I'm Seein' Ghosts In Everything I Do

The next few days are going to be quite busy,
as I head back to Virginia, finish up all my stuff, and get ready for Japan in
(hopefully) March. So entries may be sparse the next week.
Not that I have hordes of readers, but, ya know.
People worry.

Creations!
I've been in an Eastern mood as of late.

I'm a big fan of the curved bar.
Likely because I am a big fan of collar bones.
They're pretty!
Amber pendant, bar, beads, coins.

Terribly Western.

Obviously, I am keeping this one.
I do so enjoy Lakshmi.
Also, I added a charm Rick bought me in Guam,
and earrings from India that broke some time ago.
Some of the beads are from a power bracelet I got in Chinatown, NYC
when I was 16. Ah, those trips into the City, how I will miss them.
Wait, I'll be taking trips into Tokyo soon. NVM.

For future sales. And Yes, most of my friends have tiny, tiny wrists.
Now, back to packing.
How is it that I have so much STUFF?!

♥,
~ Amy

Go Ask Alice...

Today I awoke to the sound of the moon knocking upon my door, and so I let him in and we had tea and I told him of how dearly I adored him! He kissed me then and my hair shone and my eyes shone and I started to have dreams about little men from China riding koi fish to Japan. Then my Owltapus jumped on my face and pecked affectionately at my head and wrapped a tentacle around my ear and reminded me that it was time to get up.

Tea parties are rather cliche things, plus I'd already had my morning darjeeling with a dash of Lakshmi's special sauce. Thus, Princess Leia and I opted for gooseberry milkshakes and tiny cream cheese sandwiches. OH THE ABSURDITY! Walking together afterwards, we remarked on the perils of marriage and the delight of sharing one's heart with another for all of time and eternity. Well, until one of your children goes to the Dark Side, but that is why The Moon and I shall not be raising our children on Coruscant. Nasty place, that.

My children will be born with hooves and budding antlers and a fondness for obscure New Zealand poets. I told this to The Wicker Man, and he laughed and laughed and laughed, before saying that yeah, it would probably happen. He told me stories about butterflies with Pink Floyd album covers painted on their wings, and a place where right was wrong but only on Thursdays. He told me about the time he danced with Liza and how Anderson Cooper was oh so totally straight, oh totally, only not on Thursdays ;)

I've gotta lotta crazy in my blood right now, so I'd best lay down. I have a platonic date with the Dream King, he has stories to tell me as well and kingdom full of wish. He's gonna take me on a magic carpet ride with Charlie Chaplan and Boadicea. We'll go swimming through the Solar Field with Tori ;)


You bet your life it is!


~ Amy


(Happy Rabbit Hole Day!)

Anniversary

Now that the time has come
Soon gone is the day
There upon some distant shore
You'll hear me say

Long as the day in the summer time
Deep as the wine dark sea
I'll keep your heart with mine.
Till you come to me.

There like a bird I'd fly
High through the air
Reaching for the sun's full rays
Only to find you there

And in the night when our dreams are still
Or when the wind calls free
I'll keep your heart with mine
Till you come to me

Now that the time has come
Soon gone is the day
There upon some distant shore
You'll hear me say

Long as the day in the summer time
Deep as the wine dark sea
I'll keep your heart with mine.
Till you come to me


~ Penelope's Song
Loreena McKennitt




♥,
Amy

In Which We Get Vapid!

We take a break now from the indie films and Deep Thoughts,
To bring you something a bit more conventional:
Whining About Stuff That Annoys Us!

Now when it comes to clothes, I believe the more self-expression you can fit in a flattering way, the better! Clothes are all about function and expression, and should make you look your best. I've seen people rock out the oddest things, and do it well.
I am no expert, nor do I want to be. I routinely disagree with 'Best & Worst Dressed' lists, because I cheer on the folks who dare to do something interesting and different in the unforgivable face of the camera.

Even so, there are some things that just annoy me to no end.
And it just wouldn't be the internet if I didn't get to complain about them! :D

The Burberry Scarf

GASP! I know. But honestly, what IS the point? True, I am a deal-finder, I don't like spending an obsene amount on clothes...UNLESS there is very high quality behind the expensive item, and it is something I need. Like a winter coat, or a pair of boots. And if it is a frivolous item, it had best be so wildly original, so unique, so ME, for me to spend a large amount of moolah. Which brings us to this little scrap of material. There is only one reason you would buy this thing, and that's to flaunt a label. If you wanted a warm scarf, you could have bought it much cheaper, or from a local maker. If you liked the pattern, buy the knock-off at Old Navy. Face it, the only reason to own one of these is to show off the label, and that is gross. Especially in this economy. Shame on you.

The Ugg

Not surprising, and torn apart often, BEHOLD! The Uggs. Granted, I'm hardly the first to complain about these things. But even with all the so-called high fashion folks crying NAY!, they live on. WHY?! When they first came along, I didn't pay much mind. I heard they were compfy, but they looked boring and not my style, so whatever. But then...they invaded. I don't think they're particularly ugly in and of themselves, but at this point in time, nothing says "I want to be a part of the herd! I want the most boring pair of shoes I can find! I want to look like bleach-blonde drunk-chav at the party last weekend!" quite like a pair of Uggs. Now granted, I've known a few people who pull them off...mostly due to the fact that the rest of their attire is wonderfully put-together and classy. I can count those people on one hand.

