100 YEARS

Lately, my journaling has taken a back seat to a myriad of activities I have been engaging in. I have a million things to write about, yet nothing to say.

My birthday is Saturday. During the whirlwind of these past weeks, I have found myself thinking a lot about my life. The ups and downs and in-betweens that comprise it. There is little, if anything, I would change about any of it. This "middle time" of my days on earth finds me grateful for all of the small and large events that have occurred and the people who have come into my world. Be they fleeting visits or long-term ones, they are appreciated.

I am neither 15 years old nor 100 years old. At times, I rest somewhat uncomfortably right where I am. Other times, I am at great ease in this particular place I find myself. Empowered in many ways, vulnerable in others. Ah, life.

The lyrics to the following song sum up very well my conflicting emotions:

100 Years by Five For Fighting

I'm 15 for a moment
Caught in between 10 and 20
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are

I'm 22 for a moment
And she feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars

15, there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live

I'm 33 for a moment
Still the man, but you see I'm a they
A kid on the way, babe
A family on my mind

I'm 45 for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm heading into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life

15, there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose yourself
Within a morning star

15, I'm all right with you
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live

Half time goes by
Suddenly you’re wise
Another blink of an eye
67 is gone
The sun is getting high
We're moving on...

I'm 99 for a moment
Dying for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are

15, there's still time for you
22, I feel her too
33, you’re on your way
Every day's a new day...

15, there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey, 15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live

"A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip." ~Author Unknown

PRINCESS GLAM~Self-Portrait Challenge, November, Week 2

Ah, there are just those times when you feel exactly like a storybook princess. I have been fortunate enough to have had many such times in my life. It is an adventure into long ago and faraway. And all is right with the world.

The following picture depicts one of those magical evenings. (I have recreated it by donning the same dress, jewelry, and wearing my hair swept up and back.) We had a party to attend. A lavish party. A glamorous party. This was not a time to be dressed suggestively, however. It was important to be attired in clothing and jewelry that presented a more proper look. Many people would be in attendance.

My earrings and necklace are rhinestones, yet they fooled people left and right. Never one to pretend something is what it is not, I immediately thanked them and then informed them that they were not real diamonds. Maybe I should have let it go, but it feels right to me not to leave anyone with a false impression. Anyway, I loved how the necklace followed the neckline of the dress.

That evening was most assuredly a gathering of princesses and handsome princes. The only thing missing was a tiara atop my head. ::grin::

And because I am a sucker for making graphics that glitter and sparkle, I have also posted the same picture after I animated it using my animation program.


November's Self-Portrait Challenge theme: "Let's ditch those imperfections and go all out GLAM for November. Yes let's glam it up with some disco, diamonds and glitter. I suggest some gorgeous shots - really over do it on the posing and makeup and dressups and show us the extrovert you. The sexy mama in the kitchen with the peek-a-boo apron or how about some diamontes on those dungarees, stillettos, feathers and lycra. Looking for ideas then go no further than Glam Rock as your inspiration, KISS, David Bowie, and Queen and Garry Glitter. Glam means dressing androgynously in make up and glittery, florid costumes such as David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust phase or The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Get Glam everyone!"

BALANCING ACT

Sometimes I want and need to be reminded that even the seemingly impossible is possible.

Thank you to my mysterious and good friend for the permission to post this photograph.

Balanced Rock was exposed more than 60 million years ago when the existing Rocky Mountains rose. To make its current shape, the soft bottom layer of shale eroded much faster than the harder sandstone and conglomerate above. Amazingly, the pedestal supporting Balanced Rock has held the 700 ton weight for thousands of years. (Information from The Garden of The Gods Park plaque.)

"Yes, you can be a dreamer and a doer too, if you will remove one word from your vocabulary: impossible." ~Robert Schuller

DRESSED IN SHIRT & TIE...KINDA~Self-Portrait Challenge, November~Week 1

November's Self-Portrait Challenge theme: "Lets ditch those imperfections and go all out GLAM. Yes lets glam it up with some disco, diamonds and glitter. I suggest some gorgeous shots - really over do it on the posing and makeup and dressups and show us the extrovert you. The sexy mama in the kitchen with the peek-a-boo apron or how about some diamontes on those dungarees, stillettos, feathers and lycra. Looking for ideas then go no further than Glam Rock as your inspiration, KISS, David Bowie, and Queen and Garry Glitter. Glam means dressing androgynously in make up and glittery, florid costumes such as David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust phase or The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Get Glam everyone!"

I laughed while posing for this week's self-portrait. I felt about as dippy as I did when I shut the car door on my head. Bad part is that the latter was accidental; the former was intentional. Ah, the things I do. No telling what will be next on the list.

After reading this month's theme, the following went through my mind: first, I am so not androgynous; second, I do not pile on make up...ever; and third, glam is not particularly a look I have ever tried to achieve.

My mind went completely blank coming up with a single idea, and I thought I might have to skip this month's challenge. Then, I realized how much I do love the comfort of a man's dress shirt. I adore wearing a nice, crisp white dress shirt with skinny jeans or only the shirt...barely buttoned. And from that thought, I came up with this androgynous...kinda...pose. The hubby loved it. He reallllly loved it. ::grin::

This is not glam nor am I wearing any makeup except bright red lipstick and nail polish (which I retained in this black and white shot through the wonders of PSP), but it is my nod to androgony and as close to androgynous as I get. Besides, David Bowie's Ziggy will never be equaled by anyone. A true genius resides within that talented man.

THE REAL BOTCHED JOKE

''You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq.''~Senator John Kerry

He called it "a botched joke." Yeah, right. He scrambled, as well he should have to cover that ketchup covered mouth of his. At first he proclaimed that it was merely a jab at President Bush that he had messed up. The written "joke" was apparently quite a lengthy one. I read the entire joke as it was originally written. It was posted in the news. He left out not only one word or two. No, he left out more than an entire sentence. A good bit more.

Now, oddly enough, his claim is he only left out the word "us." Uh huh. The spin doctors (Kerry's aides) have said he was supposed to say, "...you get US stuck in Iraq." How curious that his original claim was that the joke was longer, but he messed it up. And suddenly now it was just a one-word blooper. Pfffft.

Liar.

The troops deserve better than that. Far better. And apparently the group of military men pictured above made sure everyone knew how they felt about Kerry's little joke in what is a brilliant "biting" photograph. Bravo!

The only joke in this particular mess is John Kerry. And not even a funny one.