~knowledge is long and life is short and he who does not know, does not live~
The Dalai Lama ~ My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness
Mahatma Ghandi ~ An eye for an eye would only end up in making the whole world blind
Samuel Johnson ~ What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence
Henry Ward Beecher ~ Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength
Goethe ~ Talent develops in quiet places, character in the full current of human life
Paul Simon ~ Tell me why, why won't you love me for who I am, where I am?
Cause that's not the way this world is baby
this is how I love you, baby
this is how I love you
Oscar Wilde ~ Education is an admirable thing, but from time to time, anything worth knowing
cannot be taught, it can be learned, but not taught.
Ordinary riches can be stolen: real riches cannot
In your soul are infinitely precious things
that cannot be taken from you
My Dad ~ Hang in there when the going gets tough. Remember - If you're hard on
yourself, life will be easy on you. If you're easy on yourself, life will be
hard on you
Anais Nin ~ There were always in me, two women at least, one woman desperate and
bewildered, who felt she was drowning and another who would leap into a scene
as upon a stage, conceal her true emotions because they were weaknesses
helplessness, despair,and present to the world only a smile-
an eagerness, curiosity, enthusiasm, interest.
Abraham Lincoln ~ I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day.
Jim Morrison ~ I'm kind of hooked on the game of art and literature;
my heroes are artists and writers
Booker T. Washington ~ Success is to be measured not so much by the position
that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome
Edgar Allen Poe ~ Years of love can be forgotten in the hatred of a minute.
MLK 1963 ~ Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy- Now is the
time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit
paths of racial justice- Now is the time-
JFK 1963 ~ We are confronted with primarily a moral issue. It is as old as the
scriptures, and it is clear as the American constitution. The heart of the
question is whether all Americans are to be afforded equal rights and equal
opportunities. Are we to say to the world-and much more importantly- to each
other, that this is the land of the free?...Now the time has come for this nation
to fufill this promise-
Proverb ~ Knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.
Unknown ~ A vision without a task is but a dream, a task without a vision is
drudgery, a vision and a task is the hope of the world.
Proverb ~ Zen is like looking for the spectacles that are sitting on your nose.
Unknown ~ Why are you trying so hard to fit in, when you were born to stand out?
Proverb ~ Writing will be your companion through the darkest and brightest days
of your life-if that is what you want-It exposes pain and guilt and the greatest joy
It is your own assessment of who you are. You should write as much
as you can and as much as you want to. It will be something to turn to.
Tariq ~ It's the simplicity of your complexity that's the catalyst of my infatuation
Proverb ~ Yesterday's failures are today's seeds That must be diligently planted
to be able to abundantly harvest Tomorrow's success.
Unknown ~ Would I had phrases that are not known, utterances that are strange,
in new language that has not been used, free from repetition, not an utterance
which has grown stale, which men of old have spoken.
Proverb ~ Words without ideas are like sails without wind.
Proverb ~ A wise man changes his mind, a fool never.
Unknown ~ The highest form of wisdom is kindness.
Proverb ~ A single conversation across the table with a wise man is worth a
month's study of books.
Nietzsche ~ that which does not kill you will only make you stronger
MLK 1963 ~ I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the
difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply
rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise
up and live out the true meaning of its creed; ‘We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal'...I have a dream that one day on
the red hills of Georgia, sons of former slaves and the sons of former
slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I
have a dream that one day, even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering
with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be
transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice...I have a dream that my four
children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the
color of their skin, but by the content of their character...I have a dream that
one day down in Alabama with its vicious racists, with its governor having his
lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right
there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands
with the little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a
dream today...Let freedom ring...and when we let it ring from every village and
every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that
day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles,
Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of
the old Negro spiritual: Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, we are
free at last...
Pleasure is terrifying because it breaks down boundaries between people.
-Erica Jong, Fear of Flying
Without struggle, there is no progress.
-Frederick Douglass
I'm a word man. See, there's this theory about the nature of tragedy,
that Aristotle didn't mean catharsis for the audience but a purgation
of emotions for the actors them- selves. The audience is just a witness
to the event taking place on stage.
-Jim Morrison
There is nothing stronger in the world than gentleness.
-Unknown
Insults should be written in the sand, and praises carved in stone.
-Arab proverb
The heights by great men reached and kept Were not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night.
