Friday, April 11, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
when you haven't had enought sleep
Catherine invited me over. She said she had chili. I asked- do you have the cheddar for on top?? I was hungry and in search of comfort food.
I walked into her kitchen and looked at a bowl on the counter. I thought this is kind of unusual Chili. What did she do do this? Did she put this in a blender? I was really tired. I just said, "Wow. This is really wild chili."
Then Catherine* said..
"Jill- that's the bran muffin mix."
*Catherine is my sister. When we were growing up, my mother had the brilliant idea of having us plan dinner once a week. I remember Catherine making the family peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I also remember asking my Mom how hard it would be to make Chicken Cordon Bleu.
Case closed.
I walked into her kitchen and looked at a bowl on the counter. I thought this is kind of unusual Chili. What did she do do this? Did she put this in a blender? I was really tired. I just said, "Wow. This is really wild chili."
Then Catherine* said..
"Jill- that's the bran muffin mix."
*Catherine is my sister. When we were growing up, my mother had the brilliant idea of having us plan dinner once a week. I remember Catherine making the family peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I also remember asking my Mom how hard it would be to make Chicken Cordon Bleu.
Case closed.
I need a holiday
And I think I'll go do this..
I'm a bit surprised that it's only rated 2 out 0f 5 on the culture shock rating.
I'm a bit surprised that it's only rated 2 out 0f 5 on the culture shock rating.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
sigh
"There is a huge polymer stew twice the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean."
"A heap of trash that's twice the size of Texas is floating somewhere between San Francisco and Hawaii. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, as it's called, is 80 percent plastic, and weighs in at 3.5 million tons. Trapped in a circular course by winds and currents, it's been around since the 1950s, and has been growing tenfold every decade. It's not a dumping ground in the sense that people are flying or boating by and throwing their refuse into the heap. Instead, it's picking up trash that originates onshore, and has since made its way out into the Pacific. Cleaning it up doesn't sound too likely, since the effort would cost billions, but it would be nice if we figured out a way to stop adding to it. Another possibility: turning it into a sort of anti-Disney World. Surely that would convert even the worst plastic-wasting offenders among us into ardent environmentalists." Gregory Mone
I just don't know what to think except I would like to have a wee home carved into a hill that is naturally heated from an underground spring.
"A heap of trash that's twice the size of Texas is floating somewhere between San Francisco and Hawaii. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, as it's called, is 80 percent plastic, and weighs in at 3.5 million tons. Trapped in a circular course by winds and currents, it's been around since the 1950s, and has been growing tenfold every decade. It's not a dumping ground in the sense that people are flying or boating by and throwing their refuse into the heap. Instead, it's picking up trash that originates onshore, and has since made its way out into the Pacific. Cleaning it up doesn't sound too likely, since the effort would cost billions, but it would be nice if we figured out a way to stop adding to it. Another possibility: turning it into a sort of anti-Disney World. Surely that would convert even the worst plastic-wasting offenders among us into ardent environmentalists." Gregory Mone
I just don't know what to think except I would like to have a wee home carved into a hill that is naturally heated from an underground spring.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
37 things I'm really glad exist
1. cherry blossoms in bloom
2. creme brulee
3. earl grey tea with hot milk and honey
4. running squirrels
5. kitteny cats
6. art nouveau
7. handmade quilts
8. realy great grated parm on fresh pasta
9. feather duvets
10. feather pillows
11. craft fairs
12. tables outside
13. dewey rain
14. email
15. kisses
16. butter chicken
17. helium balloons in bunches
18. postcards
19. warm days with a cool breeze blowing through them
20. the blues in a dark club
21. downhills on the bike through unknown neighborhoods
22. mashed potatoes, piled in a mountain, butter inside and covered in gravy
23. "real" hot chocolate
24. Michael Oscar Rowan Trainor
25. Tomy's "Nohohon Zoku"
26. flannel bedsheets on cold days
27. antique embroidery hoops
28. my Pentax Digital
29. The Vancouver Car Co-Op
30. Spring and Fall
31. fresh croissants with jam and cream
32. road trips in the country
33. my family
34. Scotland
35. train trips
36. spiders that eat the bugs
37. fresh tulips and spray roses
2. creme brulee
3. earl grey tea with hot milk and honey
4. running squirrels
5. kitteny cats
6. art nouveau
7. handmade quilts
8. realy great grated parm on fresh pasta
9. feather duvets
10. feather pillows
11. craft fairs
12. tables outside
13. dewey rain
14. email
15. kisses
16. butter chicken
17. helium balloons in bunches
18. postcards
19. warm days with a cool breeze blowing through them
20. the blues in a dark club
21. downhills on the bike through unknown neighborhoods
22. mashed potatoes, piled in a mountain, butter inside and covered in gravy
23. "real" hot chocolate
24. Michael Oscar Rowan Trainor
25. Tomy's "Nohohon Zoku"
26. flannel bedsheets on cold days
27. antique embroidery hoops
28. my Pentax Digital
29. The Vancouver Car Co-Op
30. Spring and Fall
31. fresh croissants with jam and cream
32. road trips in the country
33. my family
34. Scotland
35. train trips
36. spiders that eat the bugs
37. fresh tulips and spray roses
Sunday, March 30, 2008
best birthday present ever
my adorable boyfriend tricked me into thinking that the studio he works for might want to use some of my prints in an upcoming production. He wanted me to burn a few images on a disc for him- high resolution. Sure, I can do that. I didn't think much of it.
Yesterday for my birthday- he gave me a bundle of postcards, complete with the spot for the stamp and the address and all of that- OF ONE OF MY PHOTOS. Not just any photo though- the one that I took sitting next to him in a cafe minutes before we first met. (He also talked the cafe where we met into selling them!!)
SO PERFECT A BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!
