Date Night
Josh and I popped into our favourite Mexican restaurant last night- a little place called La Loma on Eastern Blvd. which sells authentic Mexican tacos (and ice cold Coronas). Afterwards, we went to see Alice: Through the Looking Glass in 3D at the theater. It was pretty phenomenal. 🙂
Critics are panning it but I’m wagering that many of them are curmudgeony old farts who’ve long forgotten how to connect with their inner child. Josh and I were laughing and crying and fascinated by all of the pretty colours and CGI. (We clearly need to get out more.)
I’ve been out of school for just over 3 weeks now, and I’m happy to say that I haven’t done a darn thing. At all. I’ve downloaded around 7 different games and have a large stack of library books on the table that I’m positive I won’t read. I’ve discovered that I have a thing for acquisition as opposed to actually reading. That said, I think I’m still decompressing because I’m really quite the bookworm. Normally, I don’t like to go more than two days without accomplishing something or checking off goals on a list, so the fact that I’ve done nothing at all (and don’t care whatsoever) is a good sign! I’m learning to relax.
I did pick up this really awesome graduation present for myself though:
I absolutely love it. It’s a heavy duty copper and bronze homemade poppy necklace from an online shop called Mama Peacock. I think it’s a steal for $26. It sits heavy around the neck and is supported by a steel ball chain necklace. I especially love the stacked nickel and bronze ringlets wrapped around a solid steel pole that connects the ball chain to the pendant. This thing is just badass.
Josh and I have been up all night. After coming home from our date, I finished up some work for a client and he’s been gaming for most of the night. I could get used to this pace of life. No rushing, no demands, no deadlines- well…no serious ones.
Alas, as much as I love loafing around being a beach bum (sans the beach), I’m already working on a business model for a shop of my own. I won’t reveal it until it’s close to being finished, but I’m so excited with the direction I’m going in. I’ll be able to work from home and enjoy doing what I love to do. (And that’s all I’ll say about that.)
I’m off to heat up our leftovers. Tacos for breakfast!
m o n o c h r o m e j u n k i e † 
Hello B! Been thinking of you! I went to my brother’s Graduation ceremony and party and I knew yours was the same day. Huge CONGRATS to you!!!! I am delighted to hear that you are kicking back and decompressing. It’s huge. I have known too many grads that dive exhausted into the next thing and this space is important. Enjoy life. Love you honey and I am so proud of you. You did GREAT!!!! xx
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May 29, 2016 at 9:47 am
Well you know, credit where credit is due. I must tell you, Y, your many emails over the years helped to keep me stitched together. Sometimes you were at a low point, and I realized only later that in some strange way- and maybe in an alternate time or space- you chose to endure hardships for the sake of others. See, you helped me so much more than you knew. I really appreciated (and still do) your uplifting letters of encouragement and such, but it was when you were at your lowest that I saw your strength. And that encouraged me tremendously. :0) Thank you for all of those times. And hey, you did great too! Love ya gal.
May 29, 2016 at 11:03 am
You are right to loaf about. 🙂
and what a cute piece of jewellery indeed!
May 29, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Hi Lulu! Good to see you. :0) You know, it’s funny, after I got my Associates Degree, I was itching to jump right back in and get my Bachelor’s. After doing so, I’m happy to say that every drop of that has been beaten out of me at the moment…heheh. I can’t think of anything that makers me happier than reverting back t my adolescent days of gaming, making art, and playing music. And not for any reason other than it’s FUN. 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying your summer! x
May 29, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Pretty necklace.
You said you guard your body or modest with a passion. That looks slightly risque to me. It’s fine with me. It does make me think twice about the privacy issue when we display ourself. It seems like more of a thing about control.
May 29, 2016 at 12:43 pm
Yes, I did say that, and I very much live by that. We often find that which we seek. Some people will come here and see what the post is about- a necklace– and nothing more. Others will choose to seek out some type of “indiscretion”. Each of us will see something different; because every person filters incoming sensations and perceptions (and auditory and visual stimuli) through his and her unique set of filters- and those filters are highly subjective.
