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Dare You To Move
My first movement assignment in acting school was assigned the title “Rites of Passage” We were allowed to choose music and do a movement piece. No talking no singing no dancing. This was not dance class, this was movement class. I chose a piece where I was waking up in a place I didn’t recognize, then I’d move in slow motion having a good time. The music changed and I went back to normal pacing. I’d travel around the room, I’d smile and look at “things” and I’d jump around, what-have-you. Then I was “hit” by something and I moved in slow motion again. I came to a realization, then I became scared and sad and went back to normal pacing. I re-traced my previous steps and found the “door” then found what would give me answers. I can only hope the story I had told made sense to those who watched. At the end of the movement piece there was a realization: I had to lay back down in the exact position and wait. Then I simulated being shocked via defibrillators.
Sometimes it takes some kind of shockwave to wake us up. We function. I function. I do well, for the most part. And I am priveleged. I am. I have a good job and make enough money to have a roof over my head, I have food every day and drinkable water. I have indoor plumbing–I really enjoy indoor plumbing. I don’t see myself as an outdoorsy kind of gal. But sometimes it takes a shock to remind me of everything else. Things that some people may call small, and others would call a dream. It’s important to take some of the accomplishments you…I…have made into consideration in order to realize who I am, where I’ve come from and how far I’ve come, regardless of how anyone else would measure it. I have made some accomplishments in my life. It’s time for a shock.
Clear.
I live in New York City. In Manhattan. I’ve been here for 4 1/2 years. Where I had been barely scraping by for the first couple of years, this apartment is now in my name. And I have repainted every single room and cleaned every corner and scrubbed every floor making it a clean and warm home for the others that live with me.
Clear.
My CA state esthetician license does not transfer, so when I moved here I had to take the NY state licensing exam without NY state preparation. I took the written exam and passed, and I took the practical exam and passed. I did not have to retake either of these. This honors the teachers I had while in school, in addition to my personal want to succeed in this industry. During my time in school I had to take a 60-day leave of absence. During this time friends at home allowed me to practice what I knew (mistakes and learning curves along the way). During this time I studied on my own. During this time I drank a lot of booze with my friend. We called it the Summer of Imbibe, because during this time I was also separated from my then-husband and preparing to return to school while going thru a divorce.
Clear.
I survived a divorce. Granted we didn’t have many years together, or any major assets but I did love this guy and told him I’d be with him for a long time. And after realizing we never built a solid foundation, we never discussed big things like kids and money and how to spend it. We didn’t do a lot of growing together. We liked each other, loved each other, got married, realized it wasn’t going to work out because we wanted different things and we wanted them in different ways. So we split up. And I was almost done with esthetician school in October 2008. I stayed in my car and at a classmates house for a few days before graduating on November 4, 2008. I clocked out for the last time, accruing the necessary 600 hours to pass the course and completing all the services I was supposed to complete, then got in my car that was packed full of everything I had left and drove 6 1/2 hours home to the Central Coast. I survived it
Clear.
I graduated from a vigorous intense 2-year acting program. I was in attendance from 2005-2007. I lost friends while attending because they didn’t think I was giving them enough time and attention during their life-altering pieces of life. I didn’t see my family and they lived less than 15 miles away–I even lived with my sister and rarely saw her. There are some people in my life that like to make light of my time at PCPA. That it’s something they were accepted in to and didn’t agree with because acting “wasn’t about learning to be still like a tree and trying to ground myself like a tree.” They quit the program. There are some that were courted to audition and attend, and they didn’t. There are some that I was surprised to learn had attended the program. I too was “found,” and encouraged to audition for the program. Over 1,000 people auditioned the year I did and they accepted 28. During my two years there 2 or 3 students were released from the program or left for personal reasons leaving 25ish of us to graduate together and I’ll tell you this: only those people will ever really know what I went through. No matter what school you went to, no matter if you went to the same school as I did at different times. My experience will never be the same as some one else’s. And…I learned, after time, to weigh the validity of this program on my own and to not listen to what others had to say. I learned stillness and silences are earned when you’re on a stage and quite frankly if you can’t get grounded you’ll never really learn to earn that stillness and those silences. Earlier this year I said something on fb about being better than some people thought or knew, because they’ve never seen me really work, and a professor from that time responded to me that I was better than *I* thought. And I was extremely humbled.
Clear.
I lived in Burbank, CA for a year and a half. I juggled 2 jobs one of which was a 45-mile commute in one direction. My main reason to be there was to pursue TV/Film and Print Modeling. I had a manager. I had an agent. I went on many, many auditions. I was called back many times. I booked sometimes. Although this subject is touchy for me, and it’s been a decade since my time there…a decade…I need to recognize that I went and juggled all of this in my twenties. It was my first time away from my friends and family. Although I had a couple friends near by, it did feel like a huge risk. Leaving my comfort zone, my safe zone in pursuit of something that many deem as “crazy” was important. Still is.
