Friday, August 6, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
May Days
*IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT*
If you read my last post, you may (pun intended!) have noticed that I am no longer even talking about some of the categories of this project. It's because we simply don't do them. In fact, we haven't been doing them for so long that I decided to just carry on with out them. Therefore, for it's final months, this project will be whittled down to just the following categories:
Color, Music, Shape, Medium, Location
Therefore.....
MAY is:
Color: Red
Music: Country
Shape: Crescent
Medium: Theatre/Acting Arts
Location: MCA
Grey Days (i like them.)
There were so many things I liked about April. I liked the break in the weather. I like the first tentative steps of spring. I had the best Easter ever. It was a story-book perfect easter and my heart swells just thinking about how great it was.
I liked Grey. I didn't love Grey. I just liked it and that's o.k. I like grey in so many forms, gray-scaled b/w photos, grey kittens, sidewalks. I like Grey through Jack's eyes. ( Have I mentioned that my friend Jackie sends me pictures every week day filled with the color of the month? They are almost as amazing as she is.) My wifey gave me this great warm grey sweater. I wore it nearly every day in april. I asked Max what he thought about Grey. He said.. ."It's CUTE!" So...there's that.
We love stars and star shaped things and I really wanted to like the planetarium. We were lucky and went on a free day, otherwise it would have been quite expensive. The kids area was fun, the show was somewhat disappointing (although we chose a kids movie and felt it was lacking but maybe a normal show would have been better?), the other exhibits were almost non-existent but the part I most enjoyed was the lovely little lunch we had in the museums cafe. There is a LOVELY view of the lake and the skyline and we had delicious little sandwiches. If you ever hear of another free day there, it would be worth it to go just for lunch.
Now for a confession.....I like Motown. Motown and 50/60s music in general makes me nostalgic for my summer camp days. I like dancing to Motown music. Max LOVES barry white. (no...seriously...he LOVES barry white.) and we did listen to a lot of Motown. However, Vampire Weekend's new album "Contra" took up most of my listening time. This album is SO good that just when I decided a particular song was my favorite, I'd decide another song was my favorite. This happened more than twice. I really didn't want to like this band, in fact, i'd go so far as to say I was rather disdainful of them but it is SO GOOD. I'm not going to post a youtube video. If you care about my opinion, just go and get the entire album. It's going to make you have a great summer.
I'm really looking forward to a great summer.
I liked Grey. I didn't love Grey. I just liked it and that's o.k. I like grey in so many forms, gray-scaled b/w photos, grey kittens, sidewalks. I like Grey through Jack's eyes. ( Have I mentioned that my friend Jackie sends me pictures every week day filled with the color of the month? They are almost as amazing as she is.) My wifey gave me this great warm grey sweater. I wore it nearly every day in april. I asked Max what he thought about Grey. He said.. ."It's CUTE!" So...there's that.
We love stars and star shaped things and I really wanted to like the planetarium. We were lucky and went on a free day, otherwise it would have been quite expensive. The kids area was fun, the show was somewhat disappointing (although we chose a kids movie and felt it was lacking but maybe a normal show would have been better?), the other exhibits were almost non-existent but the part I most enjoyed was the lovely little lunch we had in the museums cafe. There is a LOVELY view of the lake and the skyline and we had delicious little sandwiches. If you ever hear of another free day there, it would be worth it to go just for lunch.
Now for a confession.....I like Motown. Motown and 50/60s music in general makes me nostalgic for my summer camp days. I like dancing to Motown music. Max LOVES barry white. (no...seriously...he LOVES barry white.) and we did listen to a lot of Motown. However, Vampire Weekend's new album "Contra" took up most of my listening time. This album is SO good that just when I decided a particular song was my favorite, I'd decide another song was my favorite. This happened more than twice. I really didn't want to like this band, in fact, i'd go so far as to say I was rather disdainful of them but it is SO GOOD. I'm not going to post a youtube video. If you care about my opinion, just go and get the entire album. It's going to make you have a great summer.
I'm really looking forward to a great summer.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Star Star
I've been thinking about stars a lot this month. Thinking about what I want to say to "you" about stars. What stories I want to share. Don't we all have lovely star stories? I've realized that i'd write here more often if I didn't feel the need to edit what I say to keep this family friendly but here I am...human.
So, three star stories:
Driving in the Desert with my brother at night. The sky is....endless. That amazing limitless-ness of driving in the middle of the desert creates.....the sky is seems so - close. As if you can pluck a cloud out of the sky and put it in your mouth and let it melt there. We were driving in Nevada near where the super top secret government testing occurs (ie: aliens, hovercrafts, etc) and so we were watching the sky really closely huddled up on the dashboard, crazy high. Giggling and believing all the conspiracy theories we are imparting on one another. Then we saw this amazing series of shooting stars......and at that moment it seemed like they were there just so we could see them.
Michigan Peace Fest - a few years ago - we put this blanket I've had for years in the main square/stage area a little ways back and it stayed there all weekend. Folks were welcome to sit on it, nobody moved it, it got damp with dew in the night but by high noon the sun dried it........and we'd sit back there drinking and dancing and talking and taking in the sky......Shiny and Bright or clear and starry. At one point, I was out there by myself staring at the sky, listening to the band, twirling and feeling truly happy. I layed back and watched the stars and I dozed off for awhile until some folks arrived to share the blanket. It's such a small moment, a tiny microscopic moment in a big life but it is one that I will always cherish.
