The month of March marks one-month of a new life; my new life. Mentally it is more challenging than I initially imagined. I have never had difficulty staying productive, and being on commission had already prepared me for a life based on sales, but a life where you are often referred to as “retired” is disarming and impossible. Yeah, I earned a break after 50-years, but I also spent it all, so I do not have the luxury of kicking back and reveling in my monthly social security payment. Part of the challenge too is my routine is eerily similar to the pandemic schedule. Even though all I had to do; all I was required to do, was stay in-touch with customers (pandemic remember, so limited in-person contact) and take advantage of the growing number of on-line Zoom meetings or webinars. I did this and more, but still felt guilty because I was “home” and not in the field. I actually found myself working more hours than before because of it. I have always had a tough time finding a work-life balance (part of the reason for trying the Designing Your Life ) and realize I need to fix this. Or, I could just cut myself some slack.

Ok, back to finding the work-life balance. One of the things I have wanted to do is go with Lisa to estate sales. She has done it for years and besides giving her a well-deserved break, she also finds some pretty good deals. Occasionally when she finds a treasure she thinks I will like, she brings it home. I was excited on this Friday because I finally had the chance to go along. I sniff around for stuff, more out of curiosity than anything else but my radar is always on vinyl. Agreed, I am that age, but I think they sound better and the history they offer is worth the journey. They always start Friday AM, and if you want really specific things you better get there early. I have gone with her to a few over a weekend to offer opinion on something or other or to haul it home. Until now. Being a self-employed independent contractor (definition of a Realtor by the way) has its perks including Friday mornings off. That being said, if you need a realtor, disregard the Friday off comment.

As I re-read my Easter post from 2020, several things struck me. One was the picture I painted of business activity downtown and how little has changed. Seems odd; there are more construction cranes on the horizon than at any time in memory, yet most offices remain vacant while workers telecommute. The other; more telling, was my comprehension of the homeless crisis. Before, they were invisible amongst all the trees masquerading as people, and since they are mostly still gone, all that is left are all the tent cities. The news will show an entire encampment being dismantled, or more accurately, bulldozed into submission so as to show a positive move to eliminate the blight in our city. These homeless will be offered support, including food and shelter and yet two days later, the whole thing has magically reappeared in the same spot it was just eradicated. Part of me salutes the perseverance of the homeless and their sense of community to support each other. Part wonders how close many others are to being in the same frightening situation and lastly, and not in any real order is what sense did it make for the city to move forward with their “homeless” master plan? They built 3 new shelters with fewer beds and miles away from the safety infrastructure these people need to survive and we are in worse shape than ever. Of course if you are a developer downtown it makes all the sense in the world.