I returned today after spending 3 invigorating days in San Francisco for the Real Estate Connect Conference. What a fabulous experience to be around so many of technology and Real Estate's forward thinkers and innovators. Very inspiring and exciting envisioning how the new products and innovtions will affect my life as a Realtor in Sonoma. Being in SF was like a shot of adrenaline for me, gaping up at all the thousands of shops as fashionable people bustled past. I felt like a "playa" (player)!
As I headed north across the Golden Gate Bridge, peeling layers of clothing as I emerged from the fog into the sunshine, I began to plan my evening with my family: swimming, BBQ, ice cream cones, playing with dog. While I was at the swimming pool conversing with other families and watching my husband clown around with our kids, I had the feeling, "life is good" (and I wasn't even wearing my hat with the stick figure on it). Sonoma may have some drawbacks when compared to a San Francisco, but tonight I am feeling that all is well in Sonoma.
Trust me, I am not always such a proponent of our little town. I sometimes become frustrated by having to drive 30 minutes to get to a Costco or Target, or any really big store for that matter. When I first moved here 11 years ago, I found out that nowhere in town sold sheets for my new Queen mattress freshly out of its plastic. Not 1 place to buy sheets. But, I'll take the inconvenience of driving 30 minutes in exchange for not having to endure strip malls and superstores and the hustle and bustle surrounding them. Everyone rushing around to the next store, intent on buying, buying, buying. When I need or want those experiences I can find them not far away. The pace is much slower here in Sonoma.
Sonoma has survived in a protected little bubble, sheltering in some of the wonderful qualities of yesteryear. We still have local harware stores where the owner knows you and will help you pick out paint colors and find the right brush size. We have a local children's librarian, Clare, who greets all the kids in town by their first names. We have a farmer's market on Tuesday nights during the summer where the community gathers on picnic blankets to connect with each other. We have a 4th of July parade where local community groups proudly march around the Plaza, waving to all the people in the crowd they know, myself included.
So, even though being in the City and brushing up with the real players of the industry, like Criag Newmark of criaglist.com, was exciting, in Sonoma everyone is a "playa"!
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