This month has certainly been an adventure. In fact, I think it may have been a different sort of adventure than I originally intended. I think the most difficult thing for me were the limitations. I think it's certainly in my nature to completely and desperately desire more than anything else in the whole wide world anything I can't have. (That statement was dramatic to adequately express my fervor.) So, in many ways it was hard for me to stick with the Blues or the Yellow or the Crayons. I've already written about the struggle with the daily exercise. I think already this project as taught me some important lessons about myself and my tendency towards unfulfilled desire and instant gratification.
So...There's That.
I'd like to start off with what Max got out of it. As of today he knows A, B and C. He knows the number one, the triangle and the color Yellow. He was indifferent about the Blues. He likes to color with Crayons, he really dug those dinosaurs at the Field Museum and 20 mins of exercise happens 20 mins after he wakes up in the morning and continues on for another 8 hours a day!
I've already written about my experiences with the Field Museum, The Triangle, The exercise, the Letters and number so you know where I am at with those.
Let's talk about the Yellow. The Lovely, Lovely Yellow. I have to say that I'm in love with Yellow and all week I've been having some major separation anxiety about the end of yellow. My eye looks for yellow and it's hard to not sound cheesy when I say this...but Yellow really does fill me with joy. It makes me smile. Jack, a dear friend of mine, has been faithfully sending me emails FILLED with lovely yellow images everyday of the week. I wish I had a way to adequately share those with you because they are simply amazing. (In fact, if any of you are interested I'll gladly forward you a couple). Not only were they a lovely daily dose of Yellow, it was nice that a friend was quietly reminding me that I wasn't in this alone.
There were times when wearing Yellow was hard. I've already talked about how it is impossible to simply blend in when wearing yellow but for the most part I think I wore it well. I know I'm gushing but I think this yellow month has changed my life. I highly recommend a daily dose of yellow the way some folks take Vitamin C.
Did we color with Crayons? Oh did we Ever! No great revelations were made with the kid and crayons. It took me awhile to get a series going that I dug with those crayons but I did and I kinda dig it. The End.
Finally,
The Blues and I had a bit of a love hate relationship. I came into this really expecting to LOVE the hell out of the blues. That didn't really happen and I kinda of got sick of the Blues pretty quickly. That is sad because I think the Blues deserved better.
Who I did I listen to? B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Little Walter, Johnny Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Mofro, Howlin' Woof, Koko Taylor, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Junior Wells
There were definitely highlights. Like the following two songs that I've danced to again and again in my kitchen :
Koko Taylor (As another blues artist has described her: "This girl ain't playin'!) :
The Father of Chicago Blues:
One final thing of note. There were by necessity some changes made. Max's pajamas didn't always have yellow in them and I wasn't about to go out and buy tons of yellow pj's for one month. Other than his pj's that kid did wear yellow everyday (as did I). I think that I'm going to have to accept that the pajamas might not always meet the color of the month (but certainly will when they can.)
Also, my exploration with yellow is going to end in a few short minutes as I have a palm reading gig tonite and since it's a paid "performance" (and I need to dress dark and gothy) there will be no yellow. Tomorrow, Halloween, is our Free Day this month. I'm sure I'll be giddy with freedom (or missing the yellow?)
Finally, faithful readers, a confession. I broke down and played exactly 6 non-blues songs this month. I'm weak I know but man were they delicious.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Slightly Off-Topic
As my project's first month is coming to an end I definitely have things to say, a recap to make and initial thoughts about november to discuss. However, that's not what I want to talk about right now.
You see, although I LOVED turning 30 and I didn't have much of the dread that people associate with turning 30, I have been struggling with the notion of what it means to be a "grown-up".
Technically, I'm grown. I'm 30, I have a husband and a kid. I definitely have put many of my "childish" things away. I'm a bit of a different person socially. I like to go out still but I also really like to come home and get in my bed and read a book. I now know the value of coming home to a bed that's been made. I'm faithful to making homemade meals from scratch (as opposed to a once cherished lifestyle in which a meal consisted of a vicodin, sushi and a big glass of wine). Things definitely changed, mostly for the better? Yes, mostly for the better. Although, I am at times struck with nostalgia for times that have long passed.
There are moments when I make decisions that feel very "grown-up". This year we've decided that we are going to stay home on Halloween. Max is finally old enough to participate and since I missed last years trick or treating due to my ankle injury, I didn't want to miss this year. I felt like we've spent so many years partying in ridiculous costumes that it's o.k. if we let this year slide by with out boozing it up in face paint. So, we've planned to go to a fall fest during the day, we'll have a friend's 6 year old us with in the evening and we will trick or treat, make pizzas with the kids and watch scary movies and drink wine when they are in bed. This to me, sounds lovely.
The other side of being a grown-up is letting go of life choices that may no longer apply to my life today. When I was in my early 20s I had an office job. One that was way ahead of my age. When I was 24 I left that job and chose an art life. Since then I've prided myself on my ability to support myself without working in an office. I've been pretty successful at this until recently. Recently, I can't get a job. Any Job really and our financial woes are totally crushing my spirit (another hard aspect of growing up). I'm still clinging to this idea of having a life/career in the arts but feel like maybe I need to really give in and accept that this may not be in the cards.
But I DO get gigs from time to time (like this Friday wherein I'm doing Palm Readings at a Fancy Pants party in the John Hancock Observatory).
Should I give this art life one final push. Put everything all in and see if I can make it? Or do I give up and go get a "real" job (if I can).
What will become of me? What will become of this project?
What is a "grown-up" anyways?
You see, although I LOVED turning 30 and I didn't have much of the dread that people associate with turning 30, I have been struggling with the notion of what it means to be a "grown-up".
