Filthy note

This is by no means a promise to be more consistent in writing here; however I'd like to let readers know that I have missed writing, and I don't want to let this blog, which I spent a significant amount of time building, be forgotten.

While I'm a bit too flighty to promise a certain amount of posts in a week, there are subjects which I'd like to write about.  Plus, I sort of miss having a wider audience for discussions.

And remember--I do have an open guesting policy, so if you have something you'd like to share, feel free to email me.

Filthy note

You may have noticed the lack of posts lately, so I thought I'd just let everyone know what's going on.  I've been under a bit of stress lately trying to do wedding stuff, plus I needed one of those "steps back" in regards to the blogging.  While it can be fulfilling work, I am often left emotionally drained, and I need the break.  I'd like to give you all a time frame for when I anticipate returning to blogging, but unfortunately my brain doesn't work that way.  I feel like I need a break, so I take a break, and I don't know when a sufficient break has been had until I no longer feel like I need a break.

Plus, with less than five months until the wedding, I really need to focus on that or it won't happen--and we really really want it to happen!

Some of you may continue to see me around the interwebs, and I do read all comments, even on older posts if any of you should feel like browsing.

Update: the wedding has been called off. We are no longer engaged, but we are still together.  Nonetheless I will be taking an indefinite break from blogging.

Happy filthy birthday to me!

So today I am 24! I give MommyGrandeur a lot of credit for having a baby so close to xmas, although I hope I provided a good enough reason to excuse her from having to shop (though she was still married to "weekend" dad, so I doubt it).

I celebrated with some friends on Saturday, so tonight I'm taking it easy (I really don't need to keep reacquainting myself with the toilet anyway).  

As for the limited amount of postings, I apologize.  I've been distracted again with wedding plans, xmas shopping, and work.  But I haven't abandoned the blogging world.

Time to go wrap presents in the Batman wrapping paper I picked out (hey, everyone's just lucky I couldn't find Spongebob.  And it's better than the newspaper I've been using previously).  Enjoy a beer in my honor!  :)

Filthy note

Okay, I've got a new template up.  Basically I was having major coding issues with the previous one, so I've simplified the look here.

Hopefully this change makes it easier for me to post (especially since with the previous template I was spending more time trying to override default settings, especially in regards to text color).  And hopefully it makes it easier on the eyes.  I want my readership to have comfortable access to this blog without adding to the risk of eye fatigue.

I am open to hearing any feedback, either in the comments or by email, but unless you have major concerns just know I probably won't change anything.  I'm really sick of fixing html codes, particularly because I'm not very good at it.  As long as "o filthy grandeur!" looks decent and serves its basic function to hold my rants, I'm happy.

Update: Okay, so I scrapped the yellowy background for a simpler (and hopefully easy on the eyes) white background with flowers.  The flowers will be referred to as "evil" to continue to appease Mr. Baudelaire.

Filthy note

Just so you're all aware, I'm going to be writing few posts this week--if any.  Now that Halloween is over, there are a lot of things that I have to catch up on.  Mainly, I've still got some wedding preparations (sure, I have till June, but I tend to procrastinate, so I have to give myself a large amount of time to accommodate this trait).

Also, I've been neglecting my creative writing (i.e. poetry and stories not related to this blog) that I do in my spare time because I devote so much time to reading other people's blogs, commenting, and posting on my own blog.

Something to know about me is that I tend to do things in waves, and all of that depends on what I feel like doing.  There are days when I cannot pull myself from the computer, glued to other blogs.  There are days when I have to sew something, or I search around for scrap yarn to crochet.  There are times when I have to sit down and scribble a note or story in my notebook.  Hell, there are times when I just need to lay on the couch and play Pokemon on my DS (go ahead, make fun.  I'll allow it).  I can only describe these sudden illogical urges as "itches."  This is also why I tend to have trouble doing things that I really should  be doing (like planning my wedding) because I give in too easily the things I feel like doing.

And right now, I don't feel like I have it in me to post here as frequently.  I just thought you all ought to know, in case you're wondering about my lack of discipline.