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Heaven never helps the men who will not act.
-Sophocles
Up to a point a man's life is shaped by environment, heredity, and movements and changes in the world about him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say, ''This I am today; that I will be tomorrow.''
-Louis L'Amour
Many of life's failures are people who did not reconize how close they were to success when they gave up.
-Unknown
Staying angry with you is how I protect myself from you. Refusing to forgive you is not only how I punish you: it is also how I keep you from getting close enough to hurt me again, and nine times out of ten it works - only there is a serious side effect. It is called bitterness, and it can do terrible things to the human body and soul.
-Barbara Brown Taylor
Don't go through life, grow through life.
-Unknown
Do not keep the alabaster box of your friendship sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them, and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier. The kind of things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go.
-George W. Childs
A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.
-Oscar Wilde
The poet is like the prince of the clouds, who rides out the tempest and laughs at the archer. But when he is exiled on the ground, amidst the clamour, his giant's wings prevent him from walking.
-Baudelaire
Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else -Unknown
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in side-ways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW...WHAT A RIDE!!
-Unknown
I don't walk around trying to be what I'm not. I don't waste my time trying to get what you've got. I work at pleasing me, cuz I can't please you. And that's why I do what I do. My soul flies free like a willow tree.
-Erykah Badu
The happiest people are those who think the most interesting thoughts.
Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good company, good conversation, are the happiest people in the world. And they are not only happy in themselves, they are the cause of happiness in others.
-William Lyon Phelps
I have witnessed the softening of the hardest of hearts by a simple smile.
Goldie Hawn
In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
-James Allen
Being a full time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs…since the payment is pure love.
-Mildred B. Vincent
When the power of love overcomes
the love of power the world will
know peace.
-Jimi Hendrix
Zits are beauty marks.
- Kurt Cobain
A true friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out
-Unknown
I have a right to my anger, and I don't want anybody telling me I shouldn't be, that it's not nice to be, and that something's wrong with me because I get angry.
-Maxine Waters
Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.
-Phyllis Diller
A lot of Christian conservatives are whining about how they don't want to live in a country that allows gay marriages. Well, guess what, you don't have to live in a country that legalizes gay marriages. If you don't like living in a free country, you can just shut up, pack up and get out.
-Unknown
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure, then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and souls' delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy, or charms can make us sleep as well,
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
...the fog is rising.
-Last words of Emily Dickinson
All we see and all we seem, is but a dream within a dream.
-Edgar Allen Poe
It was like a bird of rarest-spun heaven metal or like silvery wine flowing in a spaceship, gravity all nonsense now. As I slooshied, I knew such lovely pictures!
-Alex, A Clockwork Orange
I do not take drugs, I am drugs.
-salvador dali
You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with
-Wayne Dyer
Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious book. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observations and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conductive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
-Buddha, The Enlightened One
Cleanliness and order are not matters of instinct; they are matters of education, and like most great things, you must cultivate a taste for them.
-Benjamin Disraeli
Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.
Samuel Johnson
...Langston asked if we knew what happens to a dream deferred...
...Sometimes people don't know who you are, because you don't wanna show 'em. Sometimes you wanna let 'em know, and all you wanna do is open their eyes and broaden their perspective but you know they're so gripped in the stereotypes they embrace and nurture that it's easier to let them continue to rot in their own ignorance... and somethin about that just ain't right
You see but you do not observe. Sherlock Holmes
The answer is in the right questions. Socrates
As long as you still experience the stars as something above the head, you lack the eye of knowledge and will never know wisdom. Fredrick Nietzsche
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness, in a descending spiral of destruction. The chain reaction of evil must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes. William James
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Words ought to be a little wild, for they are the assaults of thoughts on the unthinking. John Maynard Keynes
To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right. Confucius
Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power.We have guided missiles and misguided men. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Knowledge is structured in consciousness. The process of education takes place in the field of consciousness; the prerequisite to complete education is therefore the full development of consciousness - enlightenment.