Technically, I'm grown. I'm 30, I have a husband and a kid. I definitely have put many of my "childish" things away. I'm a bit of a different person socially. I like to go out still but I also really like to come home and get in my bed and read a book. I now know the value of coming home to a bed that's been made. I'm faithful to making homemade meals from scratch (as opposed to a once cherished lifestyle in which a meal consisted of a vicodin, sushi and a big glass of wine). Things definitely changed, mostly for the better? Yes, mostly for the better. Although, I am at times struck with nostalgia for times that have long passed.
There are moments when I make decisions that feel very "grown-up". This year we've decided that we are going to stay home on Halloween. Max is finally old enough to participate and since I missed last years trick or treating due to my ankle injury, I didn't want to miss this year. I felt like we've spent so many years partying in ridiculous costumes that it's o.k. if we let this year slide by with out boozing it up in face paint. So, we've planned to go to a fall fest during the day, we'll have a friend's 6 year old us with in the evening and we will trick or treat, make pizzas with the kids and watch scary movies and drink wine when they are in bed. This to me, sounds lovely.
The other side of being a grown-up is letting go of life choices that may no longer apply to my life today. When I was in my early 20s I had an office job. One that was way ahead of my age. When I was 24 I left that job and chose an art life. Since then I've prided myself on my ability to support myself without working in an office. I've been pretty successful at this until recently. Recently, I can't get a job. Any Job really and our financial woes are totally crushing my spirit (another hard aspect of growing up). I'm still clinging to this idea of having a life/career in the arts but feel like maybe I need to really give in and accept that this may not be in the cards.
But I DO get gigs from time to time (like this Friday wherein I'm doing Palm Readings at a Fancy Pants party in the John Hancock Observatory).
Should I give this art life one final push. Put everything all in and see if I can make it? Or do I give up and go get a "real" job (if I can).
What will become of me? What will become of this project?
What is a "grown-up" anyways?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Field Museum!
Perhaps it seems to you that my posts are slowing down and that would be true. Does that mean I'm falling off the wagon so soon? Absolutely not! We are still project-rific over here, wearin yellow everyday, singin the blues. drawin with crayons and working on A, B and C over here! I've also made some major exercise strides and that feels pretty good. And Today? Today we completed our Field Museum commitment for this month.
Max loved the exceptionally exceptional children's area. He was kind of freaked out and intrigued by the life-sized bugs in the Underground Adventure. He LOVED the dinosaurs (but that's not surprising who DOESN"T love dinosaurs?)! He was even interested in the creepy stuffed animal exhibit.
NO ONE was excited about the lame "Pirates" exhibit. Seriously, Lame. The most disappointing museum exhibit EVER (and I've been to a lot of Museum exhibits.)
What did I really like about the museum trip today?
Getting to spend time with my dear friend, K. The exhibits today really just settled into a backdrop as we talked a lot about where we are at and where we want to be. It felt really good to touchbase with him today. It's a rare friendship where we always just "get" each other completely.
I've been feeling a lot of dread lately about the state of my life. It felt good to speak it aloud to someone. To someone who was feeling something similar.
I often say that we can all "only be where we are at". I also think that the universe doesn't make mistakes and if we open ourselves up to the possibility, life will lead us from one thing to the next. One of my favorite books, "Siddhartha" by Herman Hesse stresses the different lives we all can lead in a single lifetime. There can be time for a life of excess and a life of restraint. We get what we need from each life phase to help us along on our journey. I believe that one day I will find my river of peace as Siddhartha did. I've been holding on to these thoughts to get me through the now.
The universe did not make a mistake in K and I planning this visit to the Field Museum. We didn't need to just see some dinosaurs and stand in a Maori Lodge, we also needed some truth and a friend who was willing to listen.
I've said it many times before and now I will say it again. I've got very little to speak of but one thing I have in abundance is some pretty amazing people to call my friends. This project continues to expand my life in unexpected ways.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
b-b-b-B!
Books, Biscuits, Baskets, Bicycle, Buried, Burlesque, Bible, Bricks, Brink, Bracket, Bracelet, Borders, Burps, BAM(!), Bear, Blue, Blueberries, Bringing, Bought, Bliss, Barber, (ro)Bert, Back, Bake, Brownies, Blame, Balloons, Bluebells, Blocks, Boat, Baby, Bach, Bow, Below, Black, Blouse, Blubber, Bowery, Becks, Blithe, Belly, Bed, Better, Bath, Big, Budget, Brother, Beyond, Bank, BOOM (!), Bored, Board, Bejeweled, Bones, Best, Beyonce, Burn, Bluster, Bloom, Blank, Buy, (good)Bye.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Accountability
So.....I am officially half way through my first month. I've worn Yellow everyday, I've listened to the Blues every day (mostly) to the exclusion of all other music, Max knows the Triangle, the number one and the letter A really well (he's still working on B and C), we've been really experimenting with crayons. We haven't gone to the Field museum yet but I'm going to schedule that in the next week or so......
However, I've not been doing so well with my new habit. Some days I exercise 20 mins (or more!) but most days I don't at all. This habit was important to me because I really want to be healthier. The funny this is, I actually like the way I feel after I exercise (rarely during). It really does make me feel good both physically and emotionally. I just have such a hard time squeezing it in or overcoming my laziness.
But no more, for the rest of the month I will not only be exercising my minimum of 20 mins a day, I'm adding a mandatory session of situps, leg raises and pushups to each day. This takes about 10 mins. I'm also going to find days that I will schedule longer exercise activities (ie: sunday there is talk of biking to pulaski/peterson to do a 90 min community yoga class. That'll be like a whopping 3 or 4 hours of physical activity!)
I WILL make myself do this. I'm continuing to write so that I continue to be accountable.
However, I've not been doing so well with my new habit. Some days I exercise 20 mins (or more!) but most days I don't at all. This habit was important to me because I really want to be healthier. The funny this is, I actually like the way I feel after I exercise (rarely during). It really does make me feel good both physically and emotionally. I just have such a hard time squeezing it in or overcoming my laziness.
