Art & Nonsense

Random Fun About Town :)

2011-09-13T10:31:00.003-04:00

While traveling about t0wn found these lovely bits of art, enjoy!

Lazy!

2011-05-06T11:05:00.004-04:00

I have been remiss! And moreover lazy.

But I have piture gifts.

Broken Ikea head that after days of cooped up frustration from Septoplasty, landed itself face down on the floor. (It must share in my pain)

Also picture of cats.

It is obligatory.

Especially when one cat appears to be using mind bullets to pierce the soul of the other (take that mean bitey kitteh! I will mold your mind to my will yet...muhahahahaha-hack-hack)

Enjoy!

Noodling about

2010-08-13T15:25:00.002-04:00

Trying some fun with graffiti inspired art after watching "Beautiful Losers".
Also built onto my prior installation of hairstyiling heads for my studio...just for giggles. I like the Christmas headgear on the new one :)

Summer Fun and Nonsense

2010-08-10T11:22:00.005-04:00

So it's been an interesting Summer thus far, and as such I thought I'd share some of the whimsy I've seen,
Spotted on an Express box (note the attention to detail):

As seen crossing a New Jersey bridge (the view is lovely leaving):

These s&p shakers were at a great antique market. This one bears a strong resemblence to Adolph Hitler...spooky.

Good Times

2010-06-03T11:01:00.004-04:00

So Dave and I were walking home with carryout last month (yeah, I'm really up to date with my blog...sue me) and half a block from our place we notice a rather large police turnout....I figure either my shady past (lol) has caught up to me, or somebody important is visiting.
The latter proved to be the case, as The Obamas (*girly squeal*) were eating at Komi, and the entire secret service was out, complete with snipers....yikes!
We did not get pictures of the Obamas, because they were apparently in there for a complete 5 course meal...but we did get to hang out with Denzel Washington's twin brother (teehee), Officer Smoot--of the DCPD, who was gracious enough to let me sit on his car and let me snap a few pictures with him. He was a shy, retiring fellow....lol.

Street Art 5/1

2010-05-03T14:39:00.002-04:00

I was walking down 14th then U on Saturday and saw some lovely tagging I had to share--some of Decoy's work and some other great stuff.
Enjoy:

Master Shake

2010-04-28T17:35:00.003-04:00

Made this little guy last Saturday.

Dave was pleased.

Now I need to learn to crochet so I can make a fuzzy Meatwad.

And maybe I'll cast Frylock in resin...good times.

2010-04-19T14:11:00.003-04:00

Monday, Monday.
Can't stop that day.
Also can't stop Ruff from licking herself and looking up as though caught, deer in the headlights...
Boo is still fluff.
And I am bored...
Happy Week!

Acceptance

2010-04-05T10:46:00.003-04:00

I've reached a point in my life I've built up a thick skin, and pretend to be impervious to all that people throw at me. My family has taken many personal hits, and as such we've told ourselves that our walls are built up and cannot be broken down.
It's funny because doing this has only made us more jaded, and caused us to push people we love away--including each other. None are more guilty of this than I am.

The walls are starting to crumble...this is both painful, and healing. When you put up defenses, it bot protects you and keeps everyone away. That sheild says "I'm safe" and "BACK OFF!" But it's a contradiction, as I don't want to be alone. I want acceptance, still-don't get too close!

Anyway--here's to accepting who I am and where I came from--and for mom who taught me by example how to be accepting and exceptional.

Street Art Spring-Stylin

2010-03-19T17:38:00.003-04:00

Haven't done a Street Art Blog in awhile--
The first stencil tag is from Dupont Circle near Whole Foods--a petition to make DC the 51st state.
The second is in the Dupont Circle Metro on a emergency post box--it's a Shepard Fairey sticker tag--the standard Obey with Andre the Giant :) I love the placement next to the word HELP...it made me giggle.
The third is less a tag and more an Advert that made me giggle also--it was for the Black Cat--and like many tear-strip-for-number ads, as you tear, you lose the lower half--but on this one, as it is a cute face, he loses alllll his teeth...wah wah.
How sad.

A Boombox Is Not A Toy.

2010-03-19T17:34:00.001-04:00

Watch Subprime TV: See Prime Art

2010-03-11T15:41:00.002-05:00

My work can be seen on the Real World DC now...it has been on for awhile now..but the brain rot has been such that I haven't been able to watch too much for too long a period of time to hop up and down and shout--"BINGO!" every time a corner of a painting appears on screen...
The first piece is barely visible in the "music room" or as I like to refer to it as, "the room where music went to die a slow and painful death."
The second piece can be seen in the "game room" adjacent to "hot tub", also known as "room where drunk fights ensue which leads to area where drunk makeouts and sperm spawn..."
The third piece, and probably the only actually visible work of art I have there is in the stairwell...I like to refer to that as a drunk Real Worlders worst nightmare.
So there is my brief synopsis of the show...
Not really...just have to laugh when I watch and see my work as the background for frathouse shenanigans...

Snow.

2010-02-10T10:29:00.005-05:00

It continues to snow here. I haven't seen a whiteout like this since I was little. I used to dream of blizzards like this when I was a kid because I wanted to get out of school. I blame my fascination of snow on movies like White Christmas which taught me that all the magic of holidays came from a soft blanket of white covering all the dirt and allowing us to snuggle up indoors...
I share with you the Snow Song. One of Irving Berlin's great masterpieces...it made me want to go sledding and drink cocoa all year long...
I hope it can cheer you up if you're trapped in a snowbank...and get me in the spirit as I do work here and think about trudging back home in the cold.

Marathon whew

2010-01-11T15:24:00.004-05:00

No....worry not my duckies...I have not started exercising...haha.
By marathon I refer to a Law & Order Criminal Intent Marathon--started on New Years Eve with the latest season working it's way back to season 2 (we haven't made it to season 1 yet...).
I have watched so much now that I have developed a bit of the Goren Lean.
Observe:

I still can't believe Vincent D'Onofrio is going to leave the show. I know that Jeff Goldblum is coming on to take his place--but without "Bobby" there it will be a totally different show. What a wonderful gift he has given us as an actor for the past 8 years. I'm glad to watch the old episodes again and remember some of the really good acting that has been on; as Chris Noth came over from the original show, partners changed, and captains shifted, it's been a fantastic ensemble cast and had superb cameos and stars. Looking forward to seeing what's next.

Billy Returns With Beauty & Light

2009-12-09T13:21:00.004-05:00

I can finally say that I truly see Billy Corgan's full genius again. Listen here to his latest masterpieces. Song For A Son is not only a triumphant return to his psychedelic and raw roots, it is like the beautiful sound of an electric can opener turning and letting out the beautiful vocals that Billy has been keeping trapped behind mixers and amps...I am getting a bit weepy now--so I must go and listen to this and wait on baited breath for each new days beautiful musical child.

Halloooooooween!

2009-11-04T11:20:00.006-05:00

Good times all with the "Adopted" family. Can you spot the Dave? I'm the Little Dead Riding Hood...minus the hood.

Handle WIth Care

2009-11-03T18:09:00.003-05:00

This is a gum arabic litho--it kinda goes wuth my other blog from today.

Art-o-Blah-tic

2009-10-20T11:55:00.002-04:00

So I have new artistic additions to put up here for ya'll...
I'm working on a huge installation of can holder webbing and stuff...it should be interesting---this is the beginnings.
Hope everyone is wonderful and happy and enjoying this Londonesque weather we're having.
(Sarah....I feel your pain...)
I've included this close up shot of my empty hamster wheel to represent my current feelings of spinning...'round and 'round I go...nowhere in particular....FUTILITY IS MINE!

Social Neworking Can Suck It

2009-10-07T17:04:00.003-04:00

I am over this online fakery.
If people can't see me in the real-ass world, or pick up a phone-they're not my friends and they can kiss my ass.
This does not apply to the sisterhood of blogging fools (we know who we are)...and we're all bad callers...myself included...
I'm talking about people I haven't heard from in 15 years suddenly sending me e-gifts "friending" me and saying how we should "totally go out for drinks."
Totally go out and drink a screw yourself.
I'm a human being who you forgot existed until yesterday when you remembered I was alive.
Oh hi.
I'm done....this is me saying goodbye to canned garbage, and hello to civilization...allbeit on a blog...but it's MY blog. I'm writing it, no games, no fluffy friends, no quizzes, no celebrity crap.
Like it or go read Twitter.

I <3 Shepard Fairey

2009-10-05T09:22:00.003-04:00

Here are some beautiful pieces from Dupont Circle near Wholefoods.
Enough to make ya wanna go put something on a blank wall near you.

MyTube.

2009-08-17T13:13:00.002-04:00

Just found this. Loves it.

City Graffiti @ Night

2009-08-17T09:59:00.005-04:00

It should come as no surprise that I love my grafitti art.
Well...I discovered that I really love grafitt art at night when I was walking home from Frank Black's latest project, The Grand Duchy.
The concert itself was amazing...But then to see all the art on my way home...*sigh*...It was like...I dunno....a slice of heaven.
Enjoy.

Battlestar Galactica

2009-08-06T11:35:00.002-04:00

It's all over...and I'm not even done watching them all...
Oh the Humanity!!! What the frak?
I blame the frakking toasters...

Anyhoo...there is Caprica, the prequel coming up to fill my sorrows once I'm through with this series...*sniffle*. Additionally The Plan is in production and should be done in time for Christmas I hope...

This is cold comfort for a series which will soon be gone forever...but I'm excited to watch it again...then I think I'm going to finish watching Farscape...lol

Banksy VS Bristol Museum

2009-07-20T12:40:00.003-04:00

I am SO jealous of the Brits right now.....
Banksy is Amazing.

