Spend your time wisely.

 "For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness"- Julian Germain
I found this on the cover of a rare book on the third floor of the popular Strand bookstore (12th and Broadway). I only had passed by the stand that sets up shop along Central Parka few times before and was more than happy to make time to visit the actual store. Speaking of time, I constantly wish I had more. If I had more free time I know for a fact it would be spent reading, browsing stores like Strand that offer old and new selections of material, and doing some writing of my own. Strand's miles of books, desired and unique selection, knowledgeable staff, and ability to keep the brick and mortar bookstore alive interested me.Competing with e-books and iPads, Strand seems to be holding their own and their word or mouth and licensed products (most popular being the various tote bag options) have created great advertising for the book business.

Back to this new theory of time, directly relating to our mental state of content. Julian Germain is entirely correct, why spend our time being miserable when we can choose to be optimistic? Sounds cliche, being happy that is, but I know being happy increases productivity, self sufficency, and our personal well being. Happiness comes in many forms and many people don't feel like they have experienced it but I feel if we take the time we can realize its presence in our lives.

I am someone who can't stand to waste time and constantly wish I had time. If I could eliminate sleep from my daily routine and still function properly I would, unfortunately my eyes shut eventually. I just need to make sure I spend the time I'm spent awake doing my best to achieve happiness because I don't want to lose even just 60 seconds.

I'm Happy.

My mom said I can't so...

I love my mom more than words can express. I'm coming home for Christmas and during one of our frequent phone conversations I told her how badly I wanted to cut my hair, her tone suddenly changed, "Becka you can't cut your hair until after Xmas".

I'm 20 years old and nothing my parents has said has held me back; that is what is called advice but ultimately the decision is mine. Because I understand my mom's attachment to my hair I'll hold onto my locks just a bit longer but many other grown kids deal with other situations bigger than haircuts.

When I moved to Cali, before NY, I was ready and had earned the funds to do so. My mom's friends asked her,why don't you tell her not to move to LA, even she knew her words weren't going to change my mind. I'm not saying I didn't have help but inside my head the decision was set in stone.if you are paying, its your decision.

I guess what I'm saying is that there are a lot of "moms" out there. The ones that welcome us home with a full kitchen and those that are dressed up as our employees, our peers, and the media.

 Turn off your ears to "you can't".

This is what I know love to be.

I wrote this as an assignment for my school's writing group, I'm so excited to be blogging again. I promise more posts and shorter posts. I'm excited!

I used to think true love was only present on a front porch, in a rocking chair, and enjoying the romantic and comfortable silence between two aged lovebirds, then I found out that although that exists true love is also alive in a younger demographic. The first example seems unattainable until you are older and some stranger interrupts your daily activities in some way and at some point in your life those actions makes you look twice. Then you go from there, but love shouldn’t be something we stress about. I think love just happens. The definition of true love is different for everybody and every relationship but I think the “I would jump off a cliff for you (but not really)”, holds true, meaning they feel they are a better version of themselves, striving to be all they can be and they would do anything to make sure that doesn’t change. That same concept references Jack Johnson’s “Better Together” lyrical message, and sings in the background of many lovers’ heads.

My special someone dropped everything and moved across country with me and we had the time of our lives living an adventure. In NYC most of the time that adventure is an expensive but much worthy one for us. My guy first entered my life at my very first place of employment, side by side, we made pizzas. He would stay late while I closed and chit chat with me about our interests, Catcher in the Rye and On the Road (our favorite books), and keep me company. Friends first, he taught me how to skip rocks and long board and in return I introduced him to a wardrobe other than corduroys and skate shoes.

Love may seem like it is far away and it is often put on people’s to do list in a way that creates certain limitations; for example marriage by 25, house 26, and two kids by 28. To me that seems like too much, just let it happen. I didn’t plan it, I’m only 20 years old and I’m also in no rush for what comes next. Love also isn’t easy, if it’s really true love they will stick around through the hard times. I think true love enters lives at various ages, 16-60. If it’s the right one, you probably didn’t see it coming and you probably wouldn’t be the same without it.

