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Do you recognize the house in the photo? If the title of this article didn’t give it away, here is another clue – it was featured prominently in a 1993 film starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Yes, it is the houseboat from the film, “Sleepless in Seattle” on Lake Union, in Seattle. Back then, before electronic pub- lishing, most magazines were still printed and mailed, including the alumni news from my alma mater, Syracuse University. When I received issues, they usually went onto a pile in the proverbial library (you know, the one with a tub, sink, et cetera). In the late 90’s I was browsing an issue when I noticed a small picture, like the one shown, near the back of the publica- tion. The caption mentioned the movie and the house’s owner, a Syracuse graduate, named Jim Healy, who I didn’t know. A few summers later in 2005, my wife and I vaca- tioned in the north- west. On the after- noon of July 4th, we had a few hours to kill so we decided to take a “Duck Tour” in Seattle. The tours are con- ducted in amphibious vehicles that seat about 50 patrons. Off we went through the streets of Seattle and eventually drove into Lake Union. As we passed the houseboat, our guide mentioned that the owners paid $425,000 for the property, about the time of the filming. When our Duck Tour ended, one of the attendants, making small talk with my wife as he helped her disem- bark, asked her, “What are you guys doing to celebrate the 4th?” My wife replied, “We are going to watch the fireworks from the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat.” “You’re kidding.” “No, we’re not. My husband’s for- mer client is one of the owners.” Jim’s wife, Loretta was indeed my client. We arrived at their home for the July 4th festivities. It was nice to meet Jim and reminisce about Syracuse. At one point, I mentioned the home price that the Duck Tour cited. Loretta said it wasn’t too far off. Turns out that I ran a project for a major printing company in Atlanta, commuting there for over a year in 2001-2002. The company had a divi- sion in Seattle, where Loretta managed the accounting department. Every month or two she would fly into Atlanta for status meetings. On one of her visits we had lunch together during which I learned about her home. P.S. There has been a moratorium on moored houseboats in Lake Union, so naturally, prices shot up. It was reported that Jim and Loretta sold their 2,200-square foot home for $2 million in the fall of 2014. LOSING SLEEP OVER A CONNECTION By: Dan RosenbergPAGE 40
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