(An A to Z 2013 Challenge Entry)
I’ve
spoken about this topic briefly in my first posts when I began
blogging. I wasn’t the type of underachiever that would cause a scene in
class (with exception of Spanish class) and be disruptive. The “bad
boy” (that would be hilarious) who skipped class, smoked in the
bathroom, and got into fights (though, those were — are — the type of
guys a lot of women seem to swoon over; I blame Hollywood lol). I didn’t
throw aside my homework and get terrible grades.
I
did, however, try to do the bare minimum that I could. I never found
school particularly hard, just boring. It didn’t help that I grew up in a
small town with a graduating class under 100 people, where the lack of
fun, creative classes was rampant. Art, Photography,
Music, were classes many picked partially due to their ease. Some
considered them slacker classes.
These weren’t slacker classes for me. I loved to draw, take pictures, and sing. So learning about these various topics was exciting for me. I guess I viewed Home Ec as a slacker class, but over time I really liked learning about cooking and crafts. Regardless of the class, I put in the least amount of effort needed.
Greater Expectations
Hmm... It’s possible that I’ve used that header before.
I
may have put little effort into school, but I ended with good grades
(minus that final year where I really slacked off... oops). Usually a
Straight A or B student, honor rolls, finished all my homework, good
test scores, blah blah blah. Everyone expected me to attend college. It
never seemed to be my calling, though. I never felt a strong desire to
go to college. The cost and thought of endless nights studying were
enough to deter me.
I’d
have to say I think most of my brothers are also underachievers. Only
one (besides me) attempted college, dropped out (like myself), and
eventually took massage therapy classes. I still classify him as an
underachiever, though, being he takes the perceived easiest route to
make money. I sometimes call him Easy Money.
Only
a handful of us are happy with where we are at, and I believe that is
what differentiates some underachievers from others. Some people don’t
care where they are at, some enjoy it and are truly happy, while others
loathe their place in life. Big dreams of moving up the corporate
ladder, turning a hobby into a career, etc etc. Sometimes you just want
more. I want more. To all of those who don’t give a damn, that is fine.
Kudos to those who are happy, that is wonderful and I am, therefore,
happy for you.
“This Will Never End ‘Cause I Want More...”
For
myself? I want more. It feels like I have a void within — not of a
spiritual, absence of “God”, nature — manifested by the lack of
happiness associated with my place in life. I am content, but want more.
I want to be a writer, to be doing what I am passionate about. I’d love
having a gaming shop selling/buying cards, and I could write while
doing that. Even blog/write about that specifically if wanting. A lot of
my hobbies would blend together and have synchronicity.
I
am attempting to take the steps to make this dream/goal a reality. This
blogging is a move in that direction. I hope to get back into my
gaming, and this time simultaneously begin my other blogs on those
topics. I’ve also plans to start podcasting. It seems Blogger isn’t the
best format to place a podcast on; the standard codex (did I say that
right? Or is it just code?) isn’t supported and many tedious workarounds have to happen to make it possible. Then there are the Youtube
videos, which I may start with my brother at some point.
It
definitely seems like this may be biting off more than I can chew, but
many of the alt blogs/podcasts/videos would be sporadic as material
becomes available. In the end, though, they will hopefully all flow
together and offer a variety of outlets where I can create without
becoming completely bogged down with one genre/topic/aspect.
And
my fiction? That goal will be to continually work on it, as well. After
the A to Z, I will have an easier time following/writing blogs,
commenting/replying, and writing fiction when there aren’t daily
postings. Perhaps some I follow will continue daily, but I am assuming
the majority will downshift to one or two postings a week, maybe three.
The overwhelming stimulation of the event will have at least died down.
So,
these are a handful of my creative goals in the coming weeks. We’ll see
how far along I get. I hope to upgrade from an underachiever.
From
an underachiever to an underdog, because seriously... let’s be
realistic here. And besides, I’ve always rooted for the underdog!
Have
you ever considered yourself, or anyone you know, an underachiever?
What are some of your short term goals in the coming weeks? Long term? Do you (or have you) dabble in podcasting or creating Youtube videos?
Do you root for the underdog?
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