Monday, June 02, 2008
Fairy Tales & Friendships
So let's be honest here. I saw Sex and the City twice this weekend. I feasted on the parade of fashion (good and bad), developed a bloodlust for ankle boots, reveled in the new set dressings, and was touched by the patience of one extraordinary boyfriend who voluntarily experienced it with me both times (lines and all). And I continue to be awed and envious of the amount of time these women have to spend with their friends.
I think that's the real fairy tale of the whole story: that one can find such a close group of girlfriends in their twenties, in a big city, and continue to find time to not only nurture these friendships but revel in the small details of shopping and brunching with them on a weekly basis. Perhaps I'm only envious of that because I'm on the other side of the looking (for love) glass; but in my short life, I've struggled so much more with finding good friends and the time to keep and laugh with them. It's been a challenge to make friends since moving to LA (which really is another entry in itself), something I avoid altogether because I only like the people I already know. Call it a hermity quirk. I already have good friends I adore, but unfortunately they're spread across the world. I find that to be more true for most people than the ideal nucleus that orbits around your twentysomething self. Sometimes, I'd just love to live in that fairy tale; an exciting, metropolitan place where all my friends live across town, and we meet for Sunday brunch or drinks on a weekly basis. Maybe that's why I saw twice.Labels: twentysomething
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Ann Hears A Who
I've been, in some ways, jumping right back into business as usual this week. Yet things feel different; there's a new stillness in my mind right now. Which is good -- to tune into responding to my body as opposed to my head dragging my body behind it. I will walk more, meditate daily, and pick up yoga again. I also plan on eating more conscientiously so that I can keep off the 13 pounds I lost in the first two weeks of being sick. (In a healthy way, of course). Peace comes from shedding the albatross of guilt and insecurity I (and I'm sure some of you) wear around a lot. So over it.
The surprising outcome of this is that I'm more productive than ever. In the past two days, I checked off some major looming to-dos, i.e. reporting the sidesweep-and-run on my car to insurance, going to the bank, picking up books on hold and paying fines, filing papers with HR, emailing admissions officers, etc.
So last night I saw Horton Hears A Who, which was adorable! I really missed going out to a theater and finishing the red vines before the previews are over. Hopefully we'll get to see My Blueberry Nights this weekend; I'm so looking forward to Wong Kar Wai's English language debut (!!)
I'm reading If You Want To Write by Brenda Ueland (which was highly recommended by Marta), and I'm so in love with it so far. Ueland has the voice of the most encouraging, accomplished writing professor you've ever had. I had also started Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto, and quite honestly I'm not that enchanted with her writing. Maybe something was lost in translation.
Finally, a psst...I updated the archives and I've been posting frequently again at Things We Wore.Labels: books, films, site update, twentysomething
Friday, March 28, 2008
Something To Be
I went to my life drawing class last night for the first time in almost four weeks. I wish I could say that means my medical melodrama is over, but tis not. Slowly testing the waters of my normal life again, as advised, and it's all a bit achy right now. I really should stop joking about being a seventy year old woman, because my body is starting to behave as such.
On the upside, I do feel like my drawing skills are coming along nicely. I feel like I'm thisclose to a breakthrough -- hopefully by the end of May, I'll have some strong portfolio pieces. Life drawing had always been something that terrified me -- I just could.not.draw.people. But it's been a year since I picked up my first charcoal pencil, and I'm amazed by how far I've come. It's almost unbelievable how much it's improved my ability to draw anything. And to be quite cheesy, it's restored a little faith in myself.
These past couple years have been disheartening, the way I think it is for most post-undergrad students. I've been kicking around my head, and with my friends, that the liberal arts college education system is the biggest lie perpetuated by modern western civilization. Let's go back to apprenticeships! Don't tell me that I can be anything I want and do everything I want -- let me just choose ONE THING!
