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Pizza and the Past
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Oct. 4th, 2007 @ 06:59 pm
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While I'm waiting for my pizza to cook in the oven I thought it would be interesting to flash back to around this day in my LJ history.
Amusing quotables [my thoughts will appear in brackets]:
10.3.05~
"I have a feeling I'm going to be puking orange and black by the time Halloween comes." [ditto this year :) ]
"...how's the weather down there? would you believe it snowed this morning?!? i woke up and there was a dusting of snow over everything... and it looked soooooo pretty because the leaves are all colorful and bright." [this from an old email from October of 2000 I quoted in that entry from a friend. yeah, um, it was 85 today. WTF]
10.14.06~
"...I still write things the old school way...
on paper. In journals.
One day when I'm dead someone will find them
and think I was crazy..."
[I just thought that again this morning. The best was that my "mood" for that entry was COLD. I repeat: 85 today. WTF.]
*****
10.4.07~
Tonight after work, instead of going to buy a $3.00 cup of tea at an overpriced tea house, I bought three different teas in bulk for autumn/winter. If I keep thinking "cold, cold, cold" maybe it will happen...
I bought:
*pumpkin cream rooibos
*coconut chai
*heaven rooibos (smells like Junior Mints)
I talked with the woman in the tea joint and we both said how we craved for the coolness.
"It's unnatural!" she said and shook her head.
Off to get my pizza, make some tea...and open my windows.right now you're, like...:  hungry |
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what do you see?
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May. 8th, 2007 @ 09:15 pm
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one of the main internal conflicts most students go through when they throw themselves into art school is subject matter. what do I care about? what in the world am I obsessed enough about SO much that it's worth creating?
what they don't tell you is that this is a lifelong internal conflict. it's three years now since i left the bubble i knew as art school. most of us the first year out were so burnt out from all-nighters and toxic art supplies that we couldn't even stand to do any work. one of my friends thought she lost her passion. another just wanted to get out of his waiter job into a some art-related one. now three years out, it seems like we're all making stuff again and are more conscious of what we make and who we make it for.
i worry about that enough in my day job, though, that lately i've resorted to that old skool art thought of "art for art sake" or just creating to create. it's like my meditation.
over a year or so ago i stretched a 4' x 4' canvas with the intention of creating this huge collage storytelling piece (threading it along with my "storytelling" theme from my senior thesis word) and after a few months, it went nowhere. I got so sick of it that I gessoed over it and tried for a clean slate if you will. I thought, I miss painting realistically like I did in high school and my early years of college so well, let's try THAT. so i set out last summer to complete an Italian landscape. after a few months, once again, it went nowhere and come winter i decides to eff it all and just paint the whole damn canvas one color: sky blue. by that time, there were so many layers and various textures i was giving up hope of it ever coming to life again.
then this past sunday, i approached this structure like a bad memory. you know how some old relationships you tumble over and over again in your mind not knowing where things went wrong or how to make them better? at some point you can't stand back anymore. literally and metaphorically i added more layers--more thoughts--hoping by chance to reach a resolution (with this flat matter and with my gray matter fumbling with real relationships).
A day later, it fell into place. It stopped in a good place. Up close, it's nothing but a bunch of messy layers of paint and water-soluble crayon, but as you stand back colors seem to intermingle fluidly. It's like when you're in the middle of a conflicting relationship with someone and you're so close to what's going on that it's not until you step back, it's not until you let the little nuances bleed together and be forgotten that you can clearly see what really matters.
I never thought I'd get back to this type of painting again. But lately as I've begun to try to make sense of frayed relationships it seems like the only way through.
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Highlight of My Day:
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Apr. 21st, 2007 @ 09:14 pm
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Harry and the Potters playing live in Philly. Heeee! :)
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If you're bored and you know it...
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Mar. 20th, 2007 @ 09:48 pm
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...fill out a meme.
Gakked from ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) viggofest:</b></a>
YOU'RE ON MY FRIENDS LIST, I want to know things about you. I don't care if we never talk, never liked each other, or if we already know everything about each other. You're on my list, so let me know who I am friends with.
(just put this in a reply if you do it)
1. Can you cook?
2. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator?
3. What talent do you wish you had?
4. Favorite place?
5. Favorite vegetable?
6. What was the last book you read?
7. Are you Dirty or Clean?
8. Any tattoos and/or piercings?
9. Worst habit?
HERE COMES THE FUN ...
