Halloween Highlight

Back to the holiday at hand....let the decorating begin! And the scare fests for that matter.

Something about all this hocus pocus gets my bones rattlin' and my blood boilin' for some good ol' Hallow's Eve celebrations. And the candy corn's not too deceiving either. =P

Just Like Honey

It's been Fall for a while now. And Autumn is my personal favorite. The leaves changing, carving pumpkins, horror movie marathons, Halloween decorations and costumes to look forward to, Thanksgiving and parades, tons of amazing (and seasonal) food and candy, and that in between and quite perfect weather.

That being said...I would like to reflect on Summer for a moment. It's equally amusing at times...that vacation for starters. And decent weather (give or take those dreadful scorchers), ice cream, and short shorts. Most though, I want to reflect through pictures, because I've included the other seasons in terms of snapshots and I don't want anyone to feel left out:

And what says summer more than flowers, insects, and produce?

-It's Hard to Say Who You Are These Days-

Well it's been quite some time since I've been here. Last time I was rather stressed about college starting and now it's well under way. And I must say I'm quite enjoying it. It's not really that different- I go to class, and I come home. The hours are crazier...but the friendships remain, and the coffee is definitely better! The library is relaxing, the people are (somewhat) nice...at least the ones who matter are. The rain is glorifying. =] My classes aren't that difficult. Time consuming would be the best way to explain them, sure I'm busy but I always have been. I'm used to it after twelve years of pushing myself as hard as I could without completely losing it. Hell, maybe I have completely lost it, but if that means changing my mind and enjoying life by taking it on one day at a time then maybe it's well worth it. I'm happy...and I'M LISTENING TO MEATLOAF! *Epic power ballad singing*....these really are the days that never end. Maybe what they say is true...maybe college will be the best years of my life. I hope so, cause high school (overall) was a blast!

A Day in the Life (In Another Land)

It's Summer, the season of shorts, Popsicles, slip-n-slides and sunshine. Sounds perfect doesn't it? Well, not particularly. You see if you're a high school graduate whose days are numbered until you start the unforeseen world of college life, then summer vacation could mean one of stress and separation. I'm trying to make the most of my time before the chaos starts up, but to tell the truth I'm not doing anything special. I'm setting around the house and I still feel stressed. Summer vacation really means more free time to think...and with my thoughts comes anxiety. Most of it is probably for no reason, I mean I'm not even leaving home. Nope, I'm staying nice and cozy in my own room with college less than a fifteen minute drive away...but it could be Antarctica for all I care, cause I can only think cold thoughts. Thoughts not even psychedelic rock from the free spirited 60s could ward away. I know it's not San Francisco but I'd just as soon show up with flowers in my hair hoping to meet some gentle people there. It's not the people, most of my friends are coming with me on this noble quest, it's not really even the (quite typical) classes....I'm not sure why I'm getting myself so worked up about it, but I am. I guess it's the thought of all these changes happening all at once and 'Pushin' Too Hard'. But the time has come today to live and let live. And when I do take my magic carpet ride to college in August, I vow that I will NOT have a psychotic reaction. Yes, when my strawberry alarm clock rings for class awaiting I will go with ease. I will look forward to the kaleidoscope of change and diversity in front of me, and get by with a little help from my friends. I simply had to much to dream last night, but I certainly won't be feeling like I'm fixin' to die by the time this sea of madness rolls around. I may not be experienced just yet, but these things take time and I'm sure that in time they shall come (and come to pass). Wow, I guess it really does help to vent. So, that's all for now. And for all of you who picked up on all the 60s music (and bands) I dropped, give yourself a hand. =]

