"Anxiety is the hand maiden of creativity" -T.S Elliot

  Im tired of looking at my stuff. One of the most difficult things in my life to manage is the unrelenting need for change. New environments are exciting to me, despite the stress often associated with change; I find that it is positively stimulating. The problem with craving a change in scenery is the financial aspect of it. Wandering can be quite expensive. So, to satisfy my urges I've decided to start with the scenery with in the for walls in which I reside in. There is no real strategy in place to decide what changes are needed. Let's just say it's more of a feeling and whatever I happen upon (that I can afford) a I aimlessly wander though thrift stores. Which is absolutely one of my favorite things to do, its such a relaxing and surreal activity. It's crazy to think that all these objects were once owned and cherished by past individuals who we never knowingly met, but I digress. 
So, far I've come across many nice wooden shelves, "Knick-Knacks" and great Thrift store art, those places never cease to surprise me. 
  In addition to wandering in second hand shops, I also enjoy searching for my next DIY fix. I would love to be knowledgeable and confidant enough to create the things I need around the house. Knowing how to create things from scratch seems, to me, like a very valuable skill to have. The project that I have recently completed reflects that aspiration, I found it on Pinterest (pure genius). I loved the rustic and simplistic quality it brought to the image. So, I've recently finished it and would like to document the steps in hopes that someone else is inspired by the ease of creating and decide to DIY rather than buy. 

Step one: Acquire some wood. 

 I'm sure that I would have enjoyed making this completely from scratch, but unfortunately for me, I do not have the financial means nor the space to embark on that sort of venture. So I opted to go to Jo-Ann fabric store. They (and most craft stores) tend to sell these crates for a good price, I've found that attempting to find "vintage" crates can result in complete exhaustion of the mind and the bank account. 

Step Two: Stain without Hesitation 

 I chose to use two colors , to try to create the feeling of randomness; Like I acquired all of these crates over time. So after much deliberation, I chose Red Mahogany and Dark Walnut. The staining process was easy enough. With each brush stroke or after you have completed a side (depending on how saturated you want the stain to be) wipe the excess stain from the wood with a cloth or old shirt. Though it was easier than I expected, I did have trouble keeping up with the drips to other parts that either already stained or had not yet stained. It all depends on the results you are looking for. 

Step Three: Location and Arrangement

 Of course, this is completely up to your own discretion. The original image that I saw the crates were all horizontal and held together by brackets. I decided to switch up the direction and leave them detached so I can move them around for when I inevitably rearrange my furniture. 

Step Four: Summon your inner 'Old Lady'

 Like I mentioned before, I tend to collect random objects that appeal to me without having a place to display them in my home. NO LONGER!! Now, I can show my friends (whom I never invite over) what an old lady I really am and the crafts that fill a good majority of my time.






  All in all, this feels like a great step in direction of self sustainability. I feel accomplished but of course, not satisfied. There is more to do! 
 I'll keep you apprised of all developments in my DIY attempts. :)

Paz

"Sittin' here restin' my bones and this loneliness won't leave me alone" - Otis Redding

  There is a rift among us. it's palpable, unfortunate and can be viewed best within our government. It seems as though our society has segregated into two prominent groups: Democrats or Republicans. Each group defining the other with stereotypical rhetoric. Each making sweeping over generalizations of the other to oversimplify the reality of the situation. Each group with it's own perception of the correct way to do... everything. 
  This rift has had major consequences on the population. It is no longer about each individual contributing to the success of our species. It's about the success of the individual and the small community each individual has cultivated for themselves. Whether that community be a neighborhood, a country or a political party. I suppose, despite the fact that altruism is a virtue in many cultures and the purpose is to help others without the expectation of any reward; a large majority of our culture is one that thrives on instant gratification the results of altruistic behavior do not reveal themselves immediately. According to Biological Altruism, an individual will decrease the chances of producing offspring to increase the chance of other individuals within the species to produce offspring. Ensuring the progress of the entire species, not just the individual. There is much debate about whether true Altruism among humans exists. I suppose that means that we don't even use it in a Biological sense anymore. 
  So now what do we do to ensure the future of our species? How have we become so wrapped up in the politics of everyday life that we don't have time to rectify the problems we have created for future generations? Would it be worth it to save future generations who might possibly continue the cycle of self-preservation or is their a possibility that a change now could have a lasting effect on the minds of future individuals? I consider my self an optimistic-realist. It's my belief that if each individual acts in an altruistic manner, nothing but positive results can occur. We just all need to pitch in and sacrifice, its not just about those of us living presently. A lovely example of the struggle in modern day altruism is in America. The last couple of years, Americans have been focusing on a Healthcare bill that (depending on the political party that you attach yourself to) is a positive step in the direction of major change or a step in the direction of socialism. Either you're a selfish money grubbing yuppie or you're a Utopian loving socialist hippie. Both sides can be accused of only supporting their own ideas and what the feel is best, rather than what is actually best. Hopefully one day we can reinstate the idea that individuals presently living have a major impact on future generations. Hopefully we can learn how to live altruistically, again. 

