Stoplights are a Go.

I was on StumbleUpon (one of my favorite websites) and came across this concept for a new stoplight. I find the idea intriguing and think it would help with traffic quite a bit, because you'll know exactly how much time is being spent while at a stoplight.



The concept is simple as you can see. The hourglass shows how much 'sand' is left before the color changes. In the case of a yellow light it shows you how much time is left before you are either able to go or how much time you have to stop.

However, this thought on time swiftly followed the traffic lights leaving me wondering if traffic lights that show how time runs out would be a good idea after all?



I can't imagine life without time. I can't imagine not having an i-phone or a clock or a computer somewhere near by to tell me what time of day it is. What did our ancestors do before they began marking the passing of time with sundials? Did they worry over all the things we worry over now? Did they imagine their time, their lives, slipping like sand through a vast hourglass, slowly disappearing?

We have a tendency to see time as a finite thing. A thing that ends. And it does, in a sense. For all of us the clock will eventually cease to tick, the sand cease to fall, the sun cease to set. We end, therefore, for us, time ends.

Time however is immeasurable. It is like taffy, pulled out into endless ropes of forever. It pulls further and further. We do not have the capability to even begin to comprehend the infinite amount of time there is stretching out before us. Yawning out like a black chasm, an endlessly long tunnel.

I think that makes it scary. Time will go on. Life will go on. We won't. We will end. Everything ends. But even after everything is gone, there will still be time. In the abyss of everything there will always be time.

Pork Chops

This is triumph. The audacity of living in a world that continues to berate you and tell you that you aren't good enough. This is the strength of hope, a shining light in the darkness that feeds on our fears and our sadness. This is beauty. And it lives in all of us.

The Harlot's Blush

It is impossible to say how long they had been insane. The madness was a black pool in which they had, long, been drowning. It was toxic, yet it seemed to give them an almost ethereal loveliness. A tainted beauty enveloped their house and clung to them like so many flecks of ivory colored mud.

He had been a soldier. The blood stains of war could be seen beneath the slowly cracking facade. He lost himself somewhere in the torn jungles of a foreign land and between the legs of a beautiful, young, girl with soulless eyes. His infidelities, to both his wife and himself, often stirred the fires of madness to the point of a break. He would fling himself into a scalding tub of water and scream at God for just a moment of peace. When it had passed he would remind himself that God had died, with him, in those war torn jungles long ago.

She had been a victim of incestuous desires, forced to run from her home to escape an older brother. She had run as far as her twenty dollars and sixty-two cents could take her before she began hocking the only thing left to her. She married the first man that asked and lied, saying she was eighteen. She was his wife, a leash on the madness, already creeping in, until the war. Everything changed after that. While he was gone, she took a lover and began to drink. The scars building on her arms and torso were just to bleed, not to kill. There was no one there to care.

After another fifth of whatever alcohol she can find, she stumbles into his arms. He is shaking and whispering. He looks afraid, as if he were a wounded rabbit being hunted by something more sinister than a fox.

"God is dead. He died between that girl's legs in those forsaken jungles. What a waste. What a tragedy." He whispers into her tousled amber hair as he plants a small kiss on her pale earlobe. He is speaking nonsense, he always does after the nightmares begin. And they always begin this time of year.

~~~

The couple next door have finished moving in and are having a celebratory dinner. They invite their neighbors, though they feel uneasy around them. They can sense the wrongness beneath the calm, everyone can. At first the young wife pleads with her husband not to invite them. There is something there that makes her frightened. Proper etiquette and good manners win in the end.

The evening begins, quietly, with a few casual drinks and pleasantly neutral banter. It grows into a robust game of chess, unwitting pawns in the world of questions. It fades into a hulking paranoia, and resentment, as the guests are politely introduced to the door. Good nights and good byes are given and received as they part for the night.

~~~

The paranoia sits on his chest as he tosses and turns. He must have the beautiful young woman next door. She is perfect, so wonderfully fresh and new. He must have her. His wife doesn't matter, she doesn't even compare. The young woman next door is all that matters.

He watches her, day after day. He follows her as she walks home from the store. He memorizes her curves as he stalks her. He is waiting for the moment to take her, the moment where she will be his alone. He waits, patiently, for a year, writhing in the heat of his lust and the agony of his madness.