Knowledge is not the basis of enlightenment, enlightenment is the basis of knowledge. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Do you want to know what it is? The matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this room. You can see it when you look out your window, or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes, to blind you from the truth. What is the matrix? Control. The matrix is a computer-generated dream world, built to keep us under control, in order to change a human being... into this...(holds up a battery) The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it. Morpheus. But, as you well know, appearances can be deceiving, which brings me back to the reason why we're here. We're not here because we're free. We're here because we're not free. There is no escaping reason; no denying purpose. Because as we both know, without purpose, we would not exist.It is purpose that created us. Purpose that connects us. Purpose that pulls us. That guides us. That drives us. It is purpose that defines us. Purpose that binds us. Agent Smith
~INYERFACE~ (ThaImageOlogist) PHOTOGRAPHY vegan.attempting to lessen my carbon footprint.trying2live as minimally as possible/trying2be a conservationally conscious consumer.ReduceReUseRecycle.Recognize Posted at 8:52 AM Nov 6, 2008 view more
Disclaimer: This is LONG. I know, I typed this whole mess out. I don't actually expect people to read it all, one way or the other, I don't care. You may want to scroll away now if you value your eyelids not involutarily closing for longer than a blink while you're sitting upright.
So, for those of you who don't know, my name is Rachel Tate. I'm the trigger finger behind that blinding light at Ray's by the stage on the weekends. I like taking photos at shows. Some of you who've known me all my life may be familiar with that. I've recently added a section of photos from my youth, about 18, yes, eighteen 'I can't believe it's gone by that fast' years ago. I took a lot of these photos with a beat up throwaway film camera, so quality is not a consistent theme among them. Not all of the photos have been taken by me, clearly, as I am in some of them, some of the photos on here have been taken and contributed by friends of mine who I grew up with. I have a deep affection for photos of people I love. In this group of photos already 5 of these friends have passed away. I have lost friends to accidental overdoses and always take the loss really hard, as you can imagine. Having someone gone from my life unexpectedly and not feeling like I had enough photos of them has affected the way I live my life, has made me more focused on trying not to take people for granted, has caused me to always try to express love when I speak to people, and has got me forever trying to capture moments in time just in case something were to occur that would cause me to not have another chance to spend time with them again. The people who are in these old photos are my history, these are my go-to people, my friends, my extended family, and, no matter what we've been through over the years, no matter what choices we've all made, no matter the ebbs and tides of life and the disassociations that distances can bring, through the disagreements, the good times, the heartaches and laughter, these are some of the people who I love unconditionally.
I originally got on myspace just as contact for bands I photograph, but when I found a lot of old friends and acquaintances on here, I became hooked pretty quick. It means a lot to me to be able to see how people who have touched my life at some point are doing in the here and now. I try not to spend too much time on myspace, but I find myself checking it almost daily. I do not post ANY of my band photography or any of my recent work on here, but if you would like to see a show that I shot please message me with the time period, the bands that played, and the specific email address (outside of myspace messaging[yahoo/hotmail/aol/etc.]for instance, rachellerie@aol.com) that you would like me to send the link to the album to and I will hook you up with the pics if I have them online. I have experienced some computer crashes over the years, so not all of the photos made it through, however, if I have them online, I will surely send you the link.
Aside from photography being something I like doing, when I have the time, I like to read and write poetry. I love words. Put good music with quality lyrical content and I am head over heels.
I value artistry of every form and take pride in the fact that I have had the privilege to know and love some of the most amazing artists, in all varied forms of expression, from painting to tattooing, from singing to making movies, from sculpting to playing instruments, from taking beautiful photos to making amazing things happen with a pen, I love, respect, admire and cherish my very talented and amazing friends. I'd like to think that their insightful, creative works are helping pave the way for thoughtful, intelligently derived art to take precedence in popular culture over some of the dumbass garbage that is served up on mtv and on some radio stations. I generally don't mind (and even love some)'love' songs, despite the overtly ridiculous and tritely worded sentiments, because they are expressing heartfelt emotions, but, aside from that, I prefer music that puts a fire in the belly, and lyrics that question authority, politics, social behaviors, existence, religion, skewed logic, and ignorance.
I've done many things for employment in my life, but mainly I've worked as a bartender, however, due to wanting to be with my eight year old kid, I've been a stay-at-home mom, off and on, since his birth [although I do plan on going back to full-time work of some sort soon, beyond the photos, which generally only pays in love and free merch, however, if you're feeling so inclined, any donations would be graciously accepted, as I am quite poor].
