tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49858879835739944932024-02-19T13:56:21.039-05:00We Earthbound StarsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-46685589026802769812020-04-24T05:00:00.025-04:002020-07-25T13:03:03.179-04:00Poetry in a Pandemic<font face="georgia" size="4">Hi readers! It's time for a quarantine update.<br /><br />It's certainly been a while! I've been on hiatus from weekly and seasonal posts since November due to housing issues but as of February I'm living in a new apartment, and since then have been busy setting up a studio for art use and commissions. Obviously, going into quarantine put a big dampener on how much progress I've been able to make putting my life back together and attending social things- my main social activities since the start of isolation have been keeping up with friends over Discord in servers and voice/video calls, playing Animal Crossing with new and old friends, and attending virtual meets for the poetry slam I began going to last year. Shoutout to the folks who run Slam Free or Die!</font><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4">In the time I've been away, I had an official release of my book, and its first review came out (with shining praise, I might add)! So, I wanted to post a little more info about my first poetry collection and also give some details on the progress my next collection!<br /><br />I tend to ramble about my work so I'll put the relevant info here at the beginning- My first collection, titled <i>We Earthbound Stars: A Book of Life Poems</i> is published on The Book Patch and is priced at $11+shipping. </font></div><div><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana; height: 238px; text-align: center; width: 118px;"><div style="margin-top: 10px;"><a href="http://thebp.site/164502"><img alt="Book cover image" src="https://app.thebookpatch.com/PublishedBooks/2cb5ff0a-715d-46e3-aee7-97bee29d071a/2cb5ff0a-715d-46e3-aee7-97bee29d071a_79.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); width: 79px;" /></a></div><div style="margin: 10px 0px;"><p style="font-size: 9.8px; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><a href="http://thebp.site/164502">We Earthbound St ...</a></p><p style="font-size: 9.8px; margin: 2px 0px 4px;">We Earthbound Stars</p><p style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; margin: 4px 0px 0px;">$11.00</p></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://thebp.site/164502"><img alt="Buy Now button" src="https://app.thebookpatch.com/images/TheBookPatchBuyNowButton3.png" style="border: none; width: 60px;" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><font face="georgia" size="4">Its first review is by the insightful wordsmith at Berry Her With Poems, and is possibly the highest praise I have received in my art career. If you, like me, appreciate the detailed and thoughtful nature of her reviews, please donate for her hard work and to the linked charity that this lovely reviewer is raising funds for. <br /><br /><br /></font><h2 style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: merriweather, serif; font-size: 20px;"></span></font><blockquote><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: merriweather, serif; font-size: 20px;">"We Earthbound Stars</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: merriweather, serif; font-size: 20px;"> is a concise, gentle collection that encapsulates the creative progress of a poet."</span></font></blockquote><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: merriweather, serif; font-size: 20px;"></span></i></h2><font face="georgia"><font size="2"><a href="https://berryherwithpoems.com/2020/01/20/making-a-poet/" target="_blank">Click here to read this full review</a>.</font><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4">To launch into my ramble of how deeply I feel invested and tied to this collection, I have to stress that this collection is genuinely every single bit of my poetry written on my own (meaning outside of required writing in school) with the exception of two or three that were very personal and/or repeated themes, from the entirety of my adolescence and young adult development since 2011, unedited and unfiltered. <br /><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4">These poems had been sitting, either as mementos of my old blog or in various notebooks, and considered side hobby musings or coping strategies from past dilemmas that would remain where they were, but for a good while starting in 2016 I had really been struggling with wanting to just write down my whole life story, or what I consider my "explanation", and it hit me that its most real form was in all the poetry I'd written. <br /><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4">To explain- what I mean is that barely any of the poetry I write is ever planned or thought about, it's more that the words come to me pre-written as a response to what goes on in my life, and I just write them down. They all feel like deeply betraying secrets that when I read them, I can decipher the cause behind them and even now I still feel like someone could read them like accounts of my failings, struggles, secrets, lapses... but despite that I had to put them all out there once and for all. And the funny thing, I thought that was it for poetry once it was all in one neat place.<br /><br /></font><div class="tr_bq"><font face="georgia" size="4">The reason I hung on to a lot of these without sharing them is because I was conflicted, some of them I don't like or am still tempted to edit when I flip through them and see mistakes or pace changes I would make knowing what I do now. But they are all 100% true representations of my world and what was in my head at that time in my life. These are snapshots of points in time for me, and if I were to go back I wouldn't do them all the same way. And now I'm at a point in my life where I can look back and begin to embrace that struggle for the experience & power it gives me today and for moving forward.</font></div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br />Since publishing this collection, I've been writing down more poetry as it comes to me and due to some life changes, many of them have been expanding on the existing theme of rural roots, the nature surrounding New England and how I feel it's tied to who I am, so that seemed like a good basis to form a collection around and has inspired my next collection which is titled after one of its poems, <i>The Broken Woods.</i> It's a few months into development, and as of today (Tues April 23rd as I write this) has an official illustrated cover done by a fantastic artist that I'm grateful to credit in its pages. That's been hugely exciting, and something even bigger is that this collection will be color printed and interspersed with full color pages of real New England nature photography by this artist right here! That's right, I'm truly aiming for the top of the coffee table book game.</font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4">Just kidding, ya boi is aiming for bookstore representation, lit mag mentions, and that sweet sweet goal of a MeowMeowPowPow poster with my real live words on it.</font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4">Thanks for reading, and stay safe out there! </font></div><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDQtev1AyMmvHGAHcxgnRqF-GFdAWH8CqY0XcZWsCzFPgYfBuzUA1mUMcgYe7BiO8SyY-YpidjRqI2GLiMT8kYvFiR1rig62beG_Q6V0jpgzHy8ymt3GfEtXhG_bPlzu5wvVpPR35Yr4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="124" data-original-width="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDQtev1AyMmvHGAHcxgnRqF-GFdAWH8CqY0XcZWsCzFPgYfBuzUA1mUMcgYe7BiO8SyY-YpidjRqI2GLiMT8kYvFiR1rig62beG_Q6V0jpgzHy8ymt3GfEtXhG_bPlzu5wvVpPR35Yr4/" /></a></div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font><div><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font><br /></div></div><script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-88415496920678767152019-09-23T11:14:00.002-04:002020-08-03T18:31:32.570-04:00Autumn<span style="font-size: large;">Reminder- my book of poetry is out now and is available at The Book Patch! It's priced at $11, plus shipping and handling, and all the money goes towards me being able to move out of an unsafe place.</span><br />
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We Earthbound Stars</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's finally time for an Autumn themed post! I'm likely not doing Blogtober this year but will be doing some post on fall favorites & spooky themes. My Instagram right now is looking perfectly autumnal with my latest projects and pictures of my black cats. Click the Instagram button on the sidebar to check out my page and see more about my latest projects! I've been using up some yarn by knitting tiny clothes in spooky themes- tiny sweaters, scarves & selbu mittens.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6TJYzKZJwxKoogp9_1xUOwVH9kE6hdSBUcNc0lIPSqtVJ5PKV3eXSU2bRQZwTB3LP_uGvV5PoXi4p-KWmouJIkc4q4vF0IOuyjeYaO6_FV-39nG5ezZnToQ0mPK0TR1LxKM9Juenl5U/s1600/2019-09-21+14.08.39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="997" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6TJYzKZJwxKoogp9_1xUOwVH9kE6hdSBUcNc0lIPSqtVJ5PKV3eXSU2bRQZwTB3LP_uGvV5PoXi4p-KWmouJIkc4q4vF0IOuyjeYaO6_FV-39nG5ezZnToQ0mPK0TR1LxKM9Juenl5U/s640/2019-09-21+14.08.39.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444;">Here's my latest artwork- a watercolor of fall leaves inspired by stickers on a card sent to me by my aunt and uncle. My aunt is also an artist and I remember being inspired by seeing her stained glass creations, so I made this watercolor for her in thanks.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHzuXYFItWawVeCWwsoajK0HgpQbxLWesh8KyW-w5q5E3z0wLF3cmu_E-arbK1UlnUAV-5UeV0YnqXZKwg_qRja22rGF5psME9L5OXE9UhrLZUSoKYX9g-DazXAwfzyR9Iu7J2jbkpnA/s1600/20190911_130417.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHzuXYFItWawVeCWwsoajK0HgpQbxLWesh8KyW-w5q5E3z0wLF3cmu_E-arbK1UlnUAV-5UeV0YnqXZKwg_qRja22rGF5psME9L5OXE9UhrLZUSoKYX9g-DazXAwfzyR9Iu7J2jbkpnA/s640/20190911_130417.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In progress</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjUnQNdeKDaNhFulzNxo1bc1y3oo-fBVbxKU4GeGDwaoKcQRlAdXViJFIA-dOvC9Lv1CEw3y0PKZQiPiYAl61E1jzyFju-8cuE1TpqcJo1WDjZGAdeXeMOScpZ9H4DQyc-BG3BPVL0RE/s1600/2019-09-21+15.53.21.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjUnQNdeKDaNhFulzNxo1bc1y3oo-fBVbxKU4GeGDwaoKcQRlAdXViJFIA-dOvC9Lv1CEw3y0PKZQiPiYAl61E1jzyFju-8cuE1TpqcJo1WDjZGAdeXeMOScpZ9H4DQyc-BG3BPVL0RE/s640/2019-09-21+15.53.21.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444;">I can't wait for the leaves to start changing, it's one of my favorite things about New England. Absolutely gorgeous!! Here are some shots I've taken in the past- I only wish they could convey the sound and smell of walking through a freshly fallen leaf cover.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2uIxB-xbV_mOrrGmXg-9nsLKE906ESSyS_XCu7KfgpP3BxuTfFo8O39jhS8D3s2wmMcFip9UVLPdpqQCQJ0AaD6Rksc94e8uisckzMI4K-XyeTMOEp6wUvuF3rDDermiPjEDbsofuV8/s1600/HumbleAbode.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2uIxB-xbV_mOrrGmXg-9nsLKE906ESSyS_XCu7KfgpP3BxuTfFo8O39jhS8D3s2wmMcFip9UVLPdpqQCQJ0AaD6Rksc94e8uisckzMI4K-XyeTMOEp6wUvuF3rDDermiPjEDbsofuV8/s640/HumbleAbode.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Woodpile, Hopkinton NH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd0vquHA4kPgQyM8smk18GgZsWET6lQebiFNLjc7iAKMP1V-499biZSqgquyHlWSBhTLGZ0jZ5Ohf9O6EF4Yj80wTkPs2TiGiAVNG5T2tA2w38ldWd4uW310tbAxCRQdaNcDB4hVBZQE/s1600/IMG_1663.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd0vquHA4kPgQyM8smk18GgZsWET6lQebiFNLjc7iAKMP1V-499biZSqgquyHlWSBhTLGZ0jZ5Ohf9O6EF4Yj80wTkPs2TiGiAVNG5T2tA2w38ldWd4uW310tbAxCRQdaNcDB4hVBZQE/s640/IMG_1663.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Orchard, Derry NH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gGJMmNJN9FW4IL9FmMgiSNBJi9BAdP0a07HS97us81h1f6qeh5olkWo-gsXS0vE_pjsc5EJsNWy0XSnloGPi2zpBqlRIfeYFes__YADRaE30S3IQ5XzdP7dV2saBc4C71IZd72R6hSA/s1600/Stairway+to+Heaven.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gGJMmNJN9FW4IL9FmMgiSNBJi9BAdP0a07HS97us81h1f6qeh5olkWo-gsXS0vE_pjsc5EJsNWy0XSnloGPi2zpBqlRIfeYFes__YADRaE30S3IQ5XzdP7dV2saBc4C71IZd72R6hSA/s640/Stairway+to+Heaven.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Major hiking trails, Alton NH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS68F6Kiz89BbZiYsZB0Zywyh8ayzLKtzuE_tCCKwNlf7jYNk1fgYKFLy-EMX04neJ7LFMq7CpiHPRH5rw4DErciE6wjoa4MaQ2FbQPoqLNvogeyL-PYU6iTudA690WKot-3NHbEFwWWY/s1600/StopMotion.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS68F6Kiz89BbZiYsZB0Zywyh8ayzLKtzuE_tCCKwNlf7jYNk1fgYKFLy-EMX04neJ7LFMq7CpiHPRH5rw4DErciE6wjoa4MaQ2FbQPoqLNvogeyL-PYU6iTudA690WKot-3NHbEFwWWY/s640/StopMotion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Major hiking trails, Alton NH</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-73568965229005603242019-05-31T12:49:00.003-04:002020-07-25T13:05:06.076-04:00Handmade Jewelry, How & Why to Buy Directly from the Artist or their Shop<h4>
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</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">Resin</span></span></span></b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Remember the 90s and early 00s- jelly sandals, when jewelry took the turn from 80s loud and funky to bright and pastel? Me too, and that aesthetic never left me. Every time I see colorful resin jewelry it reminds me of the fun, flowery, bubbly fashion I grew up with and I am so happy that it didn't go away. I love all the directions you can go with resin as well! You can use resin to sculpt, to seal in paintings, and to preserve dried flowers!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bI-FYzW0xVJStMfrPPaMEUia54WVqC4wGirC90bch8dcS82Mr1vTdxSnqMhwXOMaIZ_soxJepsokvNx-BSr-wkUaG1KhfYz2YD5H3rrPl8IsiwKAg75043r_S-rSPO6BX8PrQbaVd6k/s1600/foraged1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1278" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bI-FYzW0xVJStMfrPPaMEUia54WVqC4wGirC90bch8dcS82Mr1vTdxSnqMhwXOMaIZ_soxJepsokvNx-BSr-wkUaG1KhfYz2YD5H3rrPl8IsiwKAg75043r_S-rSPO6BX8PrQbaVd6k/s400/foraged1.jpg" width="400" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="748" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhbUkd1gPZBM-NA_x91-YvbMXDO3EoIYru705B34TbaiqVKwxymRF9yGS4HVm_FgIIBPmxn03FMWt9xJp5QiKrTWtl85xUri1x7Thq2JMioPZDvImwT-W7YbtpuIYkbymgwKCPixf9Co/s400/meownikaa.png" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKpWcAZkJFvBCPtQRjT9CzxlfT5jW8IW8x8NQHWMTMNvtQfNqfHanmNj-4FdLWyg8YYUq32cogkrq1M_HNKXyba9G18Dr52r1AWt7QyWJOnv0LUrUnEx6ibKC-SQdK-aRUVdccWnxx24/s1600/jess.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="776" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKpWcAZkJFvBCPtQRjT9CzxlfT5jW8IW8x8NQHWMTMNvtQfNqfHanmNj-4FdLWyg8YYUq32cogkrq1M_HNKXyba9G18Dr52r1AWt7QyWJOnv0LUrUnEx6ibKC-SQdK-aRUVdccWnxx24/s640/jess.png" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">where to buy:<a href="http://twitter.com/meownikaa"><br />@meownikaa</a> on Twitter, shop <a href="http://palaceofglitter.com/">palaceofglitter.com</a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/ForagedNature">@ForagedNature</a> on Twitter, shop <a href="http://etsy.com/shop/ForagedNature">etsy.com/shop/ForagedNature</a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/echoesofetheria">@echoesofetheria</a> on Twitter, shop <a href="http://etsy.com/shop/EchoesofEtheria">etsy.com/shop/EchoesofEtheria</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beaded</span> </span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Beaded jewelry takes patience I don't have at all, which is why I'm extra amazed when I see all the combinations of pieces artists put together to make one bit of jewelry. It takes a fantastically creative mind to see the little beads and findings and be able to visualize what to make with it, especially to make a set, which requires different findings that still complement one another.<br />I'm the kind of person that likes to wear about 6 different bracelets on the same arm all summer, are you? Colors and textures just make me so happy, and wearing bracelets made with beads of different colors and materials makes me feel more colorful and happy inside. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSddcM5yA5mWUlV5X-wBWqBDDhhyphenhyphenYolvN6wUeW-R6e6xkExzeXvwnrSfOrlZxElX3-VF-VAUFhpXyocZxWew9jPGgFkIVlhxO9hUF2Y9rjKvWhJtPQiZMLSMAulj90zjYh3FJOqjctEVk/s1600/makayla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSddcM5yA5mWUlV5X-wBWqBDDhhyphenhyphenYolvN6wUeW-R6e6xkExzeXvwnrSfOrlZxElX3-VF-VAUFhpXyocZxWew9jPGgFkIVlhxO9hUF2Y9rjKvWhJtPQiZMLSMAulj90zjYh3FJOqjctEVk/s400/makayla.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboNV2Q40tjHFL__U8EHvAsOXEY-Cptlx6xXa2AUfswoKiSbrtPRqHv2Rb_3CrNNeyW0y6B0AjfApnSZyXfe-UwP3SRCFfttaOXSkV0W78A0YVb9wk5zJ-35ijbmiYD-RhRwbUemg_h6A/s1600/royal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="800" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboNV2Q40tjHFL__U8EHvAsOXEY-Cptlx6xXa2AUfswoKiSbrtPRqHv2Rb_3CrNNeyW0y6B0AjfApnSZyXfe-UwP3SRCFfttaOXSkV0W78A0YVb9wk5zJ-35ijbmiYD-RhRwbUemg_h6A/s400/royal.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">where to buy, left to right:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="auto"><a href="http://twitter.com/sunnshineart">@sunnshineart</a> on Twitter</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="auto"><a href="http://twitter.com/RoyalTgifts">@RoyalTgift</a><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null">s</a> on Twitter, shop <a href="http://etsy.com/shop/royaltgifts">etsy.com/shop/royaltgifts</a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wire Wrapped</span> </span></u></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfVapYqNIflet8h8QxlnA1E8ux_13rlUljBltl1O51AdTQalC6D-InKFLrTFl9dQKiYplwTF1J8fIPNFZBb0kXdGSUDw7jt7y1mQctSoGEaI74I-Ga5Ud41JV4TscJC1P83Ednh2kDsw/s1600/IMG_20190406_104903_706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfVapYqNIflet8h8QxlnA1E8ux_13rlUljBltl1O51AdTQalC6D-InKFLrTFl9dQKiYplwTF1J8fIPNFZBb0kXdGSUDw7jt7y1mQctSoGEaI74I-Ga5Ud41JV4TscJC1P83Ednh2kDsw/s200/IMG_20190406_104903_706.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Special shoutout to artist </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="auto">@wrappedeggroll on Twitter for this piece I got for my birthday!)</span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">This is basically my favorite type of jewelry to get lost in. I love everything in it, the intricate twists and turns of the wire to not only hold in the beads and stones but to do that in a way that creates another design on top of an already beautiful stone.. that's skill I never stop being impressed by. <br /><br />Something I really appreciate in wire wrapping is the range of intricate designs- minimal design that lets the stone speak for itself to heavily worked design that turn the stone into a larger piece.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14rKE3n7UVIFoxLA7zlFjaNBvhvgxzynHv3pNcdAy-GlDQnYOi0DPXGOOwvB1_uivEPk1IrDFOdUjSqIwAdxhoTl9AH8_ZlEDcSqpOZ9AcjX4HmGhEhmCXPAoWrJ5yaxxtpcmiH5qdKE/s1600/grizzly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="800" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14rKE3n7UVIFoxLA7zlFjaNBvhvgxzynHv3pNcdAy-GlDQnYOi0DPXGOOwvB1_uivEPk1IrDFOdUjSqIwAdxhoTl9AH8_ZlEDcSqpOZ9AcjX4HmGhEhmCXPAoWrJ5yaxxtpcmiH5qdKE/s400/grizzly.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iwVow1ggTVTGgGy1s7TZPIUimFjCnjGBCqZ3JoW8eesHmpY2YjC04795jgY3y2pMxVLw-9mnmM80oR1tqUMWc9VMLaVUtUdfvxbsJt3J4vCR_UGRiz1xj2GWghIsXBLrZw8BG6n2sMg/s1600/jac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="974" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iwVow1ggTVTGgGy1s7TZPIUimFjCnjGBCqZ3JoW8eesHmpY2YjC04795jgY3y2pMxVLw-9mnmM80oR1tqUMWc9VMLaVUtUdfvxbsJt3J4vCR_UGRiz1xj2GWghIsXBLrZw8BG6n2sMg/s400/jac.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">where to buy, left to right:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="auto"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://twitter.com/floatinggrizzly">@floatinggrizzly</a> on Twitter</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://twitter.com/artbyjacstudio">@artbyjacstudio</a> on Twitter, shop <a href="http://etsy.com/shop/ArtByJacStudio">etsy.com/shop/ArtByJacStudio</a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Offer:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not unused to these emails, I usually rely on the handy spam filter to take care of things like this, but this one came in through my primary mail box because they'd done enough to make it seem like it wasn't a scummy offer. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">(To clarify, it's probably not a scummy offer for the type of blogger they <i>should</i> be contacting for ambassadors. Lord knows there will always be people with money privileged enough to be unaware of the effects of what they do with it.)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The kicker: this company claims to care about charity and has a program to donate very small portions of their sales to a charity of the customer's choosing- a great way to feel like you're making an effort while donating less than $1 through a middle man. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They also claim to be reaching out to ambassadors that will be "a great fit", meaning they believe the blogger is the right fit for their style, and has reach to the type of audiences they want to get money from. They emailed me, someone who never quits being vocal about my disability, being on disability, and featuring topics of disability. My audience and mutuals include many in the disabled community. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, where they're trying to get money from bothered me. The obvious lie that they did any research to find "great fits" for their ambassadors bothered me. But just as much as them feeling like it's okay to monetize the disabled community bothered me, it insulted me that they think I'd ever advertise a company's jewelry on my page. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why's that? Well, let's consider the life of an artist that uses social media to network & stay immersed in art. My feed is bloggers and artists working hard to make their success happen, it's a huge priority of mine to share art from artists so that the right person to buy it can see it and support that artist directly. Sometimes I'm the right person! I've bought some amazing art from artists on Twitter & Instagram. (so, if they <i>did</i> do even the smallest bit of research browsing my Insta photos and seeing that I've bought jewelry, they completely skipped over that it's bought from the artist)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On top of running a blog, I'm in the same struggle. I haven't made any sales online yet, so the grind of posting, sharing, creating inventory, affording shipping supplies, all of that is very real to me. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So to take money specifically to advertise a company's art on my feed instead, to just spit in the faces of the artists I usually support, for them to even think I'd be willing to do that is an insult to me and to art.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To sum up- there's nothing wrong with studios or companies that consist of artists working together to share capital in order to have more success in selling art. I see them as artist unions. There's no denying we need one another to survive. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What's wrong is running one of these companies in the kind of inconsiderate way I've written about- if you're going to find ambassadors, do the bare minimum of seeing who they are before you contact them. Be aware of your audience, be aware of the effects your sales will have on sales of artists who don't have the opportunity or are unwilling to sell out to larger companies.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hell, this company specifically could be doing some good with the small amount they claim to be sending to charity from each order. Unfortunately, the complete disregard for their ambassadors and their audience put me off ever wanting to work with, promote, or even think of them in good standing. It's so unnecessary for them to lie that they care about their ambassadors, as they clearly didn't do enough research about my blog and Instagram before trying to monetize them. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That's all for this week! Thanks for reading :) </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span> </span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-36720921009803064352019-05-10T09:43:00.001-04:002020-07-25T13:05:12.587-04:00Life lessons I learned from my favorite pastimes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCs813qwhpruxNGpjdaw2QCMHlTmKcIeoahWNWFzOmlqNaSVovgfJIu2o7I_NjeCAT9D5D8tSorIYVADXhuRGthrJuRxLppZobqxCTKbx_z8LmtJwS5jHuJR_4oz1dEtk39Dwp8iJSLE/s1600/titlepic.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="947" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCs813qwhpruxNGpjdaw2QCMHlTmKcIeoahWNWFzOmlqNaSVovgfJIu2o7I_NjeCAT9D5D8tSorIYVADXhuRGthrJuRxLppZobqxCTKbx_z8LmtJwS5jHuJR_4oz1dEtk39Dwp8iJSLE/s640/titlepic.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b>Outside of blogging and making art, I spend a lot of time doing my hobbies when I feel able. Most of my free time I spend talking to friends through text or Discord, sometimes playing Stardew Valley or other things multiplayer. Other times I feel like sitting back on the couch with my cats snuggled up onto me and reading a book- to view a post about my book collection, read here- <a href="https://weearthboundstars.blogspot.com/2018/11/my-bookshelf.html">https://weearthboundstars.blogspot.com/2018/11/my-bookshelf.html</a><br /><br />These are some life lessons I've gleaned from my hobbies and how I spend my spare time. I hope you enjoy!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Practice secondary belief- </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">"On Fairy-Stories", an essay by J. R. R. Tolkien</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8IGwEMDUexwQjVpUv6Kr3_X7PkpuhY9FSDZ7vcdCKCW9CoAz2NraA1SGAglmZoEl7teXdVqgtfyWuiZZfMmzLfqyLa0I97SrhBH8HZUl3yzyoI906mBGKYsUdjkt0sIfYN7OoIEu12s/s1600/51ivJGN0cQL._SX307_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="309" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8IGwEMDUexwQjVpUv6Kr3_X7PkpuhY9FSDZ7vcdCKCW9CoAz2NraA1SGAglmZoEl7teXdVqgtfyWuiZZfMmzLfqyLa0I97SrhBH8HZUl3yzyoI906mBGKYsUdjkt0sIfYN7OoIEu12s/s400/51ivJGN0cQL._SX307_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="247" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> I'm a big LOTR fan ever since I read The Hobbit in 6th grade (and got in trouble for using the word <i>paraphernalia </i>on a vocab test because I'd seen it in there), fell in love with Tolkien's works and set about trying to understand them as I got older. Every time I read them I understand them more, having gotten a little older, experienced more, and just had room to forget the words verbatim so I could read them new again. In an essay regarding Andrew Lang's work in compiling fairy tales in to the classic colored Fairy book range, Tolkien wrote about the notion of fairy tales taking place in a separate realm often referred to as Fae or Faerie realm. He argued that these tales shouldn't be put with things like moral fables or animal origin stories because they describe events that take place in a separate realm, a realm that is very real as long as it exists in fiction and therefore, people's minds.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyQcHKBKpX-5HaY1dgXcSWCcYMHnOZJvQbiqAvWbGSV7g96S9prBYEPZ8h4ph2FwK5kLonIP_1c6oULSMMR3352AJntYTrnFi6vIrOHwStWr-kzwjYQLMYPR4wjEBdk7j-THz4Okrx-s/s1600/isbn9781444920819.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyQcHKBKpX-5HaY1dgXcSWCcYMHnOZJvQbiqAvWbGSV7g96S9prBYEPZ8h4ph2FwK5kLonIP_1c6oULSMMR3352AJntYTrnFi6vIrOHwStWr-kzwjYQLMYPR4wjEBdk7j-THz4Okrx-s/s200/isbn9781444920819.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">As an example, the children's book <i>The Faraway Tree</i> by Enid Blyton. I hope you've read it or had it read to you at least once, but if you haven't it's pretty easy to sum up. Three children move to a house in the country and to occupy their time, they go exploring in the forest and discover a magical tree whose branches reach so high that the tops of them break through the clouds and touch different and strange lands that can be traveled to by climbing the tree, as long as those who do are mindful to come back before the tree branches shift and are no longer touching that land.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Every time the children go up the tree, there is a different land to go to and each land has unique and bizarre features like the ground constantly spinning under their feet or rolling like the sea, and the children must learn to accept and navigate the quirks of each world to explore it. When they enter a new world, it's there for them physically and they don't do much questioning or disbelieving that the ground rolls or animals talk, because that's just how it is there as the rules of that land. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">When we open a book, it's a portal to a world another person has already created. In his essay, Tolkien says that when you write a book, you create that realm somewhere in existence, and it's real as long as at least one person holds it in their mind. Those who read the book are allowed to visit that realm, to experience its history through the creator's account and then to explore the world at their leisure through imagination, once the idea of that realm has been established in their heads.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">When I struggle to become invested in a book because I can't suspend disbelief, it's often because the rules of that world don't make sense in my comparison to the world we live in. The idea of suspending disbelief works to a point, because the practice is telling yourself "It's okay that this doesn't make sense, it doesn't exist in my world." It's a method that brushes putting aside the content you're trying to get into as a separate universe from ours, but it misses the vital part of investing yourself in this new world with different rules.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Talking about Blyton, my fairy tale fascination, and reimagined fairy tales is a great segue into my next example-</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Getting over the fear of starting/ being afraid of your potential<i>-</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The Magic World</i>- E. Nesbit</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Book 5- "SEPTIMUS SEPTIMUSSON"</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGYoKr-9obU2PPeTuFLQ76FYOJBJzaxzw_uvpKMnVhq48kGJBar9fZXYUSJdBFbVhH7MXUniCW4yIR8k1M_xn2CGQAHjCW1td25MJDV4GucFmW_R8t4MlwjHLGllzvaF3VF6WMGH0Ibg/s1600/the-magic-world-9781625582225_lg.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="233" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGYoKr-9obU2PPeTuFLQ76FYOJBJzaxzw_uvpKMnVhq48kGJBar9fZXYUSJdBFbVhH7MXUniCW4yIR8k1M_xn2CGQAHjCW1td25MJDV4GucFmW_R8t4MlwjHLGllzvaF3VF6WMGH0Ibg/s400/the-magic-world-9781625582225_lg.jpg" width="265" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another fantastic classic Children's writers is Edith Nesbit. One of her books, The Magic World, is a collection of short stories about magic happenings. The 5th story follows the classic pattern of a young man who must go out and seek his fortune, and because he has a kind heart, he helps people and animals along the way who show up later on when he's in need.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">The message I take away from it is that making progress towards a goal is often less daunting when you begin it for other people, and find a purpose in it for yourself along the way. Even if it's scary, the only thing you can do it just start anyways because you'll never truly be prepared. Here's the part that was most meaningful for me-</span> </span></span></span></span><br />
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" ‘I can’t speak to the wind, I won’t,’ said Sep, and almost at the
same moment he heard himself call out, ‘Oh wind, please come and blow up
the waves to save the poor mussels.’</div>
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The wind answered with a boisterous shout—</div>
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‘All right, my boy,’ it shrieked, ‘I’m coming.’ And come it did. And
when it had attended to the mussels it came and whispered to Sep in his
attic. And to his great surprise,
instead of covering his head with the bed-clothes, as usual, and trying
not to listen, he found himself sitting up in bed and talking to the
wind, man to man.</div>
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‘Why,’ he said, ‘I’m not afraid of you any more.’</div>
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‘Of course not, we’re friends now,’ said the wind. ‘That’s because we
joined together to do a kindness to some one. There’s nothing like that
for making people friends.’</div>
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‘Oh,’ said Sep.</div>
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‘Yes,’ said the wind, ‘and now, old chap, when will you go out and
seek your fortune? Remember how poor your father is, and the fortune, if
you find it, won’t be just for you, but for your father and mother and
the others.’</div>
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‘Oh,’ said Sep, ‘I didn’t think of that.’</div>
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‘Yes,’ said the wind, ‘really, my dear fellow, I do hate to bother you, but it’s better to fix a time. Now when shall we start?’</div>
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‘We?’ said Sep. ‘Are you going with me?’</div>
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‘I’ll see you a bit of the way,’ said the wind. ‘What do you say now?
Shall we start to-night? There’s no time like the present.’</div>
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‘I do hate going,’ said Sep.</div>
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‘Of course you do!’ said the wind, cordially. ‘Come along. Get into your things, and we’ll make a beginning.’"</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Discovering your true potential by facing your fears and insecurities-</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Bleach </i>vol. 13 ch. 111 "Black and White" / ep. 39 "The Immortal Man"</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe-PYYJRnEyuIJ1LUHonRZUWVjF2aKV-sSshVH2MS5SgQ0S5X0Tdi9UYVsgpTijNJ0s1pBBCUoxLF2BHYtHsva5r2-niQX7yjhX1fnE25Gdvm4AvsS59lwvWZ5UM8cQ90k4X9OSLQ1b8/s1600/bleach.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe-PYYJRnEyuIJ1LUHonRZUWVjF2aKV-sSshVH2MS5SgQ0S5X0Tdi9UYVsgpTijNJ0s1pBBCUoxLF2BHYtHsva5r2-niQX7yjhX1fnE25Gdvm4AvsS59lwvWZ5UM8cQ90k4X9OSLQ1b8/s320/bleach.PNG" width="243" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bleach</i> is one that I started watching as a teenager but didn't really get into, and recently re-watched it up to the end of the rescue arc (where it ends like a good anime should. Right? Right.)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvQcHtfl2d3x1Dg1_3C12D8iMSjDGjxSdFccRDMHMfNuiBIPxBedywOXOzWzMcTwD0LSIYXzGsWTxuDIaa0OjjiDX-A5vXeanQvjJeRiQqgEzNclfRSeztmw1UfO8Q8qv3VDXznGyqPE/s1600/BLEECH.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1124" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvQcHtfl2d3x1Dg1_3C12D8iMSjDGjxSdFccRDMHMfNuiBIPxBedywOXOzWzMcTwD0LSIYXzGsWTxuDIaa0OjjiDX-A5vXeanQvjJeRiQqgEzNclfRSeztmw1UfO8Q8qv3VDXznGyqPE/s200/BLEECH.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this episode, the main character Ichigo is fighting to retake his sword from a manifestation of the corrupt version of himself that wants and threatens to take control if Ichigo slips up.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He has to fight that part of himself to retake the sword, and his dark self laughs at him that he hadn't taken the time to try and understand his sword's true power.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your true self, as much as it seems like some future goal, starts with the potential within you, and it's what you're afraid because you recognize your future but for some reason from and fight. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are moments in life that you can put yourself in that will either be enjoyable experiences or learning experiences. This episode reminded me of a really poignant <i>experience</i> I'd had, where I'd spent a while doing some soul searching staring in the mirror. I saw in my features the kind of features I'd til then disliked or thought intimidating in other people, and I realized I'd felt that way because I saw them in myself but denied it. What also struck me was that the kind of features I'm so often drawing and see as loving and maternal were also there in my expression, like a shadow of a person I might become in the future. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dedication and patience, aka Slow and Steady Wins the Race-</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Zen and the Art of Knitting</i>- Bernadette Murphy</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aY0ZUVr0eaPPgYypUuu2cnYB048s0jDsDhpcH5g50YInNhyphenhyphenOqLgj-sFb-4DyGgd0pR_S1AGGovbT0jhpMQl6Btw-JnHqybaU7XulwZVjNIxJPr6c9UhvcaEBnwtwHJGDXsgR3LeUwoI/s1600/41YoHN3%252B1fL._SX354_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aY0ZUVr0eaPPgYypUuu2cnYB048s0jDsDhpcH5g50YInNhyphenhyphenOqLgj-sFb-4DyGgd0pR_S1AGGovbT0jhpMQl6Btw-JnHqybaU7XulwZVjNIxJPr6c9UhvcaEBnwtwHJGDXsgR3LeUwoI/s400/41YoHN3%252B1fL._SX354_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">I love to knit, especially so I can make things for my fiance (or often our cats so I can put them in silly hats or every now and then make them a new felt mouse to roll in catnip and surprise them with). My grandma taught me to knit and sew when I was around 10, and I did it as a hobby making scarves and small blankets from then til I was about 19, which is when I started branching out and trying new techniques like making lace, fair isle knitting, more complicated designs like socks and sweaters, etc. A couple years ago I picked up this book at the library, and it got me thinking about the positive effects of knitting and how it applies to life.</span><b><br /></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In order to reach a big goal you don't have to be fast, you have to be consistent and not stop in order to reach your goals, so have patience- if you rush the quality will suffer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It will always be a process, and you can either be mindful of it and use it as a meditative process, or allow it to become a mechanical habit that you do while seeking other distractions. Like anything in life that causes us to want to rush through it or daydream to take us away from the monotony, there's that choice to do it fully and mindfully or to distract yourself until it's done. You'll never get that time back and if it's working or studying it's what you'll return to the next day and the next. If you spend all of it wishing you could be doing something else, getting through it so you can spend a small amount of time doing something better, you'll have spent years in denial doing what you hate.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, to get better at it, you have to do it wrong to figure out how to do it right. If you can't understand the pattern or directions fully no matter how many times you hear or read them, sometimes you have to start the project knowing it won't be right, so that you can look it over and see the problem and try it again. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Communication is important, and difficult for everyone indiscriminately</b></span><b>-</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Frasier</b></i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Frasier</i> is one of my all time fave comfort shows to marathon, for all its faults and parts where it hasn't aged well. Kelsey Grammer and <br />David Hyde Pierce are so fun together.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I really love is how it shows that even when you know how to communicate well- meaning what the pitfalls of communication are, how to avoid mood swings, etc, knowing that is way different than being able to put it in practice. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many times you know what you should do but aren't able to make the decision to do it, other times you <i>are</i> able, but stubborn and it's more cathartic to react negatively. It takes more energy to put what you know into practice, and even those (<i>especially</i> those, in this case of a family of psychiatrists getting into communication breakdowns constantly) who should know the most about it struggle doing this. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">So what's our conclusion? </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The great thing about blogging sometimes is that although I may start writing a post not intending for it to have a theme, as I go along putting it together and reading over it I see themes within the things that I thought were scattered and mostly unrelated. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You're free to take away whatever message you like from these little anecdotes, but the theme that I feel is presenting itself to me and why all these moments were so meaningful to me lately is this-</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>it takes time, nurture, and practice to become your true self and you have to allow the person inside you to talk, to voice their personality through preferences and morals. although that journey is frightening and is something you want to be prepared for and do properly or not at all, there's no way of knowing which way is 100% right til the end when you look back, so at some point you have to just make up your mind and begin</i></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Take care of yourselves, friends. Til next Friday-</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0SCZFFu3JJtBq96tjm2Eed9WSG8CefFpJoB-pgUteglDKpR2hnW33wY8miunWQ7jElN0ZmCMTO7JxXh17HFPHxTbJebPkEvOjiaEHYWgLQMpTqp3XhQKmFsC0lR5TZm5DkMeRuXvw-k/s1600/printlogo2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="124" data-original-width="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0SCZFFu3JJtBq96tjm2Eed9WSG8CefFpJoB-pgUteglDKpR2hnW33wY8miunWQ7jElN0ZmCMTO7JxXh17HFPHxTbJebPkEvOjiaEHYWgLQMpTqp3XhQKmFsC0lR5TZm5DkMeRuXvw-k/s1600/printlogo2.png" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-35798150831473913262019-05-03T10:02:00.000-04:002020-07-25T13:05:15.538-04:00Fluid Art Paintings<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PIqC0FIykw56BUSzXx5SCbINOGLAIQydGropg8ZW4MHqnwPpqhRcKTbbDXqVayzAysrVSRu4L2HBrfqeG_gcyzHSRyo1bqndUIvwliU1U2y0-P6KP-W-_n2eSwkk8DrFNQqwv4s7cVo/s1600/53476467_1016026871930373_2731559368729296896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1574" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PIqC0FIykw56BUSzXx5SCbINOGLAIQydGropg8ZW4MHqnwPpqhRcKTbbDXqVayzAysrVSRu4L2HBrfqeG_gcyzHSRyo1bqndUIvwliU1U2y0-P6KP-W-_n2eSwkk8DrFNQqwv4s7cVo/s640/53476467_1016026871930373_2731559368729296896_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Reminder- myself and 2 other artists are doing a Twitter giveaway
til 5/11, to enter and possibly win all of this amazing art go to - <a href="https://twitter.com/Real_Stars24/status/1116397162315821056">https://twitter.com/Real_Stars24/status/1116397162315821056</a> ) <span style="opacity: 0; position: absolute;">https://twitter.com/Real_Stars24/status/1116397162315821056</span><span style="opacity: 0; position: absolute;">https://twitter.com/Real_Stars24/status/1116397162315821056</span> <span style="opacity: 0; position: absolute;">)ht </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc29LP3rUd9GNptLDKEMwyT71dFB_d5jIiftcI2gemF4w3FOXe2J8fmuE2elUp-i1HfAqLoGWxoT26dl3LkZ2OX782b16GCN8s8o7G4lF5Zlm7oQr6lBFVRr5OTTDh8zQ_OWt63loNroo/s1600/collage.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc29LP3rUd9GNptLDKEMwyT71dFB_d5jIiftcI2gemF4w3FOXe2J8fmuE2elUp-i1HfAqLoGWxoT26dl3LkZ2OX782b16GCN8s8o7G4lF5Zlm7oQr6lBFVRr5OTTDh8zQ_OWt63loNroo/s320/collage.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This week I wanted to show you all the paintings I have that are finished and ready to sell. I don't currently have the cash for shipping materials to ship these, which is why I haven't listed them on here or my Twitter. But that doesn't mean I should keep them hidden from your beautiful eyes! </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first one I wanted to do in <i>Starry Night </i>colors. I added coconut milk serum to add cells, because I knew I wanted more cells and swirls than the bold, crisp shapes of fluid art done with straight paint (see <i>Dancing Ghosts </i>and<i> Granite</i> below for examples). But other than that I really had no idea how it would turn out. It's often a silly idea to go into this kind of art with expectations anyway. <br /><br />I used one cup to do a flip-cup technique for this one, and I did zero swirling of the paint so all the swirls, I genuinely can only say it must have been the fluid art gods granting me those because I wouldn't know how to do those on purpose if I tried.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mo2wwCVxbhH5kxAkzf8771iqCjEXpULq87-hn43TlQhNMSHTO64uWgn3-NhR5Q41-vxzwlyLYMsFhYylngyWvkZvYv4r73dyaymvw4U8DusA4Mwo9G8yzOHNuEm-uouWNtFr7x-8F-s/s1600/53712803_391938248304485_5114601249697693696_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mo2wwCVxbhH5kxAkzf8771iqCjEXpULq87-hn43TlQhNMSHTO64uWgn3-NhR5Q41-vxzwlyLYMsFhYylngyWvkZvYv4r73dyaymvw4U8DusA4Mwo9G8yzOHNuEm-uouWNtFr7x-8F-s/s400/53712803_391938248304485_5114601249697693696_n.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-9SLJSqVR7GlduCtbfO61NoPh0MhrZRWkTdKyyL550Skf4wf858z7bwMgdKiino_C41G2Vfi30edJNJ2e7vdht_1Fa-fr3sSQI0pXqGrhGMqucvKGbCB9XciKTBPavFc6e-0nXxviQE/s1600/54233814_821592224862668_4953907590938492928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-9SLJSqVR7GlduCtbfO61NoPh0MhrZRWkTdKyyL550Skf4wf858z7bwMgdKiino_C41G2Vfi30edJNJ2e7vdht_1Fa-fr3sSQI0pXqGrhGMqucvKGbCB9XciKTBPavFc6e-0nXxviQE/s640/54233814_821592224862668_4953907590938492928_n.jpg" width="389" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Next, this one I wanted to do in shades of purple, inspired by a friend whose favorite color is purple. I hit the cell jackpot with this one!! The space where all the little cells are were originally big patches of light purple but as I hit it with the butane torch, all these wonderful little cells began to appear til it looked like a coral reef scene that I'm absolutely in love with. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5S_1rYxwGvBA2z_ds0darUfK_hfyJUl-5qZC2DTdU9wrmDBa7ZYhoZIaYW9Wn3N8XGX7WaosFFrpVRyTRbsh9I9VumsbCSmZPA_B5oH1UjJtriqdcESmSJtxrYN5Bcp5rTth2Crttxw/s1600/54515365_2143968832525195_8981666868167180288_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5S_1rYxwGvBA2z_ds0darUfK_hfyJUl-5qZC2DTdU9wrmDBa7ZYhoZIaYW9Wn3N8XGX7WaosFFrpVRyTRbsh9I9VumsbCSmZPA_B5oH1UjJtriqdcESmSJtxrYN5Bcp5rTth2Crttxw/s1600/54515365_2143968832525195_8981666868167180288_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another one I wanted to do in shade of purple, but I wanted do do a drip effect over a background of solid white. I call it <i>Purple Rain </i></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZQ7s6fLTD_-cx9m_vcxNXb22BfIeDTd9efXTSUQUQBJ3Kkx8lWRrhtw_tPQt_H6b3oK9sNhm1DuD3SIL8aBSsDHOQ7TCJ2osUXt8dC-NbmYI0vbLurg8NSXYJInSO_Qeu7ujyzR6gto/s1600/54268162_1987329074708928_9121475393751089152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZQ7s6fLTD_-cx9m_vcxNXb22BfIeDTd9efXTSUQUQBJ3Kkx8lWRrhtw_tPQt_H6b3oK9sNhm1DuD3SIL8aBSsDHOQ7TCJ2osUXt8dC-NbmYI0vbLurg8NSXYJInSO_Qeu7ujyzR6gto/s640/54268162_1987329074708928_9121475393751089152_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In contrast to the cool hued purple drip painting, I wanted to do one that looked like magma, but over a solid black background. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip20D7F0eLJShjq_GW1hix47-eq21ZnYf8Yc2VB5QguO4Gv9I_UqpvmdaLwxiPbD7WLwHjPPaZJdD8x_DQTSgZlw_79jEYlrE4BxhRYwecVSNETGh7su4qs9Vo5CWEcFslYyug9vqjp1Y/s1600/54367105_363394077838360_7355419557856542720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip20D7F0eLJShjq_GW1hix47-eq21ZnYf8Yc2VB5QguO4Gv9I_UqpvmdaLwxiPbD7WLwHjPPaZJdD8x_DQTSgZlw_79jEYlrE4BxhRYwecVSNETGh7su4qs9Vo5CWEcFslYyug9vqjp1Y/s640/54367105_363394077838360_7355419557856542720_n.