Clear.
Clear.
Quiet.
Murmur. Pulse. Steady.
Steady.
Breathing.
Functioning.
Focusing.
Remembering.
Clear.
I have loved. I love still. I have experienced heart ache. I have experienced pure joy and enormous laughter with my friends and siblings and my mommie and my dadda and my aunties and uncles and cousins and now with my nephews and soon with my niece.
Clear.
I’ve been drinking more water, not just because I can but because I should. I’ve been eating better food, not just because I can but because I should. I’ve been seeking out ways to exercise that connect me to my body without me trying to use my brain to convince myself to get moving–I found kickboxing and go about twice a week. Soon I will need to introduce something like Yoga or Pilates because of my back problems. My back is not broken, but I have received a semi-wake-up call on the structure and strength of my body that I must address, and so I shall because I can and I should.
Clear.
Breathing.
Pulse.
Rest.
Prepare.
Go.
Hiding in Realizations, how about you?
A friend of mine likes to chime-in in the middle of conversations with this gem “here’s the thing…” which is always her way of somehow finding the funny part, the ironic part, or the lesson in something…anything.
With her crossing my mind, I have this to say:
Here’s the thing…about leaving your friends and family to move across the nation for a fresh start:
I’m alone.
I”m alone out here. I moved out here four years and four months ago. I was accepted to Marymount Manhattan, a college, to finish a Bachelors degree in theatre–which I quit and didn’t pursue after one year enrolled. I moved in with a friend that I’d known since we were 12. Two of them, actually. I had two friends in NYC that I could crawl up to and be coddled by during my transition. I left a man behind. A man that, at the time, I cared a great deal for. I fell for him quickly. We crossed paths several times during my twenties, and the timing was never right. I was always flattered by his attention, but remained faithful to whomever I was involved with. Time had lined up…ish…and we began dating on St. Patrick’s day, 2010.
I moved to NYC in May 2010. This man was still a part of my life. He claimed love for me. He said he wanted to come visit me over the next couple of years while I was in school, and bid me to come home to him. And he’d love me, and give me the daughter I always thought I’d have.
A month after I moved here he broke up with me during a video chat session. After all his years of flattery, and kindness, and patience…after he said he loved me–he quit on me.
But my friends were there to baby me. We were only dating for a brief time so I was able to get past it without disappearing mentally and emotionally.
I dove into school and work. I sometimes opened my store early, then would go to class, then come back and close my store. All for $9/hour plus about an “extra” $5 in tips per week. My friend did her best to help me. She took me out for cocktails. We stayed home and had girls night In. We dyed eachothers hair as our roots grew in. She helped me with rent and bills and train rides. She took care of me, when I could not take care of myself. She let me laugh and cry, as she had for the past almost 20 years at that point. She was one of my best friends. After living together for a couple of years, she moved on. Life happens, opportunity knocks and …we can’t exist in one way forever, really. She wanted to marry her boyfriend/fiance (they’d been together for YEARS by now) and have kids. She wanted to have her kids in her hometown…our…hometown, where her siblings were, where her kids would grow up with their cousins and aunties and uncle near by. I absolutely could not blame her.
But I can’t go back there.
I don’t see myself there.
My family, my friends, they are all there. They are all in my hometown.
Here’s the thing…
I’m alone.
I have loved while living here. I had fallen for a man that I was ridiculously in love with. He was the first man I was so stupid for I wanted to marry him and have babies. ME. Babies??? He did not want to marry ever again, and he had a kid from his first marriage and said that kid was “enough.” He didn’t want anymore kids. Now that time has passed, I’m so glad we broke up. His depression and alcoholism were toxic in my life. He broke my heart on more than one occasion. I’ve been unable to just let that part go, and consistently wish the worst for him. One of these days I’ll think of him and actually forgive him. For now, I rarely think of him ,and when I do–I hope his life is shitty. Shrug. He said he loved me and moved out. He said he loved me and needed to be alone then moved on to another girl three weeks later. This is the kind of guy that said “when I’m having sex with her I think of you” Gross, right?
Here’s the thing…
My family and friends are all in my hometown, and I am alone here
There is nothing for me in my hometown EXCEPT my family and friends. I can’t move home and earn a good enough living and feel important and appreciated and acknowledged. That town is just too small for me. The people I miss fill my heart, the place they live in isn’t big enough for me. It doesn’t offer enough for me
I don’t know what “enough” is.
And I am alone here.
My best friends moved home. For the better–for them. And I have finally begun growing here. Not that they were EVER holding me back. I am so glad they were here when I first got here. They were a great help. Now, I have been growing and learning and figuring out life, on my own. Life, as I will know it.
