My Favorite Dracula

It's getting closer and closer to Halloween. There's an autumn chill in the air. It's time to watch all my favorite dark and spooky movies. One of my absolute favorites is Francis Ford Coppola's rendition of Dracula, starring Gary Oldman. I remember watching this one when I was a young teen - it was one of the first R-rated movies my dad let me watch. (Mom never let me watch R-rated movies, but by this time, she and Dad were divorced, and Dad was much more lax!) Anyway, I was mesmerized by this frightening, sexy, Gothic film. I fell in love with Oldman's Dracula, and he remains one of my biggest film crushes to date. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it. But it is quite different from the book. Coppola took some liberties. But I like what he did. Also, Annie Lennox did an awesome song for it that plays during the credits. *sigh* Such a favorite of mine <3

Female Empowerment in Kenya

I was in high school when I first learned about female circumcision. I discovered the reality of this horrible practice when I was reading a book about a Saudi princess. I was shocked and totally appalled. Unfortunately, this practice is still going on today. And in some places, it's such a common practice that women are not able to be married without having it done; however, some women are rebelling against this horrible process. They're rebelling against being thought of as the weaker sex. They're finding ways to live together with other women and make their own money, thus giving them power. They're slowly but surely changing those old, outdated traditions and replacing them with the more modern idea of female empowerment. If you're interested in this sort of thing at all, I highly recommend you watch this video clip that I watched today. It's about a women-only village in Kenya which has started a new matriarchal movement. It's thrilling to me to see these women show such bravery, and it's also very exciting to see that there are some men who are moving forward in their views about women as well. So if you have about 30 minutes and are curious, check out the video. It's well worth your time.

Imagining Better Relationships

Earlier today, I was having a conversation with a family member about another family member who is in a very volatile, dysfunctional relationship. There's a lot of fighting and disrespect and emotional and physical abuse within it. But even though they seem to hate each other, they can't ever stay apart for very long. At one point, the family member I was talking to said, "I wonder if he just can't imagine that there's another possible life out there for him."

And you know, I think she's absolutely right.

How many of us have known someone, or have been in a situation ourselves, where we can't imagine life without a certain relationship? Even if this relationship is destructive, we still feel stuck. I think that sometimes we wrap up our very identity in the knowing of another person, and that can be a huge mistake. I'm guilty of this in my own life, but the thing is, we may not realize it, but we always have options for different, better relationships with people, which can create for us different, better lives.

We have options. All we have to do is imagine ourselves in that better life, and it's all of a sudden possible. But if you never try to imagine it, and you think you are the mess you're in, then you are placing self-imposed restrictions on your freedom. You're the one shackling yourself to the mess.

This can apply to thoughts, too. Imagine what you'd be like without that negative, obsessive, fearful thought you carry around every day. Wouldn't life be so much more peaceful without it? Wouldn't you stand a little taller and feel a lot lighter? If you can imagine it, you can make it happen.

In order to get freedom from something, we must disassociate our identity with it. We must imagine the better options. We must believe the healthier relationship is possible in order to make ourselves available for it to happen. And it's even possible for a shitty relationship to turn around - as long as both people are willing to imagine that future where they don't hate one another but love and respect each other.

Love and romance do not have to be torture! It doesn't have to include constant fighting and misery. People have options. As long as we're still alive, there's always hope for something better.


XOXO

Scarlett

First Gay Couple Wed in Dallas

I came across one of the sweetest stories yesterday after the news exploded about the supreme court ruling of accepting gay marriage across the board: it's a story of a gay couple that have been together for more than 50 years, who are in their 80s, and were finally able to officially tie the knot in Dallas, TX, which is the area in which I live. So I was very proud and very happy for them. What a special day for so many people! Click -->here<-- to check out that very happy story. :)

I guess the news can actually be good/positive every once in a while after all!


XOXO

Scarlett

Addicting Artichoke Dip Recipe

My dad came down to see me this Father's Day, and I cooked for him. One of the things I made was this amazing, addicting artichoke dip, of which I'd like to share the recipe with you. It's the perfect party dish and is a sure-fire hit. Also, I could probably eat the whole thing in one sitting; it's that good:

Ingredients:
1 can quartered artichoke hearts
1 cup mayo
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350. Drain artichokes and pat dry with towel. Mix all ingredients. Put in shallow glass baking dish and cook for 30 minutes.

Eat with crackers, toast, pretzels - whatever! It's delicious. If you try it, let me know how you like it.

Hope everyone had a nice Father's Day weekend!

XOXO

Scarlett

Cool Random Truck Art

Saw this semi-truck in a parking lot, and I liked the sexy illustration on the side of it so much I had to take a pic. ;)

A New Nice Wine Find

I was in the mood to try a new wine tonight, and I found a chilled bottle at Sprouts on sale. I am happy to say that it is really nice! It's a unique blend and is very sippable. If you like whites, try this one out. ;)


XOXO

Scarlett