Yesterday for my birthday- he gave me a bundle of postcards, complete with the spot for the stamp and the address and all of that- OF ONE OF MY PHOTOS. Not just any photo though- the one that I took sitting next to him in a cafe minutes before we first met. (He also talked the cafe where we met into selling them!!)
SO PERFECT A BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
happy birthday to me
Today is my birthday .
Don't forget to tun out your lights at 8 pm wherever you are for Earth Hour. But why not just turn out your lights for the day.
and then I found this funny video...
Don't forget to tun out your lights at 8 pm wherever you are for Earth Hour. But why not just turn out your lights for the day.
and then I found this funny video...
Friday, March 28, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
children's secrets
As someones child, I would like to assume they are curious to know of all the "bad" things I have done. I would like to assume that they are innately curious of all the high jinx I could get into. They maybe pretended to "trust" me, but deep down, I think they are dying to know the secret lives of their child. Sensing this, I have often opted to spare my mother the gut wrenching anxiety she must have felt for all those nights I was out beyond curfew as truth be told, I was at a diner eating fries with mayonnaise with a bunch of up to no good punks.
So recently, I confessed a few things I've done. I didn't think too much about it, but when she recently commented, "So where was the secret fort??" I wondered why she didn't want to know more about these other things I could cross off my list as done...
31. hitchhike
33. travel with musicians
68. swim naked in the ocean at night
90. make a complete and utter fool of myself
92. forgive my parents
100. get arrested
But no- it's the secret fort I built with a bunch of no good punks. So here it is...
There was one house with green siding, a gently sloping lawn, by best friend next door and nothing but a ravine, a farmer's field and the rest of Alberta across the street and behind the neighbours house (see map and see that across the highway is seriously developed housing now). It probably wasn't so secret, but at the time, it sure felt like if you crossed the street went behind the house and a little bit further you drop off the edge of adult land.
One summer a bunch of older kids made off with the farmer's hay bales (from across Baseline Road) and built tunnels and little rooms. We were small bundles of legs and arms. We didn't need a whole lot of room. I maybe more accurately, didn't "make" a secret fort, as much as I was aware of a secret fort and played in it. I climbed trees in this wild growth of magical childhood fantasy and played pirates. We pretended we would find hidden treasure, and we would watch for invading tribes from afar. You know the drill.
Once, it rained heavily and flooded the ravine. A couple of kids made a raft- or at least that is what I seem to remember. I distinctly remember crawling along a fallen tree log that was arched over the water. It's a sheer madness that no one got hit running across the highway that separated this wilderness from the farmer's field, that we never got caught stealing hay and that no one got seriously hurt or drowned in that murky water that one summer.
The whole thing is a bit of a weird memory- half submerged in memory and the other half gurgling for air in fantasy. Did I really crawl on my hands and knees through the yellow, musty, poky straw bale tunnel or did I imagine it.
Either way- it was a secret and it was a fort.
View Larger Map
So recently, I confessed a few things I've done. I didn't think too much about it, but when she recently commented, "So where was the secret fort??" I wondered why she didn't want to know more about these other things I could cross off my list as done...
31. hitchhike
33. travel with musicians
68. swim naked in the ocean at night
90. make a complete and utter fool of myself
92. forgive my parents
100. get arrested
But no- it's the secret fort I built with a bunch of no good punks. So here it is...
There was one house with green siding, a gently sloping lawn, by best friend next door and nothing but a ravine, a farmer's field and the rest of Alberta across the street and behind the neighbours house (see map and see that across the highway is seriously developed housing now). It probably wasn't so secret, but at the time, it sure felt like if you crossed the street went behind the house and a little bit further you drop off the edge of adult land.
One summer a bunch of older kids made off with the farmer's hay bales (from across Baseline Road) and built tunnels and little rooms. We were small bundles of legs and arms. We didn't need a whole lot of room. I maybe more accurately, didn't "make" a secret fort, as much as I was aware of a secret fort and played in it. I climbed trees in this wild growth of magical childhood fantasy and played pirates. We pretended we would find hidden treasure, and we would watch for invading tribes from afar. You know the drill.
Once, it rained heavily and flooded the ravine. A couple of kids made a raft- or at least that is what I seem to remember. I distinctly remember crawling along a fallen tree log that was arched over the water. It's a sheer madness that no one got hit running across the highway that separated this wilderness from the farmer's field, that we never got caught stealing hay and that no one got seriously hurt or drowned in that murky water that one summer.
The whole thing is a bit of a weird memory- half submerged in memory and the other half gurgling for air in fantasy. Did I really crawl on my hands and knees through the yellow, musty, poky straw bale tunnel or did I imagine it.
Either way- it was a secret and it was a fort.
View Larger Map
100 things crossed off, 1-100
Doing these lists of thing to do before I die is not as easy as it would seem. So, I started reading all the other lists I could find and noticed quite a number of things on other people's lists that I have done. I thought- that's pretty neat. I've done some cool things and I think it's worth celebrating all the things you have accomplished- big, small, fanciful or boring..And this list was considerably easier...In no random order- the incomplete list-100 things I have done
Both lists was an extraordinary personal review of the "books on my shelf"- meaning the ideas I have in my head on what i thought my life would be like, what I hope for it and what I just wish for despite the odds- no, I really don't hope to ride a giraffe one day- but darn it- it would be fantastic.
I highly encourage you to write your lists. Scratch things off and add more when they come around. There were alot of things I wanted to put on my list but I just wasn't ready to. Be gentle with yourself, but write the list.
Good luck..