He takes her. Takes her just as he did a young girl in a foreign country years ago. He strings her up and rakes his hot hands over her body. He says he will take his time, enjoy her, but impatience is a cruel master. It drives the knife into her writhing body over and over. It is impotence and rage, tempered with insanity, that drives the knife. He can no longer satisfy his wife or himself. Not since that girl in the jungles where God died. He can no longer be a man.

~~~

She finds him in the shed in the fenced-in backyard. He is wallowing in blood and praying to his crucified Madonna. He is crying and has cut himself. She finds his severed manhood lying beside the young neighbor's wilting corpse. Gently, she lifts it from the dirt floor and places it in an empty firefly jar.

She goes to him then. She kneels beside him and takes his head into her lap, caressing his tangled hair. She pries the knife from his hand and twines her fingers with his. She bends over him to kiss his cheek, all the while murmuring words of comfort. She imagines a crown of thorns on his beautiful head as she slits his throat.

She ties him up beside the neighbor woman and begins to devolve into her own wickedness. Her eyes glitter with hatred and insanity, the madness a poisonous balm to her breaking heart. She hums an off-key melody as she lines up jars. They are mostly empty, but in her mind they are holding the parts of every man that harmed her.

She croons, softly, to his body as it, too, begins to wilt. She glances into his tear-bright eyes, still wide in shock at his sudden demise. She sings to him, as if he were a sleepy child. Brushing a stray wisp of hair from his face, she pats his cheek.

"A beautiful forest, a sea of green, nestled at the foot of the mountain. God stands within, laughing at the rotting demons strung amongst the autumn leaves. Their eyes cry out and ghosts weep, quietly. No mortal loves his life in that forest.

"You look so peaceful," she whispers, caressing his cooling face. His eyes seem to be screaming at her. "so calm and beautiful. You didn't have to take her when I would have given myself up to your knife. Was my blood not perfect for this exorcism? Was my heart not beating for you as the blade graced your throat?

"What a waste. What a tragedy. What a beautiful blush the harlot has upon her snow cheek. She fell in love with you, even as you wielded your blade against her. She parted softly with your name, a hallowed prayer, upon her bloody lips. She was a rose and you stole her petals, a goddess in flesh and you freed her from imprisonment.

"What now, my husband? What now, my love?"

She sees him stir at these last words. A strangled scream escapes her mouth as he sways toward her. His hands, once secured, now reach out to choke her, to deny her breath. She claws and gnashes her teeth, sinking into his cold flesh and tearing it. She hears him howling, like a werewolf, his screams beating against the drum of her skull. All her struggle is in vain.

~~~

They found her with her own hands wrapped around her throat. Red teeth marks and torn flesh lay in abundance. The two bodies, hung from the rafters, seemed to be in a lover's pose. A bloody heart was drawn on the wall behind them.

When she was revived all that could be discerned from her garbled speech was "heaven." They led her away from the scene in a white coat, given to her by the nice man also in white.

What they could not understand she knew all too well.

She had tasted heaven in her final scene.

The Velvet Goldmine

When I was younger I used to babysit my cousins all the time. I didn't mind this because I could watch what I wanted on TV after they went to sleep and I had an available assortment of snacks and what not at my Aunt's. It is on one such evening of babysitting that I discovered a movie called "Velvet Goldmine."

I didn't actually watch the whole thing at the time. Just bits and pieces of it. I couldn't get into it and, admittedly, the only reason I watched it was for promised sex scenes. I was approximately sixteen so I hadn't really figured sex out just yet. I was, however, overtly curious.







The other day I was thinking about it, out of nowhere mind you, and I decided to procure a copy of it. And the other night I watched the whole thing. THE WHOLE THING.

Worst decision ever, mind you. I stayed up until after 1AM watching a movie that I really had a hard time getting into. And it wasn't that good of a movie. Personally speaking of course.

There are a few things I have figured out from this film:
1. Lady Gaga is just a copy of Brian Slade/Maxwell Demon
2. Jeffree Starr is a poor imitation of Jack Fairy.
3. Jonathan Rhys Meyers looks like Fawn when he has longer reddish hair...

The story revolves around Brian Slade, a bisexual glam-rocker in the 70's loosely based on David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust; Arthur Stuart, a British journalist, closeted homosexual and glam-rock fan; and Curt Wild, a garage band singer on the edge. Also starring: copious amounts of Homosexual and Heterosexual sex and Ewan McGregor's penis.

Of course there are a few other intriguing characters such as Mandy Slade (played by Toni Collette) and Jerry Divine (played by my favorite comedian Eddie Izzard!). But they aren't nearly as interesting as the main characters.

