It happened the summer after my first year of law school. I was a shell of the person I once was, with all my casebooks serving as horcruxes for my splintered soul. I decided that summer I would not turn down an invitation to revive my spirit – just say yes. With that motto in mind, I agreed to go on a hike in Middle Earth (a.k.a Northern California; a.k.a. NorCal). While on this hike, a few friends and I used what little breath we had to chat for a bit. We quickly realized that there was a distinct Super Mario Bros. analogy to law school. Law school drains you. Any motivation you once had is channeled into studying and nothing else. You get mushy from lack of exercise. Your sole sustenance is Lean Cuisines and coffee. Your skin is pale, your hair is dry, and everyone, including your mother, thinks you look “tired.” Anything could hurt you at this point – even a turtle. And it was then The Big Mario Theory was born. In essence, law school makes you Little Mario.
Now, perhaps I should explain this a bit more just in case you don’t see it. Little Mario is a puss. I mean seriously, how can you call yourself a man if a turtle can kill you? Little Mario needs his mushrooms. The mushrooms make him big and strong. The flashing stars of invincibility and fire power are even better. All these extras mean a stupid turtle can’t kill him so easily. But if Mario only focuses on the end goal - finishing the level - without picking up mushrooms along the way, he's practically doomed to fail.
Though I survived law school and am now embarking on a new adventure in self-employment and running my own business, I still believe that focusing on any one thing in life will demote you to Little Mario. Balance is essential to success both personally and in business. And for Mario, mushrooms provide that balance. So I’m seeking out my own mushrooms - food, photography, travel, friends, family, all of it! I'm writing about my quest for balance in the hopes that you will find your own mushrooms, whatever they may be, and stay Big Mario.
So when thinking of a name for this little blog, Big Mario Life seemed appropriate. Plus, I'm a child of the 80s - I had to go with the Nintendo inspiration.
So when thinking of a name for this little blog, Big Mario Life seemed appropriate. Plus, I'm a child of the 80s - I had to go with the Nintendo inspiration.
From the fateful hiking trip:
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| LK, Me, Hurricane Hayes - We're "hood" rats. Get it? Hood. |
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And, in case you're curious, a few of the regulars around here are me and The Boyfriend...
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| Doesn't everyone make a walrus face while waiting for their sushi? |
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| Siena, Italy |
... and our guinea pig/daughter Molly. Isn't she the cutest?
