Resolution Revolution: 2011 March Update

I didn't do an update post for March, but February was such a short month... I've adjusted some of my resolutions and added a few things I have been working on.

A real ninja would never let themselves be
photographed.

♢Adobe Ninja - While not a certified black belt I have been slogging through Dreamweaver and Photoshop tutorials and learned more about Flash, which should come in handy for my new job! I have been offered a position as a contract web/graphic designer (Makin' that paper!)
♢Incorporate self and create website for LLC - New resolution. Since I have been building websites and doing some freelance work, I am in the process of registering as a business and will be launching a website with my available services soon.
♢No Crappy Food Service in 2011! I am aiming not to have to take a job slaving tables or slinging reservations in order to fill my coffers. Exception would be made for a locally-owned place with a laid-back staff. But I have def had my fill of corporate restaurants. Life's too Short!
♢Revamp blog and make it work for me - So in March & February I didn't maintain quite the same level of gusto I had in January for posting. Now that I have my blog tied to my Facebook and Twitter, people I know are reading this -  It's something I am doing for fun, but I hate the idea of irrelevant posts that don't lead to developed voice or audience. I am not giving up, but I am narrowing my focus to my day-to-day life, sewing/crafts, travel, music, projects... random stuff will still have a home, but most of it will be regulated to my tumblr.
♢Take on a variety of sewing projects - Finished my retro bikini, and I've also been refashioning/ repurposing some older items... post coming soon!
♢ Go to a million shows - March was a slow month for music. I attempted a few trips to the Windy City to see some stuff but it plans fell apart twice. (side note- Indianapolis Craigslist Rideshare: Creepy) This month is looking better: I'm seeing the Fresh and Only's Thursday (4/14) and later this month I'm seeing Hunx & His Punx and Shannon & the Clams.
♢ Apply/go back to school - I have some exciting news on this front, update coming soon!
♢ Finish first degree - Registered to matriculate in August. Sliced!

Snookie circa 2031

♢ Develop moisturizing routine - I've been using a tinted moisturizer with SPF 15. As much as I love the look of a tan, I am committed to using sunscreen everyday, especially on my face.
♢ Take photos - I have in my possession a rad 35 mm film camera and some photos which I will share with you very soon I even upgraded to a Flickr pro account in order to force more output.
♢ Watch old movies - Slacking - I haven't been watching too many older movies as of late. I'm amending this resolution and I will be posting some film reviews of a few killer oldies.
♢ Buy more records - I went on a record hunt a few days ago and spent about $20 on some fun titles, but once I got them home they were all warped and, so I had to return them. I have looked for old stuff on eBay, but it just seems like cheating to buy albums at ridiculously inflated prices. I prefer the hunt - even through the hunt usually entails lots of Barbara Streisand and Liberace titles.

€0.42 for wine, just one of the things
I have to look forward to in Spain

♢ Travel - My flight is booked and I am headed for Spain, Morocco, and Portugal from May 18 - June 13. Obviously I'm super excited about my trip, and I'm busy arranging my travels, buying supplies and saving money. It looks like I'm heading out solo, and I think that it will definitely only be more of an adventure for this reason. I will probably be able to send updates whilst I travel. It's Europe, not the third world, and even Uganda has high-speed internet.
♢ Apply for passport - DONE! and before the government shutdown.

♢ DJ/musical enterprises - FunnyBunnyFrequency Vol. 2 is dropping tomorrow and I am in talks about dj-ing at a local spot! Lucky people finally get to hear what this control freak likes (AND ONLY WHAT I LIKE)

♢ Yoga & Exercise - What list of resolutions would be complete without a goal to lose weight/start exercising? Earlier this week, the doctor told me I have elevated blood pressure. I have to assume it's due to the fact that I'm completely sedentary in my new job. Some days I probably walk about 100 feet and rarely leave the house. I'm also cutting down on salt - 24 is way too young to have high blood pressure.

♢ Vintage Buys - Another new resolution, but one I have (90%) stuck to since January 1. I am not buying new clothes, just vintage and handmade items. Look for an upcoming post on my thrift scores from the past few months!

♢ New bike - My transportation choices are about to improve considerably. Stay tuned!

Like crack that comes via piggies.

♢Vegetarian - I didn't start this with any duration in mind, but it's been about 3 months since I have eaten meat. I started on a bit of a whim, wanting to go vegan for a month or so, but I'm going to keep it going for the rest of the year (at least!) Most of the time I dont even think about eating meat, and the idea of it is losing its appeal. There is one thing I miss though...













So that's all for now. If you read this, thanks, and I appreciate any feedback you might have. Hugs n kisses!