Now I'm going to spend the rest of my weekend watching Six Feet Under (which I've fallen for, hard), and drawing in my sketchbook. Have a good weekend, friends. Find your own way to fry a fish. As many elders before have tried to warn us, life never turns out the way you expect it to be.Labels: artsy girl, twentysomething
Friday, January 18, 2008
To the Right Coast & Being a Duck
There's always a sense of thrill in the air before a trip. For me, it's the anticipation for the journey. I know, totally cliche, but walk with me here. When else do you get a pod of time where you're allowed to just be passive, but still be going somewhere?
I'm so looking forward to the five hour flights to and back from Baltimore this weekend. Sure, I could wax on about how I can't wait to see one of my best friends and her new(ish) row house in the city, or to spend the days gossiping and eating decadently and absorbing each other's awesomeness, but plans for that are better off spontaneous. For the long flights, I plan on reading The Seas by Samantha Hunt, knitting, and perhaps even handwriting my short story for the week.
I started The Seas over the weekend while I was sick, after I had finished The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier. The latter novel had a brilliant spiritual realist concept, which was best detailed in the first chapter that had stood alone as a short story published in The New Yorker. Chapters then alternated between the "after-life-but-before-the-white-light" world and the story of the main character Laura's journey in our real world. I thought the novel was better left as a short story (proven by its many accolades); it dragged on as Laura painstakingly crosses the Antarctica tundra in the dead dark of winter. I get it: it's cold, it's painful, she remembers. For. Twelve. Chapters. Unfortunately these memories are neither too revealing of character nor plot development, but rather postmarks of her passing life. Brockmeier's pithy and refreshing use of language saves a novel that is overall rather underwhelming in character and plot.
Anyhow, back to The Seas, which is a bite-size novel, so it should be easy to finish in a few hours. So far I'm really enchanted by Hunt's stark yet richly gothic style. Also, I'm looking forward to reading her new novel The Invention of Everything Else, a fictional account of Nicolo Tesla's last days.
Aside from delving deep into a sea of lovely books, I've been actively thinking a lot about this upcoming year. Where I want to be at the end. Where I want to go. What do I need to do to get there. What do I need to let go of. How to get out. Loads of quarter-life crisis questions. The one good thing that came out of being incapacitated last week was that it forced me to slow down and take inventory of my life. The gritty day-to-day, not the curated, edited-for-television-audiences version. Remember to be happy on the healthy days, and to not get snagged in the small, ugly stuff (work, co-workers, bad customer service, surprise inspections). Let it roll off like water on a duck's back.
There are a million and one things I want to do this year, but I've decided to really focus on two and let all the other things fall into place: write a short story a week and take up photography more seriously to both document life and as an art form. Hopefully through making those habits in my life, all the other things like releasing a chapbook, figuring out whether to go to grad school or art school next, and traveling more will fall into place. Plans like that are better left spontaneous.
It feels good to write again, friends. Thank you for always reading and listening. Be a duck.Labels: books, twentysomething
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
For the moment, I'm enjoying 8pm sunsets and 75F evenings. It's lead me to rediscover simple pleasures like the public library. After work yesterday, Ryan & I walked two blocks (much to my protest in the beginning, as two blocks in my urban terrain meant up a steep hill and over an interstate freeway overpass) to our local library, where we both filled out applications for our shiny new Los Angeles Public Library cards. Then I collected an armful of hardcover books I can't wait to crack, including:
- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
- On Beauty by Zadie Smith
- The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
- The Nanny Diaries by Emma Mclaughlin and Nicola Kraus (necessary fluff)
All the potential for the impending summer is too exciting to nail down.Labels: books, lists, losangeles, twentysomething
Friday, May 04, 2007
Don't They Have Drugs for This?
I will start off by saying that last night's Grey's Anatomy heavy with spin-off fat was terrible. I fell asleep after the first hour and didn't even realize that Meredith's step-mother had died, it was so buried underneath all of the rapid-fire of plotline set-ups for Private Practice (Addison's show).
Now I'll continue on to say that I am quite cranky, and have been this past week, so I am so grateful that I live alone right now. Nothing but the sound of the wind outside my window and the stillness inside my studio apartment.
