1.When I was born, the doctored played a joke on my mother and told her I was a boy.
2. When I was 4, a boy pushed me into the corner of a glass coffee table because I wouldn't share my toys. I ended up with stitches and a scar in one eyebrow.
3. I used to dress up in my mother's old heels and dresses and stand by the highway on my Granmother's Farm and wave at traffic.
4. My right eye is half brown and half blue.
5. 5, 3 and 21 are my favorite numbers.
6. I hate mushrooms but will eat Campbell's Mushroom Soup
7. I changed my last name when I was 23.
8. I broke my wrist while playing with a cat.
9. I had braces.
10. I still have my wisdom teeth. I keep them in a little glass box on a piece of velvet. No one knows this except for you.
11. I once went to Mexico for lunch and Spain for 15 minutes.
12. I've had E- Coli. It put me in the hospital for a week.
13. I left home when I was 16.
14. My current relationship beats out all the others at almost 5 years. Before Michael I was running a trend at 10 months.
15. When I was back packing in Europe, I live in both an abandoned house on the outskirts of Rome and a yacht off the coast of Spain.
16. My family tree connects to both George Washington and Robert E. Lee
17. I'm know a lot about cheese.
18. My biggest fear is being homeless.
19. I am fascinated with Janis Joplin.
19. I have a rock from Alcatraz. I've been carrying it around with me for 15 years.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
stress relief
Classes are designed for beginners with little or no experience and
will provide the student with a thorough knowledge of basic glass
blowing techniques, hotshop etiquette and safety. During each
class teachers will demonstrate and guide students step by step to
create their own one of a kind glass blown piece, which can be
picked up and ready to take home as early as the next day. Students
will have the chance to learn and practice the fundamentals
of gathering, centering, marvering, basic color application and
proper shop etiquette in a fun, safe and comfortable environment.
All materials are included. Sunglasses, cotton clothing, and closed
toed footwear. There is a maximum of 6 students per workshop
with 2 instructors. Each student will make 6 pieces.
will provide the student with a thorough knowledge of basic glass
blowing techniques, hotshop etiquette and safety. During each
class teachers will demonstrate and guide students step by step to
create their own one of a kind glass blown piece, which can be
picked up and ready to take home as early as the next day. Students
will have the chance to learn and practice the fundamentals
of gathering, centering, marvering, basic color application and
proper shop etiquette in a fun, safe and comfortable environment.
All materials are included. Sunglasses, cotton clothing, and closed
toed footwear. There is a maximum of 6 students per workshop
with 2 instructors. Each student will make 6 pieces.
Did you know it costs $600 to take glass blowing classes? Who knew hotshops were so expensive.
I met the guy who runs this class in my favorite coffee shop one really early morning day. I didn't know he was a glass blower, but we started talking about Chihuly and I went off on some tangent about how glass blowing was really similar to soap making. Soap needs to be poured at a certain temperature even just before it cools. If you aren't quick, it can turn into a solid right before your eyes. Just like hot glass.
The night before there was a glass blowing documentary on TV, showing a huge hotshop auditorium (there's a big Glass Blowing Studio in Tacoma).
I babbled on about how glass blowing has the same nuances of fragility and I carried on about Chihuly and Oregon. I felt really passionate about it for some reason. Maybe it was the early morning delirium or the lack of coffee. I don't know but, it turned out he was on his way to the Glass Blowing College to do a seminar and gave me his card. I was stunned and said something about serendipity. I have thought about alot and felt I would really enjoy glass blowing.
I visited the studio as part of the Art Crawl and signed up for updates on classes and today it popped up in my inbox. Hello expensive class and 6 keepsakes.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
the thing about blogs..they chronicle the boring, sometimes interesting and all the stuff in between. Behold, 2008
January
I covered my left arm in a tattoo. It all went a bit haywire for a bit, but got sorted.
I discovered Gypsy Punk and Gogol Bordello
Made a new year's resolution to do one creative thing a month- and then promptly forgot.
Went to Langley and scored a brilliant vintage quilt for 50 bucks
February
Visited Portland and my long absent Father. As the years drift apart- so do we.
I went to Tokyo for a week. Konichiwa.
March
I recovered from Tokyo.
I wrote a 100 things I would like to do before I die.
I officially aged 1 year older towards that so I made a list of 37 things that made me happy.
April
I dealt with an "unfortunate tattoo incident".
