Splashdown

Of all the homeless people in Manhattan, I must be the happiest one.

Just walking down the street, I am likely to spontaneously chuckle, out loud, in my upbeat relief at being back in this city. I mean this City. When I think about where I am and what I've been through, what it took to get me to this place where I am at such peace in the face of some fairly serious obstacles; I just laugh!

I arrived here, Tuesday evening, and made it to the home of S before a massive thunderstorm broke, overhead. The rain was pouring from the sky in huge, heavy, thickly translucent sheets; figuratively washing away the last of the negative detritus of my Australian Experience from my battered soul. What I keep with me from Oz is the memory of some very special people with whom I ultimately found relationships of integrity, down there, and some special, professional successes I was able to protect and enjoy.

And, all in all, I am so glad I went; I return with nothing but positive things to integrate into the rebuilding of my life, here. I discovered I could handle adversity with equanimity, give what was asked and only what was asked, even when offering more might be called-for but resisted. One can, after all, lead a horse to water...

[Or, as they say; you can lead a horticulture, but you can't make her think...]

And, in returning earlier than planned, I am able to give integrity to my own self-promise; offering presence and availability to something far more important than work.

Wednesday morning dawned, fresh and clean (and a little humid; it IS NYC, after all...) and all-welcoming. First stop, the Apple Store and my new iPhone...

Then, on to Central Park to pick out a place to live. I found this lovely little tree-strewn slope; perfect to fit a nice refrigerator box from which I can sell apples (the fruit), come the fall.

Isn't this nice? just a hop, skip and a jump from 5th and 59th, with artwork just outside the "door," it's centrally located, and I can tell prospective employers and clients that I live "...just across from the Plaza..." And, when I am bored, I can take a sheet of cardboard from the wall of my box and use it as a sled, in wintertime. I'll be FINE...!

...turning in the other direction, one can see the Art through the trees...

and, even closer...

The fact is; I can't imagine things going more smoothly than already they seem to be unfolding. I have apartment-sitting/cat&dog-feeding gigs lined up to keep a roof over my head for the coming six weeks or so...and, I've just spent four wonderful days, reconnecting with S; as both of us continue to discover that we see some key things, similarly or in concert. This is good; all good.

I have a couple of meetings arranged - one for a nearly-perfect sounding position with one of the very few non-profit agencies for which I'd consider working - and have already been asked to participate in an industry panel at an elite conference of the themed entertainment industry to take place in Orlando, next month. The time, in between, will be divided between continuing to mine the Network and making applications at Banana Republic and Starbuck's -- gotta get some income, goin'...

Y'know; in the past, had I seen myself in a position to need to take an hourly-wage job in order to keep food coming in and my (outrageously high, thankyouverymuch) insurance premiums paid, I would have been horrified at what that might mean to someone considering me for a project or position.

No more. Even now, as it has become less academic and more of a very real possibility; there is no angst. I'll need to do what I need to do as I rebuild from scratch after shutting it all down for Oz. If a potential client or employer has judgement about it -- as if working hourly somehow reduces the quality or value of my body of work -- then, we probably would not work well together, anyway.

I give pretty good Google; I think my work speaks for itself, and I'll be doing okay. So, keep your eyes peeled, I may show up behind the coffee bar or cash register, any day now.

Finally, I had left one person out of my litany of Good People from Melbourne of last week; Ali Ronin from the grocery store. He works with Magdy; and I spent a large part of my final night in Melbourne behind the counter with the two of them, chatting as they rang people up and out.

Both of these men come from strict, Arabic cultures and countries, and I have presented myself as the "out" man that I am, unhesitatingly and unwaveringly. Even going to church with Magdy, when he asked me about religion and spirituality in my life, my response included that fact that even his church doesn't approve of me or my relationship; that very few, if any, organized religions embrace gay people without restriction and judgement.

But from the first time, months ago, that either of these men asked me about family and wife and kids and I responded fully, answering that I had no wife or kids, but that I had a "partner" back home, named Scott; each of these men accepted this fact without the batting of an eye...and I think gained respect for me as I showed no shame or apology.

All the more reason to live a life of integrity on all fronts.

The next day, as I was traveling home (a mere 27-hours of travel), Ali sent me a note, including, "...I wish you safe and enjoyable trip, last night was one of the best nights I have ever had at the store! For some reason I got a feeling that I will see u again, be good, enjoy yourself and live your life...say hi to your partner as well..."

"...take care. Ali"

How great is that...?