“Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown.”

So this is kind of similar to my last entry. I guess I just never thought that much about growing and moving on until the past month when I realized growth and moving on is what I need.

The past 2 days I have been cleaning my room out at my moms house so I can stay with her until I head to Austin. When I first realized the task at hand I was just annoyed with having to clean. Then, I started throwing out my clothes,(and reminiscing about how thin I was) going through old boxes with pictures and frames, notes from middle school, etc. Ahh tear. I may or may not have had a slight breakdown. Growth and moving on, here I come!

How did I end up here?

My alarm went off this morning at the same time it does every Monday-Friday. I rolled over and turned on the snooze, like I do at the same time every Monday-Friday. I finally roll out of bed, grab my towel and head to the shower. I put on my makeup, do my hair, go to the kitchen to grab breakfast then realize due to the pushing of the snooze button, I have no time for breakfast. It's the same thing 5 days of the week. Drive to work, park in the same spot, unlock office door, log into computer, check emails, go make tea...blah blah blah. It's like time only exists in this routine I have now. How did I get here?

When I graduated highschool my plan was to work in fashion and move to New York City. When did that plan go off track? I guess maybe when I left the University of Arkansas to move back to Dallas. Or maybe when I went I started at UNT and changed my major to family studies. What made me want to change my major away from fashion? I HAVE NO IDEA. Now I have my license as an esthetician and I'm doing nothing with it. I work in a office as an assistant. What happened to my plan? Who knows.

I am not unhappy with my life, but I am unsatisfied with how it has turned out so far...I pictured myself doing great things and making a difference. Instead, I'm sitting here thinking about how to change my life in order for me to be satisfied.

I guess you could say I am a person who gets bored easily. That is probably my problem. I have too much I want to accomplish, and I got stuck trying to figure out how to do everything. Now, how to get unstuck? Hopefully my eventual move to Austin will help. Who knows. Will I always be unsatisfied?

Oh where did all the time go?

"I still need the camera because it is the only reason anyone is talking to me. "-Annie leibovitz

So obviously I enjoy photography. Hence the title of my blog "Picture This". Maybe one day it can be part of my profession, but for now it is a hobby of mine. I mostly enjoy photographing architecture. I love architecture. I think buildings, whether it's a house or the empire state building, tell a story about that particular location. The era the building was built, the angles, the materials, the detail, everything describes the way of life when the building was constructed. I really want to start photographing people more though. Especially in the times we are in now, peoples expressions tell it all. Anyway, enough about my point of view...these are a few photographers who's work I love. Maybe you will too.

Eugene Atget was a photographer in the 1920's. Atget started off as a painter and then realized photography was his passion. The majority of his photographs were done in Paris. Atget loved Paris because of all of the detail and materials all around the city. I don't consider his work "artsy" but more just a raw view into what Paris was like when he walked the streets. The picture I pasted on here was taken in 1927 and it is of Notre-Dame. The thing I love about this picture is the obvious tree obstructing the view of Notre-Dame. I love the contrast of the black tree and how light Notre-Dam looks just sitting in the background. To me the tree is not an obstruction at all, but it makes the picture more interesting. Atget died in 1927. Unfortunately, he did not get to see the success his photography would one day have.

Ray was an American artist who was born in 1890 and died in 1976. He was known as a surrealist with his work. Very modern and unique for his time. He was also a painter and fashion photographer. He and Atget actually had studios on the same street in Paris. He traveled all over the world working on both his paintings and photography. During his life people didn't appreciate his work as much as they do now. Probably because it was so unique they didn't understand it. The picture I posted is titled "tears" and was done in the early 1930's.

photographer I love from more modern times is of course Annie Leibovitz. She started her career working for Rolling Stone. Her intimate portraits of celebrities made her very well known. She really gets involved with the people she is photographing and her pictures make you think you know the subject. Leibovitz also uses unique lighting styles and poses with her subjects. She continues to be successful to this day. She was also the last person to photograph John Lennon. He was shot and killed hours after ending his session with her. This photograph is taken of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

So there are a few photographers who's work inspire me. They are all 3 very different but they all have one thing in common: emotionality. Whether it's and old building in Paris to 2 lovers holding each other, each photographer takes intimate and emotional photographs.

