Living in the Moment, or for those of us who remember the nineties, There is no spoon, ha ha ha.

I had been looking for a sign from the universe.  What should I do next?  Where should I be going?

Here is what I got.

A message in a bottle.

Things have been such a struggle lately.  I have been trying so desperately to move ahead with opening my business.  Instead of enjoying it, I have been feeling so negative and constantly running into roadblocks.  Why was I always stuck?  Why couldn't I just act in the here and now and stop worrying about being a huge failure?  In what seems a comically desperate move, I typed "how do I live in the moment?" into google.  I ended up on a message board where everyone seemed to be suggesting this book by Eckhart Tolle called The Power of Now.  The message of the book is so simple and so difficult.  Just be.  All we ever have is now.  The past and future are illusions.  Stop worrying about the things that aren't real and connect with what is.

I impulsively decided to try the book out - not in character for me at all.  Somehow it ended up on the shelf at the library, despite there being nine requests for the book and it being shown as unavailable in the online catalogue.  Weird, huh?  Or is it?

I'm honestly not quite sure where things will go from here.  But I guess that's all right.

Here are some fall images from my neighbourhood:

Doesn't this log washed up on the shore look like a rock?  Amazing colour.

Ahhhhhhh...

The weather here in Winnipeg is beautiful right now, but the leaves are still falling.  I just love the light in the trees.

I have been really enjoying macro photography lately.  Perspective can be such an interesting thing to play with.  Lichen is actually pretty spectacular up close.

This hawk sat on a branch directly above me for about ten minutes.  Now that's humbling.

Happy Friday!

Don Draper is now following you...

This gave me quite a thrill!
Maybe I should get drunk, phone his house and ramble incoherently.

Ebay-ing

Things I learned this week:
1. Skeleton keys are now extremely expensive.
2. I need to practice bidding on ebay if I ever intend to win anything there.
3. I should be checking my favourite sellers more often!

I was definitively crushed while bidding on skeleton keys on ebay this week.  Can you believe that nine skeleton keys went for over $20?  I guess I shouldn't be so surprised.  Seems those amazing keys are everywhere lately, on necklaces, altered art, books, cuffs...  Oh well.  Maybe I'll luck out at an estate sale or something.

The saddest news of all is that I missed out on this fab cape from one of my favourite ebayers, Coronetweeds.  Arrrrrrrrrgh!  A gorgeous 1930s black wool cape lined with orange satin.  And it only went for $51.  So choked!

Well.  After I recovered from the immense disappointment I decided to look for a similar vintage cape.  That led me to a new Ebay favourite, timelessvixen.

What an amazing cape!  It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.

Now this cape is probably one of the coolest pieces I've ever seen.  Except it has monkey fur on the collar.  That's a deal breaker.  Too bad.

Oh my god!  Betty Draper!  Too bad my rib cage is gigantic in vintage terms.  I would never make the 34" bust even if I never ate again.  But if you're more petite, feel free to scoop up this beautiful 50s cocktail dress.


Isn't it wonderful how sometimes a loss turns into a win?
Now if only I could find a gorgeous beaded silk sheath in slate blue.  Oh well, back to the Ebay trenches!

Equilibrium?

Ugh.

It's been one of those roller coaster weeks.

The dizzying highs, the terrifying lows. I've been spending a lot of time soul searching lately, mostly about my career choice. The doubts are creeping in.

On a more positive note, I picked up an Argus 75 yesterday at a local place here in Winnipeg. It's not in perfect condition but I've been experimenting a bit with it for TTVF (through the viewfinder) photography. Looks like it should be amazing!

I also found this cool French book. I'm not quite sure yet on the publication date but it's gorgeous!

Happy Wednesday everyone!