Static

It’s all just noise-

Attempts to fill the void.

Futile- inevitable,

What comes will come.

Outside static represses the internal lifeline.

17

It is November.
I am 17.
Searching for who I am,
I meander through life.
I drive my Ford truck
Down country roads
To get lost and unwind.
At home, a yellow Lab
Is my faithful shadow
And closest friend.
Autumn comes again,
Twelve years later.
I drive the same truck
Down familiar roads.
I stay at the same house,
With a different,
Yet familiar yellow dog,
And the same, yet somehow
Different parents from before.
I feel closer to realizing
Who I am meant to be,
But still striving
To arrive.
It is November.
I am still 17.

Behind the… Platypus?

The platypus has been my favorite animal for as long as I can remember.  While other children liked giraffes, bears, whales, elephants, and other ‘more typical’ animals, I enjoyed talking about the characteristics of monotremes.

For years, scientist didn’t know what to do with the platypus, and European naturalists that first encountered it thought it was an elaborate hoax.  Since the original discovery of this animal in 1798, platypuses have been studied for their unique anatomy, physiology, and behavior.  As a side note, there is no mutually agreed-on plural form for platypus.  Platypi is a common colloquialism and technically an incorrect plural form; scientists typically use platypuses or platypus.  Platypuses are monotremes, or mammals that lay eggs instead of live young.  The four species of echidna and the platypus make up the only monotremes on the planet.  Along with being one of the five species of mammals that lay eggs, platypuses also are unique in the use of electrolocation.   Similar to echolocation as used by bats and dolphins, electrolocation is locating prey by detecting the electrical current emitted by muscle contractions of animals.  Platypuses close their eyes, ears, and nose every time they dive under water and rely solely on the phenomenon of electrolocation to find food.

I identify with this odd, reclusive, semi-aquatic monotreme, being odd, reclusive and semi-aquatic myself.  An animal that is so atypical compared to other mammals really appeals to me.  The platypus is unique.  Different.  It doesn’t blend in with the rest of the animal kingdom– it  has its own family, genus, and species.  And despite its new-found fame in pop culture with appearances on the show Phineas and Ferb on the Disney channel in the form of Perry the Platypus, and other references in song and media, this solitary animal remains my favorite for being a symbol of diversity and uniqueness.

Looking Beneath the Calluses

In one of our occupational therapy classes last fall, we created sculptures of our hands and had to present them in a way that represented ourselves. This is the short piece I wrote to accompany my hand. Since it ties in very well to the title and intent of this blog, I decided to post it here:

My hand is covered in an old leather work glove. I cut away a few fingers of the glove to illustrate the contrast between the exterior and the interior. The hand hidden inside the glove is pale, delicate, and feminine looking, in contrast to the roughness of its surroundings. The hand can appear to be either completely covered or open and vulnerable, depending on which side it is viewed from. In my life, I have had several facets. The glove symbolizes the ‘rough and tumble’ personality that I developed at a young age as a defense mechanism. A sense of fragility and delicateness lies underneath the rough exterior, symbolized by the white hand and the outline of my wedding band. My sculpture is all about duality– initial appearances can be deceiving. Sometimes you have to dig through a few layers to reach the honesty that hides underneath a protective layer.

Post #1

I finally decided to enter into the world of blogging-  I’ve been journaling and writing for as long as I can remember, so now I’m just taking it digital.  Hopefully my words will provide food for thought or encouragement to the people that come across them.