Showing posts with label alabama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alabama. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Why Spring 2012 can't get here fast enough...

I've mentioned before about how we don't exactly live in the nicest neighborhood.
We are both college students whose parents don't pay our rent, we have average jobs, therefore we have to take what we can get.
Our apartment is actually kind of nice [on the inside], we have great neighbors, but the people on the other side of the gas station are sketchy as mess.

Every few weeks this woman comes and knocks on our door AFTER dark and begs for money.
First of all, if you need money THAT bad, come during the day when I can see your face, and I'm not scared that you are going to rob me. [I'm extremely scared of the dark] Second of all, I am a college student and struggle to pay my own bills. I understand that people have it harder than I do, but going around begging people for money on a daily basis is NOT a job. Get out there and try to find a job to support yourself. Part of me feels bad because I should be helping those in need, but then my realist side comes in and reminds me that I can't help someone that can't help themselves.

This morning, I wake up to the sound of talking RIGHT outside of my bedroom window. I look outside to see if it's the maintenance man, but it's not. It's some random guy.
Kami started barking, which is not good. This dog NEVER barks unless she feels like she is in danger [or really has to 'use the bathroom']. I have been paranoid for the last few days that our house was going to get broken into because it's Thanksgiving break. Practically everyone has gone home which makes houses/apartments more vulnerable to break-ins. Every year we hear about people getting robbed blind while they were on break. So I woman-ed up. Put my shoes on, and went outside. I thought for sure this guy was looking for a way to break in my house, and I wasn't going to just lay there and watch. So I open the door and ask the man in a very rude tone WHAT he was doing in my yard. Seriously, he looked like a deer in the headlights. Kami continued not just barking but completely freaking out. The dog who will lick anyone to death, could tell that there was just SOMETHING wrong about this man. He said he was picking up pecans. IN MY YARD. When I asked him why, he said he was going to leave, and sure enough, he left.

I can't for the life of me figure out what is going on in someone's mind that they think it's okay to go into someone else's yard, who they have never met before, and dilly dally around.
Several hours after he left, I took Kami outside. She immediately went to the spot where we saw him and started sniffing. Her tail went between her legs and she ran right back into the house. It took ALL I had to drag her back outside to the other end of the yard for her to do her business.

The whole ordeal really freaked me out.
Have you ever had any creepy experiences like these?

Monday, July 19, 2010

This one time....

Dear Blogger Friends,

I am leaving you tomorrow to embark on the marvelous journey that is high school band camp. Please pray that I do not have a heat stroke [since we will be spending 9 hours outside 'enjoying' Alabama summer days], and also that I don't end up physically hurting anyone [because I will obviously be tired/hot & therefore irritable]. I will be in a small town, staying at a place that doesn't have cable OR internet, so if you get a call/text from me...it's probably a cry for help.
I will be back this weekend though, for much needed R&R, before another week of pure joy ;)
If you don't hear from me come Sunday, just assume I didn't make it out alive.

Sincerely,
Jamie

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

30 days of me::A Concert

Day 6: Whatever tickles your fancy

Last night, Mr. O, Aaron, & I decided to go to a concert.
We saw Emery
Terrible Things
Queens Club
Sent by Ravens
Kiros
Evolette

I've never been to a concert like this before. First of all, we were confused because we thought it was going to be at a small club, but it ended up being at a church. Honestly, the only band I had ever actually heard before was Emery. ANYWAYS...I was expecting there to be a couple hundred people there, but unless I just really suck at estimation, I don't think there were MORE than 100 people in attendance. It was very intimate and sweet.

Evolette was first. They were pretty good. Aaron said they reminded him of Paramore. I'm kind of interested in hearing their album when it comes out.

Kiros was very energetic. They are a group from Canada, and KEPT reminding us about it. Their music was good and their Tshirts were cool.

When Sent by Ravens came on, I started to feel like I was at church camp. I just remembered back in the day when they would have people come in and sing and it would be all fun, and then they would start talking about how we should give our lives to God and the mood would go from fun to serious. DON'T get me wrong. I was raised southern baptist, and I am a Christian, but I don't believe in pushing your beliefs on someone else. It didn't last long, and maybe I was overreacting, but I started to feel a little out of place. Anyways, their music was pretty good, but if I never had the opportunity to see those guys in concert again, I don't think I'd be upset.

By the time the fourth band came on, I was starting to wear out. But, Queens Club was like a breath of fresh air. The lead singer reminded me of Napoleon Dynomite, and they were totally grungey-garage band, electro crazy awesomeness. Check them out!

For those of you who don't know, Terrible things is made up of Fred [former TBS member], Josh [former Coheed&Cambria member], and Andy [former Hot Rod Circuit member]. It was really awesome. I would definitely enjoy seeing them again, and hope I get the chance to.

But what really made the night awesome was Emery. Apparently their bus had broken down, so only a few of their band members made it. AKA an acoustic show. It.was.amazing. They had us all sit down, which I was thankful for because I was exhausted at this point. They sang to us, and talked to us. They let people ask questions. It was special.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

You're probably tired of hearing about this

But...
It snowed in Alabama yesterday, and no one knew what to do with themselves.

