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Friday 17 August 2012
Tuesday 14 August 2012
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I was lucky enough to spend time not only in Canada this summer, but also in Los Angeles, and aside from coming back with a pierced tongue and a longboard I learnt (as ever) about myself.
I finally was in a place where I felt I could be myself, without fear of prejudice or mockery. People believe that the American dream is all about making it big in America. My interpretation is different. My American dream was finding acceptance and realising that yeah ok, you may be scared of what others think, but who cares? You only have one life, and it is short, so accept that some people may think you are not of the norm, but who cares? If it's what you want, do it.
I was staying for part of the time in a place called Venice Beach. A hippy community full of artists, muscians and a lot of hobbos. Every lives side by side, expressing themselves for who they are. I've always felt kind of suffocated by London, but there, I was able to breathe freely. I allowed certain ideas and feelings that I usually keep constrained within me, freedom to move around.
Every time I go along the South Bank in London, I always see skateboarders and wanted to do it. But never really had the balls to. But in Venice Beach, the only way to get around is on a skateboard or longboard. Kids who can barely walk right up to people who should be using zimmer frames, all had a board with four wheels. So I invested in one, and very quickly wished I had bought one years ago. When I got back to London I got a couple of strange looks from people, but most of the time I got a lot of smiles and have even been stopped occassionally. I don't feel they were asking me just because I looked out of place, but also because they were probably wishing they had one too (they are damn fun!). I'd like to think, that people who see me on one, and have always wanted to run around on one, will feel more able to now.
Everyone says that people should be able to do what they want to do, without fear of society judging them. Hell I say it all the time, but it is as ever, a lot easier to say it than do it. But, in LA that fear went. My new fear became letting that fear come back when I get home.
For me, I always think that when I discover something new about myself, or start expressing myself in a different way when I am travelling, that I shall go back to how I was before when I get home. This time, I said nope. I've gained too much ground to let myself roll back.
So far I haven't. Me and the board go everywhere, and feeling its ok to just be myself regardless is happening.
Life is blissful....
I finally was in a place where I felt I could be myself, without fear of prejudice or mockery. People believe that the American dream is all about making it big in America. My interpretation is different. My American dream was finding acceptance and realising that yeah ok, you may be scared of what others think, but who cares? You only have one life, and it is short, so accept that some people may think you are not of the norm, but who cares? If it's what you want, do it.
I was staying for part of the time in a place called Venice Beach. A hippy community full of artists, muscians and a lot of hobbos. Every lives side by side, expressing themselves for who they are. I've always felt kind of suffocated by London, but there, I was able to breathe freely. I allowed certain ideas and feelings that I usually keep constrained within me, freedom to move around.
Every time I go along the South Bank in London, I always see skateboarders and wanted to do it. But never really had the balls to. But in Venice Beach, the only way to get around is on a skateboard or longboard. Kids who can barely walk right up to people who should be using zimmer frames, all had a board with four wheels. So I invested in one, and very quickly wished I had bought one years ago. When I got back to London I got a couple of strange looks from people, but most of the time I got a lot of smiles and have even been stopped occassionally. I don't feel they were asking me just because I looked out of place, but also because they were probably wishing they had one too (they are damn fun!). I'd like to think, that people who see me on one, and have always wanted to run around on one, will feel more able to now.
Everyone says that people should be able to do what they want to do, without fear of society judging them. Hell I say it all the time, but it is as ever, a lot easier to say it than do it. But, in LA that fear went. My new fear became letting that fear come back when I get home.
For me, I always think that when I discover something new about myself, or start expressing myself in a different way when I am travelling, that I shall go back to how I was before when I get home. This time, I said nope. I've gained too much ground to let myself roll back.
So far I haven't. Me and the board go everywhere, and feeling its ok to just be myself regardless is happening.
Life is blissful....
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