Newest creation

So...I know it has been a hot minute since I posted a new creation here. I am trying to name her...any suggestions??? Comment below...

God Bless the Internet

God Bless the internet...why?

Because not only is it a wonderful collection of knowledge readily available to anyone after a few hits on a keyboard and a click or two here but it also features some rather strange things. Also, it is quite a distraction from getting anything done because once you click one thing, the sites post links to keep you clicking away, all the while they are keeping you plugged in and before you know it...three hours have gone by.

One such example of strangitude (yes I made that word up) is this lovely gem I found in my Facebook news feed, floating amongst the internet link debris that one finds on the home page.

http://gizmodo.com/any-animal-that-touches-this-lethal-lake-turns-to-stone-1436606506

This lovely gem was brought to my attention by another Facebook frequenter.

I figured, while I am not sharing art today, I can share an interesting link.

Here's my take on it: What it discusses is this particular lake that due to the pH balance of the water calcifies any animal that happens to have the misfortune of getting into it.

In short, the chemical make up turns the animals into stone.

What follows is a series of photographs taken of the lake's victims that are both hauntingly beautiful as well as crazily horrifying. Also, its sort of inspirational, like I feel like a movie idea could totally be made out of this rather strange phenomenon.

That's my opinion.

Let me know what you think.

The link features some photos but they are all from a book called Across the Ravaged Land.

DC Video Shoot Off May 2013

Sometime ago, I had talked about the DC Video Shoot Off I was participating in.

Today, I finally get around to posting a link of the video here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGeuvTdvgDA&list=PLEVSO3UzJgCvfHUGrYixt-BSTKIShcfA0&index=8


Lessons Learned:

Often when someone is so sure they are good at something, put them in a different role that will challenge them. I won't elaborate too much on that lesson but it should be pretty self explanatory.

Even if you are rusty at this craft, dive right in anyways. I let my feelings of being unsure of my skills get in the way of some of my exploration into my craft.

Come to a consensus about what you want to be the absolute focus of the project, characters, etc before moving forward. Often we lose the original version whether we have lots of time (usually in our professional lives) and when we have very little time (as was the case in this shoot off).

When its time to take a breather, TAKE ONE! Burying yourself into a project regardless of a time crunch gets you no where. You only get more frustrated and locked in instead of exploring it. To be truthful, video and media are and can be art. With any work of art you have to allow the piece to unfold before your eyes, yes you start with a vision but most importantly listen and observe. Sometimes a "mistake" can be exploited. I do this all the time with my paintings, it can be applied to this as well.

Don't be afraid to listen to all ideas that come to the table, approach it with an open mind. This Workshop is for learning and playing with new equipment, ideas, experiences, and stories. There is always something to learn in a collaboration, don't be afraid of the opportunity to learn. Also, no one likes an insufferable no it all.

Don't insult your work before it is finished, seriously, what a downer. I have to cite something specific that was said in my group: We're just polishing up a turd at this point. Um...no...but if you go into the art of creation with that being your focus well...then it will be a turd.

Not everyone in the group can be a leader. Ever heard the saying "too many cooks in the kitchen"? Well it applies to this lesson. Often when too many people are trying to lead a project or discussion, you get into a place where something that should be a simple process turns into a chaotic mess.

Things I liked:

I liked meeting new people in this field. Networking is an awesome thing and I love making new connections and acquaintances.

Going into the field. Whether in a learning environment or for work, I love love LOVE going into the field to capture footage. This above all was my favorite.

Talking over ideas/brainstorming.  While we did struggle through some of this portion as a group, we had fun.

The mentors. Also a great opportunity to network with people in the field and make new connections, but also our mentor was a pretty cool guy and was an excellent resource for knowledge. Due to some differences in personality when it came to our group, I feel his talents were under utilized but he offered as much as he could and stayed with us through the long hours of the editing process that evening. I salute you sir and thanks for the book! :)

The feedback. I felt the feedback was useful and allowed me to go back and think of how things could have been done differently and how to handle a future project of that magnitude. Thanks to the judges for their notes and remarks.

Sold my first painting!

Yes I have finally sold a painting. Guided it was a commissioned piece and not one of the ones you've seen here but still feels pretty awesome!

Let me know what you all think! :)

Hello!

Hello!

Its been quite a while since I last posted. I have so much work and art and writing and EVERYTHING else to catch up on.