Filthy note

I've been meaning to post, but I'm having one of those lethargic weeks again, and I just don't feel like it.  I have difficulty sleeping too, so when the exhaustion catches up to me I find it hard to motivate myself.  Which kind of sucks, because I have a lot I should be working on (including but not exclusive to wedding planning), but every now and then I just need to take a step back.

Because of my laziness, you get a bonus fuzz therapy (well, sort of bonus, since I posted this pic already, but it gives me giggles, so there).

This was taken last year during the summer, when I had had enough of all the fur in my house.  Plus Princess is not pleasant to groom--(I should make a video sometime--we'll be a youtube sensation!)--so I took the easy way out by paying some lady to shave her.  But since she's 17 now, I didn't really want to stress her out, so I just suck it up and groom her myself.  I do miss the response I get when I ask the groomer "How was she?"  It usually involves some sort of death look.  Once I had one groomer yell at me about my evil cat while she brandished her bleeding hand at me and wailing about how she hopes it doesn't get infected, whereupon I pointed out to her that when I dropped her off I suggested using a muzzle.  Not my fault she doesn't know how to listen.  And after the way she man-handled my cat back into the carrier, I was glad Princess bit her--hell, I thought I was going to bite her myself before I left. 

Time for a nap on the couch.

Quick update

So I got back home about 20 minutes ago, and just wanted to let everyone know regular updates are to resume tomorrow.  I was hoping to write something more substantial tonight, but after 7 hours in the car, I am too exhausted, so I'm just going to collapse on my couch and hang out with my fiance until I can't keep my eyes open (which doesn't feel like it will be long). 

Good news though: I picked my wedding site and reception hall, and it's almost finalized.  I'll give you more details when I have them, but hopefully I won't have to take off to Michigan again for some time.

Have a happy Saturday night!

Filthy news--I'm leaving tomorrow

Just wanted to let everyone know what's up.   I know I took a vacation last month, but this isn't really a vacation: I'm driving back to Michigan for a few days to plan my wedding.  Just so we're clear, I don't get into all that princess fairy-tale stuff, and I hate planning things, so this will probably not be enjoyable to me.  Plus the 7-hour drive won't help matters.

While I may have internet access at some point, I'm not counting on it, so comments will be published as soon as possible given the limited access I plan on having.  I thought about turning off the comments moderation while I'm gone, but since I might not be able to monitor the comments, I'd rather not give the trolls a field-day (just so we're all aware, I get a fair number of troll comments that never get published, and I'd hate to give these people another platform to preach their bigotry). 

I'm leaving tomorrow morning and will be back Saturday or Sunday (it really depends on whether I'm up for the extra day of dealing with that side of the family, so we'll see).  I'm really excited about the place I'm going to visit, so hopefully it looks as good in person, and then I can really get the planning going.  I'm trying to be very disciplined about planning this thing, since I've been known to procrastinate (in school I was the good kind of procrastinator though, since I would wait to the last minute, and still get A's on the essays and assignments).  I'll share some details with you all when I get back.  I also plan on taking a few pictures, since my fiance's schedule will not allow him to go on this trip with me--that's okay though.  No sense in us both being subjected to my family's...uh...issues (my brother excluded, of course).

This will be the last hiatus for awhile, given that I don't like being away from my fiance or grumpy pets for too long.  Part of me does get excited, being back in my home state, but it doesn't really feel like home without my fiance there. 

On blogging

In the last year, I've been more frequent in my blog posts. What started out as a blog to publish literary analyses quickly transformed into a platform where I could also discuss gender, sexuality, sexism, feminism, race and racism. I have created a space in which I can vent about how much the world sucks, and how awesome people are in it despite that it sometimes sucks. I can be an ally to people of all sexualities and genders.

And I can still write about books, on occasion (though China Mieville's seem to dominate).

For me, this is a space in which I can express myself, support my fellow bloggers, and discuss current issues that affect me as a woman and ally. This is just another form of writing which I have embraced in my self-expression.

I have spent countless hours writing for this site, customizing my space, and even creating my own artwork for its banner. To me, this is the most rewarding work I've done.