This past year I’ve settled in nicely with my own life. I’m working in my field of “expertise.” I’m in school for something that compliments my career, the apartment lease is in my name, and my housemates are good; responsible people. My credit score is slowly coming out of the ditches…
But..
Yes, I’m alone here.
I don’t know HOW to make new friends. Me and my old friends share Old Memories, we don’t make new ones. Whenever I go home to visit and we spend time together, it’s 1)limited, and 2)talking about old times… 90% of my friends are now married with kids, or one of those…
Single, and alone.
Guys ACTUALLY say to me “why are you single?” or “how are you single?”
And the truth is Because I can’t be bothered with pansies–like yourself.
I’m alone here.
Gee, I wonder why.
Possibly because I don’t actually engage in the art of meeting new people or actually committing to them. Possibly because I don’t think ANYONE I ever meet will ever become a Good Friend, or Mate, and therefore they are not actually worth the time it would take to “get” or “understand” me.
The people I meet now, I feel like I’m hiding from them. I hide behind the Jameson, or silly comments. I hide behind the sarcasm and “rules” that “as long as you are a co-worker or class mate you cannot be a friend” because I don’t want to complicate things. I hide behind some kind of scrim, or screen that filters my reflection. It filters my gaze and my breath. It filters…everything I am. And the people that I meet only see a small percentage of The Real Me.
Here’s. The. Thing
I’m Alone here.
Where are you?
Hedwig got me wet, a story of falling for a woman
I work saturdays.
Winning the lottery that one time to see Hedwig starring Neil Patrick Harris was extremely rare. People don’t just go around winning lotteries and prizes very often. And it’s never you, you know? Well, it was never me. Well–it’s rarely me. I won a TV once when I was 19. I won my in-class spelling bee in elementary school a few times. And in 8th grade my Odyssey of the Mind Team won for regionals, losing State by a couple points due to a misquote. Man, that changed my look on quotes FOREVER. But, that was all before adulthood. As far as being the winner of random selection, it’s not me. It’s never me.
It never was me.
Then I won the lottery to see Hedwig and the Angry Inch and my attitude slightly changed.
My housemate, on the other hand, is all too familiar with winning the lottery. She won the lottery twice in one week while her mom was visiting, her mom won once, so at that point she’d seen it three times. Then, I won and we went together. Then she bought a ticket for closing weekend. So she’d seen it five times (I believe) at this point. This point meaning, this last saturday 8/23rd when I was at work, I got a text from her
“I won AGAIN!!” showtime was at 8p. We’d be seeing Andrew, the guy who had taken over the title of Hedwig upon NPH’s departure. We agreed to meet near the Starbucks on the corner of 42nd/6th Avenue. It was 7:15p.
by 7:30p we were in line and heading in, we were directed to our seats but decided best to use the facilities first.
Row three was where we needed to go to get to our seats–then all…the…way…forward…to the Second Row. Center.
Who the hell am I living with?? How did win the Lottery AGAIN. How did we score THESE tickets???
The only other time I’d ever been this close to a stage, on the audience side of it, was when I went to see John Mayer at the Santa Barbara Bowl in 2002. I waited in line for 5 hours that time. General admission, heh.
And here we were. maybe 3 feet from the stage.
8pm: Hedwig was being lowered to the stage via some wire contraption. I recognized the costume from the previous time I’d gone. I wasn’t necessarily expecting a difference, but I don’t know what fits and what doesn’t. I don’t know…anything. I’d done musical theatre for ten years, and it was as though I’d never been to a performance more than once before.
He looked great. She? Hair, make up, clothes. Everything was great. Even the bandaid we could see on the actors knee, no doubt from working his way into the role and on to the stage in three days time. Her jokes are similar. I get it, it’s a script, but some of it is delivered differently. Some of the lines are improvised each night, I believe, because there’s always someone different, there’s always something different. We were introduced to the The Booth, and the people in it were instructed to watch for The Ghost. I flashed -back to when I was up there, and wondered if they would say anything or play along, and what Hedwig’s response would be. But I didn’t want to rush to it, I wanted to enjoy EVERY SINGLE SECOND in being thisclosetothestage.