Its just been such a great busy wonderful spring I have been more interested in just living life day to day and not dedicating the time needed to all that I love to do. All of my passions, hobbies, callings and so forth.

Today I simply write for the sake of writing. I do need to post some things in relation to the DC Shoot Off I did last month. They have posted my group's Video and its time it was shared with all of you.

The next is that I found an old story I produced back in 2008 so I need to post that link.

I also sold my VERY first painting EVER! Way to go 2013!!!

Life is wonderful!

My son soon starts summer vacation. I have been learning more and more both in my personal as well as professional life.

Life in general is awesome. So with out further ado, I will post what I have stated I will post in the moments, hours, days, or whatever that follow.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!! :)

DC Shoot Off Video Workshop

Good Morning and what a lovely Friday it is!

Today is day two of the DC Shoot Off Video Workshop and I can't help but to feel excited.

Yesterday we had some great speakers that included Bill Gentile (The Backpack Journalist), Richard Harrington (who is recognizable from Lynda.com), and Bethany Swain (worked as a photojournalist for CNN).

Great stuff. Today is the day we find out who our team members are, the theme of this years workshop, and start working from this afternoon until Sunday morning . Can't wait to get started!

And what a beautiful day to start on. :)

Enjoy your Friday!

Long Time...No Post

So...it has been a minute since I have posted. My apologies!

It happens to the best of us when life is going on. When Life is in high gear it sometimes proves rather difficult to take a minute to slow down enough to write or create. That being said, I feel it is the high and busy moments of our lives that serve as true inspiration.

Without experience, how would we write? Without energy, how could we create?

This year, by far, has been the best one yet, I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about and that makes me truly ecstatic!

My life is on a high note, my art is on a high note (or at least on it's way there), my music is on a high note.

Who knew people would ever want to pay to hear my voice? Four years ago I would have been the number one person to say that the opportunity was not mine to have. Now, I so super happy about it!

Life is great, including with my child! He's finally behaving himself enough where I don't have to worry about headaches and long emails from his teacher! SOOOOO Happy he's finally maturing on that note.

That's all I will post for today, I have a couple of paintings I will be working on and posting here this week! EXCITEMENTATIONS! (yes this is a made up word, yes I am the originator of the word even though this is the first time I have posted)

I am also working on some other projects that as time progresses I will post them here or on my twitter.

@mariemasonnolan (follow me!!!)

Eventually I will start uploading stuff to my youtube channel. That is all for now! Have a great Magnificent Monday!! :)

Why can't they rap about NICE things?? ;)

Cute poem about the TARDIS

Dating Advice

Here is what I have to say about dating advice and what I have observed in my short stint on this planet:

None of it is really necessary.

Now, I am not saying I am some sort of expert. I'm not but I have still come to understand something very simple and it applies to almost all relationships I've witnessed be they fictional (movies) and non fictional (my life and the lives of people I know).

The only thing I have learned after all this observation is this: The right one for you will stay, no matter what ridiculousness is going on with you.

You don't need to follow a set of rules (unless that is what feels comfortable to you), you don't need to use certain techniques, you just need to be you in all your wonderful colorful glory.

Some advice will say, o well you overshare....But the person who is right for you may like that about you, they may appreciate the ever apparent honesty.

Some advice says, don't call until blah blah time....seriously? All that says to me when someone is, as they say, "playing it cool", is that you really aren't interested at all. And, for another thing, why in the world would you want to get yourself tangled up in a romantic mess with someone who isn't on some level so passionate and hot for you that they can barely contain their enthusiasm to contact you as soon and as often as possible?

Really, what is the point???

At the end of the day, be you, do what you feel is best. If they leave they weren't meant to stay anyways. If they come back and things work out then that was how that relationship was meant to be. If they come back and things don't work out again then there must have been some lesson the both of you were meant to learn and take with into that relationship that WILL work for you.

Just stop it with all the nonsense, you have to talk this way, use this body language, look this way, wear this thing, do things in this pattern, and blah blah blah blah blah. Just be happy and be you. The rest will fall into place as it should.

Besides, doing all that phony crap to "reel someone in" is merely surface and then you have someone falling for the fake persona you put across instead of the real you, and isn't that what we all want? To be loved, accepted, and cherished for who we really are? Flaws, Best traits, and quirks?

