Tattoo Tuesdays: Deep into that darkness peering

I'm not a person prone to obsession with death or even things related to death, such as skulls. Of course I know some people who associate Edgar Allan Poe with the darker side of life and hence they link him to death. I realize Mr. Poe could be termed as 'not right in the head', but over the years I've come to have quite the little author crush on him. I may be even a little jealous. You won't tell him, will you?

Today's tattoo reminds me of the man himself. While it is not a tattoo paying homage to Poe, it is just what I walked away with after seeing it. That is what Tattoo Tuesdays are for, to delve into the scary places of my mind, to see what I'm thinking. (insert smile)

I'm not particularly fond of art known as 'Day of the Dead', that would be my sister. I found this tattoo very striking and the colors and softness just enhance it, so much so I stare at it wondering if it is a painting. According to Pinterest, (Tumblr didn't produce much in terms of tasteful tattoos today or tattoos for that matter) this tattoo is by Nick Chaboya. He is currently tattooing his amazing skills on people in the San Francisco area.

And without further ado . . .

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.

~Edgar Allan Poe

The colors so fascinate me, I'm actually going to admit this on my blog, I find this a very sexy tattoo. Yes, I said the 's' word. I'm also *following Mr. Chaboya on Instagram to catch more glimpses of his tattoo brilliance.

Other Features for today:

Have I mentioned I was a Mermaid in my first life?

Between Carpe Diem things and Nautical things you have to wonder do I have
a thing for pirates? YES!

By Sadhu I came across a few of these types of tattoos with 'excessive' amounts of black ink
and I have to say I find them very intriguing.

*Sometimes I have to worry that I sound like a stalker when I say things like this, but I promise I'm a nice girl. No stalking is intended . . . or is it?

Mundane Mondays: Will Work For Stamina

Does stamina, or motivation for that matter, come in liquid form? Oh I know . . . caffeine. Yeah I could use some of that too. The morning has gone fast, but I feel physically like I'm creeping along at a snail's pace. Thus I'm a bit cranky. Mr. Skip* had a seizure at 12:30 this morning and like a good owner I held him so he didn't flail about and hurt himself. Where is the caffeine?!? I'm in danger of turning into a zombie sooner than I expected.

Okay. Enough, my little whine session is over.

I have news and things to share with you!

First

I opened my Etsy shop Saturday night! Check it out here. My shop name, RapaciousCurls, pays homage to the fact I have extremely curly hair. The 'rapacious'? Well that's because it is one of my favorite words and sounds as though a well educated surfer just walked in, "That's totally rapacious!"

The shop features my photography postcards right now, but I'm hopeful to add more as time goes on. I would love to get feedback or suggestions from you. I've sold stuff (books) on Etsy via the bookstore's shop, but never my own creations.

Second

If you missed the blog post Saturday, I know I don't normally post on Saturdays, then check it out! I am part of the 2012 Reading Road-Trip. My state is of course Indiana and I'm giving away 4 great books. Although it seems the most popular are the 2 YA books. Folks at least give Gene Stratton-Porter's book a chance! (insert smile)

Reading Road-Trip: Indiana

Be sure to check out other blogs participating in the Reading Road-Trip, you need to travel the country, right!?!

Third

I'm headed to Las Vegas on Thursday! This will be my first time and I'm excited. Of course my first question was "Do they have any good bookstores?" It is a business trip, though, so I'm not sure how much time there will be for fun things. I may (clearing throat) or may not be gambling . . . only a little, if I do at all.

And last for today . . .

A few things you should checkout, if you haven't already.

• Book Riot's Edd McCracken's list of Sixteen MORE Things Calvin and Hobbes Said Better Than Anyone Else Which will be sure to make you laugh. What is better than a good laugh on a Monday?
• I know I've suggested in the past to have a listen to Walk the Moon's music. I just finished listening to their entire album on Spotify and I will be purchasing it. Anna Sun was already a favorite, but I also like Shiver Shiver.
• Be sure to check out this week's Tattoo Tuesday and send me suggestions. I'm also looking for new banner art. If you are new to my blog you can view past Tattoo Tuesday's posts here.
• Last. If I have a chance I'm hopeful to post my review for Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution later this week; which is my second FFNR book from Anna. I'm way behind . . .
  

What I'm reading . . .

Too much (insert smile)

Real:

-Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund
-The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 

(I read this a long time ago, but I'm now reading it aloud to my mum.)

-Great Philosophers Who Failed at Love by Andrew Shaffer

eBook:

-A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter

-Fortune's Rising (Outer Bounds) by Sara King

You can follow me on Goodreads too!

Quote of the Day

"I have sometimes dreamt that when the Day of Judgment dawns--the Almighty will turn to Peter and will say when he sees us coming with our books under our arms, 'Look, these need no reward. We have nothing to give them here. They have loved reading.'"
~Virginia Woolf

*My Boston Terrier

Reading Road-Trip: Indiana!

Here's a way to travel the United States book style. This giveaway is the brain child of I Like These Books and IceyBooks. Be sure to check out their blogs as well for more awesomeness!

Welcome to . . .

I'm sure you have heard it before, at least if you live in Indiana, "There's more than corn in Indiana." While corn is in fact the predominant crop in Indiana we have other things to brag about.

• Indiana became the 19th state in 1816. We are home to more than 6,500,000 Hoosiers.

• People such as legendary actor James Dean and Garfield creator Jim Davis were born in Indiana. As well as famous popcorn entrepreneur Orville Redenbacher. 
• In 1880 Wabash, Indiana was the first city in the nation to have electric street lights.

• Warsaw, Indiana (my hometown) is known as the "Orthopedic Capital of the World."
• Indiana has nearly 450 public libraries!
• In 2009 the Association of College and Research Libraries named the Indiana University of Bloomington's library system the top research system in the country. The University supports 19 library facilities!

Here's what you could win . . .

A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter

Gene Stratton-Porter was born in Wabash County, Indiana in 1863. Her passion for nature, music and art is evident in all of her books. If you ever visit Indiana, I would highly recommend visiting one or both of her homes here.

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Mike Mullin lives in Indianapolis, Indiana and his debut novel was named 2012's Best Fiction for Young Adults.

The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington

Booth Tarkington was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1869. He is one of only three novelists to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction more than once. The Magnificent Ambersons won the Pulitzer in 1919 and has been made into film twice. Most recently with the gorgeous Jonathan Rhys Meyers! The novel follows an aristocratic family's ups and downs during early 20th century life in Indianapolis.

Last, but not least  . . .

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

John Green lives in Indianapolis, Indiana and The Fault in Our Stars is his fourth solo novel. I'm sure he doesn't need any more introduction than that . . .

Enter to win below!

Rules

*Must live within the continental United States.

*Must love books!

*Must be 13 or older.

*Ends July 31

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to check out other Reading Road-Trip Giveaways Here!