Archive

Listen to Jane

posted 17th December 2009    Written by: Marisa    CATEGORY: All Posts, Inspiration, Marisa, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 1

austenThere are times in life when you need Jane Austen.

Then there are times when you can’t stop reading one of her novels for fear you might miss the character development, but then you realize that wait, you’ve read this book many, MANY times before and it’s okay, you can always read it again.  Always.

Her novels are like music for my eyes.  Especially Persuasion.

ESPECIALLY CAPTAIN WENTWORTH.

It’s neither unique nor different when declaring my admiration for Jane Austen’s Persuasion from other fans and/or fangirls (yes, my fangirl list is long).  I hesitate now to read new literature; it’s become a horrible habit where I just rely on the familiar and safe in literature. I have my Jane Austen safety net.

Anne Elliot has become my literary alter ego. In Persuasion, she is the main character; a daughter born in nobility where her father spent too quickly of a family fortune and title, thus being forced to let out the grand Kellynch Hall.  She is 27, single and not given much hope for prospects in life.

I like Anne.  In fact, in the beginning, I see a lot of myself in Anne.  One of the central plot lines and character building themes is surrounded around Anne’s ability to be persuaded.  And because she was persuaded at the age of 19 to break the engagement to the love of her life, Captain Wentworth (due to his low status and lack of money), she is now alone, dependent on her father and the family name and stereotypically given the societal death certificate: Spinster.

I too became easily persuaded at that young age to follow what seemed a traditional path, not to follow the inspired road. While reflecting, I now think that choice became both a negative and a positive.

With the exception of Captain Wentworth (oh god, wouldn’t that be fabulous), I find myself traveling along the same journey that Anne finally discovers for herself.  Throughout the novel, she learns of her own independence and the necessity of it to not only to survive while living with her father and annoying/spoiled sister, but also to win back the love of her life she scorned those many years ago.  She uses this independence to show her growth, true noble character and desire.

She knew once Frederick was back in town that she had to prove herself once again.

Listen, I know may be projecting my own trials and tribulations with Anne and the book Persuasion with bias. My love for Jane Austen will never die, NEVER.  And I’m definitely not impartial to the style, the vernacular and the characters– her era was what I basically yearned and studied for while attending college.

But, that said– I just wanted to point out that between August 1815 and August 1816, Jane Austen wrote about a Quarterlife Crisis for a fictional character she held in high regard and obviously wanted to complete with a positive resolution.

If Anne, although fictional, could survive her QLC in less than 500 pages, who’s to say that I can’t achieve the same success in my book of life?

I’m sure Jane would agree.

She would also tell me where to find my Captain Frederick Wentworth and how we should go about with a proper introduction.  She would prefer the tall one with the honey blonde hair, inquisitive steel eyes, and steadfastness of character.

Yeah, Jane’s my girl.

marisa-bio1

photo credit: Theo Westenberg on Seraphic Secret

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Stratejoy: A Visual of Happiness

posted 16th December 2009    Written by: Andrea    CATEGORY: All Posts, Andrea, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 1

I love words. Ask anyone who has known me for more than 5 minutes.

Because of this love, I am obsessed with an awesome technology tool called Wordle. It lets you take tons of words and organize them, customize a font and create an amazing pieces of artwork.

It’s been almost 6 months now that Stratejoy has been publishing blog posts by fabulous QuarterLifers like myself, and I wanted to see what we have been talking about. I took all of our blogposts and submitted the words to Wordle. I was really excited to see what our most popular topics would be!

Take a look at the surprise I found when Wordle created this piece:

worlde.stratejoyWhats the first thing you see?

Wordle: Stratejoy Blog Topics

I see “Always, Think, Happy”

I kinda like that mantra. It reminds of Finding Nemo when the fish Dori repeats, “Just Keep Swimming” to little Nemo. If I just “Always Think Happy” maybe this time of crisis won’t seem so chaotic.

It’s worth a shot!

