Saturday 17 August 2013

Phoenix boots in red? Now, wasn't that thoughtful of somebody!

Who are these people at Luchese and what inspired them to make these phoenix boots?

They are conveniently not too high-heeled, as my days of sexy boots are few and far between, given that I've suffered from vertigo and need to keep my center of gravity as low as possible, lest I fall and bruise up my legs again (never a fun thing).

They are also not of the pointy-toed variety, which looks cool but really annoys my toes.

All I needed was $336 and a place/event to actually wear these boots. Then I could have bought them.  However, the practical side of me won out (this time).

But still, I wonder, what magic inspired them? And will there be cause for me to go back to this wonderful place and perhaps buy them?

I saw a medium a few months ago, and she told me that we all draw ideas from the same source. I've heard it called the Collective Unconscious.  I'm struck by these boots in that at some point, they were on someone's drawing board. Ever detail (feather, if you will) was planned and then executed in leather in such an artful way.

And recently I've been inspired by Diva's pictures that she posts and her artistic eye as well.  She and I really need to finish our collaborative book so people can enjoy it, and so that we can have the experience of having more of our work out there in the world.

I hope this note finds you well and amused at my odd fashion sense.  Phoenix boots! Whoda thunk it???

Yours truly,
Jane

Wednesday 14 August 2013

A revelation, and an epiphany, about dating

Now that I'm getting all mellowed out, I'm starting to realize why I was single so long.

Things weren't a match.  I wanted things they couldn't give, and vice versa.

It's so simple, but took me years to see this.

It's amazing how easy it is to be with someone whose needs and wants match up with your own. Otherwise, it's just frustration and anger.  Goodness knows we have enough anger in the world already, but to have me out there dating probably just made it worse.

One of my exes had some form of autism. I could have been a lot more compassionate about it if I'd known, but I didn't. I am not sure if he knew, in fact, but it all added up.  He lacked social skills and seemed completely bewildered by emotions.  He focused intently on video games and was more interested in them than his girlfriend. I wanted a boyfriend who'd hug me and hold my hand, but he was  not comfortable with that. In my view at that time, he was a jerk.  Cold, heartless jerk. Now I know that he followed a script to get someone to date him but then had no idea what to do, and felt lost.  I remember how confused he would seem sometimes.  I was so busy being hurt by his seemingly head-up-the-ass behavior that I didn't have perspective on his struggles. I'm not sorry that we're not together, but I wish I could have understood this better.

Another one was depressed. I'm not sure how he is these days. It could be his normal state of being.  Again, I became impatient, wanting an affectionate, fun boyfriend instead of old grumpy. I was a clump of frustration leaving that relationship, but I did extend the olive branch later on and we are on friendly terms now.

I am starting to see this better as time goes on. Amazing how life is :)

-Jane


Wednesday 7 August 2013

My girlfriends would kill me if they knew I was posting these pictures. Seriously.

It's been quite a summer, friends. Of course, it still is summer, and with that all the sweating and napping and taking day trips and all that jazz.

I've been to the beach a few times this summer. Once, it was sunny. I will explain.

Memorial Day brought my friend in S from out of town in the Big City.  She needed a few days of R&R. So we packed up some beach towels and headed to Howard Beach near Tarpon Springs.  I gave her my Elvis towel to use, which you can see in this picture. I love this picture because there is so much color in it, and it really captured the moment. She does not claim this picture and asked me not to post it on Facebook and tag her, which I have honored. However, since you, dear reader, probably don't know S, you get to see the picture.

A group of friends whom I've known since about age 16 also got together at the beach around the 4th of July- in the Outer Banks of North Carolina to be exact.  I drove up with two friends and met two more at our rented beach house.

Our rental house was lovely and had beautiful back porches on the second and third floors looking out upon a dune that, in turn, led to the Atlantic Ocean.  Say it with me- ahhhhh.   We were so psyched to be there.  But then, the weather did not cooperate. It rained the whole time we were there, until the last day when I had to catch a plane. Drat. But I did spend time with my friends before I left, while they enjoyed an afternoon in the sun, and this was the scene that I found on that one sunny day:

These girls absolutely refuse to be photographed on the beach, but I did it anyway. From far away, with their backs to me.

One is actually 7 months pregnant in the picture. She won't allow beach pictures when she's not pregnant! So of course this photo was taken in the greatest of secrecy, and never shared.

I do think, though, that it too has an idyllic look to it. Three friends sharing some good times at the beach, soaking up some rays, doing what they've done together for over 20 years.


It's unlikely that any of these friends will see these pictures, but if they do, I'm sure I'll hear about it!

-Jane