Of course it is, and if you're trying to sit there and say no you don't well here is what I have to say to that: You may lie to me if you wish, but you cannot lie to yourself. You know that feeling you get when you say things like "that's not meant for me" "I'm meant to be alone" or other variations thereof? That's what you need to pay attention to, because we all get that saddened lurching feeling in our chest when we tell ourselves we cannot truly be lovable.

Again, I never post without reason, I started thinking this concept over some time ago and then I was watching GIRLS last night on HBO. (SPOILER ALERT if you didn't watch) But Hannah and Adam got back together. Despite all her issues, all his issues, him rejecting her, her rejecting him, they still love each other and in fact one could venture to say that they love each other BECAUSE of those "issues" and quirks and all the good bad and ugly that comes with knowing or getting to know all the facets of a person.

I hope for that everyday...maybe I've already found it. Time will tell, but I am happy right now and that is all that I need.

That's my thought for the day. Have a good one!

DOCTOR WHO THROW ! ^_^

Exclusive TARDIS throw, Sting, arcade plush, & up to 30% off Doctor Who goodies for a limited time: http://j.mp/10ASOJQ

Another Doctor Who GEEK OUT MOMENT!!!!

So again had to share!

I was not successful in my quest for where to find the Tardis Bookshelf, because as it turned out it was a DIY project but.........

Here's some info for how all of us Whovians can get a hold of this bit of sleepytime awesomeness!! :)

DON'T PANIC: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

So....being a fan, I HAD to post on today's Google Doodle. I am a big fan of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy so when I went to Google this morning and came across the words "DON'T PANIC", well, to be quite honest, I couldn't contain my glee.

Of course, I started clicking on the guide as it brought forth clever little animated images of Babel Fish, Dophins (So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish), the ship with the "Inprobability Drive" , and let's not forget the lovely illustration on the multiple uses of a towel and why it is so necessary for a successful hitchhiker to have one at all times.

The Doodle pays tribute to Douglas Adams, the book's author, because today is his birthday.

Loved the books, Loved the movie that came out back in 2005. I am now actually tempted to get new copies of the books and read them again. Anyways that is my momentary geek out for the week. Have a splendid day.

Click here for the Google Doodle explanation.

Rojo y Azul

Rojo y Azul

Acrylic to 5x7 Canvas

I Am That, I am

An original painting also by me
DC URBAN PIXIE
Title: Burnt Sienna
Acrylic Painting to 11x14 Canvas

GRACE and SERENITY
By T Marie Mason-Nolan (DC Urban Pixie)

Today I was thinking, today I was observing
The people, the sounds, the office, my surroundings
In my personal musings, I pointed
I pointed to people places and things and in this moment a phrase 

A phrase repeated itself over and over
"I am that, I am"
I pointed to the sidewalk, to a child, to a tree
And in that moment I pondered over the beautiful God or higher being 
that made me
I realized there was no above and below
But rather an inside, outside, and all around.
It was then another phrase burst through to my conscious from my subconscious
"I found God in myself, and I loved her, I loved her fiercely."

These words may not mean much to you 
But as for me, they mean everything
They help me to realize the beauty in myself and all that surrounds me
They help me reach a state of grace
A state of....Serenity

and so I share another poem today from "For Colored Girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf"

Enjoy and leave your thoughts.



A Laying on of Hands 
from "for colored girls who have considered suicide | when the rainbow is enuf"
by Ntozake Shange

i waz missing somethin
somethin so important
somethin promised
a layin on of hands
fingers near my forehead
strong
cool
movin
makin me whole
sense pure
all the gods comin into me
layin me open to myself
i waz missing somethin
somethin promised
somethin free
a layin on of hands
i know bout/layin on bodies/layin outta man
bringin him alla my fleshy self & some of my pleasure
bein taken full eager wet like i get sometimes
i waz missing somethin
a layin on of hands
not a man
layin on
not my mama/holdin me tight/sayin
i'm laways gonna be her girl
not a layin on of bosom and womb
a layin on of hands
the holiness of myself released

i sat up one nite walkin a boardin house
screamin/cryin/the ghost of another woman
who waz missin what i waz missin
i wanted to jump up outta my bones
& be done wit myself
leave me alone
& go on in the wind
it waz too much
i fell into a numbness
til the only tree i cd see
took me up in her branches
held me in the breeze
made me dawn dew
that chill at daybreak
the sun wrapped me up swingin rose light everywhere
the sky laid over me like a million men
i waz cold/i waz burnin up/a child
& endlessly weavin garments for the moon
wit my tears
i found god in myself
& i loved her/i loved her fiercely 

Crimson Blue

11x14 (may have to double check that size)

Acrylic paint to Canvas

What I do with days off! ^_^

Rapida

 
Another Newbie!

