Ok, so my lent abstention from Facebook has really just turned into a lent abstention from abusing facebook. And it's been really healthy. I think it's even more valuable for me to practice balance than extreme sacrifice. Because balance can be maintained. Now I'd like to impose a limit on TV to one episode a day. But I'm too chicken. I can't find it in me.
Do I need to? I think I might need to? I have such a mountain of research to get through this week so I can distill all the information in the world into a meaningful outline of a Blog. A blog about Christian higher ed. And international education. And the shift from missionary modernists to missional postmodernists - from telling the four spiritual laws to tackling the four global burdens: AIDS, environmental degredation, poverty, and human rights abuses. A blog about Christian schools stuck in the 20th century and Christian schools modeling an internationalization of curriculum, staff, programming and ethos fit for the 21st century. A blog that challenges higher ed leaders to consider the uniquely Christian rationale to engage in internationalization, and to actively nurture critical global citizenship in their student bodies.
Ok, that was helpful. To list out what this blog is going to be about. Because it sure gets furry in my mind when I'm in the library scanning the shelves with wide eyes and a hungry mind. Hungry. Oooh, yeah, haven't had dinner yet! Ooops! Time flies when your... thinking hard.
Lovies to my lovely creative friendseseses!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Procrasti will NOT get me down.
Here's to the soy mocha and buzzing coffee-shop atmosphere
Here's to 3 cover letters I need to write. Scratch that.
Here's to 3 cover letter I WILL write.
Here's to my article I WILL make GREAT progress on today.
Somehow I accidentally opened this blog on my phone, so when I sat down at a table in Peregrine Espresso, I checked my phone and saw it. Well, I saw Tasha's slug post, to be exact. I giggled.
I thought: here's my pep talk! I'll check on my writing community!
Ok, I really need to draw from the energy here in the ether and away from Procrasti. I need to get through my work. No. Bask in my work, enjoy writing. I want to write, right? Yes. Ok.
Here's to you three. I think the very existence of this blog will help me get to it.
I'll let you know.
I'll start with the article.
Peace.
Here's to 3 cover letters I need to write. Scratch that.
Here's to 3 cover letter I WILL write.
Here's to my article I WILL make GREAT progress on today.
Somehow I accidentally opened this blog on my phone, so when I sat down at a table in Peregrine Espresso, I checked my phone and saw it. Well, I saw Tasha's slug post, to be exact. I giggled.
I thought: here's my pep talk! I'll check on my writing community!
Ok, I really need to draw from the energy here in the ether and away from Procrasti. I need to get through my work. No. Bask in my work, enjoy writing. I want to write, right? Yes. Ok.
Here's to you three. I think the very existence of this blog will help me get to it.
I'll let you know.
I'll start with the article.
Peace.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
San Francisco History + Martin Scorcese
Thinking about taking the summer off from school (I'll be working full time), & researching Sutro Baths & Adolph Sutro so Eames & I can start our screenplay. I know this is a totally random tangent, but it is like a fire burning within me. The story and the setting consume me with inspiration.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Can't. Move. My. Neck.
must stay signed out of facebook today. feel like atreyu's horse sinking to death in the never ending story swap. "artaxxxxx!" (wink @ erin for the x's) (wink at mallie for the NES reference) (wink at nicole so she doesn't feel left out) (wink at myself and finally realize what an idiot i'm being)
i wore a heavy backpack yesterday. fine. today, walking around my apt, getting ready for midday hulu yoga, i glanced @ the vicadin and considered how many months its been since i popped one. so many. then. within five min, my left neck seizes up and i cant turn my head. i do a few easy standing yoga poses in my living room anyway. in denial. then i ice for a little. go for a walk around the block. drink a cup of coffee @ jacob's on the corner. and now i'm icing again, terrified i'm gonna have to resort to a muscle relaxer which will completely decapitate my day. my aiming to be productive independent work day. eff. (i don't even know how to spell independent. that is suggestive i think.)