What I also was able to notice was the facial expressions on everyone else on the stage this night. I was able to see the 2 band members that previously were blocked out of my view (partial view, that balcony/booth seat). I was able to see the door that was opened and closed whenever “Tommy Gnosis” was referenced. I could see the car better, the drum set. I saw that the straws in her drinks were not the fun-bendy straws. I was so close. I could see the laces on her shoes. The cuff in her pants, the black tie was actually leather looking this close. Her jacket and collared shirt. Fingerless gloves. Was she also in a hoodie? How may layers did she have on? No, not Hedwig–I was staring at Yitzhak. Hedwig’s “husband, friday through thursday” I could see her sideburns, and the whispy straggler hair that dangled in front of her face. She moves like a guy. Had I never known the actor was a girl, and the character was a girl, I would say it was a guy. Good lookin’ guy, no doubt. Pale skin. Those eyebrows. Thick and dark. The kind that when lifted look like, well–a drawbridge. When she spoke earlier her accent was heavy. I’d watch her most of the performance, actually. I’d be watching Hedwig, then glance over and see what Yitzhak was doing. Staring at Hedwig, and achey stare. Not just giving the attention to Hedwig, but longing for Hedwig’s attention as well.
I am fascinated.
I am so close I can see the blue-glittered sweat trickling down Hedwigs face. The thick coat of foundation and pink rouge angling her face. Her accent is fun, her one-liners are funny, her relationship with the audience is great. We are all on board. She kicks and climbs and sings and dances. She’s a bit more careful on the stage. Literally. Maybe not used to the heels? Who am I to judge, I certainly could’ve broken an ankle or a leg had I attempted to jump off a car in five inch heels, so believe me–I’m rootin’ for her. I’m engaged. I also cannot stop glancing over to watch Yitzhak…sitting. Sometimes sitting, sometimes standing and singing, rocking out. Twisting and jumping, always on the watch for Hedwig and her movements. Her mic cable under constant Yitzhak-supervision. It’s choreographed, but not. The tambourine hitting hands and legs, hard. I wonder if there are bruises on her leg, on Yitzhak’s legs. I’m watching this guy, and know it’s a girl, and can’t stop staring. 
I stare as he (she..) slowly grabs one of Hedwig’s wigs and caresses the hair and smells it, it’s hilarious. He’s so committed (she)…Never once trying to steal any looks, just–on tour with Hedwig, whom he loves. She loves.
My head is a mess and I’m laughing and I’m enjoying the show. And Hedwig is standing front and center talking and I glance over at Yitzhak…and all of a sudden–I’m wet.
Water has been dumped on me? No, spat on me. Hedwig, drank her water and like a fountain, steamed a solid amount from her mouth all over me. Everyone laughs. I’m brought back to Hedwig, also laughing. I glance up and Hedwig is staring right at me and I open my mouth with laughter and wipe at my face and chest smearing all this saliva covered water over my arms and clothes. She says something about it being a “rock and roll gesture” then she corrected herself and said it was a “Heavy Metal gesture” and followed with “do you want to see a punk rock gesture” to which I shook my head No..(knowing what was happening next) and Hedwig went for more water–a LOT more water…then instead of spitting it all over me let it dribble out of her mouth all over her. hahahah Then she explains “It’s the direction of aggression that defines it.”
We are all laughing. She walks away. I am drenched and all of a sudden he is a couple feet from me. He ran to the center of the stage with towels cleaning up the water. He…She…she’s fast and intentional and on her hands and knees, parallel to the audience with her head to House right (stage left for some of you…). I am then transitioned into slow motion, because she is looking directly at me. I am frozen. I know that my mouth is open and I’m leaning forward, slightly smiling with excitement to his proximity–hers. She reaches out with a white washcloth towel towards me and for a moment I wish I stood up and leaned towards her to let her wipe me off, but I otherwise reach out. I’m unable to tell you if the towel was handed to me with both of our arms extended, or if I reached out and was actually able to catch it as it was gently tossed to me. All I know is within this slow motion, his eye contact has remained. A look of somewhat worry and apologetic. Apologizing for Hedwig’s actions may not be uncommon…I imagine–I imagine this because I’ve not only moved to slow motion, I have transported myself to a place of dissecting every facial expression he makes. .. I have received a towel and he..SHE has turned the other way to head back to her seat Stage right. But before she leaves, he glances back at me again and time froze for me, again: I saw A close-mouthed smile and kind eyes peer at me. drawbridge eyebrows tilt towards one another and every scenario of every romantic movie is flashing across my mind. That–and the feelings of being twelve with a crush. The kind of crush where you come up with every thought or line The Guy was thinking or would say… They follow:
hi OR
hello OR
hello beautiful OR
You’re pretty OR
You’re welcome OR
I like you OR
It was nice to see you, too OR
How are you? OR
good OR…
And he was gone.
She was gone. Back to her corner. And I didn’t move for a moment. I have no idea what Hedwig was saying. I have no idea if anyone else around me saw Our Moment, but I have this towel, and I got that look..which now–of course–means I am in Love.
I’m twelve and in love and I never want to leave the theatre and I want him to come back and I want to do the whole thing over again and again and again and again and again.
I, eventually, come back to the present and use the towel for it’s purpose, drying my face and chest and arms. My shirt still soaked, my smile still on–glued on my face.