Being a Complete Twit

Well my friends, karma has officially come back to slap me in the face, kick me in the mouth, and all other heartfelt things that toy with my emotions. So, I totally blogged Saturday about all the narcissistic people on YouTube and Twitter who never follow anyone back due to all their selfish needs. Well I have a Twitter and I'm proud to be following 2,000 people with some odd 688 give or take awesome amazing rad hip lovely people following me in return! I know what you're think because obviously it's the same thing Twitter thought! I thought I was just being a nice sociable person, giving back and following all those who follow me. But apparently 2,000 is too much, and I have become a quote: "aggressive follower" in Twitter's book!?!!?! O_o Rawr? I don't think I'm that scary really! I mean I'm only 5'4"!! I get stomped on by trolls. Okay, but seriously I'm not allowed to follow anyone else until that amount of people start following me! So I took the time to go through all 2,000 of my follows and stop following everyone who wasn't up to par. The people who are trying to sell me stuff, phone calls all hours of the day is making up for you guys. Or people who made a twitter and never got around to using it...I'm just freeing up some space and losing some dead weight here. I'm sorry for those of you who got cut, but I like to follow people back who follow me and waiting until hundreds of twitters get the memo would take forever. I got down to roughly 1,010 and now I'm back up about 50 away from my limit, being careful of everyone I follow. I love twitter and at least I enjoy being social. I kind of get where Twitter is coming from when they say I couldn't possibly keep up with everyone. But I manage and always respond to everyone who talks to me. It's just the luck of the draw, seeing who you might come across any given day. It's also exciting to hear from different twitters and different perspectives every day. From 15 to 51 I try following people from all walks of life. People trying to start a band and become the next big thing or people who just want to keep in touch with their friends and make a few more at the same time. I follow people who have 8 friends to 8,000. Twitter to me isn't about getting my fifteen minutes, it's about having some fun on a rainy afternoon. About discovering some new music and talking movies. About trending topics and spreading the love. I'm sorry twitter is trying to restrict my fun, but that's what it sees fit. I don't consider my account a threat and apparently neither do my now 765 follows. I'm not being selfish here...I'm not trying to get all these people for myself. I'm just curious as to who is eating Chef Boyardee at 6:57p.m. and how many guys confess to loving Celine. And if curiosity is out to get me, well then this kitten is bringing out the claws!

Generation Me...Isn't Worth The Fee

I was beginning to miss the way my blog started out, with me analyzing/giving my opinion on a magazine article. So I was thrilled when I ran across a topic I was eager to discuss in the April 20th issue of Newsweek. Here goes...
The article is titled Generation Me and it speaks of the so called narcissism epidemic that is sweeping the younger generation. And I agree that people are being narcissistic, and it is becoming quite the problem. A life of self-indulgence from a self-absorbed snobby little brat with a disproportionate sense of self-worth hardly sounds flattering, yet these days it's what everyone seems to strive for. The article states that it has been proven that 10% of 20-somethings already experience symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder. The only surprising part of this statement, I thought the number would actually be higher! I mean I think to some extent we are all guilty. And confidence is something a person needs to have, as long as it doesn't exceed it's limits. But times have changed, and I'm pretty old fashioned. The handiest cure for narcissism used to be life, but now it seems as though we actually encourage such actions every day!
The article then goes on to mention something that really struck a chord, and one I've been meaning to mention for some time now. It said, "We live in a world where everyone can be a star-if only on YouTube." Which puts me in mind of a quote I once heard, "Live everyday as though it will be shown on YouTube." This quote made me smile, but perhaps this isn't the way to go about it. This is the problem I have with it: I LOVE YouTube and Dailybooth...and Twitter. These are all sites I have, although I don't make videos on YouTube. I have a (very new) account and I love watching videos or vlogs or whatever they are called and I have subscribed to several people who can always manage to put a smile on my face (and usually a laugh from my mouth as well =]). And when I'm looking for new music or the latest video from my favorite artist, it's the first site I hit up, cause I know I'll be able to find what I'm looking for within a matter of seconds. This is the reason the site was made no doubt. What I hate are the "overnight celebrates" who go from a few hits to hundreds or even thousands of subscribers and suddenly are too good (or too busy, whatever) to interact with their dedicated fans. If someone has taken the time out of their day to watch your videos and comment, rate, or even subscribe to your channel , you should also go out of your way for a few minutes to return the favor. If you can spend hours making and editing the videos, you should also have plenty of time to give back to your supporters. You may say thanks to all those people and think that you are actually doing them a service because they get to watch and for free. But the superiority complex isn't helping out anyone. I know personally that when I comment on something and never hear anything in return it makes me feel unwanted and that I might as well just stop rating and watching and commenting because obviously no one cares and it doesn't make a difference. The same goes for all other sites, I will use twitter and Dailybooth for examples. I love these sites, and I spend far too much time on both. I have come to notice those people who have oodles of follows, but are only following friends and family or worse no one at all. The main or even sole purpose of these web sites are to meet new people and make Internet friends. This can never happen, however, if you refuse to let it! What makes you so special? "Last I checked, most of our lives don't require all that attitude."
I guess my ranting is over for now. I'm not looking to make anyone mad...I just want to hopefully make people think before they act, and leave you with something to ponder whilst speaking my mind.

