What’s on your mind?

[Scepticalscribe]

Just started officially planning the execution of something I've wanted to do for who knows how long. A cross country roadtrip through the USA. Obviously still a ton to do, sort out, figure out etc., but it's a start and I'm not in that much of a rush.

Been thinking a lot lately of unrealized dreams, how short life really is and how suddenly it all can end. There should be more to it than grinding away every day, even if it's a job / life you happen to like; personally I want to live, not just exist.

You're so scandalous.



Tell me about unrealized dreams and how suddenly life can end. That's awesome you're going to do this.

Me, I just want to eventually more of get my writing out there, and now dabble in graphic design with Affinity Publisher. The need to create is still strong, but the desire is strike while it's hot, which is annoying as heck to me, but...

Next month it'll be a year that I almost died, and I did some things I wanted to do, but not everything. So I can relate to your post in a big way.

I hope everyone is having a nice Friday.

Oddly enough, and this only recently came back to me, I quite vividly remember a late morning, a sunny late summer morning, over the summer holidays when I was in secondary school, a year before I took the first set of state exams which occur mid way through the school cycle - so, I was fourteen.

I was lying on a rug in the back garden, reading - and completely immersed in - a history book on twentieth century history - (but that summer, I also recall reading a lot of Jules Verne, such as Around the World in Eighty Days, which I loved, as well as some of the works of Alexandre Dumas, though I loathed the character of Edmond Dantés every bit as much as I later loathed Frodo when I first met him in TLOTR, as a postgrad; and I read my way through my mother's library of feminist classics - Simone de Beauvoir, et all - that summer as well, though Plato and George Orwell were read during the first term of the following school year).

Anyway, that morning, on the rug, having finished and put down the history book, I remember thinking - with an extraordinary and bizarrely focussed clarity - that there were a number of things I wanted to do in the course of my life.

I wanted to write a history book - at least one, and the subject matter for that history book - which was published a quarter of a century later - came into my mind that particular morning. In addition, I wanted to travel, widely, extensively, see places and explore their history and cultures, to travel and work in interesting countries while doing interesting jobs.

And I wanted to work at something that engaged and enthused me, something that provided intellectual stimulation, some autonomy, a decent income, (so that I was financially independent) and which included studying, researching and perhaps teaching and writing about history and politics.

And now, decades later, I realise that - to some extent or other - I have actually done all of these things.

So, reach for your dreams, and try to find some way of fulfilling them.

My dad went to creative writing classes for three years after he retired - it was something he had always wanted to do - and hugely enjoyed it as this was a facet of his character that he felt unable to indulge until then.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Oddly enough, and this only recently came back to me, I quite vividly remember a sunny late morning over the summer holidays when I was in secondary school, a year before I took the first set of state exams which occur mid way through the school cycle - so, I was fourteen.

I was lying on a rug in the back garden, reading - and completely immersed in - a history book on twentieth century history - (but that summer, I also recall reading a lot of Jules Verne, Around the World in Eighty Days, I loved and some of the works of Alexandre Dumas, though I loathed the character of Edmond Dantés every bit as I later loathed Frodo when I first met him in TLOTR, as a postgrad; and I read my way through my mother's library of feminist classics that summer as well, though Plato and George Orwell read during the following school year).

Anyway, that morning, on the rug, having finished and put down the history book, I remember thinking - with an extraordinary and bizarrely focussed clarity - that there were a number of things I wanted to do in the course of my life.

I wanted to write a history book - at least one, and the subject matter for that history book came into my mind that particular morning. In addition, I wanted to travel, widely, extensively, see places and explore their history and cultures, to travel and work in interesting countries while doing interesting jobs.

And I wanted to work at something that engaged and enthused me, something that provided intellectual stimulation, some autonomy, a decent income, (so that I was financially independent) and which included studying, researching and perhaps teaching and writing about history and politics.

And now, decades later, I realise that - to some extent or other - I have actually done all of these things.

So, reach for your dreams, and try to find some way of fulfilling them.

My dad went to creative writing classes for three years after he retired - it was something he had always wanted to do - and hugely enjoyed it as this was a facet of his character that he felt unable to indulge until then.

