A Look at the Week (7/24-7-30)

       Hey, I'm finally writing one of these when I am supposed to be.

What I've Been Up To:

       I have a week until my partner arrives. After that I have a week until I officially move for college. Because of that, this week has been a transition time. It was time to shift from looking at the move as though it were far away to actually getting ready. I picked up some luggage, organized my belongings, and stopped looking for freelance gigs in the bay area. I also planned the last few things I want to make sure I do before I leave.

       In other news, the coven I work with finally has a name: Cornix Silhouette. That is exciting.

       And of course I am still overly enthusiastic about Black Veil Brides and Andy Black. That leads us nicely into the next section.

What I've Been Listening To;

       I am still listening to Andy Black's The Shadow Side, but this week I expanded my selection to more music by Black Veil Brides as well, specifically We Stitch These Wounds, Set the World on Fire, and Wretched and Divine....which I know is most of their albums. I haven't listened to everything on their self-titled album Black Veil Brides yet, but that is probably coming soon.

What I've Been Watching:

       I don't think you are going to be surprised when I tell you I have been watching Legion of The Black multiple times as well as band interviews.

Some Posts I've Loved:

       The Everyday Goth's discussion of blogging vs vlogging made me consider why I do both and the different purposes they serve. Spooky Loop's reveal of the music they listened to as a babybat was an interesting read, and may cause me to write a similar post soon. Sam Sanity's new Halloween skirt is very cute and makes me think I need to find all the circle skirts I made last year, and of course Karoliina's beautiful nails and demon outfit look absolutely excellent. I also love Sary Walrus's casual outfit and excellent haircut.

Seven Years of Goth Fashion

       I've been part of the goth subculture for almost seven years. It's taken me through middle school, high school, and now into college. I am by no means an elder in the scene, but I feel like it is time to take a look back anyway.

       I've organized these photos by grade rather than by year, because it made it easier for me to figure out when they were taken.

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

9th Grade

10th Grade

11th Grade

12th Grade

On Art, Identity, and Community Building

       Usually, I know exactly what I want to say before I start writing a blog post. Today I don't. I just know that I need to talk about this.

       Lately I have felt very compelled to create art. This is partially out of my own desires and sense of identity. Among other things I am a writer, artist, videographer. I create art because it is simply something I do and have always done.

       However, recently it has also been out of a desire for community. The wider community of darkly-clad and otherwise alternative people often centers on art, be it literature, music, film, or what-have-you. Therefore I am drawn to create art in order to establish a connection with these like-minded individuals. I also want to seek out and celebrate the art that these others create. Doing so brings with it a sense of community and support, as well as inspiration.

       I recently attended the Sacramento Love Horror Film Festival. The show was a magnificent mix of horror films and amazing live performers. Everyone in that room, from the performers to the audience, to the people running the show, had such a visible and passionate appreciation for the dark, macabre, and otherwise odd. It was wonderful and touching to feel that connection with so many people. As the MC stated at one point, we were there because we were weird motherfuckers and we needed to stick together.

       But it was the art that gave us the excuse to gather there.

       In Voltaire's video, The Future Rock Star's Handbook #1, he stresses the importance of being the artist you want others to see you as. I think this is even more important when you are looking at art as a community builder. If you want to be an alternative artist creating art that draws in an alternative community....then you have to do it. You have to get out there and present yourself as that artist, and have the art to back it up. Art cannot serve as a community builder if it is never presented to the community. If that is what you want to do, you have to be willing to play that role.

       That's not to say that you should present yourself in a way that you aren't comfortable with, just because you want to appeal to the community. The art that you create and the role you play in the community are going to be infinitely stronger if you are comfortable and confident in them. What it does mean is that if there is something you want to be seen as, you have to be brave and go for it. You have to be who you want to be and create the art you want. Do that and in time, others will respond to the work that you have done.

       Being exactly who you want to be isn't something we can all do all of the time, but it is something we can strive to do to the best of our abilities.

