Home in the Triangle Area
When I left the Navy I initially settled in Orange County, just outside Durham and Chapel Hill while I attended UNC. It was a good change from where I'd lived in Connecticut while stationed at the submarine base in New London with a milder climate and closer proximity to a wide range of recreational and shopping venues. With differing sized cities in the area and also plenty of woodlands to explore, I really felt I'd landed in a great place to live. My attitude toward this area has not changed, despite having lived in a variety of places since college and before during my travels in the Navy; the Triangle is, by far, the best place I've ever been and my plan is to remain here for whatever time is left in my journey.
When Kathy and I relocated to this area after all my wanderings, it was like coming home. One of the major factors that influenced Kathy's and my decision to make Durham our new home was the Chapel Hill Bible Church; the teaching, the people and the sense of mission that pervades that group of folks is so welcoming and warm that we knew it would be our new church family.
One of the more exciting things about living in this area is the incredible diversity that exists in so many different aspects of what is life in the Triangle. Whether cultural differences rising from differing ethnic and historical backgrounds, the mix of country and city life, an amalgam of technological and a slower pace that comes from country living as well as the often times rabid fan base of three major universities within a 20 minute drive of each other, the Triangle has much to offer many and that is why it is one of the more popular places to live in the country.
Through a series of circumstances and with the help of a good friend, I have found a group of folks that are unlike anything or anyone I've ever met. Steve Martin had a phrase he applied to himself that seems to be fairly descriptive of Go Realty; "...a wild and crazy guy!" The folks at Go Realty have a phrase that is also very descriptive, "...not your father's real estate company..." and from the moment you either walk into one of their offices or visit their web site, that is all too apparent. As "...wild and crazy..." as they can be, they are caring, compassionate people whose focus is not on their egos or pocketbooks, but on helping folks to discover the home of their dreams. It is a compelling place to work and I'm excited to be part of the team, no matter whether that will eventually be as an agent or in another role.
So, while I still hope to eventually be working with the folks at Go Realty, the Real Estate Commission has elected not to license me though they did throw me a carrot that after I'm off parole in two years I could reapply and they would consider possibly licensing me then...maybe. Not something I'm hanging my hopes on, but we'll see what happens. For now though, I continue searching for meaningful work as well as expanding my volunteer activities to include a group that is ministering to the invisible victims of crime, the children of those who are incarcerated.
Our Children's Place is mostly volunteer powered and is working both to raise awareness of the challenges faced by families of those who are incarcerated, but to provide support for the kids whose world is often turned upside down through events they have no control over. Having witnessed the pain of separation that occurs with others and their kids during weekly visitation, this is something that escapes most people's attention, but is a critical need if we are to help in the healing of our nation and reduce the cycle of crime so prevalent in so many parts of our nation. The numbers of children affected are staggering; on average on child in every classroom in North Carolina has a parent in prison! Helping those families now can provide healing as well as hope for the future of not only that family, but our communities.
Our Children's Place is mostly volunteer powered and is working both to raise awareness of the challenges faced by families of those who are incarcerated, but to provide support for the kids whose world is often turned upside down through events they have no control over. Having witnessed the pain of separation that occurs with others and their kids during weekly visitation, this is something that escapes most people's attention, but is a critical need if we are to help in the healing of our nation and reduce the cycle of crime so prevalent in so many parts of our nation. The numbers of children affected are staggering; on average on child in every classroom in North Carolina has a parent in prison! Helping those families now can provide healing as well as hope for the future of not only that family, but our communities.
With the Real Estate Commission's decision, I was once again faced with the challenge of finding meaningful work. Between my age and the felony I was continually frustrated; my volunteer activities and being a house-husband just didn't fill my need to be productive but nothing seemed out there for me in the way of a job. One day a friend who is a Realtor asked if I would be willing to do the listing photos for his business; I jumped at the chance and, after discussing it with Kathy, elected to officially launch Tony's Take Photography. Earlier Kathy and I had 'shot' a wedding for a friend's daughter and that combined with the positive feedback I received from the listing photos as well as the images captured while volunteering with the USO-NC and Our Children's Place, it seems that this just may work out for me. Be sure to visit my new web site devoted to this venture; let me know how I can help you capture memories that will last.