paperkite's Profile

I know that it's not AT's intention, but reading the articles on this site more than once a month or so really creates a discontentment with what I have. I understand that AT seeks to inspire creativity but often times it inadvertently frustrates me with all the thing I *wish* I could do with my home or wish I could afford but can't. I don't know how this can be avoided except by spotlighting a fabulous person's life and then showing their shabby, styleless, cheap and utterly ordinary digs. Is that appropriate for a design site? Dunno. But it sure would help keep me grounded in the reality that a fabulous life does not have to include a fabulous home. I'd definitely visit the site more often, too.

I think, depending on where you live, in some places it's a lot harder to meet people than simply volunteering and introducing yourself. Some areas simply have a "don't talk to strangers, I don't need any new friends" mentality and it is really difficult to break through that. Also, getting people to leave their house during their free time gets harder and harder, after the age 30, I'd say. (Maybe it's because after 30 many people don't have as much free time and making new friends becomes less a priority?)

I remember my grandmother in her 50's had "church friends" and "country club friends". These were ladies she saw regularly for years but rarely outside of these venues and I would never say they were particularly close friends. Her closest friends were her relatives. I think that's what happens for a lot of people. People don't make friendships like they did in childhood.

Also, one other things... I think it takes a lot of socializing to find that 1 out of 100 that you really click with. Sort of like dating. So, if you're in a community that doesn't socialize much... it's very hard.

$400 for 1 bedroom including ALL utilities but cable in Augusta, Georgia in 2003! Beautiful old victorian home with all the trimmings converted into apartments. The downside was that the neighborhood was spotty. Still, best deal ever!

@Victoria Elizabeth, well said!

True Blood sucked me back to cable. ;) Every year for my bday I get a cable subscription for the summer while True Blood is airing. But, otherwise, we don't watch t.v. outside of hulu and netflix at all. I will say, though, that the money we save by cutting the cord is spent on my husband's new iphone gadget+service. So, if it's not one thing.. it's another.

Pretty sweet!

@Madampince That's a lovely comment. :) If something ever happened to my husband, you are right, I'd love his god awful, cordoroy, 80's blue Lazy Boy recliner (complete with velcro remote control) like it was my child. :)

"why are we so quick to be insulting, opinionated, and sometimes even cruel?"

Because immature people think snarky-ness is cool, funny and a sign of intelligence. Right now, obnoxious is considered a "character trait" rather than a flaw.

"And taking that logic one step further, why do we even care what strangers on the internet have to say about our own design choices?"

Because we probably spent a lot of time, effort and money to create this very personal piece of art that expresses the way we want to live. Criticism hurts us like it would any artist.

Why do we share it, then?
For the same reasons people carry wallet pics of their kids. We are proud of our creation and ingenuity. :)

Unpacking my books after a move is like running into old friends in a new city.

@Lisa (Montreal), you have a dream job! :)

I second the church alert! Beyond the bells there is also the myriad of child classes going on there. Meaning, if you live next to church grounds, you live next to a playground which gets the blessed little squeals of children from 7:30am until 3pm every weekend.