Clueless and Shoeless

You know those short periods when there seems to be a reoccurring theme in your everyday life? Something so minutiae that you wander past it without realizing until it's repeated over and over coming to your realization of it's presence or significance? It happens to me all the time with different things but lately this reoccurring theme has been with shoes. I see it, hear it, and read about them everywhere now. It all started last week when I decided I'm simply just over shoes. I enjoy feeling the different temperatures and textures of the ground underneath the underrated little gems that allow me so many pleasures in life… Plus I don’t have to put them on anytime I want to go anywhere. I've just seen little importance in wearing them. Therefore lately I've only worn shoes when it's needed... I agree it's unacceptable to not wear shoes in certain settings, so that's why I say when it's needed... When I was younger I overheard someone say in Raley's that the shoes a person wears can tell a lot about them. So what if I'm not wearing shoes? Take that society! Anyways, back to my reoccurring themes. First, I haven't been wearing shoes lately. Then I start overhearing people talking about their new shoes. Also I was reading this book called Ishi for my Indians of California class. He was a wild Indian who was basically introduced into modern society… He adapted with everything except he refused to wear shoes. He says “walking on [the ground] all the time, I would wear shoes out, but my feet will never wear out”. I like this mentality. It’s so true. Anyways, I’m amazed to see how many comments I get on my lack of shoes. It really surprises people that I'm not wearing them which really surprises me. The other day on campus one of my friends said to me, "I think I would not wear shoes if more people did it". For some reason this kind of got to me because of how people are afraid of the element of surprise and individuality in society... We're always taught when we were younger to be yourself and to be an individual... But it really seems like everyone is trying to be an individual, which kind of renders the individuality concept invalid. Do as everyone else and be different. Society is so used to following trends and socially acceptable aspects of our culture, that we begin to fear and reject difference. We no longer strive for creativity, but for safety. We no longer strive to achieve, but to stay in the shadows and do as everyone else. We’re so afraid of putting ourselves out there because we fear rejection and want to be accepted at all costs, therefore losing sight of ourselves. We become what society wants us to be while still wanting to be an “individual”. For this very reason I feel the spectrum of individuality, creativity, and originality is diminishing. So take off your shoes before everyone has the same shoes.

Sundance Kids.

The end was drawing near. I had just graduated high school and was trying to make the most of what would be my last Summer in Tahoe. This had been my home for the last 17 years, and as the days closed in behind me I felt myself feeling increasingly nervous yet excited for some major life changes. I was leaving the land of luscious white snow and brilliant blue waters to travel to the mystic land of sun and surf. For most people its the other way around.
Anyways, one Saturday afternoon David, Erik and I set out on a short drive to Spooner Lake to take pictures. We walked around aimlessly for hours snapping shots of time. I remember many details of what happened that day but I do remember it was a lot of fun. But then we got hungry so we went to super taco.

In more current news of life, I've been really busy with... life. I've decided school has a hidden objective to prevent you from sleeping. But school is fun. I'm learning in my Indians of California class about observation. They were able to conclude that the Earth rotated around the sun and could very accurately tell the day of the year just by sitting in the same spot every sunrise and sunset for a year or more. Just sit there and observe the position. I wish things were still like that. I was reading a philosophy article the other day that talked about how in today's society, more is less. We have so many choices and decisions and things to do and people to see that our mind is constantly concentrated on desires and the future that we can't fully enjoy the present. The quality of life is overshadowed by the quantity of "stuff". We're always thinking about the alternative. I found this interesting. I think we should all get up and observe the sunrise and sunset like the Native Americans. In fact I think we should just live like the Native Americans. They seemed so much more in tune with life and nature. And I would like to wear Indian jewelry, moccasins, and feathered headdresses all the time too.

Dreams are for dancers.

You know those days where you just feel really creative and adventurous? I love those days. One day last Spring I had nothing to do and I had that feeling, so I grabbed my 40D and drove with no intended destination. Just drove streets I've never driven. That road looks cool, I'll drive down it. I did that all day and stopped to take pictures of things that looked worthy and interesting. I found this really fun whoopdidoo road, found some cool factory, and eventually found myself in Long Beach. Don't ask why but this is one of my favorite pictures I've taken. I was driving and I rolled down the window and blindly took this. It just looks simple and classic.

Anyways, today was another one of those days, except it was met with great failure. I woke up to rain pounding against my window and remembered my car was at Adam's house. So I waited for it to slow down and eventually walked over to his place. First stop was the art store to get marker paper for my class, and found out they didn't carry it anymore. Second stop was the bank to exchange euros, but found out they don't accept currency after 2. No big deal though. Next I went to Michaels to get art and craft supplies so I could take advantage of my creative energy to make necklaces and bracelets and drawings. After roaming for an hour I was just walking to the check out and... boom! Power outage. So I had them hold my stuff behind the counter. After that I tried going to a thrift store but they were closed. Surprisingly though I had a really good day.

Tall Tales.

So as legend has it in Ireland, a drunk Irishman came home and went into his neighbors door thinking it was his own and slept with his neighbors wife, again, thinking it was his own. His neighbor came in and saw him sleeping with his wife and shot him. So now the Irish paint their doors all different colors so there's no confusion and ultimately, no more dead drunk Irishman. So simple.

Back in the groove

Spring semester of my junior year has officially started this week. After this I will only have 1 more year; 2 more semesters. Italy seems like a distant dream now, and I realize after starting this semester how much I miss it. The good friends, the good times, and the good memories. I'm not saying I don't have that at Chapman, because I definitely do... but Italy was different. Now I'm back, ready to have new adventures, meet new people, and make new memories... while or course still continuing relationships from Italy. Nonetheless, I'm excited to see where things go now that reality is kicking back in.