In the moment

It is what it is, no need to explain.

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 I realize I’ve been posting a number of photos showing the house in a state of disaster - a world of before with nothing after. The intent is not to make you feel hopeless like when you watch a marathon of The Walking Dead, I’m just trying to get it together over here. I promise I’ll make it up to you dear readers. In the meantime, here’s a teaser of some pantry goodness to come. 

 The first is a piece gifted to us by our friend Paul Rentler. You know those people who seem to be good at almost every creative endeavor they step foot in? He’s like that. Art, music, photography, design - I’m like dude, do you think you could save some of that talent for the rest of us common folk? Anyway, I like to refer to this piece as our pantry mascot. Every time I look at this thing it makes me smile.

 The second is fabric I picked up to make some curtains. I know chevron stripes are all the rage and while I don’t normally gravitate towards design trends, this actually works really well for the room. Also, have any of you stepped foot into a JoAnn’s Fabric store? Holy smokes, their selection is a trip to bummer land. Between being sick and unwilling to drive anywhere further where cooler fabrics surely awaited, I literally dug around JoAnn’s for over an hour until I found this. In my state of desperation, this was a win in my book. Also, on sale for $1.99 a yard? Baby, I’ll jump on the chevron train and go where it takes me. I’ll even send you a postcard!

[buttercupsky]

 You should follow my other tumblr. Unlike this one, it has an actual theme and I'm even making an effort to update the damn thing. Holla!

[buttercupsky]

Destruction via moon...

My daughter has this drawing on the cover of her notebook for school. So funny for so many reasons.

[buttercupsky]

 Fold out design my daughter made in art class. Love it.

[buttercupsky]

Holy shit, rad!!!

I literally just talked a parking enforcement officer out of giving me a ticket. She printed out a blank one to make it look like she was following the rules.

  This is awesome in part not only because I've never had this kind of luck before, but also because I once got slapped with a four hundred fucking dollar parking ticket (don't ever parallel park in front of a handicap spot and have your bumper sticking in the blue curb - they will ticket you as if you parked in the entire spot). With that in mind, as much as I love Long Beach, I have zero intentions of ever giving this city any more of my money related to parking. Fact.

[buttercupsky]

fuckyeahawesomepeople

 I would be so fucking lost without certain people in my life right now. Especially the smartasses who never fail to bring doses of daily laughter to the table. I'm OD'ing on smiles over here.

[buttercupsky]

Shades of deep reds, purples and blues

like bruises like hearts

these colors wrapped around your neck.

Did you win those trials, even the scales of justice

you knew what mattered, tattooed it on your sleeve.

Examining the worn threads and fraying fibers

there's evidence here

that in the courthouse, in your life

there were battles well chosen

too much to fight.

When you fought it was for what mattered

and I wonder still

if you ever knew

just how much you mattered to me.

These wounds open from time to time

throbbing in my chest

hanging myself with emotion

while hanging these ties

that used to belong to you.

[buttercupsky]

My daughter is getting better and better at drawing. She is so much cooler than I was at her age.

Hell, sometimes I think she is cooler at 14 than I am at 32.

[buttercupsky]

How to unwind after a long day. 

Make a salty dog - my new favorite drink - kick back on the couch and stream an episode of Breaking Bad.

Yep, sounds about right.

[buttercupsky]

This is cute and basically sums it up.

[buttercupsky]

Quotes of the day, courtesy of homegirl Dinah.

 "Let's raise awareness. People aren't aware enough about stuff and things, so let's all raise awareness so people will become more aware."

 "People are especially not aware of horrors, so we need to make sure to raise extra awareness about horrors."

[buttercupsky]

[popgoesmyculture-deactivated201]

I don't think anyone from my "hometown" follows me here, so I can say . . .

I’ve met more interesting, fun, amazing, thoughtful, beautiful, funny, smart, capable, resourceful, rad people in 4.5 years in Oregon than I did in 24.5 years in Las Vegas. Viva Cascadia.

Ms. Buttercupsky is from Las Vegas, but like me, she knew it sucked so she cut and run as soon as possible. Now she lives in Long Beach and probably barbecues with Snoop’s people.

********************************************************

My response to popgoesmyculture:

Being a Las Vegas native, I can say that 90% of people I knew that went on to do anything with themselves, they did so because they bailed from that town as soon as they could.  Another 5% will stay forever because they've managed to build their lives there and they're happy and comfortable. I find these people to be the rare exception. And while that's okay, that was never in the cards for me. The remaining 5% will stay there and always bitch about it yet never do anything to make it happen. These are the people I don't associate with because it reminds me of being in high school and I thought high school fucking sucked.

Now that I consider Long Beach my hometown, I will tell you that the friends I've made here are basically family and it's awesome. The downside bummer to report is that I have yet to BBQ with Snoop's posse. However, if the invite ever comes along, consider me there.

[buttercupsky]

wandering around downtown

 “Oh man… I don’t have any gloves. I musta left them at Mairin’s.”

He says this as it starts to rain again.

 “She’s pretty awesome you know, I like her a lot.”

 “Yeah, it’s a great relationship, so easy.”

 “That’s cause you’re finally the crazy one,” I say as I start to laugh.

 “It’s so true” he says through his own laughter.

 “No offense, but I wouldn't want to be in a relationship with you. You’d be the crazy one in that too.”

We start laughing again and run to catch the bus.

  *

  On the bus, unsure if it will take us where we’re trying to go.

“Hopefully we’re headed in the right direction,” he says. “And if not, maybe we’ll just be lost forever.”

 “I’m okay with that; I’d be willing to be lost forever with you.”

 “Actually, that’s not much different than being in a relationship with me.”

"Ah fuck, good point."

 We laugh together as the bus continues on in the rain…

[buttercupsky]

One day in Portland, take 6.

We hugged goodbye on a street corner and shortly after I walked passed this.

The next time I went outside it was dark.

[buttercupsky]

One day in Portland, take 5.

Leaning against a wall, waiting for the bus in the rain.

[buttercupsky]

One day in Portland, take 4.

Having a beer on the 30th floor. This was our 4th and final attempt at finding a place that was open.

[buttercupsky]

One day in Portland, take 3.

The ceiling at Harrison's bank downtown. Before going there, he told me, "you're gonna like my bank". Fancy for sure and he was right.