miles and miles to go

There is so much prestidigitation, all the smoke and mirrors might actually draw blood, there's so much moral turpitude.  I had a hard time reconciling my own written words, so I've written and rewritten this a dozen times...

My life is stranger than fiction and this might be one of the strangest and still one of the most exciting things that ever happened to me.  There was this time, when I was incredibly naïve and I started talking online with a well-known writer.  He wanted to start a record company and I was going to be his PR rep, and since I have an affinity for music, we set out to find the right 'one' to set it off and be the first on our label and on vinyl.  We searched and searched, frantically even, for the perfect talent - someone with the right look and sound (he was very selective) my how we scoured the internet, only to be disappointed around every corner.  Then, he found someone to do the artwork for the label, set up the site and we came close to finding the talent.  We must've pillaged every social media outlet we could, but we just couldn't give it wings, all the while he was working on his movie.  Ultimately he abandoned the label and then me.

He was beautiful and all of his friends were beautiful.  He was funny and brilliant and a little odd in ways difficult to explain, but intriguing nonetheless.  He was a writer with a degree in psychology, a former model, and had owned a magazine company in his 20's, an avid collector of all things vinyl.  Then one day he digitally started to fade away. And while he made me realize some things about myself, when I was done playing a part in his story, we both seemed to settle back into our lives.  He was onto better things, like making a movie and I was surely off to dazzle the world and fall in love.  He used to tease me about it but he also use to tell me how he loved me.  His movie comes out next year.  I am looking forward to it, even if we don't talk anymore, and he treats me like a stranger too busy to nod in my direction, I will always remember those few months.  Still, I know a lot about him, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt he was real and I know a lot of things that perhaps bother him enough to leave me behind.  We will leave it at that.  I do miss our late, late night laughing and talks, his stories will stay with me forever and some of the tender moments we shared will be some of my fondest memories, but mostly I miss his laugh. 

When I think of him now, I smile.  I'd love to share some of the truly amazing and even gritty stories, and the ones that seemed almost magical, but my favorites will always be the strange ones - things you just can't make up.  Better than any fiction, I've ever read.  I'm saving those for a book under a surname, I think it would be best to protect most of the characters in those stories...

I fall in love every day - every single day, with countless people for countless reasons.  I'm not in a rush to be in love - let alone date, so, I'm okay with being in love with life right now.  Seems, my journey isn't over yet.  I've miles and miles to go and many more pages to write.

I still believe my love will find its way to me and I to it.  I've met some pretty awesome and amazing people.  I could complain that people weren't who they said they were, but truth be told, it's just more words to fill more pages and truth be told I have some pretty amazing stories to tell.

Some day I'll get to sharing those.  Just have to shrug off this writer's block and finish a few chapters before I can move forward...
 

there it goes...

I miss my baby, my munchkin.  I know he's enjoying his summer with his big brother and that makes me smile. Too much time to think, being alone, without him. 

 

Honestly. I keep thinking of just so many people I talk to or talked to and the idea that I might find something worthwhile.  It's really hard to come to terms with saying that, as I always fare on being positive. About everything.  I loathe the whiners and complainers and I detest all pity parties. (especially my own) I don't just believe in being positive, I believe in finding the positive in even the worst circumstances, but this is not for everyone and it certainly isn't for me...anymore. I put everything I have into people, I give everything I am, sometimes too much and yes, it can be overwhelming, but I love hard.  I'm so exhausted and so frustrated.  Hope is so fucking dangerous, it's just so fucking dangerous!  I want so badly to believe in people, that I actually believe in them. And because I'm honest, I foolishly think they're going to be honest. It's so fucking disheartening and frustrating when reality washes over me. I'm so in love with the idea that people will be just as honest with me, that even with all my trust issues, I still find myself believing in them. Everyone's so fake.

