And Speaking of "Art"...(LOL)

Who needs a trouser dropping mechanical Santa Claus when you could have this? One of the benefits of being around Wade (and there are many) is that he does have the best toys around. This is the brand new Pole Dancer Doll that will be available on store shelves by Christmas. You actually plug her into your MP3 Player and she dances to your very own music with flashing lights around her stage. Now, to really make her authentic they should have included teeny tiny twenty dollar bills to really get her going. Now this is ART baby! (LOL) I include this especially for a few special readers, you know who you are :) Enjoy

Damien Hirst's "For the Love of God"

In Britain, artist Damien Hirst's personal and professional reputation is well-established. The most famous and infamous of the Young British Artists (YBAs), he is best known for his Natural History series - dead animals, such as a shark, a sheep or a cow, preserved in formaldehyde.
Hirst enthusiasts say his work is bold and ground-breaking, that it sets the standard for contemporary art in the early part of the 21st century. But his numerous detractors, including respected figures in the art world as well as the tabloid press, argue that there is little more to Hirst's work than hype. He has been accused of being derivative and being an artistic con-artist.
Whatever the critics say, there is no doubt that his work has had a huge impact on the art scene, particularly in England, and has brought contemporary art into the full glare of media attention. Damien Hirst continues to explore his fascination with death, medicine, belief and faith with his new piece entitled "For the Love of God," a diamond-encrusted human skull worth £50m - said to be the most expensive piece of contemporary art currently available. The 18th Century skull is entirely covered in 8,601 jewels, while new teeth were made for the artwork at a cost of £14m. The centrepiece of the 41-year-old's creation is a pear-shaped pink diamond, set in the skull's forehead. The skull, which was bought from a shop in Islington, north London, is thought to belong to a 35-year-old European who lived between 1720 and 1810.

Well, I'll give him credit where it is due. It is very thought provoking and fascinating work on a lot of levels, even if i find it personally in somewhat dubious taste. It is rather "tabloid" art in my opinion, but who could fault Hirst with that in our increasingly "tabloid" society? I have no doubt someone will step up to the plate and buy this, and I guess that old pinback button we all wore in art school is indeed true..."Art is anything you can get away with."

Puddles is right!

Well, after days of heated angst and anticipation (with electricians crawling all over and much drilling, etc) I am pleased to announce the opening of ...>>ta-dah<<>new air conditioner!!! Today not only did I purchase it, I also installed it (with Wade's help). Yipppeeeee!! I know it isn't a big red thing that makes lots of noise like Bammy's toy, but I don't think I could be more thrilled with anything, even a Cartier diamond. There is a point in heat exhaustion that it is too much trouble to even think, much less type, so I predict more blogging will ensue. But today I am just doing a happy "new airconditioner"dance. cha-cha-cha...
P.S. Thanks Judy, for everything :)

And for those interested

285 Days since my last cigarette. Hard to believe, but true. There have been days this was hard to maintain for sure, but I am determined. Watching my Mother in her dying days hooked to an oxygen tank after years of smoking Bel-Airs is enough visualization anyone could ever need. My sense of smell has returned, skin tone drastically improved, and overall I feel a sense of compassion for anyone who finds themselves in the throes of an addiction. But for 285 days I have proven, to myself at least, that it is possible. Now to quit nicotine replacement is the final step for me.

HOUSTON, we have Ignition...

And so I sit in Houston this morning, after a harrowing move that felt more like the "floating of Noah's arc" than driving. (LOL) It rained so heavily all the way down Monday it popped one of my van's windshield wipers off.... twice... and by the time I reached Houston I found myself laughing hysterically while driving 15 miles an hour through downtown expressways with zero visibility. Never let it be said I don't have a sense of humor in a crisis. But I am here to report I actually made it here, unpacked the van, and now I sit comfortably reconstructing my life today.
Having everything you own in boxes certainly will make you acutely aware of what you actually need in life and what you "think" you need. Luckily, I have always been a pretty good packer so finding absolute essentials went pretty quickly. Got the computer up and running much faster than I expected, but haven't made a dent setting up the studio desk yet. But all is well here. I did want to thank the group of marvelous people that helped in no small way to make this a good transition for me. So thanks to Roger, Patty, Wade, Lori, Judy, and Genie. And thank you Genie for being so kind to me especially, I miss you already.