Crafty Bitch

2009-07-15T10:03:00.004-04:00

So I'm really hoping to get into this amazing craft fair in DC called Crafty Bastards...I submitted my work, and I'm just waiting to hear back...*fingers painfully crossed*
Here is the kind of stuff I wanna sell...

Reality TV Or Bust....

2009-06-26T09:38:00.003-04:00

So, I'm not at liberty to disclose TOOO much info...

I can only say this much--some of my work will be appearing on a popular Cable Reality TV show in a few months. It may or may not be on MTV. It may possibly have been running from 1992....

I think I have said enough.

I can tell you I'm excited.

Like...REALLY excited!

And if I could tell you more I would (but if I did I'd have to kill you...).

Look for it and maybe this piece....

On Display!

2009-06-19T09:20:00.010-04:00

These 4 pieces will be featured at Bread and Brew in DC starting on Saturday, July 20th, 2009.
Please stop by and check them out in the Basement/Bar area of the restaraunt and get some great local food from a cool new place.
They offer a really cool Brunch and Movie with Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Breakfast and Vegan Options on,
July 5th: The Princess Bride/Ten Things I Hate About You
July 12th: Pee Wee's Big Adventure/ Edward Scissorhands
July 19th: The Lion King/Toy Story
July 26th: Rear Window/Dial "M" For Murder
Flipping Sweet!
Plus I've heard rumors they will be starting Trivia after Happy Hour on Tuesday nights.....

Opportunities?

2009-06-12T10:40:00.002-04:00

I have decided not to be passive in my quest to get my art seen.

Despite being super busy this week after being out for a week with my fantastic pinched nerve...(fun, fun, fun...), and then Monday's AWESOME 3 inch needle into the spine which FINALLY gave relief....(w00t!); I hopped back into the dirver's seat, engine roaring.

I'm ready to have some freaking recognition.

Soooooo my duckies, I have scoured craigslist (has it REALLY come to this?) and followed a few other word of mouth leads---and we shall see where it all goes.

Cross you fingers, send up a prayer, make a wish, and I'll let you know if I have a piece in the Louvre next week. (I'm always realistic.)

Junk.

2009-05-20T11:13:00.007-04:00

Upon going to a local junkshop on U street in DC, I found that there is such a thing as too much junk. I found myself looking through piles of unwanted items, covered in dust, mildew, and drenched in old moldy water...I pondered how much of my own stuff would someday be just junk to people.
What of my "treasures" would someday be just trash to future onlookers.
Would my hard-earned finds be creepy and unusual, thrown into a pile, lost somewhere uncared for that it wouldn't matter except to the person who left them behind.
And perhaps they don't matter.
Perhaps all that matters is the person who leaves.
The legacy. The junk is just simply that. Ephemera--meant to be collected then tossed aside. The essence of a being here, but not the soul of a person.
The soul is not left behind and discarded.
We're not the junk.
I think that was why I got so heebed out. I feel like peoples souls are in there stuff...and maybe for people who don't believe in anything--who put their faith in the things here--their stuff is the soul they leave behind---but for me...my soul will be going with me when I go---my junk will be a mere shadow of what I was--and the real person will live on.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Alice

2009-05-18T11:29:00.006-04:00

The music for this video is from my new FAVE show called Alice

it's a show from Brazil that is on HBO Ole now...it's really brilliant-and the soundtrack as well.
I found this video and it has wonderful pictures.
Enjoy!

Street Art Part 2

2009-05-12T09:58:00.006-04:00

These pictures come from the 14th street area of DC.

Street Art

2009-05-06T09:51:00.009-04:00

With all of my work insanity and the monotony I feel--it is reassuring to see street art in its many forms and iterations--it shows me that subversity and creativity exist. There is still nonconformity and beauty in life beyond a four-wall 9-5 existance, and that money and power do not necessarily make something better.

Man Man

2009-05-04T10:05:00.004-04:00

Saw Man Man Last Night.
It was Awesome, and awe inspiring. Those guys know how to play some music. There was dancing, singing, screaming, and much rocking. I haven't seen this much greatness since The Great Frank Zappa rocked out with the Mothers of Invention--complete with sparkly top and well-composed lyrics. The creative use of everyday objects as instruments as well as noisemakers, props and just wailing on the sax and trumpet, all make Man Man a band I can't stop dancing like a baboon to, Just try and stop flailing as you listen.
If you don't believe me-watch this video:

On Auto Pilot

2009-04-29T09:38:00.003-04:00

Feed information in.

Paper spits out.

Inventory, data, spreadsheet, log, blog, blah.

I feel so much time is spent on mundanity and ordinary office work that my mind no longer functions as it used to.

I used to think in color--technicolor in fact.

It had swirls and flourishes-large canvasas splashed with flashy color and shape.

Now my brain works in charts and graphs-working to solve simple problems, mathematically. Solutions to other peoples problems are calculated with almost robotic force. I don't feel it.

I want to run inside my brain with gesso and cover the ordinary so I can start over. Tabula Rasa.

Then begin the repainting.

throw a little orange down--splatter a little pink and green and swirl some green.

There's so much canvas! I can't stop there! Why not put a few lines of yellow...oooh...now some blue....deeep blue.

I sound crazy.

But when was the last time I painted?

When was the last time I did something random and unnecessary just for the sake of doing it?

Everything seems so planned now.

It's written and documented--labeled and scheduled.

Why does everything have to be so sterile?

Wagon's Ho!

2009-04-28T17:11:00.003-04:00

I never wanna drink again.
Like ever.
Great way to start my first blog in forever.
I feel like I swallowed a great white whale and it is now flipping over in my stomach....uh--there it goes....

I know I have made the resolution never to make resolutions--but I think I'm resolved now that I have to resolve to make the resolution to stop drinking, resolutely.
yeah.
SO--if you see me with another f-ing shot in my hand, you have my permission to smack me upside the head. Hard if necessary.

On the plus side; I think I lost at least 5 pounds in puke last night, and with the recession in full swing-I should save a ton not drinking. Now if I could just quit smoking.....

One vice at a time.

Home, Something, Home.

2008-04-11T16:05:00.007-04:00

I have just finished my latest and some would argue not my greatest project....but whatever. It was a labour of something, not love. Welled up ookieness mostly.
I built a model of my childhood home--good fun ya'll, as we all know THAT was a hoot.
So I haven't much else to say.
I have pictures.
I'm glad this project is over.
Got therapy?

SO this is the outside of the home:

And this is a lovely scene featuring my family...give them a hand...

And here are some aerial shots of the whole project:

This was room:

And this was our piano-actually still is since we still have it (well not the model...the real thing...but you know what I mean, I hope.)

icanhascheezburger.com

2008-04-11T15:54:00.002-04:00

This blog is splendiferous. If you don't go there you is not my friend.

see more crazy cat pics

My Beloved Monster

2008-03-09T13:40:00.006-04:00

So another fun project we did recently was to create a game and play it to show interaction and creativity in play. Ours was a recreation of the Surrealists "Exquisite Corpse" .
This sounds more creepy than what it is; three artists working on a drawing separate from each other to create one cohesive (or sometimes not so much) piece.
Our spin on this was to make it 3-d and more of a monster than a person. We separated into 3 separate groups. Then we all brought in random materials, set them on a table and had 30 seconds to ravage a table for supplies to build our section of the monster.
Our group had the middle section--it turned out pretty hilarious.

this is a part of the piece that I did, from the middle section--it is a baby alien being born :)

Pass The Goods

2008-02-14T09:54:00.004-05:00

We've started our second project for core, a performance art piece. Our group-two other girls and myself have decided to hand out cards to frazzled commuters encouraging them to "pass the goods". Each card will contain an encouraging slogan and info about our project.
I really hope you'll all check it out---we're totally excited about this ongoing piece and its ramifications :)

And remember to Pass the Goods along to someone you see who looks like they need some cheering up :)

Our Blog
Our Myspace
Our E-mail

Gimme Shelter

2008-02-11T13:29:00.006-05:00

I don't hate my major anymore.This is owed largely in part to the fact that I changed my major back to Fine Arts, and within a week I have created a cool group piece for a show that we did. The piece was all about creating a nomadic refuge, some place that we would want to spend time in and would be able to take with us. Our theme was comfortable and eco-friendly. We sewed panels for the walls for what seemed like years, and were effectionately named the sweat shop due to the 3 of us hunched over sewing machines well into the night. It was beautiful.But seriously. .

In addition, we each had to do a personal project that would pertain to the project-mine was a stuffed clock which was both practical and pretty (if I may say so).May I also say that though I now resemble the Hunchback of Notre Dame after a week straight of my sweatshop conditions (we did finally go on strike and demand union pay and decent wages...) I am so excited to be making stuff in 3-d that means something to me
In other news: this weekend was the Baltimore Tattoo Convention, and since I have absolutely no willpower whatsoever, I went and got my first tattoo (you remember the dogwood) upgraded from one, to a whole branch of loveliness. The artist not only "branched out" but she added oodles of fun color which I have gone crazy for.

This is the "Before" with the original tattoo surrounded by her freehanded sketch on my back.

And this is the AMAZING Sunday's (artist's name) design finished. I want to go back in June and get a full sleeve done by her....she's so gifted

New Art and Nonsense.

