I have an addiction, and it's real.

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ad⋅dic⋅tion
–noun the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

I never thought that I would say this, but I'm addicted. I never expected for this to happen. I mean, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs and I drink on rare occasions. But, I am. This is my cry for help. I am addicted to Facebook.

Perhaps some backstory is in order. I recently deactivated my Facebook as it was taking crazy amounts of time and energy to keep up and to be quite frank, most of my 'friends' weren't really friends. They were people I never talked to, but shared some event, be it high school or junior high.

I deleted my Facebook over a week ago and at first it was kinda nice. Like a relief that I would no longer be getting inane information on people I didn't care about. Then a few days past and suddenly, I wanted to know, needed to know what was going on in this social media world.

Let me remind you that I'm not completely cut off, I do have Twitter (@_BrandiMarie_), but it's just not the same. It's getting worse. One, I'm writing about an addiction to a Web site on my blog and two, I keep trying to talk myself into reactivating my account. I tell my self "It's okay. You're an adult. You can handle this. You can just go on and peek at what people are doing and then deactivate again."

What is wrong with me!! I am such a snoop.

I'm going to try and hold out for the rest of the week. Wish me luck.

Dirty Little Secrets, and Everyone Has 'Em

Last week I was lucky enough to attend a PostSecret event at the University of Idaho. I met the famous Frank Warren, the keeper of all the secrets.

I was a little nervous going to the event because I heard that the audience is expected to share secrets, and I wasn't sure I wanted to do that. However, I did go and I learned so much about the human condition and PostSecret and what Frank is trying to do that I felt it was necessary to share.

It was so amazing to see secrets that weren't allowed in his books. I was cool to hear some of the stories that when along with some of the cards. I was better to hear the audience trust each other and tell secrets.

I was surprised by the secrets that people trusted with this group. Some were painful, some funny and some insightful and all of them very real. The event was in the SUB Ballroom and it was a million degrees. I seemed uncomfortable both in temperature and sometimes subject matter.

As the full house began to shuffle out of the Ballroom, I heard said what I was thinking. I was on the verge of tears throughout the finale portion of the show. I'm glad that I wasn't alone and that will be my secret to share.

Finally, I am going to post this video because if you look closely in the background you will see secrets sent to Frank. All the postcards in this video are actual PostSecret cards. Plus, it's a pretty good song. Enjoy.

One Cute Pup

This is an album of Ty Paddington, a boston terrier.

Water Collection

LaPush, Wash. Amazing. The beach was beautiful. The road there cut deep through the tree and after a final turn, the beach, the ocean and the village just appeared.
Cresent Lake, Wash. Early evening. Mountain surrounding the lake with what was deemed on this trip at 'creepy mountains.'
Port Townsend, Wash. This photo was taken in October 2008 on a trip to the Olympic Peninsula. Georgous. I could move there in a moment.
Mexico 2008. Warm, salty air. Spray in your face. Beautiful.

What happens when you're a little masochistic . . .

. . . you decide to go to grad school. Yes, that's right, I'm going to pay (well, hopefully get scholarships) for some more research, quizzes and general tests of endurance.

Even better, I'm doing a 180 in terms of study from my bachelor's to my master's. Ah, yes. From writing to art. After taking a toll of my life, my job and what I really want, I know that I need some serious change.

This should provide lots of change, and not the kind Obama is talking about. I guess you could say I opened my eyes and decided that I needed more out of my job. I needed different personalities to surround me. And I needed to get out of this God-forsaken podunk town.

So here I am. I'm back to drawing. Looking at the world, like I used too. Enjoying colors meshing. Watching people. Finding patterns in the world around me. I have pulled my camera off the shelf and have started using it. Soon, you will see the beginnings of the reborn creative me.

This blog will serve as a way of sharing my creativity, sarcasm and everyday life with the world. It should be an interesting ride. Let's see where it takes me.

You can follow my adventure on Twitter too at

twitter.com/_BrandiMarie_