I fall asleep almost instantly despite a torrential downpour, the thump of a bar on the main island, the scuttling of foraging crabs in the rain and the house cat fending off a feral competitor. Eleven hours later, I rouse from a deep sleep. We are on Eastern Standard Time, plenty of time to prep some analytics for a client. …
Island life
A brightly colored hammock awaits me, as I sink into the evening energy here on the island off of bocas del toro, Panama. Tyler and I are enjoying some creative time on the veranda as Feather and Warrio prepare our dinner of chicken stew, coconut rice and beans. I feel refreshed after a rejuvenating shower and enjoying a peaceful day …
Day One: Arrival
The turbo prop plane flies west along the northern edge of Panama. We drop below the clouds, revealing a rainy landscape of turquoise blue water, small be-jungled islands and now an increasing number of outboard boats dotting the sheltered Caribbean coast.
Day One: En Route
The red-eye arrives at PTY, Panama City’s modern international hub, filled with duty free jewelry, chocolate and American knock-offs. Passing through customs into the warm, tropical humidity of Panama, we are greeted by Omar Ríos, bearing a sign that says “Alisun | Tyler.” Arranged by Heather, whom he calls “the lady of Boquete,” Omar is a taxi driver, father of …
Sadness, An Opening, a Blank Slate
The house is empty. The laughter and joy and blessings still echo from room to room. We leave our paradise amidst the mist that settles in the eucalyptus trees. Ali Sun takes my car. I settle at my Bryant St. office, tie up online details, send emails, make a call, have a chat. My dad calls – my grandma …
A moment of Gratitude…
Gratitude fills me as I take a moment for reflection, looking out into the avocado orchard with the blue sky sparkling through the branches and the light cascading throughout the trees. I am sitting here at the last standing table in our now extra spacious home, one that reverberates and echos, with every sound and movement made. Tyler and I …
How Government Is Woefully Unprepared For How I Work
I arrive at the Ventura County Clerk at 9am. I have thirty minutes before the unwashed masses flood the office, seeking marriage applications, Fish and Game forms and notaries public. I’m there to change a partnership to a sole proprietorship. I dutifully fill out my Fictitious Business Name application and prepare my check. I’m called forward, presenting my paperwork. Surely, …
One Week To (Radical) Departure
We are overwhelmed. Over-tired. Over-excited. 160-odd hours until we are dumped at the terminal, herded through security and ushered down the corridor that smells of stale air and jet fuel. I figure the degree of complexity in traveling and working around the world falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. More complicated than filling up a truck and moving …
A Day of Gratitude
I’m up early despite sleeping light. Chris and I collaborate online, bringing a client closer to launch. We finish by 9am. He signs off Skype for a while, I grab my car keys. I drive the 4.7 miles into downtown Ojai, reminded by a This American Life podcast about Chinese labor conditions I too often choose to forget. I feel …
On Going Paperless (Or Not)
I’ve been working on going paperless for about six weeks. I’ve converted most bank statements. I’ve converted most bills. I’ve converted all my invoicing (including those that receive snail mail versions). I’ve unsubscribed from a few publications, and I’ve suspended three magazines.