questions

Do you think just anyone can be successful?  How much is the amount of success in your future predetermined and how much is manageable by your work ethic?  I've always been hyper aware of the fact that it's not the most talented people that get what they want or the jobs they deserve, it's the most persistent people.  In fact, the majority of people who are blessed with natural talents are usually the ones that need to be motivated by their less abled yet more motivated peers.

So.. where do most of us fit in?  Star quality, business prowess... the ability to be gracious in every occasion and liked by every person who comes your way... is it sent from the heavens to us like a lottery?  I don't know.  I guess most would agree that hard work + hard work + talent = success.  (And in this day and age sometimes less than average talent + dumb luck + the internet = big bucks).

I guess there are no other options except to work hard at our crafts every single day and try to slot ourselves into every opportunity we can find, just hoping that one day success will appear in our hands.  Hoping.  Not ever sure.  Maybe some people are just born to stumble across that pot of gold.  Maybe they are born knowing where to find it while the rest of us simply search our whole lives, yearning.  Maybe our futures have already been determined for us...




Maybe.

Maybe is good enough for me.

themuseinamusing

After all, what is life without drama and mystery?

waitingforfall

(images via jakandjil)

"Layering is such a talent.  It's a way of dressing that is very personal." - ELLE JULY 2011

I can't wait for a little breeze in the weather to justify socks in booties and scarves over cropped jackets.  The sweltering heat we are experiencing right now gives you almost nothing to work with.  Zero mystery.  On the flipside I guess there is something to enjoy about that sweaty and passionate summer heat.

Post-Script
I guess this is the second time I've mentioned mystery + style in one thought.  People always say "dress for the job you want, not the one you have" or other metaphorical interpretations of the idea that your clothing basically speaks as an aesthetic summary of your personality on your mouth's behalf.  Visuals are everything.  The way you've dressed yourself today has been deliberately chosen by your subconscious to portray who you want the world to see you as today.  A rebel, a bombshell, the girl/guy next door - each character you dress as  comes equipped with a backstory.  Hence the more layers, the more drama and mystery. Therefore, as you add more of these story-like elements you add to your wardrobe you become a little bit more interesting - to look at... maaaybe not to speak to.  But hey, could've fooled me!

I was here.

"I was here.  I lived, I loved.  I was here." - Beyonce, "I was here"

I wanna leave a footprint on the sands of time...


Isn't everyone just trying to leave their mark on this world?  Something that will live on long after they cease to exist?  Is that what this is really all about?  Everyday is a new challenge to make a bigger impression on not just the people around you but the UNIVERSE as a living and breathing being.  All those teenagers carving their names into the bathroom walls... Mike was here, Cristina + Dave forever - it's not just a silly game.  It's their subconscious reaching out and saying "hey, this won't be here forever!  Better make your mark now."  Years from now someone might look back and wonder who scratched their name into their classroom desk, and that's more than you could have hoped for.

To be remembered.

It's a simple thing with a big intent behind it.  We're all chasing dreams, holding on to loved ones... just trying to leave something - kids, graffiti, businesses, buildings - anything that we hope will remain permanent while we acknowledge our inevitable impermanency.

Remember me while I'm here.  Please remember me when I'm gone.  That's all...

thatrestlessfeeling

I'm in the mood to travel.  I think I need to be re-inspired all over again.

tribalbible

I'm wondering how many people would pay me to do their nails... Wednesday's inspiration.

This made me cry.  I am proud of her even though I have never met her.  She is a voice for all the thoughts I can't put together about my life's desires summed up in one quotation I wish I had the guts to wholeheartedly follow.

"I don't have to prove anything to anyone.  I only have to follow my heart, and concentrate on what I want to say to the world.  I run my world."

VANESSAxRAWDANCECREW

A special performance with 3/4 of the boys from Raw Dance Crew to choreography I made for last week's class!  It's been a minute since I've been messing around with formations and working on performance so it was really nice getting back into it.  I've been meaning to record something proper for a while so I'm glad these guys are always on the same brainwaves as me.  Special thanks to Jimmy for the camera and Gregory for being the eyes I can trust to record with... although sometimes he forgets to press start.  Bloopers to come soon.

Anyway, enough of the blah blah blah - hope you enjoy our Monday choreo short!

Today's got me feelin' like

XO

oh, spring was fast

Wondering when I'll be bored enough to do these again...

paincanmakeyouwanttolovenomore

My first dance class was in April.  Can you believe it's been nearly three months?

I have loved teaching from the very start.  When I was first asked to teach at this studio... I don't think many people would have guessed that I was very skeptical.  Not in the job, but in myself.  Would I be any good at teaching?  Do I even have enough experience to share with strangers?  I felt like I was still paying my dues.  I mean I still feel like that... honestly, I was talked into it.  By non-dancers, nonetheless.  People who gave me a clear perspective, and so far?  It has been the best decision of this year.  The students don't know this, but I need them more than they need me.  It is humbling, grounding, encouraging and inspiring to meet these motivated people week after week.  So thank you, and let's keep it moving...

LOBSTERVATIONS #1

If your cellphone background is a picture of your own face, you're probably a douchebag.

iworkinretail;mywalletHATESme

I just googled "shoe closet" and my mind exploded in a symphony of envy and admiration... and plots to destroy all the owners of these magnificent shoe closets.

Is there anything better than shoes on top of shoes on top of shoes?

downtothelastdetail

I am obsessed with jewelry that makes you seem more mysterious than you actually are.

I think there's a fork up ahead...

And then she asked me, “Are you good enough to be pursuing this dream?” 

I honestly didn’t have an answer.  Everyday I continue down this dirt road towards.. what?  Something.  A glimmer of something that will complete me… a dream I’ve yet to have.  Every day I continue down this same path because I come across new people, new obstacles that I overcome and make me feel like I can take on the world.  I can do anything.  Even through all these mini goals I’ve achieved, however, it never silences the voice in my head that tells me I’m just an ignorant fool chasing after a world that will never accept me for who I am.  I’m not special.  I’m not good enough.  There’s nothing optimistic about this post… It’s not meant to be motivational.  Tonight I felt the other side of the starving artist life and I wasn’t prepared for it.  ”How long do you see yourself doing this for?”  I wanted to shout FOREVER… I wasn’t prepared.  I’m not good enough… I’ll never make it.  ”This begs the question… what do you want?”, he asked me.  

I honestly didn’t have an answer.