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August 2016… the last time I logged in on this blog and wow, so, so much has changed.

Over a year ago, I took a *much longer than intended* break from blogging, social media, and writing all together because I felt that because of all of the real world commitments I had made, I couldn’t commit to much in this virtual world. While life stressors seem to be building and life seems to be growing more and more hectic by the hour, I still feel empty. I feel like I’m missing something, that I’m not doing something that I’m supposed to be doing- which feels very similar to walking into a room and forgetting why. It’s aggravating, frustrating, and you feel taunted by your forgetfulness.

I recently downloaded Google Docs so that I could write something for grad-school (Social Work), and came across my rough, ROUGH draft of a poetry book I started about 2 years ago. I hadn’t looked at it since leaving this blog. It flooded my heart and filled that strange void I was feeling.

I plan get back into the rhythm of things and get my flow back… get it… rhythm and flow… like a poem..? Ah, forget it!

ANYWAY, without further ado, I just wanted to re-introduce myself to this wonderful community. I hope we will get to know one another soon!

❤ Allison

2015 In Review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.

Here's an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 22,000 times in 2015. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 8 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Thank you all for your support! This is truly amazing!! 🙂

2,000 Followers–THANK YOU

WHAT??? This is crazy! I feel like I just had 1,000–and THAT number was a shock!
I don’t know if I deserve it or not, haha, but I just have to say thank you all so so so much for reading my words, commenting your thoughts, and following my blog. You really don’t know how much it means to me.
Writing has helped me through some tough times and to know that I’m not alone, that I have people supporting me, and that I may have made a small impact on someone in the world is amazing.
So, again, THANK YOU ALL!! 🙂

National Black Cat Day

It has been almost 2 years since I lost Nigel and I still think about him everyday. Not everyone can understand how much this little guy meant (and still means) to me because he was “just a cat.” But he was so much more than that. He was my best friend– He was always there for me, he comforted me, he loved me unconditionally. He didn’t care how I looked, what I had done wrong, if I stayed in bed all day long (which he preferred, actually), or when I forgot to do my homework. When I felt like no one else cared, I knew he always did. He may not have understood exactly what was happening in my life, but that didn’t matter. He stayed by my side and wanted nothing more than my love in return.
I’ve never met a cat, or any human for that matter, with such love in their hearts, and I don’t know if I ever will again. I still think I hear his meows outside my bedroom door at night sometimes and I can still feel him wrapping his arms around me and hugging my neck. I had him since I turned 5. I can’t remember a time before he was in my life and I’m still trying to adjust to him not being around.
You may think I’m a “crazy cat lady,” but that’s okay, as long as that means that I get to experience true, undoubted love like his.

Happy National Black Cat Day

Pray For Paris

This has got to stop. This world is all of our homes- whether we live in the US, Europe, or the Middle East. We’re all humans, yet somehow, humanity is severely lacking. We shouldn’t have to be on guard when we close our eyes at night, when we wake up each morning, or when we step out of our house. Just because someone believes, thinks, looks, or speaks differently than you, doesn’t mean that they truly are all that different. They’re still a person, with a family, with a home, with hopes, dreams, and aspirations… they’re still a person with a life. Respect, love, and understanding need to finally step onto the stage because I’m starting to get very tired of the show I’ve been watching.

I’d Like To Introduce You, To Me

About 8 months ago, I created this blog for the sole purpose of curing boredom and giving myself something to focus on rather than my ridiculous stress levels. Since I didn’t have much time to dedicate to writing, I didn’t know if it was something I was going to continue, and I wasn’t sure if anything I wrote was even partially decent, I didn’t tell anyone about my blog.
In order to keep it (in a sense) private, I decided to use a pen name. My real name is Allison. Blair King is a name chosen without really much thought. Blair is (embarrassingly) from Gossip Girl and King is from my favorite author, Stephen King.
I wanted to start using my real first and middle name. I’m going to change the name on here and my social media over to Allison Nicole. With my chapbook accepted by a publisher, I want it to be under my real name.
I strangely feel guilty for hiding my name, but it was what I needed for awhile. But now, I’m ready to claim this fully as my own.

Chapbook Publication!

So… I just found out that my chapbook was accepted by the first/only publishers I sent it to! Ahhh! I’m happy/shocked/scared. I have no idea what I’m doing or what the process entails, but I’m so excited!

To the Christians

I want to say a quick “Thank You!” to everyone who writes about God (in a positive way), who plays Christian music in their place of work, and who isn’t afraid to carry their bible or a piece of scripture with them wherever they go. I appreciate and respect all of you.
In a world where sin is worshipped, where God is a forgotten entity but a common curse word, and where believing in something -believing in anything- is becoming unfashionable, it’s a very commendable act to openly express your love for and the word of God to a society that greatly needs it.

*This post may be unpopular among some of you, and you’re free to disagree! I may not agree, but I respect all religions (or lack there of). It’s not my place to judge, but I felt the need to thank those who support my beliefs. To each their own. Thank you.

Poetry Contests?

Does anyone know of free poetry contests that I can enter?
I have several poems that I would love to have published in a journal, anthology, or something as such, but I’m not even sure where to begin looking for ways to find contests like that.

My First Poetry Class… Eek!

I ordered a poetry textbook for my class this coming semster, and I received this written on the packing slip 🙂

With that said, I am worried that this class may drain some of my creativity while I’m forced to write in ways I have strong feelings against… Hopefully it’ll be a good experience! I’ve never taken an entire class on poetry, so… we’ll see how it goes!