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