Mundane photos of flowers, tea, and kittens for September’s Monday mix. But the playlist is something different, a contrast. It’s a back to school special if you will, an homage to my collegiate rotation a decade ago. Though, admittedly, it suits me just as much now as it did back then. It’s rock & roll driven, a little dirty, and my kind of classic. It belies some the delicate femininity of my current work, arguably. True colors and all of that. Roots, at the very least. From the power pop of my early twenties’ smoke breaks as a cocktail waitress to juke box favorites from blurry pool hall haunting days to gin in the bathtub reading Husserl college evenings. These are the songs that colored my ugliest mistakes and coltish days in New Orleans.
This play list reminds me of my painter boyfriend’s unwashed Levi’s when I was 21 and of our vinyl collection spilling out all over the living room floor in the cheap apartment we could barely make rent on. It reminds me of how clever, clever the mind can be, how it can glamorize the most pitiful moments of our lives. And how, in a both/and paradox, those moments really were as epic and free as they seemed while still being sad, silly, and desperate all the same. This playlist reminds me that where I come from isn’t all bad. There was art and love in those dive bars and darkened streets. But also a lot of self-deception and idiocy. Most of all it reminds me to thank my lucky stars for where I am today. I worked hard, but sometimes hard work isn’t enough.
Sometimes you need a miracle, friends & family, and opportunity. I was blessed with all of those things. Not everyone is. Those things aren’t enough to save someone and not having them isn’t enough to kill you, but it was a grace I had without deserving it. A break I was afforded due to no virtue of my own. I was lucky. Remembering those drug fueled days of my twenties reminds me of that. I know a lot of lucky people with all the resources in the world die out there. And a lot of people with absolutely nothing overcome. But I was a lucky person that tried to make the most out of my good fortune once I got my act together. That’s the long and short of it. And I still love rock & roll.
02 milktape mondays | when we were young – click here to get the playlist!
What a wonderful post – thank you so much!
Jade
Yep, sometimes luck be a lady. Sometimes hard work just doesn’t cut it. But I’m glad you are where you are right now, and also glad you lived through all you have lived through: that’s what makes you who you are, and there’s no one else like you out there. I have a dual relationship with my past self and my past mistakes and my past crazy living, sometimes I feel like I could regret everything and sort of wish I had made other choices, but thankfully most times I am so glad I did not, because all I put myself through – with a little help from others, granted – has made me who I am, and I’m unique, and wouldn’t want to be someone else!!
http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
Love your posts. I have been very lucky as well, having friends, family and opportunities.
We all make mistakes AND miracles. Let’s be peace creators.
Can’t get over how cute your kitten is! Also, listening to your playlist right now, so full of wonderful throwbacks. They’re making me smile, I think today’s going to be a lot better now! xo
Great post, it’s good to know that I’m not the only living epic novel! Thanks for the tunes, and making me feel like dancing.
So here I am slowly scrolling down this post, reading your words and stopping to admire your always stunning photography, and then at the end there it is – 2 kittens in a bowl! Both surprise and laughter spilled out of me! What a great way to start the day. I love your work, your perspective, and your since of humor!
Thank you for sharing! Goosebumps. You just put it in words so fine, all that goes through my mind from time to time (quite often actually…). Thanx again!
Thank you for that!
I really enjoyed reading this Beth. It seemed so revealing despite the fact that you didn’t share many details. I think that is a beautiful accomplishment. A true sign that a writers heart was linked to their words. Thank you for sharing this.
There is so much romance in your writing, that I ready them over and over.
Not only your photos but your way of writing inspires me so much.
Thank you for your posts, i always look forward to your next one
xxHoney
These are the posts that always inspire me.. Thank you for sharing the truth, consistently and wholeheartedly
oh love your blog, your photos and your recipes. Love all
Thank you for giving beauty