Money Can Buy You Love

California Dreamin'

Shana Faust

Summer Breeze

All images from Tara Donne. For more on the Keltic Lodge click here.

Good Pig

A slap in the... cake?

Yes or No?

Wonder Down Under

See more images at Desire to Inspire.

The last straw!!! Berry?

Recipes: (top left) Strawberry and Apple Crumble & (bottom right) Foolproof Strawberry Jam.

Skinflint Design

Perfect Blend

As seen on Apartment Therapy.

Rainy Summer Sundays

Words & Weekends

Image found over at it's mary ruffle.

Okay, Kids... I know. Is this still The Bedlam or is your Uncle trying to become the blogging world's answer to Oprah Winfrey? Hey, I can't help it. I'm on an inspiration kick and who couldn't use a little of that in this world? Maybe you do, maybe you don't... but if you find yourself in the latter category then I suggest you share some of your own inspiration to those in need. Or how about a little random act of kindness. (If that "random act" happens to be depositing a large sum in my bank account? Sure, I'd be open to that. Let's talk. I can assure you it's going to a good cause.)

In the meantime, I send you off into the weekend with this little gem of a video (I know for some of you... "Groan!"). My friend Miss Julia sent this my way and, while it's focus leans a little toward the ladies' side of the room, I could cut right through the gender lines and enjoy it just the same. (True confession... there's an issue of "O Magazine" on my nightstand as we speak. Sue me.) I thought it to be especially lovely and seems a nice way to slide into a weekend.

So, thanks for sticking around, Kids. Looks like I'm ramping up again here so I imagine I'll see ya's all sooner than later. Be well, Kids. Happy weekending!

More from Kelly Corrigan found here.

Audrey Kawasaki: In Process

FYI, Kids... some images associated with the links may be considered nsfw.

More images of Audrey's behind-the-scenes process found here. Remember... may be nsfw.

Merrick Angle

Merrick's website.

Creative Thursday: The E-Course

Okay, now this is just getting kinda spooky weird! So yesterday Chris relaunches his "Empire Building Kit" and, now today, Marisa Haedike from Creative Thursday (who was the second inspirational person I mentioned in my post a couple of days ago) launched her new e-course! I swear, Kids, that I had no prior knowledge that all this was going to happen when I wrote that post! Maybe a psychic hotline is in my future? Hmm? Yeah... maybe not.

Anyway, wanted to give y'all the heads up as registration capacity is limited with Marisa's course. And, no, no affiliate kickbacks here. Just spreading the word, Kids.

If you build it, they will come! Right?

Yes, photo by moi.

Sometimes it's weird how things work, Kids. So yesterday, as I mused over where I am in my life, I made mention of some sources of inspiration to which I've been turning. One of them is Chris Guillebeau at The Art of Non-Conformity. I've been following Chris for some time and have been consistently impressed with his straightforward manner and all that he's managed to accomplish for himself in his life. A short time back, Chris put together and launched his "Empire Building Kit" - case studies (including actual monetary figures) of people running successful small businesses, while also receiving one email a day (365 total) that will help you build a business destined for "world domination" in at least one year. It was available for one day... I passed. The second time around... one day release? I jumped. Well, sorta. I hemmed and hawed for a while, reading over the details, so on and so forth... a little more hemming and hawing and then, deep breath, "Go!" Anyhoozles... I thought, nothing in life is without some risk and Chris had certainly earned a level of trust in me that I thought it was worth the leap. So far? I haven't been disappointed. I'm early in the game, sure (baby steps, people), but it's creating both a reminder and a sense of accountability to what I envision for myself at some point down the road. It's the power-packed, yet gentle, kick in the tukhus that I'm needing lest I slide back down my rabbit hole. Plus, I'm getting lots of information and perspectives from lots of different people. In short, I'm pretty pleased with my investment thus far. (Plus, 10% of all UnconventionalGuides revenue is donated to a charity project to bring clean water to Ethiopia. (Chris worked in Africa for years.) So, that just helped my decision that much more, y'know?) Weeeeelllll... now, Chris is finally releasing the "EBK" for good on his site... today! (See? Weird.)

I don't know where you may be at this point in your own life, Kids. But, if you think something like this may help you on your own path I can tell you it's at least worth a look and some consideration. Is it for everyone? Probably not. Outside of water, I'm not sure anything is for everyone! But me and the "Empire Building Kit" seem to be making a pretty good fit these days.

I'm also going to tell you, Kids, just so we're all clear and on the level, that I have joined Chris's affliate program so, yeah, if you should purchase one of the "Empire Building Kits" via "The Bedlam" I do get a monetary kickback. That said, I hope y'all know that I'm not just going to throw anything at you for the sake of a buck. I joined as an affiliate because I really appreciate what Chris is doing and providing. Hey, I've been in the blogging game a long time and turn away "sponsors" a lot of the time... most of the time... almost all of the time. I'm not anti-advertising per se, but somehow seeing some button or link from a "Diamond Importer" on "The Bedlam" makes me wanna take a "Silkwood" kind of shower... y'know? Eew. If I'm going to advertise it's going to be for things or people that I like or think you might like. And you'll always know when there's money involved. That's how I roll... got it? Good. I got yer backs, Kids.