Inspired by the Phone Date with (Style) Destiny article in the new issue of Domino: A Guide To Uncovering Your Inner Brand (by answering these few questions designed by Carrie & Danielle, personal style branders who charge $500 for a 90 minute session to give you two words that describe you, although Ryan just branded me with two words for no cost at all).
What would you wear to the Oscars?
If Annie Leibovitz took your photo, how would you art-direct?
What's top on your list of places to travel?
What piece of art has moved you the most in your life? (This can be music, literature...)
Where do you feel most at home?
These questions remind me of a more intuitive, essay format survey of the ones you used to fill out and forward through email that have since evolved to MySpace bulletins. But somehow, I suspect in the middle of a quarter life crisis, it's not a bad idea to reevaluate your position and ideas about yourself. Or get on a really good mood elevator.Labels: twentysomething
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Twentysomething Budgetry
One very dangerous thing about working where I do is the plentiful SHOPPING. Just now on my break I skipped on over to Old Navy and nearly spent my week's lunch budget on an armful of clothes -- because it's only at Old Navy where you can get an armful of clothes for $40 -- but fortunately whittled down my pile to two things I've actually been looking for: the perfect long charcoal grey tee and a new sports bra (to go with my new gym-friendly life, but specifically for yoga tonight).
I'm rediscovering my high school flirtation with Old Navy. After I got into college, I turned my nose at Old Navy for its frumpy period and family-friendly attire in favor of digging through vintage thrift stores for stylish wear. Recently though, while learning the restraints of a twenty-something budget along with lack of time because of hours spent earning said budget, I find myself coinciding with Old Navy's return to cute. I also find it easy to find work-clothes there for relatively cheap; they're having fancy pants for $20 sale (normally $30-40).
Well there goes my hypocrisy, since I just ranted about referential ad blogs. But rest easy knowing that I am not getting a single red cent raving about the virtues of a corporate company that probably exploits children in India. Just negative karmic points.
Also in case you haven't noticed, I've made it a goal to blog daily if not multi-daily in the month of May. More for my selfish consuming need to write again.
We'll see how long my attempt to save money lasts, especially with Michael's a few blocks away, shiny with the new Martha Stewart Craft collection. Oh Martha, how'd you get so fly?
 Labels: twentysomething
Monday, April 09, 2007
Ready, Set, Spring!
I feel a little overwhelmed, mostly in a positive way, lately. I don't know if it's all this peek-a-boo spring weather and my growing anxiety for warm summer days, or if it is the feeling of Friggin'-Finally!-a-job-I-like! and the exciting influx of ideas that come with routine. I don't know if this makes any sense, but it all comes down to the quote about commitment I posted a few days ago. Even though I found it on a Starbucks cup (how LA am I now), this quote only makes more sense every time I read it. Now that I'm happy where I rest my feet from 9-to-5, I've started to dream about all the projects I want to embark on with my free time.
Among these is starting the 3AM Epiphany writing group up again, based on the book of the same name. Please join me if you're a writer or if you dabble in writing for fun!
I'm also starting a short story anthology project entitled Anthologie with my talented friend Gina, participating in two more swaps (including Marta's mellow+yellow swap) and developing a new photography&illustration portfolio website for my work. And speaking of such, can anyone recommend a decent-to-good scanner for artwork?
Along with thinking up too many ways to spend my time, I've also been having fun exploring more of LA. This past weekend, I explored a terrible karaoke place (Karaoke Bleu on Sawtelle, do NOT go here unless you want to live by rules that dictate how you spend your money there) and one really great bar (Cha Cha Lounge in Silverlake, progeny of the one in Seattle). Cha Cha had a photobooth (with unfortunately bad chemical fix, so your photos will come out yellowed BUT STILL WORTH IT) and two foosball tables, along with fantastically gaudy decorations and red lighting. What more could your little hipster heart want? Oh yeah and after having so many hit-or-misses in my misadventures around LA in just the past seven months, I'm going to start tracking and reviewing the places I (a) am mad about spending money at, or (b) will make a new staple in my life.