I took a bunch of photos
I booked a ticket to Cuba
May
I went to Toronto and saw a dear old friend.
I got all Communist Revolutionary and traveled Cuba for 2 week.
I bought I ticket for Madonna
June
I discovered washing grains again.
I went to Scottsdale, Arizona.
I wrote a letter to my "ill spent youth".
I tried to over a pizza in another city for a friend of mine- I failed.
The tattoo saga continued.
July
I did the Proust Questionnaire
I photographed the neighbourhood kids covered in mud. I was the evil stranger to one.
Friends answered the Proust Questionnaire.
Sold merch at Billy Idol and snapped a bunch of shots.
Michael's Sister and Family came to town.
I went to a seminar in Seattle on how to stop the most horrible thing that could happen to a girl. It helped marginally.
I went to London and met up with Heidi after a 20 year bathroom break.
I hunted cheese shops.
August
I went home to Edmonton and took my bike.
Great trail riding ensued.
I saw a lot of old & new friends. Too many to mention here.
I wrote the one poem I spit out a year.
Catpower at the Edmonton Folk fest with Tracy. Nuff said.
I still have the 5 claw strike on my calf from falling off my bike.
I saw my mom. Nuff said.
I decided I would revamp my blog. It's is still unvamped.
Bess moved to Australia.
September
I went to New York City with Michael and stayed at the Chelsea Hotel.
My mom walked the El Camino De Santiago in Spain with my aunt.
October
I wanted to vote for Obama.
I gave thanks.
Keep Calm and Carry On
I was in the same room as Madonna.
November
I posted every day.
I protested for gay rights.
I was named in a human rights complaint.
I had a root canal.
I protested the rain, but I rode in it nonetheless.
Mom, Catherine and I traveled all the way to Kilby and Maple Ridge.
We discovered baked French Toast with cream cheese, raspberries and lemon sauce.
Uncle Wiley passed away.
The Art Crawl and Synechdoche New York were my cultural fixes.
I wiped out on my bike.
December
I took a deer out on a date.
I survived
I discovered the bands: Fleet Foxes and First Aid Kit
I stayed in a brilliant B&B in Victoria.
It snowed- alot.
Michael and I drove back to Alberta.
I covered my left arm in a tattoo. It all went a bit haywire for a bit, but got sorted.
I discovered Gypsy Punk and Gogol Bordello
Made a new year's resolution to do one creative thing a month- and then promptly forgot.
Went to Langley and scored a brilliant vintage quilt for 50 bucks
February
Visited Portland and my long absent Father. As the years drift apart- so do we.
I went to Tokyo for a week. Konichiwa.
March
I recovered from Tokyo.
I wrote a 100 things I would like to do before I die.
I officially aged 1 year older towards that so I made a list of 37 things that made me happy.
April
I dealt with an "unfortunate tattoo incident".
I took a bunch of photos
I booked a ticket to Cuba
May
I went to Toronto and saw a dear old friend.
I got all Communist Revolutionary and traveled Cuba for 2 week.
I bought I ticket for Madonna
June
I discovered washing grains again.
I went to Scottsdale, Arizona.
I wrote a letter to my "ill spent youth".
I tried to over a pizza in another city for a friend of mine- I failed.
The tattoo saga continued.
July
I did the Proust Questionnaire
I photographed the neighbourhood kids covered in mud. I was the evil stranger to one.
Friends answered the Proust Questionnaire.
Sold merch at Billy Idol and snapped a bunch of shots.
Michael's Sister and Family came to town.
I went to a seminar in Seattle on how to stop the most horrible thing that could happen to a girl. It helped marginally.
I went to London and met up with Heidi after a 20 year bathroom break.
I hunted cheese shops.
August
I went home to Edmonton and took my bike.
Great trail riding ensued.
I saw a lot of old & new friends. Too many to mention here.
I wrote the one poem I spit out a year.
Catpower at the Edmonton Folk fest with Tracy. Nuff said.
I still have the 5 claw strike on my calf from falling off my bike.
I saw my mom. Nuff said.
I decided I would revamp my blog. It's is still unvamped.
Bess moved to Australia.
September
I went to New York City with Michael and stayed at the Chelsea Hotel.
My mom walked the El Camino De Santiago in Spain with my aunt.
October
I wanted to vote for Obama.
I gave thanks.
Keep Calm and Carry On
I was in the same room as Madonna.
November
I posted every day.
I protested for gay rights.