2008-01-28T11:46:00.000-05:00

I am actually excited today-I think it's because I finally made decisive action to go back to fine art.
Whatever possessed me to quit in the first place I may never quite know, but I do know that I've had a blast making art the past couple of weeks.
I painted, sewed, drew, sculpted, and all-in-all spent very little time on the computer, because I have discovered that I hate computers!
HAH!
So I'm a bit baffled that I would have wanted to spend large amounts of time with them.....craziness!
Now that I'm back from looneyville though, I will share with you some thoughts:

1. Pink hair is so much more fun than brown hair.
2. I don't like dramas anymore. No more movies capturing the pain of human struggle and suffering, thank you.
After watching a movie called Water, (which is admittedly a brilliant movie--if I saw it at another time or as another person...I'd probably love it though, ***KATH: DON'T WATCH THIS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!***) had a few parts that hit a bit too close to home, and frankly...I have enough PTSD to last a lifetime on my own...I am focusing on lighter fare, like cartoons--Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends is a personal fave right now. Do watch it--it is brilliantly written and the character Cheese is the best part.
3. I don't like the cold weather anymore--unless it snows, then I am ok with it. I'm a wimp, ok?
Lex--please send me some 70 degree weather, ok?
4. I really like Pink Lady (tm) apples. I used to be all about the Galas, then it was the Fujis--but these are the PERFECT blend of sweet and tart. mmmmmm. And they have no fat.
5. I finally have a couple of my new pieces to post. Enjoy:

I think I hate my major.

2008-01-16T14:49:00.000-05:00

So, I think I've pretty much decided I hate graphic design.
I mean....really despiseit-to the core of my being. I don't really know what that means, as I have committed myself to this major. What was I thinking?
Heck, I'm not even sure I like Art at this point.
I'm having rather a crisis at this moment.
I intended to spend the month I had off making masterpieces and creating and writing and such, but I've done nothing but carve out a butt-shaped spot for myself on the couch while I nurse allergies, and catch up on laundry and dishes.
woo.
I'm positively pathetic.

Must stop wallowing.

Ok...time to scrape my butt out of its comfy spot and start painting--or sculpting--OR SOMETHING!
I shall overcome!
fear not my duckies---all hope is not lost----this may require a shift in my thinking--and covering the TV, but there WILL be some f-ing creativity---if only in my last week off!

THE END OF THE YEAR YOU SAY??!!

2008-01-06T21:28:00.000-05:00

This is long overdue....and I need to get it out of my system.

FALL 2007 IS OVER!

only 2.5 more years to go!! Woo-bleeding-hoo!

Finally feeling fine.

2007-11-03T10:55:00.000-04:00

I am going to invest in pharmaceuticals.
at the rate I get sick it's worth it.
Beyond that, I am working and doing a BILLLLLION and 5 projects (uhm, hello, news flash to my professors. I know YOUR project is the most important project in the WHOLE world....but how about cutting me some slack, because I have 3 other professors who all think the same thing.)
But enough griping....I'm really excited about a couple of class projects, AND, drumroll please---on the 16th of November, there is an open show at the Corcoran with all the Graphic Design work--and mine too!!! yay!!
finally some of my work will be paying off!
so stoked!
sooo..I know you guys were counting on this, so in spite of feeling like crap, I carved a pumpkin, and though it really doesn't look it, it is supposed to be Sally to go with last years Jack Skellington :)
Happy Halloween late :)

Retrospective

2007-10-22T11:07:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking back over the past year...
I feel very blessed by so many things--I just felt I had to revisit some of those in a photo montage, and sum up these experiences.
I owe so much to my friends for helping me get through the rough patches--the times I felt certain the road was blocked irrevocably. The multiple times my cars have wrecked...The eternity it has taken me to get through school...The difficult exams...The difficult professors...The all-nighters with take-out bolstering each other along...The nights we stayed up watching silly movies to keep each others spirits up after a week of stressful family interactions...The dating debacles...The list could go on and on.
But the most important thing is: We persevered together and made it out of each scrape mostly unscathed and having learned for the most part that we're better off with each other than going it alone.
So this is a HUGE thank you to my friends for always being there.
I wouldn't be here without you!

Busy-ness

2007-10-11T18:56:00.000-04:00

I have a stupendous lack of time...
Actually, I shouldn't say that. I have an enourmous amount of time to devote to projects for my Graphic Design core class, my Typography class...Indesign class...projects up the wazoo (where exactly on the anatomy is the wazoo located? And do animals have them?) and a Midterm today in "Modernism" which is just a fancy name for Modern art history. I swear the only thing I'm paying for in my tuition is the pretentious art-school names for things.
Next thing I can't wait to see is that we don't have bathrooms, male/female Interactive Dadaist art exhibits(if you don't get it...I won't explain.)
Beyond all of that excitement and busy-ness has been a search for a business that would employ the gainfully unemployed moi.
This hasn't been the most glamorous journey, but the end result was a truly remarkable one.
I will be interning for APCO worldwide as their first web design intern. Very exciting this is indeed, as this company works with many worthwile causes and big-name companies.
I'm looking forward to what I can learn from them and what I can do for them professionally.
I'm really nervous about working for such a high-profile firm, but going in as an intern takes some of the initial pressure off, as I will be in this to grow as a designer which can only be a good thing, plus I think I can really do some cool things with the work they will have me doing....
Excitement-I am so stoked about doing something that allows me to work outside the box a bit--and hey...no more Helldesk!

So, I suppose a stunning lack of time will just inspire me to be creative with the time I have.
For instance, right now, I'm writing this post, listening to the new Radiohead album (available for download...), eating a Heath bar....mmmm...Heath....glancing at some pictures for Core homework, petting Ruff (our cat), drinking water, and tapping my feet....
Ah, multitasking.
I need a nap.

I Quit.

2007-09-19T16:21:00.000-04:00

I won't miss,
the long commute,
the waiting in traffic,
the honking of horns behind me as I get cut off ahead.
I won't,
miss this.
I won't miss,
the irritating calls,
the idiot users,
the morons that never seem to get their passwords right.
I won't,
miss this.
I won't miss,
the politics of academia,
the managerial heirachy,
being unappreciated after 3+ years of untireless service.
I won't,
miss this.

Work Woes and Tonsil Trouble...

2007-08-24T11:46:00.000-04:00

No.
I didn't die in surgery, but thanks for asking.
I'd laugh, but my throat still hurts a bit from the "impressive" (that's what the Otolaryngologist) tonsils that I had removed a few weeks ago.

oh the joys of a tonsillectomy.

I have had this weird side-effect where I can't taste food. It's been a blast.

Everything tastes like sawdust--but the worst:
Chocolate tastes like burnt toast.

I bought Ben and Jerry's yesterday---Chubby Hubby---and I believe that Ben and Jerry should be cannonized.

I may work on that campaign.
You see--that was the FIRST thing I could almost taste in 3 weeks besides mashed potatoes, which really don't taste like much anyway, and I was also on alot of Vicoden at the time so taste was pretty relative...
Anyhooo---I can't taste 100% yet---but just knowing that there was a recognition of peanut butter vs. chocolate and pretzal was truly amazing.

It's the little things in life.

And now I find myself back at work...pondering the meaning of life.
I always start waxing philosophical when detoxing, and prior to school.

Like---do I really wanna be a graphic designer? Am I doomed to a life of cubicles? Or is this SO much what I want that I'm terrified of somehow f-ing it up?
I think that's really the case.
I feel like I have the same internal dialogue endlessly running in my head--and it's never productive...just a consistant self-doubting cycle.

wow.....that sounds so bleak and defeatest.
Ok...positive thoughts:

1) I'm reallllly happy that I have had time with Dave the past couple weeks, even though I was really sore and drugged up from surgery...lol... We really tested the mettle of our relationship (in sickness and health) and I'm so impressed with how sweet and nurturing he was despite how rough things got...

2) I got to watch some really good TV while decommissioned over the past few weeks--some hot picks:
A) Weeds (Season Premiere!!! AAAAAA!!!)
B) L.A. Ink I swear that Lex needs to go there while she's living in LA...( I want Hannah to give me a pinup tatt soooooo bad :)
C) Clean House (A show about cleaning....omg! OCDers UNITE!)
D) America's Next Top Model (specifically Season 1---why do I love this show so much???)
E) Battlestar Galactica (Damn you David...I was just getting myself over Firefly...)

3) I finally found some hair products that work...I know it's silly...and totally superficial, but it's humid and gross outside, and my hair is usually only tamed with a chair and a whip.

4) hmmm....what else.....Well, school IS starting, which means another semester will soon be starting, which means another semester will soon be ending...which means, I'm on my way to being done.

So yeah.....even though I'm pretty bummed out right now, I should be happy---because I guess I'm doin allright, huh?

Daisy

2007-07-30T10:01:00.000-04:00

I went home to visit my family this weekend (which is always its own treat). And while there I saw my cat Daisy who everytime I see makes me aware of the frailty and beauty of existence.

When I first saw Daisy, it was just after I had put my kitten Beezus down because of an inoperable brain tumor. We had taken her to the vet after she suddenly started to walk crooked. They gave us some medication but basically gave us a week to say our goodbyes.

I stayed up for a week straight giving Beezie medicine, feeding her soggy food so that she would actually eat and watching Jay Leno and infomercials to try to keep our spirits up--she especially liked the Flowbie (TM).

Despite my best efforts, at the end of the week, we took her back to the vet and I cried as she was carried down the hall to the room where they put her down--I watched the fear in her eyes-there's really no way to explain that to a helpless creature.

After that, I felt like it would be difficult to replace my sweet little Beezus.

God had different plans as usual...

Our neighbor told us that there was a litter of kittens that had been saved from being plowed down in a shopping mall development but they needed new homes or they would be sent to the pound. She knew it was really soon after we lost our cat, but would we be willing to save another kitten?

I went tentatively to visit the apartment where they had the kittens-most of them were sitting, well-behaved in a basket; couple of them were playing together on the floor, and then there was a scrappy kitten darting underneath a cupboard, peering out at me. When I leaned in to investigate, and poked my finger, she quickly swiped at it, giving it a good swift scratch.