Day 1: Kelly Cutrone's "If you have to cry go outside"

Independent, New York, fashion, party, broke, hard work, just dying to be reborn, struggle, and love.
My interest in her insight has lead me to the above words in just the first 62 pages I accomplished on my travels today. Reading Kelly's thoughts really make you think, and that's what I look for most when picking up a book; especially one written by People's Revolution's own star, fashion producing, and hardworking soul that Kelly has proven to be throughout her life.

This is how you've been imprinted to use

your relationship to power-to use it against yourself.

Every day we create reality based on

what we we've been programmed to believe.So

we spend most of our lives not really thinking

clearly and coherently-not intiatied

thought. We spend a great deal of our lives

not really living, but existing in programmed,

reactive belief that we call thought.

We can blame the oppressor, the 

predatory mindset, we can blame it forever

and it doesn't mind. It doesn't care.

We need to use our energy, our 

intelligence in an alternative way to 

the way we have been using it.

-John Trudell

Stole from the introduction and on the matter of "thinking" or rather thought provoking words, art, or people I very much agree with John's own creatures of his mind in this poem.

Grubbin'

My most recent read: Grub by Elise Blackwell.
Found: Los  Angeles Public Library
Eddie, Amanda, Jackson, Margot, and Henry are all writers in the big apple. Of course my interests in both writing and New York city attracted me first. The characters all intertwine in different directions and interactions with eachother. Reading a book about writers in a way distracted me from the writing itself; I found myself paying attention to Blackwell's style, most curious in how she outlined each different individual writing styles profiled in their stories.

Reading about writing.Writing about Reading.

Some of the hopeful authors found success early with a breakout first novel or journal publishings or much later in their career when they discovered their inspirations. The constant struggle in their writing process of figuring the difference between writing what you want to say and writing what people want to read was evident throughout the book's entirety.  I enjoyed the view of their lives, success or not, with their personal lives, writing, and success in the publishing world that was created within the book.

"The difference between an experienced writer and an inexperienced one is the ability to work on a bad day"

May your individual creativity have the power to turn your bad days into positive productive days.

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Melrose with Mom

Sundays @ Melrose/Fairfax

9 AM- 5 PM

The Trading Post

Jan 20-23 It was much needed. Pasco to LA for the weekend; my appreciation was beyond words. Every activity, conversation, car ride, or meal together was constantly interrupted by our laughter, but no complaints. We started out Friday by exploring Downtown LA's fashion, sidewalks, famous french dip sandwiches, and lastly the odd characters/creeps you find hanging in Hollywood. After many frequent trips to Hollywood Blvd before this last time proved to be the most enjoyable just because of the simple smile that grazed her face at the sight of someone she had once admired in a movie. The image of her standing above, her own hands out in front of her mimicking the ones imprinted and layed out infront of the Chinese Grauman Theatre, will remain in my mind. The sun was on our side this weekend, very unlike "typical" January ( although does California really understand "typical" seasons?) anyways, it was quite rewarding to enjoy the silence, the LA view, and our individual scoops of ice cream before we headed back home from Hollywood at the end of the day.

Some people never lose the kid in themselves and I feel those people are the ones who have the most fun. Often I'm faced with my own mind torture convincing me I have to do things my way and before I run out of time; although I accept my own "mind torture" is vital to how I function. Besides the point, my mother always knows how to distinguish between work and play; and the appropriate times to mix the two.

Back to the trading post, known for prime trend spotting and treasure hunting it fit right down our alley. Back home some of my favorite things to do with my mom, just her and I, are visiting antique and thrift stores, wake up early to go yard saleing, or discuss our future ideas for decorating our homes. I love that the rustic beauties and odd features found on furniture, fashion, and decor attracts both our eyes providing our interests to intertwine. 

The picture above features my mom taking a break on these great benches; built by putting together 3 chairs. If she didn't have to go on a plane home I'm positive the potential purchase would have crossed her mind. 

It was needed. Thanks mom.