I was named in a human rights complaint.
I had a root canal.
I protested the rain, but I rode in it nonetheless.
Mom, Catherine and I traveled all the way to Kilby and Maple Ridge.
We discovered baked French Toast with cream cheese, raspberries and lemon sauce.
Uncle Wiley passed away.
The Art Crawl and Synechdoche New York were my cultural fixes.
I wiped out on my bike.
December
I took a deer out on a date.
I survived
I discovered the bands: Fleet Foxes and First Aid Kit
I stayed in a brilliant B&B in Victoria.
It snowed- alot.
Michael and I drove back to Alberta.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
the stars align
My horoscope reads:
You've been attracted to friendly oddballs, psychics, therapists and shy people over the last few years - this trend continues.
You know who you are, an likely- I've known for a lot longer than a few years.
I have a long history of befriending, entertaining,and sometimes admiring the outcast, oddball, artist, unusual, eccentric, and outside mainstream. These days however, I'm less inclined towards the over-the-top type, the counterculture that becomes popular culture type, or weird for the sake of weird types. I've gone soft in my old age. I have fleece in my wardrobe.
I should write about the time I befriended some "busker" in Edmonton when I was 13. He was about 6"2, wild curly hair, John Lennon specs, and he made coffin coffee tables and his own coffin shaped guitars. He acquired the nickname of Rubberhead and might have been a former tenant at Alberta Hospital. He invited me back to his apt and naively, I went. I sat on a ripped out bench seat from an old truck, acknowledged there was a rotting cabbage amongst other garbage on the floor and smiled and nodded about his recollections of being the offspring of aliens. He showed me his sketches and plans for a time machine. He gave me a comic book and a little figurine made out of mud.
I beat a hasty retreat sensing tension in the air, he followed me. I jumped on the next bus and he yelled after me: Don"t you love me anymore? Years later, before he died trying to get to the ocean via the North Saskatchewan River, he put on gigs in Ukrainian Community Halls, called Rubberhead's Rock n Roll Show.
I never really talked to him again. But he began a long list of musicians, travellers, minstrels, punks, panhandlers, poets, and painters, photographers, bouncers, bikers, record shop and cafe owners that I befriended over the years.
You've been attracted to friendly oddballs, psychics, therapists and shy people over the last few years - this trend continues.
You know who you are, an likely- I've known for a lot longer than a few years.
I have a long history of befriending, entertaining,and sometimes admiring the outcast, oddball, artist, unusual, eccentric, and outside mainstream. These days however, I'm less inclined towards the over-the-top type, the counterculture that becomes popular culture type, or weird for the sake of weird types. I've gone soft in my old age. I have fleece in my wardrobe.
I should write about the time I befriended some "busker" in Edmonton when I was 13. He was about 6"2, wild curly hair, John Lennon specs, and he made coffin coffee tables and his own coffin shaped guitars. He acquired the nickname of Rubberhead and might have been a former tenant at Alberta Hospital. He invited me back to his apt and naively, I went. I sat on a ripped out bench seat from an old truck, acknowledged there was a rotting cabbage amongst other garbage on the floor and smiled and nodded about his recollections of being the offspring of aliens. He showed me his sketches and plans for a time machine. He gave me a comic book and a little figurine made out of mud.
I beat a hasty retreat sensing tension in the air, he followed me. I jumped on the next bus and he yelled after me: Don"t you love me anymore? Years later, before he died trying to get to the ocean via the North Saskatchewan River, he put on gigs in Ukrainian Community Halls, called Rubberhead's Rock n Roll Show.
I never really talked to him again. But he began a long list of musicians, travellers, minstrels, punks, panhandlers, poets, and painters, photographers, bouncers, bikers, record shop and cafe owners that I befriended over the years.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
portfolio
10- 5x7
13- 8x10
8- 8x12
countless frames, ready made and hand cut mats, time, money
One wire bound photo album with portrait style high clarity print preservers
cost: less than $1000
result: double that if I sold everything
reason: to show
13- 8x10
8- 8x12
countless frames, ready made and hand cut mats, time, money
One wire bound photo album with portrait style high clarity print preservers
cost: less than $1000
result: double that if I sold everything
reason: to show
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tea for two, you and me maybe even three
I have another tea pot and I love it because it was a gift from Michael, but it makes a quick 2 cups and calls it a day. My sister somehow found me the PERFECT tea pot. Brews at least 4 cups. Has a fine mesh strainer, good for Rooiboos, and it's CLASSIC. I love it!!
