A Gratitude Post from Coffee and Smokes Chat

100 Plus (Post Link)

A Fashion Blog Post, The Day I Said Whut The Hell

I am not a design student.  And I do not pretend to know fashion like I know my real craft.  Nor will I claim that I know how it feels to work under the helm of Karl Lagerfeld or the likes of Vera Wang.  But I do have a passion for a couple of good things to wear.  I love me a good set of Manolos and Jimmys.  And an occasional Hermes (just the scarf), or throw in a couple of Ferragamo set of shoes and bag.  But I do not want to fall into the trap of putting up a Fashion Blog because I know my preferences and my colours because I paint.  I would never dare dabble into an area that I will likely fall flat on my face!

Welcome to Haute Couture

Based on 2006 statistics, (and by standards that is so primitive), there is an enormous, and growing, number of fashion and shopping-related Blogs: about 2 million, according to Technorati Inc..  The highly rated ones are categorized:

• by WRITER'S EXPERTISE (defined as an insider or have previously worked with, an outsider or fashion critics because they have worked with and are dedicated consumers of fashion  , or aspiring insiders, still would love to have a crack to work in the fashion industry; 
• by OWNERSHIP, companies in the fashion landscape or retailers; 
• or THEMATIC, shoes, bag, accessory or jewellery, jeans or denims, etc..  Whether this be by price points or value-purchases, haute couture, street fashion or celebrity fashion.

Now if you can't do any of the above, why insist on a freak-show Fashion Blog when your fashion taste is ah ... err... between the ho-humm and ugghhh?  Why become a noob entrant in a highly cluttered landscape, where from what I have seen, to be heard above the din, you need to create an unarguable "niche'"?  Why?  Please tell me, for Pete's sake, what gave each of you the gall and the temerity to lamely post based on what you think is "cool"?  WTF!

Can you forecast Colour Trends?

I have seen a proliferation of Teen Fashion Blogs as of late wanting to be Followed.  Why?  I mean are you aware of the total number of Fashion Magazines that is just an arm-stretch away from the Bloggers of the universe?  Why will they read you?  Just because you take good photographs?  Or because Wiki defined FASHION as anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person?  This does not mean you can nor you should.  Why?  

Do I have to read your Blog to mix my casual wear into something like this?  And just because it's Spring going into Summer you want to tell me to go with cotton and light fabrics, and easy on the eyes colors that are bright and sunny?  But I already know that.  Common sense taught me that.

Common Sense Casual

Nothing personal against Fashion Blogs.

Well I do follow a few Fashion Blogs, a lady from Paris who takes gay Paris street fashion, an Italian lady into high fashion, particular shoes and bags, couple of Crafts Accessory Blogs which are absolutely timeless anyway.  But Teen Fashion Blogs?  

Well it's a free world, so Blog Away.  Honestly though, just say you love being a "fashionista"  because to say you are a Fashion Blogger is a false marketing claim.

Don't call yourself a fashion Blogger unless you can explain in my face the difference between tafetta and Thai silk; lame' and lace; appliqué and hand-crafted embroidery without using Google Query.  If you can't, why don't you just try to get a Drivers' License first?

From H1N1 to Zombieland - WTF?

Just in case you haven't heard, whilst you were sleeping (no, not Bill Pullman) here is what I mean by, seriously now? 

http://emergency.cdc.gov/socialmedia/zombies_blog.asp

Okay, allow me.

As an enthusiast of Resident Evil (including all Director's Cut versions), I am pretty much the kind of girl who finds killing Zombies as a rockin' pastime.  But honestly, don't you just find it truly heart-warming that should there be an outbreak of pandemic proportions of the T-virus, the CDC is 200% behind the thorough study and ready to provide technical assistance for the rest of the world?  Now, how cool is that?

Disaster preparedness has been elevated to a whole new dimension and my favourite villains have risen to become what once was an urban pop culture legend, to a possibly all too real nemesis of the living humans.  Who would have thought this possible in my lifetime?  

Back in the 1960's, there was once a film director by the name of George Romero.  He made a movie that has become such a pulp fiction epic during that decade, The Night of the Living Dead, which has inspired a lot of the zombie aficionados like myself, to live and breathe survival strategies in case of a Zombie attack.  (I just had to put that in as a display of reverence to the guys who started it all!)  The T-virus was once upon called an Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndrome, yeah, the zombie virus has a name.

