Merry Christmas!

Wow.  I haven't posted here in ages.


I was sitting around wrapping my Christmas gifts today playing Christmas music on Pandora...


And then I remembered all of the days and nights spent around this time of year with my friends in SL.  I remember Borday switching the land radio at our house to all Christmas music for me because he knew I loved Christmas music so much.  I remember Bev giving me a Christmas music only radio for one of my homes.  The Christmas parties - from ROBs to the Savoy and everywhere in between.  And the outfits!  Oh did I have Christmas outfits........


Crazy how things from like...seven years ago can stick in your head.


I thought about that first Christmas with all of my SL friends and all of the Christmas adventures that followed every year after.


Snowy cabins.  Tropical islands.  Skyboxes.  Train rides.  Exploring.  Treasure hunts.


How crazy is it all?


My Christmas wish is simple.  I hope that wherever my friends are, no matter how far we've wandered from each other, that they have an amazing Christmas filled with love and happiness.


Merry Christmas loves.  :)   








B

Truth

Truth

Some Saturday truth for you.

Goodbye 2012....

This is insane.  I feel like 2012 just started..like I was just saying goodbye to 2011 and trying to think of how 2012 would be different.

2012 is still kicking my ass, and now 2013 is getting ready to steamroll over me.  Sheesh!  Where did the time go?

Well, let's take a look at the year in review:

1.  I am now officially well into my 30's.  I'm not sure how exactly I feel about that.

2.  I went to Quebec City for the first time in my life.  I am completely in love with this city.  I will absolutely be returning.

3.  I've stopped being scared enough to open up and let someone into my heart.  I'm still SCARED......just not scared enough to hold back anymore.  Mostly because, for the first time in my life, I've realized that someone is willing to love me despite how incredibly broken I am. 

4.  I survived Superstorm Sandy, but New York was devastated.

Ground Zero During SuperStorm Sandy

5.  I lived through several predicted doomsdays and 12.12.12.  While that doesn't seem like an accomplishment, it is pretty damn cool.

 

6.  We discovered that my dad's prostate cancer has returned, and with a serious vengeance.  It spread to his liver and the lymph nodes in his stomach and back.  He started chemotherapy in September, and (knock on wood), so far he has handled everything well.  He survived a blood infection that had him in the hospital for 12 days, and just got a clean bill of health from the infectious disease doctor.

We have no idea what the future holds for him, but I know that we have gotten three more years with him than we ever expected - and I am thankful for every day with him. 

My year, while somewhat uneventful, has been really busy.  Between dad and Sandy, some days I went to bed wondering how I'd get through the next.

But, I did.

And I guess that's the lesson I've learned this year.

So my goal for 2013 is to be more:

and more

and less

I also plan on becoming more environmentally friendly:

I 100% plan on remembering the following every single day:

To close, I want to share the fantastic speech Hilary Swank delivers in the movie 'New Years Eve'.  Not a great movie, but this particular speech is extremely moving:

"...it's (the ball) suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by.

To remember both our triumphs and missteps, our promises made and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what new year is all about -- getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about what if and start embracing what would be. 

So when the ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long."

Thank you for reading my blog, for staying a part of my crazy life (both first and second), and for being a part of my world.

Love,
Bliss

For Today...

I just returned from Art Basel Miami Beach. 

I'd forgotten I took this picture until I saw it today.

It feels fitting for this quiet Saturday.  It carries a sentiment we should all remember.

Happy Saturday, kids.


XOXO,
Bliss

Sunday Love

Bought a new skybox this weekend, and this little post-it came with it on the desk.

Despite the spelling error, I thought it was a great sentiment.

Spreading love and light will always be a wonderful way to live - even during the worst of times.

Happy Sunday.  Pass it on!



XOXO,
B

Blissie Boucher's Guide to Women (For the Clueless Man)

Dear Clueless Male,

So you're reading this...thinking to yourself.."This doesn't apply to me.  My lady's happy.  *insert profuse ball scratching*"

Well.......are you sure about that?