Another Inspirational Horoscope

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): "There can be no transformation of darkness into light and of apathy into movement without emotion," wrote psychologist Carl Jung. That should be your motto in the coming week, Libra. Clear thinking and impeccable logic will not be sufficient to guide you to your next great adventure. You need the driving force of succulent emotion rising up in your solar plexus, the lush power of raw sensitivity piercing your heart. Feel as deep as you dare.

Guess What I am Doing?

Packing, PacKing, PacKing

... and so on. I never like moving, but packing to move is a great way clear out what is needed and what needs to be discarded in life. Even though I don't have much stuff here in Texas, packing is still a chore. Just bear with me my friends as my life is currently under construction. :)

Had lunch with Bammy yesterday, and met her brand new red toy. Some people would call it an air compressor, and claim it is a much needed tool. But I am here to claim any big enameled, shiny metal thing that has a flip switch and a certain noise level is a toy, especially if it is RED. (LOL) It's OK Bammy, I think there may be a twelve step program for that. If not some femme out there should create one. In any case her house renovations are pretty impressive, with or without her new red toy. Thanks for a fun lunch and driving me around, it was a pleasure.

The First of the Season

Today I saw a firefly. In a dusky half-light, driving down the street I saw one then another dancing across the lush lawns. My heart just lept into my throat with a little squeaky sound...weeeee! In a flash I was seeing fireflies as I did in hazy early summer months as a child, with the same intense delight.
When I moved to Alaska from Texas... oh, how I missed these little bugs. Long after I learned just how they were able to blink complicated messages to each other in lights, what processes they used, and the scientific facts of their short lives I still prefer seeing the magic of them. The delight found in the beauty of the unexplained, and tonight in some way this image like no other reminds me of what the core of faith is. Not to be caught in a complicated web of intellect and words, but to be experienced straight from the heart.

Runescape Addiction Update

This last weekend I made my goal of 50+ in every discipline on Runescape. No real new goals around playing the game now, the other "blissfully ignorant" goal I set in the beginning was really too much work. I find myself attracted to the crafting, magic, and cooking aspects more than any of the others as can be seen in my scores at this point. It has been suggested I sell my character on Ebay to some player wanting a leg up in the game. The thought of her being played by someone other than me feels kinda weird so it is very doubtful I would do that. Just a nice, solid little Runescape character for those days slaying dragons seems like a good idea :)

Boing, Boing........SPRING

Nothing beats the flowers available in Springtime. Thank you so much R for the beautiful reminder of this. Stargazer Lillies have always been a favorite, and these were particularly full and beautiful. :)

Busily packing and preparing for my move. The weather has been so stormy, cloudy almost every day with thunderstorms likely in the evenings. This was what Spring was like when I was a child in Texas, but the tornado action has been a little excessive this year. It is green and beautiful outside, but like a sauna about mid-day. But even at it's hottest, I am grateful for the rain. I remember last year, when everything looked and felt like an asphalt parking lot. No complaints from me this year.

Found a fabulous group of vintage beads for new bracelets in Illinois during my trip. So yesterday I cut them apart and started sorting them for new projects. Especially important since all my bracelets went to Seattle two weeks ago, and I always feel the need to make art when I'm in transition. In a way complicated, detail oriented work has always kept me focused.. ( I know Judy will remember the FIMO buttons so long ago in Alaska :) ) I am feeling a burst of creative vision, and I welcome it back. Spring has SPRUNG.

Two Tapping Terveen Jazz Babies

And if all the excitement of preparing for the prom wasn't enough, the very same night I was treated to the dance sensation of Amber and Ashley in their competition dance group. I tried to take pictures of the performance, but must leave that to the professionals as the sisters twirled and tap danced too fast for this aunt to catch on film. (LOL) I must say today as I upload all these beautiful, talented, and smart nieces how truly blessed I am to have such a collection. My sisters done good.>>wink<<

Let There be PROM

My favorite pictures of great High School events tend to be the candid shots taken before the "official" portraits begin. Here are two (and one half if you count the weenier dog Princess) of my favorite Beckmans as Maryssa posed in full prom regalia with Lauren. This was for her boyfriend's Junior Prom, her first. It was also her first strapless dress, a glorious red beaded satin, and she was adorable in it.

Of course Puggy Beckman had to have his picture taken with the prom dress too. :) Such a sweet and smart young woman, I am so very proud of her.

