Is that a picture of your lunch? Yes, yes it is. The idea behind it: food for thought. Also yummy lunch...

"Isn't this just '5 Things I'm Loving' but then instead of loving you've used the word thinking because you want to seem intellectual while, if you were truly intellectual, you'd be writing your paper -which is due next week- instead of a silly blogpost on things you're loving. Oh sorry, my bad, thinking." Sssshh, subconscious mind, don't spoil it now! I've said I'll post at least one blogpost every week and I can't let the people (me) down!

A blogpost a week... *deep sigh* At the beginning of the year, when writing all the potential ideas I coould work out, it seemed like an easy-peasy job. "Why limit yourself to one?", I thought to myself overconfidently. "I've got hundreds of ideas brewing in my brains! I can easily write two if not three blogposts a week! I'll be a superstar and everyone will love me!". Yeah. No. I actually do have another blogpost written, a review on a James Dean biography, but I thought it was a bit 'too much' to start this year with two disillusioned 1950s icons in a row (before you know it you get yourself a certain reputation).


So instead, following in the footsteps of Jemma from Dorkface (sort of. Not really. Apparently I'm quite bad at copying other people...), here are 5 things I'm thinking about at the moment:

1. I want exactly that! But, like, not like that...

Let's start with the thought shortly mentioned above: why am I so bad at copying other people? This could've just as easily been a '5 Things I'm Loving' blogpost and I could write a few words on, I don't know, how I've just snipped a bit of my bangs off and now I can see the world again and my life is (for now) completely changed. But noooooo, my brain tells me, as if it's the best idea I've ever had (it's probably a close 2nd), "what if -hear me out- we change loving into thinking." I look at my brain with widespread eyes "YAS brain, that's brilliant!".

For my fellow-sewing peepz among us, we are accustomed that when we make a dress using a pre-made pattern, it's probably not going to look like the dress pictured. Normally it will have a certain likeness to it, as you've used the same pattern, but the fabric might be different and one must never underestimate the power of body shape. However it's become a running joke in our household that when I enthusiastically exclaim "I want that exactly!", I actually mean 'I want that exactly BUT can we change everything about it so it becomes something completely different'. And this same attitude is, basically, the running philosophy behind my life. Which is a shame as I'm now actually really looking forward to the '5 Things I'm Loving' blogpost. Which I will never write as I find it too difficult. You've read that right, I find it too difficult to write about what I love.

2. Making things complicated

This has turned into a 'why????' quest very soon, but yeah *cue Avril Lavigne*: why can't things just be not complicated? Or, let me re-phrase that, why can't I ever leave things uncomplicated? May this initial idea of a blogpost be my witness, I think that sometimes when I stop thinking things would be so much easier. I could have one, two, three blogposts up and running each week, but instead I decide to write 1.417 words on a James Dean biography which I then sideline only in favour of a long -I don't know what you're getting out of this but it sure works like therapy- ramble. Smart move, Dominique, a true genius at work.

This links back to my hesitation towards writing 'easy' blogposts about what I love, as I find that what I love -although I love it deeply- isn't interesting to read about (not that this is much better). I get the idea of reviews and how they can benefit people who are interested in getting the same or similar products. And I myself can say I benefit from reading these kinds of 'easy' blogposts simply so I can piggyback on the enjoyment of the writer and experience some sense of excitement myself. Jk, in real life I'm a happy-preppy uncaring butterfly, this is all but an unsuccessful act I put on. Anyway, I find it difficult to pin-point a good middle ground between 'look at this. I like it' and 'look at me being a pseudo-intellectual trying to bamboozle you with this fake introspective act'.

3. Good vibes only

However I won't keep dwelling on all this negativity as this year I've incorporated 'good vibes only' to potentially improve my lifestyle in 2018. How it works? Just frantically yell 'positive vibes, positive vibes' after someone (you) said something negative or snarky. Then, this is the most important step, subvert your remarks by reversing it. So 'I hate everything' becomes 'I love everything'. Although it's not yet entirely sarcasm-resistant, I think it has potential in the 'fake it till you make it' sense. Before you know it life will be a breeze!

4. Uhm...

As always with lists, at some point I can't think of anything any more. Or at least my brain tricks me into thinking that all of my -in this case- thoughts are gone. However this somehow doesn't stop me from thinking and writing and it almost becomes a bad joke played on me by me that you, as a reader, got to put up with while I'm typing these words. Perhaps the relentless act of 'keep on writing' (to be read as Dory from Finding Nemo, not that I've seen that movie but I did recently watch a Film Theory about it, because I'm cool like that. I also watched one on Cars. I also haven't seen Cars. Now let's see if you still remember how I started this sentence in 1... 2... 3...) helps to form new thoughts and eventually get me through this list. I guess it's a good method to use when struck with writers block. Who knows, maybe you'll write something inspiring. Or sensible.

