What’s on your holiday wish list?

Today is something happy

Today is something old

Today is something bright

Today is something bold.

I made some choices today,

Agreed, stamped, and signed in my head.

Today is something tired

Today is something strange

Today is something cold

Today is something dreamt.

I remembered today,

That things are not always obvious.

Things are not always easy to follow

And things are never what they seem,

(yes they are, actually.)

So I made something today

I made a new song.

I made a new story.

I made a new movie.

I made a new path.

Nothing really changed today,

Nothing stood out

The only thing that stayed the same…

Is everything,

And nothing at all.

So I made a call

To yesterday’s dream

I said “how do you get by?”

He said “I don’t,”

“I sit and cry.”

I said “get up now,”

“Can’t you see we’re already late?”

And he said, “c’mon now,”

“I still have food on my plate.”

So I hung up the phone

And left him behind.

Today’s something new

I have dreams to find.

–Matthew Cuellar

Do you have a nervous habit?

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considering…

Over carrots:

“The fact that you get upset when there are things that you don’t understand just shows you have curiosity.”

A note.

Scene: August.

I wonder if flies have been buzzing since the beginning of time or if it’s a recent development.

Have you ever really looked at a fly? Find a microscope and shove one under the lens, or, better yet, Google it. Type it into a Bing image search, F-L-Y. Unlike most creatures I have no qualms about killing, the fly improves upon closer examination. Iridescent exoskeleton, metallic wings that are ever so fragile, if lacking the innocence of the moth or the beauty of the butterfly. The eyes—the eyes are enormous, emerald-cut and terrified.

If the fly caught in my blinds didn’t buzz so irrepressibly, would I hate it so? How quickly I flit from irritation to murder.

Unsigned to protect the potentially guilty from those who may or may not care. The life of a fly may have been harmed during the penning of this note.

What’s something you did when you were younger that you still haven’t confessed to your parents?

I have awareness of two tools I can use to cut open new pathways today.  Curiosity and light.

Inside my jealousy (which contains rage, terror, dread and shame), there is a breath of curious wonderment.  When I was near a year old, I was confronted with the advent of a new brother.  I’m the oldest, but for that first year, I was an only child.  It wasn’t completely blissful–I have a certain difficult story involving a very brief window of parental neglect–we’re talking 15 minutes or so, but that can be all it takes.  Still, for the most part I seemed fairly content to be the only child.  Then … he came along, and the bubble was burst.

In sifting through those moste anciente feelyngse, I discovered there was also a curiosity developing about this new situation, and how it would be.  I may not have liked the change, but it awakened me too.  And also inside the muck of terror and dread was the awareness of that strange sort of light that permeates all of our lives.  A dawning understanding of mana, perhaps.  I sensed little rainbow sparklies all around in this light.

So, now I can choose to see the curiosity of what my soul wants to experience next, what I’m curious about now given that jealousy, terror, dread, shame, fear, guilt, self-doubt, insecurity and all this other toxic sludge sometimes overwhelms me.  I can concentrate on that numinous under-light to guide me toward some right action.

I drew the ace of swords, but I was guided to draw two more cards for next right actions.  The 6 of swords and the Lovers (heterosexual, given that it’s Cosmic Tribe I use, and I keep all 3 variations in the deck) suggest I also send these curious lightbeams outward along Indra’s web of being to attract the fellows to me who mutually need to make connection, and also to make informed choices that take into account the things I already do well with the areas where I need a stretch.  And to add the implicit understanding that these will lead to my next right livelihood.

Hola People!

So while eating Lays chilli chips with garlic sauce (EPIC mixture! try it!) I was literally begging myself for some rambles. My eyes fell on my chips and I suddenly remembered Kaleb Nation The Awesomest asking Robert Pattinson The I-Couldn’t-Care-Less-About-Hygiene king what his favorite type of cookie was (if you didn’t know it was white chocolate chip.)

