The Work Different, Live Different Podcast by The Maker’s Collective - Episode 2
Jeff: Still a little bit rusty.
Lacey: Oh, well, hello everyone.
Laura: We're back.
Jeff: We're back.
Lacey: We're back. Yeah. And where, where are you two right now?
Laura: We're in Portugal.
Jeff: Porto.
Laura: Yes. So I think like the last time we chatted, uh, we were just kind of talking about where we'd been and where we are now and we mentioned, uh, that Jeff and I would be going to Europe and we're here. We fucking did it.
Jeff: Digital nomadding it up.
Lacey: That's right. Yes. Made it real.
Jeff: Missing the cats, but doing good.
Laura: Yes. We're, we are officially four weeks in. To this trip, but Jeff and I are gonna do our own episode where we kind of talk about like, the whole experience. That's not what this episode is gonna be about. This episode is gonna be about if we're gonna take it back to, you know, I think it was like maybe a week before we were leaving.
Lacey: Mm mm-hmm.
Laura: And like, well, a week and like many months because we've been talking about this, as we said, since we've been talking about this trip since last spring. Uh, spring of 2022.
Lacey: Yeah.
Laura:And um, and like all the way along, like Jeff and I knew that we, we like made the decision. Then we were like, Hey, we're fucking doing this. Um, so we are doing this, but we'd still, we'd been talking as a team and like as a group of friends who love each other, about like, all of us going and what that might look like and how that might work. And, you know, it was, uh, It was…
Jeff: It was a pipe dream.
Laura: Well it was, yeah. And it, but it was also like, you know, can we make this work? But like you lace, were going through like a world of changes.
Lacey: A world of changes. That's right.
Laura: A world of changes. And you also have a dog, which is like very different from having cat.
Lacey: Um, mm-hmm.
Laura: You know, we were able to figure our shit out. Uh, it wasn't uncomplicated, but it was like, in terms of that, pretty easy. Um, and cats are pretty easy, um, actually to leave, but like, you've got Sydney.
Lacey: Mm-hmm.
Laura: And she ain't a young girl anymore.
Lacey: I know. She's an old girl and so every time I leave her I'm like, oh no, you better. Stay here until I get back.
Laura: Yeah. It's a real thing. It's a real thing to have to consider. Um, and so we just, it took us, we were like, huh? Like we don't know if this can work for all of us to go, but like, let's keep talking about it and we'll just see what we see. And I think we kind of left it at one point as like Jeff and I were like, lace, this is what we're doing. We're, we're making this plan like as if it's just the two of us going and we're also like factoring in that we would love for you to come to. And so like we leave it to you to like make your decision.
Lacey: Mm-hmm.
Laura: Right? Like that was kind of like where we left things like
Lacey: Yeah. It was, it was kind of looking like, um, you know, this would be so lovely if it could happen and there's so much going on over on my end. So it was starting to look like, nah. You know, I'll like be on home base, just holding down the floor kind of deal. Uh, yeah. And then we, the, my partner, Kris and I, we like caught up with you guys for coffee before you guys were leaving.
Laura: Days before. Days.
Jeff: The day before. It was the day before.
Lacey: Was it the day before?
Jeff: We were leaving on Friday. January 27th and we schemed, we were like, we're going to take you guys out for breakfast on the 26th before we go and we're gonna make one final push around you coming to Portugal with us.
Laura: Yes. Because there had been conversations with the four of us, but they were very like, ho, ho, ho. Like, maybe we can make this happen, but like, I don't know. You never know in those cuz it's always with drinks and like…
Jeff: Well it was also last minute and
Laura: Right. So like, you never know what's like, actually possible and like a, after the drinks have subsided, like what actually makes sense.
Lacey: Right.
Laura: But yeah, we definitely were like, okay, we're gonna sit them down and be like, yo, what do you need to do to make this happen? Cause we want you guys to come.
Lacey: Oh my God.
Laura: So we did that.
Lacey: Yep.
Laura: And then Kris was like, so are we doing this?
Lacey: Yeah.
Jeff: I wanna know how the conversation went with you. Cause like we left that breakfast being like, cool, we're leaving tomorrow. If they come it's gonna be great. But also, we're gonna be there tomorrow. So like that seems like it's insane and probably impossible. So, yeah. What, like after we left that breakfast, how did that play out with you?
