“I come from a favela in Brazil. I am black. I have a poor family. Yet, despite all those odds, I became a ballerina. I had to get by on my own [upon arriving in New York at the age of 19 on a full scholarship to the Dance Theatre of Harlem]. That’s when I grew up and learned to appreciate what my parents taught me. I’m not here [at Dance Theatre of Harlem] because I’m poor. I’m here because of my dancing.” —Ingrid Silva
Exquisite Liquid Marble Installation Resembles Moving Water
French artist Mathieu Lahanneur recently revealed his latest installation Petite Loire, a continuation of his Liquid Marble series the in the courtyard of the domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, an arts and nature facility in France. Lahanneur’s aim was to showcase the beauty of the green marble, which mimics the movement and flow of moving water.
“Some years ago, I was stuck on a crosstown bus in New York City during rush hour. Traffic was barely moving. The bus was filled with cold, tired people who were deeply irritated—with one another; with the rainy, sleety weather; with the world itself. Two men barked at each other about a shove that might or might not have been intentional. A pregnant woman got on, and nobody offered her a seat. Rage was in the air; no mercy would be found here.
But as the bus approached Seventh Avenue, the driver got on the intercom. “Folks,” he said, “I know you’ve had a rough day and you’re frustrated. I can’t do anything about the weather or traffic, but here’s what I can do. As each one of you gets off the bus, I will reach out my hand to you. As you walk by, drop your troubles into the palm of my hand, okay? Don’t take your problems home to your families tonight—just leave ‘em with me. My route goes right by the Hudson River, and when I drive by there later, I’ll open the window and throw your troubles in the water. Sound good?”
It was as if a spell had lifted. Everyone burst out laughing. Faces gleamed with surprised delight. People who’d been pretending for the past hour not to notice each other’s existence were suddenly grinning at each other like, is this guy serious?
Oh, he was serious.
At the next stop—just as promised—the driver reached out his hand, palm up, and waited. One by one, all the exiting commuters placed their hand just above his and mimed the gesture of dropping something into his palm. Some people laughed as they did this, some teared up—but everyone did it. The driver repeated the same lovely ritual at the next stop, too. And the next. All the way to the river.
We live in a hard world, my friends. Sometimes it’s extra difficult to be a human being. Sometimes you have a bad day. Sometimes you have a bad day that lasts for several years. You struggle and fail. You lose jobs, money, friends, faith, and love. You witness horrible events unfolding in the news, and you become fearful and withdrawn. There are times when everything seems cloaked in darkness. You long for the light but don’t know where to find it.
But what if you are the light? What if you’re the very agent of illumination that a dark situation begs for?
That’s what this bus driver taught me—that anyone can be the light, at any moment. This guy wasn’t some big power player. He wasn’t a spiritual leader. He wasn’t some media-savvy “influencer.” He was a bus driver—one of society’s most invisible workers. But he possessed real power, and he used it beautifully for our benefit.
When life feels especially grim, or when I feel particularly powerless in the face of the world’s troubles, I think of this man and ask myself, What can I do, right now, to be the light? Of course, I can’t personally end all wars, or solve global warming, or transform vexing people into entirely different creatures. I definitely can’t control traffic. But I do have some influence on everyone I brush up against, even if we never speak or learn each other’s name. How we behave matters because within human society everything is contagious—sadness and anger, yes, but also patience and generosity. Which means we all have more influence than we realize.
No matter who you are, or where you are, or how mundane or tough your situation may seem, I believe you can illuminate your world. In fact, I believe this is the only way the world will ever be illuminated—one bright act of grace at a time, all the way to the river.“
what is it with morons on Facebook wanting to pick a fight?
I responded to something a guy I don’t know posted on a friend’s post and he is just trying to drag this out and make it a thing. Stop already geez
I don’t care about your feelings about prostitutes unionising. Just please do not make statements like, “The going rate for a Vene (Venezuelan) is $XXXX.” It just sounds really fucked up.
Also I am growing out that grey patch in the front. It doesn’t take dye for more than a week anyway. I want to see if it will grow out into a streak. Cultivating my eccentric artist look.
So remember that customer that had messaged me the other day asking if my ring was real silver and got my panties all in a bunch? I had an extended conversation via DM on Instagram last night about several pieces that she wanted to buy. It turns out that she’s just one of those people who is very direct in her manner of conversation. And she is very precise about what she wants.
