Friday, April 18, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
San Francisco Resident Tired of Inauthenticity
Inauthenticity: what the fuck, mates?
Just a warning, right off the bat. As some of you know, this last year or so has taken me on a somewhat trippy psychological and philosophical journey. Bits and pieces of this are likely to come out, over the course of this blog. Be forewarned.
But back to today's topic. Inauthenticity. I'm fucking tired of it. What is this thing about the workplace, people put up this weird facade, and it is hard to break through. I do it myself. I can feel myself doing it. I'm trying to take it down, I really am. Sometimes I'm more successful than others. But what I want, what I'm aching for, is that real, authentic, soul-to-soul connection. INTIMACY. Now, some may read this and think, damn, this Nina girl really needs to get laid. Well, maybe. But, am I wrong in thinking that intimacy can come in many forms? It happens sometimes, I've seen it. And it's beautiful when it does.
I had a conversation last night with my roommates. I was like, I want to connect with people. They were like, that doesn't happen anymore. You can't get that at work. Now, I don't really agree with this. I have made some friends at work. Or at least I'm friendly with people at work. But still, I feel like there is something that comes up sometimes, dividing us. The feeling that we have to put up a facade?
(Just an aside: these roommates of mine. I would totally be friends with them. But. It has been slow going with them. They don't seem so interested in interaction.)
The thought on my mind right now is this: whether or not you connect with someone depends, crucially, on how you approach the interaction. If you can be authentic, and put your whole, real, defenseless self out there, you might just be lucky enough to find someone else who will do the same. You can make someone feel like it is safe to share themselves with you. But if you have your guard up, if you have that veneer of inauthenticity, if you are trying to protect yourself from getting hurt, then the likelihood that you'll actually feel that real conncection is slim.
Ok, those are my thoughts at the moment. Please do post challenges or feedback as it comes to you. Just as long as it's authentic, you know.
Just a warning, right off the bat. As some of you know, this last year or so has taken me on a somewhat trippy psychological and philosophical journey. Bits and pieces of this are likely to come out, over the course of this blog. Be forewarned.
But back to today's topic. Inauthenticity. I'm fucking tired of it. What is this thing about the workplace, people put up this weird facade, and it is hard to break through. I do it myself. I can feel myself doing it. I'm trying to take it down, I really am. Sometimes I'm more successful than others. But what I want, what I'm aching for, is that real, authentic, soul-to-soul connection. INTIMACY. Now, some may read this and think, damn, this Nina girl really needs to get laid. Well, maybe. But, am I wrong in thinking that intimacy can come in many forms? It happens sometimes, I've seen it. And it's beautiful when it does.
I had a conversation last night with my roommates. I was like, I want to connect with people. They were like, that doesn't happen anymore. You can't get that at work. Now, I don't really agree with this. I have made some friends at work. Or at least I'm friendly with people at work. But still, I feel like there is something that comes up sometimes, dividing us. The feeling that we have to put up a facade?
(Just an aside: these roommates of mine. I would totally be friends with them. But. It has been slow going with them. They don't seem so interested in interaction.)
The thought on my mind right now is this: whether or not you connect with someone depends, crucially, on how you approach the interaction. If you can be authentic, and put your whole, real, defenseless self out there, you might just be lucky enough to find someone else who will do the same. You can make someone feel like it is safe to share themselves with you. But if you have your guard up, if you have that veneer of inauthenticity, if you are trying to protect yourself from getting hurt, then the likelihood that you'll actually feel that real conncection is slim.
Ok, those are my thoughts at the moment. Please do post challenges or feedback as it comes to you. Just as long as it's authentic, you know.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Chicago-Area Resident Complains that Ass and Aura Suffer From Racial Profiling
Weekend Update:
1) Best pickup line ever, on the Wilson Red Line El stop - "Girl, you built like a sista!" (translation: How did an Asian girl like you end up with a big ass?)
2) Tarot reading highlights (paraphrases of):
My aura gets racially profiled:
I see that you are religious and spiritual! Which is strange considering that you're Asian...
Kay is determined to get a second opinion:
Your aura is the color of mud! You'll never learn to love unless you let me perform a cleansing on you...for a meager $150.
Romantic adventures in store for T:
You will meet your soul mate this year. He will be an Aquarius with dark hair and light eyes...
How did she know that I'm moving in with two dogs??
I see animals in your future! However, you must remember to feed them because you're very irresponsible!
...Or that my blood alcohol content has been well above legal limit since mid February?
I see a lot of celebrating in your future...a lot of drinking.
3) Let's Go Hawks!
How to best behave at a hockey game? I'm not sure, but getting loaded and standing up and yelling a lot seemed to make me fit right in. Too bad it wasn't a Redwings game, or I would have brought along my octopus...
Has anyone picked up a copy of Kav and Clay yet?
1) Best pickup line ever, on the Wilson Red Line El stop - "Girl, you built like a sista!" (translation: How did an Asian girl like you end up with a big ass?)
2) Tarot reading highlights (paraphrases of):
My aura gets racially profiled:
I see that you are religious and spiritual! Which is strange considering that you're Asian...
Kay is determined to get a second opinion:
Your aura is the color of mud! You'll never learn to love unless you let me perform a cleansing on you...for a meager $150.
Romantic adventures in store for T:
You will meet your soul mate this year. He will be an Aquarius with dark hair and light eyes...
How did she know that I'm moving in with two dogs??
I see animals in your future! However, you must remember to feed them because you're very irresponsible!
...Or that my blood alcohol content has been well above legal limit since mid February?
I see a lot of celebrating in your future...a lot of drinking.
3) Let's Go Hawks!
How to best behave at a hockey game? I'm not sure, but getting loaded and standing up and yelling a lot seemed to make me fit right in. Too bad it wasn't a Redwings game, or I would have brought along my octopus...
Has anyone picked up a copy of Kav and Clay yet?
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sextrologically Connected
My friends and I are currently obsessed with Sextrology. It has seriously changed our lives. We pass it around at bars, absorbing its Sextrological knowledge hungrily. We cross-reference our own birthdays with those of past loves, current infatuations, friends, mothers, dogs. The book is full of answers about the future, and justifications about the past. We make fun of it, but deep down we believe every word it says.
So obsessed with this book are we that we're visiting an Astrology Boutique in Wicker Park Thursday afternoon. I know that even though I plan to spend no more than $5 to ask 2 questions, I will be seduced by the Astrologer's soothing wisdom and end up shelling out $40 for a full Tarot reading. But if you could find out how to ensure your future happiness, can you really put a price on that?
I'll let you know how it goes. Meanwhile, will everyone please post their birthdays and zodiac signs so I can analyze you with the book of love?
So obsessed with this book are we that we're visiting an Astrology Boutique in Wicker Park Thursday afternoon. I know that even though I plan to spend no more than $5 to ask 2 questions, I will be seduced by the Astrologer's soothing wisdom and end up shelling out $40 for a full Tarot reading. But if you could find out how to ensure your future happiness, can you really put a price on that?
I'll let you know how it goes. Meanwhile, will everyone please post their birthdays and zodiac signs so I can analyze you with the book of love?
It's all happening...
Welcome!
So we've finally all agreed to read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon.
First, let's get the book. Daniella and Brenna, please let me know if you'd like me to ship you copies of the book. I'm not sure how long the books would take to get to each of you, but feel free to contribute to discussion until you get them.
Sweeeet. I love you guys. I'm stoked about this.
Y
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