Last Soccer Game of the Season 0-0

I attended Crystal's last indoor soccer match of the season while in Illinois, and here she is in full glory. They played their hearts out, and the only near miss goal of the night was Crystal's. It is funny to experience a group of people chanting for her to score every time she has possession of the ball. I guess her reputation and general attitude of "Soccer Players Eat Their Dead" proceeds her. She is a pretty tough little goalie too, which really surprised me. It is a co-ed team, and the boys generally seem to steer clear of her most times. Very smart.(LOL) I love this kid!

Still Counting :)

257 Days since my final cigerette. I don't even crave them now when I am with others that are smoking socially. I am still taking Nicotene replacement, mainly for stress relief.

I will be updating my blog over the next few days. I find it almost impossible to write when I am traveling, especially with family because we spend so much time together. This is a good thing of course, but I do miss my blog on those occasions. I am definitely a blogger now, because everyday experiences now lead me to think...hmmm...should I blog about this? (LOL)

After much consideration, I finally made the decision to move, and I will be going to Houston at the end of this month. One step closer to Galveston, which is my ultimate goal at this point. The beach delights me and is very inspiring to me. I want to experience residing there in this lifetime. So the big wheel of the Universe turns once again. But today the wheel leads me to update my blog with pictures and fun things from my family trip. And to say "Hi" to all of you I adore. You know who you are :)

And a Special Ballon Tribute to YOU

As always, you are the best of friends. Thank you for your kindness, and may it be returned to you as well. Love you. :)

The Ballon as Art

<<<--------If you are gonna dress your kid like this.

You better have one of these (LOL)--------->>>>

Why I Love Me Some Rob Brezsny April 18, 2007

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You could grow moonflowers in a toxic waste dump, Libra. You could lift the spirits of a child who has been raised in grievous poverty. That's how much regenerative power you possess right now. You might even be able to locate underground water in a desert, or resurrect a dead dream, or alleviate half of your deepest suffering. I'm not absolutely sure you could transform lead into gold, but I do know that now is one of your best chances ever to pull it off.

My horoscope for this week. I guess I best figure out how to do this :)

Is This Any Way to Treat the President Deux

He-He-He. Another Blue Q product. I always wonder when I see things like this if the company is audited shortly after introduction of this kind of thing. In any case, I am gonna save this sticker sheet for truly memorable letter writing experiences. Thanks Wade :)
Busy getting bracelets finished this week for the Seattle Art Museum's new expansion opening. I will be the featured artist in the Gift Gallery during the big Gala Public Reception, and it promises to be very glamorous. Of course I won't be attending, but my bracelets will.(LOL) All this and a three pound potato within the last thirty days. I guess I can't say my life isn't unusual.
Funny thing is, when I was designing jewelry early on in my career the Seattle Art Museum never bought any of it. Of course they were great customers when I did the candles and other products, so I have no complaints. Figures that these one of a kind bracelets I didn't really make with the idea of selling would be what they want to buy and focus on. Now to find more vintage beads and get to it.

A Little Alter Update

In Galveston this weekend I found one of those great old "Penny Masher" machines that stretches a real penny you insert in the machine mechanism and stamps it with a design of the resort. I made this little penny for my alter, to remind me of a blustery day with my sister bundled up in resort chairs watching the stormy waves. Feeling at peace and a sense of closure.

No Road Trip is Complete...

...without Bizarre Trip Art. At least no trip I've ever taken. (Judy will vouch for this, I am sure.) So this weekend Wade made us close our eyes as he drove through a warehouse district in Houston so he could surprise us with these. GIANT Presidential heads, the whole area looking like a movie set for the "Attack of the 30 Foot Tall Dead Presidents". (LOL) This is actually the studio parking lot of the sculptor David Adickes, his most famous piece being the Stephen F. Austin Monument viewed driving into Houston. It was a surreal experience, all these disembodied heads, as these photos can attest, but cool.

(OK, maybe this is where his brian is stored.)