What a fantastic post.
I do wholeheartedly agree with the call to reach for one's dreams. Not every dream will become reality, not every dream will be exactly as we imagined it, but many dreams will actually fulfill.
I remember when I was a kid in Italy, about 10 or 11 and really dreamt of living in the US... and guess where I live now. I also wanted to work in the gov't fields, and a specific field in gov't... guess what? It has happened. I wanted a beautiful, smart, wife I could dedicate my life to... it has happened.
I have many other dreams, some will fulfill, some won't. I am still reaching for them, and I won't stop until I die.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

What a fantastic post.
I do wholeheartedly agree with the call to reach for one's dreams. Not every dream will become reality, not every dream will be exactly as we imagined it, but many dreams will actually fulfill.
I remember when I was a kid in Italy, about 10 or 11 and really dreamt of living in the US... and guess where I live now. I also wanted to work in the gov't fields, and a specific field in gov't... guess what? It has happened. I wanted a beautiful, smart, wife I could dedicate my life to... it has happened.
I have many other dreams, some will fulfill, some won't. I am still reaching for them, and I won't stop until I die.

Excellent post. One which I understand - or "get" - completely.

Actually, I am surprised at how many of the things I decided that I wanted to do (things that some - but not my wonderful and immensely supportive parents - might have argued were not what women should wish to interest themselves in at the time), that sunny summer morning, I have actually done.

Even as a teacher, (a professional which I loved and excelled at), I knew that I also wanted to travel, see history unfold in real time, and yes, eventually work in official (i.e, government or supranational) capacities, not private ones.

In fact, in some ways, I realise that I have had quite a privileged life.

And yes, there are other things that I still wish to do (for there are more books to be read, and some yet to be written), more countries to be visited and explored; you meet interesting people this way, too.

These dreams don't always work out quite as one may have envisaged them, but, in my experience, eventually, if this is what you dream of, and desire, you all achieve some of them, thus, my advice is to try to follow them, or some of them, at any rate.

 

[kazmac]

Oddly enough, and this only recently came back to me, I quite vividly remember a sunny late morning over the summer holidays when I was in secondary school, a year before I took the first set of state exams which occur mid way through the school cycle - so, I was fourteen.

I was lying on a rug in the back garden, reading - and completely immersed in - a history book on twentieth century history - (but that summer, I also recall reading a lot of Jules Verne, Around the World in Eighty Days, I loved and some of the works of Alexandre Dumas, though I loathed the character of Edmond Dantés every bit as I later loathed Frodo when I first met him in TLOTR, as a postgrad; and I read my way through my mother's library of feminist classics that summer as well, though Plato and George Orwell read during the following school year).

Anyway, that morning, on the rug, having finished and put down the history book, I remember thinking - with an extraordinary and bizarrely focussed clarity - that there were a number of things I wanted to do in the course of my life.

I wanted to write a history book - at least one, and the subject matter for that history book came into my mind that particular morning. In addition, I wanted to travel, widely, extensively, see places and explore their history and cultures, to travel and work in interesting countries while doing interesting jobs.

And I wanted to work at something that engaged and enthused me, something that provided intellectual stimulation, some autonomy, a decent income, (so that I was financially independent) and which included studying, researching and perhaps teaching and writing about history and politics.

And now, decades later, I realise that - to some extent or other - I have actually done all of these things.

So, reach for your dreams, and try to find some way of fulfilling them.

My dad went to creative writing classes for three years after he retired - it was something he had always wanted to do - and hugely enjoyed it as this was a facet of his character that he felt unable to indulge until then.

That's so cool. Glad you were able to see most of your dreams realized.

I've written content for Shaw Brothers' official site (a favorite film studio), and was paid for a piece of SB fan fiction by a boutique magazine on Asian Cinema (I was only one of two Americans chosen to be published in this publication. Most of the writers were from Asia and Europe, so that was kind of crazy), I've talked to some of my favorite people in show business, and am now starting to draw too.

My Art teacher in High School mentioned I had a great eye for design and should consider that. My magazine designer echoed this, so I am finally working on learning desktop publishing myself. I think that will improve my film journalism and might help with my fiction too as I like to have visuals while I write.