1. visit Japan
2. live in Scotland
3. live on a boat
4. road trip to New Orleans
5. have a Corona in Mexico
6. skydive
7. have croissants in Paris
8. Visit the Victor Horta house in Brussels
9. Visit the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
10. sleep on a train
11. Go to Ground Zero
12. see the leaning tower of Pisa before it falls down
13. own something from Tiffany's
14. learn to accept that I have to eat my greens, take my omegas, get regular exercise and water and occasionally get a medical lift to pull up from mild depression and anxiety. No you can't be happy and immobile on potato chips- get over it, Jill
15. Go to the Red Light District
16. Meet a Harijuko girl
17. talk to someone famous
18. visit the Grand Canyon
19. see the inside of Janis Joplin's house in Larkspur, California
20. ride a camel down the beaches in Morocco
21. travel through Europe
22. visit Prague
23. look out from the top of the Empire State Building
24. Go to the top of the Rock
25. visit Alcatraz
26. sell a photograph
27. help someone with their groceries
28. ride by bike to work every day for a week
29. make my own ginger ale
30. go fast on the Autobahn
31. hitchhike
32. accept an invitation from a stranger
33. travel with musicians
34. build a secret fort in the woods
35. give $20 to a panhandler
36. send a postcard to a stranger
37. get paid to travel
38. hike up the Grouse Grind
39. ride a scooter in Rome
40. take a long distance taxi cab ride
41. travel across Canada
42. get a very large tattoo
43. buy someone a gift for no reason
44. be in a parade
45. have a quote printed in a newspaper
46. take a tour of a brewery
47. take a large group of people out to dinner and pay the bill
48. visit Pompeii
49. Go to the Louvre, the Prado, Musee de Orsay, MET, and the Uffizi Galleries
50. have a job I'm really great at
51. Climb the towers of the Notre Dame
52. quit smoking
53. buy a tree for my mother
54. change my last name
55. go to the circus
56. go to a rodeo
57. drive a tractor
58. visit the Roman baths in Bath
59. take a TGV train ride
60. see a bull fight
61. see kittens being born
62. ice skate on a pond
63. walk across a suspension bridge
64. go sailing in the Mediterranean
65. cross shibuya intersection in Tokyo
66. grow something from a seed
67. eat octopus
68. swim naked in the ocean at night
69. visit the Hampton's
70. do a cleanse
71. go horseback riding
72. drive through Scotland to the isle of Skye with my mother and her mother
73. make it through my 20's
74. live in a historical area
75. see the Northern Lights
76. plant strawberries
77. pick berries and make pies
78. see salmon spawning
79. learn to crochet
80. start and keep a blog
81. write a poem
82. shave my head
83. buy art
84. apologize to someone I have hurt
85. take a road trip with my mother
86. quit a job
87. dance publicly alone
88. visit a nude beach
89. write a fan letter and get a response
90. make a complete and utter fool of myself
91. ride a roller coaster that goes upside down
92. forgive my parents
93. sing a great song in front of an audience
94. see Old Faithful
95. learn to drive
96. drive route 66 (partly)
97. visit the San Diego Zoo
98. have a long term relationship
99. ride a cable car in San Francisco
100. get arrested
Both lists was an extraordinary personal review of the "books on my shelf"- meaning the ideas I have in my head on what i thought my life would be like, what I hope for it and what I just wish for despite the odds- no, I really don't hope to ride a giraffe one day- but darn it- it would be fantastic.
I highly encourage you to write your lists. Scratch things off and add more when they come around. There were alot of things I wanted to put on my list but I just wasn't ready to. Be gentle with yourself, but write the list.
Good luck..
1. visit Japan
2. live in Scotland
3. live on a boat
4. road trip to New Orleans
5. have a Corona in Mexico
6. skydive
7. have croissants in Paris
8. Visit the Victor Horta house in Brussels
9. Visit the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
10. sleep on a train
11. Go to Ground Zero
12. see the leaning tower of Pisa before it falls down
13. own something from Tiffany's
14. learn to accept that I have to eat my greens, take my omegas, get regular exercise and water and occasionally get a medical lift to pull up from mild depression and anxiety. No you can't be happy and immobile on potato chips- get over it, Jill
15. Go to the Red Light District
16. Meet a Harijuko girl
17. talk to someone famous
18. visit the Grand Canyon
19. see the inside of Janis Joplin's house in Larkspur, California
20. ride a camel down the beaches in Morocco
21. travel through Europe
22. visit Prague
23. look out from the top of the Empire State Building
24. Go to the top of the Rock
25. visit Alcatraz
26. sell a photograph
27. help someone with their groceries
28. ride by bike to work every day for a week
29. make my own ginger ale
30. go fast on the Autobahn
31. hitchhike
32. accept an invitation from a stranger
33. travel with musicians
34. build a secret fort in the woods
35. give $20 to a panhandler
36. send a postcard to a stranger
37. get paid to travel
38. hike up the Grouse Grind
39. ride a scooter in Rome
40. take a long distance taxi cab ride
41. travel across Canada
42. get a very large tattoo
43. buy someone a gift for no reason
44. be in a parade
45. have a quote printed in a newspaper
46. take a tour of a brewery
47. take a large group of people out to dinner and pay the bill
48. visit Pompeii
49. Go to the Louvre, the Prado, Musee de Orsay, MET, and the Uffizi Galleries
50. have a job I'm really great at
51. Climb the towers of the Notre Dame
52. quit smoking
53. buy a tree for my mother
54. change my last name
55. go to the circus
56. go to a rodeo
57. drive a tractor
58. visit the Roman baths in Bath
59. take a TGV train ride
60. see a bull fight
61. see kittens being born
62. ice skate on a pond
63. walk across a suspension bridge
64. go sailing in the Mediterranean
65. cross shibuya intersection in Tokyo
66. grow something from a seed
67. eat octopus
68. swim naked in the ocean at night
69. visit the Hampton's
70. do a cleanse
71. go horseback riding
72. drive through Scotland to the isle of Skye with my mother and her mother
73. make it through my 20's
74. live in a historical area
75. see the Northern Lights
76. plant strawberries
77. pick berries and make pies
78. see salmon spawning
79. learn to crochet
80. start and keep a blog
81. write a poem
82. shave my head
83. buy art
84. apologize to someone I have hurt
85. take a road trip with my mother
86. quit a job
87. dance publicly alone
88. visit a nude beach
89. write a fan letter and get a response
90. make a complete and utter fool of myself
91. ride a roller coaster that goes upside down
92. forgive my parents
93. sing a great song in front of an audience
94. see Old Faithful
95. learn to drive
96. drive route 66 (partly)
97. visit the San Diego Zoo
98. have a long term relationship
99. ride a cable car in San Francisco
100. get arrested
Sunday, March 23, 2008
100 things to do before I go, 1-100
One of the blogs I look at regularly is written by a very clever and funny San Franciscan woman named Maggie Mason.
