How can you resist that face?

Subprime crisis, predatory lending mortgage catastophe affecting the poors and middle class, blah, blah. Wait... doggies? Finally, a reason to care about this devastating economic catastrophe! The Washington Post reports that due to an increasing number of foreclosures, animal shelters are overflowing with dogs whose owners had to give them away.

"In the case of a dog found in the care of a homeless man in Frederick, Shea was able to track its ownership through an identification microchip implanted in the animal's skin. When an animal control officer went to the owner's address, he found a vacant 'McMansion,' Shea said."
'Some people will just open the door and let them out, hoping for the best,' she said."

It's Wall Street's fault, Spot. Bite them. Losing a Best Friend Along with the House [Washington Post]

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Moral of the story:

Get a doggie from the animal shelter.
I can't wait til' I can get a doggie!
Our landlord won't allow us to have pets :-(
We'll have one soon enough, though.

j'ya ever get the feeling someone was disappointed in you

and it really bothered you?

Urggg.
I'm currently going through this right now with some of my family members.
And the thing is, I'm stuck on how to even deal with the situation.
I've tried a few times, but they deny any sort of animosity towards me or my actions.

The thing is my grandparents (father's parents) who practically raised me, can't let go.
They just can't let go of me.
We talk once a week every Sunday, and since I've moved to Connecticut I just can't seem to get a positive word out of them.
It seems to me that my grandma is trying to guilt trip me about living here and not being in Wisconsin.
Now, since I'm moving to New York City, it's as if these feelings of hers have multiplied.
It's odd because she won't directly say things - she'll sort-of .. indirectly say them.
For instance, she talks about how I'm not there to go shopping with her so she has to go by herself.

Perhaps for some people this wouldn't bother them.
The thing is - I'm torn in the fact that they had a great deal in raising me
and I feel as though I have some sort of obligation to be there for them as they get older.

I've tried and tried to put this behind me - but it's gotten to the point where it's actually making me angry.
Not to mention, hurt.
I don't know how to deal with it anymore.
It's frustrating - I don't understand why people who love me so much have to be so selfish.
I'm tired of having to convince them of my happiness.

I just had to vent a minute, and maybe get a few hints as to what to do.

I could:
a. Ignore the situation, as I have been for quite some time.
b. Write my grandparents a letter and tell them how I feel.
c. ?
d. ?

Any suggestions?

Getting an apartment in New York City has been one of the most monumental things that has happened to me in a long time and I really want to share this with them, but I just can't.
They just won't allow themselves to be really and truly happy for me.

They wanted me to go to college, meet a boy, date for several years, and then get married - and live 10 minutes down the road from them for the rest of my life.

And you know, that may work for some people, but I have some extraordinary things I want to do before I die.
Maybe I want to do some of those things, but not in that order.

I just want to be free.
Perhaps that's selfish.



But I think not.

waltz to the poetry

oh yes, baby!

Today I went to Target and got an incredible deal on this GORGEOUS bag by Gryson.



$40.00 - what a bargain!
ekk! I love it! It's odd because I'm very into girly floral patterns and feminine cuts, but as of late I've been daydreaming of motorcycle bags and kick ass boots. .. Very out of character, but I like it.

I was eying this one at asos -
but it's $140 + .. ekk. That's a lot, at least on my current budget.



The one I got is the bag without the hefty price tag! HA!

I really love what my wardrobe is turning into -
it's classic, feminine and a bit wild.
I like a little bit in everything!
How very Carrie Bradshaw of me.
Sarah Jessica Parker is one of my style icons, both in character and on the street.
I was actually thinking about that the other day - how she breaks the mold, and fits into anything she wants
on any given day.
I'm starting to relate to that concept.

I'm a firm believer in investing into statement pieces (like my new bag)
to spice things up - rather than following trends, up and down, season to season.
I tried that for a while, but it was exhausting, and left me feeling unoriginal and broke.

So, my advice to you:
Invest in something that is classic, well-made, and comfortable.

Peace, lovies.

thrifting

Hello, dolls.

Justin and I went to Goodwill today and found a few lovely things -
mostly records and books -

The Culture of Fear - Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things


Underdogs (Cute coffee table kind-of thing)


Valentino's Magic


and some others: Poet's Choice, Get a Grip on Genetics, Best American Poetry 1990, The Art of Japanese Brush Painting

And! I got a really nice tan colored linen skirt (which I will be sure to post at a later date).

Oh, and today was the first real warm day all year!
I actually rode my bike around the block - TWICE!
.. It needs air in the tires,
But it felt nice to feel the sun on my bare arms.
So, tonight I begin packing.
As of now, we have boxes stacked up to the ceiling in the living room.
Four days and counting!

sweet dreams

While we were in New York
we spent most of our time apartment hunting,
but we managed to clear one day for adventure.
We went to Soho, meandering down Prince Street .. oh, and it was so lovely.
Street vendors were selling handmade hats and beaded jewelery and old, used books -
It was as if the sun kissed everything - it was so beautiful!
I took a lot of shots, and believe me, it's so easy to take photographs there.
Even the roads are beautiful - made of a reddish cobblestone brick of sorts.
The architecture is glorious - and the people are so unique.
The whole experience was beautiful.
It was so exciting!
.. I can see myself spending a lot of time there ..

Vintage ride


Zee Artist!


Self-portrait, artist: unknown.


Empire State Building from afar


Trees in the city


Painting salmon and blue



Street Art 101


Dimensions


In the subway, channeling Jimi Hendrix


I am so excited to learn new things -
the upcoming warmer months excite me to no end.
I plan to exercise my writing and photography skills and explore every place I can.
My desire for knowledge is very immense -
Just being their for a week thrilled me.
This is going to be a good year .. I can feel it.

I'm off to bed, lovies - g'night.


P.S.
I wanted to tell you:
I bought a sleep mask while I was away -
best $5.00 I ever spent - slept like a baby.