Just so there's no confusion..here are Blissie Boucher's rules to keeping your lady happy.  And just for you extremely colorful folks..I'll put it to music.

Rule #1:  Catcalls and Compliments

"Some day, when I'm awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight.
You're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
And the way you look tonight."
~Frank Sinatra, "The Way You Look Tonight"

Make your lady feel pretty.  No, not just pretty.  Beautiful.  Make her feel like she's the only one you see in a crowded room (regardless of how true or untrue this is..).  Why?  Because women love to know that the effort they put into picking the right dress to impress you..is appreciated.  Know those catcalls that women on the street hate?  Sometimes, it's a nice thing to do at your OWN girl (imagine that...).  Compliment her hair..her eyes..her smile.  You like it?  Say so!  Believe me..you will never suffer for giving her a compliment - you can ONLY prosper.   

Rule #2:  Make.  The.  Time.

"In the time it would take you to learn from your mistakes
In the time it would take to dial the phone
In the time it will take you to realize her greatness, she'll be gone, she's moved on
To someone who takes the time
Her love wasn't a priority to you
You had other things on your mind
And now that it's much to little and so far too late
The busy signals all that's left behind
You're all alone"
~Ne Yo, Time

Yup.  We've all got things to do.  But here's the thing my dad always taught me - and this is one of the biggest keys to a happy relationship - 'Time isn't something you have.  It's something you make.'  It's all very simple, really.  If you don't make the time for her...you will lose her because someone else will.   Not a complex rule, guys.  The same time and courtesy YOU expect, you should give to her as well.

Rule #3:  What Does She Like?

"Running out of room begging for more up against the wall that has been scuffed by my stilletos
Again
You pry apart my thighs and tell me to be still
And I willingly submit to you because I love the way you dominate me"
~Jose Nunez, Bilingual

This one...is VERY VERY important.  Do you know that thing she does that drives you crazy?  That thing she does simply because you like it?  Well..ask yourself......"What drives HER crazy?"

If you can't ANSWER that..you've really screwed up.  But this can be fixed.  What does it require?  DING DING DING!  It requires time and attention.  Take the time to talk..to explore..to taste test, so to speak.  That's part of the fun..finding each other's sweet spot.  But being a selfish lover will ALWAYS get you dumped.  Seriously.

Rule #4:  Doesn't Hurt to Give..

"And no, I ain't perfect - nobody walkin this earth's surface is
But girlfriend, work with the kid
I keep you workin' at Hermes, Birkin Bag
Manolo Blahnik, Timbs, aviator lens
600 drops, Mercedes Benz
The only time you wear Burberry to swim
And I don't have to worry, only worry is him
She do anything necessary for him
And I do anything necessary for her
so don't let the necessary occur, yep!"
~Jay Z & Beyonce, '03 Bonnie N Clyde

Does your girlfriend go on and on and on about a necklace she saw?  A bag?  A cupcake at the bakery?  Here's a hint.  Buy it.

Yeah!

Buy it for her.  If she knows you like something......doesn't she buy it for you?  So why aren't you taking the gifts?  Hello?  Presents are good.  Doesn't need to be jewelry or fancy things.  Know she likes KitKats?  Buy her the big pack.  Surprise her with it.  Just..don't make her tell you what she wants.  Pay attention..and you'll know.


Rule #5:  Speak

"Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again"
~John Mayer, "Say"

We're not mind readers.  We don't know why you do what you do..say what you say..so it helps to speak up.  Tell us what's on your mind.  It doesn't have to be constant chatter.  Just the things that maybe we need or want to hear.  If you let us in..way less fighting.  Communication is key.

So..these are some of the golden rules to having a happy lady.

There are more, of course, but these are the big ones.

Remember..if you don't love her right..someone else will.  And that's the truth.

Happy Monday!


XOXO,
Bliss