view from the middle ages (in Paris)

2009-03-19T01:46:00.000-07:00

HOW NOW MAO COW?

Or "Blue Mao Marilyn Cow"
Or "Marilyn Mao Moo", or
"Why didn't they make the images of Jackie, Liz, Jesus or Nixon into magnets?"

Especially the Nixon one as it was an image of him with the words "vote McGovern" scrawled across the bottom, on paper, attached with tape. I totally would have spent three euro fifty for that magnet. The chuckle upon seeing it was worth 3.5...maybe even worth the 11 euro entrance fee to see the entire Warhol exhibit yesterday at Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais.

When I decided to head over there I didn't realize it was opening day for the exhibit. There were 3 lines to get in: the very important, mostly well-dressed or at least artistically thrown together and not very recently washed because we important artists hardly have time for that we are so busy creating new works which will change society as we know it; the slightly less important but dramatically less well-dressed (animal print capris with matching trim on jacket?--ugh); and then the rest of us (personnes sans billet) who didn't think to purchase museum memberships with our inheritance, nor make a ticket rez in advance, nor even plan an artistic outfit...hence my walkable shoes, jeans, and zip-up cardigan. But I felt mostly secure in my sensible shoes as I watched many a gal hobble past on 4 inch stillettos, smoking and looking hungry.

THANK GOD Andy's parents had the foresight to settle in America as the fact he was American is the only reason I can figure the exhibit explanations were in French and English (somewhat smaller font lest we forget the pre-eminence of the french language). Did you know he was shot by someone (maybe in the 1980's) and barely survived? Me neither. He also considered himself a commercial artist. Which I take to mean he didn't mind making big bucks and wasn't apologetic about it. It reminded me of something I recently read about Paul McCartney and John Lennon. I can not come close to quoting it but the gist was Paul saying they were not just idealists, they used to say things to one another like "let's write ourselves a new swimming pool."

I have to figure seeing the exhibit as an American is somewhat different than from other cultural perspectives...just makes sense. Because really, how many French people, or other nationalities, would look at the Nixon piece and get the joke? Certainly no one under 30 (40?)...for that matter Americans under a certain age probably don't get it. But then getting the insider nuances doesn't mean people everywhere won't enjoy the work. Based on the time I waited in line and the amount of english I heard spoken while there, being American is by no means required.

So ya, did the Warhol, got the magnets.

2009-02-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

My Preciouses!

2009-01-26T22:15:00.000-08:00

Inspiration! My newest passion is creating images by cutting up thrift store sweaters and stitching pieces together. I wish it was an original idea but I have few of those. Recently while visiting Holly I saw some fab pieces in a local shop--I even bought one to support the artist! And it started the creative juices flowing, so i had to rush out to a local thrift store to find various colored sweaters, then dig into them with scissors and thread. When I arrived back here in Oakland (still on hiatus from Paris) I began using my sewing machine as well. The nest piece is all machine stitched, and the tree pieces are currently hand done (basted) but I plan to go over them on the machine as well so they will be more durable.

2008-08-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

Images from my 3+ hour walk today.

2008-08-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

The Jardin des Plantes in the 5eme arrondissement.

2008-08-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

Signs, signs, everywhere are signs....

2008-08-19T14:16:00.001-07:00

Public Art

2008-08-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

Windows and reflections from today's walk.

2008-08-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Pink!

2008-08-15T14:58:00.001-07:00

From a walk today...even the graffiti in Paris is elegant!

