5.17.2015

I Am a Passenger (I Ride Through the City's Backsides)


I was watching an Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown episode on Miami (Anthony is my hero, but I guess I should save that for another post), and who should pop up but Iggy Pop? Apparently Iggy now resides in Miami (whhhaaat??) and enjoys the slowness of a beach town. He talked about visiting the ocean, being at peace, and finding the "end of complications" there.

The end of complications. Wow, I thought, what a notion. And as beautiful and peaceful and amazing as that sounds, I don't want that yet.

Say what, Ashley? 

You heard right. I'm still in a zone where I want challenges. I want adventure. I want to jump as highly into the sky as possible. I want to dive into treacherous waters. When I stare at the ocean I don't see the end of complications. Sure, it relaxes me. It brings me peace. But that is because when I stare at that forceful entity, I see endless possibilities. I think to myself, if I sail that way, will I reach Japan? I'm in no mood to settle down anytime soon. It's not time to retire, it's time to live!

I'm finally 30, and with that comes a lot of talk about calming down, becoming "old," and settling. But why? Don't get me wrong, I'm not the same partier as my twenty-something self. I like relaxing more, I like taking the world in through less wilder eyes. But I think I'm onto this new phase of pushing myself. This weekend I tried two new challenging things just because: salsa dancing and Buti Yoga. My butt and thighs are now majorly sore, but my heart is content. I like diving into things that are slightly uncomfortable at first. I like letting myself make a few mistakes because I know I will learn from them. I like this new Ashley; I applaud her vulnerability.

Because this post is Iggy themed, of course I felt like referencing one of his best hits. "The Passenger" is most definitely about adventuring. I especially love the line, "I ride through the city's backsides," because to me it means finding your own path, which may not always be the path widely taken.

I get why Iggy wants to settle down now. He was a mover and shaker in his day, and now he wants a bit of rest. As for me, I'm not there yet. My ride has not stopped in any one location; I am a passenger on an awesome ride, and I hope I keep pushing myself across unknown borders and unchartered territory (and cities' backsides). One day I may yearn for the end of complications, but right now I have some more riding to do.


15 comments:

  1. I hope I never calm down or settle. even little adventures are better than no adventures! i am nowhere near that part of my life and i hope it stays away for a long time!

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  2. Exactly! This is no time to lay down and die :) P.S. this reminded me of you: https://riflepaperco.com/shop/art-prints/kentucky-derby-illustrated-art-print/

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  3. ha I just saw that the other day actually when I was looking at her prints! so pretty!

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  4. Love, love, love this post! Glad that Iggy was your inspiration. Continue with the road less traveled that provides you with lots and lots of inspiration.

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  5. Thanks, LP! Of course you like the bit on Iggy. And watching an interview on him, I thought "wow, that guy is actually very well-spoken!"

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  6. 'Iggy Pop?' 'No! Siouxsie and the Banshees.' ... 'No, not nothing. What's wrong with the Iggy Pop?' 'Nothing. I just prefer the other one.' :)


    Settle? You? If I ever see a post where you've settled down I'd probably die of shock!

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  7. HAHAHA. But of course I need to write posts to remind myself. Let me just clarify that marriage/house/kids does not necessarily mean settling down in my book. I sort of define settling down as letting that golden energy burn out when it shouldn't. I guess settling down has a negative connotation for me! It's overused and overrated! Let us (either single people, or married people, or fathers and mothers) NEVER settle down. It sounds like someone is getting ready for the grave. NEVER!

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  8. This post was a perfect representation of how I envision you as a person. Unsatisfied adventurer.

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  9. haha, yes that is true to a certain extent. I am satisfied when I am challenged. Thus the year in London was tough to leave behind because it was a true year of satisfaction. For awhile (a long while) when I was back, I was unsatisfied, because I felt a little lost/bored! I'm back to feeling a high satisfaction level now, because I've been signing onto some things that will keep me challenged. So that's me in a nutshell :)

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  10. Yes! I am right with you! Almost two years ago I found myself in the position where it seemed I was settling down and I quickly decided that was not for me. I'm in my late 20s now and feel like life is just getting even more exciting as the years go on. I hope I never lose my sense of adventure! And Anthony Bourdain...how do we steal his job?

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  11. Great post. I found myself taking a major career change when we relocated to London from NYC. I knew I was fundamentally unhappy in my career and what the long term path I was on, so I decided to do something for myself, to veer off my career path that I had spent a decade nicely carving out. Just like you, I did not want to just settle because I should or others told me to. There have been some bumps along the way, but I'm much happier living life my way.
    Love the Iggy references, though I imagine his version of slowing down is slightly different than most peoples!

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  12. I've been wondering how I can petition to Anthony to join his show. He's going on a book tour soon, and I totally want to meet that guy!!

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  13. GREAT move for you. And a lot of my heart is in London so please enjoy that for me! And I think you're right, Iggy's version of slowing down is probably still insane, somehow!

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  14. I'm definitely not done with it all yet. Not even close. I'm sure I could do with a bit of slowing down, for the long-term game, but I feel like I'm just losing daylight you know?

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  15. *thumbs up* I love that response! On a sort of related note, I'm binge watching Sons of Anarchy and what do you know, The Passenger pops up during an episode. :)

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