Never A Best Friend!

Sometimes we go through life and run into people that will change our lives. Sometimes this change is not one of good fortune but of one of betrayal? I had met such a person in my third round of college--photography school. Upon viewing her across the classroom table I said to myself, "I want you to be my friend."

I was newly married. I had recently moved across the United States to be in this town and happened to be in art school--as I had always wanted to be. The days went on. I never said anything out loud about my internal request yet we became acquaintances being in the same level of analog photography learning.

We worked in the darkroom together, we traveled to school outings together, and we even hung out out of the classroom on occasion.

She had a boyfriend, also in art school, who was a talented painter. My ex-husband and I went over to their living situation one time. We had drinks, a bonfire and a game--name that tune! It was 80's night on the radio station and this I loved. After being pleased I identified a Psychedelic Furs song--I thought I could do this again. Not necessarily with them but pass it along.

Then came Halloween. I wanted a party. I didn't know many people so I invited not only my work and school affiliates but my ex's work affiliates...and a few neighbors. The premise was; wear a cocktail party dress attire or dress up in costume! I did a little bit of both. Wearing a hotpink cocktail dress with gold details and gold glittery high heels. I felt a little Big Bold Beautiful and Barbie-like while my ex sported an afro and a Hawaiian shirt. He told me never again could I invite his work partners to a party--bah humbug!

Another time we went out was to my ex-husband's birthday party. A night out in the small coastal city--a comedy night and then drinks after. She and her date (after her boyfriend) ditched us. We went into a raw fish bar and lo and behold there they were. Slightly disappointed I didn't really talk to them but maybe a wave or a nod. Lame, yes, later enlightening maybe?

Lastly? I think. We went to a Thievery Corporation concert on the Pier in the downtown area. It was she and I. And even though I was surprised and happy at the time--I am suspicious on how she paid for the tickets by herself. We swayed. We drank. We enjoyed the international music! One thing leaves me bothered...how did she pay for the tickets?

One thing I didn't realize when I was married was that I was wealthy. My ex was an international engineer--if I can call him that? I never asked how much money he made; not even when I went off to the town to we would live in ahead of time to find a place to live. He didn't give me a budget--I just assumed what would be appropriate. I got us a two bedroom downtown, with a front window view of the bay.

Hind sight. I think they were having an affair. He, a workaholic. And never liked to take me out--his excuse: he traveled too much and wanted to stay home. Me, I wanted to go out. I took myself out to dinner one time while he was away and got questioned for it. Me, non-confrontational, avoided that again--but Starbuck's Coffee eats anytime of day were always okay! Lame. Ah...to do it over? Leave it alone. Whatever.

I laugh. Not a good lover. She was after his money--for what I can tell. I am sure he provided her with it. What I realize now is that things went missing from my closet on a regular basis--I think she consigned them! A vintage caftan, designer clothes from when I was a manager at a fashion boutique, and shoes...where'd those go? I know I even had evil people downloaded to my computer--they stole just about all my downloaded music except for one artist...I shut that puppy down!

Today, what do I think? She steals and sells my photography. I, in college, walked around the downtown areas and took landscape photographs. She told me after college she was doing the same thing--she said "I see what you were doing." She, in college, took nude photographs. So, I know she was copying me. She acted like my artwork wasn't much in college, why? Maybe, it's because I found it to be spiritual and I gave my first photography class critique presentation religious titles...

1. Stairway to Heaven

2. Jesus was a Carpenter

3. Confirmation

4. Angel's Horn

5. Armature

6. Silver Bullet

There may have been one or two more, but this is the gist of titles. Stairway to Heaven was an exterior spiral staircase from one deck to the upper deck; Jesus was a Carpenter was a working carpenter I caught in the pediment shape of a roofline, Confirmation was rays of light coming through a backyard over a playhouse; Angel's Horn was a wind gauge ornament on top of a coastal house with the rising sun and clouds, Armature was a wire fence (bent) and a wooden detailed porch next to each other that made me think the body is held up by a skeleton and the soul its resident, Silver Bullet was a photograph of an Airstream though blades of grass--and a silver bullet is used to kill a werewolf!

Most recently, I have either misplaced, thrown away or have had stolen three iPhones. This is what I take my photography with after college--not all--just road trips and things around town! I called it "Car Photography" rarely, getting out of my seat and positioning my car just so to get the rushed photograph that I wanted. I believe these images have been stolen. Some of the titles include: Under the Bridge, Ball Lightning (video), and Open Heavens.

After I moved away from this area and had gotten a divorce...we remained acquaintances. She wanted me to send her a photograph a day and she requested new music artists to listen to. Now, I realize who is this person and who is she trying to be? I am the Rapture Queen and she is not!

Have I had the delusion she has been on my blog and claimed to write my poetry?

Song selection: "Poison" by Bell Biv Devoe

Realize these toxic people are out there and not in your best interests!