Smooth Sailing

Life is full of varying degrees of chaos. From simple day-to-day problems like commuting, to more complex challenges such as paying down a massive amount of debt or figuring out how to say goodbye to a loved one. Problems arise from the shadows often to steal the spotlight and collect all of our available attention. While these moment are important and can be life changing, they are brief.

Reflecting back on my own life over the past year, I can recall a few storms or two that arose out of nowhere. Now being in a moment of relative calm, I can easily recall the events surrounding the storm but recognize it as only a fleeting memory. After all, things turned out for the best in the long run. When Fuzz left, I bunkered down and became more independent, meetings new friends and acquiring new skills. When I was laid off, I used my available resources to visit Kuala Lumpur for a vacation and networked to find a new job when I returned.

Storms as I’ve learned come as quickly as they leave. While it doesn’t feel this way during, hindsight reveals it was more of a fire drill than a catastrophe. Life is full of unexpected events. Embracing the chaos when it comes to your door and cherishing the calm before and after is the best way to live. After all, life is too short to constantly be hunkering down for the next big one.

Unexpected Storms

After a year full of momentum and growth, I find myself frozen. The cogs of my life that once clicked to the sound of progress have seized up after being exposed to the harsh elements of reality. Like any good machine, it functions perfectly in ideal conditions but unexpected variables throw it off course effortlessly. It simply wasn’t prepared for an unexpected layoff.

Now in my third round of unemployment, I find myself with a similar predicament, “find a job!” Initially upon graduating from the University of Washington in 2009, I thought that this dilemma would be a rare challenge, not a yearly struggle. Unfortunately, I’m slowly learning that instability is the new norm. Luckily having coped with the storm of unemployment twice before, I’m well versed in the tools and techniques required to survive. Thanks to a combination of savings, unemployment insurance, food stamps, good friends, and loving family members, I have been able to find a small bit of stability. But what’s next?

I use to think that the words, “To Be Continued…” were reserved for Saturday morning cartoons and didn’t have any bearing on real life. Paused now in thought about the future, I find this idea laughable. Uncertainty is a part of the human condition. Days aren’t promised, success isn’t guaranteed and misfortune can often lie just around the corner prepared to ruin an otherwise perfect day.

As much as I want to pause indefinitely and linger about the what-ifs and the past, the world marches on, forcing me to note the past but not dwell. The search for the next great opportunity starts now! Time waits for no one after all. Mission in mind, I gather my tools and prepare for another extensive hunt. Determined, I’m eager to get my wheels clicking once again and discover what’s next.

[Photo courtesy of Flickr user Joe Skinner Photography]

Analysis of “Weekend”

Plot Spoilers Below

 

This past Saturday I watched "Weekend," a gay romantic comedy about a hook up which takes place over a weekend. It's a relatively simple movie but it does a good job at explaining the complexity of relationships.

The film follows the life of Russell, a Gay man in the UK and his weekend in the city. During a random Friday night out at a gay bar, he meets Glen, a cynical artist with an appetite for challenging the status quo and relationship norms. They flirt momentarily in the bar and then end up at Russell's apartment later in the night where they end up making love. Their relationship starts out simple - nameless, emotionless and without much context.

Over the weekend it quickly evolves due to a series of conversations and outings. Towards the end of the film Russell and Glen grow close and develop a bond with one another. Unfortunately, halfway through the film we learn their time together is short because Glen is planning to leave for Portland, Oregon in just a few days. Russell is confused and heart broken by the news but tries not to get too emotional.

“Weekend” closes unceremoniously and leaves the story of Russell and Glen unresolved. Similar to real life, both characters have independent life paths which just happened to run together for a short while.

The film does a great job at not fetishizing the hook up. Instead it takes a more liberal stance and embraces the idea that love sometimes happens without much context; sometimes you have to live life in the moment and not obsess over the fine details such as “relationship status.”

For more info about “Weekend” visit http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2350554137/

24 Improvements for the Next Year

Well, I did it. I survived yet another year! Looking forward, here are a few goals that I'd like to accomplish during this next year:

1. Visit Malaysia
2. Blog more frequently
3. Launch my own personal Website
   
4. Run a 5k
   
5. See a Sounders game
6. Watch a live play
7. Travel to a U.S. state outside of the Northwest
8. Make more time for Judo
9. Attend more events related to urban planning
10. Cook dinner frequently
    
11. Be a better friend
    
12. Volunteer regularly
13. Get involved in local politics
14. Attend more concerts
15. Spend less time in front of my computer
16. Write more thank you cards
17. Pick up a new hobby
18. Enroll in a personal development class
19. Take more pictures
20. Go camping
21. Read more books and blogs
    
22. Start info interviewing again
23. Visit the San Juan Islands
    
24. Have fun and meet new friends

To another great year, cheers!

- Josh

[Photo courtesy of Flickr user christing]