There are two songs in my family that we all sing to each other and our children: "You are my sunshine" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". My mother taught Max "Twinkle, Twinkle" right from when he was born. So, This month we (of course) went to the Planetarium. In another entry, I will tell you things about the planetarium and our experience there but here I want to talk about one moment. We saw a show age appropriate for max with Sesame Street characters. At one point they started singing twinkle, twinkle and max started singing and all the people in the theatre were singing and my husband was singing and things have still been so rough lately and my heart finally felt so full of love for my family and I was so glad the three of us were there together and that felt really good.
Teeny, Tiny little moments that will always loom large in my heart.
So, three star stories:
Driving in the Desert with my brother at night. The sky is....endless. That amazing limitless-ness of driving in the middle of the desert creates.....the sky is seems so - close. As if you can pluck a cloud out of the sky and put it in your mouth and let it melt there. We were driving in Nevada near where the super top secret government testing occurs (ie: aliens, hovercrafts, etc) and so we were watching the sky really closely huddled up on the dashboard, crazy high. Giggling and believing all the conspiracy theories we are imparting on one another. Then we saw this amazing series of shooting stars......and at that moment it seemed like they were there just so we could see them.
Michigan Peace Fest - a few years ago - we put this blanket I've had for years in the main square/stage area a little ways back and it stayed there all weekend. Folks were welcome to sit on it, nobody moved it, it got damp with dew in the night but by high noon the sun dried it........and we'd sit back there drinking and dancing and talking and taking in the sky......Shiny and Bright or clear and starry. At one point, I was out there by myself staring at the sky, listening to the band, twirling and feeling truly happy. I layed back and watched the stars and I dozed off for awhile until some folks arrived to share the blanket. It's such a small moment, a tiny microscopic moment in a big life but it is one that I will always cherish.
There are two songs in my family that we all sing to each other and our children: "You are my sunshine" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". My mother taught Max "Twinkle, Twinkle" right from when he was born. So, This month we (of course) went to the Planetarium. In another entry, I will tell you things about the planetarium and our experience there but here I want to talk about one moment. We saw a show age appropriate for max with Sesame Street characters. At one point they started singing twinkle, twinkle and max started singing and all the people in the theatre were singing and my husband was singing and things have still been so rough lately and my heart finally felt so full of love for my family and I was so glad the three of us were there together and that felt really good.
Teeny, Tiny little moments that will always loom large in my heart.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Half Way There.......
April is:
Number: 7
Letters: NO
Color: Gray
Shape: Star
Music: Motown
Medium: Cooking
Location: Planetarium
Habit: No Meat
I kind of like the sound of this. I also kind of like the idea of trying to do more cooking without meat. I'm a little worried about what an entire month of gray may do to my spirits. Hopefully the weather stays as lovely as it's been.
Happy Spring!
Number: 7
Letters: NO
Color: Gray
Shape: Star
Music: Motown
Medium: Cooking
Location: Planetarium
Habit: No Meat
I kind of like the sound of this. I also kind of like the idea of trying to do more cooking without meat. I'm a little worried about what an entire month of gray may do to my spirits. Hopefully the weather stays as lovely as it's been.
Happy Spring!
In like a Lion and Out like a Lamb
Right now, we've been making art in life for exactly 1/2 a year. The structure has taken over our lives and I don't even know what i'd wear if I could wear ANYTHING! And this Month? I liked this month alot. In fact, there have been discouraging moments wherein I thought about throwing in the towel, but I'm so glad I didn't. March has been the most enjoyable month yet. Let's talk about it:
Blue - robin's eggs, Max's eyes, my husband's eyes, blue skies, sapphires, blueberries, my favorite blue handbag, indigo dye, the color of the bedroom wall in the first apartment my husband and I shared, turquoise and silver necklaces - we are kind of blue people. We have lots of blue clothes, so many in fact that this month was an enjoyable pause in the "do we have to do laundry, again?!?!" crisis. Blue has been a standout throughout my life. In fact, my grandmother's favorite color was a specific shade of blue. Some call it "country blue" and whenever I come across that blue, I instantly think of her.
Musical Instruments:
I played the piano every single day. It was nice to re-embrace my daily piano playing. It has kind of fallen to the wayside with this project, working and my yoga practice. Most days, we'd also drag out this basket filled with musical instruments and have ourselves a little jam session. Those days are my favorite days.
Peggy Notebart Nature Museum:
I absolutely ADORE this place. It's a lovely little museum that is perfect for children Max's age. They have a water play area, a little playground/ climbing area and a room filled with butterflies! Currently they are running a "critter cam" exhibition that allows us to see the world for various animals points of view (sharks, whales, penguins) that I found fascinating. It's also set on lovely surrounding grounds. And it's cheap! I imagine Max and I will be spending some time there in the upcoming year.
Pop Music:
Oh how we loved pop music. I mean we really LOVED pop music. Thankfully April is Motown (which is also fun) because otherwise we'd have a hard time letting Pop go.
Letters, number, shape:
Listen, I've been doing this project for 6 months now......and some things are holding true .....this letter thing? Not working out. Max is crazy confused and calls every letter "B". And you know what? He already can count to something like 13. He also knows all his shapes and color. I think going forward, I'm going to just focus on teaching him the alphabet separately from this project.