She recently prompted her readers to write the list of things to do in one's life.
After doing it in a series of lists 25 things long.. I finally completed the arduaous task and found my list. This was somewhat harder than I thought it would be.
I also did the list of 100 things crossed off. That was easier. Why was that?
Remember.. in no particular order of importance..
1. open a cheese shop
2. open a hostel
3. sell a photograph for $200
4. go on an African safari
5. Scuba Dive someplace tropical
6.have a public exhibit of my photographs Does putting them on a laundry line on the street count?
7. sew a wrap around apron dress in navy linen
8. hand embroider bed sheets
9. hand embroider a matching duvet
10. travel through Japan
11. go to a yoga class in India
12. learn to ride a motorcycle
13. spend a night in the room Janis Joplin died in
14. plant a vegetable garden and eat from the harvest
15. finish my art history degree
16. pay someone's rent for the month or let them live with me for free
17.give someone a job well, technically I did hire someone
18.swim with dolphins Cuba 2009
19. go 100 days without flour, dairy, or sugar
20. spend a year without ordering in or eating out
21. live in a house with a front porch and a screen door
22. have more than 1 cat at one time
23. learn a specific occupation
24.spend the night in the Chelsea Hotel It was FANTASTIC and worth every penny
25. take a train trip across Canada
26. visit the Pyramids
27. be in a movie
28. knit a pair of socks and wear them
29. design my own web page, top to bottom, code and all
30. swim with sharks
31. invest in stocks independently
32. go to Holland during tulip season
33. let a backpacker stay overnight
34. produce a line of t shirts
35. participate as a vendor at a craft fair
36. make my own jam
37. spend a weekend without talking
38. invent something
39. volunteer my time
40. become an aunt
41. ride a bike long distance
42. tandem skydive with free fall
43. go on a retreat
44. own property
45. inspire someone
46. cook a stranger a meal and deliver it
47. have an 88th birthday
48. drink 6-8 glasses of water everyday for a month
49. sleep in an igloo
50. publish a photography book
51. spray paint something large and inspirational in a public place.
52. dig up a time capsule
53. find my best friend from when I was 5- Tanya Barter
54.visit Cuba before it's too latebeen twice now & traveled from tip to toe.
55. publish a poem
56. hide Easter eggs someplace
57. see a ghost
58. make my own cheese
59. ride a donkey to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
60. mail a secret to Post Secret
61. send random love letters to 5 people I know
62. go camping alone
63. loose 30 pounds
64. visit Chicago to photograph the architecture
65. ride my bike to work every day for 1 month
66. cross the equator
67. stop eating meat
68. take a flight in a hot air balloon
69. take a mud bath in one of those "spas"
70. live outside of Canada for a year
71. make a living from home
72. spend a significant amount of money on a piece of art
73.quit smoking10 years ago last April
74.make all my Christmas gifts one year everyone got photographs, framed for Christmas 09
75. sleep on the beach
76.visit Port Arthur, Texas and New Orleans Road trip '99
77. give birth
78.talk my way in to Janis Joplin's house Larkspur, California 2006
79. stop getting tattooed
80.find the perfect pair of jeans I may kill them though if I keep washing them
81. swing from a rope over a lake in the summer
82. cliff jump
83. turn all my craft supplies into finished projects
84. do a large scale art installation in a public place in the middle of the night
85. See the Art Nouveau in Nancy, France
86. Visit Greece
87. skinny dip
88. dance more
89. make a quilt
90. fit into the dresses in my closet that i can't get rid of because they are too beautiful
91. Throw a block party
92.learn to drive a scooter Thanks Denise
93. remove money as a concern
94. sit in a natural mineral pool
95. visit a hammam in Morocco
96. work for myself
97. plant tulips in random places
98. feel true love
99. walk away from trich peacefully
100. Visit Buenos Aires
She recently prompted her readers to write the list of things to do in one's life.
After doing it in a series of lists 25 things long.. I finally completed the arduaous task and found my list. This was somewhat harder than I thought it would be.
I also did the list of 100 things crossed off. That was easier. Why was that?
Remember.. in no particular order of importance..
1. open a cheese shop
2. open a hostel
3. sell a photograph for $200
4. go on an African safari
5. Scuba Dive someplace tropical
6.
7. sew a wrap around apron dress in navy linen
8. hand embroider bed sheets
9. hand embroider a matching duvet
10. travel through Japan
11. go to a yoga class in India
12. learn to ride a motorcycle
13. spend a night in the room Janis Joplin died in
14. plant a vegetable garden and eat from the harvest
15. finish my art history degree
16. pay someone's rent for the month or let them live with me for free
17.
18.
19. go 100 days without flour, dairy, or sugar
20. spend a year without ordering in or eating out
21. live in a house with a front porch and a screen door
22. have more than 1 cat at one time
23. learn a specific occupation
24.
