The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Prettiful
It's time to launch another label: Prettiful. My brother coined the term. It's a good one. And the perfect word for describing such things as what's pictured here. There's really no point to Prettiful (but is there a point to anything I do here?) — it's just the simple joy of something lovely to look at, delightful to see.
((Photo courtesy of Soul Mates Photo))
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Notable Quotables
Today in my stumblings, a page popped up filled with (as the title suggests) notable quotables. Allow me to share some of these thought-provokings here and now.
"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be."
— Abraham Lincoln
"Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I lie down until it goes away."
— Robert Maynard Hutchins
"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."
— Marilyn Monroe
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
— Mother Theresa
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
— Thomas A. Edison
"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none."
— William Shakespeare
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
— Theodore Roosevelt
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."
— Dr. Seuss
"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
— George Eliot
"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close."
— Pablo Neruda
"Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh?" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you."
— A. A. Milne
"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."
— Charles M. Schulz
"Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."
— G.K. Chesterton
"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be."
— Abraham Lincoln
"Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I lie down until it goes away."
— Robert Maynard Hutchins
"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."
— Marilyn Monroe
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
— Mother Theresa
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
— Thomas A. Edison
"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none."
— William Shakespeare
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
— Theodore Roosevelt
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."
— Dr. Seuss
"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
— George Eliot
"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close."
— Pablo Neruda
"Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh?" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you."
— A. A. Milne
"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."
— Charles M. Schulz
"Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."
— G.K. Chesterton
Galumph
"Galumph (guh-LUMF) verb
To move in a heavy-footed way. Things that may galumph: elephants, Frankenstein's monster, the Abominable Snowman, and people competing in a three-legged race. Not surprisingly, a "gollumpus" is a large, clumsy fellow."
You'd never know it was May 26th in Wisconsin. Today's high? 50 degrees. The weather has left us with no choice but to a.) cry and b.) galumph around in rain coats, rain boots, and rain 'tudes. We're coming up on Memorial Day weekend, and the last thing anyone wants is a sniffle, a chill, and layers of clothing — but there's a glimmer of hope. The weatherman (can he be trusted?) predicts a balmy 75 and sunny this Monday, and that's something to look forward to. The hope and promise of such a lovely day (which will get its own post or two later) makes today's rain boots a little easier to bear. After all, at least these rubber shoes are plaid and peppy — a constant "screw you" to mean old Mother Nature (when she's mean). We'll see if she keeps her promise to smile us on next Monday — if she does, it'll surely be a Memorial Day worth remembering.
To move in a heavy-footed way. Things that may galumph: elephants, Frankenstein's monster, the Abominable Snowman, and people competing in a three-legged race. Not surprisingly, a "gollumpus" is a large, clumsy fellow."
You'd never know it was May 26th in Wisconsin. Today's high? 50 degrees. The weather has left us with no choice but to a.) cry and b.) galumph around in rain coats, rain boots, and rain 'tudes. We're coming up on Memorial Day weekend, and the last thing anyone wants is a sniffle, a chill, and layers of clothing — but there's a glimmer of hope. The weatherman (can he be trusted?) predicts a balmy 75 and sunny this Monday, and that's something to look forward to. The hope and promise of such a lovely day (which will get its own post or two later) makes today's rain boots a little easier to bear. After all, at least these rubber shoes are plaid and peppy — a constant "screw you" to mean old Mother Nature (when she's mean). We'll see if she keeps her promise to smile us on next Monday — if she does, it'll surely be a Memorial Day worth remembering.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
This way
"The road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet,
And whither then? I cannot say."
— The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
*Stumbled upon this picture through a friend's blog (who stumbled upon it through a strangers blog — and the list goes on). Couldn't resist sharing.*
Friday, May 20, 2011
Flummox
"Flummox (FLUM-uks) verb
To confuse. Instead of saying, "I'm confused" or "Beats me," spice things up with 'It's sure got me flummoxed!'"
The Fs of "L is for Lolly Gag" have really got me flummoxed. None of the words seem applicable to life as I now know it — I'm not dancing a fandango, finagling anything, or up against a fuddy-duddy. So we'll have to make do with flummox. In a way, it's fitting: fitting because I actually am flummoxed as to what to write about.