But no more, for the rest of the month I will not only be exercising my minimum of 20 mins a day, I'm adding a mandatory session of situps, leg raises and pushups to each day. This takes about 10 mins. I'm also going to find days that I will schedule longer exercise activities (ie: sunday there is talk of biking to pulaski/peterson to do a 90 min community yoga class. That'll be like a whopping 3 or 4 hours of physical activity!)
I WILL make myself do this. I'm continuing to write so that I continue to be accountable.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Chartreuse to you too...
Take 5 minutes to Google Images "Yellow". Go thru a few pages and than Google Images "Shades of Yellow". I promise it will make your day a better day.
My world is:
Tasty Lemon Bars, My yellow Neo-Futurist shirt (From Lindsay), Yellow Baby Sweatshirts, A Yellow Tire Swing, Yellow Semi-Truck in the parking lot on a gray day, Yellow Leaves, Bananas (still yellow and not brown), Adie's Yellow Bicycle Wheel, Yellow Sun, Yellow Flannel Dresses (e-mails from jack FILLED with yellow dresses).
Amber, Goldenrod, Chartreuse, Apricot, Mustard, Saffron, Flax.
Last week I commented a few times how I was already growing weary of yellow.
Well, Yellow and I have reunited. I think it's love.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Triangular
Today I wanted to look up the history of the Triangle. What is its origin? I assume it started as a letter in the Ancient Greek alphabet.
Did you notice I used the word "assume"? You see, I didn't get very far in my research because the first page I reviewed (Wikipedia's page on the Triangle) was FILLED with geometry equations for the triangle. Vectors and angle degrees and GEOMETRY. The minute math begins my eyes start to glaze over and my brain flashes "CAN NOT COMPUTE" in red (really, in RED!).
Since I'm pretty sure my page hasn't reached the masses (yet.), you probably know me if you're reading this. If you know me, you've probably heard the story about how in my freshman and sophomore year of highschool I had this math teacher who was AWFUL at teaching math and yelled at me and made me cry and made math this awful gut-renching experience for me. This is a good story and I have good theories surrounding this and if you haven't heard the story yet , maybe we can talk some more about it some time.
Right now, what's most important for you to gain from that little tale is the scar it left on my very soul. You see, even though I successfully completed a series of math classes in college (with A's!), I have an instinctual avoidance of anything more complicated then simple addition or subtraction.
This makes me think about my preferences. My likes and dislikes. Are they mostly composed from scar tissue? From trauma that caused me to instinctually turn the other way?
Most recently I've been working on overcoming a performance anxiety. You see, the last time I performed I sprained my other ankle. It was the second time 6 months (the first ankle injury left me off my feet for quite some time). It was right around this time last year when I got that first ankle injury. The ankle injury that literally changed my life and my level of physical ability. So, now I got a scar that makes me timid about performing (even though that second sprain was not nearly as bad and healed pretty quickly)(even though in my head I know that one performance injury does not equal another).
So, on Friday, I'm going to be performing for the first time since the early spring. I guess there really is no healing a scar since by very nature they are permanent. However, perhaps the area will not be so tender once I've leapt this hurdle.
As for those triangles, I'm just going to also assume that you already know about right, obtuse and acute angles and the triangles they create. However, I will try to go back to that page someday and really read through all that math.
In the meantime, perhaps we can focus on musical triangles, I've always liked their shape and that pleasant little "ding".
P.S. Max already recognizes the Triangle shape. It's one of his favorites because it's often linked to the shape of a slice of pizza. and that boy LOVES pizza!
P.P.S. Yes, Yes, I know assume makes an ass out of u and me.
Did you notice I used the word "assume"? You see, I didn't get very far in my research because the first page I reviewed (Wikipedia's page on the Triangle) was FILLED with geometry equations for the triangle. Vectors and angle degrees and GEOMETRY. The minute math begins my eyes start to glaze over and my brain flashes "CAN NOT COMPUTE" in red (really, in RED!).
Since I'm pretty sure my page hasn't reached the masses (yet.), you probably know me if you're reading this. If you know me, you've probably heard the story about how in my freshman and sophomore year of highschool I had this math teacher who was AWFUL at teaching math and yelled at me and made me cry and made math this awful gut-renching experience for me. This is a good story and I have good theories surrounding this and if you haven't heard the story yet , maybe we can talk some more about it some time.
Right now, what's most important for you to gain from that little tale is the scar it left on my very soul. You see, even though I successfully completed a series of math classes in college (with A's!), I have an instinctual avoidance of anything more complicated then simple addition or subtraction.
This makes me think about my preferences. My likes and dislikes. Are they mostly composed from scar tissue? From trauma that caused me to instinctually turn the other way?
Most recently I've been working on overcoming a performance anxiety. You see, the last time I performed I sprained my other ankle. It was the second time 6 months (the first ankle injury left me off my feet for quite some time). It was right around this time last year when I got that first ankle injury. The ankle injury that literally changed my life and my level of physical ability. So, now I got a scar that makes me timid about performing (even though that second sprain was not nearly as bad and healed pretty quickly)(even though in my head I know that one performance injury does not equal another).
So, on Friday, I'm going to be performing for the first time since the early spring. I guess there really is no healing a scar since by very nature they are permanent. However, perhaps the area will not be so tender once I've leapt this hurdle.
As for those triangles, I'm just going to also assume that you already know about right, obtuse and acute angles and the triangles they create. However, I will try to go back to that page someday and really read through all that math.
In the meantime, perhaps we can focus on musical triangles, I've always liked their shape and that pleasant little "ding".
P.S. Max already recognizes the Triangle shape. It's one of his favorites because it's often linked to the shape of a slice of pizza. and that boy LOVES pizza!
P.P.S. Yes, Yes, I know assume makes an ass out of u and me.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
I have a sick baby (dun dundadun), he's got the poops (dundadunduh), I don't wanna cry but I got the SICK Baby blues...
