The more recent years of my life in Atlanta have been an experiment in "having it all". Can I really have it all? What does having it all even look like?
For me, having it all meant having both the excitement and culture of the city and low-key lifestyle of the country.
I did pretty good here, being blessed with my awesome urban bungalow in Candler Park - although not quite as amazingly having it all as when I lived in Cabbage Town. Cabbage Town life was definitely like living in the county, but with Big City Easy Access - but Candler Park's not so bad. We have trees, community gardens, a large park, a broken sidewalk and houses painted funky colors.
Having it all means enjoying a "green" lifestyle.
Again, my Candler Park pad makes this easy. I walk to Sevananda or Edgewood Kroger for my groceries. I ride my bike to work. I have an organic garden, with a compost pile & worms. I am car-free. (I don't have rain barrels yet, but they are on my "to get soon" list.)
Having it all means a wild, free, glamorous totally punk-rock life!
I am in a queer glam rock psycho punk band called the Sexual Side Effects, which is fronted by the unstoppably gorgeous m-to-f trannie, Amber Taylor. I don't actually play an instrument or sing in the band. I wear skimpy punk outfits and shake my booty back & forth on stage with the other "Side Effect Girl" named Robin. I totally love this!!! The highlights of my past 2-3 years include our on stage performance at the Southern Comfort Conference for Transgendered People & the David Bowie cover band extravaganza where we were the headliners of about 8 local bands. That was the best. The thrill of shakin' it on stage really helped lift my spirits during the more drudgery times in theology school.
Plus, I used to run an indie record label and go to raves....
Having it all means being successful.
My client list is modest, but I attract "A-list" (my kinda A-List!) people. To me that works out better.
Having it all means being published.
So, I self-published - does it matter in the big picture? After all, the first printing of my workbook sold out in 2 1/2 months!
Having it all means looking cool.
I spend next to nothing on clothes, yet I LOVE my wardrobe. When I spent s**tloads on clothes, I never seemed to have anything cool to wear. What's my secret? Thrift & only shopping at local grungy boutiques (like Junkman's & Rag-O-Rama) in my neighborhood. No malls. No Buckhead. No "made in the Philippines". American Apparel is my indulgence.
Having it all means being surrounded by irreplaceable art.
Want to see a collection of some of the greatest artists ever to come out of Atlanta? Come over some time! I am fortunate to count many of them them as my friends.
Having it all means experiencing the Divine.
I am bankrolling on this one - being the free-spirited space cadet that I am!
But there's still some areas where I am striking out - like settling down with the right partner (who loves that I am so into Joy Division & Vice fashion reports right now & that I'm iffy on nightlife), and having friends who really "get me" (I have many friends. Most of them will tell you I am "out there"), and sharing my calling to spiritual practice with a like-minded, sustainable community.
I don't make a lot of money, even though I always have enough money. If I had more, I might work less and get into more mischief, so it is probably for the best, but it would boost my confidence if I didn't shudder every time I have to select an "income bracket" on a survey.
Despite all I have, I can't say I love my life all that much.
Which is why I am moving on....
(moving on, coming soon)