Letter Play

When I first glimpsed the ABC tag Mila created, I was simply delighted. Letters arranged make words, and words have always been an immense source of amusement to me. Therefore, I was twice more delighted when Ashley passed the ABC tag on to me.



I received the letters, "n", "o", and "p", which proved to me quite more challenging than I first imagined. After all, I'm used to the freedom of all twenty-six letters of the English alphabet, and there were dozens of words that beckoned me outside my letter limits. I resisted though, settling on these three...



n is for nontraditional -



I am always awed by the capacity we as humans have to advance in thinking, design, technology, and on. There is a phrase, "the sky's the limit", and somewhere amongst the development of our society, we seemed to have captured that phrase, storing it in hearts, and bringing it into existence with our minds.



Modern design rapidly captures my attention. Even if I do not find myself fond of the actual design, I am entranced by the innovative and striking construction, shapes, and lines.



Modern architectural design, specifically, hooks my line of eye-sight, and traps me in a trance of awed wonder. There is an energy in modern architecture, that fills me with anticipation for how we may advance in the future.



o is for oldfashioned -



When I'm not awed by modern wonders, my heart is heavy with reminiscence and longing of old-fashioned charm.



I have always reveled in the crackling audio of sultry voices, the crisp black and white vision, and the poised vocabulary and speech, that exist only in vintage films and television shows.



The photos you are viewing here, are from TV programs that aired in 1957. Without the power of technology available now, these pictures were taken of the actual TV set with the program turned on, and later developed in a photo lab, to create what we now call screencaps or screencaptures.



p is for peculiar -



Regardless of whether it is nontraditional design, or old-fashioned photos, the greatest element of my amusement is whatever is peculiar.



Having always been the black sheep (or oddball) amongst those I know, I am always enamored with oddities, quirks, and that that strikes me silly, surprised, or baffled.



Not all that exists should make sense, and certainly does not. Peculiar things are most often puzzling, as we can't make complete sense of them, and yet, perhaps, that is their novelty.



Are you drawn more to what is modern, or what is old-fashioned? Do peculiarities delight you?



Also, do you have any favorite letters or words? Are there any words or phrases you frequently use or repeat? Other thoughts?

Before I close this entry, I want to post a link to this most surprising and flattering entry written about me, here, by a lovely woman named Anne, who I may not know, but who has certainly won me over with her immensely kind words. (Just don't let me get a big ego, okay?)

Oh, and I pass this tag on to Betsey (I will comment you with details, my dear).

Photo Credits: www.holtermand.dk & www.squareamerica.com & www.franckjuery.com.

Perspective

Perspective (noun): a. the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed; b. the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance.



Our modern world has a perspective that is alarmingly askew. The angle in which we view the importance of this world's components is, dare I say, a mile off.



Many have developed ideas that if they were only wealthy, better looking, famous, and so forth, that then, and only then, life would be satisfying. Having known wealthy, beautiful, and famous people, I can confirm that people having obtained such things have often confessed that if anything, upon gaining these things, their problems heightened and they were more unsatisfied than before.



Upon obtaining wealth, one will often want to be wealthier. Upon possessing beauty, one will want to be flawless. Upon becoming famous in a country, one will want all of the world to know their name. Good, is most often, never good enough.



As well as, though an enormous number of our population believes differently, none of these achievements we strive for guarantee happiness. A tragic and recent witness to this truth, in the fashion industry, is Ruslana Korshunova, a model, who plunged to her death from her apartment's balcony, a supposed suicide.



As terribly shaking and horrific as Ruslana's story is, I believe it was a wake-up call for many who viewed models with the idea that being as beautiful would make them happy and everything in life alright. Many noted after Ruslana's death that she was proof that being viewed as a beautiful being does not, in any way, equal contentment, and that we will always have human struggles no matter our given circumstance.



Recently I had a life-altering transformation of my perspective on life. Interestingly enough, when what I wanted most as a person, changed to something focused on others and the greater-good, my desires for materialistic and superficial things had no choice but to fall beneath in importance to this.



Suddenly I could think of my appearance and beauty, and shrug my shoulders in indifference. No longer will my appearance aide my goals or my happiness, therefore it no longer steals my concern or attention.



Our perspectives need not, and should not, be the same. However I highly recommend you consider at times where your perspectives is at, and whether, overall, it is focused on what you truly want, and that it hasn't been mindlessly adjusted just to mirror the perspective of our superficial world.