I feel close to the Blues today. It was just the right cadence to my measure.
I think music really needs to meet us where we are at. If I'm sad, I don't want to listen to happy music. If I'm not dancing, I don't want to listen to dance music. If I'm not eating enchiladas, I don't want to listen to a mariachi band (j/k, kinda.)
It's not that I haven't had enjoyable blues moments before now but today for the first time I could finally FEEL that blues music.
Perhaps it was because today was not an exactly easy day and I could easily continue to sing you my "Sick Baby Blues", but I won't. Instead I'll tell you some really great things to do while listening the blues:
1. Make Beef and Barley Soup in the Crockpot. Dance around while doing the dishes. No, I mean really dance around as if you were THAT girl in the hazy smoke-filled blues bar.
2. Play Farkle (a dice game) with your husband on your big dining room table while taunting each other, drinking a homemade italian soda and sharing a carmel apple. The rhythm has a perfect "shake, shake" that's great for dicing (and taunting).
That is all.
I think music really needs to meet us where we are at. If I'm sad, I don't want to listen to happy music. If I'm not dancing, I don't want to listen to dance music. If I'm not eating enchiladas, I don't want to listen to a mariachi band (j/k, kinda.)
It's not that I haven't had enjoyable blues moments before now but today for the first time I could finally FEEL that blues music.
Perhaps it was because today was not an exactly easy day and I could easily continue to sing you my "Sick Baby Blues", but I won't. Instead I'll tell you some really great things to do while listening the blues:
1. Make Beef and Barley Soup in the Crockpot. Dance around while doing the dishes. No, I mean really dance around as if you were THAT girl in the hazy smoke-filled blues bar.
2. Play Farkle (a dice game) with your husband on your big dining room table while taunting each other, drinking a homemade italian soda and sharing a carmel apple. The rhythm has a perfect "shake, shake" that's great for dicing (and taunting).
That is all.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
In Other News.....
Again I want to thank folks for their encouraging words. As I've mentioned before, I struggle with a lot of self doubt. So there is a level of exposure in keeping this blog and sharing this silly idea of a project with you. I'm so glad I did.
And I apologize gentle readers for my recent absence, I've been a little busy doing one of two things:
1. Baking large quantities of oatmeal cranberry pecan cookies.
2. Spending time with people I rarely get to see who absolutely fill my heart with joy.
Who are these people? Well, let me indulge myself with some gushing:
Kevin M. - This is a strange one because we literally live down the block from each other (o.k. 10 blocks down the same block) but we RARELY see each other. This is also strange because this is someone who was literally attached to my hip during a very crucial time in my life. I love this guy deep in my gut and every conversation I have with him is always really, really amazing. He's also one of the most fun people I know. If you want to go on an adventure, you should call up Kevin because he'll probably be game.
Tante Erna - Ziggy's Aunt who was here from Germany. Possibly the cutest Aunt alive. ("Tante" means Aunt in German.) She's 78 and Sturdy and ADORABLE. She's kind of like a German Julia Child's and has this really adorable way of saying "Hullooo". I got to spend the whole day with her today and I had to constantly resist to urge to nuzzle her.
Ambryn - Oh god. I love ambryn and her fancy hats. The nice thing about Ambryn is that she's always up for a dance break and I can nuzzle her anytime I want.
Kevin and I really have no excuse for not hanging out more (except that life often gets in the way of our best intentions). However, the two women live so far away and that makes me sad. Seeing them is like a little nugget of joy in my mouth. So, I guess it's bittersweet. While an everyday kind of relationship with them would be grand, their distance makes time with them all the more poignant.
I have more to say and I shall.
Today Ambryn, Mae, Meggan and I did some carousing. We started at the Sovereign (which is hands down my favorite bar in edgewater) and ended up at a party. This party made each of us feel incredibly old. Incredibly Old, in a GOOD way. The one lovely boy I spoke to at this party asked me what I felt has changed now that I am 30. I said that I'm so much better at life. I like what I like. I know what I don't like. I'm finally too cool to worry about being cool. (Which explains the mass amounts of ridiculous dancing at the bar earlier this evening.) I like this. I REALLY like this.
However there is a flip side......I'm no longer careless. Life has shown me its consequences and there is danger lurking around every corner.
For example, I've never had a lot of fear surrounding late nite walking home from my illicit urban adventures. However, as I parted ways with my friends and began my short 3 block walk home. I was more than wary. Wary enough to feel slightly fearful. Too many bad things have happened to people I know. The days of innocence are definitely gone.....which is probably for the best.
Ultimately, I DO like the views from this decade, am willing to take the lessons learned and am constantly grateful for the people who are still traveling this journey with me.
Yes, indeed.
And I apologize gentle readers for my recent absence, I've been a little busy doing one of two things:
1. Baking large quantities of oatmeal cranberry pecan cookies.
2. Spending time with people I rarely get to see who absolutely fill my heart with joy.
Who are these people? Well, let me indulge myself with some gushing:
Kevin M. - This is a strange one because we literally live down the block from each other (o.k. 10 blocks down the same block) but we RARELY see each other. This is also strange because this is someone who was literally attached to my hip during a very crucial time in my life. I love this guy deep in my gut and every conversation I have with him is always really, really amazing. He's also one of the most fun people I know. If you want to go on an adventure, you should call up Kevin because he'll probably be game.
Tante Erna - Ziggy's Aunt who was here from Germany. Possibly the cutest Aunt alive. ("Tante" means Aunt in German.) She's 78 and Sturdy and ADORABLE. She's kind of like a German Julia Child's and has this really adorable way of saying "Hullooo". I got to spend the whole day with her today and I had to constantly resist to urge to nuzzle her.
Ambryn - Oh god. I love ambryn and her fancy hats. The nice thing about Ambryn is that she's always up for a dance break and I can nuzzle her anytime I want.