"I'd like to live as a poor man with lots of money" - Pablo

  I've noticed that lately, I have wasted a good amount of time staring at my walls. Not in a "The Yellow Wallpaper" sort of way, more like a "now what" sort of way. I'm sad to say that recently I have had a lack of creative drive. Really, its quite unfortunate. I took it for granted having the ability to keep my self entertained with simply my imagination. Well! No more! You heard it hear folks! Creativity on. 
  But, where to begin? I feel as though in order to enable the creative juices to flow, one would need to live in an environment that is encouraging. An environment in which you could experiment, brainstorm, draw inspiration, feel comfortable enough to relax and allow the imagination to engage. It seems to me that the place to begin would be with your home. It would make me very pleased to have my home be an extension of myself, of course. Currently, I am in the process of fully accepting who I am and what makes me, me. Allowing myself to be open to more experiences and opportunities, that I might have otherwise rejected. Rejected only because it would contradict with my desire to be invisible, but no more! All I desire now is the freedom to live without my own personal restraints and to explore every option available. Unfortunately, this expands my desires, which ( despite what we are taught by our culture ) are not immediately met due to my complete lack of play money. Sad Face. 
  So, it will be a long and arguous journey, full of (hopefully) patience and dedication to the ultimate goal, which is cultivating an environment of creativity. I suppose, it'll be worth it. In the mean time, i'll attempt to keep the inspiration flowing by exposing myself to other individuals imagination. I suppose going to a museum would be an excellent start. One of the local art museums in town always revitalizes my verve, sadly it is closed on Mondays. However, when The Blanton Museum of Art is open, it is an amazing place to appreciate the artistic ability of humans. With an ever changing assortment of exhibitions, you are always exposed to refreshing and innovative perceptions of reality. Plus, students get a discount. 
  Other options I have available are the online forums and social media like websites, such as Pinterest. What a marvelous idea, allowing individuals to connect and share. This site has helped me in the past and is sure to cure my recent bout of boredom. Now to figure out how to fit all the projects into a 24 hour day...

Belle de vous rencontrer, Monsieur de Tocqueville

  Success! A nice comfy seat in one of Austin's many coffee shops/bars/trendy spots to sit and be seen. Public, one of the best places to observe and cultivate an understanding of ones culture; can also be quite the arduous entity to endure. Luckily, I am nestled in a lovely corner, quietly observing others on what should probably be one of the more important holidays celebrated in our culture. However, as my eyes glance about the room,  I can't hep but notice the large amounts of alcohol being consumed. No, I am not here to judge, nor am I here to preach about drinking. I too, enjoy a refreshing pint of beer or a dry red wine, but should we be doing other activities?    I decided to celebrate in another way. I was curious as to how other's on this world of ours view America's Independence and the results of thus. I never think about other countries and the struggles they endured, besides Bastille day in France, which is where I decided to start. Alexis de Tocqueville, a French Aristocrat, of the 1800's, wrote a book. This book is called Democracy In America. Many of the observations made by Tocqueville are still relevant today. I have never heard of this man or his work before today, but I want to learn more. His travel through America revealed a neutral description of what the values accepted in American culture and politics. Above all Independence and Equality. My question is, despite the fact that we are told this is what we value; what examples do we see of this? It is my belief that these ideals are supposed to be held true for all individuals living in America. Work hard, believe in your self worth and you can accomplish anything. That is a lovely sentiment. But does it still hold true? Tocqueville saw  both the strengths and weakness in American Democracy, including the value of individualism. The positive outcomes include, fighting tyranny based on the belief that the individual had control over his or her destiny (mostly his). The negative outcomes include, isolation and creating ones own society based on those closest to you. Creating segregation and classes. Currently, we seem to be in limbo. The once infamous, American Dream, is eluding more and more of us. 

   This is why I choose to look at the stars, sometimes all the drama that is the Age of Humans is over whelming. It's nice to be reminded that there is so much more out there than just silly humans and our silly problems.

"Let's talk about time travelin', Rhyme javelin, Somethin' mind unravelin', Get down."- Andre3000

  This past Saturday was the 25th added leap second to our atomic clock. I know that the fact that the earth's rotation should be shocking (albeit inevitable), I just wish it were more than a second added. Think of what could be done with 25/7 or 26/7 even!  Personally, I could use an extra hour or two. It's not as though I am a particularly busy individual. Quite frankly, I am not. Who knows though, maybe once i'm complete with school and I begin my career as a Jet-traveling, Field-working, Kick-ass Cultural Anthropologist (or Linguistic Anthropologist a.k.a as the female version of Indiana Jones), those extra hours would most definitely come in handy. 

