The hardest part of moving

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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:11 pm

I am taking a job across the continent from where I live and work now. I've never lived outside a 50 mile radius of where I do now. It's been a bit strange getting rid of everything, but it's been okay.

Until just now.

Today, I had to sell off my two cockatiels, Trip and Malcolm (yes, my wife and I named them after the characters on a certain Star Trek).

Malcolm had just learned the wolf whistle the other day.

They've been gone ten minutes, and I already miss them as though it had been much longer.

Such a sad moment as the elevator door closed at the end of the hallway on my floor.

Gonna go cry a bit now. Crying or Very sad

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:26 pm

Hugh Jundys wrote:

... I've never lived outside a 50 mile radius of where I do now. ...

You get used to it. Believe me.

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:58 pm

Don't look back Hugh. I moved from the upper midwest to the SE US, and never regretted any of it. It will seem painful at first, but soon you will be too busy to worry about it. Years from now you will sit back, and think......"Harry was right"!

** SUSPENDED ** Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 1267

@harry "I moved from the upper midwest to the SE US, and never regretted any of it"

Until you forgot your toilet paper.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:07 am

I can relate to having to say goodbye to a pet Hugh. When we left NZ we brought our 2 cats but had to leave our little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He was too old to travel and the heat here would have not helped him. So sad to say goodbye, but at least we knew he was in a family that loved him and treated him like a king.
I am sure that the people that took your birds will look after them well, but it doesn't make it easier.
Good luck on the move and I am sure you will enjoy the new experience.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:30 am

It's hard to leave much-loved pets behind but you have to put their interests first. As for moving out of your comfort zone it seems daunting but I promise you it will be a very positive experience. May I also suggest you take this opportunity to throw out, donate, burn, sell any of your possessions that you have not worn, read, used, thought about, needed in the last 2 years. It's VERY cathartic for a fresh start in a new place. Good luck!

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:32 am

I was born in 1970 and moved to my current residence in 1972. I inherited this house in 1994.

Basically, I've lived in this house all my life.

I like it here.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:13 am

@Hugh...you gave up your pets because of a move? Damn, that must have been hard. Hope they are with a loving family!

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:25 am

@ Harry.

How is it that when I told Radden he lived in the midwest, he told me that where he lives is not considered the midwest (cause he is daft) yet you know full well it is? Didnt you ever teach him where the midwest is?

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:13 am

Gnasher wrote:

May I also suggest you take this opportunity to throw out, donate, burn, sell any of your possessions that you have not worn, read, used, thought about, needed in the last 2 years. It's VERY cathartic for a fresh start in a new place. Good luck!

Actually, we've been working on that the last two weeks. My parents think we're crazy, we're literally getting rid of everything but the clothes on our backs and a few keepsakes.

We are very excited about what we are going to be doing...if you were able to put my various internet personas together, you would know instantly what I am doing. I am very, very excited because with luck I will be getting into a very unique job. Not quite so unique as astronaut, but close.

The birds are going to a great home. The guy who is taking them has 25 years of raptor rescue experience, along with a plethora of animals he's rescued over the years for whatever reason. I feel good giving them into his care. I even have a standing invite to visit them when I am in town again.

I am making this move completely by choice. The job I am going for is worth giving up everything we have. We are going to lighten our load so we can be mobile, maybe move out of country in the future and live in other parts of the world for a time. My wife and I are young and don't have kids, nothing tying us down to any one spot. Now is the time to do something like this.

Part of my reason I want to go is that it scares me. Yes, I know that anywhere in the country is only hours away in this day and age, but it's still a huge 2,519 mile gap between myself and everyone Mrs. Jundys and I know. But growing up means leaving your comfort zone, and that's something we've not really done.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:51 am

Every year or two my wife and I put all our belongings into 2 backpacks and move to an entirely new country (we're felons on the run) and like cats always land on our feet. You'll be fine.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:12 am

@Pants. They like to consider themselves "different" from Midwesterners. It is still the Midwest. As far as Radden being daft,........well, what can I say? You hit the nail directly on the head.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:19 am

Quote:

My parents think we're crazy

Their problem, not yours. Don't give in to the Guilt Trip!