It was instant love.

I knew I had to have that fiesty kitten, runt of the litter with moxie enough to swipe at the big lady coming to get her!

It's been love ever since-she never scratches me now--there is a built-in trust. As soon as she hears me coming she scrambles over and rolls onto her back with her white pretty paws in the air--waiting for me to rub her fuzzy belly. I never knew a cat as loyal and sweet. And now I miss her. And it's sad and pathetic....

Dave and I have Ruff--his sweet wonderful cat (I'm SO glad he likes cats and dogs) but there will ALWAYS be a place in my heart for my Daisy.

Art Aficionados

2007-07-26T09:43:00.000-04:00

I recently (probably about a month or so ago-but what with all the recent hoopla....I've been a bit sidetracked...) was asked by a friend to create a couple of paintings to accent their attractive condo. They had a plain wall over the couch which meant they needed to be bold and eye-catching.

I found this task to be daunting-not because of the actual piece itself, just because I wanted the piece to be as cool as the people I would give it to, furthermore, I wanted to make sure that once the colors went into the room, they didn't suddenly rebel, run mad and start to morph into a sludgy mess that in no way accented or complimented the room.

So I had my work cut out for me.

I mixed colors like mad and bulit up the canvas into a texturized dream and FINALLY made a piece that not only I like, but my friend seem to be happy with as well (unless they are just realllllly trying to make me feel better...lol)

Regardless-I love how they bring out the color of the room and splash it up--it's pretty exciting to have these in someones home and not have to wait till it's posthumous.

Happy 4th?

2007-07-05T14:37:00.000-04:00

So...The 4th was an eventful day...Dave and I were GOING to take it easy...but...as per usual-that didn't happen.
We started the day off normally, and tried to sleep in-then headed to the mall where Dave got some nice shirts and ties at Macy's and I spent a small fortune at the MAC section on a new blush, eyeshadow and lipstain...I may not have money for food, but I MUST have my MAC cosmetics...lol
Sooo-after that, we went to LUSH and did a bit of browsing...(they FINALLY put one into Tysons---Sarah and Kath are ready to scream---I can hear it...)
Then we did a barbeque with friends, set off fireworks and played videogames---btw---I SO want a Wii now...
the whole day up till then...fairly ok---except for the tornado warning that turned out to be nothing.
So then me and Dave decided to head home, to beat traffic from the DC fireworks...Famous last words would be, "We're tired...let's get home before the traffic starts."
well..........needless to say-by the time we made it to the 14th street bridge-all there was, was a parking lot.
It was kind of surreal.
We've decided that someday it'll be a cool story to tell our kids, but last night-it was like..."I can see home from here....and all I wanna do is go to sleep..."
So-we watched the fireworks and listened to Johnny Cash-we decided it was good All-American music to celebrate the 4th with and blast the other cars out with...hehe
Then once they were over we attempted to drive into the city-yeah, right.
EVERY SINGLE STREET downtown was closed off.
We must have tried every alternate direction we could think of-finally ending up BACK in Virginia an hour later, only to turn BACK around trying to head to Rosslyn to get over the Key Bridge HOPING against all hope that Georgetown would not be blocked.
It was not blocked off-but horribly backed up because apparently this was the ONLY funnel back into the city....oy.
I give my husband TREMENDOUS props because in the face of all of that traffic I never heard him yell once-even at the 7 or 8 cabbies that tried to cut us off (he DID however manuever his way deftly through the traffic and cut them off--it was pretty hot)
We did however both go through a pack of cigarettes...lol---but I figure, the amount of secondhand smoke from the fireworks was equal-at least there was a filter.
*WHEW*
Anyhow
On our way through Rosslyn-which seemed like an eternity, we happened to pass 2 pieces of AMAzing artwork which I feel almost made up for the awfulness of the 3 (count that) 3 hour drive home, which incidentally should have at MOST taken us 35-40 minutes.

The first piece was this LED light installation that looked like fireflies on poles all lined up. It would be so cool to have this in a yard.
It is called CO2LED and was created by Jack Sanders, Robert Gay, and Butch Anthony. Ironically, the piece is only up for a month, and if we had been there ANY other time, which we never are because it's in a part of Rosslyn we never go to, we never would have seen it.

The second piece is a piece of work done by an experimental artist by the name of Ned Kahn. It looks like there is a waterfall running down the side of this bulding, but is sort of stops midway. It's amazing.The piece is called Liquid Pixels and was soo cool to see at night with lights reflecting off of it.

So....We DID finally make it home...and I ran to go pee because frankly---my appreciation of that artwork made me think about running water and having to pee and suddenly---everything had a yellow filter...

SO--happy independance from ENGLAND.....LOL

love you duckies---hope it's great across the pond!

Delayed Pix From Ocean City

2007-06-28T10:11:00.000-04:00

Ok---In lieu of my pictures being developed from CVS...and the video EVER coming back....I'm gonna post some AWEsome pix of a trip Dave and I took to Ocean City a month or so ago--to visit his almost-brother Paul and his wife Tara. They live in MD and are really nifty people.
Paul is a videogame designer and Tara is a wonderful teacher who gets her students excited about their subjects in a variety of hands on ways. I would have been THRILLED to have her as a teacher myself.
Tara also has a literary magazine called Triplopia that publishes amatuer and famous poets and writers *ahem* and pays them for their work.
I only wish that I knew some poets *ahem*
(that's me clearing my throat...in case any of my friends think they might want to send any poetry in...)
Anyhoo
there was this totally tacky and cool "art" gallery which was really just a maze of prints and stuff inside, but like SOOOOOO tacky aoutside, and had this HORRIBLY tacky car sculpture...I mean...you just gotta see it to believe it----as we walked by it, Dave's like, "You want that don't you?" And I'm like...."Yeah, right in our living room..."
So yeah.....enjoy.

The Best Day EVER!

2007-06-22T14:20:00.000-04:00

I dunno what else to say.
I still plan on putting the video up---but for now---enjoy some pictures :)
The Actual ceremony is on film--and video---we'll be splicing that alll together real soon ---
-Mrs. G
P.S. Yes, those are Ring Pops we got married with....
;)

Guitar Heroes...

2007-06-05T13:31:00.000-04:00

Dave got Guitar Hero 2 for X-Box for his B-day from his friend Paul.(insert advertisement here) and we've been playing up a storm ever since.
It is SUCH a fun game--although this is coming from the girl whose idea of a perfect videogame is on an antiquated Atari 2600...preferably pixelated beyond recognition...
In the words of Frank Black..."Whatever happened to the Pong?"

That aside...I have gotten sucked into the exciting graphics, cool song choices (though if I hear Kiss' "Strutter" one F*#$%ing more time I may scream.) There are also cool rocker chick characters that smash guitars....something I have often fantasized about...

sooo...here is my Guitar Hero with his friend Paul---both getting their rock star on...hehehe

The Apartment

2007-06-05T12:21:00.000-04:00

Ok----so here are LONG overdue pix of the apartment since some of you are FAR, FAR away...I thought I'd give you a virtual tour starting from the hallway-leading into our bedroom. Anyhoooooo---hope you like my decorating....I still have SOOOO much I wanna do--but I'm trying not to overwhelm Dave.... He's already been so patient with me and my craziness...like for example....me proclivity for tripping over invisible furniture and spilling drinks on electrical appliances....
To which he smiles, shakes his head as we mop up the spill and says "Having a blonde moment are we?" Perhaps I was truly blonde after all.

It's official

2007-05-31T12:25:00.000-04:00

Ok.

Am total bum for not posting this sooner......but....

I'M ENGAGED!

Exactly one week ago this evening I got engaged to Dave and I feel I must shout it from the top of the internet mountaintops!

I'm not sure what being engaged is supposed to feel like---and I'm not sure if we're rushing things--when have I EVER been known to do things the "normal" way?

I'm a wee bit nervous (only that I'll cock this up--{thank you Sarah for that expression....}) but mostly very very happy to have found my soulmate and that he can actually imagine spending his life with me too.

Anyhooooooo

I wanted to share this with you guys and let you in on my happiness :)

Nick Drake Sings & Robert Frost Reads

2007-05-15T16:53:00.000-04:00

I discovered a fantastic website, Salon.com which has TONS of audio files including:
(new) Nick Drake
Sylvia Plath's the Bell Jar
Now I can get up on my culture...so exciting!
Ya'll should check out some of the nifty things they have--parts of books, poems, songs and speeches read by great people. So exciting. Did I mention that this is so exciting?
Anyhoo---this beats some of the stupid mindlessness that comes on Youtube. I have been wanting to get some more culture--here it is--just in time for the summer :)

Classes Are Over! woo

2007-05-11T17:56:00.000-04:00

I survived the final projects...I endured the slide comparisons...I stayed awake for the critiques.
And NOW...

I'm ready for a nap.
So yeah, I was expecting to feel all giddy and exhuberant-but there is a sort of let-down after all of the buzz and hum of activity from the semester.
I think I can thrive for awhile on adrenaline, then second wind-then my resources get tapped and I find myself getting slap happy and irritable. THEN the grumbles set in...
I could grumble about the rain coming down because my feet get wet (what's the point of having pretty galoshes if I'm never going to wear them?)and then grumble about the sun coming out because then my eyes hurt (uhm---why didn't I pack my stupid freaking sunglasses?!) and don't even get me STARTED on foggy days.
So yeah--the drama that ensues when I have combo lack of sleep/too many things to do/no patience.
I feel way to relaxed right now. Must create problems. Is there something wrong with me? I think it's a family thing. As far back as I can recall we have thrived (we meaning the whole family unit--not always including me) on one crisis after another. Getting used to living a life of mundanity and "normalcy" with some everyday drama thrown in is different.
I would expect drama to occur with anyone--unless a person was living alone in a room with a vow of silence--of course this in itself is dramatic...so ironically defies my no-drama definition.
Anyway...I am trying to resolve the need for something going on all the time and filling that with the sound of silence--or just time with people I enjoy.
What a concept.
Is this what being healthy looks like?

