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.
“Go be happy” you said.
“I’m trying” I said.
I cried. I don’t want you to think it was because I was sad, because I wasn’t and am not. I cried because I know you’ll be around, and this might just be the first time in my life I have actually believed that it would be for the duration. I can’t thank you enough times or with enough words. You are the best friend I could possibly ask for, and I hope you never forget how much you mean to me.
(Source: icatchfoxes)
I’m ready.
I almost;
but am hesitant.
this needs it.
Does it?
I may come at you.
violent storm waves to shore
[to ensure the reality]
Will you?
Melissa in Austin by GnarGrimeSlop on Flickr.
I had an amazing week in Austin. We got back last night at around 1 am. It seems strange and almost unreal how much I experienced in just 6 days. I can’t imagine better people to have spent a week with, and I can’t wait to do it again next year. It was overwhelming at times, both because of the musicians I was lucky enough to see and because of things going on in my life personally, but it was all perfect. I wouldn’t change a single thing about my first SXSW experience and I am honored to be part of such an amazing team at Weapons of Mass Creation.
Keep believing in your dreams, folks, big and small. It’s something I can never stress enough. Just be yourself and live your life the way you feel works for you. Don’t let anything hold you back and above all be honest: especially with yourself.
Thanks for the perspective, Austin.
I’ll be posting photos and more over the next week or so, I just have to dive in and sort through all of this…
(Source: icatchfoxes)
the molecules changed in the air,
the headlight glow reflected off the snow as it fell
and the artificial heat grew overwhelming
(Source: icatchfoxes)
slug me in the mouth
put me
under
take this crown
it’s never like we needed titles
listing through the dark
candles long snuffed
pull needles to the face
stuck in eternal solitude;
finding you simply
cut
— out
Dreaming on Vicodin
[note: my jaw hurt when i woke up from having surgery yesterday. i took one prescribed Vicodin. I had several flash dreams & one extended dream when I finally passed out.]
the sea and the wind,
follow slowly to the shore;
questions in another language,
gestures and understanding eyes
say yes.
the boat and the waves,
the sun and the spray;
i saw you wave,
but i hid behind my escort,
wishing you not to see.
you were a child,
a time when i wished we’d known each other.
hide and seek,
losing you in a house
with which i was unfamiliar.
running through time,
holding hands with unfamiliar;
excellence.
i wish he could be real;
he is real.
just not here.
you,
you are neither.
Today I had surgery for the first time. I had my two upper wisdom teeth removed. It took about 20 minutes of actual surgery and the last thing I remember is the surgeon telling me that the medicine might burn a little bit as it enters my blood stream and then asking “is being cold nor…” Then I was awake and it was over. Apparently as I was coming out of it, just after being removed from the IV, I flailed my arms around aggressively and asked “when are were going to get these teeth out?” I’m a professional at forgetting important life events immediately upon them happening. MASTER OF MY EMOTIONS.
I’m watching all the television and sleeping intermittently. I’ve eaten an entire pack of SnackPack, 6 individual servings of apple sauce, a chocolate sundae and 2 cups of jello. So far I’ve covered 2 episodes of Gilmore Girls, 3 episodes of Adventure Time, 3 episodes of Tim & Eric, 8 episodes of Sponge Bob and 2 episodes of Look Around You. I’m currently taking recommendations for what else to watch in the next few days…
Tomorrow Chris is maybe visiting me after he gets off work to make me some magical healing jello or maybe (hopefully?) something more sustaining like soup while we watch Gilmore Girls together and discuss how accurately it depicts life in Connecticut.
Oh, speaking of Chris: he’s an amazing Viola/Violin player and we played several songs together well a few days ago. I’m hoping that is just the first of many, many collaborations.
Now back to being loopy tired/hyper/giggly/WEIRD.
See ya soons, internetz.
xo.
Harvard House on Flickr by icatchfoxes (melissa olson).
This is where I used to live. I lived here a little over 3 months ago. This photo was taken before I ever had keys to that door or that gate, before I ever planted flowers in that flower box, before I ever got locked out, before I ever rid the porch of black widow spiders and before I ever cried in that doorway…
I miss you, Fresno.
I like to pretend I know you.
However, It isn’t you I know — it’s the idea of you.
I hope my idea is a good one; more so, i hope it’s accurate.
This is my wish because I long so fully to know all you care for me to possess. I want to know your history and the things you desire; the plans you have for the future and your fears; the freckles on your skin and the scars both literal and manifested. I would cherish each ounce of these things in the best way I know how. This is what I do when I care, I know of no other method.
(Source: icatchfoxes)
- This morning I have been working really hard on pushing the envelope for 2013’s Weapons of Mass Creation Festival. It is paying off.
- I have found time to do yoga daily, dance in my room and bike as often as the skies allow. I’ve also gone for a soak in the hot tub regularly as a reward for keeping my body moving.
- I’ve been eating a lot of granola. I’m talking copious amounts.
- I’m working on giving away half my wardrobe.
- I’ve been writing things down and keeping my calendar organized. It makes achieving goals a lot easier.
- Water. I’ve been drinking more water.
- I’ve been actively engaged in what’s in front of me.
- My fingers hurt from playing guitar so often.
- I’ve been making photographs for my show in April.
- I’ve spent a lot of time in cars, in the woods and in Columbus and Cleveland.
- I’ve been making things with my hands and writing letters.
- I’ve been making plans.
/This has been a post.
We’ve become so accustomed to the American tales of our own coordinates on the map that sometimes we have to leave first to learn how to truly tell them.
Nikki Delamotte interviewed me for the Brite Winter blog, and I am so very flattered.
Read the entire post here. Come hear me play at the Market Avenue Wine Bar in Cleveland on February 16th for FREE.
(Source: icatchfoxes)
Just take me camping.
I would really enjoy that.
(Source: icatchfoxes)
