Why Oh Why?

Tonight I'm having a case of the "why's". Or rather, last night I was having a case of the why's and it's now this morning and I still have a case of the why's. 4:32am and I'm pondering such thoughts as "Why do we inspect what we have dug out of our noses?" and "Why do little children often proceed to eat said findings?". "Why does my dog refuse to eat over his bowl and leave little soggy morsels of extremely expensive food on the floor for me to step on?"

Sigh.

I wish I had a power switch for my brain. Lock me in a room for a few days with some water and snacks and just put me on standby. Of course, I'd have a friend check on me every few hours to make sure I'm not chewing on my own underwear or turning blue from an extension chord stuck around my neck or anything like that. Safety first.

Bobble aka Stupid aka Boogers aka Tommy

The amazing thing is, I have a cat that ALWAYS has his switch off. This poor little fella stares at walls. Talks to his litter box. Gets on top of the refrigerator and cries until someone rescues him. His best friend is a spork. His memory trips about every 3-5 minutes at which point he forgets that he just finished eating and goes to find a food source, or figures out the ghost in his kittybox has left for the time being so he should probably occupy a lap or get petted. He's a little overweight but very soft. Now I know you're thinking "Gosh that Rachel girl is such a good Samaritan, rescuing the retarded kitty." And yes, this is true.
But not my point.

My point IS, this cat is extremely lucky. He loves his life. And if he's having a bad time, give it 3 minutes. And even if he is dumb he's awfully good looking. 

Ok, ok, enough with the cat, we get it, he's cute, blah blah. 

SO.  The real "why" then becomes this: is simplicity happiness? If so, must the mind be simple, or purely the means of pleasure? Do brains equal gloom? Or are they merely too busy calculating things to enjoy happiness for long enough that it actually makes an impact on our day, week, month, etc.? Now if you know me at all, you also know that I always have the right answer. Or will pretend to long enough to convince someone of it. This, however, is the unanswerable question. So, since I cannot provide words of wisdom, I'll end this blog with a few more random questions I've been pondering coupled by pictures that have nothing to do with them. 

Why do I continue to think camping sounds like fun when I do not enjoy getting eaten alive by bugs or waking up cold and somewhat damp?

Why do some people have snakes for pets? Don't they sleep like 5 months a year or something?

Why do I pick the sock lint out from between my toes every time I take off my shoes but walk around barefoot outside and not immediately wash my feet?

Why do I want to go to a protest for the sole purpose of holding a sign that says "Ladies Is Pimps Too"?

Why do rich people drink so much tea?

Nostalgia

nos·tal·gia

   [no-stal-juh, -jee-uh, nuh-]  Show IPA

noun

1.

a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a formertime in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time

Sometimes I put on my rose-tinted glasses and travel to a well known place we all refer to as nostalgia. Today was one of those days where my mind sees everything covered in sun streaks and I think back to those times that now seem were the happiest, even though we all know for some reason our brain only remembers the good parts of a lot of the past. This blog is going to be a photo blog, so I can share all that I fondly thought about today.

"Bubby" and I

"Bubby" letting me drive the lawnmower!

My mom, brother, and I at our first parade

Easter!

"Bubby", Ryan and I setting up for his birthday pool party

Fast forward 10 years...

Livvy and a few of her kittens. We rescued this feral cat (finally) after over a year of trying to become her friend and 22 kittens later... She now happily lives with my parents and is appropriately nicknamed "Chunky".

Nikki, the beagle we rescued along with her 8 pups. Each one found a very loving home.

The pups after playing in the sun all afternoon.

My high school best friend, Kacie, and I on vacation in South Carolina. We we absolutely inseparable all throughout high school.

Me in Spain - 2006

The group of art kids and our amazing teacher, Mrs. Wirt in Toledo, Spain. 

My brother and I, Christmas 2007

  My puppy, Jamie and I. He was my college companion and the best listener. He now happily lives on the farm with my parents and takes his job as resident "goat herder" very seriously.

My first experience in a recording studio, seen here with a dear friend of mine and an amazing bass player, Kai Eason.

My brother and I my sophomore year of college, taken on the steps of the Photography building at VCU.

Texas Beach - James River

Family vacation to Hawaii

My mom's horse, Mu'Tazz and I. He was rescued off of a slaughter truck in Pennsylvania and is one of the sweetest creatures on the planet.

Maywho aka "Keht Keht", my crazy Russian alien/dog/cat/human, seen here on my former roommate Patrick's shoulder.

My brother and I on my 21st birthday!

My favorite munchkin, Mikalya at 2 months old. She's now 2 and a half. Sigh.

Melissa, Mikayla and I the summer I lived with them and her husband Mike and au paired for them.

My family and I at my first gig with the band Barrelhouse.

The lovely Kendall Martin, wife of a member of Barrelhouse. I. Love. Her.

Maywho and I taking our morning ride to Starbucks. Yes, he loves car rides.

My first evening in Nashville.

Even after having a long visit with my memory today and at times yearning to be back in those moments, there is no place I'd rather be than right here in Nashville. It was the best decision I have ever made for myself. Even though I've only been here two and a half months, I can already see the positive changes in my outlook on life and myself and the decisions I make because of that. There's no place like home, and I've finally found it.

Summer Reading

So a few weeks ago, I made the greatest discovery/mistake for my wallet of all time.

McCay's Used Books.

This heaven on earth is two stories of used books, CDs, video games, and records. For cheap.

