Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Daily Dose


From magazine ad with Tombow watercolor pens.


Sly Stone in his prime... semi-contour drawing with Tombow pen. Second one had water applied on hair.

Watercolor spots to be made into something. Currently I see a bald mermaid with a barbell. I'm hoping something else will come to mind.

WE are the terrorists!

WASHINGTON - The State Department promised Blackwater USA bodyguards immunity from prosecution in its investigation of last month’s deadly shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians, The Associated Press has learned.

As a result, it will likely be months before the United States can — if ever — bring criminal charges in the case that has infuriated the Iraqi government.


Our government hires hit men, as in hiring Blackwater, or backing all the killings done by various police departments (some warrented, a lot not), Cheney shooting friends..... WTF?! I can only imagine what goes on outside of public view.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Outsider Art Site

I discovered, via local newspaper, an "outsider" art site. It is home for a few folks who has some disabilities (which has become an incorrect term recently, but I don't know what else to use for clarity of communications) and I really really like some of the work. Its colorful, full, loose, free, and lovely.

If you want to check them out, go to art-enables dot org. On the home page (left side bottom) is a list of artists. You click on "F" (framed) or "UF" (unframed) their work will come up. Click on the thumbnails to get a closer look.

Some of it (most of it) is just great!!

Doodling Again

Just trying stuff.....



If the guy looks familiar, I posted the drawing a few days ago ("Contour Drawing") but forgot to take a picture of the drawing after I put some color on it.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Storm Tharp, Artist

I became aware of this artist, Storm Tharp, from a TV show. (I can't remember which one... could have even been the news, but perhaps Oregon ARt Beat... no matter.)

I LOVE WHAT HE'S DOING!!

For the traditionalist, it might make them vomit.... not sure. But I love his hauntingly conceptual work. I don't even know how to describe it, but it touches me deeply and I feel many many levels to his work.

Edit: web page mentioned below is no longer available. Try this one to see example of his art work= http://www.portlandart.net/archives/2007/01/virtuoso_vindic.html
Check out his art work here Click on "Tharp's Inventory" (slideshow) and begin by clicking the "prev" button on the left. This takes you through his newest work. Clicking on the "next" button on the right will take you through his older work.

I love the spontinaity (sp) coupled with the representational aspects. And I would love to hear your thoughts on his work. I seem to be very excited about it.

Here's a short interview with some bio info, if you're interested. He's an Oregon artist.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Sound Vibration

I can feel my outer ear move when it encounters sound. Especially loud, unexpected sounds. And I can feel them move even when I can't hear the sound. I suppose this has always been so, but it is only with a quiet live that I've been able to notice it. I wonder what other body parts move that I don't realize....hmmmmm.

Have You Heard of Liquid Pencil?

It looks intriguing. It comes in a bottle much like ink, put on using a brush... or I suppose other instuments might also be used. It comes in several colors. Can be watered down or not. Suppose to be smudge proof. It looks very intriguing, but I've said that already, haven't I.

If interested you can google it using 'Rewettable Derivan Liquid Pencil' (or perhaps even just liquid pencil. ??)

Here's a 10 minute youtube video showing someone using the liquid pencil. You don't have to watch the whole thing to get a feel for the 'tool'. It sure looks kewl.

(Its certainly possible that liquid pencil has been around for a long time, but I've only just stumbled across it.)

Noodle Doodling

'Noodle Doodling' (doodle... looks funny. Did I spell it wrong?) That just means I don't have anything in particular to talk about. Otherwise known as chit chat without meat.

This is a quick stylized doodle done with Sharpies.


Evidence of a windy day... leaves all over. We (the apts.) don't have any trees, but the neighbor behind us does. Swirling, twirling leaves.


Ever get a butt buzz? A bee in your bonnet? A desire you act on? I did yesterday. I've been wanting a toaster oven for a while but until now it was just a thought flittering in and out. Day before yesterday, when I was grocery shopping, I decided to price them out. The range is wide.. $25 to $180 on sale. But I wasn't sure how much the grocery total was going to be and I hadn't checked my bank balance in a while so I wisely didn't get one. Until yesterday.

I like them for baking meat for a few minutes. You know, to make sure its done all the way through. And for melting cheese on toast or tomatoes.... or browning the tops of casseroles. And if I'm going to bake something, I'd rather heat up a small space rather than a whole oven for one small chicken breast. Know what I mean?