In anything, we are often benefited from taking ownership of our unique perspective. This even applies to us as a blogging community, as blogs are perhaps most delightful when they are a reflection of ourselves and our individual perspective.



Do you know where your perspective of life is at? What is your perspective of what's important in life? Success? Family? Wealth? Fame? Other? Do you wish to change your perspective to focus on something different? Are you open in sharing your unique perspective, or do you often just go along with what others say and believe? Other thoughts?

Photo Credits: http://ffffound.com & www.franckjuery.com & www.flickr.com/photos/amaliachimera & www.flickr.com/photos/daffie.

Royalty

I may not be clothed in a luxurious or exquisite gown, but right now, I feel like royalty. There is a reoccurring change within, a metamorphosis that transforms me, when I slip on an elegant garment. My shoulders straighten, my chin lifts a little higher, my frame is poised, and my feet seem float gracefully inches off the ground.



I do not need to wear exceptional finery though, to feel such a way. Lately many of you, my friends and fellow bloggers, have clothed me with a robe of kindness and honor, and even though my words drip slightly with sappiness, I truly do not know thank you.



The beautiful charm of blog awards though, is that I am given the opportunity to pass them to others, which is yes, terribly difficult, when you are all so generous and kind, but worth it, if there is a chance to bestow someone with that warm glow I always feel whenever someone recognizes me in a special way.



First award I will do, is the "I Love Your Blog" award which was given to me again by the inspiring and alluring Mila and also by the ravishing and delightful Betsey. Thank you my dear girls!



Now I want to give this award to: The Clothes Horse & Dry As Toast & My Idea Of Fashion & It's Her Factory & Yes Please Mademoiselle & Mode Parisienne.



Next, I was given the Kreativ Blogger award by the endearing and sweet Dorkys R., whose blog, Dry As Toast, is anything but dry as toast!



And I want to give this award to: A Beautiful Life & Aphex Nation & I'm Not Anti-Social, Just Short-Sighted & Loveology & The Snowshoe Rabbit & Friends & Lovers.



The last award is called the Premio Dardos award, and is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing. A million heartfelt thanks to the intriguing and beautiful Saray for selecting me to be given such a unique honor.



I'd like to give this award to the following: Leese Looks & Style Discovery & The Millenniall Life & Fashion Ability & Hippie Couture & Little Star.



Also, this is not an award, but I have been meaning to mention for some time, that Free People (a clothing line that makes up the third branch of an sensational and related trio that also includes Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie) featured my blog on their blog. I was surprised and thrilled! You can read the entry, written by the lovely Katie (also know as, fpgirl) here.



P.S. I have one more award to give, it's a little unofficial, but definitely honest and sincere, and that would be an award that I am going to call the "I ♥ My Readers" award, and that my dears, goes out to all of you! :)

P.P.S. In your life, and not only including the blogosphere, what is something you received that made you feel like royalty? It can be anything, not specific to awards, but as simple as someone making something for you or someone just giving you their time and attention, and making you feel, well, special.

Photo Credits: http://nearerthemoon.livejournal.com & http://www.herfamedgoodlooks.com via miu_miu @ www.thefashionspot.com .

“Among individuals as among nations, the respect to other people's rights is peace.”

If we were to step back, an overall evaluation of our behavior during political elections may deliver the idea that, during this time, we become more childish, growing backwards, not forwards.



Petty name calling, quick judgments, slander, insults, arguments, divisions, and hate, are all flaws that seem to flourish into what might be compared to an unwanted weed that chokes the surrounding, beneficial life. Why would we want to foster a weed, when we could instead tend to that that produces a positive harvest? Plant seeds, of what you what to see prosper, in the minds and hearts of minds, and don’t feed into what only destructs.



Plant imagery aside, we should speak passionately, but always with respect, even for those whom you may truly feel are wrong, or even who may have been disrespectful to you.



I am gladdened to see so many have been passionate about the upcoming election, this is our future, and our country, and we should be passionate, as well as thoughtful, about it. However, I wish our passion was better channeled, more often. I become disheartened by all the inarticulate and juvenile insults and name calling that is so often dealt out to the opposing candidate that a person does not support.



This is not to say you must support the opposing candidate, however, attacking the candidate you dislike is not going to win over anyone. Often what you give out, you receive back, and while condemnation may gain the approval of those who dislike that candidate as much as you do, anyone opposing will only hate and lose any respect for you, as well as, become even more stubborn in their prior beliefs.