The other day I was feeling a little low so I did what any normal nerd would do... I went to find a book. Now mind you when I say "a book", that means 5 or more. I decided to dive deep into this magical land of discarded wonders and thoroughly scoured every single aisle that day. I was there for 2 hours and amazingly enough, managed to control myself and purchase only 9 books. I didn't even go upstairs to the CD's and records (pats self on back). So with these 9 books I figured I'd start my summer reading list. These will definitely not last me the whole span of the season, but it's a good start. So far here's what's on the list.

• My Horizontal Life - Chelsea Handler (I'm already 2/3s through this bad boy. HILARIOUS read)
• The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald  (For some odd reason I never had to read this one in school)
• The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger (I've heard from multiple sources this is a good one)
• Lullaby - Chuck Palahniuk (Anything by him is a surefire winner)
• Blue Angel - Francine Prose (This $1.50 treasure is a National Bestseller and was in the "we recommend" section)
• Music For Torching - A.M. Homes (Last summer I read This Book Will Save Your Life by her and it was incredible, so hopefully this will be too!)
• White Oleander - Janet Finch (This is a book I'm pretty sure every 15 year old girl has read, and I never did so I'm going to embrace the 9th grader in me on this one)
• The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction - R.V. Cassill (This was a required book for a college course I took and I LOVED what was in it but lost it.. surprise surprise.. So this won't get read straight through but rather dabbled upon)
• A Painted House - John Grisham (This will be a reread but it is so amazing and it's been so long I'm sure I'll enjoy it as much as the first time I read it)

So far that's where I start for this season of bookworming. I'd love ideas for any other must reads!

Pleasantries

I suppose an introduction is in order! This is the awkward time where I tell a bit about myself in hopes of captivating an audience to gain a following of loyal readers. Or more likely, a vomit of random facts and information pertaining to my likes and dislikes, hobbies, background, opinions, etc.  for entertainment value of myself if no one else. Here we go!


My name is Rachel. 


Well that's a good start right?


I just relocated to Nashville, TN from Richmond, VA where I've spent the last 21+ years of my life (I was born in New Jersey, but obviously don't remember). I moved here with the big dream of becoming a singing sensation, but more realistically to find who I am and become happier with my lifestyle and self perception. 


This is me!

In Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA

 

I am, as some would say, vertically challenged. In turn, hiding things from me for one's own amusement is a simple task for most. With this said, I will say that being small does not make it easy for me to go unseen. I am loud. I talk loud, I sing loud, I walk loud, I often knock things over making things AROUND me loud. Do not fear my friends, I am easy to find. 

Some would say I am an old soul. I like old things. Old music (mainly blues and classic rock), old people (they tell the best stories), old items (also known as antiques), old houses, etc. I find these things to have a charm that most new things don't usually have. Except for babies because they look like old men. 

I am a list maker. I will make a list about anything.  The following are topics of lists I usually have running in one notepad or another.

Songs to learn

Songs I like

Songs I can play

Song ideas

Albums to buy

Places to visit

People I want to attend my imaginary wedding

Places I've been

Concerts I've seen

Imaginary children's names

Quotes

Lists I should make

Yes. I have a list of lists to make.

I have a few obsessions in life. Let's explore.

I am obsessed with my iPhone. Six months ago, I used to hound my friends who were constantly on their devices. Glow faces. I take it all back! This amazing little gadget that I can keep in my pocket connects me with everything I'd ever want to be connected to and more. Facebook, Instagram, Hipstamatic, games, the weather.. EVERYTHING. Not to mention Siri, who finds me and takes me home when I get lost, which is on average about 6 times a week. I would probably have an anxiety attack and curl up in the fetal position if anything ever happened to my sweet precious iPhone. I love you iPhone. You are my best friend.

Books. Oh my sweet mother of pearl, books. I love text. I love the way text looks, the way you hear your own voice reading it to yourself in your head. I love fonts. I love cover art. I love smelling books. New books, old books, they all smell good. I like turning pages and the way it sounds. I love the satisfying feeling of finishing a book, the sigh I give when it's over. I love collecting books. In my dream house I will have a library with the comfiest couch known to man and floor to ceiling walls of books I have read, reread, and am going to read.

Here is a list of my favorite books. 

• A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard
• Tuesdays With Morrie
• Hunger Games,  Catching Fire, and Mockingjay
• Anything by Harlan Coben
• Anything by Christopher Moore
• Apathy
• Mammals (not for the optimistic type)
• John Steinbeck. Enough said.

Now, this list could be an entire blog unto its own, so throughout this adventure I will throw out titles as they come to me. You'll be like, "ok, Rachel is talking about her dog and his bowel movements again..." and BAM. Book title.

Music. We will get there, but not right now.

My dog Benjamin. Most of my blogging will probably be about him, so he will get his full introduction at a later time, but to satiate your burning desire to see his precious face I have included a few photos below.

It's almost disgusting how much I love this dog, but he is my child. 

Piggy banks. I collect any piggy bank that is not in the shape of an actual pig. This obsession started about a year ago when I purchased my first collector of coins, a silver owl, appropriately named Hootie. Since then I have added to the collection a cheeseburger, a gold soda can, a box that opens up and a little kittycat snatches your money, an octopus, and a vintage globe. This is also part of my apocalypse savings plan, so that when the banks crash and no one can get there money, I WILL RISE AS POWER. Not really, but its a good way to hide money from myself. So far it has done me well.

Ok, enough about my prized possessions and such. More miscellaneous rantings to come!

Over and out.