1. How did we meet?
2. What's your philosophy on life?
3. Negative or Optimistic?
4. What was your dream growing up?
5. Worst thing to ever happen to you?
6. What was your first impression of me?
7. Tell me one weird fact about you:
8. What’s your favorite memory of us?
9 is missing. Make up something if you want.
10. Have you ever kept anything from me?
11. What do you think of me as a person?
12. Do you think I'm sane or insane?
13. Would you cry for me if I died?
14. Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
15. If you could change anything about me, would you?
16. How do you fall asleep?
17. Ever gotten angry with me?
18. Would you go on a blind date if I set you up?
19. If you had one day to live, what would you do?
20. A million bucks… what would you do with it?
21. What is your worst fear?
22. Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
23. Can you sing or dance?
24. In one word, how would you describe me? Be honest....
25. Will you repost this so I can fill it out?right now you're, like...:  tired whatcha listenin' to?: pandora.com |
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A Night of Bloopers is a Night Well Lived.
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Mar. 14th, 2007 @ 09:35 pm
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| » Slooow down, you gotta...siiiiiip tea... |
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I'm coming in on this a little late, but I've just been informed that it's International Slow Down Week.
Notes to self on how to slow down this week:
*Play Rachael Sage's song, "Slow Down" and. just. breathe.
*spend a whole night at a cafe--drink tea, laugh with a friend, and write a poem that makes me think of summer
*do yoga. feel the ooooooom.
*read as if there's nothing else to do
*go to the playground and swing on swings with friends
Jan. 16th, 2007 @ 05:46 pm
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| » (No Subject) |
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| What Your Soul Really Looks Like | 
You are quite expressive and thoughtful. You see the world in a way that others are blind to.
You are not a very grounded person. You prefer dreams to reality. For you, it's all about possibilities.
You see yourself with pretty objective eyes. How you view yourself is almost exactly how other people view you.
Your near future is still unknown, and a little scary. You'll get through wild times - and you'll textually enjoy it.
For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust. |
Dec. 17th, 2006 @ 07:23 pm
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| » Screen Queens |
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Babel. I know, the trailer and reviews probably don't make much sense. In fact, when Crash first came out, the trailer and reviews didn't make much sense for that either and look how that turned out! You'll probably hear Babel compared to Crash a lot, especially when the Oscar buzz starts. But believe it or not, they really aren't that similar, except for the fact that they're both ensemble casts and there's one main conflict/mystery that links the ensemble characters' stories together. In Babel, the story centers on Richard (Brad Pitt) and Susan (Cate Blanchett) who are vacationing in the Moroccan desert. If you've seen the trailer you know that, yes, she gets shot out of nowhere on a bus and conflict ensues. Their two kids are left home with their Mexican nanny (since birth), and she makes the mistake of bringing them past the Mexican border for her son's wedding when the parents' journey's prolonged. What the trailer doesn't show, but what we learn in the very beginning is who the mystery shooter is--one of two prepubescent and naive Moroccan boys out sherperding. The guy who sold their father the gun said it could shoot up to 3km and they wanted to test it out. And the loose thread on the fourth storyline sewn into this global search for this "terrorist" shooter brings us to Asia with the original gun owner, whose deaf-mute daughter's story illustrates the isolation she experiences as a teen in Japan. The same sense of isolation she feels is similarly mirrored in all of the other the characters around the world. The movie really is emotionally rivetting, and is as visually raw as The Constant Gardener. It is so intense, you may find yourself wanting to watch something as fluffy as a Disney movie the day after just to recoup.
Stranger Than Fiction. "This is a story about a man named Harold Crick (Will Ferrell). And his wristwatch." Okay, before I get into this, is it me or were other people under the same impression that Charlie Kaufman wrote this script? I swear I kept hearing that this was a Charlie Kaufman movie and then I learn that Zach Helm wrote it. Well, for those of you familiar with Chalie Kaufman movies (Eternal Sunshine..., Adaptation), this feels like one of his movies, but dumbed down and perfectly arced. The trailer does a good job of telling you what the story's about--almost too good of a job. I could have done without knowing that Harold becomes aware that Kay's (Emma Thompson) narrating his life and planning his imminent death, but then again, that is the whole point to the movie. And Harold working with Prof. Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) to discover who's writing his life and how to stop her from writing his death, which all has a sort of I Heart Huckabees feel. For the Charlie Kaufman fans, and for anyone who loves intriguing storytelling, I highly recommend this movie. And on your way home rent a Charlie Kaufman movie so you don't feel so disappointed.
