These memories seem to surface out of nowhere. I have learned to embrace them with a smile, even though they bring a certain degree of sadness to my heart.
The beach is chilly in May, especially when the sun goes down...but it is quiet and we found the perfect place to sit and look at the stars. I learned that the winter sky is different than the summer sky. I learned that we could talk for hours and not even know what time it is. I learned that even the coldest of nights didn’t matter because I was warmed by your presence.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
right for right now
A little over a month ago I put my life on a diet. My lifestyle isn’t excessive by any stretch of the imagination. I do my best to adhere to the principles of minimalism, but am always looking for ways to improve.
From an emotional standpoint, I knew that February was going to be a rough month. That, combined with the feeling of being pulled in several opposing directions, prompted a little bit of “inventory control” on my part.
On the first day of my “diet” I met up with an old friend for lunch. The next day was spent with a friend from college who recently had a baby. Later in the week, I met a friend for coffee on her lunch break. You can facebook, tweet and text all you want, it might be quicker or more convenient, but there is no substitute for human interaction.
I committed myself to practicing Bikram yoga three days a week. I am learning, slowly, to embrace the stillness of a posture and to breathe during difficult situations.
I stopped carrying my phone everywhere. There is nothing so important that it can’t wait an hour or two.
I started taking my dog for longer walks. This winter served as a wake up call that she isn’t getting any younger. We are both benefiting from the extra miles.
What I have learned through this process is that, like with most things in life, there are trade offs. I have become more in tune with myself, but it has come at the expense of becoming somewhat disconnected from others who rely too heavily on social media to keep in touch.
And so, the onus falls on me, to strike that balance between staying true to myself and indulging in the world of others, a world in which I am not so fond of, a world in which I feel slightly out of place.
From an emotional standpoint, I knew that February was going to be a rough month. That, combined with the feeling of being pulled in several opposing directions, prompted a little bit of “inventory control” on my part.
On the first day of my “diet” I met up with an old friend for lunch. The next day was spent with a friend from college who recently had a baby. Later in the week, I met a friend for coffee on her lunch break. You can facebook, tweet and text all you want, it might be quicker or more convenient, but there is no substitute for human interaction.
I committed myself to practicing Bikram yoga three days a week. I am learning, slowly, to embrace the stillness of a posture and to breathe during difficult situations.
I stopped carrying my phone everywhere. There is nothing so important that it can’t wait an hour or two.
I started taking my dog for longer walks. This winter served as a wake up call that she isn’t getting any younger. We are both benefiting from the extra miles.
What I have learned through this process is that, like with most things in life, there are trade offs. I have become more in tune with myself, but it has come at the expense of becoming somewhat disconnected from others who rely too heavily on social media to keep in touch.
And so, the onus falls on me, to strike that balance between staying true to myself and indulging in the world of others, a world in which I am not so fond of, a world in which I feel slightly out of place.
Monday, February 27, 2012
chit chat
D: I think I would like to wear a fairy costume. Do they make them in my size?
N: I betcha would look darling in one...curious what color fairy would you like?
D: I would be a baby blue fairy with silver sparkles.
N: Tights or bare legs?
D: Bare...I work hard for these legs!
N: With glitter and oil, ok ya!!
D: Totes. I want a wand that has a star at the end of it and it flashes...I have not yet determined the song it will play.
N: Flashes all colors or certain ones? And would it be instrumental music or with voice?
D: It would flash all colors, to the beat of the song that has yet to be determined...just instrumental, no voice...currently it is a toss up between the Chariots of Fire theme song, Flash Dance and It’s a Small World.
N: Haha...Chariots of Fire...yes! Perhaps you should have all three...that way you have more choices per mood. Question...What color tutu? What about footwear? Shoes, thongs?
D: My tutu would be white with silver sparkles and on my feet...Vibram Five Fingers, blue.
N: Multi-purpose shoes. Good investment...
D: Close. Obviously the shoes would be different and I’m not sure about the head band. Also I wouldn’t look that slutty.
N: I think I will start fairying, DAYMNUMN!!!
D: You know, there’s a name for people who look at that sorta stuff.
N: I looked up baby blue fairy in Google search...That was in the 5th page...Soooo...I think I would pay to see you dress up in your fairy outfit.
D: I would totally do it for free!
N: Really?!!! Oh my god...I just got that feeling of Christmas morning.
D: Once again, there’s a name for people like that.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Sidewalk Prophets
A friend of mine from Boston is visiting Philadelphia for a few days. Last night we went to dinner in Old City. It was a nice evening so we decided to walk the 20+ blocks back home. No more than five minutes into our walk, a man, sitting on the step of an abandoned building called out to us as we passed by. “Is there a thin line between love and hate?” he asked.I don’t quite remember what I said in response, but it started a conversation between us. Immediately, I was drawn in by this man’s eyes, the passion with which he spoke and the intensity in his demeanor. It wasn’t what he said so much as the way in which he said it.
When he finished speaking he asked us for spare change, what he considered “compensation” for sharing his story. I handed him what I had in my pocket, which wasn’t enough for the slice of pizza he was seeking. I told him we could walk down to the pizza place and I’d buy him a slice. As we were walking, we passed another restaurant. His eyes lit up when he said, “That place has the best ribs. Have you ever had them?” To which I replied,” No, but if what you really want is ribs, then let’s go in and I’ll buy you take out.” So, Natasha, Curtis, his associate (who had a wheeled suitcase) and I went into “Q BBQ & Tequila” and placed a to go order at the bar.
When he finished speaking he asked us for spare change, what he considered “compensation” for sharing his story. I handed him what I had in my pocket, which wasn’t enough for the slice of pizza he was seeking. I told him we could walk down to the pizza place and I’d buy him a slice. As we were walking, we passed another restaurant. His eyes lit up when he said, “That place has the best ribs. Have you ever had them?” To which I replied,” No, but if what you really want is ribs, then let’s go in and I’ll buy you take out.” So, Natasha, Curtis, his associate (who had a wheeled suitcase) and I went into “Q BBQ & Tequila” and placed a to go order at the bar.
While we were waiting, Curtis continued talk about his life, where he had been, what he had done and how he lost it all. In all honesty, I don’t know how much of his story was true and it didn’t really matter to me because the message he was trying to convey was valid. It struck a chord in me. These are the moments in life that I cherish the most, these chance meetings with strangers, people you have never met, yet they somehow “know” your story.
When the order was ready, we left the restaurant and walked down Chestnut Street. Curtis accompanied us for four blocks to the Liberty Bell, and then we parted ways. Before he left, he showed us a “secret handshake” that the people on the streets use. Our paths may never cross again, but I am thankful for this encounter and humbled, knowing that a short order of ribs wasn’t exactly a fair trade for the lesson he taught me.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
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