 

When the realization hits, and it is that all anyone really wanted was someone to pacify the time - or to learn they're already with somebody else or you're just convenient or a passing phase.  Damn it!  Someone to help them through something, to help them move on. I'm just that girl to pass the time - and the sad reality is I'm never gonna be the girl somebody really really loves and wants to spend time with until they die. I'm never gonna be that priority or come first in someone's life or be someone's best friend or their everything.  It's a pipe dream.  The idea that I will grow old holding someone's hand and laughing on a porch bench is fading.  And now I just look stupid, sitting here at my desk crying, like a silly little child, over my own stupidity, my own naivety.  Foolishly thinking that people in my life that I thought would always be there, would somehow always be there.  That all I had invested into loving and caring and worrying for them only to learn the hard way - sometimes years and years later, after the damage was too far gone, that it would ever be reparable - Me - the Queen of a billion chances, throwing in the towel and giving up on people that were everything to me, that I thought would be my family or a friend for life.  That I would've gladly given my life for, that I sacrificed for, would somehow be real or that the idea of loyalty and friendship or real romance was within my grasp.  Reality is a harsh dose of fuck you and the truth is everyone just uses everyone.  Now all these little pieces of me are gone and I just feel all used up.  I hate feeling this way. So fucking sad and vulnerable and always having to pick myself back up always repeating the same mistakes, always trusting people.

 

I used to think if I loved everyone enough they'd love me back the same or that they'd someday return what I was so eager to give.  Now I spend my days alone and watch, observe, remember and toy with why I was always loving everyone, waiting there, hoping to be loved back. It hurts, it fucking hurts. I'm letting go of something that's carried me through my life. All that hope, just washing away. As if anybody would ever reciprocate or love or care or want the same things.  With every little piece of me they take, I slip farther and farther under, unable to pull myself out of the river.  It's all so fucking bleak. The gleam in my eye is gone, the burning flame in my heart, but an ember. I fought so hard to keep the flame burning bright, I'm letting go.

I dip my toes in the River of Hades, only to fall in and be consumed by darkness. This is where I am now, it's where my heart lives and at least I know it's real.

  

And with each new wonderful person, I think - yes, and I hope - and then I realize, no, stupid you're all alone. I have my parents and my kids, my brothers, and maybe a few true friends. 

 

...this idea that I keep allowing myself to believe, this mistake I continue to repeat, I'm done, and with it, goes all my hope.  

Garden Variety

Sabotage.  It's probably a gift for me.  On a sub-conscious level, I will realize I'm doing well or happy and for whatever reason, I self-sabotage.

Hard questions, sometimes render difficult and impossible answers.  I find it's very easy for me to love people.  I fall in love so easily.  I find all kinds of things to fall in love with about people.  Even people I know I'll never meet.  God forbid I actually meet one.  And if or when someone wants to return that love to me, I don't know what to do - I feel like my soul and my heart flee immediately and I am simply unable to accept that love.  I push people away, I piss them off and I am very, very good at it.  Somehow in the process of learning about them, I've also learned their buttons.  I am not proud of this, but it's become second nature.  A coping mechanism, if you will.  It's a very ugly thing when it rears its head or bubbles to the surface.  And how awful for those that want to love me.  And believe me I do mourn the loss of that love, I beat myself up and pray and wish that they won't cut me out of their life.  Perhaps to give me a second chance.  So far, no one has, no one probably ever will.  Why would they want to open themselves up again for me to tear them down?  I don't believe that anyone will ever want to break down this wall.  And for as much as I'd like to break it down myself, I don't know how to do that, and allow people in and let them love me. 

I could say, they'll never understand the things I've been through.  How once I was able to be loved so easily and the people I trusted broke my heart again and again.  And how I kept trying and my heart just stopped and I just couldn't do it anymore.  I could say this started at a very early age.  Maybe that means there's very little hope, maybe it means someone will know exactly how to help me.  I don't know. 

It's a bit unnerving when someone can diagnose you in the matter of a few minutes.  I want so much to be loved, in fact, I believe it's the single biggest thing I want and need in my life, yet - I have no idea how to let someone love me.  I'm so terrified of letting someone in, letting my guard down and my heart being broken again that - I potentially drive away people that might have given this so freely to me.  I've turned them off to me, I've hurt them and I don't know how to fix it.  What's worse - I'll never seek treatment.  I don't have healthcare, let alone mental healthcare.  And while those are excuses, I will continue to cling to them.  I'm trying desperately to understand the things I don't like about myself and to love them and accept them. 

This isn't small.  This is epic!  I know recognizing when I do this is crucial to my healing and also to my not hurting the people that love and care for me.  The problem is, once I've done it - and it doesn't matter how awesome or wonderful I am or was or might be beyond that moment - I've just lost someone dear to me that I really care about.  And sadly all I can do is offer my apologies and hope they will still love me and that I will allow them to love me. 