25. take a train trip across Canada
26. visit the Pyramids
27. be in a movie
28. knit a pair of socks and wear them
29. design my own web page, top to bottom, code and all
30. swim with sharks
31. invest in stocks independently
32. go to Holland during tulip season
33. let a backpacker stay overnight
34. produce a line of t shirts
35. participate as a vendor at a craft fair
36. make my own jam
37. spend a weekend without talking
38. invent something
39. volunteer my time
40. become an aunt
41. ride a bike long distance
42. tandem skydive with free fall
43. go on a retreat
44. own property
45. inspire someone
46. cook a stranger a meal and deliver it
47. have an 88th birthday
48. drink 6-8 glasses of water everyday for a month
49. sleep in an igloo
50. publish a photography book
51. spray paint something large and inspirational in a public place.
52. dig up a time capsule
53. find my best friend from when I was 5- Tanya Barter
54.
55. publish a poem
56. hide Easter eggs someplace
57. see a ghost
58. make my own cheese
59. ride a donkey to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
60. mail a secret to Post Secret
61. send random love letters to 5 people I know
62. go camping alone
63. loose 30 pounds
64. visit Chicago to photograph the architecture
65. ride my bike to work every day for 1 month
66. cross the equator
67. stop eating meat
68. take a flight in a hot air balloon
69. take a mud bath in one of those "spas"
70. live outside of Canada for a year
71. make a living from home
72. spend a significant amount of money on a piece of art
73.
74.
75. sleep on the beach
76.
77. give birth
78.
79. stop getting tattooed
80.
81. swing from a rope over a lake in the summer
82. cliff jump
83. turn all my craft supplies into finished projects
84. do a large scale art installation in a public place in the middle of the night
85. See the Art Nouveau in Nancy, France
86. Visit Greece
87. skinny dip
88. dance more
89. make a quilt
90. fit into the dresses in my closet that i can't get rid of because they are too beautiful
91. Throw a block party
92.
93. remove money as a concern
94. sit in a natural mineral pool
95. visit a hammam in Morocco
96. work for myself
97. plant tulips in random places
98. feel true love
99. walk away from trich peacefully
100. Visit Buenos Aires
Thursday, March 20, 2008
a budding romance
SPRING has sprung. It's officially my favorite time of the year. Spring is everything the name implies:
verb ( past sprang |spra ng |or sprung |sprə ng |; past part. sprung)
1 [ intrans. ] move or jump suddenly or rapidly upward or forward : I sprang out of bed. move rapidly or suddenly from a constrained position by or as if by the action of a spring.
Yes, Spring puts a spring in my stride, a lightness underfoot and refreshed joy in my heart..and thanks to my mom (who else) I am spring born so it YAY for ARIES!!!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Tokyo- no words can express the sprawl of 30 million people
According to Wikipedia, "The Greater Tokyo Area, centered on Tokyo but also including Chiba, Kanagawa, and Saitama, is the most populous metropolitan area in the world with a population of over 35 million people. It has been the world's most populous urban area since between 1965 and 1970, and despite Japan's overall declining population, is still growing."
Sunday, March 16, 2008
I feel sad I didn't see this character when I was in Tokyo
Some great shots of Shibuya intersection though..
Thursday, March 13, 2008
an early birthday present
A recent trip down to Portland Oregon resulted in a bit of shopping. I saw these lovely and intriguing felt wool bags- "built by hand in Portland, Oregon, of recycled wool felt". The wool was recycled from scraps left from the garment industry and reworked into roomy and cozy handbags. The wool felt showing bits of different colors-flecks of blue and red, green everything. Almost looks like bunched up newspaper if you squinted- but smoother.I saw the bags in a few shops and for some reason decided against it- rationalizing that I already had too many bags. I left Portland and found myself pining for a wool handbag.
I tracked them down and phoned them up to found they had only 2 left so I snatched up their satchels. One for me and one for my good friend Sonia.
Queen Bee Creations
1847 E. Burnside St. #103
Portland, OR 97214
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
sprung
The crocus' seem to have popped up in the middle of the night. There are suddenly little gangs of purple and yellow topped figures, stalking in groups on the outskirts of trees. Trouble makers in disguise- daring the tulips to a silent duel of color.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
a tiny universe of music
a tiny universe of music, originally uploaded by jill y.
My favorite photo of my entire trip to Tokyo
Friday, February 29, 2008
What would we do without mothers who send wise word emails??
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired.
During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said, 'Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups...and then you began eyeing each other's cups.'
'Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot
chocolate. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have.'
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
And enjoy your hot chocolate!
During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said, 'Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups...and then you began eyeing each other's cups.'
'Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot
chocolate. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have.'
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
And enjoy your hot chocolate!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
a new friend
This wee little creature is a Nohohon Zoku. I have no idea what that means really except that it was about 10 bucks and has a little solar panel in the front. You put him in the sunlight or under a lamp and his little head bobs gently from side to side.He pleases me. Want one? Let me know and I will gladly get you one. I think they are considerably more expensive in Canada.
xoxo
Jill
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
the old man is snoring
It's raining in Tokyo. Pouring. The polished tiled streets are slick like silver oil. The heavy drops gravitate to the streets in a spray. Black suited business men carry a clear plastic umbrella in one hand and a briefcase in the other. Their tired faces rush ahead of their feet. Shiny taxis with bright white lace headrests dart purposefully. Ambassadors of travellers. Official transporters. Rush rain falls and splashes on koi languishing in the bottom of the pool under the half bloomed plum tree.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Harajuko
Today was a free day in Tokyo before the meetings start. We went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuko because it had an observation deck on the top floor. From there I saw Mt. Fuji- way off in the distance. Tokyo is a huge sprawling city, but relatively short. There are not many skyscrapers you might associate with a city this large.
