Blowing Off Retail Steam

This is THE shopping season and for survival I work retail. The farther I get in my professional life, the more it becomes apparent to me that my momentum is building, the less patience I have for working a "straight" job in the "real" world.

I made it through most of yesterday, but the last 2-1/2 hours were very challenging. For the sake of entertainment, I'm including a quote of part of a post I wrote after the fact:

"I've got a degree, I've hiked to the top of Mt. Fuji, I've walked the great Wall of China, I can speak portions of a couple of languages, and I can explain the very basics of string theory, witch. You just have insurance, a house, regrets, and a 401K."

The part that hits me, is that it's true and I forget to look at that sometimes. I don't have a house or insurance or a 401K. Sometimes that's all people want and they think it will give them security, stability, and/or happiness and they find out later that it's not everything and it's not what makes a life. I have lived a spectacular life and there is more to come. It's uncertain and sometimes difficult, but I'm thankful.

I'm Feeling Kind of Official

I just wrote my first mass email to the people who are attending the workshop I'm teaching on Sunday. Every step I take to laying this thing out makes it more real and the terror transforms to intrigue. I'm not talking about the engulfing, compelling initial confusion of Inception or the first time you saw The Matrix, but the kind when you get home and someone leaves you a trail of notes promising a surprise at the end.

Here's the transcript:

Hey everyone!

Thank you all for signing up for my very first workshop here in the wonderful Twin Cities. Trust me, I'm more nervous than you, but that's all right: we're guinea pigs in this thing – together.

We're all guinea pigs.

As I'm "reviewing" the "material" I have "laid out" for the workshop, I'm coming to the realization that what I have outlined – coupled with the amazing amount of people who have signed up – may make the workshop run over. We are generously being allowed the latitude to do so, so if enough of you are able to stay past 3 until 4 at most: cool. We'll continue. Anyone who must leave at 3 should go ahead and continue to do so, and will be justified in shooting me steely glances as s/he leaves.

But only if it makes you feel better. I won't hate you.

Remember: dress to move, wear closed toe shoes, bring a notebook and writing utensil if you want to jot stuff down. See you in a couple of days! Sunday 1 - 3 (or 4)

Greg
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Wow. This is real. I'm looking forward to working on another longer series already!