nameless

Today is Christmas. Something I'm sure we're all well aware of by now.
I don't have much more to say here, this year it just didn't really feel like Christmas to me, I'm not entirely sure why. I've made no Christmas music, nor winter photography posts. I just haven't felt like it.
Soon, my blog is going to be changing quite dramatically; drastically even. Something that should come around New Years.
I need a change, and right now it's what I can change.

Now all I can do is wish you all well as we closeout 2014, as we celebrate the remainder of it's holidays; as I am not sure there will be another post here.

See you on the other side.

WATCHING: what if LISTENING: 'tenerife sea' by ed sheeran READING: 'The Original Folk & Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm'

last breath of autumn

Before November came with winter I captured some glimpses of autumn as it breathed its last.

LISTENING: 'funnel of love (feat. madeline follin)' by sqürl from the 'only lovers left alive' soundtrack

welcome to november

October sucked.
Normally, October is the pivotal month of my favorite season.

A lot has happened since my last post. More in fact than I feel inclined to post about, more than I feel I have words for.

But I'll recap some of October for you.

September 28th was a night tragedy struck our small community. September 29th was the day it rung through our little towns, across Facebook and inexorably into all our lives.
September 28th a girl just shy of 19, just having graduated and moved away earlier this year, finally on to college and her future, a girl who I've known for practically 15 years, died.

Two days later I turned 20.

After that I was sick. A lot. Causing me to cancel comic convention volunteering plans I've been looking forward to and planning for weeks.

October 20th my first cat who has been a part of our family for nearly 17 years, died.

Since then I've been sick some more, but am currently on a healthy streak.

I've gone on a few photography expeditions before Winter came with the later days of November.

I started a new journal.

I applied for two jobs.

I've been wanting, wishing, waiting to put my wool locs back in, and have yet to because of how they could influence my chances at a job.

I've started reading again. Well, I'm making myself read again. I've barely finished a handful of books in...well, longer than I can remember. I find myself losing interest, not finding anything I feel is worth reading, or even if something good, just not finishing. But I'm working on that. I'm rereading the 'Inheritance Cycle', and I'm reading books on history, archaeology, language.

I've been editing pictures, catching up with far away friends.
Trying to figure out my life.

Here's to an already better November.

WATCHING: vampire diaries LISTENING: 'too close' by alex clare & 'fear inside our bones' by the almost

music for the now - have a listen // the walk

Music is something that both encompasses, and is incredibly integral to life.

So far 2014 has been one of realization, frustration...the quarter life or downright existential crisis as it's called. Throughout everything there is always music, and I wanted to share some of the music that I think is something of a reflection, and a part, of where I am.

deep in a wood
where nothing is seen
a tightrope is strung to his heel
and high on the walk
he's down on one knee
he waits for the slow of the breeze

oh, wow
look at him now on his feet
high up in the sky

and every moment
extends endlessly
if feels as though time isn't moving
and every second
hold breath not to breathe
and watch as he moves to the beat

well down on the floor
I watch from my seat
I watch as he sways with the trees
and slowly he moves
but so elegantly
I'm all on the edge of my seat

on the tightrope
everything's bare
all that there is
from here to there
on the tightrope
the goal is quite clear
don't lose yourself in your

fear

everyone waits on a walk
some are long
and some small
but all of them tall

and everyone must make a choice
will I go for it all
possibly fall

the tightrope is thin
I could possibly win on
the walk

well high on the walk
the tightrope it bends
and nobody knows where it ends

to win or to lose
you're all on your own
'cause everyone must be alone
on the tightrope
everything's bare
all that there is
from here to there
on the tightrope
the goal is quite clear
don't lose yourself in your

fear

hello summer

As of this past Thursday, the 19th, I am finally, officially, fantastically done with Spring Quarter 2014!

While I am currently fending off what seems to be a horrible strain of the flu, summer has officially started as a season so here are some of my summer essentials!

the gear bag

knapsack / strap purse combo

Summer 2013 I bought this bag before my trip to Colorado, and used it the entire summer. Not only is it vibrantly colored, it held up quite well! Packed everything I needed for my days out in Colorado (and I pack with everything I might possibly need). Also, SUPER CUTE. To prepare for this summer, I just preemptively reinforced a couple of spots like the pocket and straps, and I'm good to go for Summer '14! The small purse wallet was perfect to have my quick draw essentials like the cell phone, ID, and cash in. The only downside, is the velcro has worn out quite a bit since last summer.

wood earrings

I don't know about you guys, but my piercings have an unfortunate disposition of having bad reactions to just about everything. Except gold, which is obviously rather expensive, and for me too expensive to wear every day. Also, I'm more of a silver tone jewelry girl myself. But I digress!
Wood post earrings I think are essential because for me, no bad reaction! I can put a pair of these in and wear them, just with your typical in-ear piercing cleaning maintenance. No changing my earrings every day, forgetting to put a pair in, and winding up with half healed ears. Because despite having had my ears pierced for nearly a decade now, they will still heal shut; surprisingly quickly.
(the first pair are my current favorites and what I'm wearing, the second were my very first pair which got me hooked, and the third will be my next purchase!)

