Word Nerd

Being an English Literature major, I like to think I have a special admiration for words and their power (strangely, I have a unique appreciation for paper as well…don’t judge me). Since my early childhood, I have gravitated towards spelling and writing more so than mathematics and sciences. Also, certain words resonate especially profound with me. I get a prick of interest whenever I come across them or have the opportunity to use them in my own writing. This is a post dedicated solely to that ambition, and the Word of the Day is Myriad.

Dictionary.com defines Myriad as follows:

As you can probably deduce from the title of my blog, I prefer to incorporate euphemisms when other options might be perceived in a negative or disagreeable light. Myriad is a beautiful way of conveying I don’t know the exact amount of the item I’m talking about. But it doesn’t have a negative connotation; in fact it serves to romanticize the concept. Myriad communicates the idea of limitlessness. It brings to mind the potential of endless possibilities, the ability to reach for the sky. To me, the word is inherently optimistic and expresses a feeling of enormity and enthusiasm.

The other meaning for Myriad describes the notion of constant deviation. To some, this might seem like more of a con than pro, but for me it’s quite exciting. The fact that things can be indefinable gives the World of Words more credibility. This allows for a more accurate description of the world around you. You can convey the feeling that things are more than just black and white. Myriad can represent the grey areas of life, not the “either/or”s but the “and/but”s, which are often more complex.

I think I’ve proved my nerdy-ness for the time being, but feel free to add your own thoughts!

Spring Break: Around the World in 7 Days

Okay, the title is a bit exaggerated— I didn’t leave the DC area, but my friends and I tried our hardest to make trips to another place or time. As a local, it’s rare that I see my city as this Great Place worthy of millions of visitors from all around the world. When I encounter the occasional starry-eyed tourist with a camera glued to their face, I think Oh, they’ll get over it in a few days. But my excursions during Spring Break inspired me to develop a newfound appreciation for my city as I discovered new ways to get away without hopping on a plane. Isn’t it true that when you visit a place, you want to be immersed in its culture…but when you’re used to it, you are constantly searching for ways to escape? Here are my top three excursions during Spring Break 2011:

#1—Bus Boys and Poets

This is a trendy restaurant I’ve been meaning to visit for a while. The food is delicious (I had a yummy crab cake sandwich) but what people come here for is the atmosphere. It has a chic, slightly counter-culture vibe and seem to be progressive and world-conscious. We attended the Open Mic segment and were entertained by the spoken word performances from local artists.  

#2—National Gallery of Art

I know, very touristy. However, art history is one of my passions and I unapologetically dragged my friends around for hours, mostly within the Modern and Contemporary Art sections. I’m currently taking a Modern Art class, and it was a different experience looking at the art up close rather than from a projector screen. It was definitely worth looking at my friends’ blank expressions and ignoring their dragging footsteps.

A Roy Lichenstein  

A Henri Matisse

#3— A Taste of India

I’m not one to experiment with food, but this time I was outvoted. I was reluctant to taste anything, but as soon as I took a bite I was converted. The entire meal was exquisite, from the main dish to every single one of the sauces. Not to mention the environment. The restaurant was decorated in textiles and pillows that added character and gave it a very rich feeling.

Urban Oasis

This week is the last week of classes before Spring Break, and it’s already halfway through! This upcoming break will be my first Spring Break within about 500 miles of home during my 4 years of college. It’s the last big break for me as a senior, and I have a pretty good idea of where I want to spend most of it: on my couch.

This might be where I want to spend my break, but un/fortunately I have friends based in DC that want to take advantage of our city. And by ‘take advantage’ I mean party like a tourist- visit all the hotspots, check out the coolest restaurants and experience every nightclub in as much time as we possibly can. First up on the itinerary: Bus Boys and Poets. It’s a cool restaurant in the chic and fashionable part of town that we’ve been planning to visit since we started college.