Lacey: Well, it was so funny cuz obviously I think we were both playing with the idea of like, hey, that would be so cool if we could make that happen and like probably won't be able to just like given all the factors. So we left the breakfast being like, ah man, but maybe we should still like look, be looking at flights and stuff, which we had been doing. And then we left. And so Kris has two kids from a previous marriage, so that's always a factor too, cuz he and his partner share them like half of the time, like week on, week off sort of deal, which definitely like impacts, you know, your schedule and what, the planning of it all right. So it just so happened that, um, he was just finishing up a week with his kids and they were gonna go to their mom's, and then all of them were going on a trip to Florida the next week. So it was technically going to be like three, almost three weeks of not having his kids. So he was like, hmm. Hmm. This actually is kind of aligning and working out, like maybe we should just do it. And I was the one that was like a little more hesitant at that time cuz I was also in the midst of moving out of my place and into this place, which is now our place. Ah. So, so much stuff going on. And then it was just one night, like the kids were on the couch and we were looking at flights and I think it was that night. Or the night after. It was very soon after our coffee date. And um, Kris is looking and he's like, we should just do it. Shouldn't we just do it? Like, we're gonna look back on this time when we're….Like, he's like, yeah, it feels a little stressful now, but like three, five years from now we're gonna look back and we're gonna remember going to Portugal. Not all of this shit. And I was like, yeah, that's true. And then we looked at it and it was like, okay, this looks good. And then I remember me being like to one of his daughters being like, so do you think we should go to Portugal? And she was like, duh. Yeah, you should. And then Kris like had all of my information, his information, like plugged into the flights and he was like, okay, my fingers over top of like book now. What's holding you back? Do you wanna do this or not? And I was like, I don't know. And then he was like, let's, he's like, speak now. Speak now. And I was like, fuck it, let's go. And then booked the flights. And in a moment we were like, holy shit. Because the other thing is we were leaving in, I don't know, like a matter of days after that. So…
Jeff: Four days.
Lacey: Yes.
Jeff: Four days later.
Lacey: Yes.
Jeff: You got to Portugal before we did.
Laura: Yes.
Jeff: Because we stopped in London first.
Lacey: Yes. So we were actually four days later we were in Portugal.
Laura: So…
Jeff: Banana Land. Loony toons. Insanityvillw is what that was.
Laura: So amazing. So amazing. Yeah. We were like in London just kind of the first like four or five days we were there and just kind of like, you know, easing into this whole thing and being like, what are I wonder what's gonna happen? Are they gonna come? It seemed like they were gonna come, but like, I don't fucking know. It's like a big thing. And like Lacey’s moving and like that's a big thing. And like, so I don't know what's gonna happen. And then got a message from, we got a message from Kris. I think Kris actually set up the Instagram group that was like Porto 20. It was you. Porto 2023. And then anyways, then we got a message from Kris being like, we're coming.
Crazy.
Laura: So good.
Lacey: It's like, I don't know, for these kind of things, it's usually so planned ahead of time. Right. And I have, like I've, I went to Portugal before, like four years before that. And so I was like, I remember that. And like planning for months in advance and hearing about you guys planning in advance. So it felt really wild and fun to be that spontaneous and just to be like, have the space and time to be able to do it. And, um, I have no regrets. It was amazing. So Kris and I came and joined, uh, Jeff and Laura for almost like just about two weeks almost.
Laura: And just about, yeah.
Jeff: Yeah. 12 days.
Lacey: Gosh, it was fun.
Laura: It was so fun. Um, yeah, so we were all meeting in Porto on February 1st. Um, and so then it was funny getting your message being like, this is when we're, this is, these are our flights. And we were like, oh, you guys get there before we do that day. That's hilarious. Um, so that was great. And uh, and then we flew in. We got there in the afternoon, like around noon.
Jeff: Yeah. Yeah. We were all exhausted.
Lacey: Yes. So tired.
Laura: What was, uh, what was. Being on a trip like that with Kris like?
