I Miss Guns N’ Roses.

Ya just what the title says.ha. Don’t judge me. And enjoy the videos below !

…Elephant gives birth to midget??? heh.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbUC-UaAxE]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_enNmzWn6Y]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-AYAv0IoWI]

Posted in Music // Comments Off on I Miss Guns N’ Roses.

I Miss Guns N’ Roses.

Ya just what the title says.ha. Don’t judge me. And enjoy the videos below !

…Elephant gives birth to midget??? heh.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbUC-UaAxE]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_enNmzWn6Y]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-AYAv0IoWI]

Posted in Music // Comments Off on I Miss Guns N’ Roses.

Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to be— Peter Pan??

It’s been called a lot of things, but more recently I heard the tag line, “The Peter Pan Syndrome.” You know…NeverNeverLand, The Lost Boys ( also a great 80’s movie), Pirates and Indians?? Personally I always wanted to live there, when I was younger I used to have a re-occurring dream that I was running down the street trying to take flight with the North Star straight ahead of me but I could never quite get far enough off the ground. Needless to say it was such a let down because I wanted to fly there so bad and not to be Wendy but one of the Lost Boys -to paint my face and howl like a wolf and laugh all day-

So this idea is now being supplanted to describe today’s current 20-somethings, male and female but mostly the males.

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Living in NYC this seems to be an even larger complaint that I have heard from women, that they just cannot find anyone. I’m sure there are many reasons for this (standards, self respect i.e. quit just hooking up idiots if you want QUALITY !!, and I’m sure just plain immature “men”) So how did this whole thing occur? Bad Economy? A generation of children spawned from divorce and/or broken families that set a bad example of how great such things could be?? Frat houses??( lol) Well I found numerous articles, but only one that really put it well and I think without a ton of speculation, just written by some guy that grew up with a strong male figure ( Link Here).

Yes it is so hard to find a good guy.

Yes it seems women’s biological clocks are going crazy and because were hard wired –like birds know when and how to fly south magically– our bodies also know the expiration date for having kids (this I attribute to the fact that nature/the universe/god, whatever you call it, knows how to implement mechanisms to keep a population going and simply pregnancy is too tough/dangerous for a non-youngish women to go thru) and guys are hard wired to be hunters/providers (and if a guy doesn’t feel stable enough to take care of you.. well.. long live the bachelor life I guess?? They are more logic based so obviously its smart to be stable first but we are emotions based so we don’t wanna wait lol)

Were made to work together, its plain as day. If outside circumstances somehow throw this dance out of balance it just makes it harder to choreograph, doesn’t it ?? If women become crazy feminists that slowly wreak havoc on chivalry or the “traditional” roles men used to fill.. Listen I’m all for independence and equal pay but I’m talking about the women that take it so far as to create a massive shift in the male female relations as to create a negative environment, lets face it, not all of you want babies and marriage but I’ll be damned if I haven’t met one women YET who is truly, truly adverse to that, so what better way not to get those things then to be promiscuous and become some sort of man hater, ya that’s gonna get you there..

I actually sat in on a conversation of male co-workers once recounting all the bad experiences they have had with women like this. One in particular commented on how he rushed to open the door for this woman who had her hands full of groceries and bags (therefore no extra hand available to open the door) and she actually yelled at him “I can do it myself!!” She sat down the bags and opened the door, shoved them in with her foot and then picked them back up. He stated that was the last time he would open a door for a lady.

OI VEY. 

All I have to say is if you aren’t true to your hearts desires it creates havoc. Some women were told its weak to want to be a house wife or want house wifey things or let a man help/support them, I call bullshit. Meanwhile I hear career women and non-career types alike with the SAME complaints. Geezus.

Here is a thought: Accept help when its offered if you need it. Stop being permiscuous and actually demand more. Be true to your hearts desires. You can’t do everything, no really, you can’t, its nice to be ambitious and try but its not likely you’ll achieve status of “I am a rock. I am an Island.” (which is also a song btw)

No man is an Island.