At some point there’s a sing-a-long, and I participate. There’s more jokes, there’s a story told on-a-serious-note, then there’s the beginning of the next song. Only Hedwig is upset. Too upset, at this moment to sing. And she walks away from us telling Yitzhak she needs a minute. Yitzhak looks worried about Hedwig, but also willing to take this moment to sing himself. herself. He stands there and I’m still in love, and he opens his mouth and he sounds–like a girl.
duh. I knew this. I knew it was coming. I KNOW that’s a girl! I know the actor is a girl, I know the character is a girl dressing on purpose like a boy. I’ve heard the sound of her voice a few times now. ..
It’s great. It’s intense and it builds. It’s called The Long Grift
Look what you’ve done
You gigolo
You know that I loved you, hon
And I didn’t want to know
That your cool
Seductive serenade
Was a tool
Of your trade
You gigolo
Of all the riches you’ve surveyed
And all that you can lift
I’m just another dollar that you made
In you long, long grift
Look what you’ve done
You gigolo
Another hustle has been run
And now you ought to know
That this fool
Can no longer be swayed
By the tools
Of your trade
You gigolo
I’m just another john you’ve gypped
Another sucker stiffed
A walk-on role in the script
To your long, long grift
The love that had me in your grip
Was just a long, long grift
Stories. Songs. Big Crazy ending. And it’s a sing-a-long again. LIFT UP YOUR HANDS. And it’s an anthem. Hedwig has removed her wig and ceremoniously given it to Yitzhak. She leaves the stage with joy, like freedom is something she’d never tasted. It’s all very important and moving (ish). And she comes back…
But…but where’s is*my* Yitzhak. I no longer feel twelve with a crush, I’m just normal now. She’s normal, and I’m normal. Amazing voice, this girl. Miss Lena Hall. Of whom I do not have a crush on as herself, or as the girly-version of Yitzhak, but of her boyish character. Odd, no? No? It’s not?? hmmm..
We all stood up and applauded. I yelled Happy Birthday to Andrew, I don’t believe he heard me. I yelled and as we were filing out my housemate asked one of the guitar players, Justin, for a pick. How does she know these people?? This guy was on stage the whole time. They bowed, they left the stage. Houselights came up and the band and crew came out to clean up. She saw him and called to him, he answered and brought her a pick. I’m her fan. She also spoke to Matt (I think was his name) Said something about another good show. this guy has blue hair and is smiling and briefly chatting with my housemate from the stage. Next I’m ready for her to get us backstage.
But that, may be another story….
My Crush
le sigh
The actor who plays my crush…
Yah. Goodnight, Neverland.
Gravity
Sometimes, love hurts.
I love my family. I love them entirely, whole-heartedly, and hard (as it’s been said to me). So much so, that if something goes wrong I feel it for days. Even if it has nothing to do with me, I feel it.
Our hearts, I don’t think they were designed to take this kind of ache. The kind that cannot be numbed with over the counter medication, or booze, The kind of ache that comes and goes as it pleases, like an unwanted guest. The kind of ache that comes with memories of better times. Moments and memories triggered by simple sounds and scents and pictures of times before. I don’t think our hearts were designed to take this weight. We’ve mourned over the years, the human race. For loss of those taken to early (in our opinion), for those who were taken by war, and disease. We mourn for those who lived longer than we thought they would and we celebrate the life and memories they left behind but all of that mourning seems to come in death.
What happens when we mourn life?
What happens when we are living day to day, not just surviving…LIVING our lives, as I finally am, and we get stabbed in the heart? How do we get through this? The breakups, the unemployment, the moments when we realize if we buy 3 packages of ramen it won’t cost $1, it will cost $36 because of an overdraft fee. Those are not moments of mourning in life, those are flubs, mistakes, fuck-ups. They are trying times. Times most people consider “times of tests” or “times of lessons.” They are times that “build character.”
I don’t want more character, right now. I just want my family back the way it was when love didn’t hurt.
My mom is fine. My Dadda n Terry are fine. My siblings are fine. Happy, even. But family is extensive and our hearts take people on differently than DNA or blood takes on the genetic portrayal of “family.” Our eyes see people and our ears hear them, our hands and arms embrace them and our mouths exchange words and over time a bond is formed. An attachment is created. Then you yearn to hear their voice and see their smiles. You yearn to listen to stories and see a story through their eyes. You can’t wait to hug them and be close to them, sitting with them. You can’t wait to surprise them, or make them laugh. You want to be there for them when they cry, when their children cry. Family is so much more than DNA or Love.
And sometimes our flesh and blood will betray us. And sometimes those we choose to call family, will betray us. And we have to choose. We have to let our brain run it’s logic course, and let our emotions run their courses and eventually we find…something. We seek, mostly. But sometimes we also find something. We find closure, or balance, or a new meaning, or a new lesson. And on our way to that closure, or balance, or new meaning, or new lesson we look for distractions.