So far:
Karaoke Bleu: F
Cha Cha Lounge: A-Labels: arts+crafts, losangeles, spring, twentysomething
Monday, March 19, 2007
The Beginning
So much has happened, friends, since I last wrote! I can finally break my mysterious silence; I gave notice at my last job on Friday (effective immediately) and man, was that empowering. I was working upwards of 10 hours a day, commuting an hour, had taken a pay cut, and living under gestapo-like watch. Then two weeks ago I received a fantastic job offer, and will be starting this new job in two weeks. Which gives me two glorious weeks to sit still, in silence, breath deep, take in everything that has happened in the last six months and choose my next steps carefully.
Over this past weekend I went on a wonderful, short hike with Ryan and his family. All the hatless acorns made me realize how I should spend my next two weeks: taking the time to stop and marvel over all the little things. To see what acorns REALLY look like, to know what actually working on my novel feels like, to experience what sitting still and relaxing is all about.
Ryan and I also saw 300 yesterday, which turned out to be a lot better than I had expected. It was really quite beautiful, the story just hanging on enough and the gore didn't make me want to throw up -- however the gratuitous nudity did. I give it a B+.
I stocked up on magazines (including Blueprint, Glamour, Elle, and Preen), books to read (The Anti 9-to-5 Guide, The History of Love, Fast Food Nation, Jane Eyre, The Glass House), felt, drawing pencils, stamps, ATC swaps and food. I'm ready to start enjoying my next two weeks, and be sharing it all along the way with you!Labels: films, photolog, twentysomething
Thursday, March 08, 2007
The Secret Life of Music, and Other Things
Gnarls Barkley's St. Elsewhere album will always remind me of last August, with the dregs of summer on everybody's nerves and the impending Big Move to LA on my mind I had an ulcer in my stomach that rendered me practically catatonic during all my waking hours; probably not a surprise considering the dozens and dozens of resumes I had sent out seeking my first "real world" job thinking (ha!) that I could somehow work on my terms. Despite the chaotic job hunt and the toxic apartment I was living in, I had my friends. My amazing friends who I went swimming with, danced at the Whistlestop with, saw shows at the Casbah and Belly Up Tavern with, that I just lolled away afternoons with.
St. Elsewhere reminds me of driving out of PB at sunset, seeing the orange pastel clouds in my rearview mirror as I drove down to spend the rest of my night with Ryan in his stuffy one bedroom second floor apartment with the flamboyant neighbors next door playing Cher and Yanni at all hours and eavesdropping on the loud obnoxious drunk neighbor downstairs yell at her boyfriend for cheating on her (which she only found out because she got an STD).
There are all these memories swimming in my head, all that has happened in the past 9 months that I never dreamed possible. And through all of this, I haven't written more than a few words on a sheet of notebook paper -- and only because I had to when Dori and I forced ourselves to write a few times.
Right now I'm feeling particularly chaotic and overwhelmed; is this a sign that I just can't handle growing up or that I don't deserve everything in my life -- or none of the above? I feel like I need just a little goddamn guidance, and the only people who hear this are the people who are in the same situation -- swimming in indecision, stuck at crappy jobs and feeling overall stalled at starting their Lives.
Also, WTF, Men in Trees sucks. What a thinly disguised Sex and the City wannabe -- a bad one at that; who the hell would fall in love with this paltry lumberjack Alaska they've created? I mean, they even have Mario Cantone as the EXACT SAME CHARACTER (I know he always plays himself, but STILL). Jenny Bicks, I've got your number.Labels: growing up, music, twentysomething
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Roadside Dinosaurs
Don't mean to be so quiet lately, but so much has been going on. How do people balance whole families and houses and mortgages with full time jobs and lives? Of all the life lessons I'm learning this first year out of school, I think the most important and pleasurable one I've learned so far is that it's important to HAVE FUN and play hooky once in awhile. Be a little reckless in your twenties; I know I'm having fun being rebellious.