As long as I've been working in bars you'd think I'd enjoy a drink every now and again, but I've actually been completely sober for 13 years and running. Not a drop of alcohol, or any of the other mind altering substances I used to favor. At times I'm mistaken for someone who's on something, but that's just my natural charm [craziness] surfacing. Not only have I been straight edge for a very long time now, over a year ago I decided to alter my lifelong vegetarian dietary intake to a vegan regimen. Sure, I've had moments in the last year where I've taken a bite of a cookie which could theoretically have some portion of an egg in it, but, for the most part, aside from a rare cookie or chocolate temptation, I have been able to maintain veganism with ease, and I LOVE it.
In general, I like [LOVE] to hug people. If you're afraid of the sugar, you might want to cringe and run away when you see me. Here's a pre-emptive apology. Sorry. Yeah, I know, that was heartfelt, you could tell, couldn't ya? I can't help it, I love to love. I come from a very strict, stifling, militant background, and now I just want to do things that don't involve any form of suppression. Not that I don't exercise self discipline, more that I don't believe in squashing creative, positive forms of expression. I do enjoy rowdy nights of talkin shit, kickin ass(figuratively) and takin names, for the entertaining hell of it all, of course. I like having a good time almost all of the time, excluding my extra-focused, 'be quiet, I'm trying to get this done right quick' working moments and my 'just let me have a second of peace and reflection' depressed-type moments, which I also enjoy. I also like to kiss people, in a platonic and affectionate way. I sometimes have laugh attacks, and I can get dangerously goofy and loopy if under the influence of dopamine, endorphins, or sleep deprivation. I like addressing people as honey, darlin, and sweetie -not as a come on- just because I like to. (and perhaps because I might have forgotten your name... I have a terrible memory) Don't take offense, it's just how I am - I'm a love pusher... watch out I say the L word at random intervals, like the drunk bud light 'I love you man' guy. I don't care if I sound too girly, mushy, or idiotic to you. I like being me.
So... onto a little more narcissistic 'about me' info, well, I like play fighting, but I'll break up a real fight in a heartbeat. I can't stand unnecessary violence. I think that people who have to use their fists or raise their voices in hateful tones to try to make a point are not people I'd like to share space with. Not that I never get angry, but there are ways to express it that do not have to involve injury and idiocy.
I like to not get my ass beat in the mosh when I'm trying to take pictures, but, inevitably, it happens anyway. I'd like to thank the thoughtful and gallant men of the mosh who help pick me up and who go out of their way to try to protect me from getting hurt. Good lookin out guys, you got my back all the time, you know I'm so fond of you all, and I appreciate your services VERY much. Thanks for not touching me disrespectfully in the process, I get pissed at people who don't understand certain boundaries.
I have much admiration and respect for people who get behind the microphone, obviously, that stands to reason, since I like hearing music/lyrics/poetry, so naturally, listening to people vocalizing/expressing gives me shivers and makes me feel creative and driven to 'do'. Actually, I like any type of stage performance. It takes a lot of guts to get up and perform something you have created to those sometimey, unappreciative, unreceptive kind of audiences. I like screaming, balls to the wall live stage music, and I also like poetry/rap/r&b/spoken word. I don't like it when I hear people judging and categorizing all rap as one particular negative thing. Don't be ignorant. Rap music is as amazing as any other type of music, maybe not the specific rap songs you may have heard, but shit, choose your music with thought, don't blame the radio or mtv for playing dumbass shit, buy some quality cds, handle your business, and quit talking out the side of your neck. Same goes for country music, there's good and bad there too. Why be a judgmental asshole, when you could be openminded and actually enjoy variety in your life. Oh, on that note, I, myself, take pleasure in writing very witty and amusing songs. Okay, so maybe the only person I amuse with them is myself, but I'm okay with that. Surprise, surprise. If you don't like it, kick rocks, don't hate.
Onto another subject, I've had beautiful, darling pit bulls that I loved, but I have a neighbor who repeatedly, unwarrantedly, called police on them, so yeah, although I am still wounded about having to find a new home for my babies, I still have a few reptiles, some little inside creatures that can't get me big fines and jailtime. It can be high maintenance, but when you have an eight year old boy who digs that stuff, and when you see his face light up with love as he delicately cares for his lizards and turtles it's pretty delicious. I like how it's a sideways method of him learning responsibility. He's the reason I changed my view on having a pet in my home, before him I had no desire to have animals in my house. In fact, I was never even going to bring a child into this world, but now that I have, although it was a shock to my system, it's been amazing. Naturally, my whole world is changed for the best. I might still adopt though, as planned, one day.
