Never Losing Sight of the Dream

It was about four months ago when Todd (my boss) mentioned to me that his company would be celebrating it’s ten year anniversary this year. I remember quickly running the math in my head and noting that would have made him about 24 when he started his company. Wow, that means he was shortly out of school. It also immediately hit me that it really was no surprise. After having worked with Todd for about six months I knew what a passion he had for business and a genuine love for running with challenges. Setting up his own company right out of college seemed only natural for a guy of his character.

Me, on the other hand… I did not expect to find myself setting up my own company at age 24.

I’ll keep the story short, as it’s not what I really came here to write. As many know, since last winter I have been producing a web video show for Bellarmine University, The College Buzz. After producing four shows for Bellarmine last Spring they budgeted for the upcoming school year and got funding for two shows a month. When I told Rob the good news he suggested that I set up my own company so I could skip the extra step of running financials through his company.

I told my parents and also told them I’d probably have to choose a new name and leave my childhood business name, “RitArt” behind. Pretty crazy, though, how the things you imagine as a kid can become a reality. There is a cardboard sign I still have hanging on the wall of my bedroom at my parent's house with my original “RitArt” logo that I made when I was probably about 10 years old.

The most difficult step for setting up this new company (for me) was choosing a name. Now, Rob had told me “this isn’t that big of a deal”, but he doesn’t know my family and that I name inanimate objects down to my cameras and cell phones. I inquired some ideas from my brothers and both had some clever suggestions and I almost settled on one of my own until Pa threw out one with “Knob End” included.

For those unaware, Knob End Meadow is the field located on the deepest point of the Valley. For a number of years I have had thoughts of one day having my own home on this territory.

Amid my pondering for a name I thought about the series of events that had led to the need for one at all. Then I thought about the series of events to follow. I have never known exactly what I wanted to do with my life as far as a career is concerned. The only thing I have always been certain of about my future is that I want to raise a family in The Valley. To live the simple and good life. Since graduating from Bellarmine, as great as life is, there are times when I have felt a little lost; a little helpless. I have often wondered how I am moving towards that goal in any way. But each day I say a small prayer asking that God guide me in every tiny decision I make so that they are the right, best decisions to lead me to where He wants and needs me to be.

Part of my dream of living in the Valley includes the hope of working from my own front porch. Here I am, a year and a half out of college, and all the work I have done during this time is setting me on a path to run my own business from anywhere I wish.

At the same time I am beginning to better understand the craziness of the career world and how easily it sucks us in with expectations and responsibilities. I never want to get so caught up that I lose sight of the thing I’ve always wanted in my life; the place I want to end up. Naming my own company after that very place is to be a constant reminder of why I am doing all the work I am doing from day to day; a reminder of the stepping stones God places for us that will lead us to where He intends for us to inevitably end up.

With a lot of questions about my life constantly circling my mind, I remind myself of the many things I have that so many do not. I know what I want and I know it from deep within; therefore I know that desire comes from somewhere beyond myself. Also I know that because I look and ask for it on a daily basis, God is helping me fulfill that desire. As long as I have that, I know I will get there and that every day is a step of progress.

I'll Take Clan Valley

I'm sitting at Panera Bread hoping, hoping hoping...

I stopped by Joan Ave. an hour and a half ago just before two big flashing electric trucks pulled up in front of The Bunker (The  Man Clan House).  Could it be?? Could our electric be being restored after six days without??

So, I am pretty sure I found the answer to my last blog entry question: Ice is MUCH worse in the city. Given, I had cell service the whole time, I had a large pool of friends to turn to WITH power and I was close enough to stores that I ran short on nothing.... Nothing, but hot water 

and heat, that is. 

The progression of my backyard from 11 p.m. on Tuesday, an hour later at midnight, until the next morning around 11 a.m. when power was long destroyed at Checkpoint Charlie.

I woke up frequently through the night on Tuesday/Wednesday morning to the crashing of trees and branches all around our house. It was 4 a.m. when I woke to realize the house was off. First thing I did the next morning was pile on about five layers of clothing, knowing what heat was left in the house at that point would not last long. And it didn't.

I admit, the first night was pretty adventurous and fun. The Man Clanians had no vehicle access as power lines had come crashing down on either side of their house leaving them trapped. Luckily, that was not the case for Dani and myself so after a trip to the store we returnedt he The Bunker for a long afternoon, evening and night of board games, candles, beer and blankets.

 There is something fun about playing board games again--something you aren't likely to do, especially with a bunch of 20-some year oldguys who own ever type of video game console out there. Dani, Joe, Steve, Josh, Josh, Jaso, Brittany and I had a fun-filled night. So the tradition continues that power outage nights with The Man Clan are always an adventure.

The "fun" to the adventure was over the next morning when we all awoke with little to no will power to get out from under out blankets into the frigid air. One night in the cold was more than enough.

Since then I have turned to one generous friend after another. Rachmo and Dana opened up their shower--it wasn't until a hot shower and a great cup of coffee that I realized how cold I'd actually gotten. I'd forgotten what it felt like to be warm from the inside out. Amazing. Brittany's amazing family opened up their home to the Joan Avenue homeless for a warm bed--lucky me even got a home cooked meal!

I finally headed back to work on Friday--which was not a complaint at all. I had a warm place with an internet connection all day! From there I picked up Kyle and KK and it was off to Lexington for the weekend to stay with Alyx and Holly at Bacca Bella.  What a wondrous thing that we can turn to family the way we did. MJ treated us like family as well, opening up his house of food and more at any time we wanted to drop by. Alyx and Jo went on their way with their weekend plans while KK, Kyle and I had the most relaxing time ever simply reading books and eating Oreos. Yes, so maybe we are all complete nerds. It happens. I love having the family that I do, though.

So I returned last night to still have no power...KK still had no power...But Kyle did!! So it was another night of living out of a bag--but I did have a warm bed and a hot shower so, again, I won't complain too much. 

Now, given, I am really thinking I'll be back at Checkpoint Charlie tonight AND Greystone was out of power before I was and is STILL out of power... the fact Mom and Pa have not gone without heat, have been able to sleep in their own beds comfortably and have had the generator going definitely brings me to the conclusion that I'd rather be stranded in the Valley during an ice storm on any given day. 

I look forward to that day when the world goes black and I can smile knowing I am safe and warm in my own home.

Thank you to all of my wonderful family and friends for taking me in during this time!