As far as the Peter Pans, well, a shitty economy makes for less stability which makes for a slower “I want to settle down” atmosphere. Also since its true many many people had a less then traditional or stable upbringing it does make it difficult for they, themselves to want to take those steps. I get it, I didn’t have a great example of a relationship either but I did learn the things you should do. Were all scared, we don’t want shitty relationships man. Not to mention a study I read about recently that found that in popular media happy marriages are shown scarcely, (obviously girl movies will always be around) but in general television, ads, etc… it doesn’t portray happy healthy families all that much. None of these things exactly help.

I think we all need to grow up in so many ways  that popular culture doesn’t exactly nurture. Women and Men were made to fit together yet it seems to me that a lot of “worldly” (as in fleeting empty things, money-sex-negativity) things in the modern world make that fitting a lot harder to find. I call not for more marriages and babies but for a realization of all people to right the wrongs and be better then our examples, whatever they were (parents, popular media/culture etc) because clearly a lot of people are not happy or fully satisfied. I believe a sense of purpose and stability can actually lead to happiness, and that intimacy (REAL intimacy) in a relationship is worth far more then the 10,15,20,30,40 hot girls or guys you could sleep with (God help you if you reach those numbers..) and so many of us (humans) are selling ourselves short. Please take off the blinders and see the possibilities. I think all people, male or female simply want the things that love and/or family can offer. YEARS of being behind a bar and hearing old men recount their regrets in never marrying the one they should have or could have.. and women dating around losing hope in finding a good man.. its pretty obvious we all need love, so why as a culture do we keep sabotaging it??

A band whose singer I believe is a deep thinker and a good lyricist, that looks up to Bob Dylan (always a good sign of talent lol) penned these lyrics,although repetitive but true..

Blame it on what you’ve been through
Blame it on what you’re into
Blame it on your religions
Blame it on politicians
We’ve been blowing up
We’re the issue
It’s our condition
We’ve been blowing up
We’re the issue
Our detonation
We’ve been blowing up
We’re the issue
We’re ammunition
We’re ammunition
We’re ammunition
We are the fuse and ammunition
I have no generation
Show me my motivation
One world one desperation
One hope and one salvation
Look what a mess we’ve made of love
Look what a mess we’ve made
We’ve got ourselves to blame
Look what a bomb we made of love

Dear Friends, I hope you all find your loves. We deserve so much more then what we are offered by this world, so take it back and make it better.

Cheers!

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P.s. I know that I may get a lot of responses from those of you that have differing opinions about this or plain just don’t agree, while I appreciate and want to hear from you, all I ask is that we all keep it a respectful and productive discussion. I want to hear your thoughts, lets bounce our ideas around.

Lets Take Over the World

-And other tales from the ambitious front line

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I have been walking in circles, how frustrating is it when life becomes a string of work, work, home, work.. ahhh ! There is more, there HAS to be more then the 4 concrete walls inside which I live. It doesn’t help that I get bored easily.. I can recall long periods of time spent laying on my bed staring at the ceiling before finally deciding to get up and retreat to my Mother to exclaim “I’m Bored” to which she replied “Someday you’ll wish you were bored.” or threats of “I’ll find something for you to do..” Really?

I often now know what she meant, back then all my responsibilities consisited of -Go To School, and thats it… oh how nice it was to be bored!!

But alas I get bored now, more so… restless

I always feel more content around the people I love, naturally….when left to my own devices for long stretches of time I either get weirder and sometimes quieter (yes, I do actually stop talking at some point, believe it or not)

So fellow humans reading this article what is the solution to this boredom? Well, since I can’t magically move my very best friends and family here to be my neighbors or at least be within weekend visit driving distance.. ALAS….. luckily growing up an only child (please do not be biased, I am not one of those only children, really.) has provided an excellent capacity to entertain oneself and not feel so lonely as a “lone wolf” … Also everyone struggles with boredom and visits Bummerville from time to time.. (Note* Bummerville is nowhere near Margaritaville because the general population hates Jimmy Buffet’s music)

So perhaps not only I but you need the reminder.. Life is full of the following wonderful things..

