I don’t really have one. I donate where I can to people and/or causes on an individual basis. I can’t say I have a lot of trust in organizations at this point.
I had several friendships either fall apart or get put on a long term hiatus this year. There’s a lot of distance between me and people I used to be close with. None of it is my fault. The circumstances are different in each case.
One girlfriend chose to distance herself after a relationship with one of our friends ended badly and he apparently fought her for custody of us. It got nasty. I reached out. She rebuffed me. So left her alone after that. I was, quite frankly, tired of her mess but it didn’t mean I didn’t want her in my life.
Another friend is going through some serious family issues and has pushed me and others away. I’ve reached out. He’s not responded. I’m not taking it personally. He’s having a hard time.
The last one pains me most. It’s a long and messed up story about the wrong woman coming into his life and basically manipulating him into a situation he can’t get out of. And I feel he’s just lost to us. She dug her claws in and that’s it. She doesn’t like any of us so that’s it for us.
I don’t tend to have drama with my friends. Maybe this is just a weird trend that has nothing to do with me. Maybe new things and people are coming. But it’s been kind of sad nonetheless.
I have a tendency to be pessimistic in my thinking not because I am a pessimist by nature but because I tend to force my mind to go to that worst case scenario to prepare myself in case it happens. I’ve had some things that looked really amazing from the outside turn out horribly. And the shock of it, the naïveté of never considering that outcome, the devastation when the unforeseen and unexpected happened, left me reeling. And after that I promised myself I would never let anything surprise me in that way ever again.
But it didn’t stop it from happening to me again. I’ve still seen my hopes crumble, had my heart broken, watched my life once again fall apart. It wasn’t as hard as before because I’d been through it, but living in that state of semi preparedness for the worst didn’t protect me, really. Nothing can to be honest.
Lately I’ve tried adopting a more positive way of thinking. Expect support. Assume positive intentions. And anticipate good things. It’s had several effects. One is that I don’t interpret people’s actions immediately as coming from a negative place and thus don’t respond negatively either. In doing so I’m avoiding conflict that might have arisen from my very anticipation of it. The other is that it’s decreased my anxiety by massive amounts. Just thinking that things could work out for the best has relieved a mass of worry from my shoulders. Worry that wasn’t going to change anything anyway. It’s also made me feel more excited about moving forward in certain areas in my life. Lastly it’s allowed me to have a little more levity in my life. When you’re always worried that the sky is falling down you don’t have much fun. Having some faith in the universe that things will be ok is freeing up my spirit to not be so serious about life.
I think I’m learning that no matter the outcome, it’s really my attitude to what happens that matters. I knew this before intellectually but now I really am starting to get it.
You know, outdoors is what really brings peace to my soul, what rejuvenated me, where I find my connection to spirit… but if I’m being honest I spend 99% of my time indoors. It’s not healthy or good for me. My cards just told me I need grounding which I do. I am a true nature lover but clearly my comfort zone is indoors.
What was the last piece of text you read that changed your perspective on something?
In an interview, Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsi was asked what one piece of advice she would give. She said that when approaching any person or situation, to “assume positive intent.” It’s not my usual way of being but I have decided to adopt her philosophy and it’s changed my life in many ways for the better.
Tumblr is kind of one of my comfort zones… a little privately curated corner of the world that is mine and mine alone. But in the past few days with all the Kavanaugh shit going on it’s been hard for me to be here. I have nowhere I can go to get away from his sneering face. I find myself jumping through all my usual sites looking for something to distract or entertain me but he’s everywhere. It’s just so distressing. I spent hours tonight listening to an ebook while scrolling through etsy and instagram looking at jewelry because it was beautiful and politics free. Perhaps this is one of those times I need to take a social media hiatus for my mental health. I mean fat chance, but I should consider it…
hey guys! here’s some fun things i learned from this article about Dion Diamond:
he did these sit-ins by himself. like idk about you, but i always thought of sit-ins as organized by groups, what kind of bravery does it take, man
he didn’t tell anyone about it, like he was no glory-seeker about this. his parents didn’t even know until reporters started calling them up like “hey, did you know your son is in jail?
when someone called the cops he’d skedaddle out the back door although he was sent to prison multiple times
the last time he got arrested was in Baton Rouge, and the cops were so sick of him that they told inmates they’d put in a good word for anyone who gave Diamond a hard time. (the inmates didn’t take the bait.)
Apparently the first time I told you that you can’t pick up your order on the weekend didn’t really compute?