I can’t choose your filters and you can’t choose mine- they’re based on own own subjective life experiences. But I’ll share with you what I know to be true, pertaining to life and my own set of filters. There’s a Scripture in the Bible that I love. Titus 1:15- and he says:
“Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”
Take what you will from that. Knowing this truth, and holding it close to my heart allows me to look out into a dark world and see Light. When the mind and heart are clean, so too are the filters.
When I shot this picture, my heart was filled with gratitude for all that I’ve been able to overcome in the past five years of school, and finally being able to cross the finish line. I sat on the couch and used natural window lighting- and because I wanted to make this image about the necklace, I omitted my face. The pendant represents strength and courage to me, and so this was what was on my mind when I shot this. It had nothing to do with anything risque; quite the contrary. I’m able to apply the back story to this image, and that changes both what it means and how it is seen. Naturally, you must use your own filters to view it and I cannot alter them. (I thought it only fair to provide you with this additional information, however.)
(Definition) Risque: Slightly indecent or liable to shock, especially by being sexually suggestive.
I don’t think this image is indecent, or “shocking”, and it is most definitely not sexually suggestive. It is feminine. Unfortunately, so many people confuse femininity with sexuality- and the two are not always intertwined. It is possible to look upon a person who is not fully clothed and view them non-sexually. Just as it is possible to look upon a fully clothed person and view him or her in a sexual manner.
I say all of this to say, sometimes it isn’t what we look at that is “risque”, but the filters that we view it through.
May 29, 2016 at 1:22 pm
and as I read your response to my words I gazed at that gorgeous necklace again and really it is a thing of beauty. It is sort of like a crown of sorts. Love how you shot this with soft light and the fabric on your gown has great rich color with those folds are so dimensional and lush. Without the facial features in it, it is all of womankind. Powerful and beautiful. Overdue to talk with you. Let’s catch up soon. New adventures ahead. :))
May 29, 2016 at 2:05 pm
“Without the facial features in it, it is all of womankind.” <<— You SO get it. 🙂 I knew you would.
And yes, we'll catch up soon. I was going to email you a gazillion times but wanted to wait until your semester was complete. (I'm thinking that should be right about now, eh?) And congratz to you for overcoming those (PS) mountains! You made hurdles out of them and I'm damn proud of you, Y. Chat soon. 🙂
May 29, 2016 at 4:13 pm
I am so happy to hear you are enjoying yourself, you damn well deserve it!
I am really curious about the store!
The necklace looks gorgeous, I especially like it because it looks and feels big and heavy! I hate the small ones because they make me feel like I always have to thread carefully and the thin chains always get tangled in my hair.
I am sending you lots of hugs! ❤
May 29, 2016 at 7:32 pm
You know what’s funny, O? Only yesterday, my Mom gave me a small silver necklace (with a very delicate tiny silver strand as the actual “necklace part”) and I had to thread it through the small heart/cross pendant part- it was damn near impossible., so when I read your comment here- talk about timing, eh? I read your comment to Josh and we both laughed because he had to help me thread the super tiny necklace parts.
The store will be along the lines of a homemade pendant store. Not quite these heavy duty ones- but you know, general 30 MM (1 inch) in diameter- for the “image” only- and I’ll use my own photography and art work for the images. I’ll either use the small glass domes and glue over them or work with actual resin (liquid) to pour over. Regardless, the end product will be a vintage looking copper/bronze pendants with my artwork/images inside.
I’ve never made them before, but I’m a bit of a pendant junkie- and have a special love for old pocket watches/time pieces and steam punk stuff. So, with that in mind, I’ll create unique necklace (with heavy ball chains- mind you!) and sell them in an Etsy shop. It’s going to take months do desing and develop, but hey- I have all the time in the world now, so it’s going to be a lot of fun. 🙂
Regarding your book! I’ve decided to give you a healthy review VERY soon. I don’t want to wait until I finish it, because it will be weeks away, and I want to do what I can to help your initial launch. It’s not much, but it’s at least something. (So, I’ll be doing that soon.)