Still on my quest to bring the you the very best bizarre art for entertainment and amusement :)

Texas to Get Prez Heads and Titanic Cowboy - Roadside America

Mama Comes Home to Texas

This Easter weekend was the time we chose to fulfill my mother's last wish. Being the quirky iconoclast she was, she wanted to be cremated and her remains make the trip home and be sprinkled over the Texas bluebonnets in the Springtime. This seems like a pretty easy task, but the first Spring after her death (last year) Texas was in a serious draught and no bluebonnets arrived. Who knew weeds (and that is basically what Bluebonnets are) actually needed water to grow? So my sister Patty and I made the decision to wait until this year, and I am so glad we did.
I cried and cried when picking my sister up from the airport, because this year bluebonnets were everywhere. Every overpass, every small patch of ground in East Texas was covered in massive, huge bluebonnets. It had been a long time since they had grown so fully, and I cried every time I saw them because it really was like the Universe made it perfect just from Mama this year.
Our first stop was to bring a little of Mama home to her parents. The picture we used to represent her on her last trip home was one of my favorites, an Easter picture of her and two sisters in 1954. We were shocked when we realized we were spreading these ashes 30 years to the day of my grandfather's death, and it all felt so right to do. Since Mom didn't want any type of gravestone or marker,we were happy to take her to her parents, knowing we could always visit her there. The next day it was on to find the perfect bluebonnets. We found a national Bluebonnet Park close to Ennis, Texas with great sloping hills into a little pond that would be a perfect view and very peaceful for her. So up the hill we walked, and the beauty of the place was overwhelming. We sat in the field and talked and talked, both to Mom and remembering her between ourselves and laughing. It all felt so happy, and when my sister said she felt her dancing in heaven, I had to agree. This is the field we found, and part of her eternal view. Because it is a park set aside for bluebonnets, she will have them every year they grow here forever.
Then it was on to Galveston, Texas to send the last of her remains to the sea. We drove down as the big cold front hit Texas, and it was actually sleeting in Galveston when we arrived. But by Easter morning the rains subsided, and even though it was bitter cold it didn't rain as we sprinkled to last of her on the beach we played on as children.

As much as we miss and loved our Mom, it was a wonderful experience I would not have missed. There is indeed a closure that doing the right thing for the deceased brings, and a peace that comes from knowing how happy she would have been (and is) that we did this for her. I am so grateful for a sister to share this with, Thank you Patty for everything.

BOOM BOOM BOOM

It's been three days now of incredible Spring thunderstorms moving through my neck of the woods, which means limited Internet time for me. I do have surge protectors for the major appliances, but "better safe than fried" is my motto at this point of my life. This weather is familiar to me, the kind of Spring I remember as a child. Full of tornado watches and evening thunderstorms. We actually got seven inches of rain last night, and it is predicted we'll get even more through the weekend. So I've taken the opportunity to read and write in my journal, and just enjoy the rain.
Next week we finish Mom's wishes and spread her ashes over Spring bluebonnet fields in Texas. I am so glad we waited for this year, there are huge fields of them everywhere. She would be so happy with this, and Patty and I finish in Galveston for a day or so of relaxation. Many encrustations will be consumed, I am sure.(LOL) It will feel good to have finished this for Mom.

The Runescape Closet

Several friends have written me asking why my little Avatar Lava is dressed as a medieval princess pulling a sword from the stone here, so I am coming out of the closet today. Mom...I'm gay. Oh sorry...wrong closet (LOL) OK :::deep breath::: I've been playing Runescape.
For years I have been a SIMS devotee. Something about that electronic dollhouse was fun to me, and I crawled all over the net finding amazing furnishings and clothing for my little SIMS people. I even set up entire neighborhoods of my actual friends. I have made the statement to several closest to me that when I die, let my SIMS game be played at my wake so everyone could find themselves in the game and enjoy my little obsession. That was until Runescape.
It started out easy enough. But any description I could write here would not do this online game justice. It is set in medieval times, and populated by actual online users 24 hours a day on 200+ servers around the globe. Twenty three different skill areas to master, unlimited items to buy and sell in auction-like stores. Rewards for mastery, it fosters goal setting and critical math skills. GOD help me, right up my alley. My friends Risley and Brooke played online with me, and I made an internal goal (very early on) to reach 50 in every discipline (that is 1/2 way...the best is 99 in each) on the game. Above is my Runescape scorecard, and as everyone can see I only have five more areas to bring up to 50. After several months of intense playing. Scary but true. I thought this would bring me up to a level that it would be fun playing in, middle of the pack. Enough knowledge to not get killed by every giant spider or tree frog walking around on the game. I have since learned that I am ranked in the top 1000 players of this game with these scores. There are over 500,000 players at any one time, and the developer Jagex states there are well over one million users. Yikes!
So what happens at 50+ you may ask? Well, since I know how this works...I am already starting to limit my time and not play as hard at it. No internal promises to go for 99 in each area within a certain time frame, as I would think my only reward there would be a straight jacket. So I am reclaiming my head space for what it was intended for. But it has been fun, and I have learned a lot about how I think and what my strengths are in life by playing this game. So if anybody is wanting to develop an online game, give me a call...(LOL) I have a few ideas after playing this one. :)

Visions of DIM SUM Danced in her head...