KittenspuppiesLaughingFriendsFamilyLOVEgoodfood-Icecream!!FALL.Sledding.Humor.Beer.Art.Music.Beautiful things abound! Leaps and jumps of inspiration.luck.hope.dreams.Travel.Cupcakes.ComicBooks.Dinosaurs. and…. pretty much anything else that gives you a glimpse into a better place then the grind we have all created for ourselves and seem to be stuck in at times… Just a friendly reminder that the universe is ever expanding so don’t shut down but expand out with it.. putting limits on yourself in any way is going against nature. Really. And.. I’ve heard Mother Nature isn’t always that forgiving so you better open up and smile.

Notice money is nowhere on the list, honestly, it is the root of all evil and nothing but paper. I worked as a Bank Teller for awhile and at first handling it all you picture this in your head..

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But it quickly becomes this after sometime…

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I would be in awe of how much people cared about it really. You obviously need it to spin the cogs to live in this world however… it certainly does not buy happiness. Be smart with your money though and you can accomplish a lot of meaningful things however (See also: Altruism, helping family, taking care of your loved ones, buying puppies and kittens?!?!) ha, Why Not?

Cheers my friends.

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Elated.

Happy Saturday ! I just returned from a nice week of work (believe it!) I got to go to sunny California and catch up on my vitamin D intake.. it was a nice change of scenery, however the flight time I could do without … At any rate I did get some reading done. I wandered and wandered Laguardia Airport and I came across Pattie Smith’s Just Kids …. I never got into her as an artist but I have to say after reading this book I was impressed, it’s a sad and beautiful tale of two people that really loved each other *sigh*

Truth be told I cried at the end on the way back from California…on the plane in total obscurity among a sea of strangers. I can only hope to have such a love story with another human being, I really liked the fact that they fueled each others creativity in the best of times and more importantly worst of times. If you enjoy or adore any of the old NY artists and beat writers you MUST read this.

In other news… While in California I recalled a haunting dream that I haven’t been able to shake. My Mother always half joked that as I got older I would figure out all the things she screwed up.. well not too long ago I had a vivd dream, I was looking/watching myself as a child, perfect and untainted by the world and so full of potential. I got the overwhelming unspoken feeling/sense that this little girl could have anything and everything. I was smiling and laughing next to my Mother who was bent down lower to be near my plane of view. We were exceptionally happy there, next to one another. Then the dream was punctuated by a voice, not in my own voice either. All it communicated was a single sentence “Your Mother made you insecure.”

Since then I have been working out and filling in all the holes of where this has negatively effected me in life and it has pretty much everywhere, from my romantic choices or pursuits throughout the years right down to me wanting to go to Art School. It got me to thinking that I need to correct this, I have gotten better but that dream… Wow. This brings me to my point. There is a beauty company that makes great little products and in nicely designed packaging I discovered years ago, and upon investigating further found they donate proceeds to a local girls group in Colorado that helps girls come into their own at a young age. I never thought I needed that sort of thing but I realize maybe I did !!!

I am running a contest, I would like to hear your personal stories of or about a time of difficulty and how you overcame it. I think this could be of encouragement and help to others that read it. I will pick one story and the “chosen one” (haha) will receive a gift set from Love&Toast. (see below)

Until Next Time my Pretties ! Cheers !

P.s. Here is a lovely tune.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X61BVv6pLtw]

Posted in Dreams, Life // Comments Off on Elated.

This title is optional.

