Firstly, i do not know much about the goings on of the olympics at the moment. Nor do I think this will likely be worthy of any metal. I guess I was under the impression these things should be timely to some extent. But more about olympians in a minute.
The event of the day (pun intended - we'll see how far I can take this) was most certainly the signing of a lease on a new apartment. After what I'm sure by most extents was far from a harrowing tale of apartment hunting (although I'm not sure how many more days of hitting the pavement I could have taken), our application, which was second, became first and the day ended with a signed lease.
Having met with so many different broker's in the city, its impossible to not become familiar with certain lingo and practices. But when you're leading your broker around the city and telling him which subway to take, you know you've entered an alternate dimension of broker-dom.
"Do you have an exclusive?" It makes it sound so...important. To all those who haven't been to hell and back, the question seeks an answer to whether the broker is the only person showing the apartment. An exclusive. As in something desirable. Something unique; something that will only be found through the keys in this man's hand (yes, they were all men). In other words, something set this broker above the rest. They must be better at their game, their relationships with landlords. They must be worth at least 15%. Especially when it's all to benefit you (you = at least 40x rent, two paystubs, letter of employment, name of your bank, no dog though - be prepared for euthanasia if you really want this one).
By most definitions, this is not a person you would call mediocre (I mean they have an exclusive...). But, who would you call mediocre? Well, certainly not your friends. They've got good jobs, they've shot their first feature, they're nationally recognized scholars. Better yet they've got a pseudonym that's graffiti'd everywhere (can you do that with graffiti these days?).
No one wants to be mediocre in this day and age. Mediocre represents an acceptance of something less than perfect. Less than ideal. And while I'm sure to a certain extent, a pining for perfection is a product of youth, I don't know anyone who does not see themselves as an individual, unwilling to compromise on their happiness, and capable of achieving anything.
There have always been examples of the youth of the world achieving success and glory. The Olympics make this more apparent than ever. Being the same age, if not older (gymnastics) than many of the athletes, puts into perspective both the sacrifice and success that these individuals have achieved. Competing, regardless of metal outcome, in any Olympics is an astounding achievement. And while it's not something most of us could accomplish, at what point did we realize this? When did it become apparent there were certain things in life that you were just not meant to do?
Whether you look at starlets like Scarlett or bands like Vampire Weekend, there are a multitude of examples in today's culture of young people making a mark early on. Not to say that there weren't sacrifices made for these gains, but as a young person of comparable age, it's hard not to feel like you aren't doing quite enough. Like you could be doing more. Time, ever since we began to grasp it, has been something that is fleeting. Every time you get drunk? Yep that's time wasted. Better start writing something. Reach for that paint can. At least reach for your shoes and run a mile in 5 minutes flat. Fat ass.
For the first time in our lives, the post-collegiate crowd has reached the point where the road has ended. Anything is possible - with hard work and perseverance. We know this. Examples abound, but without a next step, a next graduation to set your sights on, the choice becomes yours. The options seem limitless. For the first time, nothing stands in between your greatest potential and your current situation. You have no one to hold accountable but yourself. Anything is possible. So why does that divide feel greater than it ever has before in your life?
Better yet, why are you still reading this?
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