Habit:
The minute you tell me I can't do something is pretty much the minute I'm inclined to do it. Besides, we don't eat out all that much anyways. ;)
Blue - robin's eggs, Max's eyes, my husband's eyes, blue skies, sapphires, blueberries, my favorite blue handbag, indigo dye, the color of the bedroom wall in the first apartment my husband and I shared, turquoise and silver necklaces - we are kind of blue people. We have lots of blue clothes, so many in fact that this month was an enjoyable pause in the "do we have to do laundry, again?!?!" crisis. Blue has been a standout throughout my life. In fact, my grandmother's favorite color was a specific shade of blue. Some call it "country blue" and whenever I come across that blue, I instantly think of her.
Musical Instruments:
I played the piano every single day. It was nice to re-embrace my daily piano playing. It has kind of fallen to the wayside with this project, working and my yoga practice. Most days, we'd also drag out this basket filled with musical instruments and have ourselves a little jam session. Those days are my favorite days.
Peggy Notebart Nature Museum:
I absolutely ADORE this place. It's a lovely little museum that is perfect for children Max's age. They have a water play area, a little playground/ climbing area and a room filled with butterflies! Currently they are running a "critter cam" exhibition that allows us to see the world for various animals points of view (sharks, whales, penguins) that I found fascinating. It's also set on lovely surrounding grounds. And it's cheap! I imagine Max and I will be spending some time there in the upcoming year.
Pop Music:
Oh how we loved pop music. I mean we really LOVED pop music. Thankfully April is Motown (which is also fun) because otherwise we'd have a hard time letting Pop go.
Letters, number, shape:
Listen, I've been doing this project for 6 months now......and some things are holding true .....this letter thing? Not working out. Max is crazy confused and calls every letter "B". And you know what? He already can count to something like 13. He also knows all his shapes and color. I think going forward, I'm going to just focus on teaching him the alphabet separately from this project.
Habit:
The minute you tell me I can't do something is pretty much the minute I'm inclined to do it. Besides, we don't eat out all that much anyways. ;)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
On Traveling in Circles:
I've studied buddhism for many, many years. Perhaps someday I will write about how my first sips of this lovely way of living was spoon fed to me but today I want to talk about circles.
Please forgive my paraphrasing of this buddhist concept. I remember distinctly the day I read it while on the el in a book that was given to me (sadly the name of the book escapes me) it changed my life and that very day, I left to book on the train.
The story goes that our souls travel in circles until we reach enlightenment. Anybody who was significant to you in a past life will also be important to you in this life and you will always meet them again in all of our future lives. No relationship is a mistake, not even the person you brush on the street. (The Universe doesn't make mistakes.) These people may not always show up in the same incarnations (mother, sister, lover, friend, child) but they will ALWAYS be there. We need these people to keep working out our karmic bullshit with each other. It is also exactly why some people just immediately touch us, hit us right at our soul. Why those people feel like they are instantly on the inside.
It's because we've been traveling a long way together.
Please forgive my paraphrasing of this buddhist concept. I remember distinctly the day I read it while on the el in a book that was given to me (sadly the name of the book escapes me) it changed my life and that very day, I left to book on the train.
The story goes that our souls travel in circles until we reach enlightenment. Anybody who was significant to you in a past life will also be important to you in this life and you will always meet them again in all of our future lives. No relationship is a mistake, not even the person you brush on the street. (The Universe doesn't make mistakes.) These people may not always show up in the same incarnations (mother, sister, lover, friend, child) but they will ALWAYS be there. We need these people to keep working out our karmic bullshit with each other. It is also exactly why some people just immediately touch us, hit us right at our soul. Why those people feel like they are instantly on the inside.
It's because we've been traveling a long way together.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Pop Music
Oh how I love pop music. I mean, of course, I love pop music. Popular music is popular for a reason right? I've long held the slight (read: very) annoying stance that if a lot of people like something, I no longer like it. (read: I adored OKGO until they made it big). This is a shame and comes from this need I have to be "different". (I told you it was really annoying.)
So, I've loved this pop music thing. I've hit the classics - Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, etc and then I moved on to what people are listening to lately and then there is LADY GAGA. Holy Mother of Christ, I love Lady Gaga. In fact, just in case you missed this phenomenon (because listen, I certainly did) I've posted 3 links to her youtube videos to catch you up. Watch all 3 and put a napkin under your chin to catch the drool.
So, I've loved this pop music thing. I've hit the classics - Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, etc and then I moved on to what people are listening to lately and then there is LADY GAGA. Holy Mother of Christ, I love Lady Gaga. In fact, just in case you missed this phenomenon (because listen, I certainly did) I've posted 3 links to her youtube videos to catch you up. Watch all 3 and put a napkin under your chin to catch the drool.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Max is 3!
Dear Max,
I'm writing this letter to you on the blog I've created because this project has become a big part of our lives. Sometimes I'm not sure if you really know what's going on....Do you notice that you wear yellow or green or orange or blue everyday for awhile? How about the music? How do you REALLY feel about classical music? One of the greatest beauties of who you are is your amazing ability to simply take life in stride. You don't know what we are doing or where we are going but you are almost always o.k. with it. In fact, every day at some point you say to me, "I'm okay, mama". Yes, you are baby.