WHOA ! Its been a long time ! I’m writing to you all from a purple couch with a snoring kitty (tiny little snores) smooshed up next to my leg. So much has happened, I atteneded PAX East (a nerd convention) in Boston Massachusetts, decided to reform my previous shop-o-holic ways .. I’m selling my life on ebay—see it here  ——>  Out with the old, In with the new, and I also attended a screening of James Franco’s The Broken Tower… which as far as I knew was a new film but in researching it more today I think perhaps it was new in 2011 but this was his official East Coast Debut?? Anyhow.. it was held at the IFC Center in NYC and he introduced the film before hand.. I was indeed about 5 ft away from him.. he looked high.. cute but still high. It was not a bad film but more interesting mostly because the way it was shot was nice and the storyline (Franco’s interpretation of a poet’s life Hart Crane) wasn’t bad either, I mostly liked the few comedic moments involving him working at a NYC ad agency the best.. otherwise it was on the slow side (as Franco pre-warned us) and I don’t think it was bad or good, just.. interesting. Perhaps you can check it out for yourself (=

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I think the most interesting thing of all is that Franco Directed and Acted in it, which are two completely different modes of thinking and working, I imagine it difficult to separate the two?? A gallant effort indeed and I applaud anyone ambitious enough to do things above and beyond most people, whether good or bad, its admirable.  In other news I will be dusting off the Vespa from its long winter slumber. Any suggestions for names? I have yet to name it… maybe this year will be the year… I used to name my cars so why not other modes of transportation as well??

This year also I am embarking on the task of trying to get my very own apartment *dun*dun*dun* 

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I really really hope I find a place. I have been extremely lucky/blessed so far in NYC, the last thing besides pursuing my daydreams more is to establish my own space. Granted roommates make it more affordable and if I must I must BUT wouldn’t it be nice to have a little spot in the sun to call my own?? I can’t deal with anymore jerks ! I deserve much much better then to feel like a guest in my own home. (sorry to vent, I’d rather not talk about it! On to bigger and better things..)

A pet would be nice too… Any pet suggestions???  Hedgehog?? Baby Goat?? Kitty? I would say dog but I am simply not home enough and they are expensive!!

Tomorrow is the Brooklyn Flea, I’ll put something more comprehensive up soon for your reading pleasure.. Have a lovely weekend Ladies and Gents !!

Cheers !

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P.s. Here is a song and dance for ya’ !! Good Bad, Not Evil. The best kind.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QxwA4ZCioI]

Keep your coins, I want change.

I can’t take credit for this title, its ripped off of a Banksy piece. I’m not one to risk future copyright infringement, although… in the case of Banksy it wouldn’t matter, that is part of his art or manifesto or artist statement/idea….so ya. Anyway the whole point of this article is exactly what the title says: Change.

I just started to read a book my best friend bought me years ago called Stumbling on Happiness, basically the psychology of humans in relation to happiness. What you think will make you happy and what actually does. I’m excited to read it because I know it will be good (Ashley you are a girl of great taste), I always enjoy a new spin/perspective and well… I want to do something scary. Real scary. At least for me. You know that ever important thing that most people need in some facet?… (no not $$money$$ but it can relate to it..) …. SECURITY.

A secure job. A secure place to live. A retirement?? etcetera etcetera… well I value it a lot, I hate feeling on edge not knowing where or how I’m going to make it next month, or next week, or even tomorrow. -BUT- you know what? Its also motivating, I hussled the most when I had no security because I wanted to get it. In a way, the lack of security was a challenge, it made me more productive. Now that I have it, I feel I’ve moved back into a bedroom in the procrastination palace. I loathe the very thing that provides all this “security”… i..e. A “normal” job. Most days its okay but ugh… I just wanna go back to school for something fun, or travel all over the world, or you know.. be my own boss. The idea is grand, actually doing it—- SCARY, because there is little security in it (at least until your successful….IF you are) and your taking a risk. Now I am not entirely risk averse, in fact, I have taken many risks (some smart, some not so smart) in life but one I have not taken much of is that of the working kind. I chose the safe reliable degree.

