Live many lives

Dear Instagram Diary,

Ocean’s 11 is my 6th favorite movie. 

I love the scene when Livingston is in the casino planting the video master key thingy. Clooney  says, “why do they always paint hallways that color.”

Brad Pitt replies, “they say taupe is very soothing.”

I find that line so indicative of the tone of the movie. They’re doing something vital to the entire operation and it’s a lighthearted break, but it’s so revealing to the characters.

Not only did Brad know that the color was taupe, not beige, not cream...but he was diverse in his experience that he knew color palettes. Such an admirable trait in my book, being versed in many things even if it’s being able to contribute one tiny aspect of any subject. The root is curiosity. 

“Live many lives.” - Me

Immerse yourself in whatever you find interesting, and be interested. Learn, study the history, pick up the lingo, indulge in tradition, become part of that culture if you can. Then do it again with the next thing but add/take it with you. You learn more than just the thing you’re learning about.

Breaking - Being relentlessly yourself is the currency.

Graffiti - You ain’t shit until further notice.

Kuma - You are capable of so much more love than you could ever imagine.

Triathlon - You can do less but you can’t quit.

Copywriting - Anything is possible. Nothing is simple.

Sushi - It all turns to shit anyway.

Bonsai - You can do everything right and still fail.

Climbing - It’s ok to not fit in.

Cooking - Control > consistency.

Chess - Be considerate

You mark my words, this year I'm getting into fly fishing. A River Runs Through It, another great Brad Pitt movie.

The hard part is, you have to suck at first. Unless you're naturally gifted, you're going to suck and that's hard! Takes a healthy ego to know nothing, find out how much you know nothing, then get better. It reminds me of the time old tragedy, "you ever notice kids stop doing art once they realize that they suck at it?" They're so proud of their horsey until they realize it's a brown rectangle with googley eyes and and lines for legs.

I hope you paint your picture, and paint it taupe. It's soothing.

Best,

E

#ARTiculate