You ever feel like you need to just press pause on... well... everything?!  Perhaps a few moments, to take a few fresh breaths, maybe steal a quick nap, and eat... leisurely.  Then, you can un-pause, and the world didn't even know you were gone.  What a novel concept. I often wonder how the world would be affected, if at all, if I took a 2 week break.  I didn't tell anyone where I was going (just that I was going...).  I didn't say when I would be back, I didn't reply to emails, phone calls, or text messages.  I didn't use my credit card.... just cash - so no one could find me.  How would the world be affected?  Would the world be affected? Would I be missed?  Would someone look for me?  Would things fall apart?  Or would things stay the same? Do I really want to know? Hmmm, a new notion - I like the concept of "Pause" for my business.... thinking..... thinking.... Stay tuned.

I know - sounds disgusting right? Well hear me out. So this morning, my boyfriend woke up... got out of bed only to step in a cold little puddle, left by the other boy in my life, my pup. Side note: Prior to hopping out of bed, we were wondering why my dog chose to sleep under the bed last night, I figured it was because he was cold-- it all became clear a few moments later. I mentioned to my human boy - that Alex, my doggie boy, was just marking his territory, and was basically trying to send a message. It his nature. This of course, sparked an interesting conversation. Without getting into detail, we started to ponder a world where humans went around peeing on things they deemed theirs. The last seat on a bus, an attractive man/woman, the last slice of pizza.... you get the point. While it would probably have a slightly adverse effect in the human world, than it does in the doggie world, it made for a stimulating conversation, over Aquafresh, flat irons, and face wash. I would guess that the term "pissing contest" came from this notion of "territory," brought to us by man's best friend. The Urban Dictionary defines it as: Two or more parties simply attempting to out-do one another, not for the sake of truly believing in their cause, but just to win in order to gain some kind of power, honour, or reward of some kind.. All that to say - in my mission to find a location for my business, the Pee Effect is metaphorically taking shape. I am truly about to roll up my sleeves, and get down and dirty with this process, in an effort to get what I deem to be mine. But not just for the sake of saying I did it, but because I truly believe in my passion, and finally feel like i'm on the right path. While I might not go pulling down my underpants and pee on a Realtor, or a commercial loft I see in my desired location -- I will have to claim it... and follow my own mantra of seizing the moment.

In my quest to launch my legacy - I came to the horrifying conclusion that one of the first things I am suppose to do is figure out where, physically, my baby is going to live. In other words... I need a building. According to some of my entrepreneurial comrades, I need to take the following into account when developing my business plan: rent, cost per square footage, taxes, maintenance.. among other things of course.  WHAT? It just seems so early in the process - no? I mean, the logic makes sense, I suppose - but what if I find a building, but can't afford to put money into it yet because, clearly, I haven't gotten to the money finding part yet?!  Then the building gets leased to some snooty moneybags type, and I am at a loss?!  Umph. Mom and Daddy say 'Kris, it's all about location, location, location.'  Lucky for me, that's just about all I have figured out - I am absolutely in love with East Atlanta... not just because I live here, but because it's a melting pot of creativity, diversity, and empowerment... (sound like a beer ad - I know). After my temptress friend made me go to a jeans sale, I did manage to drag my boyfriend all over East Atlanta this weekend to search around for the resting place of my new child.  And wouldn't ya know it? I think I found a place... (While I am an impulsive shopper, I do tent to find what I want quickly - and not regret it the morning after) but it's expensive, and as the tenant I would receive the building in a condition referred to as a "Cold Dark Shell." Ha! I lie to you not - t'is what it reads on the spec sheet.  So basically, I give them $56,000/year, and they can't even give me a toilet.   Can you say foolishness?  I guess this means I have to build it out, from the potties up... Should I start taking donations now.... or after the holidays?

You are probably like - "Ra Who?!"  Well well, allow me to elaborate my little learner.   "Rara Avisa" means rare bird in latin.  To be perfectly factual - rara avis (without the 'a' at the end) is the true term.  But in a moment of being me... I added an 'A' to add character. Rara Avisa will likey be the name of my new business going forward (oooh, I like it even better when I type it).  You can ask my BFF's KD and Squeazie - I have been to East Ballyhack and back trying to figure out what I want to call my "operation."  Everytime I come up with what I think is the name... I immediately purchase the domain.  Within a week, I'm back to the drawing board.  About 23 domains later... (literally) - I think I have found it.  Afterall, I have never felt inclined to blog about it... so it's gotta be different right?  (By the way - if anyone wants to buy one of my 23 domains, i'm willing to negotiate). At any rate - I thought I would document my journey to building what I am hoping to be my legacy. Once I work it out in my head - you will be the first... well -- like the 10th to know. Got the name... I suppose that's important.