I am actually going to be in the studio tomorrow but I don’t like giving people bad habits and just assuming I’m going to be available to you on the weekend kind of rubs me the wrong way.
My business hours are during the week. I’m entitled to have a life. If you can’t make it then, I’m sorry. Send someone to pick it up.
4. If someone asked you right now for a show suggestion to binge watch, what would you say?
Drama I’d say check Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away With Murder to start cause they have a lot of seasons to watch as well as Suits, a pretty good show. Killing Eve has had only one season but is exceptional. I love This Is Us. Assuming they’ve never watched, Game of Thrones. Oh and The Good Fight, spin off of The Good Wife. The Deuce is a seedy type with some really good actors.
Comedy, I’d recommend The Good Place, Atlanta, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Insecure, Black-ish. Speechless is a really nice family show. I enjoy New Girl although I think I’m tiring of it. Search Party is quirky and different. Lucifer’s fun I enjoy it more than I thought I would. I love Jane the Virgin. Claws is super campy but really enjoyable. Amazon Prime, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is really great, Catastrophe and Fleabag. Crazyhead and Chewing Gum on Netflix.
No I don’t spend all my time watching tv lol, but I always need something on while I’m working so I actually do get through a fair amount of shows.
Well on a positive note I was working on a logo for someone and today I think I was finally able to execute what she wanted. Unlike most clients she had a good idea of how she wanted it to look so it was really just a matter of me translating her idea into something graphic. I told her to sit on it for a day or so and then tell me if it’s complete or not. But I think we both really like it as it is. That elevated my mood a bit.
Also it would have been nice if the person I had a meeting with today didn’t show up two hours late without calling. I could have run my errands in that time. I just don’t know how it’s ok with people to be two hours late and not even make a courtesy call, but it happens all the fucking time. I hate this fucking island time bullshit. It’s rude.
3. How do you sleep? (How many pillows, do you have a set sleeping schedule, etc..)
I’m a side sleeper. I like a pillow between my legs (it helps with hip and back pain) and I’m happy with just one pillow under my head.
I tend to go to bed late. My natural rhythm is to stay up at night, it’s when I have the most energy. I usually need an hour or two after I get into bed to wind down before I can fall asleep. Or so I tell myself. Mostly I spend that time either drooling at gemstones online or catching up o shows I haven’t had time to watch at normal waking hours. Tumblring.
I find it fascinating that people who choose not to have children are generally assumed to feel really strongly about not having children (or even to feel really strongly against children, anyone’s children, in general). I am probably not going to have children, not because I REALLY REALLY HATE the idea of having children, but because I don’t really really love it. Out of all the major decisions I will make in my life, this one is the only irreversible one. I can sell a house, quit a job, divorce a spouse, whatever. I cannot unhave a child. I cannot opt out of being a parent once I become a parent. I can’t even take a step back for the sake of self-care or whatever, or else my child will suffer.
So for me, having children is fuck yes or not at all. The default will be to remain childfree. Having children should be an opt-in decision, not an opt-out one. Until/unless I develop really strong feelings about wanting to have children, I won’t have them, even if that means I never end up having them at all.
This is really, REALLY well put.
Also, just because I don’t want to have children doesn’t mean I am bitter that other people do. I love my friends’ children and am genuinely happy and excited for people I know who are having babies.
I’ve revisited my feelings about having kids many times over the years. It’s still not a responsibility I ever felt willing or able to undertake. I think I put a lot more thought into it than a lot of people I know who have had kids.
1. What is your favorite month out of the year? Do you have a favorite day of the week? Time of day?
Probably December. I like Christmas. Although it’s kind of been a sort of difficult time for me since my father passed away. And I can’t afford yearly vacations to see my family so that makes it hard too.
I kind of like Saturdays. No pressure like Friday’s to go do something. But another day of the weekend ahead of me.
Time of day? Dawn or dusk, they’re both equally magical. I’m rarely up for dawn, but fuck hearalds the beginning of night time, which is when I come alive. Us witches you know.
I had a really good session with my therapist today. She helped me work through some issues I had with regard to my sister and helped me out it into context. I’m not so angry about it anymore and I know how to deal with it now.
We explored the domestic violence aspect of my family background a lot and today she told me that in terms of all the roles people take on, my family is textbook. She literally told me I could write a book.
I’ve done a fair amount of reading on it. We are. It’s amazing how families damaged by the same things play out the exact same dynamics. Human beings are really quite fascinating.
As always I came back from my session feeling physically exhausted. I’ve been tired all day. I’m taking a break from work for a few hours until I feel like people again.