2008-08-12T02:28:00.000-07:00

A Cold Drink of Water in a Dry Land
On Sunday we had a refreshing visit from new friends Shelley, Doug and Michon Pagitt. Well, it was refreshing for us, somewhat exhausting for them as they had just arrived from the US and were seriously sleep deprived. So of course we proceeded to take them on an hours-long walking tour of Paris!--"you WILL stay awake and talk to us, you will, you will!" Their time in Paris was just 24 hours so the best had to be made of it. On our way to Notre Dame we stopped at St. Sulpice. After Notre Dame a rest and a cafe' avec du lait were in order. It was timed rather perfectly as a rain shower occurred while we were sitting having our coffee. Next up was the Louvre to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa. We all agree she is a bit underwhelming, particularly in juxtaposition to the mural opposite her which has to be 200 times (?) as big as she is, and therefore much more intricate (and interesting). Everyone was ready for some fuel after the Louvre so we schlepped into a bistro near Pt. Royal and had a tasty meal. The plan was to catch the RER train or the Metro to the Tour Eiffel, but WHAT?--the RER station was shut tight, and backtracking to find the Metro station was vetoed, MUCH to Michon's chagrin. Poor thing was SO exhausted. She may never forgive us for walking her the entire way! Eventually we arrived at the Eiffel, and thankfully she rarely disappoints. We caught the Metro back to our neighborhood where the Pagitt's finally felt they could fall into bed, with Craig and me not far behind. Next morning it was up early and off to the train station so they could catch a cab to the airport for their flight to Nice. We didn't really know them before this day, but thoroughly enjoyed their company and now consider them friends.

2008-07-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

This Little Twiggy Went to Market

2008-07-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Les Puces

Yesterday we ventured to the Les Puces (the fleas) Market in the 18th arrondissment. I'm quite certain we saw but a tiny fraction of it, and will likely return for additional exploration...and save up our euros in the meantime as nothing is cheap.

2008-07-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

Well, yes, it certainly beats leaves & twigs.

2008-07-27T00:58:00.000-07:00

Chinny Chin Chin

Should any of you out there ever spy stray hairs or WHISKERS on my chin or general facial area, you may be assured that I have not noticed them. Ella-Mae and I will each consider it a personal favor to have them gently pointed out. I can not do much about the droops and lines, but I do have a mean pair of tweezers and as long as I have glasses and a magnifying mirror, I know how to use them! Before any of you gents start thinking you are escaping the bodily evidence of time passing, check for bushes coming out of your ears.

2008-07-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful invention!

2008-07-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

This is not.

2008-07-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

(Since writing this I have adjusted to Paris time, though still am amazed it is only just beginning to lose daylight at 10pm.)

SLEEPLESS IN PARIS

Wide awake again at 2-something a.m. Tonight I tried going without sleeping medication as the half-dose I took in the middle of the night last night encouraged me to slumber until after 12 noon! No wonder I am not tired now, you say! That and the fact my body still believes it to be in California where it is late afternoon. Which makes me wonder why they don’t have Judge Judy dubbed in French here……? If they do such heights of creativity as that supposed-reality-in-Laguna-Beach “The Hills” and “Family Guy” why why POURQUOI is there no “Judge Judy” here?

Lying in bed awake a bit ago I was SO THANKFUL to hear the high whine of a mosquito. Have I lost my mind? Not quite. Tonight is the fifth night in our apartment and on or about the third day I noticed bug bites on my legs and even one on my face. I became a bit creeped out as we are sleeping, eating, sitting, even drying off with things which are rented. Immediately I recalled the episode of Judge Judy where the family bought a NEW mattress, slept on it, got bitten all over and found it infested with BED BUGS!!---and we are sleeping eating sitting etc. on RENTAL furniture!

And so tonight may possibly be the first time I have ever found the sound of a mosquito whining in my ear to be a good thing.

Things I have yet to appreciate or be thankful for:
*stepping in dog poo
*dark hairs growing out of my chin
*the price of gas, and the fact we’re growing corn for fuel while much of Africa starves
*losing my mom

Should my jet lag continue I will be adding to this list, one of which will be “sleepless nights.”

2008-07-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

*This now seems hopelessly out of date, but that's what happens when one has only
brief connections with the internet in the space of 2 weeks.