Equal rights for all, special privileges for none.-Thomas Jefferson

Today is just another step in the right direction for same sex couples to have the right to marry. This morning the first same sex couple was given a marriage license in Washington D.C.! Just a few blocks from the capital couples lined up to express their new right.

No matter what your political and/or religious views, I don't understand people who don't believe EVERYONE should get to enjoy the basic right of marriage. Marriage should be a right, not a privilege. It is something that we are supposed to consider sacred and significant in a person's life, so why shouldn't everyone get a chance to be stuck with one person forever and ever?


Most people who are opposed to same sex marriage are so because of their religious beliefs. I was raised in the Methodist Church. Can't you picture me sitting there singing with my angelic voice to the heavens? Yeah, me either. Even as a young teen I questioned just about everything that had to do with the Christian teachings. As a young adult I realized and accepted that I am not a Christian. I do believe in a higher power...what that power is exactly I don't know. But being raised in a Christian church I was taught that God loves us all as individuals, God does not judge, and that God is supposed to be an entity that gives people support and hope in their lives. So what kind of God would want to limit a couple's relationship and happiness together? And what kind of Christian are you for thinking that because you are heterosexual and a devout Christian, that you have a right over someone else? Who are YOU to JUDGE another person for the way they live their life? Isn't being a Christian about accepting people for who they are and loving them no matter your differences? I know very passionate Christians who are supportive of same sex marriage. I do not believe that makes them an less of a Christian. As a matter of fact, I think that makes them better Christians. I am not against anyone because they are Christian. I don't care what religion a person is. It just gets to me when someone says they are a Christian yet they continue to pass judgement on a person just because they have a different lifestyle. Doesn't seem very "christiany" to me. Yes, I am using "christiany" as a word. Don't judge me...or will you?

America is regarded as a country about freedom. So how does limiting American's show the world that we stand behind what this country is all about? Rights are supposed to be for every American. They shouldn't be given to certain groups of people because society views them as the "right" way of life. But I am hopeful that this country is moving in the right direction towards giving every American, gay or straight, the rights that they work for and deserve.

So honestly, how will it effect your everyday life if Bill and Dave or Mary and Sally decide to get married and adopt a couple of little monsters? It won't people! Everyone just get over yourself and realize you and your partner are no better and no worse than Bill and Dave or Mary and Sally. You both want what a majority of couples want, to dive into the sacramental world of marriage. Hey, maybe their divorce rate will be lower!

Now, if you offended by this post, too bad. I will not write anything to intentionally offend anyone. I told you when I started this blog contraption that I will blurt out my opinions. You have your's and I have mine. Ahhh America the beautiful.

We are like peas and carrots

"In your life, you meet people. Some you never think about again. Some, you wonder what happened to them. There are some that you wonder if they ever think about you. And then there are some you wish you never had to think about again. But you do.”

Picture this: 20 something brunette woman, sitting in seat 12A on a flight home to dallas. She looks tired and nervous, she leans back in her seat and slides on her head phones and scrolls through her iPod. She leans her head against the window starring blankly at the mountains sprawled under her. The wheels in her head are turning as she listens to songs all about love, loneliness, relationships, etc. sparking memories and thoughts of her past...

So that 20 something brunette was me on a flight back home from San Francisco last night. P.S. American Airlines sucks. I went to San Francisco for a little getaway and it was fantastic. The city is so full of diversity and life. You can feel the energy of the people surround and sink into you. I have a habit of people-watching and I watched plenty of people on my trip. A little detail, I was there over valentines day weekend. I was surrounded by couples in love. But I didn't just notice all the couples I noticed all the groups of friends, families, coworkers, strangers, all together in one great city. While watching all these people and their relationships with one another, it made me think about mine.