Although for the same reasons girls always pick the bad guys (according to popular belief and my own observation of the female species) … well.. safe and reliable=boring. Now unlike the lesson in which you learn after dating one too many assholes, (at least hopefully you are one of the fortunate who realize it and pick a good guy finally) safe and reliable=fantastic ! ladies. Well they can still be edgy just reliable in the fact that they reliably do not treat you like shit !… wait this isn’t a dating post, argh! ) Anyway…with work safe and reliable is for me at least…..boring. I do something different everyday but its just not entirely my passion. Mostly it not being my passion is the problem… *sighhhhh*

What is?? Good question, I like making shit. I like helping people. I love travel. What should I do with the rest of my life??!!! This is exactly why I just went with the safe degree b/c I changed my mind so often I would have been broke and in school forever had I not… but… it gnaws at me still. Little by little, like a caterpillar taking tiny bites out of a big leaf… I cannot be practical forever, there is much of me that is completely impractical ! hahaha… I want to follow my passion, I want to be my own boss.

Sooooo… what is the plan? The solution?? Well first off, get out of debt. Secondly, think about school… Thirdly, I want my own place dammit. Living alone might be lonely or boring but I feel it would be alright, after all, having a pet exists for a reason. (Adopt !!) Also… I’m going to start up my Etsy again and get business cards once I get the finances in order. Think about it: Less shoes and meaningless material belongings.. more life experiences and freedom !! (Credit cards are slavery disguised as fancy sugar daddies, or mamas (if your a boy) )

SO I invite you along with me to journey towards no debt and dream achieving instead of just dreaming. Life is so short and fast. You need love and to give love as much as possible and to dwell in what you find beautiful and fulfilling. I always attempt to do that but modern day society is great at side tracking you from it with a lot of needless junk (material and otherwise) ….I just want some more freedom.

I know half the fun is in the journey not the destination but, geezus, I want it NOW!!! I hate waiting sometimes.. its torture when you want something badly. Looks like I have a lot of work to do, now… where is that EASY button????

For now… I will use my practical job to fund the daydreaming impractical pursuit.. so Cheers! to all you space cadets, I’ll meet you on Mars.

If any of you have stories, advice and or opinion please share !

P.s. I’m sorry if this makes you annoyed or lose your cookies..but.. I am actually bursting with happiness about a lot of things, life is good overall, who am I to complain?? Well, anyway, I think finally after years of kissing disgusting frogs I finally found a prince. Please watch the clip below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V8tMK68M7U]

Ya, so there’s that. (=

Posted in Dreams, Life // Comments Off on Keep your coins, I want change.

So you wanna be a Pin Up??

Well, ya…

I have always loved the style and when I discovered a class at one of my favorite bars taught by Bettina May  I HAD to go ! It was a fun day as expected. It ran from 12-6pm with a Happy Hour after !