So I thought, “Hey that’s pretty creative and original! What would I like to ask a random celebrity?”

Ok, honestly it was more of. “Hahahaha! Cool Question. I also remember that Brit female from CNN or BBC who asked him what sound would cheese make if it were audible not edible! HAHAHAHA!”

So, back to the story, I looked at my sister’s soft toys and I came up with a question!

“Ahem. Imagine that you have won a lottery which you haven’t paid for the prize is a custom-maid soft toy! You can’t really refuse otherwise a huge custom-made soft toy will be wasted! So, what soft toy would you ask for? Teddy-bears NOT allowed!”

See how this question is custom-made so that the celeb can’t say something like “I wouldn’t buy a soft toy at this age!” They’re forced to answer!

While writing this I looked at my thumbring. Here comes another question. This one is for male celebs only.

The original question was, “Do you prefer piercings or shoes?” These objects are used as metaphors to describe the type of girls you would like.” . Obviously, they would answer the hackneyed answer. Shoes. How unoriginal.
Gradually the shoes changed to girly shoes and tattoos was added with piercings. And a few more edits along the way.
Here’s the present, modified, all-new question.

“What do you prefer? Stilettos? Spectacles? Or Tattoos and Piercings? Each of them representing a type of girl. Stilettos representing blondes. Spectacles representing brunettes. And Tattoos and Piercings represent goth chicks. The hair is just optional! Scarlets, Highlights, streaks or dyed hair works too! “

If the celebs chose the stilettos, well, we all know what they’re like don’t we? (Joke people!)
If they chose the goth chick, they are very unique and original in their choices and are not afraid of being themselves. They also give goth chicks some hope that they could be a hot celebs liking! And they possibly like black. And holes in your body with jewellery in them. (I know what that sound like!!! )
If they chose the bespectacled brunette, then they are very compassionate, romantic and drawn towards intelligence. And they possibly think that awkwardness is cute!

So this question estimates their approximate likings and their possible real personality.

My hands were beginning to feel numb as the A.C. was on high, and I started squeezing my hand with my other much-warmer hand. Lot of good that did. Anyways I started concentrating on how my fingers were bunching up together and how it represented your partner squeezing your hand when you need support so I came up with this.

“Whose hand would you like to hold right now? Mom and Dad NOT included!”

Even a bit of hesitation can cause quite a stir can’t it? But, I didnt create this question with that in mind. I was just curious.
But this might be quite a boring question for celebs with obvious and open relationships.

I yawned then looking around my inspirational and recently tidied(by my mom) room looking for some more inspiration.

“How wide can you yawn?”

I can assure you I do not want to look down the celebs neck. It is just a random question that popped into my mind. (But you have to admit, getting a glimpse of Taylor Lautner’s ultra-white teeth when he laughs at this would be EPIC!)

Another question came along with aa….aaa….*achooooo* *rumble rumble* *walls cave in* …..a sneeze…*wipes nose*

“Do you sneeze a lot when you wake up in the morning and get out of bed and feel the cold air?”

I think this is a question that proves to all of us that celebs (including Robert PATTINSON) are human beings and that they face the daily hardships that us common people face too!

The following question would do that too.

“Have you ever accidentally burped in public? After you reached stardom of course.”

This would prove that they have the ability to be embarrassed and blush in front of a large audience and trip over their words too.

For Males:

” Angelina Jolie or Megan Fox?”

For Females:

What would you like to be a Hot Vampire or a Compassionate Werewolf?

Reflecting back on the earlier morning’s discussion on Salman Khan’s amazing dress for Katrina Kaif which he painted himself made me think of another cool question.

What is your secret talent, other than acting, that we, the people, dont know about?”

Finally we get to know a little more about our favourite stars! And see if we have the same interests!

I guess im supposed to have a EPIC question. So here it is.

“If you were forced to stay away from fat food, junk, meat, sea-food, chicken, chocolate, caffeine and the whole lot, and live for a month only on tofu dogs what would be your reaction?”