Lacey: Oh my goodness. Well, I mean everything is so new because this is, it's crazy cuz this is a new relationship, but it's just like the relationship, uh, seems to be so, I don't know. We're not like necessarily young anymore. I think when we met each other and started dating we were like, oh yeah, this is it. Like this is it. Let's go and let's do everything. So yeah, going on a trip like this together, it was so good because I think we just learned. Uh, we had like gone on another trip for five days before that, which was like a good intro to like traveling with your partner. I think like we have a good like, energy and outlook and we're not like super planners. We like to keep it spontaneous, but can, you know, keep it cool in a stressful situation. So, I think we do well together when we travel and we like to explore and have fun and be playful and meet people. So then on this trip with you two, it was so fun because there was like the group of us and I think we all had the ability to work remote. So it was like a nice balance of like, you know, the group hangs with you guys and then like individual remote work and then being able to just like soak up the culture and the lifestyle there together. Um, yeah, I think it definitely like brought us closer together and also just like cracked open our minds to like, okay, when you like start a relationship with someone, you're thinking about what kind of lifestyle do we want to build? You know, it's like you guys have obviously had so much time to like visualize and design your lives together, but I feel like we're at the beginning of that journey. So this was such a fun, like time for us to be like, hang on. You know, like your kids are at an age where they're a little bit more independent and you've been there, done that, and you know what that kind of lifestyle looks like, and now you're in this position where you own a business, you can work remote. So I think for him it was like, whoa, we could do this again and often and just build it into our lifestyle? Holy shit. And for me, that was really exciting because I remember when we first started dating, he was all like, oh, I've never done that. I don't know if I could do that. You know, it was, it wasn't quite real yet for, for him? As my partner. So for me, I was like, Ooh, well okay, I guess I'll do it by myself and like, come back home to you and that'll be fine. But now I feel like we kind of came away from the trip being like, oh, we can do this and we wanna do this together more often. As often as you can anyway.
Laura: Yay.
Lacey: Yeah. So it was a great trip. Lots of learning, lots of bonding, lots of fun.
Laura: Totally. It was also Kris's first trip to Europe, which blew my mind. Oh it was. It was like, holy shit, you're doing your first trip to Europe and you just decided like four seconds ago that you were gonna do that. That's wild. Good for you.
Lacey: And that was one thing that he said, because you know, we really had to like support each other in making that decision. Um, when we were like walking around, there were like these little moments where he was like, thank you. And I was like, what? I didn't do anything. And he was like, no, no, like I wouldn't have done something like this without you in my life cuz you are someone who's very like, let's go. Um, so that was really cute too, just to be like, oh man, how fun that we can invite each other to step outside of like the norm or the comfort zone and just, uh, yeah, have fun with that. So, I still, I still can't believe it happened. You know, like it still doesn't feel real that we did that.
Laura: Yeah.
Jeff: Yeah. It's wild. And hopefully we do this like every February forever. Like that's what we're thinking is like, this is…
Lacey: Let's do it.
Jeff: Four to six weeks every year.
Lacey: Yeah.
Jeff: Work remotely. Go explore somewhere new.
Laura: Yes. What has the, like working remotely experience felt like to everyone?
Jeff: I love it. I love being in this time zone. Mm-hmm. I thought the time zones would be a challenge. We're five hours ahead of like the eastern time zone. Um, but it's actually like such a blessing because no one can fucking bother you until two in the afternoon. I don't get an email from anyone until two in the afternoon. I have so much space to like actually do work that matters. I wish there was a way for me to stay on this time zone, even when I'm in fucking Kitchener. Like I am a slave to my inbox a lot, which is a good realization that I need to stop that. Um, but like that part of it from like a freedom perspective has been just such a joy.
Um, like I've been kicking around an idea of like writing a book for so long. I've never done anything and I've written like 30 pages since we've been here now, which has been like, I mean, there's probably only four or five good pages. There's a lot of garbage in there. But I mean, the space to like think about that and do that has been, you know, something that was hard to come by at home, it felt like. And then I also think there's something just about being away that gives you good perspective on things. Like I just realized that like most of the shit I spend time worrying about is irrelevant and doesn't matter. And like I give way too much space and time and energy to things that are irrelevant and people that don't matter at all. And there's just something about, I don't know, when you're at home in your day to day, it's like hard to step outside of yourself and see that. Um, but then you go away for a while and it's like, oh, like these are the things that matter and like everything else doesn't, and I need to, like, the challenge now in Laura, Laura and I have been talking about this is like, how do we take these things that we're kind of realizing and then, you know, bring them home with us. Um, obviously there's some things we can't, like 20 degree weather and sunshine every fucking day in February.
Laura: And the view that we have.