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These ones I already had finished-</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> the 2 Riddler drip pours</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvlCdRsyQaVwZcsx6DkCPmsPaM_AbdtVljoQIMrytM5zwQZjvQZFXpl0Nmr7p9xxBydYrKLraj1BNkf9NmDoxICEcVLXuhG8idrDxkRzuxMlRHZBT2gUJN2YYsuHLCMMp0TYAp0YZqVQ/s1600/44358925_10215527307308701_833548075778703360_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1035" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvlCdRsyQaVwZcsx6DkCPmsPaM_AbdtVljoQIMrytM5zwQZjvQZFXpl0Nmr7p9xxBydYrKLraj1BNkf9NmDoxICEcVLXuhG8idrDxkRzuxMlRHZBT2gUJN2YYsuHLCMMp0TYAp0YZqVQ/s400/44358925_10215527307308701_833548075778703360_n.jpg" width="257" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPfGfu5wSCQM4Zj3kZ1CCWiMiEMpp9sZvUoIgFRJ8usC8IhAZpTSSOHC7XMwuIqAcydqUW3sjhNM3oj_pUKTFwx1SHsWpGxNV6-wSpDJTuCssN8oJxSLwSvuviOL3INBcA_FGuRh3Yxo/s1600/44254831_10215527305148647_7409984845314523136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1090" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPfGfu5wSCQM4Zj3kZ1CCWiMiEMpp9sZvUoIgFRJ8usC8IhAZpTSSOHC7XMwuIqAcydqUW3sjhNM3oj_pUKTFwx1SHsWpGxNV6-wSpDJTuCssN8oJxSLwSvuviOL3INBcA_FGuRh3Yxo/s320/44254831_10215527305148647_7409984845314523136_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Dancing Ghosts</span></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtrO5lKnjtJoaUg7xCW1zWYjMQqjzgTnE-kb6p53HG6KuLZGMvn_hyphenhyphen0hc9uMz3V47SCJQvxK-EQRIkHP-YyLsl_QccNIuTAPWGFhYEBpFbgHvUEKe8AqJJRX6mA9H90yMvPHpGgdS1R4/s1600/20190213_113055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1215" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtrO5lKnjtJoaUg7xCW1zWYjMQqjzgTnE-kb6p53HG6KuLZGMvn_hyphenhyphen0hc9uMz3V47SCJQvxK-EQRIkHP-YyLsl_QccNIuTAPWGFhYEBpFbgHvUEKe8AqJJRX6mA9H90yMvPHpGgdS1R4/s400/20190213_113055.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Granite</span></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR8NgDFFZGzypsJs_lXtaQRO38iGl31MTKQg_9HO6WfPwGPySAiK24H-v2CMEClCCzd2AKP_F7kYKxiQPYxtmXvqRPbvKV6W9_owpHNt4Ddro5JSgBcw_tdb_nld9vO-TyBUYyHyq9UM/s1600/IMG_20180822_142738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR8NgDFFZGzypsJs_lXtaQRO38iGl31MTKQg_9HO6WfPwGPySAiK24H-v2CMEClCCzd2AKP_F7kYKxiQPYxtmXvqRPbvKV6W9_owpHNt4Ddro5JSgBcw_tdb_nld9vO-TyBUYyHyq9UM/s640/IMG_20180822_142738.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Wave</i></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fire Elemental</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5YdASgHgr9rSEiRYQpbKQfn2w6rNd21bnSkNNv-tjZCEvrKo2Lt05FIcZd1x2izwUpgBnO123Mc_UH4i5tsQLxyJo3QDEvSPPhq_De2PbirGTesyVp9_8xS7_H3Nk88-HAXEqUS1YfM/s1600/IMG_20190202_151924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5YdASgHgr9rSEiRYQpbKQfn2w6rNd21bnSkNNv-tjZCEvrKo2Lt05FIcZd1x2izwUpgBnO123Mc_UH4i5tsQLxyJo3QDEvSPPhq_De2PbirGTesyVp9_8xS7_H3Nk88-HAXEqUS1YfM/s400/IMG_20190202_151924.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5x7s I've sold & sent out-</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyphpnlpPu8r3HLbqH1MewyTKvtaiNY-a1V0wg4C_J4NC8g9mbEwu8oeCz2GgIkNE0pn7GlGpzp461uiJmCZFG11M3_wy-tzyaBOe9_9vH2rEvGVdJPyOq2UUDuuofn4AA2BhSQBtyCA/s1600/45087102_2094962490547818_6261570565287444480_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyphpnlpPu8r3HLbqH1MewyTKvtaiNY-a1V0wg4C_J4NC8g9mbEwu8oeCz2GgIkNE0pn7GlGpzp461uiJmCZFG11M3_wy-tzyaBOe9_9vH2rEvGVdJPyOq2UUDuuofn4AA2BhSQBtyCA/s320/45087102_2094962490547818_6261570565287444480_n.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This one I made & kept, it sits on my desk now to keep me focused on the way to make progress in art & recovery. The bottom is an eggshell white and metallic gold that's not pictured well here.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDsLCUMkFteNPkExo2vF_rDDo8kpRHssiMO-43RTdXBmajmDngeB58VsvIB-1YQSettxXcaYd2KBp1iYDev18xa1vnLTNLwL4Zkv29noTBx1vzAl51gkMX6oV683d1rV2XHz0jxlUZn8/s1600/53405411_294011377937006_315635673409257472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="691" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDsLCUMkFteNPkExo2vF_rDDo8kpRHssiMO-43RTdXBmajmDngeB58VsvIB-1YQSettxXcaYd2KBp1iYDev18xa1vnLTNLwL4Zkv29noTBx1vzAl51gkMX6oV683d1rV2XHz0jxlUZn8/s400/53405411_294011377937006_315635673409257472_n.jpg" width="287" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6iN2AuJyFQ-WwBIwjP0KGS7x5scDTPG1HMZei_FLGvVoHjqIlUlTOna_JnvN1qdDNkVirhzJ5BTvXNxTDmbWdAfI4wk7gSpabpy9e-XlaqFj7OyoCD_9K5Nilyd4DgdBPdywO_0efb0/s1600/53548567_992070170993388_7178824371094421504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="508" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6iN2AuJyFQ-WwBIwjP0KGS7x5scDTPG1HMZei_FLGvVoHjqIlUlTOna_JnvN1qdDNkVirhzJ5BTvXNxTDmbWdAfI4wk7gSpabpy9e-XlaqFj7OyoCD_9K5Nilyd4DgdBPdywO_0efb0/s400/53548567_992070170993388_7178824371094421504_n.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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That's it for this week! I hope you enjoyed :)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-74019264015133644932019-04-19T08:57:00.004-04:002021-06-22T14:46:12.387-04:00Poems old and new<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCircr8hB5BLi_MhCkUvo4qgASAuRxEIQqP8zmw-HoXdbme3Q8hHiZp3SwNfpUvA-26gL939RUfMUvBuFUNz_7pagYPGUCtPnNMqkXfj47E70fp0rIYKgZcBc_MdW-I5jdxJH420dXfxk/s1600/57763873_381162959398867_1104150540348030976_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="531" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCircr8hB5BLi_MhCkUvo4qgASAuRxEIQqP8zmw-HoXdbme3Q8hHiZp3SwNfpUvA-26gL939RUfMUvBuFUNz_7pagYPGUCtPnNMqkXfj47E70fp0rIYKgZcBc_MdW-I5jdxJH420dXfxk/s400/57763873_381162959398867_1104150540348030976_n.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNblSWlbj7nZni2-1JqzUlI5kcXAhyphenhyphenM12ndPQpxMQPU8GzBPBz58wNA0AmNG89EzH4yU2UE1_kzuxDLh_3ty61C6uvnbcZZhfmOb6pfh4BvBXTW-pi6PaxpTIUyNcp9AvYukNkYuS0KRQ/s1600/collage.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNblSWlbj7nZni2-1JqzUlI5kcXAhyphenhyphenM12ndPQpxMQPU8GzBPBz58wNA0AmNG89EzH4yU2UE1_kzuxDLh_3ty61C6uvnbcZZhfmOb6pfh4BvBXTW-pi6PaxpTIUyNcp9AvYukNkYuS0KRQ/s320/collage.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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(Reminder- myself and 2 other artists are doing a Twitter giveaway til 5/11, to enter and possibly win all of this amazing art go to - <a href="https://twitter.com/Real_Stars24/status/1116397162315821056">https://twitter.com/Real_Stars24/status/1116397162315821056</a> ) <span style="opacity: 0; position: absolute;">https://twitter.com/Real_Stars24/status/1116397162315821056</span><span style="opacity: 0; position: absolute;">https://twitter.com/Real_Stars24/status/1116397162315821056</span> <span style="opacity: 0; position: absolute;">)ht </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">To preface, I want to share the long term goals I made for this year- begin promoting and selling my art after spending the holidays cranking out finished pieces, return to weekly blogging, release my book and get more serious about sharing my poetry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Recently I started going to a poetry slam and for the first time, read a poem of mine aloud to other humans that I hadn't written shoddily for a high school project. Going to the weekly slams and the poetry workshops been amazing and really helping with my social anxiety. Although, maybe not my back and shoulders if I continue adding more books to my bag.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGjhRDjdLVqOyiG7N0cGhh4gT7v4Abu0PvMyuFrJyVZSW7_myd7BQ4s3VK6NaJydSGgh3p-HsBZkppWYH9uVP1m6MQjkhhQRyvtHtF5v7q3SdqfSN5eRmXRij-T01fhrxk-R7vnM0Z3c/s1600/57129668_609616876131211_555491055517040640_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGjhRDjdLVqOyiG7N0cGhh4gT7v4Abu0PvMyuFrJyVZSW7_myd7BQ4s3VK6NaJydSGgh3p-HsBZkppWYH9uVP1m6MQjkhhQRyvtHtF5v7q3SdqfSN5eRmXRij-T01fhrxk-R7vnM0Z3c/s400/57129668_609616876131211_555491055517040640_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">My book (or chapbook, I don't exactly know what it is yet) is poems from 2010-2018, and all but one were written in my usual way, which is to not intend to write a poem but have it suddenly pop into my head, fully written, and I have to scramble for a pen and paper before it's lost forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It's usually in response to my emotions and is a big part of how I deal with things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">After meeting some poets doing the 30 for 30 (what's that? I'm still not 100% certain on the origin but many poets I've met are writing 30 poems in 30 days for the month of April, which is National Poetry Month! Here is a site I found with rules but I'm not sure if it's the one any of the poets I met have been following- <a href="http://3030poetry.com/">http://3030poetry.com</a>) I was marveling to my fiance at the idea of being able to sit down and intentionally write a poem, every day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I think he was already on a roll being proud of me for reading my poem and having encouraged me enough to actually go there, and his belief in me that I clearly don't have spurred him to challenge me to write a poem to share by the next week's slam.</span><br />
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<span face="verdana, sans-serif">WHAT IS HE DOING TO ME.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">So, I told him it would never happen, and I stewed on it, and put it aside but sort of stewed on it still because that's how my anxiety works. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And slowly, bits and pieces and ideas started to come to mind but nothing fully formed. I scribbled it down, changing things and taking them out. When I was finished, I looked over the finished poem and it surprised me by not being so terrible. Of course, this made me furious with my fiance.</span><br />
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<span face="verdana, sans-serif">HOW DARE HE BE RIGHT ABOUT ME.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I let him know of his grievous offense and he grinned like he'd eaten the moon. Jerk. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Seeing as I'd scribbled the poem on the back of a drawing, he also took me to get a new leatherette journal to write my new poems in. Someday I dream of having all my journals and sketchbooks be bound and covered in stickers. I only had these 2 to use, but plan on using any birthday money I get for buying art to get some stickers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">(<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">Having 1 greenpeace sticker does not mean I am fine with their actions in Peru in 2014 but instead does mean that the organization has tons of helpful info on their website about taking sustainable action and if you judge me for a sticker I'll take that as a warning that you're not worth getting to know. I haven't been yet online but got some funny looks in person from people I wonder would rather have no ecological protection groups at all</span>)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wACrnKqG1wwIw4EpYqf-_LwxOYdT6qFkKBziIl2WrwCyyS9FQS7Ad9z_ML0sTJE1NMUPKsSw6xrS3iPyFguGEBM7Vek9wNm6bq53douWvKhDZHVUM0XABFLlhyphenhyphennnvVzmkrDPXBL7BfA/s1600/57400116_823878047996971_7304778384448421888_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wACrnKqG1wwIw4EpYqf-_LwxOYdT6qFkKBziIl2WrwCyyS9FQS7Ad9z_ML0sTJE1NMUPKsSw6xrS3iPyFguGEBM7Vek9wNm6bq53douWvKhDZHVUM0XABFLlhyphenhyphennnvVzmkrDPXBL7BfA/s320/57400116_823878047996971_7304778384448421888_n.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7qWXipk_-pN_YYmFvaRAFScaCOFZ-r7CcoD-Nhn1TU8GQa_y37a5fDz9DfORIM_waLSwB00vHKLXkcUIostpWeic3n7ycdJgOwGGhS5YbOGDn3jAFC2lDExj5ptkdbkka2h_1a4qwMM/s1600/57210703_573502716495274_5303819873623736320_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7qWXipk_-pN_YYmFvaRAFScaCOFZ-r7CcoD-Nhn1TU8GQa_y37a5fDz9DfORIM_waLSwB00vHKLXkcUIostpWeic3n7ycdJgOwGGhS5YbOGDn3jAFC2lDExj5ptkdbkka2h_1a4qwMM/s320/57210703_573502716495274_5303819873623736320_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I'm always on the hunt for stickers and taking recommendations on Twitter. I came across the witchy stickers from <a href="http://dovahviing.storenvy.com/">dovahviing.storenvy.com</a> and I'm in love!! I'm going to order a set and show you all as soon as they come in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7DUvQFAvODHnSZmev4e5BagLHuTV1pcBA0fx1Ml-l7IHoH4a-gNjt3b11D9RmEeyimmOyvbbSpiLrL2aF2I8GcKIWB1gWwBwa4vqrfinJNKBItPgL4hEkmNHx73EnJMelS3k-Wj7OVc/s1600/57485564_2271341783105397_4582828781705625600_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7DUvQFAvODHnSZmev4e5BagLHuTV1pcBA0fx1Ml-l7IHoH4a-gNjt3b11D9RmEeyimmOyvbbSpiLrL2aF2I8GcKIWB1gWwBwa4vqrfinJNKBItPgL4hEkmNHx73EnJMelS3k-Wj7OVc/s640/57485564_2271341783105397_4582828781705625600_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This is the poem I wrote! So much wite out, scribbling over, changing things. The scribbled out bit I changed just before reading it aloud actually. That's the part I'd reworked the most, originally using the word "purge" but I didn't want to worry about triggering anyone at the slam, so I took some time and changed it to "evacuate" and then "eliminate", which I liked the raw and gritty feel of.<br /><br />But looking it over in my head, it seemed too similar to another poem I'd heard recently and even though it wasn't intentionally taken from it, I wanted it to be something that felt 100% natural.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It's pretty messy on paper and if it's hard to make out, here's the full poem typed out- </span><br />
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This is a poem I wrote on purpose<br />
Which sounds simple, even standard.<br />
But clearly in this way, again, I haven't fit that standard.<br />
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I watch, jealous,<br />
and listen to words that sound like<br />
they were written out of interest, or purpose,<br />
not some raw possessive need.<br />
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I wish I could write into existence<br />
rosy fingered dawns,<br />
mysteries and histories.<br />
Not shedding unsung words like an upheaval-<br />
A base and primal urge for release.<br />
It's why I'm far from being a writer<br />
<br />
Perhaps just the artist I started as,<br />
haunted and directed by some creative spirit<br />
with unfinished business<br />
<br />
I joke but I knew her,<br />
you can ask but you really should have seen her.<br />
<br />
It's like my struggle to fit in,<br />
in this world, in a body,<br />
when it seems to be the story that<br />
if you don't feel right one wat there might<br />
be some other way that fits you.<br />
<br />
But every name and game and suit feels wrong.<br />
Everything I try feels forced and faked unless<br />
I stop trying to be one or the other<br />
<br />
and become myself naturally,<br />
unapologetically <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And that's the post for this week! Thanks for reading :)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-63780174881271174712019-04-12T09:28:00.005-04:002021-06-22T14:45:29.412-04:00Little life update<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hey everyone! I'm gonna show you all what I've been doing recently. Lots of new paintings and drawings I made for myself, which is rare for me to do. The great part of making things usually is that I can give them away to people I know will be really happy to get them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br />Some character sketches of my favorite character from Brion Foulke's webcomic <i>Flipside</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbvnuQGhz6U4Cpwh45UWRH33iwCXxcxR_Q5Jt3hpy8PXqLTDztVVh8T0xZY0ivXOIsD-KUNhFIoAc4aLfgnt3xgLLES2ojOdfGH5T2_X2qI0xFhvOTYgooP2wRuEyWC4BDE5q2cbIR0c/s1600/20190406_095822.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbvnuQGhz6U4Cpwh45UWRH33iwCXxcxR_Q5Jt3hpy8PXqLTDztVVh8T0xZY0ivXOIsD-KUNhFIoAc4aLfgnt3xgLLES2ojOdfGH5T2_X2qI0xFhvOTYgooP2wRuEyWC4BDE5q2cbIR0c/s320/20190406_095822.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWIscUl2es5KeqhbOeDgmbg6Yd9OcqF4gWkoXUl0yiquhSKPvGl5bDGdeCdJOMfWtVhBAkRCUGxCs8-h62flaPcKvd8_wHcbHne1UdjJpUyOZeR7MexwLyzQyMc2Q7mIi4G5J0X-lH7I/s1600/2019-04-07+10.24.22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1078" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWIscUl2es5KeqhbOeDgmbg6Yd9OcqF4gWkoXUl0yiquhSKPvGl5bDGdeCdJOMfWtVhBAkRCUGxCs8-h62flaPcKvd8_wHcbHne1UdjJpUyOZeR7MexwLyzQyMc2Q7mIi4G5J0X-lH7I/s320/2019-04-07+10.24.22.jpg" width="215" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Acrylic paintings of Tamako from <i>Tamako Market</i>, Brewster from <i>Animal Crossing</i> and the movie <i>Doubutsu No Mori</i>, and Tsu/Froppy from <i>My Hero Academia</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhGEcj8NVJvQ01ZTYwzL0XJNcEnqGB1lKLLy_adUcJOpWCbXojJRdLX0jtyh9I7O-r6vZ8db_bR-IFSE7AMENgNMtr1IULFuKM2HXnPrx_D1AQXA0NXFEzpzjQ7vdD93k4Wl7zmuG_to/s1600/20190406_170540.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhGEcj8NVJvQ01ZTYwzL0XJNcEnqGB1lKLLy_adUcJOpWCbXojJRdLX0jtyh9I7O-r6vZ8db_bR-IFSE7AMENgNMtr1IULFuKM2HXnPrx_D1AQXA0NXFEzpzjQ7vdD93k4Wl7zmuG_to/s400/20190406_170540.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've also been finishing magnets to sell at craft fairs this summer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Trying to figure out the most cost effective material to fill them with has been a process, so here you can see the latest experiment which is rubber sealant. <br /><br />So far I've tried-<br />-clay<br />-clear resin<br />-craft resin<br />-rubber sealant</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Two of my magnets and a handmade teal choker (pictured below) are being given away in a month-long giveaway on my twitter. To check out the rules and enter- <a href="https://twitter.com/Real_Stars24/status/1116397162315821056">twitter.com/Real_Stars24/status/1116397162315821056</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There was also a low point, some secondhand shoes I'd ordered to replace my 10 year old converse for my birthday got stolen right from my door. If you understand depression/anxiety/CPTSD at all or even just have compassion for someone who's had their only birthday presents stolen for two years in a row, you'll understand how derailing something like that can be. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It felt miserable, wondering if I'd still be safe to order supplies to send out art if I can't trust that things will be delivered safely. Wondering why someone would steal used, $20 shoes from someone that bought them for their own birthday with disability money. Wondering why someone wouldn't think about things like that before just stealing something.</span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you have an answer, please tell me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I also finished a bunch of chokers. I mean, a LOT. at least a dozen. I'm still building a supply to sell at art fairs with my magnets and (long shot) hopefully some paintings. </span><br />
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I've also started going to poetry events, and read for the first time this week (and from my book, too!) That was terrifying, but it was an awesome experience participating and getting to judge in the slam. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Spring is here! Well, kind of. I'm looking forward to warmer weather and real Spring but also not sure if I'm ready for the too-hot weather and having to shave half my head again, my undercut is grown out and fluffy and I feel cute! <br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I played around with makeup when getting myself ready for the poetry slam, so you can see me showing off my not-so-skilled makeup skillz here with an eyeliner star and a gel peel (that went horribly, made my lips bleed, and transferred ZERO color to my lips. RIP)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That's been my week! I hope yours went well. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-825103607093588352019-04-04T19:04:00.001-04:002020-07-25T13:05:32.522-04:00Anime fanart & a contest!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This
week, I took a break from fluid art and chokers, and made some small
paintings of a few characters from my favorite anime series. I'm
running a contest to give away a custom painting like this of any anime
character, so keep reading to find out how to win!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw0tiCakPwCiDjiaFNRR3Gp0LKbeCglFcbK88l39DXJVnK2TQP2lp1LCb_xBBs36jPWAstxeEnPC-EYtdU4O9qITPR4mSyUAYBaUPpabgTHFt2xMgF7FuBiwL48KESc3caSlyfB51T6E/s400/20190403_170316.jpg" width="225" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uPRkNbJPHz2WEGuP8bN4xwiIdMw_5R3O-vlRHj8slS9fvOBnl4wHlNzi1RiuPGDBnqSjnCICNyJoUfpadZOFEsQyMiOEmmJh1m4Pm09Yiy0s-zFgh3meiyWGXlfYmOR3XDmwXf4fEEE/s1600/20190401_232646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uPRkNbJPHz2WEGuP8bN4xwiIdMw_5R3O-vlRHj8slS9fvOBnl4wHlNzi1RiuPGDBnqSjnCICNyJoUfpadZOFEsQyMiOEmmJh1m4Pm09Yiy0s-zFgh3meiyWGXlfYmOR3XDmwXf4fEEE/s400/20190401_232646.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br /><br />Most of the time when I make art, I make it either for someone as a gift or with the intention of selling it to a home in the future. I don't usually keep things and make things for myself, because it's not what drives me and also I have trouble feeling worth spending money & supplies on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I started out just doing one for a birthday box I've been putting together for a dear friend. I'm at that stage where there's still over a month til her birthday, and I can't stop adding more things but I don't even know if the box will be light enough to ship flat rate, lol! Everything in there is a surprise, so I can't post any of it here yet.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> After doing one I just really wanted to make a set for myself!!</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br />I knew I wanted to do them on a nice, pastel colored and textured looking background so I used a cut piece of sponge to dab on a mix of teal and white paint in the areas I'd marked out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2QPdtPiMg30LqPUySRDwxRjLdTqWBr-k4BHopeLKff4yG49PzEZkftIJ7MZk8VvxPvuFuALOY4uMaDdfunLzcu9OqBJz9E9WCjaKrwuczxGQIykAWKIDkc9qc4eWQ0aJYOEkxeahIeE/s1600/20190401_203942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2QPdtPiMg30LqPUySRDwxRjLdTqWBr-k4BHopeLKff4yG49PzEZkftIJ7MZk8VvxPvuFuALOY4uMaDdfunLzcu9OqBJz9E9WCjaKrwuczxGQIykAWKIDkc9qc4eWQ0aJYOEkxeahIeE/s400/20190401_203942.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Next I sketched out and traced in ink the outlines of the characters I wanted to paint. <br /><br />On the left is Tamako from <i>Tamako Market</i>, a slice of life anime that I adore and which gives me genuine feels. <br /><br />On the right is Tsu/Froppy from <i>My Hero Academia</i>, a superhero anime that also gives me genuine, undeniable feels.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I took my time filling in the colored parts, as for most of the colors I had to mix my own shade, wait for it to dry, paint another layer, and then wipe that out of my mixing tray and start on another shade. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After doing those, I started thinking of what other characters I would want to have paintings of hung up in my place, and I thought of doing a collage of a character from one of my favorite webcomics ever. I spent the course of a day drawing it, and after posting my initial first sketches I thought the idea of revealing progress pics until the character was guessed would be a fun contest idea, so I began a contest on my Twitter page to give away a character painting like the one above to anyone who could guess which character was being drawn. It's still active, and every day I'm adding another picture of the progress along with hints about the character and the comic they're from. There are only a few more so it'll be finished Sunday or Monday, if you think you know! <br /><br />The contest thread is pinned to the top of my Twitter profile, and these are the updates posted so far. If you're a webcomic fan and you think you know who it is, leave a comment on the Twitter thread or email me your guess!<br /><br />The hints so far have been-<br />1: Upside Down- Jack Johnson<br />2. This character was introduced in 2010</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And that's been my week! Yesterday (Thursday), I went to a poetry event and spent most of the day putting together and editing this post. I hope you enjoyed reading it and seeing the things I've been making. Thanks for reading!