​Weathering the Storm with the WP#197

It is crazy to think that in less than 2 weeks, 2024 will be over. When I started writing this blog back in 2020 to help myself, and others, get through the pandemic, it was an optimistic look at the world. We will get through this. It is amazing to think what has happened since then. This is not a post about the year in review. That will hopefully be next week, but what I can say is that writing about seasonal affective disorder last week, also allowed me to deal with that condition. What really helped is getting busy again and not simply be idle. ​

What do I mean by this. Well, there always seems to be a lull in business this time of year and totally understandable. The busy season of travel has ended, but for me, it does go year-round with clients traveling all over, but the chunk of my business is Europe and that is not the focus this time of year, so it seems slow, and when things are slow, I let my mind wander and that can be an issue, because I do lose my focus. Fortunately, that situation was short lived and while yes, we are coming up on the shortest day of the year, in a few short days, a volume of new business has come across my desk, and not just Europe, but that is the bellwether for me. It is about 80% of my business and not that I did not have trips already on the books for 2025, but additional trips are now in the planning stages. ​

At the same time, where I had two weeks of no English lessons, private or at the school, I went from 0 to 100 km in a week. It did take me a little bit to get on track. I am not a spring chicken, you know, but once the engine was started, there was no stopping. It would be nice to have a slow, steady life. No, not really. That is not me. I thrive in what I call organized chaos and without those challenges, I would be lost. I think this year has been one of organized chaos, but that will be in my year-end review next week. Just know that for me, it is nice to be consistently busy again and even with a holiday break from the school after this week for about two weeks, it is the holiday and this is Rome, as you know, I will be okay. ​

I also, from the personal side of things, know why I am here and everything else is simply part of the process. It is good to be alive and kicking and while, at night here, the temps in Rome can dip to near freezing, the temps during the day, in the 60’s F (15 C) and the past couple of days, being bright and sunny and not rainy, I am happy that I am not in the minus temps in Minnesota or New Hampshire with a foot (1/3 meter) of snow on the ground. I don’t have a winter jacket as it is in storage among other things to be shipped over to Italy, so I layer up in my Columbia fleece and wind breaker in the morning or at night and I am fine. When the stuff gets here, and now that is on hold, I will be ready for winter 2025/2026, but I am getting ahead of myself here. ​

The house also continues to get closer to completion, but the items still to be done, the new windows and electric shades, yes, electric are supposed to be put in this week and the additions in the kitchen and the bathroom, well that is to be done, in January, but again, now that I am in a much better frame of mind, it is not an issue. I mentioned that my stuff, still in America is being delayed for the delivery and that is intentional. While the shipment could have been put on the boat this week, to arrive in January, third week, give or take, Rosa and I made an executive decision, to delay the delivery. This was considered, but at decision made. Why you ask? Happy to tell you. One, my residency is not yet finalized, so when the shipment arrived or before, I would be required to pay 34% taxes and customs on everything declared and that would cost thousands. Yes, I would like to have my stuff, but the cost, to simply wait would be about $350.00 a month, storage cost. ​

Yes, it adds up, but as a permanent resident and have proof of that, I would not have to pay a Euro, so that process is just that, in process and that stress of the delivery next month at a time when we are putting the major final touches on the house, have been removed. This is a good thing. Actually, since Rosa is the one now dealing with the powers that be, it means that it will be March or April before I see my vehicle and other stuff, but that gives us time, and the fact is, I was not going to drive in Rome proper anyway, well maybe on a Sunday here or there to get out of the city, and I get around just fine on the metro and busses and if she and I do something together outside, we can drive her car, or we take the train, or I can even rent a vehicle. It is weird to think that the only driving I have done recently, well July, is when she and I went to Catania for a wedding, and we rented a car and I drove. It is not something I miss terribly, and I am not spending money on gas, parking, insurance, or anything else right now, so again, for a smaller cost in money and time, it is one less stress to worry about, for now. I think, when we do get the other stuff, and the vehicle, we will be in a much better and stable position. 
Am I weathering this storm here in Rome? Yes, I am and have the most amazing women in my life that puts up with me and my moodiness which I believe has passed as we have dealt with each passing challenge together here in Rome. We even went to the opening of a new museum this Sunday, as she wanted to see this neighborhood where this building had been converted into a fashion school. Now, I have to admit, while the history of this place and the objects within, were interesting, it was not my cup of tea, but the more important thing is that we had done something together, given our busy schedules right now. I think the last time we did something was see Gladiator II, which was not that good a movie and from my wife’s perspective, other than the Colosseum and the two emperors, it was fake. Yes, the CGI was good, but she fell asleep during the movie, more than once and that was about a month ago, so it was nice to get out on a sunny Sunday and do this with her even if I did not get it. Otherwise, I would be glued to my computer working on trips or transiting to the school or my private English lessons. 
What happens next, who knows, but I am starting to find a balance here in Rome, nice since I have been here since July 4 which I think is very important and as I have said in a previous post, I am becoming a part of the fabric of this country and city and yes, there are frustrations, but if Rosa and I face these things together and bite off small chunks at a time, instead of trying to figure out everything which I am guilty of sometimes, we will make it as I know we will and tomorrow, it will be 10 months married. I know this is a drop in the bucket when it comes to time, but I mark every moment that is special, which every moment is just that, special, but each month on the date of our wedding, I am reminded of that moment and the best parts of our life. For me, this is also cathartic. I never thought I would get married and now that I am to the love of my life, I am a better person for it. She and I are a team and while I do forget that sometimes, each month that goes by, I am once again reminded of that very fact. I am married and I am happy, and I am here in Rome with her, even at the most mundane moments, each of which is extremely important, even when she “nags” me about something and says, it is because she is my wife and I love her for that even if outwardly, I may not show it. 
Thank you very much as always for your support of our crazy little world and one which challenges us every day, but one I would not have any other way. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated. Stay happy, healthy, and safe in these crazy times. I take a cursory look about what happens stateside, but just that, a cursory look and seeing, while riding the metro yesterday, news about another school shooting, this time in Wisconsin, well, makes me realize how precious life is. My little world is here in Rome and that is how it should be. I do not want to be overwhelmed by all the negatives and remain cautiously optimistic about life.