Late Pass: First Friday Ventures

I know I am super late but so much has happened in the past two week. I can finally get around to posting about First Friday.

Our first stop was the Art Mongerz gallery:

I freaked out over these minitures! I love miniture models.

Lovely downtown.  Our treck back was great.

I don't know what this instrument is but the music he played was so nice.

We found out there was a mini food truck festival the next block over at the Carolina Theater.  It was nice and quiant with long lines.

We then ventured into Oscar Oglethorpe's eyewear shop:

The store's employees had a ball picking out frames for us to try on.  Free beer and cool frames. Loved it.  Afterward we went up to Center City Park and checked out the music then visited the Center for Visual Artists and checkout out two gallery openings.  The first one was ANIMATED!

Interactive art.

Showcasing characters from various anime.

Ran across Belle and her prince.

Every medium is was awesome. I loved the printed work the most.

We decided to mosey on over to the Design Competition opening across the hall.

Had a pretty decent crowd.

This photo does not do the colors in this any justice.

Mylar. I LOVE mylar.

This was a furniture design event. I'm all for artistry and creativity but I believe in functional furniture.  The music was hype, I had to ask the DJ for a couple of tracks that he had spinning.  The night was awesome and we saw so much art.  Great way to start my weekend.

25 Before 26

So I have been thinking about the fact that this is my golden year and I often think about experiences that I want to have. I feel like if I give myself a mini deadline I will get more done. I work pretty decent under pressure. I just want to have fun on top of being responsible. There are some things that I plan but never get around to this is like a "bucket-list-esque" list of tasks to accomplish before I turn 26 years of age.

1. Get a passport. [It is seriously past due, I'm 25 for crying out loud.]
2. Attend a professional theater production
3. Enter my first gaming tournament
4. Master the splits
5. Hike a mountain
6. Eat at Cow Fish [Burger/Sushi fusion restaurant]
7. Walk/Run for a cause
8. Complete my first cosplay and wear it confidently
9. Attend my first anime convention
10. Eat at Dame's Chicken and Waffles [Definitely overdue] 4.19
11. Review at least three more restaurants that I have never eaten at. {1/3 - reviews in progress} - updated
12. Pick up another job {in progress}
13. Get in shape {in progress}
14. Get organized with my finances - updated
15. Make another vision board
16. Participate in a new initiative with strangers {in progress}
17. Complete Couch to 5k - updated
18. Spend a day exploring Raleigh
19. Attend a large event (such as a conference or concert)
20. Take a real vacation
21. Go on a temporary social media blackout
22. Upgrade my phone 4.18
23. Officially switch over to an "ALL CASH" system {in progress}
24. Steal my boyfriend away to somewhere new
25. Gain at least three solid customers with Herbalife {2/3 so far}

BONUS GOAL: Have the most amazing birthday surrounded by loving friends.**

I will be tracking my progress with my listography page.  If you are a lover of making lists, this website is awesome.

Saturday Love: Art Culture Edition

This is the first Saturday that I have had absolutely nothing planned. I had a potential event [The FabEllis Two] to go to but the tickets had not become available. So I am spending my Saturday watching The Walking Dead, doing some leisure blogging, and thinking about last night.

My boyfriend Donnie, our friend Ronnie, and myself. Courtesy of Robert Bratcher [@creativebobbie6]

Last night after our BFP meeting, me and some of my closest friends went out to Greensboro's First Friday Event. We toured through several craft shops and art galleries, chowed on light hors d'oeuvres, and mingled with several artists apart of several co-ops.  It was a great networking experience. I had to leave early but it as still a good night.

As I sit and plan out my calendar from here until May, I try to add in some days to take time for more art appreciation and taste expansion.  I want to eat, drink, and live art. I don't want to wait once a month to have this, so I am looking for more opportunities in the immediate area, whether it be the Piedmont or Triangle.  I'm taking full advantage this year.  I had a great time traveling and such last year, now's the time to top that.

Saturday Love is going to be a new biweekly series of posts focusing on different types of love for myself.

With that being said, I leave you with a music selection fit for today. I love the Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal original but this remake done by Toro Y Moi definitely sets the mood in a mellow type of way.