Life sucks, if you let it. But there are always two aspects to life - the sucky stuff and the fantastic stuff. Sometimes I need to hunt to find the fantastic stuff (whilst being bombarded by sucky stuff) but my mind-set is my decision, and I've made the decision to pull myself up and keep hunting. Even though:
My boyfriend just left the country
I don't know how to accomplish my dreams
I'm still learning to balance my time and energy
The flipside:
I have time to write today
All I need is patience and time and everything will work out
It's sunny! And I'm going to eat some vegetables =)
When I'm riding a tricky horse, lots of times things happen that are outside my control. The horse decides to gallop when I'd been planning on an easy trot; or stops dead; or decides to veer left instead of right around that pole. The best advice I heard was:
"Whatever happens, make it your decision."
Roll with it; reassess the situation; be willing to adapt and, most of all, keep moving forward.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Relationbird
I owe this analogy to one of my two awesome roommates:
Imagine you have a bird in your hand and this is your relationship. You want it really bad - you want to be close to it - so your instinct is to keep squeezing. You'll kill it though if you're unwilling to let go. The bond between you will allow the bird to keep landing on your open palm, and a relationship with that freedom will flourish. But you can't cling to anything out of stubbornness or fear.
And I owe this bit to a good friend:
You could say that a relationship won't work because it's long distance, but you could also say a relationship won't work when you decide to move in together. There are always going to be challenges. If you can't overcome them the issue is probably the relationship, not the circumstances.
In other news: the Seabus crashed the other day when I was on it. No one thinks this is big news if they're from Vancouver, but there were a bunch of tourists who thought it was hysterical. Everyone was laughing; nobody was hurt. Good times ^^
Imagine you have a bird in your hand and this is your relationship. You want it really bad - you want to be close to it - so your instinct is to keep squeezing. You'll kill it though if you're unwilling to let go. The bond between you will allow the bird to keep landing on your open palm, and a relationship with that freedom will flourish. But you can't cling to anything out of stubbornness or fear.
And I owe this bit to a good friend:
You could say that a relationship won't work because it's long distance, but you could also say a relationship won't work when you decide to move in together. There are always going to be challenges. If you can't overcome them the issue is probably the relationship, not the circumstances.
In other news: the Seabus crashed the other day when I was on it. No one thinks this is big news if they're from Vancouver, but there were a bunch of tourists who thought it was hysterical. Everyone was laughing; nobody was hurt. Good times ^^
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Balance
"Keep your horse between your hand and your leg"
Horses are herd animals. Because (in their minds) there is a constant threat of predators, they are most comfortable when they are moving forward. Many a green rider has had this lesson pounded into them - if a horse is upset and you force them to stop they will either A) Buck or B) Rear. The best thing to do is KEEP MOVING FORWARD to work out the issue.
However, there is a difference between "motion" and "running like hellfire". A rider can't chase the horse faster and faster and expect the frenzy to whip away all the horse's anxiety.
A common phrase (with my trainer, anyway) is to "keep your horse between your hand and your leg." Your leg is a cue to move forward; your hand is a cue to stop. When a horse is balanced in between your hand and your leg (not running, and not at a standstill) he will be at his most comfortable state of mind. He will be able to process information, be flexible and adaptable to any challenges you present him, completely alert, using his body effectively, and - most importantly - content. A happy horse is a good horse.
In my life I feel like I'm alternately at a full stop, and running like hellfire. My heart and my brain are in constant conflict. I know what I want - what I need - in my life. I need creativity; I need writing. I need God. I need my family. And I need Stuart. My heart has made up its mind - now my brain just needs to figure out how to realize these dreams in a world full of challenges and possibilities.
The challenges:
- Finding a job in a creative industry is tricky and takes time
- I need to find financial security
- Stuart is American, and legalities are ___ (insert fun word of your choice here)
- I don't know what I want to do as a career
The upside:
It doesn't have to be settled now. My stress comes from my impatience. Wanting to have everything laid out and settled within a week. I've been racing forward in spurts, rushing to try and get to a place where I can relax, but I've been burning myself out. I get tired and frustrated that I'm not accomplishing things, and come to a full stop - only to realize I've wasted time and mindlessly race forward trying to fork out writing samples and finished projects so I can check them off my list.