Now my plan for today is to do a thorough cleaning of the kitchen counters before putting the toaster oven out. The kind of cleaning where everything is removed, corners wiped out, regular toaster cleaned (should I save the bread crumbs for topping??), coffee maker cleaned, etc. In other words, get everything sparkling for the newest equipment.

Exciting, huh. I also hope to get some painting done. (my favorite last words)

OHMYGAWD!! Truth In Government.... Again.

What do you do if you want to puff yourself up in the news without having to answer difficult questions? Well.... you hold a fake news briefing, thats what you do.

"On Tuesday, FEMA held what was called a "news briefing" on the California fires, but the questions asked did not come from reporters. They were asked instead by FEMA staffers."

What the crap is going on?!? Ohmygosh... did Nixon get back into government? Did he ever leave?

FEMA called a news briefing and only gave a few minutes notice so reporters did not have time to get there. Then they put staffers in place to ask questions without stating that the questions were not coming from reporters. And, of course, the questions were not difficult.

What were they thinking? Or were they thinking at all? And do you know what the most scariest part of all this is? How deep does this type of deception go?

Where's the guy with the lantern looking for an honest man? Is he still looking? If so, no sense in him wasting his time looking at folks in government cause there 'jus ain't no truth there.'

This is insane!!!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Contour Drawings

A couple of contour drawings. The guy is from a photograph in a book and the pears were done from.... ta da, pears. Real pears. In fact, after I post this I'm going to have a pear and some toast for breakfast. (I accidently gouged a piece out of one of the pears and I figure I better eat it while its still good.)

The guy below was done totally "blind". No looking at the drawing at all. Okay, okay, maybe once but...but... look at that hat!! Thats what happens if you don't look at the paper at ALL!


This guy (below) was done by looking at the paper only when I needed to take the pen off the paper. (I put some watercolor to him, but I forgot to photograph him. It didn't turn out that well anyway.)


Here are the pears.



Okay, I'm off to breakfast.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

The White House Protecting Us Again

Oh those guys... always looking out for our best interest. I guess they didn't want us to worry or something, she said sarcastically.

I heard something on the news but didn't catch all of it so I searched the web news sites and foung an article about it. The White House "edited" a scientic paper regarding public health and its connection to global warming. They took a 14 page paper and cut it down to 4 pages. There was a senate hearing about global warming and, however, the author spoke at the hearing and was truthful about what was in her original paper. The entire article can be read here.

Here are a couple of excerpts:
~~~~~~
WASHINGTON - The White House significantly edited testimony prepared for a Senate hearing on the impact of climate change on health, deleting key portions citing diseases that could flourish in a warmer climate.

....

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the prepared testimony went through an interagency review process and the Office of Science and Technology Policy did not believe that the science in the testimony matched the science that was in a report by the U.N. International Panel on Climate Change.

"She testified yesterday. Her spokesperson said that she was able to say everything she wanted to say," Perino said Wednesday. "It was not watered down in terms of its science. It wasn't watered down in terms of the concerns that climate change raises for public health."

Dr. Michael McCally, executive director of Physicians for Social Responsibility, also sat on a panel testifying before the committee and afterwards complained about the editing.

“It appears the White House has denied a congressional committee access to scientific information about health and global warming, McCally said in a statement Wednesday. "This misuse of science and abuse of the legislative process is deplorable.”

Most notably, he noted, was removal of the statement that “CDC considers climate change a serious public health concern.”

That was part of a deleted paragraph that included these statements: “scientific evidence supports the view that the earth’s climate is changing” and “despite this extensive activity, the public health effects of climate change remain largely unaddressed.”

~~~~~~~~
It could be raining and if the current president said it was wet outside I would have to verify it for myself. I have gotten to the place where I don't believe anything he says. (and when I say 'he' that means him and his administration.) In fact when I hear something he has said I find myself wondering if the opposite is true. He may be a 'nice guy' to meet and talk to about the weather but his credability is shot all to hell with me. And as always, thats just my opinion and no one is required to agree with it. Some people like liver, some people don't.

It Must Be Tough To Watch

It must be tough to watch the California evacuees in the stadium, with all the basic comforts of home, if you are a poor black man or woman from New Orleans.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Some Sketches



Two tries at same sketch, the last one looked a little clearer but chopped off her hands. Done with a Sharpie on cardstock.


Flowers done with Sharpie and Tombow pens on cardstock.