</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-70347540301155471822019-03-29T05:59:00.001-04:002020-07-25T13:05:37.711-04:00Fluid Art Magnets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DbDhLbrt6rSMGvMuFprnoxMA-Nw24AJqmzjXhCZF0YBroSeryxjTH4nRPmZDhp_eIjfjBtUuCP5e4sY6RHpBRVO4M2ML2Sx4NIO8nMHhxQO-i-4nXhYwwhM8bhu5DnR2Iv2P-nAAMgA/s1600/MAGNETS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DbDhLbrt6rSMGvMuFprnoxMA-Nw24AJqmzjXhCZF0YBroSeryxjTH4nRPmZDhp_eIjfjBtUuCP5e4sY6RHpBRVO4M2ML2Sx4NIO8nMHhxQO-i-4nXhYwwhM8bhu5DnR2Iv2P-nAAMgA/s640/MAGNETS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A large part of what I was working on finishing during my time away from blogging was these fluid art magnets. They started as a curiosity, and then a hobby, and now possibly an obsession. This week I'm going to share with you my process of making them. I hope you have fun! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_pjnV-9OsXCQqSm58fo-N05un0ygTiNFEKqxzYzjIn3Km0eAj7lfF6nOOv_yZdYoiOdH3bBiZFWGQ_oh1DuOR_MqIvBAPNRdjw5aSnT5diDYI1NRpLDT6oAtUwrVjRcXO_wmLTu1eWg/s1600/55622772_386564158832165_8699224712066105344_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="385" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_pjnV-9OsXCQqSm58fo-N05un0ygTiNFEKqxzYzjIn3Km0eAj7lfF6nOOv_yZdYoiOdH3bBiZFWGQ_oh1DuOR_MqIvBAPNRdjw5aSnT5diDYI1NRpLDT6oAtUwrVjRcXO_wmLTu1eWg/s400/55622772_386564158832165_8699224712066105344_n.jpg" width="272" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First I paint the empty magnet rounds and leave them to dry in a warm, dry place. I did these over the winter, so I had them in a place that was near a space heater to keep them warm and prevent too much cracking. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtLtVZWU8BpYcEVor8kSYh7pkoPHawh8Kg0J7crKT5iriFjWGPKIJ6RoyWw7B-4rse9VG1Pm263JNpag0L-mG58lFNz-d46IQJ6cQQKXR3-E78o4LLAsUFMSpQyXXkACqOq_HoratBY4/s1600/55961976_263293017880502_6611376371438452736_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="535" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtLtVZWU8BpYcEVor8kSYh7pkoPHawh8Kg0J7crKT5iriFjWGPKIJ6RoyWw7B-4rse9VG1Pm263JNpag0L-mG58lFNz-d46IQJ6cQQKXR3-E78o4LLAsUFMSpQyXXkACqOq_HoratBY4/s320/55961976_263293017880502_6611376371438452736_n.png" width="241" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am an artist, and a photographer in origin so it's hard for me to not take a billion photos of the process to keep my friends and followers updated on social media. It's handy for writing blog posts, though!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While making these, I often end up with a lot of awesome mini-scenes left on the cups used to mix paint, smudges on the newspaper meant to catch drips, etc. It's honestly one of my favorite parts. <br /><br />This one reminded me of the final burning journey up Mount Doom.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_QsdPlPPbUzoEo72z3J73RIJnk70WyrTQpajMU9pVEmDOkheYtxr6ytVI04ZfiRTonW7x4RKSXq4EJZOfSUOPNMLjCcpi4979tw5ot8jlW1ohQ-Ni8dubG4gNzckATEI6LuMi7oDZKo/s1600/tinylandscape.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_QsdPlPPbUzoEo72z3J73RIJnk70WyrTQpajMU9pVEmDOkheYtxr6ytVI04ZfiRTonW7x4RKSXq4EJZOfSUOPNMLjCcpi4979tw5ot8jlW1ohQ-Ni8dubG4gNzckATEI6LuMi7oDZKo/s320/tinylandscape.PNG" width="318" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgTXOjHsOCv8dNceq4YdS7f5Uum651wEJW4Wji9RBxooBV0Bi7bMY5DNFL4yVCFme_ZtprEBGqa8TUeQfeSk38BCpX5wewRePa075BmVav0p_fyXaEy6kyun0PUI2qScG7d9gI4FcJbM/s1600/52333018_487944381609855_5003358658973663232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgTXOjHsOCv8dNceq4YdS7f5Uum651wEJW4Wji9RBxooBV0Bi7bMY5DNFL4yVCFme_ZtprEBGqa8TUeQfeSk38BCpX5wewRePa075BmVav0p_fyXaEy6kyun0PUI2qScG7d9gI4FcJbM/s320/52333018_487944381609855_5003358658973663232_n.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once the paint has dried, I fill the backs of the magnet rounds with resin. Finding my ideal process took some attempts- this was my very first one. I knew the magnet needed to be close to the surface to be effective, so I raised it on a little blob of hot glue in a criss-cross shape before filling it with resin. This was my first time buying resin, and I could only get a hold of the clear jewelry kind. Very useful, but too expensive for this kind of application.<br /><br />This magnet turned out okay for my first one, the hold was a little weak with only 1 small magnet, and there were uneven spots in the resin and around the edges that were holding the magnet a little bit away from the fridge and preventing a good hold, which was fixed somewhat by filing down the resin surface.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My next attempt was with 2-part craft resin and increased magnets. This worked a lot better! I had some failed attempts with the ratios of the resin, but that's how the process of fine tuning art works. There will always be some failures!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUHwcYgjEPhUBtWL9HtQ0frLGUuDFxv0nffy9XGGPgym_anU9OF4Yrqy2MPSuncSAVk6nZsNEbCZQqriEIBclvFVrZClZFTZRKHZZVicHjLcgPc5MoFCw_XS-X8OAa6vcZQ84b3gtx3U/s1600/52407074_322996715000044_6410003797518581760_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUHwcYgjEPhUBtWL9HtQ0frLGUuDFxv0nffy9XGGPgym_anU9OF4Yrqy2MPSuncSAVk6nZsNEbCZQqriEIBclvFVrZClZFTZRKHZZVicHjLcgPc5MoFCw_XS-X8OAa6vcZQ84b3gtx3U/s320/52407074_322996715000044_6410003797518581760_n.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The magnets I had been using were okay, but not the size I'd intended on getting and when I ran out of them, I was happy to begin using these larger ones. After the initial setting, I let them cure and then added another layer of resin to cover the magnets completely and leave a smooth surface.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKSJt-gEaeisZ2VdOowUXhbjCty2WB6PgwQg-Xjq_GMdn6qO2z-sjMx7gwtYS2zkjHet9OVtG7oSypPupimOuDjH_ANsbgb4bhQFCH8T8u5JG51wNuaZejgmhQDzk-k7byw47ROr9xcs/s1600/55641871_354117485313547_8896026508775129088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKSJt-gEaeisZ2VdOowUXhbjCty2WB6PgwQg-Xjq_GMdn6qO2z-sjMx7gwtYS2zkjHet9OVtG7oSypPupimOuDjH_ANsbgb4bhQFCH8T8u5JG51wNuaZejgmhQDzk-k7byw47ROr9xcs/s320/55641871_354117485313547_8896026508775129088_n.jpg" width="180" /></a> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Overall, the fluid art magnets have shocked me the most in how well they came out, and I love the effect that makes some of them look like planets. But that's not the only style I've used making magnets! I always like to play around with ideas, and sometimes I'm struck by inspiration (or really want to test out new supplies) and branch off.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I had some rounds that I painted over with solid colors, and after having turned some into flower magnets with some cut out paper and gold sharpie, looking at the plain yellow one reminded me of the colors used in Spongebob and it seemed like the perfect setting to paint Gary. So from there I went off making a whole Gary set! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Making these has been an incredibly fun experience. My hope is that in the coming summers, I can attend craft fairs and conventions to hopefully run a booth by myself or with other artists to send some of these to new homes. Currently, the finished ones are available to order individually or in sets. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Click<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://weearthboundstars.blogspot.com/p/available-artwork-fluid.html">here</a> </span>to view the available sets, or click on the Available Artwork- Fluid Art Magnets link on the nav bar above. The online pricing includes shipping- I use USPS flat rate boxes and while I do have my issues with USPS, they're often the only available service in areas I need to ship to, and I like having the option to provide tracking #s and signature required delivery for my customers, which costs a little extra but I like to offer it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for joining in my art journey! </span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-84947526760390742502019-03-22T07:34:00.006-04:002021-06-22T14:44:45.861-04:00Recovery & Jewelry making<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hello! <br /><br />Wow, it's been a while since I had a regular Friday posting schedule, but I'm back to it now! </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I figured I'd be gone through the holidays and come back in Spring, and it's about time for Spring and for me to start unloading all the wonderful fluid art and body jewelry I've been making.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've made canvas fluid art paintings, at least a couple dozen fluid art magnets, and a handful of velvet chokers with various finishings and clasps, and my return and process of trying to sell them now has gotten me thinking about my future making and selling art.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Business on Twitter is very hard, follower count does not really correlate to amount of people that have the funds and are ready to purchase art, so visibility and sales are nonexistent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My main plan has been to wait for summer and to sell my work in a booth at art fairs and conventions, so fingers crossed that that turns out well!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I started making the chokers and plotting out my ideas for what kind of body jewelry I wanted to do in the future, I thought of using Etsy because it's a great place to have images of what's available in a scrollable gallery rather than showing one by one in a tweet or a blog post, and has been a good platform for handmade sellers in the past. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> However, Etsy's customer service and fairness to sellers has taken a HUGE dive and I'm just not really interested in getting my hopes up to sell on Etsy only for it to fail. So, that kind of leaves me in an only-selling-to-friends-and-advertising-on-twitter limbo again. <br /><br />My idea right now is that I might make a bigcartel store page, and post that on here and on my Twitter but again, reaching people for art sales through here and on Twitter is difficult. Either nobody has money, or nobody's seeing the ads. We'll see what happens!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, while this post isn't going to be an ad or me listing what things I have finished, I want to share my excitement about jumping into a new vein of art, explain a little about why I began making chokers, and my plans for making more body jewelry in the future. Of course, with lots of pictures along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">THE CHOKERS</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I guess the best place to start is with a little background. My newish obsession with chokers and certain body jewelry springs from my wanting to be able to express myself more, and trying to shed the issues with CPTSD and identity confusion that have gotten in the way of me feeling like I could express myself with style and jewelry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love chokers, but since my teenage years I haven't been able to let anything touch the front of my neck. Every crew neck Tshirt I own is always cut, (I made this GIF recently and it's a good example except that it's a pajama shirt and very torn at this point and tore farther down the neck than I usually cut)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and I wouldn't wear necklaces any looser than my pentacle. It's been a big annoyance and trigger for me, not being able to trust people fully.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A good example of this is when I have to get my TSH levels checked for my Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease that disrupts the function of my endocrine system and basically everything else because of that. The thyroid gland is in the neck, and mine has a nodule on it which may or not be involved with my thyroid hormone levels being crazy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But this means it has to be monitored, meaning every time my doc has to massage my neck, poking around while I keep my eyes locked on my fiance's and he reminds me to breathe, and I do my best not to shake while my eyes fill up with tears that I hope the doctor doesn't notice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So as you can imagine, chokers have been a huge no-no. But with focusing on recovering and having been with my fiance for 4+ years, I've been doing a lot of work becoming more okay with certain things. Still only my fiance can touch my neck without triggering panic, but that's incredible progress compared to when we started dating and it was basically the first thing I had to warn him about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I wanted to start making chokers for myself, because being able to wear them is a big step for me but DISASTER, my neck is too small for the kind of chokers you see in stores, and if they aren't made with enough chain, I can't adjust them. So I started making my own, and then as I began to share pictures of the process of making them, my friends became really interested and started giving suggestions and making orders for customs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The process starts with me online window-shopping, just looking at all the supplies I'd need, and then in true art school educated style, I slap together an idea in MS paint and save it in a folder of designs</span>. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then is my almost favorite step, the supplies come in and I scream and do a happy dance. I don't have much space for proper storage for all my art supplies, so I have them in a box in a *somewhat* organized way. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfgUEgZFfhqNz1oPjjZ0d95734UXVmzRHgpia_f-hRMFEJv7BrmwNuNLAHRgU1cTCfajIaE1XnkuE6thc4RgeU2a00XkhKWFat42vr_bi3S3EiaXAS_FnrpXnUNg1eg9vFEgMgBrOxyY/s1600/53848965_374899663107411_2204667903435866112_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfgUEgZFfhqNz1oPjjZ0d95734UXVmzRHgpia_f-hRMFEJv7BrmwNuNLAHRgU1cTCfajIaE1XnkuE6thc4RgeU2a00XkhKWFat42vr_bi3S3EiaXAS_FnrpXnUNg1eg9vFEgMgBrOxyY/s400/53848965_374899663107411_2204667903435866112_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then I begin construction. I cut the ribbon down, because it usually comes in 3 ft lengths. Then I put on the end crimps and connect the clasps with the right kind of metal loops. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The fun thing about making things for yourself is that you can pick
exactly the finishings you want, so I did some playing around with
clasps that I liked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once the chokers are finished, I find a sunny spot and do a photo shoot of them with my dress form, Victoria. Here she is in a few of my favorite finished chokers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After I do that, it's all about packaging them away and selling them! I take into account the total cost of materials per choker, plus the $7.50 USPS flat rate shipping fee, and come to a breakeven number. Then I look online for similar handmade chokers and check what the pricing is, to make sure mine falls within a fair price range. I don't want to ask too much of anybody, but I do need to afford the cost of living. I posted them to my Twitter page and while I don't have too much hope they'll sell there, I'll be advertising them there while I prepare for art fairs & such this summer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thanks for letting me share my art making journey with you! I'll be posting about my new fluid art paintings and the magnet making process either next week or soon after that, it depends when my collab post will be ready to come out. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-19384991192169441592018-12-14T10:06:00.000-05:002020-07-25T13:06:36.899-04:00The Ultimate Christmas Tag<h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>I was tagged in this Christmas tag (created by <a href="https://www.femenish.com/blogmas-day-1-the-ultimate-christmas-tag-2018/">Femenish</a>) by <a href="http://www.foreverthewanderer.ie/the-ultimate-christmas-tag/">Anne Carty</a>. Please check out both of their posts! </b></span></span></span><br />
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<b>Rules: </b></h2>
<ul>
<li>link back to the original post (by femenish) when you have written yours and link back to the person who tagged you!</li>
<li>tag as many bloggers as you like.</li>
<li>answer the questions! If you want to you can make up your own
questions to ask the bloggers you have tagged, or you can use these
ones!</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. What is your favorite thing about Christmas?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Traditions!! Tree decorating, carol singing and playing, cookie making, present making and wrapping, it's all glorious.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Do you have any Christmas traditions you CANNOT forget about each year?</span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Otd4FsRSRBJWnXxfNnbm6d0wzra5pTJN6my5E5IcBUaMDBIAIW3BEPDbeEErNdW29LZ-UsdqRssLb5BwcOwJuToWb6z4meiXKyydQfiVhU2CPhQq2n3vB-g-iJGjVTSeRJjxWah7wGM/s1600/268x0w.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="268" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Otd4FsRSRBJWnXxfNnbm6d0wzra5pTJN6my5E5IcBUaMDBIAIW3BEPDbeEErNdW29LZ-UsdqRssLb5BwcOwJuToWb6z4meiXKyydQfiVhU2CPhQq2n3vB-g-iJGjVTSeRJjxWah7wGM/s200/268x0w.png" width="133" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Decorating the tree to Christmas tunes, making cookies, and giving handmade presents to my friends and loved ones. Since meeting my fiance, we've begun a tradition of watching the <i>Muppet Christmas Carol</i> on Christmas Eve, because in the movie one of the songs says "After all, there's only one more sleep til Christmas" and it really embodies the spirit of such a magical celebration being only a sleep away, if you can get to sleep with all the excitement.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Is there a song that just gets you into that Christmas spirit?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" because of the lovely descriptions of the holly and Christmas trees in the stores and parks, "the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow".</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. What is your favorite Christmas movie?</span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm4H4GY5qyIKKjDQ48oZpoJ7lqFKZUYH9KW4HTNOOwHVc85okmMm4qV3gbBfRdsCbRbvQAsi2rPMj7wn2sBkpODaCnnZ40Q7NBsKHWvHz5nvRrCrxHw3WGgOgG9ERHAjo5Fm2r7sG_7Y/s1600/48355044_10215928307653459_6863296986695598080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm4H4GY5qyIKKjDQ48oZpoJ7lqFKZUYH9KW4HTNOOwHVc85okmMm4qV3gbBfRdsCbRbvQAsi2rPMj7wn2sBkpODaCnnZ40Q7NBsKHWvHz5nvRrCrxHw3WGgOgG9ERHAjo5Fm2r7sG_7Y/s400/48355044_10215928307653459_6863296986695598080_n.jpg" width="223" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Rankin Bass Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Although I have some issues with it, mostly that Santa is an ableist d*ck but the claymation style of this and the age at which I watched it just solidified it as a Christmas classic for me. My favorite part is when Snowman Sam sings his classic song "Silver and Gold". It makes me feel so peaceful! I love it so much that I got a Snowman Sam collectible ornament to put on my tree, one of the only breakable ornaments I have because I try to limit things the cats can destroy. But if Snowman Sam is up there I'm protecting that tree like the Lorax- short, shouty and hairy.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />I also love when Rudolph and his friends get to the Island of Misfit Toys. I love all of the toys, but especially the pink spotted elephant. As a child I wanted to give them all a home , misfit or not.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Which food is your must-have at Christmas time?</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH3xVqJeLhKWosVP849UysQNk5vKRM1ahtZF4vfEZKsA-oy-OX2H9vsWIpYuegFDn0jbrmhjSidyb_ayTetdWANo49pS8RmzAjIFVv25jrNDV8XzaPig81ht5agV_4a-0y4WAkEk5Pb0/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH3xVqJeLhKWosVP849UysQNk5vKRM1ahtZF4vfEZKsA-oy-OX2H9vsWIpYuegFDn0jbrmhjSidyb_ayTetdWANo49pS8RmzAjIFVv25jrNDV8XzaPig81ht5agV_4a-0y4WAkEk5Pb0/s200/giphy.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">COOKIES! I have to make cookies at Christmastime. So many kinds, my mother's Scottish shortbread recipe, molasses gingerbread men, frosted cut-out sugar cookies, gingersnaps, snickerdoodles, so many delicious cookies.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On Christmas day I like to have a beef roast instead of a turkey or ham, as we've usually just had too much turkey at Thanksgiving. But the real reason it has to be roast beef is that in <i>How The Grinch Stole Christmas</i>, they have "roast beast" in their fantastic cartoon celebration with all its amazing toys and instruments, and as a kid I always wanted to have that kind of Christmas party.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. If you had to choose between Michael Buble's Christmas album and Justin Beiber's Christmas album, which one would you choose and why?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;">Michael Buble. I used to like his music a lot when I was about fourteen, because the acoustics of my shower meant I could do a (to my own standards at the time) semi decent impression of his Sinatra covers while showering.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. What is your favorite memory about Christmas?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Hmm. Most of my good holiday memories are of Thanksgiving and New Years, but one good Christmas memory I have is an early one, when I was 5 or 6 and my parents were still together. My dad had been struggling with jobs and I think that year my parents had to get our presents from the Salvation Army, where my dad was working part time. My present was a Barbie that had school clothes, a lunch box, and I think glasses or something which might have been why they got it for me. Other than the fact that I was a 6 year old girl and loved all things Barbie. But, I was also new to glasses-wearing and wasn't taking it well. I'll admit it now, I looked pretty bad in glasses up til 16 or 17 when I switched from round and oval frames to rectangles.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. When do you start decorating your place for Christmas?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The day after Thanksgiving, as soon as I can get away with it.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. If you were at Christmas Karaoke, which 5 songs would you choose to play?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, the ones I consider my favorites aren't necessarily the ones I know all the words to. I know the words to the classic carols, having caroled with my parents church and at nursing homes as a girl scout, but those ones are typically solemn and not really the karaoke mood. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I guess I might have to say Baby It's Cold Outside, as much as I don't like it. And I don't dislike it because it's rapey, I dislike it because I hate when people can't just tell one another what they mean and a society that makes stupid social games necessary. <br />Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, Jingle Bells of course, and if it's an option then the Heat Miser song from <i>The Year Without a Santa Claus</i>. The heat miser is my spirit animal, I sing his song often throughout the year and I am indeed too much.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. What are your top 4 Christmas movies?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Again, I do have to go with the Rankin Bass classics- <i>Santa Claus is Comin' to Town</i>, <i>Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer</i>, <i>The Year Without a Santa</i>, and <i>Jack Frost</i>, because they are so Christmassy and gave such wonderful songs to the theme of Christmas music that don't have to be sappy or religious. Also, I will ride or die with Rankin Bass because of the versions they made of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, long before Peter Jackson. Did you know they also produced <i>Frosty the Snowman</i>, <i>The Wind in the Willows </i>and <i>The Last Unicorn</i>?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Other ones that are very classic are things like <i>White Christmas</i> and <i>Holiday Inn</i> but they're just so intolerably cringey to watch now, with how useless and easily manipulated they portray the women. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11. What does Christmas really mean to you?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Christmas itself, Dec. 25th, I think is a good reason to spend a day with people you love and enjoying holiday traditions. As a religious holiday, I can't give it much credence. It's kind of one of those "You made this? I made this." situations that really overshadows a whole month of beautiful cultural celebrations. That's why "Happy Holidays" is my preferred greeting and isn't at all anti-Christmas, it recognizes that the month of December contains a lot of holidays. It's anti Christmas-exclusive I guess, because the fact is that lots of political and cultural systems may still run on Christian-appropriated holidays, but the people of the world don't.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12. How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">About nine, I think. My brother and I had already caught our mom putting presents in the stockings on Christmas Eve, and we got the news broken to us a little after that.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">13. What do you think makes Christmas so magical?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Winter