Fab and Slab

Yesterday afternoon we arrived at our apartment in Paris, and it is even more FAB than I remembered. The journey was long, starting with a 3+ hour delay leaving SFO. We arrived in Francfort just in time to scramble the mile and a half (not really an exaggeration, I don’t think) with our ridiculously heavy carry-ons plus Twig to the gate where our connecting flight to Paris had just left. Tired, frustrated, out of breath and sweating profusely we glowered our way back toward where we started in order to re-book a flight to Paris. Passing the Luftansa biz class lounge Craig thought perhaps someone there would be able to help us, and while he asked I entered the lounge and nabbed us a liter bottle of water. The receptionist click-click-clicked on her computer and said “There’s a flight leaving in 20 minutes from A 10. I’ll call ahead.” Off we ran back the way we’d come, and Yes! they had space for us.

Unfortunately our bags did not make that last leg of the journey. We were told they would be delivered to us last night, but “non.” Just now got a call they will be delivered late this afternoon! Thankfully the furniture rental package included a washer and dryer, so we ran our sweaty things from yesterday through a wash and dry, and had clean clothes to put on this morning. I used a large kitchen fork (yes, really) to comb my hair after my shower, but at least I have clean panties to wear!

Adjusting to urban life will be just that, an adjustment, but all three of us are giving it a go. Last night around 10:30 Twig needed to go outside, having not done so since leaving home in Oakland. On went the shoes, socks, jacket, and down to the street we went. Like a trooper he peed in the small square of dirt around a tree right on the busy street. We proceeded on our way and moments later I glanced back and he was pooing directly in front of a restaurant door with one of the workers standing in the open doorway! Thankfully the worker was pleasant (or perhaps he was cursing us while smiling & laughing??) and I immediately scooped up the droppings in a plastic bag and felt as proud of Twig as I would a 2 year old going on the toilet for the first time.

One of the other things we will be adjusting to is the amount of street noise. It is not terribly intrusive if all the windows are closed but yesterday was warm and keeping them closed made it much too hot to sleep. We are sure to find some balance but for now we hear every car, bus, horn, scooter, motorcycle, siren and drunken person calling to their friends. For those of you who may visit one day, be warned and bring ear plugs. Also, pack a toothbrush in your carry on so as not to have to share with your travel partner should your luggage have the same fate as ours!

I have just reached that time of the day when my body says “Why are we awake?—it is 3:30 in the morning where we come from!” Being this tired may even make lying down on that slab the rental furniture company calls a mattress seem appealing. Just a wee little rest, we think………bon nuit!

2008-01-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

Wedding gift for Amanda & Derek.
~acrylic paint, spray paint, decoupage on plywood~

2007-11-24T09:13:00.000-08:00

The Biggest Heart

How old is old enough to die? Never, and certainly not early 60's. My auntie PK died yesterday. We got a call Thanksgiving evening saying she had been found unconscious earlier that day, and a brain scan indicated a "massive brain hemmorrage."

Our family uses the phrase 'silly goose', and PK was certainly that. She had a huge heart, especially for the underdog, and if she was on your side you had a friend, a champion, a bulldog on your team. She was Generous, Opinionated, sometimes Obsessive, and loved to laugh. PK loved treasure hunting and bargains and was an amazingly talented (self-taught? god-given?) artist. She was a sister, a mom, an auntie, a friend.

For many years PK endured much suffering with her health. The docs never seemed to be able to figure out what the problem was, yet she kept on through the overwhelming fatigue and incapacitating months-long headaches. My mom, her sister, says she was very brave and never gave up hope. At times she gave up some things, like opening her mail, but never hope.

We love you PK, and will deeply miss you.

2007-10-27T23:30:00.000-07:00

Red Toenails; acrylic on canvas; 24" x 30" (i think)

2007-10-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Untitled as yet; acrylic etc. on canvas; 24" x 48"

2007-10-12T22:45:00.000-07:00

ORCHID CHAIR
(a.k.a. "Keep an Open Mind About Chartreuse")
original; mixed media; 24" x 36"

For some reason lately I have found it even harder to post here to the blog. Perhaps it is due to the jacked up way in which one must go about getting a photo from iPhoto to a new post. I just hate it when the rules or process I have learned changes...imagine if every few months, or every time you got a new car, all the traffic rules changed! "So sorry ma'am, green now means STOP---didn't you read your new RoadRules Installation Manual? Oh, and if someone hits you from behind: your fault!"

