The Art of Learning in Life Project

The Avett Brothers - Incomplete And Insecure

2010-08-06T21:27:00.000-05:00

May Days

2010-05-03T20:46:00.000-05:00

*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.)

2010-05-03T20:38:00.001-05:00

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.

Star Star

2010-04-27T22:27:00.000-05:00

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.

Half Way There.......

2010-04-02T10:28:00.000-05:00

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!

In like a Lion and Out like a Lamb

2010-04-02T10:21:00.000-05:00

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. ;)

On Traveling in Circles:

2010-03-23T22:06:00.001-05:00

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.

Pop Music

2010-03-17T17:55:00.000-05:00

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.

Max is 3!

2010-03-08T21:33:00.001-06:00

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

March Madness

2010-03-02T22:50:00.000-06:00

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.

Purple Urple

2010-03-02T22:41:00.000-06:00

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.

Some of my favorite purple inspired music:

2010-02-08T12:11:00.001-06:00

February (1/3 of the project is completed!)

2010-02-01T22:08:00.000-06:00

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).

Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue (A January Recap)

2010-02-01T21:52:00.000-06:00

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.

H and I = HI!

2010-01-28T15:36:00.001-06:00

H and I = HI!, originally uploaded by artinlifeproject.

The Shedd Aquarium is Lame

2010-01-26T21:11:00.000-06:00

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.

The Four of Us (Or Just When You're Up You're Down) - Brought to you by the # 4

2010-01-26T20:28:00.002-06:00

( 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.

Obsessed

2010-01-12T21:59:00.001-06:00

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??!?!

Orange you glad it's January?

2010-01-04T22:26:00.000-06:00

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.

"it's about the silence"

2010-01-03T21:37:00.000-06:00

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.

M.I.A.

2009-12-15T22:16:00.000-06:00

Hey! How are you? Great? I'm mostly O.k. I mean I've definitely been better but I'm doing alright. Do you remember when I said I was SO excited to write in my shiny new blog EVERY SINGLE DAY? Yeah me too. Apparently I don't always mean the things I say. However, remember when I promised to wear a single color EVERYDAY and only listen to one kind of music EVERY DAY for a whole month? Well that's still happening. Sometimes I DO mean the things I say.

You see, when I know that I should have done something and I didn't do it, a certain amount of avoidance/procrastination happens. I completely avoid the very thing I should/WANT to be doing. It builds up and then I wonder how can I possibly ever go back to doing that thing? That writing in your blog everyday thing?

Aren't are little brains so silly sometimes? Of course I can go back and write in my blog whenever I want. Of course it's up to me to choose how and when and why I do things. And if I have a commitment to my "readers" well, I think they'll probably forgive me. This month has been a whirlwind of Bikram Yoga most every day and starting a new job. Remember those Health Things last month that I was dealing with? Well, a major life change happened and I'm adjusting. You add the holiday season to those things and a baby/family - you got one pretty busy girl.

The folk music for me has been a little like coming "home". A friend of mine compiled this lovely list of Folk songs I should listen to. It was like a study of the origins of folk music and I'm really interested in that but right now I just want to listen to this stuff that I know and love. The last two months have been filled with music that has been new to me and the coming months are also going to be all new - so recouping over some Joni or some Ray Lamontagne has suited me perfectly.

The same goes for the green. Green has always been one of my favorite colors. I have a lot of green clothes. In fact, I only acquired one shirt and one yoga pant for this months color. It is not unusual for me to wear green often. This color has been almost TOO easy.

I'll tell you the same story with Fabric. It's a medium I'm pretty comfortable being crafty with.

So maybe that's why I'm not really writing. No major revelations are happening over here but I think that's perfectly o.k.

A little respite might be just what what I need right now.

Then December it is......

2009-12-01T20:12:00.000-06:00

December is:

Number: 3
Letters: FG
Color: Green
Shape: Diamond
Music: Folk
Medium: Fabric
Outing: Shedd Aquarium
Habit: Cleaning up for 15 mins before bedtime

Some initial thoughts:

Green and Folk music are things that I kind of like a lot and I'm glad to come back to something with a bit of familiarity.