Although, you are not a baby anymore. You love dinosaurs, robots, cars, books, trains and soup. You are a big guy now who knows all of his colors and his shapes. You are a guy who can count to 13. You are a guy who knows how to unlock doors and put in a dvd to watch. In fact, today to celebrate your birthday we took you to your very first movie. Learning how to sit still is definitely something a baby can't do! This year it's been amazing to watch how quickly you learn. How suddenly you put things together. We are constantly surprised by the things you can say and do. I have a feeling that we will always be pleasantly surprised by you.
You see, you are a bright light. A little piece of joy and every good thing I ever put into this world. No family is ever perfect and we are not either but we do have a lot of love and a lot of people in our lives to love. We are very lucky to have you and each other. Since the moment you were born, I can barely look at you without my heart exploding into a million pieces. It is also you who always puts me back together again.
All my love, baby beluga.....
-Mama
I'm writing this letter to you on the blog I've created because this project has become a big part of our lives. Sometimes I'm not sure if you really know what's going on....Do you notice that you wear yellow or green or orange or blue everyday for awhile? How about the music? How do you REALLY feel about classical music? One of the greatest beauties of who you are is your amazing ability to simply take life in stride. You don't know what we are doing or where we are going but you are almost always o.k. with it. In fact, every day at some point you say to me, "I'm okay, mama". Yes, you are baby.
Although, you are not a baby anymore. You love dinosaurs, robots, cars, books, trains and soup. You are a big guy now who knows all of his colors and his shapes. You are a guy who can count to 13. You are a guy who knows how to unlock doors and put in a dvd to watch. In fact, today to celebrate your birthday we took you to your very first movie. Learning how to sit still is definitely something a baby can't do! This year it's been amazing to watch how quickly you learn. How suddenly you put things together. We are constantly surprised by the things you can say and do. I have a feeling that we will always be pleasantly surprised by you.
You see, you are a bright light. A little piece of joy and every good thing I ever put into this world. No family is ever perfect and we are not either but we do have a lot of love and a lot of people in our lives to love. We are very lucky to have you and each other. Since the moment you were born, I can barely look at you without my heart exploding into a million pieces. It is also you who always puts me back together again.
All my love, baby beluga.....
-Mama
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
March Madness
March is:
Number: 6
Letters: LM
Shape: Circle
Color: Blue
Music: Polka/Pop
Medium: Musical Instruments (Also carrying over paper)
Destination: Nature Museum
New Habit: No Eating Out/Take Out/Ordering In
I decided that I wouldn't torture myself or those around me by listening to Polka music for an entire month. I'm crazy but not that crazy. I also decided that I know very little about current popular music and could benefit from a month of listening to what everyone else is listening to. I think this is a wise decision all the way around.
Also, remember how I said I was a rule breaker? Yup....I'm just gonna keep breaking them rules. Especially since the minute that paper was the medium of a month (a medium i absolutely ADORE working with) I stopped making things with paper. I also have a really good idea for a series using paper and will be carrying it along to March.
March is also the month that Max will turn 3. I have a good feeling about this month.
Number: 6
Letters: LM
Shape: Circle
Color: Blue
Music: Polka/Pop
Medium: Musical Instruments (Also carrying over paper)
Destination: Nature Museum
New Habit: No Eating Out/Take Out/Ordering In
I decided that I wouldn't torture myself or those around me by listening to Polka music for an entire month. I'm crazy but not that crazy. I also decided that I know very little about current popular music and could benefit from a month of listening to what everyone else is listening to. I think this is a wise decision all the way around.
Also, remember how I said I was a rule breaker? Yup....I'm just gonna keep breaking them rules. Especially since the minute that paper was the medium of a month (a medium i absolutely ADORE working with) I stopped making things with paper. I also have a really good idea for a series using paper and will be carrying it along to March.
March is also the month that Max will turn 3. I have a good feeling about this month.
Purple Urple
So.....let me tell you about the main thing I'm learning from this art project. The minute something becomes a rule for me is the minute I decide I don't want to do it anymore. This explains why you'll find me sneakily listening to non-jazz music or deciding it's o.k. to go to bed in an orange t-shirt and yellow pants. This is why our monthly habits have not become new habits at all. And really? This is what I'm taking away from February: I'm an incorrigible rule-breaker.
As always though, I was wearing mostly purple and I think purple is really a rather lovely color. I also listened to Jazz. Sadly, I am simply not bestirred by Jazz the way I am with some other music but my god, I LOVE Nina Simone. She hits me right in my gut every single time.
Max knows all of his shapes and colors by now so, really that whole part of the project is an afterthought. (You should hear him say "Octagon", it's adorable.) The letters are still all "B" to him but I think pretty soon he'll come around. As for the numbers, I'm pretty sure he can count up to at least 15 and he knows what the number 2 looks like. In less than a week, he will be 3 - so we will work on that number then. ;)
Finally, I went to the Art Institute twice this month. By some stroke of luck, February was the free month. I'd like to say I preplanned this but since the order was mostly drawn out of a hat that would be a lie. I meant to go once a week but February just disappeared for me. One minute it was February 2nd and the next time I blinked it was February 28th. I wasn't necessary crazy busy, I think I'm just in a gray sky daze.
