TheLab

TheLab is about creativity and exploration. Testing new ideas. Enhancing existing patterns. Transforming the mundane into the exciting.

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ASOS Curve | ASOS CURVE Woven Peg Trousers with Obi Tie (clipped to polyvore.com)

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Keepers of the flame

Keepers of the flame, these manic moments of obligations, celebrations, gatherings leave us grasping for meaning and deep connections.  It is time for us to observe how fire and light interweave our beliefs.  

We settle amidst the flickering fire of the Yule log, whispering wishes.  Twinkling lights wrapped around evergreens reflect the glimmer in our own eyes.  8 miraculous nights.  The 7 principles of tradition.  We gather in communion to celebrate our respective holidays. Taking these opportunities to express our gratitude for the blessings bestowed on us for another year.  In these moments, we must step back and notice how connected we all are.  Whatever your tribe, we all wish for peace and joy.  

I had abandoned these traditions for many years. Congested with anger and resentment for a holiday built on spend, spend, spend.  Furious with people more willing to wake up at 2am descending into blackness instead of waking up and cuddling with family.  I grew tense at the sight of long lines and feeling underprepared.  “Did I get everyone on my list?”  “Is there enough money in my bank account?” Seething while working longer hours and extra days because it’s the most wonderful time of the year.  

One recent Christmas holiday, I sensed this odd feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I was loosening my ties to Ebenezer and the nasty, green ogre.  I felt joy for the upcoming holiday.  The twinkling lights beckoning me closer to their warmth.  Friends calling, honestly more like texting, to gather after long absences.  I had the desire to return to tradition and create.  Mortar and pestle in hand grinding herbs, kneading bread, weaving textiles.  Watching strangers gather and stare at giant evergreens in the middle of New York City.  Yes, I still purchased gifts but mindfully and less than I had in previous years.  It made me happier, the ogre was left behind.  I was giving to appreciative, loved ones.  I wasn’t giving for the sake of giving.  

I had stepped into a Christmas run by conglomerates and executives shouting “Give us your money!”  You know when you get that feeling that something is just not right?  That was my anger.  Anger and frustration acting as my compass, guiding me to truth. I was slow to realize self-determination whispering in my ear.   Allowing joy and wonder to ease in expressing the essence of these holidays.  I recalled the memories of happiness and returned to the simple things.  Decorating of the tree and home.  Creating traditional dishes.  Sipping eggnog.  Watching Christmas specials.  These memories were all lit with love and joy.  

Looking around our circle enveloped in gratitude for this love, this light, and the loved ones we share this sacred time with.  Our rituals give us roots.  The arc that connects us to our ancestors, roots us in the present, and creates the path for generations to come.  These moments of light full of love.  We cannot get lost in the capitalist storm.   Listen to the blessings of our mother tongue.  Hold tight to these present moments that swell our hearts with sentimental memories.  Reminders that community and connection are paramount.

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I like to go on aimless strolls that lead to fun discoveries.

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Is it really stealing if everyone else does it?

I just listened to a piece from On the Media about the Fat Jew and the backlash regarding his stealing jokes to gain internet notoriety.  I am neither a proponent nor opponent of the Fat Jew.  I do follow his Instagram feed.  The media is just now figuring out what avid social media followers already know.  Other people will get famous from your work.  I have spent the last year seeing the same memes and photos being recycled through @Instagram accounts such as @TheFatJewish, @BeigeCardigan, @DaddyIssues_, and various other curators.  These accounts also do not give credit where credit is due.  Why? Could they want to gain followers with their perceived hilarity and originality?  Could a meme be so recycled through the internet that no one may ever know who originally posted that funny photo or vid?  I think about why the Fat Jew has become the public face of these attribution claims and I realize, he is one of the few that has put a face to his account.  Many of these aggregators hide behind the ambiguity of their social media handles.  Of course, they too had started to come out of hiding once they gained more followers.  Will that all change now that the Fat Jew has become the scapegoat for a community of plagiarizing aggregators?

We all do it innocently or not so innocently  I have looked through my friends’ social media feeds to find videos and photos they have shared but no link to the original creator.  Sometimes, we don’t know because we took it from someone else!  How many times has a quote been posted attributed to Gandhi, Marilyn Monroe, or another celebrity and those words never came out of their mouths?  It’s just that our traditional news media is slowly waking to the power of social media.  In truth, just like a game of telephone, once the message has finally reached your ears it is never the same as the original.  Social media is an environment to share your thoughts and photos.  And unless you tag the hell out of your posts with your handle, it will be stolen or shared so heavily no one will ever know it belonged to you.  