And yeah, it doesn't pay money. But it pays in other ways. I've found an awesome support network from readers of this blog, and readers of other blogs, and writers of other blogs who read this blog. I find the majority of the comments rewarding (excluding the occasional troll who doesn't get past the moderation).

And simply because there's no monetary reward doesn't diminish the work I put into this space. It's still work.

I'm a writer. This is not a hobby; it's a very important part of my identity because writing is the one thing I have to do. If I've gone a long period without writing, be it a post, a poem, a short story--even a little something in my journal--I feel empty, hollow. I feel restless, like I've lost something. It's like something is very very wrong.

So to my critics (some of whom I know in my personal life), my writing is mine, and I will do with it as I wish. I may not be free of your judgment, but I will not compromise myself because of it.

My apologies (and a sort of request for guest posts, if anyone's interested)

I feel like I should post something to let everyone know what's going on--you may have noticed the lack of substantial posts here, especially since before I went on vacation I was rather disciplined. Well, without getting into too many details, I am having issues which have left me upset, depressed, and angry, and I have been unable to channel these emotions into my regular posts. In fact, I've tried several times in the last few days to actually write up something, and after only a sentence or two, I would give up. I just don't feel like posting anything right now. This, of course, only worsens the above emotions, since posting here on my very own special space made by me once was a beloved pastime, even if the subject matter was less than likable.

At any rate, I will try my best to get back on track. In the meantime I'll probably have filler posts--or maybe none at all depending on my mood. I only ask that you be patient with me. If you have any questions feel free to email me at FilthyGrandeur@yahoo.com.

If anyone is interested in guest posting here as well, you may contact me either by my email, or by commenting on this post.

New layout

I was getting sick of the same old pre-made blogger template and thought I'd try something different. It was sort of frustrating given that the above artwork sort of dictated the look I wanted to achieve, and that of course had to exist within the boundaries of pre-made templates floating around the internet (I would love to learn how to code, but sadly I've not the patience for it beyond simple link coding on forums).

Hopefully everyone likes it--I tried to make it easy on the eyes (something I can appreciate given the amount of blogs I read per day). I will probably spend the next week or so tweaking it, perfectionist that I am.

Vacation's over...

Well, I got back a few hours ago and immediately went to sleep (that's what I get for getting only 3 hours of sleep before a flight, but that's what happens when you party with my family). I'm glad to be back home though, and hopefully I'll get a few posts up this week. Also, when I feel motivated I might even post a few pics of my trip. But later. I'm hungry. And I've got to tell Princess I've been cheating on her with another (good) kitty.

Going on vacation!!!

I thought I would post this now, since tomorrow I work a ten-hour shift, and Sunday morning is my flight, and I might not get a chance to let my readership know. Next week I'll be in Florida visiting my mom and stepdad, and hanging with my brother and his girlfriend, who will be flying out from Detroit as I leave from Milwaukee.

I know my comments moderation policy will be slightly problematic while I'm away, not glued to the computer, but I do encourage you all to continue to leave comments on any posts (no matter how old--I read them all); just know they'll take awhile to appear on the post. I will make a point to check for comments twice a day, if time and familial demands allow, so please be patient with me.

I may have a few random posts, and I intend to post Fuzz Therapy on Wednesday, but expect very little from me. I'll be busy having fun and getting sunburned. Regular updates will return August 10th. Have a great weekend / week!

A note on commenting

I have recently gotten an increase of trolls here on "o filthy grandeur!" and where I previously published these comments anyway, I have decided not to do that any longer. I am very sick of anti-feminist , homophobic, transphobic, racist, slut-shaming, fat-shaming, "you're looking to much into it," "what about the menz," "equal rights means I can hit a woman if she can hit me," and rape apologism comments.

There was a point when I was willing to approve these comments (to a degree) simply to illustrate the type of ignorance and hatred that was not welcome here, but now I've decided that giving voice to those who try to silence me and my readers doesn't accomplish anything here. Most of these comments are from anonymous people who appear only long enough to comment once and then never return, which means that any response to them will go unseen (generally speaking).

I welcome differences in opinion so long as they are respectful. What is not welcome is hate-speech. So, to all trolls: go ahead. Write me a nasty comment, but know it will be a useless endeavor because it will never appear on this site.