Overall, I didn't like the film. I didn't like how they filmed it, though it renewed my appreciation of nude Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as a whole... But that was it.

If you read the synopsis of the film it actually sounds really interesting and very psychedelic. Which it is very psychedelic. But not really in a good way.

The lines purloined from Oscar Wilde are thrown in haphazardly, dialogue is practically non-existent. The music isn't very good. The whole thing felt like it was trying really hard to be deep and intense. It came off as being faker than fake.

On a scale of 10, I would rate this a 2. Ewan's penis is about the only thing that made this for me. That and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Do You Remember?

I stumbled upon this song whilst exploring a side of YouTube I've never been to before.

In many ways this experience is like stumbling into an older section of a magnificent library and suddenly discovering thousands of books you want to read. You are lost in this wonderland with absolutely no desire to leave it.

That's what happened when I came across this little appreciated part of YouTube.

How did I find these songs, you may ask? By following a friend of mine through the proverbial rabbit hole. She posted a song. A song by the young woman that I am about to post. I listened to it and liked it. I then clicked on like videos and the next thing I knew I was lost and in love with the feeling.

I found a group called Starfucker and one called Hungry Ghosts (which inspired a poem for my previous post). I have fallen in love with this little niche of music, so the next few days expect music you've probably never heard (unless you are my little sister who digs the indie scene).

For now, I would like to present Ane Brun with the song "Do You Remember?"

The Ship of Dreams

One hundred years ago, at 2:20AM on April 15th, 1912, RMS Titanic broke in half and sank into the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean. Only approximately 700 people were saved out of the 2,214 on board. It is considered one of the greatest non-conflict tragedies of the past century.

As many of you know "Titanic," the movie by James Cameron, celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the famed ship's sinking by re-releasing the movie to theatres, this time in 3D.

On a whim, I decided it would be an experience to see "Titanic" at approximately the same time RMS Titanic was sinking a century ago. I had never seen the movie in theatres (as I mentioned in my last blog involving Titanic) so that would be an experience as well. For this whim, I recruited Kid, whom I take on many adventures with me.

The experience is one I will never forget, nor would I wish to change it for anything in the world.

It is hard to explain what an impact this experience had on me, really, but I shall try to explain.

Firstly, having had time to think about it since I decided to do it, I should've had this on my bucket list before now. So, after the fact, I christen that one of my bucket list items, now fulfilled. *Cheers and balloons*

My "Titanic" experiences began with the tickets. I purchased the tickets online and we picked them up when we arrived at the theatre. With our tickets was an "official" boarding pass. Pictorial evidence below.




Being the history buff/nerd that I am, the boarding pass really solidified the experience for me. I am in the movie, a part of the history. That's how it feels for me anyway.

Which brings me to the 3D part. Because the movie wasn't originally 3D it obviously didn't quite translate. It didn't "pop" quite like a 3D movie is supposed to, but it gave the whole thing a little more depth, a little more realism. That is one of the few things I like about 3D, is the feeling of being a part of the movie. I feel like it not quite "popping" out (like any other 3D movie) made it more substantial. Personal opinion of course.

During the movie there were shots of the skylight ceiling in the First Class portion of the ship. I have stood under a smaller reproduction of this skylight in the National Museum of History in Washington DC. In fact, pictorial evidence follows of that as well! It is a small reproduction, but a reproduction nonetheless!



That was a startling feeling, almost surreal. Thinking "Wow, I stood under something almost exactly like that." Not quite as earth shattering as seeing a face eerily similar to my own in the Holocaust Museum, but pretty damn close. Its one of those moments where you are so close to history you can almost reach out and touch it. And I love those moments!

I was in awe throughout the movie. So much so that I was too entranced to cry during parts that have always choked me up before. Granted, there were a few tears shed, but so few that I was surprised.

The "love" that Jack and Rose have for each other is really quite powerful, with a lot more substance than other movies with "love at first sight" type gimmicks. Jack understands Rose, he is attracted to her (of course, who wouldn't be?), but he doesn't try to take advantage of that. At least, not in my personal view. The person trying to take advantage of Rose is Cal. It's even strongly hinted that they are already occupying the marriage bed, even though they haven't been officially married.

Beside the point entirely. I just really like the romance of this movie, even though I don't generally like romantic movies. Exceptions being anything with Cary Grant or Clark Gable (or any other old movie star hotness).