I guess the bigger question is, why am I so reluctant to let someone love me. 
 

Random Incomplete Thoughts....

As a writer - and I don't know that I actually qualify as a writer, I have no degree, I have no real experience - just this blog and a ton of journals that I've been writing, through the years.  Oh and some memoirs to my kids, though I'm not sure they'll find them of any interest.   I pour myself into my posts, absolutely drowning you in my random incomplete thoughts and horrible grasp of the English language and improper use of grammar, (if my English or Literature teachers read this - there would be hell to pay - lots of red lines and suggestive words) but I'd like to believe the content is sometimes real and raw and some of you might actually enjoy it.  (see - a full run-on sentence)

I have a restless mind, I overthink everything and then on the other end of the spectrum, I don't put much thought into the words that seem to physically manifest themselves when leaving my lips.  Writing, for me, is a very prudent and tactful way to express myself.  Not to mention, it has cathartic value that is on occasion, immeasurable.  However, it is not considered good behavior nor is it in my best interest to speak without filters.  When words start to flow and I'm irritated or in angst my words can be biting and blunt, and it can hurt - a gross understatement.  And no, I'll be honest - this is where I dance on the line of double standards.  I do.  I'm an asshole for it, but it's the truth.  And knowing this about myself, I strive to change it.  I think I make progress all the time. 

I strive to keep judgment from entering my thoughts, also.  It's not always easy.. to keep judgment at bay.  But in the interest of knowing how flawed I am, I try to not be a hypocrite.  I've done some bad things, things I'm not proud of, but I have no regrets.  I've also done some amazing things and life is about finding balance.  Everything good bad or indifferent has brought me to this place and time in my life and I'm happy.  I'm loving myself and improving things I feel require it.  And I take a lot away from all of it.

I've stopped listening to the inconsiderate and mindless chatter of other people.  I'm learning how to drown out the noise of negativity.  Everyone has an opinion.  They are not me, they have not lived my life, they don't know my choices.  I take what I want from the things people say.  I try my best not to overthink things...it's not always easy.  I'm always in my head.  I'm working on meditation, now.  I need it.  It's hard for me to put down my electronics, I do so enjoy talking to all kinds of different people.  Do I love hearing what people have to say, absolutely.  I love talking to people.  Anybody about a multitude of things.  But when it comes to my life - I'd rather not hear, unless I asked.  Selfish - maybe.  Do I care, no, a big fat NO. 

I have learned so much in the last several months.  And not just about me, but about people.  All kinds of people.  From everywhere.  I find music is a starting point to connect me to many people.  It's a universal language, that everyone speaks.  Music has the ability to bring people together that would normally be divided by a million other senseless things.  I have diverse taste and it seems no matter what I listen to, it speaks to people.  I love that. 

"Music is a language that everyone speaks. Rhythm has the potential to harmonize, unify and take us to a new world that could promote peace, harmony and human connection."-Christine Stevens

 

Utterly Naked

I had drawn a map to my hidden castle.  And cleared the overgrown path to the majestically carved wooden doors.  I had even lowered the bridge over the moat and as the massive gates swung open, I handed over the heavy key to my broken and tattered soul.  I astonished myself, as I carefully and methodically disarmed the guards and stood there alone and naked.  There would be no battle today.  I did not bring my sword.  I had removed all my armor.  I had laid my shield on the ground and gently placed my helmet next to it.  I had no place left to hide. 

Warm tears streamed down my face, making a mess of my make-up.  I had never felt more naked, in all of my life. 

I had stood and trembled naked before, naked without clothes and with nothing for me to hide behind.  There were many times I had wanted to be seen.  There were many times I had felt beautiful and sexy and caught up in the notion of something amorous.  There were times I knew I was adored and my body would be worshipped and every inch of it loved.  I had wanted to be seen and many times I had longed to be touched.  And then, there were times I was terrified of the gaze that would fall on my body.  Uncertain of whether or not my body would be found beautiful.  There were plenty of times I, as a woman, had been unsure of myself, overthinking every possible flaw on my body, flaws I had memorized and could see even with my eyes closed.  I had prayed they would go unnoticed, that my drop in confidence would be invisible, that hungry eyes had been too busy to notice how my own eyes shifted searching for approval, so I could breathe and lose myself under a spell of lust and love. 

