Managing the Minor Road Blocks

Okay. Here's the thing. It's not like I can't make "Bottle Cap Bar" without funding but I was Really, Really, Really hoping to get a Burning Man art grant. But I didn't. And I am disappointed.

And I will confess that the main source of my disappointment is not because I will have to pay for this project with my own money but because I lost out on the honor of being an Honorarium Artist for Burning Man 2009. Yeah, that's got nice cred.

It's not like they don't feel that the project has merit - I really believe that they do based on the wording of my rejection email - but it was one of almost 250 proposals and they had to make a lot of "tough decisions". What can I say, I've chosen a profession that is full of rejection. I have to get used to it even though it can be really hard sometimes.

So, I went ahead and let it de-rail me for a few days. But I got back on track. There are so many people now who are excited about this project and are a part of it. I can't let them down. I can't let me down. I know, deep down inside me, that there is a reason why I am doing this. It's important. I just know it.

But being honored with a grant would have given me a very acceptable reason, a purpose, for how I spend my time. Like it or not I was supported by that desire, that hope. It kept me going. And when I found out that it was not to be, well, I kind of fell apart. It hurt me. Ow!

I'm back to work now, as strong as ever. I regained my feeling of Purpose. This is what I am supposed to be doing. Every weekday I get up in the morning and Go To Work. Okay, so my "office" is a room down the hall and my "workshop" is my garage. And I have to be self-directed. And I can slack when I want to. And I don't get a paycheck twice a week. But, still, as far as I am concerned for right now This Is My Job. It's What I Do.

But Man, I sure would have liked that grant money. Oh well. At least this Bar is gonna get made and it's going to Burning Man. So, Ya-Hoo, let's enjoy this crazy ride!

Cool Thing To Do on Treasure Island in March Recommendation of the Day:

Serpent Mother Art Reception.

March 6 and 7.
Art. Fire. Free Party (well, free on Saturday anyway). What's not to Love?