The Adventure of a Lifetime

In July 2009, I was layed off...and terrified. Amidst some medical and financial problems I was trying to fix, my employer at that time cut me loose. Was I angry with them? Definitely. But honestly, though trained in 3D modeling and graphics, my heart just wasn't in it, and I was fighting a losing socio-political battle. My heart was in Orlando Florida, and my number came up.

Ultimately, I lost my apartment, most of my furniture, health insurance, some dignity and some self respect. All things I worked furiously to obtain through getting my 3D associates a few years prior. All that effort and fate sent me back to square one. Back to the struggle.

I say all this not to cultivate pity, but to set the stage for a very unique set of circumstances that would become my world. With majority camping gear and most of my goods in a couple frame packs, I moved to Memphis Tennessee to live with my girlfriend at that time. The reasoning was bigger city, better job prospects, and eventually move to Orlando Florida. During that time, though work was nill, a careful budget and help from her on occasion saw us traveling to conventions. There were book signings, tourist trips, and even some theme parks. But still no work.

By December 2009, I'd cashed my equal to retirement and had about 3 months to live on. If Orlando, which had been screaming at me all the while, was to happen, it had to be now. The girlfriend and I split, and I returned to Huntsville to be with my family for the holidays. That decision cost me a relationship, media work, a book cover, and plenty more. Even so, it was the right decision. My heart told me so.

The stars lined up in Orlando as the parents helped with some financial things while internet friends near Disney gave me a places to stay. Despite best efforts, still no work. Though worried and sleepless many many nights, it occurred that what I was experiencing was the sort of thing seen in a coming of age movie. The main character comes screaming close to rock bottom while meeting kindred spirits, but is never want for the essentials. He also learns and shares his gifts with those around him, ultimately benefitting or helping his companions. Finally, he refines himself and his desires for ultimate balance and focus, thereby achieving victory in the face of great odds.

This is my life friends. I'm a 35 year old man, in mid career crossroads, living out of a couple frame packs and staying on the couches of kind and generous people. It's both freeing and frightening. Despite the Aussie credo, I worry...a lot. I spend my days hunting for a career, not just a job, so that I can be content and get back to my own place. Oh, and keep my looming bills at bay too. I also live, explore, and cherish each day for making my choice to move down here.

As rough as all this sounds, this is a very rare and very special circumstance in which to find clarity of mind, body, and soul. You ask yourself what's truly important, and you cast off excess in favor of focus. You learn much about yourself because there's a lot of time to face some of the ugly truths. Particularly stuff inside you REALLY don't want to deal with. On one hand, you're happy to live for the day, yet on the other, you feel like a massive failure. Yet somehow, you cling to a shred of hope that the great powers have good things ahead for you, as long as you're aware and tenacious. You have to earn your rewards from the powers that be, they don't just hand out the blessings, even in the most dire of times.

It's all so crazy, but then my life is off the norm anyway. Always has been and always will be. There is comfort in finding other lively souls like me, as well as balance with the not so lively souls. Most seem to find something relatable and likeble amongst my many quirks. Relation builds friendship and support on some levels and is a gift. Even so, I take great pride in my oddities and turn them to my advantage as well as serve the greater good. This includes counseling and open ear to those brothers and sisters of unique nature.

Where this will lead, I have no idea. It's a journey of faith. All anyone can do is charge forward, plan carefully and hope. I am truly in fate's hands, and thus live the adventure of a lifetime.