A distraction. Something or someone to keep our mind away from doing it’s job: from figuring it all out. Which ultimately complicates things more because our brains, and hearts, can only endure so much without trying to deal with superficial decisions and distractions. Things that only make us feel on our skin.
It doesn’t matter if someone’s touch makes your skin burn with excitement, if you’re heart is actually somewhere else. It doesn’t matter if someone smiles at you if you have someone else on your mind that you’d rather see a smile from. Don’t you get it? It doesn’t EVEN MATTER.
Well, I guess it doesn’t…until it does. and I hate that kind of paradox or situational decision, or ..truth. I hate it because it IS that simple and if it’s simple then…I don’t know. And if it’s difficult then you can feel more, right? If it’s difficult or risky or edgy or their touch burns your skin in the best way, why aren’t we sure they will burn right through to our hearts. And it’s because that kind of distraction is temporary. Temporary until there is room for permanency. Temporary until your brain has figured something out, temporary until your heart has returned to it’s normal pattern of beating. It’s all just…temporary.
Temporarily Lost
Temporarily Found
Temporarily in love, in lust, infatuated, distracted.
Temporarily unable to move. Because the brain is overwhelmed and can’t send signals. Because your eyes have glazed over and you are now seeing what you want to, instead of what’s actually in front of you and what’s actually happening right here and right now. Because your heart is aching, and the pulsing in your heart…hurts. Hurts so much you could’ve sworn there was a death. And maybe there was, just not how we’ve always recognized it. We recognize things differently with our senses, yet we don’t seem to come to them–our senses. Because we got so used to the constant, we forgot about the temporary.
Temporarily Lost
Temporarily Found
Temporarily saved
We accept the pain. We accept, because of the pain, there will be mourning. We accept the mourning because we somehow understand there is a Loss. And as much as we try to name The Loss, we rarely land on “Love.”
We think we have love, or fall out of it as though it were a physical place holding us up or down. It is actually more like gravity. And just like gravity can be defied, so can love. And it’s when it snaps us back that it can hurt.
It’s when we aren’t paying attention that it makes us fall down.
Most of the time, we don’t really even know love is there ,until we are mourning the loss of it.
To Be Determined, Chapter three: The Wind Factor
Ahh New York in June. Hot. Sticky. Smelly. Ahh, New York in August. Hot. Sticky. Humid…Gross. Ahh, New York in the winter..ahh..new york..in…the Winter
A long time ago (which is years in my life, not decades yet thank you) I wrote a song called Winter. It was inspired by a good friend of mine. Male. Attractive. Successful. We do that, don’t we? We try to sum up people and life in as little amount of words as possible. Some people call it being specific, others call it lazy or curt. Me? Oh, you’ll have to wait for that one. But look, I’m going to call this friend, Douglas. In order to explain the song, I’d have to explain Douglas. In order to explain Douglas I’d have to give you his stats, his resume and a few life experiences so that you’d “understand” where he was coming from. Or you’d “sympathize” with what he was going through. Or with what *I* was going through, or anyone, for that matter. And what the HELL is that about??? It’s emotional reasoning. It’s logically-illogical. what-what-what?? This ones about *feelings.* And you know what the first rule is to feelings that I didn’t learn until I was in my thirties (yes, I’m there)?