Jeff: Yeah, and like being near the ocean, like obviously there's those environmental things that like you have to go seek out. Um, but I think there's like things about like what's important and what makes you work effectively that you definitely can take back. And then maybe the last thing for me is just like, I love the, just like the Mediterranean pace of life. Like, I talked to my therapist about this last week, did a remote therapy session, which was so helpful. Um, which is like, we manufacture so much urgency in North America. Like we just lie to ourselves that like, we need to go fast all the time. And like there's times when you have to go fast. But I feel like I'm just running all the time. Even literally, like when we're walking around town, sometimes Laura's like, slow the fuck down. Like, why are you, you know what I mean? Like, I'm like sprinting down. Laura's like, what are you doing man? Like, this is, slow it down a little bit. But like, I think there is like a pace here is just, it's different, you know? It's a different, just way of looking at like, it's not as wrapped up in like the toxic productivity culture that we get so kind of tied up in.
Lacey: Mm. Good points.
Laura: Yes, absolutely agree. And it, and I know for you Lace, it was probably a bit more on the vacation side of things than like work, but like you still did, you and Kris did some work while you were here.
Lacey: Mm-hmm.
Laura: Like what did that feel like to you?
Lacey: Oh, it just, it felt so good. Like, um, I, I feel like, I mean, there are the things you can control and the things you can't control like you said, Jeff, like weather environment. And I also, Kris and I were on a walk last night talking about how interesting it is that the place that you live in really, um, either like encourages or enhances a certain lifestyle or not, um, due to like accessibility and stuff. And so it's like how do you try and like take the things that you loved from, for instance, being near the me Mediterranean and being in a culture that supports slow, slower living. Slower working and chopping up your day and only working when it feels good for you and being more productive because of it. Like how do you take that back home to maybe a place that doesn't nurture those ideals as much and just carve it out for yourself? So that, I feel like that's another talk, but I think like, yeah, it was just, it was a little, it was like a little half play, half work when I went cause it was a shorter stint. Um, but I really liked how I liked the commune living situation that we had, that I feel felt like that was really fun and encouraging. Cuz I don't know what it would've looked like if I was working remote on my own. Um, cause I've never done that. But together it was great cuz we could talk about a thing or an idea or get inspired by a conversation over a beer on a patio. Like, I remember Jeff, you and I talking about like, yeah, it's funny all the stuff that we get busy with and that don't actually matter back home. And then when you come here, like for me, I, I could only access stuff through wifi while I was there. So it was like, it was just like you had to let go of a lot of like the connectivity. And I loved it cuz it was like nothing crashed, nothing burned. I was still able to do my work. In fact, I think the spaciousness of being there allowed me to like be more creative, to have more like energy and excitement around like outreach for instance. Like reaching out for new gigs and new projects is what I mostly did while I was there. And it was really fun. It was fun to like connect with people and start striking up like new work and having the space to write like all the things that I feel so much stickiness and stuckness around doing those sorts of tasks back home, or at least I had been because of this dread of winter and the snow and like the cold season. I have such a hard time being as like inspired and motivated and like in that flow state when I'm here in the winter. Um, so yeah, and I think like being able to taste that somewhere else was encouraging cuz then it's like top of mind, how do I be more intentional in my day-to-day life when I'm not somewhere beautiful like that? Not that it's not beautiful here, it's just seasonal here. So yeah, I think like the experience is really, it's just always so eye-opening. I love travel for that and like, it's crazy the ideas and like the inspiration that comes to you while you're somewhere else. So that was like really, really fun for me, for sure.
Jeff: Yeah, I love that. What about for you, Laura? What's the, the work balance, doing things remotely? What's that been like?
Laura: Yeah, I mean, I, I've really enjoyed it. I think that, yeah, I don't do as many meetings as you do, so the time doesn't really matter as much to me. I think like just kind of reinforcing for me, I think this has reinforced things that I kind of already knew about myself and about how I like to work. Like I don't like the idea. I've never really liked the idea of like, I work a nine to five like every day. Um, I do find that I like to work a little bit in the morning. We've had days where we've like gotten up, we've had our coffee, we've like relaxed a little, like had a slow morning, but then like done a few hours of work and then taken sort of like three or four hours off and then done a little bit more in the afternoon. That's usually kind of around your like, um, call schedule. Um, and I've really enjoyed that and I think what it has shown me is that when we're at home, it's tough because you're in your home, you're in your space. So then you're just like seeing and thinking about all the things that you need to do while you're at home. Whereas here, it's been like those three hours that I might normally take to like clean something or like, you know, I don't know. Do something that's home related. We've been like going out and we went to the beach this morning. You know, we've gone to sit on a nice patio. We've like gone out and like enjoyed that time together. And I feel like that is maybe what I'm gonna take home with me. That it's not just like, you know, three hours where I'm still working. It's like three hours where we're going and doing something that is like about us and about like connecting and all of that.