solid footwear

I'm big into the longevity of footwear, something that probably stems from how long it took for my feet to quit growing so more than $20 could be spent on a pair of shoes. I don't even want to talk about the year I grew and had to get new shoes every month. However, since my feet inevitably ceased their growing, I ceased going through shoes so quickly. In fact, the first pair of shoes that were in the next price bracket, I still have. They've been worn into the ground as work shoes for the majority of their life, but I think the fact that I have a pair of $40 Airwalk skate shoes that are a decade old is quite something...even if shoe glue was involved.
Thus my third summer essential is SHOES. Specifically for me, my two suggestions being Frye Engineer boots and Birkenstocks, respectively.
While obviously being pricier - especially the Frye's, eek! - there's something to be said for the craftsmanship and, you guessed it, longevity. But don't let the price scare you away! While Birkenstocks are something I would lean towards the suggestion of buying new over used - as they mold to your feet in a way quite blissful - you can find them for more affordable in the knockoff, and secondhand forms! And, double win, they're currently back in style - BIG TIME.
Since I've been wanting a pair since my first when I was about 10 (yay goodwill!), they're undoubtedly my next purchase for this summer.
Frye's are classic. And I mean classic. Frye is a company that's been around since the 1800's. Yes, the 1800's. While not all of their shoes are still made in America, their Engineer collection still is, one of the many great purchase points. But, there still is that price tag. But do not fear! I wound up with mine through a promise I made to myself that if I found what I wanted, in my size for under $150 I would get them. Within a few months, and what can only be described as obsessive ebay browsing, I nabbed my pair for a fantastic $100; and that's even after shipping and tax. Score!
These are boots that I'm going to be wearing for many years to come, especially because they can be resoled; something mine will be going in for in the next year or so. And in my experience over the last year of practically everyday wear: they go with positively everything, work rain or shine, and are perfect for slipping something like an extra pocket knife into. Just saying.

---

Whatever your plans for summer are, have fun and be safe this season!
If you enjoyed this post sharing a few of my summer essentials, let me know in the comments below and I'll work on sharing some more!

I do hope to be posting more frequently this summer, but if last year was any indication, no promises!
Make sure to like the page on Facebook for updates on new posts, and giving me feedback as I throw out some new ideas for posting this summer!

WATCHING: x-men: days of future past LISTENING: 'kings and queens' by thirty seconds to mars

coming soon to a theater near you

I don't know about you guys, but I'm something of a movie lover? Movie buff? Videophile? Film fan?
Whatever the preferred term for the fact that I really freaking love watching movies (and tv series - but that's an entire other conversation).

As I am currently stressed with my upcoming finals and thusly here procrastinating, here are the films I am currently looking forward to seeing for myriad reasons.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

HOW CAN I NOT BE EXCITED ABOUT THIS

how to train your dragon 2

Any other Thirty Seconds to Mars fans catch the song choice? Totally made me geek out because, well I love that song.

maleficent

Obviously this is one I have been talking about, posting about, and squealing about being excited for for months.

days of future past

I'm oh-so skeptical and even downright cynical, but you can bet your favorite comic book I'm gonna go see this.

lucy

Seriously though, this movie looks like it's going to be amazing.

the giver

I think I need to read this series.

the penguins of madagascar

GUYS THEY'RE MAKING AN EXCLUSIVELY PENGUINS MOVIE
SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME THEIR AS EXCITED AS ME RIGHT NOW

winter's tale

While it's been out since February, I have yet to have the chance to see this in either the theater, or now that it's on DVD (Netflix doesn't have it out yet).

if i stay

well this doesn't look like I'll cry or anything

what if

rom com + Daniel Radcliffe everybody

stress and the prevailing lovely things

You know me, terrible at keeping an updated blog.
Stress, it gets to me, that is the brunt of it really.
The stress of school work and it gets down to the point where I don't do nearly anything, because I'm so frightened of doing it, but cannot bear the guilt of doing anything else. It's a fearful kind of procrastination.

But these things aside, I wanted to at least take the bit of time to share some of my instagraming of late.

School is almost done, and much work is upon me for the summer. It is, however, of a much less stressful nature to me. Yes, I got a job, and with any luck soon to be yet another job for the summer season.

Until I have the forethought and inspiration for a more substantial post, here is an update of the highlights of my instagram feed, since last time. It's kind of a treat, to see the seasons change through these pictures over the last few months.

allonsy

RE-WATCHING: how i met your mother AND doctor who LISTENING: agnes obel