A general update, at last
First, a follow-up on the recent posts I made about a predator in the kink community. I've discussed the situation with the LGBT Liaison Officer, and we agree that it needs to be discussed in the larger context of the Community Consultative Committee, which meets next on Sept. 8th. More will be said about the issue after that point, I imagine.
Things in my own life are going rather swimmingly for the most part. Having a roommate isn't working out badly at all, even in my one-bedroom apartment. We like hanging out together. We give each other space to work on our own stuff. We take whatever privacy we need without guilt. We both like playing a variety of games together, which is fun and a relaxing way to end the day. Having help with the rent and groceries is awesome, because I wouldn't be able to live on just EI, and I'm not making much of anything on top of that over the summer.
Renegade is what I'm spending most of my time on. I'm hoping to launch a web site within a week or so. The logo is nearly done, web pages mapped out, tools researched, arrangements made for work to get done that I can afford, etc. Regardless, the lease is signed for two years and I get the keys in October. I've already got a few confirmed reservations and some tentative ones. BENT is scheduled for October 31st and a Grand Opening for October 17th. I'm trying to decide whether I want to have BENT on the 1st or 2nd Saturday thereafter.
Last Sunday I told my mother and sister that I'd signed the lease on the space. They barely responded to that news at all, claiming that I didn't make it clear enough that signing the lease is a significant commitment and means I'm going ahead and opening my venue. When I was clearly upset they called me silly for overreacting and said we should talk about it. I decided to leave. I was too angry at them for being so selfish to talk about it with them. I am still.
My mother called a couple of days later. She said we're at a deadlock because we don't see either person's point of view. I told her I understood hers, but it's clear she doesn't get mine. I told her of some of the generous offers from my communities to help build and prepare the space. I told her that I'd hoped they'd offer to help in some way. My mother scoffed and acknowledged that's not how she does things, so why would I expect her to now? I said I don't, and hung up. It's still too raw. My sister hasn't bothered to speak with me since, likely assuming that I'm still being too 'dramatic' and foolish.
I grew up with my mother and sister, who couldn't really care less about what I do with my life because it's a mystery to them. It's ironic that the person in my blood family who's most supportive is my father, who I didn't grow up with. My community based family members are far more supportive over all, and much less selfish and self-centred.
In the meantime, I have ideas for Renegade-presented events to come up in the Fall. I've been taking bookings for events run by others, making connections with people who are either interested in running events there or helping in some way. Two confirmed bookings are made with deposits paid in cash. The bank account has been opened. The GST number has been secured. Next are things like researching commercial insurance rates and setting up an accounting system.
Anybody in the LJ-verse know where I can get a cracked copy of Quicken?
I feel like I'm in an awesome place in my life where things are moving in the right direction. I'm doing what I was meant to do. I've enrolled in the information session for the self-employment program that would start in December. While it's a bit of a late start, I still think it would be helpful to have learned more about running a business. The income it offers would allow me to focus my efforts on the business, rather than supporting myself alone at first.
I'm starting out with $0 and using whatever money I get from advanced deposits to pay for whatever is needed the day I open to make things happen. The Grand Opening will be a fundraiser. EVERYBODY is invited to come see the new space! That means you, too!
In the meantime, loved_by_2 has had to say goodbye to the oldest of his kitties (19!) last week, which was so hard for him. He's realizing he wants to be in Toronto now. Everything that's important to him is there now (except his family), and we're concerned about him commuting in Winter again. Nothing is certain yet, but it appears right now to be moving in that direction before snow falls. That means we'd be living together at last, and with my roommate as well.
I've been doing a bit of catch as catch can consulting work as a career counsellor and personal counsellor/coach. If you know anyone who needs help in that regard, please let me know or send them directly to me, as I'm very much in need of a temporary income supplement for the next month or two. I negotiate rates based on income level, FYI.
For right now... this weekend... I'm enjoying some quiet time with my Love in Stratford. We're playing games, snuggling while it rains, watching movies and just having some R&R after a pretty hard week (his kitty, my asshat family). My Love has apparently divulged more revealing information to his mother about our lives (mine especially) and so we're having brunch with his parents tomorrow because they're interested in learning more about me, about Renegade and how they can be supportive in my endeavours and his plan to move to Toronto.
