Nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, and Cibolo in Boerne
Hi, remember me? I’m that gal who used to blog here. Yeah, yeah, so I’m flaky when feeling overwhelmed. But I make up for it with my vivacious personality. Heh.
Another leap of faith was in my near future, and this time I was afraid to jump. Yes, I gave up my stick-and-brick (read “apartment in-between the city and the suburbs”) – before getting my RV – and that leap of faith felt more comfortable than this one. I was super excited about it, but I was also nervous about temporarily relocating to the panhandle from the start – something about it never felt right. My friends and fellow workcampers knew all the details and none of them thought it was a good idea, either. But I really wanted this to work – it would mean I could travel all the time!
It was for that commission-only sales job for which I’d get to travel all the time. This is the same job I already tried it out in two neighboring towns… the one that didn’t sell (100% commission = no pay if there are no sales), but I got to meet some of the rudest people in Texas. Oh joy.
This time the owner was willing to pay for me to go up there and provide $200/wk as a base for the first two weeks. After my last experience of working for a week and a half without making one sale, I decided it was too risky to try it again that far away from civilization. I already burned up resources when I tried it the first time and couldn’t risk it happening again.
The funny thing is I was all set to go, but was nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs – as my signature cliche-used-for-a-title would indicate. Then I began writing this post to tell you all about my upcoming move. But the words coming from my head on to the page weren’t what I thought they would be… I couldn’t write the story about temporarily relocating to the panhandle. Instead, what came out on the page were my concerns. In the end, writing the post helped me see what little faith I had in the move. Call it a sixth sense, but I was so relieved after it was called off.
At this point, some options are still available with that company, but it means relocating under different terms: No guaranteed income on a product I’ve already tried to sell in two towns, and now without the $200 stipend to get started, but my space rent would be covered for two weeks. However, I could spend two (or more) weeks working to sell at least a dozen ads, but if I only sold eleven, all of the money would have to be returned if I couldn’t sell that twelfth ad spot. I love the concept of traveling and selling (or making money), so I’m considering other options. I would like to hear from those of you with any on-the-road career experience.
So, for those of you full-time RVers, or stick-and-brickers for that matter, I have a question: Have you ever or do you currently have a job that allows you to travel all the time? If so, what is it? And, are they hiring? Thanks in advance for your suggestions! (I will repost this at the bottom, because I know I’m not the only one out there with a short memory.)
Meanwhile, I will take you all somewhere nice. Not far from where I am is a lovely park: Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne, Texas.
Cibolo Nature Center in Beautiful Beorne, Texas
For those of you non-Texans who missed my post on how to speak Texan, Boerne is pronounced “Berrhnie”. (Draw out that middle part like you’re pulling on taffy.)
Boerne is a ritzy town in the heart of Texas Hill Country. The population is around 12,000. The downtown area is tree-lined and picturesque. They do not have cattle ranches, big chicken farms, or oil wells in Boerne – at least none I could see. I’d bet they don’t have McDonald’s, either.
Cibolo Nature Center is a beautiful nature preserve centered around Cibolo Creek. It looks more like something you’d find in Louisiana or Mississippi (not that I’ve been), rather than in Texas. I learned about this place on Facebook, of all things. A fellow traveler posted it some time ago, so I added it to my bucket list. Who says Facebook isn’t good for anything except catching criminals?!
The photos that appear to be of a lush green lawn are actually of the creek itself. The majority of the creek is covered with a carpeting of millions of tiny plants similar to baby tears. The effect produced is of that of a lush green lawn… it would quite deceptive if you didn’t know the creek was one misplaced footstep below.
If I may offer a suggestion: play some peaceful meditation music as you watch the slide show. Without further delay…
As promised…
For those of you full-time RVers, or stick-and-brickers for that matter, I have a question: Have you ever or do you currently have a job that allows you to travel all the time? If so, what is it? And, are they hiring? Thanks in advance for your suggestions! (Is there an echo in here? Deja vu, anyone?)
Wow Kernut! Your photography certainly has improved.
You have everything that you need to travel full-time, if you could only dedicate yourself to maintaining a travel blog on a daily basis. You can definitely write, even if proof-reading isn’t your strongest trait. 🙂
You know how to do this! You just need to focus, follow through, and monetize. These things seem to be where you are lacking. If you can do these things, there is no reason why you couldn’t have a world class travel blog that pays the bills to allow you to travel and write more. It’s a virtuous cycle. I’m rooting for you!
Many “meows” to Pye!
Bill
I wish it was that easy. If it was, there would be a lot more wealthy travel bloggers! Plus, there is no way to see and write about a new destination every day. Not enough hours in the day, even if there was enough $$$ in the bank to travel every day. I know you are new to this blog so you don’t know that I did try blogging far more frequently. Guess what? readership went down. I’ve found my readers like two, three at most, posts per week.
Regarding monetization., my blog has been since it began over five years ago. (If you check in the margins of this blog, you’ll see the ads. It’s nice to know they aren’t nearly as intrusive to all as I think they are!) I make just enough to cover the costs for the blog URL and hosting.
I had to reread this twice ,good to hear from you and know your alive! work camping works fer some folks.
Yes, I’m still here. I should’ve included that I am workcamping at the moment and do enjoy it! I love be able to meet nice, new people. The workcamp job I’m at pays for extra hours, but it’s not enough to live on. It might be if you are retired, but I’m not. I still need cash income to pay bills, etc. That’s why I’m looking for sales jobs that allow traveling.
Take up fishing, write a blog (Fishing Gals)Get a sponsor from one of the big outdoors magazines to publish your stuff. Easy Peezy. Lol. Best of luck!
Hi Matthew, Welcome! Fishing Gals is probably a great niche! I do all my fishing at the supermarket, but that could change.
I actually tried the sponsor and/or reality TV show route for the first couple years. Finally gave it up. Once in a blue moon I am approached by a producer for a reality show, and I work it for all it’s worth, but so far no luck. I think I’m not nearly as interesting as the other reality show contestants… They are looking for someone quirky, a “character”. Think Uncle Si, Honey Booboo, etc. There needs to be an element of drama. That said, there is SOOOO much I don’t write about that I probably should! Maybe someday I will….