To the Great Wet North and Top 10 List for the Bay Area

We are soon on our way to Seattle! They’ve had a snowy winter there (we witnessed some of it over Christmas) and I’m excited! I’m taking this moment to officially declare: My blood has thickened. Moving from Phoenix to Mexico (both dry and hot) to SoCal (mild and more humid) to NoCal (wet and cold, at least this winter) has provided the perfect acclimatization for moving to the Great Wet North. I’m ready, baby! Bring it! (The only things I still need are a hat, and some sort of running shoe dickie to keep my feet dry – anyone know of such a thing? I’ve visited Seattle enough to see that people do not, cannot, wait for nice weather to go running, or they never will.)

Some thoughts on the Bay Area. First, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: This is a hella great place to live. Because it’s so fab, it’s so expensive, which is really the only drawback. Well, that and the fact that it is widely known – not just believed – known – that the next great earthquake is coming. In fact, the ones we enjoyed here were located about a mile from us on the Hayward Fault, which is predicted to be the source of the next biggie, as opposed to the San Andreas.

When we first got here it was a bit of a culture shock, but a good one. Here’s my Top Ten list of things I discovered about life in Northern Cal:

10. If you pay attention when you’re out, you will hear at least three other languages besides English.
9. Gas priced under $3.50/gallon seems like a good deal.
8. The soul food we ate was gourmet.
7. In June, July and August, I had to keep reminding myself it was summer as I donned my jacket.
6. I could count the number of pro-Bush bumper stickers I’ve seen here on one hand.
5. If a house is listed for sale at less than one million dollars, we think it's gotta be a good deal, or a bad house.
4. We can no longer be referred to as "that interracial couple" as a way of distinguishing us from others - there are as many mixed-race couples as not around here.
3. We could literally eat at a different restaurant every night and never repeat and never eat at a chain establishment. And 90% of them would have delicious food.
2. We are used to paying $10 for a cocktail. We aren’t happy about it, but we’re used to it.
1. As part of a regular exam by the veterinarian, our pets had acupuncture done. (I'm not kidding – they liked it, too!)

So we bid the Bay a fond farewell! Could we live here again? Absolutely. But after the quake clean-up.

As we’ve been on this adventure. I’ve shared with some of you my thoughts about clutter and stuff. I still think there’s a book in here somewhere, but it hasn’t quite materialized yet. We went from a relatively uncluttered but well-stocked and furnished 2000 sqaure foot home, to four large suitcases plus a small storage bin. Since we left Arizona, we’ve lived in furnished rentals, and none for more than seven months. We’ve traveled light. Some stuff has accumulated again, but not to the degree it would if we had a home.

So now, for the first time in over two years, we are taking – gasp – a full year’s lease! YES. And we will have our own furniture again. I’m delighted we’ll be so “permanent” and won’t have to move in a few months. And I’m curious to see how this will play out in our new, lighter lifestyle. Will we feel bogged down? Will we be as willing to pick up and move to a foreign country again?

I know my relationship to owning stuff has altered. From being a professional de-clutterer to de-cluttering practically everything, to re-accumulating… we shall see. What are your thoughts?

Mental Margarita from January 17, 2008

I am finding myself more attracted to the abstract. Not so abstract that you can't tell what it is, but the kind of pattern-y close-up nature stuff. I started with some snow when up in BC for Christmas. (It's on the "new" page at fotos de karina.) I'm not there yet - I can tell this will be an area of growth for me because I won't get simply reply on nature's obvious beauty. This will require greater artistry on my part and I say I'm up for it! But that's the fun thing about this - I don't have to do it if I end up not being inspired or moved in that particular direction.

On another note, I had my second "assigned" shoot today. My hairdresser wanted close-ups of locks of hair to frame and put on the walls, and I was happy to do it. I'm thinking this will be a service I can offer to everyone once I figure out the logistics (the assigned shoot, not the locks of hair). I'll still shoot within artistic parameters (i.e., no weddings) and will focus on a requested subject or color or mood. So start thinking of what should go on your dining room wall!

Mental Margarita from January 8, 2008

"Grandiflora" (a South American tree with leafy bunches)

For those of you receiving the "Mental Margarita," I promised on update on our adventure. (If you're behind in the story, you can catch up at the blog post from November 27, if you're so inclined.)

