Betsy Snow White Bibliophile

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  • Writing Challenge – Day 10

    Writing Challenge – Day 10

    Day 10: Write about something for which you feel strongly.

    There are numerous issues on which I have strong feelings, therefore I could go on and on about a variety of issues. I am not going to to that though, and instead I am going to focus on a single issue which I find important.

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    I am a feminist. I believe that there is long-standing and perpetual misogyny in this world, and in this country, and it is beyond time for this to stop. I believe that this misogyny is not only detrimental for women, but also for men who are also being held to ridiculous gender roles and expectations. I believe that women of equal qualification and job title should be paid equally to their male counterparts. I believe that women should be trusted to make decisions regarding their own health; ie: in order to get my tubes tied to prevent pregnancy I need my husband’s permission. I believe that women can be anything they want from President to housewife as long as it is what she wants! I do not believe that a woman has to be a mother to be complete (I am proudly childfree). I believe that a woman should be able to wear anything she wants, drink as much as she wants, and go where she wants without the threat of being raped at any moment.

    There is so much more, and I have no doubt that this topic will come up again on this post, but I think this is enough of me for now.

  • Writing Challenge – Day 9

    Writing Challenge – Day 9

    Day 9: Post some words of wisdom that speak to you.

    My absolute favorite quote is.

    It is never too late to be who you might have been – George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)

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    I would consider myself a late-bloomer in many ways, and this quote has such resonance in my soul. It is never too late.

  • Writing Challenge – Day 8

    Day 8: Share something you struggle with.

    Sadly, mostly I am struggling with coming up with something I struggle with. This is not to say life is perfect, it isn’t, but I don’t consider many things a struggle. I am not fully satisfied with my job, and occasionally “struggle” with feeling like a corporate tool. However, I have managed to stay mostly myself in spite of working for multiple large banks over the years, and currently still working for a major bank. These feelings were much worse when I was younger, because I was working for a major corporation while my friends were enrolled in college.

    I will say that I struggle with feeling creatively satisfied while working in a business that is not “creative”. Creative banking is generally frowned upon, lol. This is why I am currently working on my bachelor’s degree in English/ Creative Writing, because one day I would like to find a career that allows for more creativity. I just cannot imagine working for a bank for the rest of my working years, at least not in the capacity that I am currently.

  • Writing Challenge – Day 7

    Day 7: List 10 songs that you are loving right now.

    These songs are all over the board. Most are not new, but they are songs that I can listen to any day. They are songs that make me dance, laugh and/or sing along. These are links that will take you to the Youtube video for these songs.

    1. 20th Century Boy by T. Rex
    2. Fame by David Bowie
    3. Somebody to Love by Queen
    4. When I Grow Up from Matilda the musical by Tim Minchin
    5. Seagulls (Stop it now!) by Bad Lip Reading
    6. Girl Anachromism by The Dresden Dolls
    7. Reverend by Pearl and the Beard
    8. The Organ Donor’s March by Vermillion Lies
    9. Green Man by XTC
    10. Folsom Prison Blues/ Pinball Wizard Mash-up – Johnny Cash/ The Who by Puddles Pity Party
  • Writing Challenge – Day 6

    Writing Challenge – Day 6

    Day 6: Five ways to win your heart.

    1. Buy me a book. Talk to me about books. Give me a book to read. Read a book I suggest. Be a reader. Books in general. A book will win my heart every time.

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    2. Play with me. I am a silly, quirky, ridiculous person. So…blow bubbles with me, play dress up, dance in the rain, play in playgrounds, and just generally play with me. If you cannot get in touch with your inner child to act like a crazy person with me, then we are probably not going to make it very far.

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    3. Teach me something new. One of my favorite memories during the dating stage with my husband is us lying in bed late at night, and him teaching me binary. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I love to learn, and I LOVE to learn from people who are excited about the subject. My husband has taught me about science, math, marvel comics, sports, and so much more, and I find it incredibly sexy.

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    4. Talk to me. I love long, deep, interesting talks with people I care about and respect. Talk to me about the forbidden topics; politics, religion, etc. Tell me about your thoughts, dreams, fears, and everything. Let’s dig deep, and explore it all.

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    5. Make me laugh. I LOVE to laugh. I will laugh until I cry, or get the hiccups. I find a sense of humor to be one of the sexiest things in the world. Make me laugh, make me laugh, make me laugh. My husband is so expert at this that he can make me laugh with just a look, and I love it. ❤

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  • Writing Challenge – Day 5

    Writing Challenge – Day 5

    Day 5 – List 5 places you would like to visit.

    1. The House on the Rock, Spring Green, WI: The House on the Rock is a tourist destination and roadside attraction in the Dells of Wisconsin. It boasts the world’s largest carousel, a 200′ sea creature, and rooms of mechanical wonders. To see everything they recommend allowing 3-3.5 hours. The attraction was featured prominently in Neil Gaiman’s book American Gods. link

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    2. The Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, CA: The Winchester Mystery House is the creation of Sarah Winchester, the heir to the Winchester Rifle fortune, who believed that the souls of those killed by one of her families firearms were haunting her. It is believed that in order to thwart those spirits she began building the Mystery House. The house boasts doors that open to walls, staircases to nowhere, a seance room and secret passages. link

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    3. The Pyramids, Giza, Egypt: I don’t think I actually need to explain what the Pyramids are, or really why I might want to visit. They are historical, they are beautiful, and I want to see them in person.
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    4. The United Kingdom and Ireland: I am an utter Anglophile, and my family heritage is mainly from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, so I would love to go visit. Ideally I would like to spend some time in each country, but even a short visit would be amazing.

