I've known Rhianne for a while now through her blog and I was thrilled when she asked me to guest post for her while she was off having a merry trip. I just celebrated my 24th birthday (gah, I'm getting old!) and realized that I love a lot of things, a few of which I wanted to share with you today. So, here is my list of lovely things that distract me (in a good way) on a daily basis:
Rapidograph pens
I use these beauties every day to create my quirky illustrations. Most people no longer use technical pens (since most architectural drafting is now done on the computer) so they're getting harder to find. It's part of what makes my work unique but I'm going to have to stockpile them in the future because I KNOW one day they'll stop selling them.
Antique cameras
I'm dating a graduate photo student so I'm lucky to have all the old (and new) cameras I could want. We frequently make trips to antique shops and thrift stores to find new ones. My favorite one, though, I found in my grandma's closet. The beautiful Kodak Duaflex still had unexposed film in it from 1966! I finished off the roll and developed some very ghostly photographs.
Bicycles
My boyfriend built me my own road bike (named Paul) and now I'm learning 'bike' culture. I even yelled at my first car last week!
Books
When I moved cross-country last summer, I had to cut my book collection in half so now I have every excuse to rebuild it. I'm secretly hoping to buy some bookshelf wallpaper too!
Cats
Shortly before I moved to San Jose I had to put my own cat to sleep but I can't wait to get another ball of fur to cuddle. My boyfriend's fish is not a good replacement since it doesn't let me pet it and I honestly don't think it cares if I talk to it or not. Psht, bettas. I have to wait a while to get another cat though because our apartment doesn't allow animals.
My boyfriend
It probably doesn't look good that I put cats before him, but I promise he rates higher than a cat. Some days. He's got a quirky sense of humor and constantly makes me laugh by secretly dyeing dinner odd colors while I'm not watching. Right now he's working on earning his Master's degree in Photography but on the side he's building pinhole cameras out of paper, Holgas, and antique digital cameras. If you're interested in making one yourself, he has all of the plans and tutorials on his blog.
It's a wonder I can get any work done with so many distractions but somehow I manage. In between cameras and pens, I run my illustration business Studio M.M.E. and work on my blog. In what little free time remains, I take nice runs around the neighborhood and try not to be chased by dogs.