Later,
Brittany <3

The Long and Winding Road

Helter-Skelter Hum Drum Ranting

I'm feeling quite...nostalgic is the first word that comes to mind. Yet yearning for the familiar doesn't seem quite right. Although I can't say I yearn for the unknown and unusual either, so that, for now, will have to do. I feel like, well absolutely nothing to tell the truth, but I was going to go for reading. I think the next book I pick up is going to be Death of a Salesman or possibly A Million Little Pieces unless someone of high importance persuades me otherwise. I don't read just anything, although I usually enjoy everything I read. I describe my taste in books as involving the classics. I can't seem to settle down these days, and this includes my mind as well. I'm in the middle of about five (really six) art projects at the moment. Coming close to finishing about two. I now more than ever before have a longing to belong to a different decade. And although I think the Sixties will always be my favorite, I've taken quite the liking just recently to both the Seventies and the Twenties. I know it's quite the jump...flapper or hippie, the hardest question anyone could ever be faced with! I also know that I'm being completely random and using the word quite quite frequently right about now. =] Going back to books, I've bought quite (there it is again, I might as well go for a record) a few of them recently. Surprisingly though none of them have been actual novel/short story/book books. I've instead picked up Best-loved Folktales of the World, Poetry in English, (please don't laugh at me for this one) The Magic of Scarf Fashion...With the Scarf Clip, The Photographer's Handbook, and School The Story of American Public Education. Yes, somehow within two weeks time these are the books that managed to grab my attention and tickle my fancy (feel free to cringe along with me at the sight of that terrible cliche of a phrase). I've also managed to buy Barry Manilow on cassette and wear a shoelace as a headband. =/ The shoelace headband thought made me think of something that requires my indecisive mind to go back to the decade topic. One thing I do love about THIS decade is that ALL decades can co-exist in it. Nearly everything-give or take a few things that no one wants to come back into style (like stir-up pants and shoulder pads) is in. So I CAN be a flapper and I CAN be a hippie, and I CAN look mod, and wear a Sgt. Pepper's style jacket one day and an over sized sloppy Joe (50 bonus points for knowing what that is) the next. And I LOVE it! The thing I hate about this decade however, is that there isn't a key look, nothing that defines the era. Hoodies were huge for a while and for the most part still are, although I personally think the craze has died down. And ripped jeans were all the rage as well. But this is nothing. We have yet to come up with anything new, we find it cheaper and easier just to steal. And quite (cause I haven't used it in a while) frankly I don't like this. That's enough of my pointless, but hopefully entertaining to anyone who might read this, rant. I just wanted to blog cause I hadn't for a while, and though I wasn't depriving anyone of an amazing or gossip ridden read, I was robbing myself of some stress-reducing self prescribed therapy in a way. Blogging is my way of getting everything out, and oh I know what your thinking. "Boy was that risque and revealing!" haha Am I right? Well, you'll just have to come to terms that I'm a boring person who's worries and troubles involve school work, which tv dinner do I want to eat today, what my twitter status should read, and which one of my favorite tv shows that come on at the same time do I want to watch tonight?! Oh geez....Later. =]