I had never been this naked.  Not like this.  This was my soul, not my body.  This wasn't familiar to me.  I wanted to cower in fear and hide behind walls that had been so meticulously built.  I didn't want to feel this vulnerable.  Being vulnerable meant being weak, and I never saw myself as fragile.

I had had three children and had not always been as vigilant as I should have, in caring for myself, or for the lovely temple that housed my soul.  I was as beautiful and as flawed as the next mother.  The scars that adorned my body were trophies, my body had nourished three children into this world.  My body had been a vessel for all kinds of love and abuse over the years.  I had survived abuse as a small child and abusive relationships and even survived cancer, twice.  I was a pillar of strength. 

I had only ever allowed fleeting glimpses and mere moments for people to see over those walls.  I had written off allowing anyone inside.  The only ones welcome.. were my children, they resided there.  I would allow the occasional visitor, but outside of my children, no one could be trusted.  I wasn't going to let people in anymore, I was exhausted from all the battles I was forced to fight, and I didn't know if I would recover and if did, how would I draw upon more strength.

As I stood there naked and terrified, I had never felt more alive, than I did at that moment.  I had had an epiphany.  I knew that if I was to bring my dreams to the outside world and bring them to fruition I would have to leave my castle.  I would have to venture beyond the sanctity of those walls.  If I wanted to build my kingdom, I would need a King.  I would need the bravest of warriors, I would need trusted advisors and I would need to allow people that I loved to be able to flourish in my kingdom.  These would be my people, my village - people that believed in me and stood by me and loved me.  If I wanted my fairytale to be real, I was going to have to breathe life into it. 

I had to stop beating myself up.  I had to force myself to trust people and to let people in or my world was going to implode.  I couldn't keep expecting that everyone that fucked up, had malice intent or was there to feed me to the wolves.  I had to let my guard down, so that I could let people back in.  I had lost too many.  I knew I was still going to lose so many more.  But for the first time, in a long time I wasn't going to stand in my own way.

I have never felt more naked in all my life.  I have never felt more fragile.  I have also never felt more alive or more excited and even without my sword or my walls - I have never felt this brave.

"You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness." -Jonathan Safran Foer

Running to Stand Still

Running to STand Still

 

life is what we make of it. its a whole of all the pieces of how we react or respond to all the bullshit thrown at us and how well we live in ALL the moments of our lives. not just the easy and happy and joyous ones, but more-so the trying, the difficult and most definitely the completely unfair. its not chiseled in stone, but rather its' the river that carves its way through the stone. it's not fair, it's not always fun and it damn sure isn't easy. but it should be one hell of a ride and if we're lucky we leave behind our footprints in the hearts of the people we love, those we only met and we hopefully live on as magic in their souls and very fiber of their being.  not everyone stays in your life and not everyone toxic leaves, sometimes people come in and force change. and sometimes your heart shatters for the ones you wish would never have thought to want to leave.  

 

 

Running to Stand Still

 

And so she woke up
Woke up from where she was
Lying still
Said I gotta do something
About where we're going

Step on a steam train
Step out of the driving rain, maybe
Run from the darkness in the night
Singing ha, ah la la la de day
Ah da da da de day
Ah la la de day

Sweet the sin
Bitter the taste in my mouth
I see seven towers
But I only see one way out

You got to cry without weeping
Talk without speaking
Scream without raising your voice

You know I took the poison
From the poison stream
Then I floated out of here
Singing ha la la la de day
Ha la la la de day
Ha la la de day

She runs through the streets
With eyes painted red
Under a black belly of cloud in the rain
In through a doorway she brings me
White gold and pearls stolen from the sea
She is raging
She is raging
And the storm blows up in her eyes
She will

Suffer the needle chill
She's running to stand

Still.

say yeah

Niykee Heaton Say Yeah

"Say Yeah"

You see us as you want to see us
In the simplest terms, the most convenient definitions
But what we found out is that each of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal
Does that answer your question?
Sincerely yours

Dark skies and its dang cold
Pretty eyes and a rain coat
So high can't even remember my name
But we got that fire and I know why
We ain't gonna die tonight

Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go... You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do, like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah

Packed whip on a full tank
All sip from the same drink
Nowhere to go
Nowhere to stay
Under this sky, after tonight
We'll wonder why we're not the same

Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go... You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do, like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah

Fuck it, if it feels right
Hold me till it's over
All we got is one time
We ain't going home

Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go... You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do, like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah