A Wicked Life

The Four Agreements 1. Be impeccable with your word. 2. Don’t take anything personally. 3. Don’t make assumptions. 4. Always do your best.   Sometimes there are things you read that stick with you. Other times the words pass by - leaving little impression. I went to my bookshelf to find this book so that I could re-read it. I didn't fully appreciate it the first time around. Well I couldn't find my copy so it looks like I will be ordering a new one soon.  In the meantime, I wanted to share some quotes I found on Good Reads with you all. There are so many listed that I just took the first page and gleaned the ones that spoke to me the most.  Enjoy. :)  “If someone is not treating you with love and respect, it is a gift if they walk away from you. If that person doesn't walk away, you will surely endure many years of suffering with him or her. Walking away may hurt for a while, but your heart will eventually heal. Then you can choose what you rea

Unless you have been living in a cave for the past year, I'm sure you are aware of the indictment cases in NYC and Ferguson. People are outraged and are looking for ways to be "heard". I get that. It makes perfect sense to want to speak up for injustice and fight for change. So why are we protesting these rulings by blocking traffic on a freeway? At night? This is a problem, not a solution. I woke up this morning and found a post from a local new station that our local freeway was blocked due to protesters. The comment thread was not civil and, as always, disheartening. Those opposed posted comments like "run them over" or "get a job". While I do not agree with people putting their lives and the lives of others in jeopardy, suggesting they be ran over is counterproductive and kind of scary. Also, this activity was done after normal business hours so who is to say they do not work? Then there were the supporters (few) but they made their support k

For me and my sister. Thank you, Stevie!

The Woman Who Broke His Heart "Marry me," he said, to the woman who would break his heart. He promised to love and protect her but instead held her up by the neck with one hand,  two inches off the ground. His fists flew past her face, only to collide with the wall behind, the woman who would break his heart. He begged her to stay, pleaded for the forgiveness of  the woman who would break his heart. He told her she would not live without him,  shot a hole in the suitcase held by, the woman who would break his heart. She left that day and never looked back. He followed and threatened. He vowed to win the war against, the woman who broke his heart. She lived her life in fear. The day came when he was no longer near. Now all that remains is an obituary with no mention of, the woman who broke his heart. ~ Reneé Michelle (c) 2014  Jack E. Daniel died June 13, 2004. He was 43. 

Wanting free music is not a new thing. I come from the generation of vinyl and cassette tapes. As a teenager, if we wanted free music we had to sit by our boom-boxes on Sunday mornings - listening to Kasey Kasem’s Top 40. With a blank cassette loaded and our fingers placed on those two important buttons, we waited for Kasey to announce our song. Bliss. If we liked songs that were not so mainstream we would borrow our friend’s purchased cassette and copy it. That is of course if we had a coveted dual cassette player. “Stealing” music in the early 80s was a lot of hard work and the music industry did not suffer. My friends and I would still purchase albums and tapes of our favorite performers even if we only liked two songs. We didn't have a choice unless we purchased a single or 45. The point is, we still purchased music along with using loop-holes to acquire certain songs free. Then came Napster and later on, LimeWire. Those were free AND the artists received no compensat

In September, Facebook decided to enforce their identity policy and they wanted everyone to use their real name – citing efforts to make the internet safer. In doing so, Facebook locked hundreds of accounts. According to a Reuters report , Facebook's policy adversely affects the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community. This report also mentioned that Facebook, after several complaints filed, has lifted their restrictions for those in the LGBT community. What Reuters didn't mention was the effect this policy enforcement has on the pagan community. And the fact that this restriction was not lifted for them. In a blog post dated October 23rd, Silver Ravenwolf explains a concern they have in regards to this policy enforcement. “The excuse that once your “real” name is on your personal page that you can adjust your settings to private and therefore be ensured of your safety is ridiculous.  Nothing, and I mean nothing, is safe on the net.  Ever.  The human conditi

We have attached the word shaming to just about everything. Thin Shaming, Fat Shaming, Slut Shaming, Short Shaming, Tall Shaming, Smart Shaming, Dumb Shaming and Bitch Shaming. Wait, is that a thing?  Let’s talk about Slut Shaming for a bit. The hot topic of the Halloween season was slutty costumes. I know I am a few days late and that may explain my low blog following but, I’m discussing it now. So humor me a bit, all two of you.   So where were we? Slut Shaming! When I was younger and a little more… uh, slender, I used to like dressing up and showing a little skin. Nothing too sexy but enough to turn a couple of heads. That was my comfort level. I have no problem with women going out and being that “sexy” professor or “sexy” dog catcher (ironic…) anyway, to each their own. So have at it, you sexy swashbuckler, you! What I have a problem with is the ability to call it like it is. It is one thing to dress like Jessica Rabbit and another to wear almost nothing at all. A

