6.22.2013

Much of what I know comes from others


My dad once told me over a cigarette in his backyard that its very important that I find someone with hobbies and interests; like a purpose that keeps them alive, that thing to look forward to that will detach them from the mundane nine-to-five.

This he told me while gazing at my mom through the screen door; my mom sprawled out on the couch, gossiping on the phone with my aunt in France or Vietnam or the Republic of…wherever.


This, coming from a man who suppressed my curiosity in “hobbies and interests” beyond the Holy Trinity; piano, ping-pong, mathematics.


I couldn’t register if he meant this to be ironic; he’s hard to read that way. In an effort to understand, I helped the conversation along by adding my bit of confusion. His tone was neither of regret; because I could not pinpoint a single hobby or interest my mom had; or of relief because she has this “separate life” from what I see on the daily. A life only he and my mom knew of; you know, one full of interests and hobbies that kept my dad so cripplingly enthralled.


I pictured this “separate life” where she doesn’t answer work calls during all hours of the day, a life where she doesn’t make the same meal every other night, not burdened by her children’s needs, or simply doing anything besides recapping the tedium of what I was certain her rehearsed daily agenda must have been to my aunt in France who must find it all very interesting.


I just couldn’t see it.


I gazed at her as my dad did through the screen door and tried my best to make a connection as she mouthed the words “clearance sale”.


In any case, my dad doesn’t offer much advice so when the moment comes, I’ll take what I can get.


“You never want to get bored”.


We all are, act accordingly.

5 comments:

M said...

I love this!
I've been following you on youtube for a while, and I love your taste! Now I love what you write even more!!
Please write more! :D

Maria W. said...

Saw this on your tumblr and loved it.

Glad to see you writing again...or maybe I should say I'm glad to see your writing again. I'm guessing you don't always post stuff you've written online?

If you don't mind me asking...are your posts what comes to you when you're sitting at your computer? Or are your posts edited versions of things you've written maybe days, weeks or months ago?

It seems like a lot of thought goes into the way you write these stories. I'm jealous if it just comes naturally to you.

chrissstttiiine said...

@Maria W. I just write about what I know and usually post it immediately. takes about 30 minutes and sometimes I'll edit it here and there. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Chloe Lawrance said...

You write absolutely beautifully! I've been watching your youtube videos for a while, so pleased I've discovered your blog now too!
x

http://englishstylebiscuits.blogspot.co.uk

Anonymous said...

wow, your writing is stunning! absolutely and utterly beautiful. LOVE xoxo

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