So, yeah, the Art Institute. I feel like I need to preface this paragraph by saying that the Art Institute has long been one of my favorite places in the city. I've gone their all the way through my teens and my 20s. It used to be "Pay what you can" and so I'd pull out what ever crumbled bills I had on me and spend hours wandering around.
I hadn't been since they opened to new Modern Wing and I like Renzo Piano's work so I was excited to check it out. I will say that it's nice. It looks more like a gallery space and less like a museum. I will also say that the museum overall feels changed in a way that doesn't jive with me anymore and I spent much of my time mourning that change.
As for max? He was mostly uninterested in the whole thing. He did like the buddha sculptures but he did each of the children's areas too quickly to appreciate them. I think we will try again when he is a bit older.
There you have it. February is over.
As always though, I was wearing mostly purple and I think purple is really a rather lovely color. I also listened to Jazz. Sadly, I am simply not bestirred by Jazz the way I am with some other music but my god, I LOVE Nina Simone. She hits me right in my gut every single time.
Max knows all of his shapes and colors by now so, really that whole part of the project is an afterthought. (You should hear him say "Octagon", it's adorable.) The letters are still all "B" to him but I think pretty soon he'll come around. As for the numbers, I'm pretty sure he can count up to at least 15 and he knows what the number 2 looks like. In less than a week, he will be 3 - so we will work on that number then. ;)
Finally, I went to the Art Institute twice this month. By some stroke of luck, February was the free month. I'd like to say I preplanned this but since the order was mostly drawn out of a hat that would be a lie. I meant to go once a week but February just disappeared for me. One minute it was February 2nd and the next time I blinked it was February 28th. I wasn't necessary crazy busy, I think I'm just in a gray sky daze.
So, yeah, the Art Institute. I feel like I need to preface this paragraph by saying that the Art Institute has long been one of my favorite places in the city. I've gone their all the way through my teens and my 20s. It used to be "Pay what you can" and so I'd pull out what ever crumbled bills I had on me and spend hours wandering around.
I hadn't been since they opened to new Modern Wing and I like Renzo Piano's work so I was excited to check it out. I will say that it's nice. It looks more like a gallery space and less like a museum. I will also say that the museum overall feels changed in a way that doesn't jive with me anymore and I spent much of my time mourning that change.
As for max? He was mostly uninterested in the whole thing. He did like the buddha sculptures but he did each of the children's areas too quickly to appreciate them. I think we will try again when he is a bit older.
There you have it. February is over.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
February (1/3 of the project is completed!)
FEBRUARY IS:
Number: 5
Letters: JK
Shape: Octagon
Color: Purple
Music: Jazz
Medium: Paper
Location: Art Institute
Habit: Mail One Card, Note or Letter Every Day
Some initial thoughts:
There are some things I'm excited about this month. Leave me with a Jar of Modge Podge and a pile of paper and I am a happy girl. Also, the Art Institute is one of my favorite places in this city of mine. It's a place I spent a great deal of time in during my teen years and I'm looking forward to reaquainting myself (and max) with it. (And FINALLY getting to see the new Modern Wing!).
Today we got off to our usual start. I scoured my itunes for relevant music and came up with an initial play list (Ella and Billie? Be still my heart!) I changed into a Purple T-shirt. I wrote a card to my mother. (I however didn't mail it. How was I to know they m oved the mailbox at the end of the block?!?!)
Then I realized that Max has no purple clothes, save a tie-dye t-shirt with a TINY bit of purple in it. You see, girls have taken over the market on purple clothes. I've not been too successful in finding stuff for Max. So, short of dressing him in girls clothes (and promptly saving for years worth of therapy bills), I think he's mostly going to have a pass this month. However, if I do come across some purple stuff (even just a plain dark purple t-shirt), I'll add it to his clothing roster.
This week we will be hitting both Chinatown (last week was just too cold to attempt it) and I will be attending the Free Night at the Art Institute on Thursday.
I really wanted to end this post by sharing some of my favorite purple themed songs with you. Sadly, I can not force the web gods to allow me to do as I please. Perhaps if I appease them, they will soon allow me to share the goodness that is purple themed songs.
The end (for now).
Number: 5
Letters: JK
Shape: Octagon
Color: Purple
Music: Jazz
Medium: Paper
Location: Art Institute
Habit: Mail One Card, Note or Letter Every Day
Some initial thoughts:
There are some things I'm excited about this month. Leave me with a Jar of Modge Podge and a pile of paper and I am a happy girl. Also, the Art Institute is one of my favorite places in this city of mine. It's a place I spent a great deal of time in during my teen years and I'm looking forward to reaquainting myself (and max) with it. (And FINALLY getting to see the new Modern Wing!).
Today we got off to our usual start. I scoured my itunes for relevant music and came up with an initial play list (Ella and Billie? Be still my heart!) I changed into a Purple T-shirt. I wrote a card to my mother. (I however didn't mail it. How was I to know they m oved the mailbox at the end of the block?!?!)
Then I realized that Max has no purple clothes, save a tie-dye t-shirt with a TINY bit of purple in it. You see, girls have taken over the market on purple clothes. I've not been too successful in finding stuff for Max. So, short of dressing him in girls clothes (and promptly saving for years worth of therapy bills), I think he's mostly going to have a pass this month. However, if I do come across some purple stuff (even just a plain dark purple t-shirt), I'll add it to his clothing roster.
