JAVA.Feb.2019

GIRL ON FARMER
Year of Action
BY CELIA BERESFORD
Did you know 2019 is the “Year of Action”? You might
not know this because it was my friend Lori who
designated it so. But, I have to tell you, everyone
who hears it is into it. Lori was at some woo-woo
yoga thing where she was given tools and supplies
to design a charm or talisman to keep you on track
or focused. She chose a circular copper charm,
tapped into some inner Buddha and then stamped the
word “Action” onto it. I think the reason people are
adopting her mantra is because we can all relate to
the idea of making lists and notes of all the stuff we
want to do, but then we never actually get around to
it. So friends, the lists are over, and here we are: the
YEAR OF ACTION!
The first thing I did in the Year of Action was make
a list of all the things I meant to do last year but
never actually did anything about, beyond elaborately
fantasizing about them. Next, I crumpled the list,
realizing I make too many lists and they prohibit me
from actual action. Then, I panicked without my list
and decided to write it in my journal. This was a
sneaky way of keeping the list but framing it as deep
thoughts that I simply couldn’t let go of. It was then
I decided that getting my act together financially
would be my first move of action. I will share with
you that this was cheating. I’m actually pretty,
relatively, fi nancially responsible so, admittedly,
making that my first action move was a cop-out. Still,
it was something.
My ability to make a little go a long way originated
in my late college years. The years when my parents
still contributed to my rent but utilities, food and
other things (alcohol) were my responsibility. My
priorities dictated bills first, beer next and then food.
It was during this time that I developed a taste for
mayonnaise sandwiches on white bread, boiled
potatoes mixed with mayonnaise, and mayonnaise
with cucumbers. Are you seeing a trend here?
I also got creative by looking for opportunities to
make money. I had a part-time job, but I really wanted
to fi nd a way to make a few more bucks so I could
upgrade from store-brand mayo to Hellman’s. At the
time I was in college, the ASU paper, The State Press,
had a valuable section for student opportunities.
One was modeling for the art department. I missed
38 JAVA
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