I learn by hands on, so it's just finding the time -and more importantly- the motivation. Writing, drawing and designing help so much in allowing me to cope with real life.

Hope you're well.

Thank you and @yaxomoxay for sharing your amazing experiences and fulfilled dreams.

 

[Huntn]

I have always been star struck, and always thought playing a character in a movie, and showered in income for doing it, would be most cool as a profession, while acknowledging I would have never stood a chance for multiple reasons, number one I had serious stage fright as an elementary school student and would not describe myself as particularly handsome, if handsome at all, especially now.

I am most impressed with kids or even adults who decide to swim in the dangerous waters of cinema and strike gold. When you look at the odds, it seems like it can be almost impossible to make a long term career of acting.

Part 2
Do you ever sit outside sipping a beer while relaxing, looking at the blue sky and the clouds floating by pondering your existence?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I have always been star struck, and always thought playing a character in a movie, and showered in income for doing it, would be most cool as a profession, while acknowledging I would have never stood a chance for multiple reasons, number one I had serious stage fright as an elementary school student and would not describe myself as particularly handsome, if handsome at all, especially now.

I am most impressed with kids or even adults who decide to swim in the dangerous waters of cinema and strike gold. When you look at the odds, it seems like it can be almost impossible to make a long term career of acting.

But you can make a short term, or part time career, out of it, and have great fun. Or simply indulge yourself as a hobby. It doesn't have to be a profession, just something you can lose yourself in - and thoroughly enjoy doing that - occasionally.

For that matter, I know a retired officer who served in the air force (reaching lieutenant colonel/wing commander rank) whose private passion was acting.

On his retirement, he enthusiastically took part in amateur dramas, and has worked as an extra on a few films (movies, or TV dramas) - he played a cardinal in The Tudors, and the part of an officer on an officer interview board in My Boy Jack, loving every minute of it, for example.

I know another retired officer who works with a local theatre group, and sometimes acts as a military adviser to them, - he took the actors to a local barracks and had them drilled and learn drill for a few days so that they could appear to be professional soldiers on stage when the theatre company produced a play about a mutiny - while occasionally playing roles which call for someone who can convey military authority.

 

[Apple fanboy]

You're so scandalous.



Tell me about unrealized dreams and how suddenly life can end. That's awesome you're going to do this.

Me, I just want to eventually more of get my writing out there, and now dabble in graphic design with Affinity Publisher. The need to create is still strong, but the desire is strike while it's hot, which is annoying as heck to me, but...

Next month it'll be a year that I almost died, and I did some things I wanted to do, but not everything. So I can relate to your post in a big way.

I hope everyone is having a nice Friday.

I just finished work, so yes Friday is good! Dinner is cooking and I have an evening of sanding and painting lined up before the photographer comes around on Tuesday for our estate agent.

If I don't like his work, I'll do my own!

 

[Huntn]

But you can make a short term, or part time career, out of it, and have great fun. Or simply indulge yourself as a hobby. It doesn't have to be a profession, just something you can lose yourself in - and thoroughly enjoy doing that - occasionally.

For that matter, I know a retired officer who served in the air force (reaching lieutenant colonel/wing commander rank) whose private passion was acting.

On his retirement, he enthusiastically took part in amateur dramas, and has worked as an extra on a few films (movies) - he played a cardinal in The Tudors, and part of an officer interview board in My Boy Jack, loving every minute of it, for example.

I know another retired officer who works with a local theatre group, and sometimes acts as a military adviser to them, - he took the actors to a local barracks and had them drilled for a few days so that they could appear to be professional soldiers on stage when the company produced a play about a mutiny - while occasionally playing roles which call for someone who can convey military authority.

For myself, it is possibly an odd thing, seeing something as attractive, while recognizing at least thinking, I don’t have the personality for it, not nearly social enough.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Sometimes your dreams get snatched away from you through no fault of your own. Sometimes you just drift into a routine and they get put aside.

Sometimes you realise the dream you had isn't the one you now wish to fulfil.

Life can be wired at times.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

For myself, it is possibly an odd thing, seeing something as attractive, while recognizing at least thinking, I don’t have the personality for it, not nearly social enough.