This week we will be hitting both Chinatown (last week was just too cold to attempt it) and I will be attending the Free Night at the Art Institute on Thursday.
I really wanted to end this post by sharing some of my favorite purple themed songs with you. Sadly, I can not force the web gods to allow me to do as I please. Perhaps if I appease them, they will soon allow me to share the goodness that is purple themed songs.
The end (for now).
Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue (A January Recap)
As I mentioned before, January's activities was a lovely expression of this project. I really liked the orange. I really liked the Hip Hop (although I noticed that the music made me feel a bit more "bad ass" and slightly more aggressive). Max liked Hip Hop. (WE LOVED THE DANCING!) He has a lot of orange clothes. However, he's completely confused when it comes to the letters. He pretty much thinks every letter is "B". ;)
I tried to go back to the roots of the project and right an entry about each category. However, I just couldn't come up with anything clever to write about rectangles. So, rectangles were largely overlooked. Which is a shame, because I never had any against rectangles.
Finally, I realized that I'm consistently awful with the new habits. I was drinking SO much water (probably well over the 8 cups a day), until it was what I was SUPPOSED to do. I'm going to explore this much more in the coming months.
This month got a bit off track due to a little unexpected trauma. In contrast to the last few months, I'm hoping February will be calm.
I tried to go back to the roots of the project and right an entry about each category. However, I just couldn't come up with anything clever to write about rectangles. So, rectangles were largely overlooked. Which is a shame, because I never had any against rectangles.
Finally, I realized that I'm consistently awful with the new habits. I was drinking SO much water (probably well over the 8 cups a day), until it was what I was SUPPOSED to do. I'm going to explore this much more in the coming months.
This month got a bit off track due to a little unexpected trauma. In contrast to the last few months, I'm hoping February will be calm.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Shedd Aquarium is Lame
Since December was so busy, we were unable to go to that month's cultural location. We finally made it to the Shedd Aquarium today and I have to say I was largely unimpressed.
First, today was a supposed "Free Day". In most museums a free day allows you to see the majority of the museum and often will only charge you for traveling exhibits. The Shedd Aquarium only allows you to see half of the museum on it's Free Day and forces you to pay to see the rest (which is all the stuff most folks want to see - ie: whales, dolphins, penguins, sharks) for a "discounted rate". This discounted rate isn't quoted on it's website. When we arrive we are confronted with a $16.95 charge to see these things (the museum is usually $20.95). Instead of "free day" they should use the term "$5.00 Off Day".
Secondly, I was mostly unimpressed. Sure, it was cool seeing the various fish but the exhibits themselves were unremarkable. Also, the children's area was incredibly lame in comparison to any of the other museums.
Unfortunately, I just don't have much to say about the Shedd Aquarium other than that we will probably not be going back any time soon.
First, today was a supposed "Free Day". In most museums a free day allows you to see the majority of the museum and often will only charge you for traveling exhibits. The Shedd Aquarium only allows you to see half of the museum on it's Free Day and forces you to pay to see the rest (which is all the stuff most folks want to see - ie: whales, dolphins, penguins, sharks) for a "discounted rate". This discounted rate isn't quoted on it's website. When we arrive we are confronted with a $16.95 charge to see these things (the museum is usually $20.95). Instead of "free day" they should use the term "$5.00 Off Day".
Secondly, I was mostly unimpressed. Sure, it was cool seeing the various fish but the exhibits themselves were unremarkable. Also, the children's area was incredibly lame in comparison to any of the other museums.
Unfortunately, I just don't have much to say about the Shedd Aquarium other than that we will probably not be going back any time soon.
The Four of Us (Or Just When You're Up You're Down) - Brought to you by the # 4
( Note: So, I have this 40 minute train ride every time I go to work. I've been using that time to do a little writing. This is something I wrote last weekend while on the train and am first posting now.)
Part 1:
When people refer to my immediate family (the little one I created) as the "three of us", I always stop them. We are a family four! Benny Dog is our first baby. He is as an important part of this family as any of us. I sometimes forget this when I spend my days yelling at him to get out of the garbage. To "Go Lay Down". Or "quiet" as he barks at the neighboring dogs. But it's him who I grip in times of sorrow. His quiet comfort is what I seek when I don't have words to express. And he knows when I'm sad. He follows me around and puts his head on his knee. He lays down and lets me rest my head on his belly while I soak him with my tears. We are a family of four, indeed.
Part 2:
I've been busy being hopeful. Busy putting one step in front of the other. I've been feeling better and then something unexpected arose (a family member was hospitalized in serious condition). This unexpected thing brought to surface ancient feelings and suddenly I had to deal and I wasn't dealing. I spent the first moments of trying to dealing turning to old habits. I got drunk and stayed drunk for most of a weekend. I cried endlessly. Where was this coming from? Where was my hard won composure? Where was the calm I've meditated and practiced and yoga'd into for the last decade? All my new habits faded away. No more healthy eating. No more daily yoga practice. (Was I using this crisis as an excuse to check out for awhile?)