Just finished setting this stunning rose cut blue sapphire set in sterling silver accented with a rose cut quartz. A one of a kind piece, size 7, available for purchase. .
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#handmadejewelry #uniquejewelry #beautiful #fashionjewelry #TT #buylocal #trinidad #caribbean #caribbeanlife #artisan #forher #sundara #customjewelry #artisanjewelry #handmade #sundarajewelry #rosecut #rings #sapphire #blue #sterlingsilver https://www.instagram.com/p/BocJ2s3gTAg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=21bfe2awrq21
Well it fits…. now time to clean it up before I actually set the stone. That white string looking stuff is dental floss. Old trick, put it under the stone so you can pull it back out of the setting. Sometimes it breaks. That’s when you have to (panic) get creative. Like today! Exacto knife did the trick. Thanks google! #ring #stonesetting #rosecut #sapphire https://www.instagram.com/p/Boa8vA1AJ_6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11i9a44pvr22u
Somebody added me to a group chat on fb messenger and this bitch just sent a thumbs up at 2:30 in the morning. Seriously people think about what you’re doing.
“SILENT TREATMENT is more damaging than you know: not only is it rude, immature, inconsiderate, cruel, and petty, it’s downright emotionally (and sometimes physically) damaging. 1 – It causes emotional trauma or stress, 2 – It causes psychological stress, victims may get depression, 3 – It may have serious physical side effects. When someone is ignored, their brain tells them they are in physical pain. 4 – It can cause behavioral changes, 5 – It can destroy relationships.”
I had a really weird experience the other day where I saw some… nature spirits? Elves? Fairies? I think one might have been a goblin I’m not sure what the other one was. It looked like a sort of humanoid praying mantis, like a walking stick figure. Except it was clothed in a way.
I’ve been doing some spiritual work and I know it’s been opening up certain things in me. But that was decidedly not part of what I thought I was developing. I found the experience really perplexing and amusing at the same time. I’m not sure how I feel about it.
There’s stuff that exists in other dimensions that if you’re sensitive or gifted or open enough you can see them (or discern them with any of your other senses). Some of those things I’ve asked not to see anymore so I don’t. But I’m not sure how I feel about this. Child Natasha would have been out of her head with delight. But now… hm. What does this open me up to?
This little… locket? Box? Something, was the inspiration for the ring I made today. My client was discussing various design options with me and then sent me that pic and said she wanted the ring based on that. I think it was a pretty decent interpretation.
Make no mistake: The drama that took place in hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 27, 2018 was about power: On one side, the power of men who harass or abuse women and get away with it, the power of privileged white men to entrench their power even more on the Supreme Court, the power of men to take away a woman’s right to choose what she does with her body.
On the other side, the power of women with the courage to tell what has happened to them, to demand an end to white male privilege, and to preserve and enlarge their constitutional rights.
Dr. Ford was poised, articulate, clear and convincing. No one who witnessed her testimony and her responses could conclude that she failed to tell the truth. More than that: She radiated self-assured power.
Brett Kavanaugh showed himself to be a vicious partisan – a Trump-like figure who feels entitled to do and say whatever he wants, who suspects leftwing plots against him, who refuses to take responsibility for his actions, who uses emotional bullying and intimidation to get his way.
Kavanaugh may still get on the Supreme Court, but there can no longer be any doubt about his temperament or character, or his politics. A large share of the American public will never trust him to be impartial. Many will never believe his denials of sexual harassment. Most will continue to see him as the privileged, arrogant, self-righteous person he has revealed himself to be.
I hope today’s performance convinces a critical mass of American women to do what must be done November 6 to give themselves a firm and clear voice in the Senate and in the rest of American government – to empower themselves at a time when the President, the majority of Congress, and a potential majority in the Supreme Court intend to disempower them.
My client just came to pick up the carnelian ring. She hugged me twice. She told me over and over again how much she loved it. It really looked gorgeous on her. She’s a tattoo artist and this is the third piece I’ve made for her. She told me I made her day, but honestly? She made mine.
I guess I can’t complain about all the noise the neighbour is making doing whatever he’s doing to his car since I work into the evenings pounding on metal sometimes.
I’m on a bit of a ring kick these days. This sterling silver wrap ring has been crowned with two brilliant amethysts on either end. A versatile piece that can fit many sizes (and different fingers on the same hand!). Minimal, modern and elegant. Also available in citrine and smokey quartz. https://www.instagram.com/p/BoPkSd9AzEY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tez5ghhk2078
I waited for my client to see her custom ordered ring before posting it and… she loves it!!!! I really enjoyed this commission, she had an idea for the design and trusted me to execute it and I think we’re both really happy with the results 😊 The stone is a 4mm #carnelian cabochon, set in a textured sterling band with hammered sterling beaded embellishments. I added a light patina to age it. This was fun! .
