Day Thirty-One: Head in the clouds…literally.
I’m actually in a plane today. And not one in a museum bolted to the floor. An actual plane..in the actual air. Flying back to Seattle for the week for some marathon meetings. There should be a good number of posts that come out of this trip…and possibly some sense of where this journey might all end. The impending deadline of “first grade” for Julius is beginning to loom over this adventure. Decision time is fast approaching.
So here’s a window into my mind after a month on the road.
I love the pacific northwest. I love the food, the ocean, the mountains, the food, the rainforest, the desert, the food, the rivers, the islands. And, of course, the food.
I’m giddy to get some real fish and chips (halibut, thank you very much). Decent sushi. And a good cold beer. Not all in one sitting. But I’m going to be here for a while.
Yet I’m mentally on the fence. It feels like light-years since we left in mid-June. A month of discovery on the road is now condensed into a mind-numbing six-hour flight. And while we lost our tenants at our house, the rental management group is confident we will get new tenants quickly (at a reduced rent). After all of this…can I really go back?
I also love Montana. I love the vast spaces, the independent spirit, the mountains, the rivers, the chance to live in a place that I think could markedly change me. It is that unique.
But..is it too remote?
Then there is Colorado. Which is essentially Seattle with sun. Which may explain why so may expat Seattleites migrate there. It’s still strategically located so that I could effectively keep my current clients and expand my reach. Flights in and out of Denver are far more frequent that those in and out of Seattle. It’s like the center of the country. Did I mention the sun?
But I have no ties there. Is it too random?
Oh, don’t forget Texas. San Antonio, to be precise. I love the idea of living somewhere that doesn’t cost ridiculous amounts of money. It’s also much closer to my parents who live in Mexico. And being able to get my kids to hang with their grandparents more than once a year isn’t a bad thing at all.
It’s pretty freakin’ hot.. in June, anyway. Can our northern-eurpoean pedigree handle the heat? Is it too hot?
And if I’m thinking out of the box…why not Arkansas? It was Julius’ favorite place. And talk about quality of life with lowered cost of living standards!
But seriously…Arkansas??
Ohio is like going back in time….to high school. And I could do it…if there was even a single lead.
If there was anyplace I felt like I was ready to rule out it would be NYC. I would much rather live somewhere else and visit a few times a year so I could actually afford to do all the awesome things there are to do there.
But everything has a price…so if someone out there wants to give me an offer I can’t refuse for mad bank in Manhattan..my number is 425.330.3177. I answer it 24/7 (or at least return calls promptly).
Which leaves me with Philly. The place I just left. I have nothing super solid there. Except for family and friends. Which is arguably a lot. But it doesn’t pay the bills. And for how long do I house surf with my family until I burn out trying to make something work in a city where the biggest agency has been cutting, not adding staff.
Coming full circle now back to Seattle. This week is a week of reflection as well as of marathon meetings. I’m alone for the first time in…um…holy crap…I can’t remember the last time I was truly “alone” for this stretch of time.
I have that to be thankful for, I suppose. Perhaps I might hear some clarity of thought in that solitude.
Right now I can still say in all honesty, that I am open to anything. Anything except “settling.” Settling for something less than exciting. I’ve learned so much along this trip, not the least of which is that passion and enthusiasm are central to success. I want to take what I’ve learned and turn it into something extraordinary…whether that’s in a new reincarnation of Happonen Communications; some new partnership; or a traditional J-O-B. Or maybe something I haven’t even thought of yet.
I am so thankful to everyone along the way who has taken time to meet with me; opened their homes to my family; shared a meal with us; poured us a drink; washed our clothes; packed us snacks; allowed us to nap an extra 20 minutes in our car before calling the fuzz. You are all important touchpoints along this journey and will be a part of whatever decision our family makes…to return…to continue…to start all over again.
Hmmm…we still haven’t been to Boston or DC. Is first grade really all THAT important?
