, as I would not go that far from my car...unless I'm thrown from it, in which case, well, que será, será.

Research also indicates that for the most part, the freeways should be reasonably clear of snow IF there are a good amount of cars driving continuously on it, due to the heat generated from the tires impacting the paving, keeping the snow melted.  That doesn't do much if it rains heavily and it certainly doesn't do much at night when it's even colder, and visibility drops.  I'm not interested in a coastal pleasure cruise.  My sole objective is to get up here to my new apartment and settle in, not looking back.  Period.  I've dealt with a lot worse than a snowstorm...having nearly died on five separate occasions...so there's no fear.

So today, I have to dump a bunch of stuff into the trash outside from yesterday.  I will have a little bit more, but for the most part, everything "trash" is gone and/or bagged and tagged.  The bulk of today will be unwiring all of my electrical stuff and packing up my DVD/CD library.  If I make good progress, I will then move on to boxing up some of the "keep" piles.  It's amazing...I moved here with 7 crates full of "stuff".  After my cleanup process, I will have likely about 3-4 crates full.  Everything else was junk that I just kept.  Lots of paperwork, but I plan to scan most of it when I get to my new place.

Hired a junk hauler who will take all furniture away.  I'll just have to buy new furniture and a new bed.  That's scheduled for Wednesday, so I have to get stuff packed and out of the way before then if possible.

Internet service is established at the new place, got a decent deal, need to make sure I've got money ready for the installer.  I also had to buy a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, that's on its way, should be here Wednesday unless they use OnTrac, in which case I'll get it tomorrow for sure.  It hasn't shipped yet though.

Gas service is also active at the new place.  I was pleasantly surprised they got it done at 11pm on Saturday.  The Electric service company which is a different utility is closed except M-F, and likely closed today, with no way to request service online.  So I will try them today, if not then tomorrow, but I need service active no later than 12/31 which is when I'm planning to be there.  Electric has to be on before the internet can be installed, logically.

Tomorrow I have to go through and start scheduling cancellations for SDG&E and Time Warner.  SDG&E can probably stay active until after I've moved, but I think they need me here.  I have to figure that all out.

My Seattle Move: Sunday, December 25

First off, Merry Christmas to those who are actually getting to enjoy the event.  I'm not.

So yesterday I got a lot done.  I didn't realize how much garbage I had just stacked and boxed around the place that I just never got around to cleaning up.  Not really "clutter", just boxed nonsense that was no longer valid.  Credit card statements from cards I'd gotten rid of over 5 years ago; that kind of thing.  I think I just was in such a haste the last time I moved that I didn't take time to sort stuff out, which isn't unexpected.

So anyway, the closet is completely clear.  I have to check the garbage bin to see if there's room - I ended up filling up half of it yesterday and it was already half full.  Problem is, between Christmas wrapping and tree cleaning I suspect I won't be able to discard anything until at least Tuesday.  My plan is to get the living room in a position that I can pack stuff up.  I had to make a hard choice yesterday, because my paycheck situation is still an unknown.

Right now I know I have enough money to physically move.  I've got gas money, plenty for the drive, I've got the prorate rent from my current place plus the transfer fee ($200), and I've got the rent for the new place which is full because of my start date.  Total it will be around $2700.  (For reference, if I hadn't done it this way, it would have been well over $4500).  But I also have to pay a junk hauling service, which I estimate around $400, and then if I were to move stuff I would be looking at minimum $900, whether I do a truck myself or hire a mover.  I don't want to sit in an UHaul truck for over 20 hours, and I don't want to waste gas in an inefficient drive.  The movers could be an option, but I would have to pay the day the stuff is delivered, and I'm not 100% sure I will have the extra funds needed to pay them.

Instead, I decided to just let the junk haulers take everything that is furniture away - meaning I will need to buy all-new furniture after I get there.

Hard decision.  The only real key part of my furniture set is the TV stand, which happened to be perfect for what I was doing.  Unfortunately I will no longer have that luxury, and in the new place I may just need to re-think my entertainment unit setup...wall mount and shelf where possible.  That leaves my two LCDs, stereo, media library, and computer equipment that I have to deal with, plus the crates of other stuff that I'm taking, and my clothes.  If I can get all of that stuff figured out I'll be good to go.  Unfortunately, my Altima is only so big...