The funny thing of all this is -funny for me and not actually funny but 'funny'- is that I've spend the last few days writing a new about, contact and portfolio page (instead of writing my paper. Procrastination who?) as I'm planning on vamping up this blog soon with a new template and thus with new pages. Now comes the funny part: on my contact AND portfolio page I've written that I'm a wannabe writer and you can always contact me if you want something to be written by me because, you know, that's what writers do. But who will contact me after reading this train wreck of a blogpost? POSITIVE VIBES, POSITIVE VIBES!!! Everyone wants to contact me after reading this brilliant well-thought-out blogpost!

5. Please make me stop

I'm truly trying to start writing shorter blogposts, as this is getting ridiculous. Ain't nobody got time for reading all these brain farts! (I could've posted all of these things as seperate blogposts... it would've been five bad blogposts, but I'm not sure that accumilating them all together makes much of a difference...). Comment below 'I've read this whole train wreck but please don't ask me to do it again' if you, you know, did just that, and I'll give you a virtual pat on the shoulder and will forever be grateful. (Please hire me to write a blogpost for you! I will do it for free (as I think it would be a crime at this point to start asking money for it... POSITIVE VIBES, POSITIVE VIBES!!! I'm worth every penny in your pocket!)).

Believe it or not, I actually quite enjoyed writing this blogpost and I even think I will recycle this format in the future (only then limiting myself to, say, a hundred words per number. And yes, I fully realise I can easily edit this down to a nice, neat and concise blogpost, but I'm rather feeling the ramble today and will let you suffer through it all. You can skip the boring parts if you want to). So, what are you thinking?

After reading Being Elvis by Ray Connolly, in honour of Elvis' 40th death-anniversary, one thing echoed through my mind: I don't like this Elvis. I've been enticed, like many before me, with the image of a young Elvis Presley swaying his hips, testing his vocal capacity and therewith 1950s society. Although later Elvis became a mimic of himself and, well, changed into a glamped up karate showman, you can't help but appreciate and even secretely love the tackiness and universal acceptance of 'positive Americanism' he represents.

So when I read the introduction of the book, in my copy written by Dutch journalist Peter Buwalda, I snorted at the question 'why read about Elvis, can't you better just listen?'. Not the best way to start a book the reader hasn't even begun by persuading them to not read it at all. However he soon smooths this thought over explaining that Elvis' iconification in post war culture is something you can't simply hear in his imbalanced, brilliant but later more sloppy work. The question nonetheless stings after working my way through the first few chapters; I wish I'd just listened.

Elvis Presley performing at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show in 1956 in Tupelo. Source: Roger Marshutz MPTV via Time Magazine.

Are you lonesome tonight?

Connolly has written a critical exposé (not necessarily new, but still surprising for the uninformed) with short and punchy chapters chronologically following Elvis' lifeline. From poor nobody to rich somebody, or so the legend goes. There are a few central themes Connolly works his way through, but most notably is the as-I-called-it 'psychological decay' of Elvis.

My copy of the book, which is a translated version, actually goes by the name Een eenzaam bestaan (red. A lonesome existence). This, as you might agree, sets up a different story or interpretation of the story than Being Elvis. It immediately connotes the words on paper with asking from the reader to show mercy for what's been told; as it's all been an act to break from the loneliness. While, arguably, Being Elvis has a stronger show-and-tell element to it that, from the title, lays out the story and creation of the personage that's come to be known as Elvis (and all the dodgy choices he made along the way to become just that) without immediately asking to sympathise.

Although I do get why they chose to name it A lonesome existence as 1) it's hard to one-on-one translate the word 'being' while keeping the right intention behind the word and 2) loneliness is ascribed by Connolly as the main reason behind Elvis' psychological decay. As there was no such thing as internationally worshipped pop idols back in the day, the unfamiliarity of pop idol existence left Elvis on his own with no one to connect with or look up to. Even, as Connolly tells, when The Beatles dethroned him as only pop idol in the world, they got to share the burden that comes with their status between the four of them (while Elvis stayed all by him self).

Elvis reading fan mail in his hotelroom in New York City, 17 March 1956. Source: © Alfred Wertheimer via Smithsonian Institution.

The power of a name

Although it's not a secret that fame isn't the most mental-healthy job one can get, I was still astonished and frustrated by the way Elvis works his way through it (pasiveness, naivety, sickly sense of duty) which is full of contradictions and results from the get-go in unhealthy behaviour. Behaviour that can be sustained for all those years through the creation of a protective system. This in a sense excuses his abuses, nurtured by image control and -most importantly- the constant need for money. Loneliness might be the main symptom of pop idol-ism, the protective system is a dangerous and destructive recurring result trapping everyone who comes too close to it. Even the pop idol himself.

