I realize that since one of my earliest blog posts, I haven't had a shower epiphany. This is a sad fact I've faced, since what was once my time to ponder the philosophy of the universe has now turned into ticking off a to-do list, creating a to-do list for tomorrow, and if it's a hair washing day and I've got loads of time, realizing that Shakespeare really was quite perverted. But today, with my completed homework
So now that we are all familiar with the amazingness that is Alex Day, I'll briefly summarize Lifescouts, because let's face it, wading through Tumblr by one's lonesome can be quite the daunting experience. Essentially, Alex Day wanted to create a "Boy scouts" for adults--to congratulate adults on their achievements, whether it be something like planting seeds in a garden or getting a promotion. You can buy the physical Lifescout badges, or simply re-post them on your Tumblr and blog about your experience in gaining that badge.
I personally am super excited about this idea, and not just because I like getting shiny badges. With the social media dominating our lives, why not turn the energy we use to look at videos of cats into creating a community where we motivate ourselves to go out and do things? It can be scary to get out of our comfort zone and try new things, but having a widespread support system to share our experiences with makes Lifescouts both more fun and less daunting.
But then the line gets blurry when we try to determine what constitutes achievement or "experiencing the world." Someone once told me I wasn't well-rounded in the world because I read too much. Coming from the same person who values and enjoys history.
......................Last time I checked, World War II wasn't right outside your window.
The resolution that reading doesn't make you worldly is a simplistic one, and quite simply, the lazy man's excuse. Let's just examine the obvious fact here that EVERYTHING YOU COULD POSSIBLY WANT TO LEARN ABOUT IS FOUND IN BOOKS. Even when you're confused about those pesky interpersonal connections that seem so unique to you, thousands of psychologists have analyzed those same personality traits, those same behaviors. You can't read people until you read books, and to those who are so dis-illusioned as to think that wordly knowledge comes from getting plastered somewhere outside your home, don't be surprised if I shake you with a spear.
So that was a rant.
There is a fine balance between refusing to see concrete merit in literature and avoiding the outside world by constantly being immersed in literature. I've often struggled with this see-saw of experience, though college has helped me in evening out the spectrum. As I continue to read and think for classes, I've also made an effort to go to yoga classes and discussions, to maintain a solid work schedule, and obviously Shoshoni work study is a major life event. But through these thoughts about what constitutes valid experience, I've come to realize (yay more shower epiphanies) that the achievements I am most proud of are literary. So I've come up with my own branch of Lifescouts:
PROJECT POETRY.
Project poetry is where anyone, writers and life-experiencers alike, write one poem per day for a month. Similar to NanoWriMo, the quality of these poems don't always have to be excellent. They don't always have to make sense. But they do have to encourage you to write, even if it's about a random duck you saw walking past the bus stop. There are no length requirements for these poems. You could write 31 Haikus if you so pleased. But much of poetry is about landscape, or adventure, or seeing the world in some exciting new way, so I thought the juxtaposition of getting outside your room and reflecting was perfect for Lifescouts.
My first poem is about the idea that what if breakups were a person? What would you say to them? How many times would you slap them? What if they were rhetorically skilled and got you to feel sorry for them? Part of what makes breakups so wretched is that they bring up a myriad of emotions that you can't quite pinpoint but that insist on chilling there and taking up your brain space for months on end. It would be interesting to see if people were less dominated by breakups if they saw the phenomenon as a tangible object that they could just kick away at any moment, or at the very least, have a very firm talking-to.
And so, my first attempt at Project Poetry:
A Breakup with Breakups
I see that yellow gleam in your eyes
magnetizing me to the fridge,
as though another pint will solve everything.
What's one more night of wallowing?
That's all very pleasant dear breakup,
but did you ever stop to think
that wallowing could be reserved for
sympathetic characters on late night TV?
I've got some courses to ace,
and nowhere in literary theory do I see where
you're so pathetic could serve my development
as a thinker or citizen.
You're kinda selfish,
all this schadenfreude is so WWII.
I'd appreciate it if you took your shennanigans elsewhere.
You'd get a better reaction from some 15 year old
who's already got the blackened posters and screaming albums
who are just waiting for someone to rage at.
But me?
Please.
I've seen your antics.
I know the machine of your mind.
You're like the chorus
of some generic pop song--
you could fit anywhere,
delve into anyone's heart,
changing form ever so slightly
from pitchfork to dagger
so as not to arouse suspicion.
Don't flatter yourself
in believing I see you as unique,
or someone to keep around.
Frankly, I'm quite sick of your tone,
your ill-advised words that tell me
dependence is the new black.
When you come back,
it's a new form you'll take,
a new victim you'll face.
Because, guess what? It's not me.
It's you.
Dear breakup, our dalliance was fun,
but with this fling, I am done.
Happy poem writing!
Namaste.
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