A Work In Progress

It's been a battle with my family since this brand emerged on the scene, Vera Bradley. I think it was the middle of high school when the epidemic started. It was right after the north face fanny. Apparently quilted bags that had matching accessories were the new thing. I have to say that Ms. Vera is brilliant. The way she is running her business is just adding to the frenzy. Her simple marketing structure of releasing a few patterns a season and then discontinuing them is so smart. The sad thing is that everyone feeds into it and then they have to get their hands on their favorite pattern before its existence is over. Then they will find a new pattern and bam, new obsession and new goal of owning EVERYTHING in a new pattern. Simple marketing plan. This is were I have an issue and my hate for Vera Bradley stems, the principle behind it. I do really dislike the aesthetics as well but there are a lot of brands that I don't care for their look but they aren't creating a consumer crazy, cookie cutter sub culture.

Tonight I ate dinner at my grandparents house with Emily P. We went over for a farewell to my Paw paw's hamburgers and to write our itinerary for Nerinx Hall's pre-season meeting we're having this wednesday. If you don't already know, Emily is Nerinx Hall's new head swimming coach and when she was told she could choose her assistant coach, naturally, she chose yours truly, me. I'd like to think of us as "The Dream Team". Anyway, while we were eating dinner at my grandparents tonight we got talking about running with my Paw paw. He used to be a big time runner. I'm talking running marathons all the time, St. Louis, Chicago, Boston... any marathon. He held the record for his age group in the St. Louis marathon. Yes, he was good. All of this I already knew though but tonight I found out really, just how crazy-awesome my grandfather was (and probably still is). He has ran a total of 115 miles at one time! Obviously it wasn't non stop but it just so happens that there is an event held in Cape Girardeau of all places that is a 24 hour run/walk. Apparently crazies come out and see how far they can run in 24 hours! He ate dinner and would walk a little bit and even changed shoes at one point, how amazing. And get this, it was around a track! He circled a track for 24 hours! Now I can't help but wonder who the hell counted these peoples laps because if they had to do it themselves that would be awful. I can barely keep count past one thousand yards when I'm swimming let alone 115 miles of running! Now that is an achievement. My grandfather has also made me question the integrity of the sport itself, long distance running, such as a marathon. Now a days people only do it for completion and I have upmost respect for that. My two my swim was for completion but what about time? Pushing your self to be the best? Making a commitment to the sport and the culture that comes with it. It's almost become a trend to finish a marathon. Apparently back in the day it was for time and the times to qualify were harder then than they are now! Now, in 2009, with all the people just completing a marathon it's going to become a norm. It could be seen as artwork. Printmaking for instance, you have 100 prints of an image as opposed to five prints of another, which will be worth more, more meaningful? The one that doesn't have as many made, it brings the value up. So if most people complete a marathon, where is the meaning? I would hope that it is internal because to the outer world now a days it's not as big of a deal. Or is it? Who knows. I know one thing though, swimming is for me and i like watching running from the sidelines!

I have had a lot of reactions to my name. Most of the time it's the same one, "wait, Kasper isn't your nickname! It's your real name?" I know it might be hard to believe but yes, it is in fact my legal name given to me at birth. For the longest time I didn't know there was anything different about my name or maybe I should say special.

Yesterday when I was opening the pool I had a woman give me response to the fact that my name was Kasper that I had never heard before.

Upon her hearing someone say my name,

Veronica: Oh my gosh, they call you that?!

Me: Yea, well it's my name.

V: That's your real name?

M: (I thought to myself, "No, it's my fake name, an alias.") Yup, it's really my name.

V: Woooooow, your parents must have a great personality.

M: (nervous laughter) haha, yea, I guess.


I couldn't help but think to myself, did she mean to say, "wow, your parents have a good sense of humor." As if naming your child Kasper is a big funny joke. I wanted to say, "Yea, well if you think my name is interesting you should hear what they named by my twin sister!"

Needless to say I love my name, almost as much as I love myself. haha

http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/poplife/twins.shtm

I love the shoes in this line. I could barely pay attention to the beautiful dresses because the shoes are just too fascinating!

