Meet someone new. Meet them because they are interesting. Meet them because they have an enticing smile, an interesting tattoo, or stomped in a puddle with more vigor than you've ever seen. Meet them because you wouldn’t normally talk to them.
Simply have a conversation with someone you’ve not met before.
Why:
This is as much for the people you're meeting as it is for you. We're starting The Brave New with a simple challenge that may be the most important of the entire project, as it involves breaking down social walls for you and, to some extent, the people around you. Why, as a society, haven't we made a habit out of knowing the people around us? Nothing bad will happen, to put it simplistically.Bonus points!
Make a friend. Make three friends! Make five friends! Don't make four friends. Four's a terrible number. In China, they don't have a fourth floor on most elevators, because the word for "four" sounds a lot like the word for "die". True story.How many people that you meet can extend into actual relationships? Exchange phone numbers, email addresses, Facebook adds, and home address if you're so inclined, and don't if you're not. Remember, the world's not always a safe place, so use your discretion here.
Resources:
www.howtodothings.com/family-relationships/how-to-meet-new-people
Ever have one of those days where you’ve felt a bit disappointed in how little of your home decor is powered by steam and/or the dark arts? Wish that the Victorian Era could be just a little more accessible for your purchases? I myself often become frustrated that I cannot buy directly from the mid 19th century. Also I wish my toaster had just a few more exposed cogs. Finally, I met someone who can satiate such urges.
Meandering through Pasadena, I met a man who could cater to almost every steampunk need I have ever had. Stacey Coleman, purveyor of the shop “The Gold Bug“, runs a modern cabinet of curiosities that staggers the imagination. I’ve passed by his shop before, but never thought that it might contain such a wide array of curios.
Believe me, I’ve seen my fair share of cabinets of wonders in my time in Los Angeles. Between from the morbidity of Necromance, the kookiness of the 826LA’s Time Travel Mart, and the tenuous connection with reality of The Museum of Jurassic Technology, this town has no shortage of oddities. Stacey has done a great job of making his shop stand out however, for one simple reason- he understands that oddity is an art form.
Taken from Goldbugpasedena.com - Lisa Wood's "Scorpions Playing Cards"
Stacey explained to me that he enjoys showcasing small artists, who have yet to entirely hit the mainstream. Mixed amongst his “normal” wares, one can find the sculptures, dioramas, and paintings of Brian Poor, Lisa Wood, Evan Chambers, Sophie Blackall, and many others. This is the most, if not the only, retro-futuristic fine art I’ve seen in one place.. Mechanized teapots whirred and twitched as glass eyes seemingly followed you around the room. Brass rocket ships glowed with a green haze, and aged doll hands propped up various antiqued goods.
Stacey expressed that he did have one piece by a “big name” artist, which was Elizabeth “Bloodbath” McGrath. I personally find her pretty amazing, but I have seen her in other galleries, so I understood Stacey’s hesitance to feel the urge to push her further. He clearly knows what he is doing in his selection of artists, and I will never buy a mechanical eyebot from another man.
Stacey continued to fill me in with some interesting information on how one can curate a gallery in Pasadena as part of the local “Armory Center for the Arts”- this may seem like useless information… but maybe, just maybe, this may come up again! Hint hint, Brave Newbies!
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