life starts to pelt you with curveballs. I’ve been the subject of the attack over the past few days and it’s left me quite bruised. Here’s the problem: I had everything figured out. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, exactly what I was going to do and even how I was going to accomplish it all. I’d completely embraced this idea of vagabonding throughou the world. I would stay at each location for no less than 2 months at a time and just really get to know the place. The whole thing seemed uncomfortable and I found strange comfort in that.
Then, I stumbled on a gem of a building in DC for rent. I vowed I would never rent again, but this place was different. It has endless windows with an abundance of sunlight, it’s zoned for living and working, the owner is insisting that something creative be done with the place, it has a delightful patio and a serene alley. I was in love. The only thing that would make this old firehouse any better is if it was for sale. It’s just a real life gem…a gem I tell you. It would be the perfect place to open a trendy (I hate being trendy, but that’s what it would be) studio and I would live upstairs.
I emailed the guy about the place and he tells me that he received countless responses, but he really likes what I want to do with it and wants to speak with me. Ahhhhhh…have you ever hoped that something wouldn’t work out so that you could mosey on with what you originally had in mind? That’s where I am today. I’m going to speak to the guy on the phone and see what happens. If he offers me the place (and why wouldn’t he, I’m completely cool) then I’m going to be torn. Stay in DC and open the studio I’ve dreamed about or have the freedom of traveling that I’ve always dreamed about? (Maybe I just have too much dreams. Lie)
It’s one of those things that I think eventually these two passions of mine will intersect at some point down the road. I can open a studio in 3 years or I can go traveling in 3 years…I think. I just can’t help but feeling like a charachter in one of those books that I used to read when I was younger. The ones where you would read a chapter and then at the end you had two choices to make: If you want to walk through the door, turn to page 36. If you decide to go home and pick up the package instead, turn to page 84.
Anyone remember those?
Well, I do, and I still remember the feeling I used to have when I thought maybe I turned to the wrong page. But when I was reading, I could always go back and peeked at what I missed. Not so much here. However, I have prayed about it so I know that there is no reason to worry. We’ll just see what happens.
Does anyone remember what those books were called?
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Viajera
2 years ago
Yup, don’t you just hate those curveballs? Sometimes it’s a building (as in your case) or a man or the finances… So many things. I think we all find our way, though, and hopefully do so without extreme regrets. Maybe you can have your cake and eat it too? They DO have special resident permits in various parts of the world specifically for artists or self-employed people. Might be worth checking out.
shannon
2 years ago
You’re a winner Viajera! I never thought about looking into special resident permits for artists. This just made my day.
tia
2 years ago
Well, you know what they say…”The best way to make God laugh is to make plans.”
Caldeia
2 years ago
Have you thought of the fact that it might be that you had to make travel plans in order to find this perfect place? Sometimes we plan and think that’s the way it should be but then destiny has something else for us.
I’m a gemini and therefore an expert of getting both; you get the place, work it out for a year, then go travel and of course you can travel in between?
Ah just see it as a great thing, you got TWO things of what you want, that’s better than getting nothing
Cheers!
shannon
2 years ago
I really think it’s just fear creeping in. Staying in DC and doing what I am comfortable with is the easy road. It means more bills, more spending and less traveling. All things that I’m trying to get away from but I find comfort in because they are familiar. In 5 years when I’m a huge photojournalist, maybe I’ll open that studio. But I never do, I’m ok with that.
Caldeia
2 years ago
Well staying within the “comfort zone” is the easiest way and that’s what differ people, wether they stay there or step outside =) Nevertheless you’ll do great Shannon! =)
shannon
2 years ago
Thanks Caldeia! We’ll see how it all pays out, but I’ve decided I won’t let anything get in the way of traveling.