Writer's Block Reveals Problem

Something you might not know about me is that I love to write. Unfortunately, like all writers, I go in and out of writer's block. I'm currently going through a really tough episode now. You see, there's this story I've been trying to write. It was inspired by a podcast by Stuff You Should Know about cryogenic freezing; if it's possible and what it is. At one part, they discussed how one method was to only freeze (note: freeze is the wrong word. They corrected themselves on it so many times in the podcast, but I can't for the life of me remember the correct word.) only the head with the brain still inside. The idea was the freeze the brain, but it was too much trouble to get it out of the head. They talked about how this would only work if we could create a human body for them to use once they are brought back to life. So I was inspired.
Picture this: a young man, fresh out of his "transfer," as I called it, and waiting for his romantic female counterpart. He admires his new, younger face, about twenty years old as he waits, anticipating what it will feel like to be young with his girlfriend again. Finally she emerges, but something is wrong. Her body is too young: 13. The doctors apologize and say that there was a mistake 7 years along the growth of the first body and that this was the best they could do. When she asks to transfer back into her old body, they inform her that it is not possible because the body has already been broken down into the parts needed to create more bodies. The rest of the short story would follow how the couple dealt with this problem. I never really go that far.
The problem is, I couldn't seem to make the words come out. As you can see, I have an idea and, for the most part, a plan. But as soon as I put my fingers to the keys and began typing, I could only create two paragraphs before going back, deleting it all, and starting over, deleting it all, trying again, then giving up and going to watch youtube or NetFlix. It isn't a problem of not trying or lacking follow through, it's a problem of not knowing how. I know the point I want to make and what I want to leave my readers feeling, but sometimes I don't know how to write the words to create these results or any results. I have seen this problem happen a lot in my life recently. I know what my goals are, but not how to get to them.
Up until tonight, I thought that college would be the solution to everything. It would be the thing that finally made me work hard, pay attention, live in the world around me, but I'm starting to believe that's not true. I'm the only one that can make myself do these things, but how? I suppose the only thing to do is try. So for my first attempt, I am going to try to become aware of the world around me.
A few months ago, I saw this video, Look Up by Gary Turk.

To be honest, when I started watching it, I was sure that this video was just going to be another lecture about how people are too absorbed in technology and how it is completely evil, but thankfully the video is not that at all. In fact, it inspired me. One day, while I was in the doctor's waiting room, I stopped playing minesweeper, my go-

to when alone, and started looking around. I saw a blonde woman sitting beside me with earbuds in. A brunette in front of me, typing eagerly into her phone. And another brunette to my left, reading on her IPad. To my right, lay an untouched stack of magazines. Everyone prefered their phone.

I wish I could say that I spoke to one of them and now we are best friends or something, but I can't. I did not speak, I merely observed, but if I'm being honest, that is more than I have done in a long time. Since then, I have gotten better at looking at the world instead of my phone, but I am not where I want to be. I want to be comfortable enough with the world around me to speak to a complete stranger. Maybe make them laugh or let them make me laugh. Either way, I now smile at people when I pass them on the street. Eye contact is good. It lets people know they're not alone. 

So I guess what I am trying to say in this terribly long blog, is that I want to make a change for myself. I want to be the person I want to be rather than simply day dreaming of the day I will be her. I want to write that story and post it on this blog by next week and I want it to at least make sense. That's really all I can ever ask for from my stories. Maybe my blogs too. We will see! 

Until then, look up, smile, laugh, be in the world. Maybe you'll make a new friend. Heck, maybe you'll meet me. 

The Importance of Good Grooming

College is fun. I love going to class and I love making new friends and having new experiences. The people here are, for the most part, absolutely amazing. I don't think I've ever been around a more polite group of people. It really surprised me at first. The campus is warm and welcoming, and the best part of all, no one gives a sh*t about what you wear!
Most people walk around in shorts and a t-shirt. Occasionally you see jeans or a tank top or both, but very few people walk around in dresses or fully planned outfits unless they're not just going to class. In the winter, I'm expecting to see a lot of sweat pants and sweat shirts and hoodies. Toms, flip-flops, Chacos, and Sperrys rule the feet. There are a few other shoes, but you won't see anyone walking around in heels or some other painful contraption. But despite all this casualty, everyone still looks good.
You see, dear reader, there is more to looking good than the clothes you wear. There is also the way you hold yourself and how you take care of your body. If you wash your hair and brush it every day, you can get away with throwing it in a pony tail or sloppy bun and it will still look good. If you wash your face, put lotion on your skin, trim your nails, all things that really only take a few seconds, you will look good! But here's the weird part: none of that stuff works if you still feel unattractive.
That's right, ladies and gentlemen and everyone in between, confidence. Confidence is quite possibly the most attractive feature on a person. However, few people can gain confidence in their appearance by simply rolling out of bed and looking in the mirror every day. For most people I know, confidence is gained by taking care of your body by practicing good grooming in whatever ways you feel are necessary. Some of my friends straighten their hair every day, I just let mine air dry when I shower and brush it every day before I go out. I have friends that don't feel complete without a little mascara. Personally, I like to take a few minutes every week to file and buff my finger nails because I think it's important for my hands to look good. Whatever floats your boat! Just make sure to find what you need to do to feel good about yourself and do it. Once you feel clean and attractive, everyone else will think you're gorgeous too.