5x7

Hit me up if interested

A Breath of Spring

 

NEWEST!!!

DONT PANIC! Bring a Towel.

Tardis Bookshelf! MUST SHARE!

So...I saw this today and I had to share it. Just WOW! This made me geek out on several levels besides the fact that it is a Tardis and a Bookshelf. I want this in my house and I want to figure out where it came from. I also felt it rather appropriate that this was a bookshelf when opened because as The Doctor says: "You want weapons? We're in a library! Books! The best weapons in the world! This room's the greatest arsenal we could have - arm yourselves!"


Haha! That is all I have for today, hopefully you'll enjoy the day to the fullest and find a new book to read, I already have. :-)

No One is Perfect...

Touching on the same subject I talked about earlier but...

No One is Perfect, but I feel that it is the perceived "imperfections" that make a person beautiful and lovable in their own right. I tend to care more about a person for their imperfections quirks and flaws. They are also a major part of being a human being.

I coined a word back in 2010 and I'll use it here too: It is a wonderful thing to be "YOUnique"

You are perfect just as you are, you are the best you that has ever been. Love that about yourself and others will love that about you too :)


Happy Valentine's Day once Again!  <3

When You Love Someone...

 

I saw this today and it got me thinking. So, I did what I do best, and decided to write about it.

I am going to tackle this from two angles. Part 1: I do sort of agree with the statement, "You don't have to be nice all the time."

Why?

I agree because when you are in a mutually loving relationship you should love each other enough to not only deal with a person at their best but also stick by them when they're at their worst. That is what love is, accepting a person in all they're colorful and ecclectic glory, for no person is one dimensional and it is unrealistic to expect people to be great all the time.

Part 2: I also sort of disagree.

Why?

It's simple, when you love someone enough, you think about how your actions affect the other person before you act. Being in love doesn't always give you carte blanche to do what you feel to others. If you truly love someone you work on trying to find ways to bring them joy, not just doing what you feel just because they love you enough to deal with your nonsense and vice versa.

This one also stood out to me because it is Valentine's Day (Happy Valentine's Day by the way!) but also its a meme from a show I watch called GIRLS. Love that show. I also secretly hope those two characters work out their differences and get back together. They were weird but they were the perfect weird that fits each other. :)

Anyways, that's my stance on love, accept and cherish people for who they are. The Good, The Bad, The Sometimes Confusing, and The Ugly.

Marilyn Monroe once said, "If you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best."

Also, love one another, be considerate of how what you do affects those around you and those you love.

Happy Valentine's Day AGAIN and if no one says it to you today, I love you!

Sleepless...in NOVA

So I think finally found the source of my addiction to romance.

When I was very young, my mother took me to the theater and I saw what I would now call my number one favorite romantic movie of all time: Sleepless in Seattle.

It was the first time I was introduced to the magic that love is and could be. I was hooked.

I recently came to this epiphany when I watched the movie again for the first time in ages last week. I was just as bad as the characters in the movie during the scene where they were talking along with the dialogue in another romantic classic "An Affair to Remember". Haha I too was sitting there and quoting, I didn't catch myself saying anything until the part where it says, "...we've already missed the spring."


Then...I had to laugh at myself. It is what it is.

It was then that I realized that I was just as bad as these women in the movie, crying about this impossible relationship in a movie within a movie (insert lame joke about "Movie-ception" and...done).

Buying my art

I wanted to post this info in case anyone is interested in buying some of my pieces or prints of my work like post cards, mouse pads, mugs, magnets, etc.

I can be reached at urbanpixie86@gmail.com and we can discuss me making you an original piece with colors of your choice or if what you see here is available for purchase and work on the price together.

Prints of my work can be found at dcurbanpixie.deviantart.com

I will of course update this information once I have made a few tweaks to my Etsy and Society6 Accounts.

Also feel free to contact me with any further questions.

My art is created organically.

I just look at something that inspires me or listen to a piece of music and start moving the paint brush.

Look forward to hearing from you.

This green one is currently for sale.

Kinda sad...Kinda true

Lost and Found

I had reached a point both with my mother and my son where our relationships looked like they had reached states that were beyond repair. Terrible fights, tears, sleepless nights and all of the things that seemed like the makings of the end of anything good that could exist between two or more people. 

