MONDAY
First things first - on Monday, my phone was stolen. My phone contains hundreds - if not thousands - of handwritten notes (including notes from 2 previous phones), business idea, story drafts, photos, interview recordings I had yet to transcribe, and more. I've been using that phone since 2013, and there are so many things on it (things specifically to remind me of other things at a later date so I didn't forget them!) that I can't even remember some of the things I've lost. I was heartbroken and it was a tough circumstance to come to terms with.
As a last ditch effort, I text the phone and offered a cash reward to whoever possessed it at the time. To the thief, the 2+ year old Samsung Galaxy Note with obsolete technology was worthless. The screen (recently shattered a third time, with the bottom right corner now a gaping hole gifting fiberglass splinters during use) was barely functional, recognizing a touch, but usually attributed to the wrong icon. During an uncharacteristic Sunday Funday a few months back, I lost the all-important stylus to a sewer drain, as my phone fell from my back pocket during an impromptu cartwheel on Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis. Alas, I received no response to my offer, and had to almost immediately accept the fact that my phone was gone, and all of the contents gone - forever - and I had to move on from it.
Unattached feelings aside, I had to file a police report for insurance/financial/legal reasons, and learned that the theft of a smartphone is a FELONY (theft of electronics over $500). I wholeheartedly disagree with those consequences. People matter to me more than things, and although stealing is wrong (and it definitely cost me time, money, and a hell of a lot of inconvenience), I would not be able to live with myself if I put a felony on someone for stealing my phone. It would be nice if the investigation identified the thief and returned my phone to me - but that would be the extent of it.
So, I let it go and paid a visit to Ali, the first friend I made when I moved to the city of St. Louis in 2007. I had been needing to buy a new phone anyway. Ali owns a shop called No Strings Attached, sort of a catch-all bodega, located across from my old loft building. I hadn't seen him in a minute. It was nice to catch up, and give him some business. After an hour or so of talking and hanging out, I left with a new Samsung Galaxy Note (that was a little less expensive because he gave me the friend deal - Thanks Ali!) - then promptly dropped it on the sidewalk and shattered the screen. All things considered, there was nothing I could do except HOOSA my way out of that annoyance and LET IT GO.
I believe my willingness to accept the losses, trust the universe, and keep a positive attitude led me directly to a karmic reward later that evening. In the midst of doing a random favor for someone that four other people had refused to help with, I met an inspirational StL creative entrepreneur whose story of chasing his dream reminded me of why stolen phones don't matter. We shared the same perspective on life, are not afraid to deviate from societal norms to live authentically, and love to collaborate with likeminded individuals to manifest cool shit. More on this later, as we are brainstorming ways we can work together - but its definitely going to be a sick and innovative partnership!
LESSON: Connect with friends. Talk to new people. Help people out if you can. Don't be afraid to do a favor. Sweat equity is a valuable investment. THINGS are not important. Don't let external circumstances determine your internal mood! And last, but definitely not least, don't hold on to your ideas and plans forever - research, use, action! ACTION is what matters! The law of attraction is real: like attracts like. Find your passion, share it with others authentically, and they will be magnetized.
TUESDAY
Tuesday was scheduled for filming Book Trailer #1. I was pretty excited, as Dave Weis of Paralell, Briefly and I had put in weeks of preparation that led to this day. We brainstormed the concept while chilling by the waterfall in Forest Park, received permission to film at LuLu Seafood in St. Louis' Chinatown, scouted the location a few time beforehand, made storyboards, blocked all the shots, and we were ready to make magic.
My friend, Tasha (branding, marketing, and communication guru), came along to help, and it turns out we couldn't have done it without her. Our preparation, focus, and creativity mixed together nicely, and we were able to capture all the footage we needed within about three hours of shooting. I'm VERY PROUD and am looking forward to seeing the final edit. You should be, too! It's going to be pretty cool. I was also invited to team up with LuLu Seafood for a launch party, as well as participating in StL Chinatown's Chinese New Year Festival and parade during February 2016!
Trailer #3 is in production as well, with contributions received from Europe, Central America, and Hong Kong this week. We will be filming in St. Louis when I return from Mexico. Work on trailers #2 and #4 will commence after that.