We actually had a really great conversation. It turns out she’s a buyer for a local boutique and she wants to feature some of my stuff. I have an order to deliver to her on Monday so I’m looking forward to meeting her then. At the end of our conversation she thanked me for delivering such great service. I’d say that’s a win.
We went by our friends yesterday, the ones who sell food and drinks at their place, for the first time since before Dianne passed away.
There was a lovely memorium picture they had hung there. She was looking up at the camera and smiling with a drink in her hand. I got all choked up looking at it.
The vibe is so different without her there. Although Heather came to sit with us for a bit she was busy with her customers. Dianne’s presence is so missed. It was our favourite place to visit. We liked supporting their business and they became such close friends. I miss her terribly. I really, really do.
Artist David Graas recreated the standard light bulb with his 3D-printed bulbs, which feature intricate designs modeled after famous American skylines like New York City and Chicago.
I was using a VPN so that I could get US Netflix until Netflix detected it and so I took it off and stopped paying for it. But now I put it back on without paying for it and I’m somehow getting US Netflix again… this is kinda weird
Sterling silver gemstone circles in #amethyst #apatite #citrine and #aquamarine. I have to list these lovelies soon! #necklace #sterlingsilver #rawgemstones #handmade #jewelry #caribbean #trinidad #artisanjewelry
I debated for quite a while what stone to set in this hammered gold filled bar. But in the end I thought this #Herkimer diamond would make for a beautiful and classic look. #necklace #goldfilled #caribbean #trinidad #handmade #jewelry
I have the tv on in the morning sometimes while I check my emails and I’m always hearing these cheesy law firm commercials. One of them always had everyone announcing, “Steiner is going green!” and it didn’t make any sense to me, like ok go green already why keep advertising it and what does that have to do with law anyway. Like I’ve been hearing this ad for years. The other day I happened to glance up at the tv and I was like, oh. Steiner Iscoe and Green. Oh.Yeah. Makes sense now.
having purchased things from what looked like reputable sellers that turned out to not actually be silver, it’s probably just a person who doesn’t want to be burned again.
I think there’s a wrong way and a right way to ask that question.
It’s normal, especially if the person has a nickel allergy, gotta be sure it’s pure, ya know?
I think I was having a problem with the way she was phrasing things. I’m really careful about not insulting people so I would have explained that I had allergies (or whatever reason) and that’s why I was asking. People have asked me before if something is “pure” silver and that didn’t bug me. I think it bugged me that she said “real” silver. I felt like she was implying I was lying. It said silver in the listing.
Someone was enquiring about a ring, on instagram, and they just messaged me to ask me if it’s real silver.
Am I wrong to get pissed off by that question? Cause I feel like they’re doubting my integrity and it feels insulting to me. It’s a handmade piece of jewellery. What else would I make it in? It’s not fucking costume jewellery.
I was just going through some photos on my laptop and found this. I’m in the middle sitting on my dad’s lap (with my characteristic frown). My brother’s on my right. The girls are three of four sisters that we grew up with.
I think it’s perfectly possible and acceptable to make jokes about topics about which people are sensitive. But you have to be clever, and many comics are too lazy or too stupid to write smart jokes. So they hide behind the idea that the world is too sensitive. We’re not. You’re just not funny.
No I don’t mind at all! When I add stones to metal I set them either one of two ways, I use prong settings or bezel settings. I’ve never used glue to set stones because it tends to be unreliable.
What you don’t see is that she is mortgage to the hilt. That even living in $1 million mansion you can be one or two paychecks away from losing it all. I’ve seen it happen over and over all show no go. And if she is successful congratulations to her that’s great but her comment it was a doozy but it’s worth it tells me otherwise.