is the season of one of my favorite holidays, but not being religious
in terms of Christianity means my view of Christmas is one of an
outsider. I think it gives the whole month a sense of magic, and a
reason to indulge in all the things that increase that sense of
Christmas magic and nostalgia- whether it's making cookies, decorating
with lights, and hand making, wrapping and giving presents. But the
greatest part of generating those feelings with holiday traditions is
sharing it with others, which is how that holiday feeling stays so
strong when you go out and people are happy, being more generous and
sharing cheer. When you make cookies, send them to people you love.
Donate your time serving food at soup kitchens, buy or make extra toys
and donate them to toy drives, if you make hats or mittens make a few
extra for your local NICU ward. Christmas means indulging in and sharing
traditions to keep the magic alive in your own home and in your
community.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14. Share your favorite photo from a previous Christmas</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can't pick just one. Sorry! Here is a photo of our tree and decorations a few years ago in an old apartment. And then some bonus pictures of one of the best things about the holidays for me!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tag others!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Samantha @SamSpace Blog <a href="http://samspace.blog/">samspace.blog</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Victoria @Victoria Austin Blog <a href="https://victoriaaustin.co.uk/">victoriaaustin.co.uk</a> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bailey @Bailey Leah Blog <a href="http://www.baileyleah.com/">baileyleah.com</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Char @LunarChar Blog <a href="https://lunarchar.com/">lunarchar.com</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed, and have happy holidays all month, and a happy new year!</span></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-8763633615863965372018-11-30T12:42:00.000-05:002020-07-23T15:59:48.317-04:00My Pinterest Page<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ta-da!! A Pinterest page for my blog!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br />I started a Pinterest page to branch out & promote my blog and have pinnable pictures of my art put neatly together on boards. And I gotta say, they're looking awesome!!<br /><br />Also new, and you can see on the right hand side if you're in desktop mode- my new Pinterest button. Do me a favor and follow me on Pinterest, won't you? <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/weearthboundstars">pinterest.com/weearthboundstars</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I continue my blogging journey, my boards will get more numerous and interesting so please stick with me as I go!</span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because blogging is such a peer-dependent thing, I couldn't have made it to this point without inspiration from my blogging peers so I want to shoutout my fellow blogger pinspirations. Please check out what things they have pinned and give them a follow to stay up to date with new and awesome content!</span></span><br />
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Anne @ Forever the Wanderer blog- <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/foreverthewanderer">pinterest.com/foreverthewanderer</a><br />
Becca @ Becca Blogs It Out- <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/beccablogsitout/">pinterest.co.uk/beccablogsitout</a><br />
Nicole @ Navigating Darkness blog- <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/navigatingdarkness/">pinterest.com/navigatingdarkness </a><br />
Ruth @ Ruth in Revolt- <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ruthinrevolt/">pinterest.com/ruthinrevolt</a><br />
Jenny @ Jenny in Neverland- <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/jeninneverland/">pinterest.com/jeninneverland</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-72421698701339305592018-11-24T15:32:00.002-05:002018-12-13T15:29:58.232-05:00Fluid art prints<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The following prints are going to be available in postcard and sticker form! Keep an eye out for the upcoming release of my latest painting series and my 1k giveaway!</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-23702367634214162672018-11-23T10:42:00.001-05:002020-07-23T15:59:23.008-04:00My Bookshelf tag<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This week I figured it's time to show you guys my bookshelf. I have moved 10+ times including across the country in the past 5 years, so my book selection has been massively pared down from what it once was, and doesn't reflect the collection I want to have someday when I'm in a place I know I'll be for a while, and have the money. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In those years I've been reading mostly in ebook form and audiobook form through <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/">Project Gutenberg</a> and <a href="http://librivox.org/">Librivox.org</a>, both of which I *cannot* recommend enough because they are absolutely 100% free and legal, as it's all content that's in the public domain and volunteer read. There are also apps to make it more accessible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'll take you through which books are on my shelf and the stories that go with them. I'm also going to tag a few of my fellow bloggers that I think are really interesting, and I'll bet they have great collections!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWkPPBcHQ7nEgIqC70A88a3KQjtqABlHqqK62AOeYoeYExdRwBwMADVjN3gRiUFkiFNHbnUzDRntbft5rT9GiIM1QBAhF_bRnMHVoTiJf3GbbSQVaB1Q68-8aoj4VQ_9TkM2Tgy8IZoo/s1600/IMG_20181120_165039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWkPPBcHQ7nEgIqC70A88a3KQjtqABlHqqK62AOeYoeYExdRwBwMADVjN3gRiUFkiFNHbnUzDRntbft5rT9GiIM1QBAhF_bRnMHVoTiJf3GbbSQVaB1Q68-8aoj4VQ_9TkM2Tgy8IZoo/s640/IMG_20181120_165039.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My Books</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flatland , Flatterland, Sphereland (and "The Dot And The Line" which I don't have yet)</span>- my favorite series-not-series by five different authors</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 10th grade math class, I had a teacher that for the first time explained math in a way that I understood. It was after I had discovered Flatland and started reading it, and we were having a class on plotting formulas on a graph and somehow the discussion of the 4th dimension came up, and the teacher went into an explanation on how it would look to pass a 3D ball through a 2D plane. <br />He said it would look like a dot on a piece of paper getting bigger and bigger and then gradually smaller, as only one tiny slice of the ball would be in the 2D plane at the same time. Then he went on to tell us to imagine a tiny sphere appearing in our world, getting bigger and bigger and then smaller til it popped out of existence, which would be what a 4D ball would look like passing through our 3D world. My poor tiny teenage mind exploded.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Phantom Tollbooth</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoR1Avhbo-Qd28hAotYiZOrLJij2Gy6kraYkk2UUCaa14E3dXC0MRwTP-pC1774KkKBLCKrNT_31l6cchsSHGOZ61d88AozlRlPdD3xaN2QUxMl4Yg5YcoUQHqN4FTp5wph8d_A0evjQ/s1600/IMG_20181120_165400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1121" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoR1Avhbo-Qd28hAotYiZOrLJij2Gy6kraYkk2UUCaa14E3dXC0MRwTP-pC1774KkKBLCKrNT_31l6cchsSHGOZ61d88AozlRlPdD3xaN2QUxMl4Yg5YcoUQHqN4FTp5wph8d_A0evjQ/s320/IMG_20181120_165400.jpg" width="224" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love things that play with words and ideas, celebrating nonsense and forcing you to look at things in a certain way, or at least give them a second consideration. I read it as a child, and listened to its book-on-tape form on cassette in my elementary school library. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Katherine</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr9K7iB_9QNkrwH-Bh8muvIrht31Mo4MnDg4TRBZinNYzV2r9U6fpmnUiMAHyE8hTPRFavTYEWV7zlN2z3nsm2PklYsmsQ6QuS_-G2KEIiZV1cfB2xdGT58lOx4HY7uCggpCobLMaTao/s1600/IMG_20181120_165623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1085" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr9K7iB_9QNkrwH-Bh8muvIrht31Mo4MnDg4TRBZinNYzV2r9U6fpmnUiMAHyE8hTPRFavTYEWV7zlN2z3nsm2PklYsmsQ6QuS_-G2KEIiZV1cfB2xdGT58lOx4HY7uCggpCobLMaTao/s320/IMG_20181120_165623.jpg" width="216" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV9Pi1Hz0oYumGMT4KdMjquk5WlgKpRTlcQ3YnwR-EDesvvTEHoqBUwsmJpQzUvBsGzPVkJwMqH4OZM3rKUPbsO_JrvSygY-EX9hyX4juaI62cG27Unz710QCOlNW28ZfBal6zHOnXNo/s1600/IMG_20181120_165641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghV9Pi1Hz0oYumGMT4KdMjquk5WlgKpRTlcQ3YnwR-EDesvvTEHoqBUwsmJpQzUvBsGzPVkJwMqH4OZM3rKUPbsO_JrvSygY-EX9hyX4juaI62cG27Unz710QCOlNW28ZfBal6zHOnXNo/s320/IMG_20181120_165641.jpg" width="209" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This book I found at a house that was preparing for an estate sale. Most things had been packed up so what was left we were sorting through and could take home free. It's taped up at the edges and has no identifying writing on it, so I just took it on a whim. It's historical fiction that follows the life of a girl, set in the 13-1400s with rich descriptions of palaces and scenery but also deep interpersonal drama and conflict. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfXmpQsgHPqLLcSwQorEEQgtF9ybx0vKwf_9F53u10dYRv6uUkCx2Ua670Kt9N4F33-mVO0c2jeI4sjc_-damTpoJ0xeSVlBYMgl2iVdYaMItDGlEuqlB1e5kspZP_vRj8BROrNP7LQ0/s1600/IMG_20181120_165655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfXmpQsgHPqLLcSwQorEEQgtF9ybx0vKwf_9F53u10dYRv6uUkCx2Ua670Kt9N4F33-mVO0c2jeI4sjc_-damTpoJ0xeSVlBYMgl2iVdYaMItDGlEuqlB1e5kspZP_vRj8BROrNP7LQ0/s320/IMG_20181120_165655.jpg" width="271" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRobI1-yg1bCkPgYngDCQ-goXcAugL0xfH_5IUATio2ZeYI8z7YGne7pPXkz_yiTjFZbG1uurylJFgSxwzAAnY-33irw_Mi0U36ArVLgEY4Y1sfod0NmJ6mxiBTG_JgpXExVXLMDo3adA/s1600/IMG_20181120_165113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1532" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRobI1-yg1bCkPgYngDCQ-goXcAugL0xfH_5IUATio2ZeYI8z7YGne7pPXkz_yiTjFZbG1uurylJFgSxwzAAnY-33irw_Mi0U36ArVLgEY4Y1sfod0NmJ6mxiBTG_JgpXExVXLMDo3adA/s320/IMG_20181120_165113.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One Ballerina Two, Goodnight Moon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These are children's books that I feel formed my aesthetic and influence my art
style and I count as inspiration in a long-running project I haven't yet
written about, my children's book I've been illustrating very
infrequently for the past few years. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3ZYcXaR_KjiOmMYYZy3wJnFVfmXLQ-o_3eKvUoYNX-PBSgoIJ-8TBFweE7LVvk3T28cHr0eD_7lJ9LnM0R197FtSJhYsfNAqA7-cKVT1liIMWXwxgS7e-x7wmXmoAILIpCTc_NisxK0/s1600/IMG_20181120_165144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1241" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3ZYcXaR_KjiOmMYYZy3wJnFVfmXLQ-o_3eKvUoYNX-PBSgoIJ-8TBFweE7LVvk3T28cHr0eD_7lJ9LnM0R197FtSJhYsfNAqA7-cKVT1liIMWXwxgS7e-x7wmXmoAILIpCTc_NisxK0/s400/IMG_20181120_165144.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGY5as7V_zpgTetQyBA8bSZVd984I6Uwm1bCfyefe9-jzeLRsqreh6ajjUBSVcRXBPxCaclCwlXmQ8kJOzgq5PCgJTQFMSCgvbZ8U5Dp-QgGLZsRXpgKH5QVCQFsbVLsucCiiaebg81Y/s1600/IMG_20181120_165753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGY5as7V_zpgTetQyBA8bSZVd984I6Uwm1bCfyefe9-jzeLRsqreh6ajjUBSVcRXBPxCaclCwlXmQ8kJOzgq5PCgJTQFMSCgvbZ8U5Dp-QgGLZsRXpgKH5QVCQFsbVLsucCiiaebg81Y/s320/IMG_20181120_165753.jpg" width="203" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdBq8tPOahq4VJFxAI3vZjf6S_sNuPN5rwNG2OXju-8hJMZ1TaUBfV4Rg6i1X5aoCk51WnmkG-KuEnd3UXhOPRNd_WiBtA0qqjFM_XUAkXvRC_iLE2fhTb59i5CqvVlyJ6IgrroZZbxc/s1600/IMG_20181120_165736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdBq8tPOahq4VJFxAI3vZjf6S_sNuPN5rwNG2OXju-8hJMZ1TaUBfV4Rg6i1X5aoCk51WnmkG-KuEnd3UXhOPRNd_WiBtA0qqjFM_XUAkXvRC_iLE2fhTb59i5CqvVlyJ6IgrroZZbxc/s320/IMG_20181120_165736.jpg" width="244" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Next, a couple books on gardening and herbs, a book of beautiful fairy illustrations,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and a reference book to help me find specific books in my local library for a long-running mermaid/siren mythology project.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNmD5qVxyx3aroWdTYY0s5v3FvhvcS9VoUYLdyKVEXFvBQalGruhtgl3UboppjYKkmZc0i4gKzq6WO4GOrqPNKDBZFmrXJbtg7BMAJiuSBTl3JEW5lQjHyA1TLCqjgnGZ0GYO_SrE464/s1600/IMG_20181120_165741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1130" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNmD5qVxyx3aroWdTYY0s5v3FvhvcS9VoUYLdyKVEXFvBQalGruhtgl3UboppjYKkmZc0i4gKzq6WO4GOrqPNKDBZFmrXJbtg7BMAJiuSBTl3JEW5lQjHyA1TLCqjgnGZ0GYO_SrE464/s320/IMG_20181120_165741.jpg" width="224" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Moby Dick</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUP-VI6hiUgZarZFQNm4O7ZKZOMQTVm2U3tV3InRhBPASfpnd1EUMNAgnBOlt1O7KdcbAUutNg3YHcCx4r8woUj3oAtM3lfwi9JCGKBavB_RPEIwXi-0NakYWhwdoXPdn5nII0tPyUXw/s1600/IMG_20181120_171425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1051" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUP-VI6hiUgZarZFQNm4O7ZKZOMQTVm2U3tV3InRhBPASfpnd1EUMNAgnBOlt1O7KdcbAUutNg3YHcCx4r8woUj3oAtM3lfwi9JCGKBavB_RPEIwXi-0NakYWhwdoXPdn5nII0tPyUXw/s320/IMG_20181120_171425.jpg" width="209" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had started reading Moby Dick around 2009, when I began going through the classics that I felt like I should at least know the plot of, if not fully understand, before becoming "a real adult" (I'm still waiting for that, btw) but couldn't really get into it, as at the time in school for my different classes I was reading things like the Great Gatsby , 1984 and the Iliad and Odyssey in school and everything felt like forced reading. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopDlU48EMdJ4r6LXeHpDCnnN8Dzw_hRGdmJLZQ4AAk-JcouMMjwbCKSh8ts61610zFBZcuMg96zVNw9AkGD019OAHsIVtqk5Kw1xGhdynU-FppgPvpy_U367LrAMz9dEcc4qT8ZTNMO0/s1600/IMG_20181120_171444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopDlU48EMdJ4r6LXeHpDCnnN8Dzw_hRGdmJLZQ4AAk-JcouMMjwbCKSh8ts61610zFBZcuMg96zVNw9AkGD019OAHsIVtqk5Kw1xGhdynU-FppgPvpy_U367LrAMz9dEcc4qT8ZTNMO0/s320/IMG_20181120_171444.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was a few years later that I was at my dad's house on a Sunday and something on the History channel was playing in the background as I surfed the web and it was going over an account of a <span style="font-family: inherit;">shipwreck, and referenced a passage from Moby Dick to illustrate a storm at sea, and the passage stopped me in my tracks to listen and gave me goosebumps, so I had to buy a copy. This is my one gilded book and the one book that I've treated myself to a nice copy of and spent a little money on, which is why when I'm not reading it, it's not on my shelf and is actually in a safe in two waterproof bags, with things like passports and important photos.</span></span><br />
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The Little'uns</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Prophet, given to me by a friend</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My fiance's copy of The Perks of Being a Wallflower</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A book of poetry by a personal inspiration of mine, Jane Kenyon, and the pre-publishing copy of my own book of poetry- soon to be released! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My only DVD, in my possession since ~2008 and very reflective of my teenage obsession with Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My all time faves that I currently don't have copies of and things from my Thriftbooks wishlist-</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Basically everything by J. R. R. Tolkien, all the Oz books, The Dot and the Line, Madeline and the subsequent Madeline books, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, all illustrated Winnie the Pooh stories, a few books on the Waldorf teaching methods, Bread Overhead and The Wanderer by Fritz Leiber, and Monet's Years at Giverny : Beyond Impressionism</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tagging Rules </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Share your book collection (if you have a ton, just share the ones you feel explain a little bit about yourself, your interests, and your background) and part or all of your wishlist, then tag friends you'd like to see do this post!</span><br /><br />I tag -</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;">Amy weston</span></span>- bl0g- <a href="http://amywriteslife.com/">amywriteslife.com</a> vlog channel- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnE4GD03M4dJt294Lgs8bjA/featured">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnE4GD03M4dJt294Lgs8bjA/featured</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Anne Carty</span>- blog- <a href="http://www.foreverthewanderer.ie/">foreverthewanderer.ie</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Ruth Skelley</span>- blog- <a href="https://www.therollingtwenties.com/">therollingtwenties.com</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-69376984815291679002018-11-16T11:01:00.021-05:002021-06-22T14:43:52.935-04:00The Boyfriend Tag<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First of all, thank you to Anne at <a href="http://www.foreverthewanderer.ie/wp/">Forever the Wanderer blog</a> for the tag! This looks like a fun one. You are given questions to answer by the person you are tagged by, and you have your boyfriend/partner answer them! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have some memory problems from being in hospital, however, and he's got a shoddy memory so there may be lots of ummmmms and errrrrs along the way. <br /><br />*Note- I have changed the text color in this post at least ten times and <i>cannot</i> get it to stay the way I set it, so I apologize for the odd text color changes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">The Boyfriend Tag</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Where did we meet? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"We met first in the parking lot at your old apartment. Well, we met online first.</span></span><i><b>"</b></i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i>That's right! I wasn't into the idea of online dating but a friend who had recently reconnected with an old love after a really traumatic relationship convinced me to give it a try so I did. I didn't hit it off with anybody or even accept a date from the people I matched with until we matched and I realized we only lived 45 minutes away, and he had gone to the same school as my half brother so we might know some of the same people.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Where was our first date?</i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;">"<span style="color: black;">It was that Mexican place, right? Or was it the 99? It was after you got your blue dress, I think."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: black;">I thought it was Fridays, and it was the black dress? I don't remember either! 😅 But I know we took a cab there because neither of us had a car yet. There's few options in a small town!</span></i></span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What was your first impression of me?</i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: white;">"She's just as pretty as I thought she would be."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span><span><i>MAD blushing right now. </i></span></span></span></span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>When did you meet my family? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: white;">"When we went out to dinner with your dad, and (Sister's name), and (BIL's name) and all the kiddies that I definitely know all the names of."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i>😂 There are seven nieces and nephews to remember, I don't expect him to remember them all. To be completely honest I can't remember if he has 7 or 8, but I know there's another on the way so god help us both in remembering all of that!</i></span></span></span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Do I have any weird obsessions? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: white;">"Why do these 'Most Compelling Police Interrogations" keep showing up in my recommendations?"</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></span></span>
