Doing Your Own Thing

Alternatively entitled: 

"Being an Out-fitter..."

I remember one of my favorite parts of Sesame Street when I was growing up was when they sang "one of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong...."  but the best version of the song was "one of these kids is doing her own thing...."  I loved it and of course that completely resonates with me now.  Last night, when I was taking my mentee to the Laker game, I played one of my favorite songs by the Dixie Chicks.  I stopped to explain to him the back story of "Taking the Long Around."  Then, I played the song...my favorite part is when Natalie sings:

"I fought with a stranger and met myself, 

I opened my mouth and I heard myself, 

It can get kinda lonely when you show yourself, 

Guess I could've made it easier on myself 

But, I...

I could not follow."  

Dixie Chicks - "Taking the Long Way Around"

Some of the dopest lyrics...EVER.  Jose and I discussed seeing yourself clearly and the pros and cons of following for the sake of ease.  To me, it really isn't easier to be a gen-popper.  I think it's more painful to deny myself of who I really am to fit into a box that others will deem to be more appealing.  This goes back to my thoughts on us all being naturally multifaceted.  I think what actually goes against the grain is trying to keep everything in line with the infamous status quo.  I mean, no one watches a story centered around a bad guy who never tries to make good or a good guy who's "goodness" is never tested.  a) that's not real life and b) it's not very interesting.  Living a life without shaking it a up a bit is not only incredibly boring but I don't think we actually grow or learn anything.  Without knocking preconceived notions around or turning idealistic thoughts on their heads how do we really know what we truly think and feel?  Yes, it can be extremely lonely when it seems like no one thinks like you or when everyone ridicules you for trying something different.  Seriously, I've spent the entirety of my life as an out-fitter.  I've had friends...amazing friends..but I was never one who "fit in"...NEVER.  I guess "I could've made it easier on myself" by changing the outside, and I did try to assimilate for a millisec.  But that was just too damned painful because the truth is that I can't change my spirit and everything that I say, the way I look, the way I carry myself, the clothes I like...yadda yadda yadda are merely an outer expression of what's internal and intangible.  That "weirdness" is raw energy, that "radical" person is really only expressing what their spirit sees as truth.  Honestly, all art form at some point was thought to be strange and/or taboo by the masses until someone else broke it down and could see from another's point of view.  Only then, do gen-poppers jump on board and it's "cool".  

My homie, Mike 2.0 said "Jewel, you've always been one of those kids doing their own thing."  Thanks, Mike. :)  When people express themselves "differently" it's actually not an effort to be different just for different's sake.  I think it's really a part of the natural progression to keep this party rolling...forward.  Challenging what's deemed to be common thought allows us to be closer to each other.  We break down invisible (and sometimes physical) barriers.  

Now that I think about it, everyone of my close-close friends is "weird", even if they didn't know it at first. *ahem* Shak lol  I guess like attracts like.  Love it.  Cheers to doing your own thing.

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$5 and 2 Hours

(c) Intalio

Last night my friend, Michael Curry, Jr., sent me a link to this video.  It's about a class focusing on entrepreneurship at Stanford.  As you'll see, the video speaks on creative problem solving and breaking through limitations.  One of my favorite parts is when Tina Seelig states that the teams who made the most took a look at the skills they had and the opportunites around them and became cognizant of the fact that those things were worth much more than the $5 she gave.  They realized that $5 was way too limiting.  That seems like "duh", right?  What can you do with $5?  I look at it like this, though: if I base my skills, accomplishments and altitude in life around what other people have already seen then my vision will be too limited.

"I can't base what I'm gon' be off of what everybody isn't." 

- Jay-Z "So Ambitious"

The video offered a reminder to me about self imposed limitations.  I used to spend a lot of time thinking about what I wasn't ready for instead of focusing on where I'm going.  I used to think that I couldn't make this video or PSA or short because of lack of funding.  I have to make every step count along the way and trust that through faith in my vision the skill set will become apparent to me and needs will be met.  I'll learn all I need to know as long as I pay attention.  Another really important part of the video was when the bike team realized they were limiting themselves by asking for only $1 and when they opened it up to donations, they got much more.  Thinking on the fly and being willing to change catipulted them to success.  When I make moves and decisions based on creativity and not competition I am more connected to my true vision. I am able to see people who can help me along the way and through sharing my knowledge gained I am able to receive more.  So, "give it to me." (tm Shak)  lol  Our lives and joy are for the taking as long as we are able to see life without limits. 

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"Who Do You Tell Your Stories To?"

Who do you tell your fears?  Your wishes?  The embarrassing crap that you'd soon forget buuuuut someone has to know.  lol  Who do you tell your daydreams?  One of my favorite things in the world is to daydream, seriously.  I trust my daydreams in the hearts of my friends.  A lot of mine are about success like when Oprah interviews us or when a magazine writes an article about us, photoshoots....  Sitting in the director's chair, MY director's chair on MY set.  Smiling and working with the crew and talent.  Of people not thinking that I'm a Director because of my stature and being even more surprised when they realize I'm a beast.  lol (sidebar: I'm so sincere about all of the above. ;) )  

I think daydreaming totally gets a bad rap.  Growing up, adults always make it seem or even say that daydreamers are listless, lazy, unfocused blah blah blah.  I love to daydream and over the past few years have allowed myself to do it more often.  Everyday in fact.  I find my vision has gotten stronger and I know more about myself.  Daydreaming isn't for suckers it's for... da-da-dada-dah... dreamers.  It's for people who change the world and invent stuff.  People who see life differently and want to make it different.  The fact is that daydreaming is actually the breeding ground for innovation, growth and success.  How else do people who are doing their "in the meantime/keep the bills paid" jobs keep sane while they go after their passion in their off time?  The cool thing about it is that when I share my daydreams I get to see them more clearly.  It's easier to put something into action when you can see what IT really is.  Sharing my stories with others helps to fuel my vision and feed my passion.  Through the practice I am able to articulate what I see in my mind's eye more effectively.  I dream amazingly big and I feel bad for people who think that it's too much because somewhere someone told them that daydreaming was for losers and they believed it.

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Works in Light

Ok, I'm light weight obsessed with light fixtures and blown glass.  Everytime I pass one of those home stores, I'm like a kid.  I cannot for the life of me stop staring.  

Brand Cascade

The stuff that really does it for me are the ones with odd shapes, like Chihuly.  HE is a beast. 

Atlantis Chandelier

 

 

Temple of the Moon

 

I guess there's just something so calming and ethereal about the way light flows through glass.  Kind of how you were enamored by seeing sun shine through a glass windchime that painted little rainbows on your wall...or maybe that was just me.  lol

One of my earlier jobs was as a PA when I moved to LA on an Imogen Heap video, "Hide and Seek".  The director, Joel Peissig, spent a day coordinating the lights with different parts of the song.  I cannot even begin to tell you how many lights were hung and set up all over the stage.  The greatest part was that the elements of this video consisted of simply a fan, Imogen on a six foot high stage, and lights.  When the video was shot, then entire crew just sat and watched in amazment.  Beauty in simplicity. 

Sidebar: click "Hide and Seek" to view the whole video.  She told me this song was about her father getting a new wife and how she felt estranged from him because of that relationship.  She's a dope artist but more on that later.

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