General Ramblings

My Own Little Art Exhibit: The Goth Dollies

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*waves* Hey! Good Friday afternoon to you. There’s been a lot of downer posts around here lately and I’m sorry for that. Today’s post (I hope) should make up for that. Today I’m going to share a side of me that isn’t a cancer patient or a snarky political and pop culture commentator. Today I’m going to share with you something that makes me happy, my funky doll collection.

A few years ago I bought a book full of blogging idea titled No One Cares What You Had For Lunch. Today’s post is a mix of 2 different ideas. I am curating my own art exhibit and showing you my funky doll collection. I love dolls. I collect them on and off, mostly when I have extra money. The dolls I chose for this post are my goth dolls. I love these and wish I had some place to display them. I know shows like Clean House disapprove of people’s collections of almost anything and the designers are loath to utilize them in any redesign but I love my dolls and I’d never sell them. One day I hope to have some place to show them off. I need a display cabinet or a shelf or something. My Barbies (a post for another day) need doll stands so they can all stand up.

This collection features Living Dead dolls, a Little Apple doll, and 2 Bleeding Edge dolls. Like I said, I have nowhere to display them so for this post they are arranged on my desk and the windowsill next to it.

all the pretty dollies

umbrae (little apple doll)

morbida b. weir and Raven (bleeding edge dolls)

I’m not sure why but I didn’t photograph all the Living Dead Dolls separately. They are, from left to right …

Sheena, Bride of Valentine, Greed, Sinister Minister, Bad Habit, Kitty, and Lottie.

sheena, bride of valentine, greed, sinister minister, bad habit, kitty, and lottie.

sinister minister and bad habit (living dead dolls)

If I get time or feel creative enough, the next collection I’ll showcase are my beloved little Smurfs. If I ever raid my mom’s house I have a wind up collection and a gorgeous shell collection given to me by my parents’ friends Tootie and Dorris. Oh and somewhere hiding in this house are my Strawberry Shortcake dolls.

Until next time …

Stay Spooky!

Love,

~ me ~

Finding & Losing & Looking for My Voice (the evolution of Soapboxville)

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Soapboxville was born many years ago in 1999. It was there that I wrote really cheesy reviews of Goo Goo Dolls concerts, even worse short stories and it was the home of the Lunchbox Notes. The Lunchbox Notes are in my opinion some of the best writing I’ve ever done. They were conceived when I read a book entitled Notes on the Kitchen Table. As I read I remembered a note my mother left for me the day she went in the hospital in 1991. Inspired by the book and the note and a lunchbox notes product I’d seen in a catalog, I decided to send out daily e-mails to a small group of friends. Each note included an inspirational quote and commentary of some sort from me. I wanted the people who read them to feel just as loved as I did when I read my mother’s note.

The Lunchbox Notes were born before I had the opportunity to actually be paid to write. They were before I knew my writing had flaws and that my grammar and punctuation needed (um, needs) work. I won’t even get into my capitalization issues. But I digress … My point is this, when I was writing the Lunchbox Notes I wrote because I loved to write, I wrote because I wanted people to feel loved, the words came from my heart. The Lunchbox Notes project had my heart.

7 years later the 365 Days of Sunsets project was born out of lingering grief from the death of my grandmother more than 2 years earlier. I felt compelled to document the passing of time and the best way I knew how to do that was to acknowledge each day’s sunset. I started the project with just a point and shoot camera caring only that I got a quick shot of each day’s sunset. As time went by I fell in love with taking pictures and photography became not just a hobby, but instead a passion.

1st 365 Days of Sunsets Photo

In between the Lunchbox Notes and the 365 Days of Sunsets projects I’ve written about everything and nothing; pop culture, politics, cancer.  Lately I find myself floundering. I’m struggling to find my voice again. To be honest, part of the problem is that more often than I’d care to admit I find myself feeling deflated because my humble little Soapboxville is not as popular as other blogs and that my readership is comparatively small. This has been bad for the creative process.

A few months ago I took part in some bloggy type thing on Twitter and someone offered the critique (I asked for it) that Soapboxville lacked focus and that is why I don’t have a larger audience. I just can’t bring myself to narrow my focus. Truth-be-told I’m not of a narrowly focused mindset and this was just one person’s opinion.

As I write this it occurs to me that I actually do not want to be the next Pioneer Woman or Perez Hilton, although the income would be nice. As it turns out I just want to be comfortable with my own writing again. I miss the ease with which my words flowed when I was writing Lunchbox Notes. I also miss the purpose the need to photograph each day’s sunset gave me.

I have a lot to think about in terms of where I want to go with Soapboxville and what I think works and what I think does not. I like the countdown to fall but I’ve heard from a few who do not. I’ve been toying with making the countdowns to each season more like a daily almanac type post than just a daily countdown.

If you’re a daily reader I hope you’ll continue to come back every day. If you’re a new reader please come back again to see where this journey takes me.

Thanks for reading!

Love,

~ Carol Anne

p.s.

Any and all suggestions are most welcome.

Learning to Drive with the Soapbox Girl

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Hey! Remember me? Yeah, I know a week has passed since I last studied for the driver test. I got caught up working on a project then just decided to be lazy. This almost-40-year-old will not learn to drive if she doesn’t read the driver manual so off we go.

I Could Be Tested On


I had a good chuckle reading the list of things I might be tested on. They are as follows.

  1. Driving in reverse
  2. Following other vehicles
  3. Nearing corners, intersections
  4. Parking parallel
  5. Sitting properly — What? My grade school nuns branched out into driving instruction?
  6. Starting a vehicle
  7. Steering properly
  8. Stopping smoothly
  9. Stopping at signs — I suppose the South Philly Slide is not an accepted practice.
  10. 10. Turning
  11. 11. Turning around
  12. 12. Using the horn — *guffaws* I’m guessing middle fingers and shouting obscenities is not part of the curriculum. But this is NJ so you never know.
  13. 13. Yielding right of way

The Soapbox Girl Says Buckle Up

It’s here I want to stop and preach the gospel of seat belts. The first chapter after all the red tape gobbledygook is Driver Safety and The Rules of the Road. The very first topic covered is New Jersey’s seat belt laws.

Many years ago we were in a head-on collision. The guy who hit us was on his cell phone and turned directly into us on a 2-lane highway. Our car was totaled and we were transported to the hospital by ambulance. Chuck had chest pains from hitting the steering wheel and I had a bloody nose and chemical burns on my face from the airbags. We walked out of the hospital that night and walked home. This would not have been so had we not been wearing our seatbelts. I don’t care what you think about the government telling what you can and cannot do. Fasten your seat belt because it may someday save your life. I’ll end my sermon here but remember, fasten your seatbelts because the Soapbox Girl told you to.

New Jersey law requires all front seat passengers be buckled up. If you’re going to be riding with me for the next 15 months or so you backseat drivers will have to buckle up too. All passengers riding with GDL permit holders or probationary license holders must buckle up. They can stop me if anyone in the car is not buckled up and remember my tickets are Chuck’s tickets for the next 15 months so cut the poor guy a break and buckle up. If you don’t you’re totally paying the ticket(s).

Car Seats and Legal Double Talk

Here’s where we’re back to legal double talk …

fig. 2.0

fig. 2.1


*scratches head*

You just told me on the top of page 40 that there are exceptions to the rule and then went on to explain them. Now here were are at the bottom of page 41 using the word always. Which is it? This is the kind of stuff that drives me crazy.

Car Condition


Did you know that it is against New Jersey law to have any back up lights on while a vehicle is moving forward?

Me either.

*looks confused*

I didn’t even know this was possible. Go figure. You learn something new every day.

One Final Point for Today’s Lesson

*laughs*


The manual says I should often check to make sure my horn works. It also says that I should use my horn to signal when passing or when coming out of a blind alley, curve, or driveway. Hmmm … No mention of the jackass who just me off.

Did you hear that? That’s the bell. Class picks up on Monday. Don’t forget your #2 pencils and thinking caps. See you then!

Learning to Drive with the Soapbox Girl

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Lesson #2

Okay, now that my NJ driver manual is from February 2011 and not December 2007 we can begin the studying process. Put on your thinking caps and don’t forget your government red tape decoder rings. You’re gonna need them.

Beginning at the Beginning

In New Jersey we have what is called a Graduated Driver License (GDL*). It is a multi-stage system designed to gradually introduce driving privileges to first time drivers (that’s me!) and to extend practice-driving times.

First thing is first. I will need an Examination Permit. This will cost $10. After I pay my $10 I will have to pass the 50-question knowledge test as a well as a vision test. I’ll also need the 6 points of identification that New Jersey requires. Because there just is no way I could possibly briefly explain this to you I’ll just offer you the link to the PDF to red if you’re so inclined. Forewarned is Forearmed — It makes my brain itch just thinking about it so read at your own peril. http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/Licenses/ident_ver_posterpint.pdf

Once I pass the knowledge test (And I will. Right, study buddies?) I’ll have to practice driving for 3 months with an adult supervising driver. *laughs* Here is where you should start feeling sorry for poor Chuck and offer to take up a collection to buy him a crash test helmet.

I will also have to observe the Examination Permit restrictions, which are as follows.

  1. No driving from 11:01pm-5am1
  2. No cell phones, hands-free or otherwise
  3. A supervising adult driver must be in the front seat with me at all times. (wanna go for a ride?)
  4. A wordy passenger restriction that’s not applicable to me because I’m (way) older than 21.1
  5. Everybody in the car MUST be wearing his or her seatbelt.
  6. Must display decals on license plates. Here’s where I get confused. In the first listing  [fig. 1.0] there is no notation saying that this does not apply to me because I’m (way) older than 21, but in the blurb describing the GDL decals [fig. 1.1] it says drivers under age 21 and makes no mention of drivers older than age 21.

fig. 1.0

fig. 1.1

(There is actually a typo in the manual. The notation for the passenger restriction not applying to those older than 21 is actually on the supervising driver restriction. Hey NJ if you’re hiring for proofreaders I’m pretty good!)

