Putting aside the invading fear that I used the wrong word… affect/effect… I’m pretty sure I’ve got a handle on this one, but ANYWAY,
I’m excited to write this blog entry.
The Converse Effect.
I love converse. Specifically, I love Converse All-Star Sneakers.
High Top.
Low Top.
Laces.
No Laces.
Black, Grey, Green, Orange.
Graffiti.
Red Satin.
Purple Satin.
These are just a FEW of the models currently in my closet. At most recent count, I think I have 15-16 pairs.
I LOVE these sneakers.
Don’t talk to me about one-stars, or rocket dogs… though they’re cute. I’m a true-blue Chuck Taylors type of girl.
I spent YEARS accumulating those shoes, in unique and discontinued colors, and was somehow PROUD of wearing them in all types of settings.
Due to the nature of my classroom, I wore them to work = Cool Teacher
I wore them with skirts and dresses = Spunky and COOL girl who doesn’t care about heels
I wore them out to dinner = Super aloof dining patron
I wore them everywhere.
I used the converse as a way to feel cool about myself, to feel edgier, or somehow going against the polished, peep-toed, lip-gloss wearing masses.
It kept me from feeling like one of them.
Then some time later… I started finding cute and quirky flats, and weird tops and accessories, and my shoe vocabulary begain to change.
Then, I got plantar fasciitis, and I started needing more stability and support in my shoes, and I LIVED in orthopedic tennis shoes and merrells for 2-3 months.
This morning, I woke up and put on my pink-polka-dotted-baa-baa-black-sheep converse, fitted with my doctor recommended inserts, and headed to work. It got me thinking.
How many times do we latch on to things, and HOLD on to things for all the wrong reasons?
I am NOTORIOUSLY bad at getting all crazy about something, obsessing about it for a period of time, then totally moving on and finding the next… OOH SHINEY!!
Hmmmm…
Knitting.
Baking.
Yoga. (though, I do still love and practice, yoga, its the 3rd incarnation of my obsession)
Reading.
Blogging my food.
Modding the H&F board.
Blogging/Writing for the Examiner.
Woot Tee Shirts. (www.shirt.woot.com - you’re welcome)
If you know me, you almost certainly have your own favorites.
So, Kelsey! What is the point!?
The point is, my husband watched a man leave this earth several days ago. He had a heart attack on the tennis court, and did not survive. He was on the tennis court.
He was not doing reports.
He was not watching Lost.
He was not organizing his receipts.
He was playing tennis… something that someone might have said, “Hey man, aren’t you getting a little old for this?”, or “why are you playing tennis… its just a local league, it isn’t like you’re going pro”, or “Shouldn’t you be home mowing the yard?”
I don’t know, its been on my mind the past few days.
I’ve got to do what makes my heart happy… and if that means twice a day blogging… fine. If it means twice a month blogging… fine.
If that means, auditioning on a whim for a musical? FINE!
If that means that I get called scatterbrained or easily distracted… so be it.
You know what ladies? (and the few random men who might read…)
You should NEVER apologize for NOT BLOGGING.
I free you! I free you of non-blogging guilt! You don’t owe me an apology if you dissapear from twitter for a few nights… you don’t owe me a damn thing.
We’ve ALL just got to do what we have to do! We need to do what makes us happy… Follow that whim! Take up that hobby!
EVEN IF its the 7th one you’ve taken up since January first… because in the end… our life is just a series of hobbies, activities, fleeting interests.
I am on a constant quest to stop caring about what other people think of me… and part of that, is doing whatever fleeting, flashing, shining thing pops in my head.
I’m singing, dancing, and acting again. I could NOT be more ecstatic about that…
My husband dominates his local USTA and recreational tennis leagues… because he LOVES it.
My Lola draws, and creates works of art, even though some people might wish she was a teacher/professor/translator or some other “straight laced” job…
Missy just decided to MAKE it happen and get into a Doctoral program!
Caitlin quit her day job to make her life into what she wanted it to be…
My mom has created her own business out of helping and guiding other people as they try to bring greater positivity into their lives.
I can think of at least half a dozen reasons why other people might have laughed at each of us… for doing something that seemed futile, or otherwise unreasonable.
