Posted in Miscellaneous

Writer’s Block: Something I Love To Do

I absolutely love writing. It has been my passion for as long as I can remember, but even I often hit the extremely frustrating brick wall that is writer’s block. Recently, I’ve found myself searching on the Internet for inspirations, little sparks to get my writing going again. Today’s spark comes from a blog from 2008, written by Jennifer Roach, entitled “Pro Writing Tips.” The post is called, simply enough, “100 jump-starters to cure your writer’s block.” I actually found this one through StumbleUpon and found some intriguing ideas, so here we are. Idea #16 on Roach’s list is to “describe something you love to do.”

Well, something I love to do is….. to write. So I suppose this is where I will write…. about how I love to write.

I think there is something magical about writing. It’s about putting together strings of what could otherwise be meaningless words and creating something from that. Taking these letters, which are in their very own essence just meaningless curves and lines and combinations of those things, taking those and making something amazing out of them. There are so many words in so many languages across the world. We can use tools like punctuation and syntax to really develop something: an idea, a story, a song. We can create tones and moods, provide textual descriptions that are so spectacular it will make readers visualize and turn your words into images.

We can write in love, or in hate; in despair, in times of sadness or depression, in times of elation and excitement. We can write a lot or not at all. We can use a word to make a sentence (“Yes!”) or two words (“I ran.”) or more and more words. We can use run-on sentences (try not to, though). Writing gives us an infinite amount of power. The power of words has always been a factor in our lives, and the power of the written word is no different. We can share our thoughts, feelings, ideas and opinions with others, or we can write simply for ourselves. We can write in so many ways, too: with paper and pen or pencil or crayon, electronically on our laptops or cell phones or other devices. We can write in the sand with a broken twig or in the mud in the same manner. We can write to change the world, to change ourselves, or for any number of other reasons.

Writing is, in my mind, a magical form of art. It is a craft, a passion for me, and I believe writing is my one, true calling in life. My goal has always been to use my writing to change the world in some way, and I fully intend on doing just that.

Posted in Miscellaneous, Uncategorized

Reflecting Back on 2014

In mid-December of 2013, I posted a “reflection” entry, looking back on that year and all the new things I had done. Today, we stand at January 2015, so my apologies for being a bit late with this, but I’d like to keep it going and do a similar reflection entry for the year of 2014.

The year saw a lot of new, wonderful experiences for me. I was also able to re-visit some old places and enjoyed those, as well. I connected with some amazing new people and reconnected with old friends. Overall — it was a good year for me, so thank you, 2014, for treating me so well.

Here is my list, in bullet-type form:

  • Visited four new states (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan)
  • An incredible Washington, D.C. trip including a visit to the Capitol, Library of Congress, Arlington National Cemetery, Georgetown, etc.
  • Solo trip to Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario for a pair of hockey games and sightseeing
  • Added another Finger Lake to my roster (Skaneateles)
  • Visited my third MLB ballpark // first NY Mets game
  • Visited four new NHL arenas (NY Rangers, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings)
  • Got my second tattoo
  • Had the chance to attend TEDx Buffalo (first time)
  • Got a full-time job working in communications
  • Saw a wonderful host of theater, including Matilda: The Musical, Jersey Boys and Phantom of the Opera, all in NYC
  • Purchased season tickets to Shea’s and saw: Evita, Wicked, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mamma Mia, Cinderella
  • Attended many great concerts: Demi Lovato, Cher Lloyd, Fifth Harmony, X Ambassadors, Tokyo Police Club, 5 Seconds of Summer, One Direction

That was my year, boiled-down to 12 bullet points. While that list doesn’t even begin to cover the details, or even cover everything that made the year 2014 a spectacular one, it’s a good start.

I can only hope that whatever 2015 will bring, it will be just as good or perhaps even better. In this moment, I feel as though my life is on a great track, and I am so incredibly blessed to have all the wonderful opportunities I have. I hope that at the year’s end in roughly 12 months from now, I will be in just as great a place as I am now.