We are now a month out from moving up to Seattle, and although we have loved flitting about these last couple years, we are really looking forward to the deep commitment of - yes - a one year lease! Wooooo hooooooo! We may even extend it to two years. Or even buy a home. Who knows? Even though we'll be more "settled" (and by that I mean we will again own furniture) we will continue to live by the guidance we get. Living that way is at times scary, but overall has been deeply rewarding. We simply would not be doing what we're doing if we'd stayed in Phoenix and played it safe.

I've been thinking about this whole notion of security lately, and then not so coincidentally, got this quote in my email:

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature nor do the children of man as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."
Helen Keller

So here we are, the beginning of new year. I know it's a human construct, the idea of a "new year," but it's one I'm quite grateful for at this particular change of the calendar. 2007 was tough. One of those growth years. One of those years that can either have you shrivel up or grow stronger. Thankfully, we did the latter. And we ended the year with a wonderful visit with family and friends in Washington and BC. I'm pleased to report we did really well with the cold and snowy/rainy weather. It really is simply a matter of having the right clothes (and being sure you have them on when leaving the house).

So what's 2008 about for you? Raymond and I wrote down some things that we're in the process of revisiting. I'd love to hear what you're creating. Please share! And let's have 2008 be the best yet for each one of us.

Mental Margarita from December 7, 2007

When nature gives us something this stunning, I almost feel like making a picture of it isn't really fair, because it's so easy to create a beautiful image. I think maybe that's an old artist paradigm - you have to suffer, to wring it out of you, to make good art. Of course, the stuff I'm creating certainly isn't being ripped from the deepest parts of my darkness, or whatever it is that tortured artists do. I'm finding that my expression is to celebrate the beauty that's around us. Most of it so far is nature, which for me, can be very healing. I'm really just thinking this through as I write it out. Does meaningful art have to make us think? Or can it still be meaningful if it simply soothes us? Can it do both?

Hmmm, I think that may be all I have to say on the subject today. What are your thoughts?

The Story of the Journey (so far)

Today I announced to the world that I am making the full transition from my professional organizing business, Organized for Success, to fotos! After twelve years, I'll be closing my doors so I can fully focus (HA!) on the photography.

Some of you on my mailing list were surprised to learn I was no longer in Phoenix and asked for the background, so here it is. And by the way, I kept that I was leaving largely under cover so that I could continue to generate business for the contractors who were working with my clients in my absence. So sorry to be sneaky, and now you know why you haven't been seeing my mug around NAWBO or WISK or NSA or any of those old stompin' grounds we used to share.

About two and half years ago, a friend invited us to live in San Miguel de Allende, a lovely colonial town in central Mexico. Raymond's career was at a transition point, and I was feeling the ten-year itch with my business. We had a wonderful life in Phoenix, but we decided to say YES to adventure and throw caution to the wind. We sold our home and most of our stuff, put a few things in storage, packed up our cat who was 17, and our dog who was 14, taught them some basic Spanish, and off we all went. We stayed in San Miguel for about half a year, and absolutely loved it. While there, I started playing with Raymond's digital camera, which soon became MY digital camera! I shared some of the pictures I took on a blog, and got requests from people to buy prints. The business was born. When it came time to leave, we realized we weren't ready to settle back down again. (I had spent my entire life in Phoenix, and once I pried myself loose, I wasn't ready to go right back again.) We spent almost a year in Southern Cal, which was great for me as I had never lived by water. We had about a 180 view of the Pacific and it was so good for my soul to look at that water, and breathe in that sea air. And that's when I got my web site up and running.

About a year ago, business brought us to the San Francisco area, and we've been exploring around here. It's so great here! Those of you who have lived here now what I am talking about. The climate is ideal, the culture and food is amazing, the diversity is gorgeous (we just got back from the best dim sum I've ever had), the scenery is lovely, and all of that is why it's so darn expensive! The cost of living, and the fact that sometimes the earth goes rapidly up and down and back and forth, are the only downsides of living here. Raymond has been working here at a job he'll be wrapping up in a few months, as he has made an artistic decision of his own. He is a writer, always has been, and he needs to work at something non-taxing so he can devote more off hours to his craft. He's deep at work on a screenplay, and has three others in formulation. So we're both making the transition to making our living from art, and we'll see where that takes us. In this digital age, I am really clear it's more possible than it's ever been.