I have taken a political angle in this entry, but I now must say the same ideas, in reality, should apply to any situation, political or otherwise. If you do not impart respect yourself, you may lose the power you have to speak and be listened to, and to inspire. And regardless of how others may act towards you, if you wish to receive the respect of others, you must act respectfully towards others. Even if the respect is not mutual, you have at least preserved your dignity.



Do you find respect easy or difficult to give? Have you found most to respect you, or do you often find yourself dealing with disrespect? During political elections, do you find yourself often involved in acts of disrespect and insults, such as a curse-world filled rant about one of the candidates? Other thoughts?

Title Quote: Benito Juarez
Photo Credits: Photographer James Mahon @ www.jamesmahon.com

Facebook

Until today I've used Facebook mainly to keep up with close and personal friends and/or school friends, and MySpace for everyone else. MySpace though hardly functions for me anymore, and I felt bad continually ignoring Facebook friend requests, so I am making Facebook my main social networking account. If you'd like to be Facebook friends, click here.

However please know that I still value my personal safety and privacy, and do exercise the right to deny friend requests, though this usually only occurs in the situations that say, some 50 year old man tries to add me. (Come on, I'm not stupid).

(Note: This is just an informative entry, therefore comments, for this post only, have been disabled, continue to the next posts for commenting).

Photo Credit: Photographer Paolo Roversi's editorial "Class of 2006" from Vogue UK, and via verymoniss @ The Fashion Box (orginial source: www.thefashionspot.com).

Blogology

Sleep has been on my mind, as I just got a new job that will require me to work, on a regular basis, until midnight. There goes my beloved 10 o’clock bedtime, which has mainly been instated as a result of my abnormal inability to sleep-in late, and my absolute desire for a good night’s rest. Now I’m struggling to form a habit of: bed at 1 AM, and rise no earlier than 9AM.



Speaking of sleep, this entry is going to stray from philosophical musing and cover blog tags, and open up the form for some input from you. I call this "blogology" (the study of blogs), and I'm going to put my best effort into not sending you into a sudden sleep atop your keyboard, but I make no promises...


Tag thanks the charming Kaitlin of Urple:

Six Random Things About Me:
1. I type on average, 100 words per minute, (1,000 words every 10 minutes), with a 98% accuracy.
2. I have a cat that has a shoe fetish. (I kid you not, she really does).
3. I was voted “Best Dressed” and “Most Creative” in high school.
4. I've broken my arm, my wrist, badly injured my elbow, had a concussion, fractured my foot, and had my toes badly crushed. Needless to say they're familiar with me over at the E.R.
5. I like nearly all fruits, and no vegetables whatsoever, except for corn.
6. I must have either music or people’s voices to listen to, at almost all times, or I'll most likely loose my marbles.

Six Random Things I Like:
1. Accents
2. Culture
3. Candlelight
4. Journals
5. The smell of rain
6. Afros

Six Random Things I Don't Like:
1. People who misspell and use bad grammar on purpose.
2. Phones/cell phones.
3. Long lines I have to wait in
4. Cursing, when it is uncalled for and unnecessary.
5. Missing the subway, by a diminutive fraction of time.
6. When people say “sorry” and don’t mean it.

Now, I’d like to allow you all some input and ask if there is anything you like to see, at some point, on my blog? Is there any topic you might like me to do an entry about? Would doing a Q&A (question and answer) interest you, allowing you to ask virtually any questions and I’ll answer? If so, would you prefer me to do a video Q&A or a written Q&A?

I was brainstorming a little bit, and once I make an official move to NYC, (hopefully this January or February), I could perhaps do a video tour of my favorite places in Manhattan? I already know many of the places I would want to film, since I already obtained a great deal of favorites spots, from living there this last summer.

Any other ideas? I can’t guarantee I’ll use or do any said suggestions, however I am open to ideas, and if something sparks my inspiration, I will certainly wholeheartedly consider it. My favorite element of blogging is, after all, communicating with readers and my fellow bloggers! Honestly, I'd be put to sleep by my own blogging babble if I never had the opportunity to use this blog to correspond with all of you.

For those who blog (I believe that would be nearly all of you), what is your favorite part of blogging or even of the blogging world in general? Do you blog for yourself, for your readers or an audience, or perhaps, a little bit of both?

Photo Credits: Editorial from Vogue Girl Korea via http://community.livejournal.com/foto_decadent (I have been unable to relocate what LiveJournal member posted these, my apologies, if any knows, please notify me so I can give specific credit to whomever posted these).