Geminis going dark: A playlist by Jana and Erin

You had no idea what this title meant, did you? 

Last Thursday of the month means it's time for another playlist with Jana  and Erin. Although June is our birthday month and we could have done birthday themed songs, we opted for something a little darker because let's face it, that makes way more sense. 

You know the saying "a wolf in sheep's clothing" and how it means something sinister disguised as something sweet and cute? Well, that's essentially the theme of this month's playlist except we're calling it "Catchy Songs About Fucked Up Things".

We actually had to whittle the list down, and I'm sure we could do a part 2, but for now, we'll just go with these 12:

"Make it Stop (September's Children)" by Rise Against. Jana had actually mentioned this song to me pre-Pulse shooting because this song makes me tear up every time I listen to it, particularly when they list some of the kids--CHILDREN--who've committed suicide because of being gay. Post-Pulse, it's even more poignant and a necessary inclusion.


"Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People. School shooting song. We shouldn't even still be talking about school or any type of mass shootings but that's another topic for another time. 

"Fade to Black" by Metallica. This one's about death and suicidal feelings. 

"Last Resort" by Papa Roach. Also about death and suicide. Jana says that's enough on this topic for now so we'll move to something else.


"Mr. Brownstone" by Guns N Roses. Drugs! This one's about drugs. We struggled between using this one or "Dr. Feelgood" by Motley Crue so we're mentioning the latter to sneak it into the post anyway. #sorrynotsorry


"Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind. Another song about drugs. Meth this time, instead of cocaine or heroin. Not sure that we're moving up or down but at least it's not death. 

"Under the Bridge" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Also drugs but also about loneliness and desperation and isolation because of drugs.
 

"Crawling" by Linkin Park. Another one about the battle with substance abuse, drawing on Chester Bennington's own experiences.
 

"Jeremy" by Pearl Jam. This is the first song I (Jana) was consciously aware of the lyrics and the meaning and having it impact me. Suzanne Vega's "Luka" should have that honor but I was only 10 at the time of the song's release so I didn't pick up on it right away (I actually believe it's one of the most heartwrenching songs ever). We're showing the video for "Jeremy" instead of just the song because Erin feels that it's the most impactful video ever made.  (Erin's note: This song is TWENTY-FIVE years old and what is depicted in this video is still happening in schools and classrooms today.  I'm pretty sure Pearl Jam didn't expect the song to be as relevant today as when it was recorded.)

"Wrong Way" by Sublime. A nice song about child prostitution. Maybe also a little child abuse. Bradley Nowell was masterful at writing awesome songs about fucked up things (see: "Santeria", "April 29, 1992", "Date Rape") and who knows what else he could have done. Sadly, he's a member of the 27 Club so we'll never know.
 

"Face Down" by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. This one's about domestic violence. It's more obvious in subject matter than some of the others, and the band has done a lot of stuff for domestic violence prevention in the years since.
 

"Manhattan Project" by Rush. Pretty obvious what this is about. It's not as dark as some of the others so I (Jana) thought it was a fitting way to end the list. Also a good way to finally get Rush on one of these playlists.
 

Honorable mentions: "Goodbye Earl" by the Dixie Chicks (murder, domestic violence), "Never Again" by Nickelback (domestic violence), "Janie's Got a Gun" by Aerosmith (child abuse, murder), "Me and a Gun" by Tori Amos (rape), "Hurt" by NIN (so many things), "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Warrant (murder with a not so thinly veiled racist title), "Coming Undone" by Korn (mental health issues), "Adam's Song" by Blink 182 (teen suicide). It's a really long list. 

What are some of your favorite songs about fucked up things? 

25 ?s

Take a look at a fellow book lover's answers (from Bevchen Confuzzledom*)
*I know that isn't her "real" name, but how cool would it be if it was?

1. What is your middle name?: Elizabeth
2. What was favourite subject at school?: I loved Spanish, but sadly, I couldn't have a proper conversation with a Spanish speaker because I never immersed myself.
3. What is your favourite drink(s)?: cherry coke, hot tea, a good margarita, Crown Royal & 7, Smithwick's or Shiner Bock beer, sparkling water
4. What is your favourite song at the moment?:  I can never choose just one.  Let's see.  One of my all-time favorite artists (Butch Walker) has a new album coming soon called "Stay Gold"...that song is already on Spotify.



5. What is your favourite food?: All things TexMex
6. What is the last thing you bought?: I downloaded two books from two different bloggers.
7. Favourite book of all time?: Impossible.  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is the book that I've read the most times.
8. Favourite colour?: Hot pink
9. Do you have any pets?: Look!  A question that allows me to show off my fur babies! (L to R - Sally & Dolly aka The Destructive Duo, our mutt sisters; and our rescue kitties Astro, Ivy, & Ricky)

10. Favourite perfume?: Dior Addict Shine (I think that's what it's called)
11. Favourite holiday?: It used to be Halloween, but I can't say I have a favorite holiday anymore...anything that involves food and rest.
12. Are you married?: Yes
13. Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times?: I'm guessing this question is assuming I live in the same country that I was born, which I don't, so, yes, I've been "out of the country"; times? I don't know, but I've been to 13 different countries, some of them more than once.
14. Do you speak any other language?: see question #2
15. How many siblings do you have?: One full brother; plus step-siblings and in-laws
16. What is your favourite shop?:  Every time I'm back in Texas, DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) is a must.
17. Favourite restaurant?: In Sydney, Chophouse ... a fantastic steak house ... and by answering these questions, I just learned that 17 hours ago, a news report says they are in "receivership", meaning they are for sale or could go bankrupt.  That sucks.
18. When was the last time you cried?: 2 days ago
19. Favourite blog?: I have probably 10-12 that I read almost everything that is published.
20. Favourite movie:  Love Actually, Grease 2, Almost Famous, Urban Cowboy, The Outsiders
21. Favourite TV shows?: of all time - Oz (the HBO prison show); there is not one television series that I faithfully watch right now
22. PC or Mac?: PC
23. What phone do you have?: IPhone
24. How tall are you?: 5' 6"
25. Can you cook? I can follow easy recipes.

Learn anything new about me? 

Blogger Love for Book Challengers

What is it?:  Book Challenge by Erin 5.0

Where is it?:  On this facebook page

When is it?:  July 1, 2016 - October 31, 2016 - still time to join us!

Why?:  Books!  That's why.  Plus, the facebook page is an interactive group of fellow book lovers and readers from all over the world.  Currently, we have participants living in Australia, Canada, Guam, England, India, Scotland, Switzerland, Germany, and the USA (20+ states represented)...that I know of. 

Who is it?:  Me!  I try to be as stress-free, supportive, and encouraging as possible.  For me, this is a super fun activity to read books and converse with fellow reading enthusiasts.  Plus...these fantastic bloggers...and more facebook friends who joined the reading party!

Andrea at Andrea's Adventures

Ashley at The Wandering Weekenders

Audrey Louise at Life as Louise

Bevchen at Confuzzledom

Brie at A Slice of Brie

Cat at KittyKittyLaLa

Christina at Easily Entertained (although she's taking a blog hiatus)

Dani at Faster Than Forever

Deb at Pen In Her Hand

Ericka at A Quiet Girl's Musings of a World That Talks Too Much

Gwen at Confessions of a Gila Monster

Heather at Heather's Hurrah

Heather at I Do What I Want (another on a blog hiatus)

Jamie at Whatever I Think Of

Jen at It's My Life...

Jenn at Optimization Actually

Jenn at Quirky Pickings

Jordan at Loca for Language

Kaity at (Bee)autiful Blessings

Karen at Run Wright

Kelli at Kellibeans

Kristen at Divulge and Indulge

Kristen at See You in a Porridge

Kristin at Stuff, Things, etc.

Megan at Can I Decide Another Day?

Michelle at Michelle Lately

Priyanka at Cookie Crumbs Inc.

Sabrina at By Breenah

Sanch at Living My Imperfect Life

Tanya at A Mindful Migration

So far, FIVE HUNDRED and FORTY books have been selected for this 5.0 challenge! 

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.79

I'm such a modernised version of an '80s teenager with bright pink lips and blue eyeliner...and I own it. 

Continuing birthday month celebrations, a girlfriend came over with a bottle of tequila, and we watched our favorite movie - Grease 2!

Winter nails - OPI's Black Cherry Chutney

Can't get much better than cold pizza for breakfast.

