Texas

I always assumed I would only move back to Texas when I was ready to retire. This past week has convinced me otherwise. I finally learned what it means to call someplace home. Home was nowhere and everywhere to me before. But now when I try to think about what makes Texas home, I become speechless. I cannot find the right words to describe exactly what makes it so comfortable. Don't get me wrong. I love New York, but Texas. Now that's where I really belong. I don't get excited by a gang of overdressed New York gals. I do find a sweet old couple in cowboy boots just heart melting.

Moving the Sophistication.

I want to keep this page as a personal log. The Seeking Sophistication blog has been created as an outlet for solely that purpose.

Please visit Seeking Sophistication for more posts of this nature.

Have a lovely day.

Class. The quest begins.

What inspired this post? I am not quite sure. It seems to be a culmination of things. The classy style of ladies and gentlemen of the 1950's, '40s, '30s, and '20s need a resurgence. Fashion is not the focus, but rather a state of being. What happened to just being classy? What is so wrong with embracing traditional roles? Or possibly breaking those roles to redefine yourself with elegance? I have found myself often alone in my room just swaying to a fancy tune pondering this topic.

I want to keep up my quest for class in this blog.

I shall begin at the definition.

From www.merriam-webster.com:

classy

Pronunciation: \ˈkla-sē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): class·i·er; class·i·est

Date: 1891

b : having or reflecting high standards of personal behavior c : admirably skillful and graceful

Notice, not posh, nor expensive, fancy, luxurious, swanky, or fashionable.

It is more about being polished, sophisticated, intricate, and elegant. I feel that anyone can be classy, even the most awkwardly introverted person.

I would go on, however I must stop myself. This shall be an ongoing process and each post will hopefully shed light on a new path. Stopping now allows me to consider a few more paths for my next post.

The goal of this is to explore my torment and to share a dose of confidence. You cannot be classy without confidence.

The first step to becoming more classy. Find a song. Create a playlist. Close your eyes and imagine yourself with grace as you listen along.

Prescription: Listen to THIS. And take a bow in front of a mirror.

Not quite a science experiment...

These are a couple short tests of animation with vague limits.

Enjoy.

Also viewable here.

New Baby!

*Picture taken with a 30D.

Yes. There is a new member of my family.

She's so smart. She doesn't even drool on herself.

With a Zeiss Planar T 1.4/ 50mm lens, she is such a doll. A 28mm and 85mm are on their way too.

Oh yeah. And that's a Jeep diaper bag. How funny is that?

I guess I'll have to find a way to eat cheaper than Ramen and beans. Yikes.

Cameras galore!

My oh my!

I've been researching cameras for days on end. It is time to purchase!

DSLR + Set of 35 Primes = Ramen forever

Animals just steal my heart...

This picture is barely representative of how incredibly cuddly this cat was. If I could take pictures in my sleep, you would instead have an adorable picture of it curled up against my shoulder as we slept here.

Isn't she just beautiful?

I found this kitty on the street near my apartment. It was super sweet and friendly. After much consideration, I tried to bring it home. The poor cat was scared and did not enjoy being held. Then, I figured the cat would continue following me if it was lost. It did not. However, when I got home I could not live with that decision. After finding a suitcase, I went out to wrestle the kitty home. It turned out to be more friendly than I expected.

Found cat flyers with my phone number went up all around the area I found it. After a couple days I started to look for no-kill shelters. Someone recommended I post a flyer at the ABC Animal Hospital. When I was dropping off the flyer there a lady said she saw a Lost Cat flyer nearby. I found the flyer and called. I hoped dearly that it was the right person. However after a few phone calls it turned out to be a different black cat. Sadly I could not keep it for much longer.

One of my roommates will not allow a pet and the other is slightly allergic to cats. So the search for a home went on! After correspondence with ABC Animal Hospital, someone liked the cat from my flyer and called me to visit it. Of course they fell in love with it since this cat was cooler than most dogs. They took it home before I was forced to drop it off at the ABC Animal Hospital. Usually this office had a fee for dropping off a pet, but they were considering waiving it due to my circumstances. I am a poor college student that found a cat on the street, paying to get rid of it was not an option.

If you ever see a lost animal, please do something about it.

Taking this cat in was made more difficult by non-supportive roommates and friends. In fact, I was even insulted as being "one of those people that cares about animals so much they'll take them off the streets." I mean, what the hell is that about? I felt so frustrated that nobody was supporting me in my efforts, which is fine enough, but then I was actually harassed for doing so? My heart goes out there to the strangers that did offer help and called me to thank me for doing such a kind thing. To me it was not a big deal, but everyone else made it seem like such a dramatic thing. I am excited to live with people who are more understanding and flexible in the future.