The backlash to the Fat Jew’s signing to CAA is the catalyst for a conversation that is LONG OVERDUE of proper credit being given to the creator.  This is not just happening in the social media world of comedy.  Take a look at many other aggregators in the world of fashion, food, and decor.  For the many that do give credit there are more that won’t.

You’re only as good as your last post.  

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Has anyone used activated charcoal in their skincare routine? This isn't your backyard BBQ charcoal. I hear it's good for removing impurities from the skin and it's a great makeup remover. Bought this bar from @floandtheo. We'll see how it works! #findthelab #activatedcharcoal #soap #body #bath #natural

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Forget the toiletries, I want this little lamb @virginhotelschi! #findthelab #travel #chicago #hotel (at Virgin Hotels Chicago)

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#TheSekhmetBed I'm going to buy the paperback version just so I can hug it against my chest, press it to my nose and inhale the sweet scent of #LibbieHawker's words off of the pages. The digital version is #free on many digital download platforms. Get it now. The Sekhmet bed is a TRUE #summerread! Gaahhhhh! It's so awesome! #bookclub #egypt #SheKing #read #novel #series #booknerd

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I didn't know this was happening in my own backyard. Final weekend for The Tempest. #nyc #harlem #Shakespeare #CTHTempest #summerstage #summer (at Marcus Garvey Park Alliance)

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I'm on a big reading kick this summer. I received an advance copy of this book from the author for free. I encourage you to get this book when it is released. Serafina is an amazing character. A fresh, new female perspective. Can't wait to read more from @robert.beatty! @disneybooks @penguinrandomhouse #serafinaandtheblackcloak #summerreading #book #reader

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Early morning tulips in the park. Hello Spring! 👋 #findthelab #spring #nyc #park #tulips

[tripps42]

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Spending today inside with cheesy holiday movies and sending out my @minted holiday cards. #findthelab

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Normally when I make body butter, I use a mixture that includes about 75% shea butter. I decided to try something different this time and use mango butter instead. However, the texture of my body butter is grainy instead of smooth and creamy. Has anyone else experienced this with mango body butter? #findthelab #diylab #diy #bodybutter #mangobutter #shea #sheabutter #natural #lotion #skincare #skin

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Today's slow cooker challenge will be a variation on this Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl recipe I found on @thekitchn. Didn't have diced tomatoes so I'll use salsa instead. Adding a fresh jalapeño. No rice but more veggies. Perfect for this cloudy NYC day. Photo: @thekitchn #slowcookersunday #slowcooker #findthelab #cookinglab #burittobowl #chicken #dinner #foodie #sunday

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Gonna make this Raw Maple, Chocolate and Walnut Bar from @thehealthyingredient. Looks so simple to make. I may sprinkle some sea salt on top to satisfy my sweet AND salty cravings. #raw #vegan #chocolate #cacao #bar

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Yesterday I laughed and screamed while hanging out at @ryeplaylandofficialpage #findthelab #nyc #amusementpark (at Rye Playland Amusement Park)

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Keep your emotions in check

As you may have read (if you follow my Twitter page), I am on the job hunt.  I am on job sites, going to networking events, and so much more to find a new and better career path.  

Today, I was checking out the career site, TheMuse.com when I came across this purewow job posting for Executive Assistant/Office Manager.  I am a follower of purewow.  I enjoy their emails that are geared to helping women create a better and more fun life for ourselves.  I was happy to see a job posting that I felt I was qualified for until I saw this as the first bullet point:

Qualifications:

-You must truly thrive on multi-tasking. Someone’s arrived for a meeting, the phone is ringing, and the CEO is asking you a question at once. You’re not overwhelmed. You don’t cry in public

"You don’t cry in public" What does that mean coming from a company with the motto "Elevate the everyday"?  I was completely surprised to read those words.  Would I want to work for a company that tells me to keep my emotions in check?  Could PureWow have chosen better words to describe a candidate that won’t buckle under pressure?  Is it discriminatory? By saying, "You don’t cry in public", PureWow is looking at you female applicants because men don’t ever get so stressed that they would cry in public.  No sir, men don’t cry.  For a company that is so forward thinking why have your applicants and employees take this step backward.  Finally, how is "You don’t cry in public" a relevant job qualification for any company.

It was disheartening to read.  A poor choice in words.  And of course, I did not apply for the position.