I used to love the smell of dirt in the air after rainfall. [one of my favorite times to breathe deep and do nothing else except appreciate being alive for a few uninterrupted minutes] I no longer have a sense of smell, I lost it in a car wreck 14 years ago. People never remember that I can't smell and always ask me to smell things. Sometimes I fake it for strangers in stores. (oh, yeah, that shampoo really does smell good) With personal friends I just have to give 'em a crazy look, like do you know who you're talkin to? It's me, remember? No olfactory sense, ya know? Then they remember.
I am obsessive about a ton of things. I'm pretty germphobic and freak out on people for touching my food, but yet, I can touch their food. Hey, I KNOW my hands are clean, if they weren't, I wouldn't touch your food.
I like Micheal Moore. I love how he is unafraid to examine controversial situations and put perspective and points of view out there for those of us who would not be so bold, or in the position to do it.
I dig big Jackie O glasses, always have. They're so old hollywood glam. I love pretty makeup. I won't deny dressing up like a boy occasionally, or that I like to sing Elvis songs at the lowest register possible as if I were the king himself.
I'm attempting to be healthy in recent years, and vegan, but despite that, I have a love of chocolate. I've been trying to cut myself off of it lately and have been doing fine without it. I have terrible skin, and sometimes wonder if (know) the sugar is a factor. Perfect combination:chocolate and nuts. If I am having a willpower moment of weakness, usually hinging on a specific time of the month, touch my chocolate and die, or at least expect a fork in a phalange.
I have an unbelievably perfect husband. Everyone tells me how lucky I am. I know it already, thanks. I love my husband, a musical genius and hardworking provider, and have been married for the last thirteen years, yes, thank you, it's been great, but I also am head over heels in awe and in love with several of my amazing friends, and some people I don't personally know including jim morrison, mike patton, nicholas cage, andy wood, llcoolj, joaquin phoenix, layne staley, and the list goes on... Maybe I'll finish it out later, but I don't really feel like putting all the people I have obsessive desire in my heart for all over the page right now. It's pretty cool that my husband understands me and freely lets me be me without being a freak about the dumb shit. I hate rumor bullshit, and I hate drama, but from time to time, I wind up in some shit. I have been known to talk too much. I know, you're surprised, aren'tcha?
I like to sneak away from my sweetheart/monster of a son, to go listen to music and take pics at RGL even though it's always a fight because he never wants me to leave him behind. Maybe if I got paid I might show up on time for the shows,
I like people who are intelligent and creative, and not always drunk. I like to laugh and be with people who aren't on huge ego trips. I like to try and help people, but my advice isn't always the greatest.
I love it when I have intense dreams. Sometimes I feel like I live a double life. I have these alternate realities in my head. (I'm not crazy [institutionalized] you're the one that's crazy)
I like to escape into distant realms in books, but haven't had much time to read lately, although when I do, I really love Anais Nin for her well-chosen words and romantic phrasing, The Celestine Prophecy is a book that floats my boat, I really dig Tom Robbins writing style, he uses the most awesome descriptive terminology and his ideas give me glee! For a truly remarkable reading experience who doesn't love Nietzche. I like books that speculate about ethics, possibilities, injustices, and theory. I really like Orwell [1984, kick ass on a train ride to Chicago] Vonnegut [I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center] Dostoevsky [The Brothers Karamazov, amazing, a 13 hour road trip still wasn't enough time to finish that one] and I could go on and on here, with a list of the exact same mindblowing authors that you can find on anyone's page who likes to read, from Palahnuik to Burroughs to Kerouac, listing a range of standard inspirational figures in literature over the last century, but I'll go ahead and move on now.
I play too much on the computer. No, I do not look up porn, or have cyber sex with strange, anonymous, horny typists. That strikes me as a huge waste of time. That said, to each his own, I just don't choose to get down that way.
I don't like it when people say things to deliberately hurt people's feelings or belittle someone who is different than they are. It's a horrible way to be, and no contribution to anyone. That kinda shit makes me go nuts.