Just when you think its over...it isn't.

Thank goodness that statement is so true!

Its a lesson I have learned several different times in my life both in those bigger circumstances as well as the small.

Today, I am going to address the small first and then I will address the big.

This weekend I lost something precious, in a manner of speaking, my purse. If you're not familiar, a purse contains a woman's entire life and thensome! It's not a joke for that to go missing.

Meme share of the day

It appears that in 2012 and part of 2013 I was meant to learn about the way things tend to happen in a cycle. We cross old paths without knowing it. We repeat the same mistakes in different lifetimes as well as in one life time several times. We do the same things as others before us have done and its almost like a never ending cycle until someone along the way decides to CHANGE IT.

Quite a remarkable thing, this life, and the last, and the next. The power of a decision and the ripples resulting thereof. 

I say this was one lesson I was meant to learn because no only did I see this movie but I also watched another movie that touches on that, as well as read the book for it, I learned of a profound truth about my own personal family history that also touched on this idea, and I experienced a bit of deja vu because of an ever repeated mistake in other parts of my personal life.

It wasn't until I saw this meme today that it occurred to me that this was the lesson of age 26. I am glad I came to the realization two days before my next birthday.

Interesting indeed.

Meme Share of the Day 1/23/2013

You might be an artist if...

History Repeats Itself

So we've all heard the cliche before: HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.

Well, it really does ring true, and just yesterday I found out why.

For a long time, I felt pain over the not so positive relationship between my biological father and myself.

As it turns out, he too was harboring a similar pain, a pain that came more to light when my younger sister tracked down our Cuban grandfather. I am actually looking at his naturalization document as I type, gazing at his signature. This person is a part of me.

Calm Beautiful Chaos

 Newest.
Acrylic to 16X20 Canvas

As evident, this one is inspired by my napkin art. I listened to Eric Benet's song "News for You" while painting it.

I call it Calm Beautiful Chaos.

Napkin Art

As a result of my need to get out of the house but my habit of being a bit of an introvert, I tend to sit in cafes or karaoke bars and start drawing with whatever I can get my hands on. Which is typically a pen (usually from my pocket because I always have them on me) and a napkin. Here is one that I sketched out and inevitably did a painting, that while not a replica of the image above it is certainly inspired by it. :)

Ball Point Pen to Small Napkin

Explanations and Thank Yous ^_^

I've been meaning to post this for some time but one might wonder why I named one of my paintings "Wishful Thinking"

Well to be completely honest, I had experienced a bit of a disappointment in the relationship corner of my life and needed some paint and music therapy so...I was listening to this song while I painted "King of Wishful Thinking" by Go West (also the cover of it by New Found Glory). It's a song that just always puts me in a good mood, perhaps for nostalgic reasons and perhaps for the fact it's in one of my favorite "chick flicks" lol: Pretty Woman.

Another reason for me is that, when I separate from someone, a lot of the words in the song ring rather true. You can see the lyrics here.

Also, I happened to hear it on the radio this morning, which made me think back on that painting and the emotion that went into it.

Sketch: Sleeping Beauty

Another new sketch as I get back in the swing of things. I call her Sleeping Beauty. Which is funny as my current condition has put my sleeping patterns off a bit. This too shall pass. Anyways let me know what you think.

Virginia Drivers...Get it TOGETHER!

 

I think the picture is self-explanatory but I shall expound anyways. I'm going to need NOVA drivers and DC drivers to get it together! Seriously, it doesn't even have to be a snowflake, it just has to a raindrop or better still, ominous clouds....in the DISTANCE!

After driving in this nonsense for about a decade now I must say enough is enough. I just had a car accident, one I'm still recovering from actually, and now I gotta contend with people who fall into a panic whenever it precipitates? NO!

Please, learn to do what people in places like, oh, I don't know, CHICAGO do and that is: GET A FRIGGIN GRIP! Be cautious yes, but not to the point where you put others in danger.

That's all I have for today. Thanks!

"All my Babies' Mamas" --- EXCUSE ME??!!

 

AHEM! Let me get in my "ignant" tone for a moment....


Um...Black People...imma need for you to do betta.

Okay, back to how I normally converse. What is going on in America?

Seriously, who thought this was going to be quality television.

Let me fill you in, the image above is some little known rapper named Shawty Lo. Get that name, one mo' again: Shawty Lo.