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#handmadejewelry #uniquejewelry #beautiful #fashionjewelry #TT #buylocal #trinidad #caribbean #artisan #forher #abstract #sundara #customjewelry #artjewelry #artisanjewelry #sundarajewelry #sterlingsilver #ring #wideband #semipreciousstones #widebandring https://www.instagram.com/p/BoPh4-FAQyX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8xnmrkobmtiu
“Paper maps are essential to portrait artist Ed Fairburn, who
uses them as the canvas for his detailed work. His thoughtful
integration of human portrait and topography make it appear as though
the two have always belonged together” (Rocky Mountain PBS)
My work is a direct combination of cartography and portraiture. Using
traditional materials such as ink and pencil, I intervene with a range
of original maps, making gradual changes to contours, roads and other
patterns. These changes allow me to tease out the human form, resulting
in a comfortable coexistence of figure and landscape. I aim to preserve
the functionality of each map by feeding the composition instead of
fighting it – I often spend hours studying each map before I begin any
physical processes. I’m interested in the subtlety of each
synchronisation, and the way in which each completed map behaves more
like a portrait when viewed from further away – it’s almost paradoxical
that a portrait should lose detail when examined closely.
I might be really old fashioned when it comes to the rules of etiquette but when someone comes over to share a bottle of wine and spends the entire time with their face buried in their phone I consider that really rude. Why are you here? Obviously whatever is happening on your phone is more interesting that me. How about go home.
Jewelry is a REALLY messy endeavor. You never get to see the beauty of the piece you’re creating until the very end when all the crud is polished off and the metal gets all shiny again.
I just pulled some pieces out of my tumbler and they looked so beautiful I swooned. I haven’t even set the stones in them yet. Omg I can’t wait.
I decided to lower my work chair in an effort to emulate the set up of a real jeweler’s bench today (I just use a desk) and I’m amazed at what a difference it made to my back, neck and shoulders. I’m not devoid of pain but it’s substantially less. This is revolutionary.
25. Are you an introvert or extrovert? A leader, follower, or lone wolf?
I’d qualify as an introvert. Or an ambivert that’s more on the introverted side. I definitely get drained from socializing, I don’t like being around people all the time. That said I’m very sociable and outgoing and really enjoy it when I do go out. I think I just get tired of it sooner than most people.
In situations where leadership is called for I’m a leader. But I’d much rather be a lone wolf. I prefer to do whatever I do alone whether it be work projects (when I used to have co-workers), shopping, running errands, I’m just very efficient alone. Where friends are concerned I was never one to have a gaggle of friends that I got together with. I have different pockets of friends that bring different things into my life. I guess I compartmentalize. That and I have a fundamental discomfort getting close to people. It’s icky.
I have no doubt that Millie Bobby Brown doesn’t see anything wrong with her friendship with Drake, and because of that I get why she has come out to defend him. However. We need to remember that as poised and wordly-wise as she may come across, Brown is still a girl of fourteen and likely has not grasped exactly why the world has reacted with raised eyebrows to her revelation that a 31 year old man texts her saying that he misses her.
Her statements do not and should not exonerate Drake. A 31 year old man has no reason to be texting such personal things to a 14 year old girl outside of a familial relationship (and even then…..best not to) and he is the one who needs to come out and make a statement explaining this away. But he won’t. Too busy with his recently turned 18 girlfriend.
“Go and love someone exactly as they are. Then, watch how they transform into the greatest truest version of themselves. When one feels seen and appreciated in their own essence, one is instantly empowered.”
This weekend was Chris’s 30 year high school reunion. We had a cocktail party/dinner thing friday night and many of us went to a bar afterward. We got home at 3am. Yesterday the men had a get together where they played football and had food (no wives this time) and after we met them up and drank again, not as late as the last night but we all imbibed.
Today was supposed to be the third day of events and honestly I’m not sure what the event was but I’m pretty sure no one went. All of OUR friends stayed home. We had some friends who flew in from abroad and we don’t even have the energy to go see them and say goodbye.
We used to be able to do this day after day. Now everyone’s tired and I’m sure I’m not the only person whose stomach’s been upset for the past two days. Damn we got old.
soulsistrin 