My dad sent this e-mail to me and I would forward it but I never forward messages. Since I have a blog now I figured this would be just as good of a forum to spread this awesome message.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday  Morning  Commentary.
My confession: 
  I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish.  And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.  I don't feel threatened.  I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees. 
    It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me.  I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto.  In fact, I kind of like it.  It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu .  If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. 
    I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians.  I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.  I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country.  I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. 
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?  I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.  But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to. 
    In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different:  This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. 
      Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).  Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.  She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.  And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.  How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?' 
     In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.  I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.  Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school.  The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.  And we said OK.
     Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave,    because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem  ( Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).  We said an expert should know what he's talking about.  And we said okay.
    Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
     Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.  I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.' 

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.  Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.  Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.  Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. 

Are you laughing yet? 

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. 

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. 

Pass it on if you think it has merit. 
 
If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did.  But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.  

My Best Regards,  Honestly and respectfully, 

Ben Stein

As I fell asleep last night, absolutely in love with the autumn weather, I began to dream. Dreaming was very real last night. There was an odd reality that I created for myself and when my dreams become reality to me, that scares the crap out of me! If you aren't aware, I LOVE Christmas. I love it as much, if not more, than I love Michael Jackson and Fashion. With that said, decorating for the holiday is one of my favorite things to do. The atmosphere that is created when Christmas nears makes my heart happy. Last night I dreamt that time was moving very quickly. My mom was explaining to me why the time was flying by and as she was doing so, she packed all of the Christmas decorations! I was shocked, "Mom, what the hell are you doing?" Christmas was over. I MISSED IT! I've never been so upset. When I was waking up this morning I was in the middle of my real reality and the dreamlike state that I called reality for eight hours. That confused me so much! Luckily I was able to work through the anxiety that ensued due to my nightmare and I realized it was still just the 5th of October.

Saw this on a friends blog. Love it. Almost as much as I love James himself. So, 'Never Die Young.' I think that's nice to think about.

Friday night I was going out, period. I wanted to celebrate my achievements and what I see as a milestone in what I have been working on for the past three years. However I am going to yield at the fact that I only reached this place in my life because of Gods mercy and grace so really celebrating wasn't about me but about God and his faithfulness to me. So there, even more reason for me to celebrate. It all started at, what is now, my new favorite mexican restaurant. Mexican and margarita's with Emily and her mom, I couldn't think of a better way to come together with to people who have blessed my life in so many ways. We drank and ate. Awesome. Next on the agenda, drinks at Em's new, swank apartment. Nick met up with us and then we headed to Growlers to meet up with my Home and her friends. On the way there we belted Lady Gaga's "Starstruck". Nick's presence continuously makes me smile and warms my heart. It was that simple moment in my car that I love and will never take for granted. The night had gotten away from us so by the time we got to Growlers Liz and her crew were finishing up their fun time so Nick, Emily and I sat down at the bar, got a drink and chatted away about life. I hadn't laughed as hard as I did that night for a while. My heart needed it. Note: If you ever need a good laugh, I'm talking a-to the-mazing laugh, get Nick and Emily together, HILARIOUS! We had a great time but as all great times, it had to come to an end. Nick dropped us off at Emily's apartment where we both made a mad dash for pj's and I, personally, was more concerned with the snicker doodles that Emily's mom had made. I got my cookies and milk, hunkered down in bed and got on Em's laptop to blog about the night and by the grace of God I noticed the date on the computer, October 3rd. I forgot to write down in my planner that I was supposed to open the pool at 8:45am. I had to throw it up to the big man, laugh and set my alarm for 7:30. My head hit the pillow at 1:30am and I was out. Honestly, it is just like me to have a moment like that. I have to say though, I had an amazing Saturday. After I finished working I swam which it was an awesome quality swim! Then I came home opened all the windows in my apartment, let the autum breeze rush in and just had a relaxing, yet productive, day. I must say that the pumpkin beer purchased the night before rocked my socks off too. Yum, I strongly suggest it.

http://cheekydeeky.tumblr.com/

The other, when I was getting into my car, I noticed this laying right next to the drivers side door. Yes, that would be a bra strap. This piece of evidence left me with a short narrative.