Now that I’ve observed all of the restrictions and I’ve completed 3 months of supervised driving without any suspensions or postponements I’ll have to pass the road test. *bites nails*

Once I’ve passed the road test I’ll be issued a Probationary License, which I’ll keep for 1 year. During this time I will have to continue to observe all of the Examination Permit restrictions listed above save for having an adult supervising driver in the car with me. Uh oh NJ I’m gonna be unsupervised and behind the wheel!

Ain’t this a Kick in the Head?

As long as I hold an Examination Permit or Probationary License (roughly 15 months) my adult supervising driver (Chuck) is also responsible for any of my traffic offenses. *bites nails* There goes poor Chuck’s driving record. I’m sorry in advance for any and all tickets I (and you) may accrue.

After I have 1 year of unsupervised driving I will need to return to the Motor Vehicle Commission to pay $24 for my Basic Automobile License and poor Chuck can have his driving record back to himself. Poor guy.

So now that we’ve covered all of the red tape we’ll get into the nitty gritty of it all tomorrow. But, hey! Just for the hell of it let’s try the online practice test and see what we get without reading past the red tape and clerical topics. Shall we?

Test is here, http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/sample_knowledge_test.htm

Okay so perhaps winging it wasn’t the best idea. I got 13 out of 20 correct, which gave me 65% and you need 80% to pass. So hit the books we shall.

See you tomorrow!

* Not to be confused with GTL (Gym, Tan, Laundry)

In related news, Vinny has decided to return to the Jersey Shore house. I know you’re all very relieved. I know that I certainly am.


This, That & The Other Thing

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THIS

Netflix is upping it’s subscription prices by 60%. No matter what I decide to do I’ll be paying more for less content. It seems Hollywood’s biggest movie studios were unhappy with Netflix’s pricing. They seem to believe their content is undervalued. I’d respectfully like to ask the studio that put out Transformers what a steaming pile of crap is worth, but I digress. My current bill of almost $10 is going up almost $6, that’s 60% more for the same product. I love Netflix and will be heartbroken when I do but I will cancel my subscription. Last November Netflix raised their prices by $1, now less than a year later I’ll be paying almost $7 more than what I signed up for and getting the exact same product. I’m not sure how Netflix thinks this benefits me as a consumer but whatever it is they are mistaken. Hollywood would do well to remember how poorly people looked upon the record industry as CD prices went up and up and up. I haven’t bought a physical CD or whole album on iTunes in I don’t know how long. On August 31 I’ll cancel my Netflix account because I cannot justify paying an additional $6 for the exact some product. Times are tough and Netflix you don’t make the cut in terms of my limited disposable income.

_______________________________________________

THAT

Romance Novels Promote Risk Behavior — or they don’t

I saw this in the Philadelphia Inquirer this morning. An essay written by Susan Quilliam, a sexologist was recently published in a British medical journal. In it she claims (cut and pasted directly from the Inquirer’s website)  “a huge number of issues” that she and others see in clinics and therapy rooms can be traced to the influence of romantic fiction, where emotional decisions regularly trump rational ones.

Seriously? Do they honestly believe grown adults cannot discern fantasy from reality? Do they honestly believe adults are making sexual health decisions from scenes they read in romance novels?

Have we really come to this? What happened to good common sense and independent thinking? I don’t want to live in a society where we have to be cautioned against reading romance novels lest we be swept away by lust and have unprotected sex. If my fellow humans can’t control themselves after a reading a book for heaven’s sake I certainly don’t want them watching violent action movies.

_______________________________________________

THE OTHER THING

President Obama Cannot Guarantee Social Security Checks

President Obama says that if the debt ceiling issue is not resolved by August 2nd he cannot guarantee that the 70 million social security (all twenty billion dollars worth), veterans’, and disability checks will go out as scheduled the next day on August 3rd.

I think if an agreement cannot be reached and 70 million people suddenly find they have no source of income until the millionaires in D.C. can take their collective heads out of their collective asses then I say we need to find a lawyer file to a lawsuit to ensure that the president, the west wing staff and all of congress also do not get paid.

According to the conservatives government handouts make people lazy so let’s see how motivated the conservatives are when they no longer have their government handout. I mean it certainly cannot be considered to be a paycheck when they do so very little to earn it.

Of course a good deal of the folks representing us are millionaires so I’m sure they won’t miss their government paychecks. In fact, there’s an idea right there. All those who can afford to work for free should decline their government paychecks and invest that money back into the country. Of course they won’t because they are too greedy.

I have a few ideas about how to save the economy, pay down the deficit and get those rich folks tax breaks all while putting people back to work. Sounds like a win win scenario, doesn’t it? You can read them here.