Friday, October 17, 2008

Is this creepy?

I think in some marriages the wife gets to make the decor decisions, but not in the Carolyn Jean household.

Exhibit A: this lovely and charming portrait of me, Carolyn Jean, at age 5, done by an elderly aunt who was a sort of amateur painter. I just love it. I think it's totally retro, and growing up, it was the source great pride for me--this was actually done from a school photo, and I never owned that gold bracelet or held that basket of flowers, but I liked to think of myself as the kind of little girl who maybe would sit with a basket of flowers and a pretty bracelet.

Also, my two younger sisters were bitterly jealous they didn't get portraits, too. One of the privileges of being the oldest. You seem more special because you're the first.

Anyway, cute, you say, right? Who in their right mind wouldn't want such a charming portrait in their living room?

My husband, that's who. He says this is CREEPY! He feels like my childlike eyes follow him around the room. That I have a creepy look on my face. And he won't let it be in the living room. So anyway, it's in my office. Is it creepy? Humorous maybe, okay, but creepy?

Going out of town!

I'm heading out of town this weekend, so Thrillionth will be quiet until Tuesday.

The WINDFLOWER also headed out of town yesterday, to KMONT.

When I get back I will be doing my final post on it! Not that I haven't already posted the hell out of it, but there is a lot to say about it. And I can't wait to see what everybody else says.

43 comments:

KT Grant said...

Creepy as in the little you in the picture will come alive and try to stab me with a knife and kill me?

Carolyn Crane said...

Yes, KB! Exactly! LOL. Maybe my childhood self and your sheep can go out on a killing spree.

KT Grant said...

Little Bo CJ!! Oh this is a good one! The farm land is haunted by the creepy little CJ because she was suffocated by a cow because the local boys had a night of cow tipping, and poor CJ was killed when one landed on her. Her spirit now haunts the pastures, wanting revenge against those boys who helped with her death. She uses the sheep to munch them to death.

Carolyn Crane said...

LOL. Sheep munching in revenge, directed by creepy CJ.

Okay, KB, tell me what you really think. Am I putting your vote in the creepy column? Noooo!

Kati said...

Umm, yeah. Well.

This is one of those things that has tremendous intrinsic value to you, and I'm sure your side of the family, but I get your husband's reluctance.

But, if I were you, I'd even it out. Offer to have a portrait of him painted. Get one of him on the back of a rearing horse brandishing a rapier.

That would be awesome.

KT Grant said...

I would say a little creepy.
This could be a great Halloween story! Written and starring by CJ!

Carolyn Crane said...

MK: You are so funny. LOL. You might have a point, maybe I am totally used to the picture. Okay, I would LOVE a portrait like that of DH. A rapier and a pistolero! On a mighty steed!

KB: OMG, I can't believe two people honestly think it's creepy! Where is the sympathy? No, JK, I'm glad for the honesty. I think. Creepy though????

KT Grant said...

I think it is the eyes. They look right into your soul. Otherwise, the flowers are pretty :D

Tracy said...

Tell your hubby he's totally overraeacting. Creepy? No - absolutely not. And if it's something you want then keep it - maybe compromise and put it in say, you're office so it doesn't freak him out.

Enchanted by Books said...

I don't think it's creepy at all. Since it means alot to you, he should let you put it where ever you want! Maybe you can make a little blindfold to put over the eyes when he's in the room. LOL And when hubby is gone...the eyes get uncovered, free to stare at whoever they like! LOL

Sayuri said...

Chuckie.

That's all I'm saying. :)


(I'm sorry...forgive me, but I was scarred at a young age because of that doll.)

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to get Windflower in the mail. I'll stalk my mailbox. Really looking forward to your review too! I've been enjoying your satellite posts on it so far. ;)

Now the portrait - the eyes are very striking. It's cute though. All portraits do that roaming eye kooky thing though. No matter where you stand in the room and no matter where the person's eyes are looking, it always feels like they're staring at you. Unless they're looking at the ceiling or floor. Of course, then you could lay on the floor and there goes that whole weird staring feeling again.

Nicola O. said...

Not creepy.

But then, I'm not having sex with the adult version.

Carolyn Crane said...

Tracy - Yes, the office is our current compromise, unfortunately.

Rach: I actually love that idea. Or maybe dark glasses.

Sayuri: Chucky? Nooooo

Kmont: LOL. You are right! Or, we could just always lay on the floor in there. But actually, little CJ would still stare.

Nicola: Hmmm!! That is a good point.

Holly said...

Nicola made me LOL.

Sorry, babe, but it's creepy. I asked my co-worker (he was walking by when the post loaded) and he said, "yeah, it's creepy. Look at the face..and the arms are kind of weird."

But hey, some people are into that, and that's OK! heh

Carolyn Crane said...

Oh, Holly! LOL. You tell your office mate that tonight little CJ is going to hunt him down and chop him up with her wee little arms.

JK. Now I'm being creepy! Actually, I sort of see the point.

Holly said...

HA! My co-worker gave me this, "OMGWTF" look and bolted out the door.

bwahahahahahaha

On second thought, I think that picture would look amazing right above my desk. *g*

Carolyn Crane said...

