Conifer

by Johnny Hanuse

While abusing the readiness of information from the internet, I was doing mundane amounts of research on all of these prominent writers, who were popular in the past. I thought to myself, why should I spend so much time obsessing about these people who aren't even alive anymore? They wrote because it's just what they did naturally. When I spent so much time wondering about them and how they did things, it slowed me down in what I was doing in the first place. I know in the future plans of going to school and studying these folk will happen but since right now its autodidact learning, the gain isn't quite clear. Most likely all of these classic writers had majorly unique personalities, which wouldn't surprise me if it was horded to themselves in their writing space. Sometimes it helps just to stop thinking, and just write with the knowledge that you have. Writing today is so much different than it was; things nowadays require a different approach, so why not branch off from your own tree.

This is a realization that I got caught up and forgot the difference between influence and trying to be something that you're not. We all strive for something, but keeping in mind that you are your own flavour, and individuality is a blessing. Maintaining a balance between the joys of writing for what they are and pushing forward to improve by study could be the key for being able to produce more words all the time. Also not to judge yourself too much because there are so many other people that will do that for you. Humans are creatures of emotion and habits, utilizing these traits and putting them into words can create wonders. Look around, look what we have accomplished already. The countless writers out there all have their own approach to things, whether you're a business writer for newspaper or a sci-fi writer exploring into the complete unknown for over a thousand pages. They are contributing to our lives. So maybe the next time you sit down decide you want to write something to not worry about how "good" it is because everybody comes from a different place of appreciation. These classic writers achived their names by writing what came natural to them but perhaps for you and me we wouldn't have a clue how to even approach it. One thing that surprises me everytime I think about it, and how it makes more sense everytime it comes up, is our life is completely lived from our minds.

I always make the joke to myself that I will become one of those people that write the cooking instructions for a no-name brand food company, just so I can make a steady dollar. This is a joke because I enjoy writing but I don't think I would ever let it get to this point. I don't have plans to write for millions of dollars but maybe one day I'll make a bit of money to live off but it won't be a job, just a hobby that helps me in a few different ways. Our contribution of arts will always be taken in different ways so don't sweat it; branch off from your own tree.

A Bachelor with a Bachelor in Bullshit

We have to go to work. It gives us all an opportunity to adventure away from the house, and if you are young and live in a fairly large city you most likely have room-mates; so rent is somewhat an achievable task. This shared living gets very chaotic quite regularly, it can even get to the point of either learning how to be flexible or you might as well pack your bags and throw the peace sign in the air.

Here's the thing, because money helps us through the times and referring to the quote said and used so many times before me, "money can't buy you happiness" it can just put a roof over your head; which could render useful. When I open the door to some old time friends jamming chill music setting the atmosphere , I feel at home. The syncranized moving of hands pounding down on the guitar strings, note by note you sink more into your chair to relax and kick your shoes off. The times get stranger every year that goes by and all sorts of situations change our outlook, but tell me this, where would you rather be, honestly? It seems impossible to get by without any alone time, but going through the early 20's requires a bit of chaos and mayhem. So in the end it's all worth it. Put this through your noggin, it couold be likely (of course depending on your situation) you will end up having a place of your own. Sitting all alone in your place reminiscing about all the crazy things that you did "back in the day." Speaking of crazy things, sometimes friends get the idea that we are on a "mission" whether it's finishing the freshly opened 20 pack of Lucky Lagers or trying to impress pretty girls with wit and an obnoxious sense of humour. Chasing these missions enevitably call for long nights.

In the past it was considered normal to drink at bar and then get in your car and drive home. In the now, we seem to constantly find glitches in the behavior of the past and get so caught up on rules and regulations, "public safety" and what not. So this means there is no driving unless you want to cause harm to yourself or others, cabbies and the shoelace express are the main means of transportation. Depending on the location of the "mission" it could mean sleeping crumpled on a love seat in a strange home kilometres away from home (which from now on will be referred as the ranch). The next day the major task is simply returning to the ranch. In the ranch I sleep on an army sized cot 2.5ft wide, 6.1 feet long (normally measured in inches but I'm no mathematician so measuring it in feet is easier to describe and visualize). The cot is placed right at the top of the stairs by the main entrance, in between the kitchen and living room, perfect for a 20 year old bachelor. The only problem with this location if that sometimes after midnight friends decide it's time to have a "mission" or come home from one, while trying to catch some sleep for work the next day, another partially sleepless night.

When you wake up feeling haggard going to work the next day to your boss yelling/screaming and speaking serious words if disappointment about your perfomance; just bare a smile. Knowing that you do have a home somewhere to rest your head, friends and family can almost gaurantee a place a place to crash. Why not give them a call or e-mail? See what's up.