snap back to reality

I always loved that Eminem song Lose Yourself.  Now that I’m no longer in a Cape state of mind, I keep hearing the lyrics Snap Back to Reality play over and over in my head. 

On the Cape, I am able to leave behind my worries.  But once I return home, they come raging back.  One worry overwhelms all the rest:  How can I earn a decent living?  I am good at many things, but making money is unfortunately not one of them.  I am much better at spending it.

I go into the office today.  I don’t know how to find buyers, and more importantly, sellers. Many brokers have told me that one thing I need to do, is to always give my card to anyone willing to take it.  “Expand beyond your current circle of friends and associates,” I am frequently told.

So I try.  Whenever I can, without being obnoxious, I hand out my business card.

On my walk home from work, I pass Rani Arabella, a little boutique across from my office.  In their window is the medium blue knit jacket I bought at Bergdorf’s for 75% off; they are selling it for 30% off.  But I love the pencil skirt they’ve paired with the jacket.  It’s a simple, navy pleated cashmere/wool.  It would go with half my closet, and makes a great outfit with the blue jacket I now own.

I go in and Rhonda (who looks more like an Ashley — long blond flow-y hair, thin, chicly dressed) helps me.

“How much is that skirt in the window?” I ask.

“I’m sorry, but that skirt’s not for sale,” Rhonda answers.

This immediately heightens my interest in it.

It turns out that this particular skirt is one of very few made.  It is not on sale; well, it’s not even for sale. But I ask, and Rhonda agrees, to call the company’s president.  After a rather lengthy conversation, the president reluctantly agrees to sell the skirt (Rhonda is a great salesperson), but he won’t discount it, because, “The price that’s on it is the wholesale price. Typically we mark up two and a half times from the wholesale price.”

I buy it.  And then I say, “Please let me know if you are ever looking to buy or sell an apartment in New York.”  As I am reaching for my card Rhonda says, “I work for Elliman (as in Douglas Elliman, arguably the largest residential realtor in NYC).   I’m a real estate agent too.”

Rhonda’s been a broker for many years.  Obviously, this has not been a good year for her.  When I tell her I just started in real estate, she looks at me sympathetically and says, “it’s a tough business.”

Today I read an article in New York Magazine that Uber is hiring women. Perhaps I should apply.