May 30, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Oh, this is beautiful! It is one of the things I always wanted to do, but there are no courses nor places I can find equipment here in this blasted place! I will have to show you proof of this, I will photo my pendant collection!
There is even a funny story. There is a store that had a stand at the mall. They make steampunk stuff and I wanted to buy a pendant, I LOVED IT, for my best friend. There was a little price tag that said 300. I was like Woah, g-r-e-a-t! Just like the 2 dollar stuff I love and find on Etsy, but people rarely deliver to Serbia! I come there all proud with my open wallet, start taking the money out and just ask the seller lady “Its 300 right?”, she sees my pathetic dinars and says “Yes, 300 euros.”. It was one of the most embarrassing moments for me last year!
I can’t wait to see your store and SHOP! 😀
No rush with the book. Only when I received the proof copy I realised its a damn hefty tome of a read, and sometimes the poems so overbearing not even I can find stamina to read more than one in a day 😀
May 30, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Hey, I don’t know many people who can fill 1/4 of your book with their poem collections! It’s a freaking massterpiece. I plan on ordering several copies as gifts too. Anywho, it’s the most badass poetry collection I’ve ever seen and it’s timeless.
One of these days, I swear, I’m going to send you a little batch of goodies there. I’ll take the chance of you never receiving them. ;0) And that story (300 euros) is hilarious….haa. it’s like- the story of my life!
Yeah, I’m super excited about the shop- I’m telling you (here) because it’s the comment section. I’m not making it public (to anyone) until it’s up and running. I’ll let you know once it is. I love pendants too! I KNEW you were my twin. 😉
May 30, 2016 at 4:55 pm
Oh, and I am half way through two more… poetry books… my husband frowns! 😀
I did eventually find a steampunk pocket watch for my friend, it was 1200, dinars, thankfully, but I did check with the clerk about 5 times and looked like a lunatic for my previous experience!
I’ll have to bead you a necklace sometime now, just sucks they closed down my go to store for beads 😦
May 30, 2016 at 5:23 pm
That does suck. :0( I just so happened to have bought 18 (rare) vintage green beads for $8 on Ebay. They only had 1 set left and I snagged them! They’re absolutely gorgeous! I have no idea how to make necklaces/jewelry/etc. but that’s not going to stop me from designing you an ass-kicking vintage necklace. Of course, all of this is trial and error, but after studying designs and such, I’ll make you one using these rare beads. I can’t find any of them like it on the internet- so maybe they are rare. 🙂 They’re identical to these (same seller and everything) but they’re olive green instead of red:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-RARE-Antique-PEARLIZED-CORAL-HOLLOW-Vintage-Glass-Beads-17mm-/201554011558?hash=item2eed8e25a6
Anywho, it’ll be a while, but I’ll do that. I just threw down $150 for all of my new Etsy shop goods- a small price to pay for $650 worth of “potential sales”, so…I’m excited to get the show on the road! I’m also going to be simultaneously working on a photography Etsy shop offering prints for sale- so I’m going to be a busy little bee for a while. (Better than studying for exams, so no complaints here!) 🙂
June 2, 2016 at 4:41 pm
The photography stuff as prints will be an awesome thing!
I love those beads! They look like candy and you can’t go wrong with that!
I work with the small ones though, the needle small, I make stuff similar to this: http://mojekrpice.rs/items/nakit/477666/ogrlica-od-akrilinih-perli-i-kristala – pardon the Serbian link, but it was the closest to what I actually make 😀 I just love when it cascades down the neck, it makes me feel light, but also alert at the same time.
June 2, 2016 at 6:06 pm
Beautiful! :0) I so totally wish I could make stuff like that. (Baby steps…heheh…)
June 2, 2016 at 6:31 pm
so glad you are relaxing…
May 29, 2016 at 11:11 pm
Me too! I haven’t felt this way in more than two years…heheh.
May 30, 2016 at 1:00 pm
That looks SUPER great on you and also, tacos for any meal are like 100% a great idea. 😉
September 3, 2016 at 12:51 am