My dad always gives me the sweetest, most thoughtful cards.

A boy and his dogs at a local duck pond

Sunday afternoon ice cream bar with a book

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Facebook, I love/hate you

My birthday came and went without any fun and/or clever blog post about it.  I'm still swirling in emotions from all that is going on in this great big world we live in and in my personal slice of the world as well. 

One very silly thing about a birthday is all the lovely well wishes on social media.  I admit it, I do love that about facebook.  C'mon...I admitted it was silly, but they are just little messages to brighten someone's day.  That's a nice thing.

But, here's the thing...

I have a love/hate relationship with facebook right now. 

I love it because my book challenge is there, and it brings me such a joy to see interactions with people from different corners of the world and different connections to my life all talking about books. 

I love it because I can see pictures of kids, travels, fur babies, and other joyful things that I just don't get to see in that magnitude in any other place from friends and family. 

I love it because I've reconnected with some people that bring joy in my life. 

I hate it because most everyone is an expert on something.  (No, they aren't.  They just think they are.)  I hate it because people say some of the dumbest, most idiotic, disrespectful, hateful, uninformed things that are sometimes even hurtful to others.  I hate it because sometimes I get drawn in to what I think should be intelligent discussions (silly me), but they turn into ugly arguments.  I hate it because I'm pretty sure that I've never once seen anyone admit, "I was wrong about topic XYZ, and thanks to facebook, I've been educated and have evolved into a smarter, better, healthier person".

I love it because it gives me a platform to discuss a book with a second cousin of mine that quite honestly, we would not be talking about if it wasn't for us both being on facebook.  We don't have each other's phone numbers or emails.  She's not a blogger.  Facebook is where we chat.  There are several people like this in my world.  I do feel closely connected with some people and fb is the medium because of it.

I love/hate the voyeuristic opportunities that it allows.

I hate that it can be used by perverts.  And inmates.  And terrorists.  And groups to support dickwads like rapists (Brock Turner's support group, I'm looking at you.)  And hate speech/groups.  And gangs and cartels. 

I love/hate some of the memes that I see making their rounds.  Some are wonderful and hilarious; some are moronic and spread ill-advised opinions to sheep-minded people.  Let me share one of those wonderful memes that I saw the day I typed this post:

What are some things that you love (or hate) about facebook?

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.78

Sweet sisters 

When my husband comes to bed, this is how he finds me most nights...so, he snapped this picture for me to see. 

Afternoon tea with a caramel birthday cake

I'm seeing a trend in my birthday cards/gifts... 

...and this one came all the way from Scotland!

It's cold and rainy, so this is our Sunday. 

An old favorite of mine; my daddy and me. 

Happy weekend to you and yours!

I show you my books; you show me yours... vol.17

Jana & Steph are bringing us book lovin' bloggers our favorite day of the month again - Show Us Your Books day!  If there was ever a day to break away from the news and social media and throw myself into book talk, now is that time.

What I've read since our last link-up:

1.  Extreme Prey by John Sandford (Lucas Davenport in the Prey series #26) - I have been reading this series since the beginning in the early '90s.  Possibly some of you were not even born yet when I started my relationship with Lucas Davenport.  He is smart and a badass, and I love him.  After talking about collecting poetry books: "I'm pretty delicate," Lucas admitted. "You know, when I'm not beating somebody senseless."

I also love that this author has started a spin-off series with another detective (Virgil Flowers), so throughout this book, there is a sprinkling of "that fuckin' Flowers" comments, and that makes me happy.  This particular story focuses on some political nut jobs who are potentially plotting an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate.  There are very few authors that I am as loyal of a fangirl as John Sandford.

2.  The Killing Lessons by Saul Black - A messed up lead detective with a difficult past; mix that with an even more messed up lead killer with a far more disturbing past; that is this book. Plus more.
WARNING (spoilers ahead): if you are sensitive to the topic of miscarriage and/or abortion, you probably want to skip this book.  4/5             

3.  Hades by Candice Fox -  I read this book for the Aussie Author Challenge and review it here.

4.  Breakdown by Jonathan Kellerman (Alex Delaware #31) - Yes, this is a book that is a part of a series, but I have no problem recommending it even if you've never read any previous book by this author.  The relationship between Dr. Alex Delaware, practicing psychologist, and his best buddy Lt. Milo Sturgis, homicide detective, always entertains me enough for a good solid 4 star read. 