I’ve done tons of touristy things in the past for Spring Break, so I have a few tips and things to inspire you all who are planning to travel this time around. The most popular sites I know of for student travel discounts and information are STA Travel and Student Universe. STA travel is more comprehensive and includes plenty of guidelines for visiting different cities and many other countries. Student Universe is pretty straightforward. Its goal is to get you to your destination as quick as you can for the cheapest price. There might be better deals out there on smaller sites, but these will ensure you travel with companies that are well-known and reliable.

Hopefully, you’re not like me when it comes to packing. If I’m going somewhere for a week or 3 weeks, I usually have 3 suitcases and a backpack.

 An admirable packing plan from Knightcat

I’m not sure of the exact reason why I can’t pack light, but I think it has something to with putting outfits together. I’m encouraging you guys to do the mix-and-match thing. You know, dressing for day and night, creating a week’s worth of outfits based on one pair of shoes. I admire those of you who have this practice under your belt. For the rest of us, here’s an example from Boho Market:

I hope everyone has a exciting and safe break! Check back for pics of DC.

Are You Really Talking About the Weather?

Yes and no. This past week, the weather has impacted me in more ways than one. For starters, it turned me into a sick puppy. Yep, right before midterms. I’m not really 100% me, and I feel like my world is becoming a sort of whirlwind, pushing and pulling me where it may. But I’m going to make the most of this roller coaster ride, starting here on my blog. Being slightly uprooted doesn’t really faze me, as you might expect from someone who titles their blog Perpetual Dalliance. The truth is I’m hardly ever here, in-the-now, fixed in the moment. I’m usually escaping somewhere mentally, whether it be in another time or place. And I always love the opportunity to incorporate this into my physical world.

Early March is a transitional period in terms of weather. It’s on the edge of winter and on the brink of spring. Not quite either/or, but the combination makes for an…interesting experience. If you (and I’m in this boat as well) want the take a chance and benefit from this time, use it to inspire you to find meaning in your surroundings. Now is the time to turn the temperamental, indecisive side of ol’ Pisces into the creative, adaptable one you know it can be. So we can grab that fish by the tail and tell it “Hey, I’m running this show!”

Out with the winter/ in with the spring. Out with the old/in with the new. But not completely. There’s still a mix for the moment, a blend of distinct characteristics. This can be experienced temporary through the weather, but also in more tangible things like the items below found on PureGreenDesign blog.

A Mix of Old and New:

 What about you? What's your favorite time of the year? How could you incorporate its elements into your life permanently?

Post inspired by decor8

Intervention: Minimalist Style

Folks, I’ve been a busy Jay these past few weeks. Between starting my new job, finishing up my last undergraduate semester (midterms are right aground the corner), extracurricular activities and other personal obligations, it’s becoming a challenge to keep my life in order. But I’m determined to figure out this ‘organization’ thing- and I’m taking you readers with me on this journey.

My life is so chaotic right now, and it brings me satisfaction to arrange everything. When things are organized, this can have an effect on your whole lifestyle. Your external environment has the potential to inspire your internal disposition and you begin to want to mirror your surroundings. 

When things are cluttered, you feel like your entire life is cluttered as well. Even though everything around you may be overwhelming, it IS possible to create a calm haven for yourself. Once you start tackling the big projects, all the smaller things will seem easy and you’ll be more likely to actually want to do them. 

Of course, this can relate back to my main objective on this blog: escapism.

The truth is, I may want my life to be organized in a comprehensive, aesthetically pleasing manner, but it’s much more fun to observe the hard work others have undertaken and succeeded. C’mon- it will be inspiring! And maybe I’ll get around to organizing my desk one day soon. 

Sources (top to bottom): Chill Pill, Smart Desk, Living Room, Minimalist Room, Bedroom, Desk.

Post #1

People have always found a way to escape the demands of their daily lives: reading books to take them to another place and time, creating paintings and drawings as an outlet for their feelings, mas methods of breaking away from their day to day responsibility. This is called procrastination. This blog, Perpetual Dalliance, is the next generation of this system, providing a continuous getaway for those who accept their tendency to indulge. I promise, your efforts will be rewarded.  

Image Source: Airplane