LMFAO. Well, I'm sure my husband would give you a great deal on it.

raych said...

If it's creepy (which it is), it's only because the face looks photo-shopped on. The features are facing me directly but the head is angled, and part of the bangs are the wrong color.

Also, I just added your blog to my bloglines, and every time 'the THRILLIONTH page' shows up in my list I get all excited because there are few things I love more than A. words that aren't really words and B. all-caps.

Ladytink_534 said...

I think it's the wide eyes that freak him out but no, I don't find it creepy.

Btw, my books came today! You didn't have to send two.... but I know I'll love them. Thanks!!!

Thea said...

*sneaks in* It's a little creepy. I think it's the coloring? The mouth? The eyes? LOL!

BUT the thing is, it's so creepy, it's awesome. I'd totally put it up :) Plus, it has that wonderful sentimental value. Doooo it.

Christine said...

OMG it's totally adorable! In a really off way. I think your office is the perfect place for it. Tell me, does your office have a closet? LOL OMG KIDDING!

JenB said...

I think it's creepy and awesome. Creepy awesome. I'd put it up in my house just 'cause that's how I roll. I would tell my guests to watch themselves 'cause there are tiny cameras in the little painted girl's eyes.

Carolyn Crane said...

Raych: Actually, the hair color is totally wrong to what it was at the time too. Glad to oblige with the made up word! Is it not gorgeousness?

LT: Yay! They came! Totally do say what you think about Exit. I sort of didn't know what to make of it.

Thea: Or maybe the cheeks. Like there is something in there! Thanks for the vote of putting it up.

Christine: LOL: yes it does have a closet. CJ will hack her way out of it though!

Jen: LOL tiny cameras. Yes, I like that thinking. Just put it up as a freaker.

Jace said...

It's in the eyes - I do understand why your hubby said it's creepy. :-)

JenB said...

Okay, being serious now...

I don't have an artistic bone in my body, and I think the lady that painted the portrait must have been very talented.

Creepy or not, it's a beautiful painting. :)

Bridget Locke said...

LOL! This reminds me of this black & white charcoal drawing that a friend of my mom's did when I was two. She took a color picture of me and did the drawing to match the picture. Amazing artist and it's a perfect match, but if I'm being completely honest it always kind of gave me the creeps.

Thank goodness I was a pretty baby though. If I'd have been ugly it would've been a LOT worse. he-he

Joanna Chambers said...

I vote creepy.

It's the expression. Or lack thereof. Makes me think li'l CJ is thinking about something horrendously violent.

Leave it up. Keep your hub on his toes. She's always watching.....

Incidentally, do you know that my mental image of your hub is the guy on the front of The Spymaster's Lady?

Your fault.

All your fault.

Carolyn Crane said...

I can't believe you guys think I'm creepy!

Carolyn Crane said...

Jace: How can you say that? JK. Creepiness is usually in the eyes, isn't it?

Jen: Thank you! I still sort of like it.

Bridget: Funny. You should put it up!

Shannon said...

I'm really sorry, but I have to side with your man. I don't know if I would say "creepy", but definitely eerie. Those eyes would definitely follow me.

Wendy said...

I'm sorry, CJ but I have to agree with your husband, it is sorta creepy.

Anonymous said...

I'm siding with the hubby. It's creepy. LOL

samantha.1020 said...

LOL! It is great being the oldest, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Another vote in the creepy column, I'm afraid. And you're totally right about the privileges of eldestness. I was the only one who went to riding camp. The only one who went to Europe as a non-adult. The one on whose behalf every family vacation in the mid '70s was routed through college towns. But oh! The controlling and overprotectiveness! Being the first one to refuse to go to church, the first one to drive, the first one to come home drunk and/or stoned, was no picnic. We pay the price, we pioneers!

little alys said...

Not too creepy, but maybe it's the angle that makes the painting a bit off.

Sarai said...

I'm going with both creepy and yet cute in that weird way that only child pictures can do.
There see compromise that's all that was needed.
Have fun while your out of town!

SueFitz said...

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Anonymous said...

She does look as if she's just waiting for the nice man to finish his sentence before she hurls the discus-of-death-disguised-with-flowers and decapitates him.

I wouldn't call that creepy though.

Carolyn Crane said...

Shannon: They do!

Wendy, Sarai and Scooper: Noooo!

Sam & Ellen: Isn't it the best? But Ellen, you do have a point. We pay.

LA: blame it on the angle

Suefitz: thanks for stopping.

RFP: LOL. The flowers are a death discus?

Anonymous said...

The flowers are shaped sort of like Oddjob's bowler-hat weapon in Goldfinger. Or maybe her expression reminds me of Oddjob sizing up his next victim?... Nah, can't be that. It's the flowers.

Carolyn Crane said...

Oh, I totally forgot about Oddjob's bowler hat weapon! I know, I know, she does look crazy. I can't even believe I'm carrying on these conversations. Please let me say, in favor of the actual portrait, it looks better in real life.

The Bookworm said...

awwww....that is creepy but in a good way :)

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/