"Your ambition should be to get as much life out of living as you possibly can, as much enjoyment, as much interest, as much experience, as much understanding."
– Eleanor Roosevelt
🦩 Everyday Adventures
After I got home from Albany and had decided that probably building a small house was much more feasible and sustainable for me than buying a super old building, something interesting happened: I found a new listing for a small lot in Troy, NY (which I had found very quaint and had a great farmers market). It was right near a large park, close to downtown, far from the river, and on a slant so I could have a walk-out basement. Plus, it was inexpensive enough that I could pay cash.
I started frantically doing my customary 10,000 hours of research on any major purchase while also trying to find someone who would help me… like a real estate agent.
The owner of the first AirBNB I stayed in had given me the contact information of her friend in Troy, who is a realtor. I first texted her. Then we chatted on the phone. During this chat, she said things like, “Anything for a friend of XXXXX.” And, “We women have to stick together.” But then she said this: “But you realize I’m doing you a FAVOR.” Ah, there it was. We women weren’t really sticking together unless it was profitable. I hear you loud and clear.
I swallowed my pride and did not respond to that. And do you know what favor she did me? Nothing. I never heard from her again.