You don't need to be social to be an actor, - many are quite self-absorbed - but you need to acknowledge the others if you are part of a troupe, or touring with a play, or as a part of a company.

Part 2
Do you ever sit outside sipping a beer while relaxing, looking at the blue sky and the clouds floating by pondering your existence?

My existence, not really.

But, I have looked at the sky while walking during the day and wondered what it would look like in a hundred or two hundred years, noting that only a little over a hundred years ago saw the introduction of manned mechanical flight, and asking myself what form of flying object (no, not drones) will fill that sky in years to come?

I have looked at the stars, - wondering what they are like - and have marvelled at the fact that some may no longer exist, while the light of others set off countless millions of years ago before striking my retina.
[doublepost=1561134758][/doublepost]

Sometimes your dreams get snatched away from you through no fault of your own. Sometimes you just drift into a routine and they get put aside.

Sometimes you realise the dream you had isn't the one you now wish to fulfil.

Life can be wired at times.

Very good post, and some food for thought, for this, too, is very true.

 

[Apple fanboy]

You don't need to be social to be an actor, - many are quite self-absorbed - but you need to acknowledge the others if you are part of a troupe, or touring with a play, or a part of a company.



I have looked at the sky while walking during the day and wondered what it would look like in a hundred or two hundred years, noting that only a little over a hundred years ago saw the introduction of manned mechanical flight, and asking myself what form of flying object (no, not drones) will fill that sky in years to come?

I have looked at the stars, - wondering what they are like - and have marvelled at the fact that some may no longer exist, while the light of others set off countless millions of years ago before striking my retina.
[doublepost=1561134758][/doublepost]

Very good post, and some food for thought, for this, too, is very true.

One of my simple dreams was to own my own home. Then to pay off my mortgage, which I did more than a decade ago.

Now I'm about to undertake a small short one. Not quite the life plan I had in mind.

Still needs must and all that.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

One of my simple dreams was to own my own home. Then to pay off my mortgage, which I did more than a decade ago.

Now I'm about to undertake a small short one. Not quite the life plan I had in mind.

Still needs must and all that.

Well, I think that the small (short) mortgage is the least of your problems, as it facilitates - or serves to facilitate - a much anticipated (and deeply desired) major life change in terms of where you live, which will undoubtedly serve to enhance the quality of your life.

So, I'd argue that this is money well spent - spending money to gain peace of mind and a better quality of life is a good trade off, to my way of thinking.

 

[chown33]

Do you ever sit outside sipping a beer while relaxing, looking at the blue sky and the clouds floating by pondering your existence?

I find that it interferes with enjoying the beer and the clouds.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well, I think that the small mortgage is the least of your problems, as it facilitates - or serves to facilitate - a much anticipated (and deeply desired) major life change in terms of where you live, which will undoubtedly serve to enhance the quality of your life.

So, I'd argue that this is one well spent - opening money to gain peace of mind and a better quality of life is a good trade off, to m way of thinking.

Agreed. If it happens sooner rather than later I'll be thrilled. But the house we have seen and had an offer accepted on haven't found anywhere yet, so even if they did tom borrow we would be here at least three months.

Lets hope the neighbours take a long holiday! Or judging by the other night probably at her majesties pleasure wouldn't go a miss!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Agreed. If it happens sooner rather than later I'll be thrilled. But the house we have seen and had an offer accepted on haven't found anywhere yet, so even if they did tom borrow we would be here at least three months.

Lets hope the neighbours take a long holiday! Or judging by the other night probably at her majesties pleasure wouldn't go a miss!

Look, they'll find someplace suitable, and you will achieve a sale.

For now, your offer has been accepted, - this is still less than two weeks since you first laid eyes on (and lost your heart to) that house - and you are in the process of putting your own house up for sale.

Let that process proceed - apace, - if necessary.

And, again, if necessary, you can rent for a month or two if the vendors fail to find someplace else, and put your stuff in storage. You can even stay in a bloody hotel for a week or so if it comes to that.

You have mortgage approvals, for far more than you sought, if necessary. You have met an estate agent you can work with. Your offer has been accepted. These are all positive steps.

The important thing is to proceed as rapidly as is humanly feasible with the sale of your own house, and then see what happens.