so i'm announcing my dilemma, hoping that the positive energy from (where do we even live now, since procrasti is in the past?)... here... will give me the will to truck on through the pain & narcotize later.
i wore a heavy backpack yesterday. fine. today, walking around my apt, getting ready for midday hulu yoga, i glanced @ the vicadin and considered how many months its been since i popped one. so many. then. within five min, my left neck seizes up and i cant turn my head. i do a few easy standing yoga poses in my living room anyway. in denial. then i ice for a little. go for a walk around the block. drink a cup of coffee @ jacob's on the corner. and now i'm icing again, terrified i'm gonna have to resort to a muscle relaxer which will completely decapitate my day. my aiming to be productive independent work day. eff. (i don't even know how to spell independent. that is suggestive i think.)
so i'm announcing my dilemma, hoping that the positive energy from (where do we even live now, since procrasti is in the past?)... here... will give me the will to truck on through the pain & narcotize later.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Walking is better than caffeine
I just returned to NBC News Channel after a stakeout at Rep. Massa's office (just announced his retirement today). We chased him down the hall and our cameraman hit a wall - oops! Ha.
Anyway, afterward, I had to get the tape back to our bureau STAT so we could feed it to our New York affiliate. So, I speed walked around the Capitol building feeling like Charlie with a golden ticket.
Instead of getting into a chocolate factory, though, my golden ticket got me appreciation from our assignment desk who immediately fed the tape.
All this to say: my feet are jittering, I'm sitting up straight. It's like I had a coffee! Tasha's theory was RIGHT. I'm going to walk instead of drink coffee from now on.
Anyway, afterward, I had to get the tape back to our bureau STAT so we could feed it to our New York affiliate. So, I speed walked around the Capitol building feeling like Charlie with a golden ticket.
Instead of getting into a chocolate factory, though, my golden ticket got me appreciation from our assignment desk who immediately fed the tape.
All this to say: my feet are jittering, I'm sitting up straight. It's like I had a coffee! Tasha's theory was RIGHT. I'm going to walk instead of drink coffee from now on.
My List
I apologize for my recent absence from the blog, but don't fear - I wasn't dragged back to Procrasti! Quite the opposite. I've been extremely busy making a film, interviewing people for articles and interning! I went to a congressional hearing (and watched lots of others) and wrote a few TV scripts - including one that was sent out for anchors to read nationwide (not sure if any did... but, hey, it was about Madam Tussaud's wax presidents, so not like vital news). Anyway, even though I've been MIA, the very existence of this little writing community has been so encouraging!!!!! Ok, here's my list.
20 (101 is too much for me!) Goals in 1001 Days
1. Finish my Master’s Degree
2. Publish a feature article
3. Make a documentary about my husband’s grandparents’ epic journey to escape North Korea right when the country split in half.
4. Finish at least 2 news packages for my NBC internship
5. Intern or work at NPR
6. Get a job I really like – preferably writing, filming or editing writing or film – that builds toward a career I’ll love
7. Buy a 2+-bedroom home wisely (i.e. monthly payment not too much of a stretch)
8. ……Maybe… have a baby… (hey, 1001 days and I’m 30!)
9. Go to a Supreme Court hearing for fun
10. Go to the Library of Congress
11. Ride my bike from DC to Mount Vernon (George Washington’s estate) with Joe
12. Go backpacking with Joe at least twice
13. Camp near the beach at Assateague (National Park w/ wild ponies)
14. Revise my young-adult novel The Doorway
15. Send The Doorway initially to at least 5 publishers once finished
16. Send The Doorway to 1 new publisher a month for six months thereafter
17. Travel in France with Joe
18. Get a video camera to make films for fun
19. Get Final Cut and other necessary hardware/software to make films for fun
20. Go to North Carolina’s Outer Banks (I MISS THE BEACH!)
20 (101 is too much for me!) Goals in 1001 Days
1. Finish my Master’s Degree
2. Publish a feature article
3. Make a documentary about my husband’s grandparents’ epic journey to escape North Korea right when the country split in half.
