On my birthday I was looking for something fun and exciting to do, and while I didn’t come up with anything chart topping I decided to take a trip to the Toronto Women’s Bookstore for the first time. I’ve heard about it in the past but have never been, and since I was coming into a new year in my life I thought it would be productive to do something that has been on my to-do list for too long.
I went with my cousin because we’re both book worms and we’ve always been able to blow through 300+ paged books over a couple days without breaking a sweat since we were little.
As I was looking over the collection of books in the store I found myself looking for books with a “good” story, ones filled with pain and agony, misappropriation and deceit. To me I wanted one that would standout from the rest by having the ability to make me feel slightly unnerved. Besides this task being hard to do, simply because the description on the back was all I had to go on, I ended up thinking to myself, “Why am I so drawn to sad stories full of dark truths? Why is that the kind of book I was looking for?”
After some thinking I came up with this. I’ve realized that I am drawn to sad stories in the same way that I’m drawn to sad songs. There is definitely one thing that I get from it and it’s that they’re truthful, but not just any kind of truth. I feel like its the kind that holds me in place where I can remove the usual mask and feel the emotion. I get the chance to experience something my daily smile never tells, and it actually feels good.
So often we go through life being “fine” when there’s so much more between the letters, no matter how big or small the font, that books that are the complete opposite of that become intriguing and to be honest, quite inspiring for me. It may sound weird to hear it, and possibly slightly morbid but I’m thinking some of you may agree with me.
The book I ended up choosing was Ugly by Constance Briscoe. It’s a true story of the author’s life with her physically and emotionally torturous (abusive is an understatement) mother while she lived in London, England from age 4-17 I believe. I have since finished it so I may be a little off in the time frame, but I have to say that her story has been a motivation for me. She has written her story so candidly that many times my mouth literally dropped open from what I was reading. I HIGHLY recommend reading it because after I finished it made me take a good look at my life. There’s things that she had to live through that NO child should ever have to and still she came out of it way better than expected. To me her fight has truly been amazing. So often it’s books like these that help to push me along and be better over the typical self-help book.
In the end, I found the book with the great story.
When I say, “Money doesn’t make my world go ’round.” I mean, although I know I need money to go ’round, I would prefer not to make myself dizzy going ’round. Get it?
What (I thought) was lost is now found. While organizing my room I found the note pad that I thought I lost a few weeks ago. It made me smile when I opened the pocket of my laptop bag and could feel the shape of it. I was hoping it would come back to me.
Ok so this is my last (for a while) repost I will do, but I really couldn’t resist. Again I found something wonderful on Nat’s blog. That girl is really good at…something. I dunno how to “categorize” it yet but I’m pretty sure it’s something. So here it is:
Your life is right now! It’s not later! It’s not in that time of retirement. It’s not when the lover gets here. It’s not when you’ve moved into the new house. It’s not when you get the better job. Your life is right now. It will always be right now. You might as well decide to start enjoying your life right now, because it’s not ever going to get better than right now–until it gets better right now! - Abraham
I saw this video over at 1LoveT.O. a while back and I was completely blown away. Although I already know Melanie Fiona is an unstoppable force this video had me floored, so after much waiting I’m finally posting it. It’s insane to say the least!
Wonderfully enough I also had the pleasure of interviewing her for an article in the upcoming CREAM World Magazine. Soooo make sure to grab yourself a copy when it comes out.
I was given the opportunity a few months ago to work withBobby REDEF on a project that has taken off since its recent beginnings. Specifically I did a piece on Bryan be. Espiritu of TheLegendsLeague & Ideall Clothing. I’m actually pretty proud of this piece and I’m humbled that REDEF would even think to include me. While this was done a couple months ago I can still say I was happy to do it, I also know that with Bryan, what I wrote will never get old. I know it’s pretty “late” to post this but it was something I always meant to do. How does the saying go? Better late than never. So heres to this piece not seeing “never”. Please, have a look and let me know what you think.
If you’re from Toronto and you’re more or less on the fashion scene you should be aware of Bryan be. Espiritu, the man behind the extra ordinary vision. Even if you’re not from Toronto there’s no time like the present to get familiar. He’s having an online summer sale for his clothing line. Here are the details below as seen on his website; thelegendsleague.com.
With only a couple of weeks left before school is back in session, we’re holding a $20.09 Summer Sale on the IdeallClothing online store. ALL regular priced tees have been marked down to $20.09 (+s/h). That includes The LLadies pieces AND the Sting The Police and Major LLeague series’. Our Naut Evena Challenge Crewnecks have been marked down to $50.00 (+s/h) and we still have a size or two left of our Heartbroken Crew.
My personal favorite pieces are the online exclusive “Deadly Venom” tee which reads “Deadly Money” to the untrained eye, the “Sin Ayuda De Padres” tee for all the deadbeat dads, and the “Manila Guerilla” Manny Pacquiao joint.
If you know what these sales get like, you’ll know not to sleep. I probably won’t be able to for the next couple of weeks.
Enjoy.
Love&Respect as usual,
be.
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Although this is step away from my usual posts I felt it deserved a place in my blog world. Besides, his stuff is ill. Check it out for sure.
I am in most of the places you're willing to look and some of the places you wouldn't expect me to be. If you aren't able to locate me anywhere hit me up here; crystal.coburn@gmail.com
Peace.