<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><i>I'm often susceptible to clickbait. What can I say? I'm human.</i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>How long have we been together? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">"Four years and seventeen days."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: black;">Um. Okay.... Mr. Exact Numbers. It helps that we just had our anniversary last month.</span></i></span><b><i> </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Do we have any traditions?</i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: white;">"Eh."</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i>I'd have to agree, honestly. We used to order in Chinese from a specific place every other Friday on pay day, but we don't have any holiday traditions yet or anything. </i></span></span></span><b><i> </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Where was our first holiday?</i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">"I guess our first was going to see Ingrid 2 years ago when we were in Portland. That was awesome."<br /><br /><br /><i>It was soooooo awesome. We stayed in a hotel connected to the theater that had a heated salt water pool, so after going out to eat and seeing one of my real life heroes, Ingrid Michaelson, we came back to the hotel and relaxed in the pool. I'd worn heels which I do rarely, and my poor feet were so sore! But I didn't care, we'd just seen my hero in concert for the first time ever. I can't wait to see her for Christmas this year!!! Ingrid + Christmas, two of the best things on Earth colliding.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What was the first thing you noticed about me? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i> </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: white;">"Well, first I thought you were cute. Then I opened your profile and saw the pictures of you and your guitar, and you and Roscoe (<i>my father's dog</i>), and I thought you were nice. Then I saw we liked all the same stuff, the Princess Bride and Doctor Who and all that."</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: black;">It's true what they say about dogs. They ARE babe magnets! I'm glad I put my interests on my page now, because mutual interests are what really sparked our relationship and getting to know eachother. Once we discovered our mutual love for Josh Ritter, we were sold on one another.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What is my favorite restaurant?</i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">"You always just want to go to Applebees! It's because they have french onion soup, I know." </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: black;">It's true, unless I have a specific place in mind I wanted to try. We moved closer to the city this year and have been trying out fun little places, but Applebees always has 2 for $20 deals if I know I want steak and potatoes, and their peach mint sangria is one of my favorite drinks. </span></i></span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What do we argue about the most? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: white;">"Money."</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: black;">Ugh, true. And the situations money puts us in, and the situations that lead to us not having enough money. e_e</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"> </span></i></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Who wears the trousers in the relationship? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: white;">"You do, one hundred percent."</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Eh..</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>If I’m watching tv, what am I watching? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">"If you're watching anything it's on YouTube and it's games and commentary."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>That's true. We've never had cable and only have a TV to cast shows, movies, and streams onto.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What is one food I don’t like?</i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">"You don't like maraschino cherries. And almond flavor."<i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br />That's the fake cherry flavor!!! Real cherries are delicious and amazing. Fake cherry is made from almond flavor which I hate. Disaronno can get the hell out of my face, I will barf. <br />Pro tip to parents- don't drug your children on flights to keep them quiet. It'll put them off cherry flavor for life, and maybe also they needed ear surgery and weren't just fussy. End rant.</i></span></span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What drink do I order if we go out? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">"Usually one of those fruit lemonades, or a Sprite. You like those muddled peach drinks at Applebees too."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>He knows me too well. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What size are my feet? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: white;">"Nine."</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: black;">WRONG. Nine and a half. I have long ugly Gollum feet and nines pinch. </span></i><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What is my favorite kind of sandwich?</i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">"BLT with mayo and pickles."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><br /><br />😍😍😍 <i>I want to marry this man. Oh wait, I'm going to.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What is one talent that I have? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">"You're really good at knitting."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><b><i> </i></b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;">😊<i> <span style="color: black;">That feels nice to hear.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"> </span></i></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What is my favorite cereal?</i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;">"I don't know. Sometimes you like oat cluster things."</span><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: black;">Yeah, we don't eat a lot of cereal. Sometimes granola with yogurt. We're both lactose intolerant so if we buy lactose free milk, we usually save it for cooking and for putting in coffee and tea. But if I do eat cereal, I like Frosted Flakes. </span></i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: black;"> </span></i></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Where was our first kiss? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">"At your apartment, on that grey couch."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: black;">It was the first time I felt a spark. It made sense what people had been talking about. I've never been a super fan of kissing, putting your slobber on someone else's... but this time I was like oh! That's what the spark is!</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: black;"> </span></i></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What color are my eyes?</i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"One blue, one green."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: black;">Yes! Well, sort of. Blue and then one has a blob of yellow. Sectoral heterochromia, woo!</span></i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What is something you do that I wish you wouldn’t? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">"Yell at video games."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Yep. Scares the shit out of the cats, too.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What kind of cake would you bake me for my birthday? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;">"Probably a lemon cake. "</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mmm, I love cakes that have fruit in them. Like vanilla cake with a layer of raspberry jam, mmmmm.<br /></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></i></span></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>What can I spend hours doing? </i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i> </i></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Fawning over the kitties, definitely. Or knitting."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><i>He makes me sound like a crazy cat lady... but he's not wrong. </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><i> </i></span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>If I could live anywhere where would it be?</i></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> </b>
"Scotland."</span></span><br />
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<span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>100% spot on. I daydream of running a B&B in the Northwest of Scotland.</i></span></span><br />
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<span>And now we get to the part of this tag I'm not sure about. As my interests & audience include a lot of LGBTQ areas, I found it hard to tag anyone because it feels sort of unfair to single out certain peers or followers to tag because of their relationship. Maybe if I were also tagged in LGBTQ related and/or aro related tags I would feel better about including more people, but as it is I think for the first time I may not pass on this tag.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-6904318981803818002018-11-05T00:07:00.001-05:002020-07-23T16:00:07.184-04:00Sunshine Blogger Award<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHJ6nWCfh0T7lk9btufPqrGqIcWiC71Tv_kLoBdDiIkW4ifDPD-N6MV1RpEs_Vhv9NroDdFbHLNWVZET5XCoYRNAyj6Cnmgla6zvyDRHRDQJBuBQKgtk5LcMVOf2w_j3XOkPzAjGX0C8/s1600/sunshine-blogger-award2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="359" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHJ6nWCfh0T7lk9btufPqrGqIcWiC71Tv_kLoBdDiIkW4ifDPD-N6MV1RpEs_Vhv9NroDdFbHLNWVZET5XCoYRNAyj6Cnmgla6zvyDRHRDQJBuBQKgtk5LcMVOf2w_j3XOkPzAjGX0C8/s400/sunshine-blogger-award2018.png" width="400" /></a> </div>
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I've been nominated for this post by a lovely blogger over at <a href="http://ourchaoticmess.com/">Our Chaotic Mess</a>, which I'm very thankful for!! I love these questions and especially the Octobery questions which are perfect for summing up October and heading into November!<br />
Read her answers to the questions she was given (they're different for every post) and see who she nominated besides yours truly <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://ourchaoticmess.com/2018/11/01/sunshine-blogger-award-say-what/">HERE.</a></span> </div>
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Sunshine Blogger Rules</h2>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to the original post!</li>
<li>Answer the 11 questions they’ve asked you.</li>
<li>Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 questions.</li>
<li>HAVE FUN!</li>
</ol>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. What made you start blogging?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I started blogging originally in 2009, as a place to share train-of-thought posts and some exposition. I left it for a while after writing on there for a few years, and started this blog in 2016 as a place to share my poetry and artwork. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. What post of yours do you wish had received more attention? </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hmm. This one is a hard one for me, because having only recently implemented a posting schedule, most of the post that didn't get as many views are my fault- at the time of posting them they weren't on a schedule and being shared on my social media with relevant tags and post labels.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That said, I do wish my post about my photography portfolio picks had gotten and would get more attention, because so often in conversation or in feedback I'll hear "Do you do photography as well?" or "Oh, I didn't know you liked to take pictures!" and I feel I must be misrepresenting myself somehow. (<a href="https://weearthboundstars.blogspot.com/2018/08/my-photo-picks.html">HERE </a>is a shameless plug to that post) </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">3. What is your go to Fall recipe?</span> </span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy9tBCEEKa5niASoVXbGm5zyrOY9r2rgEctMsVgZ6wTZq7hnSeimOa9KDBXWYl4mZuU6JSQihSASYD5eftK-OjnPhMw0eD8PJbH3AnlZKGN6UZK9jnKBfE3QG7WdJ74EpoacR3lE0fNo/s1600/IMG_20181101_125742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy9tBCEEKa5niASoVXbGm5zyrOY9r2rgEctMsVgZ6wTZq7hnSeimOa9KDBXWYl4mZuU6JSQihSASYD5eftK-OjnPhMw0eD8PJbH3AnlZKGN6UZK9jnKBfE3QG7WdJ74EpoacR3lE0fNo/s400/IMG_20181101_125742.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pumpkin bread! Would you like it? (U.S. measurements only, sorry!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This recipe is from before I started on the Autoimmune Protocol diet, so it's not as health-forward as the recipes I usually use and share these days. I do also have a pumpkin carrot cake muffin recipe that's fully paleo and is really yummy and Autumnal, because it uses shredded apples. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. </span>What would you ask for if the answer was a guaranteed yes?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">I think it would have to depend on who I was asking! I like to think this question is like a magic 8 ball that I know will answer yes, so my question will be "Will I sell every one of the paintings in my next series to raise money for my book?" </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. What is one tip you have for promoting your blog/content?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">The right hashtags, tagged promoters, and post labels! Using the right hashtags will not only promote your post to the users that follow those specific hashtags, but it will also allow the algorithm that directs posts to people who have already expressed interest in reading certain topics. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tagging the right promoters will allow your post to reach a wider audience as like-minded accounts share your post to an audience different to yours but interested in similar things, and so on until your content is reaching people who usually wouldn't seek it out but are interested enough to click. Isn't social media cool that way? It just has to be harnessed properly (I will soon be writing about why Comcast's "I voted... for you!" ads for sharing political ads based on viewing preference is a heinous misrepresentation of the Democratic voting system) . </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">6. </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Where do you blog from? (office, couch, bed, etc)</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I blog from my desk in our living room/office. We have a long desk that has my fiance's computer at one end, mine at the other, and our printer and router in between. My chair being at the end of the desk allows me to have a little nook in the corner where I hang my calendar and will have a bulletin board up to keep track of my projects. <br />It's also very PTSD-typical, it's in the corner furthest from and facing the two doors, between the windows and not in front, and with my monitor facing away from the rest of the room. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What is one thing about you that surprises people?</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think what surprises people about me often is how odd I am once opening up. It's not that I hide who I am, but I don't go controversial opinion- forward. The thing about embracing your individuality is that it won't always be celebrated by others- you have to find a community you feel safe expressing yourself in. So, there are places I open up easily- LGBTQ groups, Unitarian Universalist churches, around other artists. But usually, within the limits of being true to myself (I will stick up for what I believe in), I keep rather quiet and gauge the people and the situations before expressing my opinions. It comes of growing up in a small town, in conservative communities, and hearing people with similar views as myself vilified.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">8. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What are three of your highlights from October?</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think, oddly, Blogtober was definitely a highlight although I didn't meet the goal I set for posting and reviewing every day. I got to write about a lot of my favorites in the spooky genre, and see some new things that I had been planning on and putting off. On top of that, I was nominated in some really fun blogger tags that were a highlight of the month, and taught me a little more about my fellow bloggers. And then there's the paintings I've been creating this month, surprising me with what they turn into. Those have definitely been the highlights of my October.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">9. Who’s your favorite blogger and how did you discover them?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh boy, I think this question may be a bit of a problem for me. As I go on blogging and interacting with other bloggers, I meet so many other inspiring individuals that, come Friday, I have tons more amazing bloggers that I want to promote that my Follow Friday threads are going to be ten tweets long. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Soooo I think I will cop out and mention a blogger that inspired me to blog and go to school for photography back in my early days, a photography blogger out of Seattle, WA named Jamie Spiro. I'm not sure if they are even blogging still, but I remember when I started, and Blogspot was basically the interactive platform that Wordpress is now, I got a lot of inspiration from them and seeing the lifestyle of photojournalism. The platform aspect is gone from using Blogspot now, but the "next blog" button is still there and, if I recall correctly, it's how I discovered their blog while looking for similar topics using Blogspot and (showing my age?) Stumbleupon.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">10. How do you wind down after a long week?</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although I don't work a regular 9-5 job with weekends off, I do still try and treat the weekends differently. My regular posting day is Fridays, with other posts coming in on Mondays and Tuesdays if there's extra content for that week. So, once the weekend hits I've already posted what I need to and just need to share it periodically throughout the weekend.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On an ideal weekend, Saturday is cleaning day (vacuuming, refill the cat box, etc.) and then Sunday I'll relax and have a self-care day. Now that services are at the usual times (summer service starts too early for me to get a ride), I'll go to church at my local UU church in the mornings and the atmosphere of a sermon on charity, brotherhood, or whatever moral topic it is that week and singing with a community make me feel like I'm feeding my soul.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">UU churches are a great place for people like me, who would rather be the friend that listens quietly than be the center of attention. I can sit in a cozy chair and listen as people talk about their families, humanist values, the books they've been reading, or whatever and just knit and chime in if asked a question. I also get a lot of spiritual healing and connection by going to groups on other faiths- one of my favorite things about UU churches. The one in my hometown often had buddhist meditation nights, regular Native American healing circles, and Pagan groups that met on the greater and minor Pagan holidays.<br />When I get home, I like to have a longer shower than just washing, exfoliating, and rinsing. I'll spend extra time with the conditioner in, using a face mask or maybe a new lip scrub. Afterwards I feel nourished and glowy!</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">11. If you could create your own blogging tag what would it be?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;">After getting started on this blog and getting used to promoting it on various social media, I've used the tag #artblog hashtag probably the most, but it's a very quiet theme online still. I feel it's a perfect description of what I do, tying in my art to the other parts of my life and explaining how it's all connected, and it's also the type of blog that I'd love to immerse myself in and follow a lot more of.</span> <span style="color: black;">So.. I guess I would make a hashtag-tag? The questions would be about how art ties into the rest of one's life- What famous artists inspired you when you were younger? Are there any songs come to mind in stressful situations that calm you down? Basically questions recognizing the wide array of what is art and how it affects different parts of our everyday life.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
My Questions</h2>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I want to highlight the sunshine in the blogger community. There's so
much support for one another and belief in one another's content. I
think we all understand what it's like to go through chaos, whether it's
physical or mental illness, traumatic events, loss- it makes us all so
much more supportive of one another. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We know how strong you have
to be to make it in this world, and we're willing to help our friends be
strong and step in and fight for our friends when they're not. That, to
me, is the brightest light you can shine on other people</span>.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">1. Are there any posts you've done that you otherwise would have scrapped, were it not for the words of other bloggers or followers?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">2. What bloggers do you see as your role models?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br />3. What new, up-and-coming bloggers do you think deserve more attention?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">4. Have you surprised yourself with anything in your course of blogging?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">5. What self-care tips have you gotten from other bloggers?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">6. What topics are you excited to write about in the coming months?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">7. Are there any collaborations you dream of doing?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">8. What are your favorite blog niches/topics?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">9. Is there a topic outside of your norm/comfort zone that you'd ever want to attempt writing about?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">10. What tips would you give others about embracing your personal blogging style?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">11. Did you have fun doing this tag and are you excited about coming up with your own questions and tagging others to answer them?</span></b><br />
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I nominate<br />
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@ItsNicoleCarman <a href="http://navigatingdarkness.com/">NavigatingDarkness.com</a><br />
@TGirlWhoWrites <a href="http://thegirlwhowrites.co.uk/">thegirlwhowrites.co.uk </a><br />
@the_rolling_20s <a href="http://therollingtwenties.com/">therollingtwenties.com</a><br />
@foreverwander12 <a href="http://foreverthewanderer.ie/wp">foreverthewanderer.ie/wp</a><br />
@BeccaBlogsItOut <a href="http://beccablogsitout.com/">beccablogsitout.com</a><br />
@navig8happiness <a href="http://navigationtohappiness.com/">navigationtohappiness.com</a><br />
@medbus97 <a href="http://nadimame.wordpress.com/">nadimame.wordpress.com</a><br />
@BlanketFortBlog <a href="http://onlineblanketfort.com/">onlineblanketfort.com</a><br />
@amywriteslife <a href="http://amywriteslife.com/">amywriteslife.com</a><br />
@gpw_ria <a href="http://gettingpersonalwithr.co.uk/">gettingpersonalwithr.co.uk</a><br />
@samcomparone <a href="http://samspace1.wordpress.com/">samspace1.wordpress.com</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0SCZFFu3JJtBq96tjm2Eed9WSG8CefFpJoB-pgUteglDKpR2hnW33wY8miunWQ7jElN0ZmCMTO7JxXh17HFPHxTbJebPkEvOjiaEHYWgLQMpTqp3XhQKmFsC0lR5TZm5DkMeRuXvw-k/s1600/printlogo2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="124" data-original-width="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0SCZFFu3JJtBq96tjm2Eed9WSG8CefFpJoB-pgUteglDKpR2hnW33wY8miunWQ7jElN0ZmCMTO7JxXh17HFPHxTbJebPkEvOjiaEHYWgLQMpTqp3XhQKmFsC0lR5TZm5DkMeRuXvw-k/s1600/printlogo2.png" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-45391762456747377532018-11-02T00:16:00.000-04:002020-07-23T16:00:15.781-04:00Book Review<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let's talk about poetry, shall we? It's a topic that's been more active in my life lately, a change from writing one down a few times a year as they come to me. Isn't it funny how things come to you once you start thinking about them more?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Recently a fantastic young writer named Marlo Smith reached out to me about potentially reviewing a book of poems and I'm so glad about that, because this is exactly the type of writing I enjoy the most. Situations, time, and perhaps even fate bring people together who understand one another's experiences and I feel like the universe dropped this super meaningful book of poetry into my lap just at the right time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The book is called <i style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Drugs Are Cheaper Than Therapy</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> and can be found in print and e-book form. The author can also be found here on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/Livingggg_/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Instagram</span></a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> Click on the images below or the links here to check it out!</span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">buy from: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drugs-Are-Cheaper-Than-Therapy/dp/1729177859/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780578407852">B & N</a></span></span>