Part 3:
This family of four equates "home" but I'd like to stop and talk about my family at large both by blood and by love. When people ask what I like most about myself I always respond "That I have AMAZING people in my life". (I like to think that maybe my ability is to create solid relationships with people.) I'm surrounded by amazing people. Just immersed in talented, smart, funny and good hearted folks. People whose character is so shiny they glow. I know i'm gushing but I also know that I'm really lucky. Some people have nobody and I have so many. This family of four extends into a community and I am NEVER lonely.
Where Part 1,2 and 3 Converge:
While I was trying to deal last week, I was surrounded by people (and a dog) who knew what to say and who knew what not to say. Who knew how to just be there. Who knew how to hear me cry. People who made sure I ate and slept and that Max was o.k. There was not one but two times I needed to call for help and different sets of folks were immediately there. There is so much value in that and for that I am so grateful.
So maybe this just a shout out of love. Love for my family of four. Love for my family by blood. Love for the family of friends I've been blessed with.
Part 1:
When people refer to my immediate family (the little one I created) as the "three of us", I always stop them. We are a family four! Benny Dog is our first baby. He is as an important part of this family as any of us. I sometimes forget this when I spend my days yelling at him to get out of the garbage. To "Go Lay Down". Or "quiet" as he barks at the neighboring dogs. But it's him who I grip in times of sorrow. His quiet comfort is what I seek when I don't have words to express. And he knows when I'm sad. He follows me around and puts his head on his knee. He lays down and lets me rest my head on his belly while I soak him with my tears. We are a family of four, indeed.
Part 2:
I've been busy being hopeful. Busy putting one step in front of the other. I've been feeling better and then something unexpected arose (a family member was hospitalized in serious condition). This unexpected thing brought to surface ancient feelings and suddenly I had to deal and I wasn't dealing. I spent the first moments of trying to dealing turning to old habits. I got drunk and stayed drunk for most of a weekend. I cried endlessly. Where was this coming from? Where was my hard won composure? Where was the calm I've meditated and practiced and yoga'd into for the last decade? All my new habits faded away. No more healthy eating. No more daily yoga practice. (Was I using this crisis as an excuse to check out for awhile?)
Part 3:
This family of four equates "home" but I'd like to stop and talk about my family at large both by blood and by love. When people ask what I like most about myself I always respond "That I have AMAZING people in my life". (I like to think that maybe my ability is to create solid relationships with people.) I'm surrounded by amazing people. Just immersed in talented, smart, funny and good hearted folks. People whose character is so shiny they glow. I know i'm gushing but I also know that I'm really lucky. Some people have nobody and I have so many. This family of four extends into a community and I am NEVER lonely.
Where Part 1,2 and 3 Converge:
While I was trying to deal last week, I was surrounded by people (and a dog) who knew what to say and who knew what not to say. Who knew how to just be there. Who knew how to hear me cry. People who made sure I ate and slept and that Max was o.k. There was not one but two times I needed to call for help and different sets of folks were immediately there. There is so much value in that and for that I am so grateful.
So maybe this just a shout out of love. Love for my family of four. Love for my family by blood. Love for the family of friends I've been blessed with.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Obsessed
So, I've been waiting the entire project for this exact moment. In fact, I've been very surprised that it hasn't come sooner. I'm talking about the music aspect of my project. Nothing, Not any of the musical genres so far have hit me the way hip hop has. I LOVE it. L.O.V.E. it. And I'm dancing. I'm dancing in my kitchen. I'm dancing up and down my hallway. I'm like an orange colored blur as I groove around my life. It's gotten to the point that Max has had enough - "NO DANCING!" he cries as I plug in my ipod. "NO DANCING!" he cries as I gyrate with the broom. And then? He dances and dances and dances and he looks so cute dancing that I think my heart might explode.
This. This orange, hip-hop, dancing business. To feel this way about these things is what this project is all about.
Generally, I've been in an overall better state. Nothing has changed (well, except for the massive amounts of yoga. 90 mins every.single.day. in a 105degree room.). All the same issues are still there. It's my outlook that's improved. I was so glad to kiss away 2009. 2010 makes me feel hopeful.
And so I close with the song that I listen to at least 10 times a day
ROC NATION!! WHAT??!?!
This. This orange, hip-hop, dancing business. To feel this way about these things is what this project is all about.
Generally, I've been in an overall better state. Nothing has changed (well, except for the massive amounts of yoga. 90 mins every.single.day. in a 105degree room.). All the same issues are still there. It's my outlook that's improved. I was so glad to kiss away 2009. 2010 makes me feel hopeful.
And so I close with the song that I listen to at least 10 times a day
ROC NATION!! WHAT??!?!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Orange you glad it's January?
JANUARY is:
Letters: HI
Number: 4
Color: Orange
Shape: Rectangle
Music: Hip-Hop/Rap (I've added rap since it's so closely linked.)
Medium: Dance
Location: Chinatown
Habit: Drink 8 cups of water a day
From the moment I first saw this month's line-up I was pretty excited. It seemed like a lot of fun. So, far that's come true. Wearing orange has been VERY easy for the baby, he kind of has a lot of the orange stuff. (Except for pajamas. We are going to revert back the bedtime rule.) Me? I have very very little and I may have to allow myself to not wear orange to Yoga unless I can come up some stuff pretty quickly.. I think a trip to the thrift store is in order, I also think that I will be doing a lot more laundry then in green month.
I know very little about hip-hop and rap and would really love some suggestions of artists both current and classic.