Jeff: Yeah. So much quality time. I mean, which is weird to say cuz like we live together, we work together, we're together all the time, but I feel like we're like just holding space for like really great time together during the day, which like doesn't always happen or, you know, especially like middle of the afternoon, like you said, you're either working or we're getting tied up with stuff at the house. Um, and lord knows there's like four or five day stretches where I don't leave the house at home.
Laura: Right. Right.
Jeff: So, the idea of like getting out and like walking together daily has been so nice.
Laura: Yes. And I mean, we've talked about this, the, between the three of us, but just like the walkability of Kitchener is garbage. Um, and like we just don't, we find that we just don't really do it very often. Um, and so one, that was one of the things that we were really excited about coming here was just like, it's gonna be so walkable, we're gonna like walk everywhere, which is so true. That's what we've been doing. Um, but like often when we go for walks at home, it's like we go for a walk around the block, it's like an eight minute walk and then we are back home and like back back at it. And I think, like, I would love for us to like take that space a little bit further and like, maybe we walked for an hour, like, you know, just do more with that time.
Jeff: Mm-hmm. Lace, we saw seven street cats on a walk yesterday. That's another wonderful thing about Porto is just these little cat colonies. Little cute kittens everywhere it's made being away from Flo and Earl a little bit easier. Oh, okay. Um, I did have a nice little cry on the weekend though. Uh, missing those guys, but you know, that's how life goes as a cat dad.
Lacey: That's right. It was so cute. All of the like sun, like roof cats just sunning themselves on these beautiful clay rooftops like Portugal is so I think that's the other thing. It's just so stunning. It was so beautiful.
Laura: Yes.
Jeff: Beautiful. This city's 2000 years old. These buildings are 2000 years old. Some of them. It's wild.
Lacey: It's just like so much history and yeah, I think it's, it's interesting, right? Like this idea of nomadic work and working remote and it's like, I think a lot of us, maybe without even meaning to, were forced to work remote, you know, through the pandemic. And I think like working remote in the way that we work from home is, it felt so much different than like working remote in another place. And that was really, I don't know, that was really cool. And. I love what we're all saying about like, how do we take some of these things back home with us and ritualize them because it's so nice and it's like, I think what we kept finding when we were out and about in Portugal is like, why aren't we doing more things like X, Y, Z back home? Like why don't we just like have a break in the middle of the afternoon and go have like either a drink or like a cafe, like go to a cafe or whatever, and I think, um, what we've been trying to do since we got back is like going for like daily walks, like you just said, like little, it's obviously snowy here in Canada right now, but uh, we just bundle up and you know, we roll what we roll a little joint cuz it's legal in Canada, everyone. And uh, we go for a walk and it's like the spaciousness allows for not only to like wind down after a work day, but to open your mind up again. And I think like the combination of walking and talking and being in nature just like naturally leads to deeper, more meaningful conversation too. Cause I know like we can really get in the habit of like, you know, throwing something on TV or watching a movie each night. And that's really nice too. I love that. But it's like, I love the balance of like, oh yeah, let's connect, like you just said. Like how are we connecting with the people we love too? And what are we talking about and are we making space for that? So that's been really fun too.
Laura: Yeah.
Lacey: Mm-hmm.
Jeff: Love that.
Laura: Yeah.
Jeff: Okay, so we spent 12 days together. What was your one favorite thing? Favorite thing we did? Favorite moment?