My Seattle Move: Saturday, December 24th

I am getting closer to the end of this ride, unfortunately my place looks no better than when I started despite the substantial progress I made.  This past week was simply to clean up known garbage, which I got done (and there was a lot to do).  But now I have to actually do some packing and moving of stuff one room at a time (maybe faster as I'm running low on time).

I have to be cleared out and on the road no later than 12/30.  Unfortunately, today and tomorrow, and Monday for most companies, are holidays including mine.  That means (good) I have some extra time where I don't have to work.  It also means (bad) that I don't have access to the companies that I require to assist me.  Being single, I'm on my own with most of this stuff, and I'm going to need to get with the program.

So far:

• The kitchen is all packed and ready to go, except for some paperwork that isn't kitchen related.
• The patio is free of all items including the cable and dish that were left out there when I canceled.
• All known garbage has been removed.  There may be some papers that I don't have to keep throughout the place.
• The garage has been cleaned and swept; I have a lot of tools and detailer stuff that were always in the crates, so functionally the garage is ready to go.

Remaining are the following items.

1. Return the work phone.  Can't do that until Thursday.  I have to forward it to my replacement who I am training all next week. 
2. Finish CRM updates, this will take time because I can't do it while training.
3. I found a local USB drive that I can use to give them the demo software.  I need to make that available to them somehow.
4. Need to contact the mover that gave me the lowest quote and see if he can still meet the timeline he quoted (1/7) for delivery.  What it unfortunately means is that I won't have any furniture - including a bed - when I arrive.  I have a plan for that.
5. Need to forward USPS from two addresses, one is the primary, one is a mailbox facility.  That has to take effect as soon as I get the new address which is likely not to happen until Monday.  Then I can update USPS.
6. Need to update billing addresses across the board.  There are a LOT of accounts.
7. Need to sever SDG&E service likely after the new year. 
8. Need to see if Verizon Wireless has to change the cell # when the service address changes.  Don't really care if they do - only one person has that number and they have an alternate they can use in the meantime.
9. Pack up the Thunderbolt Display from work, I'll likely do that on Wednesday so that I don't have much to pack Thursday.
10. Box up the iMac and the two MacBooks.
11. Find a home for my stereo system and its speakers/stands.  I will have to buy some speaker wire when I get there and re-think that layout because of the way the fireplace is in the new unit.
12. Box up all media including software, DVDs, etc.
13. Clear out crates and re-use them for all of my electronic stuff.
14. Figure out how much I can cram into the Altima.  I intend to take everything that's valuable myself, and let the movers take stuff that I don't really care much about.  
15. I will likely just buy a bed after I get there.  There is a place that has a really nice one and I need a new one anyway.  Haven't had a foundation or frame in over 6 years.
16. Submit "holdover" payments to all of my credit cards to make sure they're settled.
17. Open an account at a new bank locally.  Citibank has no branches in that area which boggles my mind; neither does USAA which is my fallback bank.  The only "big" banks out there have all screwed me over at one point or another.
18. Deposit final check(s) here before I leave - that's if I get them before I leave.  If I don't, I have to go to Sacramento to reach a branch which is not a happy idea.  My final check should be substantial enough to hold me over until my first paycheck.
19. I have to decide what I will do with the 401k.  If I roll it over I avoid taxation.  But I don't know how that tax law applies after I'm out of California.  I assume I would only owe Fed tax, but I need to confirm.  I also would prefer to have at least limited access to the funds should I run into any sticking points with the relocation.
20. Return the work computer to Joe Cravo.  He can decide what he feels should be done with it - it's a powerful machine that should be put to good use.
21. Figure out auto insurance lapse; Wawanesa only covers California and Oregon, not Washington, so I likely will not be able to use them for coverage anymore which is unfortunate - they have given me the best price of anyone. Allstate claims they can beat the price, but if I have to work with that chick it's not happening.  My new company happens to be an insurance provider and may give me better pricing, but I'm debating whether to have my personal information accessible in that manner.
22. Transfer Renters Insurance policy; I can do this online via Allstate but they need to know information about the new place, so I may not be able to do it until after the new year.
23. Cancel all California registrations - business registration, vehicle registration, voter registration, etc.  They will likely send me a jury duty notice next year, which I have an excuse (not a California resident).
24. Research winter vehicle care.  The Altima that I have, as I understand, is sold specifically in California because it meets California emissions standards.  But I don't know whether it's designed to handle the different conditions in Washington state.  Have to look into that.
25. Research travel conditions when I get there.  I need to familiarize myself with the drive and the freeway system.  I plan to do that on 1/2 if I can make everything else work out.  If I don't get everything done as far as the packing and moving go, it means I will be forced to come back down here again which I am not looking forward to.
26. I may stay in a hotel the first week I get there, just because I won't have any furniture or anything.  Still on the fence about that because it's another $700 that I would rather not have to spend.

