Hallows

This morning, I woke up and took my dog outside. It was nearly seven-thirty and I had been the only one awake in my house for quite some time. It was dark, yet day lit, and the sun struggled to be in view past the ombre clouds overhead. I wore no shoes, and the cold grass wrapped itself in between my toes.

The trees surrounding me were muted marvels of the brightest yellows and the deepest auburns, and cast the loveliest ochre hue over the entire yard. I just stood there, basking in the beauties of the earth that we live in. We are all very blessed.

Normally I find inspiration in materialistic things: A films, a song, a painting, a toaster, whatever. But have you ever noticed the mounds of insurmountable inspiration we find in the earth that surrounds us? Nothing generic. Just simple and raw. Nature is talented all on its own, it needs no help from the media or human society. No exploitation. It is just there. It thrives with no aids, and we take it for granted. Nature is the under appreciated step-sibling. The thing you always know is there, but you never truly miss it until it is gone.

This week my sister dared me to take part in a Facebook fast: no facebook for an entire week. I never thought I would become one of those people that thrives off of a comment, a like, or a message. But sadly, I have. I am a rather antisocial person and I enjoy being caught up in other people's interactions without having to actually interact with them. At first this fasting was difficult. I was many times tempted to get online and 'socialize' with others. I never realized how much I was actually addicted to social networking. Silly really, but it is almost as if I needed it to get through the day.

Now, it has only been a few days since I began fasting, but I have already noticed a difference in myself. I have found more productive things to do {i.e: drawing, reading, getting a head start on schoolwork.} and feel I am not as stressed when I am not facebooking. I rather enjoy living without it. And this morning is when it all came full-circle. I've been too consumed in my life and the virtual lives of others to even care about anything going on around me.

Sometimes we have to get away from all the drama in life to stay grounded. This morning I rediscovered that ground, whether it be metaphorically or literally. I rediscovered the beauty of the world around us, and I hope that we can all remember that from time to time.

Technology is constantly changing. There is always something bigger and better to come on the vast pixelated horizon. But the leaves always stay the same. They always grow green in the summer, and turns marvelous colors in the fall. We can't trust this vast cyber-sphere, but nature is always dependable. Sometimes, you just need to let go of the approval of others and become one with it.

-Lexi

This soap smells like old people.

Woah! Hey! How are you? Excited for Halloween? Yeah? No? You don't believe in Halloween? Oh. Okay.

I know my posts have been seriously slackin' in the awesome department, but I promise many good things to come. Yesterday I learned how to use photoshop, which will open many doors and wasted hours spent with my pressure-sensitive pen in hand. mmmmmmmm.

Also, check out the new header! I've been working on it for a while now and I finally got it to a point where I really like it. That creepy little antlered boy sure has grown on me.

I really need to finish posting the San Franciso chronicles up here. It was like...5 months ago? Yeah. Pathetic.

-Lexi

Woah.

I honestly can't believe it.


AAAAAAHHHH!!!!

Thread-head.

Because I love sewing...... AND taking crappy pictures of myself, you get both wrapped up in the convenient little posts. Aw.

Frilly tee inspired by Maryn.

Yo-yo scarf.

It's so good to get back on the machines again!! I've really missed not having the use of a serger. Or pinking shears. Those are the life.

-Lexi

The good ship lollipop

A boat this cool is SURE to be the winner of a raingutter-regatta {?} mutual activity! {Also, it is sideways. Ya'll get to deal with my laziness.}

Mount Pleasant. {A trip in pictures}

Teresius. Just swingin'. On some swings. In the swing month. Of the swing.er.ness. Okay. I'm done.

Waaaaaah!! The geniousity!!

I'm touching the geographical center of UTAH.

cute nerdy waiter spilled our drink. Aw. Xandi and Jamie's frightening lovechild.

Creepy child.

Teddy's gallery at the museum.

The creepy statues at the museum. And me.

Xandi didn't want her picture taken. Nor Teresius, but I managed to snap a completely awkward shot anyways. Located outside of The Corner Station, possibly the best store on the entire earth.

Teresius and her man.

THEY SURE ARE.

OHMYJULIUSLAROSAI'MGOINGTOEATSOMETHING!!!!

Today, or rather, this morning, I woke up late .{courtesy of UEA, WOOT.}As a bit of a celebratory action in order to cheer myself up a bit before taking a shower, I got on facebook. Dreaded, dreaded facebook.