I normally do not write concert or show reviews but last night was like being in the Twilight Show. Not the sparkly vampire movie but the Rod Serling series. My good friend invites me to see a Dave Matthews tribute band, Big Eyed Fish, at Harlow's last night. It sounded fun. I love Dave Matthews Band and my friend loves them even more. So much that her children bought her VIP tickets to their concert for her birthday. We started our night off having dinner at Centro's - three doors up from Harlow's. The show was due to start at 9:30 pm so we had plenty of time to enjoy a nice meal and a couple cocktails. Dinner was amazing. If you have the opportunity and I think they are seasonal, try their infused Pear and Vanilla tequila. mmmmm mmmm! Once we were done with dinner we head over to the venue. Not too many people in line yet so we were confident we would get a good view of the stage. The doormen told us that the band is pretty good and the couple behind us wouldn'

I am big on coming to the rescue of those being picked on or treated unfairly. You will find me on comment threads speaking up in defense of someone’s opinion if they are being criticized by others. I don’t even have to know the person in real life and they don’t need to be saved... Yes, I’m that person. The one that will call you out on your shit even if you are not talking to me. So when my thirteen year old niece chose not to shave her legs, I immediately imagined all the ridicule she would receive. She was never really girly girly growing up but still, not shaving legs? What female in our family chooses not to shave their legs?! While my sister (her mom) took her daughter’s stance on shaving with an accepting attitude, I on the other hand, was not so accepting. I did not want my niece humiliated at school or have her first crush, well, crush her. At every opportunity, I would try and provide a compelling reason for her to shave. It’s grooming 101 – what every female doe

My sister's artwork was discovered on Etsy. She is now a featured artist in next week's RAW Art Gallery in Sacramento. I am so very proud of her. She is talented beyond belief and I am very excited to be able to share this wonderful time in her life. If you are in the Sacramento Area and love art, this event is the one to attend.  SCOPE ~ RAW Sacramento Art Gallery ABOUT Wife, Mother, Friend, Artist~ I Decided to Start Living the Life I Imagined ~ I am from Sacramento California. My work is mostly with oils on canvas~ INSPIRATIONS My husband and children do! Their idea's and the way they see things in life~ With all that and a little strange added to the pot makes creating even more enjoyable~ FAVORITE THING ABOUT RAW Being given the opportunity to be seen with other great artists~ MAKES MY WORLD GO ROUND My family~ Love you, Silly Dani!

From the early stages of childhood our driving desire is to be accepted by others. In our teens our popularity is measured by the type of friends we keep. During our early adulthood we hold on to those from school even if they have some faults. Friendship is forever and we will put up with some major shit just to keep our friends. We, as humans, have to be liked. We care what others think of us, even to the point of holding on to individuals as friends much longer than necessary. I have a very small circle of friends in my life. A couple from high school that I consider to be my closest friends. Time cannot effect our love for each other. Then there are some I reconnected with on good ole' Facebook. I have met some great individuals throughout my career and see them as much as life permits. I have been blessed by being introduced to more amazing individuals that I have only known for a few short months but feel like I have known them forever. I cherish these individuals. 

Lately, I have been lagging a bit in the fitness department. I have not completely slacked off since I have been religious about doing yoga every morning. You might be wondering why I am rambling on about exercise with a title like Sunday Funday. Okay, okay I will get to the point. Typically my Sundays are comprised of getting laundry done, errands and being irritated about something. Special Sundays are filled with Brunch.Yummy brunch and bottomless mimosas that will make me useless for the rest of the day. BTW, you cannot swing a dead cat without hitting a place that serves brunch in Midtown. Well I'm on a budget so brunch is out for me this Sunday. I decided to kick up my fitness routine again and went for a walk around McKinley Park. Everyone was out running, walking, pushing a stroller or pulling a doggie. I love McKinley. There are always people out and about and it is nestled in a very charming part of Sacramento. Technically it is considered East Sacramento but whateve

When I was a young woman, I did not want to be a feminist. All the "feminists" I knew, bashed men. Yelled at them for opening doors or pulling out their chairs. I liked having doors opened for me. I liked my boyfriend walking on the street-side of the sidewalk beside me. And I did not want to share restrooms with guys. Young girls today want to be feminists because that is what Beyonce is. She is "fierce" and the symbol of woman empowerment. Why? She goes out on stage half naked and gives the "look". She embraces her sexuality. She is not the only one in entertainment but I will use her as an example because her name and feminism has been thrown around since the VMAs. Perhaps before, but my Facebook feed is blowing up more now so... whateve. Besides, since when did Bey or Nicki replace Oprah and Barbara Walters as examples of feminism? Then there are women out there stating they don't need Feminism because they are not victims.   

Dear Mr. Williams,   I didn't know you. I knew of you through your amazing talent. At a young age, I was enchanted by you and never missed an episode of  Mork  and Mindy. As I grew up, I watched with delight, all of your movies. You made me laugh and you made me cry. Your characters  were inspiring and you brought them to life like no other. Your energy and compassion for others  truly radiated through the big screen and interviews.    If you could come back for even one  day, you would see how many lives you have touched throughout your lifetime. The world became a sadder place yesterday afternoon. We lost yet another ray of sunshine.  It was yesterday that I learned of your battles and heartaches. You see, I don't follow celebrity lifestyles. But if I had followed yours, it would have explained the sorrow  I saw behind those twinkling blue eyes  of yours all these years.   Your death has raised a lot of awareness,  judgements ,  ignorances  and miscon