How My Mind Processes Data and Some Movement Down Chicago Way
Friday, August 22nd, 2008 | Posted in Family, Seasonal, Thoughts by Vanessa
On a side note, I am a little disappointed no one else commented on the last entry about cutting and self-injury. Some of you messaged me, some of you said nothing, but Justin was the only person to actually comment. His comment was thoughtful and heartfelt. I just hoped for more from you guys.
Crossing the street the other day, I noticed a main walking in the opposite direction. I glanced at him briefly and had the impression that his T-Shirt said “Bush” on it.
My Thought: Someone’s wearing a t-shirt that says Bush on it? Like the president? This has to be interesting.
My 2nd glance revealed the figure of person beneath the word with a fist raised triumphantly into the air and a sort of star behind it.
My Thought: Okay, that’s even weirder! Someone is wearing a shirt that says Bush on it that’s not derogatory, but instead is positive!? What’s going on here!?
You guessed it, I had to look at this poor fellow’s t-shirt a 3rd time to get the full gist of what was actually happening on his t-shirt! And then it all made sense. The shirt said “Rush” on it - not Bush (you can see the t-shirt here. I was a little off). The world was back to normal.
Justin and Ness in Chicago - January 2005*
So Wonderful Chicago
In other news, Val! had an interview in Chicago today for a freelance editing job. Not long after the interview, they called to offer her the gig. Wooohooo!!!! The job guarantees one month of solid editing work on a weekly series about gangs. I don’t know more than that, but I know it will allow her to be in Chicago which in itself is fabulous. It also allows her to be there when that glorious Midwestern city is welcoming Autumn in all it’s golden glory. Ahh… Lucky ducky.
And if everything goes as we hope, they’ll have more work for her after the first month. I’m not going to get into what she is getting paid for her hourly rate, but I will say it’s double what I make if I were to be paid hourly. That’s more than you can shake a stick at! Granted, it’s only guaranteed for one month, but who knows! Congratulations Val!!! Take that Windy City by storm!… and don’t be surprised when I come visit you for days at a time. ;)
*It would make more sense to use a photo of Val! and I from Chicago here, but upon checking Flickr and Picasa, I can’t seem to find one. :(
2 Comments on How My Mind Processes Data and Some Movement Down Chicago Way - Add yours!
OK, I really didn’t know where to start for a comment on the post about suicide. I would have ended up with a multi ‘page’ rambling most likely since I’ve never really been able to have a one size fits all opinion of it. I tend to vacillate between thinking it is, in most cases, like the childish mind saying “I’ll just kill myself and then you’ll be sorry” whilst thinking they’ll be around to see the resultant improvement in their circumstance; and, on the rather opposite end of the spectrum, I am, I suppose, more like Justin in that my feelings have mostly always been ‘as long as there’s life and breath there is hope’. And since you said the loss of hope was the basis, you thought, for the act itself my thoughts can’t really coexist with even the contemplation of suicide. This is not to say I haven’t been in deep dark holes of depression and despair at times. I think if you live at all you have those, for a multitude of reasons - some even being physiological ailments. I don’t know if the professionals would agree with your plan, as it were, to hang on, but, I think anything that works is great. It’s basically the old saying of when you get to the end of your rope just grab it and hang on. There has always been suicide but it’s gotten so prevalent lately and so much of it is young people that I have to wonder how much of it is caused more by the instant gratification times we live in and so many of them grew up in as well as the devaluation given to life itself in recent years. We are constantly bombarded with death, be it real as in the news or not real on TV, in movies and in games, I do think it serves to desensitize us to the finality of death. I won’t even get into any of the religious arguments. I will end this with you do make it better. You make it better by being you. You are the best you there could be. Everyone of us are. Now get the word out!
And, woohoo for Chicago! We know we love it we love it we can’t get enough of it. For those of you that haven’t had the pleasure, it’s like a more relaxed version of NYC. If you love the basic atmosphere, but, sometimes get rattled by the pace, then you’ll adore Chicago. I know I can’t wait to visit her. :D
I’m not proofing this, so, deal. But, I do apologize in advance for errors, rambling and quite possibly making no sense whatsoever.
August 27, 2008
Re Mom’s suicide comments:
“the instant gratification times we live in and so many of them grew up in as well as the devaluation given to life itself in recent years.”
I think these are both really interesting points about our current culture. Instant gratification and devastating devaluation - truly a bad combination.
Interestingly, the pace of NY doesnt bother me - but it is prolly cause I only work there and get to come home every night to trees and quietude. I am hoping Chicago will be its glorious self. It was nice to read yr thing from last yr nessy:)
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August 22, 2008