Whatever

I need to start blogging more. Yeah, I thought I might be bad at this 'keeping up with it' thing. But I will press on. I always put so much importance on what I should be blogging about, like as if it should be earth shattering. But I mean seriously, have I even ever written anything earth shattering? So, I will just post whatever, and you are welcome to read it.

For my whatever today I'm going to suggest some songs to listen to...

Local Natives: Airplanes

The Middle East: Blood

Gang of Four: Damaged Goods (thanks Bryant for your music knowledge)

St.Vincent: Laughing with a Mouth of Blood (this one is funny, has Fred Armistead)

Until another 'whatever'.

Sincerely,

Miranda

No Phone

I went home to Arkansas for the weekend and while my parents were taking me to the airport (30 minutes away) I discovered I had left my phone back home in Conway. We were too far gone to turn around, plus I was already pushing it on time. (Once I arrived at my gate I sat down and before I could even warm my seat they started boarding) It has been very odd not having a phone, its now Tuesday and its been gone since Sunday. It will hopefully arrive tomorrow. Times when I have felt the need/desire for its presence...

-Calling my parents when I got home from the airport (luckily Elissa was there so I used her phone)

-Driving to work (just in case I have a flat tire)

-Shazam! songs I don't know while driving to work (luckily 91.7 has a list of the songs they have played throughout the day so I can look them up)

-Walking to UPS store (just in case somebody needs to reach me, I mean there could be an awesome estate sale, this has happened before)

-Alarm for the morning

-Look whats going on on Twitter & Facebook

-Looking up random trivia while watching TV

-Call Michelle to bug her about the woes of my life

-Call Mom to ask her how she cooks fresh green beans

-Text random things to random friends, like 'I'm bored'

-Constantly check my phone to see if anyone has desired to communicate with me

It's kinda been nice not having it. I have missed it, but then also a weight of responsibility is lifted when you really cannot get in touch with people and they really cannot get in touch with you. It's freeing, but not freeing enough to want to throw my phone away. Maybe just to realize its okay if its not always at my side. I wonder if anyone has called me, it might be a little disheartening if I get my phone back and there are no missed calls or texts. But then hey that is less people I have to call back.

Also, its been interesting to wonder what I would do in different situations. Such as, driving to work and getting flat tire, hopefully I dressed cute enough for some dude to pull over and help me or let me use his phone to call someone. I have realized I do have some numbers memorized, but then maybe there are others I should keep on me just in case. Because the only numbers I have memorized are my friends from elementary school, my house phone (mind you thats in Arkansas), and Elissa's cell phone. Last night at Wal Mart I was putting my groceries in the trunk and wondering if I accidentally locked my keys in the trunk maybe I could walk up to some random person and ask to use their cell phone, however they may think it was some sort of con. Then I decided I could go back inside to Wal Mart and ask the checker-outter dude that checked me out in all meanings of the word (he told me I was pretty as I left. Thank you random guy for a pick-me up! I was even in work-out attire so this was a definite plus!) and ask him if I could use his cell phone or if he knew of a pay phone. Then I could hang out with the ladies that are always sitting outside on the benches eating McDonald's and talking about the latest gossip "Oh giiirrrllll, did you hear about....". But alas, I held onto my keys while closing my trunk.

Sincerely,

Miranda

Music: White Rabbits

I like this band. I love that they have two drummers, and the passion that the singer exudes. Here is one of my favorite songs...

White Rabbits: Percussion Gun

Sincerely,

Miranda

Crafts: Cards

I see cards/stationary at stores and think I could totally do better than this, but then when it comes to needing a card pronto I don't have time to get all my supplies out and whip one up. So, I decided to make some to have on hand, while watching Saturday afternoon movies. They turned out pretty cute. Maybe you'll be receiving one in the mail soon!

Sincerely,

Miranda

This morning I was driving to work, just a regular day. When I get into downtown Dallas I begin a zig-zag of stopping and turning at different lights. While I was stopped at one light I could see the pedestrians across the street waiting for their turn to cross, and there was a lady dancing! She didn't seem crazy, just trying to keep warm and didn't care what people thought. Love it! She was an older black woman doing a step like Jimmy Stewart did in 'It's a Wonderful Life' right before he fell in the pool. Step front. Together. Step Back. Together. What wonderful zest for life!

It encouraged me that there are silly, joyful people in downtown. Normally, I get the feeling that everybody is professional and stuffy, or beaten-down and homeless. How lovely!

Sincerely,

Miranda

bad day turned good

Why, hello. I love art, but never make time for it. I had a bad day at work in November and Elissa (roomie) suggested I paint. So when I got home I did and took pics throughout the process. I began by sketching on the canvas.

I used my hands to start with the base colors. I had no plan I just prayed and asked God to go work it all out, all my talent comes from Him anyways. Often I regret not planning something out first, always wanting to have things in control. But really I just need to sit back and let God drive, He has so many loving surprises for me, I just need to trust Him and have fun with what He's given me!



Here I started putting more detail, more darks and lights. I started using a brush that's like an inch in width. I love this loose style, reminds me of one of my fav painters, Frank Auerbach, I just am naturally like that, loosey-goosey, if I get to detail oriented I start to become to perfectionistic about it so I just let go and try not to think about it.




I wiped my brush on my shirt, American eagle had a white shirt with paint stains, I can do it to for cheaper and it has a lot more character!



All done. I had no idea what it would turn out looking like when I started, further evidence this is totally God showing how awesome He is through me. I think it's interesting too how much emotion came out, I got happier while painting but you can tell that I was sad but I feel there is hope in there. Like the way the light is coming in on the right and there is some warmth peeking through on my skin. How lovelye God has my emotions flow through my fingers and onto canvas, why do I not so this more often?! Man o' man I need to, I love it! Hope you enjoyed it.

Sincerely,
Miranda

Beginning

Well, here is my blog. Ta da! What shall I put on here? Let's see, I'll just put whatever. Like what I'm working on, thinking about, interested in, etc. All of the typical blog stuff. I feel like many blogs are like journals. When you get a new journal it is new and there are so many possibilities! You may write in it a few times but then the newness wears off and you find it later in the black hole between your bed and the wall. So, let's see how long I stick with it.

Sincerely,
Miranda