What has happened in the past 24 hours that could be worthy of writing? Well... I guess I made curried coconut chicken for dinner — and it was a hit. It's so soothing to cook in a kitchen with no one else around. I think I'm slowing realizing my dinner-making downfall: the onlookers and the time-crunch. Honestly, it made such a difference being able to pace myself and not be subject to the ever-spying eyes of my family. Our house has a very open concept, so it's not easy to get a moment to yourself in our so-spacious kitchen. But last night felt good, relaxing, and just as a dinner-making should. How this has anything to do with today's Whatchamacallit? Flummox me!
To confuse. Instead of saying, "I'm confused" or "Beats me," spice things up with 'It's sure got me flummoxed!'"
The Fs of "L is for Lolly Gag" have really got me flummoxed. None of the words seem applicable to life as I now know it — I'm not dancing a fandango, finagling anything, or up against a fuddy-duddy. So we'll have to make do with flummox. In a way, it's fitting: fitting because I actually am flummoxed as to what to write about.
What has happened in the past 24 hours that could be worthy of writing? Well... I guess I made curried coconut chicken for dinner — and it was a hit. It's so soothing to cook in a kitchen with no one else around. I think I'm slowing realizing my dinner-making downfall: the onlookers and the time-crunch. Honestly, it made such a difference being able to pace myself and not be subject to the ever-spying eyes of my family. Our house has a very open concept, so it's not easy to get a moment to yourself in our so-spacious kitchen. But last night felt good, relaxing, and just as a dinner-making should. How this has anything to do with today's Whatchamacallit? Flummox me!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
"Let the wild rumpus start!"
Last night, I saw "Where the Wild Things Are" for the very first time. It was wonderful. So compelling, yet so simple. It's a journey through the imagination on the way to self-discovery. The parallels between The Real World and Where the Wild Things Are are so great and beautiful, it makes me wish all of life's lessons could be taught by carousing with giant, big-headed, hairy beasts. I was moved by Max's affinity with Carol, touched by KW's motherly presence, and overcome with the fantastic beauty of it all. I couldn't help it — I cried like a baby when Max left the island. I had to work through most of the end credits to pull myself back together. There's not much else to say about it, just my own meek little "thank you." Thank you to those dreamers and creators who bring a little magic into this all-too-muggle world. I don't know what I'd do without you.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Six of cups
Saturday night was like something out of "Big" and the Zoltan machine. Okay that's a bit of a reach, but there was some freaky-deaky shit. Long story short? Rebecca read our Tarot cards. For hours on end. Riveted? To say the least.
For starters, Rachel is trying to decide between two grad schools: Boston and New York. Tough decision? I should say yes. So she asked the deck about Boston and drew the Three of Pentacles. A description? Here are some key phrases associated with the card: "meeting your goals, proving your ability, achieving more than what's expected, knowing what it is and how to do it, operating in the know." It perfectly applies to a girl going to grad school, does it not? All of us in the room felt sure that the deck was telling Rachel, "Boston or bust!" But I suggested Rachel draw a card for New York — just to see what the cards had to say about The Big Apple. So she shuffled. And shuffled. With great gusto and much, well, shuffling. She drew a card. Can you guess? Three of (fucking**) Pentacles. The room let out gasps and screams as each of us backed into walls, clawing at our faces and shrieking at each other, "What the fuck! What the fuck!**" It was just too weird. Impossible. But it happened. That's some freaky shit.
To sum up the other strange readings, they all have to do with love. We asked the deck about our good friend, Christina's, relationship with her boy toy. Said boy toy has just returned from a six-month stint in Afghanistan. The card we pulled for their relationship's current state of affairs? A card that depicts a proud soldier returning home from war. (Again, the gasps resounded!) And a second love-related oddity? Lindsey simply asked the deck if she and her boyfriend would be married within the year — she pulled the Six of Wands, also known as "the victory card." Yes, this card appears when success is just around the corner. Will we all dance at Lindsey's wedding within a year? Who can say. But the Tarot seems to think so.
Now on to my own reading — I asked about The Boyfriend and I, as that will always be the most fun to a group of gossiping girlfriends. For our past, I drew The Lovers card. In my research, I found that The Lovers card really tells the story of a choice. "The Fool comes to a cross-road, filled with energy, confidence and purpose, knowing exactly where he wants to go and what he wants to do. But he comes to a dead stop. A flowering tree marks the path he wants to take, the one he's been planning on taking. But standing before a fruit tree marking the other path is a woman. The Fool has met and had relationships with women before, some far more beautiful and alluring. But she is different. Seeing her, he feels as though he's just been shot in the heart with cupid's arrow." Flowery, romantic, and just how a relationship's past (AKA beginning) should be.
