Small World Stories

Started writing this Friday.

Last night I attended the AD2012 Gala. It was one of those networking events where you get to look at wonderful art that you could never afford. Ended up running into a few people I knew. But also was striking up conversations with random people. Ended up talking with this older fellow standing next to me. Turned out he was Mr. Arcari of Landry & Arcari rugs. He mentioned being involved in the 5 under 40 awards celebrating up and coming designers. I happen to know that a friend of mine, Nima won said award a few years back and designed a rug. Mr. Arcari knew of my friend Nima and spoke well of him. I was amazed, probably more than Mr. Arcari, what a small world it was. In this grand setting full of high class people, outside of my usual circle, I found a connection. And we ended up talking about other commissions he’s done. He was interested in potentially working my field into a motif for a design. He left me with a business card and the instructions to contact him with any ideas I come up with. I think I will pass for the moment. Wait for inspiration.

In the world of house hunting I’ve been taking advantage of working at a large firm with people living all over the metro Boston area. I’ve gotten into the habit of asking people where they live and what the neighborhoods are like. I’m slowly getting a feel for the areas. Friday, I asked a plumbing engineer I work with the usual question only to find out he and his wife are actively house hunting too. We compared notes and turns out we’ve been looking at the same places pretty much. Same towns and price range. At first we were leery sharing houses we liked. However, after the one Lexington property, nothing has grabbed me. He shared one place he really liked in Melrose but his wife didn’t like. It made me realize that although I would love to have a partner to bounce ideas off of and help in such a big decision making milestone, there are advantages to going it solo. If and when I find a place, I only have to convince myself that I like it. It’s been hard finding a place that just I like, can you imagine the odds of finding a place where there are two of us. I hadn’t thought of that before.

I still don’t feel any closer to coming to a decision and I have less than two weeks - ugh! My latest venture is looking into being a real estate investor and purchasing a multi-unit place. I’ve got a coworker who was running the numbers with me. Normally I wouldn’t even consider it, but right now I’m an open book. I don’t know if it’s due to my cautious upbringing (we are not a family of risk takers) or perhaps being female (women tend to take less risks overall - studies show). But part of me is wanting to buck these pre-conceived ideas I have and go out and invest. It would entail developing an LLC and everything - lots to study up on but I know several people who have gone this route (all men), so something to consider. Of course, the other part of me is yelling, “are you crazy”, what if… and there is a list of all that could go horribly wrong. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Regardless, need to do due diligence and it’s a great exercise. I do wonder where I will end up. Change is good - I must keep repeating this as I grow old and comfy in my daily ways.