Inspired and Random

I don't know why I included the picture at the top of this post, I just like the quote. :)

I am feeling slightly yucky today. I have been having chest pains for a few days, so I finally went to the doctors today. I guess I have some inflamed cartilage or something like that. It is uncomfortable, but mostly it is just making me feel lazy. Since I am feeling pretty lazy, I think I need something to inspire me. Here is a little list of things that are inspiring me lately.

I adore H.R. Giger. I love that his art is dark and beautiful. I can look at things he has created for long periods of time and make up stories about what must be going on. I also just really love his use of greys and blacks.

I have been using a few Little Golden Books in my art journal. I love the way that they remind me of the books from my childhood and of the books that I read with John right now. I feel a little bad about tearing them up, but this way I can appreciate them in a whole new light.

I really dig anatomical drawings. They are so simple and still so intricate.

I am always inspired by people who speak their minds and don't really pay attention to what other people think. That is something that I have really been working on lately. I mean, what is the point of having someone like you but they don't like the REAL you?

Awesome music has really been inspiring me lately... M.E.N, Two Ton Boa, Evelyn Evelyn (thanks Courtney), and Rage Against the Machine have been on heavy rotation lately.

Also, Kellie just did a fun post with random facts equal to how old she is. She wants to see some other people's randomness and I am happy to oblige. So here are 29 random facts about me...

1. I used to say I wanted six legal names. I am pretty close because I have 5...Rachel Catlin Brown Nickeson Ventura. Yep, that is my full name, but I only go by Katie Ventura

2. I have a fear/distaste for moles. Not the kind that live in the ground, the kind on people's skin

3. My favorite movie as a kid was Rapunzel (the Faerie Tale Theatre version) but I was terrified of Gena Rowlands.

4. I have read The Stand at least 8 times

5. My mom used to tell me in high school that I would end up marrying Josh. I told her she was nuts, but she was clearly right

6. I feel like I may be the only person in the world who did not enjoy To Kill a Mockingbird

7. I used to have a poster of George Clooney as Batman in my room

8. Whenever we need to laugh, Josh and I retell funny stories about my poor stepfather

9. I have never seen Miracle on 34th Street, Citizen Kane or any of the Godfather movies

10. I had box seats to see New Kids on the Block as a kid

11. My refrigerator is in the same room as my bed

12. I want to name my daughter (when and if I have one) Frances, but Josh hates it. We mutually agreed upon Adia, but my mom hates it.

13. I pick my nailpolish

14. Clipping fingernails is my number one least favorite part of being a mother

15. I used to be addicted to Diet Coke, but when I got pregnant it made me want to puke. I still can't drink it.

16. I hate being hot, which makes AZ summers kind of a big bummer

17. I am the world greatest packer of moving boxes

18. We picked out our cat because she was the ugliest kitten at the pound. She ended up being super cute

19. Josh was my first serious boyfriend

20. I cried one year when Josh bought me tires for Christmas

21. I have never had a broken bone or a black eye

22. I hate to talk on the phone

23. I love raw sugar

24. I have a huge crush on Anderson Cooper

25. If I could watch America's Next Top Model all day, every day I would totally do it.

26. I used to want to be a lawyer

27. My dream car is an old Jeep Wagoneer with wood panelling

28. Tomatoes and bell peppers make me gag

29. I love the rain

Happy Tuesday!