For our present time, the deck sent me the card of Temperance. This card is all about opposites and merging those opposites together — "This card urges the querent to have faith that they can merge fiery red and watery blue into otherworldly violet. But they will need to experiment, have confidence, and try, try, again. It is about mixing things until you get exactly what you want, which is usually a perfect blend of the two." What a perfect reminder for a couple trying to figure out their next step. The Boyfriend is considering grad school... or a career. Our blessed economy being what it is, so much is up in the air — but Temperance is a reminder to try, have patience, and work at blending our lives bit by bit. It can be done.
Our future was the freaky-deaky shit card. I pulled the Six of Cups. It shows a boy bestowing a cup filled with flowers to a girl. Here is one interpretation: "The Lord of Pleasure is a welcome card in any reading, bringing in a sense of harmony and balance. Existing relationships broaden and deepen, giving an extended sense of contentment and satisfaction. It's important to recognize, with this card, that its influence extends only to established relationships - those which already have a history of their own. It will come up in a reading to indicate major steps forward, strengthened commitment, marriage." And another: "Harmony, past associations have brought present relationships. A sense of the past. Happiness that results from past efforts. Pleasant memories and realization of a dream. Can also indicate new elements entering into one's life which are linked to the past, which will work through the present to create the future."
**Note: Please excuse my French. :-)
For starters, Rachel is trying to decide between two grad schools: Boston and New York. Tough decision? I should say yes. So she asked the deck about Boston and drew the Three of Pentacles. A description? Here are some key phrases associated with the card: "meeting your goals, proving your ability, achieving more than what's expected, knowing what it is and how to do it, operating in the know." It perfectly applies to a girl going to grad school, does it not? All of us in the room felt sure that the deck was telling Rachel, "Boston or bust!" But I suggested Rachel draw a card for New York — just to see what the cards had to say about The Big Apple. So she shuffled. And shuffled. With great gusto and much, well, shuffling. She drew a card. Can you guess? Three of (fucking**) Pentacles. The room let out gasps and screams as each of us backed into walls, clawing at our faces and shrieking at each other, "What the fuck! What the fuck!**" It was just too weird. Impossible. But it happened. That's some freaky shit.To sum up the other strange readings, they all have to do with love. We asked the deck about our good friend, Christina's, relationship with her boy toy. Said boy toy has just returned from a six-month stint in Afghanistan. The card we pulled for their relationship's current state of affairs? A card that depicts a proud soldier returning home from war. (Again, the gasps resounded!) And a second love-related oddity? Lindsey simply asked the deck if she and her boyfriend would be married within the year — she pulled the Six of Wands, also known as "the victory card." Yes, this card appears when success is just around the corner. Will we all dance at Lindsey's wedding within a year? Who can say. But the Tarot seems to think so.
Now on to my own reading — I asked about The Boyfriend and I, as that will always be the most fun to a group of gossiping girlfriends. For our past, I drew The Lovers card. In my research, I found that The Lovers card really tells the story of a choice. "The Fool comes to a cross-road, filled with energy, confidence and purpose, knowing exactly where he wants to go and what he wants to do. But he comes to a dead stop. A flowering tree marks the path he wants to take, the one he's been planning on taking. But standing before a fruit tree marking the other path is a woman. The Fool has met and had relationships with women before, some far more beautiful and alluring. But she is different. Seeing her, he feels as though he's just been shot in the heart with cupid's arrow." Flowery, romantic, and just how a relationship's past (AKA beginning) should be.
For our present time, the deck sent me the card of Temperance. This card is all about opposites and merging those opposites together — "This card urges the querent to have faith that they can merge fiery red and watery blue into otherworldly violet. But they will need to experiment, have confidence, and try, try, again. It is about mixing things until you get exactly what you want, which is usually a perfect blend of the two." What a perfect reminder for a couple trying to figure out their next step. The Boyfriend is considering grad school... or a career. Our blessed economy being what it is, so much is up in the air — but Temperance is a reminder to try, have patience, and work at blending our lives bit by bit. It can be done.