LESSON: Doing things yourself is more fulfilling than waiting for or allowing someone else to do them for you. You CAN do ANYTHING you put your mind, effort, and action into! Life is best used to create. These trailers are going to be BOMB. My friends and collaborators are incredible and inspirational. When you do cool stuff, others want to be involved and help you.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday morning, I headed to physical therapy for my spine (which has been causing pretty significant pain the past few months), planning on tackling a huge to-do list after. On the way to therapy, my car simply stopped working in the middle of a busy intersection, and I was forced to sit with my flashers on in the right turning lane. People honked angrily and pointed their middle fingers at me, as if I chose to slightly delay their travel with my auto misfortune. I sighed, laughed out loud at the situation, looked over at my brand new, shattered phone, and called for help.
It came.
Not familiar with mechanics in the city, I looked to the experts and my parents arranged rescue and analysis of the car for me. GREATLY APPRECIATED.
My (new) roommate - let's call her Stacy - that I've only known for a month or so, woke up out of her sleep and drove straight to me. She arrived bearing the best gift for turning around shitty days, and hung out with me as we waited for the tow truck. After that, Stacy escorted me all over tow to take care of last minute biz before my trip. Shifting back and forth from gear to gear, we zoomed around in her Mazda, first and foremost, stopping for a quick breakfast, then picking up a hoodie from a friend off Hampton, dropping off a borrowed book to another, depositing cash at the credit union in East St. Louis, paying rent on Cherokee, getting our nails done at Mimi on Grand (ironically, I chose the royal blue polish entitled 'I Sea the Point', specifically because I hoped that I would soon understand the point of the crazy events of the past few days), and a bunch of other things that may seem trivial, but took up Stacy's ENTIRE DAY. I tried to convey it, but I don't think she understands how much it meant to me. (**I also had another good friend offer to help as well. Shout out to Tasha!!)
Aside from the car and phone, my laptop broke recently, so I had to buy a new one of those ASAP, as I plan to spend most of my time in Mexico writing. Unfortunately, I waited until the last minute to set it up and spend most of my time in Mexico writing. Unfortunately, I waited until the last minute to set it up and found out the specific machine I purchased had a bug. Then the HP customer service center was down for the day. I had to return it and board the plane to Mexico with my trusty, first generation Microsoft Surface that I do not love, and is not conducive to traveling...but it works. Ultimately, I know if I have the basics, I can get the job done. Hence, this first post of the trip!
LESSON: Friends are great and are willing to help you if you just ask. I have the beset family. Although it would be nice, I don't need fancy, expensive technology to create. A pen and paper will suffice, and although it is my least favorite, a Microsoft Surface is a luxury.
THURSDAY
Everything went smoothly. My dad was willing to wake up at 3:45am to drop me off at Lambert St. Louis airport to catch my flight. I managed to pass through security and hit Starbucks for a latte before stepping last in line to board the plane. I didn't drop, lose, or break anything. I was assigned to a window seat on the plane, and inspired to write this post.
Honestly, at first, I thought this was a bad week. But on second thought, the universe was just reminding me how good I have it. I have friends and family willing to help me at a moment's notice (and the ones who are willing to sacrifice their sleep are THE REAL MVPs!).
LESSON: Be grateful.
I live in a first world country where automobile help, electronics, and $100 flights to Mexico are readily available. I have enough money to replace non-essential items that make my life easier. I am the luckiest person in the world to be born into the most caring, loving, giving, and kind family to ever walk this Earth. This week was reminding me to be grateful for all that I have. All those who support me in ALL that I do, and always have. All those who see my vision for my debut as an artist through AMERICAN FEMALE, and are committed to helping me manifest the reality that is waiting to come to life. I am grateful for whoever stole my phone, for reminding me that things don't matter, and that humans make mistakes, too, and not to be so punitive. I am grateful for the sun rising another day, offering an opportunity to smile, create, help, love, and laugh. I am grateful for the realization that my life is for living my dreams, and the self-actualization that has helped me get to this point.
And now - THE BEACH!! TTYL
#americanfemale #emilycarpenter #adventure #travel #gratitude #producer #writer #nextgreatamericannovel #ACTION