This pic is of one of my recent paintings...one of the things I've been doing while not posting to the blog. There are other things I find it hard to do lately, some of which are:
mop the floors
cook (I'm assuming toasting bagels does not count)
write thank-you notes for thoughtful birthday gifts (you know who you are)
fold laundry
not be bitter and angry when it rains (today)
call anyone.

The good news is that i have been painting a fair amount, so will perhaps post another example soon-ish.

2007-08-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

Tic Talk

Here is the finished piece I was commissioned to do through a connection Holly has (thankfully she was too busy to take the project herself, as she is the REAL artist, and if I knew more about computers I would insert a link to her website so y'all could see that for yourselves. I'd say something clever like go 'here' and the word here would be underlined and turn blue and when you clicked on it Holly's artwork would magically appear. Unfortunately we'll have to do it the old-fashioned way and you may go to dubdubdub dot hollysharp dot com). But enough about Holly, back to me!

So this piece was commissioned as a gift for a guy named Tic as part of the celebration of his 30 years at a parTICular organization. His colleagues (and friends?) were asked to submit three words describing him, and my job was to take that three-pages-long column of words/phrases and put each and every one of them onto the piece. I believe today is the day he was to be presented with the piece, so fingers crossed!

2007-06-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

COMMISSIONED

My friend Danelle stages houses which are for sale and contacted me last week to give her a hand with a current project in Berkeley. She put me in charge of the custom artwork with generally specific instructions and 3 canvasses (is that the plural for "canvas"?). The instructions were the following 3 words with the corresponding description of an image, done in "70's-ish" font:
"fly" with 3 birds
"dream" with clouds, and
"hope" with a horizon.

Whaddaya think, did I nail it? Danelle thought so. And I thought it was SO FUN!

2007-05-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

I am back to painting after traveling. It feels great! This one is intended as a wedding gift for Josh & Marilyn. I tried something new with it which I am quite excited about. From thrift stores I bought a bible, a dictionary and a hymn book, took out a few pages, sprayed them differing colors, then tore the shapes to make wings for the birds (adhered them with decoupage glue). So fun!

2007-04-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

Mockba = Moscow
and
Ballerina inside a metro station.

2007-04-27T12:16:00.000-07:00

Map of the metro.

2007-04-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

One of many scowling Russians.

2007-04-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

Moscow's version of Starbucks.

2007-04-27T12:10:00.000-07:00

2007-04-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

LAST NIGHT IN MOSCOW

Sorry John, but I actually hope tonight IS my last night, and day, in Moscow. Moscow and I just didn't "click" like say Paris and me or Florence and me. But (s)he started it!--(s)he just wasn't very nice to me right from the start. What with the film of dirt everywhere, the nasal-burning air pollution, the masses of people, the pushing masses of people, the scowling & pushing masses of smoking people, the busy and nearly indecipherable metro system, the lack of any language other than russian, AND the fact that they use an almost-entirely-different alphabet! When you don't even recognize the letters it becomes extra difficult to track words.

But we made the best of it, or at least the best we were able to make of it. We navigated our way around several times on the metro all by ourselves (and the 7 million other daily riders), meaning WITHOUT a russian-speaking guide, as some lightweights are known to use. Once we got the hang of it and understood how to determine the direction of the various train lines, it felt do-able, and is a seemingly comprehensive system---it has a lot of differing lines and stops anyway.

Observing some of the cultural differences and/or customs has been facinating. People park pretty much anywhere, including on the sidewalks and the rounded parts of street corners. Crosswalks are "use at your own risk" and on more than one occasion I watched drivers speed up to get into the crosswalk as people stepped off the curb. It appears perfectly acceptable to crowd and push in front of others when there is a bunch-up at say an escalator or a train. It's ok to drink beer or whatever on the street or the metro or wherever...it was odd to see people sitting on the train, beer bottle in hand. Thankfully the metro is one place smoking is not allowed.