I have come to appreciate this movie more as I've gotten older. When I was younger I always avoided romantic movies because they depressed me. I was alone and I hated everyone for being in love. I hated romance, I hated sex (because I wasn't having any), I hated love, I hated it all. Now that I am settled into my own committed relationship I can watch those movies and be happy for the character. That kind of unselfish happiness that comes when you already have it yourself.

The other thing I have come to appreciate is Leonardo DiCaprio. He is so handsome! How did I not think he was hot when I was younger? Of course, it helps that I now know his acting prowess... It took some time (because I am ALWAYS behind the trends), but I am a Leo fan! So seeing this as a Leo fan changed my perspective too.

Seeing the Titanic going down, knowing that One hundred years before it was going down, was the most powerful feeling. It was like being there. As close to reality as I can get. And it was amazing.

All in all, I had so much fun. I wondered if I might have some supernatural experiences, but if I did they were internalized. It was enough to be there. Enough to say I did it. To mark it off my bucket list as I put it there.

To all the people who were lost Rest in Peace, may you be as Rose was in the end of the movie. Happy and re-united with those you love.

Dali's Jewels

Last December I went with Fawn and Trent to a Salvador Dali exhibit. All three of us are huge Dali fans (Surrealism being something I hold near and dear to my heart) so we were incredibly excited.

What I didn't know about Dali was that he also created surrealist jewelry. Including my favorite piece:

The fully articulated Starfish Brooch.


Not only is this a fully articulated Starfish (as in it was designed to be able to wrap around your hand/wrist), but it is made with a stunningly huge pearl, rubies, emeralds and diamonds for a one of a kind gorgeous piece. I've never seen such a beautiful starfish.

This is my favorite piece for a multitude of reasons, but mostly because even though it is completely made from jewels it manages to not be gaudy and ridiculous looking. Plus it is able to be moved and wrapped however you may want. A famous actress once wore this piece, provocatively, on her breast.

This is a drawing of the design and the articulation of the brooch as done by Dali.


In my search of Dali Jewelry, I discovered this piece by one Elsa Schiaperelli.


This lobster brooch is definitely Dali-esque in my mind. Not only in its relation to the sea (as the Starfish), but in its simplistically complex and beautifully realized design. It is the concept of creating beauty out of something that is generally disregarded by the public as common place and ugly that most attracts me. Personally. And, as it turns out, Ms. Schiaperelli was a fan of Dali's surrealism, which may or may not have inspired her to create this particular piece.

Whilst looking at some other pieces by Ms. Schiaperelli, I discovered these Leopard Skin Booties. If they weren't real leopard skin (which I don't believe they are) I would actually considering wear this particular pair. If only because I think of them as simplistically designed. I like simple.


And, because the internet is a strange place and I started thinking about other types of jewelry and beautiful things, here is a delicate piece by Fabrege, creator of Fabrege eggs.


He, too, apparently found under sea life worthy of jewelry pieces as you can see from this Sea Horse.


While we are talking about Fabrege, what is it about Fabrege's eggs that makes them so beautiful? What is it about Eggs themselves that makes them beautiful? I don't really understand it myself, but every since I was young I've loved things that were egg shaped. I have a little glass jewelry egg decorated with painted roses that holds my change. I have a little egg shaped perfume bottle that my Aunt Peggy gave me when I was 10 or so. Well, for that matter I have a pineapple shaped perfume bottle she gave me too, but that has nothing to do with eggs.

Maybe, for me, it just goes back to the simplicity of it. Or maybe it goes back to how we all come from some type of egg and the beginning of life? For whatever reason, eggs are beautiful.


This particular egg is Jade. One of my favorite precious stones. Except that I prefer White Jade.


I don't know why I like this one. Except that I think it is pretty.


I am done rambling for the moment. I'm starting to get tired and I think it is nap time for this blogger. I hope you enjoyed my randomness on jewelry, sea creatures and eggs. I'm off to try to get "Jack Sparrow" by the Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton out of my head.

Porn Star Dancin'

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Buckaroo Banzai across the Eighth Dimension

This is something new I'm trying out. I am going to be posting a blog (every now and then) about some 80's movies I have seen and enjoyed. They are all ridiculous (mostly because of bad 80's fashion), but some of them are ridiculous in a good way. Take, for example, the following movie.

If you have never heard of the movie "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension" you don't even know what you are missing. Besides who could resist a title like that?

Here is a sample of what you are missing:
* Romance
* Aliens
* A bunch of people with the name John
* Worst Eighties styles ever
* Un-real Science
and...
* Peter Weller when he was young and fucking hot.

The Trailer


If that didn't impress you here are some quotes from the film:
- "May I pass along my congratulations for your great interdimensional breakthrough. I am sure, in the miserable annals of the Earth, you will be duly enshrined." - Lord John Whorfin (played by John Lithgow)

- "Sealed with a curse as sharp as a knife. Doomed is your soul and damned is your life." - Lord John Whorfin

- "I've been ionized, but I'm okay now." - Buckaroo Banzai (played by Peter Weller)

- "Why is there a watermelon there?" - New Jersey (played by Jeff Goldblum)

- "You're like Jerry Lewis, you give me hope to carry on, then you leave me in the lurch while you strap on your six-guns..." - Penny Priddy (played by Ellen Barkin)

- "Buckaroo, I don't know what to say. Lectroids? Planet 10? Nuclear extortion? A girl named 'John'?" - President Widmark (played by Ronald Lacey)

- "Buckaroo, The White House wants to know is everything ok with the alien space craft from Planet 10 or should we just go ahead and destroy Russia?" - Mission Control (played by Kent Perkins)
"Tell him yes on one and no on two." - Buckaroo Banzai
"Which one was yes, go ahead and destroy Russia... or number 2?" - Mission Control

- "No, she's not. Now, let her out and give her your coat." - Buckaroo Banzai
"Why me?" - Perfect Tommy (played by Lewis Smith)
"Because you're perfect." - Buckaroo Banzai
"You have a point there." - Perfect Tommy

Some things you must know about this movie (besides what I already told you)

*SPOILERS*
Buckaroo Banzai is not only a Neurosurgeon, but he is also a Rock star, Crime fighter, Superhero, Genius who is half Japanese (even though Peter Weller doesn't look Asian at all). Did we mention that he is an inventor too?

His wife died, but that's okay because he falls in love with her twin sister, Penny Priddy, who didn't even know that she had a twin! Don't you love those 80's twists?

Perfect Tommy is Perfect.

Apparently all Aliens are named John. Even the girls.

What kind of name do these wonderful crime fighters have for their group? The Hong Kong Cavaliers. ^^

And one of my favorite parts of the movie is the Credits. Why? Because I like the music and its fun to watch the entirety of the crew walking in their bad 80's clothes. Did I mention Perfect Tommy was perfect? Well, he is also shirtless... O.O So, for your enjoyment, the credits!!

Credits


Thus concludes my blog. I'm Sarai, this is my blog and I am out like the Eighth Dimension.

Harlem Renaissance Man

Romare Bearden



Romare Bearden was an African-American artist famous for his collages.



Some Interesting Facts
* Had his first solo exhibition in 1940 in Harlem.

* Worked as a lead cartoonist and art editor for The Medley, a monthly journal.

* Received the National Medal of Art in 1987, the year before he passed away, from President Ronald Reagan.

* Bearden experimented with all different types of art including: Collages (which is what he became most famous for), Chinese landscape and calligraphy, Byzantine mosaics, Japanese prints and African art.

* Recurring themes in Bearden's work are ritual, music and family.

* He sometimes designed sets for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company.

Some Quotes from Romare Bearden
- "We look too much to museums. The sun coming up in the morning is enough."

- "Practically all great artists accept the influence of others. But... the artist with vision... by integrating what he has learned with his own experiences... molds something distinctly personal."

- "What you don't need is just as important as what you do need."

- "Painting is a self-disciplined activity that you have to learn by yourself."

- "Every artist wants his work to be permanent. But what is? The Aswan Dam covered some of the greatest art in the world. Venice is sinking. Great books and pictures were lost in the Florence floods. In the meantime we still enjoy butterflies."

- "When I conjure these memories, they are of the present to me, because after all, the artist is a kind of enchanter in time."

A couple of Art Pieces by Romare Bearden

What's in the News?

Apparently a lot of penis is in the news today. *shrug* Why do men do weird things involving their junk?