Obstacle 1

So I've really been slacking off on my blog lately and I apologize for this...but I am easily distracted, no one ever comments, and most of the time I feel that I'm not even worthy of having a blog. I see other people's, the blogs of note, and I ask myself will that ever be me? I don't have to ask why can't that be me because I clearly see why. I only wish I could be half the blogger of some of these people. Every time I read their blogs, see the great photographs, I get inspired. And say to myself in an overly peppy voice "I can do that too!" (*insert thumbs up here*) But I never live up to it. (*insert frowny face here*) I say "I love photography, I can start snapping more shots and maybe it will turn into something more." I even made a dailybooth to force myself (in a good, fun, hole-hearted way) to take a picture every single day. I walk outside and say there's art all around me, so why can't I find it? I have a creative mind don't I? I've been into art ever since I could hold a pencil and if I plan on making it a career then I better step it up! I've come a long way from the girl with the tweety bird camera doing good not to cut other's heads off and focus on an actual subject instead of the ground, but now my improvements are simply mediocre in this new adult world. I attempt art all the time and I've posted some on here as you can clearly see. My friends tell me they're great...so I turn them in for art class and get a "this is nice, BUT..." grade and am immediately disappointed. I can take the criticism well and look to turn it into a positive, follow it, and hope for a better outcome next time. But I already want to be at that better stage, I know no one's perfect or even close (believe me, and I never want to be), but I just want some praise for my efforts. In this uncertain world something that I'm interested in needs to also be something that I'm decent at so it will go somewhere. Maybe a place to fall back on should everything go wrong, or perhaps even in the spot light winning acclaim. And my writing as far as that goes, will never be up to par. I think everyone has a story, and everyone should write a book if only for their own sake. But I also don't want it to be dry and suffer-able for anyone who gets their hands on it. I try to be funny and sometimes I succeed on spur of the moment thoughts, but when it comes to setting down and telling a joke, I add too many details, people get bored half-way though, and by the time the punch line rolls around the laughs fall short. I suppose it doesn't have to be funny, but my life isn't exactly a crazy reality show or lifetime drama. All I do is this, and homework...which sounds like perfect practice, but I guess you just got it if you got it and I don't. Oh well, I guess I'll just continue to listen endlessly to music and comment on everything else while my own blog falls to the shadows. I don't want to give up without a fight, I'm not giving up...I love blogging nonetheless, really! But it really does seem pointless at this stage. So with that uplifting note I'll bring this sucker...downer....crappy excuse for a waste of time (alright that's enough) to a close and draw back into seclusion like Nosferatu glides away from that window (*insert creepy imagery here*=]). Haha Alright then...do you (you being anyone) think that I could get more notice if I start referring to myself in third person, or as we like the Queen? Just a thought, not that I have those very often. Ok, ok, I'm done. Or...But...(Nope, kidding. That's it.) Later.

Delicacy and Decay...Spring's Not Far Away

A Thursday Come to Pass

It's no rainy Monday today, but rather a cold and snowy Thursday. I'm in a room full of characters yet I set completely alone. This may be of my own choosing, to say the least. I am an outsider....and while I don't travel in packs my mind wonders endlessly. I'm a nomad of thought and a greeter of illusion. I consist of non-objective deliriums and abstract babbling. I'm complex in though, yet short on ideas.....

Somewhere Over The Rainbow...

I snapped this shot after a fairly severe storm. I thought the color of the sky was intriguing enough to take a picture of, and when I walked outside, low and behold there was a rainbow!

Random Workings of a Twisted Mind

[The following is a look into my mind; with original poems and ramblings I felt the need to share.]

Cultural Punch

The war of the words

Shadows out of local bad opinions

The safety slathered up

A stormy dose of reality

Beat speeches, debate!

Unlocking minds in the horror.

Deny danger, share chaos!

