Decidedly Uninspired

Dear Anonymous Reader,

Surprisingly enough, I haven't procrastinated this month as much as I generally do (except for now...not studying for a french test). Obviously, it's been a couple of weeks since I've written anything here. Truth be told, I haven't felt inspired enough (or at all) to write anything seemingly worth while (schoolwork aside...inspired only by deadlines and potential F's).

markjuleen.com

Not quite the inspiration I'm looking for, but kudos nonetheless

But if there's one thing I've learned over the last few years studying literature (while also trying to write some of my own), it's that inspiration (in most instances) has little to do with great works of art. It's the hard work and long hours endured when having to write draft after draft day after day all while experiencing rejection after rejection until finally something clicks (if it ever does) and the ball starts rolling.

The sad, simple truth, however, is that the majority of artists won't ever experience that. They'll live (and die) in obscurity.

Lovely prospects, eh?

So why write...or do anything at all? Because there's hopefully more in it for you than just money (but money would be nice), and all it takes is one divine moment of being in the right place at the right time with the right piece of art to see it realized on a large scale. But if you spend your life not doing anything, then that moment will most definitely never come (and even if it did, you wouldn't have anything to show for it).

So whether you think great works of art come about by this:

legacy.lclark.edu/faculty/jsmiller/objects/idea_bulb.jpg

If you're lucky

Or more realistically by this:

I don't have organizational  issues...honest.

...understanding that most anything significant requires attention, dedication, and overall hard work is the first step to seeing any piece of "creative genius" realized.

The hardest part, though, is getting started.

But more on that later.

Sincerely,

-Sean 

In Pursuit of Women (no means no...without that yes hiding behind it) Part 5

Dear Anonymous Reader,

In Part 3, I left off with how not taking no for an answer ends up becoming annoying and not really that Hollywood style romance we dorky guys hope for.

So on that note, there was this girl. In trying to keep things simple, I'll say that at the time she was simply the most beautiful girl that I had ever met.

Not her, but close enough

I was what, 14? It was the inbetweensie Jr. High years and we went to the same church. Even now, I honestly don't remember much about her except that every single guy wanted to be with her (by a modest estimate)...and she liked cars.

She didn't like me, though. Admittedly, I was probably a dork. At the very least, she tolerated my presence and entertained me with a few good conversations, but from what I remember, it never really went anywhere too significant. I did, however, at some point, gather the guts to ask the girl out.

And of course, she said no.

I'm the one on the right...except I'm a guy, he's the girl, and she's a dude too.
Alrighty then, moving on.

I don't blame her. Looking back, I'd've said no just as quickly. Looking back, I also would've slapped myself and said, "Leave it at that, ya blockhead! Once is enough."

But I was a persistent little sucker.

It eventually, to me anyway, just became a running joke. I'd call her up, we'd share some small talk for a little bit, and somewhere in the conversation I'd not so subtly sneak in, "So, how bout now, will you go out with me?"

"No."

"Aw, common, please?"

"No."

"Alright. See ya at church."

"Bye."

Paraphrased, but still pathetic, I know.

Needless to say, she dated the other guy (doesn't matter who, he's not part of the story) and I eventually moved on. But one thing I realized, regardless of how funny it might be looking back, is that asking her out over, and over, and over again probably wasn't the smoothest thing to do.

Not that I really even knew, or cared, what "smooth" looked like back then. I was 14 for cryin' out loud.

I did learn, however, that regardless of what that sneaky little demon of a heart tells you, if the girl says no (or God forbid gives you some lame excuse along the lines of, "It's not you, it's me,") leave it at that and just move on (at breakneck speed). It'll save you a lot of trouble and embarrassing stories later.

Oh yeah, and that girl's married now, has a kid, and is still beautiful. I hope she's happy.

I'm obviously still single, I have no real prospects, and I still don't have a clue what I'm doing.

But more on that later.

Sincerely,

-Sean

Writer's Block

Dear Anonymous Reader,

...

Sincerely,

-Sean