Feb 5, 2008

Contemplations


Here I sit at the local Coffee Bean, taking the hubs advice and getting out of the house to brainstorm and gather my thoughts clearly. Away from the piles of paper that often distract me. Away from the temptation to dilly dally by daydreaming about warmer weather and gardening. Away from the clutter that I cant seem to wade my way through. I need a game plan, and a little clarity. I need out from under my self imposed pile of frustration.

I have never really shared much about my little corner of So Cal. I am in the deep Valley, like, you know, way out there. I have friends who refuse to cross the threshold of Mulholland, the landmark that divides what they consider civilization, from the Valley. God forbid! I will admit that growing up on the other side of the hill, I would never have imagined myself living out here, but the Valley is good for me. There is peace, and quite and far less traffic in my immediate area than there would be over the hill. Suburbia is my friend. I spent enough years like a pack mule in NYC and San Francisco with my groceries on my back to know a good thing when I see it. I want to enjoy my patch of land, sit in the garden, and hear the birds rather than the car horns and sirens! Plus, we could afford (although just barely) to buy a home here, which would not have happened in the city. For our intent and purpose, the Valley is a-ok!

So here I am. At the local Coffee Bean, with the occasional 16 year old like Oh My Gawd-ing her way into the store for a sweet blended concoction. At least I am being entertained. There are 2 twenty-something guys sitting at the counter next to me apparently writing a song. One is tapping his foot in time, and the other is singing to the beat. They are cracking me up. I like that at least the other people here are trying to cultivate something creative as well. I can appreciate the struggle.

I am always surprised by how hard it is for me to sit still in public. I have to fight the urge to hurry up and gather my belongings and get home. Get back to work! But really, I am here working. Blogging is a part of my business, and it is hard to concentrate at my desk. . . .

I am not sure where this post has come from. It is kind of just a rambling observation of me sitting here, and yet I feel like I just got something great accomplished. Odd. But now I am ready to go. I hope that I will be able to incorporate a trip to the coffee shop at least once a week, with twice really being my goal. Baby steps.

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle

I've just started reading your blog and I have to say firstly that your work is gorgeous and secondly that post really struck a chord with me. I work from home too and sometimes feel the need to just get away. Sometimes you just need to clear your head in a different environment. A weekly trip to the coffee shop sounds like a great idea.

Anonymous said...

What a relief....I am relieved to hear that I am not the only person in a hurry to get back home.

Jen Renninger said...

Michelle! I feel the same way often!

(and my husband also suggests the ' go work at the coffee shop or bookshop cafe' to help me get out of a funk too! Those men of ours must be smart or something!)

mcaplan said...

It is SO nice to know that I am not alone! Makes me feel a lot better! Thank you for all of your comments!

andrea said...

I've had a really similar experience moving from the other side of the hill to the valley because that's where my bf and i could afford a house where i could have a studio to work in (and a garden that i will someday have time to work in)! i'm glad we weren't alone in our decision and that there are other interesting and creative people here yay! thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

wish i'd been having coffee with you.