       I have quite a headache so this may not be particularly cohesive. Regardless, I needed to get this out there. now I am going to go work on some of my own art while embracing all the aspects I can of who I want to be.

A Look at the...Screw it, You Know I've Been Gone Longer Than a Week

         I have been gone for a long time. A very long time. Many months. As no one reads this, that does not matter. However, if you follow my vlogs, then you know some of what I've been up to.

       So, I'm kind of back. What have I been up to recently? As always let's go over it point by point.

What I've Been Up To:

       I've started a blog for my photography. I also have a blog for reblogging other people's art, so anyone who posts their work on Tumblr and wants me to take a look at it should let me know. Besides that I've been working on my professional website, trying to pick up freelance work, and preparing for college. Woo.

       I also got to attend the Sacramento Love Horror Film Festival. That was excellent. The films were great and the live entertainment was just wonderful. Some of it might have been a bit crude for some people's tastes (*ahem* my grandmother whom I went with) but I absolutely loved it. I'm am just sad that I won't be in the area in October, when Voltaire will be performing at the Sacramento Horror Film Festival. I would love to get to see that. Someday I'll get to see him live.
     
       Have some photos.

What I've Been Listening To:

       I ended up revisiting Black Veil Brides, a band I haven't listened to regularly since middle school. I found that Andy has released his own solo album, The Shadow Side (and is apparently going by a different last name again?). Let me just say that I am absolutely in love. The music is great, and the video for We Don't Have to Dance is absolute perfection. As a videographer I am jealous. Those night shots are so crisp. As far as the music itself is concerned, I am particularly fond of Ribcage, though the message of Stay Alive is definitely a worthy one.

Some Posts I've Loved:

       I have been too busy to be super involved in the blog scene lately, but I do know that Spooky Loop was sporting some awesome nose jewelry that I am truthfully jealous of. Additionally, Crypt Tips wrote a nice post on dealing with baby bats.

Other Things of Interest:

       I haven't gotten to watch it yet, but I am really eager to watch this documentary featuring beloved goth YouTuber It's Black Friday.

Spooky To Do List 2016

       This post was inspired by Sary Walrus's Halloween To Do List 2016 post.

       This year is really up in the air for me. I am moving across the country and going off to college. As a result, I am really not sure what my life will by like by this Halloween.

       Because of that, this list isn't exactly a Halloween to do list. It is a spooky to do list. In other words, this is a list of all of the spooky things I want to make sure I get done between now and Halloween.

• Halloween in Summer? Halloween in Summer! I want to throw a Halloween party for my friends before I move. That way I still get to celebrate with all of them.

• Pare down my wardrobe to better fit my look. One good thing about not being able to take everything with me, is that I can make sure I only take the pieces I really love or really need.

• Make a playlist of all of my current favorite spooky music. This just seems like a fun thing to do.

• Watch a ton of movies. I want to rewatch old favorites, like Silent Hill, and see some that I have never watched but have always wanted to, like Psycho.

• Up my makeup game. I finally got some white foundation, so it's time to practice. Need to get my gothy makeup on point in time for school.

• Catch up on Nightvale. I am so far behind.

• More art. Journal art? Photography? Poetry? All of it.

• Acquire a costume. The last few years my costumes have been really last minute. I want to put more thought into it this year.

• Make myself a pair of horns. I've wanted some for ages now, but I still haven't gotten around to trying any of the tutorials I have found.

• Stare longingly at new pairs of vampire fangs but probably not actually buy them because I need to save money.

• Look for Halloween, horror, or art events in the area around my college. I would love to find some horror film festivals.

• Failing that, spend more time supporting artists online. My art blog, here, is where I reblog artists' work on tumblr.

• Look for pagan groups in the area. I want to meet some people to celebrate Samhain with.

• Keep my nails looking nice. I particularly like the blood spattered manicure and burned paper nails.
• 
  
• Actually spend Halloween with my partner for the first time ever. They love Halloween just as much as I do (and coincidentally, they just sent me a picture of themselves in a cemetery).