Now, go plot your "world domination" or at least have a lovely Wednesday! Be well, Kids!

A couple of other UnconventionalGuides that I'm currently enjoying:

Tea & Sympathy

Image by your Uncle Beefy.

Hello again, Kids. So how ya' been? As you know, and expected, I've been a bit scarce 'round these here parts. Things have wound down around the accident. It's not over but the flurry of paperwork and multiple phone calls have calmed. At this point, all I know is that the guy who hit me did, in fact, manage to get away, no information is immediately available when his plates are run, and outside of muscle pain it appears that I sustained no serious injuries after a visit to the doctor's office. And there you have it.

Since the accident I haven't felt quite the same. Something in me shifted. And, I think, in a good way. Now, I didn't have any "life flashing before my eyes" moments I can tell you that much. But, I did have a sudden and deep realization that anything can happen at any time... to anyone. Even me. I don't know how dramatic that sounds to you but, I will tell you what, it snapped me into a level of attentive awareness that I haven't felt since... well, maybe never.

Life is short, people. And, I am feeling that to the core these days. I know... that's what old people say. No. That's what wise people say! I just never paid attention until now. Maybe I'm "old" enough now? Who knows? But this change in perspective has me looking at things very differently. I've become much more aware of the way fear operates in my life. The vast extent to which I will look outside of myself for answers that invariably can only, and should only, be found inside. The self-doubt, the trepidation, the insecurities that, when left unquestioned, lead one to a "safe" and mostly unfulfilled and stifled kind of life.

I kinda got a taste of that during my 40th birthday meltdown last July. But the haze of too much wine and overarching humiliation might have grayed down the potential clarity of the moment. Although I do think it got me on the tracks to where I am finding myself now. Lighter, less fearful, more forgiving (to others AND myself), and ready to lean into this life I have been given. No more passive bystander, pleasing-all-at-any-cost bullshit! (Yep... look at that! I just said "bullshit" on my blog. Twice!) Or, for the moment, much more conscious efforts to cut away at that stuff. I mean, for heaven's sake, enough already! Jeesh!

Uh huh, another "What the hell am I doing?!!" moment for your Uncle Beefy... sans the emotional tail-spinning. And, for this, I am most grateful.

(Charity reminded me of this image when she dug it up out of "The Bedlam" archives. I think it's from The New York Times if memory serves correctly? But I want to make it into a giant poster and put it in my entry to serve as a constant visual reminder to move fearlessly through life! Let's face it, Kids... this is what AWESOME looks like!)

So, some places that I am seeking out information and inspiration these days; Chris Guillebeau from The Art of Non-Conformity & Marisa Haedike of Creative Thursday are two biggies for me, along with Pia Jane Bijkerk, Jessica Swift, fear.less, and Please Feed The Animals (the blog from the maker of Lemonade: The Movie).

And, what about you? Where do you turn for inspiration? Are you content in your life? Do you feel you're living pretty authentically? Is there anything you'd love to do but find you are holding yourself back? Why? Fear? Money? People's approval? Have you stopped to recognize the wonder that is you? Have you taken time to be grateful for who you are and what you have to offer? Other thoughts?

Welcome to My World

Hi, Kids. For those of you who follow me on twitter you've probably already heard about yesterday's events. Yes, that image up above was how I spent my Sunday. I know, awesome. At approximately 4:30 pm, I was stopped at a stoplight when a Ford Bronco decided to plow into me at about 45 mph (give or take). I drove through the same intersection earlier today and nary a skid mark where our cars collided so it would appear that he made no effort to brake whatsoever. The guy who hit me must have had really important stuff to take care of because he couldn't be bothered sticking around! I KNOW! Even MORE awesome! Luckily, I wasn't sent careening out into the oncoming traffic or things probably would have been *much* worse.

I've been riding that typical emotional roller-coaster all last night and today... what if I'd just done this or not done that, or moved over to the next lane like I thought about, what if something had happened to the dog, how are we going to afford another car payment, thank God I'm okay, thank God it wasn't worse, is how I feel going to get worse, could this become something worse, you'll be fine, it's gonna be okay, God why, how will I ever drive again, of course I'll drive again, just move through this, move through this. And on, and on, and on.

So now I'm sore, popping Ibuprofen, and icing various parts down but, for the moment [insert knocking on wood], I'm hoping nothing worse 'pops' up and that I can say "I'm fine" with some degree of certainty in the coming days. I'll be spending lots of time talking with insurance agencies, police, doctors, etc. in the days to come so, yeah again, I'll be low on the blogging scene. But, as always will try to check in on ya's and see how you're doing without me.

Say a prayer or twelve (or more) for me will ya', Kids? Thanks.

Worth Repeating

Photo by your Uncle Beefy.

Checking In

(Thanks for hangin' in there with me, Kids! I mean that most sincerely.)