Tombow pens on cardstock.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Dollar Tree Store

Its been a while since I've been to the Dollar Store. Now thats my kind of math.... I don't have to use a calculator, I just have to count how much stuff I have. Now I can do that kind of math. Usually. But its very easy to end up with way too many bags to carry out to the car. Doncha jus luv it!

I finally remembered to get a squirt bottle.... one to squirt water on the acrylics or watercolors. I use to have two of them around, but after the grandkids left the last time I couldn't find them. I had put them somewhere out of reach because everything was getting too wet. Know what I mean? And now that I've gotten another one, the others should be showing up soon.

I did forget to get bleach, though. Sigh. Oh well, thats the way it goes.

Boy was I drooling over the colorful foliage! Its just perfect right now... all colorful but not wilting yet. I set my camera out to take with me and it was still sitting there when I got back.

Neighbors. If you've followed my blog for any length of time you know we've had problems with drug activity. A lot of it. After the last eviction there remained only one person who is/was clearly still involved with the stuff. It is the sometime-boyfriend of a young woman who lives upstairs. I think he's just a sometimes-dealer, too. Traffic to the apartment would be sporadic. He must not be very successful at it, but that's not a surprise to me. I don't think he's very successful at anything except not working.

The young woman had his child a couple of months ago. It looks like she might be moving today. Her and her boyfriend was carrying a TV out. At the first landing on the stairs, she took the TV from him and carried it down the stairs by herself. He just stood there trying to look like he was distracted by something. She's the one I see carrying the grocery bags (along with the baby) up the stairs. She's the one I see carrying the basket of clothes to the laundry room. She's the one I see carrying the garbage out to the cans. All I have ever seen him do is run his mouth and hold his pants up so they don't fall off. Perhaps he never had anyone to teach him what it means to be a man. The nation doesn't seem to have enough of those kind of teachers and the impact of it is really beginning to show.

I hope the young woman is moving to a better place. I've seen her grandmother come around a lot since the baby arrived. Perhaps she's moving in with her.... someone to help her... some place to help her let this do-nothing young man go on about his way.

I hope her move is one of her choice. If she was given notice I'm sure I would be the one blamed, although I haven't said anything to anyone. I wish her well.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Rainy Days and Rainy Nights

Its a (blank) kind of day. I can't think of a descriptive word to use because all that I review doesn't seem to quite fit the mood. Pensive. Perhaps thats the word I'm looking for.... Its a pensive kind of day.

Nothing going on here. I begged off going to visit my friend today. I just didn't feel like it and when she called to let me know she was home from her routine Saturday shopping I thought I had picked up a tone in her voice that meant she wouldn't mind skipping it either. (People have to kind of read between the lines with her sometimes because she always says "oh you're always welcome to come over." She's "nice" and wouldn't want to be rude... unless she was really really pissed off.)

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be someone else entirely. The whole package. Different body, different DNA, different brain chemisty, different personality. Just wondering. But if I was someone else, then someone would get stuck being me. I mean, depending on your philosophy. That's my one saving grace for humanity. At least I'm keeping someone else from having to be me. I contribute in my own way.

Its finally stopped raining. There are little patches of blue peeking through the clouds.

Just a 'nothing' kind of day....

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Chit Chat

 
Hold on just a second. I wanna go get another cup of coffee...
.
.
.
.
Okay, I'm back. Thanks for waiting.

You know you're old when you find yourself cooking dinner at 3 in the afternoon. I can rationalize it, though. Its fairly windy here and you never know when a tree limb is going to snap off and bring down a power line. I have no kind of snack food (for dinner, should the need arise); everything requires cooking so I decided to do it early. Now the challenge is to leave it alone until later.

Chipotle Lime Chicken Breasts. Thats what the package says. My honky DNA mumbled something about "WTF?" but it was the only frozen chicken on sale at the time. And ya know, its do-able. Not too bad, which is good, because I'd have to eat it anyway.

I watched a program on public TV about The Dick. Dick Chaney. He's had that sly look about his face since he was young. And he seems to be the one running the show. Bush is just the puppet. No wonder Bush gets a little flustered sometimes. Chaney has always felt that the presidency should be a dictatorship (my wording) and not have to answer to anyone nor get permission to do anything. He had tried to get things changed many presidents ago, but fortunately for us, the previous presidents would only go so far with it. Perhaps they listened to their other advisors. So The Dick pulled out of politics for a while until someone came around that looked like he would go for it. Enter Bush jr. stage left. Ya just know things can't be right when a presidential term(s) has so many many people resigning. Beyond the incompetent ones, it is an indication that the manipulation is so bad that people with any integrity have to get out. Oh please don't let Bush declare war on Iran before leaving office.

I thought I had a bit more to chat about, but (she looks around).... apparently my little brain couldn't hold it all.

I've heard folks using Picasa has had problems posting things for a while. I'll get to see if this will post now.

I hope your day is pleasant.
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Art Challenge: House

A few cyber friends (depending upon how many choose to join in) periodically give a 'shot out' for an art challenge by giving us a subject matter. There is no time limit, although a year later we might have to be reminded, no medium limits, etc. There is also no requirement to participate. All of this is to help keep it fun and relaxed. Currently the challenge is to art a house or home. Here is mine. Its based on the house used in the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.
If you choose to join in, please leave a note in the comments letting us know so others will know to go take a look-see. (I think it would work in anyone's comments if they have posted a challenge-entry.)

(I just can't seem to get my pictures straight. Sorry about that.)

Time for a Motherhood Chuckle

The following is a video containing 'out takes' (bloopers) of someone trying to make a youtube video to show her progress in making an art journal.

What Do You Think?

Something doesn't sit right with me regarding the crying Ellen DeGeneres on her show. Have you seen the clip?

I'm not doubting the sincerity of her tears or how badly she feels because the dog she gave to someone else was taken away... what doesn't sit right with me is that she is using her position and her show to try to put pressure on the organization. It doesn't seem quite right to do that. And that's all I have to say about that.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Caricature Attempt

The first drawing is my attempt at a caricature. I tried to pick someone who was easy to do... or at least easier than a lot of people. Following the caricature is just a pencil drawing of a young girl taken from an ad in a magazine.


The Ox Cart


Who knew? A van Gogh painting has been donated to the Portland Art Museum by a Roseburg, Oregon couple. For all the books on van Gogh I've never seen this painting before.

Here's a snippet of the news article:

PORTLAND - A painting by Vincent van Gogh that has been hanging in a Roseburg home for almost 50 years will soon be available for all to view at the Portland Art Museum.

Fred and Frances Sohn donated "The Ox-Cart," an 1884 painting by the revered Dutch artist. It will go on display next month. It's the museum's first painting by van Gogh.

Monday, October 15, 2007

The Burning Bush

Moses isn't the only one to see a burning bush that is not consumed by the fire!


Just a couple of pictures of the colors around here.

Below: When I went to the store the other day I noticed all the light poles had thin groups of wire flaring out at the top like the frame of an umbrella. Do you know what these are? Are they motion sensors or fiber optic video cameras? (I'm not sure you'll be able to see them in this picture.)


I finally got the windshield wiper blades replaced on my car. The hubby of a family friend did it for me. Reading on the web how to do it made it sound very simple and do-able by an ignorant person. (that would be me.) Watching the man do it, I realized it was wise to wait for someone else to put them on. It looks like they will work, but the final test will be when it rains.... due later today and on into infinity. Hopefully the entire blade arms won't have to be replaced. The guy had to bend and twist them (needed lots of muscle which I surely don't have) into place, but I'm optimistic that they will hold up with use.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Give a Fish a Man.....

Here's a clever animation video thats about 6 minutes long. (It seems like a short 6 minutes, though.) Very peaceful sound track and very clever animation.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Day Dreaming

Just a quick sketch from a photo off the web. Ink and fiber pends.
Day dreaming about this being a studio/living arrangement thingy... I'm not too original in my day dreaming, though.

I seem to be losing photographs from HP photo software that came with the pc. I got my camera in 2002 and the photos start in 2004. I'm real sure I had off loaded to the pc from the get-go. Bummer. No warning at all, either. I'll have to see if I can load some onto a CD, although once there I may never access them again. (she stops for a second and thinks about the huge computers/drivers from her employment days. The whole room full of them. Ah... now thats a good size to have.)

We're having some BEAUTIFUL fall days right now... suppose to last thru the weekend. Then its rain from here to eternity.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Rooster

I think this particular subject would go better using watercolor. This was done with fiber pens.

Want to Increase Revenue?

Daily Quotation

Reduce your workload by 30% and increase your fun load by 30% and you will increase your revenues by 100%. And you will increase your productivity by 10,000%. (If there could be such a percentage.) More fun, less struggle -- more results on all fronts.

--- Abraham


Abraham-Hicks

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Can You Say "Over Worked"?

I got to a certain point and just got tired of working on the self-portrait and rushed around to get to the point where I threw it down and walked away. Enough is enough and too much is too much.

I did this using a photo I took back in 2002... back when I still put on makeup and highlighted my hair (at least in the front part). For those who have not seen anything of me... I look much worse now. BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA I crack me up!!
I have medium brown hair and no longer highlight anything. Green eyes that turn to hazel depending upon the color I'm wearing. The glasses shown have since broken and I currently use reading glasses that stay on the end of my nose. My lips have disappeared even more but my jowl line more than makes up for the loss.

Its an okay drawing... better than some, not as good as a few. But I'm done with it. (she dusts off her hands as if to demonstrate.)

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

With Time on My Hands



This took longer to do than I expected.

What a Bunch of Frigging Idiots!!!!!!!!!

What a bunch of slapstick clowns! For God's sake, protect us from our so called leaders.

~~~~~
"A small private intelligence company that monitors Islamic terrorist groups obtained a new Osama bin Laden video ahead of its official release last month, and around 10 a.m. on Sept. 7, it notified the Bush administration of its secret acquisition. It gave two senior officials access on the condition that the officials not reveal they had it until the al-Qaeda release.

Within 20 minutes, a range of intelligence agencies had begun downloading it from the company's Web site. By midafternoon that day, the video and a transcript of its audio track had been leaked from within the Bush administration to cable television news and broadcast worldwide.

The founder of the company, the SITE Intelligence Group, says this premature disclosure tipped al-Qaeda to a security breach and destroyed a years-long surveillance operation that the company has used to intercept and pass along secret messages, videos and advance warnings of suicide bombings from the terrorist group's communications network."


Full article here.

We've got Larry, Moe, and Curly running the show. God help us! If executives in the private sector were as incompetent as our leaders, they would have been fired years ago. Geesh. Life just can't get any funnier!

Monday, October 08, 2007

Line Doodling

I did some quick line drawings (I've heard others call it this) using a small photo from a magazine... a photo of a regular person. I used different drawing instruments to see how each would turn out. A ballpoint pen, a marker, and a pencil.

First though, I have to apologize to the woman in the photo. There is no way that you look as old or as bad as my so called drawings. Seriously, should you happen upon this blog, please please please do not take offense. I was just practicing minor changes in techniques. (Fortunately I do not have to worry about her stumbling onto this blog.... but, you know, just in case.)

Below: Ballpoint pen


Below: Sharper marker


Below: Ballpoint pen with water used for slight smudging. (some ballpoint pens do not "water-smudge". It needs to be a cheap one.)


Below: Pencil. I took just slightly more time with the pencil drawing than the other ones. Officially, this would not be considered a 'line drawing.'


Oh... guess what. I think I got pictures out of order from my description but I'm not going to stew about it or change anything. Oh again... I know what happened. I showed one ballpoint pen drawing without smudging and the same drawing after using water to smudge a little. But you are all intelligent people... I'm sure you can figure things out. Consider it my way of having fun. Yeah... thats it. Fun.


Monday's Show and Tell

This week's show-and-tell is..... ta da.... the junk drawer! We all have them, right? Sometimes I would have several junk drawers going... one short and another one deep. Oh those were the days. The days when I had a plethoria of drawers. Now days my drawers are terribly limited and precious. I have one small "junk" drawer... not that the other drawers don't hold junk, but you know what I mean.


Above: In case you can't tell, the thin blue box to the far left contains two sample incense that comes with the Nag Champa. I set these aside for emergency purposes... like I've got stinky fish in the garbage and its raining outside too hard to take it out. Buried in there are scissors, pliars, black garden gloves (I've never had a garden), metal measuring tape, black measuring cups.... and can you say 'batteries'. When theres a good sale on batteries I get them. I don't usually have this many laying around, but how plentiful is this!

Above: somewhere in there is a magnifying glass with a handle, a universal remote control that has never been used, a pad of black craft paper, and I think I saw three lighters. I'm stocked for a while.

And.... (trumpets sound) I located the box cutter. I can't remember what I wanted it for a while ago, but I couldn't find it. Now I know its in the back of the junk drawer. (I probably wanted it to try to get into a plastic wrapped something-or-other and ended up using a knife.)

I thought I wouldn't have anything for show-and-tell this week, but this 'scathingly brilliant idea' came to mind. What in your junk drawer(s)?

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Impressionistic Demonstration 9 minutes

This video first caught my eye because of the word Myanmar (Burma) since its been in the news so much lately... so I had to check it out. The artist paints using his imagination (something I seem to be lacking, sigh). The video probably would not be so interesting to someone who has not tried to paint or was not activitely involved with painting. I was enthralled by his ability to create reflections... not to mention turning a blob of paint into a woman.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

WIP

In one of the comments Sandy asked how the painting was coming along. Its coming along as fast as a slug without slime. One nano inch at a time. The wip shots start with the very first one.... otherwise there would be no progress to show. weak smile.

 

 

 


I worked a little on it today. Made the sky a little darker so the sign and the one hat (which is also white) will show up a little better. Put some skin tone down but I'm going to lose my sketch. I'll need to put in the dark areas on the faces next time before doing any more with the skin. Started filling in the pants. I'll looking forward to when its fun... when everything is blocked in and its time for the highlights to bring everything alive.
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Friday, October 05, 2007

Over Second Cup of Coffee

 
 
We've had a few breaks in the rain. They usually last from 5 to 15 minutes. Today is suppose to be dry. Yippee!! Lots of snow in the mountains and the ski resorts may be able to open early. Time will tell.

I went to the store yesterday. My brand of coffee was on sale and I was out at home. Got to the register to pay and, gasp, no debit card. Searched and searched but nothing. Fortunately I had some cash on me so I was able to continue with my shopping plans.

I searched my purse more thoroughly once I got home. Still nothing. I wasn't too concerned about it. Surely it would show up, perhaps after I cleared off the coffee table. So thats what I did last night. Cleared the coffee table. Nothing, however, I did get all the junk mail shredded and tossed.

Before leaving for the store(s) again this morning I searched pockets just in case I left the debit card in there. Still nothing.

I had three stores I wanted to go to (and did) to take advantage of "real" sale prices. I must have had a sign on my car that said turn in front of me because they did... seven or eight times. Makes one wonder about patterns of life and I was playing with the fender-bender pattern. It did make me drive a little more carefully. The last thing to 'turn in front of me', unfortunately, was a little squirrel. He didn't so much turn in front of me as he RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME AT THE LAST MINUTE! Whats up with those creatures? Do they thrive on danger? I tried to stop.... I couldn't see anywhere next to the car... then I continued on. I heard a slight thumb. groan. I kept looking at the rear view mirror...."oh please don't let me see anything in the middle of the street!!" I didn't. The street was clear and then I saw a squirrel run across the street again. I don't know if it was the same one or not, but there wasn't a mound of flesh or anything.

I got back from the stores with a buck left over. Go Me! As I searched the bottom of my purse to get the loose change guess what I found. Go on, guess. Right... I found my debit card. ?? I don't know why I didn't find it before, but I guess its because I wasn't suppose to find it. Go figure.

We have a lot of policial commercials on TV here... a couple of "hot" measures will be up for vote. Besides the visuals used, I've become aware of how they are using the background voices to touch our emotions. A landscape is shown (ads is about land use) and the background voice is all sweet and dripping with honey. Then the voice becomes sneering and nasty sounding as it points out the opposition. Interesting to observe.

Time for me to go read my list of favorite blogs. I usually have this done first thing in the morning but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. That will probably take me an hour.
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Thursday, October 04, 2007

The Artist's Words

Here's a 6 minute video about Rhoda Oakley and how she got into creating art and how she brought others into her studio. Its a mellow video best watched when you are not rushed. A bit of inspiration for some of us old crones. Maybe.

How great it was for her to get a studio apt right next to hers!! Drool.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Birthday Boy

 
My grandson Darius called me last night to tell me about his scooter he got for his birthday. He was so excited about it. I was excited too, because we had another actual back and forth conversation. He contributed to it!!! The conversation.

His birthday is today but mom gave him his present yesterday so he had something to ride along with his brother. She got him a large wheeled scooter so it stays balanced for longer periods of time, thus is more fun.

He's four today. His brother will be three in several months. Speaking of his brother, I talked to him a few nights ago. And, boy, did he talk. Jabber Jabber Jabber Jabber... and I couldn't understand one word, but there wasn't any pause in the conversation.

Bottom line, though... it was fun to hear the excitement in Darius' voice.
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