"The Metropolitan Government Building "held title of the tallest building (by roof height) in Tokyo, at 243 meters (799 feet), from 1991 until late 2006, when it surrendered its title upon the completion of Midtown Tower. The two top-floor panoramic observation decks are free of charge to the public and contain many gift shops. They are open till 11 pm on weekdays. Use of cameras is permitted, but tripods are forbidden."
Mmnn. tripods are forbidden??
After that, we walked around Shinjuko some more and ate lunch. The menu was completely in Japanese and we could do nothing but point to the pictures on the menu and hope for the best. My sizzling hot plate arrived and I was told to "flip over" meaning the rare beef strips still cooking on the hot plate. Accompanied by a salad, a cup of broth and a plate of rice- lunch was very good.
The rest of the team headed back to the hotel and me and another took off in search of Harajuko. With some walking and lots of asking people for directions, we found it and was instantly amazed. The area was a web of pedestrian streets packed with teenagers. A bustling connection of streets, alleys and side street with boutique, nooks, and tiny shops selling street fashions, jewellery, shoes, and just about anything else really. It was like Portobello market. I stood off to the side and watched people and took as many photos as I could.
Some things I noticed today:
"The Metropolitan Government Building "held title of the tallest building (by roof height) in Tokyo, at 243 meters (799 feet), from 1991 until late 2006, when it surrendered its title upon the completion of Midtown Tower. The two top-floor panoramic observation decks are free of charge to the public and contain many gift shops. They are open till 11 pm on weekdays. Use of cameras is permitted, but tripods are forbidden."
Mmnn. tripods are forbidden??
After that, we walked around Shinjuko some more and ate lunch. The menu was completely in Japanese and we could do nothing but point to the pictures on the menu and hope for the best. My sizzling hot plate arrived and I was told to "flip over" meaning the rare beef strips still cooking on the hot plate. Accompanied by a salad, a cup of broth and a plate of rice- lunch was very good.
The rest of the team headed back to the hotel and me and another took off in search of Harajuko. With some walking and lots of asking people for directions, we found it and was instantly amazed. The area was a web of pedestrian streets packed with teenagers. A bustling connection of streets, alleys and side street with boutique, nooks, and tiny shops selling street fashions, jewellery, shoes, and just about anything else really. It was like Portobello market. I stood off to the side and watched people and took as many photos as I could.
Some things I noticed today:
- Very few birds are seen in Tokyo. I think i saw 3 Pigeons and a Starling in total. There are very few trees as well.
- From the observation deck- Tokyo is silvery grey. There are a few parks but not a lot of green
- The proportion of men to women is obvious
- Many people, but not all, wear white medical masks. No one mentions Sars. I've been told the reason is due to: pollution, "it's influenza season", pollen, "people who wear the masks tend to get sick", hay fever
- an unusual obsession with American Rock & Roll. They sell Buddy Holly glasses with with clear, non prescription enses.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
The International House of Japan
Unfortunately, the cherry blossoms are not in full bloom. I was able to find this photo on Flickr. The hotel and the grounds are really beautiful. The weather is sunny, blue cloudless sky, but cold- crisp. We'll be going into central Tokyo later today. surprisingly, they also do a great coffee.
xo
Jill
not exactly what I thought it would be like
- It looked like Alberta flying in. A patch work quilt of farms stretched out.
- Godzilla was not lounging on the blanket having lunch though.
- Coming in from the airport, the freeway was elevated high off the ground making the buildings look deceptively short.
- Many building that appeared to be apartments have stairwells that run up the outside of the buildings. Does this safe space??
- Crossing the International time line and skipping a day has really down my head in. Is it Saturday or Sunday?? While posting this on Vancouver time in my laptop, indicating that it is 1 am on Sunday- I have lept over the time barrier to the next day, 6pm.
- Saw a 'gang' of scooter/motorcycles that had big huge banana seats. Some of the drivers wore aviator goggles and had ratting flags of Japan flapping. They looked like a roving gang of Snoopy pilots on bikes.
Friday, February 22, 2008
konichiwa
Lo and behold.
An opportunity landed on my lap not much more than 48 hrs ago. Someone said ,"Can you go to Japan on Saturday?" I thought to myself...is that possible.. sure. I've been a bit baffled and bewildered ever since. I'll be leaving for Tokyo in the morning. I'll be staying at the International House of Japan. Which sounds alot like the place with the pancakes. Looks lovely though and I hope they have pancakes for breakfast.
While this is all a bit weird to me, the weirdest part is that on Friday, I fly from Tokyo at 5pm and arrive approximately back in Vancouver at 9am the same day.
Hopefully, I'll have some blogging time when I'm there, otherwise- I'll be back in a week with a mean case of jet lag.
xoxo
An opportunity landed on my lap not much more than 48 hrs ago. Someone said ,"Can you go to Japan on Saturday?" I thought to myself...is that possible.. sure. I've been a bit baffled and bewildered ever since. I'll be leaving for Tokyo in the morning. I'll be staying at the International House of Japan. Which sounds alot like the place with the pancakes. Looks lovely though and I hope they have pancakes for breakfast.
While this is all a bit weird to me, the weirdest part is that on Friday, I fly from Tokyo at 5pm and arrive approximately back in Vancouver at 9am the same day.
Hopefully, I'll have some blogging time when I'm there, otherwise- I'll be back in a week with a mean case of jet lag.
xoxo
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The turning torso
"Santiago Calatrava's Turning Torso in Malmo. The tallest building in Sweden (190m) and a new landmark in Sweden. Bo01(Ecological City) Västra Hamnen, Malmo"
Friday, February 15, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Bess's beauty
A friend of mine is becoming a stunning and amazing photographer. I can't help but to post this. It's one of the most prettiest photos of tulips I have ever seen.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
everyone needs someone to love
Saw this driving down Granville Street tonight. I thought it would have been more appropriate if he was dragging a bundle of strung up cans behind the truck and if there were a few streamers too. Very happy for the lovely couple. I wonder where they are going on their honeymoon??
