Design Wisting

I would love to live in this room so much. That rainbow window! That ceiling! Those plants!

My second choice is this unicorn-themed room:



Not a fan of the pink, though. I would go with green and purple bedding and rugs.

Part of me is wondering why I didn't get into interior design as a career. Just looking at design and decor blogs makes me so happy. I suppose there's still time.



Photos via Home Sweet Home.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 30

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss



Grandpa Tony, R.I.P. Such a great grandpa and such a great person.

Well kids, that does it for this 30 day "challenge." Good times, eh?

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 29

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile



Tom and kitties, about a year and a half ago. Awwww.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 28

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of



The mighty grim reaper. But mostly, the mysteriousness of non-existence.

Dr. Who Swimsuit Calendar

If you're into Dr. Who at all, click on the picture. Hilarious.

Dia de los Muertos-themed Painting

This is the latest painting I've been working on, called "In Limbo." I was in the mood to do something smaller, more simplistic and colorful than my other paintings. My last semester at school I did a series of huge paintings with outer space backgrounds like this one:



While doing those paintings was enjoyable, I just wanted to play around with something new. I've been fascinated with Mexican folk art and dia de los muertos imagery lately, so I decided to run with it. (I also made a dia de los muertos skull pillow not too long ago, shown here.)

Once I found the ovular canvas at the craft store, I knew I wanted to do an iconic-style portrait with a faux frame. I just didn't know of who or what, but then the idea to do another skull came to me. I had some fake gems lying around, so I added them to the eyes, hat flower, and frame as well. I think they really add a lot to the piece! I always like 3-D elements.

I suppose this is a mostly-decorative piece. If you want a "meaning" behind the piece (like they always wanted you to have in college art classes, which really just allowed me to develop better skills in BSing) I suppose it's about confronting one's mortality and whatnot. The Skullman is in limbo with REALITY, man. Skullman could be YOU, man. Skullman is your protypical Everyman, MAN.

(For more photos of this painting, check 'em out here.)

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 27

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member



My dad and I at the Durham Museum, which used to be a railroad station, but is now a museum of the history of passenger trains/the history of Omaha. I went there with my parents in December last year when they came into town for my graduation. My mom particularly enjoyed it--she remembers when it was still a train station, as she and her family frequently were there traveling by train when she was young.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 26

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you



This is a picture of a painting I did last year called, Internal Malfunction. While this painting (which was bought by my friend Andrew!) is somewhat important to me, I'm using it more as a general representation for creativity. Creativity is something that means a lot to me. If I weren't able to draw, paint, sew, make music, and write, I would get frustrated and bored. That's why I hate my general labor job, and also why I put up with it (for the time being) because I chose to get a degree in something I love rather than something "practical." Creativity means that much to me. Ha.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 25

Day 25 - A picture of your day



Today I ate lunch at Grand China Buffet with my friend Tara. I'm not usually a fan of buffets, but I have to admit, it was pretty tasty. After being sick the past few days it was nice to eat food that wasn't soup. Sunday is apparently the day to go to that joint--it was packed. Afterward we went to a gym (how appropriate, post-buffet) we were thinking of joining, to get more info. Even though the place is quite swanky, we're not going to join after all. Too many hidden fees. Now I am doing laundry and watching a BBC program on Pluto. Sounds like an exciting Sunday, I know. Later I might go grocery shopping, and after that, I may work on my latest dia de los muertos-inspired painting. So that is exciting-ish, I suppose.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 24

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change



I wish really wish I could stop violence against women (pregnant or not) and children. I want to stop it against undeserving men, too, but it's more prevalent (and even normal in some cultures) with women and children. It absolutely disgusts me that some men feel to exert their "power" they need to use physical violence. Actually, it disgusts me that they feel the need to exert "power" at all, but I'll stay on this subject for now. To raise a fist against someone who is probably less than equal to one's physical strength is utterly cowardly. I get depressed thinking about how violent situations become part of a day-to-day basis for some families.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 23

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book



It's always hard to pick just one book, but I really like Ishmael by Daniel Quinn.

Everything Happens For a Nonsensical Reason

Photo via PostSecret.

Everything happens for a reason.

This is a commonly used phrase, often used by people trying to justify or make sense of life's negative experiences. This is also a phrase that makes me want to throw rotten food items at said people's faces.

I suppose one can argue that everything does happen for a reason, in some sense. The Holocaust happened because Hitler was a charismatic sociopath and enough people bought into what he was saying. Thousands of women are raped daily because, despite living in a modern, "civilized" world, there are still an abundance of lowlife scumbags everywhere.

Sure, these instances happen(ed) for a reason, just not any sort of good reason. One might say bad or damn awful reasons. However, when people tend to use the phrase "everything happens for a reason," it's usually in the context of justifying bad things happening under the notion that some good will come out of them.

I would not recommend using this phrase for several reasons. One, it makes the phrase user sound naïve, dense, and unsympathetic. Two, it's unoriginal and does not promote further investigation into why events happen. Most importantly, though, it trivializes horrendous events.