Feelings are not facts
And then I added “but they are a factor”
Picture it: (not) Sicily. (not) 1939. A beautiful young man (true story)….wait wait wait. Picture it: (not) Sicily. (not) 1939. A bright young woman (also true story) fooled by the beautiful young man (bait and hooked)
When you meet someone new and you’re dating and “hanging out” and “chillin’ ” and this and that’n…you’re running on the top three best and worst factors (some will argue facts, but lets just keep it like this) 1) More debt (you know you’re spending money you a) don’t have, and b)shouldn’t )…are the parenthesis too much and too often? ANYWAY. 1) More debt. 2) caffeine. 3) Infatuation. You know it, and you like it. Infatuation is where people too young or naive fall prey to the immediate moments of emotional, physical, or mental stupidness and claim it’s love. They’ve “never felt this way before,” Or “it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way.” Unfortunately all of that infatuatedness is is quickly followed by the hesitance statements: “I’ve been hurt before” “I’m working on me right now” and one of my favorites “I’ve put up a lot of shields” Really?? REALLY? Doesn’t all of that just bother you? It bothers me, and what bothers me more is I’ve totally said each one. YES I am statistic. I’m a percentage. A fraction. I mean, who is doling these cards out without letting me know how the game is played? This is a reason I don’t play poker, or strategy games. I have to think too much and I’d really much rather have someone else entertain me and educate me a bit for once. Geez, that sounds egotistical–you’ve said something similar so get off me. Is it God? GOD is playing with our lives? –no..no.. lets not turn this story that way. It’s too political. heh. Lets get back to factors:
1) More debt. You know, I have student loans I have to defer them as much and as often as possible because not only do I not make enough for them (but thanks for supporting me wanting an education Uncle Direct Loans, and Aunt Sallie Mae) but I barely make enough money to keep the roof over my head and pay the phone bill that the people keep calling me on to remind me I owe them money. Vicious circle. But you know what? Apparently I didn’t need to eat the first few week we went out new-beautiful-man, because we went and got drinks, and some food. Sure you paid too, and you have a story of debt behind yourself, but this is my side. Really I’m just spending money so I have something to complain about, or have something else in common with my friends, family and new-beau. I’m spending money *now* so I can complain later, after you get to know me and think I’m great and easy going and make enough money to splurge the way we are. Inside though, I’m freaking out and already reminding myself to pick up more shifts to make up for it, which will take time away from you but I won’t tell you that. I’ll tell you something like “so-and-so called out and I could use the shift” This way you’ll think I’m not only easy going and have a commendable position that allows me to go out with you and spend my own money, but now you will also think I am accountable. And oddly enough that will be something you later tell me is nice to see. That the last few people you’ve dated were flakes and what not. Which may, or may not be true–but you know I’ll believe you because stroking my ego is just as important as pretending you have a reason to do so. (read that last sentence again, i swear it makes sense) But you know what, after I accrue more debt and we’ve passed each others tests I’ll let you know I can’t go out, and you’ll just come over and hang out and we’ll fall into a new pattern of comfortability. Make no mistake though, all of that happens in the brain before action is taken. Oh, and to add to our new stay-at-home dates I now am suffering from a mild case of anxiety and depression because of the money I don’t have, and you’re totally worth it–I think.
2) Caffeine. No, no I stay up this late all the time talking about mindless topics. It’s all of a sudden WAY more interesting to discuss different kinds of pudding now because I like the sound of your voice, and I’ll tell you that because it will flatter you–yes yes, I mean it, but it flatters you and you’ll speak to me more. So we both win. And I mean well, I do. Caffeine is possibly what we partook in (is that even a word?) during date 2 or 3 because it was safe and during day light or “normal” hours –I’m assuming of course we met at a bar, or at work, because we didn’t meet at my apartment and those are the only other places I go…and this coffee shop we met at that’s around the corner from my apartment, but quite a trek for you–but you tell me I’m worth it and I like that. During the caffeine period of time there’s not too much food consumed. It’s early and I’m jittery already but exhausted at the same time. I get up earlier to look more presentable for the possibility of a spontaneous meet-up. I go to bed later so I can talk to you as I come down from my day, and we’ll text into the evening until one of us finally says it’s late–which I secretly hope is always me because as the girl I actually do want some control, and if you tell me it’s getting late I may feel that I’m not fun enough for you. But this subject and phase is neither relevant or important at this time. Those phases come during “confession” and we’re still in the midst of the early stages of this relationship. Eventually caffeine doesn’t do it for us, and that’s fine but less we forget the most important part of what keeps us going during the beginning of this new venture:
3) Infatuation.
and if you don’t know the difference between love, lust, and infatuation you’re kidding yourself into believing what’s going on is real. You know what? I take that back. This is what I mean: It’s real, it’s not realistic. I said that to a dear friend to me a few years ago. I think it rings true here as well. AND I’ve been there. I’m not trying to be mean, I’m being honest and I’m delivering that honesty with a hint of sarcasm and a firm grip. Which may be misconstrued as meanness. At which point I will say perception, and the age old cliche to each his own. Then I will shrug and move on, because that’s what I do sometimes. Infatuation is tunnel vision. It’s what gets heightened in the event an ability is taken away. Like your ability to think straight… it’s like when people lose their sight, then they say their hearing is clearer and their sense of touch is more sensitive. Stuff like that. Infatuation is driving with a rearview mirror, but no side mirrors. Infatuation is what people confuse love for. I know I did. I had to learn the difference. Which I was of course against, and more so than that I didn’t want to admit that I needed to be taught anything. I’m hard-headed that way.
After those first few weeks, one if not all of those factors may still be present. And you know what? That’s fine. You’ll adjust, just like we always do when something changes. We just have to be careful of how our feelings are defined if we’re running on no sleep, too much caffeine, infatuation that we don’t go into more debt..See how I did that? eh. But listen, there’s more to it than that. I know this. And you know this. Once we start to get to know each other better the glossy look that has stained our vision starts to clear and the real stuff comes out. So you address all that. You learn the quirks that make you giggle and the stuff that triggers the irate bitch within you. Fine, I could be speaking for myself but again HONESTY, delivered perhaps with too much speed and pressure it causes blunt force trauma. Literally. Figuratively. oops.