Monday, February 11, 2008
rare animal spotted in book store
Note the bushy tail on the rarely spotted teenage hybrid squirrel spotted in Powell's Books in Portland.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
where the queen is green
I like the States when the queen is running fast against the greenback. Makes those silly little purchase of gum and candy all the more easy. Who wants to buy a pack of $2.00 gum. Best of all is hitting the antique shops. Picked up a really great glass storage jar for less than $20 in Olympia Washington. Probably would have cost the same in Canada, but my point being is that it didn't cost MORE.
Speaking of Olympia Washington.. the place has an antique shop bloodclot in the downtown arteries. I'm sensing a serious return to town to clean them out. There also seems to be a disproportionate number of vintage business signs considering the conservative number of diplomatic and religious types roamimg the streets. Who wants to come with me??
Here in Portland, the sun is shining and I hope to return to the scene of one of my favorite photographs...
Speaking of Olympia Washington.. the place has an antique shop bloodclot in the downtown arteries. I'm sensing a serious return to town to clean them out. There also seems to be a disproportionate number of vintage business signs considering the conservative number of diplomatic and religious types roamimg the streets. Who wants to come with me??
Here in Portland, the sun is shining and I hope to return to the scene of one of my favorite photographs...
Friday, February 8, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
jack could have used this for his beanstalk
There's no point in buying little seedling pots any more and I'm really sorry for the peet moss manufacturers out there that make a killing on them too. Why bother when you can make your own pots out of newspaper. The Paper Potter makes biodegradeable plant pots made out of yesterday cartoon strip and horoscope columns. Think of the fun. Just remember to go a wee bit easy on the watering.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
get yer beads
It's Fat Tuesday otherwise known as Mardi Gras. It's the culmination of feasts and celebrations and the traditional parades of krewes , where you know the way it goes, is as a woman you are encouraged to expose your breasts to collect cheap beads. How this got started has probably got a lot to do with the famous Hurricane Cocktails served along Bourbon Street and one of the famous towns celebrating Mardi Gras.
I've been to New Orleans. I drove there from Calgary, Alberta in a baker's cargo van. It wasn't in February, but instead the sweltering heat of September. We were basically going through Texas and down to the Gulf of Mexico (for reasons to long to mention here). While we were driving around in rural Texas in the bayou's, we all of a sudden found or selves on the other side of the Texas-Louisiana border and off we went to New Orleans. Just like that. I still have the dragonfly that flew in the open window of the van that night. I considered it a sign of some sort. I kept it in a cigar box I picked up in Dallas.
View Larger Map
I took this photo of a swamp that ran on both sides of the highway just outside the city. I was amazed at how surreal it was to drive through that, surrounded on both sides by thick witchy water and god know's what else.
There were odd little gas station that sold alligator heads and paws and things for your gris-gris. A young girl said they had a curfew at certain times of the year because the 'gator's walked around like wild dogs. It was thick with specialness and kookiness and I was instantly thrilled with Louisiana. Lousy Anna.
New Orleans is a special, mystic, oddland miss mash of blues, jazz, creole, french, spanish, rural, urban, voodoo and Christian and the French Quarter is it's bullseye. I spent 2 days walking the mythical streets of the quarter and prowling the mausleums of the cemeteries off Basin Street while shaking off the air- thick with spices and sweat.
Go if you can and
-adore the wrought iron balconies that snake luxuriously around the buildings like a lover's arm.
-stroll into the historic and open courtyard of Cafe Du Monde and start your day with fresh beignets and chicory coffee
-see the historic New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band
-Drink a Hurricane at Pat O Brian's
and..
-Look for the voodoo queen- Marie Laveau's tomb in the cemetery off Basin Street
Les bon temps rouleez! (or let the good times roll)
I've been to New Orleans. I drove there from Calgary, Alberta in a baker's cargo van. It wasn't in February, but instead the sweltering heat of September. We were basically going through Texas and down to the Gulf of Mexico (for reasons to long to mention here). While we were driving around in rural Texas in the bayou's, we all of a sudden found or selves on the other side of the Texas-Louisiana border and off we went to New Orleans. Just like that. I still have the dragonfly that flew in the open window of the van that night. I considered it a sign of some sort. I kept it in a cigar box I picked up in Dallas.
View Larger Map
I took this photo of a swamp that ran on both sides of the highway just outside the city. I was amazed at how surreal it was to drive through that, surrounded on both sides by thick witchy water and god know's what else.
There were odd little gas station that sold alligator heads and paws and things for your gris-gris. A young girl said they had a curfew at certain times of the year because the 'gator's walked around like wild dogs. It was thick with specialness and kookiness and I was instantly thrilled with Louisiana. Lousy Anna.
New Orleans is a special, mystic, oddland miss mash of blues, jazz, creole, french, spanish, rural, urban, voodoo and Christian and the French Quarter is it's bullseye. I spent 2 days walking the mythical streets of the quarter and prowling the mausleums of the cemeteries off Basin Street while shaking off the air- thick with spices and sweat.
Go if you can and
-adore the wrought iron balconies that snake luxuriously around the buildings like a lover's arm.
-stroll into the historic and open courtyard of Cafe Du Monde and start your day with fresh beignets and chicory coffee
-see the historic New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band
-Drink a Hurricane at Pat O Brian's
and..
-Look for the voodoo queen- Marie Laveau's tomb in the cemetery off Basin Street
Les bon temps rouleez! (or let the good times roll)
Friday, February 1, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
let the world know
You're cruising through the local hardware store and you find yourself in the aisle of the array of spray paint options available. Those long repressed desires to spray paint your thoughts of affection on the side of your Junior High School come lingering to the service.
Or, you feel compelled to tell the world that "911 was an inside job".
