Monday, August 15, 2005

Anatomy of a Month

So there I was on the anniversary of my first month in Colorado sitting in Town Park, basking in the occasional sun, drinking a beer, listening to some of the world's best jazz musicians, and thinking, "This is how life should be." I remember thinking that at the Jackson Browne concert in the park 3 weeks ago. I remember thinking that 4 weeks ago when I went on a hike with the Nature Conservancy and was sitting on top of a mountain eating my lunch, listening to the overflowing waterfalls, and gazing across a field of alpine flowers. And I remember thinking that 5 weeks ago, when after driving for 10 straight hours, I passed the "Welcome To Colorado" sign.



What a feeling to be constantly reminded that life is good, rather than constantly wondering where the good parts went. Even as it was raining that weekend there was joy in sitting under my umbrella with 500 other people. When it started pouring in the middle of her set, vocalist Lizz Wright asked, "So what do all you mountain people do when it starts raining on your concert? Do you keep singing?" A resounding "Yes!" went up from the soggy field. That would have never happened in L.A.--everyone would have been bitchy and miserable.

I'll admit that panic started to slowly seep in on Day 15 when I still hadn't secured a full-time job. And then there was Day 16 when I ran over my cell phone, effectively turning it into recycling material. And Day 17, when I realized my home phone was disconnected and there was smoke billowing down the road from the wildfire that was only 5 miles away.



But on Day 21 I was offered a great job, which I jumped at. And on Day 30 I was offered an even better job, which I couldn't possibly refuse. So it's been an interesting month. I've made some new friends and I've upset some people, but I believe in the end it will all work out for the best. (And I'd like to give a huge thanks to Jim Bedford and Luci Reeve for doing so much to help me get settled and employed!)

What's interesting is this "Quality-of-Life Upgrade" has nothing to do with working less, but with the prevailing attitude of Telluride. I still have 2 jobs, which is not unusual in this town. But while people are willing to work hard here, it is with the understanding that there must be time to play. People move to Telluride because they love these mountains and all they have to offer--both in the winter & summer. If you want to be part of a rat race, you can do it someplace else. There's really no point in working so hard to stay here if you can't take a few hours every week to really appreciate what lured you here in the first place.

Working for the Telluride Jazz Celebration has been a blessing for me this month. Not only did my staff pass allow me to enjoy 2 beautiful (if stormy) days in the park, but it got me into the Jackson Browne concert, which I was dying to go to. And the 2 beers I had at the concert forced me to conquer my fear of Port-a-Potties. Baby steps.

Next on the agenda: going into the root cellar... alone.



"Are you in earnest? Then seize this very minute. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Only engage and then the mind grows healed; only begin, and then the goal will be completed."
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe