(301) Daily Routine

Dark the clouds forebode the road ahead fogging my already hazy mind as I drive through the drenched morning. Sheets of the liquid sunshine glistening on the road making the dark day glare brightly on the pavement. I view the world through squinted eyes making my head pound in the rhythmic beat of the morning ritual.

Somehow I am not surprised that the bridge is up. I stop and wait in the drowning traffic. Above head hail began to thunder over hitting the car with a hollow metallic sound (like the old Hollywood movies). Water everywhere and yet all I want is a drink to quench my parched dessert of a mouth.

I follow the traffic like sand through a funnel and end up in the heaping pile at the traffic light. Time is signaling us with green lights to move ahead. Turning I pause to wait for the robotic arm of the parking garage to systematically alert me that I may begin my assent. Turning repetitively, making my stomach slightly woozy, at last I find my numbered space.

Down, up the next the elevators moves me further nauseating my stomach as I come to realize I am yet again at my cube. So my day begins as my day. I try to jump start my mind as it begins to hook into the matrix of my office. I look for patterns and construct systems to simplify life.

Strange, the irony of it all is that I find it hard to fathom how some systems make our lives easier, rather more systematic so that we are fit into the larger system. Instead of critical thinking and building our own interesting system we are taught to leave the thinking to the managers and everything else lands on our desk.

Has creativity been lost? Creativity is not merely an artistic expression it is provoking thoughts…it is the artisan ship used to create and share ideas. It can take form in endless mediums across many disciplines. It invokes discussion, motivates change, and charges people with energy – passion!

Is all the focus on process, consistency, and efficiency in the world systematically erasing free thought and creativity?

(302) By the Sea

Outside the sun was shining, but my mood was somewhat dim. Despite the bright light and vibrant weather even some days have a dark edge...

This weeks Bob Ross subject was strange, a seascape set against snow covered mountains:


Here is the one the teacher painted during the class:


I was not feeling the picture as it seemed somewhat odd. My work took a turn and I decided to do my own interpretation of the weeks painting and chose a darker palette to reflect my mood:


Much of the class followed my lead. The instructor commented that it was one of the most amusing classes she had taught. Here are some of the images of the other students:


During the class we got off on a side bar discussion about Bob Ross’s final works that he produced after finding out he was terminally ill with cancer. Apparently they were never released the paintings to the public, but the instructor said there were really interesting and dark. I think it would be interesting to see these works someday.

(303) Misc. Photos

Here are some recent candid shots:

Ollie & Greg sleeping. I am amazed that Ollie will sit through the tossing and turning and still end up comfortably right by Greg's legs.


Syd looking regal in bed, but little do you know...

Just moments earlier Syd was caught in the act of hitting the catnip.


One of my personal favorites (oh so adorable), Greg & Killer taking a nap together:


And on a not so cute note, here is a mole that Ollie brought us. What strange looking critters!

(304) Adventure in LA Planning

In less than a month we will be taking a trip to LA.

I can't wait!

(305) Project Horizon - Girl Mobile!

I am super excited to start on a mobile for a baby girl!

I am starting to look at designing a rabbit or ladybug pattern, something along those adorable lines.

I won't have time to start until July, but if I get the patterns done now I will be one step ahead :)

(306) Cypress Creek

My third wet-on-wet (Bob Ross style) oil painting class was a slightly darker swamp screen called "Cyprus Creek."



Unfortunately I forgot my camera to capture the process, but essentially the work was painted from the back forward. The main difference was starting with a black base resulting in a much darker image.

Though the picture does not do the piece much justice, it is in my opinion a bit more interesting than the pastel works. I think I will try my next pastel with a darker palette.

(306) Hot Stone Massage

My last few massages I had gone solo, but this time I decided to try something a bit different. I scheduled a hot stone massage and invited a willing friend to go as company. This time around Chris decided he would go.

We took a brisk walk from Stark over to Hawthorne to began our day of relaxation.

Soaking in the hot water of the Dosha salon tub was surreal with sun light beaming through skylights like a beam of heaven. We sat and talked about life and dreams captured in the mist drenched world.

Hot stones clinking rhythmically as the masseuse placed them on my body one-by-one. Feeling the heat exude from the stones core I drifted through the calm desert. It was like childhood. Laying by the warm sun until I could barely take the heat before diving back into the depths of the cold water only to feel the water evaporating from my skin.

Following the path back to the steam room I sat continuing to reminisce on memories in the foggy surrounds illuminated by the overcast day. Clearing my mind I found myself dripping in the scorching depths.

The door opened and Chris grounded me form my hazy cloud. The long showers (and lathering with Dosha products) set the experience nicely.

Famished on the way out we grabbed some almond, dried cranberries, and delicious Aveda tea. It is hard to describe the creamy sensation of mint and licorice that makes such a balanced perfect blend. Hesitating to leave the spa entirely behind, we bought some of the tea to enjoy at home and extend the relaxing day into the evening.

(307) New Interior Piece

Time has been slim lately, but I always seem to find time to step into a could estate sales and antique stores. I should have known better!

Recently I have been on the hunt for some treasures:
* Sewing Box
* Lane Chest
* Barrister
* Artist Cabinet
* Cake Knife

A piece had enchanted me several weeks ago, so when Sharron came up to visit (for the Food Cart Festival) and mentioned wanting to go to some antique stores, I rose at the occasion for another glimpse of the mysterious item at Bernadette Breu's.

Sure enough as we walked through the door, there in the in the corner stood the bronze Art Deco shelves enclosed in beveled glass. The beauty stands about five feet tall with geometric floral designs (as was the style back then).


Needless to say I wanted to add the unique piece to my collection. I had visited the piece several times and done the math, but the practical side of me said to wait. This time on our visit, however, out of the corner of my eye I saw a sign dangling down. My heart sunk as I thought the most incredible piece had found an alternate home. To my surprise I found that the piece had been marked down (30% off)! And so it was that the shelves found there way instead to my home.

I asked Bernadette where she had acquired the piece and she proceeded to fill in the details of a woman who had sold her the piece. Apparently the woman had used the shelves as a cocktail bar and originally she had saved them from a remodel in a mausoleum. The beautiful piece was inset in the wall at housed urns. Though she did not know exactly which mausoleum in specific, none-the-less an intriguing story.

My newest addition: