The Future Is Amazing

   Okay...I’ll admit it.  I took these pictures months ago and that’s why I suddenly have shorter hair and bangs again.  However, despite the current time of year, it’s fairly chilly out today and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to post the fall pictures I never had time to feature. 

   At one point in my life this act would be unthinkable.  In fact, around the time I took these photographs I would have never considered posting images out of chronological order.  However, as I’ve stated before, I aim for this to be my carefree hippie summer and damn it, you have to start somewhere…right? 

   As a result, I no longer feel restrained by the stupid little rules I make up in my head.  If I want to post fall outfits in May I’m going to.  Especially when the weather outside is perfectly appropriate for this type of outfit.  In addition, I’ve given up strictly posting on Sunday mornings.  Look at me world!  It’s Saturday afternoon and I’ve got some free time.  I don’t think a lightning bolt will strike me if I publish today?...nah!…no?

   Most importantly, I no longer feel like I have to blather on about nothing for at least one Word Document page’s worth simply because that’s what I randomly decided my standard essay length should be.  I've finally decided I can write as little, or as much as I want.  No one cares!  Okay...actually that might not be true, considering there are a few friends of mine that have loyally kept reading this thing despite the drivel I’ve continually spewed out.  These kind and patient individuals might be delighted to hear I will be allowing myself to write less if there is simply nothing worth saying. I want to state I remain ever so grateful to those people.  You have kept my hobby alive, which in turn has kept me happy with my life. 

   …and that’s about all I’ve got.   Honestly the day so far has been pretty mellow.  I took the dogs for a walk…oh, I guess there was all those ticks I got to pick off everyone afterwards.  That was pretty exciting.  Then we got some tacos and now I’m trying to write about nothing.  Of course, this no longer stresses me out since I’ve gone through my, “Frankie", (Grace & Frankie) transformation.  My current self wants to go back in time to the perfectly coiffed individual in the above pictures and yell, “Hey!  Snap out of it!  Don’t worry!  A few months from now you’re going to be so laid back you’ll be posting crap on Saturdays!  Also, and this is the most important thing, you’ll be wearing a lot of cool hats!  The future is amazing!”

-r.

Screaming Into The Void

   I’ve recently decided there's nothing that pisses me off more than a bad internet connection.  I can hear it now, “Poor Raine…this is what my special man friend calls me...the worst thing in her life is that she can’t sign into her Instagram account to see how many, “likes,” her latest blog picture got.”  While I get seriously annoyed by the endless teasing I’ve had to endure from my totally, "unplugged," companion, I have to admit his comments regarding my addiction to the interwebs are quite valid.  It’s true…if I can’t access my social media accounts I feel panicked.  God forbid people are allowed to forget about me for a day!

   The whole idea of this obsession with socialization is quite strange for me considering most of my, “real life," free time is spent either alone or with the aforementioned gentlemen…who I noticed today can annoy me with simply the sound of his chewing…who knew fried chicken could be so freaking LOUD?!  Side note:  if the simple act of someone else’s eating is starting to push your buttons you may need to spend an afternoon apart once in a while.  Of course it’s…wait, hold on a second…what was I writing…huh…, “CAN YOU PLEASE TURN DOWN THE TV!!!  I CAN’T HEAR MYSELF THINKING ABOVE THE ROAR OF YET ANOTHER, “LAW & ORDER,” EPISODE!!!”  My God, I think the chewing noises were less irritating than Sam Waterston’s voice turned up to way above 11.

   Mentioning Sam Waterston reminds me of an episode of, “Grace and Frankie,” where a computer technician is attempting to explain the concept of the internet to the oblivious Luddite character of Frankie.  Basically, the technician states that posting something online should not be perceived as a personal conversation, but rather something more like screaming into the void.  I found this idea rather profound… and embarrassing since this technology amateur has always considered posting a much more intimate experience. 

   Unfortunately this concept of, “force feeding information to anyone who will listen,” has stuck with me. As a result, my blog writing experience has changed.  The whole thing just feels less special.  In addition, there's nothing more lonely than realizing you’re actually speaking to nobody…for like years. 

   At the same time, there's a certain sense of relief that comes with the idea that it doesn’t matter what kind of gobbledygook one comes up with while blogging.  Yes, there's a freedom one feels with the realization that this is not a conversation and things don’t have to make sense.  In addition, it's fantastic to be able to blather on about a bunch of opinions without anyone else interjecting their… “okay, now what the hell was that noise?!  Great..yep…that is definitely the sound of one of my animals barfing…probably from the fifth consecutive, “Law & Order,” episode they’ve had to endure watching.  I’ve got to go clean that up…but how was I going to end this thing?  Did I even discuss the outfit I’m wearing in the above photographs?  Man, that sounds kind of bad.  How much grass did Shelby wolf down the last time I took her potty?  I better wrap this up quick.  Uh...yep, it sure is nice to be able to scream into that void with no unwanted interruptions from the outside.”

-r.

"There is a season"...

      I think it’s only fair to admit that this is a cop out post.  Honestly it seems like a tragedy, considering the above images are some of the best I’ve taken for quite some time.  However, it finally feels like summer and I can’t help but feel like I’ve got better shit to do than sit indoors and write! 

   Keeping the beautiful weather in mind, I want to state that I now feel inspired to skip over my profane back stock of winter photos. I want to start posting some current stuff!  Who made the rule that all of my blog pictures have to be posted chronologically?   While I know my OCD brain will struggle with this, I can’t help but feel more satisfied celebrating the long anticipated arrival of the sun.  However, don’t be surprised if once in a while I throw in a post featuring mittens.  Yep, all hell has broken loose in this lady’s world.  I’m going to post what my heart tells me.  It will be so nice to finally give my annoying head a rest!

   However, before we get into my carefree hippie summer I do need to address the images in the above post.  I can proudly state this is an outfit that was composed almost fully of secondhand items.  The result is definitely one of my favorite ensembles…like…ever.  I can’t believe all of the amusing comments I’ve gotten from acquaintances regarding it.  So far I’ve had people state it reminds them of a Russian spy and a WWI soldier.  I also had one friend write it looked like I was some sort of woodswoman who was about to ride off on a moose.  I guess the reason I enjoyed all of these reactions is simply because everyone had an opinion of who I looked like, and it seemed unanimous that it wasn’t Rayna. 

   In my opinion, one of the best parts of fashion is the ability to transform oneself into another, “character,” simply through clothing.  I find it very liberating to think I can choose to be someone else for a day.  Looking back at these pictures I almost think I was a different person at that time.  I can’t think of a more introspective way to say goodbye to a rather depressing winter.

-r.