Hello, old friends. Remember me? Remember when I used to update this thing on the regular? I'm not sure if those days are gone forever or just for now. Time will tell. What I do know is it's been a lot of work getting my new site off the ground and to be honest, I'm at that point with it — or with life in general, I guess — where I'm becoming increasingly discouraged to be without an income. It's now been over two months since I received my last paycheck. That's a lot of shoes left unbought.
And yet, I'm working harder than I have in recent years. Maybe ever? And on my bad days, which come about 50% of the time right now, I wonder what the fuck I'm doing. Is it stupid to think I might be able to make a part-time income off a website? All signs point to yes. Is it foolish to hope I eventually make money syndicating my column? I'm sure. And yet, those are the baskets I'm putting my eggs in. If there were ever a time to prove the basket won't hold 'em, this is it, and I guess I owe it to myself to give it everything I've got. But, man, it's tiring.
In other news, Drew and I went to Austin last weekend. No, not for SXSW. I really couldn't give a rat's ass about SXSW. In fact, it sounds kind of awful, actually (no offense to any of you going!). But Austin's where my sister lives and I owed her a visit and March seemed like a good time to escape NYC and get a little jump on Spring, so I went last weekend while I was sure to avoid the influx of 200,000 extra white people. And it was quite nice. If you are headed to Austin this week or next — or anytime, really — I recommend the Queso at Geuro's on South Congress. Holy shit, I coulda stuck a spoon in that heavenly cheese and slurped up the whole bowl if I hadn't been sharing it with two others. It's that good.
And while Austin was fun, we've got an even bigger trip on tap for next month. Drew got invited to the royal wedding and I'm going as his guest! Well, okay, not exactly. He's going to London for work to cover the wedding — in all actuality, he'll be sitting in a dark editing bay during the occasion, which, on the '"glamour scale," is just a tiny bit above riding an un-airconditioned Fung Wa bus from Boston to NYC in the middle of August — but I'm still going along for the ride. While he's busy working, I'll get all dolled up and see if I can crash the reception of the century. If that doesn't work, I guess I'll just binge of Cadbury chocolates to make myself feel better.
When the wedding's over and Drew's done working, we're going to stay in London for a few days and my parents are going to fly up from Germany so we can celebrate my mom's BLANKETIETH birthday (it's a big one that ends with zero and starts with something between 1 and 9). And Mother's Day! The last time I got to celebrate my mom's birthday and Mother's Day with her, I was 17 years old, which was, like, seven or eight years ago, so this will be quite a treat. And then, after my parents leave, Drew and I are going to go to Paris for a few days. I think! We haven't quite worked out all the details yet, but it's looking like either Paris or some quiet town in the French countryside.
And now I have completely ruined any sympathy you may have had for me in my first paragraph of this post, huh? Well, fair enough. I've passed up a lot of shoe sales, but I still get a trip to London and Paris in the Spring. Life ain't that hard, I guess.
Happy Spring to all of you. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead this weekend!
Hey Wendy!
So happy to read a new post! And I am so proud for you to be working hard on something you believe in and know you're good at! I'm trying to do the same right now with my Life Coaching biz and it's tough but all the successful people have to start somewhere, right?
So exciting about your upcoming trip to Europe! At this point, doesn't look like a move to NYC will be happening this year- life in Spain will have to do... :) And speaking of which, since you're coming a-l-l t-h-e w-a-y over here, you might as well take a cheap flight from Paris to Barcelona for a night or two? Ya know, since you came all that way and all.Haha Have a wonderful time! xx
Posted by: Cynthia | March 11, 2011 at 01:17 PM
Aww...SXSW isn't so bad! Maybe a little crowded. Oh, and finding a reasonably priced hotel room within city limits is a challenge. But who doesn't want to be shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of sweaty hipsters listening to a band you've never heard of?! :) By the way, Guero's has amazing fish tacos. Enjoy Europe!
Posted by: Austin Dentist | March 11, 2011 at 04:27 PM
I love your blog and your site. Your hard work and efforts will soon pay off. Sounds like a fortune cookie huh? Have an amazing trip...you deserve it!
Posted by: Amy | March 11, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Cynthia, Sorry you won't be making it to NYC this Spring like you hoped. Maybe next year? Although Spain is not a bad place to hang out in the meantime!
AD, our cab driver to the airport said he picked up Bill Murray last year, who made a last minute decision to go to SXSW and ended up paying someone $800 for his hotel room, so I believe it when you say it's a challenge to find a reasonably priced place to stay.
Amy, aw, thanks!
Posted by: citywendy | March 12, 2011 at 06:32 AM
That's awesome that you guys are going to be in London!! Woot!
And nice reference to the Fung Wa bus, hahaha. Watch out for those old women with live chickens in their bags.
Posted by: teahouseblossom | March 12, 2011 at 12:22 PM
I've missed your personal posts here but have been following your new site! It's great!
I love London have a great time - Make sure to wear an awesome hat for the Royal Wedding!!
Posted by: Kim | March 12, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Hey Wendy - I love the new Dear Wendy site! You truly do have a unique voice. Like you said, time will tell; but it has to be soul satisfying on some level, right? You are going for it! I admire you for that. I am currently working to turn my NFP into a job... I understand. It's far too easy to get burned out. I wish I had it all figured out, but I can offer this - make sure you take at least one day off a week, and make room in your life for things that nurture your creativity/happiness, even if they have f**k all to do with writing or anything "productive." No guilt! Have fun in Paris!
Posted by: Saedabrown | March 14, 2011 at 01:21 PM
I've missed you posting but I am hoping that things start getting better for ya! Paris is the spring is a mighty fine thing to look forward to!
Posted by: Stephanie N~ | March 14, 2011 at 04:40 PM
Wendy,
I want you to know that I read/check your dearwendy.com site at LEAST three times a day for new updates. And I'm loving all of your columns. I think you're doing great and I really hope you keep at it and that eventually (sometime soon) you will start making an income off of it. I really do think it will do well.
Have a great time in Europe.. say Hi to Prince Harry for me! :)
Posted by: pereiraj | March 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Thanks for the love, everyone!
Posted by: citywendy | March 15, 2011 at 07:12 PM
Hi Wendy!!
I'm reading this a bit late but I check your other website at least twice a day. I think you're doing a great job so keep it up and don't get discouraged.
By the way, I live in London so keep in mind you also have fans from across the pond.
Personally, I will be traveling to Switzerland on the day of the royal wedding just to escape the hoards of crazy tourists. But I do hope you have a fantastic time over here!!
Cheers!
Posted by: Tanya | March 22, 2011 at 03:28 PM