I'll admit it out loud, I have missed it. It was a staple of my diet for years, and moving from Seattle meant Dim Sum dining would never be the same. Oh, I did find a small Dim Sum restaurant in St. Louis, and was grateful to have it, but it paled in comparison to Seattle China Town. In Texas this craving is fierce sometimes, causing me to attend those massive "China Buffet" Restaurants and eating only shrimp dishes to fool myself into believing in Dim Sum again. Or going to Asian markets and buying frozen Dim Sum (that could be made of rubber actually..must check the ingredients next time) to warm up in the oven.:::sigh::: Not even close substitutions.

So enter Barbara, who assured me there actually was a DIM SUM restaurant in Dallas. I was tickled beyond belief to know this, and so Sunday was Happy Happy Dim Sum Day. She met me with champagne in large restaurant in Garland. (Yes Rogie...GARLAND...who knew! This may have to replace Whattaburger as "restaurant du jour" when you visit :) ) and we had the Texas DIM SUM experience. My, oh my. It was actually pretty good, and definitely an amazing accomplishment for landlocked Dallas. As good as it tasted, it was like chicken soup for my battered soul. Life may be worth living if Dim Sum is in it. :::wink::: Thanks Barbara...for everything.

Unsolicited Product Endorsement

When these little tins appeared on store shelves in December I winced. A total Cinnamon Altoid lover (cinnamon tricks the tongue into thinking it has had nicotine as well) I was dismayed at this new development...who would dare defile Cinnamon Altoids with chocolate! Normally I am all for chocolate in it's many forms...but on my beloved Altoids? So recently incognito, when I was sure no one would catch me, I snuck into my local store and bought a tin of these to try. I couldn't help it, I am the curious sort.
OMG These are incr--freaking--edible. Like adult Junior Mints with a hard mint center. So nice I would suggest no one within a hundred miles of my home buy them so I never run out. Just goes to show you can't always judge a mint by it's tin so to speak. Innovation is good, resistance is futile.

Could this be any more WRONG or what ?? (LOL)

What American accent do you have? Your Result: Boston You definitely have a Boston accent, even if you think you don't. Of course, that doesn't mean you are from the Boston area, you may also be from New Hampshire or Maine.
The Midland
The West
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The Inland North
North Central
The South
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

What I am reading: "COLOR - A Natural History of the Pallette" by Victoria Finlay

I was given this book at Christmas (Thanks Rogie), and I had no idea what to expect. I am pleased to report it is fascinating! I am about 1/2 of the way through and as much art history as I have read in my life this is a subject I never really seen covered before. The natural history and process of making the colors used in painting and how they were discovered. Ms. Finlay has done a lot of travel and research, and it is amazing to understand regional color discoveries and how this knowledge was passed down through the centuries. It is a dense book, but in a style that captures the imagination and really illustrates the "blood" that makes paintings work. I would recommend this book for those interested in history, and especially those who make or love art.

An Internet Public Service Announcement

Recently a friend was contacted in an attempt at intimidation offline when her full name was found on her blog and was used to find her place of business in an attempt to harass her. Because of her experience, I thought long and hard about taking my own name off this blog in the interest of personal safety. I have come to realize that people that would do such a thing in the anonymity of cyberspace are terrorists, pure and simple. And cowardly ones at that. I have made the decision my name will stand on this blog. I will not cower in fear for my opinion and words. I haven't yet in life, and I won't start now. I realize there are lesbian women that can't afford to do this, I am happy to do this in honor of them.
And to all those who participate in these acts take notice; Karma knows no difference between real life and electronic media. I believe the energy you use in these pursuits is the energy you attract in your life eventually. So when you feel self satisfied with your behavior, feel you have "fooled" or feel pride that you have hurt someone else just know when it comes back around to you intensified in the cycle of life you yourself attracted it.

