Damsel if I Don't

Source: favim.com via Charity on Pinterest

It's a damn good thing I believe in happy endings and spend much of my time gazing through rose colored glasses, because when it comes to technology, I am pretty much a damsel in distress. I seem to lack that aptitude for technology, learning at a snail's pace, and retaining the knowledge begrudgingly. Technology seems to be the nasty fire-breathing dragon in my tale.

Why, just yesterday evening my own mother showed me what she had learned on her mini-me Mac and now this morning, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping and I can't remember anything she said. And by the way, in what crazy universe does a gal's mom have more computer skills than her daughter?? Well, truth be told, my mother really is quite amazing. She can also whip up a prom dress in less than 48 hours. True story. Long story, but true.

I guess when you're a romantic, you long to stay in that magical world where we can lock ourselves away in our towers and write in gilt-edged journals with Pilot pens and there is always a happy endings and the princess is always swept away by her prince. But what if we need to be rescued from ourselves?? If I am to be a writer in this modern-day kingdom, I must embrace technology. We must blog. Such a disgusting sounding word, blog is. The way I see it, blogging and blogging well are laying the groundwork for other writerly projects. It's the new way of "putting it out there," as they say. I have had this little blog for quite a while, but it could be so much more. I don't know more what, but I look at other people's blogs who are crappy writers and because they clearly know how to manipulate the blogosphere, they still look amazing.

So rescue myself I must. I don't think there's a computer-savvy prince about to burst through my door, armed with a shiny new Mac laptop, proclaiming he will set up my tumblr account and lay out my blog entries in a graphically interesting way, and monetize my blogger account, and entice me to Tweet, and teach me how to write captions on photos in that Pinterest-y way. Nope. This damsel must seek out experts who will teach me in a way I can understand so I can rescue myself from my own technological dragon of demise.

I guess I will be adding dragon slayer to my list of skills.

Writing Desk Dilemma

Source: citified.blogspot.com via Charity on Pinterest

I had a realization today. I can't sit at my desk to write. Or, at least I don't. Ever.

 I have a pretty white desk in the window of my living room. It's exactly where I wanted it. We changed the drawer pull from boring metal to sparkly cut glass. Didn't work. So I got a beautiful crystal lamp and put that on top. Nope. A headily scented Lollia candle, a Buddha statue and a potted orchid? Still no.

 I write on the sofa curled up in the left corner, or in my big, white bed late at night, or outside on the deck if the weather is favorable.

But the pretty desk is fantastically functional as a surface for my writerly vignettes. I arrange fresh flowers and framed photographs, or pile up beautiful books and then stack a china teacup on top, then I sip my tea whilst gazing out the window at my lilies, lavender and roses and daydreaming, but not writing. The desk seems to be some sort of symbolic furniture icon reminding me that I am, indeed, a writer. I can't not have a desk. Believe me, I considered this. That coveted spot under the window is also the perfect place for a vintage settee.

What I actually want is an even prettier desk to not write at. Perhaps some sexy contemporary desk, all glossy white lacquer with chrome details like a fashion editor might sit at, or maybe a romantic antique French desk with gilded edges and secret drawers that open with an intricately forged key which I would keep safely strung on a pale blue satin ribbon and one drawer would have a false bottom where I would stash secret letters from my lover. (Yes, I admit to imaginary furniture fantasies.)

Every writer needs a desk to write or not write at. Even if mine is more of multi-dimensional inspiration board, than an actual piece of office furniture, it has its purpose. So be it.

My name is Charity and I am a Pinaholic.

Last week, before summer arrived:

It's Sunday morning and I am coming down from a major Pinning bender. That's what happens when you are left home all weekend during a relentless torrential downpour while your husband works graveyards after just having restocked the wine fridge. Anyway, I digress.

It's no secret that I am an avid 'pinner' as we Pinterest junkies like to call ourselves. Pinterest provides the most awesome opportunity to escape from the sometimes mundane life of suburban mommyhood. In fact, Pinterest actually makes me feel excited about all the beautiful little details that make up the mundane. You can get truly excited over pantry labels (Thanks, Jen) and Lego storage, for example. Maybe one day I might actually drag myself away from my laptop and glasses of crisp white and actually execute one of those Pinterest-inspired plans.

Even better, if you need an escape from your escape you can pin all about your fantasies. For me, just a few of these fantasies include having a fabulous beach cottage, a farmhouse with a barn, being a yoga goddess, living in Paris or being able to shop for clothes without spiraling into some sort of a crazy hysterical fit about questioning one's self worth (but that's another whole blog post altogether) so I just pin the gorgeous outfits instead of shopping for them. Much less stressful and I get to stay home in my jammie pants. I hope my husband appreciates how much money I have saved him by not shopping for Christian Louboutins, couture clothing and French chandeliers, acquiring multiple luxury real estate investments, or by abandoning him and the kids to go become a yogini at some stunningly beautiful retreat in Indonesia.

Not surprisingly, my daughter has taken a shining to Pinterest as well, having inherited the daydreaming gene from me. Luckily, she did not get the curse of the procrastination gene, so while she's still high from her latest pinning extravaganza, she starts begging me to take her to places like Michael's and Dollarama so she can actually attempt a Pinteresting idea. It's exhausting being around a creative and motivated child sometimes. She gets that from her father. Clearly.

I should post some inspiring photos here, but like I said, I am exhausted. Instead, why don't you check out Pinterest for yourself... if you dare.

*P.S. Sometimes I also enjoy a glass of rich red wine while pinning, or I sip coffee or tea, but never, ever soft drinks. Thought I should clear that up.