"It's no longer just a daydream,"

For nearly three years now, I have been working for a rare book company. It was a job that I had never imagined doing while in college, but as luck would have it my roommate tobe when I moved back into Atl. was leaving this particular company to be a librarian and set me up with an interview to fill her position.

In the beginning, I was taken aback by how much the job fit me. My days were spent researching books, tracking down books and building collections for my clients. I got to work in the genres that I loved most like religion, poetry, classic fiction, juvenile, and art. I got to work with people that loved the same books and subjects I did. Unlike typical retail, I wasn't just a counter salesman that waits for someone to come and buy what they see on the shelf. Instead, I was actively hunting down what my clients needed and really wanted.

But after several months I discovered this: I love the rare book world, but the company I was with or rather the boss for whom I worked made my job miserable. But I loved the material and the clients with whom I worked. But one absurd antic after another from my boss made it less and less worth my while.

That's when I said, I love the work I do, I just can't stand the place I work. If only I had a boss that acted like a professional then I'd have it made.

"If you decide to make it your life."

So several weeks back, out of the blue, a client of mine contacted me with the prospect of a opening a rare books store to sell his collection. Everything we've discussed is spot on. He's made it clear that he's focused on taking care of and appreciating his employees. He has been nothing but professional. And the collection of books and maps that he has amassed is amazing! He's a great guy, a man of great character and he wants me to help start his business. For the first six months I will be working as his personal currator as I catalogue, research and appraisal his full collection. Then, we'll put the store together and see what we can do.

This seems so sudden. So out of the blue. It seems too good to be true. I'm so used to an unprofessional work place, that I almost don't believe what I'm hearing. But there is it, ready for me to say yes. I get to keep doing the work I love and I know I get to work for a boss that will truly appreciate the work I do. Wow.

"It's no longer just a daydream,
If you decide to make it your life."
--Train