Writing doesn't work like that. Life doesn't work like that. I need to find my happy place, where I can balance my ambitions with coming to terms with where I am at present. Moving forward, but at a comfortable, sustainable pace.
Turtle. (I threw out that word in a conversation with Stuart. He asked if it meant anything. I said of course, while frantically inventing possible meanings for the word "turtle" that didn't involve the Master of Disguise or Finding Nemo or Austin Powers. ("Turtle" is mentioned in all those movies. Randomly.)) In this context, it's meaning relates to the Tortoise and the Hare's race. We'll not get into the difference between Turtles and Tortoises, other than the fact "turtle" is more fun to say. Randomly.
I'm done.
Happy Tuesday
Horses are herd animals. Because (in their minds) there is a constant threat of predators, they are most comfortable when they are moving forward. Many a green rider has had this lesson pounded into them - if a horse is upset and you force them to stop they will either A) Buck or B) Rear. The best thing to do is KEEP MOVING FORWARD to work out the issue.
However, there is a difference between "motion" and "running like hellfire". A rider can't chase the horse faster and faster and expect the frenzy to whip away all the horse's anxiety.
A common phrase (with my trainer, anyway) is to "keep your horse between your hand and your leg." Your leg is a cue to move forward; your hand is a cue to stop. When a horse is balanced in between your hand and your leg (not running, and not at a standstill) he will be at his most comfortable state of mind. He will be able to process information, be flexible and adaptable to any challenges you present him, completely alert, using his body effectively, and - most importantly - content. A happy horse is a good horse.
In my life I feel like I'm alternately at a full stop, and running like hellfire. My heart and my brain are in constant conflict. I know what I want - what I need - in my life. I need creativity; I need writing. I need God. I need my family. And I need Stuart. My heart has made up its mind - now my brain just needs to figure out how to realize these dreams in a world full of challenges and possibilities.
The challenges:
- Finding a job in a creative industry is tricky and takes time
- I need to find financial security
- Stuart is American, and legalities are ___ (insert fun word of your choice here)
- I don't know what I want to do as a career
The upside:
It doesn't have to be settled now. My stress comes from my impatience. Wanting to have everything laid out and settled within a week. I've been racing forward in spurts, rushing to try and get to a place where I can relax, but I've been burning myself out. I get tired and frustrated that I'm not accomplishing things, and come to a full stop - only to realize I've wasted time and mindlessly race forward trying to fork out writing samples and finished projects so I can check them off my list.
Writing doesn't work like that. Life doesn't work like that. I need to find my happy place, where I can balance my ambitions with coming to terms with where I am at present. Moving forward, but at a comfortable, sustainable pace.
Turtle. (I threw out that word in a conversation with Stuart. He asked if it meant anything. I said of course, while frantically inventing possible meanings for the word "turtle" that didn't involve the Master of Disguise or Finding Nemo or Austin Powers. ("Turtle" is mentioned in all those movies. Randomly.)) In this context, it's meaning relates to the Tortoise and the Hare's race. We'll not get into the difference between Turtles and Tortoises, other than the fact "turtle" is more fun to say. Randomly.
I'm done.
Happy Tuesday
Monday, November 9, 2009
Time
When I have time....
Finish Boo (novel)
Story analysis (Foundation Features)
Wedding Documentary
Variety show content for Blue Egg
Grey's Anatomy Spec
Paint
Finish a short film script
Finish Feature script #1, 2 and 3
Journalism articles
Write a musical
Watch Movies (Once) and TV (Heroes, Battlestar, Buffy)
Dance
Find a horse to hug
Bond with my boy =)
...all at once...
ah, bliss...