She was referring to the extensive renovations they had just done on the house, I believe
Yeah. Sucks. And it doesn’t matter how well you do there will be people who have more/fancier stuff. Equally there will always be people who look at your life and see “wow, what, *she* gets to make these fantastic pieces with precious stones and metals. She’s creative. She’s her own boss. She has a husband she adores who loves her dearly.” And they may have none of those things in their life so be envious of you. I know (hope) you won’t think I’m telling you how to feel, I’m just writing (½)
(2/2) what I tell myself whenever I start to feel inadequate and hard done by and pissed off that people I knew as peers are now very much not peers by some measure or other. And we all feel like we don’t measure up in many ways…. (So very many ways on some days – unless that’s just me)
Yes I’m very much aware that my own life can (and has) elicited envy. Sometimes it’s for the life you have, sometimes it’s the life people think you have. Ultimately I have to remind myself that a) my current problems will not always be problems, b) there are a lot of things going great in my life and lastly c) I’m reminded of a story where everyone wrote down all their problems and put them in a bag and were told they could exchange them for others’. Each person pulled out another person’s problems and ultimately gave them back and ended choosing their own in the end. Because we truly don’t know what anyone else is dealing with.
I grew up in an area that was quite wealthy. We were NOT wealthy (my folks bought a house there when it was much cheaper to buy), but a lot of the kids I knew had huge houses with ocean views etc. A lot of them have become very successful themselves (growing up with money helps you do that), so I know the feeling! I just unfollowed a bunch on Instagram cuz fuck feeling inadequate all the time hah.
Yeah actually my life is somewhat similar. I mean my parents were comfortable but compared to the kind of money some of the kids I went to school had, we were pretty modest. And the girl in question came from a family with a lot of money. And by the looks of it all of them have done well. If my family had that kind of money I’d have gone back to school and done a lot more with myself that I’ve had the chance to. It’s not exactly been a level playing field. But it’s not easy to see it either.
The other day this girl I went to high school with, she was a year behind me, posted something about a house that was featured in a real estate magazine. She said something about, this one was a doozy but well worth it.
I was curious what her association was with the house so I checked out the online version of the magazine. I was wondering if she was the architect or the decorator or something. The house was a showpiece, stunning, modern, rooftop terrace with an ocean view in California.
Then I read the article. She’s the homeowner.
And I just thought, What the fucking am I doing with my life? I’m sitting here ketching my ass making jewellery for a buck, broke all the fucking time, and she’s my age and has a house in a magazine.
It was a fleeting moment and I stopped myself immediately because that’s just really a terrible thing to do to yourself, not to mention unfair. I try really hard not to compare. I started a new career at 42. I’m building a brand and a business from the ground up and it is REALLY, REALLYhard. And sometimes it’s especially difficult when you can’t do the things you thought at this point in life you would be able to do (or have the things you thought would have). And I just had to remind myself that a) I made my choices and b) I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. And in spite of the fact that money always seems to be in short supply (which is most people’s reality anyway), I am happy and healthy and have a good life. Sometimes it’s good to remind yourself of all you have.
I love hearing people who learn English in Trinidad speaking. They sounds so adorable in our lilting sing-song accent, throwing around our slang. I love it.
I got some beautiful new raw #aquamarines. I think they look so pretty with gold. #necklace #pendant #handmade #caribbean #trinidad #rawgemstone #goldfilled
WATCH: We humans aren’t the only ones who like to dance to the soothing sounds of the violin. Pairi Daiza zoo in Belgium invited violinists to rehearse in front of these elephants.
Put ya trunks in the air and wave em round like you just don’t care…
Elephants are becoming my fav
Shoulda brought trumpets so they could communicate and build a bond with them.
Sitting in a car with no air conditioning while I wait for Ro to buy us lunch. At least it’s overcast. But I am feeling very hot and not in an attractive way.
So, I just wrote that big thing on ‘progressive’ white America’s modern view of the chattel slavery of African Americans, and I have deiced, on behalf of all white people, we need to stop lying to each other. Teachers, tour guides, even just random people, when they get asked “Was Master X nice to his slaves” or “But most slaves were treated well, right?” Need to uniformly answer “No.”
No owner ever treated a slave well. Not George Washington, Not Thomas Jefferson, not your potential ancestors, not the nice family you heard about on vacation last year. To own another human being is to not treat them well.
We have to stop lying to kids (and each other) and saying that there is a humane way to strip another human being of there right to self, to take a person and create a marketable commodity .
White Americans still benefit from the legacy of slavery, and Black American’s still suffer from it. We need to stop teaching it as an ancient quirk that left few scars because everyone was more or less happy.
It wasn’t symbiotic, it was parasitic, and we need to stop saying otherwise.
To own another human being is to not treat them well.
My mechanic told me to drop off my car at 1. I arranged for my friend Ro to pick me up. He’s late and I just called and the mechanic’s not there and he told me to wait another 45 minutes and what the fuck people.