First, saying everything happens for a reason often demonstrates that an individual has not experienced enough to understand that very bad things often happen to very good people. It also suggests to me that the phrase user has lived life pretty easily. Recently, when teenage pop star Justin Bieber was asked about his views on abortion in the case of rape or incest, he defended his pro-life stance by saying, "everything happens for a reason."

Noted, this is a sixteen-year-old pop star, and any reasonable adult would probably not take heed to (or care about) his political stance. However, there are also a number of adults who agree with his stance. To me, these adults will be placed at the same level as this teenage pop star. At least he has being sixteen as an excuse.

Second, using the phrase can become a roadblock for investigating further into events. One can relate it to religious folk claiming that God, gods, or the universe have a Plan for Us All. As a non-religious person, I might even agree that there could be an Ultimate Fate of the Universe of some sort, but not that every action that ever happens contributes to this Ultimate Fate. When people decide to not further investigate and/or ignore what is causing climate change around the world because, don't worry, it's out of our hands and everything happens for reason, then it becomes a major issue. Then said people are also classified under my first point.

Lastly, claiming that everything happens for a reason trivializes, well, just about everything. Oh, your best friend was tortured for seven days before being murdered? Don't worry, it was for a reason. There are children starving all around the world, and they'll never know a better life before they slowly and painfully die of malnutrition? Don't worry, it's for the greater good.

Sorry, am I being too much of a Negative Nancy? Well, in that case, saying everything happens for a reason trivializes good things that happen as well. You got your lower class self into an Ivy League school on full ride because you worked your ass off every day and night? Oh, it's just so you can contribute to mankind's destiny.

In conclusion, people who use this phrase may naïvely have the best of intentions. However, I will still be greatly tempted to throw a rotten tomato at their face.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 22

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at



I wish I were a better drummer. I've definitely gotten better over the years, but I wish I had the time and motivation to practice every day.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 21

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget



I read the first Twilight book to see what the hype was about. I wish I could forget everything about that awful pile of crap.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 20

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel



Tokyo, most definitely.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 19

Day 19 - A picture of a letter



Sadly I don't have many handwritten letters in my possession anymore, so here's a letter "A".

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 18

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity



Awkwardness in social situations, which leads to more awkwardness in social situations, which in turn leads to a downward spiral of more awkwardness.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 17

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently



I graduated with my bachelor's degree in December. It was hard to slow down after my brain was in "school mode" for such a long time (always moving, always on the go, always feeling like I needed to be doing something). Now I'm afraid I've slowed down too much. Sleeping in on every day I don't work, and finishing projects at my leisure. On the other hand, I feel like I've been learning more recently. Probably because during my last two years at school, I was focusing on art all the time. Lately I've been reading science books and watching a lot of documentaries. I'm still learning, just heading in a different direction for the time being.

I think I just need to find a happy medium. Tom and I are considering moving to Athens, Georgia when our lease is up at the end of August, so that would be a huge change. Moving, especially so far away, definitely takes time for adjustment. After the initial change, though, I think I can find a nice balance.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 16

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you



Frida Kahlo.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 15

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die



I would love to visit Teotihuacán and its ancient pyramids. I think it would be so amazing to be up close in their presence, and also to touch such structures. I am absolutely fascinated by their mysterious histories, as well as the Egyptian pyramids. I would really like to do any more traveling I can do before I die, though. It's one thing to read about and see pictures of places that are foreign to me, but to actually visit them really sparks my imagination and reminds me that there is so much more out there in the world than the tiny existence I've created for myself.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 14

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without



My mom.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 13

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist



The White Stripes, oh yes oh yes.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 12

Day 12 - A picture of something you love



I can't help it. Cute fluffy animals were my first true love, and I'm pretty sure they'll be my last.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 11

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate



Fox News. I would actually find its ridiculousness to be amusing if I wasn't aware that so many people buy into their hateful bigotry.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 10

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with



This is my wingman, Andrew. Here he is at our joint birthday party last year, covered in glitter. Good times!

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 9

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most



This is my lovely boyfriend, Tom. I stole this photo from facebook--I wasn't actually there when this was taken, but I wanted to use it because it's so great (and better quality than most of my photos). He's giving the toast as best man at his brother's wedding reception. He's also holding champagne, which is ironic because he doesn't drink.

Anyway, Tom has certainly gotten me through a lot. He's a great listener and always has the best advice. Cheers to you, Tom.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 8

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh



Whoever created this picture needs a serious handshake.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 7

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item




I try not to be too attached to "items," but I can't help it--I do still have a lot of sentimental value associated with some of my belongings. This is a sculpture my dad made from tree parts in the late '70s. The sombrero, leis, and other decorations are my own additions. When it was at my parents' house, it was used as a hat rack. My dad passed it on to me several years ago, and since then it has certainly been a point of interest for anyone who comes to visit.