Still Alive

2007-05-03T20:11:00.000-04:00

Brief post to let you know I didn't die...

I have been bogged with final projects---and TAH DAH!

I finally moved in with David, (aka Dave, aka the sexiest man alive--see picture)

Living in DC is wonderful, busy, hectic, strange--but it means being closer to Dave and closer to school(hello---15 minutes on the metro---wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee)

Gone are the 3-hour commutes everywhere...

Gone are the days of driving through potholes being cutoff by insane truck drivers with a NASCAR fetish...

Whatever will I blog about now?

How about taxi drivers with a homicidal streak and politicians with a proclivity for "gentlemans" clubs.....ah DC--how I love thee.

Well my duckies--off to write 2 papers, study for an exam and memorize slides....yeah....THAT's going to happen....

enjoy the state of the apartment....(Dave keeps saying he doesn't mind all my crap....what a guy)

The Thinking Blogger Awards :)

2007-04-09T14:11:00.000-04:00

So---I've been honored with a Thinking Blogger award by Kelly.
Apparently she enjoys reading my blogs...I see that the subconcious programming has worked :)
SO-In turn, I am passing this honor on to 5 people whose blogs have touched me.
1) This is a Tagback to Kelly at Seeking Him . Kelly always has thoughtful insight about her walk with Christ from a balanced perspective as a mom, a wife and a friend. She's been a mentor and a buddy-and her blog is just and overall hoot sometimes.

2) My Pastor, Neil has a really insightful blog, Broken Bonds Loosed Chains that is thought-provoking and socially conscious. I always look forward to being challenged spiritually and mentally when reading this blog because there are relevent topics, and people comment with really articulate discussion. It's a blog that makes you ponder.

3) Sarah of Sarahisms was the first of us ladies to get a blog, so I feel a certain indebtedness (and cursedness...I am now hooked..tee hee) for getting me involved in this outlet. Her sarcastic wit, fabuluos video posts and "What I'm Currently Listening To" features are favorite parts of the blog, without which I'd be lost...

4) Kath was second of us to start a blog, with Kathisms her foray into all things poetic, brilliant and lovely--with pictoral blogs that are guaranteed to knock your socks off. Kath's recent return to college has allowed her to regale us with hilarious tales of her mishaps and joys which we wish we could share more closely.

5) Lex's finally succombed to blogspot and got her blog Lex's Space which is full of her fun, fabulous, FANtastic daily shenanigans. We look forward to when she will update her about life with the Houdini pups and the next exciting adventure (especially pictures of her upcoming trip to Rome!)

Death and Taxes

2007-03-21T16:49:00.001-04:00

Bob Hope once was quoted as saying, "I like to come to Washington, D.C., at least once a year. Why should my tax money travel more than I do?"

Well, I figure, going to school in DC is like being close to my tax money all year 'round...

Though my tax money probably does travel more than I do...

*grumble*

(and you know what---I STILL stand by the fact that Bob Hope was hot back in his heyday...)

Anyway--I have veered off my original thought which was-taxes.

I finally did my taxes today.

Finally you say? Taxes aren't due till April...Emily has become an overachiever. Not so.

I had to do my taxes so that I could do my FAFSA for school. Which was developed by psychiatrists at Guantanamo in order to break prisoners down into confessing "heinous" crimes against the US government, such as pirating Britney Spears albums (for SHAME...).

Anyhow...I FINALLY got the gist of the tax forms...after learning greek, aramaic, gaelic and a little igpay atinlay in order to decipher the encrypted tax collector code...

It seems I now owe the government and excess of...3 million dollars...do you think I did something wrong?

Just kidding.

But seriously-I'm actually getting money back, which should help, because once I mastered my taxes (and by mastered I mean I spent the extra $30 to have Turbo Tax assist me fill my taxes out....) I had to then try to translate that to my FAFSAs....oy...and I think I botched that so badly that I will have to take out additional loans and probably sell a few organs.

Anyone interested in a slightly dinged spleen?

Spring break...and a nose ring

2007-03-16T10:36:00.000-04:00

Spring break this past week---tons of fun--(aka-training at work...) but I DID get some time off for actual fun outside work: after hemming and hawing for like, 10 years, I have a nose ring....TA DAHHH

courtesy of Jinx Proof and my fantastic boyfriend Dave-
Happy Unbirthday me :)
hope ya'll like it---I sure do!

Driving in a Winter Blunderland

2007-02-25T17:51:00.001-05:00

So guys, should I be worried that the only thing I really blog about in any detail is the weather? I mean, isn't that what you save for the "polite" conversation when you run out of things to say?

If so, then I admit-I'm a bore, but darnit, it snowed alot. 6 inches almost, which for this area is not exactly a walk in the park as it is teeming with drivers who haven't the slightest notion what snow is, let alone how to drive in it. I think there should be a certain amount of snow driving safety--if not courtesy on the roads--one would think.

For instance, truck drivers (I single you out especially because with your "4 wheel drive and off-roading ability" you drive like every road is a gravel path you can swerve around on and weave through lanes like you are on a kamikaze mission) will drive past me, because you can (note previous rant....) and kick up road slush to such a degree, other cars may think they have been hit by a winter tsunami.

I know SOME amount of road slush is unavoidable, but when you are driving on the road and can't see the cars next to you because they are hidden in a deluge of slush, perhaps you either want to back off the full-throttle, or just AVOID the slush?!

Another thing---drivers, PUT YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON!!!! It's not really going to do much for you, as the glare of snow makes it bright enough to see anyhow, but for those who can only see a pile of snow coming at them, til all to late they realize you're a white minivan who never bothered to clean your vehicle...Lights allow other drivers to avoid hitting you, and you don't want to get hit, right?

Also, to all you sweet, thoughtful folks who leave snow on the tops of your car, don't.

It flies off your roof and hits my windsheild just as the trucks are passing so I'm completely embanked in snow. Thanks alot. I'll send you a Hallmark card once I shovel myself out of this snow drift on the freeway....

Last note...snow plow drivers: don't you have to drive with the shovel in the DOWN position to actually shovel anything? I swear I saw about 50 plow drivers if I saw one today driving through the snow, but not actually plowing it. That's special.

So with that said, my fingers are crossed for a snow day tomorrow, because due to driving conditions (aka all the BRILLIANT drvers out there) I couldn't get where I needed to go to finish my projects for the week, and I am S.O.L. if I don't have another day to stall...

La La

2007-02-13T13:20:00.000-05:00

I have given over my information to YET another webpage...
I feel like I have more of my information floating on the Internet than I have floating in my brain anymore....
But I digress (prolly because my memory has to be backed up...). I signed up for this spiffy new web thingy that lets you trade cds with other people for like, a buck.
You make a list of the cds you want, and when they become available, someone sends them to you. Similarly-you make a list of cds you have and send them to people who have them on their list.
It's kinda like trading lunches in grade school. Win/Win.
I'm psyched because it means i don't have to save up a box of cds for the record store in Manassas---it's awfully far...and I can do this whenever---annnnd it's only a buck---YAY!
sooo---you guys should check it out---maybe we'll end up trading with each other :)

What is love?

2007-02-05T15:31:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking alot about alot of things lately---and this one is nagging at me. I'm not sure if I've ever been in love.
I suppose if you have you know it---
Loving someone, and being in love, to the point that you're willing to be with that person and that person alone---I guess I'd have to first resolve how I feel about myself.

I would have to forgive myself for things had no control over---and figure out if I want to wait to find the "one" (if such a person exists)
or simply continue to live from one crappy relationship to the next---with what seems to be no regard to my own real feelings---just a desire to not be alone, or fill some sort of void left by a father I never really knew, and never will know since he's so emotionally distant.

I pray alot that God will keep me from making a bigger lapse in judgement than I've already made---and that He will guard my heart---I really don't want to get too hurt. I don't want to be alone, but I suppose there are worse things.

When I look at my parents, I think, damn--if they had only thought about the potentiality of children--what it would do to us--why would they ever even have gotten married? Or when they realized it was bad---why not just split the difference and get a divorce before they HAD kids---or how about therapy?!
AARGH!
I guess I just don't understand. Will I ever?

SNO*W!!!

2007-01-21T18:30:00.000-05:00

We finally have snow. The first perfect snow of the season.
A blanket of white to cover the gloomy branches of winter.
Snow makes the cold worthwhile.
I ran around like a kid in the cool white flakes and squished it in my hands till they were raw....
Snow.
Nothin' in the 'verse like it :)

New Blog

2007-01-16T23:23:00.000-05:00

I've started a new Blog---I'm writing some of my short stories and poetry and crap----so let me know whatcha think....I was sick and feeling bored tonight, and I had to go thru my folders to find paper for class tomorrow...ugh---I hope I feel better by tomorrow...otherwise it's going to suck big time to get up at dawn tomorrow. Lemme know whatcha think
http://emy-ink-bemused.blogspot.com/

Resolutions Smesolutions!

2007-01-02T23:26:00.000-05:00

I resolve this year not to resolve anything---to leave things undone...no closure--that's what I'm alllll about. After all, I really HAVE tried to clear up all loose ends, and it's just not happening. People won't change, we can't go back and undo things, and you know what? I wouldn't want to even if I could---
And another thing----the line in the song Auld Lang Syne "Should old aquaintence be forgot and never brought to mind..."
You know what? That's crap. Even if it's painful--old aquaintence should be brought to mind, and we should remember times we've had and pray for the people in our lives, past and present. Otherwise, what good is making relationships? Just so that we can forget the lessons we've been taught and have yet to learn---and the ones we ourselves will teach...we need to keep people close even far away---oh man...I'm gonna start to bawl...

