An Update On The Quest: It's Still On

December 22, 2011

I can never title my posts until I’m completely finished with them.

I haven’t been giving you as much attention as you deserve, to steal a line from the “man” chapbook. But because I am not a man, and because I do not give up on the things I claim to care about just because I am ‘bogged’ down with work, here I am.

The main reason for my absence has been because of what that little guy (mine) in the picture to my left represents. The giving season. Last week there was some tedious thing to do every day, and I wasn’t able to sit down and pour my heart out, or read a single page of anything. But I am back with the biggest vengeance you’ll ever see, and I promise I’m going to give you the attention you deserve.

I read a quote by Kurt Vonnegut recently, where someone asked him where his ideas came from, as if that was something easily answered. He said something along the lines of “they were just inside of me.” I can relate. I have no idea where some of my bad poetry or story ideas come from, but I enjoy them like cheesy mashed potatoes. I didn’t write all last week, so tonight it’s not just the Chipotle that’s filling me up–it’s words, pictures, scenes that have never happened, soundtracks to movies that don’t exist, so many things that are just pushing ahead of everything else to make their way out into the open world where the air is fresh. So many angry thoughts and idyllic memories are salsa dancing in my brain that I wish I could just take out one of those tubes from the vacuum and put it to my head so it all gets sucked out. Does that ever happen to you?

I have been thinking about extracurricular activities, in addition to everything, and taking an accounting class. That MBA book I’m reading highlighted the importance of being involved in extracurricular activities, and even voluntary business classes outside of the MBA program. The best part is I was already planning on taking a couple of accounting classes, earlier this year, before this rush of inspiration soiled my shirt with a pretty turquoise, pinkish color. I’m not going to sit here and enumerate my goals for the remainder of this year and early next, because Leo Babauta got it right when he said that goals are merely another reason to feel like you are not good enough. Eradicate them and you’re free to do what you’re passionate about.

Another major influence to me is Peter Shankman. He recently tweeted this badboy:

Shankman gets shit done, and he’s funny about it. My virtual relationship with him feels human, even though I’ve never met him in my life. He’s always posting these wonderfully inspiring, hilarious things on Facebook that really alter me. And he’s smart. And he knows what he’s talking about.

So the point of this post was to update you on my novel quest: it’s still on. And remember, the important thing here is not the end result, but the quest itself. I also wanted to wish you a very merry Christmas, even though it is days away, and renew my undying commitment to you with this ring. I thee wed.