Hahahahahaha!

The reactions i’m expecting?

“WHAT?”
“Blech!”
“Uhhhhhhh!”
“I think I’m gonna be sick!”
Moaning and Whining.
“Gimme my junk back!”
“No chicken?”
“YUCK!”
“NOOOOOOooooo!”
“AAAAAaaaaaah!”
“Can someone please save me!”
“Tofu dogs? What…..what is that?”

Haha! Enjoy!
Send me some of the creative questions you would like to ask!

Always Rambling-ly and Questioningl-ly yours,
A nut Who Rambles. And in this case Questions.Or Interviews.
Adios!^_^

Question and Respond / Respond and Question at the Collective Gallery on the 29th November 2009

Nat

+

A friend mentioned the other day that he had filled out some online questionnaire and noticed that among the choices were “single,” “married” and “divorced.” Other possible answers may have been included, but he said he wondered what factors were included in helping someone decide if they were “divorced” or “single.”

It is a curious question.

Does “single” mean never married? Does one change from “single” to “married” and then possibly “divorced?” Or does someone who has been through a divorce become “single” again at some point? And if that is true, what determines when that change is made?

Does one become “single” when they have recovered from the pain of the divorce and are ready to date again or just when they are tired of being associated with the former spouse, even in terms of no longer being with that person?

Is it all just in determining one’s frame of mind? Does clicking the radio button next to the word “divorced” on a computer make someone feel “damaged” or less of a person?

None of this earth-shattering stuff, unless you’re a college professor trying to write a tome on the psychology of divorce. We realize that the questionnaire actually is an attempt by advertisers to reach a more susceptible audience. But it does make you wonder what might cause someone to change the way they answer such a question.

Who would you like to kiss under the mistletoe?

Recently,  I worked in school with a 9 year old boy ‘David’ who was having a really tough time at home ..  due to adults in his life who are in crisis. Not surprisingly, he’d been really struggling to engage at school.  ’David’ was keen to show me his work on computer – a little film he’d made with microsoft photo story to show how he and his friend had experimented with a light and battery circuit. It was really brilliant; (because) he was obviously very pleased and proud. The spellings were not perfect, but this time that really really didn’t matter. He was a happy learner.

Is it better to always be right? .. or to be a happy learner?

I know how David would answer!

I sometimes ask this question to the children, young people (and occasionally teachers and parents!) I work with in schools. It’s a great question to ponder, especially to anyone with low self-esteem as it nudges them into a different way of thinking. And of course its a question we can all use to encourage a more useful perspective.

Whenever someone answers this question, I learn a little more about self compassion.

Low self-esteem manifests itself in all kinds of ways. If a student is in the habit of thinking (s)he’s never right, this is of course a handy reason not to engage in learning. This question encourages them to realise that ‘getting the right answer’ is actually not so important as deciding to ‘learn happily’.

The question works equally well for the student whose low self-esteem appears disguised as arrogance, as jumping in ahead of others, desperate for recognition by being seen to give a ‘right’ answer.

‘Is it better to always be right? .. or to be a happy learner?’

The question subtly infers that happiness and learning go together, and that learning is not necessarily the same as getting ‘it’ right.

Of course ‘it’ applies to anything.

I find that being a ‘happy learner’ is a great attitude for life, not just when we are in school or college. Learning involves curiosity, sharing ideas with others, reflecting on personal experiences, and recognising that there is a teacher and the student in each of us. With this attitude, every situation is a learning experience. If it is compassion that we would like to learn – the same applies; every situation can be of itself a lesson in compassion.

Compassion is a major topic in the curriculum we call life.

Living life, as a shared experience, reminds us of our connection to others. With this compassion emerges – and the realisation that I need neither be right, or see the other as right. Our learning and teaching become the same activity.

Thank you David for reminding me about this!