Our future was the freaky-deaky shit card. I pulled the Six of Cups. It shows a boy bestowing a cup filled with flowers to a girl. Here is one interpretation: "The Lord of Pleasure is a welcome card in any reading, bringing in a sense of harmony and balance. Existing relationships broaden and deepen, giving an extended sense of contentment and satisfaction. It's important to recognize, with this card, that its influence extends only to established relationships - those which already have a history of their own. It will come up in a reading to indicate major steps forward, strengthened commitment, marriage." And another: "Harmony, past associations have brought present relationships. A sense of the past. Happiness that results from past efforts. Pleasant memories and realization of a dream. Can also indicate new elements entering into one's life which are linked to the past, which will work through the present to create the future."I'm not freaking out. But I am. I mean what are the odds that I would pick such a card? I could have drawn Rachel's Three of Pentacles, but no. It just (pun is intended) wasn't in the cards. And even more strange? Rebecca said, after she explained this final card to me, that while she had been reading up on Tarot, the Six of Cups reminded her of me. She said she kept thinking of me. Thought it was "so Kelsey." And then I go and draw it? Final thoughts: as aforementioned, freaky-deaky shit. Gotta love it.
**Note: Please excuse my French. :-)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Have you googled today?
Today's Google "icon," if you will, is pretty remarkable. Martha Graham: modern dancer and choreographer "whose influence on dance has been compared to the influence Picasso had on the visual arts, or Frank Lloyd Wright had on architecture" (Wikipedia). Be it a stroke of genius or quiet cleverness, I've got to hand it to Google.
Folks visit the search engine.
They're loving what they see.
They click on the icon.
They learn something new.
And after I learned it was Martha Graham's birthday? I visited youtube. Then decided I quite preferred the "White Christmas" take on things — "Choreography" (a video I can't find on youtube for the life of me! So, instead, clicking on Vera will take you to one of my favorite "White Christmas" dance numbers). All this searching because of Google's Wednesday icon. I salute the brains of that operation — your trickery's working on this one!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Enigma
"Enigma (eh-NIG-muh) nounSomething that's almost impossible to understand or explain; usually refers to a mysterious person."
Tonight I'm having dinner with old friends, one of which is visiting due to a brief dental-school hiatus. Fritz has tooth friends. It was only a matter of time. They discuss molars and bicuspids and chew sugarfree gum. (I speculate.) We gulp diet soda from the can and munch on Bubblicious. Has she moved beyond us? Have the tooth friends replaced us? I doubt it. Fritz has just always been better at dictating oral hygiene than responding to mass emails or picking up the telephone. But by accident or by design, Fritz has morphed into a bit of an enigma in the eyes of our Milwaukee chums — as Churchill said of Russia, she is "a riddle, wrapped up in a mystery, inside an enigma." Can one friendly, "we have to catch up!" dinner at UNOs Chicago Grill crack the riddle that is Fritz? Can we solve the mystery? Explain the enigma? Let's find out.
"Give it a ponder."
A friend of mine sent me a link to Jezebel.com — they posted the following "editorial" by 10-year-old Eliza Sayers. Her writings need no further introduction.
"Dear Boys from around the World,
There is just one ting I have to say before I go on. STOP BEING SO STEREOTYPICAL! . The reason I have to let this is out of my system I am yet to tell you. So today I was reading a Mini Boden magazine ( some place in Sweden), and the magazine people asked questions to the kids who were modeling. The one question that ticked me off was this question:
"What is the biggest difference between Boys ( That means you Boys) and Girls?" Here are some answers that were in this "magazine". Kian, age 6, "Girls Like dolls, and Boys don't". Oh okay I know what you're thinking "Oh he's just six!". Well you better listen to this. Stefano, age 7, "Girls wear pink, and Boys wear blue and green." Okay you're probably thinking the same thing. "Oh he is just 7. Well here is another one. Aiden, 6, "Girls like nail polish; Boys like Soccer Balls.' Yeah I know he is six too. But getting closer to the older ones. Asha, age 8, "Boys are rougher and stronger." Yeah he's eight. Not six, or seven. He's eight. He's got a brain. He's smarter than six and seven yr olds. It's kind of old to me, because I am turning 11 this year. Okay so now that I have listed those Boys' opinions, I am going to list the reasons why I think they are stereotypical.
#1. Hey I'm a Girl, and I HATE dolls! I also hate Barbies, pink, my little ponies, and glitter is okay I guess. But I don't love it like boys think all girls do. But that's just my opinion. Well let me give you a quick lesson. Not all Girls like prissy stuff including me...Give it a ponder.
