Online Dating Turn-Offs: Guys who post fuzzy profile pictures sideways, showing themselves shirtless, either holding a dead fish or taking a selfie in a bathroom. Though maybe in those cases, fuzzy is a plus.
Also, sending one word messages: "hi"
Worse: "any luck here?"
Worst: "I voted for Trump."
I've messaged with a few women in the friend category, which is fun.
One posts plant-based recipes on her blog Sweet Life Unsweetened. (The recipes have no refined sugar.) This recipe looks so good to me: Caribbean sweet potato and plantain coconut stew
One lives in Chicago and builds and decorates doll houses.
She asked me how I got started on toy photography.
I didn't even know "toy photography" was a thing, so it didn't happen that way round.
Rather, it was like the man who realized he'd been speaking in prose all his life.
I started taking pictures of Red Bear a few years ago. I was surprised how much feeling there was in them, so I started to set up little scenes.
It really took off when Red Hair Girl came along three years ago, because she herself was super into it--a bit of a ham, a natural performer.
"Of course the dolls are all me," I wrote to the dollhouse maker, "but it doesn't always feel like that."
She's not sure she agrees that the girlettes are "all me". She wrote:
I want to write more about me and the girlettes and toy photography, but for now, I'm just going to post these clips from an article about the importance of play for children's mental health.
Don't adults need some kind of play too?
The bit about people who feel helpless not feeling empowered to take action on their own behalf or for their communities reminds me of the Don't Bother Trying attitudes I see at the thrift store.
The external locus of control may be God or the government, but at any rate, it's not oneself.
There's actually something restful about that, though, compared to the frenetic American push to Be More, Do More.
I'd like a mix. Play with it!
"The Decline of Play and the Rise of Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents", Peter Gray, American Journal of Play, Spring 2011
PDF: www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/1195/ajp-decline-play-published.pdf
Also, sending one word messages: "hi"
Worse: "any luck here?"
Worst: "I voted for Trump."
I've messaged with a few women in the friend category, which is fun.
One posts plant-based recipes on her blog Sweet Life Unsweetened. (The recipes have no refined sugar.) This recipe looks so good to me: Caribbean sweet potato and plantain coconut stew
One lives in Chicago and builds and decorates doll houses.
She asked me how I got started on toy photography.
I didn't even know "toy photography" was a thing, so it didn't happen that way round.
Rather, it was like the man who realized he'd been speaking in prose all his life.
I started taking pictures of Red Bear a few years ago. I was surprised how much feeling there was in them, so I started to set up little scenes.
It really took off when Red Hair Girl came along three years ago, because she herself was super into it--a bit of a ham, a natural performer.
"Of course the dolls are all me," I wrote to the dollhouse maker, "but it doesn't always feel like that."
She's not sure she agrees that the girlettes are "all me". She wrote:
"Maybe you really have called down some little spritely spirits because those doll photos really do make one feel better somehow."Little sprightly spirits! I love that.
I want to write more about me and the girlettes and toy photography, but for now, I'm just going to post these clips from an article about the importance of play for children's mental health.
Don't adults need some kind of play too?
The bit about people who feel helpless not feeling empowered to take action on their own behalf or for their communities reminds me of the Don't Bother Trying attitudes I see at the thrift store.
The external locus of control may be God or the government, but at any rate, it's not oneself.
There's actually something restful about that, though, compared to the frenetic American push to Be More, Do More.
I'd like a mix. Play with it!
"The Decline of Play and the Rise of Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents", Peter Gray, American Journal of Play, Spring 2011
PDF: www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/1195/ajp-decline-play-published.pdf
"Those doll photos really do make one feel better somehow."
ReplyDeleteI agree.
Play! Lots of play! More play! Perhaps that is why I often resort to stupid phone games when I'm very stressed. Not as good as free play though, since it lacks imagination.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what is wrong with our school system after children are about six years old. As soon as the freedom to choose goes I feel children's independence does too and they become part of the drive to train them to be adults that conform. Play is how we learn, test ideas and create. I play all the time!
ReplyDeleteAs for fuzzy photos of Trump supporters, you are right, the fuzzier the better!
This week is a busy one, but Minnie and Racer want to go the river, so we have pencilled in Friday. Unlike your creek which looks quite clean, the Thames is not, so they have said it is fine if I put them in clear plastic bags so they can see but not get dirty! They might come out for photos but definitely no paddling.
Your photos of the Girlettes certainly make me feel better.
ReplyDeleteMy own children spent a lot of time in free play while growing up, just as I did.
TORORO: Thanks! Me too.
ReplyDeleteBINK: PLay is restorative! And a great distraction.
SARAH: I know you see this process of childhood end-of-free-play in your work, up-close. It seems tragic to me.
RIVER: I'm glad the girlettes make people feel better.
I grew up playing outside---guess I never got over it. :)