 

Posted in Miscellaneous

The Newest Year

Here we are. The new year is finally upon us, and with it, many wonderful things (and some that will be not-so wonderful, but let’s brush those aside for now.) The beginning of a new year is always a time for reflection. Reflecting on the year – or years – past, yes, but moreso, reflecting on the future. Considering what we want to change in our lives, setting goals and resolutions (some of which may last weeks, others just days, maybe some, months).

Overall, the beginning of a new year is a great time for us to examine our lives and the path we’re headed on, and determine where we want to go from here.

Continue reading “The Newest Year”

Posted in Miscellaneous

The Game of Life

“The world is not black and white; in its entirety and even in the most specific aspects, the world around us is one giant gray area. There is always movement, both forward and backward. Structures are built and then torn down – both physical buildings and in other ways, like the hierarchy of positions in a corporation or the building blocks that compose a friendship. Life is not black and white. The things you lose may come back to you someday, or they may not. They may never return, lost for eternity in the space that surrounds us. Or they may return, in the same way as before or in another way. You will change, you will grow, and sometimes, you will revert back to who you were before. It is all a grey area.”

The above paragraph is something I’ve had sitting in my drafts since early September of this year. For months, I left it there and intended to write more, to either expand on those thoughts or try to continue them in some way, but (clearly) I have been unable to do so. Alas, here it is, nearly the end of December. Much has changed in these few months, but I’m going to try to expand on my thoughts now, all these days later.

I think it’s important to realize this, the world is one big gray area. Nothing is certain. Everything can be destroyed; the wonderful flowering moments, but also the terrible ones. Good things can fall down, but bad things can be destroyed as well. The fact that nothing is certain can be exciting or scary; thrilling or terrifying; or maybe a little bit of both.

The point is this. Life is not black and white. Life is not certain. Things can come back full-circle or not at all. Some things will stay, other things will leave you, but it’s the impression those things leave that truly counts.

We are all moving pieces in the game of life. Sometimes we jump three spaces forward, other times we sink back a few slots. Some days we may sit exactly where we are, sometimes for weeks, months, years on end. But nothing is certain, everything is gray, and life keeps going.

 

Posted in Miscellaneous

Prompt: Going it Alone

Prompt: Going it Alone – There are certain events and activities that can feel odd to do alone. Going to the movies, attending a concert, and eating in a restaurant are common things that people would rather do with a buddy. But what about the times when you simply can’t find anyone to go with you, for whatever reason, or when your buddy backs out at the last minute? Write about an experience you’ve had when going by yourself was the only option. How did it make you feel? Did it turn out all right in the end? If going to an event or engaging in a typically social activity by yourself is not a big deal, or you happen to prefer it, write about a specific instance that exemplifies why you feel this way.

I’ve actually never had much of a problem doing things alone. Perhaps I’m odd, but I quite enjoy it. I enjoy the independence of it, being able to go by my own schedule and no one else’s and do whatever want. I remember years ago when I first went to the movies alone.

I remember in 2011 when I first traveled by myself. That was a big deal for me… it was a big step in independence. I love to travel by myself now and I do it often. Just this weekend, I went to Toronto for the day by myself. I find it refreshing, nice to get away from everything and everyone and just take some time for myself. I think it’s important to spend time with yourself and do things alone. I don’t think going to events or engaging in “typically social” activities alone is a big deal. I don’t think you should ever let the fact that you can’t find someone to go with you to something stop you from doing that thing. Doing it by yourself may feel awkward at first but just enjoy it, whether it’s going to a movie or a concert or traveling. Just enjoy it.

I go to the movies alone. I travel alone, whether it’s to Toronto for the day or Columbus for a weekend or wherever I end up. I take myself to dinner sometimes at a nice restaurant. I don’t think I need to rely on having someone with me to enjoy doing those things, and sometimes it’s nice to go alone.

This isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy the company of others. I certainly do, and I find that traveling with other people and going to concerts with friends is very fun. But I also don’t mind going at it alone, and sometimes, it’s nice to feel independent and know that I don’t necessarily rely on others in order to allow myself to have fun.