Whew!  What a list. If I can't get everything done in one shot then I may just have to do two trips.

10 Things: Issue #6

10 Things I Hate About Moving

1. The total cost, especially if it's to another state.
2. The timing - meaning scheduling certain things to happen at certain times.
3. The driving...driving a UHaul or whatever truck for 20 hours is NOT comfortable.
4. Being single, because then you're on your own for pretty much everything.
5. Having to coordinate a place to sleep fresh after a holiday.
6. Deciding whether to take furniture, sell it or give it away.
7. If single, having to be at the place of pickup AND the place of delivery when you won't have exacting dates for either.
8. Trying to coordinate all pieces when you still have to work every day, and the weekends are holidays.
9. Getting gas, especially for UHaul trucks.
10. Leaving behind whatever friend(s) you do have.

Preparing for the move

I am actually relocating to the Washington State/Bothell area.  I start a new job in Seattle on 1/3.  Unfortunately that means I have to figure out a way to uproot myself and get up there BEFORE that date; of course, with the holiday season surrounding this is not an easy task.  I've prompted movers but all of them are quoting 1/7 and after which doesn't work.

I could just move my clothes and bathroom accessories and live rough for some days, but I don't feel I should have to do that.

I got one quote for expedited service; $5000 is just not going to work when I feel it should be $2000 at the most.  One guy said that "logistically" it didn't make sense to move one even for more money because their drivers all take off for the Christmas season, and while I get that, it would seem to me that in this economy, some drivers would jump at the opportunity to make extra money to keep their families fed.  But maybe I'm short-sighted.

So what I have decided is to figure out if U-Haul can hitch me up and I can take a short trailer, and just do the move myself.  It will slow me down though - it's only a 4-cylinder car - and I had estimated 18 hours to drive.  The complex is closed past 12/31 and not open again until 1/3, which means if I want keys to even put the stuff in the new place, I have to be there no later than 5pm on 12/31 with all of my stuff if I'm moving it myself.  Last day of current work is 12/29.  The only way that can work out is if I get hitched up, trailered, cleaned, and packed all by 12/30...out and on the road by 9am.

Need to see if I can at least make Eugene, OR that first day.

Return of The Franchise

You might be wondering why, after over 3 years, I decided to start writing again.  Well, there are many reasons.  Most notably, there's a lot to say.  Most of it is best suited for a blog, rather than a video.  There are too many thoughts, too many opinions, and too many ideas.  I need an outlet for what goes through my head, because as I age, it's getting increasingly difficult to manage everything mentally.  I'd like to start by simply updating everyone as to where I am at this point.

When I started the blog, I was working at a loan company.  I believe I was an auditor at the time.  While I liked the company, I really didn't enjoy working for/with certain people.  Additionally, the company was hit hard by various laws passed as a knee-jerk reaction to a relatively benign situation, and they had suffered mass layoffs as a result.  From a peak of over 700 employees to just north of 60, it was clear that the company was in dire straits.  I very well could have stuck around, waited to be laid off and collect a windfall, but that would have meant tolerating a very poor situation.  I'm really not a tolerant type.  If something annoys me, I can't simply ignore it and hope it goes away.

So I began a new career, with a new company.  I also have my own online service company online at Franchise-Net Media, LLC.  Underneath this company are three branded services: Tempting Reviews and Tempting Guides, both of which are a YouTube channel, and Public Engagements which I'm just starting.  I plan to branch out into other consulting-type servies such as book publishing.  I have written and published a book which is for sale right now on Amazon, "True Stories of a Common Man", which is a brief look at how I got to where I am.  A friend of mine was rather surprised that I would write such a book, but in my world I wanted to have something already out there that spoke to who I am, in the event something were to happen to me.

What do I hope to accomplish with the blog?  Not sure.  I think it will simply be a running diary. I will play it by ear, and hopefully everything will turn out alright.

Until next time,

The Franchise