The power of creating and establishing a system that protects and maintains unacceptable behaviour (in this case anger outbursts, drugs abuse, infidelity while demanding complete control over the life of his lovers and even an attempted assassination) becomes normalised and excused first in name of unique talent only to get overpowerd by 'the name' itself. Though it's harmful for the holy image which at any moment can capsize and the person behind the name who becomes more and more problematic, it's even more destructive for those who (innocently) fall victim to it and are recycled through the system into a downward spiral. Only able to escape by pure bravery, exposure of the system or, in the case of Elvis himself, death.

Making it rain

These days we aren't strangers to similar protective systems set up while its destructive subject takes up a position of untouchable power abuse. Connolly finds it pitiful that the strings of this system, often held tightly by Colonel Tom Parker (Elvis' manager and downright gold digger. Also Dutch), has disadvantaged Elvis' career and talent development. This combined with Elvis' growing passive and uncaring attitude mixed with a strong desire to escape or ignore the truth, creating his own alternate universe probably encouraged by a cocktail of drugs, doesn't help when trying to hang on to his legendary status.

Connolly is sometimes very dismissive (not without reason) of Elvis & co and their actions, but doesn't condemn him and at the end still has enough praises left. Praises certainly are at place but should come with a warning sign or a big BUT behind it. As it turns out Elvis wasn't the 100% goofy good guy we nowadays associate him with. He also shouldn't be excused for his damaging role OR eternally condemned by it; as I wholeheartedly agree that mad times create mad situations that sometimes are impossible to escape. If you are ready to shatter the impeccable (tacky) status of this beloved legend, go ahead and read this biography. Otherwise: just listen.

'Go outside at least once a month even if you don't have to (for fun)' and 'log off and read a book before going to sleep' are the most exciting personal resolutions I can offer you. So instead on dwelling and thinking this new year can bring me a step closer to getting my act together (fingers crossed I will finally get my well-deserved old-Hollywood dressing gown trimmed with plush or pluche amiright??), I thought it might be more lucrative to see what 2018 has (potentially) in it for you.

"I'm really looking forward to this blogging year."

Although I'm really looking forward to this blogging year, literally breaking a pen while noting down different ideas and thoughts (although it must be said that the pen had been acting up before and isn't necessarily a reliable witness to demonstrate my enthusiasm), I can't seem to escape a cynical attitude relished in self-doubt.


The cocktail of the two, although forever present as a flaw in character, is toxic when it comes to stippling out my future 'blogging career'. Especially as this year marks my 5th anniversary (hurrah, hurray) and the many opportunities this little hobby nowadays can generate hasn't escaped my attention. The unknown and, to be honest, unreachable has claimed precious space in my dreams; floating as relentless thoughts at night.

This has resulted into an uncertain apprehension heightened by my own pressure of wanting to be 'more' (and in all vanity feeling an undefined entity to the crown and scepter as, on some days, I believe I'm indeed worthy of your undivided attention).


So, that having said and having thought/debated/brooded about the potential 'within me' (for those reading my blog for the first time 1. welcome 2. yes I'm always this pretentious), I gathered that I first of all should either STOP comparing and criticising my own (in)competence or should DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. And second of all, looking back with a certain disgust to 2017, I should definitely get my basics together. That's to say: to be a blogger you'll need to blog. Which I somehow forgot last year.

"To be a blogger you'll need to blog. Which I somehow forgot last year."

To summarise, you can (potentially) look forward to 'creation, promotion and salvation'. Yes, those are some pretty vague terms but, you know, it does sound catchy.

Creation

• Publish at least one blogpost a week. Even if it's rushed (quantity over quality #controversial).
• Write posts and take photographs in advance. It can be a blogging-life saver!
• Bring back the aspect of fashion in Fashioned by Pluche. Also books. More books.
• Write some 'evergreen' content (find out what my 'evergreen' is).
• Start thinking about/planning/creating #Blogmas content in August (I don't think I have to explain this one...).

Promotion

• Start a seperate blogging Instagram account (yes, I know the algorithm isn't favourable but it's mainly meant for my personal aesthetic pleasure and trying to entice my visual creative juices. So perhaps it's more 'creation', but, you know, that one lost Instagrammer who accidently clicks on my URL always helps).
• Try to think of more funny/interesting/nice things to tweet about.

Salvation

• Comment more on other blogs/[insert social media of your choosing here]
• Promote or otherwise engage (although commenting is a form of engaging, here I mean it more as building a long-lasting 'relation') with other bloggers/human beings.
• Generally be good, do good.

What are your (blogging) goals for 2018?