I'm the type of person who contemplates life probably more than the average American. At times it brings me angst (well maybe more often than I would like), and other times it makes me feel so alive. Socrates once said, "A life without thinking is not worth thinking" -- and I agree.
The reason I bring this up (Socrates on a Saturday morning? that's deep, even for me) is because I like sharing my thoughts and reactions to something that I recently read, watched, or spoke about with friends. Because let's face it, it's hard to come up with a revelation completely on one's own.
Last night was cold -- I mean frigid, tundra-like, inhumanly chilly -- so I decided to cozy up with my trusty electric blanket (aka my "surrogate boyfriend") and watch the film Julie & Julia starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep. It was an appropriate movie for me to rent, considering I've been eating everything in sight since the Northeast starting featuring only 6 hours of daylight. That and because my aforementioned bf (the person, not the blanket) has lost so many battles of video rentals to me that I thought it would be a nice early Christmas present to spare him his manhood this one time. (Though I'm convinced he secretly LOVES my movie selections but pretends to abhor them so as to uphold his 'manly' persona...)
I'm no movie critic, but I thought that the movie was delightfully light-hearted -- just the type of entertainment I was in need of after a long week. I learned more than I expected to (e.g how to debone a duck), but what I walked away with was the inspired idea to blog about a personal challenge. In Julie's case it was to cook each one of Julia Childs' 542 recipes from her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking in 365 days, the purpose of which was to help Julie write about something she loved -- eating! -- thereby taking away some of her anxiety and insecurity towards writing (at the start of the film it was revealed she had indeed written a novel, albeit only half).
For those who know me, my top 3 interests are pretty obvious. They are, in no particular order: cooking, eating and writing. So needless to say this movie spoke to me, whereas for others it might have lulled them to sleep. She was so dedicated, so inspired, a welcome departure from the numb feeling she had toward her job and super-successful friends. I couldn't help think to myself: that's what I want!
So I decided that to attempt a similar journey. I have no intention of cooking French food, in part because I prefer Italian cuisine but also because I do not have the funds to do so (only film pet peeve: how could Julie possibly afford this project while working as a government secretary and living above a pizzeria is Long Island City??) My goal, instead, is to write about my trials and tribulations in finding a full-time job that I want/love/deserve during an extremely difficult economic period.
Both Julie's and my challenge are a bit of a stretch, but maybe it'll help revitalize me during this seemingly never-ending search. As so often I feel foolish at best, and hopeless at worst (worse?). I welcome any and all feedback (and personal anecdotes!!) during this period because I am by no means an expert in 1. optimism or 2. job search. But please, no negative comments -- I cover that portion of the debate plenty. And I'll be sure to share whatever resources or techniques that prove successful along the way!
I'll be saying bon appetit! to my dinner party guests in no time! But 'boneless duck' won't be on the menu ;) Stay tuned!