Lacey: Okay. Okay, so it's kind of funny. Okay, so, so many favorite things. However, the, I think the top thing for me was I kept, okay, so there we were right by the river, the Douro River in Porto, and I kept being like, oh, we should go for like a boat tour, guys. Like it's only this many euros and every day I just like the idea of it kept growing in my head and I was like, oh, that would be so fun. Like we should definitely do this tour where you can like go under the six bridges that are so cool and old and just like cool infrastructure. And I remember the one day I just kept saying it while we were out and everyone was just sort of like quieter, not responding to it. And I was like, huh, I might need to do this adventure on my own. I don't think anybody is interested. And then later that night, we were watching the sun go down and Jeff was like, all right, I can't keep it in anymore. We just have to tell you. And Jeff was like, yeah so Kris and I, uh, play like we booked a private boat tour. Okay. Like you kept talking he's like, I was so worried that you were just gonna like book us tickets or something. And we were trying to keep it a surprise, but surprise, we're going tomorrow. Um, and so I would have to say, the private like boat tour under the six bridges, during like golden hour watching the sun go down over the water and just like looking at everything together and sitting on the, like the, the roof, what is that? Like the front part of the boat together, drinking green wine and eating charcuterie and talking about our friendship and our goals and how we used to dream of doing this. And now look at us, here we are. I like cried tears of joy. It was a very, it was a sweet moment for sure.
Jeff: That was, that was so special. And the lead up to it was hilarious. Kris and I just kept looking at each other like, would she shut the fuck up about this boat tour like, oh, that was so funny. It was two days of it. You were so excited and I felt so bad every time you brought it up because we just gave you no reaction at all.
Lacey: I was like, okay.
Jeff: I was like, okay, what's the play here? How do we, how do we do it? Then yeah. We just had to be like, all right, we're doing it. It's happening tomorrow. I mean, that was special though. I feel like. You know, you give yourself like a taste of a moment like that. It is such good motivation to just like want to go out and make things like that, you know, more possible.
Like so lucky that we got to do that together.
Laura: Yes.
Jeff: Oof. With the Duro boatman Paulo, he was such a wonderful host. Him and his wife just running a also, what a kick ass business.
Laura: Totally.
Lacey: Mm-hmm.
Jeff: He does five of those a day sometimes, guy's making like $50 grand a month just driving people up and down the Douro River on his beautiful boat. Like what are, Ugh.
Lacey: I know. Talk about a great like side hustle or business. My goodness.
Jeff: Oh my God. Yeah. That was amazing.
Laura: That was beautiful.
Jeff: What about you, Laura? During like the 12 days we were together, does anything stand out as.
Laura: Yeah, I mean obviously that, I think, um, like the first day that we were there altogether was so great. We just like, you know, I think we had a few hours where everyone kind of like rested a little bit, but then we like got our legs under us and then went out and did a whole like little tour of the like little restaurants and like bounced around patios. And had drinks and just kind of got acquainted. It was like we, and it was so funny. We were like, this is hilarious, that like you, Kris has not been over to our house yet, but we're spending 12 days together in Europe.
Jeff: Europe. That's right. I forgot that. Yeah. We shared an apartment together for 12 days but hadn't like been inside our house in Kitchener yet together.
So love that. I mean, I think also…
Jeff: I mean, you don't get to steal another one. I am gonna go next now.
Laura: Okay. Okay. Okay.
Jeff: Holy shit.
Lacey: Yeah.
Jeff: Because you left some low-hanging fruit there. I feel like our train trip to Villa de Cond, that little beach town was like, such a great day. I love a train ride. So that was wonderful. And then,
Lacey: Oh yeah.
Jeff: I mean we just got day drunk together. We, that was like the best, that Raspberry Sangria is like the stuff of dreams. We sat down at that first restaurant. It was one of those moments where you sit and drink for two hours and then you stand up and it's like, oh my God. Like I don't know if I'm making it to dinner. And like Portugal being Portugal, you just get beers to go and they just give you bottles of beer. Okay. So my favorite micro moment within this moment was walking to the dinner restaurant or walking down this river, and Laura and I are kind of meandering ahead a little bit. And then we look back and Kris has like gone down this little ramp to the river and is, and has taken a piss in the river and Lacey's kind of playing lookout. And then the drunk version of me is like, ‘Hey everyone, there's a guy pissing down there. Put your dick away.’
Lacey: Oh my God. That was like…
Jeff: I feel like that was a very like friendship bonding moment for Kris and I as well.
That was just wild. And then we walked by that big statue that was like a ramp and we all looked at him and we're like, don't climb that thing. And he's like, okay you guys, you guys know me cuz now I was legitimately thinking about climbing that.