Thanks Sis.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
not Narnia, edited with links to photos
Really, I wish I took photos but the whole thing was like a lucid nightmare that had aspirations of veering dangerously off course. I had visions of Fargo dancing in my head and somehow taking photos of the horror would have been the catalyst that pushed it over the edge.
While on the way to Grandmother's house for tea (isn't that how they all start?), we took a road off the secondary highway to Olds, Alberta. It was tree lined and with the fresh fallen snow, looked like the entrance to Narnia. I took some photos and we turned around for the hay bales that looked suspiciously like frosted mini wheat's with the dusting of snow.
For some reason, we decided to go back down the road to Narnia. I don't know why but, I was glad we did at first, as along the road were some old granaries that are too often being torn down for the sturdier and uglier metal ones. With my back turned to take photos, I was unaware of the series of events that would happen next until it was too late.
Even though we were on a desolate rural road a few km off the main highway, Michael decided to pull over to the side of the road- even though, I said, "I'll just be a minute." To his defense, it did appear that there was a culvert at the T-intersection to which a road led to a nearby farm. But, to our dismay, it was not. What was there instead was the steep prairie ditch filled with snow and when Michael pulled off to the side, he hit that snow with the weight of the vehicle and it tipped violently to one side.
I was in disbelief. Keep in mind that we had driven out of the worst snowstorm to hit the lower mainland, endured the steep mountainous Coquihalla highway in a blizzard, and thus far avoided the circumstance of so many vehicles ill prepared for the road conditions. How was it that a quick stop for photos, and a traveling speed of 2km/hour would be our demise?
Unbelievably, just as it happened, 2 guys in a huge pickup truck (like the ones we laugh at for being so monstrous) pull up and ask if we'd like to be pulled out of the ditch. I figured our magical Delica and Michael's skills could do the job and said,
"well maybe you could just wait and make sure we get out OK."
"alright, we're just going up to that farm and we'll be back in about 10 minutes."
When they didn't come back, I went and got them. It was -16C, the wind was blowing and I refused to get in the vehicle leaning dangerously in a steep ditch. I told Michael, "look- I don't know who these guys are and who knows. If I'm not back in 20 minutes call the police" and I set off down the dirt road- freezing.
Nice guys. Can't remember their names now, but they didn't kidnap me, as imagined.
They managed to pull us along the ditch rather violently but without success in getting us out. The Delica looked like a little helpless toy being tugged through the snow by a monster truck sliding against the thin gravel. I stood there in horror and praying that the rope didn't snap or the van tip and twist from the attempt. I stood there fighting back massive tears that would have frozen like sad icicles under my eyes, it was so cold.
This wasn't supposed to be happening. We weren't supposed to be there. We were supposed to be at my grandmother's drinking hot tea. My legs were stinging and prickly from the tiny pins of cold air and I was watching a horrifying situation with my love in a helpless and potentially dangerous position.
Suffice it to say, we switched the rope to the other side, the driver of the truck backed up a bit, got a good running start and bounced, literally bounced, Michael and our home on the road, out of the ditch. I grabbed the 40 bucks my aunt fern had given me to make some prints and 20 from the wallet and thanked them profusely we had a quick chat and told them it was all so silly as I just wanted some photos of the granaries and they said good thing as they're planning to take a bobcat through them in the spring.
I made a note to self to visit the road in the warmer months in hopes the buildings would still be there, drop a bottle of Jack off on the doorstep of the farm and then got the hell off the road to not Narnia.
While on the way to Grandmother's house for tea (isn't that how they all start?), we took a road off the secondary highway to Olds, Alberta. It was tree lined and with the fresh fallen snow, looked like the entrance to Narnia. I took some photos and we turned around for the hay bales that looked suspiciously like frosted mini wheat's with the dusting of snow.
For some reason, we decided to go back down the road to Narnia. I don't know why but, I was glad we did at first, as along the road were some old granaries that are too often being torn down for the sturdier and uglier metal ones. With my back turned to take photos, I was unaware of the series of events that would happen next until it was too late.
Even though we were on a desolate rural road a few km off the main highway, Michael decided to pull over to the side of the road- even though, I said, "I'll just be a minute." To his defense, it did appear that there was a culvert at the T-intersection to which a road led to a nearby farm. But, to our dismay, it was not. What was there instead was the steep prairie ditch filled with snow and when Michael pulled off to the side, he hit that snow with the weight of the vehicle and it tipped violently to one side.
