Social Media Taught Me Something

This blog is dedicated to writing about my growth or at least my attempts at it.  I haven't had anything to write about in that respect lately but today that all changed.  Facebook has been my social life line for a while now.  I started playing games on it, socializing, keeping up with friends, sharing pictures with family in town and out and just generally keeping in touch with my world from home.  I've felt much angst towards it for a little while now - starting really with the chick-fil-a issue.  When all that was going on I kept my mouth shut on social media.  The most I did was make my cover photo say "Straight but not narrow".  However, this election was the straw that broke this camel's back for social media.  I realized today that my facebook is essentially my "other life".  I don't speak out about issues, I stay quiet so as not to offend anyone - mainly people I know from the mom's group, B's family and really my own.  In this I realize I have stayed in my comfort zone in allowing people that I know think I'm like them.  It's a complete cop out.  I don't speak up for fear of the after effect.  Because of this 95% of my news feed the last couple of days has been Romney, Romney, and more Romney.  Now it's full of people crying, "throwing up" and going on about how they "don't understand how this could happen in our country", "what has this world come to".  But it goes further than just being upset their pick didn't win - it goes way into the area of pure hate.  Hate for people that are different than them whether it be poorer, democrats, of different sexual orientation, color, etc.  Complete intolerance.
Why do I not allow myself to be who I *truly* am?  Because I'm terrified of the fall out.  I'm terrified of being labeled as different.  I'm a blue in a completely red state.  Up until today I've justified it with just that - I'm a blue in a red state.  I'm a nonreligious person in the bible belt.  I don't want it to be held against my daughter.  I don't want to upset my husband's family.   But is it really worth it to keep my mouth shut?  In a way it is - social media isn't the place to argue the hard points with people who aren't willing to listen.  Typed words are easily misinterpreted as there is no inflection in tone used.  But the realization that these people know that I'm "friends" with them on facebook and they can just assume that I'm on their side because I don't say anything different makes me nauseous.   What do I do - do I say what I really think and deal with the fall out, do I just delete them or do I just stay off facebook since nothing I say would really make a difference in what they think?
I'm not saying they were wrong in their choice for who they voted for - I'm a strong proponent for "to each their own" but I have absolutely no tolerance for hate - whether it be obvious or shrouded with words.  That's my issue with these people - so yes, my friends list will be much shorter after tomorrow and yes, I am going to reevaluate the "safe" zone of social media.  I'm challenging myself to being "me" everywhere - not just where it's safe.

Elections, Babysitting and Crafts

My sister and I both had our daughters during election years... how cool is that?  This will be the Mayor's second presidential election to visit the polls for.  We had to stand in line for about an hour and half this morning but she was fine because at the end she got a sticker.  :)

After the Mayor's ballet class we went out to my sister's and I got to babysit my infant niece for the first time.  The Mayor and I had a blast.

Once dinner is complete I will be heading over to help Ari with some of her awesome goods for the craft show this weekend.

Yes - today should warrant a good poignant post if only about the election but honestly I'm way too tired.

Oops

Blogging Fail.  Not even a week in and I missed a day.  Oops!  I spent all day yesterday trying to get everything together for the show this Saturday.  Running around town for last minute supplies, mounting, matting and pricing my ink transfers, making what felt like a gazillion thanksgiving hairbow before finally falling into bed from pure exhaustion.  The first thought that went through my mind as my head hit the pillow was "Crap! I didn't blog!"

In all likelihood I'm going to miss a couple more days this week in the frenzy of stuff to take care of before a big show... balancing that with real life can be rather tricky (and not to mention that my latest obsessions are Lost and Sims3 - neither of which are possible to multi-task during).

Wish me luck!

College Football

I absolutely LOVE watching college football.  My main team is Alabama tied with Texas (because I will always be a Texas girl at heart) but I am perfectly content to watch any and all games that I can on saturdays during the season.  Tonight was a fabulous game between Alabama and LSU.   Alabama made the winning touchdown with 50 seconds left on the clock - defense came out and shut LSU down.  It was beautiful!  Good night and Happy Day Light Savings time!

A Piece of Myself

I've always dabbled in arts and crafts.  After the Mayor was born I dived in head first as a way to "escape" for a little while each day and have something that I had control of the start and finish of.  When she was a couple months old I started playing around with old windows - my first two were done by making designs with colored rocks.  They are hanging in my dining room and are a constant reminder that no matter how out of control life feels I can still find/create beauty.  Next I messed around with sketching, watercolor and card making.  Then I started making hairbows.   (It's so much fun to be able to make bows to match all those super cute outfits for my little one.)  After that I taught myself how to knit and worked on my sewing skills.  From there I went on to photography and tie dye work.  Pretty much all over the board.  My latest project is learning ink transfer.

This year I started putting my work out there for the public to see by participating in Art Strolls this summer and several craft shows last month.  This month I'm doing my largest show yet where I'll have holiday themed hairbows of my own design, hairties (folded over elastic ties that are fabulous - stylish, great for your hair and comfortable to boot!) and for the first time - my photography in the form of ink transfer to canvas.  I'm extremely anxious (no one likes to be judged and found lacking!) but excited and proud of myself for taking this next step in my journey of growth.  I know doing craft shows probably seems trivial but for me it's more than selling things - it's putting a piece of myself out there to be looked at, touched, judged and possibly sold.  Self-esteem is a constant struggle for me and I can't stand stepping out of my comfort zone and opening myself up.

A Post a Day - Day 2

I really don't have anything to write about today so I'll just leave you with one of my favorite songs.  :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4ISFwQ5MIo

November - A Post a Day

November is the month for writers.  Lots of encouragement to get crackin' on that work of art that has been living in the back of your mind for eons.  Me - I'm not a writer ... BUT I am going to try and hold myself to a post a day for the month.  I would love to get into the habit of blogging every day even if some days it is just a cool song I found.

I signed up for another 5k today - this one will be at the end of this month.  B and I are going to do it together and the Mayor will ride in the backpack.   I am also participating in a craft show next weekend where I will have hairbows but will also be debuting my photography in the form of ink transfer on canvas.  I'm anxious but excited at the same time.

Okay it's time to bring up the bday girl for the party I'm currently working so I'm off.  Day 1 of A Post a Day can be marked complete!