I know it's a cliche but in these days of cheap and easy travel moving location is a matter of time, not distance. By all means go for your new adventure with an open mind (and bless the fact you don't have kids or sick parents or other incumbrances for a total Life Change) but if for any reason it doesn't work out it's not like you've burned your bridges.

We did what you are doing 7 years ago and I still wake up every morning blessing the day we made the move. There have been some bumps along the road of course, it's only natural, but taking that chance was and is the best thing we ever did and if you asked me if I'd do it again I'd say yes, in a heartbeat. I wish you both a fantastic adventure.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:54 am

I so very much appreciate all the well wishes, everyone.

I know we'll be fine.

@friday - I like your idea...

@Gnasher - Yep, that's what my wife and I keep telling each other. We're gonna be happier for it even if the whole thing goes pear shaped, and the guilt trip is my parents' deal.

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 7103 Location: Yes

Good luck Hugh. The process of moving totally sucks, but the adventure of a new place makes it worth while. Plus it strengthens your bond with the Mrs. as for a while, it's just you and her -- against the elements. Enjoy the move, but don't be afraid to look back now and then either.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:28 pm

@ harry.

Funny, my wife is from the same area as Radden, and we visit her family at least once a year, if not more, and everyone ther knows its part of the midwest. so, why is Radden such a nutter?

419Eater is my life Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 356

I would probably shrivel up and die a horrible painful death if I ever had to leave my birds or my dog (African Grey parrot, budgerigar, and English bulldog respectively).

I'm glad to hear your 'tiels are going to such a good home, and I hope you do get a chance to visit them some time!

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:03 pm

Geez, an African Gray? By now he must be able to say "I chop yo dolla!" Just because you haven't heard him/her say it... I would love to have one of those guys... They are more an investment in a friend than a pet, and if I had one I would take him with me and drive instead of fly.

419Eater is my life Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 356

^
Bahaha... he probably does say that when we're not around. He chops our dollas in a somewhat indirect way by refusing any kind of toy that isn't the nice expensive kind, and he goes for the curtains and the woodwork if we don't comply (and sometimes even if we DO comply). He's spoiled rotten. Wink

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:19 am

DoloresOnTheDottedLine wrote:

He's spoiled rotten. Wink

I wasn't aware there was any other kind of pet bird. We who live with birds are an... interesting... breed.

As far as my birds, they were like cats as far as the toys. I would go and get them something shiny and expensive, put it in their cage and they would stay away from it. But when I put that old box in the cage? They were all over it! Funny little buggers!

419Eater is my life Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 356

Hugh Jundys wrote:

We who live with birds are an... interesting... breed.

That's because bird dander is a mind-altering drug. You know how you can see clouds of it flying into the air when a bird fluffs up in just the right lighting? "Experts" may say it has to do with feather care and whatnot, but it's really so they can gradually gain control over you when you inhale it. Cool

And considering how odd birds are...

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:44 pm

I always had my suspicions, but now it is proven. Is there a Wikipedia article on that?

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:17 pm

I moved across an ocean twice. (Yeah, once wasn't enough! Smile

) I had two budgies before the first move, one of them passed away a couple of months before the move (liver disease), and I had made arrangements to give the second one away, but he committed suicide about a week before. He freaked out in the middle of the night and flew into the side of the cage. Broke his leg and died of internal bleeding. Such a sad way to go, but I've always wondered if maybe he knew something was up? I have a recording of their chirping and squawking somewhere. It's been 8 years, but I still miss them.

419Eater is my life Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 356

@Hugh

No Wiki article, sadly. The birds don't like people to know about it, so their more advanced servants check regularly to make sure that kind of thing doesn't get out. (I expect to be assassinated shortly, actually.)

@Dareth

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. Poor budgies... those certainly don't sound like peaceful deaths. Sad

When mine's gone, I'm pretty sure I'll miss him for a very long time. He's such a little character, and the most people-loving thing you could want.

Good thing the parrot will probably outlive me, so I might not have to cope with his death some day.

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:25 am

That's tough Hugh. If I ever had to move, I'd live in my car if I had to. My pets are my kids. I have to have my Pal, Cooper, the dog. He'll "Chop you nek boi"! Good dog. Eat up. My best you you, and yours, Hugh.

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