007 by kasper lorene featuring Aquascutum

I am soooooo excited about the fall! The pumpkin spice latte is back in action and that makes me really happy and nostalgic. Last fall I didn't get to have a pumpkin spice latte with my friends while sitting outside and smelling the autumn leaves. I'm not complaining because I was in Wien experiencing something most don't get to but it makes me think of how fortunate I am to have the friends I do. My mouth is watering now, yum.

I was relatively productive on this rainy sunday. I started my day off by looking into grad programs. I found and awesome one that might be the perfect fit for me. I'm not going to unleash any other details about the matter as of yet but I am kind of pumped about the next stage of my life. Before I get too pumped though I still need to keep in mind my goals for this coming year, most importantly, fridays review.

So I am starting my christmas wish list. I have already asked my mom to hook me up with Michael Jackson's opus which is going to be the most amazing book published, EVER! It's a bit pricey but it's going to be every MJ fans dream as far as a collector, tell all book goes. So I have already asked for that but I feel like my wardrobe needs a little MJ in it and I'm not talking just sequin stuff, I'm talking actual replica's of pieces that created his epic style. The problem is that I am conflicted with which one I want. His red leather jacket from Thriller or his sequin walk of fame jacket? The leather jacket is so awesome and I know I could wear that ALL the time but I think that if I'm going to get a replica piece I should go all the way with his sequin walk of fame jacket. I just don't know. The sequin jacket I would wear just as much though, so questioning which one I would get more use out of isn't an option. That won't help me decide. However, at the moment his leather jacket is on sale for like half off! That's right, HALF off! I love me some sales. Well I have dwelled over this enough and I've wasted enough of my saturday looking at Michael's clothing so I am going to continue pondering this and let it sit on my heart for a while.

I really wish I was freaking out about my BFA review. I feel out of the loop being so excited and comfortable with review being next friday. I keep finding myself talking about my work, where it's headed and what I am aspiring to do and I just can't help but be happy and feeling fortunate with all that's unfolding in my life. The people around me and going up for review with me are so inspiring and I just can't wait to continue the rest of the year with them. Yesterday I heard two quotes that I am going to try and live by, especially this year! One came from my loyal partner in crime, Nicholas. He knows that, even though I am happy right now, I still struggle with being home from Vienna. "Kasper, I read a quote from Dr. Seuss today and thought of you. 'Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened.' "  Amen. Then my home, Ms. Bivens, told me she heard an inspiring quote in her master class from Kristin Brewer. "Love the journey." It's so true. I am always thinking ahead and often loose the joy in the very things that are happening right now. Whether I am happy or sad I want to love every moment because thank God I get to experience them. I get to learn, love and grow from everything and I don't want to loose sight in the beauty of that. So, after pondering and thinking through all of that, I don't feel bad for being excited about BFA review. I am going to love the journey and review just happens to be part of the process. Not to mention the fact that I am so blessed to even be offered the chance to show work to the great minds that make up an extremely credible program. Not many people get the opportunity to have an education like I have and for ALL of that, I am grateful. If anything, I'll "blame it on the boogie."

I can't help but love me some Michael! Today I finally got to watch the trailer for Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' Movie. I am soooooo excited! Tickets go on sale september 27th and you better believe I will be purchasing my ticket that day so I am guaranteed a seat on october 28th. Speaking of MJ, today when I was sitting in web-design getting my stuff out, I put on pandora and it's set to playing my Michael Jackson radio (which rocks by the way). So an MJ song came on, obviously, and this guy that was chillin' in the dada lab came over and introduced himself and said that he wanted to say that he loved the fact that I put Michael on and then we proceeded with talking about how AWESOME he is (MJ) and how his tribute performance really did steal the show at the VMA's. It was nice. I like friendly people who aren't afraid to put themselves out there and say "Hi".

So I post looks on lookbook.nu, if you want to check my profile out the url is www.lookbook.nu/friendlyghost. Anyway, there is this new craze of Vintage Michael Jackson T-shirts! If you don't already know this about me, I am a huge MJ fan, HUGE! I love this guy and yes, I am still in mourning but making it. :)