5.  The Cartel by Don Winslow - The sequel to The Power of the Dog - Think The Godfather; instead of The Mafia, it focuses on Mexican drug cartels.  No, not The Godfather.  That isn't violent or horrific enough.  Think The Sopranos multiplied by 1000.  And, to think, I've been to every border town that is featured: Juarez, Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, and Tijuana.  I think that made the book all the more intriguing.  And frightening.  Both of these books would make epic movies.  I looked at the author's website, and guess what, they are in "pre-production" for movies.  Excellent! 4.5/5

6.  The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan - After a string of books filled with senseless murders, it was time to switch things up.  Plus, it was time to Read My Books (for the challenge Dani & I are hosting).  I guess this is chick lit, right?  Well, this isn't the normal type of book that I'd pick up to read, but after seeing many-a-blogger sing its praises, I was intrigued.  Thanks to Kristen (blogger buddies & unexpected gifts are awesome!) for ensuring I had my very own copy, this was sitting on my bookshelf waiting for me.  It is delightful, and I'm happy that I stepped out of the box and read this little gem of a book.  Is this a perfect book?  No, but I gave it a five-star rating anyways for the enjoyment factor.  5/5

7.  Dumplin' by Julie Murphy - A celebration of individuality, self-acceptance, growth, friendship, relationships, and love...sprinkle in some Dolly Parton...all set in small town Texas.  For me, what's not to love?  Finally, I can catch up on my Armchair Librarians podcast. 

Book Challenge Reminders:

Read My Books Challenge - happening now!; link-up the 14th of July

Book Challenge by Erin 5.0 - reading begins the 1st of July

Currently Reading: Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs (for #SCSBC16 & #readmybooks)

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.77

Sydney winters are mild, so walks in the park are still enjoyable many days. 

A monument honoring indigenous Australians who have fought for their country. 

This place has fantastic cheeseburgers, and I treated myself to one for lunch. 

Mary's also has a shrine to Lemmy from Motörhead. 

What's better than a bookstore full of secondhand books?  A bookstore full of secondhand books with a shop cat!!

The world needs more care packages in it. This unexpected surprise made my day. 

There have been a lot of kitty cuddles and reading in bed this week. The best way to end a day. 

Happy weekend to you!

High School was a long time ago

I'd written about some heavier topics this week, you know, like, depression relapses and rapists who receive idiotic punishment... so I thought I'd end it Friday with a little fun.  (after all, I had this in draft, and it didn't need much work to publish, so there you have it...less work for me; fun times for you.)

I'm stealing borrowing this post about High School Reflections from the lovely Audrey Louise; and it appears that she stole borrowed the post as well.  Folks, it has been *cough* 25 years since I graduated high school.  Yes, you read that correctly.  For me, that means I straddled the late '80s and early '90s for my high school experience.  For you, that means you get to see pictures from 25 years ago.  Holla for the big hair!

The yearbook photos

What kind of student you were in high school (popular, nerd, sport obsessed, choir, etc).

I'm not sure I fit into any one particular group.  I was on the high school drill/dance team and that consumed a lot of my time and attention.  I was friends with and in classes with so-called "nerds".  Funny enough, of those that I have contact with these days, most would fall into this group.  They grew up to be the wittiest, most intelligent, and interesting group (no surprise). 
For two years, I dated a football player, and you know, in Texas, football is like a religion.  And, I participated in and had friends in my church youth group.  While I was a die hard Bon Jovi girl (and lover of all hair bands), a few of my close friends were "new wave" kids who loved The Cure and The Smiths.  I went to some parties but didn't drink.  So, some of the "cool kids" weren't fans of me while others that I considered "popular" were good friends of mine.  I'd say I was pretty well-rounded, but yet, I didn't feel like I fit in to any one group 100% of the time.

About your school. Was it private? Public? How many in graduating class? Mascots? School colors?

My high school was a public school in the 'burbs of Houston.  I can't remember...I think we had 300ish in the graduating class.  Mascot - the War Eagles; colors - red, white, and blue; school fight song was to the tune of "Grand Ol' Flag", and I still remember the pom routine that we performed every time it played.