Now that we got that out of the way here is the explanation for the photo and my obvious concern. This fool, is in a picture with not one, not two, but SEVERAL of his baby mamas. Someone then thought well why not make a show out of it.

Black people, please realize that we brought this type of programming onto ourselves. Why? Because our culture glorifies this kind of life style, our culture allows for this to happen, and as a result the young men and women born of this culture think this is okay.

I'm normally not one to judge, to quote Mother Theresa "When you judge people, you have no time to love them." In this case, I'm sorry but I HAVE TO. This is not okay. I am a single mother myself, but still I was in a proper marriage and legitimate home with the father of my, not several, but ONE child.

Luckily, they pulled the plug on this tomfoolery before it aired. Seriously, black folks, Imma need for you/us to do better.

For more on this nonsense: http://newsone.com/2139874/all-my-babies-mamas-canceled-shawty-lo/

New Sketch

New Sketch. Below...well that's just the aftermath of the sketch on my hand lol

FINALLY! Painted the cover to my sketch book.

FINALLY painted it. Will eventually post some of the sketches. I don't feel they're worthy of publication JUST yet because I had stopped doing sketching for a while so, I'm getting back into the practice. Lot's of pages to fill but I like how the cover came out! I squeal with excessive amounts of Joy. Also...if you didn't notice I'm in some sort of weird pink phase. ;)

New Painting: Euphoria

Things My Mama Taught Me

1. Be your own parent. No parent is perfect and if you feel something was lacking, its your job as an adult to guide yourself properly.

2. Never go somewhere uninvited. A lady never goes somewhere she is unwanted or imposes on others.

3. Never go somewhere you were invited empty handed. Its low class and you look like a moocher. Also, it shows appreciation for their hospitality.

4. Govern yourself like a lady.

5. Choose to be happy. Everything in this life begins with a choice and happiness is a CHOICE not just an effect of everything going on around you.

6. A lady knows when to leave or let go.

Spreading Happiness

Felt like this one was a good share considering my last post.

I love to see others smile, its why I such a big fan of tickles. If I can't make you laugh with my rather odd sense of humor, then I simply must tickle you!

I will tickle through protestations and frustration, but continue I shall until I see a smile on your face.

I feel better that I have finally arrived back at this point in my life where making others happy no longer makes me feel like I am being taken advantage of and it feels great to look at it from a different perspective. Now its not so much that I do for others with the hopes that I will get something in return. I look at it differently.

Now I look at it and see that just because the love I give to those around me does not get directly reciprocated, it still can be paid forward to another. Perhaps my example will inspire them to do the same for someone else, I find comfort in that.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mahatma Ghandi (1869-1948)

Be happy and share that joy with others. All I've ever wanted in this life is to do just that, share a bit of myself with another and have them do the same back.

That is my short little blurb for the day. And remember, if no one says it to you today, even if we've never met, even if I do not know your name. I love you! Have a great day and do great things! You are here to make a difference, you are here today because you matter!

Life Lessons from Will Smith

I know, surprised me too a bit, but, think about it. He's highly successful, and most folks question it, save for one: Will Smith.

If you click on the photo of Will, it will take you to a YouTube video I happened upon today. I had to watch/listen to it more than once but his words are very profound.

He was speaking on a subject that I have been exploring pretty heavily as of late, and it was really about BELIEVING what you want out of this life for yourself, your dreams, aspirations, etc.

I won't speak long on the subject but one part that stood out most -- because it was a concept I knew but somehow never fully understood -- was how can I give back or share blessings I am gifted with by the Lord or the Universe (depending on your preference of title).

Today, is simply Today

   Today, is just one of those days where I'm not particularly ecstatic about the day nor am I particularly depressed or saddened. Its just simply a day.

I will say that my back is hurting quite a bit today and I know its just a part of the healing process but right now the pain I could most certainly live without. I had physical therapy this morning which was nice and all but I always feel like when I am in more pain after than I was before.

Today I am also feeling happier because of other things, I am happy with my new car and somehow life keeps putting me in line with people and opportunities that prove to be quite useful along my life journey towards my goals.

I am learning to finally believe that I can achieve said goals. I am not sure what it is about me but even though I set goals for myself -- what we all would commonly call New Years Resolutions at this time of year -- for some reason or another I find myself doubting somewhere in the back of my mind that these things will actually happen. That maybe I should stop dreaming and get real.