4. Finish at least 2 news packages for my NBC internship
5. Intern or work at NPR
6. Get a job I really like – preferably writing, filming or editing writing or film – that builds toward a career I’ll love
7. Buy a 2+-bedroom home wisely (i.e. monthly payment not too much of a stretch)
8. ……Maybe… have a baby… (hey, 1001 days and I’m 30!)
9. Go to a Supreme Court hearing for fun
10. Go to the Library of Congress
11. Ride my bike from DC to Mount Vernon (George Washington’s estate) with Joe
12. Go backpacking with Joe at least twice
13. Camp near the beach at Assateague (National Park w/ wild ponies)
14. Revise my young-adult novel The Doorway
15. Send The Doorway initially to at least 5 publishers once finished
16. Send The Doorway to 1 new publisher a month for six months thereafter
17. Travel in France with Joe
18. Get a video camera to make films for fun
19. Get Final Cut and other necessary hardware/software to make films for fun
20. Go to North Carolina’s Outer Banks (I MISS THE BEACH!)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Nin On Not Aspiring to a Coma
1... And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
2... Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living.
3... Good things happen to those who hustle.
4... Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.
5... Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
6... Living never wore one out so much as the effort not to live.
7... There is not one big cosmic meaning for all, there is only the meaning we each give to our life, an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel, a book for each person.
8... Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.
9... When you make a world tolerable for yourself, you make a world tolerable for others.
10... I am an excitable person who only understands life lyrically, musically, in whom feelings are much stronger as reason. I am so thirsty for the marvelous that only the marvelous has power over me. Anything I cannot transform into something marvelous, I let go. Reality doesn't impress me. I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, and when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls.
2... Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living.
3... Good things happen to those who hustle.
4... Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.
5... Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
6... Living never wore one out so much as the effort not to live.
7... There is not one big cosmic meaning for all, there is only the meaning we each give to our life, an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel, a book for each person.
8... Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.
9... When you make a world tolerable for yourself, you make a world tolerable for others.
10... I am an excitable person who only understands life lyrically, musically, in whom feelings are much stronger as reason. I am so thirsty for the marvelous that only the marvelous has power over me. Anything I cannot transform into something marvelous, I let go. Reality doesn't impress me. I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, and when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls.
Sex Between The Lines
Hmmm... Ok, going along with this week's theme of list making and full living, I like the idea of having the long-term lists you both speak of - but then being flexible enough to flirt with the list and discover which task you want to take you home that night / weekend / etc. We all know how it feels to be inspired & "taken" by an idea, and -while it's immensely helpful to organize our hopes & dreams in a list- I deeply feel that ACTUALIZING those dreams should involve desire and creative energy (whenever possible, of course) and not just a sense of duty to our future selves.
[Must take this moment to apologize for all the innuendos that are creeping into my sentences today. Can't. Help. Myself. Lusty virgin that I am, the full moon pulling on my desires.]
Erin, I am so energized by your experience organizing the art show & feeling the pay off. It's like, duh. Of course that would be gratifying. But, who has the time? But WHO regrets it once they sacrifice whatever mudane rituals that are wasting us away, and MAKE time? No one! Like, could you possibly wish, "If only I had surfed facebook albums or re-read that novel a 7th time instead of making a piece of art"? Can't imagine that scenario ever playing out. My experience @ this academic conference was similar. I put SO much time & mental exertion into the research & presentations, but was so un-believeably rewarded. Is there anything sweeter to hear than, "We've never seen anyone approach the topic that way before, and it is so desperately needed in our education system today." ? Not for me. For many people, yes. But this was a moment of ecstasy for me.
Ecstasy followed by sheer dread that maybe. Just maybe. I can accomplish anything I put my heart & mind to. That's terrifying. So you're saying I could... Yes. And I could even... Yes. That means all my wasting away truly IS sabotaging something grand. It's easier when sloth poses itself as my lot, rather than my crime.