Went on a road trip to Arizona for a wedding this past weekend; it was so much fun. Especially the ride home, where we meandered through the California stateside and pulled over whenever we saw something bizarre and kitschy (although we realize that this is how most horror films start). But when else are you going to experience dinosaurs on the road side or the General Patton Memorial Museum?
Last night I saw Zodiac, which turned out to be better than other friends had been suggesting. But how can you go wrong with Jake Gyllenhaal for me?
And even though I should have been cleaning my apartment, I made a bigger mess by making my first ATC (Artist Trading Card) for the ATC & Teabag swap on SwapBot. It was so much fun; I want to make many more soon.
I'm also so excited about TV on the Radio later this month and Wicked in May!
My life is perfect, even when it's not.Labels: arts+crafts, photolog, twentysomething
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Slow down, you're moving too fast. Frames can't catch you when you're moving like that.
Don't laugh, especially those of you who know me personally, but I am shifting my interest towards the Slow Movement as a lifestyle change. Reveling in the pleasures of life, like walks or delicious meals with great friends, and using all the speedy technology for things like work.
Even as I say this, I'm sitting in bed with my laptop, five photographs torn out of magazines for my Marker Rendering homework, my sketchbook, The History of Love, and my phone. I don't know if a slowing down of life will ever apply to me, as I love to watch a movie while reading blogs, drawing, and talking on the phone/with Ryan. But I do want to focus on really being present, especially with my full focus and patience in a situation.
Needless to say, here are all the things I need to do in the next few days:
- Draw one b&w photo, marker render one color photo
- Life drawing homework
- Search for contributing writer/freelance positions
- Join flukiest.com, my friend's boyfriend's networking website.
- Upload photos
- Check to see if my PC has really crashed this time, and then transfer all consequent music to sync up for a mac.
- Go to Marker Rendering and Life Drawing Class
- Finish and send swap gift for Free People's Valentine Swap
- GET MY HURR CUT
- Super exciting picnic date at the Getty
- Super secret plans post-date
- START WRITING, especially in journal
- Grocery shop
- Clean apartmentLabels: lists, twentysomething
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Time on my mind
Last night was as A-list as promised, and overall one of the most interesting events I've been to. A few of the celebrities I met/encountered/brushed shoulders with last night: Edward Norton, Katherine Heigl, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, James Franco, David Krumholtz, Ted Danson...the list goes on and on. And today it snowed. Living in LA sure is an adventure.
I'm really nervous about starting my new job next week, and the commute that comes with it. It took me two hours to drive 12 miles yesterday, from Santa Monica to Hollywood, during afternoon rush hour. Sometimes LA isn't the kind of adventure I'd like to be on. Isn't it always about the love/hate relationship with big cities?
With all these new changes and big events coming about, I'm craving time to whittle away as I please. Time to read Domino, Real Simple, and Bust, to make a dent in the 22 books I'm reading this year, to write, to follow the course in Drawing On The Right Side of the Brain, to think and design projects for loved ones, to watch all the films on my Netflix queue. Remind me of this the next time I'm feeling like I'm in a rut because I have a daily routine, k? Thanks, friend.
Today a third grade girl at 826LA asked if she could read to me. I was more than happy to oblige, eager to hear the story of a bunny and beaver detectives. After she read each page, she would pause for a few moments to look at the illustrations. She did this the whole way through the book. I'm going to start adapting her way of looking at things; sometimes the question really becomes who is the role model for who.
Don't forget to de*lurk (brought to my attention by Lisa at Birdinthehand). Please click on comments and say hello, and tell me a little about yourself. I'm curious about who you are, what you like, what you dislike, what your favorite food is, how you keep warm in the snow and other things of that nature.Labels: losangeles, twentysomething
Monday, January 15, 2007
Happy Birthday, Dr. King.
I've had an amazing weekend! I got to see my family for a barbecue yesterday (where I picked up a few things including a little coffeemaker and a new dress my mom bought me) when we made a pitstop on our way down to San Diego yesterday.