Today we went to a well-known convent with more cool onion domes. Tomorrow Craig is off to Bucharest, and I am bailing and heading home!

2007-04-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

Today I almost got eaten by a wolf!

2007-04-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

OZZ F3ST COM3S TO MOSCOW!

2007-04-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Moscow sights.

2007-04-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

Pastels in Mockba.

2007-04-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

Proof we were indeed in Moscow.

2007-04-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

One of my all time faves!

2007-04-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

2007-04-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

2007-04-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

Last night was our final evening in Praha. We got a bit lost on our way back to the hotel and came upon this wonky building pictured above. I don't know what it is, don't really care, just think it is fun. Quite a contrast to the rest of the architecture of the city. Have I mentioned that Praha is rather expensive? Not as much as London, but still. We ordered two americano's at the airport this morning, and they were FIVE DOLLARS each. Not even 12 ounces worth, either. Last night I wandered through a department store in Wenceslaus Square, and was astounded at the prices. The merchandise was comparable to, say Mervyn's or Kohl's, but the prices were more like Macy's or Nordstrom, or even higher. Weird.

We arrived in Moscow this afternoon and I immediately proceeded to take a nap. Followed by dinner in one of the hotel restaurants* then back to the room to cuddle up to my computer. This is what happens when I pass the two week mark while traveling: I hibernate in the hotel and am determined to find nothing else interesting nor amuzing ever again. Until tomorrow. Should be a rockin' party in Red Square what with Boris being dead and all. I am SO there.

*ok, so the restaurant: apparently the waitstaff here has apprenticed with the good and kind and ever-attentive waitstaff in India, as they are expert hover-ers, watching every move a diner makes. Quite frankly, this pisses me off as much in Moscow as it did in Bangalore. I understand that culturally it must be thought of as a good thing, but all it does is make me feel like a captive animal in a zoo. Good thing I didn't start scratching my bum and throwing feces.

2007-04-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

Um, ok, a cute cuddly cartoon teddy bear with an assault rifle? Oh, I get it, communism has something for everyone, from kids to grown men! No wonder it was such a big hit.

2007-04-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

On our second day in Praha we rode the subway to the area near Praha Castle, walked up the hill to it, then wandered through. It is more like a village than what I would normally think of as a castle...many impressive buildings rather than a single one. We then meandered back to the subway and took it to the old jewish section where we toured a synagogue and an ancient graveyard. Inside the synagogue many thousands of names have been hand painted on the walls as a remembrance of the tens of thousands (or more?) who were murdered during the Nazi era but for whom there is no grave. These names cover all the interior surfaces of the building, downstairs and up, and represent a small evidence of what we are capable of doing to one another.

Another section was a generous display of artwork, and a few toys, done by children during that era. What struck me the most about it was not the art but rather my own heart; the display room was not large, and many of us there were. I was ready to leave, and yet there were people shoulder to shoulder with me on every side. They were not concerned with getting out of my way, as I felt they should be. As I excused my way brusquely through, I was realizing how immediately my self interest manifests, and how I wish that were not the case were I REALLY put to a test...a real test, not just clueless people in my way at a holocaust museum.........Indications are not good......God help us all, me especially (or would saying "you especially" be less selfish? if so, then by all means, you first).

2007-04-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Barbie made it to Prague Castle! Who knew?

2007-04-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

St. Vitus church in the background.

2007-04-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

St. Vitus church inside Prague Castle. The Castle is more like a small town rather than one building.

2007-04-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

Cappucino break.

2007-04-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

Shutters on a puppet store.

2007-04-22T14:54:00.000-07:00

What
Souvenir
Would
Jesus
Buy
?

2007-04-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

2007-04-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

A jewish cemetary spanning many centuries.

2007-04-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

Vintage cars may be hired for sightseeing tours. We walked.