About some of your favorite memories of high school or what stands out the most. Any teachers? Specific classes?
As mentioned before, the good ol' Liberty Belles took up a lot of time and focus.  There were practices and camps, games and competitions, choreography and marching drills, costumes and meetings, try-outs, sore muscles, sprained ankles plus a fractured ankle and thumb (both needed casts at different times)...this was mixed with valuable lessons of hard work and dedication, memorable friendships, laughs, sweat, tears, and rivalries.

Other memories that come to mind as I type this:

• Thesis day in Mrs. B's English class (I had her sophomore and senior years); she'd wad up your paper and throw it across the room if she knew that you wrote it in homeroom before coming to class...and she knew...she always knew if you'd done a half-ass job.
• Reebok hi-tops ... I was kind of known for having pretty much every color that they made at the time.
• Sitting in Ms. S's Geography class on the back row with JY (don't know if people from that time want their name floating around the internet) and becoming each other's "back-up plan"...you know the one..."if I'm not married by 40, look me up, and let's get hitched" kind of plan.
• Our salutatorian (who I frequently still chat with on facebook) said in the closing of his speech "crossdressers need love too"...yes, he liked to push buttons and provoke the heavily populated Southern Baptist community.  He was ahead of his time.
• My 1984 Pontiac Firebird
• Mums - I think this is just a Texas thang, so let me explain...at Homecoming, you get this mum (as in the flower) with ribbons and gizmos and ribbons with stickers and lights and even more ribbons, and heck, the one I'm wearing in the picture below even played music!

A piece of advice you would pass on to your children or any child entering high school.

This advice from Miss Audrey Louise is pretty perfect: "Be nice to your friends and the kids that aren’t so popular. Be nice to teachers and administration and your parents. If all the fish in the sea aren’t being nice, swim the opposite direction and show some kindness."
Also, I'd say: Apply yourself.  Participate.  Be active.  Utilize mentors.  Speak your mind, but prepare to listen and learn as well.  Don't take yourself too seriously, but don't be a total clown either.

You know that you envy that hair.  My apologies to the ozone layer.

A piece of advice you would pass on to your children or any child exiting high school.
There was an old saying about high school: "these are the best years of your life."  No, they aren't.  Don't let that happen.  Appreciate the gift of life and what this great big world has to offer.  Travel.  If you can study abroad, do it, even for only a semester.  Do NOT use credit cards foolishly.  Debt is a bitch and can haunt you for years.  Put the effort to maintain friendships you feel are worth it.  Let go of the ones that aren't.  Open yourself up to meeting new people and learning new things.  Always keep learning.

Care to share your high school reflections?

My two cents

By now, you probably have read quite a few things about that piece of shit rapist Brock Turner.  And his piece of shit dad.  And that piece of shit judge who gave a laughable sentence.  If you haven't, google him. 

There are so many layers to this story that make me spit fire.

Date rape.
Rape culture.
Treatment of rape survivors.
Inequity of sentences given out for different crimes.
Parents that make excuses for their children.
This list could go on and on...

I've got two more layers that I want to comment on...

As a white female, I'm going to throw the "race card" in the mix. I haven't heard many people talking about it.  Maybe that's a good thing.  Because it doesn't matter what color anyone is in this story, the "wrongs" are horribly wrong.

But, my husband and I were talking last night...if this was a black Stanford student, he'd have received a harsher sentence.* ( *exception being if he was a star athlete for a sport that was bringing in high revenue for the university.)
If this was a black guy who happened to be on Stanford's campus, he'd have been locked up and thrown away the keys. 
If this had been a black guy raping a black girl in a poverty stricken area, sadly, most of us wouldn't even know about this story or be paying this much attention.
I'm outraged at the sentence for all kinds of reasons. And, yes, the "race" reason is one of them.