During the 20 hours I was in America's Finest City, Ryan and I made our separate ways and I indulged in some girl time. I went shopping like old times with Whitney and Kira, ate at one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants, had coffee with Susie and then met her adorable baby pug Oscar, and then spent the rest of the evening huddled up with Trinh and Lisa at Lisa's lovely, quaint house, watching a bad Spanish musical and staying up til 4 AM having girltalk. I needed some girlfriends around lately, and I love every moment I get to spend with these brilliant, stylish, funny, compassionate, creative spirits.
It was quite the magical trip highlighted by many unexpected moments, even while waiting for Susie at Twigg's. As I was waiting in the desolate coffee shop, trying unsuccessfully to hide my two bags as not to look like a vagrant, one Mr. Jason Mraz was darting back and forth between the Green Room and the cafe. It was quite the SparkNotes version of my San Diego life in those 20 hours, and I was so happy.
There are quite a few pictures I need to upload, but I want to enjoy the last few hours of my potentially last few three day weekends available (possibly by playing X-Men Legends 2 with Ryan before he goes back to school tomorrow), so they will be up in a few days. I want to make good on my promise of taking a picture everyday -- and will be getting a pro Flickr account so you can keep up.
Tomorrow is going to be crazy hectic, with my last few days of work being "surprisingly" jam-packed and this rather enormous, A-list 826LA fundraiser in Hollywood afterwards, I have no idea when I will be home. I'm really dreading the drive from Santa Monica to Holly wood at 4:30pm. Only in LA will it take you an hour and a half to drive 20 miles. I'll be sure to fill you in on details tomorrow of who I saw eating what. These next few weeks look quite chaotic -- with my brother's birthday and a one year anniversary, starting art classes and a new job, while desperately needing a haircut -- and though my life sure seems manic at times/all the time, I love every moment of the experience. Because the remedy is the experience.Labels: san diego, twentysomething
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The Sweet Escape
I wanted to write a nice long update, and perhaps add some photographs, but the new BUST came with Gwen Stefani on the cover, and then Ryan and I had to scout out this ramen restaurant mirage (we never did find it), and then I had to catch up on all of my friends' blogs and ljs...and now I'm too tired.
So in short, a few announcements, revised resolutions, and things:
- I have resigned at my current job.
- I have accepted an offer for an online photo editor position with a new company and will be starting in two weeks.
- I like Gwen Stefani's new album The Sweet Escape (especially the title track) a LOT. I also really like The Weepies album Say I Am You that I got as part of my Christmas package from Gina a LOT.
- I need to send Gina her package that has been sitting on my floor since the weekend :(
- Resolution 13: Draw every single day, document some on the blog.
- Resolution 14: Learn Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Resolution 15: Become a contributing writer.
- Resolution 16: Make 15 pieces of art.
- Goals this week: Finish one book, send Gina's package, start making Lacey's package, call friends and catch up, send late holiday cards (sorry!), buy seeds to plant flowers and more herbs.
- I had ramen tonight in honor of Momofuku Ando.
- Pan's Labryinth = sad sad sad!Labels: growing up, lists, twentysomething
Monday, December 18, 2006
It's Like I Knew.
What I didn't expect from the "real world" was how on-the-edge-of-my-seat it all is. Instead of waiting for quarters to end, and vacations to come, I get to pick and choose when things end and begin. I suspect this is supposed to give the false illusion of freedom to "adults" in their "adult lives", but naturally, things that are normal to other people terrify me and give me great inner anxiety that I don't even tune into until it manifests itself as some sort of physical ailment. I'm sure that I'll die of a heart attack or ruptured brain aneurism, and all that I'll think as I'm floating away from my corporeal body is -- "Oops, how did that anxiety get there?"
To tie that into the rest of this entry so it doesn't seem meaningless is that I think I have TMJD, which is better than what I thought was the case: my wisdom teeth growing in, and much much better than the case of a friend of a friend whose jaw hurt and it turned out to be cancer. But I won't go there.