A doctor in Romania went slightly berserk. No big deal right? Wrong. He went crazy and not only chopped off some man's penis (during surgery to correct a testicular abnormality), but he also chopped it into little BITS.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/33257-row-over-angry-penis-removing-doctor

A man, to win a car, has the word MINI tattooed on to his penis.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/853682-man-has-mini-tattooed-on-penis-to-win-car

Whatever you do, don't give your female employees dildos for their birthdays. Just a bad idea all around.
http://swns.com/woman-sues-boss-over-vibrator-birthday-present-021139.html

How should you dress when your ex-girlfriend is on trial for the murder of two of your three children? Like a character from a Stephen King novel.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1352200/Father-James-Maynard-children-killed-arrives-court-horror-clown-mask.html

Imagine, you have just picked up your birth certificate only to find that you are not the gender you thought you were and are actually 10 years older.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/854399-birth-certificate-of-man-47-claims-hes-a-woman-57

A 100 year old death threat. Pretty nifty, actually.
http://www.bugsandcranks.com/tylermaas/baseball/want-to-see-a-100-year-old-death-threat-mailed-to-a-pitcher/

and last, but certainly not least, the model for the "Mona Lisa" may have been a man. Not only a man, but possibly, Leonardo da Vinci's gay lover.
http://www.kptv.com/entertainment/26708827/detail.html

All for now, but I'm glad to have gotten some news up and some semblance of a blog back together. ^^ Will post more soon!

love,
Sarai

A Fashionable Affair

As promised here is another blog on Fashion and the Fashionable. Today we're going to look at clothing for women, particularly dresses and swim suits. Partially because the trends hardly ever change for men and partially because I am a woman.

First up on women's fashion is this "classic" knit dress by Mark Fast. I'm not sure what the classic part means. Mr. Fast, I would just like to say has not created anything spectacular with this piece, at least in this blogger's opinion. I could also make something like this, being a knitter. It would take time and the materials, but would roughly cost you $30 to $40. That would cover the materials used and, unless I charged you by the hour, my time spent making it. This piece will cost you £1,285.00. That is how much it would cost you in Euros, in United States Dollars (USD) it will cost you more, because the dollar isn't exactly up right now. Total cost in US currency is $1,572.05.


Next up we have a beautiful bathing suit (as Summer has finally arrived). I don't know who designed it, but I think it is one of the most beautiful pieces I've seen. I especially like the side piece connecting the top and bottom. As far as swimsuits go this is my favorite. If you know who designed this particular piece feel free to leave me a comment.


Also in fashion right now is this lovely piece that people are calling a "suspender vest". I actually am looking into making one for myself. I've been seeing a lot of girls wearing this around where I live. I love the simple cut of it and how it accentuates the bust line. I also love the blouse that they chose to pair this with. It looks perfect for the office or a night out with friends. Plus it can be paired with either a nice pair of slacks or a pencil skirt.


This is one of my favorite dresses. I love the neckline, I like the hemming and I love the particular shade that they chose for it. I love the length, though I personally wouldn't wear it that short(I'm self-conscious) and I love the way it hangs on the mannequin. Mini dresses are in this season and they are quite cute, in my opinion.


Up next is a black dress by Carla Zampatti. This is another of my favorite dresses, not just because it is black, but because of the simplicity. If you haven't noticed by now, I love simplicity in my clothing and shoes. The ruffles at the top serve to accentuate the simplicity of the rest of the dress, but still add a decent amount of flair to the piece. I'm not quite sure if this is an A-line or an Empire waisted dress because of the model's stance, but it is lovely nonetheless. I would prefer this dress to the fabled "little black dress".


This next picture is of another bathing suit. This particular bathing suit is a Julisha Cut Out Bathing suit. Firstly, I hate the color scheme. It is too loud and the colors do not match well. Secondly, I don't like the way it is designed. It appears to be too complex to even attempt to put on, let alone be comfortable in. This type of swimsuit is bound to bunch up on you if you try to lay on your stomach and provide some very unappealing tan lines if you lie on your back. And did I mention that I hate the color scheme?


Lastly, we have a Hervé Léger piece as worn by singer, Kelly Rowland. I love the designs that are found all over the front and sides of this particular dress. Especially the right side with the lace up pattern. It gives a great sense of a corset on the sides, while still keeping the flow of the rest of the dress. I also love the length of the sleeves. They fit perfectly with the short hem of the dress itself and keep everything balanced.


Look forward to more dresses, shoes, men's clothing, women's clothing and other such fashion trends in the next blog. ^^

Peace and Elbow Grease,
Sarai.

The Subtle Art of Fashion

I am always the first person to admit that I am NOT fashionable. Not in any way, shape or form. I don't like dresses, I abhor shoes and I detest being confined to what is in and what is out. However, this doesn't mean that I don't like things that ARE fashionable. I love looking at beautiful clothes and shoes. I like knowing what is in fashion and what isn't. I like watching the trends while I do my own thing.

Anyway, this is a blog about different things going on in the fashion world. Some of them are strange, some gorgeous and some just what the fuck? Some of them I even like! So let's begin the tour shall we?

