I'm Melissa. This is where I write things down and share new things. Sometimes I even post cute pictures of cats...
if you're looking for my portfolio,
it can be found here, or by clicking any of the links across the top of this page.
I just moved back to Ohio after living in the central valley of California for almost three years. People still mention that I'm all grown up and keep asking how being an adult is going, but I really don't know what they're referring to.
I'm officially a (self-proclaimed) curator -- OF GIFS. GIF CONNOISSEUR. Check it out. My GIF blog even made it to buzzfeed once.
ONE MORE CHECK OFF MY LIFELONG INTERNET TO-DO LIST.
Albums of note UPCOMING/2011/2010/2009
A list of albums from the year that had staying power. Not a top album list, because I haven't heard every album, so that just seems a bit silly to me -- the whole "of the year" thing... although I suppose in my own mind that's what they are...
THE ARCHIVES
Nostalgia
a place where I keep things that are already memories and store things that are currently in my life that will inevitably become memories. Vague enough?
Vestiges of a Life Soon Forgotten
A photographic series devoted to images taken in and around my apartment where I lived for 3 years in college. I moved out for good in December 2009.
Photobooth Sketches
photobooth documentation of sketches i have done and/or found.
Monthly Self Portrait Series
This was a short-lived project that sometimes shows up without warning again on my feed, but definately cannot be considered an "on-going" thing.
My New California Life
What started as an essay series about my experiences living on the left coast turned into a general account of my life here -- through words, photos and other ephemera.
jef etters tips of the day
Jef Etters was a colleague of mine who gave me life tips on a daily basis via a telephone call from a rotary phone. I would then transcribe the tips and post them here for the benefit of all mankind. He didn't know what tumblr was (nor does he now), but he did want to share all his wisdom with the world. enjoy.
PLEASE NOTE: Jef did finally get free long-distance after 7pm EST and will occasionally call to give me tips to transcribe. Be on the look out, it'll change your life.
ScreenCaptureSeries
Funny and or poignant things I feel the need to share with the world via screen capture. This project carries on with the luck that the internet will continue to bring the lulz. I think the odds are in our favor.
AON 2011 Day 26: #3
Manchester Orchestra: Simple Math
Atlanta, GA
Favorite Gentlemen
This album has gotten me through a lot this year. A lot more than I care to explain. Sometimes I just would listen to it in my car and scream along. It’s a catharsis I’ve utilized many times in the last few months.
Kicking out my feet/ Ruining everything.
Leave it Alone
Although you can’t say it yet
It’s never been the same
And it looks to stay that way
It feels like you’re okay
When I was a fire I turned into ice
Melting off my last feverish highs
And I leapt through the sunshine and into the night
Singing songs of my healthiest fears
I’m doing my best to maintain a rigorous guitar practice schedule of at least twice a month. I’ve spent much of my adult life denying the fact that I can play the guitar. This has mainly been due to the fact that I only know approximately 10 chords and have a difficult time with barre chords. I’ve been playing the same strum pattern since I was sixteen as well, which doesn’t help my case.
Tonight I learned how to play a syncopated strum pattern and managed to maintain the rhythm while singing the chorus. I was elated. The song I was singing was terribly sad, though. In a viciously personal way. It isn’t the song that introduces this post, so don’t get the wrong idea. It’s going to be awhile before I get to Manchester Orchestra.
Lately I’ve been going over the decisions I’ve made in my life. I’ve made a lot of friends in a lot of places. Okay, really just two places. It seems like a lot more after we all moved to different cities, though. I can’t say that has been something I’ve questioned. The friends I’ve made are amazingly accepting and encouraging. That’s not what I’m getting at, though. The thing is that when I really examine the things that have been my choices to this point, I have been a little bit passive in my decisions. I’ve been vaguely apathetic. I can’t do that anymore. I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve finally understood everyone always telling me the only person standing in my way is me.
I can’t really influence the actions of others. I can’t know the types of decisions others will make. I can only do my best and try to accomplish the goals I have for myself. I can’t make anyone believe in me, understand me or trust me when I make promises. Those are all things I earn. I can work on what I have though, to use as reference.
They might have been chords I already knew, but it’s the patterns that changed and that’s an education.
(Source: icatchfoxes)
#6 Manchester Orchestra Mean Everything to Nothing
Standing on the top of a hill in the middle of the desert, with no where to run for safety. Feeling the sun beat down on you, and wanting to cry. You don’t — because those last bits of hydration may be all that’s left keeping you alive.
