'we are defined by the choices we make'

fight vs. flight, a psychology 101 catch phrase meaning a reaction to stimuli, or in my case, an immediate response to dueling instincts.

in one corner we have fight, an entrepreneur and self-made recyclist, weighing in at just under 20lbs, stripped off any superfluous mechanisms; in the opposite corner we have the established flight. a former architect, flight is forging to find roots in a new town, but has been taxiing for awhile, preparing for lift-off. he is in danger of being displaced by his much more agile opponent, who's slowly but steadily creating a name for himself.

all the hype is about whether flight's patience weighs down the recycling initiative, or if it will be fight who will be able to keep the pursuit of architecture grounded. in recent time, fight has been solid, rolling over competitors. heavily favored and wearing the traditional trunks is flight; if he can land the jab, flight should be able to contain his nimble opponent. after years of training, his future is in jeopardy.

the bets are on fight, the more active of the two contenders. it is believed the craftier and less prescribed will emerge victorious. faced with adversity, the underdog has nothing to lose and will put it all on the line for twelve rounds. though it will take endurance, fight should be able to ride it out. the hope is that one will displace the other in a unanimous decision, set for departure, and prepare for take-off.

if you asked me to describe this dilemma a few months ago, i would not have relayed this situation via a boxing analogy. i would have told you about a vocational fork in the road where i was set to autopilot. one of the two approaches would triumph based on the circumstances, while the other would reside stage left in full health. instead, a lack of linear pursuit threatens to squander either ambition. now the dukes are up, and the blows are flying.

from left to right: fight, flight.