Looking through another one of the million catalogs we seem to get, especially at this season, I noticed this pair of shoes.  Now, the reason I noticed them is that I got the same kind of pattern in a pair of boots in Israel my last trip.  It does say “Naot” in the description, but if you didn’t know that Naot was made in Israel, there is no way you would know.  “Euro-sizing” it says.  And there’s another pair that are also Naot.

Is this to avoid problems?  Have they had problems in the past?

Should we be happy that they are selling Israeli products?

Should I investigate?

“And I don’t mind when I look a fool, when I try being nice” (Skint and Demoralised, “Red Lipstick”)

I don’t have much on my mind today, but here’s a thought– if I saw someone walking around in real life with a matchstick in their mouth, I’d presume that they were either trying too hard, or an arsonist. Or perhaps both. Today in SL, I’m an arsonist that tries too hard. I think I’m okay with that!

I wasn’t too sure about this Exile hair when I first demo-ed it, but I’m really growing to love it. As long as you’re not wearing black skinny jeans from Hot Topic with a Korn hoodie, it’s a great cut. Adding to my love of scarves is DP* Yum Yum with their 30L gatcha mufflers! It’s a random vendor so you can’t choose which color to buy, but I’m totally content with the first one that popped out. I may have to go back for seconds, though.

Credits are under the cut.

♥Trace

–Style Notes–

• Shoes: Converse – Men – Beige/Black by Hoorenbeek
  
• Glasses: Semitone (Black) by FNKY!
  
• Jacket: Keigo by Bare Rose
  
• Jeans: jeans grey holes by Curiosity
  
• Shirt: my loose tshirt fawn by Milk Motion
  
• Scarf: gatcha muffle 10 by DP* Yum Yum
• Matchstick: Matchstick by Calypso Giano
  

–Body Notes–

• Skin: [ Adam Crius_Origin ][ Shaven ] by The Abyss
  
• Eyes: Zbilja Eyes (Brown) by Exodi
• Hair: Akio/duskwood by Exile
  

Poses by @Waffles! .

I wrote this in honor of the whole TWILIGHT craze…………..enJoy!!

My prey
I prey

Upon you.

Your simple motions are of such ……………..brilliance.
I ponder you.

I thirst for you.

I long for you.
To conquer you is to release you from your being.
And welcome you to mine.
To freedom.
To life.
Eternal…..

sorrow.

I will never know you.
I will never feel the warmth of your sun.
the warmth of….

you.

I’m reaching for you.
I want to walk among you
beside you.
With you.

I can.
I can.
I know I can
not.

I want you.
I want you.
I want you

to …be …mine.

But my thirst will be the victor.
You shall be mine.
The taste of your warmth will be my pleasure

Sex is such a common thing these days it is hard to imagine that there is anything that is really that surprising anymore.  From reality shows about polygamy to midget prostitutes, it is still a wonder why most people shy away from discussing sex openly.  Could it be that these people are prudes?  Or is it more of a desperate attempt to hold on to some kind of decency when it comes to sex?  We get excited when we discover the latest televangelist is a homosexual crackhead and discuss the indiscretions at length.  When it comes to having an honest, open and educated discussion about sex however we clam up.  We can handle issues about sex when discussed on talk shows, read about it in magazines and watch porn (not the blue soft core movies that make you feel like you’re watching a lifetime movie, but the hard pounding, cum on her face type movies, you know the one watched last night).  As long we’re not the ones openly admitting to taking that cum shot on the face or that finger in the butt, we’re a-okay with sex.

It may not be the actual sex acts people have a problem with.  It is very well plausible that most people have a problem with addressing sexual behaviors/sexuality/sex crimes openly.  To openly gossip about someone’s indiscretions is quite different from having an open forum on the latest cunnilingus method or why statutory rape should not be considered a sex crime.  There are many different sites, specialists, books and shows that address sexual behaviors and try to extract the freak inside all of us, but usually that is something that people pursue within the privacy of their own bedrooms or minds.