Or, maybe a creative fire is burning and the thought to purchase a rainbow of colors is a few steps a way along with a night in jail and 100 hours of community service.
Whatever it is you want to say, I think you should say it on the West Bank Wall *
What's it good for, writing on the Wall?
The Wall won't fall just because your text is written on it. True.
But your message reminds Palestinians trapped inside the Wall they have not been forgotten. You help to keep hope alive. 'Our' Palestinians want to send you one single, simple message: "we are human beings, just like you, with sense of humour and lust for life." That's why they do this, and enjoy it.
What are you going to say??
Or, you feel compelled to tell the world that "911 was an inside job".
Or, maybe a creative fire is burning and the thought to purchase a rainbow of colors is a few steps a way along with a night in jail and 100 hours of community service.
Whatever it is you want to say, I think you should say it on the West Bank Wall *
What's it good for, writing on the Wall?
The Wall won't fall just because your text is written on it. True.
But your message reminds Palestinians trapped inside the Wall they have not been forgotten. You help to keep hope alive. 'Our' Palestinians want to send you one single, simple message: "we are human beings, just like you, with sense of humour and lust for life." That's why they do this, and enjoy it.
What are you going to say??
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Isn't God already green?
This made me swing round and jump out of a car to photograph this absurdity.
How does a church recover from a statement like this? Isn't this challenging the actual EXISTENCE of God? For if God really is all knowing, omnipotent and all seeing, is god not already green? If God is going green, what on earth has God been doing before- littering? Good grief. I'm trying to get Michael to come with me to the sermon so we can find out.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
snatched
I went to Langley this weekend to look at antiques. I never intend to buy anything. I hope to get a good photo or see something cool. It's just a lovely thing I like to do- browse for antiques. I was walking down a street and this delectable tray of muffins were literally sitting on a window sill cooling in the spring like day. Michael and I ended up eating breakfast at the same place and it was one of the best- handmade bread that came unbuttered, with a pot of butter on the side, real thick slices of baked ham, pots of homemade jelly, and antique tea cups for our English Breakfast.
Another very excellent item was this quilt. It's a hand stitched beauty made form old flour sacks in all my favorite colors. It's thick, warm and big enough for a king sized bed. And it was $50. Apparently there was a woman following me around the store (it was a like a warehouse of antique stalls) waiting to see if I would put it down and went to the till after I left to see if I bought it. Probably the same woman who helped me unfurl it while I looked furtively for some flaw, stain or hole- to find none.
Nice isn't it?
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
resolution
I decided to spend the year making one creative thing (or 2) for each month. Right now I am working on a lovely jumpy CD of my favorite music lately.
Who wants one?
Who wants one?
Sunday, January 6, 2008
acquisition
Mom said...
PS - did you think of maybe buying art to hang on your walls??
Well, yes and no. There is always a photo I can enlarge, frame and hang. And while a $400 piece of art for the walls is lovely, I'm a finicky and maybe it's my Scottish roots that make me frugal. A tattoo seems to have so much more value than a painting. After all, it's forever, and it's also quite easy to cart it around with you.
However, having said that, I also think supporting the arts is important and the decoration of the walls of your living space, so I found this wee site where you can do that for as little as $20.
"We introduce two new pieces a week: one photo and one work on paper. Each image is available in three sizes.* The smallest size is reprinted in the largest batch – an edition of 200 – and sold at the lowest price – $20. Hence the name 20x200. (200x20 just didn't sound as good.) We also offer bigger prints for bolder collectors - medium-sized editions of 20 for $200, and large-sized editions of 2 generally for $2000 (some of the large sized editions will actually be original pieces of art and prices will vary a bit). Every single print is delivered with a certificate of authenticity numbered by the artist."
I am already tempted to fill up those spaces. Maybe you are too.
PS - did you think of maybe buying art to hang on your walls??
Well, yes and no. There is always a photo I can enlarge, frame and hang. And while a $400 piece of art for the walls is lovely, I'm a finicky and maybe it's my Scottish roots that make me frugal. A tattoo seems to have so much more value than a painting. After all, it's forever, and it's also quite easy to cart it around with you.
However, having said that, I also think supporting the arts is important and the decoration of the walls of your living space, so I found this wee site where you can do that for as little as $20.
"We introduce two new pieces a week: one photo and one work on paper. Each image is available in three sizes.* The smallest size is reprinted in the largest batch – an edition of 200 – and sold at the lowest price – $20. Hence the name 20x200. (200x20 just didn't sound as good.) We also offer bigger prints for bolder collectors - medium-sized editions of 20 for $200, and large-sized editions of 2 generally for $2000 (some of the large sized editions will actually be original pieces of art and prices will vary a bit). Every single print is delivered with a certificate of authenticity numbered by the artist."
I am already tempted to fill up those spaces. Maybe you are too.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
How I spent my Christmas bonus.
I can not begin to tell you how uncomfortable it is to have your elbow tattooed. But it worked for the flow of the piece so we did it, but I was not looking forward to it. I'm glad Catherine was there to capture it though, as I doubt there will be a repeat performance.
One of my new year resolutions was to have more art and beauty in my life and what better way to start the brand new year but marking one's canvas with a beautiful new tattoo. Thank to my sister for coming down and wincing along with me and taking so many great photos.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
"kittens make me nervous" By Sonia
"They're like toddlers with severe ADD"
"They jump all over you."
"If I go into a room where there is a kitten, I can't relax." this one made me laugh until I coughed and my throat got sore again.
"I am afraid of the kitten attacking me."
All this because I mentioned this web site.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
wrap it up.
Or the "Mayfly Project"- sum up your year in 24 words or less. This is mine.
I went to Europe and realized I could open some doors, some open once a year, and others stay shut to the public forever.
I went to Europe and realized I could open some doors, some open once a year, and others stay shut to the public forever.
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