Monday, August 24, 2009

Assholery versus Karma.

Things are really taking off, wedding-wise. In about two months, you won't hear hide or hair about weddings anymore, I promise! I'm coming to realize that some things really only matter if you care about them. I hemmed and hawed over transportation, hoping to arrive at the ceremony in a blue, 1956 Chevy Bel-Air, my favorite classic car (besides an El Camino, my fantasy cholita ride). Realizing that this required more string pulling than I cared to endure, I've decided that the laissez-faire-itude of just dialing up a cab is more in tune with my desire, at this point, for things to be as uncomplicated as possible.

This weekend, my maid of honor and I went shopping for a dress for her. I have been chomping the bit on this one, as Jenn is a girl of lovely proportions that could make a designer dress cower in the corner and weep, "I'm not worthy!"


Ooh la la!

I thought about taking advantage of the massive shoe clearance this particular store was having, but one glance over and I said Hell to the No.

I felt a twinge of regret as this girl spotted me taking a photo of her mom (?) trying on shoes, but the scene really was too extraordinary to leave alone. And it wasn't just them! Shoes are like drugs, people! And I know their siren call well...

Today I chased after the big questions that come when you're trying to sell something. Whether your attitude is good (and thereby influencing your destiny for the better), whether you could be doing something more, something less, or something altogether different.

Blouse: The Gap. Skirt: New York and Company. Shoes: Vintage, thrifted.

I decided to get a pedicure and take some advice in the form of reading the first five chapters of What Would Machiavelli Do?: The Ends Justify the Meanness, a book that toes the line between farcical and fascist. Can you really get what you want only by being a total asshole?

I love the detailing on this shirt. I obtained it by not being an asshole, strangely.

Are we middling weenies who vote "yes" to a life of dour mediocrity in the very act of accordance, compromise or consideration?

I say no. I know very, very well that your attitude towards others is the shape of your world. And since I believe that behaving nicely makes things go better, the little puzzle pieces of my reality have aligned themselves... in accord.

I'm in total love with these shoes. Found these clear, 1950's babies at a second-hand store in Chicago. The cat is also second-hand, and I'm in total love with her too.


I always liked to say that you attract more flies with honey than vinegar, but then that leaves me wondering, why the hell am I trying to attract flies? What's your mantra?

Back to the Grindstone,

Elissa.

6 comments:

yiqin; said...

That dress is way too perfect.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on this one. Sure, you can get what you want by being an asshole … but once you’ve got it, there will be no one left who likes you. Who you gonna share it with?

Anonymous said...

Dress: LOVEIT
Striped Shirt: LOVEIT
Shoes: LOV'EM
(Cat: LOVEIT)
Shot of shoe clearance: been there, eeeeesh.

Katie said...

Oh gosh FABULOUS shoes and I love the blouse! You're wedding will all come together and hopefully be better then you've dreamed <3

Anonymous said...

I had to read this post twice because last night I was sitting on the couch watching episodes of Tiny & Toya on BET Online (get my mood?). Tonight I'm feeling a little more thoughtful.

I've asked myself the same damn question and come to no real conclusion. The hard lesson I had to learn up until about three years ago was that I had to fight at my job to get anything done...even step on toes to move ahead and do what I thought was right.

At my current job (and with certain people that are in my life for better or for worse) I've had to learn the hard lesson that sometimes, you learn more, connect with others more and get good things done by keeping your damn mouth shut and smiling through a difficult situation.

I just don't know. :)

emily said...

those shoes are very cute!