Nov. 18th, 2006 @ 08:32 pm
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| » i'm doin' it too |
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viggofest 
You are The Wheel of Fortune
Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of
intoxication with success
The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.
What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.
Nov. 17th, 2006 @ 10:11 pm
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| » Tea Time Tales |
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Check it out! teatimetales
It's a new blog I started this weekend to archive a sort of inspirational newsletter I started to e-mail family & friends a little over a year ago called Tea Time.
The newest issue's just posted!
Nov. 12th, 2006 @ 11:58 pm
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| » A Cry for Help |
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I just lost everything.
In trying to speed up my net connection and transfer from Dial-up to DSL,
I lost every internet bookmark (from valuable writing and art research sites to the mindcandy of pinkisthenewblog).
I can't imagine what it would feel like if my house went up in flames,
but I know that I'd have to rebuild somehow.
So that's what I'm asking...help in rebuilding.
What are some of your favorite sites--pop culture, music, etc.?
Writers/artists/crafters, what are some of your handy websites you reference or use as inspiration?
I'll be handing out lollipops in thanks...
Nov. 6th, 2006 @ 08:57 pm
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| » I'm Still Alive |
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I used to be an every-other-day blogger,
and to see that I haven't posted in what seems
like almost a month is quite the shocker.
So, I'm still here.
Just not really HERE.
I'm not an exclusive online journaler.
I still write things the old school way...
on paper. In journals.
One day when I'm dead someone will find them
and think I was crazy. And I'm okay with that.
Because I think it's an artist thing
to filter emotions into some tangible thing.
So other people, some day, can relate and say,
I don't feel so crazy now.
I'll be back.
With more this and that soon.
But for now, just wanted to say...
hi.
Oct. 14th, 2006 @ 04:35 pm
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| » Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon |
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Friday night two of my friends and I settled at Cosi, sharing a table with two gooey brownies and our hot chocolates (+ 1 arctic mocha). As conversation dwindled down, one of my friends said, Let's play six degrees of Kevin Bacon!
Quoi?
Here's how you play:
Pick two movie stars (who are not directly in one movie together) and then within six movies you have to link them--and if Kevin Bacon's in one of them you get extra points!
Still not getting the jist? Here's one for you.
Meg Ryan and Katie Holmes
1. Meg Ryan was in "In the Cut" with Kevin Bacon (score!)
2. Kevin Bacon was in "Mystic River" with Laura Linney
3. Laura Linney was in "You Can Count on Me" with Mark Ruffalo
4. Mark Ruffalo was in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" with Kirsten Dunst
5. Kirsten Dunst was in ''Spider-man" with Tobey Maguire
6. Toby Maguire was in "Wonder Boys" with Katie Holmes
You don't have to get the connection with EXACTLY 6 links--it can be less, but not more.
And no cheating with IMDB!! ;)
Sep. 23rd, 2006 @ 10:26 pm
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| » "Long Live Individuality" |
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When I was in high school the GAP depressed me. It signified all that was popular, all that was cliquish—the equivalent of sharing a friendship charm with an A-Crowder as a tween. All the people who wore GAP in high school were the Preps. Just stepping in the store in my paint-splattered jeans made me squirm like being tortured by the conservative Khaki gods.
Now the GAP is marketing itself [in particular their GAP t-shirt shop] as “your creation.”
Your attitude.
Your spirit.
Your expression.
Your style.
Your statement.
Your imagination.
Your story.
Your thoughts.
Your voice.
Your declaration.
Your silence.
Yourself.
Then it proclaims, “long live individuality.”
This company that used to breed conformity is now saying, Use us to express yourself. We are in a Creative Age. Companies steal ideas from teens and twentysomethings who march to their own beat and mix and match their clothing and hairstyles not by what they see in magazines or in stores, but simply by what they feel they want to wear to stand out from everyone else. When I went to art school, one of my art history teachers pointed out to us that we were all so preoccupied in trying to look different that we failed to see that we all looked the same. In some ways, we Creatives had created our own GAP structure.
Not that individuality is ever dead, but is there a solution for how to maintain individuality when now companies like GAP are marketing it?