Life is pretty good, really. Grey skies don't bring me down at all.
Things in my own life are going rather swimmingly for the most part. Having a roommate isn't working out badly at all, even in my one-bedroom apartment. We like hanging out together. We give each other space to work on our own stuff. We take whatever privacy we need without guilt. We both like playing a variety of games together, which is fun and a relaxing way to end the day. Having help with the rent and groceries is awesome, because I wouldn't be able to live on just EI, and I'm not making much of anything on top of that over the summer.
Renegade is what I'm spending most of my time on. I'm hoping to launch a web site within a week or so. The logo is nearly done, web pages mapped out, tools researched, arrangements made for work to get done that I can afford, etc. Regardless, the lease is signed for two years and I get the keys in October. I've already got a few confirmed reservations and some tentative ones. BENT is scheduled for October 31st and a Grand Opening for October 17th. I'm trying to decide whether I want to have BENT on the 1st or 2nd Saturday thereafter.
Last Sunday I told my mother and sister that I'd signed the lease on the space. They barely responded to that news at all, claiming that I didn't make it clear enough that signing the lease is a significant commitment and means I'm going ahead and opening my venue. When I was clearly upset they called me silly for overreacting and said we should talk about it. I decided to leave. I was too angry at them for being so selfish to talk about it with them. I am still.
My mother called a couple of days later. She said we're at a deadlock because we don't see either person's point of view. I told her I understood hers, but it's clear she doesn't get mine. I told her of some of the generous offers from my communities to help build and prepare the space. I told her that I'd hoped they'd offer to help in some way. My mother scoffed and acknowledged that's not how she does things, so why would I expect her to now? I said I don't, and hung up. It's still too raw. My sister hasn't bothered to speak with me since, likely assuming that I'm still being too 'dramatic' and foolish.
I grew up with my mother and sister, who couldn't really care less about what I do with my life because it's a mystery to them. It's ironic that the person in my blood family who's most supportive is my father, who I didn't grow up with. My community based family members are far more supportive over all, and much less selfish and self-centred.
In the meantime, I have ideas for Renegade-presented events to come up in the Fall. I've been taking bookings for events run by others, making connections with people who are either interested in running events there or helping in some way. Two confirmed bookings are made with deposits paid in cash. The bank account has been opened. The GST number has been secured. Next are things like researching commercial insurance rates and setting up an accounting system.
Anybody in the LJ-verse know where I can get a cracked copy of Quicken?
I feel like I'm in an awesome place in my life where things are moving in the right direction. I'm doing what I was meant to do. I've enrolled in the information session for the self-employment program that would start in December. While it's a bit of a late start, I still think it would be helpful to have learned more about running a business. The income it offers would allow me to focus my efforts on the business, rather than supporting myself alone at first.
I'm starting out with $0 and using whatever money I get from advanced deposits to pay for whatever is needed the day I open to make things happen. The Grand Opening will be a fundraiser. EVERYBODY is invited to come see the new space! That means you, too!
In the meantime, loved_by_2 has had to say goodbye to the oldest of his kitties (19!) last week, which was so hard for him. He's realizing he wants to be in Toronto now. Everything that's important to him is there now (except his family), and we're concerned about him commuting in Winter again. Nothing is certain yet, but it appears right now to be moving in that direction before snow falls. That means we'd be living together at last, and with my roommate as well.
I've been doing a bit of catch as catch can consulting work as a career counsellor and personal counsellor/coach. If you know anyone who needs help in that regard, please let me know or send them directly to me, as I'm very much in need of a temporary income supplement for the next month or two. I negotiate rates based on income level, FYI.
For right now... this weekend... I'm enjoying some quiet time with my Love in Stratford. We're playing games, snuggling while it rains, watching movies and just having some R&R after a pretty hard week (his kitty, my asshat family). My Love has apparently divulged more revealing information to his mother about our lives (mine especially) and so we're having brunch with his parents tomorrow because they're interested in learning more about me, about Renegade and how they can be supportive in my endeavours and his plan to move to Toronto.
Life is pretty good, really. Grey skies don't bring me down at all.