THIS! One day I will have a massive library with a hidden door AND a secret passage. The shelves will be lined with ancient tomes bound in fine leather with hand-stitched spines. Oh, the smells that will wrap themselves around you when you enter that room! I want to collect rare books on the occult, alchemy, astrology, and dead languages. I used to subscribe to a catalog of rare books, but I had to cancel my subscription because of the severe depression that would hit me each time I leafed through the pages of gorgeous volumes and realized how far my dream was out of reach. Maybe I’ll renew my subscription. Maybe I’ve matured and I’ve finally gotten a handle on this “delayed gratification” shit I hear grown ups talking about. Not likely! I was born “patience-impaired” and I never received proper treatment. I think fast, act fast, regret fast—and repeat. Week 4
Cloaks are badass! I’m not sure why we ever stopped wearing cloaks in everyday life. There’s no denying how awesome it feels to let the wind billow a cloak out behind you as you cross a forest path or walk into a room full of unsuspecting humans! It’s time we bring back the majestic cloak and give it its rightful place in the halls of fashion. DnD-ers and LARP-ers unite! This photo actually inspired the character of Aoeni Aura in The Chronicles of Hawthorn, but mostly I’m posting it because cloaks ROCK! Week 3
Writing the character of Hazel was an exciting adventure for me. Hazel has boundless energy, optimism, and is always willing to join a group. I, on the other hand, have never been a fan! The absolute worst thing that any teacher could ever ask me to do was to participate in a GROUP project. F**K!! I hated them. I would rather do twice as much work on my own. I get all the nonsense about team-building and problem-solving, etc. but everyone is not the same. We all learn in a different way. People who love group projects and brainstorming should have the right to pursue that approach, but people who would rather sit in the corner of the library surrounded by volumes of literature, stacks of notebooks, and piles of lovely pens—should be left the hell alone and allowed to figure shit out on their own. And there’s a little more me leaking out into the world… Week 2
I love this pic because it makes me think of the deep, dark forests of my youth. I always loved being in the woods. I don’t like camping or any of that bullshit – but I love forests. I’m not a huge “people person” so I think there’s something calming about being surrounded by tall, solid trees. The silence feeds me and the lack of humans allows me to relax. I know a lot of people feed off the energy of others and feel energized by large groups, but I feel the opposite. Large groups drain the life out of me faster than giving blood! I enjoy conversations – but in a one-on-one environment, Please! Full disclosure: I’m working on allowing myself to be myself on social media. I’m working on letting go of the façade and the need to behave a certain way, post a certain way, and hashtag a certain way. I’m just going to write some shit, say what is on my mind, and move on with my life. Week 1 of the new plan…