 

[kazmac]

I have always been star struck, and always thought playing a character in a movie, and showered in income for doing it, would be most cool as a profession, while acknowledging I would have never stood a chance for multiple reasons, number one I had serious stage fright as an elementary school student and would not describe myself as particularly handsome, if handsome at all, especially now.

I am most impressed with kids or even adults who decide to swim in the dangerous waters of cinema and strike gold. When you look at the odds, it seems like it can be almost impossible to make a long term career of acting.

Part 2
Do you ever sit outside sipping a beer while relaxing, looking at the blue sky and the clouds floating by pondering your existence?

I have bad stage fright too which is why interviewing over the phone or online is a lot easier than in person was.

As far as appearance, there have been many amazing character actors who may not have been as attractive as the leads, but they were far better actors. It's never too late to pursue something you love. I think there are more interesting roles for mature characters lately too.


You never know.

I've always wanted to draw and perhaps I will eventually discipline myself to work on perspective and such, as so many talented folks here already have, but I am quite happy with where I am almost two years into just doing it. There's very little of the nasty inner critic and all that. The process is so much fun and so relaxing.

Part 2:

Not sitting or nursing beers, but I will look at the sky (I will look a lot more at night though), or just fixate on the birds and think about how awesome nature truly is. The one really great thing about this neighborhood is the Blue Jays. I was talking to mom the other day while we were looking out the kitchen window and a Jay swooped into the tree right outside as I was talking. Birds are so amazing. It still blows my mind they came from dinosaurs.


@Apple fanboy I bet your photography will be better. May the house sale and move go as swiftly and smoothly as possible.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Look, they'll find someplace suitable, and you will achieve a sale.

For now, your offer has been accepted, - this is still less than two weeks since you first laid eyes on (and lost your heart to) that house - and you are in the process of putting your own house up for sale.

Let that process proceed - apace, - if necessary.

And, again, if necessary, you can rent for a month or two if the vendors fail to find someplace else, and put your stuff in storage. You can even stay in a bloody hotel for a week or so if it comes to that.

You have mortgage approvals, for far more than you sought, if necessary. You have met an estate agent you can work with. Your offer has been accepted. These are all positive steps.

The important thing is to proceed as rapidly as is humanly feasible with the sale of your own house, and then see what happens.

I’d be very reluctant to ‘rent’. Things can fall through and you are stuck in a bad situation. Plus Mrs AFB isn’t going to cope with moving twice or hotels. Not with her food intolerances.
[doublepost=1561137993][/doublepost]

I have bad stage fright too which is why interviewing over the phone or online is a lot easier than in person was.

As far as appearance, there have been many amazing character actors who may not have been as attractive as the leads, but they were far better actors. It's never too late to pursue something you love. I think there are more interesting roles for mature characters lately too.


You never know.

I've always wanted to draw and perhaps I will eventually discipline myself to work on perspective and such, as so many talented folks here already have, but I am quite happy with where I am almost two years into just doing it. There's very little of the nasty inner critic and all that. The process is so much fun and so relaxing.

Part 2:

Not sitting or nursing beers, but I will look at the sky (I will look a lot more at night though), or just fixate on the birds and think about how awesome nature truly is. The one really great thing about this neighborhood is the Blue Jays. I was talking to mom the other day while we were looking out the kitchen window and a Jay swooped into the tree right outside as I was talking. Birds are so amazing. It still blows my mind they came from dinosaurs.


@Apple fanboy I bet your photography will be better. May the house sale and move go as swiftly and smoothly as possible.

Thank you. I have everything crossed.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I’d be very reluctant to ‘rent’. Things can fall through and you are stuck in a bad situation. Plus Mrs AFB isn’t going to cope with moving twice or hotels. Not with her food intolerances.
[doublepost=1561137993][/doublepost]
Thank you. I have everything crossed.

Think of renting as a short term - emergency - solution if necessary. In other words, have fall back options if things don't go absolutely according to plan. The main goal is to be able to move into that dream dwelling, having purchased it and sold your own. That may require a little flexibility on your part if some parts of the chain occur less rapidly than desired. Thus far, things have gone very well and let us hope that they continue to do so.