So the eye of this anxiety storm is not necessarily something I want to delve into at the moment, except to say that there are offers on the table that activate the part of my decision-making right brain that agonizes over every decision. The thing about your early twenties is that you think that every single little decision you make is going to greatly impact the rest of your life. And the truth is, well, I don't know this for fact, but I'm beginning to suspect -- that it isn't.
As soon as there is news, I will tell you all about it. But for now, I'd rather not be dooced.
Two weekends ago was chaos in the 826LA category, with a fundraising event (where I met the beautiful and delicate Fiona Apple) and a fantastic DIY Holiday workshop, where the students created their own holiday and sent the volunteers and interns scattering to make it happen in two hours. The most rewarding part of the weekend was during that workshop, while as the students were busy putting together a pageant for "Cheese-A-Lot" Holiday. A few students came behind the partition to get water, and they saw me and fellow intern Megan spreading plates of cheese in accordance with the holiday's traditions. They whispered to each other, "It's like they knew."
I'm going to enjoy the next few days with Ryan's company, as he's on winter break, and revel that while the weather outside is frightful (highs of 54! in Los Angeles! Absurd!), inside is full of fun things to do. Tonight I'm going to bake pumpkin cupcakes, have dinner with an out-of-town friend, FINISH my holiday cards, sew some stockings, and perhaps watch the new Bond film.
How are your holiday seasons going?Labels: 826LA, twentysomething
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
22 going on 60.
Dear Body,
Why is it that even though you drag me kicking and screaming to bed at 10:30pm, you still make me feel like I just spent the night on the best/worst bender of my life in the morning? What is it about the 8.5 hours of sleep renders your joints so cranky and your shoulders so cramped? And why is it that when I DO attempt to drink, you revolt and attempt to embarrass me as much as possible?
This is unacceptable! You are young and nubile, and supposedly in the prime of your life! You better start shaping up, and learning how to hold those yoga poses while inhaling and exhaling on beat. We'll reevaluate the status in a month.
Love,
AnnLabels: twentysomething
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Thankful
You've truly made it into the clear with vegetarianism when seeing all the uncooked turkey carcasses flashing around on television ads, billboards, and print ads makes you physically ill. ICK! How can people eat meat when it still resembles the animal?
However you celebrate, paying tribute to a turkey on your dinner table or divulging in a meat-free feast, I hope that you feel truly lucky from the top of your head to the wiggles in your toes.
Despite all my mucky depression and unrest lately, I am so so grateful for so many things this year:
1) My health
2) The health and happiness of those I love
3) Being so truly and healthily in love with the most amazing boy in the world
4) My family
5) My friends
6) All the factors that have converged in achieving my goals
7) Graduating college
8) All the amazing professors and teachers and students I've worked with this year
9) Peace in my heart
10) Beautiful additions to my family
11) Starting a yoga practice and a writing practice
12) Moleskine journals
13) Drawing and having the courage to take a risk
14) The journey itself
Thank you for reading, day after day. I am so thankful for you.Labels: arts+crafts, photolog, twentysomething
Monday, October 23, 2006
Monday Blues
I've been feeling really stuck lately, especially during the work week. Is this what life is supposed to be like after college? If you don't go to grad school and you majored in something liberal arts-related, you're doomed to a term of administrative limbo? I feel at a loss for next steps, bewildered at the door that's seemingly open yet the world beyond it is fogging under my breath as I press my hands up to the glass that separates us.
I miss my professors, my teachers, my community of people who were constantly opening doors and windows and airing out the musty attic of my head. Often, I refer back to what my ArtsBridge director said to me during my final exit interview: "Try something out for three months, and if you don't like it, then try something else. Don't slink off in the middle of the night, but don't make yourself suffer."
Reading this entry: 10 Ways To Infuse Your Work with Your Personality by artist Keri Smith reminded me of that quote, and of what it feels like to be just a bit hopeful that this isn't all there is.
Maybe it's time for me to get in contact again.Labels: twentysomething
|