That said; here's some happy pictures of my latest (and may I say) greatest hair experiment. It is part of my non-resolution to do more things that make me happy and express the joy that have in all things artistic and beautiful--be they mainstream or against the grain.

Holly Days

2006-12-20T16:32:00.000-05:00

Ok-so that's not a picture of holly....sue me.

It's also been in the 60's for the past week...so you know---not exactly a "typical" Christmas--though I guess a "typical" Christmas here would include :

- trees falling in the living room
- someone almost lopping a digit off while cooking
- cats climbing the tree and nearly getting electrocuted
- massive eggnog consumption followed by cursing as waistline increases five-stone
- massive cookie consumption followed by cursing as waistline increases five-more-stone
- decorations being hung on every available nook, cranny, wall and crevice until house bursts with Christmas cheer...no I literally mean BURSTS...

All kidding aside-I'm really excited about this year. We're breaking with tradition. I think our family has held onto alot of tradition, some really fun ones, but some just seem like less tradition and more habit.
When is it time to put aside habit and start new traditions? I think when we realized that panic, depression, and discontent were the 3 side effects of the holidays, we knew it was time for a change. I've seen alot of change within our little family this year. So many things I thought were clad in stone that would NEVER change are abruptly shifting--and I think for the better. Who knows, by next Christmas we MAY have peace on earth.

All I know is, even though we're not perfect, a little baby named Jesus came a couple thousand+ years ago, who grew up and taught us how to love one another perfectly--and we'll always kind of suck at it--but the thing is, at least I see some improvement. And in this family, when I see that perfect love, every now and again--it make me feel like someday there is going to be peace---like someday we're going to be ok.
And I know that Jesus is with us every day, even when we're cursing the tree falling over...he's probably cracking up and just urging us to try hanging the ornaments on the other side so the crooked branches won't show.....haha

It's not the holidays, 'til someone gets hurt...

2006-12-17T10:02:00.000-05:00

I'm visiting at my mom's and as per usual, my mom and sister are arguing...
I love them both immensely, but sometimes I'd like to knock both their blocks together. They have been back and forth for the past hour with no winner. I am half tempted to walk out there and throw the bitey cat into the mix just to see what that would do...ALL that estrogen...hahaha
wow
c'mon guys, can we Puh-lease remember what this season is about? *slaps forehead* oh wait, in our house, Christmas is ALWAYS about fighting, overspending and freaking out....
SOOOO let the games begin!
I fully intend to buy a boxing ring this year and just let them have a go at each other--that way at LEAST they might be sporting, and there'd be no hitting below the belt...

I'm DOOOOOOONE!!!!

2006-12-15T17:24:00.000-05:00

So how fun has THIS week been ?
so i had my last final today and had to study and write papers (3 of them---which my teacher gave us one buggering weeks notice about.....lovely) and I've had a neck spasm from the freakish weather we've been having...so I took a muscle relaxer and some painkillers because neither was really helping on their own.
Well--doncha know---suddenly they kicked in together and I was loopy off my arse...so helpful for trying to memorize info on....haha
yeah---by 3:00 in the AM I was drinking kool-aid from the pitcher and had gone thru a whole bag of cheetos, a box of Good N Plentys, and a bunch of sourpatch kids....
I had also managed to write all 3 papers AND paint 2 random and very trippy paintings---at the time, I was mesmerized by how uh....LOUD the colors were......but now they look a bit...bizzare---good times...
I need to ALWAYS study last minute and hepped up on painkillers....I think it should be a requirement....
ugh---I am now incredibly exhausted, (actually falling asleep in chair at work "you wanted your password reset to.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....I mean---sorrry...")
and oddly, I feel a bit sick--
do you think it was something I ate?

Inspiration from Kelly :)

2006-12-11T23:26:00.000-05:00

Thanks from Kelly--who got me this at the beach--she told me to decorate it, which I did like months ago, and have only just now got around to posting it for her to see ;) oops...
well--the good news of that is, it's because I was totally inspired by it today after the worst day ever.
So thank you again for the extra shot of courage--somedays I feel a bit like Piglet....on a very blustery day---tossed to and fro...
"Oh d-d-d-d-d-dear..."

How do you spell STRESS???!! &*@&%@

2006-12-10T20:07:00.001-05:00

Ok....I needed a quick break from working on my final projects for school.....
I have made the coooooolest video animation (which I will be uploading to YouTube soon-I'm not proud at all....) and I have also ALMOST completed the webpage for my jewelry..notice the word almost in large text---this is because Adobe GoLive is giving me a rather large pain in my arse and my screen is not large enough to accomodate the 25 windows I have open right now....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!
remind self---only 1 full week, and a day left.....
think happy thoughts....raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens (ACHOOOOO!)
no-scratch that--how about taking a ginormous sledgehammer to this piece of crap and chucking the notion of a decent grade....I'm not holding my breath....
I just want this semester to be OVER!!!!

Back to the "status quo"

2006-12-07T09:08:00.000-05:00

I'm finally back to normal--whatever that is...I have a car and I am feeling a bit more like myself...I think I'm relaxing because classes will be over soon---and I gave my presentation yesterday and I didn't die....lol
I still have to take my Art History final, but I'm reallllllly trying not to think about it.

The only REAL hassle is work, but to be honest, as awful as it is, as long as me and my coworkers can be insane together, we'll be ok :)
(misery DOES love company after all--right?)

So anyhow--I finally got a picture of the building with the great writing on it---isn't it nifty? I walk past it every day as I walk home from school. It reminds me why I keep going--besides giving glory to God, I am dedicated to Art, what can I say.....I know I'm a broken record...

Are ya'll sick of Art-talk yet?

The right track:

2006-12-05T22:23:00.000-05:00

"When I saw I was under attack from all sides, I knew I was on the right
track."

--Man Ray
Photographer

Somehow...this puts things into perspective.

thinking too much...

2006-12-05T11:33:00.000-05:00

I apologize for the scattered…deep…gloomy—weirdness….I got to thinking today at work….(always dangerous) and just wrote in a stream of thought (I know it’s stream of consciousness---but I like stream of thought better…)
So anyhooo—I started thinking about how art makes us remember and helps us heal—and well……blah…
Is it possible that I am so troubled with my experience with art right now because the part of my brain which is now required to operate in order to create works of art, and maintain that level of creativity is also the part of my brain which controls memories, be they pleasant or painful---frightening or traumatic….
I fear that my dream may also lead to my nightmare…
My hope may be my downfall….
I know that God would not lead me back to this place to leave me alone….
It’s strange that school seems so familiar, yet not if it is the very place that is leading me to tap into my innermost pain….how bizarre and yet amazing….
I almost feel like fleeing…but yet I feel that I cannot because this is my chance to embrace freedom….I wonder if this is what all of the artists of old have faced---the desire to create, and the fear of what they would inevitably unlock….the demons which creating in the right brain would lead them to discover….ironic how when you have been driven mad you are said to not be in your “right mind” but when I am on a tangent, I am almost sure to be in my right brain…..
Is it better to create and be haunted, or to forgo it and lead a peaceful existence? Is that truly peace-or a meaningless existence...

Ok….not too depressing for this festive holiday season….

On the first day of December...

2006-12-01T09:18:00.000-05:00

Oy to the World....
It's 68 buggering degrees outside!
I woke up this AM in a sweat, and realized I had left the spaceheater from when it was cold---and now...my room is as hot the 3rd ring of hell.....
Not that I've ever been to the 3rd ring of hell...just sayin, if there is one--it would pretty much feel this hot...
Anyhow...I've been seriously procrastinating this week-what with the car stuff and all that has entailed...I have gotten a wee bit behind in schoolwork...ugh
I need another vacation :)
Thank God it's December--only 17 more days of class 'til winter break!

My first piece of art in the Corcoran!

2006-11-30T22:03:00.000-05:00

Ok--so it's not being shown in the gallery...but it's up for the other students to see---and THAT's bragging rights! My "shop" teacher picked one of my pieces to go on display--it even has a little plastic plaque below it with my name on it :)
*Sigh*
I'm so ready to cry....I mean--I'm not even dead and my stuff is on display...lol
so I'm going to keep putting stuff up here for our ladies abroad so that it'll be like you're right in the city at the gallery :)

Big Red (aka Saturnine) R.I.P.

2006-11-28T15:52:00.000-05:00

Lets all take a moment to remember a beautiful car named Red....she was a good girl. She hauled alot of crap. She drove me to work, school, home, and on many exciting excursions.... We laughed together...we cried together We duct-taped her back together when I accidentally drove her up on a sidewalk (sorry Red...) So let's have a moment of silence and hold hands....and play Taps for the best damn car this gal has ever known...(and believe you me...I've known a few....this is # 3 for me....perhaps it's time for a tank...)

I'll miss your steering wheel....the pretty pictures I drew and the stickers on the bumper.... Oh Red....Porque moriste?

tHe nonSenSe of my art

2006-11-15T17:44:00.000-05:00

I'm an artist.
I realized that as I was sitting on the metro with my newly bleached hair, and crazy clothes color combo (take THAT alliterations!) reading Mojo....nobody really looks at me funny anymore, and if they do, I'm not sure I either notice or care...I think I've finally embraced the artist within, who creates not with the reckless abandon of before--but with careful consideration of composition and form.
I look at what I want to make as a challenge, and each piece fulfills a definite purpose--telling a story, venting a feeling, frustration--letting go of a hurt, or opening a window to happiness.