The main topic of all of our blogs during the past 6 months of crisis has been Happiness. Every form of the word from Happy, to Happiest, to Happiness, to Happier. See a pattern here? I wonder if happiness, and the path to finding what that is, could be the key to life.  Something to think about….

If you look closely you’ll also find  “Living, Grateful, Confidence, Family, Time, Life, Bliss.” All positive words! I’m really proud us gutsy girl bloggers- Way to go! Nice use of words if I do say so myself.

Keep it up, we are all in this together.

Always

Think

Happy

Andrea (new) bio.

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Positively Positive

posted 16th December 2009    Written by: Kendra    CATEGORY: All Posts, Kendra, Life Lesson, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 1

SmilingBarbara Ehrenreich has been making the rounds in support of her new book, Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America. In it, Ms.Ehrenreich blames positivity for everything from the decline in social justice movements to a rise in social irresponsibility.

Curmudgeons everywhere have been rejoicing.

“Finally”, they’re saying in their knowing way, which almost but doesn’t quite, resemble joy “those Pollyanna’s are getting their comeuppance.”

There is something to be said for Ehrenreich’s argument. The fable The Ant and the Grasshopper, for example, exists to remind us that regardless of our outlook, times are not always bright. Practically speaking unemployment, illness or other unexpected events can blindside us which is why it’s important to shore up a reserve: of money, of good will, but also, of happiness.

Specifically what she is attacking is, The so-called ‘Rule of Attraction’ made popular by the movie and book The Secret. At its core (if you’ve been under a rock and have managed to ignore its teachings, and if you have can I join you in this happy wonderland?) is the belief that we attract what we focus on (like attracts like). If we focus on our unemployment for example, we attract being unemployed. We should instead focus our attention on what we want, a job for example.

Ehrenreich argues that because people were focusing on things like wealth, they allowed themselves to purchase homes without worrying if they could afford them. If they thought about the issue at all, they figured their positive thoughts would be enough to attract the money when the money was necessary. In addition, she says that this line of thinking puts tremendous responsibility on people going through trying times to put on a happy face (an idea I myself touched on awhile back) and it in effects indicts those with serious illnesses by saying they somehow attracted their illnesses.

While her arguments have validity: many of us do need a healthy sense of reality; spiritual practices can only do so much. Even the Bible stresses action (a great joke on that front can be found here). We must also recognize that practically speaking what keeps most people motivated is well… a certain level of willful positivity.

Studies have shown that depressed individuals often have a clearer view of reality than their non-depressed counterparts. Being healthy it turns out, involves a healthy amount of self-delusion.

I should know.

Being unemployed, sucks, what keeps me churning out job applications is the hope (and vision) that doing so will eventually land me a job. Similarly I can’t think of anyone who gets married thinking their marriage will end in divorce, or decides to have children thinking that their wee one will grow up to be a serial killer.

While a healthy amount of realism helps us to prepare for unexpected shocks, hiccups and bumps, it’s positivity that propels us forward. The little engine that could, after all, did not manage to chug his way up the mountain declaring “I think I can’t”.

kendra-bio1

photo credit : mcbeth

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Escaping Reality While I Can

posted 14th December 2009    Written by: Robyn    CATEGORY: All Posts, Quarterlife Crisis, Robyn, Season 1, Travel, Travel/Adventure

Montezuma, Costa RicaIn between my writing and my dog walking and my attempt to make more solid plans for the future, I have booked a trip to escape reality for three weeks.

I figured I might as well take advantage of my current work arrangement. Since I’m my own boss right now, there was no need to fuss over dates or worry about vacation time.

Right after Christmas, I am hopping a plane to San Jose, Costa Rica! I plan on bringing a camera and a backpack and that’s about it. My goal is to keep the whole trip under $1,000, which I think should be pretty doable since I found a great flight deal!

Right now I don’t have much of a plan, except that I will be spending New Year’s Eve in a coastal hippie town called Montezuma. I decided to splurge and booked three nights in a beachfront bungalow in the small town. After celebrating the New Year on the beach (supposedly beach parties every night!), I am planning to spend my days eating delicious seafood, hiking to find secret waterfalls, relaxing on the beach, and enjoying the wildlife and nature all around me.