Back to regularly scheduled blogging. :)

Chicken Fried Steak Anyone?

And just when I got home and unpacked from my five day trip with Wade, I had just enough time to do laundry before I jumped right back out and traveled down to Meridian, Texas to help my friends Lisa and Dot with a Texas Chuckwagon Competition. Never one to miss a chicken fried steak as good as Dottie's, it was actually a working trip, since two of their regular crew could not make it for this show. Yes, the day found Genie and I scrubbing out cast iron pots as big as most people's cars but all the work was well worth it and the pay in being fed was great :). Dottie's chuckwagon garnered four awards including: 1st place Beans, 1st place Biscuits, 2nd place Chicken Fried Steak (she was robbed) and 2nd place mashed potatoes. All the chuck wagons entered were required to make the same menu, and Dotty just missed best of show by two points! Quite an accomplishment for an all female crew in the vast male dominated field.
The highlight of the trip for me was meeting my first three pound potato. No kidding, I have never seen a potato this size in my entire life. Even Dottie who has met many, many potatoes agreed it was special, and like Wilber the pig in "Charlotte's Web" it's potato life was spared because it was "some potato." YES...I did get a picture of it so you can tell your own friends you have witnessed this phenomenon yourself. Not thanks necessary, I am, as always here to report the facts. (LOL)

The Amazing Julie Speed

You may recognize this Julie Speed painting as the illustration on Shawn Colvin's Grammy-winning album "A Few Small Repairs. " It was so much fun to finally meet and see her amazing work and studio in person, and her newer work was very inspiring to me. Working in printmaking, oil, and also gouache( where I am here to tell you she works some magic in a very difficult medium) I found her to be delightful in person. Her move from Austin to Marfa has agreed with her, and subtle changes are already emerging in her imagery because of it. Here is Wade, Julie, and Barbara posing outside her studio with "Hot Mama", our "art visiting art" sculptural mascot. A truly memorable visit, please see her link for updated works. Julie Speed Home

Is this any way to treat a President?

What is any party without fabulous swag, and I found these in my goodie bag from Wade's Party. Think he has a handle on my political leanings? (LOL) Candies and gum from Blue Q, one of my favorite companies. I read recently that the Bush Administration has had a huge group of irreverent products aimed at them in the last eight years, far more than any president in recorded history. Well, duh. It is a well known fact real Democrats (when they aren't wrapped up in appearing politically correct) have a sense of humor. You Republicans should try that, it's called laughter. It can be fun...really. And if Nero could fiddle as Rome burned we can laugh while our version destroys the world as we know it. Sometimes that is the only thing you can do to keep from weeping.

OOOO...Another Spooky Texas Story

Part of the charm of visiting Marfa, Texas is the world famous Marfa Lights. This strange phenomenon can be observed on clear nights right outside of the city, and the Texas Highway Department (Your tax dollars at work) have even erected a viewing area off the side of the road. The lights blink on the far horizon, change colors, and look to be moving toward you when you are watching them.
I was pleased when they decided to show for Wade's party. It was pitch black, and the stars were incredibly visible, that in itself inspiring. When we entered the viewing pavilion it wasn't long until a Marfa light formed in front of us. A large one, bluish in color, pulsated for the entire time we stood there. It became larger and looked as if it was coming toward us, and certain members of our party decided it had to be a light reflected on the side of a barn because of it's vague squarish shape. There are some that think the lights are mineral deposits giving off gas at ground level, and some believe the Marfa lights are ghosts of Indians killed on those grounds. If it was an illusion based on the drinking with did with dinner it was certainly "en masse". (LOL) Whatever it was, it was sufficiently spooky and did give us a real excuse to be crawling around West Texas at night.

Handbook of Texas Online:

Another Milestone

As of today, it has been 216 days since I quit smoking. I am very proud of this small accomplishment, and as hard as it has been this time to quit I know I am off smoking for good. In thanks to all that have supported this I will continue to update status until it has been a year. Only 140 days to go...I am waaay over the hump :)

The 50th Birthday Party Event of the YEAR

If you are planning a big 50th Birthday Party, Wade is your "go-to" guy. I can not imagine it being planned any better or involving any nicer people, and it was sooo Wade and so much fun.

