There are many things that inspire my writing . Artwork,
music, relationships (or lack-there-of), movies, books. But few things inspire
me more than my friends. And so I present you with this blog series: “Cool
Things My Friends Do.”
FRIEND #1: Niki Ianni
COOL THING #1: “213 in 2013 Project”
Niki and I met at a party sophomore year of college,
discovered a mutual love for theater, and started Insomnia Theater on Temple
University’s campus. Since then, we have passed on the torch, but have still
remained good friends.
When Niki and I did the theater company together, we worked
very well. The group would not have functioned without her. She is determined,
detail-oriented, thinks in bullet points but still has fun. I did the more
touchy-feely team-building stuff. There were times when we played good cop (me)-bad
cop (her), and in hindsight I unintentionally made her play that part. She
should not have had to suffer simply because she was the more competent one. She
is one of the most successful people that will grow up in my generation.
This being said, I knew at the time that Niki was
sacrificing a lot of her free time and social life to get on the “ladder of
success” as she coins it. I didn’t want to be the friend to tell her “slow down
and look around,” because I did not feel it was my place to steer her off the
path. So it is with great pleasure that I find she discovered this for herself.
This is one of the most ambitious people you will ever meet. She taught me how
to keep my head in the clouds and feet on the ground.
FLOCCADELPHIA: Which are you most scared to accomplish?
NIKI: There are a few I’m not looking forward to, although I
know the experiences will make me a better person in the end. One of the things
I’m hoping to find this year is a foundation for my spiritual/religious beliefs
because I want so badly to have something bigger than myself to believe in.
FLOCCADELPHIA: Which do you think is the least achieveable?
NIKI: I think all of them are definitely achievable…but I
vowed I wouldn’t get worked up or stressed, no matter how challenging it will be. Who knows, I
might not even finish! The entire point of the project is to enjoy my life to
the fullest. Whether I accomplish all 213 or only complete 100, I know it’s
going to be a year I’ll never forget.
Here are my favorites:
- Attend a religious service I’ve never attended.
- Take Mike (her fiancée) on a romantic date.
- Stay up all night and watch the sunrise from Lincoln Memorial.
- Learn to say hello in 30 different languages.
- Participate in Chat Roulette…with my cats.
I hope this inspires you to grab life by the you know whats as much as it inspired me.