Kevin and I really have no excuse for not hanging out more (except that life often gets in the way of our best intentions). However, the two women live so far away and that makes me sad. Seeing them is like a little nugget of joy in my mouth. So, I guess it's bittersweet. While an everyday kind of relationship with them would be grand, their distance makes time with them all the more poignant.
I have more to say and I shall.
Today Ambryn, Mae, Meggan and I did some carousing. We started at the Sovereign (which is hands down my favorite bar in edgewater) and ended up at a party. This party made each of us feel incredibly old. Incredibly Old, in a GOOD way. The one lovely boy I spoke to at this party asked me what I felt has changed now that I am 30. I said that I'm so much better at life. I like what I like. I know what I don't like. I'm finally too cool to worry about being cool. (Which explains the mass amounts of ridiculous dancing at the bar earlier this evening.) I like this. I REALLY like this.
However there is a flip side......I'm no longer careless. Life has shown me its consequences and there is danger lurking around every corner.
For example, I've never had a lot of fear surrounding late nite walking home from my illicit urban adventures. However, as I parted ways with my friends and began my short 3 block walk home. I was more than wary. Wary enough to feel slightly fearful. Too many bad things have happened to people I know. The days of innocence are definitely gone.....which is probably for the best.
Ultimately, I DO like the views from this decade, am willing to take the lessons learned and am constantly grateful for the people who are still traveling this journey with me.
Yes, indeed.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
These I Like....
I'm kind of in love with these "A" words. Some of the meanings are fun but most are on this list purely because I love to say them:
Allium
Ascerbic
Astringent
Anenome (I always stumble over this one. The stumbling is fun too.)
Assertive
Awesome!
Allium
Ascerbic
Astringent
Anenome (I always stumble over this one. The stumbling is fun too.)
Assertive
Awesome!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Meanderings
After the last post wherein I confirm my commitment to all things project and blog related, I fell off the wagon.
Kinda.
This morning I have been listening to a lot (and I mean A LOT) of country music. Mae, knowing my love of old country music, asked me to participate in a Honky Tonk Burlesque show on the 16th. I fretted when I got the text. I haven't been performing at all. In fact, I haven't performed since the spring. (But, that's a story for another time.) What about the Blues? October is the Blues! However, she was in kind of a bind and this was a small scale show. Ultimately, it's a good idea to get my feet wet again and an even better idea to help out a friend.
SO, I'm doing it and that means I need to pick a song.
Now, I don't know about your artistic process but when I'm working on something I need to do a survey. I rarely have that moment when I know exactly what medium, canvas, costume or song I should use. So, I had to listen to all my old country music (I have a quite a bit.) to find the perfect song. Once the song is finally chosen, I'll have to listen to it over and over and over again. I'll have to become so familiar with it's like a favorite pair of shoes. I'll need to picture the choreography and then I'll need to practice that choreography. Over and Over and Over again. It's not easy to make taking that bra off look easy! ;)
So, where does this leave the Blues?
Well, I DID say in my original "manifesto" that the art medium for the month is subject to outside commission or performance. Maybe that can be applied to the music in this situation? I will get paid some money to do this show. I could really use the money. Once the song is chosen, it'll really only be ONE country music song I'm listening to. As long as I spend the rest of my time listening to the Blues, I think it'll be o.k.
Like right now, as I type this I'm listening to Buddy Guy and Junior Wells JAM a song entitled "A Man of Many Words".
I can relate.
In other news Blues related, I've re-discovered a band I used to love. A hundred years ago, I went to see a show at Martyr's with a friend of mine. That band was called Mofro. I LOVED this band. They had this neat old-timey silver rectangular microphone hanging from the ceiling. They were all these self-proclaimed "cracker red-neck" guys in flannels playing this incredible blues music. So, I pulled out this old cd and have reclaimed them.
Here's a you tube video of them. It's not a good one and it's missing that amazing microphone but the video is from 2001. That's right around the same time I saw them:
In other, other news, finding time to exercise even 20 mins everyday can be challenging at times. I've been sticking to it though. I have to say, I kinda really like it. Today I went for a lovely bike ride with Meggan. We rode along Glenwood for a stretch. It was a perfect autumn moment. The air was crisp but the sun was shining (and so was my bright yellow t-shirt!). The crackle of leaves under our wheels. Halloween decorations in my crate. Talking about life and ideas and halloween costume plans.
In a little while I'll get back on my bike and head to dance class. Afterwards, I'll head to the Laundromat with Mae and Meggan. (I kinda love the laundromat).
Today is a good day.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Not the Every Day Kind of Girl
I haven't decided yet if this is going to be an every day kind of blog. I have a lot of things to say. I like having a place to say them. I like that maybe 1 or 2 people might read it. However, I'm not an every day kind of girl. I never have been. In fact, one of the hardest aspects of motherhood for me is the everydayness of it. There is NO ONE, not one person, that I want to hang out with EVERY DAY. I go through little stints of intense "falling in love" with people. We hang out alot, we go on little adventures, work up to some secret telling and then when we are close....REALLY close.....I just add you to the rotation of folks I like to hang out with. I don't know if you noticed, I have some pretty amazing people in my life......and though I don't like to hang out with them every day, everytime I see them I'm filled with joy. Isn't that magical?
The baby, the husband and the Meggan (Mae by proxy since she's so darn busy) are the most everyday people in my life. In truth, I don't even hang out with THEM every day!
For example, The baby was at my mother's last night and is headed to The Husband's mom this morning. Max LOVES this. The Grandmas LOVE this (In fact, if too much time goes by they start calling US asking for him!). I also really like this. I think it makes me a better Mother to have some time to still be myself (and not just a mom).
And when he goes? The place falls apart.