Wade's big birthday found all roads leading to Marfa, Texas in the middle of the west Texas wilderness. OK, they do have a PRADA store, even if it isn't really functional. (LOL) But I am getting ahead of myself here. Wade, his good friend Barbara and I set out from Houston on the 10 hour car trek with good music and even better conversation. Stopping only for gasoline and Bar-B-Que on the way (who doesn't stop for Texas Bar-B-Que?) we reached Marfa in the late afternoon.

Now Marfa, Texas is a tiny little town in West Texas about a zillion miles from civilization, or so it would seem. Offical population a whopping 2112 (I saw the sign); It had been years since I had rolled through here in college. My last visit a sorority pledge prank to see the Marfa Lights (I will post on this further) the most distinctive feature of the town for years. My, oh my...how things change. Little Marfa, Texas has become a serious ART MECCA, probably not unlike the small town Santa Fe was when Georgia O Keefe started hanging around. The perfect spot for Wade to celebrate, since his life is in so many ways all about art :)

The weekend was a blur...literally..of great art, good friends, good conversation, excellent food, wine and champagne of course. The Hotel Paisano was the hotel that housed the stars of "Giant" during the filming, and we were convinced the suite where we stayed had been Rock Hudson's suite (but this is because we took in consideration he probably slept in them all.. LOL). The highlight of my trip (besides being with one of my favorite people on his 50th birthday) was finally meeting Julie Speed and seeing her studio up close and personal. I was also delighted in meeting so many great new people, what a fabulous group of friends! Who could possibly need anything more in their lives than this? And a telling sign of a good friend is the people they call friends..

And about that PRADA store. Well, it is a conceptual art piece dropped smack down in the West Texas wilderness. You drive and drive in the countryside, no gas stations or other signs of civilization and there it suddenly is. I couldn't help but see it was like certain people in your life, a tiny oasis of art in the wilderness. And that, my dear friend Wade, is what you are to me. :) The happiest of birthdays to you, I guess it is on to 100 now.>>wink<<


Prada Marfa.

BOO!

The pile of stuff on my desk to blog about has reached the ceiling practically in the last six weeks. I developed a really nasty head cold this last weekend, so while I am just sitting around trying to feel better (with my feet bathed in Mentholatum in fuzzy socks...really!) I thought I would update this poor neglected blog. Don't know why I've gotten out of the habit of writing on it, but I am going to try my best once again to do so. I know, I know...promises, promises.
I am really a visual person, writing does not come that easily for me. Especially when I am blue or busy just getting through whatever is on my plate. In therapy once I was given an assignment to use my art to describe my angst or sadness, and I found I couldn't do it, as it came from a hopeful childlike place in me. I am finding this true around writing as well. I believe this is a lot of people's struggle at the present time when the world is in so much darkness. Just some are more effective at writing about it.
In any case here I am...blogging away. I have so much to upload, so I will get to it. :) Enjoy!

Pardon me if my HEAD Explodes

The last month or so I have been preparing for a creative jag, and my head is so full of details and ideas that I am now spending a lot of time (scribble, scribble, scribble) at my desk. In a much better frame of mind, the details are coming fast and furious. Soon it will be time once again to focus and implement these ideas. I will say I have always been grateful for the ability to think creatively. It has a downside to be sure, but I wouldn't have chosen a different life than the one I have in this way.
Over the holidays I catalogued and pulled about 1/2 of my vast 30 year "I don't know why I was driven to collect" popular culture toy collection and over the next three to four weeks will be offering it for sale on Ebay. As always I was surprised at my feelings in doing this, it does seem the more I clear space in my life (processions that serve no real purpose) the lighter I always feel in some way emotionally. I guess I am in a phase of "emotional" Spring cleaning in this way. And really, how many snowdomes, bendy figures, character dolls, etc. does anyone need? I guess my unconscious mind took the old saying "Those that die with the most toys wins" a little too literally. (LOL)
I am trying to get back into the habit of blogging, as I have missed it. Kinda like a public diary of my thoughts about and to people I care for. I like that :)

Be Afraid, be VERY Afraid State of Illinois Swimmers!

Time for a little Aunt bragging. Here they are, those fabulous Beckman swimming sisters. Crystal is just this close to gaining state ranking; and Maryssa and Lauren are ranked nationally now Ahhh...OK. Now back to our regularly scheduled blog reading. :)