Lacey: Yeah, that was so cute.
Jeff: But then at the end of that walk, just by accident, we found, I forget what the restaurant's name was, but a restaurant on the beach and just got to watch the sunset, having dinner there like that was amazing. And then I don't even remember the train ride home. I like blinked and we were back at the apartment and was like, oh, I'm glad that worked out. Like, wow, that was a blurry train ride.
Lacey: That was the drunkest. I had been on the trip for sure. I was drunk, but bef like by the time we got to the first restaurant, I was like…
Laura: Yes you were.
Jeff: Well, and we ate those gummies on the train ride.
Lacey: Oh yeah.
Jeff: Yeah. It was a whole day. It was a whole day. It was just like a floaty, wonderful day. And then I felt old the next morning. Of course, being hungover now is, is like, is tough. It's tough.
Lacey: Aw. That was, it was like, um, that day felt very like sparkly. It was like, you know, like the highlight reel of new core memories and just like, yeah, the, the like sun shining as walking, drunk as fuck, and having like just belly laughing, drink, having a beer in hand on the street, like, oh my God, the stuff of dreams, truly, so fun.
Jeff: The fun stuff of dreams. Oh my God.
Laura: Yeah.
Jeff: Yeah, yeah.
Laura: I mean great trip. Great trip.
Lacey: Solid trip. That was so fun. And I think it, like…
Jeff: The first of many.
Lacey: …t was just like so much bottled up motivation to like, like, like we always say, like give ourselves a taste of the things that we're wanting. And then it's like so motivational to keep at it, you know, to, to do more of these things together.
Laura: Yeah. I mean, we made a dream come true gang.
Lacey: Yeah, we did.
Laura: Like…
Lacey: That was, that was a dream.
Laura: That was like manifesting. That's manifestation.
Lacey: That's right. Yeah. And I think like the truth is like all the stuff we see online, everybody's like, oh, like hashtag manifest your dreams or whatever, the law of attraction. But it's like this was a dream that we, we had planted seeds like a year ago. If not before that, and just like, kept chipping away, kept taking aligned action and just, it happened. It, it happened. You just gotta keep at it and it was so good.
Laura: Yay.
Lacey: Yeah.
Laura: Well, I mean, I think that's it gang. We just wanted to kind of do a little catch up.
Lacey: Totally.
Laura: And uh, and talk about the time that we all went to Portugal together.
Jeff: Mm-hmm. So, special Lace. I'm so grateful that you and Kris came.
Lacey: Oh my God.
Jeff: That was the stuff of dreams.
Lacey: Us too. It's like been so it's so like romanticized in our heads, like we're not too far away from the memories of of it. And so Kris and I are just often like, okay, so where are we going next? Like, can't wait for Jeff and Laura to come back so we can all start chatting about what we do next at all these things. It's so cute.
Jeff: So let's go to Halifax in May.
Lacey: Oh. Great.
Jeff: Not as sexy as Portugal, but…
Lacey: No. Still like being like by the water…
Jeff: East coast, ocean.
Lacey: Slow living. Yeah. I feel like that combination is like, by the water, slow living, somewhere beautiful. Hell yeah.
Jeff: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Lacey: Loving it.
Jeff: There might be, we don't need to talk too much shop here as we wrap up, but there might be a speaking gig with Startup Canada out there in May. Okay. That we could expense.
Lacey: Hey. Okay. I love, I love what we're doing here. I feel like there was a time before the pandemic that we were like, all right, let's hit the road. We're gonna go on tour and see more of Canada and take our work on the road. And then we are like, ah, nevermind. Global Pandemic. It was like, sit the fuck down, not yet. Um, but it feels like we're kind of coming around to like being able to do this sort of, you know, this living and working differently thing. So…
Laura: Yeah.
Jeff: Yep.
Lacey: Love it.
Laura: And it's happening very like organically and naturally too, which is the best.
Lacey: Okay. Love that.
Jeff: All right. I love you both so much.
Lacey: Oh, love you guys.
Laura: I love you guys.
Lacey: Love you, miss you, can't wait for you to come home and then we can find some of that wonderful Portuguese green wine and just cheers over the adventure we just had.
Jeff: Yes.
Laura: Yay. All right. We love you.
Lacey: Okay. I love you. Bye everyone. ‘Til next time.
Jeff: Bye-Bye.