Month: December 2013

Even though this blog is a bit of a dumping ground for all my musings, I thought it was high time for an update on The List. Let’s review, shall we?

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

30. Climb a mountain.

29. Run a 10k.

I’m actually training for this now – I plan to run one in March. I haven’t decided which one I’ll do, but I can successfully complete 6.2 miles – it’s just my time that I need to substantially improve. I’m on a self-designed program that includes running 12 miles, plus one stretch yoga and one active yoga class, per week for the next 12 weeks. If I meet my goals, I award myself a fancy handbag. Because, of course, the satisfaction of fitness isn’t enough.

28. Nail a handstand in yoga.

Still working on this one.

27. Get spiritual.

I haven’t even broached this one yet. 

 

EDUCATION

26. Learn a language.

I plan to take a Spanish Level II class from Jan-March. Wish me luck!

25. Master a skill.

24. Read some books that actually mean something.

The last book I read was “Drinking and Tweeting” by Brandi Glanville. That gives you some semblance of where this goal lies at the moment.

23. Develop some knowledge about cars.

 

TRAVEL

22. Visit Thailand.

21. Take a trip with my Dad.

I’m looking forward to taking my dad to Ecuador this May. Giving him that gift was one of the highlights of my year! Merry Christmas.

20. See a Wonder of the World.

19. Take a cross-country road trip with Brandon.

We hope to do this in 2014.

 

LIFE CHANGES

18. Volunteer regularly somewhere for at least 6 months.

I should really get on this one!

17. Turn off the T.V. for a week.

You’d think this one would have been easy to knock out. I think it will be one of my hardest challenges.

16. Finish my book.

Still struggling with this one, but working on getting re-inspired.

 

MONEY MATTERS

15. Invest in 5 diversified stocks.

14. Build retirement fund.

13. Own a second home.

 

No progress on these. Perhaps because all my money’s been going to the other goals? Yes, let’s go with that. 🙂

 

EVOLVE MY RELATIONSHIPS

12. Get closer with my sister.

11. Go on a walk at least once a week with Brandon.

We’ve been doing this somewhat regularly, but we need to get better about it. I can’t wait until his freelance project is done.

10. Try something more sexually adventurous than usual.

TBD. And I probably won’t announce if/when I accomplish this goal.

9. Be a good in-law.

I think I was a great in-law over Christmas, but birthday season’s a-coming!

8. Send a real letter to a friend every month for a year.

I am really proud of how I’ve done with this goal. 4 months down, 8 to go!

 

TEST MY LIMITS

7. Zip line.

Complete!

6. Participate in a big cultural event like a music festival or Oktoberfest.

I forgot this was on here! I can’t wait to do that.

5. Swim with a shark. Or at least sting rays.

4. Learn to surf. Or at least try.

3. Be personally responsible for winning a big piece of business.

It’s really hard to be “personally” responsible for this, because I work with a great team. But I am confident that one of the recent pieces of business we’ve won was largely a direct result of my efforts… we all share the victory on all business!

2. Perform in a play or musical.

I’m hoping to take an improv class at Dad’s Garage next year and maybe that will lead to a live performance. Baby steps!

 

PERSONAL SATISFACTION

1. Learn to be happy just as I am.

I live in what’s called a “transitional” neighborhood. There are a lot of nice spins for the phrase, but ultimately, for most people, it translates to “bad neighborhood that we’re crossing our fingers for.”

In the two years I’ve lived in the Old Fourth Ward, I’ve heard people be as blunt to tell me, to my face, that I live in a rough neighborhood, and to watch out. I’ve also heard them pepper it with a kinder bent, suggesting gently that I not leave the house after dark or park my car on the street.

Brandon and I knew what we were doing when we selected our home; we didn’t “end up” in our neighborhood by an unfortunate train of circumstances. We sought an investment opportunity inside the perimeter – a place with lots of potential that was close to everything we loved.

We didn’t move in blind. We recognized that for the first few years we were here, we’d have to be extra cognizant of anything we left in our cars. We’d need a solid alarm system. It played a large role in our decision to get a more intimidating-looking dog (Bear). We bought hard-core locks for the doors and, despite its ugly appearance, kept the steel door in the basement. I am the proud owner of pepper spray.

All of these preparatory behaviors are things people must do when living in an urban, transitional environment – including anywhere in New York City. They aren’t all necessarily things we’d do if we lived in Roswell, but that’s not where we wanted to live. We chose this place.

I could go into detail for days about the frustrations I’ve had with home ownership. The seemingly insurmountable and constant fixes, the yardwork, the traffic from Buckhead. But I wouldn’t count my neighborhood even in the top 10 challenges.

Brandon and I carefully weighed our options when buying our first home. We didn’t buy a house several times the price of this one, even though we could have afforded it, because we wanted to be able to still live comfortably even if one of us was out of work.

We didn’t purchase a home in Buckhead, even though it’s closer to my office, because we don’t like the scene there.

We didn’t purchase a house that was even close to our top price limit because there were better opportunities to as much as double our money in a neighborhood that wasn’t already established.

And we chose to live in a neighborhood full of diverse colors and cultures because we don’t like living in a homogenous community. Shocking!

We’ve faced our share of challenges in the Old Fourth Ward. I don’t hide the fact that I was mugged on Edgewood, or that we’ve had things stolen off our porch. I can’t justify the opportunistic crime that happens when people leave their doors or cars unlocked.

But Brandon and I expected some of these things to happen, and rather than hate the neighborhood we chose, I hate the perpetrators who continue to give our ‘hood a bad name. I can already see changes starting to happen, but we fully anticipated a 5+ year turnaround time, and I’m tired of people implying that because crime hasn’t stalled overnight that we made a bad decision.

In no other in-town neighborhood could I find a beautiful 1920s house with so much history, hardwood floors, and fenced yard space.

In no other in-town neighborhood could I find such an affordable property that’s still in walking distance from Little 5, Downtown, Edgewood, and Poncey Highlands. On a weekend, my drive to Buckhead could be 15 minutes and Atlantic Station is consistently less than a 10-minute drive in almost any traffic.

The Beltline is one of Alice’s favorite spots to run, with a close second being the Freedom Park trail. And half a block away on the Freedom Parkway bridge, we get one of the most incredible skyline views available in Atlanta – as verified by countless Atlanta-based shows that film from that bridge.

I am so proud to live in the Old Fourth Ward and be one of the pioneers that will revitalize this community, despite some of its challenges. To me, “transitional” means the neighborhood is evolving in a positive way, and I’d much rather be in that position than in a house consuming a third of our net income in Buckhead or East Cobb. Maybe one day, when we have kids, we’ll move to the ‘burbs, but I hope and anticipate that when we’ll do, we’ll move there with pockets lined with the fruits of our investment, and many more positive memories of O4W than negative.

So don’t do me any favors and offer a pitying look when I tell you where I live. I chose this community, warts and all, and I love living here. Enjoy your homogenous Ivory Tower and the stretched budget that comes with it. I’ll be here in the ghetto, counting my blessings.