I've been able to describe through my art-things I could NEVER (there--I used that word....hahaha) say out loud. I've been able to scream without opening my mouth; fly without leaving my room, and repair heartache without having to deal with more shrinks :)
(I have to love that about art---Art therapy--it's the best :P)

So anyhow--even if I never become famous, I guess I'm content with sitting in my room from time to time making murky masterpieces that maybe mean something to me only-
I create to express my joy, I'm not always happy, but I have found joy in my new life-my second chance on this earth and I feel compelled to put that out there for the universe to do with it what it will--joy isn't always pretty, or happy or nice--it reflects a journey...and so I'm beginning to be less hard on myself to creat the "perfect" painting or design--
I won't ever be a Renoir or a Monet, or even a Dali....but I'll be a Rockwell.... :)

Always, Never....

2006-11-13T22:53:00.000-05:00

I find myself using superlatives superfluously--especially of late.
Example: "I will never get into school" has now become, "I will never get out of school."
or the ever popular--"This always happens to me!" when I have a crummy day.
I have also found myself falling into the trap of using superlatives as a statement of fact-an obvious fallacy. I also rule out potentialities with a simple flick of the tongue.
How powerful is the broad brush NEVER-and how inclusive, but inaccurate the reach of ALWAYS. I really must learn to use them more carefully.
It reminds me of part of the book, The Phantom Tollbooth-where the main character Milo went to a kingdom in which the king had him eat his words. He misunderstood the instructions and gave a lenghty and boring speech because he thought that the more important the words, the better they would taste. Then the king got up and spoke all sorts of delicacies, which he then ate. Needless to say, Milo's words were bland and worthless--and no matter how grand did him no good...

I suppose the two aren't really related...I'm a bit tired. I think I need to go back and read that book again--or watch the goofy 70's version...it's hilarious-it goes from regular movie to cartoon, to movie again...and has really corny songs---it's a classic. Run, don't walk to a video rental store and get it to show to a 10 year old you know--it'll educate them about proper verb-subject agreement-so important in these troubled times.

Emy GOT Inked!!!!

2006-11-07T11:39:00.000-05:00

Oh Yeah! I got my Tatt on Saturday....and not only does it have treemendous significance (not a typo--my tattoo is a dogwood...) but I got to design it myself.
Happy day.
PLUS--I got to have 3 of my bestest friends around to complete the joy of the experience--
Background on the significance:
1. The Dogwood signifies Christ on the cross--the cross shape and the red blood on the 4 edges. My symbol of rebirth.
2. The Dogwood is my grand mother's favorite flower-and I think it's our birthmonth flower...not sure--must check.
3. The Dogwood tree ties in with one of my first memories--climbing trees with my best friend from childhood. I loved climbing trees-and naming them and actually pretty much anything out-of-doors when I was growing up. So it's a return to my "roots"
4. The Dogwood is the first flower to bloom in spring, and I was born on the first day of spring :)
5. The Dogwood is pretty-and I like it :)

Frigidity And Coldness In The District

2006-11-03T17:37:00.001-05:00

It is a cold day in the land of the freezing and the home of the brazen...
I am acutely aware that I left all of my mittens and gloves at my mom's house where they will do me no good....and my nose was a cheery cherry red when I got on the metro this AM--I could have provided alternate light for the tunnels...argh

I'm starting to rethink my love of all things wintery---perhaps when I get home and make some cocoa and bake some cookies all will return to normal-as I remember that cocoa is not half as good coming in from a 70 degree day as it is from a 30 degree day...
Does this make me sadistic?

Also-in a sidenote, I've begun reading Thomas More's Utopia on the Metro...the irony does not escape me as I am in a complete anti-Utopia riding with strangers who would rather push an old lady down than give her a seat...

Thomas More writes about a society which puts the needs of all above the needs of self, but which also prizes taking care of self--it's beautiful without being sappy. He also speaks out against a govenrment which would make people serve and pay without getting anything in return, maiking them poorer-and then punish them for not being able to pay....it's such a vicious cycle, but one which we accept so blindly.
The Utopians try to avoid war, but if they have to fight, they try to stir up so much dissent within a country that it implodes on itself that they needent ever actually ever go to battle-and no one need die---they use strategy, not warfare to fight...it's brilliant.
They also value the mind, not riches--gold is used to lock up prisoners, so that it is cursed and when they need to trade, no one minds parting with it....wow

I'm impressed.
I want to move there.
So I don't know how winter reminded me of the book---except that I was reading it this morning trying not to think of how very cold I was...

This IS Halloween!

2006-10-31T10:32:00.000-05:00

Reasons I love Halloween:

Candy Corn.
Any candy :o)
Crazy Costumes.
People staring at me while I'm driving in my car singing while wearing a Crazy Costume.
Watching OTHER people in cars sing while wearing Crazy Costumes.
The idea that for one perfect night, people can go to complete strangers' houses, shout utter nonsense and be rewarded with candy.
Carving Pumpkins (and by the way--if you see my house lit with a strange orange glow past Thanksgiving--call my sponsor).
Decorating my bosses offices with spiderwebs, skulls with headsets, blood dripping on the moniters, and spiders on the keyboards--then leaving scary messages on their voicemails...Priceless :> (they loved it!)
The crisp chill in the air and the glow of the moon.
Scary music.
Scary movies.....hehehe.
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! I don't care HOW old I get--Linus is still the coolest cat in town-and I never get tired of Schroeder playing those tunes on the piano--and well, poor Chuck, if he could just get the ball away from Lucy and pelt it at her head...well--then there would be no movie I guess...
Bats. Pretty much cool all year 'round for their sonar and nifty wings, but definitely get their due on Halloween. ^~"~^
Black Cats. Also cool all year 'round--but definitely much cooler on Halloween.
The start of the "holiday season". Ah yes, this kicks off the Halloweethanksgivichristmas season--my favorite. Lets allllll take a BIG breath-relax and say a prayer for all those working retail this season.

So anyhoo--HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! AAAND--if you get the chance, go see Nightmare Before Christmas in 3-D It's a fabulous way to celebrate Halloween and this festive season :)

Turning Down the Sound

2006-10-27T16:15:00.000-04:00

Over the past few weeks I have been increasingly stressed. Those of you who have been around--say within a 300 mile radius have perhaps heard me screaming at the top of my lungs after getting yet another overdraft charge, or over the next test/project/metro SNAFU....
It's like my thoughts have been in a blender---on puree--loud and scrambled up.
I have needed a respite.
SO last Sunday I went to DC, Georgetown and into VA to a pumpkin patch...I had to get out and do something. Turns out that was just what I needed.
As I was driving home that night-I had my music playing loudly, and I had to turn it down because it was starting to give me a headache. And then came the epiphany: I found that when I turned the sound down, I could actually hear the music better--I could really listen to the words--and appreciate them because I wasn't just trying to drown out my thoughts.

Sometimes volume has nothing to do with sound--it has to do with quantity--the quantity you can cram into your head, or the the quantity you should cram into your life--volume does not=quality.

So kiddies--that's my lesson for the week--go have fun!
And come check out my movie tomorrow night at 5:00!!
FCF Film Site

*biting nails feverishly*

SPOT THE NIMROD!

2006-10-17T13:40:00.000-04:00

And Now For Todays Fun game...

SPOT THE NIMROD!

Ok folks...here's how you play:
1. Begin a thorough search of outlying areas (or for those of you who live near idiots dolts and other forms of ill-bred pestilant life [Miss Kath---the toilet paper smokers jussst might fall into this category] --right in your own backyard)... and SPOT THE NIMROD!

2. Once the Nimrod has been spotted in his/her natural habitat, try not to upset it...as it is a feeble and stupid creature, prone to violent outbursts, significant ramblings about insignificant rubbish that may or may not have any basis in reality, but does however make for an interesting viewing, so take snacks and a folding chair to keep yourself comfy in case the Nimrod becomes highly animated--thus creating a Spectacle of itself.

3. Provoke the Nimrod. Drive the speed limit in the correct lane, do your job correctly, and above ALL appear to enjoy doing your tasks with efficiency and profiency--this wil unnerve the Nimrod and provoke it out of it's lair.

4. After you have encountered a Nimrod-remember, it is a delicate part of our ecosystem, and should be treated with the proper respect of all our protected species-regardless of how irritating, or bothersome it is.
Nimrods are everywhere but if we educate them...they might just go extinct!

(Sidenote: Do not feed the Nimrod--as it used to a delicate diet---it may be tempting to give it a taste of it's own medicine....but try to hold back...)

Helldesk

2006-10-10T12:13:00.000-04:00

So I'm ready to scream.... The powers that be at my job, or rather in the political fiefdom above those who run my job, have decided that ANOTHER software upgrade is in order for us….you kiddies know what that means. More calls for the Helldesk. I think I’m ready to call it quits…. I also had a most interesting conversation with my supervisor today.

Supervisor: You’re late-it’s 11:00
Me: I’m on the schedule at 11:00
Supervisor: Not according to the NEW schedule
Me: When was this “alleged” schedule posted?
Supervisor: Yesterday-don’t you check the schedule every day?
Me: I try to…but I mean…if I don’t get a chance to, I assume that it was what I saw it as when I left the day before.
Supervisor: Well-that’s where you made your error—by assuming.
Me: Well gee-thanks for clarifying…I feel MUCH better

I’d like to follow this up by saying that I love my supervisor---typically we are tight…but today I was ready to drop kick her and all traces of the Helpdesk into the Potomac River...
Richmond’s decision to transfer us over to a new system NOW, in the middle of a semester has left us all in a lurch—if they had just bought this software initially, this whole SNAFU never would have happened.
BUT NOOOOOO…they’re the worlds most inefficient department, run by people who are so apparently splashing in the shallow end of the gene pool…in fact—I fear that without the aid of water wings, they might drown, which would be a great service to all of us—especially the irate customers who expect a system to be up and running while school is in session.
Of course you know who they blame.
Customer support.