You see, with a Toddler we maintain a pretty busy schedule. Three Meals a Day have to happen. Bedtime and Bathtime has to happen. Outside Play should happen if we'd like to maintain our sanity. Dishes and Swept Floors and Clean Baththubs are a constant necessity. No matter how we are feeling on a given day.....No matter how much we'd like to puke or crawl into bed or cry or lay on the couch watching the last 3 episodes of Top Chef, these things have to happen. So when Max is gone, no dishes happen. No Meals happen. We spend most of our time out and about and eating out of containers. If we aren't out? We are likely sleeping. In short, we revert back to our single days and it feels pretty delicious.
The Husband has decided not to work on the project when Max is not home. I think he see this as more of an "educating Max" thing than an "we're doing this crazy art thing that might teach the baby something" thing. Obviously, I'm more in line with the latter and so I am going to continue to participate even when the kid isn't here. In fact, I think it's a great time to work on stuff for this project that has nothing to do with him.
For example, this morning I spent some time playing the blues on the piano and I learned that there is actually a formula for the Blues. In fact, you can plug this formula into ANY key and you got the Blues! (Just in case you need to know its 12 measures of the following: 4 Measures of the I chord, 2 Measures of the IV Chord, 2 Measures of the I Chord, 1 Measure of the V7 Chord , 1 Measure of the IV Chord, 2 Measures of the I Chord).
OR
Last night, while I was out at the bar with some friends I got a little warm and took off my bright yellow sweater. I looked down and I realized I was now wearing NO yellow (gasp!). This was a problem and I luckily had an overnight bag with me so I could grab another yellow clothing item. (No, I do not carry a bag filled with yellow clothes everywhere I go.) Someone said, "You know, you created these limitations. You don't HAVE to wear yellow." I said, "Yup, I know I created this. And yes I do."
So, I guess I'm committed. I guess This project and This Blog and I are in our intense "falling in love" phase. We want to hang out every day. We want to go on adventures. I think that pretty soon this project is going to tell me a big secret. Maybe I tell the blog a few of my own.
The Baby and The Husband have taught me that I can be a MOSTLY every day kind of person when I am in love and committed. I'm pretty in love and commited to this project and to this Blog. In some ways, it's becoming quite the little lifeline.
So, maybe life will keep showing me that I CAN be an every day kind of girl.
I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.
The baby, the husband and the Meggan (Mae by proxy since she's so darn busy) are the most everyday people in my life. In truth, I don't even hang out with THEM every day!
For example, The baby was at my mother's last night and is headed to The Husband's mom this morning. Max LOVES this. The Grandmas LOVE this (In fact, if too much time goes by they start calling US asking for him!). I also really like this. I think it makes me a better Mother to have some time to still be myself (and not just a mom).
And when he goes? The place falls apart.
You see, with a Toddler we maintain a pretty busy schedule. Three Meals a Day have to happen. Bedtime and Bathtime has to happen. Outside Play should happen if we'd like to maintain our sanity. Dishes and Swept Floors and Clean Baththubs are a constant necessity. No matter how we are feeling on a given day.....No matter how much we'd like to puke or crawl into bed or cry or lay on the couch watching the last 3 episodes of Top Chef, these things have to happen. So when Max is gone, no dishes happen. No Meals happen. We spend most of our time out and about and eating out of containers. If we aren't out? We are likely sleeping. In short, we revert back to our single days and it feels pretty delicious.
The Husband has decided not to work on the project when Max is not home. I think he see this as more of an "educating Max" thing than an "we're doing this crazy art thing that might teach the baby something" thing. Obviously, I'm more in line with the latter and so I am going to continue to participate even when the kid isn't here. In fact, I think it's a great time to work on stuff for this project that has nothing to do with him.
For example, this morning I spent some time playing the blues on the piano and I learned that there is actually a formula for the Blues. In fact, you can plug this formula into ANY key and you got the Blues! (Just in case you need to know its 12 measures of the following: 4 Measures of the I chord, 2 Measures of the IV Chord, 2 Measures of the I Chord, 1 Measure of the V7 Chord , 1 Measure of the IV Chord, 2 Measures of the I Chord).
OR
Last night, while I was out at the bar with some friends I got a little warm and took off my bright yellow sweater. I looked down and I realized I was now wearing NO yellow (gasp!). This was a problem and I luckily had an overnight bag with me so I could grab another yellow clothing item. (No, I do not carry a bag filled with yellow clothes everywhere I go.) Someone said, "You know, you created these limitations. You don't HAVE to wear yellow." I said, "Yup, I know I created this. And yes I do."
So, I guess I'm committed. I guess This project and This Blog and I are in our intense "falling in love" phase. We want to hang out every day. We want to go on adventures. I think that pretty soon this project is going to tell me a big secret. Maybe I tell the blog a few of my own.
The Baby and The Husband have taught me that I can be a MOSTLY every day kind of person when I am in love and committed. I'm pretty in love and commited to this project and to this Blog. In some ways, it's becoming quite the little lifeline.
So, maybe life will keep showing me that I CAN be an every day kind of girl.
I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.
Friday, October 2, 2009
In Moderation....
The project continued to happen today. The project also was not the focus of today. I think both things are good things. I like that the plan is working. The project will continue to live as we continue to go about our lives.
Two things of note:
It's impossible to be inconspicuous in bright yellow. I keep catching people's eye. This is great if I want some attention, This is bad if I am interested in espionage.
I think I need to research more women in Blues. I've always thought Bonnie Raitt played country music but apparently she also plays the Blues. Today she taught me that I "shouldn't go 'round advertisin' my man". I think this means that if I talk to highly of him, another woman might snap him up.
Well, I'd like to see them TRY!
Two things of note:
It's impossible to be inconspicuous in bright yellow. I keep catching people's eye. This is great if I want some attention, This is bad if I am interested in espionage.