Before…

@Beauty Bar NYC 

 Clothes and accessories were brought in by Meredith Peltz of Vintage Variety in New Jersey that you could rent or buy if you wanted something just for the photoshoot or to add on to what you already had. Hair was done by the lovely Monica Lopez.
We each received a handbook with all the tips and more that were given in class. Also besides what you were going to wear in your shoot we had to bring a small list of items as we were learning makeup and hair it’s best to use your own tools ! I didn’t have hot rollers but luckily those were provided if you didn’t bring (or forgot to bring) them. Bettina also sells a DVD version of the class if your not able to come in person or want a refresher. (I recommend the class!! SO FUN)
Once we were given the tips and instruction (aka live demo of makeup and hair) it was time to begin ! All the women there were so different and it was so fun meeting them all, seeing the transformation of everyone was even better! What a bunch of bombshells ! Not to mention there was even a mother daughter duo in attendance that rocked out a shoot together! I love seeing things like that, it made me want my Mommy too.. hahaha…
Once everyone was a blast from the past we each began our individual shoots and while waiting shopped, ate, and got to know each other, it was a unique group of women indeed, all enjoyable company. Once the class was finished the bar opened and cocktails and music (provided by Miss May) carried the days atmosphere into the night perfectly.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gycGHE9Se2s]
A video I found of another Beauty Bar class…..
Overall it was a great time and I’d gladly do it again, I made some wonderful contacts and got some pictures to prove to people when I’m old and grey I was once young… haha.
Also I have been obsessed with learning how to curl my hair to do all the hairstyles (Now that I finally know the secrets!) So I bought this set today from Conair .. I haven’t mastered it but today was the trial run and it went well considering I have…. shall we say…. limited hair skills, basically I’m lazy..but.. NO MORE ! Hey, if I can do it, you can do it. Cheers all you Ladies and Gents! Stay Beautiful. Stay Dapper.
(After.)
P.s. An era appropriate video from a band I re-discovered and will be playing all beachy summer long. All you need is leather and hairspray. A cute boy ain’t bad either.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvUtidZkqw4]
Posted in Fashion, Life // Comments Off on So you wanna be a Pin Up??

What is Woman??

I should be sleeping. I’ve had a ridiculously long day at work but here I lay (yes I did make it half way to dreamland) contemplating the mysteries of the universeeee… erm- or more or less, What is it to be a Woman?

Tank Girl

Pin Ups with Sass

Now I am not an adolescent who has just hit puberty (nor did I ever care to become a “Woman”) but with all the images and messages sprayed all over our daily lives like so much graffiti, what the hell?? I mean, lets see…. there is Cosmo (My least favorite of all time) dishing out useful *cough* USELESS *cough* information.. at least in my opinion. Then there are the fashion mags, the everyday gossip smut, Victorias Secret ads… *Insert Marge Simpson groan here* etcetera etcetera… All have their own soap box on which to stand but which one do you subscribe to, if any?? Which ones do you identify with… more so believe? I fall somewhere in between, having spent years as a tomboy with a girl still intact then in my latter years drifting more towards “girl-ness” then ever ( I actually don’t have an all black, blue and grey wardrobe anymore !! Fancy that.) However I readily admit to suppressing it more at times because I didn’t want to, nor believe in the media portrayal and more often then not, the exploitation of women. I’m not a feminist per say but I do believe women have dropped the ball on this one…I mean you should at least make money off of your own exploitation rather then let pervy masterminds profit…. C’MON!! …. All joking aside.. I see and hear and read all about what a struggle it is to be a girl with all the shit floating around and your best bet is hopefully you were raised well and can decipher enough not to get shit on your shoe… if not.. then hope you find a good role model or public voice.. I think all that is wonderful but.. how about not just how to be this or that type of woman but be YOU. Its cliche to say, yes, yes, I know.. but maybe where we go wrong is not so much listening to the media but that the basic message of love has been lost in the shuffle.. people don’t like themselves, people had parents- or- perhaps no parent from which they properly were shown and taught (Love is learned, truth.) love. I don’t care so much about the steady stream of media crap coming thru the window as I do about the realization that to be a Woman, at least to me is to be.. myself…Because I’m finally starting to believe the compliments I receive(even the ones from my Mom). Not like I cared what people thought before but that was more rebellion and well.. I really didn’t care, but couple that with actual self love and Whammo !! Recipe for world take over Ladies !! If I wanna wear pink from head to toe, I’ll fucking well do it AND if I wanna wear a leather jacket and ride a motorcycle I’ll do that too… In fact, I’ll do whatever I want because that is ME and I am a Woman. Nothing a magazine or movie or advertisement can dream up will affect that. So maybe if we could help other little girls grow into themselves too the media onslaught that looms over our heads creating background noise will become just that- noise. Sex sells… but maybe if we demand more, self respect will sell more.

Cheers! Heres to you,

P.s. Here is a very funny article.. xojane

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