However, as I was downloading Folk music onto my Ipod, I realized it is a very ambiguous genre. There are lots of gray areas (Folk-Rock, Indie-Folk, Neo-Folk, Folk-Country, Folk-Pop). I think I need to do some research on the true meaning of Folk music as soon as I can. In the meantime, today was spent listening to some James Taylor and we liked it a lot.

Can you believe it's december already?!

Goodbye, Brown!

2009-11-30T21:48:00.002-06:00

IMG_3629, originally uploaded by artinlifeproject.

This month was not an easy month and I'm glad it's finally over. I've talked about a lot of things this month and so I'm going to focus on the stuff that was left out.

Oh Brown. It was (mostly) easy wearing brown. After the bright yellow and with the down turn this month took for me, brown was a little respite. I really blended in with brown. Most of my brown clothes were very casual so I did have a bit of a hard time when it came to dressing up for things like interviews and going out. Now that I've reached the end of the month, I'm glad to be down with it. I look forward to getting back to something delicious and green will be perfect.

Some brown things I loved this month: all the beautiful brown leaves, meggy's brown shoes, a brown beaver at the zoo, max's brown striped sweater, the rich brown color of the piano in our living room.

Moving on......(i'm a bit exhausted this evening).......
Did you know we went to the zoo not once but twice this month? It's true and it was LOVELY. We love the zoo. A lot. Particularly Max. It was nice because the second time we went he remembered the experience from before and knew exactly what we were doing and was very excited about it. Max has a great love of animals and really enjoyed them all. However his most favorite Zoo things are the Train, the carousal and the Bronze Ape Statues the simulate the sounds they make. My favorite animals? Always, Always, Always the Warthog and the Hippo.

I've mentioned before that Max is having a problem audibly and verbally distinguishing B,C,D & E. I think they all sound the same to him. He gets them about 50% of the time. He does know square really well and the color brown. He's got 2 down pretty well and has been know to count the steps he walks down up to the number 10 (He's brilliant, I know!)

We did a terrible, terrible job at making the beds. We failed so miserably that I'm sad to say that we probably only made the beds a handful of times. Although, to be fair , this month was kind of rough and getting out of bed each day was considered a small miracle.

Finally, I've wrote so much about the classical music, I will say little more. Except to say, a month gave me just enough time to barely scratch the surface of this lovely genre and I look forward to revisting it when I can.

Now.....on to green.....

Explanation - E!

2009-11-23T23:12:00.000-06:00

So, today I started a new job. Is it a dream job? No. Is it a job that matches my current skills and experience? No. Is it a job in my field? Yes. Am I incredibly grateful for ANY job? Yes.

This job requires me to dress all in black. (No, I will not be working in a Funeral Home. ) As mentioned, any paid gig allows me to deviate from the color of the month. This is definitely a paid gig. Will I wear brown (almost green) before work? Yes. Will I wear Brown (almost green) after work? Yes.

Moving on to E!

Every elite endeavor exacts extraordinary energy.

"EEEK!", exclaimed Eva.

Early each evening, Edgar eats eggs.

Enormous elephant ears escaped Ethiopia's evil.

Envious Emily Examined Ella's Exquisite Earrings.

Enough.

Still Processing....

2009-11-22T20:35:00.001-06:00

By Inches -Maya Stein

You want it here and now, a remedy for everything
gone wrong. A magic wand, perhaps, alighted
on your shoulders. An angel whispering
sweet nothings while you sleep so you wake benighted
with certainty that you are whole once again. You realize
your patience is diminishing, and yet what's required is the reverse.
This will not be some biblical miracle before your eyes,
a transformation of movie star proportions. No, healing is a slow nurse,
pausing bedside with drips of water, a hot cloth, a murmur of a touch.
By inches, a change sneaks into you, even if it doesn’t look like much.

More Twos: "You and Me" Edition

2009-11-21T15:27:00.003-06:00

Things that come in twos:

2009-11-20T22:45:00.001-06:00

Socks
Mittens
Shoes
Turtledoves
Chopsticks
Earrings
Peanutbutter Cups
Twins
Boobs
Twinkies
Spectacles
Peanutbutter and Jelly
Salt and Pepper
The animals on Noah's Ark
Tom and Jerry
Testicles
Arms
Legs
Eyes
Batman and Robin
Handcuffs
Skiis
Headphones
Scissors
Lungs
Knitting Needles

You and Me

And Now Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming: Is it really Hip to be Square?