As for hotels, you can live on rice and crackers and organic vegetable soup for a few days - my sister-in-law fell ill immediately after Christmas and was unable to attend my mother's funeral which took place two days after Christmas - in fact, she needed a doctor (she caught some sort of pneumonia - brought on, I suspect, by stress, that was a very intense time) and lived on plain rice and vegetable soup for a few days.

 

[a2jack]

1) Don't forget to visit Snoqualmie, WA
2) Don't forget to post many pics!

1)

Don't forget to visit Snoqualmie, WA . A2

 

[Mefisto]

So many great replies here on the subject of dreams, aspirations, plans for the future and realizing, or for one reason or another not realizing them, that there are just too many to quote. It's been great reading them, and many of them have resonated deeply with me.

What got me started thinking about all of this was a recent close call of sorts. Worst case scenario it could have been fatal, but as it stands nothing of note really happened except for two people (me being one of them) being shaken up for a couple of days. Then I started thinking about the similar situations I've been in before, and how, when younger, things like that were just a thing that "happened", were shaken off shortly after and life went on like nothing had happened in the first place. Then, and this might sound corny, the realization that thinking like that may be a luxury that I, at this age no longer have, hit hard.

I don't know, maybe I'm rambling because of the Jura, but still. Really liked reading the posts here. Have a great Summer Solstice everyone, and may all your dreams become a reality in one way or another.

P.S.: @yaxomoxay Snoqualmie, WA is definately on the list

 

[0388631]

Wish what I thought was a mini sweet pepper was in fact a mini sweet pepper. The itch I had in my throat today is now the least of my concerns...
[doublepost=1561149898][/doublepost]

So many great replies here on the subject of dreams, aspirations, plans for the future and realizing, or for one reason or another not realizing them, that there are just too many to quote. It's been great reading them, and many of them have resonated deeply with me.

What got me started thinking about all of this was a recent close call of sorts. Worst case scenario it could have been fatal, but as it stands nothing of note really happened except for two people (me being one of them) being shaken up for a couple of days. Then I started thinking about the similar situations I've been in before, and how, when younger, things like that were just a thing that "happened", were shaken off shortly after and life went on like nothing had happened in the first place. Then, and this might sound corny, the realization that thinking like that may be a luxury that I, at this age no longer have, hit hard.

I don't know, maybe I'm rambling because of the Jura, but still. Really liked reading the posts here. Have a great Summer Solstice everyone, and may all your dreams become a reality in one way or another.

P.S.: @yaxomoxay Snoqualmie, WA is definately on the list

Go to Santa Cruz, hike the redwoods. Lick a banana slug and feel your mouth go numb.

 

[Mefisto]

Go to Santa Cruz, hike the redwoods. Lick a banana slug and feel your mouth go numb.

Well, California was always supposed to be the end point, so why the hell not. Not sure about the hike but you've sold me on the banana slug.

 

[0388631]

Well, California was always supposed to be the end point, so why the hell not. Not sure about the hike but you've sold me on the banana slug.

Given that it's Santa Cruz, you can hop on over to the university and buy some pot off of a professor.

You'd probably enjoy hiking the redwoods, but I suspect they're not as cool compared to Nordic forests you're used to.

 

[Mefisto]

Given that it's Santa Cruz, you can hop on over to the university and buy some pot off of a professor.

You'd probably enjoy hiking the redwoods, but I suspect they're not as cool compared to Nordic forests you're used to.

Never liked pot or what it does for me, so that's off the menu. It's like drinking buttermilk.

The redwoods, though, on the chance that there are no mosquitoes there could be interesting. Those mofos are something we have in abundance over here.

 

[0388631]

Never liked pot or what it does for me, so that's off the menu. It's like drinking buttermilk.

The redwoods, though, on the chance that there are no mosquitoes there could be interesting. Those mofos are something we have in abundance over here.

Neither do I. I just tell people that because Santa Cruz is a very weird place. I'm sure it's the same now, but it's always been known as a pot haven for students and professors. Also, buttermilk as in fresh or the store bought one?

You might want to ask around. I've only been in the Santa Cruz forests during the colder months. I'd advise against doing it alone.