Traveling to Creative-ville on the Espresso

The barista hands me my Dirty Chai, “I accidentally put two shots of espresso in this – is that OK?”

But of course it’s OK! I now have my go-juice with an extra kick! What a way to start out my creative day!

While doing an inventory of stuff in my spare room closet earlier this week, I ran across my senior year scrapbook from 1990. I always get a laugh or two at the photos and crazy things my friends and I used to say and do.

In my wildest fantasy, I saw myself living in England and married to Robert Smith of The Cure – even though he was already married. 

These days I fantasize about traveling the world, writing  about and photographing my travels – and being married to Henry Rollins –  my fantasies have grown up, somewhat.

I really thought that by 40 I would have life and more importantly my life figured out. Here I sit surrounded by 20-somethings, mostly college students, and they have their direction all figured out.

My life has never been a straight line, point A to B to C kind of life. I’ve definitely taken the scenic route. It’s lead me to where I am at this very moment, so it’s not all that bad, right?

I’m a few months away from being 42 – the answer to life, the universe and everything (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) – so I know this has to be an amazing year. Plus, I think I’ve finally got it all figured out – I’m an artist and a writer. I live, work and breathe in this revelation. 

It’s never too late to start living the life you want. When they say life begins at 40, they weren’t kidding.

So here I sit, lots of caffeine running rampant in my blood stream now – the double-shot of espresso has kicked in. I look around and take in all the sights and sounds around me, soaking in as much of the creative energies as I can, and the light bulb goes on in my head…

I am where I only envisioned myself being just a few short months ago – a resident of Oberlin, sitting in a coffeehouse and writing. I couldn’t be happier than I am in this moment.

I have finally arrived at my destination.