I think I need to research more women in Blues. I've always thought Bonnie Raitt played country music but apparently she also plays the Blues. Today she taught me that I "shouldn't go 'round advertisin' my man". I think this means that if I talk to highly of him, another woman might snap him up.
Well, I'd like to see them TRY!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
There's No Turning Back Now!
October is:
Number: 1
Letters: ABC
Color: Yellow
Shape: Triangle
Musical Genre: The Blues
Medium: Crayons
Location: The Field Museum
New Habit: Exercising Every Day for 20 Mins.
I have so much to say already. As with any new project the first efforts and the first days take a little more work and some ironing out.
The absolute first thing I DO want to say is....THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all those who have offered words of encouragement and advice. It's helpful to have different eyes on this project because folks who don't live in my head often see things differently than I do. I'm so glad you are there to be my witnesses. It absolutely DOES make me feel more accountable!
You've also brought up a few good points. So, I'm setting a few more parameters:
Outer Jackets/Sweaters/Coats and Shoes do NOT have to correspond with the month's particular color. This would be far too costly to maintain. Although, I will make some good efforts at trying to at least show some color in my outerwear (ie: Max and I already have some pretty spiffy Yellow knit hats!) The same goes for pants (ie: jeans). This works under the original plan since I mention that only one major clothing item needs to be yellow. Not all. Although I'm definitely subscribing to the "More is More" way of thinking for this project.
Also, some Music listening issues came up. If I am in a bar and someone plays Madonna will I go running out of the bar covering my ears? No. If we are at someone's house and they play Bon Iver while we are cooking, do I have to tell them to change it? No. However, will I go to a Madonna concert in December when we are supposed to be listening to Folk music? Not unless that's the day I choose as my ONE Free Day that month.
Also, there are some issues with my continued practice on the piano. You see, I play the piano most every day. For those of you who don't know, I played the piano while I was growing up. When we moved into this apartment last year, our sunroom came with a lovely old baby grand piano. I've been re-teaching myself how to play. Am I advancing quickly? Yes. Re-Learning an old skill is easier than the first time. Can I pick up just anything and play it? Not. Really. I can read music but don't really have the skill to master harder pieces. I am definitely no where near being able to describe myself as "good". Mostly, I've just been working my way through a series of books. I'm halfway through the intermediate book and have been taking it one lesson/song at a time. Do I know some Blues songs? Yes. A few. However, I want to continue to get better at the piano and therefore since I'm "playing" the music and not just "listening" to it.....I'm going to say that it's o.k. This project is about moving forward and erasing those stagnate feelings. I don't want my musical practice to start gathering dust. Now, will I make an effort to play those blues songs I know or maybe learn a new one? YES!
Now that we've gotten those few nuances out of the way. Can I tell you about my project's first baby steps this morning?
All morning we listened to the Blues and I think our kitchen dance session was very bluesy. I took ALL other music out of my ipod so I will absolutely NOT be tempted and ONLY put blues music in. Some initial research pointed me to Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Otis Rush. I dig Otis Rush who apparently has a distinct style that is reflective of the West Side of Chicago. I think Stevie Ray Vaughn is a show off (but I DO like what he did with "Mary Had a Little Lamb"). I was already pretty familiar with Buddy Guy and I still think he's pretty alright. I'm going do some more research but if YOU are familiar with the blues or you have a blues artist that you dig, please point them my way!
(Last night at exactly 11PM I put on my headphones and listened to the songs in my life that I just can't get enough of. I needed to stay goodbye....since I won't be listening to them for awhile. In fact, can you do me a favor? Can you You Tube these two and listen to them for me? Bon Iver - Re: Stacks and Thao and the Get Down Stay Down - Bag of Hammers (you'll need to get up and dance for this one.) Tell them I say hello. Thanks.)
Now for the Yellow.....
It's no secret that Yellow is one of my usual favorite colors. (I say usual because my favorite color changes from day to day but Yellow is a popular choice for me.) Needless to say, I was excited that this was the first color for my project. And so today we wore yellow. I wore my favorite yellow dress and a brown and yellow scarf. If you've spent some time with me, you've probably seen the dress. It's a bright golden rod yellow. You can't miss it. Max wore a standard canary yellow t-shirt and a bright golden rod sweatshirt. Ziggy even gamely wore a pale yellow button down. You couldn't miss us and on this gray day I will even venture to romantically say that we were like little yellow rays of sunshine. Everything was so dreary and little Max in his bright yellow definitely stood out. I also noticed people looking at me constantly. I payed attention to what others were wearing and we were definitely the ONLY ONES in Yellow. Why don't people wear more yellow? Ziggy thought that maybe folks thought we were tourists. Whatever.....maybe we are tourists in LIFE!
Also, I was excited and happy to notice the Yellow around us. You can't help but notice Yellow things because they always stand out from the rest of the world. I took some pictures and I need to learn how to post pictures here. (Hey, Does anyone know how to post pictures on a blog? HELP!) We ate Cuban food for lunch from my favorite little cuban market/restaurant. The plantains were a fried a dark brown/black color on the outside but inside were a lovely lush and creamy yellow.
Clearly, this yellow stuff is making me pretty happy.
When I'm done with this entry, I'm going to go get some butcher paper out and make a big "sign" that displays what we are doing this month. I'm going to hang it in the dining room. Jack also suggested a cork board to not only post this month's color, letter, etc but also hang any pictures or findings or whatever tidbits our month brings us. This is a good idea. Meggan suggested last night that we should make the letters, shape and number out of the month's medium. This is another great idea and I will put these in Max's room.
I'm also excited and nervous about this month's new habit. Exercising for 20 mins a day is a commitment. I've been trying to start a healthy living exercise plan for awhile now, so I'm really glad that this New Habit is happening right away. It's just 20 mins right? I can find 20 mins in my day for exercise right? That nagging little voice of self-doubt is whispering some negativity to me right now. I'm just going to choose not to listen.
