A picture, photographed or graphically designed, by yours truly attached with a creative written response of a thousand-ish words. Could be a tall tale, inspired by a true experience, a random journal entry, or an analysis of the photograph or design itself! Dealer’s choice.
Write a letter to a former teacher about where you are [now] and what impact they had on you.
I ran into my elementary Speech Therapist at the grocery store a couple years ago So, I did get a chance to tell her what I was up to at that moment and thank her In honor of Teacher’s Appreciation Week this week May 3rd – 7th
Dear Ms. Lloyd, I travel the world as a Communications Specialist. I interact with dozens of Design Engineers from all the over the country, Canada, Mexico, France, and India. Being able to speak with every level of people, that’s all thanks to you!
You helped teach me how to speak so others can understand me and comprehend my words. This means more than I ever thought about before. I see others struggle speaking because of their speech impediments and getting lost in translation with others.
Spending those two years with you was time well spent with how I am now able to communicate with the world! You helped give me confidence! I’m no longer afraid to raise my hand or speak up for myself! Some would say I’m a Chatty Cathy, haha!
You’ve helped open so many doors for me in regards to career opportunities! I mean, come on, a “Communications” Specialist! My job title is verbally communicating in front of a group of people. How crazy is that?! I’ve also given a Maid of Honor speech, a Valedictorian speech at my college graduation, and [now] I speak/share my writing with a virtual Journaling Workshop every week.
I’d say I’m a success story! And I’ll say it again, “I’m a success story!” because I like being able to pronounce words correctly. It feels good!
I don’t do well with change. I like order. I live by my schedule. I prefer structure. I love consistency. I think it has to do with my OCD. Any type of interruptions to my routine is like wreaking havoc to my very core. I have to talk my irrational mind down from the ledge because I know it’ll all work out and things will be okay. I. Will. Be. Okay. After some convincing, I see another day without giving up.
I would like to change my job situation because I am underemployed. While I’m thankful for being paid to do a temporary job that is in high demand during this global pandemic; I assist registered nurses and respiratory therapists with onboarding to hospitals and now vaccination clinics across the country. We’re busy, which is great.. “job security,” whatever that means. I’ve applied/interviewed for four permanent positions at this company I’m temping for and haven’t gotten an offer yet, which is frustrating. Trying to maintain work/life balance, keep my sanity, yet trying to prove I’m worth hiring. It’s taking a toll on my confidence. I’m afraid I’ll keep hearing: “No,” or hearing nothing at all. It’s just discouraging.
I’d like to have a change of scenery: a long overdue, extended, overseas holiday to explore nature, museums, seeing all the sights, and fall in love with life again. It may help put things in perspective. Do I work to live? Or live to work? I live to.. live! Money may make the world go round, but I create the currency and I spend my time the way I so choose!
Share a moment of kindness from a stranger that meant a lot to you.
Summer of ’96, the sun was shining, birds were chirping, and my block was busy with activities. Neighbors washing their cars, mowing their lawns, planting flowers, catching some rays, running in sprinklers, and music blaring from open windows. I chose to ride my bike with no helmet, no pads, and no worries! I was a mismatched nine-year-old sportin’ neon patterns and untamed frizzy hair.
I didn’t care.
Just getting some fresh air.
My destination was: Nowhere.. in particular.
I was caught unaware of the uneven concrete square up ahead.
I was sent airborne.
Every kid’s nightmare.
“Aaahhh!!!” I declared.
All I could do was stare.. in despair.
How unfair!
My banged up hardware.
A pair of bloody elbows, knees, palms, and I swear..
a solitaire scrape on my chin.
Quite a few tears on my now tattered clothes.
To be fair, I looked scared!
I heard a sudden stop of a vehicle on my left, which I thought was in err.
My brain was signaling: “BEWARE!”
Guess my accident sent up a simultaneous flare for urgent care.
This prepared young couple glared at me, they tended to my wounds, and bandaged me up here and there.
I felt safe seeing they traveled as a family affair; with toddlers in their mobile chairs.
How rare of these parents to share their kindness with me.
My boyfriend, Jaimie, and I creatively collaborated for the first time! I introduced him to one of my childhood favorites; the movie called Troll. It’s such a bad movie.. it’s good! We utilized this flick for his new magazine called: Rob’s Video (you can purchase it here):
The first issue of Rob’s Video has arrived! Lovingly named after the local neighborhood video store from my childhood. This zine is a love letter to crazy genre films and video store culture. With a wide array of contributors giving interviews, reviews, and stunning artwork. All made with a passion for those bygone eras of insanity in film. Conversations about horror, westerns, gore, etc. leap from the page. Plus artistic tributes to films like Puppet Master, Hammer Films, and even Troll. Take a deep dive into B-movie culture by opening the pages of Rob’s Video.