I’m starting to ramble… so I’m going to cut this short, but… here is the nugget that I hope you’ll take from this blog…
I’m sure you’ve NEVER heard this before…
Life is short.
Live it.
Wear converse.
Wear heels.
Go out.
Stay home.
Be HAPPY.
Love yourself.
Love your life.
xoxo
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Great post, Kelsey!
.-= Teacherwoman´s last blog ..Tuesday Tidbits =-.
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 7th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
thanks a lot, girlie.
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
[Reply]
Twitter: haikutofu
says:
ah kelsey. you are such a sage in your young age. let’s go do some random stuff soon. whatever we feel like!
.-= trinity´s last blog ..Mezze Night! =-.
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 7th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
YEA!! hmmm, maybe we could paint something, or build a sandcastle, or jump rope!! xoxo
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
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This is a great post! I have been thinking about the same sort of things recently – I feel like I have just been in a RUT and I need to get out and do what I love to do… whatever that is!
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YES! Hallelujah!
BTW, you used effect perfectly.
It’s a personal pet peeve of mine when bloggers apologize for doing or not doing things, too…I understand that you have a life — that’s why I like reading you! (is what I always want to say)
.-= Katy´s last blog ..#Fitblog Chat: Share Your Links! =-.
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 7th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Thanks for the comment.
It seems like lately, over 50% of the posts I read start off with something like, “sorry I haven’t posted much lately” or “I’m so sorry I left you guys hanging last night”
And I really do understand that there are blogs that are so popular that the readership truly WORRIES if a post is missed, or maybe the blogger is making the blog his/her business, and has a stronger sense of obligation.
But for the average blogger… it’s just one tiny slice of life… and most days, not NEARLY the biggest slice of my life’s pie.
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
[Reply]
amen!
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What a great post!
I love my Chuck’s, too. I just wish they were more supportive.
I am most proud of my Hemp pair!
.-= Angie´s last blog ..March in Books =-.
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 7th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
No WAY!! I knew there were a billion and one reasons why I <3 you so much!!! I have the HEMP CHUCKS TOO!!
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
[Reply]
Twitter: AprilBRuns
says:
What a great message. I struggle with guilt (on *so* many levels) about not doing things I feel I should do and then I feel like I’m not living my life as I want to be living. I am working to find my balance and this is a great reminder that life is fleeting.
.-= April´s last blog ..Patience =-.
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 7th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
guh, doesn’t guilt just weigh us down? It is a constant struggle for me, but I think that I occasionally make some strides.
Even working towards it seems to be half the battle sometimes, don’tcha think?
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
[Reply]
What a great, “Ah Hah!” post! I always down myself for what I call my “I’m gonnas” as in, “I’m gonna become a runner!” then do great for a while, lose some weight, then fall off the bandwagon and feel like people are judging me. Or “I’m gonna buy a house!” tell everyone all about my great plan, then realize that I just can’t afford what I really want right now. “I’m gonna become a teacher!” “I’m gonna move to California!” I have accumulated so many “I’m gonnas” that I feel like people think I’m never actually gonna DO anything.
But this post makes me see that it really doesn’t matter WHAT people may think about my “I’m gonnas,” as long as I keep trying. We are living OUR lives, no one elses, right?
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..JoyNatalie: Got it! RT @tweetdivas: OK #TweetDivas Upcoming Tweet Divas Events listed here: http://ow.ly/1vIz3. Mark UR calendars 4 MAY 11th! #TLWT =-.
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 9th, 2010 at 8:12 am
YES!!
I hope we can both stop worrying about someone thinking we’re flaky or something, and just do whatever makes us happy…
Thanks for commenting!!
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
[Reply]
Kelsey,
Heather from ThenHeatherSaid shared this post via Reader, and I’m SO glad she did. I have no words. SO good.
I even wanted to share with my (very few) readers on my (very new) blog: http://www.longsleevesandchucks.com I hope that’s okay!
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 9th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Aww, thank you!!! I’m heading to your blog now, to get acquainted…
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
[Reply]
Twitter: tweetsofamanda
says:
I absolutely LOVE this post. I really, really do. Its so true that bloggers will apologize for EVERYTHING…apologizing for not blogging, apologizing for not doing something they blogged about, etc.
