Category: POP CULTURE

Posted in ASHLEY IN WONDERLAND, DEATH/LOSS, POP CULTURE

So long, Mr. Tannerino

Posted on by Ashley in Wonderland

Unbelievably, Bob Saget died yesterday. I’m absolutely shocked. As long as I have been on this planet, so has Bob Saget been – a father figure to all, especially those of us who were lacking one to begin with. What better and more loving father could one ever ask for than Danny Tanner? He gave us lonely kids hope that somewhere, a dad might be out there to love us and see the good in us, too.

He was only 65 years old – found dead in a Ritz Carlton in Orlando after performing a gig in Jacksonville (I think) the night before. Can you imagine? Just snuffed out like that, whoosh. It scares me to think that he’s only roughly six years older than my mother … I don’t even want to think about that. Yet I really can’t stop thinking about it … no matter how much I want to. When Tyler’s mother passed away, I started to develop this niggling feeling in the back of my head about death that I can never quite get rid of. It feels so close, all the time. God, I don’t want to think of it. 65 years old … that feels like no time in this world. Like life is still beginning. That’s only 30 years older than me, and that sounds like a lot … but life passes by so damn quickly. How fast will my years, my mother’s years, fly by before we are potentially 65 years old and out like a light? Again – I don’t even – I can’t even – think about it.

So I will choose I instead to think of all the laughs and lessons Bob Saget gave to me – from how to properly keep a house clean, to avoiding your evil twin, Manny – to being a loving and caring father who stepped up for his children and ushered them lovingly through life as they grew and faced the trials and tribulations of growing up. I did not know Bob Saget, but I knew Danny Tanner – and he will always be among the greatest TV fathers my generation was fortunate to love and be loved by.

Posted in adventuring, FANGIRLING, LIVE MUSIC, PHOTOGRAPHY, POP CULTURE, travel, wanderlust

HAUS OF GAGA

Posted on by Ashley in Wonderland

Nearly six months ago, I was in Las Vegas seeing Lady Gaga for the first of two shows I was going to be fortunate enough to attend during her Vegas residency. The first show, in November of 2019, was the Jazz & Piano show. The second show, scheduled for April 30, 2020, today, was going to be even more special. My mother and I had meet and greet tickets to the Enigma show.

Obviously a lot has changed since November, and we didn’t make it to Las Vegas today for the Enigma show. Or the meet and greet. That packs a punch.

I’m trying to stay positive and upbeat today, though it is admittedly hard. It’s all out of my hands anyway, so moping really won’t do any good. Covid-19 is in control of everything we do (or, rather, don’t do), and crying over an opportunity lost is just time wasted – although trust me. I’ve done some crying.

I wanted to share these photos with you all – especially for those who were not able to make it to Vegas for whatever reason, be it Covid-19 related or not – that I took at the Haus of Gaga exhibit. It was an incredible experience to see these iconic fashions close up! They aren’t the greatest photos, and the reason I didn’t share them before is because I assumed I’d have a second shot to take another, better batch, so bear with me.

Disappointment aside, I am grateful that I got to see my favorite musician shine so brightly back in November, and am grateful that today, while I’m not where I’d like to be physically, that I have my health, that my family is safe, and that we are getting by, breath by breath, moment by moment. Enjoy the photos (they are all totally thrown in at random, sorry!), and I hope we all get to see each other and smile and laugh and dance together to the pulse of the music that moves us very soon.

Posted in adventuring, ASHLEY IN WONDERLAND, PHOTOGRAPHY, POP CULTURE, travel

I LIKE SCARY MOVIES

Posted on by Ashley in Wonderland

So, I admit it – this was an adventure built totally of Instagram FOMO (that’s fear of missing out, for you boomers). Earlier in the year, I saw a lot of my California friends visiting an interactive exhibit called “I Like Scary Movies” in Los Angeles, and my body NEEDED to go. I knew that I had a late fall trip planned to visit Los Angeles in November, but, sadness abound – the exhibit closed in July, I believe it was. It was such a disappointment to see that we would miss out on such a cool experience, but I chalked It up to the East Coast blues and something else that I would have to miss due to my southern proximity.

It was just about a month ago when I got the “I Like Scary Movies” exhibit back on my mind, and I just so happened to morosely look it up – I was hoping to find that the exhibit was on tour, or would be touring soon. However, what I found was better – because for the week that we would be in California, they were doing an encore performance! WHAT! THINGS LIKE THIS DON’T HAPPEN TO ME! I snatched up three tickets faster than you can say lickety split and it was ON. We were going!

On our last day of vacation, after leaving the Disney bubble, we followed some questionable directions to a block of warehouses somewhere in Los Angeles, and there it was – “I Like Scary Moves”!

The staff (who was fantastic and so helpful) immediately greeted us, walked us through the rules, and set us off through the exhibit. This would probably be a good time to explain what the exhibit is, eh? Per their website:

“I Like Scary Movies is the experience that all scary movie fans have been dreaming of! A groundbreaking art experience that is a true celebration of some of the most beloved horror films. This is a unique opportunity for fans to interact and enjoy these films that they love in a completely new way with amazing interactive art and photo opportunities to share with their friends. I Like Scary Movies was born from the mind of experimental artist Maximillian, who wanted a way to dive deeper into this dark genre and explore these worlds outside of the traditional scare maze.”

So follow along through my experience at “I Like Scary Movies” if you dare!

NOTE: I’m only posting my own photos from the experience because I don’t want to post something that will make Tyler or my mother want my guts for garters. This does mean you are missing Tyler on a tricycle, and I’m sorry for that. Anyway, enjoy!

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Posted in ASHLEY IN WONDERLAND, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, MAKEUP/BEAUTY, PHOTOGRAPHY, POP CULTURE, relationships, travel

GETTIN’ HIGH (03/05/17)

Posted on by Ashley in Wonderland

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For Tyler’s 29th birthday, we went down to Atlanta and had ourselves a time. From staying in a swank ass room at the Hyatt and watching Star Wars movies in style to feasting at Medieval Times, it was a wonderful getaway, and hopefully a marvelous birthday! I think he really enjoyed his special day, and that’s all I could ask for!

On his actual birthday, we went to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, which was a first for us both. UGH. HELLO, NEW FAVORITE PLACE. I was overcome!

I took a bunch of pictures of some of my favorite things that I saw at the museum – let me know what your favorite is in the comments! And sorry if I get an artist name or the title of a piece of art wrong, I’m just one gal!

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Posted in ASHLEY IN WONDERLAND, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, MAKEUP/BEAUTY, PHOTOGRAPHY, POP CULTURE, travel

EPCOT (01/27/17)

Posted on by Ashley in Wonderland

I always have to ask myself if EPCOT or the Magic Kingdom is my favorite park, and it’s such a fine line that it really depends on the day. But dayum, do I love EPCOT.

This was a first for us – EPCOT was hosting its first International Festival of the Arts, and I absolutely had to get down there to see what they had to offer. Also, I will use anything as an excuse to get to Disney World. Enjoy some photos from around the world and of some truly beautiful art, aka my selfies. JK. Sort of.

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