In fact, maybe that's the thing I'll do first when I get up from this chair. I think my yellow Popeye t-shirt would look great while working out.
Number: 1
Letters: ABC
Color: Yellow
Shape: Triangle
Musical Genre: The Blues
Medium: Crayons
Location: The Field Museum
New Habit: Exercising Every Day for 20 Mins.
I have so much to say already. As with any new project the first efforts and the first days take a little more work and some ironing out.
The absolute first thing I DO want to say is....THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all those who have offered words of encouragement and advice. It's helpful to have different eyes on this project because folks who don't live in my head often see things differently than I do. I'm so glad you are there to be my witnesses. It absolutely DOES make me feel more accountable!
You've also brought up a few good points. So, I'm setting a few more parameters:
Outer Jackets/Sweaters/Coats and Shoes do NOT have to correspond with the month's particular color. This would be far too costly to maintain. Although, I will make some good efforts at trying to at least show some color in my outerwear (ie: Max and I already have some pretty spiffy Yellow knit hats!) The same goes for pants (ie: jeans). This works under the original plan since I mention that only one major clothing item needs to be yellow. Not all. Although I'm definitely subscribing to the "More is More" way of thinking for this project.
Also, some Music listening issues came up. If I am in a bar and someone plays Madonna will I go running out of the bar covering my ears? No. If we are at someone's house and they play Bon Iver while we are cooking, do I have to tell them to change it? No. However, will I go to a Madonna concert in December when we are supposed to be listening to Folk music? Not unless that's the day I choose as my ONE Free Day that month.
Also, there are some issues with my continued practice on the piano. You see, I play the piano most every day. For those of you who don't know, I played the piano while I was growing up. When we moved into this apartment last year, our sunroom came with a lovely old baby grand piano. I've been re-teaching myself how to play. Am I advancing quickly? Yes. Re-Learning an old skill is easier than the first time. Can I pick up just anything and play it? Not. Really. I can read music but don't really have the skill to master harder pieces. I am definitely no where near being able to describe myself as "good". Mostly, I've just been working my way through a series of books. I'm halfway through the intermediate book and have been taking it one lesson/song at a time. Do I know some Blues songs? Yes. A few. However, I want to continue to get better at the piano and therefore since I'm "playing" the music and not just "listening" to it.....I'm going to say that it's o.k. This project is about moving forward and erasing those stagnate feelings. I don't want my musical practice to start gathering dust. Now, will I make an effort to play those blues songs I know or maybe learn a new one? YES!
Now that we've gotten those few nuances out of the way. Can I tell you about my project's first baby steps this morning?
All morning we listened to the Blues and I think our kitchen dance session was very bluesy. I took ALL other music out of my ipod so I will absolutely NOT be tempted and ONLY put blues music in. Some initial research pointed me to Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Otis Rush. I dig Otis Rush who apparently has a distinct style that is reflective of the West Side of Chicago. I think Stevie Ray Vaughn is a show off (but I DO like what he did with "Mary Had a Little Lamb"). I was already pretty familiar with Buddy Guy and I still think he's pretty alright. I'm going do some more research but if YOU are familiar with the blues or you have a blues artist that you dig, please point them my way!
(Last night at exactly 11PM I put on my headphones and listened to the songs in my life that I just can't get enough of. I needed to stay goodbye....since I won't be listening to them for awhile. In fact, can you do me a favor? Can you You Tube these two and listen to them for me? Bon Iver - Re: Stacks and Thao and the Get Down Stay Down - Bag of Hammers (you'll need to get up and dance for this one.) Tell them I say hello. Thanks.)
Now for the Yellow.....
It's no secret that Yellow is one of my usual favorite colors. (I say usual because my favorite color changes from day to day but Yellow is a popular choice for me.) Needless to say, I was excited that this was the first color for my project. And so today we wore yellow. I wore my favorite yellow dress and a brown and yellow scarf. If you've spent some time with me, you've probably seen the dress. It's a bright golden rod yellow. You can't miss it. Max wore a standard canary yellow t-shirt and a bright golden rod sweatshirt. Ziggy even gamely wore a pale yellow button down. You couldn't miss us and on this gray day I will even venture to romantically say that we were like little yellow rays of sunshine. Everything was so dreary and little Max in his bright yellow definitely stood out. I also noticed people looking at me constantly. I payed attention to what others were wearing and we were definitely the ONLY ONES in Yellow. Why don't people wear more yellow? Ziggy thought that maybe folks thought we were tourists. Whatever.....maybe we are tourists in LIFE!
Also, I was excited and happy to notice the Yellow around us. You can't help but notice Yellow things because they always stand out from the rest of the world. I took some pictures and I need to learn how to post pictures here. (Hey, Does anyone know how to post pictures on a blog? HELP!) We ate Cuban food for lunch from my favorite little cuban market/restaurant. The plantains were a fried a dark brown/black color on the outside but inside were a lovely lush and creamy yellow.
Clearly, this yellow stuff is making me pretty happy.
When I'm done with this entry, I'm going to go get some butcher paper out and make a big "sign" that displays what we are doing this month. I'm going to hang it in the dining room. Jack also suggested a cork board to not only post this month's color, letter, etc but also hang any pictures or findings or whatever tidbits our month brings us. This is a good idea. Meggan suggested last night that we should make the letters, shape and number out of the month's medium. This is another great idea and I will put these in Max's room.
I'm also excited and nervous about this month's new habit. Exercising for 20 mins a day is a commitment. I've been trying to start a healthy living exercise plan for awhile now, so I'm really glad that this New Habit is happening right away. It's just 20 mins right? I can find 20 mins in my day for exercise right? That nagging little voice of self-doubt is whispering some negativity to me right now. I'm just going to choose not to listen.
In fact, maybe that's the thing I'll do first when I get up from this chair. I think my yellow Popeye t-shirt would look great while working out.
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