I've been a vegetarian since I was 9 years old, and with the exception of trying the occasional chicken strip or fish filet in my teen years, I've held to that. I am now a vegan for more than a year, and I love it. I make no apologies, nor do I expect any of you beastly carnivorous meat eaters -hah- to tell me why I should eat what you like, but I don't give a shit if you eat it. Just don't wave a bloody steak in my face, you know who you are, you bastard.
Lately I've been noticing how sometimes people take advantage of good natured, helpful sorts, and when it happens more than once or twice, it's pretty telling of what kind of integrity you possess and the character you're made of. Don't think you're getting away with anything, people around you aren't blind and as time goes on they take stock of what you do to people on a regular basis.
By the way, the scourge (of me flippin out) will be upon you if I catch you littering. Don't litter! You're an idiot if you do.
I am steadfast in my devotion to my friends and family, and I try to live my life making small contributions along the way to them and to those around me, rather than focusing on my own selfish agenda, even though it goes against my self-serving nature, like it does for everyone. It's easy for me to lay around the house and do nothing, but I try to fight off my own indulgences by getting up and doing something for someone every once in awhile.
I value the people around me. I recognize good qualities. Of course, I notice painfully obvious negative qualities also, particularly my own. I know I talk inappropriately in front of my child at times, and I always feel like a moron for doing it, but cursing as colorful punctuation is one of my favorite vices. I like speaking freely and candidly, so censoring myself is difficult at times, however, I currently try to opt for other words when in the company of children. Sometimes temper gets the best of me though. On occasion, I avoid issues rather than hassling with dealing with things, may not be a perfect system, but I make it work for me, however imperfectly, I guess.
People have told me that I'm overbearing. Shocking, I know.
Yeah, so, I like to take my own pictures, shit, I'm the only one who knows how to get the angle that doesn't make my chin look crazy :-)Vanity/Insecurity Hah. I wish I was a little bit thinner, but then, when I was skinny I didn't have much for boobs, now that I've had a baby and put on weight, I like the extra cleavage... catch 22, I know, also a bit stupid of me to favor a less fit version of myself. I know it's not accurate, but I feel stronger and safer when I'm thicker than when I'm thinner. But that's all facetious bullshit.
I like to think I'm not too judgmental, but, contradictory to my self-righteous crap ideals, when I'm bartending I sometimes find myself disgusted with people in general, and I wanna go home and crawl in bed to hide from the whole rotten world.
I like to conserve and recycle. I'm ridiculous about turning off unnecessary lights, just like my mom is. My house is messy a lot of the time. I try to keep up with it, but my son is very busy.
I think racism, sexism, and terrorism are markers of ignorance and miseducation. I get aggravated and riled up easily and will want to debate issues with you, so don't get me started.
I've been raped on more than one occasion. I think a man who is so self serving and sick will not easily attain any peace or happiness in life. I've watched people not believe me because they didn't want to think that someone they knew was capable of that.
I'm a democrat, I guess, but I don't like the negative connotations that surround political ties. I am open minded and liberal, but I really don't like the stereotypical generalized 'weak' connotations associated with being so.
I don't like the judicial system, the uninsured masses, the war, or Bush, but I like America, I like freedom, and I realize that not everything is going to be perfect and currently, at least, we're stuck with what we've got, and have to make the best of it until things change.
I completely support gay marriage and cannot stand homophobia and discrimination.
I am against the war.
Although I'd never want to personally abort a baby, I understand certain extenuating circumstances, and I am 100% pro-choice. If I had become pregnant as a result of rape, I may not have chosen to carry the baby. I do not agree with abortion as on overused form of birth control. It's stupidity to have unprotected sex if you don't want to deal with the consequences.
I believe there are natural cures to many common diseases that the insurance/medicine industry along with the government prevent the general public from gaining access to.
I wish I could afford to go back to school. I wish I qualified for grants. I wish I had more skills than I have. I keep trying to work on that. I wish I could figure out a plausible way that I could make money working on my computer, staying at home with my son. I've looked into some things, but they are either pyramid schemes, and/or they involve you trying to talk up everyone you see on the street to get them to buy something from you. That type of dogged salesmanship gives me the creeps. There are a lot of scams made to look like great opportunities out there, and I like it when news programs do investigative reporting to expose cons.
I like to work hard/play hard, I like to earn money honestly, and I try not to take too many of the good things in life for granted.