#2. Like I said I HATE pink. I despise it. HACK See I spat on it. That's how much I hate pink. Hey guess what Stefano, age 7, I wear blue, green, orange, and white about everyday like every other kid in America ( and for this kid in Sweden). I like just about every other color in the rainbow. Except for Pink ( the color not the singer). and purple. So Stefano, I think you have learned an important fact that not all Girls like pink.
#3. For one thing though I do like nail polish, but not just Boys like soccer. For example my friend Heidi is a master soccer player. You mess with her, she kicks you in the shins, or maybe just trips you on the field. Seriously I think you should stay away. For reals.
And finally #4 Okay one thing is that I could beat many boys in a wrestling competition that is up to my grade. Like at lunch today, I was an arm wrestling my friend that happens to be a boy. I beat him. Finally I took my hand off , because I knew he had enough. And also Jillian Michaels, or at least I think it is Jillian Michaels, she's really strong. Probably the strongest woman I've ever heard of. So Asha, 8, give it a ponder.
So really the only reason I wrote this editiorial was to address Boys to stop being so stereotypical and for reading that messy magazine. And the only reason I was reading the magazine was because I was bored. And I must have been really bored to be reading a Swedish magazine about clothes that strangely gets sent to my house.
A Random person in Avon Indiana
Eliza Sayers, age 10"
"Dear Boys from around the World,
There is just one ting I have to say before I go on. STOP BEING SO STEREOTYPICAL! . The reason I have to let this is out of my system I am yet to tell you. So today I was reading a Mini Boden magazine ( some place in Sweden), and the magazine people asked questions to the kids who were modeling. The one question that ticked me off was this question:
"What is the biggest difference between Boys ( That means you Boys) and Girls?" Here are some answers that were in this "magazine". Kian, age 6, "Girls Like dolls, and Boys don't". Oh okay I know what you're thinking "Oh he's just six!". Well you better listen to this. Stefano, age 7, "Girls wear pink, and Boys wear blue and green." Okay you're probably thinking the same thing. "Oh he is just 7. Well here is another one. Aiden, 6, "Girls like nail polish; Boys like Soccer Balls.' Yeah I know he is six too. But getting closer to the older ones. Asha, age 8, "Boys are rougher and stronger." Yeah he's eight. Not six, or seven. He's eight. He's got a brain. He's smarter than six and seven yr olds. It's kind of old to me, because I am turning 11 this year. Okay so now that I have listed those Boys' opinions, I am going to list the reasons why I think they are stereotypical.
#1. Hey I'm a Girl, and I HATE dolls! I also hate Barbies, pink, my little ponies, and glitter is okay I guess. But I don't love it like boys think all girls do. But that's just my opinion. Well let me give you a quick lesson. Not all Girls like prissy stuff including me...Give it a ponder.
#2. Like I said I HATE pink. I despise it. HACK See I spat on it. That's how much I hate pink. Hey guess what Stefano, age 7, I wear blue, green, orange, and white about everyday like every other kid in America ( and for this kid in Sweden). I like just about every other color in the rainbow. Except for Pink ( the color not the singer). and purple. So Stefano, I think you have learned an important fact that not all Girls like pink.
#3. For one thing though I do like nail polish, but not just Boys like soccer. For example my friend Heidi is a master soccer player. You mess with her, she kicks you in the shins, or maybe just trips you on the field. Seriously I think you should stay away. For reals.
And finally #4 Okay one thing is that I could beat many boys in a wrestling competition that is up to my grade. Like at lunch today, I was an arm wrestling my friend that happens to be a boy. I beat him. Finally I took my hand off , because I knew he had enough. And also Jillian Michaels, or at least I think it is Jillian Michaels, she's really strong. Probably the strongest woman I've ever heard of. So Asha, 8, give it a ponder.
So really the only reason I wrote this editiorial was to address Boys to stop being so stereotypical and for reading that messy magazine. And the only reason I was reading the magazine was because I was bored. And I must have been really bored to be reading a Swedish magazine about clothes that strangely gets sent to my house.
A Random person in Avon Indiana
Eliza Sayers, age 10"
Monday, May 9, 2011
Stumblings
StumbleUpon.com is a place for serendipity. It's in stumbling upon things that we find ourselves getting some answers while asking more questions. Stumbling makes me excited, curious, and thirsty for more — more of this world's riddles, strangeness, and beauty. So let's start a new feature here on Stuff&nonsense: Stumblings — things I find and things I "like" (literally).