2007-04-22T14:43:00.000-07:00

Giddy-up!

2007-04-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

I can never resist a cool clock.

2007-04-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

Hhhhmmmmm........

2007-04-22T14:37:00.000-07:00

2007-04-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

Our first day in Praha (Prague). It is a beautiful city with surprizes around many corners. There was a scouting jamboree in one of the city squares we wandered into...hundreds of youngsters, a live band, and a display of many kerchiefs---see the photo of triangular colorful shapes below.

2007-04-22T14:29:00.000-07:00

2007-04-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

2007-04-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

2007-04-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

2007-04-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

2007-04-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

2007-04-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

2007-04-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

Our niece Courtney and her backpacking pals Kinsey & Becky joined us in Paris!---lovely girls, all! Of course we had to go straightaway to Madamoseille Eiffel, followed by lunch at Cafe Kleber, and a brief walk to the Arc de Triumph. Tres` delightful.

2007-04-18T02:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, so if you scroll down the page you will see the photo of the art piece which says "Smoking is War". Well the French are FULLY engaged in this war, and they appear to be winning by the number of enlistees. When last here I found the level of smoking (war) somewhat endearing, like a cultural "tic", yet now after 5+ days of immersion I am less than amuzed. Excuze moi.

2007-04-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

PEACE
FASHION
SMOKING (see below)
...it would appear the French believe in war after all.

2007-04-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

A magnifique bridge over the Siene.

2007-04-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Chubby Baby at the Musee d'Orsay...wouldn't you hate to have your chubbiest moment captured, then put on display for all to see, forever and ever, and time immemorial? Talk about child abuse, sheesh.

2007-04-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

Savannah wouldn't pose.

2007-04-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Today is Tuesday.
"The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays."
Savannah was relieved.
She didn't want to go in anyway.

2007-04-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

Who in the world wouldn't want a miniature Eiffel Tower submerged in a gel-like substance which will in fact burn when that handy little wick is lit? That's what I thought, and so I am bringing one home for each and every one of you. Whoever leaves me the most comments while I'm gone gets to choose their color first!

2007-04-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

2007-04-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Last night, after climbing the many stairs to Sacre Coure (Sacred Heart). That is Paris in the background.

2007-04-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

Choose your weapon.

2007-04-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

From the Picasso museum.

2007-04-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

Even doorways in France are charming.

2007-04-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

The Picasso Museum...who knew he was one of my favorite artists?

2007-04-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

The Hall of Mirrors, Versailles

2007-04-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

Chapel ceiling at Versailles

2007-04-16T03:36:00.000-07:00

2007-04-16T03:32:00.000-07:00

2007-04-16T03:28:00.000-07:00

2007-04-16T02:39:00.000-07:00

Bonjour from Paris. We arrived Friday morning and rendevou'd with Savannah at the airport. After checking in to our hotel, we ventured out for the Eiffel Tower via the Metro. I am in love and awe of this train system, and the tube in London as well. Both systems put BART to shame.

We approached the tower from the end with the peace monument and heard the sounds of a live band playing nearby...after about 3 seconds Savannah said it sounded like a worship band. A few minutes later she and I wandered over to check it out while Craig was on a call, and SURE ENOUGH this group of youngsters were singing "worship" songs in english..."Jesus, you're the only one I can love"...a freckled young teen and her pre-teen friend approached us with flyers and tracts---"we're just here spreading the word...there are some really great camps this summer, with lots of activities, really fun activities." Miss Freckles is from Florida, her friend from New York, here on a "mission trip" no doubt. Just there in Paris to spread the word. Sweet.

I shook off my embarassment and proceeded to enjoy l'eiffel....

2007-04-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

Birch grove; one of my favorite types of tree, the birch.

2007-04-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

Another public art installation; illustrations by children reproduced on metal plaques. Delightful.

2007-04-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

Public art installation; near Tower Bridge, London

2007-04-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Upon reflection....