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    5. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Thingvellir National Park, Iceland: The place where the North American and Eurasian Tectonic plates collide, and are visible on the surface of Iceland. The geology dork in me goes giddy at the idea of standing on that fault, where the land is actually still spreading. Amazing!

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  • Writing Challenge – Day 4

    Writing Challenge – Day 4

    Day 4 – Write about someone who inspires you.

    Earlier this year I was introduced to a lovely pagan blogger, youtuber, artist and musician named Molly Roberts (http://mollyrobertsmagick.blogspot.com/).

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    On her Blog, Molly labels herself a City Witch, Magick Junkie, Artistic Mystic. She is the front woman of the band Tigernite. She writes beautiful and inspiring meditations. She wrote a beautiful book called Art Witch, in which she explains how to manifest magic through art. Her youtube channel is full of beautiful and inspiring videos. And if you are driven to support her on Patreon or to join her mailing list she will send you extra inspiring and beautiful videos, meditations, and pictures throughout the month.

    There is just something about her calm demeanor, beautiful nature, and creative insight that just speaks to the soul of me. One of her recent writings was a reimagining of the Call to the Quarters, which is a very traditional wiccan ritual opening. In her version she calls to the spirits of the city, and the version speaks so well to a witch who has never lived outside of an urban area. She calls to mosh pits, gutters, and smoke stacks in a way that evokes all the emotion and spirit of the original call.

    She talks about Pop Pantheons and using the imagery that inspires and speaks to you the most. If that means invoking Wonder Woman, or Frida Kahlo, do it. The magick is made when you believe and commit, so whether you pray to Athena or David Bowie the Magick happens in you.

    Whether you are WWP (Witchy, Wiccan or Pagan) or not, Molly Roberts is a beautiful source of inspiration. Find her and enjoy.

  • Writing Challenge – Day 3

    Day 3: What are your top three pet peeves?

    1. The incorrect use of your/you’re. The English major in me just cringes, and will have a really hard time taking you seriously after this error. This also applies to their, there, they’re and all similar grammar issues. Misspelling is annoying, but I can get past it easier than grammar errors.
    2. People who lie for no good reason, or braggarts. If we are talking, and I am telling you a true story about an event in my life, and you start making up something that will one up my story, but is also obviously made up I will lose all respect for you immediately. I have an acquaintance who is so bad about doing this, and for this reason I cannot be alone with her for long, because I start to get so annoyed. I am interested in you, otherwise we would not be talking, so be honest and real with me please. If you cannot then I have no use for you.
    3. People who steal my dance move on the dance floor. If we are dancing together, you do not have to mimic every movement I make. If fact, don’t do that because it is weird. Unless we are doing the macarena, cupid shuffle, or electric slide you need to do your own moves and I will do mine. Thanks.
  • Writing Challenge – Day 2

    Writing Challenge – Day 2

    I have had pneumonia for the past couple of days and have felt too ill to do much of anything. Now that I am feeling a bit better let’s continue where we left off.

    Day two of the writing challenge is: Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot.

    The comment that sticks out to me was from a newer friend of mine. We were getting ready to walk in a 5k and we were talking about having low self-esteem, and judging ourselves harshly. I had just said something to the effect of having serious issues with self-worth. This new friend said that was surprising to her because I seem so sure of who I am and so confident.

    That struck me so funny, because I have always felt like I had so many hang ups and body issues, but I am also singularly my own person. I have a unique sense of style (see the title of this blog). I wear what I want, when I want, and accessorize in a way that makes me happy. I suppose in that way I am fairly confident, though if you asked me I would have told you that I am not confident at all. I definitely have self-esteem issues, but somehow I do not equate that with my wardrobe, or dancing in public, or singing at Karaoke, or belly dancing. I take zumba classes in the park. I rollerskate. I often do outrageous things in public. I have never equated any of these things with being confident or self-assured.

    She really made me think though. I certainly feel like I could lose some weight, and sometimes I am down about that. However, This does not stop me from dressing like a crazy person. I love color, and black (I am a recovering goth). I love to wear outlandish, and fun things. I love to dress up. And, I am not afraid or ashamed to do that.

    I think that I may be confident, but aware that I am not perfect. Hmm… not a bad place to be.

     

  • 30 Days of Introduction

    30 Days of Introduction

     

    Hello and Welcome.

    My name is Betsy, and I am the weird girl. I have always been the weird girl. I will probably always be the weird girl. And I am absolutely okay with that. For the next 30 days I am going to post using a writing challenge, as an introduction to who I am and why you might want to stick around to see what I have to say.

    Day 1: List 10 things that make you really happy.

    1. My family – They are crazy, silly, fun and the best.
    2. My pets
    3. Books
    4. Hats
    5. Crafting/ Making Art
    6. Witchcraft/Paganism
    7. Fairy Tales
    8. Music
    9. Theatre
    10. Playing Dress Up