Then. You know EVERYTHING. At least you think you do. And I’m going to tell you something, that’s no fun. I like a little mystery, or dabbles of unknown and new stories or experiences as time goes on. Why the rush to know everything? It’s like the people that rush to the altar…now what? Well, now comes the work of the relationship incorporating all the lessons and experiences you’ve learned prior, the communication it will take to tell stories without feelings sidetracked, run over with questions or comments, or the worst: judgment. Can’t we just take our time? No way, I like the comfort zone. Guilty as charged. I do like being in a relationship, but I (finally) don’t NEED it. That took some growing up and learning and addressing. And it’s still a work in progress. “I’m working on me right now” See, told you I’d said it all. And the absolute downfall of any relationship after the beginnings, during the Iknowalotbuti’mstilllearning phase where unwelcomed questions and comments arise is the ever terrible: Double Standard. (lowers head in defeat) Guilty. As. Charged. And you know what? I’m really good at twisting it around to make it NOT appear double standard, but it is–it totally is. And again, Im working on that. bla bla bla.
But wait there’s MORE. So we have the facts of ourselves. Fact, I am X years old. We have facts of the other. He has been married four times before, and has no children but wants them. We have factors (that’s the stuff that plays IN to the experience after the facts have been established. That’s why you can’t say it’s love so early on, you haven’t an experience there to back it up with–says I. you’ve established a common language as far as communicating. You’ve been honest. You’ve yelled, you’ve been heard, you understand, you’re understood. But you know what you lack? Do you know what *I* lack? The ability to feel exactly what the other feels. You can define your relationship, your feelings as you see fit, but no matter how hard you try–you may never truly, 100% understand what the other means when he says “I love you so much, it hurts.” Sure you may have your own experience of that, but not his. Never his. And that will always put a small hiccup in the stability and function of the relationship. THAT is the wind factor.
Sometimes that extra debt is just like knowing its raining, and not only do you have to go out in that rain, you have to buy an umbrella at some point, you realize you don’t have any shoes that cover your whole foot, and it’s not going to let up anytime soon.
Sometimes that caffeine becomes the addiction and you cant function without it. You’re cranky without it. You get a headache without it, maybe. And you start to wonder if you should start adding baileys or not.
Sometimes infatuation is just your way of hiding in the glorious warmth of the sun without SPF, and getting burned is only a matter of time.
And then…
Sometimes people explain themselves, and it’s a breeze to understand. It’s even refreshing in the middle of your day, like a cup of iced tea on the roof of your apartment providing the landlord doesn’t find out. … Sometimes people can give you the facts of the matter: “I have an ex-wife and a son” but that doesn’t mean I understand the feelings of that fact, nor do I understand how to measure how that will factor into our relationship. It’s possible that one day,with all that information, the weather will remain calm and easy. It’s possible that one day that information will cause a stormy blinding wind that captures you in its cyclone and tosses you down where you haven’t been before. It’s possible that one day when it appears beautiful it will rain, the good rain…the bad rain. It’s possible that in the middle of the summertime in New York, when the weather has cooled for the evening and windows are open to allow the light breeze in, that it does also allows debris into your home. Your comfort zone. Your space, and it’s then that you have to decide to either shut the window, put in the filter (or screen, I suppose), or go back up on that roof and let it really hit you. And whichever you decide will tell you more about your relationship than I can, or anyone else can. Because sometimes it doesn’t matter what the weather tells you it’s going to behave as, sometimes in the midst of a hot summer night it can feel like snow. But then again, that internal feeling is only a factor, and of course your feelings, just like mine, remain to be determined.
Winter, by Aiyani Mersai in 2003 (no, I’m not attaching the music, we’re not there yet)
Winter comes inside, summer burns outside.
Feel the rain and the cold and the thunderstorms, stereotypical…why did you go?
Winter snows indoors; fall leaves now on my porch.
Can I shed this skin to reveal how I feel within?. . . Come home again.
I guess I always thought you’d come around.
I guess I always counted on us.
I guess I always thought you’d come around,
I guess I was wrong you still can surprise me
Winter breathes in me, the white outside agrees.
Ice upon my heart and windowpanes, its all the same . . . Who am I kidding?
Winter stays here with me, though spring warms the seed.
The love you planted in me, stopped growing…why did you leave?
I guess I always thought you’d come around
I guess I always counted on us.
I guess I always thought you’d come around,
I guess I was wrong you still can surprise me
You still can surprise me, but don’t….
Please, don’t surprise me anymore
Please, don’t surprise me anymore.
Aiyani Mersai 