The Cod and the Catfish

This is the story of the Cod fish. Years ago cod fish were placed in railcars, and shipped to the East coast. Shipped alone these fish would arrive with mushy skin, and bland flavor. The cod had a natural enemy, the catfish. So exporters started shipping catfish within the tanks. The catfish then chased the cod just as they would in their natural surroundings. When the cod arrived they we're cooked, and found to be fresh and flaky. Thus the catfish, kept the cod, on their toes. You could say there are catfish, and cod fish, in life. You could say that they exist to keep us moving, and make us aware. You could say we need the catfish. You could ask what is life is with out them. You could wonder who we become. You could ponder the creation of another life. You could do all these things, but first you have to define who you are. Would you rather chase or be chased?

Lesson #24: Whatever you do keep moving.

Right and Wrong

We are constantly learning the difference between right and wrong. It's easy when the answer is black and white, but my world is a constant grey. When I was 6, I used to lie like crazy, creative exaggerations and outlandish tales. I once told Lindsey Hopkins that I had 12 brothers and sisters. I also pretended to be related to the cool kids, and up until 4th grade I attended a class at Oppe that was designed for kids from broken homes. I once heard someone say "My mom got the letter in the mail," which was apparently some kind of divorce letter, so I repeated that so I could get out of class and attend the counseling sessions. I think at some point, they just kept me in the classes, because they thought I was a little off my rocker. Of course that was pretty innocent, and a little nutty, but a clear black and white representation of right and wrong. It's all grey these days. The reasons are much more complicated. Sometimes I have no idea what the right answer is. I get confused and turned around, life is way different when you grow up, but I spoon my dog, and do the best I can.

Lesson #23: Seek the truth.

Put your dukes up.

"We are twice armed if we fight with faith."

-Plato

Dispite every effort to remain the contrary, I've never been one of those quiet girls. You probably don't want to get me started. I defintiely won't fain demure. I'll always be a little out of the box. Hold on a second I think I have a point. We're totally gonna hash it out. Let's talk about it.

Lesson #22: Don't hide your light under a bushel 

 

Pursuit of Happiness

Tell me what you know about dreaming...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQMJCOT2wlQ

Sometimes it seems like happiness is just out of reach. I must have been programmed wrong. I keep wanting more. I have everything I need, but its never enough. Do you know what it's like to always feel like somethings missing? Well I do. I'll turn over everything till it appears. I'll go on all the dates, I'll find a hobby, I'll sleep in and wake up early; I'll be a good person, I'll say a prayer, I'll start a blog. Still not satisfied, I'll go out of my head. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me, maybe I'm more normal than I seem? I have hope. Hope I'll find what I'm looking for. I know I'll be fine once I get it. Once I find it I'll be good.

Lesson #21: Dare to Dream.

If I had wings...

I would fly away. Somewhere where things seem easier. I'd live a life of flight, where problems only existed in the breeze. Sometimes being upbeat wears me out. I don't feel like it today. Today I want to be a bird. I don't want to explain who I am. I'd rather take to the sky. There is nothing like the wind in your wings, the upward draft that takes you far, far away. I never want to be reached, I want to stay up there forever.

Lesson #20: Grow wings.

Life & Style

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

-Coco Chanel

The world of fashion is a vast place. I love things that look interesting, maybe a little weird and dark. Vintage pieces and awkward hunches. As far as I'm concerned it's ok to look a little odd. It's part of what I love about Austin, you can wear a burlap sack with a sash and as long as you love it, you too can find someone who shares the love. The band of gypsies that exist on South Congress can tell you, nothing ever goes completely out of style. Flowered hankies, see through materials, classic lines, and muted colors. It's all about finding what you love, so screw the people who tell you not to wear white after labor day, tell them to stick it, find your own style.  

Lesson #19: Just be yourself. 

Did you hear that?

Music is subjective, transformative, delusional, and hectic. It swings like a pendilum, you're wise to swing with it. Just once in your life attend a festival, walk the grass, search for shade, chug water, and hardly eat. Shop the wares of gypsies, meet somewhere in the middle. Bring nothing with you, leave with everything you've ever needed. Push your self to find that one harmony, whatever it is that makes you feel whole. Never close your eyes, don't miss a thing. The hippie people, the faries, the hats and the sunglasses, the colors and the mutted scribbed t-shirts. We're all looking for something, find it in the crowd of flapping flags. Make an effort to become a pro at getting lost, never knowing the next step, follow the crowd, or plan every moment, it's all the same once you enter the gate. 

Lesson # 18: Learn to listen.