Better Late?

Hey Y'all,

I'm Natalie. I'm not from The South, per say, but I am from down South, San Diego. A sleepy little surfer-yogi town called Encinitas. There is quite a distinction between North County (where I live) and San Diego - you should visit sometime and find out why. I love where I live, and I have to laugh at the quirky-pseudo hip attempts like a cafe and surf shop opening up together, called "Coffee Coffee" and "Surfy Surfy."

Sometimes, while on the bike path, I question the cliche, "Better late than never." Really? Is is really better late than never? Because being late is pretty annoying isn't it? If you know me, have had a class with me, or work with me, you would know I am notoriously late for everything. You've probably seen my green bike (or clothes) frantically pedaling along like the Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, with the faint 'dun dunnunna nunna' music playing in my wake.

Art commissions are probably the most obscene, as I am always willing to take ALL of them on, but I (at least) prioritize school over those. I once spent an entire quarter with a blank white skate deck in my room reflecting my mounting guilt back at me, (probably preying on my nightmares while I slept). Then, when I brought it to my friend finally, he asked me to do one last thing. Well, that was another month. I ended up offering to pay him for the inconvenience!

Don't let my unkempt appearance fool you, I do shower and I sometimes sleep. I am the reigning queen of underestimating the amount of time there is in a day. But hey! Better late than never... I always say?

One thing I'm never late for, though, is with my undying dedication to the magazine I've been working on since April of last year. It's nearly been a year's work of what first seemed an insurmountable job to tackle, and that now is finally close to its debut. I've been called "catalyst girl" or "that Natalie from Catalyst right?" It's been hard to shed that from my identity, which is why I've included it here. It has become a vital part of who I am, though I wouldn't define myself by it. Working on this project, and for the majority, working on my own, I've had a lot of time to reflect on the reasons why people do the things they do. In regard to success, I have discovered there is no peace in living through your successes (and failures). Goals are so important! But I've learned not to assume things will drastically change, that I'll be "done" when this or that is finished. Well that got deep!

But really, who can keep that up? I'll accept a few B's and keep my sanity thank you. My new years resolution is to get back to my center. (Yep, here's the old Leucadia Yogini coming out in me). I really enjoy meditating, Yoga, (long walks on the beach...) and I'm an avid wakeboarder. Wakeboarding is a bro sport. It totally is. But I would say I'm better at it than my bro. So, knocked that stereotype! I've been going since 6th grade and it's something my dad was raised doing in upstate New York where my family is from.

Music = Necessity.

Things I like: Live music, discovering bands/artists at shows for the first time, Spoken Word (though I suspect I will never attempt it myself, though it is a secret dream), running and a good Scotch with my Paps. I write a satirical column for the Nexus about Manners and I work there as an illustrator as well. English Major, enjoy writing, and just learning photoshop! Favorite art medium: wood and burner.

I like talking about stuff. Really, any kind of stuff. I like stories. So tell me a story and I'll definitely listen! Also, I do art and I have this thing where I can only do art for other people. If you get to know me, it is more likely I'll surprise you with something. But if you ask, I'll probably agree on some price with you, then get to know you over the course of the commission, then give it to you.

I love a lot of things, am passionate about a lot of things, and have no idea where I will end up. I currently dream about living in New York, looking at art books with strangers on the subway, and running with my future mutt in The Park. I'm not sure what I'll be doing, but if it gets me to Brooklyn everything's groovy.

Looking forward to learning more about computers, because they give me headaches and sometimes make me panic, so this class will be great!