Finish Boo (novel)
Story analysis (Foundation Features)
Wedding Documentary
Variety show content for Blue Egg
Grey's Anatomy Spec
Paint
Finish a short film script
Finish Feature script #1, 2 and 3
Journalism articles
Write a musical
Watch Movies (Once) and TV (Heroes, Battlestar, Buffy)
Dance
Find a horse to hug
Bond with my boy =)
...all at once...
ah, bliss...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Short Films
Flowers Anonymous
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMbdUHIIgSU
Chocolate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sKM2Eas9oQ
Two Left Feet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94kYHydyDZk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMbdUHIIgSU
Chocolate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sKM2Eas9oQ
Two Left Feet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94kYHydyDZk
Story Editing
We were taught at school that pointing out the good is just as important as pointing out what could be improved with a script. (We never say "bad". School = political correctness. Ha! Right!)
If you tell a writer everything that's crappy about his/her script without pointing out the good bits:
a)they'll resent you and not listen to another word you say, even if your suggestions are good ones, and/or
b)they'll give up. Which would suck, because great scripts are only a result of a lot of work.
If you show them that you can appreciate everything they did right, they'll be more willing to appreciate that you know what you're talking about, and take your suggestions for improvement.
In summary:
If you want to insult someone effectively, compliment them first
so they know you understand them. They'll take the insult soo seriously.
Kidding!
What I meant to say:
Encouragement is underrated.
When I hand in my story-editing notes, even the positive feedback on my positive feedback is remarkably uplifting =)
If you tell a writer everything that's crappy about his/her script without pointing out the good bits:
a)they'll resent you and not listen to another word you say, even if your suggestions are good ones, and/or
b)they'll give up. Which would suck, because great scripts are only a result of a lot of work.
If you show them that you can appreciate everything they did right, they'll be more willing to appreciate that you know what you're talking about, and take your suggestions for improvement.
In summary:
If you want to insult someone effectively, compliment them first
so they know you understand them. They'll take the insult soo seriously.
Kidding!
What I meant to say:
Encouragement is underrated.
When I hand in my story-editing notes, even the positive feedback on my positive feedback is remarkably uplifting =)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Pumpkin Rice
Monday night I volunteered to make pie to bring to a dinner.
Realized Monday morning that I was volunteering at VIFF Monday night.
Made pie anyway.
3 pies, actually.
Kept one to eat.
Decided eating a whole pie by myself (one day's breakfast, lunch and dinner) wasn't enough. I had, after all, had 3 pies pass before my nose and I resisted eating two whole pies.
Made extra pie filling to eat by itself. (Too lazy to add dough.)
Accidentally spilled the salt in the extra, raw pie filling. Waaaay too salty.
Today- Made rice.
Had nothing to eat the rice with.
Saw raw pumpkin pie filling in fridge.
Learned that salty pumpkin pie filling and rice go extremely well together!
Pumpkin Rice
Filling:
1-3/4 cups (425 mL) pumpkin puree
1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (175 mL) evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2 mL) nutmeg
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each ground ginger and salt
Rice:
Cook some rice.
Combine. Eat. Don't blame me if you don't like it. The first bite was a pleasant surprise, but my bowl now looks a little too full to finish...
Realized Monday morning that I was volunteering at VIFF Monday night.
Made pie anyway.
3 pies, actually.
Kept one to eat.
Decided eating a whole pie by myself (one day's breakfast, lunch and dinner) wasn't enough. I had, after all, had 3 pies pass before my nose and I resisted eating two whole pies.
Made extra pie filling to eat by itself. (Too lazy to add dough.)
Accidentally spilled the salt in the extra, raw pie filling. Waaaay too salty.
Today- Made rice.
Had nothing to eat the rice with.
Saw raw pumpkin pie filling in fridge.
Learned that salty pumpkin pie filling and rice go extremely well together!
Pumpkin Rice
Filling:
1-3/4 cups (425 mL) pumpkin puree
1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (175 mL) evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2 mL) nutmeg
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each ground ginger and salt
Rice:
Cook some rice.
Combine. Eat. Don't blame me if you don't like it. The first bite was a pleasant surprise, but my bowl now looks a little too full to finish...
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