Now a bit of history, ZOMBIE, is of Haitian and Voodoo origins; nzumbe is a term used to describe an individual who has been hypnotized and yet ambulant and responsive to external stimuli albeit devoid of his own consciousness and awareness.  The rest of the gross and grotesque imagery I trust could be attributed to lack of sleep and simple food deprivation.

Seriously, I would have never guessed, not in a billion gazillion years that my skills from level to level, purchasing upgraded weapons from my adorable Merchant, would eventually be considered a life survival skill.  I so totally rock at this!  And whilst we are on the subject, let me answer that nagging question you have in your mind at the moment.  YES!  A head shot with a sniper rifle is highly recommended.  If you're brawny and massive, a baseball bat with a batting average of Ty Cobb is not bad, and a handy, user friendly chainsaw.  Why a head-shot? Again, the history said, hypnotized.  So what is the best way to snap you out of a trance or an endless stupor? Cut the freaking head off,  right?

Having said all that, you don't need to stack up on goodies.  Water is just about enough for you.  Lean and mean.  Looking totally hot is gravy.  

If the blood and gore spook you, (and if you're still alive whilst you are reading my post,) I suggest you start with the basic Lessons on keeping zombie attackers at bay.  I recommend practicing on basic planning and tactical skills.  Plants versus Zombies would be a good launch pad for your newbie status.

Please don't misconstrue that I am trivializing this disaster.  If the CDC said so, then it is highly possible.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with understanding how to survive in the world nowadays.  There were birds and swine creatures, all innocent.  Only to be told that they were carriers of deadly viruses.  I am so glad I was prepared for that one.  I had read "To Kill A Mockingbird" early on.

I am just really here to give you all a word of Warning.  As they say, forewarned is forearmed.

Now let's go kick some freakin' zombie asses!

The DEATH of SILENCE

The Death of Silence

I am linking this Post to a great and amazing woman!  Kim of MY INNER BITCH.

Kim made a powerful Blog Post on this. (Blog Link and Same Post title)

For some of you who don't follow Kim, she lost her beautiful and wonderful sister, Kay Marie in 2010, due to Domestic Abuse and Violence.

So don't let this happen to you!

STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE.

Interview on Growing Up in an Environment of Domestic Violence

If you want to look up an earlier Post, another Blogger LfcLoads' Interview with Kirsty; her insights and thoughts growing up in a home environment of substance abuse and domestic violence.

49 ODD THINGS ABOUT ME

1. Do you like blue cheese?   Yes, but I don’t like to eat it every day.

2. Have you ever smoked heroin?    No, but I have sniffed other powders.

3. Do you own a gun?     Do birds fly?

4. What flavor do you add to your drink? If it’s coffee, none. Is this a bar drink question?

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?  Absolutely.  I get the jitterbugs.  All the time.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them but there are too much additives.  But I still like them.  With Mustard.

7. Favorite Christmas Song?  Christmas Song; I'll be Home For Christmas; Do You Hear What I Hear?

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?  Just Coffee.

9. Can you do push ups?    Are you crazy?  I do under-wired and push up brassieres sometimes.  LOL!

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?   South Sea Pearl earrings and necklace.  My diamond ring. :)

11. Favorite hobby?  Reading; Painting; Badminton; Swimming; Blogging

12. Do you have A.D.D.?  Since I was told in Kinder Class

13. What’s one trait you hate about yourself?   Impatience and don't ask me again

14. If you had to give up one of your senses, what would it be?  Taste?  Wait ... 

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.  I'm tired.  Have to sleep.  I'm sleepy.  But I said I will finish this post.

16.  Name 4 drinks you regularly drink?  Coffee, Tea, Lemonade, Coke Zero

17.  Current worry? My new project for a very slow-deciding client

18. Current hate right now?  I hate my food craves.  I am almost always hungry these days.  Oh well ... I stress eat.

19. Favorite Season  Fall

20. How did you bring in the New Year?  Food, Fireworks, Drinks and Family/Loveys

21. Like to go? Greece

22. Nail Polish?   Just the toes, never my fingernails; I cook and I paint, not worth the cost

23.  Do you own slippers? Of course. what the?  Do you?

24.  What color shirt are you wearing? White with prints on the Cola War

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?  Not hot about it, I prefer soft cotton

26. Can you whistle?  Absolutely.  I can whistle a whole song.

27.  Favorite colour?  Blue or Aquamarine

28. Would you be a Pirate?  Aye matey, I will totally rock with Capt.. Jack Sparrow!  Would love to wear the costumes!!!

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?  From Pavarotti to Kate Perry.  Honest.  In the tub, I sing my rubber ducky song.  Yeah, sue me.

