the world is spinning and not in a good way...

anxiety...
How in the world can I have social anxiety you may ask. I enjoy being with my friends and traveling. How can I possibly be stricken with social anxiety. I am and always will be awkward. I hide it rather well, if people are convinced I am an extrovert. I am completely, the opposite. I would rather stay at home. I could actually stay indoors on a daily basis without leaving. With amazon or google express I have the convenience of not leaving my home and have things delivered. People say that it is not healthy. But who is to dictate what is good and bad for me. Wouldn't you say that is better for me, when I do step outside of my home, I wonder the worst case scenarios? Will I get hit by a car/bus. What kind of people will cross my path today? Will I see a bad accident along my route? I then start to have a panic attack. The world starts to shrink around me. The air feels thin and I start to see spots before my eyes. But, if I do not leave my apartment, I will not get the benefits of the sun, vitamin d. Or the daily walks, to kick in endorphins as I take each step. There will always be an argument on any side of the matter. Instead I choose to have a little of both. I take daily walks in my neighborhood just to get outside. To take each "battle" of being outside my bubble. "Just one more time around the block", I say to myself. Then I hurry back to the safety of my home. I hope to overcome this battle of anxiety, one day at a time...

Eric

I have a fabulous friend who is fighting the battle on addiction and getting clean and sober. He is riding for AIDS Lifecycle and I can not be any more proud for what he has accomplished and the many more he will overcome. Come help me donate funds to his ride...

You can click on his photo above and it will link you to his bio...OR if you would like to buy a pouch from my etsy shop, I will be donating $2 from every pouch sold.

manikgrl.etsy.com
In addition to the donations...follow me on twitter for coupon codes. For a twitter follow there is always the coupon code TWEET for 10% off your purchase!

Social Media

Social Media It is everywhere you go. I go into a store and they say "Follow Us! Great deals and exclusive sales for our FaceBook followers" What about us?! The very handful that is not active on FaceBook. I do have an account, only because I love the social ride share program LYFT. I use them frequently in California.
But do I care for FaceBook? Not much. I once did. It was a place where I can catch up with old friends or see pictures of their expanding family! It was great. Until the drama started to unfold. I see bitter break ups, divorce or just plain old catty fights.
I also used FaceBook as an extension to view topics placed by my union. Yes, I am part of an union. I get a lot of useful information there until, the merger of two companies. Tearing the work groups apart. It became nasty. Yes on a page meant for friendly conversation and news. I keep my account "live" but rarely participate.
However, I am an addict on Instagram. I frequently post pics. I actually have THREE accounts. One personal. Second is my "promotional" account. Last is for my kitty. Yep, an addict. I seem to have found less drama there. I guess you are pretty limited to airing out dirty laundry, since you have to post pics.
erisa415 - personal
manikgrl - shop
kissamiumiueasterbunny - my kitty
Twitter was, my OF (original favorite). Tweeting nonsense was a novel idea to me. Then I read back my tweets and think to myself..."what the???"
manikgrl tweets
Last and final...my FaceBook "fan" page...only because I seem to be active on that site more than my regular account...
manikgrl facebook page

The Paths You Take...

Life is strange... The different paths you choose, may lead you anywhere! The good, the bad, some you just think to yourself, "what the fuck?". But every life path I choose, I am in for an adventure. That is how I see it. I never thought of choosing this path...but I chose to have a life partner. I was in a very long term relationship. After that relationship, I knew...I WANTED a life partner that wanted to be with me as much I wanted to be with them. I found that person...

Once we took this road...our lives changed, dramatically. We moved. I never thought I would leave the bay area. The bay area has changed so much. Admittedly, I did not like the changes. My neighborhood changed so much. Who would have thought, the richmond district would be affected. It did. We paid $1600 for our little one bedroom. I inquired what the rent price will change to, (I knew a few people moving to SF) $2400, at LEAST! WTF?!?! Seriously? It does not come with parking, nor laundry. You need to walk a few blocks to get your clothes washed.
The last time I will look out these windows...

All packed and ready to go...

Umm Charles, seems to have hidden all her "toys" under the stove

My final goodbye with my remaining posessions.

SoCal is where I now call home. I used to "hate" L.A. Everything about it. But you know what? People change. Places change. I am enjoying my new adventure here. Though it is warm, I do miss the fog. It is a-ok. People are so much nicer here. Chivalry is still alive in this town. I say "thank you" more than I ever did living in San Francisco. One other perk of living in Southern California?!

Miu seems to enjoy her new life here? "wassup!"

A Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peak of what's to come...

the view from up above

simple yet whimsical

I recently saw a documentary TERMS AND CONDITIONS MAY APPLY. I officially deactivated my FaceBook account. Sometimes I get so sick of it all. Social media is revealing. People tend to share their personal information it makes me wonder if they are aware that others can see what they are posting. I sometimes tend to share too much information. I too, then wonder. Who can see this? Who and where is all my information being sent to? This documentary basically sealed the deal for me. I am currently deactivated. Knowing my moods, when the sun is aligned with the planet Uranus and the old woman across the street actually changes her pants, etc., I will reactivate my account. I go through this phase back and forth, for months at a time. When I deactivate it gives me the chance to live my real life. Instead of being glued to my phone/laptop, playing games or watching my friends lives unfold before my eyes. I am now, cleaning my apartment. Reflecting on what I did, did not do, or what I have yet to do. (though at times I don't know if that is very healthy for me) Interacting with my cats. Reading blogs or even a book! As of now, I am enjoying post FaceBook. This is NOT my final decision.

Here is my kitty, enjoying the life post FB...

wedding

early august we had to go to vegas for a friend's wedding. what a fabulous time. an union, of two persons, who are so madly in love. what a lovely moment shared...

THE D. This hotel is soo neat! Too bad they charge a resort fee. I would have stayed there. Instead I ended up at the CALIFORNIA where are the "locals" head to. Every time I stay there I run into at least ONE person I know. This year it was Trisha.

I won myself a viking hat at EXCALIBUR

yummy korean food SOYO Korean Barstaurant

OMFG!! MATT FREWER! I know him as Dr Leekie from Orphan Black.

The Golden Steer. I know this sounds weird. They had my favorite caesar salad ever. It was perfect in my taste. Prime rib was awesome too! ;)

The husband is a very private person, I decided to not post pics. Keep their moments, in my memory.

a little catching up to do

here are a few pics to start the ball rolling

my porn. fabric porn that is! Osaka!!!

kihei. gorgeous.

my little charles...she is so sweeeeeeet.

california extreme! this year I made a skirt. QBERT!!!

he is my favorite person to travel with.

alameda pinball museum. I really like alameda...

cleveland ohio, or shall I say, Ohio city! Oh so much fun!!!