I was driving to my mom’s house and I turn a blind corner onto this side road and this car is almost blocking my way.
The driver inexplicably inches FORWARD, and as I squeeze past him trying really hard not to scrape his bumper that he has now positioned even closer to me, he blows his horn at me.
I SEE you asshole. You can reverse. I can’t a) reverse onto a major road and b) there’s a car behind me.
Seriously how has your lack of common sense not eliminated you from the planet yet?
I accidentally yanked out my nose piercing the other day in the car and it went flying. I found it but then broke it. I can repair it of course but in the meantime I had some others I could use. I just put one in and it felt like I was giving birth through my nose. It always hurts like mad. I wonder if this is a universal experience?
I’m sitting here waiting. For my blizzard and who walks up the the counter but this guy I dated in my 20’s.
I broke it off because the was too obsessive. But we managed to rekindle a friendship years later but I had to end up breaking that off too when he still kept insisting that our story wasn’t over, when for me it very clearly was. He’s just so obtuse.
Please do not call me to get my Blizzard now. I am going to sit on this bench and wait for him to leave and hopefully he won’t see me. Cause I’m not in the fucking mood to deal with his annoying ass today. He is loud and boorish and just no ok?
So I just had my eyes tested. My prescription still hasn’t changed (in the past 12 years). What has changed is my ability to read fine print. So she basically told me I need reading glasses. Now I feel like an old lady.
Also my vision is 20/20. I don’t know how you can have 20/20 vision and need glasses but maybe it’s because I have astigmatism. I dunno.
I have to drop off my car at the mechanic and I have an hour to kill. I’m having a DQ Blizzard at the mall while I wait. 45 minutes to go.
They’re disgusting. And also go great with a drink. And are a great stress reliever. And most likely given how addictive they are should be illegal.
25. What makes you weird?
I don’t see myself as weird but I know my normal is not everybody’s normal. I think someone else might have to answer that for me.
50. What are your favorite make up brands?
I’m definitely not a brand person. I use whatever works but I have a lot of Revlon products. I’ve been using their foundation for years and they have some great eyeshadows and lip stains. Until maybe about ten years ago it was kind of difficult to get non-drugstore brands here so I have tended to buy cheaper stuff, figure out what works for me, and stick with it. They have the luxury brands now but I’ve never really tried any of them out. I barely ever leave the house so I don’t even wear makeup that often.
Thanks for the ask I didn’t get to this one last night!
Adjustment disorder is a short-term condition that occurs when a person is unable to cope with, or adjust to, a particular source of stress, such as a major life change, loss, or event. Because people with adjustment disorders often have symptoms of depression, it is sometimes called “situational depression.” The type of stress that can trigger adjustment disorder varies depending on the person, but can include:
– Ending of a relationship or marriage
– Losing or changing job
– Death of a loved one
– Developing a serious illness (yourself or a loved one)
– Being a victim of a crime
– Having an accident
– Undergoing a major life change (such as getting married, having a baby, or retiring from a job)
– Living through a disaster, such as a fire, flood, or hurricane
Adjustment disorder can have a wide variety of symptoms, which may include:
– Feelings of hopelessness
– Sadness
– Frequent crying
– Anxiety
– Worry
– Headaches
– Stomach aches
– Heart palpitations
– Withdrawal or isolation from people and social activities
– Dangerous or destructive behavior, such as fighting, reckless driving, and vandalism
– Changes in appetite, either loss of appetite, or overeating
– Problems sleeping
– Feeling tired or without energy
– Increase in the use of alcohol or other drugs
Adjustment disorder can occur in anyone, and at any age.
In terms of treatment, counseling or psychotherapy are the most common approaches. Therapy helps the person understand how the stressor has affected his or her life. It also helps the person develop better coping skills. Support groups can also be helpful by allowing the person to discuss his or her concerns and feelings with people who are coping with the same stress. In some cases, medication may be used to help control anxiety symptoms or sleeping problems.
Most people with adjustment disorder recover completely. In fact, a person who is treated for adjustment disorder may learn new skills that actually allow him or her to function better than before the symptoms began.
11. Are you an extrovert or introvert?
By the proper definition of the word I am an introvert. I definitely recharge alone and socializing can drain me. That said I am outgoing when I am around people. I can also be remarkably shy.
