Albany is a good place.
It’s kind of strange to be back on the East Coast, but so familiar and comforting at the same time. I am adapting to my new surroundings and falling back into a schedule of commuting and working for a real paycheck. (Byron has been very cross with me since I no longer stay at home with him each day. He pushes my buttons by straying too far off the leash and taking his sweet time in the yard when I’m in a hurry to get to work. Tonight I took him for a walk through the neighborhood, and I am forgiven temporarily.) Three weeks into my new job as a supervisor at EMS, I am still adjusting to being on my feet and chatting with customers all day, while memorizing the specifications of outdoor gear and climbing the warehouse shelves to fetch hiking boots. Most of this is nothing new to me, since I worked for another outdoor retailer for three years in California. But after 18 months of being at home to focus solely on my art, I forgot how exhausting retail can be. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, and I can see myself being there for a long time. But how, I wonder, will I ever be able to find time for all the art projects I have lined up? Sigh. I hope to soon find a peaceful balance between my full time job, my very new art business, and my constant craving for outdoor adventure.
More than anything, I am excited about exploring the lakes, rivers, woods, mountains, and small towns of Upstate NY. Each outing will be documented with photography at the very least. My sketchbook will always be tucked in my pack or dry bag. And this blog will continue to be an outlet for me to share my experiences and my artwork. Wait and see where this trail leads.