I was in disbelief. Keep in mind that we had driven out of the worst snowstorm to hit the lower mainland, endured the steep mountainous Coquihalla highway in a blizzard, and thus far avoided the circumstance of so many vehicles ill prepared for the road conditions. How was it that a quick stop for photos, and a traveling speed of 2km/hour would be our demise?
Unbelievably, just as it happened, 2 guys in a huge pickup truck (like the ones we laugh at for being so monstrous) pull up and ask if we'd like to be pulled out of the ditch. I figured our magical Delica and Michael's skills could do the job and said,
"well maybe you could just wait and make sure we get out OK."
"alright, we're just going up to that farm and we'll be back in about 10 minutes."
When they didn't come back, I went and got them. It was -16C, the wind was blowing and I refused to get in the vehicle leaning dangerously in a steep ditch. I told Michael, "look- I don't know who these guys are and who knows. If I'm not back in 20 minutes call the police" and I set off down the dirt road- freezing.
Nice guys. Can't remember their names now, but they didn't kidnap me, as imagined.
They managed to pull us along the ditch rather violently but without success in getting us out. The Delica looked like a little helpless toy being tugged through the snow by a monster truck sliding against the thin gravel. I stood there in horror and praying that the rope didn't snap or the van tip and twist from the attempt. I stood there fighting back massive tears that would have frozen like sad icicles under my eyes, it was so cold.
This wasn't supposed to be happening. We weren't supposed to be there. We were supposed to be at my grandmother's drinking hot tea. My legs were stinging and prickly from the tiny pins of cold air and I was watching a horrifying situation with my love in a helpless and potentially dangerous position.
Suffice it to say, we switched the rope to the other side, the driver of the truck backed up a bit, got a good running start and bounced, literally bounced, Michael and our home on the road, out of the ditch. I grabbed the 40 bucks my aunt fern had given me to make some prints and 20 from the wallet and thanked them profusely we had a quick chat and told them it was all so silly as I just wanted some photos of the granaries and they said good thing as they're planning to take a bobcat through them in the spring.
I made a note to self to visit the road in the warmer months in hopes the buildings would still be there, drop a bottle of Jack off on the doorstep of the farm and then got the hell off the road to not Narnia.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
things not to do and vice versa
I've has some unusual experiences in the last few days while Michael and I have driven from Vancouver to Red Deer, Alberta through some of the worst weather BC had this year.
So for the final hours of 2008, I'll list them while we wind our way through the mountains to Banff...
1. Trust others. Give them the info to make their own decisons.
2. Give your customers the benefit of doubt and if they want to split the discounted Po'boy let them.
3. Travel with snacks and juice.
4. Be veryu careful of ditches filled with snow.
5.Be thankful and grateful of strangers come along on a rural road and pull you out of the ditch.
6. Appreciate the love and kindness right in front of you.
7. Visit your family.
So for the final hours of 2008, I'll list them while we wind our way through the mountains to Banff...
1. Trust others. Give them the info to make their own decisons.
2. Give your customers the benefit of doubt and if they want to split the discounted Po'boy let them.
3. Travel with snacks and juice.
4. Be veryu careful of ditches filled with snow.
5.Be thankful and grateful of strangers come along on a rural road and pull you out of the ditch.
6. Appreciate the love and kindness right in front of you.
7. Visit your family.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
tracking santa
Through the Coquihalla,
Over the hills of snow
Off to see the wizard,
Called Krimbo, don't you know.
I'm sending my mom and friend Lisa periodic GPS updates.
http://maps.BlackBerry.com?lat=50.20210&lon=-120.65644&z=8
And now you can see them too. Cut and paste into a new brouser if the link doesn't work.
Over the hills of snow
Off to see the wizard,
Called Krimbo, don't you know.
I'm sending my mom and friend Lisa periodic GPS updates.
http://maps.BlackBerry.com?lat=50.20210&lon=-120.65644&z=8
And now you can see them too. Cut and paste into a new brouser if the link doesn't work.
Merry Merry Joy Joy
I'm off with a load of granola bars, fruit, juice, blankets, candles, tow rope and tire chains for wild west adventure to Alberta.
Hopefully, I won't be burning the wrapping paper on my gifts to keep warm in a snowbank.
Just kidding Mom, Dad, family.
Merry Christmas You.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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