I feel panicky over the idea of making a list just now. But yours (Erin on Watergallop & Nicole here) are like oxygen to me. When the stress of the last two weeks release their grip on my breathing muscles, I plan to join you. For now, carry on in the spirit of escape! Escaping gravity & poverty of spirit!
Right now, maybe more than ever, I feel the pleasure of Anais Nin on our group. Can she please be our patron saint? =-)
[Must take this moment to apologize for all the innuendos that are creeping into my sentences today. Can't. Help. Myself. Lusty virgin that I am, the full moon pulling on my desires.]
Erin, I am so energized by your experience organizing the art show & feeling the pay off. It's like, duh. Of course that would be gratifying. But, who has the time? But WHO regrets it once they sacrifice whatever mudane rituals that are wasting us away, and MAKE time? No one! Like, could you possibly wish, "If only I had surfed facebook albums or re-read that novel a 7th time instead of making a piece of art"? Can't imagine that scenario ever playing out. My experience @ this academic conference was similar. I put SO much time & mental exertion into the research & presentations, but was so un-believeably rewarded. Is there anything sweeter to hear than, "We've never seen anyone approach the topic that way before, and it is so desperately needed in our education system today." ? Not for me. For many people, yes. But this was a moment of ecstasy for me.
Ecstasy followed by sheer dread that maybe. Just maybe. I can accomplish anything I put my heart & mind to. That's terrifying. So you're saying I could... Yes. And I could even... Yes. That means all my wasting away truly IS sabotaging something grand. It's easier when sloth poses itself as my lot, rather than my crime.
I feel panicky over the idea of making a list just now. But yours (Erin on Watergallop & Nicole here) are like oxygen to me. When the stress of the last two weeks release their grip on my breathing muscles, I plan to join you. For now, carry on in the spirit of escape! Escaping gravity & poverty of spirit!
Right now, maybe more than ever, I feel the pleasure of Anais Nin on our group. Can she please be our patron saint? =-)
A thought I had while waiting for 200 photocopies in the copy room today staring into space
Maybe the reason that to-do lists have never helped me accomplish things is that I write them with such a grand, sweeping scope.
Because I have not been in the habit of keeping a regularly updated list of long and short term goals, along with daily tasks to accomplish them, when I set out to make a to-do list I mix together things that will take me years with things I really need to get done by next week. And then when I read it over it looks incredibly daunting so I go lie down with a novel I've read six times before.
So here's a shockingly obvious idea: I should keep updated lists of long, medium and short term goals... and I should break each one down into weekly tasks that are undaunting, exciting or at least do-able. Tasks that are covered by the instruction I've got on my wall "Don't avoid what is easy." (And I haven't forgotten about making Oblique Strategy paintings for uds! Don't worry! I'm getting them shipped from Procrasti shortly!)
This all seems really rigid and structured to me, but I see it as necessary if I want to become someone who regularly gets things done. The art show I helped organize with its documentary screening and discussion, and people asking me all about my painting and listening interestedly in my answers... that was so rewarding. I loved it. It brought home the idea that changing the way I've been living is worth it.
I think this post ties into Nicole's latest. I love the idea of 101 goals. I think without even trying I will hammer out at least 60 of them.
But so... do y'all have any suggestions for breaking down large and medium and small goals into smaller tasks? Ideally I would like to make a schedule of small tasks to follow. Maybe I could draw one up every Friday? Or Thursday? I don't want to waste any of Sunday doing it. Maybe Thursday would be good because it's nearly the weekend but not an evening when I'm usually social.
But so how do I pick which goals to work on which weeks? I think it would be good to break them into categories: like writing, visual art, finance, employment, healthy living, etc. And then to rotate which art categories get worked on each week so I stay interested. And to keep important ones like finance in my task schedule every week.
Hmm. Hmm, hmm. Thoughts?
Because I have not been in the habit of keeping a regularly updated list of long and short term goals, along with daily tasks to accomplish them, when I set out to make a to-do list I mix together things that will take me years with things I really need to get done by next week. And then when I read it over it looks incredibly daunting so I go lie down with a novel I've read six times before.