13. Sweet or salty?
I really like sweets, especially after a meal. I love cake, almost any kind. But it really depends on what I’m feeling for.
16. What is your favorite breakfast?
All! Breakfast food is the best! But if I have to choose I’d say pancakes and eggs.
1. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I never thought about it. The concept of me and adulthood didn’t exist to me as a kid.
26. Celebrity crush?
Idris off the top of my head
36. What is a weird phase you went through when you were younger?
Weird phase… Hmm. I guess I used to have a lot of imaginary conversations. I just enjoyed it, it was kind of like play acting. As I got older it’s become those conversations you have in your head with people before you actually talk to them. I guess I never grew out of it. It’s not weird to me tough lol.
45. Last text you sent?
“You’re going to spend all your time explaining it”
You ever look at your face and wonder how anyone could find you attractive?
I’m not having a low self esteem moment or anything it’s just that sometimes when you examine your features you just find it all goes together all weird.
I just literally LOL-ed . The pork reference with the pig emoji is extra funny lol. I don’t know which is more entertaining, the texts themselves or how into them you are lol. Here’s a mind blower though: suppose someone in the gay orgy circle is following you on Tumblr and sees that post? ☺️
Well most of the gay/bi Trinis that follow me are women. But if someone saw it I wouldn’t care? What the gay mafia gonna come shoot up my house cause I know where they doing dey ting? Hahahaha! I know stuff like that goes on (I had people on de inside already) I jus find the wording of the texts real funny
Lmao! Sooo… Are you gonna keep macoing the ppls orgy texts? *dead*
uhhh yessss? what would you do? text him back and say, Hey _____________, this is Chris, could you please stop sending me gay orgy texts? Hells no. Plus you should see them! “Bring dat fat pork! (pig emoji)” They’re fucking hilarious! I want to frame them!
So about a week ago Chris’s sister had called him and he didn’t know which of her many numbers she used so he texted back a response to all her numbers.
A few days later he got a text from a number that apparently wasn’t hers anymore and it was… well… it was basically a callout for a gay orgy. It was kind of written in code. My jaw dropped once I figured it out, I was so scandalised!
Then a couple days later he got another one. It was a smaller sex party this time, asking for two bottoms *snicker*. We still didn’t know who the mystery texter was.
Today we figured out what happened. My SIL had called Chris from a friend’s phone and he had saved the number thinking it was hers. I’ve met the guy. He’s so unassuming and quiet. I would never have thought that he secretly organised gay orgies.
But you know it’s the quiet ones they say you have to watch out for.
I hope she doesn’t tell him anything. I’ve been really enjoying reading those texts.
This story was different actually??? And even better???
The girl, Brooklyn Andracke, used to wave at the truck every thursday and the trashman waved her back. It was a very important to her to do it every week.
It was HER birthday, and she decided that she wanted to share her birthday cake with the trashman. She also wanted to meet her hero, whose name is Delvar Dopson.
The girl’s mother thanked Delvar for his work and explained to him how important it is for Brooklyn to wave at him every thursday.
He was pretty surprised but he admitted that every time he drove near the house he hoped that the girl would wave at him.
That’s not the end of the story though. Next week Delvar had a surprise for the little girl.
He brought her a bunch of amazing birthday gifts!
They both got quite popular, and Delvar is getting a lot of thank you messages from trashmen from all over the world for representing them in such a good way.
Yesterday’s vibe was a little weird. All of my vendor friends said that they didn’t get as many sales as they expected. There were large chunks of time where no one even paused at my table. And most people did not actually shop for their mothers. People just weren’t shopping like we expected.
That said, I must have heard this a hundred times yesterday: I love your stuff. I love everything you make. It felt really great.
I always spend money when I go to the market too. In part to support other vendors but also because the stuff I get there is really good quality. I bought a tank top from a friend who was there selling for the first time. A handbag. And I made the mistake of going by the pepper guy. We don’t even eat pepper. But ended up buying some spicy kind of cream cheese, sorrel pepper jelly and some seasoned red pepper salt that was so delicious me and my friend Rohan were eating it out of the container.
I bought this gorgeous handbag at upmarket yesterday. It’s from Pakistan. It has the lovely mirrored inlays and little colorful tassels all round the edges. I’m in love with it.
soulsistrin 