Apparently, Australia is laughing at us for these. These are the kind of boots sheep farmers wear to walk between the house and the barn, folks. And you're wearing them with denim mini-skirts on Rodeo Drive.

The Croc

Again, this is a case of something WE ALL KNOW is ugly still being in circulation. They are an eyesore. They are pointless.
"But Amy, they're so comfortable!"

...So? Sweatpants are comfortable, that doesn't mean you should wear them outside the house. And besides, have you seen these? Or these? ALSO CROCS. They make attractive shoes too people, my mum has a pair. The stylish ones are just as compfy, made out of the same stuff.
So your excuse? GONE.

The only people who should be wearing THESE things are under the age of 10, or folks in a profession that requires them to be on their feet all the time, such as nurses and waitresses. And even then, you should just go ahead and take them off after work.

The Croc-Ugg.

...Enough Said. My soul dies a little.

The Skinny Jean

This is one I have mixed feelings on, because a good skinny jean can either go very very right (Audrey Hepburn, The Strokes) or very, very, very bad (Audrey Kitching, that kid at school who may be a perfectly healthy weight but when he puts on a pair, he looks like a vacuum-sealed sausage who's poo'd his pants). People, use your skinny jeans with discretion. Because everyone loves Audrey Hepburn, but we're getting a little sick of scene kids.

The Douchebag

Forgive the gross misuse of the word gay, for otherwise I absolutely love the latter image. Anyway, yes. Men, women do like a man who knows how to dress. This is why we do not like the Douchebag look. Wear a shirt that fits. Fake tans are gross. Don't wear a band shirt and/or a Von Dutch label unless you actually listen to the band and/or know who Kenny Howard is.

Er, unless you want to attract Ugg-Chav, which I guess is okay. Everyone should have dreams!

That concludes my weekly quota of elitism, enjoy your day :D



♥,
~ Amy

I Think I'll Wait Another Year.

The Ballad of Jack & Rose
2005, Rebecca Miller

I finally get around to writing my review of this one. Again, not new, but I don't care. Daniel Day-Lewis and Camilla Belle star as father and daughter, living an isolated existence on the remains of an island commune in the late 80's. Jack's stubborn way of life is just reaching the breaking point at the start of the film, in that he is dying slowly, a community developer is moving in on his land, and his daughter has reached the crucial age of 16 with a rather unbalanced view of the world. Rose is a beautiful, whimsical, and strong character, for all of her dangerous ways, she is my very favorite part of the whole film. Her relationship with her father is close and lovely, but teetering on a dangerous edge. Early on, she tells Jack that when he dies, she'll die too.

On an impulse, Jack then invites his girlfriend (whom Rose doesn't know about) and her two sons to come live with them on the island, and predictably, everything in Rose's idyllic and familiar life starts to unravel. As per usual, it was the imagery that captured me first. Rose starts the film surrounded in beauty, in her flowers and her treehouse, the grass and the ocean. Snakes creep in and trees begin to bleed sap and her hair gets chopped off and we see just how deeply the selfish turn Jack's life took has effected everything around him.

The annoying buzz around this film was the "controversial" subject matter of Jack & Rose's relationship being too close, but I have to wonder if the people who thought such actually sat down and watched the movie. It is subtle, not all that abnormal of a father-daughter relationship on the surface, and certainly nothing untoward happens. The point is that Rose has been so removed from reality, she doesn't realize how wrong it is to love him more than that. Jack ignores it for as long as he can, but the moment he is forced to face her, he is forced to face the fact that in his stubbornness, selfishness, and militant approach to his beliefs, he has hurt the only person who matters.

The semi-twist at the end made me pleased. (SPOILERS!...well, not really, seeing as we're told all through the film that Jack's going to die) In his death, Jack is able to somewhat redeem himself, in that he gives two people in his life the means by which to follow their dreams, to become complete. Rose finds her place in the world, the film ending with a new flower being planted, in a new place. It is a lovely film. I enjoy films that yes, can look at something dark honestly, but at the same time come through to a good conclusion, a hopeful ending, and a wiser main character. I'm a sap like that ;)


Creative Things!
I made a headband.
It didn't photograph well against my natural hair, however, being that my hair is dark brown, the band is black sequins, and the feathers are...well, feathery! So I threw on one of my wigs, and got all carried away. What fun!

I do enjoy odd fashions.

For the visual among us, I have a We <3 It account, if anyone who does also would like to be friends :D
My Heart
Until next time, don't step on the dolphins.


~ Amy

Oh I'm On Fire. (Image-Heavy)

Been a few days, mostly due to the fact that I've been off at my sister's, helping her with her wee ones while she dashes about and fends off illness. I am returned to the homestead now though, to bring you a blog entry with very few words, and a great many pictures of Things I Have Made.

