From the Heart & Off the Cuff

And still, no video. What can I say…  I’m Tired, I’m behind schedule and Pablo is NOT happy with me. He hasn’t said anything yet and seems fine – but I just KNOW it.

Free Union, VA: Stop #2

All in all this is a great trip, so far. Something I hadn’t anticipated (see previous post) was the emotional tug traveling with Pablo would be. He’s still under 2 years old, is full of energy and was very comfortable with our simple routine in Maine. Traveling long distances in the car doesn’t fit well with this scenario. He’s doing fine – it’s me that’s a bit on edge.

• Is he thirsty?
• Does he have “to go”?
• I should have exercised him more before we left.

Blah, Blah, Blah… I’m about to head out, leaving Knoxville for Memphis, TN. Another 6+ hours on the road today, after 7 yesterday. Poor Pablo. Poor me worrying about Poor Pablo. I’ve never had kids – and based on my guilt level for keeping Pablo captive in the car and disrupting his little world – it’s a good thing I didn’t. Not sure how you Mom’s out there do it.

Video to be posted tomorrow – if Pablo approves.

I’ve been on the road four days now and this, despite my good intentions, is the first post. (In my defense I did post an entry on BoldVisionConsluting blog – SOME work is getting done.)

I got a later start on the trip than I anticipated so the 15 hour, rush hour drive from the Bronx to Brooklyn took 2 hours; 1 hour+++ longer than anticipated. Driving for 6-8 hours is more tiring than I anticipated. Driving for 6-8 hours with the littlest Pablo is more difficult than I anticipated. Staying with friends along the way doesn’t lend itself to alone time to work as much as I anticipated. Editing the videos is much more time consuming than I anticipated. I anticipate I’ll get one video blog a week posted and other posts will be of the textual type.

Observation of the day: Anticipation is good, but be flexible.

Packing for the trip: BEFORE

Packing for the trip: AFTER

Packing Packing Packing

Actually – in this case not a lot. About 3:30 pm yesterday (Saturday, 2/27), as I sat waiting for the 3rd of 3 tenants to give me their official 30-day notice, I decided departure date for the big road trip was being moved out 24 hours. There’s still snow, wind and rain predicted for Monday, but my emotional state will be much better able to deal with it.

Isn’t that always the way it is, though? You’re trying to tie up loose ends to get away and THAT’s when the ’stuff’ hits the fan – the big proposal comes in, the client has a crisis, the basement floods… So it’s no different here. I have 4 apartments on the property where my office is. One tenant had previously given notice to move out this weekend. Last week 2 others turned in 30-day notice – which means they’ll be moving out before I even get back.

The next day we had the big storm where part of my fence, roof and lawn furniture blew into Canada. Trying to contact insurance adjusters and arrange rental assistance for the upcoming vacant units, prepare to leave for 5-weeks AND have a social life – just couldn’t be done in the 24 hours I had left.

This is one of the things I love most about living on my own; –calling the shots. I’m not leaving today. I’m going to pour myself another cup of coffee, put on some cheesy 70’s music and finish packing.

Used to be when I got stressed I’d make a big pile of mac & cheese, a double layered grilled cheese or a big honkin’ cheese burger (funny how cheese always seemed to be involved…) and life would return to normal in a matter of …calories.

No more. Once I passed the age of 45 (or so) I needed to find a lower calorie solution to stress. Enter “Mom”. It’s funny that 1) I’m writing ANYTHING at all and 2) I’m about to write something about my mother… but, when it comes to cutting hair – it’s true. My mom hasn’t had anyone cut her hair -paid or otherwise’ for …years. She keeps 2 pair of sizzors in her bathroom – one regualr and the other thinning. She’s cut her own hair for years.

Ack! CUT my own hair ARE YOU KIDDING?

Until the past couple of years or so I’ve always had short …SHORT hair. The shorter the hair the more often you need a trim to keep it neat. The first time I cut my hair it was to trim my bangs & the hair over my ears (I told you it was short). One thing leads to another and the next thing you know the sink is full of hair. I didn’t mess things up too badly and it gave me a sense of …freedom I guess you can call it.  Since then I’ve taken to the scissors when 1) I need a trim and 2) when I’m feeling cornered and stressed. I wish I could say it’s better than eating high calorie – high carb comfort foods… but sometimes I’m not sure about that. You tell me – what do YOU do when you’re stressed?

The journey officially begins on Sunday, February 28, 2010.  Today I visited my neighborhood auto mechanic in an attempt to get my car road worthy. The fun already begins… 

Visit to Ocean Street Auto – Part deux

btw, I decided to forego the $800-$900 repair word pre-trip and channel my inner Scarlett O’Hara. I’ll think about it tomorrow.