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<a 1="" dp="" href-="" href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" https:="" ref="tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" rugs-are-cheaper-than-therapy="" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target=" _blank imageanchor=" www.amazon.com=""><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="253" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmfT5CMDDssA2wfNse7S2lG180D_CzX3vsCuLGzPckjOUFt4dvzNgefDrm0IgNq_TgKo0RgybSUXtHOfsukyIlFVZxhksBNS9oFH2FQ0y9RObV6VxbUfA_DkhJPI40ucX_DZ6B-fc08Y/s400/Capture.PNG" width="251" /></a><a 1="" drugs-are-cheaper-than-therapy-marlo-smith="" ean="9780578407852" href-="" href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" https:="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target=" _blank imageanchor=" w="" www.barnesandnoble.com=""><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="334" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlbUNStsFBGJLs0KQIJeqW2rBgbfXD-r7f3HO3lAbuxCzEncJ7wHkh6SDw7K-npRNb4J_x9O0ws5SbHxsqk7_dYIt_09A4Ib3Vy6Ss_ilFaMApqTHFsmhMbGi9vWJsRYUmUItNxZsjds/s400/bn.PNG" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Every now and then, for everyone and especially those of us dealing with mental health issues, it's vital to have your perspective checked, seeing a situation in a different way, and being able to relate to someone else's experience. For me, when it comes to the darkness of mental illness, it's important to keep a small level of mindfulness as you make your way through to brighter days instead of just trudging along with blinders on. There is beauty in how an artistic soul can put their experience into words, art, and music, even though it came from an unhappy source. There's a beauty in being able to put it down on paper and into the world, letting go of what feels like a secret, and being able to look back on it later and be happy at how far you've come.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I was about seventeen when I realized making art to deal with the dark emotions and experiences I was having was what really got me to produce amazing art, and it allowed me to look at my struggles in a different way. Not as positive experiences, but valuable as experiences and beautiful in their own way. What really helped me in this, and what <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Drugs Are Cheaper Than Therapy</i></span></span> strongly reminded me of in a beautiful way, was reading <i>The Darkest Garden</i> by Michael G. Stone. It was sent to me as an early PDF copy by the author in an email. At the time my depression was preventing me from doing things I loved, namely reading as much and being able to concentrate, but having the book in digital form meant that I could open it up again on my laptop every now and then while browsing when I felt particularly miserable and read bits at a time that gave me incredible perspective.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Reading this now, six years later, I'm again connected to that point where I can gain perspective and be awed by how usually negative and stigmatic topics can be sculpted into such beautiful poems. The writing in this book touches on raw and powerful subjects like depression, love, loss and prejudice in a way that makes you feel as though the writer is speaking directly to you, not just thoughts on a page. It's an incredibly powerful message and really my favorite kind of poetry.</span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I wanna find time in the day to appreciate the sky<br />But looking up as the clouds move makes me jealous<br />I want to be that free<br />And flow that easy..." </span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> It's not just the content of the poems that I love, it's also the placement of the poems on the page, shorter poems put together on the same page but on opposite sides, facing one another and complementary. The progression of the book tells a story, not in a direct timeline but with all the poems invoking the same emotions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> If you enjoy poetry and books of guaranteed thought-provoking and powerfully emotive moments, I really suggest you pick up a copy of this book. The fantastic thing about books of poems is that they aren't meant to be consumed in one sitting. Having a book of moments encapsulated in a few paragraphs means a journey taken in small steps- a few poems read by a window on a rainy afternoon and pausing to reflect while watching the rain, another read on the train or bus home and causing you to look up and consider the people around you, how different their thoughts may be. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Unlike fiction or fantasy genres, a book of poems tells a story by giving you small snapshots of one thing- whether it's a lifespan, an emotion, a secret, a season. It forces you to read and process the book differently, and as we know, going out of your comfort zone a little is good for personal growth.<br />I find often that reading poetry gives me perspective, either knowing that I'm not the only one thinking along an unusual train of thought, or in contrast knowing other people see things differently and will have different ideas and answers. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on this book! Thanks for reading.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0SCZFFu3JJtBq96tjm2Eed9WSG8CefFpJoB-pgUteglDKpR2hnW33wY8miunWQ7jElN0ZmCMTO7JxXh17HFPHxTbJebPkEvOjiaEHYWgLQMpTqp3XhQKmFsC0lR5TZm5DkMeRuXvw-k/s1600/printlogo2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="124" data-original-width="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0SCZFFu3JJtBq96tjm2Eed9WSG8CefFpJoB-pgUteglDKpR2hnW33wY8miunWQ7jElN0ZmCMTO7JxXh17HFPHxTbJebPkEvOjiaEHYWgLQMpTqp3XhQKmFsC0lR5TZm5DkMeRuXvw-k/s1600/printlogo2.png" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-89252263723290019702018-10-28T02:35:00.014-04:002021-06-22T14:39:30.946-04:00Blogger Tag: 10 unusual things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TJxHYJtnNCTOr-UHMSRLZPvAA5SZZOjATfG3p69nM5izHZmtCtPOQ6zWlSjTawNLRS2F_Ob2Z2FNzBI88e93Psvn2oDCgykKlaxw11TObeK0Skf3aKX2Dvq2YgomLQbZskeh9Aln5aM/s1600/IMG_1749.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TJxHYJtnNCTOr-UHMSRLZPvAA5SZZOjATfG3p69nM5izHZmtCtPOQ6zWlSjTawNLRS2F_Ob2Z2FNzBI88e93Psvn2oDCgykKlaxw11TObeK0Skf3aKX2Dvq2YgomLQbZskeh9Aln5aM/s640/IMG_1749.png" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I'll be doing the 10 Unusual Things About me tag! I was tagged tagged by Anne Carty, whose post on it can be found </span><a href="http://www.foreverthewanderer.ie/wp/15-10-18-10-unusual-things-about-me-tag"><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">here</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and by Ruth Skelley, whose post can be found </span><a href="https://www.therollingtwenties.com/2018/10/ten-unusual-facts-about-me.html"><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">here</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. I really enjoyed reading their answers and seeing the unusual facets of my friends and fellow bloggers that I didn't know about and sometimes wouldn't expect!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br />Here are mine: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">No. 1- different colored eyes</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is called sectorial heterochromia iridium. It made me feel weird as a child and it's not really nice embracing something that people's first reaction is "Oh, like a dog?" (although it was better than "four eyes") </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But over the years I've learned to accept that it makes me unique and special, which is why I'm considering it one of my nicest qualities and putting it first! Although I still mostly see it referenced talking about David Bowie (not heterochromia) and animals. So I'm still in competition with white cats and sled dogs :/</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My eyes often pass as blue but are sometimes more pronounced depending on what color I'm wearing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It usually doesn't photograph well but I once during my career of having better cameras I managed to catch a pretty high res picture of the coloration- but it's a gooby-eyed picture that freaks me out a little to look at.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">No. 2- I knit like a grandma</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Okay, so this one is partly because it was my grandma taught me how to knit and sew when I was little, but also largely because I'm a huge fidget and I discovered a while ago that knitting allowed me to fidget while also feeling productive and I could end up with wearable things after.<br /><br />Over the years I've gotten better at it and it's become a big hobby of mine and although it feels a little vain to say, I've gotten good at some things and I get compliments from older ladies when I'm seen knitting in waiting rooms and things like that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">No. 3- Too many hobbies</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After starting to go to school for photography and then painting, I didn't jump into a specific art career so I've spent the last few years trying avariety of hobbies- linoleum stamping, fluid pouring, knit and crochet, digital illustration, abstract art, portrait drawing, card making, sewing. This means my apartment is full of all sorts of odd things at any given time (but somehow I always end up having to run out for something).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">No. 3- Graduating in a barn</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yep, I graduated in a barn where the town/state holds horse & tractor pulls (an event where horses and heavy machinery compete to drag concrete blocks across the floor).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">No. 4- Country Roads</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I grew up on dirt road with stone walls across from a field that used to be a sheep farm. There was a gate that at one point latched closed into a hole drilled into a big rock beside it that my brother told me a snake lived in that would bite my finger if I poked one in there so I never dared to.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">No. 5- My Autoimmune disease</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been taking artificial thyroid hormones for poor thyroid function since the age of 7 (along with both my parents and my brother having low thyroid function as well) and when I was 17 I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune disease that affects endocrine function. Because the endocrine system regulates the hormones that the body uses for mood stabilizing, temperature control, skin and hair health and much more, my Hashimoto's affects other areas of my health and causes me to rely on an often-changing regimen of daily medication for my whole life. This past year I began the process of controlling my autoimmune disease through diet & exercise and started on the Autoimmune Protocol diet, and working with a nutritionist. But it's a long process, and I will still need to take my thyroid meds and specific supplements to avoid vitamin deficiency, especially as winter approaches.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The meds I have to take. This selection is actually pared down from the 9 I had to take daily in the past few years.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">No. 6- My Travels</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am always amazed and at least a little jealous when I visit travel blogs and see my fellow bloggers write about their adult travels, because I have never been financially stable enough to do that sort of traveling on my own.<br />I have traveled to 26 states and to UK and Mexico, but not through having a lot of money or independence (though I have been privileged in my life and don't deny where I have benefited from it). Growing up, I went on many road trips and was able to travel through church missionary aid, family friends living abroad, getting bumped on flights, and trips my mother was able to take us on. A little while after my parents got divorced and we didn't have a place to live, my great aunt died and left my mom some money in stocks, which she was able to use the to buy us a house and take us on a few trips, which is how we began getting double-bumped and being offered free travel vouchers. Because of this, we were able to go to the Grand Canyon, Disney World, and San Diego. So, by the time I was a teenager I had been on many planes and had 2 passports, which I still have and giggle at my silly younger faces.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apaxtla, Mexico 2005</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">No. 7- Frission</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Frission is the ASMR-like response to strong emotional stimuli that causes tingling sensations and goosebumps down the base of the neck and the arms, and in some people the legs, and causes the hair to stand up on end.<br />For me it's always been from music and a big part of why specific songs mean so much to me, but recently also happens when writing poetry or reading a particularly awe-inspiring piece of writing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">No. 8- Cat Ladyship</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This one's not so unusual, especially if you've met me and seen my personality and discovered my love for cats and mostly useless store of cat trivia. <br />I've always adopted cats, the ones I had growing up were either re-homed from neighbors and friends whose cats had kittens, or rescued from somewhere (in my case from beneath the woodshed where they had been stashed but mumma cat hadn't come back to in a while... there were fisher cats and coyotes around <span style="font-size: large;">😢</span>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Both of the cats I have now are adopted, and my fiance and I didn't know what color they were before picking them up. After seeing the first one in person, I laughed and said it figured that a heathen like me would end up with a black cat, and when we arrived to pick up the second one and it was a little black kitten we just embraced it and became the black cat family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">No. 9- My love for cacti/cactuses/cactopodes</span> <span style="font-size: large;">😝</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've always loved the warm atmosphere of a sun room, and I think this stems from spending time at my grandparents' house when I was a child. They had a big garden and sunny windowsills lined with different types of cacti and houseplants, and a sun porch with comfy 80s patterned chairs and a wicker basket of picture books- some nursery rhymes and some books of wildlife photography. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have a love for all cacti, hope to one day have a succulent garden with cacti of every color of the rainbow, and desperately want to visit the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">No. 10- The Pink Glasses</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_GrpdVZcZy7Q9XbwmownzXd3g5UuQOc3lNDmSO-cpp24NE6V99RQ7Bcga8nOy-bQ5IVZNFg6FVp5yTrtfmMnwABzKnzOq5nQrzIrRD1bdM0R5uKZuubN7fPFPhy5TrNL7eOQBt0a3Yo/s1600/14997252_10209699168488873_83628999_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="195" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_GrpdVZcZy7Q9XbwmownzXd3g5UuQOc3lNDmSO-cpp24NE6V99RQ7Bcga8nOy-bQ5IVZNFg6FVp5yTrtfmMnwABzKnzOq5nQrzIrRD1bdM0R5uKZuubN7fPFPhy5TrNL7eOQBt0a3Yo/s320/14997252_10209699168488873_83628999_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Although I do look absolutely awesome in these, the pink glasses not just a style choice. They're for blocking out some of the light for migraines that trigger photosensitivity. While these are just sunglasses frames with the heaviest tinting option and UV/polarizing coating (Thanks Zenni!) there are some places you can get red tinted lenses specifically for migraine photosensitivity. Here are two links on the topic<br /><u style="color: #0000ee; text-align: center;">https://www.theraspecs.com/blog/tinted-glasses-for-migraines-research-shows-fl41-tint-is-better</u></span><br />
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">https://www.axonoptics.com/</span></u></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Who's Next?</span><br />
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I ta<span style="background-color: white;">g these amazing bloggers to share 10 unusual things about themselves!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://thepatchworkfox.com/">thepatchworkfox.com</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a class="u-textUserColor" href="https://t.co/UIANaeE39T" rel="me nofollow noopener" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="http://nicoleeloise.wordpress.com">nicoleeloise.wordpress.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://imogenchloe.co.uk/">imogenchloe.co.uk</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a class="u-textUserColor" href="https://t.co/UoZL089pik" rel="me nofollow noopener" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: currentcolor none 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.ellieslittleworld.com">ellieslittleworld.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://navigatingdarkness.com/">NavigatingDarkness.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a class="u-textUserColor" href="https://t.co/3ZekCwlX5R" rel="me nofollow noopener" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="http://www.prettystyleofliving.wordpress.com">prettystyleofliving.wordpress.com</a></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-26705923893597104182018-10-27T10:58:00.000-04:002020-07-23T16:01:18.206-04:00Blogtober: A Summary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As we near the end of October, I want to sum up my participation in Blogtober and explain why I didn't complete my goal of reviewing spooky themed movies, TV specials, and animated shorts every day throughout October.<br />
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As this blog also covers mental health topics, I hope you readers will understand or at least sympathize with my reasons for stopping early, and why I don't feel that bad about it. Because it's life, some stressful events happened, and with juggling appointments after breaking my foot it was hard to squeeze in time for watching full movies, and then the process of drafting my posts, editing, setting up the pictures. I thought being down one foot temporarily would be a good reason to focus on Blogtober, but I didn't factor in how much time I'd have to dedicate to the subject as I'm not usually a movie reviewer.<br />
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To be honest, I also kind of burned myself out posting on a subject I don't get into often- the horror genre, but I tried to be true to myself and write about lots of spooky themed things that I do enjoy like Tim Burton films and spooky comedies.<br />
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Maybe I should see this as a failure but really I don't feel that badly about it right now. It's my first Blogtober and my first time with this type of undertaking after only recently getting back into blogging and adopting a weekly posting schedule. I made it 20 days and covered a lot of things which I had fun doing.<br />
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I really love October for many reasons, but a big one being that people are more free about expressing their love for spooky and macabre things that they might otherwise deny. Doing Blogtober has definitely allowed me to embrace that, just look at the aesthetic I'm rocking on my insta right now!<br />
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So overall, although I didn't meet the hope that I had for this month, I'm not that upset and I'm still hopeful for this blog's future. Posting has been fun, I've been able to highlight classics that I watched growing up and loved, like the Abbot and Costello movies, and I've gotten to see some really awesome animation by artists I didn't know about before by seeking out and reviewing animated shorts.<br />
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I'm super excited for November and all the topics that I've been holding back. I'm talking more art, book reviews, talk of my own book, skincare and lifestyle posts, and blogger tags that I've been tagged in and I will be tagging other wonderful bloggers to do. I hope you guys will enjoy reading about it as much as I enjoy writing about it!<br />