And not just in the blogosphere, but in the real world too! We are just so sorry all the time.
Great post, Kelsey. Not joking when I say I will take into account what you’ve said. Especially when I posted just yesterday on my own blog that I need to get out and DO MORE. Because I’ve become lazy.
P.S. I LOVE theatre as well. I used to be in musical theatre in high school, as well as improv! I think we have alot in common!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Time to get a life =-.
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 9th, 2010 at 8:14 am
wow, we DO have a lot in common!!
I’m so happy that you liked the post, makes me glad I decided to publish it!!
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
[Reply]
Hey lady!! I am commenting again on this post to let you know that I have an award for you on my blog!! I love your blog and I wanted you to know that you are an inspiration to me!
Hope you have a great day! <3
http://itsabsolutelyridiculous.blogspot.com/2010/04/blog-award-prolific-blogger-award.html
.-= Abri´s last blog ..Blog Award: Prolific Blogger Award =-.
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 9th, 2010 at 8:15 am
YAY!! thank you! I’ll comment there, and also blog about it sometime soon.
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
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Oh EM GEE. No, more like ZOMG. Bookmarked. One of the best posts I have EVER read. Kelsey this is so right, so well thought out and written and beautiful and TRUE. My goodness is it true. Yes, we have all heard the “life is too short” cliche blah blah blah but this post just brought a fresh perspective to it. Blame it on the Chucks or maybe just the place where I am at in my life, but this just did it for me. Thank you. THANK YOU. I am going to go enjoy my day, my way now keeping this in mind. xoxo
.-= Caitlin@TheTwentyFifthYear´s last blog ..Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is =-.
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 9th, 2010 at 11:36 am
What a flattering comment… I’m so glad you liked the post, because it was hard, as always, not to second guess myself. lol.
xoxo
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
[Reply]
Twitter: thenheathersaid
says:
also – can we discuss what size chucks you wear? as clearly i work at a shoe store that specializes in the converse and sometimes my discount is just too good on marked down pairs to pass up. [as in, the shoes i am wearing currently cost me $3. ahem]
[Reply]
kelsey
Twitter: Kelsnotchels
Reply:
April 9th, 2010 at 11:35 am
That is SO funny that you say that, because I meant to throw in a funny sentence near the end saying something like… “And for what its worth, if you ever have a burning need to buy me something, a guys size 6 chuck taylor is ALWAYS appreciated” haha!
Its the guys 6/womens 8… I’ll happily send you casholla if you find some cute ones!!!
xo
.-= kelsey´s last blog ..The Converse Effect =-.
[Reply]
Thank you, Kels. I so needed this today! I actually read your blog when you first posted it, but this morning I woke up with such a feeling of dread (about school), that I needed to re-read and feel refreshed/renewed. Your post did just that for me. Now I can push myself through this hell-week and close out my first two semesters of grad school! After I put this computer down, I am going to grab a cup of coffee, walk out onto the patio, and take it all in… feel the breeze on my skin and the Spring sun on my face. It is in those little moments where you really want to thank God for his blessings and stop stupidly taking this life for granted. All of this could be gone in an instant, right? And then none of it would matter anymore anyway… Bills, debt, exams, fights, work B.S., etc… none of it would even matter. All that matters is that you enjoyed this gift of life to the fullest, and helped others to do so, too, along the way… Isn’t that a thought that keeps you grounded? I know it does for me. I need to remember that I am here to make this dream happen, damn it, so stop getting sucked into the grind. It is what I always wanted, after all!
But, God, you’re so right. Enjoy your life. You’re alive! You’re able bodied and can move and dance and sing and enjoy different hobbies and interests. (I am speaking to the collective YOU, of course.) Break out of this rut and run. Be free. What a great message! This message was delivered to me in such a tragic, shocking way this summer, but it truly hit home… Thank you for the eloquent, well-written reminder.
Love you so!
[Reply]
Twitter: devonstiles
says:
I just don’t think I’m “hip” enough to pull of Converse. I’m entirely too much of a prepster.
[Reply]
[...] Live. period. The Converse Effect by Kelsey. [...]
Hi – your MIL pointed me towards your site (when she heard I also did theater). Nice to “meet” you!
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