2007-04-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

St. Paul's Cathedral

2007-04-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

Tower Bridge

2007-04-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

Par le vous Anglaise?

We are not in France yet, however the WiFi company here at the hotel in London is a French company, and therefore I seem to only be able to access blogger in French---good thing I mostly remember what the little boxes and symbols mean. The main thing I want to report today is also related to said wifi company: it will occasionaly let me look at my email (some, not all) but so far will not allow any replying to occur. As Eliot on Scrubs likes to say, FRICK FRICK FRICK. Earlier I attmepted to post some pix, but NON said the system. Frick, says moi.

Our hotel is directly across from the Tower of London and 2-ish blocks from the Tower Bridge. Had my photos loaded you could see how cool the bridge is...never fear, i shall try again.

So today Craig was gone with work stuff all day. I took the tube all by my lonesome over to the Victoria & Albert Museum, wandered around it and bought myself lunch. How often do I eat lunch at a restaurant alone?---never. Then tubed back to the hotel and NAPPED. Jet lag is a bitch---makes me want to sleep during the day, then have my brain become quite awake between 4 and 6 am. Weird. I may resort to some Tylenol PM tonight.

Write and tell me how much you miss me! Lie if you must.

2007-04-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

THE SKIES WERE NEVER FRIENDLIER

Craig had the brilliant idea of upgrading our tix from SFO to Heathrow into business class, using frequent flier miles. Did I mention BRILLIANT? We were upstairs in the plane, wide, comfy seats arranged in pairs with reclinging ability and rising footrests like a proper La-z-boy. Shortly after we took off, we were offered complimentary juice, champagne, or sparkling water served in glass tumblers and with actual lemon wedges. I felt as if I was spending 10 or so hours in a lovely restaurant where I was able to nap or watch films in between lovely meals served with linen napkins and chilled silverware! I felt SO spoiled, SO happy, SO afraid of returning to my real life in economy class. Ah well, I'll soldier on around the EU in coach, reminding myself how VERY privileged I am, lemon & linen or no.

2007-04-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

Wedding Blessing for Evan & Lani

2007-03-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

NEW WORKS

2007-03-01T10:04:00.000-08:00

I'm Scared

This morning I picked up a book I bought at Thrift Town yesterday, began reading the back, then, alarmed, randomly read inside portions. Quickly, though not quickly enough, I realized I had already read the book. I think I even bought it new at Costco. This was on top of asking Craig last night "what ever happened to 'Six Feet Under'?---and then within about two seconds realizing I had indeed watched the SERIES FINALE when it aired a year or so ago.

If this is indeed the beginning of me losing my mind, you all can look back and know when it was in the early stages. And I am taking comfort knowing my children Gordon and Samantha will look after me.

It was all those years of aluminum cookware, wasn't it? Drat. I really am scared.

2007-02-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

Moments ago I finished reading this book. It is a memoir by Julia Scheeres and is moving, powerful, tragic, depressing, and makes me want to strangle some very specific people, beginning with her parents. It is her account of growing up with two adopted brothers who were black while her family (including other siblings) and their surrounding community was very very white. Just one of the things really pissing me off is the account of what the "christian" reform school was like that she and one of her brothers were independantly sent to. Apparently it is still in existence, and imo, is an evil evil organization, and deserves to be exposed as such. The name of the "school" is Escuela Caribe, and is located in the Dominican Republic. AAACK. This kind of abuse, and especially calling it God's work, makes my blood boil. They deserve to be exposed as the scum they appear to be in the author's account. The parent organization is New Horizon Youth Ministries and the author and other alumni started a website to expose the truth about the reform school empire at www.nhym-alumni.org for those interested in reading more.

2007-02-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

rain makes me
sad
every drop
like tears
welling bursting falling
a picture of
my soul weeping
dampness and
cold shivering
forever
drop by drop
torrents of sorrow

2007-02-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

Most recent creation: Steve's tee...will he like it? Stay tuned.

2007-02-07T10:55:00.000-08:00

My sweet kids!...aren't they cute?