For this particular blog let's start with Shoes. Shoes are the bane of my existence. I love being barefoot. Though, admittedly I love the way some shoes look. I also like the way my feet look in some shoes. I think if I had smaller feet I'd like them better. Unfortunately, for myself, I have size 11 feet (10 in men's) and they just don't make enough cute shoes for my size.

2010 is definitely the year for new and innovative shoes. I'm pretty sure that Lady Gaga has helped with this as the shoes she often wears in her videos are very strange and painful looking. And as I'm sure most people know fashion trends often follow celebrity.

The first picture I would like to show is of a shoe imitating a red rose. I think it is one of the most gorgeously designed shoes I've ever seen. I love roses, being one of my favorite flowers, and this particular shoe captures all the beauty of a rose with the simplicity of heels. The curves of the petals are especially beautiful. Delicate and simple, but they add a touch of class to this already classy shoe.


Next we have the Mink Shoe. This shoe is supposedly lined with genuine mink fur. I do not particularly like this shoe, completely putting aside the fact that it is lined with mink. It isn't a very well designed shoe, in my opinion. Also, the particular pairing of reptilian skin and mink fur does not seem very logical to me. Whilst both can create a beautiful piece of fashion, I do not think that the two together is a good combination. Also, the reptilian pattern changes in four different instances, making the unevenness unappealing to say the least.
Follow the link to see where the fur comes from: http://wildlifemysteries.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/american-mink2.jpg


Next on our list of shoes is the Manolo Blahnik Pepe Sandal. I prefer the closed toe version of these sandals, but was unable to find a good picture of them. I must admit that Manolo Blahnik's shoes are beautiful. I really do like them. If I was into spending hundreds of dollars on shoes that will be out of fashion by the fall, I would buy his shoes. I think what I like about these particular shoes is the simplicity. These shoes don't have to be extravagant or crazy to be beautiful. They are simplistically classy and elegant all on their own.


This next shoe is just for shits and giggles as far as shoes go. Whilst it would definitely be a good anti-rape tool, it is also quite pretty if you look past the spikes. I am a fan of simplicity when it comes to shoes. The simpler the better. Often people think they have to have elaborate hair, costumes and shoes to be beautiful, but beauty is often found in simplicity. Such is the case with this shoe. Remove the spikes and you have a beautiful, simple, shoe.


Our next picture is of a shoe designed by Catherine Malandrino. I love the color of it, but not so much a fan of the heel. It is an interesting design and with the right outfit would kick some major ass, but personally speaking I wouldn't wear them. These would, however, offer more support than the average spiked heel.


Our last shoe for today is another Manolo Blahnik shoe. I do not know the exact name of this particular shoe, but love it. Well, except the point. I am not that big a fan of pointed toe shoes. I like rounded toe shoes, because it offers more comfort for the wearer. However, many women don't care and will go to great lengths to be fashionable. Such is the case with the pointed toe wonder that is this particular creation by Manolo Blahnik. I love the beading and the design on the shoe itself. It is a simple enough shoe, but the beading and various patterning really brings it out.


Well, that is all for now. I plan on posting some more on the topic of fashion relatively soon. Look forward to Wedding fashion, some more shoe fashion and other such fashionable things.

In the mean time,
Peace and Elbow Grease,
Sarai.

A Full Course Meal.

I suppose it is that time again, where I post something. I have been a little lax in posting the words of the day, partially because everything has been so crazy here. So, this is a short apology and a post just for you!

I'M SORRY! (See, short apology)

Now onto the rest of the post...

On today's menu we have as an appetizer:

Je Reviens by Kaolin as our song of the day. I heard these guys after a friend of mine on Facebook posted a status about them. I really like this particular song and I hope you do too!!


and we have for the main course:

Some interesting articles I have found recently. Some of them warm my heart and others make it grow cold as ice, but for now, let's start with some that warm the heart!

A Tabby cat named Zoe has adopted 3 abandoned BOBCATS. Everything is being done to protect the tabby and the bobkittens, and hopefully the bobkittens can return to the wild!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100430/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_cat_nurses_bobcats

A teenager (allegedly obsessed with death) dug up a corpse in a private Jewish cemetery and hacked off it's foot. No word yet from the corpse's lawyers. ^^
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/crime/stories/DN-foot_01met.ART.State.Edition1.b3357.html

Apparently the U.S. and China are in a Honey war... Well, isn't that a sticky situation (I know, that joke was terrible, but still funny)!
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/04/30/Scientist-China-avoiding-honey-tariff/UPI-99381272637537/

and for dessert:

These are a few interesting bits that I found whilst stumbling around on the net. I hope you enjoy them as much I do!