The Potters just moved into an apartment complex, filled with interesting neighbors: a beefcake veteran, a playboy, a professor, an actress, and a princess. An enchanted ring finds Wendy Potter, the young daughter, who doesn’t seem like herself upon wearing it. Her older brother, Harry Potter Junior, is the only one who notices the changes in Wendy. Their folks presume she’s homesick and/or upset about the move. Harry Potter Junior seeks refuge at his neighbor’s upstairs apartment, Eunice St. Clair. At first, Eunice seems to be just a grouchy old lady who isn’t fond of visitors, especially uninvited kids, but Harry grows on her. Her apartment is decorated in medieval style, which intrigues Harry’s interest in learning more about her and thus divulging about his familial woes. Eunice begrudgingly decides to take Harry’s worries seriously and help him save his family. She not only believes Harry, but trusts him enough to let him see her magical mushroom that she’s been hiding under a lamp shade. He’s adorable by the way! He reminds me of Beaker from the Muppets; squeaky comedic relief with expressive facial features.
Eunice gives Harry a history lesson: she tells him the story of what or better yet.. who has possessed his sister.. a faerie of sorts, mean, and very strong.. a troll! The troll’s name is Torok, who was human (Eunice’s estranged lover), he’s vowed his revenge to wipe out humanity and rule the world.. once again! Torok chose one token specimen to be spared, Wendy, who will serve as the Princess of the Faeries. Eunice supplies Harry with a magical spear to defeat the biggest, most powerful creature he can find for which it represents the heart of Torok’s universe. “It’ll be mean, it’ll be ugly, and it will not be glad to see you!” Harry embarks on an epic journey, going from apartment to apartment that Torok transformed into different faerie worlds. Will Harry find his sister in time and save all of humanity?! You’ll just have to watch Troll to find out!
Troll is the ultimate 80’s bad movie with a horror fantasy charm! It’s sprinkled with a couple people you may recognize: Sonny Bono, the mom from Lassie, Atreyu from The NeverEnding Story, and Elaine from Seinfeld. There are some brief, gross transformation scenes that I can’t help but look away from.. Hey, I have a squeamish stomach. Sue me. Hahaha, I haven’t used that phrase in forever!
What’s a bad movie without a couple random musical/dance numbers that have no relevance to the storyline whatsoever? The faerie creatures chant a mystical song called “Cantos Profanae,” that I thought was just gibberish or Latin, but according to the internet.. there are lyrics, which make no sense:
“Time of Tempest tu… He hath heard of this
Pierce of weary ache and pain. Time on!
Herba Way, herba herba, herba herba way. Tempest!
Harken hen, harken, harken, harken, hen! Ahhhhh! Oh sirrah save us save us. Oh sirrah oh la fey la [repeat a dozen times]”
Harry Potter Senior takes a Kit-Kat break (not really) by poppin’ on a Blue Cheer record and jammin’ out to Summertime Blues. His freestyle dance moves (I’m sure he choreographed himself) are chilling: from his lip syncing, wide legged stomping, puckered lips, air guitar, and his squirrely eyes bare into your very soul. Mrs. Anne Potter is startled by the sudden bass that shakes her dish rack into the sink. She attempts, and fails, to tell her husband to turn it down, because she sees him enjoying his tunes in his own unique way. Everybody has their own way of settling in. Hey, moving is one of the most stressful life events!
This bad movie holds a special place in my heart because I first watched it as a child and I related to Wendy Potter because I was also a curious little girl who could see herself venturing off by herself, exploring a new place, interacting with every person, losing her toy down a dark, scary basement, and daring to retrieve it.
The setting sparked my interest in “communal living” because of the apartment building the Potters move into. So much in fact that every time I’d play the fortune-telling game M.A.S.H. (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House), I hoped for “Apartment” and made it come true because the first home I bought was a.. condo; shocking, I know!
SPOILER ALERT: four years later, a sequel was created, Troll 2, which is infamously described as the worst movie ever.. with only a five percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.. if that gives you any clue as to how gnarly it is. You have been warned.. proceed at your own risk! By the way, no one from the original cast returned for the second installment of the Troll saga.