It sounds too good to be true, and I cannot wait!

After Montezuma, I have tentative plans to work my way up to Arenal, which is famous for volcano hikes and jungle canopy tours. I also plan on trying zip lining for the first time and also whitewater rafting as I have on my previous trips. There seems to be plenty of options for adventure and new activities.

So far those are the only plans I have.

In the past, I have found it best to go with the flow and not have too many firm commitments when I travel. After all, you never know who you might meet, what place you might randomly and suddenly fall in love with, and where it may all lead you to…

I booked my flight out of Panama, so I know I will be heading south after Arenal. Hopefully after some more research I will be able to sign up to volunteer somewhere for a week. There are lots of opportunities to work on a farm, work with wildlife, or help with different camps or schools for children.

I’m thrilled to explore a new place, meet new people, and have new experiences.

Most of all, I am excited to feel inspired and revived all over again. Traveling always has this exhilarating effect on me, and I plan on taking advantage of this once I return to Chicago with new ideas, a new outlook, and a new attitude.

robyn-bio1

photo credit : isotaupe

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Coming Full Circle at SXSW

posted 10th December 2009    Written by: Marisa    CATEGORY: All Posts, Job/Career/Work, Marisa, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 1

SWSW 2010Yeah, I’m a fangirl.  I can fangirl it with most things like movies, books and especially music.

So when I find a band or a song that captures my attention and brainwashes my life with notes and lyrics, I tend to fangirl the hell out of it.  This brings me to my most recent purchase and purpose for the upcoming spring: airfare to Austin, TX for SXSW 2010.

Can you believe it?  Almost a WHOLE year since my first adventure began after becoming unemployed.  And it was one of the best experiences of my life. I plan to throw a repeat: a continued party of life if you will, something to not only compare in entertainment to last year’s fantastic feat, but also to also surpass anything and everything I’ve wanted to taste musically for 2010.

I’m excited.

I even have a job up until then.  I was just asked if I could work in the Logistics Department at lucy until March.  The coordinator is leaving in January for maternity leave and it times perfectly with the completion of my current temporary situation.  I wasn’t even expecting it.  I had planned to go back on unemployment right after January and figure out yet another income path.

I was even presented with the opportunity to go on tour as the infamous and most celebrated merch girl for a band that shall remain nameless (hint, they are my ideal in musical life and I’ve talked about them before, these local gods…).

So why didn’t I throw caution to the wind again and just go for it? Why did I let the chance for a fun, short West Coast tour slip away…

Well, I know a little of why I did it.  I think I saw the value in still being in contact with a good company even though it’s a temporary position.  And even if and when I finish working at lucy, it’ll be March and I’ll be in sunny Texas thawing out from Portland frost.

I just don’t think going on tour in cold February would do, right now. I feel like life in Portland is seriously about to get interesting for 2010.

My work with Devin and High Scores and Records is kind of getting bigger with more press from the Weeklys and music blogs.  There has been fulfillment and rewards with Devin and HS&R that I’ve never really realized could be possible before…

And I’m still drumming.  Still taking lessons from my awesome teacher Lisa whose band will also be at SXSW and I can’t WAIT.

So back to fangirl.  And new music.  I’m finding new music for the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010.  I’m attempting to soundtrack these last few weeks and beginning days with sounds and words I’ve never heard before.  This is quite literally what I hope for at this time of year, unexplored life in the damp, dark and wet crevasses of Portland.

Jookabox is a band from Indianapolis, IN.  Their song “You Cried Me” kept me walking with a skip and a hop this past week during the arctic cold blast up here in the Northwest.  I move to it while waiting for the streetcar hoping to keep the blood to my extremities.  It’s a fun song; it gets me excited for the unknown and finding it only solidifies my intentions and expectations for the near future.

They’re going to be at SXSW too in March.  Fangirl, raise your hand.

marisa-bio1

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