God Bless VCCS.

Emy gets inked

2006-10-04T15:28:00.000-04:00

So I've been trying to decide for the past coupla years (and I suppose this should be an indication of my level of commitment) if I want to get a tattoo, and if so, what I will get tattooed on myself. I think it's a relatively permanant decision and like any relatively permanant decision requires thought, research, and planning. Ok, now all the fun has gone from it, right? I mean--where is that sponteneity of getting drunk on vacation and getting a bad back tattoo, or getting drunk on a date and tattooing a guys name on your butt--yeah---those ALWAYS work out.
So instead I decided to ponder forever rather than ever actually getting near a needle.

But the time has come (as the walrus said) for serious (I mean it) thought to go into this. I've decided to get a tattoo this month when my friend Haejo gets back from Brazil. She and I have been talking about getting tatt's together for awhile....I know--belaboring this...but I want to commemorate a few occasions--Independance, Education, Renewal, Rebirth, Restoration....there is such a long list---so how do you sum that up in a single ink mark on your body? I could put a collage on my whole back, but
A. Don't want to cover my back with ink
B. Can't afford it :)
so any input would be great---I'm gonna post some pix in a coupla days---some ideas....otherwise it's gonna be I <3>

Ugh...Flu

2006-09-27T15:35:00.000-04:00

Ugh...
This is not a cheery blog today, as I'm stuck in bed--nursing the flu...
I find myself wishing I was home, about 7 years old with my mom making Jell-o for me. She used to make it in these little teddy-bear molds, and frankly to this day Jell-o just doesn't taste the same unless it's in a teddy-bear mold.
So in between sleepy stuper and tylenol trying to ease my body aches...I have watched some really good movies that I thought I'd review on one.
So here goes:
I have seen Rushmore more times than I can count--but every time I watch it, I find a new nuance I hadn't noticed before. Rushmore (for those of you who have not seen it) is a movie directed by Wes Anderson--a film genius. It stars a young Jason Silverman in his first movie role (he's extroardinary) Bill Murray, Olivia Williams and Luke Wilson.
Rushmore delves into the life of Max Fischer, a 15 year-old boy who is more interested in forming activities at school than suceeding academically. He was accepted to Rushmore Academy as a boy (a very wealthy and exclusive boys school) on a scholarship and feels that it is his crowning acheivement, and the peak of his existance
As the movie unfolds, Max discoveres there is a world outside of Rushmore where his ability to think creatively is accepted, and where he is also able to connect with his peers as he truly is.
It's a masterful movie-not only in it's story, but in how Wes Anderson thought out every detail of the set, the scene changes and of very intricate character development. After watching one of his films, one feels at once both connected with oneself and a bit nostalgic-almost as though something has passed.
Beyond the depth of the movie, it's just fun to watch because as the movie plays out, it has the most fantastic soundtrack with songs from Cat Stevens, The Who and The Kinks...it just makes me happy...and that can't be bad....especially when I'm up to my eyeballs in tissues, antihistamines and gatorade.
My kingdom for some Jell-o....

A Deeper Drive

2006-09-23T14:12:00.000-04:00

So I'm gonna wax philisophical-anyone who gets easily offended by talk of the spiritual---well, maybe this is for you.
I was driving to school on Friday, and the traffic was wretched...as it typically is headed towards DC at 6:30 in the AM...
I was feeling a bit grumpy, and could sense a general tension in the cars about me (as is also typical).

Except when I looked in my rearview mirror. The guy behind me was grinning from ear to ear-sort of nodding his head, but not like he was listening to music--it was the weirdest thing. I HAD to know what was up. He began talking and smiling and laughing, and I finally spotted a child strapped into a carseat in the back.
And then I had this thought.
(a thought you say...)
If the mere presence of this kid, just a kid in the middle of crummy traffic, angry drivers, accidents, and construction could give this man joy--how much more do we, JUST by our presence--our conversation, our relationship (as flawed and humble human beings) offer joy to God's heart in spite of a corrupt and sinful world.
Sometimes it's easy to feel like we can do nothing in this world--like there is absolutely no way to positively effect change in a world that has famine, disease, and genocide---but if for a moment we can offer our presence back to the Creator--who sees the pain, the hopelessness--we can give Him joy too-and continue carrying on, doing the work we are meant to--with a joy that is mirrored back.
I don't believe you can carry on without joy. I think so many people lose their bliss, their joy their spirit and continue on with merely a shell-and that is how they become numb to the world around them, and how they are beaten down by the world around them.
Joy doesn't mean happiness-but it means not becoming disheartened when life becomes difficult---it means sharing your sorrows rather then trying to bear them alone--it means also sharing bliss. There's no formula...just living like the guy in the car--looking ahead at the traffic--aware of the world enough to sense danger--but also being aware that he was unable to change it, unable to move it, and in that moment--the converation with his little boy was all that really mattered.
That's joy.

More Nonsense

2006-09-20T14:36:00.000-04:00

Allriiiiight...after much prodding by Kath, I have caved to the pressure to bore you with more of the mundane and monochromatic minutia of my everyday.

Actually--things seem pretty exciting from this side of the drawing board....but that's only because it's my adventure, and getting lost in DC every other day can be heart-pounding (and terrifying) but has it's brilliant rewards when I FINALLY see those beautiful red letters---CORCORAN....I know Shakespeare said"What's in a name, that which we call a rose by other name would smell as sweet"...I suppose that's right-

If it was called SNOTGRASS or GRISTMILL , or even FITNY...lol
it wouldn't sound the same to my biased ears....I'm so enamored of this school and this experience-

Every day I change my mind about my major...which I'm told is quite normal...but seriously--On monday I had Graphic Design, and I SWEAR I wanted to be a designer--Adobe CS2 is SO hot! (Note to Adobe: I'm more than happy to sell out and do promotional spots for your product if you'll send me free merchandise....really....)
Then today we had Photography....and naturally I'm ready to move to Belize or Morocco and take pictures in exotic locales.....fun, fun :)
And when I have my Resources (shop) class...I am SO ready to move out to the country and be a carpenter....so you see my conundrum.

Anyhoo...my art persona crisis aside--I really have solidified my existance as a single unit again--it makes me so happy to be alone, and I think I had forgotten that amidst the drama of a relationship.... I feel lke I have regained my independance---like if I wanna go see a movie by myself in the middle of the day and laugh through the whole thing...I can...or if I just feel like calling up a friend and having a girls night---I can totally do that too....FREEDOM...Own it.
I guess I put too much importance on another person--I guess we ALL put too much importance on other people and their significance in our life. We do need other people-and their fellowship, but if their opinion begins to reign supreme, or tread over our own better judgement or that which we know is inherently true....the minute we begin to question ourselves is the minute we should question the validity of another person and their opinion.

Little Miss Sunshine

2006-09-05T21:56:00.000-04:00

So....Little Miss Sunshine ---Saw it with a certain Ms. Kath on Friday night---and it freaking changed my life.... I saw it a total of 3 times this weekend-- I dunno if it's my dysfunctional (but lovable) family, my recent breakup, or my constant emotional instability...(I keeed) but something about that movie really resonated with me- actually I think it's just a really well written movie with beautifully developed characters who, from the first moment of the movie capture your attention and captivate you. You cannot help but be drawn into their world and cheer for them--crying as they cry, laughing as they go ambling down the road in their (may I say) gorgeous vintage Volkswagen van.
Watching a family fraught with individual pain and problems pull together for the sake of their most vulnerable and innocent member--putting aside their grievances--but not in a sappy Hallmark, rosy-make-you-want-to-gag-way....no... this movie in no way sugar-coats that delicate insanity that ensues when you force a group of people who have absolutely nothing in common save for genetics into a confined moving vehicle for a fixed amount of time. What are we thinking-at holidays for instance? We believe that magically somehow all of the bumps and indequacies that the people we are related to will disappear for one day because of a number on a calendar.
This movie does for some of us what years of therapy have failed at. It shows us that our families ARE crazy---BUT that there is a modicem of madness in all families and something worthwhile to that-something valuable to those differences-and the sufferings.
As Frank says to Dwayne "These are your prime suffering years." you really do learn from your family how to assimilate into a strange and bizzare (and sometimes harsh) society. And if you can survive that, you're golden. And if you can find friends to walk through it, you're bumped up to a platinum member with wings...haha

My First Blog

2006-09-02T09:26:00.000-04:00

Hola amigas y amigos!
thought I'd take a stab at blogging in the new millenia...
got alot on my mind with art school/work/and wacky relationships gone awry....
so how better to vent than with friends and perfect strangers....
so yeah...on the subject of love...
I've realized that is better to have loved and lost than never to have tried to make and ass of ones self. That said, feel like a total dork and will be staying away from the dating cesspool for awhile...
I know that those of my friends who know me and how I tend to dive off the deep end with my emotions--I'm a quirky sort of girl...I can't help it (but you love me for it :)
oh well--at least I'm putting myself back out there right? ugh...
so yeah...the "perfect" guy...not so perfect---granted...I'm not the perfect girl...but with time and some plastic surgery (cringe) who knows....
I'm laughing inside.
Really.
But I've realized that if you never take a chance, you never learn things about yourself, like the amount of tolerance for other peoples criticism...and how maybe you knew exaclty what you wanted, but you never thought about what you didn't want in a relationship....those things are important.
People ought to know themselves really well before they start figuring other people out.
and as Polonius tells Laertes in Hamlet--"To thine own self be true."
I need to be better about that.