Our inaugural Stumbling? Forced-perspective photography. What is it? "A technique that employs optical illusion to make an object appear farther away, closer, larger or smaller than it actually is. It manipulates human visual perception through the use of scaled objects and the correlation between them and the vantage point of the spectator or camera."
((Photo courtesy of Instant Shift))
Our inaugural Stumbling? Forced-perspective photography. What is it? "A technique that employs optical illusion to make an object appear farther away, closer, larger or smaller than it actually is. It manipulates human visual perception through the use of scaled objects and the correlation between them and the vantage point of the spectator or camera."
((Photo courtesy of Instant Shift))
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Dalliance
"Dalliance (DA-lee-yuns) noun
A trifling, frivolous activity, often with an amorous intent
(and therefore usually conducted with another person)."
Let today be a dilly-dally-dalliance of a day! The Boyfriend is en route from Geneva, Switzerland, and I am brimming with amorous intent. Before picking him up at the bus station, I have big plans for tidying up his studio apartment, hanging twinkle lights, and taping up paper chains. There will be a bottle of bubbly chilling in the fridge, frozen pizza stacked in the freezer, and a handmade "WELCOME HOME!" sign to boot. With this laundry list of tasks in mind, it's time for me to bid you farewell and get on with my dalliances. Until tomorrow!
A trifling, frivolous activity, often with an amorous intent
(and therefore usually conducted with another person)."
Let today be a dilly-dally-dalliance of a day! The Boyfriend is en route from Geneva, Switzerland, and I am brimming with amorous intent. Before picking him up at the bus station, I have big plans for tidying up his studio apartment, hanging twinkle lights, and taping up paper chains. There will be a bottle of bubbly chilling in the fridge, frozen pizza stacked in the freezer, and a handmade "WELCOME HOME!" sign to boot. With this laundry list of tasks in mind, it's time for me to bid you farewell and get on with my dalliances. Until tomorrow!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Cahoots
"Cahoots (kuh-HOOTS) noun
A very particular type of partnership. When you say that two
people in "in cahoots," it usually means they are up to no good."
T
his is a big week for me. The Boyfriend comes home tomorrow after being abroad and finding himself for the past four-plus months, and Lord knows I'm ready to jump out of my skin and into his ever-lovin' arms — but today? Today my partner in cahoots comes back to Wisco. She's been off gallivanting (this time it was South America — last year it was Asia), and now she's back in my little corner of the world.
Rachelle is one of those people who can do anything. Sure, I could say that about a lot of friends to encourage morale, but Rachelle actually can do anything. She's held more odd jobs, come through more scrapes, seen more of the world, and pulled success out of her ass more than anyone I know. She puts her mind to it, and it's done. She's fearless. Fierce. Up for anything. Will fight to the death standing up for meek-minded amigas like me. The list goes on — and maybe that's why she's my bosom friend and partner in cahoots. There are only a handful of people whose list of amenities runs on for miles (at least in my book), and Rachelle has one of the longest lists of all — and a friend with countless amenities is a friend worth keeping. Long story short? I'm glad to have her back.
A very particular type of partnership. When you say that two
people in "in cahoots," it usually means they are up to no good."
T
his is a big week for me. The Boyfriend comes home tomorrow after being abroad and finding himself for the past four-plus months, and Lord knows I'm ready to jump out of my skin and into his ever-lovin' arms — but today? Today my partner in cahoots comes back to Wisco. She's been off gallivanting (this time it was South America — last year it was Asia), and now she's back in my little corner of the world.Rachelle is one of those people who can do anything. Sure, I could say that about a lot of friends to encourage morale, but Rachelle actually can do anything. She's held more odd jobs, come through more scrapes, seen more of the world, and pulled success out of her ass more than anyone I know. She puts her mind to it, and it's done. She's fearless. Fierce. Up for anything. Will fight to the death standing up for meek-minded amigas like me. The list goes on — and maybe that's why she's my bosom friend and partner in cahoots. There are only a handful of people whose list of amenities runs on for miles (at least in my book), and Rachelle has one of the longest lists of all — and a friend with countless amenities is a friend worth keeping. Long story short? I'm glad to have her back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)