It was such an honor that Jaimie asked me to collaborate with him on a creative project, let alone on his new magazine! We were first inspired to do this project whilst watching the documentary: 24×36: A Movie About Movie Posters (highly recommend). Immediately after viewing the movie, Troll, we brainstormed the overall design of the movie poster: the ringed Troll holding Wendy’s stray ball, his mismatched shadow on the apartment door (foreshadowing when he embodies Wendy.. gotta love the wordplay, haha), and the overgrown railing leading up the staircase. Jaimie drew our ideas to life and I formatted the movie title, advertising slogan, and billing block. I did not initially envision our movie poster to be in black and white, but it makes sense in regards to a simple, cost effective, moderately produced magazine. I am interested in seeing our movie poster in color and I hope we can display it in our home some day!
I’m looking forward to collaborating with Jaimie again soon for his next issue of Rob’s Video! Please stay tuned. You don’t wanna miss it!
Life is a dance; whether you have two left feet or..
Not.
“Happiness is only real when shared.” -Christopher McCandless
I highly recommend this movie (or book, if you rather) because it resonated with me on many levels. As good as your intentions are, no matter how knowledgeable you may be; life is unpredictable.
What's something you had to learn the "hard way" - but that you're happy you know now?
Not to stew in my own misery.
I had to learn that the hard way.
I had to learn to not to feed the monster.
Conflict with myself.
Internal battles.
Fight against my rational mind vs my OCD.
Every little thing bothered me.
They built up rather quick and I had to address every single one.
I took it out on everyone around me too.
Watch out.
I was always on a warpath.
Better brace yourself if you were in my way.
“Hell hath no fury like a woman [scorned].”
You’ve been warned.
Avoid being thorned.
I have not mourned..
who I was.
I have only adorned..
my progress.
It was easier to just lash out and drink myself into the bottom of a bottle.
I’m happy I recognized I needed help.
Sought it.
Fought it.
Bought it.
And thought it..
all started inside..
Me.
Feelings become thoughts.
Thoughts become words.
Words become actions.
Actions become habits.
Habits have consequences.
I learned to follow the trail.
Stop it in its tracks.
I had to be taught how to function properly..
for my own sanity.
If I didn’t enjoy my own company..
why would anybody else?
It took years of therapy, deep digging, and internal reflection to learn how to be alone.
It was scary being by myself and not hate myself every second.
Every second seemed like an hour.
I know now that I was worth the trouble.
I deserved a second chance.
A second glance.
A second enhance.
A second romance.
Happy dance!
What are the non-negotiable traits that your [future] partner cannot have? What are the things they must have?
Narcissistic Perfect manners Un-stocked TP Refuses to engage in any sort of PDA Toxic masculinity Poor hygiene habits Strong hatred toward any group of people Too political Too religious Two-faced Greedy Gym Rat Cocky Over-critical Heckler Wants a trophy wife Gamer Wants me to be their Mama Has no room for compromise Submissive Judgmental Alcoholic Shopaholic
Silly sense of humor Intelligent Has common sense Financially responsible Good tipper Gives constructive criticism Gentle Courteous How they treat the wait staff Animal lover Likes to play board, card games Avid reader Confident Has their own friends/hobbies/interests Listen = Silent Patient Kind Humble Cryer Does dishes Decisive Dominant Not afraid to frolic Bollocks
The traits I listed above are not for a future partner as the prompt asked because I already have a partner. We’ve been together for four years this upcoming May. Yet, it feels like a lot longer.. in a good way. In the best way, of course! I was also asked: “So, how does your partner compare to the list you wrote?”
I responded without hesitation: “If I had to dream up the ideal partner, Jaimie wouldn’t even compare. He’s more than I ever dreamed of. He set the bar high in teaching me how to be loved; thus helping me love myself.”
“Do you like hanging out with me?” “Yeah.”
If you look closely, there’s a bird’s nest in the dinosaur’s mouth!
Sipping on wine, enjoying the view, & singing along to Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore.”
How well do these labels other people have given me.. fit?
Well, not so well.. Appearance alone, people presume I’m attention-seeking because of my mohawk and bright fashion style.
I believe I’m just expressing myself. Letting my freak flag fly so other “black sheep, weirdos, and different” people feel comfortable around me. An unspoken icebreaker. We all belong.. somewhere.
“Come sit over here next to me.”
I think if we took the time to get to know each other, we’d label each other less.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand-ish Words 