Actually, it’s a 22-foot diesel truck (weigh stations, here we come!).

Yes, Blurbexians, I’m a-movin’ on up to Georgia to work in our Hotlanta office. The caravan that includes myself, Noel, our dogs and three dear and intrepid friends pulls outta Tampa early in the a.m. on Saturday, March 25. Sniff. Sob!

It’s been eight long years since the Planet took a chance on an unknown events editor with no editing experience whatsoever. All I had was my natural charm (which is abundant) and my diary entries for writing samples. I’ve come a long way and I’ve learned more than even I wanted to know (Max Linsky’s farewell roast has scarred me for life).

Co-workers have come and gone and come again, kind folks around the Bay have allowed me to invade their businesses, homes and personal space for the sake of Summer Guides and Best of the Bays. I’ve done more, seen more and met more than most do in a lifetime; had countless unwanted photos taken by Bud Lee (if only I knew how lucky I was); and had the pleasure to work with some of the most talented people I’ve even known, in this industry and others.

I’ll miss my co-workers and friends damn desperately. I’ll miss Jannus Landing. I’ll miss The Hub, New World Brewery and The Emerald. I’ll miss too many local bands to name, and all the shows at Jobsite Theater. I’ll miss (still) smoking over lunch at Four Green, a quick meal at Miguel’s, and a not-so-quick meal at Estella’s. I’ll miss the laid-back, “can’t we all just get along?” vibe at the Planet office, and free lunch at the Wednesday meetings. I’ll definitely miss smoking out front several times a day with Marsha.

I WON’T miss the heat. I won’t miss the lack of seasons. I won’t miss the “no helmet” law, hanging chads, Terri Schiavo, predatory teachers and snowbirds. I won’t miss my house, with its cracked ceiling, light bulbs that burn out after a month and the noisy critters living in the walls.

And I definitely won’t miss the feeling I get when I think of saying good bye.

But in the words of Albus Dumbledore, it’s not good bye after all. My spirit, if not my stench, will linger long after I’m gone. And I’ll find reasons to come down from time to time.

Until then, we’ll always have Blurbex.

Kelli K

This article appears in Mar 15-21, 2006.