“Don’t save for tomorrow what can be done today”
~ Mr. CDQue, my father
We do the best we can. We grab the cards we’re dealt and try to make the best possible hand. I spoke to a number of different people over the course of this month and everyone seems to be doing just that. September is that transitional month where you feel like you have to align the stars to make sure the rest of the year is on point.
Quick definition, I define the year from September to September. Weird, I know, but it’s one of those elementary school things that has been programmed into my mind.
So we make our plans, plot our destiny’s and save accordingly for the path we chose. You may receive some kick back from that little hater. You know that little person in your head who undermines every move you make. They try to convince you that you’re unqualified to pursue what you attempt. Rest assured, they’re liars and I’ve written about this parasite in the depths of our psyches before.
You can understand my process when I miss a day or two of writing perfectly by watching this video of my favourite Vlogger, illdoc1.
That explanation is verbatim what happens in my mind when I miss a day here or there. You constantly fall into that trap of thinking you’re no longer good enough and your voice is no longer important. Being the loud, charismatic, extraverted character that I am, I find the best way to silence this voice that demeans my creativity by surrounding myself with other creative people. In my life, not such an easy task, but through the blogosphere and YouTube, I can content with people I’ve never met and let their words be the catalyst that sparks my motivation.
Illdoc1 showcased on of my favourite all-time emcess, Brother Ali, and he spoke on defeating his little hater. This is an artist that I respect wholeheartedly. His lyrical capabilities aside, Brother Ali seems like a genuine dude. The fact that he has one of the sharpest minds in the musical world just adds icing on the cake.
So, since this video was made, Brother Ali has dropped his album, Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color. I don’t want to turn this into an album review, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this. This album is his best work. It’s not a concept album, but every song leads into the other flawlessly, it’s like he just wrote on one long scroll of paper.
In conclusion, when school gets too hard and you question whether you’re cut out for your course. When you continuously get turned down for the career opportunity you love. When you’re stuck in a rut and constantly question your path. Know that through every dark night, there’s a bright day just ahead. Persevere. Persevere. Persevere. Whatever your end game is, keep it in the forefront of your mind. Constantly think of the payoff because it’s even sweeter when you arrive at the finish line. I remember people would always ask me, “if such and such is so easy, why isn’t everybody doing it”. I have a love/hate relationship with this statement because it’s 1) completely condescending and just oozes snotty-ness 2) it’s a sour grapes comment and 3) the people who usually say it are cowards in their lives. What I do love about it is this, you’re not meant to be everyone. Let the other people live their sheltered, secure lives in the confines of what is safe. Your life isn’t for them. My path isn’t for everyone and shit, if I don’t go a day without someone throwing jabs at my life, it hasn’t been a real day. It happens, people criticize and sometimes we listen. Your goal is forget the naysayers and push forward.
“Some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until 75″ ~ Benjamin Franklin
This is just a little bonus that fits the post and displays why I love Brother Ali.
Carpe Diem Que
Fright Night
31 Oct“I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that any weirdo wearing a mask is never friendly”
~ Friday the 13th: Jason Lives
Hallows ween, the great scare fest. I have come to the conclusion that I’m no longer built for this holiday. Off the heels of Paranormal Activity four, I realize that I refuse to pay for fear. I’m sitting there, anxiety building, anticipating Toby going ape shit and killing this family. My girl, Em, is shrieking every few seconds as the tension builds. Somewhere near an hour in, I wonder to myself, “why am I here?”
That being said, I’m on my way up North with two girlfriends to dog sit, one of which won’t stop snarling at me. This prized property is in butt-fuck Idaho, on twenty-seven acres of seclusion. Yes, I’m fully aware that in horror films, the black usually dies first. So, again, “why am I here?”
This got me to thinking about the phobias that people have. Anxiety of speaking in public. Fear of approaching someone attractive. Phobia of spiders, snakes, insects, roller coasters, etcetera, etcetera. The laundry list is endless. I knew someone who feared cotton swabs and balloons.
Overcoming fears is a building block to becoming one with your primitive ancestors. In our lives, we experience the same ‘fight or flight’ responses day-to-day. If you don’t act fast these fears can paralyze you. This in turn becomes a recurring theme that constantly haunts you until you defeat it. You know that feeling of triumph once you’ve toppled this fear, you feel like you can topple it at anytime.
Well, this holiday, I wanted to teach you a couple of lessons I’ve learned from horror films. This will help you overcome some fears you may have about the supernatural.
1) If there’s a demon inhabiting your home, don’t search for answers. Get the what out!
2) If a camp is known as “camp blood”, don’t volunteer to be a camp counsellor. There’s probably a reason it got its namesake.
3) If a mutilated pedophile with claw fingers haunts on Elm street – don’t visit or move in there.
4) When you hear the story of a serial killer who wants to kill everyone in his family. Don’t befriend said family. It probably isn’t in your best interest.
5) Okay, there’s a futuristic spider-faced bounty killer with dreads whom harms anyone which he deems a challenge. My advice, be as docile as a lamb.
6) The zombie apocalypse has begun and you’ve had little to no time to prepare. Find your way to the closest mall. Find as many weapons as possible and live in the supermarket.
Carpe Diem Que