Resolution Revolution - Februise-ary

I love you if you read this. But it's really an update about my goals and resolutions for the coming months so I understand if you don't wanna slog through it. If you have any questions or want to share about your resolutions for the year please do!

1. become a ninja in photoshop, illustrator, and dreamweaver - Thanks to my new compy I have the opportunity to mess around with photoshop and dreamweaver. I haven't had a lot of time to use illustrator, but I am reacquainting myself with adobe premiere and teaching myself how to perform basic aftereffects functions.  
2. make/post at least 20 vids that highlight the sad hilarity that is my life - The only vid I have done in the past month is one for my dad's company. While I won't be posting it here, I am really glad I had the opportunity to shoot and edit again. Here's to next month and new vids!
3. revamp blog and make it work for me - well the old girl got a suck and tuck resulting in some major changes, including a new domain name, graphics and updated past posts. In the coming months I'm going to be narrowing the focus of the blog and figuring out how to make it more than just a hobby. I've also been neglecting my tumblr so  I will be narrowing the focus on For Whom the Taco Bell Tolls to a health/fashion compendium.
4. take on a variety of sewing projects - I have my first project selected, and have set up a sewing station in my room. Now to actually start!
5. go to a million shows - Besides NoBunny and Hot Machines on 1/1/11 I have not seen any shows so far this year. Shows are not as easy to find in Indy as they are in Portland and require listening/researching a LOT of crappy myspace bands. However I have some promising leads for February, and I'll be posting about them so stay tuned.


6. dj at at least one show - Building my music/vinyl collection, and will be posting my first playlist soon. I need to work harder on this resolution since it's comparably easy to accomplish.
7. visit SXSW - Despite applying, the SXSW jerks did not accept my application to work as a volunteer. I am modifying this resolution. Most likely, a roadtrip mid-March early April. 
8. apply/go back to school - I have a better idea of what exactly I want to study and have a program selected, however(!) classes in my interest don't start until August. 
9. finish first degree (yipes) - I have only one class (and a test) left to finish. The plan is to be done in March. Gotta get on this.
10. develop moisturizing routine - I have been using coconut oil (the kind for cooking) post-shower sporadically. When it is this cold when I get out of the shower all I can do is grab my socks and hoodie, my hands literally tremble if I start slathering on oil. MUST BE BETTER. I have been more faithful about toner and face lotion at night. I also purchased a tinted-moisturizer with SPF that I use pretty much every day.
11. take photos - Miserable fail this month.
12. watch old movies on AFI's list - Modifying this resolution. I have been watching old films on Netflix, but not all of AFI's. I don't know why I selected their list, I haven't even really seen it. I've been focusing on old Noir films, and documentaries. 
13. Buy more records - Since this is along the same lines as #6 I consider this to be mildly successful.
14. Go to UK, France, Greece, and as many other countries as I can afford - My oldest and bestest friend KC is going to be joining me for a Euro holiday that we are in the process of planning. We'll be leaving in mid-May and Greece will be our first destination. 

Going greek summer 2011

UK and France are looking expensive and overrated so they may be skipped on this grand tour.
15. Apply for passport - Erhm. Next.
16. Obtain a fur coat - My mommu has a gorgeous fur shawl that I am now considering mine. She says I can has it when she dies. Well she's in great health and her grandmother is 99 and still kickin. Since I want to enjoy it and her company I am thinking up ways to liberate the fur.
17. New bike - As I am typing this there are at least 3 inches of solid ice on the ground and more of it is pelting my window. Not really in the mood to think about biking.
18. Master Cleanse - Attempted with limited success. Retry?
19. Veganism for at least one month - For the past 30 days I have abstained from meat and fish in all forms. That was pretty tough, not because I desired meat, but due to the midwestern lifestyle. I'm keeping it going for now. Updates about this coming soon. 
20. New Computer  - Got it! Yay!
21. Get a car, or scooter or motorcycle!!! - Uhm. Talk to me about this in June.
22. Figure out a natural deodorant that actually works - Oooh, exciting news on the B.O. front! I have been using a thai crystal deodorant stone and it's pretty effective. 

Natural.