Stephanie Metz creates wool sculptures. That's right, she takes wool and a felting needle and creates beautiful sculptures with it. I love the pictures of her work!
http://www.funlobby.com/index.php/201001021440/awesome-woollen-sculptures.html

France, known as the Romantic Country, is home to a very bizarre statue. Born of the Renaissance, this statue is called Transi de René de Chalon. It is a replication of the decomposition of the human body, a skeleton with dried flesh hanging from its limbs and holding its own heart. It once held the REAL heart of the person it was created for (René de Chalon, Prince of Orange), but that has long disappeared.
http://atlasobscura.com/place/transi-de-ren-de-chalon

The picture that I am about to post is a new thing called the "bijini" It is the combination of jeans and a bikini. I would really like to know your opinions on it, as it seems really crazy to me. I kind of like it though. ^^


That's all for now, I plan on posting the words of the day tonight before I go to work. Hope everyone has a good day!!

Sarai

I'm a Barbie Girl

Hey everyone! So I am stumbling (AGAIN) and I am going to share with you what I have found interesting. I hope to have something a little more uniform than this eventually, but for now this is the randomness that is my blog. Please enjoy and tell your friends!!

Some Websites ^^
http://www.alterfin.com/dominique/
http://virtualfunzone.com/literally-live-pictures.html

TWO news item that are too good to wait for the news blog!
Meet the first LEGALLY GENDERLESS person. It is named Norrie May-Welby and is from Australia. A VERY interesting article, I think. I hope you enjoy it.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/03/16/2010-03-16_no_sex_for_me_please_extranssexual_briton_is_first_legally_genderless_person.html

I personally love Archaeology and so I am incredibly interested in this article about a 4,000 year old cemetery discovered in the middle of a desert in Tibet.
http://www.theage.com.au/world/desert-riddle-unearthed-ancient-western-boat-people-20100316-qcks.html

You get not one, not two, but FOUR pictures for the day!!

HELLO KIDNEY!


I wanna place a bet of $100 on the Count von Count!


Mona Lisa never looked so tasty!


I love BioShock! ^^


A few Quotes I really like
"Achievement of your happiness is the only moral purpose of your life, and that happiness, not pain or mindless self-indulgence, is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of your values."
Ayn Rand (Objectivist)

"Eloquent speech is not from lip to ear, but rather from heart to heart."
William Jennings Bryan (Lawyer)

and in honor of Women's History month a few quotes on women.
"No longer should women be denied the right to vote, no longer should women be treated as second class citizens, no longer should women not be allowed to be a citizen at all."
Ginny B. Waite (Female Politician)

"We women must listen to our inner voice. It is easier for women to do this as they are not afraid to say what they feel."
Indra Devi (a Disciple of Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya)

"Women who love women are Lesbians. Men, because they can only think of women in sexual terms, define Lesbian as sex between women."
Rita Mae Brown (Author)

And, because I COMPLETELY spaced African-American History Month (I usually don't forget it as it is my favorite month besides September)
"No other group in America has so had their identity socialized out of existence as have black women... When black people are talked about the focus tends to be on black men; and when women are talked about the focus tends to be on white women."
Bell Hooks (Author, Feminist)

"We need somebody who's got the heart, the empathy, to recognize what it's like to be a young teenage mom, the empathy to understand what it's like to be poor or African-American or gay or disabled or old - and that's the criterion by which I'll be selecting my judges."
Barack Obama (The First Black President)

"Genius is an African who dreams up snow."
Vladimir Nabokov (Novelist)

And a recipe for good measure!!

7-Up Apple Dumplings recipe
makes: 10 Servings

2 c Sugar
10 Large apples
1 ts Cinnamon
1 Can biscuits
1/2 ts Nutmeg
1 ts Nutmeg
1 Stick butter
1 ts Cinnamon
20 oz 7-up
12 Butter

In saucepan combine first group of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter and the
7- up.

Heat until melted, set aside.

Peel and core apples, separate dough from 1 can biscuits. Separate and roll out each biscuit individually and place 1 apple in each.

Combine second group of sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Sprinkle 1 tsp. of this mixture in center of each apple along with 2 T.
butter.

Fold biscuit around apple and pinch dough. Put dumplings in 9 x 13"
pan. Pour sauce over each dumpling.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.