We got the dance portion covered. ;) Our kitchen dance sessions are legendary (what's that quote? Famous among dozens? :P )
Additionally, in all the holiday hub-bub we never made it to the Shedd Aquarium, so I will be adding that onto this months activities.
So, that's it. I'm relishing the relative quiet and hibernation of these winter months to really focus on this project, my home, family and body. As the Black-Eyed Peas told me this afternoon - "Let's Get It Started". Yes, Indeed.
Letters: HI
Number: 4
Color: Orange
Shape: Rectangle
Music: Hip-Hop/Rap (I've added rap since it's so closely linked.)
Medium: Dance
Location: Chinatown
Habit: Drink 8 cups of water a day
From the moment I first saw this month's line-up I was pretty excited. It seemed like a lot of fun. So, far that's come true. Wearing orange has been VERY easy for the baby, he kind of has a lot of the orange stuff. (Except for pajamas. We are going to revert back the bedtime rule.) Me? I have very very little and I may have to allow myself to not wear orange to Yoga unless I can come up some stuff pretty quickly.. I think a trip to the thrift store is in order, I also think that I will be doing a lot more laundry then in green month.
I know very little about hip-hop and rap and would really love some suggestions of artists both current and classic.
We got the dance portion covered. ;) Our kitchen dance sessions are legendary (what's that quote? Famous among dozens? :P )
Additionally, in all the holiday hub-bub we never made it to the Shedd Aquarium, so I will be adding that onto this months activities.
So, that's it. I'm relishing the relative quiet and hibernation of these winter months to really focus on this project, my home, family and body. As the Black-Eyed Peas told me this afternoon - "Let's Get It Started". Yes, Indeed.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
"it's about the silence"
My title comes from a piece in the gallery centered around musical phrases. (ie: also "Play, Rest, Repeat"). Common little reminders that come to you during a life playing music. Silence in music is as important as the sound. The "rests" are important to the sequencing. I've always loved breaks and changes and bits of silence in music.
I once went to an art talk at MCA (in the little room where they feature artists) that has resounded with me ever since. Unfortunately, I can absolutely NOT recollect the name of the particular artist but I will never ever forget him. He did photographs of empty rooms. An empty hallway in a school. An empty interrogation area. An empty judge's office. He also did photographs of Lake Michigan. On the left would be a rock and if you got really close you'd see someone laying down on the top of it. And all the rest? Emptiness. Just Lake and sky. His work was as much about what's not there as what is. ("it's all about the silence.")
And I remember that this particular artist was also a Chicago Cop. He wore his black beat shoes with his jeans and chewed on a toothpick the entire time. There were the critics and the professors and the reviewers and the students and they all wanted to break up his work, pick it apart piece by piece. They asked, "What themes are you trying to impart to your viewer?". "Is there a purpose or message your trying to convey with these empty rooms?". And he just said, "I just take the pictures. You see what you want to see." He didn't want any of their art nonsense. You see what you want to see. YES!
So, i'd like to think my silence in this blog was a necessary rest. A poetic pause. This month was like a rest too. Green and folk and fabric were all easy things. Second Nature almost. There wasn't a day this entire month I didn't listen to Green. There wasn't a day I didn't list to Folk music. I made plenty of things out of fabric (arm warmers, hand kerchiefs, finger puppets). With the hustle and bustle of the holidays and my new job and my new work out regime, we didn't even approach this month's task. I think I'm o.k. with that though. This month was full of new habits.
I'm totally late with this green wrap up and I won't get to introducing January's delights tomorrow but just in case you were wondering, I'm wearing Bright Orange pants and Snoop Dogg and I are friends.
I once went to an art talk at MCA (in the little room where they feature artists) that has resounded with me ever since. Unfortunately, I can absolutely NOT recollect the name of the particular artist but I will never ever forget him. He did photographs of empty rooms. An empty hallway in a school. An empty interrogation area. An empty judge's office. He also did photographs of Lake Michigan. On the left would be a rock and if you got really close you'd see someone laying down on the top of it. And all the rest? Emptiness. Just Lake and sky. His work was as much about what's not there as what is. ("it's all about the silence.")
And I remember that this particular artist was also a Chicago Cop. He wore his black beat shoes with his jeans and chewed on a toothpick the entire time. There were the critics and the professors and the reviewers and the students and they all wanted to break up his work, pick it apart piece by piece. They asked, "What themes are you trying to impart to your viewer?". "Is there a purpose or message your trying to convey with these empty rooms?". And he just said, "I just take the pictures. You see what you want to see." He didn't want any of their art nonsense. You see what you want to see. YES!
So, i'd like to think my silence in this blog was a necessary rest. A poetic pause. This month was like a rest too. Green and folk and fabric were all easy things. Second Nature almost. There wasn't a day this entire month I didn't listen to Green. There wasn't a day I didn't list to Folk music. I made plenty of things out of fabric (arm warmers, hand kerchiefs, finger puppets). With the hustle and bustle of the holidays and my new job and my new work out regime, we didn't even approach this month's task. I think I'm o.k. with that though. This month was full of new habits.
I'm totally late with this green wrap up and I won't get to introducing January's delights tomorrow but just in case you were wondering, I'm wearing Bright Orange pants and Snoop Dogg and I are friends.
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