I used to think those who assigned their creations names were fairly pretentious, until I realized how wildly handy it can be when it comes time to organize them. Thus, they have names. Usually chosen according to what I was watching/listening to while making :D

Coming soon to an etsy shop not very near you...(with better pictures)

Pea.
Feather + charm.

No name Feather Ring, as I am keeping it.
I am madly in love with these featherings.
I didn't think the idea would work, but they are very hardy!
As long as you're not, I dunno, welding while wearing them,
they should hold up to daily wear just fine.

Marie Antoinette.

Paris.

Mural.
Made from one of my Nana's old clip-on earrings.

Madame De Pompadour ;)

Rose.

Lily :D

Prescilla.

Fandango.

Halle.


And yes, my wedding ring is back on my hand now ;)
Did not want to distract from the creations for photographic purposes.
Daily though, I'm usually wearing like, ten rings.

And keeping with the superficial theme, here's me!
The only good picture I have of this outfit right now.
I'm kind of in love with my vest.
You cannot see, but this is worn with light brown lace tights,
and brown ankle boots.

Until next time, loves!


♥,
~ Amy

These Are Just Ghosts...

A short one tonight, just to say that YAY I finished another Tom Baker-style Doctor Who scarf! This time I caved and used yellow, despite it being a color I do not agree with. I really like it though, it's closer to the original. I use a pattern I made myself from studying the original, but a friend pointed me in the direction of another someone else made, and it looks even better. I think I will use it when I make one for my friend Megh, which I will start in oh, probably an hour :D

I am a geek.


Oh, and behold! The dumbest thing EVER. Honestly, of all the things to get up in a tizzy over...when was the last time YOU got lead poisoning from a BOOK?


Also, here's a favorite fanvid of mine, for the film The Ballad of Jack & Rose. Really, it's pretty. Most fanvids are just plain corny, but this one is beautiful. Especially if you know the film.

(vaguely spoilery)


I hope your night is lovely :)



~ Amy

Stone Wall, Stone Fence

Big open land,
You hold the weight of the air in your hands
Big open air,
You feel the tickle of the trees on your chest
Why'd you go and waste it
The things that you know
Are making you a stone wall, stone fence
Your stories so old you just tend to keep them

Long winding road,
You've got a secret but you won't share it...
~ Gregory & The Hawk

Oh, writer's block. I have it, and few in life seem to comprehend just how crippling a thing it is to me. I become angry and frustrated with myself, doubtful of every thing I do manage to commit to paper, and mildly depressed. When a life of words is what one has wrapped their identity around, when it goes away one tends to feel shaky in their own existence. The stories are there but they refuse to flow into words, does this mean I am unworthy? That my arranging of words and phrases is not good enough to do them justice? That perhaps they'd best find someone else's brain to swim in?

O Muse, where do you live?

In the meantime, I suppose, there will always be superficial things to have an opinion about. Also, there is tea ♥



~ Amy

I Dived Into You

The Secret Of Roan Inish
1995, John Sayles

This is a cozy film. The kind that makes you want to curl up with tea and soup on a stormy night and tell faery tales and ghost stories in hushed whispers. The kind of film that's so full of Ireland, my heart nearly es'plodes and I want to leave normal society and go live in a cottage by the sea. After the death of her mother and the strange disappearance of her baby brother Jamie, Fiona's father falls to drinking, and Fiona is sent to live with her grandparents by the sea. There she learns about the island of Roan Inish, where her whole family used to live and where, it's said, her first ancestor married a Selkie (half human, half seal). When one of her cousins tells her that Jamie isn't dead, just "off with another branch of the family", Fiona begins searching for him in earnest, with lovely, whimsical results.

Again, this film makes me feel magical. Like I could slip on a seal-skin of my own, and spend the rest of my life swirlling through the blue. And of course, it is beautiful to watch, and is full of beautiful music and oh so many seals. You should watch it, cause I say so.

Ah, clothes.
In case you haven't heard, it's frozen here in the North...
...and everywhere else. This dress was on sale, and it made me hopeful for warmer times and warmer countries in which I will be living soon, so I simply had to get it!
Oh Springtime in Japan, may this inspire you.

I also FINALLY found a vest that looks nice on me!
I love vests. I love this dress, too.
Not sold on the two things together, but it was a good color/backdrop to show the vest on.


Now, I am going back to my tea and knitting.
:D



~Amy

Lives Less Ordinary

No real interesting things today!
I am at my sister's, watching kidlets and knitting things and also being cold.
Instead I point you to This Post, which I found endlessly inspiring and true-to-me.
Also, A Bunny :D



~ Amy

Beauty In Nerdom

Thanks to the wonder of etsy, I have my very own TARDIS Key Necklace ;) And so will one of you, soon!

The delightful tin one of them arrived in. I'm kind of in love with it.

Also, a handmirror I bought whilst antiquing in Michigan.
Why carry around a plastic thing in your purse, when you have this option, hmm?

Short post, off to my sister's now!
Taa!



~ Amy