If it continues to show the staying-style-power as strong as jeans, I suggest taking some tips from those blue jean babies. They are the prime example that the way to originality and individuality is through a combination of personality and an amalgamation of ideas and styles:
Recreate.
Restructure.
Reuse.
Recycle.
And when you find your style has gone mainstream? Consider it a form a flattery and move on.
Sep. 7th, 2006 @ 10:22 pm
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| » How to Know You Have a Passion |
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Last night I stayed up until 4am finishing up a guest book
I was making for my cousin's wedding that's next weekend.
This morning as I got up and folded my blanket on my futon
I noticed that somehow my bonefolder ended up in bed with me.
A bonefolder is a bookbinding tool used to score paper and is a helpful
handy tool for other paper dealings--it's basically as essential to a bookbinder
as a paintbrush is to a painter. And waking up with it reminded me of a story
a teacher from NYC had told my fashion design class in high school.
One morning in NYC she was on a deadline, working on a project,
but having to run out to a meeting or class.
And she was so caught up in what she was doing and where she was going
that she didn't realize her cutting shears were still in her hands,
like they became an extension of her body.
There she was, running down the streets of NYC a crazed designer.
And here I was waking up with my bonefolder and glue
crusted on my hands...even after washing.
Aug. 27th, 2006 @ 06:55 pm
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| » Little Miss Sunshine |
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  When I first heard of the movie "Little Miss Sunshine" I remembered the "Little Miss" books from my childhood and wanted to go see it as badly as wanting to forget about work and color all day. The story of the movie, starring Greg Kinner, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Abigail Greslin, Alan Arkin, and Paul Dano, is simple on the surface--a family sacrifices whatever they've got going on in their lives (or not) to make a three-day road trip for Olive to be in the Little Miss Sunshine beauty contest.
If you've read reviews of this already, you don't need me to tell you it's worth seeing. It is. Go. Now.
It's a great funny, endearing, fabulous "fuck you" to our society's fascination with perfection--in image, in family, and in achievements.
Aug. 26th, 2006 @ 03:22 pm
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| » Mellow Yellow |
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 Tonight I had dinner at a little Italian BYOB with my urban family and
one of my friends said to me something like,
"Why are you so non-talkative tonight? What did you do before you came here?
I said, "Listened to Sarah McLachlan."
"Mmm," he nodded. "That's why you're so mellow."
Music, for me, is as reliable as
calling a best friend to vent or coming home to a warm house.
In music I look for answers and escape and comfort.
Sarah McLachlan's songs are just some of the myriad music selections
I turn up to tune in to myself.
And just as I was craving some new Sarah this summer, I found her new Wintersong album to look forward to on those crisp chilly days full of hot cocoa and holiday hope.
Wintersong Album Tracklist
1. Happy Xmas (War is Over) 3:28
2. What Child Is This (Greensleeves) 3:31
3. River 4:02
4. Wintersong 3:31
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas 3:15
6. O Little Town of Bethlehem 3:51
7. The First Noel/Mary Mary 5:00
8. Silent Night 3:48
9. Song For A Winter's Night 3:48
10. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 3:44
11. In A Bleak Mid Winter 3:46
12. Christmas Time Is Here 3:59
Note: 'Wintersong' is a new, original song written by Sarah herself
Aug. 13th, 2006 @ 02:58 am
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| » Escape Adulthood |
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Friday morning I left the city for the grand valley of the northeast where my world was turned upside down in the parking lot of Borders. That night one of my best friends from high school and I'd decided to whisk our worries away and see the kids animated flick "Monster House." Nothing says I need to unwind like two twentysomething women sitting in a theater with three rows full of kids. If I were a little kid, this movie has the freak-me-out-nightmare-potential like the Wicked Witch's monkeys and haunted forest of "The Wizard of Oz." The following day when I visited one of my friends who has a five-and-a-half year old, she said her daughter who has an extremely vivid imagination wanted to see it, but she wouldn't let her. I told her it wasn't that great--the best part for me was hearing one boy in the back row squeal "eeewwwwww" when the boy and girl kissed on screen--but the girls behind me who were about 8-10 were eating it up for the second time and quoting it throughout. Mind you, these may be the same type of girls who grow up to dress in goth and go to art school to make twisted movies just like this.
Aug. 8th, 2006 @ 08:05 pm
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giddy
