Life Comes at You Fast

By SheelaR

Hola!

I went to a cookout hosted by a friend, and some of us left with food poisoning. I’ve spent the last four days in the hospital, but I’ve been given my walking papers this morning. It’s been a horrifying bonding experience for those of us that ended up in the ER. We’ve spent our time in the hospital texting and calling each other for support.

If you’re not sure how food poisoning happens or what you should do in the event of, I’ve posted a link below.

https://www.emedicinehealth.com/food_poisoning/article_em.htm

Late Night Ramble.

By SheelaR

I’ve been struggling to fall asleep for the last few days. I’m happy and relaxed, but the anxiety is starting to creep in. I’m waiting for the other shoe to stop. Every time I feel amazing, my health suffers a little setback.

It’s stressful waiting for that to happen. I want to enjoy life while it’s good, but knowing the bad is on the horizon, takes a toll. In addition to that, a couple of strange things happened on social media today. I don’t know why I continue to keep my accounts active.

Outside of my photography and my blog, I really don’t have a use for it. Most times, it’s like taking a walk on the dark side. Today was just a reminder of that – misery loves company.

Writing is therapeutic. My eyelids are finally heavy enough for me to close my eyes for the night. I’m going to post this without proofing it. I’m too tired to make it right, if there’s anything wrong.

Be kind. If you can’t make it better, don’t make it worse.

Friday Night Ramble

By SheelaR

I save everything on my phones. All my blog posts, random notes, photos – bunch of stuff. I need a third phone. I’ve officially outgrown two. I’m a consummate thinker and writer, so I find myself writing everything down. It’s probably why I have a great mind for details.

It is however, becoming difficult to manage both phones when I’m trying to live a simpler life. It’s overwhelming. As an art consultant, I see beauty and inspiration in so many things, so my documentation game is tight. lol

I need a mobile/portable hard drive that’s small enough to fit into a handbag. That would eliminate the need for two phones and I could untether myself from things that add to my stress.

On another note… I just got back from Costa Rica 🇨🇷 and it was amazing. Beautiful country and people. I’m excited for my next vacation – New Zealand.

Life has afforded me the opportunity to do some incredible things, go to some amazing places, and generally live a charmed life. Unfortunately, I’ve not always been appreciative and grateful for my life.

I’ve just now come to a place where I’m grateful and actually enjoying all that I’ve been lucky to have and experience. I don’t know what took me so long, but I’m here…

Stay acutely aware of how short and fleeting life and happiness is. Invest in yourself and don’t live a life shortchanged in happiness. Always nourish, your mind, body, and spirit.

Followed My Heart

By SheelaR

Today was amazing! I felt well all day. I spent the entire day looking at art and making some of my own. We ended up in Port Huron, MI…because I love lighthouses. The plan was to photograph Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, but there was also lots of sculpture art and water to see. I could not have been happier. Three of my favorite things in same place!

Do the things that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. We only get one life, treat it well.

Goodnight/Good Morning 😘

I Want To…

By SheelaR

I want to go on a road trip someday with someone I love. I want to get away. Explore places and each other. Stop a lot just to admire the him and view. Visit museums and try out coffee shops. Listen to my favorite music while he’s driving. Have a camera. Take pretty pictures of the sunrises and sunsets. Take pictures of myself and the one I love. Run through the forest holding hands. Chase the fog. Outrun the rain. Spend hours in a field picking flowers. Feel the wind and his hands in my hair. Buy souvenirs. Meet people. Take time to observe. I want to make memories and love. I want to feel alive.

March For Our Lives

By SheelaR

On February 14, a gunman killed 14 students and three staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, survivors of the shooting have mobilized to launch the #NeverAgain movement, and the March for Our Lives, a nationwide protest – to protest gun violence. March For Our Lives is created by, inspired by, and led by students across the country who will no longer risk their lives waiting for someone else to take action to stop the epidemic of mass school shootings that has become all too familiar. Gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety is also helping the students plan and coordinate the event.

“Not one more,” the March’s Mission Statement reads. “We cannot allow one more child to be shot at school. We cannot allow one more teacher to make a choice to jump in front of a firing assault rifle to save the lives of students. We cannot allow one more family to wait for a call or text that never comes. Our schools are unsafe. Our children and teachers are dying. We must make it our top priority to save these lives.”

WHEN AND WHERE?

The march will take place on Saturday, March 24 at 10 a.m. in Washington, D.C. and other cities across the U.S, including NYC, Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago. To find a sister march near your community, check out this Facebook event page. Currently, there are over 800 March for Our Lives events planned around the world. I. Headed to Chicago to participate, I hope you have plans to do the same…wherever you are in the world.

Chaos & Confusion and Other Stuff

By SheelaR

Is it just me or does it seem like America is in the hands of a spoiled angry 14-year old boy? I love watching the news and I can’t even do that anymore. I simply want to crawl under the covers and stop breathing for a few days. In addition to our current chaotic mismanaged administration, this nations children can’t go to school without fear of being killed. All that made worse by a mad bomber we’ve just dealt with. Oy vey!

On A Lighter Note

My pain has been at a minimum today. Yay! I might actually go on an adventure this weekend.

Also, vacation plans are moving right along and I’m super duper excited. I’m craving someplace warm.

In Other News

Facebook has apologized for whoring out America to Russia. No big deal for me. I’m not susceptible to such silliness. However, many people are and it’s frightening. It’s another reminder that we need to be hyper-vigilant about what we share with the world – or what we allow to permeate our minds.

Random Thought

By SheelaR

Life for me has always been about nurturing my aspirations and self-discovery. True happiness has included lots of self-care, discovering new passions, challenging myself, surrounding myself with people who inspire me, art, traveling, cherishing those I love the most, and most importantly – making it a point to not let anything hold me back from living my best life. I laugh harder, love deeper, and with that, life has become more beautiful. When was the last time you thought about you and what makes you happy?

Black Panther Review

By SheelaR

So, I’ve finally joined the millions of fans who’ve seen Black Panther…and I’m here to report that it didn’t disappoint…too much. Black Panther is directed by Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station & Creed), and stars:

Black Panther is Marvels’ newest superhero movie that chronicles the rise of T’Challa, king of the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda. Ryan Coogler’s past films have been were quite worthy, so the expectations were high. The casting alone had me hyped. Black Panther doesn’t feel like the usual Marvel production, it’s much more than that. It is a cultural awakening.

There is a lot of extremely talented folks in front of and behind this movie; the passion for its birth was evident This isn’t your run of the mill Hollywood production. This was a well-thought out effort. It is good movie. Lots of kudos for how the movie embraces African culture. However, the storyline should have undergone a deeper development.

It took a while before I was washed over with excitement. It was a bit slow on the action. All things considered, I would have been happy if it were shorter. It didn’t merit the 2hr 15 min run time. Casting was superb, but character development is needed. I really liked but didn’t love the soundtrack, I’m hard to please. However, it was a good mix of modern and traditional sounds. The looks and sounds are mostly authentic. Beautiful imagery. Breathtaking.

I’m not a fan of comics, but I love a good superhero movie. With that being said… Black Panther, does a great job celebrating black excellence in front of and behind the camera, in a way we’re not accustomed to. Although the storyline could use some work, it’s worth seeing.

I’m going to leave it there… I honesty can’t think of any movie I’d give a ten to, so don’t be discouraged by my inability to rate Black Panther that high. It really is worth seeing and I hope you do. I’d like to tackle it from a philosophical aspect, but I think you should see it first, and then we’ll discuss…