The calm is paranoid in the mess

A tale of two scandals forgotten

Jumbled blah blah blah

Is the peak performance;

Talent lost.

The glory overrated,

Suspense awaits,

Participating in our messy,

Reptilian brains.

Perfect icon turned bad author

Cultural punch,

It's free!

***

Crash

Profiling the devil,

It's a plague until we reuse it.

Blame the law

The pretender thrilled me!

The madness highlights secrets,

Don't reveal our pain.

Protect what system of revolution you're seeing

Time opens your bones, the tension bursts.

Shut me out

Rid the glory and help the worry,

Slow the breaking of the fall,

Reduce definitive life,

Here I'll stop.

CRASH

***

Untitled

Dream bursts alive fire.

Madness brings laughs to next life.

The lying hero's chatter,

Protect your secrets.

Witness disturbing pain.

Glass bones!

***

Blasphemy!

I'm too caring

My problem, your solution

I'm used

Burdened

Beaten

Bruised

People walk on top of me

Others below

Still I walk on on one

Stand alone

I'm too quite

My obstacle, your defense

I'm tired

Hopeless

Withered

Gone...

***

Manual of Misunderstanding: The Brain's Guide to Life

They say the mind is a terrible thing to waste, but maybe we wouldn't waste it if it weren't so complicated to understand. It should come with a manual, but then again who would take the time to read it? Why, in our sad, sorry little lives, would we want to take the time to read something so powerful? We probably wouldn't understand it anyway right? A book about something we don't understand, what's the point? That's our reasoning. We're stuck at the beginning, knowing nothing and learning even less. That's how we're ignorant, that's how we're human! Human, what does that mean? I've read "to err is human". But what kind of three letter, petty word is that? What is an err? Is that how advanced we've become with those human minds? We're up to err?! Well, I think we deserve a pat on the back or even a prize. How about that manual for starters?! It needs a new place to collect dust, just like our erring minds. They could be quite happy together, both equally unhappy, unnecessary, and unused. But who wants to be used? It sounds like such a nasty word, and invokes an unpleasing feeling. One that leaves a bad taste in your mouth, or maybe just in our minds, since we know so much about those! Good thing we haven't used that because a new one wouldn't be as easy to find as the manual to go with it. But who's to say we've even seen the manual? I have. You don't believe me? Well, I have because this is it! I wrote it, you follow it, and then maybe I'll like you, or at least accept you. But I've used the word maybe so many times it's starting to feel fake and accept isn't that great either. Who's willing to do that? Most people don't even take the time to read the directions that go with their new sofa, so why would they take the time to read a manual of the brain? The brain is a waste of time. After all, it's the one that made me write these pointless words about nothing. The very ones that you're taking the time to read. Why? Because you are human!

Once Upon a Cold Gray Winter Day...

This is the Sound of Settling

[Above: Cross-stitch I made over the last three days. The following is a written record of the account as it came to me.]

The fireplace casts shadows on the ceiling; the reflections resemble a children's flip-book and at times it seems if it stops the world might well stop along with it.

***

3 stations emerge through the static- 2 of them being country. At this stage a local mix station that I had never given any thought to appears to be my best bet. It's playing a so-so 80's song that could almost pass as a cheap rip-off of Duran Duran. But I'm not complaining, seeing that I'm not cool enough to own an ipod or even a measly MP3 player. Instead I'm forced to drag out my last resort to civilization out of the back of my (at this point cave-like) closet: a portable CD player from the dreaded manufactured date of...2001!!!!!!!! I have limited myself to 1 or 2 cds a day, so that I don't use up all my batteries at once yet don't go entirely loony.

...That is I don't complain until the station plays a terrible rap song older than my CD player followed by Ricky Martin (a name I hadn't heard for ages and with good reason!) That being the last straw I turn off the little radio who's antenna had been ripped off long before and leave it setting all alone crookedly on the windowsill as I walk out of the kitchen into my own solitude.