As I entered this cyber-world full of facades and 'friendships', I saw that I had a notification from my awesome pals over at Annex skate. I've done some artwork for Annex and the owner's mother loves me. {?} We've kept in touch and they've been working very hard to get me legitimized in the Utah art scene. Upon reading this notification, Ezra {of Annex} told me there were these people {click on it now. It's a link that will explain things to come.} who were really interested in my artwork, and wanted to put some of my stuff on their website.

Of course I said yes! These people have direct ties to SLUG magazine! And since I have no website as of yet, the SLUG people have not been able to contact me! For shame, I say!

All of this has been happening so quickly. First Vestige {fail}, then Annex, then realsk8, and possibly SLUG in the near future. I can't believe what all of this has come to, and I am really grateful and excited to see where it will head.

{Also, did I mention that the head of the BYU art department wants to see my work and chat about future possibilities? Yeah. Freaking out. Just a little.}

I am lucky to know and have people in my life that honestly care about me and believe in my work. This is what I want to do with my future, and no one can crush my passion.

(Also, sideways charcoal for funsies.)

-Lexi

Letters to life and other non-banal things #2

Corn-

You. Are. A. Walking. Stereotype. The sixties called. They. Want. Their. Hat back.

Your dearest sister,
Lexi

Letters to life and other non-banal things. #1

Today, I was bored and feelin' sentimental as well as depressed. I decided to write letters to people in my life that I wish I could talk to at that very moment. Back when all of my older pals started doing the "thirty days, thirty letters" blog posts, it made me want to write letters too. But, since I am a dweeb who hates creative barriers, I decided {today} to participate in a different, non-conformist way. This is what happened.

Jerusha-

I know you haven't written me back yet, so I don't want to seem to precocious, but today has been a weird day. A super weird day. I feel so off, so out of the loop. I miss having friends, yet I don't want to go back to the ones I used to have.

I mean, I still care about them, and probably always will, but it just isn't the same anymore. I feel very out of place whenever we hang out, and it seems like the only reason we were ever friends in the first place was because we went to the same school.

I'm so sick of being sad all the time. I seem happy to others, but it's all a facade used to mask my true and stupid feelings. I'm numb. The things people say are starting to get to me, and they never have before. I need a nice long chat, and I don't have anyone to talk to.

I miss you. I miss your songs and your jokes and the fun we used to have. I miss how I could tell you anything and you were still my pal. I miss laughing about our age difference and reassuring ourselves that we were best friends in the pre-existence. I miss your stories, Jerusha, and I want you to come back.

I need you.

-Lexi

Don't you judge me.

Mt. Pleasant recap soon to come.

Oh. I'm Pleasant.

So basically, this weekend is going to be pure and total brill.

Me + Teresius + Xandi + old house + random city no one has ever heard of {Mt. Pleasant} + art store + eclectic awesome= I really don't like math. But it is going to be fun.

Teresius promises us that it would be boring, but I know it will be entertaining nonetheless. I mean, what sort of shenanigans WON'T we get into, right?

Me posts have been short and crappy lately, but I honestly have been too busy with school to think of anything creative or thought provoking. So, you get to deal with it until I get back. Ha! I'm cruel. I know.

Now a deep and thought provoking song by a lovely band.

Oh man, oh man, oh man! I love them. Buttery-vocals! Weird hair! SO COOL.

Okay, For now,

Lexi

Last night, Matt Costa came to me in a dream.

He told me I had to go to his concert. If I didn't, he would not appear to me in dreams anymore. {AND WE CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN NOW, CAN WE?} This concert will be a life changing event, he promised.


Only time will tell if it actually is. Either way, I'm going. It's going to be great, because I love Matt Costa. And because dream-Costa told me it would be great.



Also,


Holy freaking WALLANDER. Sooooo epic. The character so complex! The cinematography so mind-boggling! Kenneth Branaugh so DISHEVELED!! AH!! I mean, just LOOK at this picture of him surrounded by vegetation!

I fancy that you will tune in next week to your local pbs station now... Support the cause, kids!

-Lexi

Never Again

• will I go to a recreational sport game for a school I don't even go to.
• Will I hang out with those people who I used to always hang out with, because the only thing we ever had in common in the first place was that we went to the same junior high.
• Will I let my sister convince me that going to another school's recreational sport game because it will be 'fun'.

-Lexi