Franklin’s BBQ & other truths
No, the pictures not real, but I thought it was a good throwback Thursday showing the start and the end of my cardboard sign modeling career that dates back to my reporter days in Charlotte. It illustrates, not only issues with the state of education today, but the struggles of a starving artist.
Only, I live with an amazing chef who keeps the fridge stocked with yummy goodness at all times, so there’s no starving going on here.
That being said, I did recently find a day job to pay the bills while I continue to write the great American novel and other creative ventures. It offers flexibility and ceiling-less income potential that pairs perfectly with my writing career and while I never imagined myself doing it, I think I am going to be good at it.
In the past six months, I have learned many truths about myself, one of them being that I don’t love freelancing as a sole means to income. I DO absolutely love writing and several of you reading this blog have reached out with supportive and encouraging feedback. Thank you for that! It is great fuel.
I have stories in me that I have long wanted to put on paper, which was the original catalyst for pursing a full-time career writing. However, sending out quarries and letters of introduction and then waiting, eagerly checking the mail every day for my self-addressed stamped envelopes to return to me with a story’s acceptance and constantly checking my e-mail for responses, has been counter-productive to my actual writing.
The first months were great because I had savings and was only focused on the writing part, not the money making. As the bank account dwindled, my focus became more and more about making money, which ironically shut down my creativity and blocked my writing. Thus the new day job so I can focus on writing for the sake of the craft.
I also realized that I need to break-up with the restaurant industry, maybe for good, but at least and most undeniably for now. It became clear to me when a recruiter found me on LinkedIn. In continuing to put myself out there in the cyber world, I updated my LinkedIn account. It was months ago when I wasn’t looking for a day job yet and especially not another GM gig, which is never just a day job. I was however intrigued by her email and impressed with the company and its unique concepts, so I agreed to a phone interview.
Initially, I was super pumped after the interview. Talking about restaurants, leadership and development and even food costs was both comforting and invigorating. I felt a high that I felt after a busy night in a restaurant, that sense of immediate gratification knowing that you killed it.
Very similar to a hangover after one of those slamming nights, was the reality of what I was actually considering again as I filled out the online application for another GM position. The anxiety I hadn’t felt in months, sat in my stomach like an iron dough ball. So I closed out the web page without finishing the application and figured that would stop things from moving forward.
They called me anyway. When I listened to the voicemail, I screamed so loudly the dog jumped. That was a pretty clear sign to me. I emailed the recruiter immediately withdrawing my interest. Persistently and respectfully, the current GM called me – twice. I emailed her explaining that I was on a new path that I wasn’t ready to give up on.
I guess breaking up with restaurants is like most of my breakups in life – long, hard and drawn out.
The great thing about facing truths when you are stripped down to the core of yourself is everything is simply clear. Here is my top-ten list of the truths from my past six months:
Who and what really matters in life
Family, friends, health, happiness, fulfillment, balance and spirituality.
Yoga and practice
Momma Cat (Jess’ Mom) told me a couple years ago that it was time to find a practice. She strongly suggested yoga. Last month we practiced together. On the way home she said, “Yoga is a game changer.” As always Momma knows best.
Retirement and savings
Dad’s words finally mean something real that I am working towards.
Structure can be an excellent thing
I thrive in situations where there is a clear path to success.
Money means something, but never everything
Success is a money magnet. It should be the focus and the rest falls in line.
If at first you don’t succeed TRY until you do
Yoda is a wise, green Jedi but he’s just a George Lucas character with the Power of the Force. The rest of us may have to try to get to do.
Wine and budgets
Turns out I’m not as big of a snob as I may sometimes seem and you can find value-driven wine that’s perfectly quaffable.
I am a writer
Period.
I really do live in a Red state
No matter how liberal Austin is, I live in Texas and these mid-term elections made me a little Blue.
Franklin’s BBQ is worth the 3+ hour wait
An Austin rite of passage that’s a must.
These boots were made for waiting…and that’s just what we did.
3 1/2 hours later…the fruits of our waiting.
Best brisket ever!
A chef should know!
Happy and satisfied! Hard to believe it all started with this little trailer. Proof that tenacity combined with talent truly pays off.