When Idaho-born Headley, a 20-year-old NYU drama student, laments, "I felt like
I'd dated and then hated every man in Manhattan," she thinks perhaps she's too
critical. So she "decided that I would say yes to every man who asked me out on
a date." It sounds disastrous, even scary, though she chose to exclude the
drunk, the drugged, the violent, and cheating husbands.1
Not to worry, I have no intention of implementing the same strategy in my (non)dating life. I'm more interested in the idea of challenging the definitions I have of "this is what I like/want." I'm still the number one draft pick when it comes to being spontaneous, but I don't think that I have worked outside of my comfort zone as much as I used to. Part of the post-college years is definitely figuring out what you like and setting up rules, but now - I want to challenge them and try things that I say I hate.
I've come up with various ideas to implement this new strategery:
- Go to a steakhouse. I haven't had beef in .... 17 years. I don't think I can actually eat a steak (it might kill me.) But maybe I can have a little piece of someone else's.
- Buy a TV. I haven't owned my own, um, ever. My friends jokingly refer to me as a Luddite, and that's at least partially true.
- Pick a random upcoming concert in a genre I wouldn't usually consider, listen to the artist's music beforehand and go.
- Hang out in the Marina on a Sunday (soooooo not who I consider my peeps.)
- Choose a random sport and start taking lessons or playing. (Bowling? Hawaiian outrigger canoe?)
I'm just thinking out blog here, but the basic idea is for me to say 'Yes' more often to things I think that I don't enjoy. Actually, perhaps it is broader than that - maybe it is more like becoming more open to new and (as a friend would say) "different different" experiences.
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11 comments:
I find that I'm more open to doing things I wouldn't normally do (like temporarily working in a casino) because I can always blog about it later.
If you've made it without TV this long, why get hooked on it now? (Please tell me you've been reading books or something.) Actually, you could write an interesting account about how Amish people like you break down and decide to buy a television. The conversations with an electronics store employee could be priceless. Storywise, it wouldn't matter if you ended up buying a TV or not.
And the steakhouse... well, blog posts about indigestion are rarely interesting. The other ideas sound good.
I just went to the Marina last Sunday for the very same reason, and I have to admit, on a nice day, it's really kind of nice. Not that I would want to be there on a regular basis, but... I'm just letting you know that you need not fear!
Also, SJM called me a luddite last Friday, so I'm happy I'll be able to turn the title over to you.
And if you want to go see an emo/indie concert some time, let me know. We can go and be amused by the little hipsters...
I don't know if I would call bowling a sport, but I do know of a certain blogger who bowls regularly. Um... on Monday nights. :)
The Marina? And brimful too? Please, please don't turn into Marina girls- please!
Neel: I take your point, but I also am trying to get away from thinking "I could so blog this!" and get back to just living my life. (i.e. not look for or exploit "blog opportunities.")
brimful: Hmmm, emo/indie ... sounds ... different (for me.) Keep me posted on upcoming stuff!
oodles: Not to worry, ain't no way b or I is gonna turn into a Marina girl!!
I am freaked out that you footnoted. I mean, not freaked. But you know. You footnoted! AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!
In other news, I suggest the music or sport route. Because neither can really be a waste of time or bad for your health, and the other options can.
don't know about the beef thing... the marina i don't know anything about..but if it means you'll become a 'marina gal' doesn't sound too kosher... the tv... don't get one.. you'll get sucked in and it will be hard to get outta of it...
music..def expand the tastes and go to some random concerts in the bay area...
sport.. hm.. pick up sailing..you're on the bay.. why the heck not? take a sailing class...or scuba diving..something with the water (my bias) and with scuba you can travel the world and take the skill to see amazing wonders!
Meat is Murder.
Especially if you've been a vegetarian this long. Then it's, like, extra murder.
You told the cow you weren't going to eat it. Were you lying?
That's funny, I was just saying that to Chai today - that lately I'll do anything anyone asks me out to do. If it involves something I haven't done in the city, I'm there. It's a great way to experience new things you wouldn't normally do. I can't wait to hear your stories from this.
Heyyyyyyy...I stand by my "different different" usage. For a second when I read that, I thought, "SEE! Someone else says it too!" And then realized you were referring to me!
#1 Cow is delicious.
#2 I, like Roonie, can't believe you footnoted.
hyacinth bucket is the best thing on pbs.
i wouldn't try the steak thing just like that. it might be super heavy. perhaps a very thin piece of carpaccio at first!
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