So our next move is this: after the job wraps us, we're heading ever north to the Seattle area as we have dear friends and family in the area (most of the family in Canada, including Whistler, which does not suck for skiing). We'll likely be there for a couple years, then we're thinking about doing the ex-pat thing again. Mexico? Italy? Something soulful and lovely. But who knows? We're trusting our guides and our guidance. Not having kids helps. Oh, and our "kids" did fine in Mexico with us. Our sweet kitty and puppy both made it a couple more years and both passed at ripe old ages just this summer. They seemed to leave us when we were finally more stable than we'd been, as if to say, you guys are going to do fine, so we're checking out now. So we're petless for the first time in over 20 years but I'm sure that won't be our status for long.

I think that's the full update. There are a lot of lessons in this whole thing, and maybe a book someday, but I tell you, the organizing and de-cluttering were a major theme throughout! Letting go of our lives in Phoenix, our home, our communities, our stuff was HUGE for us, and truthfully, we're still grieving parts of it. And being organized to work remotely and stay focused through all the transition has been critical. It hasn't been easy but it's been absolutely worth it. I mean why not? It's just life, right? When you mess it up, which you will, you do your best to make it right or do it better next time. So there you go.

Mental Margarita from November 16, 2007

Wow, it's been a month since my last post. Shameful. I have an excellent excuse though... I upgraded my computer, my operating system, and my photo processing software. Too much at once, quite frankly. The technical issues were many. But I think I'm over the hump now. And God bless the fine people at Apple. I'm getting great support and training for all these changes.

So I gotta be honest and tell you these aren't my favorite pictures ever but it's good to keep moving things forward and sharing them with you all. And I really haven't been that inspired to take new pictures lately. But I did have an inspiration today. I remember someone telling me about doing The Artist's Way and that the coaching was to write every single day. And so I thought, why not take pictures every day, whether I feel like it or not? Who cares if they're not site worthy? I want to keep learning my new camera, and my new software. No better way to do that than to play with it, right?

So here's to a lot more great shots coming your way, disregardless (as Homer Simpson says) of how much I feel like taking pictures.

I'm sure I won't be sending anything else this month yet, so wishing you (yes, you specifically) a wonderful Thanksgiving. We're going to China Town for a completely traditional meal (well, it's traditional for someone, just not me). And I am grateful for the variety of people and food in our country, and of course for the sheer abundance of it all. I am grateful for my far-flung community. I am grateful that my heart pumps Kool-Aid.

Thanks for letting me be a part of your day. I'm grateful for it.

Mental Margarita from October 16, 2007

Well, it's an overcast, sick day for the Usserys today. Raymond came home with a bug on Friday and still hasn't shaken it. I was so sure I wouldn't get it because I had it a month ago. Alas... It's not too bad for me though, I think since I just had it. I'm calling it "Virus Lite."

Anyway, it's giving me a chance to update you and the site and the Mental Margarita. I'm starting to get into a rhythm here of taking new pics, sending them to Kate to do the watermark (thanks, Kate!), uploading them to the site, writing and sending the MM, etc. Like any new venture, I'm not sure where this one will take me but I'm certainly enjoying the ride thus far. I am drawing on all the great stuff I learned being a Professional Organizer, at Landmark, at the National Speakers Association, at the National Association of Women Business Owners, and so on.

The biggest support for me in all this, is you. So far, I know every single person on my Mental Margarita list. You all represent those communities I just named, plus friends and family. Even though I now live in another town from most of you, I absolutely feel the connection with you, through reaching out to you this way. I love hearing back from individuals. And it's just in the knowing that that network of you is out there, that I am supported. So thank you!

And now the next stage begins - reaching out to those I don't yet know. I'm sure this blog will do that. I hope the Mental Marg will begin to spread. I am committed to keeping the personal tone and touch with this, regardless of how many I don't know. That's what's so amazing about the world now. Some people have suggested that I get on My Space and FaceBook, and yes, that will be next. But again, it is you that this is for. So thank you for appreciating my art and for staying in touch!