oceanmeetsthesky

HEALTH UPDATE 8/23/18: I just got out of the hospital for a psychotic break in relation to bipolar disorder. I need to rest, but tonight or tomorrow I will update people I am late in sending. I apologize for this and will be back up to speed within the week. Thank you for your kindness, and I'm sorry for the late sends that will be upcoming.

UPDATE TO THE POSTAL SERVICE SAGA: I have tested my other address (see below) and find that I am receiving mail there. However, it is an hour away from my primary place of residence, so I ask for your patience in me picking up my mail and rating you. I pledge to rate, but I don't own a car and so it takes quite a while to schlep down to the South Side from the North Side of Chicago. Thank you!

I'm originally from Portland, but moved to Chicago under mysterious pretenses. The most cowardly rogue barbarian you'll ever meet. In my 30s.

Be kind, I'm just starting and I don't really know what I'm doing. This just seemed fun. Extremely introverted to the point of agoraphobia at times. The postal service is my way of interacting with the outside world. I struggle with mental illness and alcohol/prescription drug abuse. I try. Pretty heavily medicated.

I work at a well-known newspaper.

I speak and write rudimentary Japanese. Not sure if there's anybody from Japan on here. Either way, hajimemashite.

I've always been interested in and have dabbled in paper arts, collage, mixed media and letter writing. Everything paper. I'm kind of insane about postcards and stickers and washi tape. Drawings are lovely. Draw me things, even if you don't think you're good at it. I use Microns and Sharpies. Journal art. Zines. Collage work. Photocopy art.

Be forewarned, the way I make art isn't the most conventional. Beauty is overrated. I put a lot of effort into my work but I tend to go for a psychotic, nonsensical approach as a means to illustrate the mental issues I struggle with. It kind of looks like the work of an angsty 14-year-old aiming to go to art college. I guess I never grew out of that phase.

Always forever grateful for your kindness and efforts, and I'm happy with whatever you'd like to send. I'm not going to judge you. Beggars can't be choosers, and I'm a beggar of the least magnanimous sort.

In regards to postcards or letters or notecards, I enjoy reading what you have to say, even if you think it's boring. I will not think it's boring. I'm interested in how people live their lives and what they do on the daily. "Extras" are fun and fine and always appreciated, but it's not indicative of how I'm going to "grade" you or anything, nor am I going to think less of you. I'm on here to spread kindness and some semblance of joy, and to learn some empathy and tenderness myself, not to get things from people or to gain material items. (Though I do sign up for mailbox-stuffing swaps because ... it's ... fun?) Also, if your English is not great, it's OK!

Having said that, if you like guidance, here are themes I am fond of: • blood • melancholy • sadness • vulnerability • skeletons • bones • taxidermy • graveyard dirt • body horror • punk stuff • pulp comics • alternative comics and art (whatever that means) • old book pages • the occult (Aleister Crowley, Jack Parsons, all that) • yokai (those Japanese monsters, like the ladies with the really long necks) • I can never have enough Bic lighters for my cigarette and incense habit • speaking of incense, dragon's blood and nag champa • food themes • rabbits • raccoons • dik diks • jackalopes, the Mothman and other cryptids • H.P. Lovecraft • anything Ziggy-related (you know ... that cartoon comics boy) • nighttime themes • moon and stars • NASA

Favorite colors: black, white, orange, red, yellow. My least favorite holiday is Halloween and my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Miss the bridges of PDX dearly. I love learning new things no matter the topic.

I do enjoy "kawaii" things, like Gudetama, Sanrio and Rilakkuma, but in moderation. I also like corny, pun-ny things. I like the kind of stuff you see in a tourist trap on the side of the road.

I do not like American franchise items. Disney, bleh! Please only send Minion items if you're also going to include a sassy, irreverent white wine theme. I am definitely a wine mom in training. Give me cigarettes, tattoos, and strife any day.

I am also not a fan of post-it notes, as I have a slew of them and don't really use them for much of anything.

Postcard themes I love include anything representative of your hometown or the city you live now, or used to live. I also enjoy anything macabre or old-timey, art history (paintings in particular), illustration from all eras of all things. I prefer naked postcards. No ad cards or Zazzle cards if you can help it, please. Homemade postcards always welcome, as I aim to also send out homemade postcards when appropriate.

Things I'd love to hear about on your card: Your favorite meals (and why), what you've been cooking or baking lately, the latest book or audiobook or podcast you've immersed yourself into. What made you happy today. What made you sad or frustrated today. Quotes you enjoy.

If i haven't rated you yet, please ask first -- I check my mail every day and rate as soon as I get to the computer. I'm a Capricorn rising (I am super into astrology) so I make every effort to be punctual and orderly. Chicago is known for having awful mail service, and I've found that even Amazon Prime packages can arrive late, so I appreciate your patience.

I have started to see that I'm not getting any mail at the address I posted, so I've changed my address to my other home that has seemingly more reliable mail delivery as of July 29, 2018. (I have two apartments. It's a long story. I'm not rich by any means. I am a shadowy figure. Not evading the law or anything. Just have two apartments.) Message me if I haven't rated you for something I should have gotten a while ago and, if you're willing, we can figure it out.

If you haven't received from me, send a message. I will resend if it's been a while. My bus stop to work is right next to a mailbox so I always send in the morning and on time.