Also, I have a friend...long story...but, two months ago, after a night out drinking with friends, she offered her couch to a male friend who'd had too much to drink to drive home.  This male friend was  a good friend who'd expressed interest in dating her.  She'd had the conversation more than once with him that she loved his friendship, but only wanted that...their friendship...nothing more.  He'd stayed at her house on previous occasions after too many drinks.  This particular occasion, she was sexually assaulted in her own home.  She has chosen not to press charges or legally report him.  She is a civilian that works on a military base.  He is in the military.  She says that in their situation, she knows it is only going to be her word against his.  So, she has already been too fearful of the victim-blaming and shaming that she assumed knew damn well that she would experience.  This week, she pointed to this case as another example of why she is scared to report.  What she said to me "I don't have two witnesses who interrupted the attack to vouch for me."  And, "I don't have the strength to face a military investigation when I'm sure he will only receive a slap on the wrist.  If that."  She did confront him about it, and his reply was "sorry about that; I was drunk."  Sounds a lot like Brock Turner's reasoning. 

This is one friend's story.  I know others.  You know others.  You may have your own story. 

In the case of Brock Turner, hooray for those cycling Swedes that stopped, intervened, didn't just ride pass or look the other way.  Most of all, hooray for the victim who (hopefully) sees that she is an inspiration to many and support is out there in abundance.

Source

Relapse

Depression sucks. 

And, I'm in the middle of seeing a great-big-ugly-uninvited visitor named "Relapse".

But, I'm fighting the fight.  I don't feel like I'm winning the battle right now, but I keep fighting.  I see that as a good thing.

My therapist (because I'm starting to see her again on a more regular basis) wants me to start focusing on some positives; she wants me to give myself credit for the big and little things, so I give myself credit that I'm still fighting.  That's big because I really don't feel like fighting.

My biggest tormentor is me.  I am HARD on myself.  I blame myself for things that I don't deserve the blame.  I've gotten worse as I've gotten older.  I think it's because I have done things in the past that I deserve to be judged harshly, so I turn this into judging everything I do harshly and unfairly. 

I mask this well.  Sometimes, I am a master at hiding the ugliness that is inside me. 

Other times, I'm terrible at hiding my feelings.  I lose control of them, and I cry or get incredibly irritable. 

I am up and down; high and low; flat and spiked; numb, yet overly sensitive.

I feel like I don't make any sense at all.

I do NOT like this part of me.  I hate it actually.  And, this turns into an ugly spiral of self-hatred.

I've had two different dreams in recent months where I've attempted suicide in the dreams.  They scared me.  I knew I had to act.  So, I'm battling.

Medications have been reviewed and altered.  Other medical conditions (that can contribute to depression) have been analyzed.  There are talks of endocrinologists and psychiatrists.

My g.p. has referred me to another dietitian (or is it dietician?  I think this is one of those American vs. Australian spellings that has me confused).  I haven't gone yet because I'm an emotional eater, and I don't want to be told to stop eating what I'm eating. 

Therapy sessions have increased.  We're even considering group counseling sessions too because I have an unbelievable ability to show empathy to others and want to support and encourage them, all the while I'm tearing myself apart.

I battle by forcing myself to continue to socialize.  I am really feeling like hiding under covers and only talking to my cats.  But, forcing myself to go and do, even if I'm not fully enjoying it, is still a win for me.

I battle by focusing on things that do give me pleasure.  You see my slight obsession with book challenges?  Well, they bring me pleasure.  So, I throw myself into them and soak up as much pleasure as I can.

My therapist wants me to journal more.  I guess this post can be considered a journal entry.  Sorta.  Except my journal is supposed to be where I tell my deepest, darkest thoughts without worrying that anyone will read them. 

Last night, Ricky licked tears from my face.  My husband rubbed my back as I cried.  What was I crying about?  That I hate this part of me.  I just want it to go away and leave. 

I feel like I'm letting my husband down and adding to his burdens (he already has enough stress of being a small business owner.)

I am appreciative and grateful for loving support.

I know some of you battle too.  Keep battling with me.

Sunday's Seven Snapshots vol.76

I told y'all about the TexMex restaurant that opened in Sydney, but did I show you that the menu was a record that you pull out of an album sleeve?  Coolest menu ever.

Wall of guitars and Mexican license plates  

 "Vivid Sydney is a festival of light, music and ideas."

The Opera House features artwork from a collective group of indigenous Aboriginal artists. 

Snaps taken from an iPhone 5 do not do these scenes justice. 

That cube is interactive with colors and touch. 

A view from my train platform. Not.too.shabby.

It's been raining all week. I'm about to curl up with the kitties for a Sunday nap. Happy weekend!