  While my current life is not as alluring and perilous as my future life is sure to be, I could still find use for extra time. When (within the constraints of our current time schedule) would I find time to garden a plot of land, become an Olympic athlete, volunteer at a museum and animal shelter, learn to play the drums, read every book that I cross paths with, visit Machu Picchu, Easter Island and the rest of the world, learn to sew, attend every live music show and learn all there is to know in order to participate on Jeopardy. In addition to being a full time student and employee. When? Why couldn't I just be satisfied by the "simple things" in life. Or at the very least, be able to convince myself that all the experience I need are the ones that come easiest. I was hoping to work the time traveling angle, but it seems as though that may not be an option any longer. sigh. 

  I suppose the best way to approach this would be to prioritize my goals... which may be a daunting task... I'll start with my summer goals... 1. Compro mas Musica. Es Necesario que tengo la musica hacer yo muy feliz. ( more music = happier self ) 2. Work on Spanish.  3. Find new creative and inspiring projects. 4. Visit other cities, other museums and other cultures. 5. Bad ass tatoo. 6. Live Music. Live Music. Live Music. (I might also need to start delving into alternative forms of money making...) I do believe I can get this done. I just need to buckle down and make it happen. And I will, OH YES... I will.

  My first mission is to display my bad-ass-ness... in the form of an amazingly intricate and delicate tattoo. I'm leaning heavily towards a peacock done in the Art nouveau art style. Art Nouveau is a style that focuses on organic topics, free flowing line, and switches between robust and delicate lines. Creating a sense of fragility yet stability that I feel will juxtapose well with the the ideals the peacock represents in many cultures; which is compassion, nurturing, patience and knowledge. And I will tell every person who ask me what my tattoo represents the same thing. Every single one of them. 

  This effort alone will take up much of my time. however the amount of gratification I will get from it will be well worth it. 

  Only 140 million more years before a 25 hour day. It seems my best hope to complete every goal is simply to live longer...

WR104, Hit me with your Gamma Rays.

  So, here we are. Living beings. Out of all the possible combinations of elements, out of every factor necessary for creating life; from a heat source to gravity, and in addition to the amount of time required to have a species evolve. (I should also mention the the many obstacles that life encounters along the way and those it is sure to face in the future.) We are here, that in itself is hard to wrap the mind around. Then you start thinking about all those possible combinations, whose to say that there are not multiple universes with multiple galaxies with infinite combinations that create different types of life forms. Then you think about the amount of time it took for humans alone to evolve, modern humans are 50,000 years old... Earth is 4.5 Billion years old...this planet has been orbiting the our sun for 4.5 billion years.... apply that same school of thought to any other star and the planets that orbit them. Now, think about time. It would take 4.2 light years to reach the nearest star other than our sun, Alpha Centauri. One light year equals 5.87...x10 to the 12th power.... Alpha Centauri's light takes 4.3 years to reach Earth, traveling roughly 186,000 miles per SECOND. It is approximately 4.85 billion years old. 

  I'm not a scientist, nor do I pretend to be one. I cannot compute this and tell you any exact figure to make this understandable, I barely understand myself. All I can tell you are the facts as they are revealed to me, and what they are telling me is that there is so much more. More than we will probably ever know. And I like that. I believe that knowing one's place in life can help you see things a bit more clear. Grasping the concept that we are insignificant in the "grand scheme of things" is calming to me. It helps me put priorities in perspective. I want information. Like every human, I want to know why. We are here and rather than accepting that, clearing our minds and focusing on progressing to an unknown possible potential; We spend money on silly wars, we segregate ourselves and pretend as if each individual is alone in this journey. Life has gotten so convoluted and individuals are so entitled, we forget that its luck that we are here at all. I like to be reminded of that, reminded of where we came from and what we could be. 

  I highly recommend Stephen Hawking's latest book, The Grand Design. Despite the heavy subject matter (with a couple passes), it is easily comprehended and mind blowing. All the information is laid out in a concise manner and explained thoroughly. It really puts the scale of the universe and that capabilities it possesses in perspective. If reading is not really your thing (and if that is the case I apologize for my rambling) try watching the mini series that corresponds, Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking. There is just so much to know, lets not limit ourselves. I implore you, try to be open minded to all possibilities, don't be content with what you are told. Go out and seek new information, reach beyond your comfort zone and expand your knowledge base and challenge others to do the same. I hope humans can make a collective effort to unravel the many mysteries of our existence before something from the very universe that created inevitably destroys us.