Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Rethinking the Big Nickel

Confession time: I'm a Tupac Shakur fan.

What can I say? It was the 90's.

I'm also an old school Janet Jackson fan and Poetic Justice is a movie I've easily watched at least 20 times. Not sure I should be admitting that, but I guess the secret's out.

Today I was in the kitchen happily whipping up a dairy-free frittata for lunch (Day 10 of the Whole30 and going strong) when suddenly I heard Janet's voice straight out of Poetic Justice:

'My grandmama used to say I was always looking for the big nickel.  Anything I did: ride a bike, go to school, do somebody's hair--she'd say 'Justice, you still looking for that big nickel?''

All afternoon I've thought about the big nickel.  

What's my big nickel? 

I'm definitely someone who's been looking for it since I was a kid, so maybe that's why the line from the movie has stuck with me all these years.  For a long time I think it meant success.  Although I could never quite completely define what success meant to me, I'm pretty sure money was involved.  These days the big nickel is freedom: freedom to try new things (studying US Civics for an upcoming exam), waking up to the cat staring me down and having the time to stare back for 20 minutes to see who breaks first, mid-week getaways when no one else is around, afternoon walks in the sun when most other people are at work, and waving the bird at the ice cream container in the freezer.

We'll see how long the last part lasts, but for now it's pretty good.
~James Perse-T, Current/Elliott-Shorts, Antik Batik-Belt as Necklace, Old Stud Handmade-Belt,
Made With Love, Vanessa Mooney, Motif 56, Vintage-Bracelets & Rings~
King Stare Down
Whole30-ified
Needs no explanation.
Needs a WHOLE LOTTA 'SPLAININ'!

There we were walking along one morning when I look up, squint, and blurt out 'Is that an iguana?
Holy mother that is an iguana.'
  I also may have dropped an eff bomb in there due to state of shock status, but can ya blame me? 

Anyway there was a lady walking her iguana on a leash. For real. She told me it was just like a cat. Poor thing didn't realize who she was talking to. Seriously though, she loves that thing and he is a part of her big nickel.  And he was actually very friendly although my big nickels would be having approximately zero part in that action. 

No thank you and good night.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Need more info on this Whole30. Shoot me an email when you have a minute.

this free bird said...

Will do. The first week is the toughest and then it gets better. Can't believe how good I feel!

Tiffany Kadani said...

Haha! That does have a whole lot of splaining to do!

And yes... Janet's IF tour was my first concert ever. I love that woman!

Emily said...

Ah the 90's...I admit I like some 90's rap and whenever it shows up on iTunes in shuffle mode it totally makes my day! Totally love your cat too :)

Anni S said...

Wonderful post! Made me think...

And I lvoe the pictures! Do you even know you live in the area my heart calls "home"? tell it I say hi and I´ll be there october. Hopefully.

And YES, please more information about the Whole30!!!

xoxo
Anni

m_b said...

speaking of 90's movies, in pee-wee's big adventure there's a line that says, "everyone's got a big 'but.' what's your big 'but'?" and it's similar to your big nickel, but in the opposite sense, like what is holding you back. i think i like these 90's b-movie life metaphors!

Anonymous said...

A pet iguana? Ewww... now I've heard it all. Thanks for the laugh... chuckling at the thought of you and the cat having a stare down. xo

Closet Fashionista said...

YOWZA! That's a big iguana, haha.
And I have no idea what my big nickel is now that I think about it...perhaps it's being brave enough to follow my dreams...
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Kristin W said...

I'm pretty sure you just hit the nail on the head for me. Your nickel has got to be quite similar to mine. I'm constantly searching to find the perfect job (because this girl has still got to bring in some solid dough) that will allow me that freedom. I have yet to discover something that wouldn't leave me broke or push me into more debt by going back to school.
The freedom to be flexible and not held down by the 9-5er is crucial.

I'm dying over these pictures too!

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

It's like a cat? Wtf? Is she on crack?!? I've never seen Poetic Justice. I know, I know. I suck. But I can belt out Black Cat for you. And you know I love pics of my cats doppelgänger. ;)

LyddieGal said...

I can't get behind anything as a pet other than a cat or a dog. No reptiles, birds, rodents or fish. Never.

I think I like your idea of success.

Courtney Erin said...

That iguana photo cracked me up on Instragram and made me chuckle again here. My life has sort of been totally rearranged over the last month and I'm thinking of seriously embarking on a whole new career path which is pretty scary but I hope rewarding.

Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

RosaLovesDC said...

Girl, these pictures are so great, they totally show how relaxed and centered you are and how one has to take it easy once in a while.

ChrisRobinson said...

big nickel---more rings on fingers but less time spent worrying about how to pay for them. haha.

love that necklace, homie. love it. dang.

carey (again, chris robinson, wtf, no idea)

Unknown said...

A girl I can relate to... Tupac, Old School Janet, Poetic Justice... Love!

fabulousjunk said...

Oh the 90's.... how I miss thee

becks
http://fabulous-junk.blogspot.com

A Crimson Kiss said...

Seriously, hell yes to feeling good and doing what you need. Also to finding your big nickle–mine would also, in no way, involve that iguana. One lost bikini top and the species and I were done for life.

Marie a la Mode said...

That's so funny you mentioned Tupac in this post because D. was watching "Above the Rim" last night with him in it!

That pool looks divine!

ps having an ASOS giveaway on le blog if you're interested!

Elle Sees said...

i have his poetry book!!

Josie said...

A Carrie update. Where she sounds quite content. That mentions Tupac. Involving both Current/Elliot AND James Perse. And that includes a funny animal story. My Thursday is complete.
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com

Leah said...

Sounds like you are living your 'big nickel'. Freedom during the week while everyone else sits at work! Good luck on the exam

kelli g. { bug miscellany } said...

that thing is utterly terrifying!!

i think my big nickel and your big nickel might be in cahoots.

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

i love your big nickel. I think most of us have discovered as we age that we are going to need to find niches to feel "successful": aka carving out time to do what we love among the many responsibilities of adulthood. I haven't fully balanced that yet but I'm on my way. And I more than love and agree with how you are currently finding it.

Make money online said...

i have his poetry book good blog.

Make money online

Wander.Lust said...

i love Tupac. that's all :)

Taylor said...

you look so relaxed/luxe chic in that chair!!! i wish i was sitting there! hope you're doing well, carrie!

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