A new year and procrastination

January 10, 2019 • 6 Comments

Highway 101 Ventura, CA ©Kurtew Photography

I originally wanted to write a bit about last year and somehow I am procrastinating. I am good at that. But that is one thing I want to get better at, well not better at but let's say don't push things too far away from me. It was such an eventful year both personally and professionally , influenced by the political climate specially here in the US but also all over the world. I am still digesting several events and until then I thought I just write about something else, which affects me right now. ( I guess that is still procrastinating ...)

Malibu, CA ©Kurtew Photography

So many people have new years resolutions, goals for the new year, big mountains to concur! And then you have the other side, people that are absolutely against it because they think you should set your goals all year long, adjust as we go and just move on to the next. And as much as I like setting goals all year long, adjusting and moving forward ; there is something about a new year that seems fresh, new, unused and screams for new beginnings.

I also have to say it is fun if you write them down and bring it out the next year and read them out loud. Even more fun doing it with a bunch of the same people , year after year. It could be like a scene from friends or Cards for Humanity.

So yesterday I finally managed to go to my boxing gym again. First time this year. Ja, I know, not much for a New Years resolution and going the first time on the 9th of January. But I never said I am actually having New years resolutions, I like more, clearing my head, trying new things and or getting started again. It probably has nothing do to with any of that. Maybe I just needed to tell myself, come on , you are paying a monthly membership and you are one of those? You know, one of those paying and not going? And seriously it is so much fun! Torture but fun.

Hard to explain. So I went , I was tired, I was/am out of shape , I was not in any mood to go and jump around and hit the punching bag. On top of it I am in class with all those youngsters they don't even seem to sweat a bit doing those burpees and squads and holding a 6lbs medicine ball above your head whilst doing jumping lunges? What is that anyway? Who in the world came up with that? I am trying to keep my cool with all those early twenty-somethings in class, and they dare to complain. I was partnered once with a 23 year year old youngster and he just rolled his eyes after every workout asking me if it was over ? I couldn't breathe so I couldn't answer that. I am not sure what he was thinking but I didn't care. I had to keep breathing and that was all I could focus on. But I did it, I did the hour self destruction and miraculously came out on the other side, sweating , hurting , feeling exhausted but good. As good as I have not felt in weeks aka before the destructive month of December , the Holidays, actually starting with Thanksgiving. I was still on plan then, but the December got me good.

all pictures above unless stated different taken at City of Angels Boxing Gym ©Kurtew Photography

I have to do a big shootout to my Gym , The City of Angels Boxing Gym. Those people there are magic. They are like a family. They don't care if you are out of shape, they get you in shape. They have so much to give and if you can take it , well take it. #Cityofangelsboxing

City of angels boxing ©Kurtew Photography

So what I wanted to say is, whatever you believe in , whatever you do for this new year. Take care of yourself, take care of your neighbor. I came home last night from the Gym and I was so exhausted after my shower I went to bed when my dog goes to bed, at 9 PM. I thought I read in bed or - well I was fast asleep by 9:05 PM. I was so tired. The entire day I was tired and looking back last week I was tired too. But today, today felt different. I got up early enough to meditate for 20 minutes, I was aware and busy at work and even missed lunch because I was so busy. And I felt good, I still feel good.

I guess it doesn't matter if you have those New Year goals or goals all year around. Having goals I think is important. What keeps us evolving and learning. Learning more about ourselves and others. Happy 2019 to you all!

©Kurtew Photography

Oh and if you are in Los Angeles, go and check out the https://marcianoartfoundation.org/ they have some excellent exhibitions right now.

https://marcianoartfoundation.org/exhibition/ai-weiwei-life-cycle/

"But it makes an immigrant laugh to hear the fears of the nationalist, scared of infection,penetration, miscegenation, when this small fry,peanuts, compared to what the immigrant fears - dissolution, disappearance." Zadie Smith, White Teeth, 2000

"There is the house whose people sit in darkness; dust is their food and clay their meat. I centered the house of dust and I saw the kings of the earth."

Epic of Gilgamesh,ca 2100 BCE

"Freedom is not something that anybody can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be." James Baldwin, Nobody knows my name, 1961

https://marcianoartfoundation.org/exhibition/yayoi-kusama-with-all-my-love-for-the-tulips-i-pray-forever-2011/

https://marcianoartfoundation.org/exhibition/mad-world/

https://marcianoartfoundation.org/exhibition/bunny-rogers-inattention/

And more .The tickets are free but you have to make reservations. I went with my wife Dalila before the end of the year and we really enjoyed it. It was a somehow peaceful ending to such a turbulent year.

Keywords: Ai Weiwei, art, blog, Bunny Rogers, City of angels boxing, Cornelia Kurtew, East German Artist, Gallery, goals, James Baldwin, kurtew, kurtew photography, Life Cycle, Mad World , multimedia artist, photography, pop art, red polka dots, Sam Durant, Visual art, Visual Artist, With All My Love For The Tulips, Yayoi Kusama, Youngsters

Comments

Ryley Aufderhar(non-registered)

I am glad to read this article.

MMA Gloves(non-registered)

Procrastination is the biggest enemy for a person progress. Roaming the globe is a good choice to go with. Boxing has kept a highest rank in the sports history.

Susan Helscher(non-registered)

Your photography is stunning! I still cherish your desert photo that hangs in my home. Keep it coming!

Blondie(non-registered)

Enjoyable reading Connie. When I read your words, I can still hear them as you are speaking them! Xoxo

dale masterson(non-registered)

Wow. This is impressive! Thanks for sharing your self with us through your beautiful words and gorgeous images!

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