So here's a shockingly obvious idea: I should keep updated lists of long, medium and short term goals... and I should break each one down into weekly tasks that are undaunting, exciting or at least do-able. Tasks that are covered by the instruction I've got on my wall "Don't avoid what is easy." (And I haven't forgotten about making Oblique Strategy paintings for uds! Don't worry! I'm getting them shipped from Procrasti shortly!)
This all seems really rigid and structured to me, but I see it as necessary if I want to become someone who regularly gets things done. The art show I helped organize with its documentary screening and discussion, and people asking me all about my painting and listening interestedly in my answers... that was so rewarding. I loved it. It brought home the idea that changing the way I've been living is worth it.
I think this post ties into Nicole's latest. I love the idea of 101 goals. I think without even trying I will hammer out at least 60 of them.
But so... do y'all have any suggestions for breaking down large and medium and small goals into smaller tasks? Ideally I would like to make a schedule of small tasks to follow. Maybe I could draw one up every Friday? Or Thursday? I don't want to waste any of Sunday doing it. Maybe Thursday would be good because it's nearly the weekend but not an evening when I'm usually social.
But so how do I pick which goals to work on which weeks? I think it would be good to break them into categories: like writing, visual art, finance, employment, healthy living, etc. And then to rotate which art categories get worked on each week so I stay interested. And to keep important ones like finance in my task schedule every week.
Hmm. Hmm, hmm. Thoughts?
A Good Idea, per Tasha's Request
I told Tasha about a project I am working on for my blog. It's called 101 in 1001 and the idea is to list 101 things you want to accomplish in the next 1001 days. My problem is that I only want to accomplish uninteresting-and-should-be-done-already-anyway type things (cleaning my car, organizing the closet, etc.)
So... I think this could be a good project for all of us to do. After all list are good things for refugees of Procrasti to have, right? Plus, you are all cool fun girls so I can be inspired by your lists and hopefully complete mine!
Here are the official instructions and my list so far.
The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
1. Open an etsy store
2. Go to Idaho
3. Lose 100 pounds
4. Be featured on a wedding blog
5. Blog everyday for a month
6. Go to the beach everyday for a month
7. Learn to play the blues harmonica
8. Get photos of myself taken by Jasmine Star
9. Attend WPPI in Las Vegas, NV
10. Write a letter to myself to open at the end of 1001 days
11. Go on a road trip
12. Finish decorating my room
13. Go to a Jose Villa Workshop
14. Do a photo shoot in film
15. Develop all of the old film I found when I moved
16. Go on a missions trip
17. Get a video camera and make cool movies
18. Take a photo walk around San Clemente
19. Go squid fishing
20. Do a bridal shoot at Salton Sea
21. Record video of my dad telling stories
22. Go Kite Surfing
23. Put $10,000 into a savings account
24. Finish a journal full of stories from my childhood
So... I think this could be a good project for all of us to do. After all list are good things for refugees of Procrasti to have, right? Plus, you are all cool fun girls so I can be inspired by your lists and hopefully complete mine!
Here are the official instructions and my list so far.
The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
1. Open an etsy store
2. Go to Idaho
3. Lose 100 pounds
4. Be featured on a wedding blog
5. Blog everyday for a month
6. Go to the beach everyday for a month
7. Learn to play the blues harmonica
8. Get photos of myself taken by Jasmine Star
9. Attend WPPI in Las Vegas, NV
10. Write a letter to myself to open at the end of 1001 days
11. Go on a road trip
12. Finish decorating my room
13. Go to a Jose Villa Workshop
14. Do a photo shoot in film
15. Develop all of the old film I found when I moved
16. Go on a missions trip
17. Get a video camera and make cool movies
18. Take a photo walk around San Clemente
19. Go squid fishing
20. Do a bridal shoot at Salton Sea
21. Record video of my dad telling stories
22. Go Kite Surfing
23. Put $10,000 into a savings account
24. Finish a journal full of stories from my childhood
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