My life in a small box
An idea stolen from my friend Paige's journal...
Ten years ago, I:
1. Accidently bodychecked the school bully into the lacrosse-rink boards, and got severely beaten as a result, while my gym teacher watched and did nothing.
2. Had the same musical taste as my dad: Hendrix, Beatles, Grateful Dead, The Jam, The Clash...
3. Had a best friend who I hung out with 7 days a week, who later dropped me cold because his new girlfriend didn't like me.
Five years ago, I:
1. Nearly broke down when my incredible friends made me a necrophilia-themed birthday gift basket.
2. Spent my Friday afternoons and evenings drinking with friends in a tiny, cramped student office.
3. Was the Sound Designer for a mainstage show at my university.
One year ago, I:
1. Began realizing how important my friends are, and how important it is to keep those connections.
2. Felt like it was time to get a move on.
3. Was just beginning to appreciate the freedom my freelance status brings.
So far this year, I've:
1. Focussed in on what I want to be doing in the next year or two.
2. Designed the lights for 3 great plays and one cool music festival.
3. Travelled to the US, UK and Europe. Loved (almost) every minute.
Yesterday, I:
1. Saw a film that may be pseudo-science but made me think a lot.
2. Swallowed a lot of pride and admitted to my girlfriend that I was really, really wrong.
3. Was a lazy bum and read every journal and blog ever written.
Today, I:
1. Sat in on a class taught by an amazing teacher. I've shown up so many times in the last three years that it doesn't even surprise him. We talk about his recent trip to Cairo.
2. Felt like I'm in touch with my instinctive lighting-sense.
3. Sat in a cool new garden at CMU and ate cheap, tasty Indian food.
Tomorrow, I will:
1. Prepare to leave Pittsburgh. *sigh*
2. Try to honour the memory of my relatives and others who fought in wars, none of which I can honestly say were justified.
3. Check my e-mail about 300 times.
In one year, I will:
1. Be a respected professional lighting designer in my own town.
2. Have found a way to legally work in the USA.
3. Be turning away work thanks to interest generated by my snazzy website.
In five years, I will:
1. Not be living in Vancouver. Where? Maybe New York.
2. Have moved beyond the worrying phase of my career.
3. Still be learning, but may be able to teach too.
In ten years, I will:
1. Look back at this entry and laugh.
2. Still be in touch with my friends from now.
3. Sit in a cafe in the mid-afternoon, think of my incredible show that's opening that night, sip a beer and smile.
Ten years ago, I:
1. Accidently bodychecked the school bully into the lacrosse-rink boards, and got severely beaten as a result, while my gym teacher watched and did nothing.
2. Had the same musical taste as my dad: Hendrix, Beatles, Grateful Dead, The Jam, The Clash...
3. Had a best friend who I hung out with 7 days a week, who later dropped me cold because his new girlfriend didn't like me.
Five years ago, I:
1. Nearly broke down when my incredible friends made me a necrophilia-themed birthday gift basket.
2. Spent my Friday afternoons and evenings drinking with friends in a tiny, cramped student office.
3. Was the Sound Designer for a mainstage show at my university.
One year ago, I:
1. Began realizing how important my friends are, and how important it is to keep those connections.
2. Felt like it was time to get a move on.
3. Was just beginning to appreciate the freedom my freelance status brings.
So far this year, I've:
1. Focussed in on what I want to be doing in the next year or two.
2. Designed the lights for 3 great plays and one cool music festival.
3. Travelled to the US, UK and Europe. Loved (almost) every minute.
Yesterday, I:
1. Saw a film that may be pseudo-science but made me think a lot.
2. Swallowed a lot of pride and admitted to my girlfriend that I was really, really wrong.
3. Was a lazy bum and read every journal and blog ever written.
Today, I:
1. Sat in on a class taught by an amazing teacher. I've shown up so many times in the last three years that it doesn't even surprise him. We talk about his recent trip to Cairo.
2. Felt like I'm in touch with my instinctive lighting-sense.
3. Sat in a cool new garden at CMU and ate cheap, tasty Indian food.
Tomorrow, I will:
1. Prepare to leave Pittsburgh. *sigh*
2. Try to honour the memory of my relatives and others who fought in wars, none of which I can honestly say were justified.
3. Check my e-mail about 300 times.
In one year, I will:
1. Be a respected professional lighting designer in my own town.
2. Have found a way to legally work in the USA.
3. Be turning away work thanks to interest generated by my snazzy website.
In five years, I will:
1. Not be living in Vancouver. Where? Maybe New York.
2. Have moved beyond the worrying phase of my career.
3. Still be learning, but may be able to teach too.
In ten years, I will:
1. Look back at this entry and laugh.
2. Still be in touch with my friends from now.
3. Sit in a cafe in the mid-afternoon, think of my incredible show that's opening that night, sip a beer and smile.
posted by Mike at 1:43 PM
2 Comments:
What an amazing exercise. I hope you realize your dreams. Reminds me of how we should be aware of the Seven Generations. Think about the three before you, the current generation, and the three after you... (greatgrand-, grand-, parents, you, children, grand-, and greatgrandchildren)... from whom you gain and upon whom you grant your influence.
- Sophia
GalABQ@netscape.net
Yes, it was really interesting to think about how things have changed so much over such a relatively small period of time.
We'd probably all be a lot less prone to rashness if we did consider the ramifications of our actions, and the actions of those who have come before us. But then I suppose it's the rash decisions that make for the most radical changes, and honestly I don't think I could stay on my toes for that long - weak feet. :)
Post a Comment
<< Home