see the story
i’m going to be speaking at ryerson in a couple weeks. i have all these questions (outline) to go over to prepare a talk and then most likely lapse into a Q&A style exchange. i asked the prof “am i going to get snarky smart-allecky quips from toronto shit kids?” i only asked because it has been something of habit to call me out on not seeking higher-education, choosing my own path for “making it” for not going the route everyone else felt necessary. i think of all the people who have become successful and never even graduated high school. you’re not supposed to go there though. don’t upset the herd. cos not everyone’s dreams come to fruition even if they blew $40+k on schooling. i’ve always been much of a true believer that you are born with it, it cannot be learned. i don’t like forced. i hate seeing parents insist upon making their child fit into holes they don’t fit in to. you must be this, you must do that. barf.
i am not saying that i have made it in any shape or form. i don’t think i will ever be satisfied with myself. i feel like i will always be running uphill with cement shoes on. but still. i gave a talk on how to be famous on the internet once (paid). i made it as broad as i could. as YOU CAN DO IT TOO as i could. but as previously stated, if it doesn’t come naturally to you, if you don’t feel passion for writing compulsively, sharing everything, it will not happen. one (very successful entrepreneur) man (with a thriving business in yorkville) asked me how much work has to go into blogging. i found that to be the wrong attitude.
if you don’t see the story within yourself, your life, everything around you, then you are not a writer. if you look at the rocks you’re selling and you can’t make them dazzle, then you are not a story teller and you lack imagination and this is not for you. sorry. writing, blogging, networking, media, advertising, all of them go together. i don’t know how long that would take you, sorry, i don’t have an answer to your question rich yorkville guy. i don’t count hours because i don’t quantify the value of my life in that way. i love what i do because i believe in it. it is the real deal for me and people could see right through it if it wasn’t.
attempting to personify perfection (personally, relationshippy)(which i am not the only one on this planet who is a guilty party of) is a dumb move. perfect is boring. pretending it’s perfect even moreso. not only that, so totally painful too. flaws are great. quirks. love them. highlight those.
anyway here’s one question i asked for, eloquently so too “give me an outline otherwise i just go on long tangents, go back on topic, then go off again and again. i love talking. i start out a bit shy then i hit my groove.”
A lot of attention has been paid recently to people who regretted something they had posted online (because it interfered with a relationship or getting a job or whatever). Has that ever been an issue for you?
no. i have opted for the artistic side of the fence so it’s never been a problem for me. if someone doesn’t accept me for what i am, and what i am essentially is what i do then they don’t accept me, therefore they can move along. some people choose to actively take issue with everything there is about me just to draw lines in the sand, it’s pretty sad. people pre-judge me all the time, it’s exhausting. the line of work i’m after doesn’t necessitate rolled down sleeves and fly rights. i try and watch what i say in terms of friend’s wishes for privacy. i won’t brag about blow with celebrities though that would be awesome for me personally, not awesome for everyone else. i don’t exploit others, just myself. again no, i don’t regret any of this, and why should i? this is about me, not them. i kept at it through all the bullshit and tears, drama, breakdowns, all of that, because it’s life. modern day life exposed.
and now i have to answer some questions for an interview that will be featured in Las Vegas CityLife huh what? haha.
ooh book agent just replied PUMPED.
you are awesome.
What do you say to someone like me, who is embarrassed by their blog and regrets it all the time, every day, but still does it anyway?
i have absolutely no idea how you could even begin to be embarrassed. is it cos the entire fam reads and actively comments? i wish i could go a little more extreme with mine but the entire world who has ever met me (family) reads it. maybe i should stop worrying about that and just do, act, don’t think. you should too.
Congrats!
What I meant to say is congrats – I am having the worst morning ever b/c some bullshit prof won’t let me re-write an exam that I missed b/c I was sick and I am wondering why I spent so many years in school when I know what I want to do and don’t really need that paper. I want to write. Pure and simple. Your accomplishments sans education only encourage me further that I am wasting my time (especially today). Thanks for that
I am literally about to blow £10k on starting my Masters in Graphic Design and I am so nervous. I always wonder what I would be doing, what life would be like if I hadn’t gone into further education. I wish I could be as brave as you (and others) who just go for it.
I already did a BA and have worked for a couple of years but I just felt like nothing was going “right”… whatever right is… I just wasn’t feeling it. Maybe my MA is going to be a (very expensive) way of causing a diversion but I guess only time will tell?
well something like graphic design requires education and the present/future will only require it more and more so you’re doing the right thing. i also think your website is amazing and wish i could comment on it.
You are fabulously inspirational. Now, more boob pictures, please.
working on tan lines
i think you are extremely talented and i am a little jealous because as a kid i wanted to be a writer, but like you said, it didn’t come as naturally the older i got. i still have all the stories i wrote up until the end of highschool -always got good grades in creative writing…but a lot of people do. haha
i like your writing a lot and there’s been so much more of it lately on here im pumped for more more more!
you’ll do great at rye high, no sweat
because i will go in coasting on rye fumes
hahahahaa
I’ve taken 2 years of college and one year of university and the only thing i have to show for it is a huge debt hanging over my head. I would wake up from nightmares of missed classes I never went to, had panic attacks weekly, and migraines. I don’t plan on going back to it any time soon. Parents want kids to go to school because they think it will keep them on the “straight and narrow” but I found I met most of the shadiest people in school. Parents just need to trust that their kids will make good decisions with or without a school system to guide them through.
If you do something right people will follow you and if people are following you you’re doing something right, Some people make money throwing basketballs around, right?
I wholeheartedly agree that it’s useless to waste money going to school if you want to be something like a writer/artist/fashion designer…I can’t imagine how higher education would have helped you in doing the things you’ve done here. I know so many people who have four-year degrees and still work crap jobs completely unrelated to what they ‘studied’ in university. It’s mostly just an excuse to go on a four-year bender, have no real responsibilities, and keep making your parents support you*. Don’t worry about the Ryerson kids, I mean…they go to Ryerson.
*this comment is brought to you by someone currently in their 7th year of university – but don’t worry, I already have one degree, and will have a solid job for life the minute I graduate
No liberal arts degree for me!
Thank you Raymi ^_^ my website is a constant headache to update and I don’t really get comments so I took out the form… saves me being embarrassed by “0 replies” on every post!
<3
Hey, when/where are you speaking at Ryerson? I’m a student there and I’d love to come say hello.
email me nicole
Hi raymi, I recently read about your breakup and I’ve wanted to email you but the Internet is weird for my iPhone in Argentina. I was actually depressed when I found out what happened and had ‘sympathy pains’ for you in a way. I have been reading your blog for about 5 years and I love your gifted writing and how you can put your life into words and photos. From the bottom of my heart, I hope you will be ok and always keep writing! Oh and that b*tch Kate has issues if she is bored by your blog yet keeps reading it w t f?
Currently a PhD student in Religious Studies…its strange how many people I meet in the “academy” at this level who are treating it as an extended high school…I love teaching, taught at UBC, looking to get published…but shit, this place can become an ivory trap for the lost
I go to Ryerson, 4th year philosophy. I think you’re awesome <3. When/on what will you be speaking? wanna support!
email me molly