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Thank you for following me through this Blogtober!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-74737546908522502372018-10-20T10:56:00.000-04:002020-07-23T16:01:18.211-04:00Blogtober Day 20: Tamako Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love Blogtober! Don't you? It means we get to delve into spooky and haunted-themed movies and TV shows every day for all of October, and I've included Halloween specials from popular shows as well as episodes that aren't necessarily Halloween or October related but still fit the spooky theme.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This one's from a show I've been watching lately that's really keeping my spirits up and to be perfectly honest, giving me a lot of feels I wasn't expecting when I started watching. Really, I only knew it as "the birb anime" before but now I'm hopelessly into it.<br />Of course now I'm almost down to the bonus episodes, having binge watched over the course of a few days, but it's probably something I'm going to re-watch periodically as a mood booster. I mean, just look at that aesthetic. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It revolves around a middle-school student named Tamako who lives and works with her family in their mochi shop in a vibrant and lively shopping plaza, the <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Usagiyama Shopping District</span>. While the plaza is lively with those that run the shops, friendly and caring people who are always popping their heads out of the shops to greet Tama on her way to and from school and offer her a fresh-baked good or a flower, there is always a struggle to keep new customers coming by, and Tama is always coming up with fun new ideas to draw customers in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />The community within the plaza is very tightly-knit. Though they don't openly talk about their feelings much, they try to be observant of their friends' moods and circumstances and help where they can, sometimes getting in the way or stepping on someone else's toes in the process. It's also a beautiful look into Japanese life within such a community, with many scenes of people visiting the bath house, stopping into the coffee to shop to hear a record (or the record shop for a coffee, I'm still not sure which it is), and interacting as they stop by this place and that for fish, vegetables, and so on.<br /><br />It's at the incredibly aesthetically pleasing flower shop that Tama meets the notorious talking birb of this ani<span style="background-color: white;">me, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dera Mochimazzi (</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">though he's a trim and small bir<i>d</i> to start out with). Living above a mochi shop with such generous people as the </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kitashirakawas, he quickly turns into a round birb with an adorable and simple design that screams "Draw me in fan art!!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <br />In this episode, Ep, 6- <span style="font-size: 14px;">"</span><i style="font-size: 14px;">I Felt Chills Down My Spine Too</i><span style="font-size: 14px;">", </span> it's summer and since everyone would rather stay inside fanning themselves and trying not to move, business is slow and Tama wants to find a way to bring more people to the plaza while also cooling everyone down. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Tama visits her neighborhood shrine on her way to school, another beautiful look into Japanese culture and reminded me of the little Catholic shrines I saw on almost every street and in the sides of buildings and drainage holes unexpectedly in Mexico. Here's a picture of a rather nice one.<br /><br />As an American it's both neat to see, because having such a strong community element evokes a warm feeling, and thought provoking in contrast to what we have because it reminds me that here, at least on paper, we aim to separate church and state and while that means less communal support of one specific thing and the absence of such shrines, it means there is or at least should be an option for those who don't feel comfortable with, drawn to, or even just interested in those beliefs. <br /><br /><br /><br />Explaining Japanese beliefs and superstitions to to Dera gives Tama the idea of spooky curses. According to Tama, scary things are fun because they're chilling. And chilling things are just what they need to bring in customers! <br /><br />So Tama and her school friends decide to set up a haunted house in the shopping plaza, and the local shop owners are all excited about the idea and offer what they can to help make it. But after some spooky events happening, the shop owners become more concerned about an actual curse and offering Tama ritualistic gifts to keep her safe from evil spirits.<br /><br />The haunted house is a huge success, and it's because of the curse hysteria that so many people are interested in the plaza. The lines for the haunted house are out the door and it's swelteringly hot out, so as customers wait they trickle into the other shops for a bite to eat or for some flowers, and visit the bath house after their fright to get rid of the sweat and scares. Tama's plan worked, and everyone is happy! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-71033875317028956272018-10-19T09:36:00.000-04:002020-07-23T16:01:18.211-04:00Blogtober Day 19: Invisible Man Mayhem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9RyeNJS3wKaCvAmt4TljhyoPH9ouUEOHUjyv4WW6ZQnsWWOP6e0hqNCnPe1sENPPmGmhAXH-XsXEbCi1otssnjmNSheNvESzmG0NqiRo4fQgPo8N4jzQi6jWUiQlmldLnhUElGEYdbE/s1600/19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9RyeNJS3wKaCvAmt4TljhyoPH9ouUEOHUjyv4WW6ZQnsWWOP6e0hqNCnPe1sENPPmGmhAXH-XsXEbCi1otssnjmNSheNvESzmG0NqiRo4fQgPo8N4jzQi6jWUiQlmldLnhUElGEYdbE/s640/19.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm back with another Abbott and Costello movie, because the black and white aesthetic and the spooky monster themes are so perfect for Blogtober. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bud Abbott and Lou Costello made 36 movies overall, often spoofing already-popular themes like here with <i>The Invisible Man</i>, the novel by <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px;">H. G. Wells.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They made this one in 1951 and it's always a really lovely experience for me to see the style of the late 40s and early 50s, the things in the shops and especially the phone calls, which were put through by a switchboard operator physically connecting a line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Abbot and Costello always start out in some sort of average role, usually recently out of or in between jobs and looking for work. This time they've just graduated from detective school and they're looking for a case. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They get a case from Tommy Nelson, who they learn from overhearing the police scanner is a boxer currently on the run and, if they believe his story, being framed for murdering his manager. He asks them for a ride to his girlfriend's uncle's house and laboratory, where as a method of getting away from the police he's made the bizarre choice to be injected with an invisibility serum that the mad scientist uncle has been developing. <br /><br />However the uncle has some sense and is hesitant about using the serum, because it has a history of turning the user insane- either due to the compound itself or likely the dysphoria of not having a visible body. But there's no time for common sense, the police have arrived and Tommy makes the choice to inject himself, gradually fading to invisibility and stripping naked, leaving Lou in the room to explain to the police what has happened. I chuckled when they asked him how Tommy got away, and he answers "In installments."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Part of the duo's bit is that Bud is always made out to be the smart one, and acts like he is, but it's often Lou that catches on first and it's a groan to see him try to explain what's happening to a stubborn and disbelieving Abbot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Their detective work has gotten them tied up with Tommy Nelson, now the Invisible Man, and they agree to help him prove his innocence and catch the real killers- the managers of his boxing rival Rocky, who had arranged for Tommy to throw the fight and killed his manager when it didn't go according to plan. Lou joins Tommy's gym as Louie the Looper and throws fake punches while Tommy stands behind him and invisibly throws real ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What's fun to see are the early SFX that's used to show clothes moving around seemingly without a body, and to make a cigar float through the air, but also this comically bad "hidden" recording device. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are some head-scratching moments, though. The inspector comes by when Tommy is in a robe, and instead of removing it they cover him with a sheet. Another time, Lou pulls the trigger on a bad guy but ends up shooting water out of his pistol, but then the second time he squeezes he fires off a real bullet. It's some slapstick comedy I guess, but outside of invisibility it's definitely one of the farther reaches they make.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyway, they concoct a plan to catch the bad guys by having Lou fight Tommy's old opponent, Rocky. They do, and the same guys try to fix the fight as before, only this time Tommy will be invisible and he'll be fighting for Lou. Or at least, that's what he promises them. But as the fight approaches he becomes more and more difficult. His firecracker personality and possibly boxing CTE make him do some risky things that get them strange looks in public and the eye of the Inspector on them.<br /><br />Fight night comes, and while they begin the night not knowing if Lou will end up facing Rocky alone in the end, Tommy does show up in the end (You'll see what I did there, and there..). The fight isn't thrown and Rocky's shady managers do show up for Bud and Lou but our heroes are saved by Tommy, who gets injured but is saved by a quick blood transfusion from Lou and an injection that reverses the effect of the invisibility. Aaaaaaand that's where I stopped being able to enjoy the movie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'll note here that obviously public perception of non-consensual physical contact was different when this movie came out. I understand that. I can enjoy the inventiveness and cartoon physics in Tom & Jerry while also being aware that the depictions of Mammy, the African-American housemaid look like something you would find in your grandma's attic and convince her to get rid of. But it still makes my skin crawl and these days it's not a bad thing. <br />There's a lot of controversy over the appearance of sexual assault in TV & film because of how uncomfortable and triggering of a subject it is. But it's also real life. If you want to read it from someone who puts it better, Kirsty at <i>Through the Looking Glass</i> put it super well and you can find all that <a href="https://kirstythroughthelookingglass.com/2018/10/16/irn-asexual-rape/">here</a>.<br /><br />So, at the end of the movie, Lou starts to go a little invisible because he received a little of Tommy's blood during the transfusion. I'm no doctor so I can't say if that's supposed to happen but it sure sounds messed up. Lou takes off with Bud chasing after, yelling about becoming the best detective. Naked, he hops into an elevator full of nurses and gropes them all during the ride downstairs, where he flees the elevator and leaves Bud to deal with the angry, slapping nurses.<br /><br /> He's about to leave the hospital when he realizes he hasn't made the most of his invisibility around unsuspecting nurses yet, and grabs one to make out with. But the invisibility starts to wear off and the nurse opens her eyes to see a naked Lou grabbing her and kisses her, so she screams and hits him, because when he's visible is where it's creepy. She runs off and Lou is in the process of covering up his crotch with a towel when he realizes his feet have been put on backwards, making the blood transfusion even more questionable. He runs away in the wrong direction, and that's the whole weird, uncomfortable end.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm off to go find a bigger grain of salt to take this with, see you tomorrow. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-77679194650413048642018-10-18T12:07:00.000-04:002020-07-23T16:01:18.212-04:00Blogtober Day 18: Break Day & Paintings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hello! I want to thank you guys for following my posts as I make my way through Blogtober. Today's not exactly the halfway point, but I'm picking today as a mental health day and not going to push myself to write up something in a hurry.<br /><br />Blogtober is a big undertaking and while I don't regret choosing to do it, the task of reviewing movies and TV specials means the process of one post involves usually an hour of watching something and making notes, then writing up drafts and either finding or creating the photos I need in between them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, it's not a lot to have to do in a whole day, but to have to do every day when I often have other things to do like get to appointments, hobble to the laundromat, send out art pieces/packages means that often it's left til late at night and then I either have to write up a quick tired-brain draft to edit in the morning or I leave it and sleep, and hurriedly write up the post the next day and hope it doesn't come out too late in the day where people won't see the tweets and notifications about it in the rush of other things to look at.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I would start early in the morning, but as it's New England in the fall and I'm a very stereotypical starving artist and broke spoonie, I'm a little at the mercy of when others want to wake up as we only have one heater that we move from room to room throughout the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Plus, while I'm enjoying Blogtober and the topics I get to write about, I do miss posting about my art and coming up with posts that tie in art to the rest of my life and interesting facets that I think will be fun to read about, so on my sort-of day off I want to show you some recent paintings I finished.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yesterday I went and got some new supplies, some for painting and drawing commissions and some for commissioned knit pieces (I'm busy this Fall!), and was able to get in some practice with swirl pours. Currently these are the only pieces I have from experimenting with fluid acrylics-</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This one is my first & favorite. The white and black swirls are in a matte paint but the silver is a metallic paint that gives this painting a cool shimmer when you see it in the light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm not sure how I feel about the two checkerboard pieces, as I think where I went wrong was going into it having expectations of what I wanted the end result to be. Neither of them are really as I envisioned this project, but neither of them are really failures at drip/pouring art. They're funky and they were pretty fun to make.</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-63212825460343913052018-10-17T11:19:00.000-04:002020-07-23T16:01:18.209-04:00Blogtober Day 17: Witches & Wonderful Illustrations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you never had the chance to run into a Roald Dahl book when you were a child, I urge you to go look them up and find one or several to settle down for a good night of reading. Today for Blogtober I'll be talking about a movie that was released in 2009 based off of one of these books called <i>The Witches</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The books are the perfect type to capture a kid's imagination. I loved to read the kind of books you'd find from Enid Blyton or in the Chronicles of Narnia, where fascinating things happen to ordinary children. As a child it gives you another world to peer into and sometimes escape to, and also gives you hope that the future can be interesting and full of fun things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a kid I loved Roald Dahl's story writing, and the books were made especially fantastic by the illustrations from artist Quentin Blake. I don't think I knew what it was that made me love the illustration as a child, but today I love them because they're natural, not dependent on being exact or realistic. They're simple and perfect the way they are. I love art that can be enough on its own, and I hope to reach that with my own art someday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But today I'm talking about the movie, which is reminiscent of Home Alone, as it stars a little towhead boy who goes off on mostly solo adventures. It has its own spooky aesthetic which I'll let speak for itself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The story is that there are witches in the world among the regular people, but they're evil and hate all children and want to kill them. They have no toes, and are bald, and have long claws so they dress like very prim church ladies with long gloves, wigs and hats. The main character, a little boy named Luke, is hearing about the witches from his grandmother, who knew of witches during her childhood in Norway and is missing a finger from a close encounter with the Grand High Witch herself. She tells Luke stories about witches and puts him to bed while his parents are out on the town, but his parents don't come back and Luke begins to live with his grandmother, who gives him two pet mice that he begins to build a circus for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They go on holiday to the seaside to treat Grandma's diabetes, but who else should be staying at their hotel than all the witches in England, and some from even farther. They have a big meeting at the hotel, and take off their disguises to reveal their horrible selves underneath. The scene is pretty great and the makeup is well, monstrous. But in the right way.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand High Witch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Grand High Witch addresses them all (and unwittingly addresses Luke as well, who is hiding in the room behind a screen divider), and in what could be described as the world's most deranged infomercial, explains her master plan to eliminate all the children in the United Kingdom by opening sweet shops and selling candies tainted with her latest and greatest potion, Formula 86! The formula takes two hours for one dose to take effect, but once it does it will turn whoever ingests it into a mouse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just as the witches are about to leave, they sniff out Luke and hunt him down. Luckily for him, for a bunch of child-murdering witches they're terrible at actually catching children. He gets away temporarily, but not before they catch him again and give him 500 doses of Formula 86, turning him into a mouse immediately. The catch is that he's a talking mouse, so after getting away he's able to come up with a plan with his grandmother and steal the formula to turn the plan back on the witches. Successfully spiking their soup, Luke and his grandmother turn all the witches into mice and head home victorious.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Something I don't think happened in the book, at the end of the movie the one remaining witch, a good witch, visits them in the night and turns Luke into a too-naked-for-screen human boy again, and restores his pet mice and also his glasses. In the book I think he went on living as a mouse, with special things built for him like Stuart Little. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-68279948614892147422018-10-16T09:06:00.000-04:002020-07-23T16:01:18.210-04:00Blogtober Day 16: Hill House Horror<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today's post is on a Netflix original called <i>The Haunting of Hill House</i>. It plays with the timeline, so be warned there is some putting together to do with the plot, but not much. It's the story of a family that lived in a haunted house and the experiences of seeing ghosts and nightmares creeping into the real world carrying into adulthood. In the modern day, the children are grown and mostly live spread out over the country, leading their own lives but staying in contact if something goes wrong.<br /><br />And something does go wrong, because the horrifying memories they all have and try to repress aren't done bothering them, and they can't keep pretending they were only childhood nightmares. Only two of them are willing to talk about it, one who capitalized on the stories and became a writer (and caused some tension within the family having their stories used and represented in ways they don't like), and the youngest, the one who originally saw the ghosts at night. Each of the siblings gets a call from their youngest sister, worried about something and mentioning the ghost that used to haunt them and caused them to flee their home and lose their mother, which became a big story in their local papers and continues to follow them in their current lives.<br />It's a great mix of horror and sibling relationships, honestly I'd say it's <i>This Is Us</i> with ghosts. Really good timing for Netflix to have a scary ghost-related series. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><u>On a personal note</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In other news, I've got an important appointment today so I got some relaxing self care things to pamper myself after. I absolutely love all kinds of candles, this is a soy candle that smells deliciously vanilla-ey. Also got myself a face mask for my upset and dry hormonal skin. I know it's a little early but these fuzzy Christmas socks were on sale for $1 and my fiance pointed them out for me saying I should treat myself to some new soft socks for the poor broken foot, and I wholeheartedly agreed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the spirit of October and in preparation for Halloween and Trick- or -Treaters I got this black cat sign with rainbow LEDs that flash and alternate in a way even better than I was expecting. It'll be turned on during Halloween facing out the front windows so kids know we'll be giving out candy in our pumpkin-shaped bowl. We're a black cat family so I can't really resist black cat themed decorations, and October is the perfect season to snag them on sale.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4D6fH3VAuL75hj06S_-fVdrUgBQ52wL7rIGcPvNA2nSXfsjRKD83A2s8FbIrHmGge3-6xftvYlUKqUYCsCwAyKO2fEolzOGES6dTGDIeDfpOwAsJ97S2E-b6kXXNs41n-9EYZTimhpg/s1600/44119810_10215511844842149_3236508700805955584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4D6fH3VAuL75hj06S_-fVdrUgBQ52wL7rIGcPvNA2nSXfsjRKD83A2s8FbIrHmGge3-6xftvYlUKqUYCsCwAyKO2fEolzOGES6dTGDIeDfpOwAsJ97S2E-b6kXXNs41n-9EYZTimhpg/s320/44119810_10215511844842149_3236508700805955584_n.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAFEB6zolWIdgT-QZA1dJe0KEihw8SYLl5Tpm9BG5O2yccxWrwSXc9buL8S0Tb49V5MN9R2bPg4LmpyG8hIpiWVK30YsLZ8pbdkKJE16-iVSgm2PlEo3jKZzdAzFoTKGX7301BMol3fw/s1600/44052916_10215511846002178_8659682069158297600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAFEB6zolWIdgT-QZA1dJe0KEihw8SYLl5Tpm9BG5O2yccxWrwSXc9buL8S0Tb49V5MN9R2bPg4LmpyG8hIpiWVK30YsLZ8pbdkKJE16-iVSgm2PlEo3jKZzdAzFoTKGX7301BMol3fw/s320/44052916_10215511846002178_8659682069158297600_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Certified Black Cat Approved!</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4985887983573994493.post-89620527100305345112018-10-15T10:48:00.002-04:002020-07-23T16:01:18.212-04:00Blogtober Day 15th: ParaNorman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy mid-October everyone! I hope you've been enjoying Blogtober and all the fun Halloween things I've been writing about.<br />
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This time I'll be looking at a fairly recent movie called ParaNorman. It's about a kid getting through elementary school with the ability see ghosts, going through that both around and sometimes despite his family- his airheaded but determined sister and his parents- the stereotypical macho non-understanding father and the simpy mother who doesn't stand up to her husband and waits til he's gone to say what she thinks. While I don't remember any specific dates for setting, the mood is very late 90s-early 00s and is added to by the existence of flip phones. The invention of sliding was a somewhat dumb mechanism in some phones but it definitely did help in dating old media.<br />
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As you can imagine, being able to see and speak to ghosts doesn't land Norman in paradise. It gets him ostracized, called a freak and put exactly in the wrong spot and multiple times when he is able to see spots of another world creeping into his own and feeling haunted by something that he doesn't understand.<br />
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But it turns out that there's been someone able to see ghosts in this town before, back in the days when witch accusations were the rage in Massachusetts and innocent men and women were put to death over gossip and possibly hallucinogenic compounds. There was a girl put to trial for witchcraft and executed, and she cursed the judge and her accusers who have lived in the town as zombies ever since.<br />
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Since Norman can talk to the dead, he's the only one that can speak with the zombies and with the witch herself, who it turns out was only a child herself at the time but in the town is remembered as an old witch. It's sad but very true that we do that as a society, we remember children whose deaths sparked a movement as martyrs and activists but or for some instigators and criminals, but they were really all just kids.<br />
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While a fun and engaging watch, this movie made me a little sad because it's a kid who sees ghosts but in a community that doesn't believe in them he's basically a child exhibiting schizophrenia symptoms who is being treated with contempt and blame for what he's experiencing instead of concern and help. Multiple times he's told by his father to "stop being weird" and that he's the source of the problems because of his experiences. It's very obvious that the characters are boiled down examples of behaviors that real people have in the world and the callous nature of people boiled down into one person, and it makes me really despise his father through most of the movie. And while I understand the subservient nature of the 90s housewife who couldn't really have it her way, the fact that the mom only speaks up when he's gone just makes her look like a pushover in front of her children and they lose the ability to trust in her.<br />
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But I do mean it was a fun and engaging watch, because it's set in our world and therefore has unsavory people that you can't allow to ruin the whole experience (and in this case are there on purpose to point out that kind of personality). What made it so captivating was the animation, which was beautiful and so like stop motion, almost tangible with the clay textures. The characters have bright and shiny eyes and cartoony proportions, all the scenery seems to move and breathe throughout the shots.<br />
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It's definitely a perfect Halloween watch, with zombies, ghosts, dark creeping forests with twisted trees and branches, graveyards, and witches.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0