It's still pretty cold outside so I'll update once it gets warmer and I can put the thai crystal to the test.
23. throw out old clothes and underwear that I don't need - I did this and feel really good about it. More purging can be done so I will keep this as a year-long resolution and clean my closet once a month or so.
24. sell things on etsy/ebay - Not yet.
25. move back to the west coast - I have resolved myself to figuring things out in my life and getting on track for a happier future. I am also more sure than ever that I want to move back west. It's not just that I miss my friends, the weather, and the prevailing sense of coolness. It's that I need that sense of beauty and mindfulness I had out there.
26. be nicer to my parents -  I originally made this one of my resolutions because in the first few weeks of living with them I was grumpy and rude. Now I am spending more time (Friday and Saturday nights sometimes) with them and enjoying their company.
27. practice yoga more - In the past 2 months I can count the number of times I've practiced on one hand! This is very bad. The place I used to attend classes was $30 monthly and I could bike there in 15 minutes. But, such a place does not exist here, so I am trying to practice solo or use dvds. 

If Gaga can do it, I can do it.

I love classes because listening to an instructor and being in the right environment are HUGE motivators for me. So, I am going to set some concrete goals to keep myself going.
28. learn to play the harmonica, keyboard, accordian, or all 3 - New harmonica: check. More than 3 practice sessions: uhm... next.
29. make some music with fleming - Actual music making has not occurred. Talking about music though... whoa.
30. stop making lists and actually do some shit! - I am so-so on this rezo. I feel like I have a bunch of things I wanted to have done that I haven't. But then again I have made progress on more than half my list. Reading over this has been a good motivator. I'll be revamping and updating this in a new section. Keep myself accountable to all ya mathas.

Stop licking yourself and get some better PRz going.

"For the cat is cryptic, and close to strange things which men cannot see. He is the soul of antique Aegyptus, and bearer of tales from forgotten cities in Meroe and Ophir. He is the kin of the jungle's lords, and heir to the secrets of hoary and sinister Africa. The Sphinx is his cousin, and he speaks her language; but he is more ancient than the Sphinx, and remembers that which she hath forgotten. " - H.P. Lovecraft, The Cats of Ulthar

I don't really consider myself more of a cat person than a dog person, but the time has come for me to step up and defend my feline friends. Why do cats get such a bad rep? In movies, books and television, time and again cats are vilified.

Theatre is not doing cats any favors. image [via.]

So I have compiled a list of the types of cats you typically see misrepresenting all over.

Obnoxious Disappearing Cats- The only one I'm sure exists is the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, who may not be evil, but is definetly not doing kitties any favors.

what a dick.

Evil Cat Accomplice - The original unnamed white Persian evil cat was owned by the villian Biofeld in the James Bond films. Imitators include Mr. Bigglesworth, Dr Claw's cat from Inspector Gadget, M.A.D. Cat.

[via.]

Disney Cats - Most evil cats seem to come from Disney movies. While dogs tend to be portrayed as loyal (and dumb), Disney cats are without fail conniving, dark-hearted, and trouble-makers. A few exceptions exist but consider the following of proof of Walt D's cat hatred -

Steamboat Willie's nemesis - Pete the Cat

In Cinderella the cat's name was Lucifer. Not exactly subtle.

Evil Si & Am directly face off with a 'good' dog in Lady & the Tramp

Scarface was double trouble - disfigured and a Mufasa killer

Fat Felicia from the Great Mouse Detective. Evil.

Ruler of evil empire - Fat Cat Chip n Dale's Rescue Rangers

Fool Cat - Classic examples are Tom & Jerry, and Sylvester & Tweety, Itchy & Scratchy. Rodent or bird makes cat pay repeatedly for animalistic tendencies in completely unrealistic world where dogs defend smaller animals instead of just eating their own poop.

BONUS EVIL CORPORATE CAT - Catbert, the evil human resource director from Dilbert.

2011 - a list of things I will forget to do

What does the future hold for me, Marilyn?

1. Become a ninja in photoshop, illustrator, and dreamweaver
2. make/post at least 20 vids that highlight the sad hilarity that is my life
3. revamp blog and make it work for me
4. take on a variety of sewing projects
5. go to a million shows
6. DJ at at least one show
7. visit SXSW
8. apply/go back to school
9. finish first degree (yipes)
10. develop moisturizing routine
11. take photos
12. watch old movies on AFI's list
13. Buy more records
14. Go to UK, France, Greece, & as many other countries as I can afford
15. Apply for passport
16. Obtain a fur coat
17. New bike
18. Master Cleanse
19. Veganism for at least one month
20. New Computer
21. Get a car, or scooter or motorcycle!!!
22. Figure out a natural deodorant that actually works
23. throw out old clothes and underwear that I don't need
24. sell things on etsy/ebay
25. move back to the west coast
26. be nicer to my parents
27. practice yoga more
28. learn to play the harmonica, keyboard, accordian, or all 3
29. make some music with fleming
30. stop making lists and actually do some shit!