Manifesto 2012
The previous year, a manifesto was born; it was whimsical, carefree, idealistic, romantic, and exciting. Precisely executed down to the slightest of details? No, it was not. Was the overall tone and general theme achieved? Yes, most definitely. Upon review however, the flaw in our manifesto was that it was perhaps not selfish enough. Its existence revolved significantly on outside figures in order to be upheld, which we now know, are not necessary for lofty dreams to be achieved. A year wiser, we are indeed, therefore a new manifesto must be presented accordingly.
This year revolves around us, not around “significant others.” The use of the phrase “significant other” is reserved only for those actually deemed significant. Here’s a reminder as to, when independent from other traits, significant does NOT mean. Significant does not mean tall. Significant does not mean beautiful tattoos. Significant does not mean simultaneous orgasms (debatable?). Musicians do not automatically get put into the “significant” category simply because they are musicians. Significant is not a synonym for babe. Significant does not mean a talented chef, luscious locks, pizza in bed, midnight serenades, homemade haircuts, or the ability to display 37 different hairstyles. Alone, these characteristics are not enough, but if combined into one? We could probably work something out.
This year revolves around family, our Brooklyn family that is. (Not to discount our biological family, loyal and true, but the Brooklyn family is ever-present and tangible; you cannot chose your blood, but you can select your friends that become blood-like.) Time will be spent together cooking elaborate dinners made with fresh green market vegetables and the best cheese from the neighborhood shops, borderline excessive amounts of wine, and the best tunes crooning from the record player, swapping stories in the candlelight, and reminiscing upon nights prior. Recalling the nights that we’ve shared, that are bound to happen over and over again. Nights where we’ve stayed up until dawn, shared sunrises, played spin-the-bottle, and danced and sang and drank until our eyes failed us. Together, we will embark on more outside the borough adventures, taking impromptu day trips upstate in someone’s band’s van, or in the vintage vehicle we communally purchase, solely for such leisurely drives. We will trek north to the country, for wooded walks, visits to farms and cider mills. We will head east to the beach, windows down, with bronzed limbs, for sandy picnics and Atlantic plunges. After a full day of adventuring we will return to the neighborhood, with the catch-of-the-day and the fresh roadside market finds in tow, to partake in family dinner… Do you see how this beautiful cycle works?
This year revolves around creating. Physically we will delve into our own projects. There will be vast amounts of drawings, photos, cards, recipes, paintings, films, stationary, and collaborations to show for. The sketches will pile up. The bicoastal letters will be drafted, perfected, and mailed. Our apartments will become increasingly beautiful, with our aesthetics shining through, abundant and healthy foliage, with our masterly-crafted DIY décor. The intimate meals, trips, Sunday strolls, bike rides, picnics, and (soon to be purchased) motorcycle drives will be well documented. We will teach ourselves new techniques for expression and be overwhelmed with inspiration and fresh options for imaginative outlets.
We will create opportunities and take more chances. This will require being out of our comfort zone more often than preferred, but the pay off will be invaluable. Our complacent and stagnant feelings will dissipate, because we understand what has to be done. This may mean leaving our current jobs in order to pursue (or more thoroughly discover) exactly what it is we want to do here. This may mean learning how to make the job work for you, rather than rejecting it entirely. I really could go on and on (ok, maybe I already have) about how this is going to play out, and embellish on the details with too many adjectives with too many consultations to the thesaurus. But here is what it all comes down to: 2011 was meant for daydreaming, and 2012 is designed for realizing. We are going to be focused, and we will get what we want.
We always win.