***

Outside is destruction. The trees lay in ruin (for the most part anyway, and the pines never stood a chance, pardon my pun). Yet I've never seen something so awful look so beautiful. Everything is covered in snow and ice, so white and pure. The trees look as though they're made of glass. And even the ones that bow and break under the weight look eager to go.

***

In my hours of seclusion I've become someone 5 times my age, reading and cross-stitching for the most part. It's now day 3 and everything is becoming routine, almost automatic. Perhaps this proves I would've made it through during the Ice Age or even the Dark Ages (spare the plague haha). Actually I find it rather cozy; the shadows seem like home. I almost don't want it to end in some aspects aside from heat and water. But every hour I also find myself longing to watch a different movie and remembering my all time low brought out of obsession and desperation; as I attempt to listen (not watch, simply listen) to LOST on a 3 by 3 inch battery powered screen attached to the worst black and white TV in existence. As hinted at already the picture was nowhere to be found, or perhaps I should say located, no matter where I pointed the antenna, and the sound quality wasn't far behind. I joked with my family that the first thing I would hear would be *static* Sayid?! *static*. And ironically it was! haha

***

However, this experience (and believe me even 3 days without electric is indeed an experience with my family!) has made me take a step back and realize even though I think of myself as a child of nature, how much I still take for granted. And also how pathetic and dependent our species really is after realizing not being on facebook for 3 days was the longest I'd went without it since acquiring one! Sometimes a smack in the face is what we all need to bring us back down from our superiority and division of social classes and the likes.

***

I'll admit that I enjoy myself better when there are the splendors of civilization and technology to turn to, yet somewhere in the depths of darkness lay inspiration and creativity.

***

Sleep comes easier than I imagined, (and that's really saying something coming from an insomniac!) and overall I don't really have any complaints.....

....And just like that, as if it were never off, the power returned.

Balaclava and 12 Other Things I Won't Make Today

So here I am, listening to Duran Duran at two in the afternoon. Today is yet another snow day and while I find myself enjoying this far more than school I am endlessly bored. Also I feel the need to actually write while blowing off homework at the same time. I know it doesn't make sense, but neither do I! Overall I think snow days are meant to be drab and pointless anyway. There is little excitement to them and only two reasons they matter: when you find out the night before and can stay up longer or when it's getting close to the time to get up at about six in the morning when the world is still dead and you find out that you may also remain barely alluded to the world for a few more hours as well. Before the sun starts shooting slits of light between the blinds, blinding you instead. When you are too groggy to really grasp what's going on just grateful it is. That's when the snow day matters, not when you actually wake up around ten and realize that the day is half gone already, there is too much snow to leave the house, nothing on tv, and only about five of your "friends" on facebook. haha I can never seem to actually accomplish anything on a snow day either. I always set myself up, give myself a pep talk, and then.......plop myself down in a chair. Like for example right now! Every idea I get is a result of laziness. I could watch a movie, read a book, perhaps cut up some magazines in search of interesting pictures. These are all things I like to do but don't require much skill and little to no physical activity. During times like this making my bed is a huge accomplishment! The thinking process is dead. Nothing clever came to me as I ate my cereal while watching a cooking show, and I can hardly answer when my father asks it I want a grilled cheese. I have become as pointless as the day I'm stuck in, yet I wish for another tomorrow. The way things are looking we might have one giant snow day taking up the rest of the week, what then shall be left when I go back? My brain shall be a mixture of mush and song lyrics..............as it is already I suppose. I find myself wondering how the others are coping and if they are more productive than I. I suppose it doesn't matter if they are, just a thought. Why should I do anything worth while with my time when time isn't even worth while. Kurt Vonnegut said, "What is time? It is a serpent which eats its tail." So I suppose I shall get it back, perhaps tomorrow, and I shall try again then.

Dawn of the Dead

This is a picture I recently took, after hours of bordom and a sudden strike of creativity. And yes, these are items I have randomly scattered throughout my room......a couple scarfs, a ceramic hand, and a spider ring, you know the ususal! haha

Within His Bending Sickle's Compass Come