Third Eye

I haven't intentionally been neglecting my blog. It's just that there's been so much to say that it's been a challenge for me to even come here and type! There's plenty that I could talk about concerning my trip to Atlanta and some of the experiences I've had since last updating, but one experience in particular has been weighing on my spirit. I was so taken aback with the passing of a certain musical and humanitarian legend, though, that I set it aside. While sewing yesterday it all came back to me.

My thing is this: don't take me for stupid, naive, inexperienced, incapable, and/or deficient of culture and artistic insight based on where I come from and your preconceived notions about individuals from that part of the world. Secondly, don't hold animosity towards me because you aspire to be at a certain point, originally came from an area known for getting people to that point (NY), yet can't comprehend how someone from what you believe to be backwards, country a** (although I proudly proclaim my country-ness) Louisiana can do what I'm doing (And really, I'd replace that with what I'm trying to do, if I weren't on a mission to speak my desired reality into existence. I still have a ways to go myself, yet, "There is no try. Only do.") I don't operate from a place of competition and hold others' potential, talents, and gifts just as highly as I do my own regardless of where they come from.

(The "you" used above is specific, not general.)

Now, usually I wouldn't make these kinds of inferences, but I've come across this more than once, and it's so old. I'm neutral, fair, keep a lot of my thoughts on these sorts of situations to myself, and do my best not to make assumptions. However, I've always been pretty perceptive and have had the ability to see right through people--for the good and bad-- since I was a child. Normally I wouldn't even take it there, but this needs to be addressed.

With that said, a couple of Wednesdays ago, I encountered a male with whom I met to discuss the potential of my garments being carried in a nice little boutique in downtown Atlanta. We always hear the phrase "follow your first mind", and that's exactly what I should have done when I walked in the place and was looked up and down by said individual whose face read "Whatever," (with an eye roll for added attitude), who then went back to sweeping or whatever without as much as a hello. (The first mind said, "Turn around and leave." I didn't, though.) It was downhill from then on. From the feigned interest, to the fake smiles, to snide remarks, to the underhanded attempts to attack my work and how I approach what I do, to the looks of total disinterest and disgust, to the killer finale of turning it into a session about his work and all that he's done on the fashion scene outside of the boutique, current studies in fashion, etc. Complete with photos of some of his styling work. And here I was thinking this was about me and what I do. Now, I'm very aware that people can be shady, yet I find these sorts of actions to be so far out and unnecessary. If you're not interested, tell me that, and let me be on my way. Don't try to play me.

I won't call out the store and the specific individual out of respect for the lovely co-partner of the boutique who was very genuine and cordial when we spoke various times via email. She was the one I was supposed to meet with but was unavailable when I was there, so her partner conducted the meeting. Her enthusiasm after seeing numerous photos of my work and excitement about potentially carrying my garments in the store was and is very much appreciated.

I'm not really bitter about it, because it's all a process and a learning experience. ..just putting it out there.

To go into further detail would just drain my energy, so I'll just sum it all up by directing this quote--from one of my favorite films, I ♥ Huckabees--to this particular individual:

"You can't deal with my infinite nature, can you?"

:-)

**********

Now. With that out of the way...music was can all groooove to!

peace!