I recycle with delight. Always. I revel in the beauty of nature and all that surrounds. Always. I suppose I could ramble on like this for quite some time, but this is a pretty good summation of me and the things I believe in/think about. Now that you've gone blind at your screen please refrain from driving or swimming for the next hour. Haha, like anyone's gonna read this mess of random thoughts. But if you did, thanks, that's nice of you! And yes, I realize most of this has been off the topic of photography. So.
In the flesh
In a flash
To the rescue
I will dash
In your face
In your space
Don't be scared
Just embrace
Take it in
Give me skin
Lightbulb spins
Always end
Don't believe
But you'll see
The magic behind
The photography is me
I'm a pathological flasher
Digital manipulating master
A fearlessly focusing disaster
You're screwed if it's you I'm after
Blinded with luminescence I scatter
A jack move for your image I'll plaster
Wherever the hell I want you bastard- hah
Stashed extra batteries for battering irises in
Fuck it-start shit and I'll wear your eyelashes thin
Fight it -I'll crash your periphery again- you'll be trippin
Subterfuge-all smashed in-I getcha when you're least expectin
Got a memory card cache of some of the finest captures ever been
I go hard-battle to win-enough of the chatter-I know this shit doesn't matter
Fuck a groupie-call me -the atom smasher- whiplasher -pic slasher- eyeball basher
You wanna scream and be seen, call a professional flasher that'll take ya there faster
Yayah-you'll see what I mean-when I step to the scene-tha mad picture taking machine
Photography queen-all up in your screen-no worry-I hurry-I make a few blurry-warning
Things may get alil skery in a furious flash flurry-but don't even trip-I ain't tryina get flirty
I jus wanna contribute my imagery-so shutup-smile purty-while I take one-two-or thirty
Tha Image-ologist
A Volatile Artistress
Equalitist ~ Knowledge-ist
Solid Bitch So No Hollow Trysts
No Jezebel Kisses Or Trollop Wishes
Ex-Mixologist Turned To A Kid Assist Missus
Bet Yer Asses I Flick Tha Fastest Click Tha Quickest
Go Tha Distance Quit Yer Resistance U Kno I Take Ker Of Bizniz
Omg!! I miss u so bad rach!! I really need 2 spemd some time with u & catch up on everything!! Listenin 2 the beatles sounds like a great plan 2! My #389-1204. I got urs now2.i hope u have a great thnxgiving.. Aftr that we need 2 get 2gether & i know i could really talk 2 u about things that have happened 2 me the past year. It's been so hard & streesful. I really dont know how i even survived this this mess that i got into. God's been testing my faith & strength 2 allow myself 2 let someone treat me like dirt for almost 7 years & i put up with it & suffered long & hard. I finally went full on crazy,& somehow made myself get away from him. It's tough 2 explain, but i am not the same person i used 2 b rachel!!! I did all & gave all i could 2 try & make our marriage work. I have nothing left 2 give. It might sound sad, but it's true & but i am feeling better with myself & want 2 go back 2 work again. I lost my job 2 in october, which kinda made us officially done. Omg..i love u and miss talking 2 u dear!!
hey rachel, i miss u and love u so much! I am doing ok, i'm getting divorced as soon as possible. I wont ever let myself be treated like i let him treat me. My #380-1204. I lost your#. I lost alot of things thru this hell i lived in for almost 7 years. But thats in the past and i'm ready to move on with my life. I am so glad and thankful that god has brought you into my ilfe rach! Friends like u r so hard w come by & i am so grateful and happy that u will b my friend for life! I love u, erin
New band page for LSDiablo is up...#5 on my top friends!!!! Trying to help rebuild the page for these guys....please support and go request!!! And while your at it...please delete the old page to let the person, who Hijacked the page, know that you don't support his negative behavior!!!! Thanx soooo much....The remaining members of LSDiablo appreciate your friendship and support!!!
I'll be at the Rally & March today to Protest Police Brutality. Remember to Wear all Black today in memory of the thousands murdered by law enforcement. Thanks!
Awesome show in Richland tommorow at oddfellows hall(706 williams blvd. by the cemetary) Mortal Remains, The Drip, Eterna Nocturna, Oceans of Red, All Gussied up, and Zan!!!!!!!! dont miss out on this show it could be the start of something incredible here in Richland