30. If you could pick your name what would it have been?  Ysabella

31. Bed sheets as a kid?  Tweety Bird; Sesame Street characters

32. What’s in your pocket right now?  Sorry no pockets

33. Last thing that made you laugh?  Sadly, a Bin Laden joke

34.  Worst injury you’ve ever had?  My dislocated knee cap and fractured left ankle in one bang and one cast; was playing basketball

35. Do you love where you live? I'm good here, but would love to be elsewhere

36. How many TVs do you have in your house? four (4)

37. Who is your loudest friend?  They're all loud.  Geez, I can't play favourites.

38. How many pets do you have?  three (3); a male Labrador (Bron), female Jack Russel Terrier (Mack) and a Persian Female Cat (Catty)

39. Does someone have a crush on you?  That I know about?  Is this a serious question?  gaaahhh! 

40. What is your favorite book(s)?  I have an endless list

41. What is your favorite candy? Reese's peanut Butter cups; anything nutty from the Godiva boxes

42. Favorite Sports Team?  Which league?  NBA - Celtics; Football - Man U, Madrid, Man City

43. What song do you want played at your funeral? What Matters Most by Kenny Rankin; Nessun Droma

44. What were you doing at 12AM last night?  last night?  Driving home

45. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Damn, I gotta pee.

46.  Do you play an instrument? Guitar, a little piano, a little drums; I still read notes

47.  How long does it take you to get to work? Long, an hour average

48.  Plans for the weekend? Movie; cook; clean; sleep; a lazy weekend for me this time

49.  if you could eat anything in the world right this second, what would it be? This very second?  Apple Pie a la mode or brownie a la mode or baklava

50.  Name three people who will complete this? hmmm... now that's a hard one.  Well if anyone feels like it, go for it.  This is a pretty old list I found somewhere else.

ILLUSIONS

“Whilst part of what we perceive comes through our senses from the object before us, another part (and it may be the larger part) always comes out of our own mind”

-          William James

“Man is a credulous animal and must believe something.  In the absence of good grounds for belief, he will be satisfied with bad ones.”

- Bertrand Russell

Do you ever think that sometimes as humans we tend to be too often irrational?  Is it just you or is there some mystery that needs to be unfolded to understand how the human brain has been designed?
Are you aware that our brains natural programming is to take on short cuts?  Our entire world view fits our automated perceptions and whilst these work quite efficiently, there are many times , most of which we are completely unaware of, when it is possible to misperceive reality and we are bound to think and act irrationally.
Why can this happen my dear brilliant friends?

I can name a few "excuses", albeit these have all held some ground based on empirical research;  for instance:

• Time or the lack of it, its just that sometimes we don't really have enough time to think things through
• Level of complexity, since we can only retain a small number of ideas in our at any one time in our brain, so we cut through the chase and skip some of the data, that may however be pertinent and relevant in arriving at the right conclusion and appropriate action
• Pleasure in reality distortion; whilst few will admit there are "real" people who often distort their thoughts and ideas about reality to make themselves more comfortable and happy.  We could give a thousand and one reasons why a person would do this but it will not change a damn thing, it is still being done.

Mainly these three (3) are only a few examples of reasons why human interaction and relationships are complicated, muddled and frustrating.

And just for the heck of it and because I like to, why don't you try a few tests for the fun part, and have some visual exercises to check out whether you have constraints in developing a more realistic conception and perception; and if you do, then you are able to flex and shift your perception?  The ability to shift helps us to better understand ourselves and others, in the process.

I will post a series of Figures and Specific Questions below it.  Feel free to write on my Comment Box and I will reply to the accuracy of your answer.  After all, I have the answer Guide.  Have fun!

FIGURE 1:

Do you see the young lady's mother?

FIGURE 2:

Do you see something in this picture?
If you do see something, try to see "nothing.

FIGURE 3:

Can you see the Old Man?  Young Man?
Can you see them both?

FIGURE 4:

Do you see anything?
What animals do you see?

FIGURE 5:

What do you see?
What else?

FIGURE 6:

Can you see the face among the beans?

FIGURE 7:

Do you see how they were when
they were younger?

FIGURE 8:

How many animals?
What are they?

FIGURE 9:

Do you see animals?
What are they doing?

FIGURE 10:

How many faces do you see?

I hope you had just as much fun as I did.  You should try this at least once in your life.