Jan von Holleben

Jan von Holleben was born in 1977 and brought up in Germany. He is the son of a cinematographer and a child therapist. His work has been exhibited globally. He creates photographs that are fun and filled with youthful spirit. However, his more "mature" works (of which there are many images on his site) are no less beautiful or insightful as the ones shown here. Some of the aspects I enjoy most about his images are the vibrant colors and creativity embedded in the pieces. They inspire me to no end.

E. E. Cummings: Somewhere I Have Never Travelled, Gladly Beyond

somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near

your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose

or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;

nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing

(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands

'Nuff Said.

Sometimes everyone needs a little bit of a confidence boost. It's a part of life, these ups and downs we have. 100% natural. But when we're down it hurts. So here's to all those who need some support. In truth, you're awesome. You deserve to have some holiday ice cream from a beautiful tin and to smell candles scented like cranberries and pine trees. You deserve to window shop for a full day try on anything you like. Literally anything. You deserve to cuddle up by the fireplace and watch Christmas movies like White Christmas and A Miracle on 34th Street. You deserve to wear fuzzy socks and dance around your living room even when there's no music. You deserve to wish upon a star. You deserve to make snow angels on your driveway. So many things to do. So be happy!

This Is SO On My Wish List:

Buy the Fuji Instax 210 Wide Instant Camera at the Photojojo Store!

I've decided that if I had this my life would be complete. Well, that's not strictly true, but it would be close.

Levi Weaver

I think these videos by Levi Weaver are very beautiful. His narration and lyrics are emotionally charged, with lilting melodies and peaceful/thoughtful pauses. This artist, though I have only just discovered him, appears to be talented and creative. Please enjoy these videos.

Perfectly Perfect Swap Songs

These two songs are a couple of my favorites on a mix cd I just received from Australia! I participated in a swap and wasn't disappointed in the least. I think these two songs really apply to my life right now. This cd came at the perfect time. Many thanks. :)

...

I feel...well I don't know how I feel. Maybe a little like having no direction. No compass. No purpose. Just living in a fog, restless and apathetic. Drifting on the sea in a little yellow lifeboat lying there and watching the clouds change shape. At night seeing the stars twinkle and the moon glow with that white light of infinity. The smell of salt water in my nostrils and the sound of water lapping against the boat gently caressing my ears. Thinking about life in its simplest form. Beautiful and dangerous. Wild and forbidden. But mostly concentrating on the sea, the air, the rubbery feel of the boat. The wind pushes me along and i just stare up not caring where i float. Trusting nature to guide my way. Always.

White Light

A little girl
Lost and frightened
Found her way
Inside of herself
Deep within
Where a flame warmed the space around
And she danced and sang
Until the monsters came
And dragged her down
Into the floor.

Underneath the smog and the clay
The stones so cold
And the pavement so gray
She lived in a palace
Of ash and soot
And looked around
But there was no light
So she fell and stumbled
And tripped all night.

Many years went by
She always the same
Innocent and young
And quiet of face
But one day a man came
From the world above
And he was trapped
Just the same as she was
So together they suffered
In pain they grew to love
Then one day he said to her,
"I'll take you above"
To which she replied,
"I believe you, my love."

In the dark they stayed
For many years
But one night
The man grew still
He felt his lover
Close by his side
Motionless and cold
And he knew she had left him behind
So he mustered up some courage
And felt around for a large stone
Then he slammed it into his head
And as he bled
He remembered his promise
He saw a white light.

-by Me

Random poem I wrote tonight around 11pm. I haven't read it all the way through. I just wrote it and I'm going to leave it in its raw form. Tell me what you think if you'd like to.

BPS June 2010

So I guess I haven't been very diligent in keeping up with posts about the BPS (benevolent postcard society). I received this postcard a few weeks ago and was very excited! It's from Estonia and the image is apparently from a children's book series. I just love it!

Laura Marling