A Comment for a Friend

That's right. I was struck by the vulnerability in a status update. It has occurred to me since, that the same sentiment may not have come across in such a fragile tone on Twitter. It's always a challenge to convey one's fragility and vulnerability in 140 characters or less. I am certain that, had she tweeted it, she would have received many more caring, creative, poetic pieces of 140 characters or less, to uplift and inspire her during the decision making process. Sometimes this is a good thing. More often than not though, as one comes to learn, one wades through dozens of quotes from followers who have them saved in Hallmark-style catagories (Celebration, Sympathy, Husband, Wife, Birthday, BLANK). And look, you never know, my friend may have been writing in reference to less life-altering circumstances than I have assumed (it's just always more interesting to raise the stakes). There is nothing to suggest that "crossroads" refers to anything but the set of traffic lights at the end of the street and the choice is about which small community store to support in her stand against Coles/Woolies. Nevertheless, quietly acknowledging that different people place different levels of priority on these things, the quandry over whether to shop at IGA or Aldi included, or which road to take in order to avoid the RBT unit or police radar that somebody has just tweeted about, I commented on her Facebook status, as she stressed over which path in life to take.

I wrote, Choose the path that appeals to you most right now - who knows how long you have on it - and don't be afraid to leave it or choose another further on...it's hard to get back to that same spot to choose all over again, once your journey has changed you. in fact, you won't. so go ahead and along the way, gather ye rosebuds and swim in the sea, share the wine and enjoy the flesh BUT don't be lured from your path by love or men or money! remember where you've been and which path it was you took, because it will have gotten you to where you wanted to be!

I also wrote, How's that?! I'm gonna sell that shit!!!

Or sing it. Except that Natalie Weiss has already sung it. Thank you Natalie Weiss and thank you Scott Alan. Because I am quite simply shit at writing songs. And I don't believe I am able to sing this one quite like this. Scott, who is amazingly, freakishly good at writing songs, wrote this one, which Natalie sings amazingly, freakishly well (yes, I too, am a happy, inspired sufferer of Weissenvy. There are many of us. There should be a support group)...Here is The Distance You Have Come. Now, enjoy, while I post the link to my friend's wall.