That being said, it is no wonder that the media uses sex to tap into the freak nasty minds of people who want to remain sexually anonymous in a sexually obvious society.  We can enjoy a good Beyoncé crotch dance but cannot openly suck on a lollipop shaped like a penis from the sex store without someone thinking “It must be her bachelorette party night.”  Or we can promote healthy loving marriages from the pulpit but then condemn anal sex in the bedroom.  We are talk about it, read it, smell it and do it so to some degree we must admit that sex has more than peeked our curiosity.  So this just begs the question…

How SexObsessed are you?

At a recent Professional Development session I was introduced to Dr. Martin Seligman’s theory of Positive Psychology. Rather than explain his theory here, I direct you to the University of Pennsylvania’s Authentic Happiness website.

If you have a spare 10 or 15 minutes try out the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. It may give you some insights into your character strengths and weaknesses! My top 3 strengths were:

1. Love of Learning

You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn.

2. Curiosity and interest in the world

You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.

3. Zest, enthusiasm, and energy

Regardless of what you do, you approach it with excitement and energy. You never do anything halfway or halfheartedly. For you, life is an adventure.

What are your character strengths?

Are you throwing or attending a holiday party this year?

It is an interesting situation to be in having little time left and still wanting to do a lot.  One has to be careful though to not chew on more than they can handle.  Laying back and figuring out thing is what I have chosen to do.  Trying to figure out what is most important and where things need to go.  The options are in sight but it is choosing which one to shoot that is the difficult part.  The technique and vision is something that I have by the reason is what I lack. Talking about it has helped and reading other sources seems to be the next step.

Everything that was happening seemed very random and didn’t seem to have any direction at the beginning.  Even though it was what I was after it became very tiring to do; to put in a lot of time into work but not have any of it finished or reason to have the photographs.  Many photographers in the past and present do/did make a lot of photographs and it is true that the facilities to make a lot of photographs are right here for me to take advantage of, but I also wish to have some sort of purpose when pursuing a continuation of work.

Looking at the things produced so far makes me see moments in time.  Some have a certain feeling atmospherically but all are common in that they are all made with curiosity and passion.  There is a curiosity to look/stare and study something and ask why it is a part our world.  The passion of questioning and having the ability of the medium to record our world as it is.  No manipulations.

I keep thinking about the photographer Richard Quieny and his book Things Once Seen.  This semester turned out to be just that for me photographing many things in my world.  This quote from Henri Cartier-Bresson also fits what it is that I am doing.

Of all the means of expression, photography is the only one that fixes forever the precise and transitory instant.  We photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again.

Many of my photographs reflect me as an observer of part of the world that surrounds me and hopefully people are observing some of the same things.  They definitely would not observe the same way that I do but still are able to take something from viewing my photographs.

The large format camera was a blessing even though it was not used as much.  It always slows me down to make photographs and allows me to make decisions if the photograph is worth taking and allows me to think why it is that I wish to freeze the moment. That is one major reason the interest in making night photographs with the 35mm camera has sparked.

Next semester revisiting the light paintings is what will first happen.  It has to do with the availability of the facility/studio and the help from the models.  The next step is to use the laser and the body in a few different ways.  From the pattern and movements that the laser to the positioning of the body.

Documenting a trip that is being very much anticipated is a project that I will embark on.  Alfred University students join Habitat for Humanity and go to Florida for one week to build a house.  What will be interesting is taking a lot of photos and not being able to do anything with them until I return from Florida.  Then depending on how the images look and what sort of context they actually hold will determine how the work is shown. 

There seems to be an alarming trend toward stupidity since I’ve been tracking the data, and to complicate matters (and this is where things are really starting to worry me) there is an equal surge in denial. In other words, people are not just bigger idiots, but there are more of them, and there seems to be some new unwritten rule that suggests that they are entitled not only to their idiocy but to our respect.

WHY?

I say they’re entitled to one or the other.