It sounds so cliche right? Me, music, airplane window, plus a little bit of a lonely feeling. Put that all together and you get me linking memories with every song I hear for the next 3 hours. I hear the band sick puppies and think of an ex of mine who I haven't even spoken to in a couple years. He is getting married soon. Throw in some N'Sync and I remember being a silly young girl with my friends Lindsey and Heather. Heather and I still see each other. A heavy metal song that makes me think of another ex. My first love who I only speak to when he calls me. He is also getting married soon.

Have you ever sat down and thought about your relationships? Past and present? In a way it made me happy, to reminicse about the times I have shared with people in my life so far. On the other hand it made me a little melancholy. A lot of the people I share great memories with I don't even speak to anymore. It made me think about the relationships I have now. When I move will these people still talk to me? How much do others really value my friendship/ love? I have been questioning a lot of the people I have in my life presently. Are they really my "true" friends, or are they the friends I have fun with but can't really talk to about anything pertaining to serious things in my life? Not to say I don't enjoy the people I surround myself with but I realized I can really only think of about 3 people I really trust. That could also be because I have a bit of a trust issue.

I think it is important for people to sit down and really look at the relationships in your life. Are they what you want them to be? Are they healthy? Fun? Meaningful? Lasting? Could you rekindle some past friendships? Are there people you could kick off the island? All these questions were going through my mind as I stared out into the black sky coming home. As I was coming home to my relationships.

Let the mission begin!

Yes people I have a new mission. If you know me you know I have a new plan/mission, whatever you want to call it, every week it seems like. Well today it gets serious!

I decided to go back to college this semester. A little history of my college career...I went to Univ. of Arkansas, left and went to UNT for 3 semesters, had a life freak out and left and decided to go to school to gain my esthetician license. After slacking I finally went and took my last test for my license and passed with a 97 of course! But I thought that going back to get my degree would be a good idea. So not really knowing what or why I was going back I just signed up for 2 classes. Oh P.S., I HATE school. Not because I'm not smart, I am just not an academic person. Oh and an ADD person. Thank the universe for my Ritalin. Anyway, I am finally an official licensed esthetician! Facial or waxing anyone?

Last weekend I went to visit a friend in Austin. She and I went to school together and she works in a great spa there in Austin. I love Austin. It is the perfect city for me. Easy going, liberal, a few weirdos here and there. Pretty much sums me up.

So I know you are just dying to know "Allison, what is this new mission you speak of?! I must know!" Well ladies and gents...I am moving to Austin to pursue my career in ethetics. I am moving out of my current house in may and will be staying with my mama to save some much needed dinero. However, if the perfect job comes before then, Austin here I come! This is the first time I have been so excited to start something new in my life. I love change and moving to a new city is EXACTLY what I need right now. So, as of today I am already somewhat job hunting and saving my "much needed dinero." My Mama is even encouraging me to go now, but I am not going to bail out my my lease I have now. So there it is. New mission: Get my booty to Austin, has launched!

Oh and yes, I did drop my classes this semester. Don't judge me! Be happy for me that I finally have an awesome path that I am determined to follow!

Eeek my first blog...now what?

OK so this is my first blog. Ever. So why am I starting one now? Well, I keep telling myself I need to write in my journal everyday to let go of all the goofy thoughts in my head. However, my journal doesn't talk back. Not that I think a blog will talk back but, people can comment and perhaps lend me some advice or a little criticism, if necessary. I am a openly opinionated woman so your opinions are welcome. Wouldn't it be boring if we all had the same opinions about everything in life?

So why the title, "Picture This"? Well one, I am an aspiring photographer in my free time. I absolutely love it. When I am taking pictures, my body & mind relax and I can focus on the way I see things through the camera. Two, I decided this year would be the year for me to really think about what I picture for me. I want to focus on me and really think about the way I want to live my life and the things I want to accomplish. So here we go...