One Shot

welcome

long walks with headphones

dot

We’re back to long walks at lunchtime, and thoughts of how short this life is. Sounds a little grim, I know, but I can honestly say I’m happier overall than I ever was in Boston. I’ve just been doing a lot of thinking and processing. Evaluating where I stand in relation to myself and others, and within this span of time I’ve got here doesn’t have to be depressing, just thoughtful. “Man you’re a positive lady!” was actually said to me recently, so no need to worry.

I met someone a couple of months ago who I consider to be the best addition I’ve made to my circle of friends in some time. While waiting for the train the other day, he recounted a story as background to something that’s going on in his life currently. When it came back around to the present situation, all I had to offer was that I believe we’ve only got one shot at this life thing, and there’s not much worse than looking back and wishing you’d taken a chance or followed through on something that you didn’t. I’ve been haunted by his background story these past few days, so taking chances and following through are definitely on the brain.

Re: following through, for the first time in long time, I’m making some actual headway on my shortlist of life goals. By which I mean, I’m actually working on one, and living another (though not for the first time).

The Big Short List

• Graduate from college
• Live alone
• Train in a martial art (ongoing, in progress)
• Become fluent in at least one other language
• Learn to sing (voice lessons)
• Live overseas for at least a year
• Jump out of a plane (skydiving)
• Master the smoky eye (this is a new, rather comical one, but it has its place)

Most of this list has existed for as long as I can remember, so it’s pretty sad that I’ve made so little progress. My new-found affiliation with the Bujinkan actually has me quite frustrated that I waited so long to get started on this one. I’ve wanted to train in a martial art since I was a little kid – what took me so long?! I would be so good by now! Ah well, at least I’m finally on the path. I’ve been going 3-5 times a week, and while I totally suck at it, I’m enjoying every moment of it. So rewarding.

I’m not sure what’s going to be next on this list… perhaps the smoky eye, since a friend has offered to help me down that path. Ha.

soaked, tired, happy

drips

On the positive tip, here’s another list:

Things I’m Thankful For (right this moment)

• The smell of bacon that’s floating in the window
• Coffee, despite the recent price increase
• Old, dear friends
• Memories
• My family
• Korean BBQ
• This cooler weather
• This cooler weather (SO thankful)
• The sounds of the wild parrots who live nearby
• My ability to connect with people
• Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, and my teachers
• Friends I haven’t seen in 10+ years who I’ve managed to stay connected to
• My relatively good health (strange, since I’m sick today)

I haven’t been posting here much – life (work and taijutsu) can be so distracting – but for the couple of you who actually read this, you may be interested in my photo project, A Year of Days. By design, I’m accountable to my friend Ryan (who is my co-conspirator on the project), so I’ve actually been updating that regularly. No words, but still…

Be well. Take chances.