I mean, gas stations closed, fast food closed, ALL SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA were supposed to close....it was ridiculous.

Since we had NOTHING better to do, we went out to play in it.













It was fun while it lasted, but I will definitely be glad when it starts to melt! I'm ready for spring to come!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

Take a breath

The past two days have been full of experience and insight.

I was inspired not only as a teacher, but as an artist.

For those of you who are just tuning in, Me and a few of my peers had the opportunity to teach an art project to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at Gordo Elementary School. Each of us dealt with about 72 students each [not at the same time, thankfully], and were fully responsible for teaching these students how to make pinch pots.

I will not lie. It was completely exhausting, both mentally and physically. But, it was absolutely worth it. Not only for all of the experience that we got, but also for the kids. They loved it! They [for the most part] were well behaved, and I fell in love with their personalities. They were so sweet and full of life.

After we got done teaching, we went on a tour of the town. I met Glenn House, a famous book artist/clay enthusiast, his wife Kathy, who does beautifully hand colored photographs, and they were kind enough to take us through their museum and studio space. They also introduced us to Amos Kennedy who gave me these posters he made:





This is the kind of town I want to live in. One where the whole city supports the arts, and actually welcomes new artist, because they believe that it enriches life.
I have plenty of pictures to post, but for now, I am far too tired.
Hope you all have a great weekend!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

I break the rules so I don't care

It's finally cooling off here in good ol' Alabama, and my heart is very, very happy.
I cleaned my whole apartment and bought a bunch of pumpkin spice and mulled cider candles, because I want my house to smell like fall.
I've been dying to carve pumpkins, but Aaron had to work all weekend =\
Speaking of work.....his new job has pretty much taken over his life. On the weekends anyways.
I mean, obviously I'm glad because it pays the bills, but it just sucks that they literally give him all his hours on the weekends.
*sigh* Besides painting and making chili, this is what I did today...

a 'flower' centerpiece for my kitchen table.
[tutorial here, if you're interested]

Sunday, August 23, 2009

You are Manhattan in June

Today, I'm feeling not-so-hot, in a sense that I may throw up half way through this post, but I'm going to continue anyways.

This weekend was pretty much one of the best weekends that I have had in a long, long time.

Friday night, we went to see Inglorious Basterds. Well, I really loved it. I'm not going to review it, but Matt did, so read his :)

Saturday, Aaron, our friend Danny, and I went to Dothan to do a little shopping. Our day consisted of Michael's Arts & Crafts,
Icee's from Target,
too much time in Barnes & Noble,
spontaneity in the mall,
[getting my ears pierced]
and ended with dinner at TGI Friday's with my friend Emily.

See, just a few weeks ago, she was diagnosed with the swine flu.
Although, according to her doctor, she is no longer contagious..........
Now, I really, really hope that I am not really sick, but if I am, I will be pissssssssed that I decided to hang out with her.

Anyways, I'm off to do some homework, and then to bed. Hope you all have a lovely week!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Alabama with a 35mm





Sorry, been busy moving/unpacking and haven't found much time for blogging. But I did find these pictures I took a few years ago with a film camera, and thought they showed a lot about where I come from. HA. enjoy :)



Friday, June 5, 2009

pictures from home pt.2




Happy Friday Everyone!


Friday, April 24, 2009

When heaven's not waiting, it's spilling its secrets

This weekend, I will be at the Troy Fest. [Locals, Please come out & support the arts!!] It's an arts and crafts festival held in April every year. I was propositioned to sell some of my stuff, and I was really considering it. Well, still am. My printmaking teacher pretty much told me I didn't have a choice, that I will be putting some of my prints for sale, but I am still debating on whether to put in my ceramics pieces.

My ceramics teacher told me yesterday, that he wouldn't want me to price them for more than $20 each. This is the same teacher who told me back in February that it would be crazy for me not to charge at least $20 per hour that I spent on them, meaning that some of them would cost well over $200. When I asked him why he was contradicting himself, he said because our economy just isn't good enough for that. What do you think I should do?

Thursday, April 2, 2009

so turn off all the lights

Sorry for being kind of M.I.A. from the blogging world for a few days, but I've been unbelievably busy.

I woke up to the sounds of sirens around 7 this morning. Tornado warnings...AGAIN. Classes were cancelled due to the terrible weather, so I had a little bit of time to do some things I WANT to do rather than just do things I NEED to do.

I finished my painting. I'm pretty proud of it. If you're interested, I have it listed for sale on my etsy.



Pretty short winded for tonight. Stay safe!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Unbelievable.

It snowed yesterday in Southern Alabama. I know, some people are wondering why everyone is making such a fuss about it. But really, I only remember it snowing here once before when I was a little kid, and I remember Nanny not letting us go play in it because she was afraid we'd get pneumonia. The snow yesterday, though, wasn't even sticking to the ground. Just roof tops and cars.



This was the best I could do as far as pictures were concerned. I don't love cold weather, so I wasn't going to venture out in it. Time for class. Hope the weather gets warmer, soon, since Spring Break is next week!