Red.
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Theology class can be useful, after all…
Last year I didn’t buy any *things*. I only bought experiences. We were talking about consumerism in theology today, and how the reason it’s so fucked up is because we’re actually buying things that can’t be bought: happiness, coolness, love, intimacy, personality.
But I was thinking about it…
Last year, I spent more money than I ever have in my entire life. And not a stitch of it went to an object. But it went to those things that *can’t be bought*, indirectly.
It went to Arcade Fire (x2), Augustana, The Script, Pitchfork Music Festival, and Fleet Foxes concerts. It went to Cambridge MA, Lake Winnipesaukee NH, Washington DC, Anaheim CA, Lake Michigan (every weekend), and Cedar Point. It went to a car accident on the way to The Fray. It went to the Field Museum in Chicago, and a Cubs game, and gasoline and train fare.
But it really didn’t just go to that. It went to a sea of togetherness, of happiness, of feeling like there’s a purpose to my life. It went to love, to meaning, and to value. It went to piecing my broken spirit back together again, with fervor and even stronger bindings than before. It went to discovery, and beauty, and rebellion.
And looking back, I’ve concluded the following:
2011 had the potential to be the worst year of my life. It started out, on January 1st, with a conversation that I’ll never forget in Bowling Green KY, in a Drury Inn. But instead of letting that conversation consume me (although at times I felt and still feel like it does)….I was determined to remember 2011 for reasons other than The Thing. And I did.
At the time, it seemed stupid and foolish—having my parents and grandparents and siblings disapprove quite vocally of my choices. But then I remembered: you guys are the ones who are making me feel like shit. So your input is appreciated, but I’m gonna take this one, kay?
And looking back, it was amazing.
It means so much to me that I can look back at 2011 and not just say it was “the year that my family was destroyed.” I can look back and say it was the year that I grew up, discovered who I was, and lived for the first time.
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On my floor at school
I’m “that really nice senior with the cute clothes who goes to lots of concerts”
no shame.
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I feel like
whenever I go to a concert, I am making myself proud of myself, at certain ages. Next Friday I’m going to the Fray. 15 year old Kate at PHS who still has a crush on a certain douchebag football player would be in awe of me.
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Actual FB Comment Conversation
- sara: i like this one
- kate: me too. what song is this? it looks like power out but that was at the end before sprawl ii
- kate: WHAT IS IT???
- sara: i think it was power out but they were going into something else
- kate: they went into sprawl ii
- kate: NO it can't be power out look at the screen!
- *pause*
- kate: AHA. it's city with no children. BOOM kate is awesome
- sara: oh yea the screen is a suburbs background
- kid at work next to me: you are pathetic.
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ahhh haitiiii
mon payyyssss
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readdyyy to starttt
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reflections
sweetheart asked me what was my favorite part of the Sunday show.
Win: I woke up on the darkest night, neighbors all shouting that they found the light
Me+10,000 others: WE FOUND THE LIGHT!
*dances*
he laughed.
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front row?
no big deal.
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wow. all i can say. my hands are numb from clapping so hard. my voice is gone from singing every word to every song. my feet are tired from tapping along and standing….worth it? yes. more tomorrow.
<3kmt
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reminding mom about upcoming concerts
- Mom: So what are you doing this weekend?
- Me: Well I've got two concerts on Friday and Sunday...
- Mom: A concert on Easter Sunday? Really??? You never told me that...
- Me: Yea, actually I did, like a thousand times....
- Mom: Well what are the concerts?
- Me: Well they're both the same band, but they're probably going to play different songs...
- Mom: The SAME band? Like you had to pay twice???
- Me: Um, well...yes.
- Mom: What is the band?
- Me: Arcade Fire *mumbling*
- Mom: Oh right, Flat Tire...
- Me: yea. them.