2009-11-17T21:59:00.001-06:00

We all know (or should know) that a square is composed up of 4 right (or 90 degree) angles. That's important but not as interesting as the slang that as evolved from the term "square".

What's a square you say?

Well are you asking for a square? If so, you're likely asking for a cigarette.

How about saying: "Lemme give you the $20. I owe you. Now we're all square" . You would be using "square" to say that we're even.

Also, commonly used - I won that hat fair and square! Which has an element of honesty to it.

Now here's a little spiel taken from Wikipedia:

In the parlance of jazz, a square was a person who failed to appreciate the medium, more broadly someone who was out of date or out of touch, hence the saying "be there or be square". In the counterculture movements that started in the 1940s and took momentum in the 1960s a "square" referred to someone who clung to repressive, traditional, stereotypical, one-sided, or "in the box" ways of thinking. The term was used by hipsters in the 1940s, beatniks in the 1950s, hippies in the 1960s, yippies in the 1970s, and other individuals who took part in the movements which emerged to contest the more conservative national, political, religious, philosophical, musical and social trends

Then there was the Huey Lewis video in the 80s "Hip to be Square". This song was also used in American Psycho which portrayed the scariest square guy in the history of man.

Do I think it's "hip to be square"? Well, I would have to say that although I do not seem very square at all, deep down inside I do have some old fashioned tendencies. I also tend to really rather like "square" people. (ie: Meg and her strict adherence to rules.). However, I never really think of myself as a square. I'm more of an octagon but we won't talk about THAT until February!

Barns burnt down. Now I can see the moon.

2009-11-17T21:13:00.001-06:00

I've cried. I've wallowed. I've asked "Why?". I've been angry. I've laid in bed too much.

I think it's o.k. to "be where I am at". I think it's important that I processed what was happening to my body both physically and emotionally. I'm not over it but I'm ready to move on.

Which is great because you and I? We have a lot to talk about!

Such as:

Our trip to the zoo
Brown (with pictures!)
Clay Adventures
Square
E

With two short weeks left of this month, you can guarantee in the next few days I will definitely be picking up the blogging pace!

In fact, there MAY (hint, hint) even be a day or two of double postings! Double Postings?!?!?!? Yes, Indeed.

(P.S. Remember that fancy little gallery job I mentioned?! Totally got it! I'm definitely starting to see that moon!)

Keep Calm and Carry On.

2009-11-13T23:23:00.002-06:00

You know, the beauty of writing here is that there is the possibility of no one and everyone reading this blog all at the same time. This is great because it gives me a supposed audience. Although the exact quote escapes me right this moment, one of my favorite writers, Margaret Atwood wrote in the Handmaid's Tale about how she wrote her audience into existence. The simple act of of my writing this down creates a reader.

So, I feel that when I sit down to write I need to give that reader something of value. I also feel, due to the nature of this blog, I have a semi-commitment to staying "on topic". Finally, I'm not sure how much of my personal life I want to impart.

Where am I going with all of this? You see, while the project HAS been continuing on, I've been struggling with something and it's taking up all of my resources and I've been debating whether or not to share it.

Here goes;

I've been rather sick lately and have been recently diagnosed with a disease that would fall under the topic of "Women's Issues" (a term my 76 year old German Mother-in-Law likes to use). Although most of the symptoms are basically discomforts it does have some larger ramifications that I'm dealing with both physically and emotionally.

It is a difficult thing when the thing we most rely on to function properly, our bodies, betrays us. There are people far sicker and with far more serious diseases than I and I do not know how they deal with the idea that their body simply let them down. I placed my faith in my body that it would work when I wanted it to work for as long as I wanted it to work (which I hope will still be for many, many years). It's a shocking slap in the face when I need to look at my lifestyle and the things I chose to put in and do to my body to see that maybe this was a two-sided relationship and I was just a "taker" and mostly not a "giver". That this was likely an abusive relationship. Although, my "issue" is not something I created and something I had absolutely no control over, I can't help but feel that maybe my body feels like I betrayed it too.

So, this is where I am at.

I am also this very second (and all the other seconds of this month) wearing brown Tomorrow is my husbands birthday and I made him a little clay heart. As I type this I'm listening to Sarah Brightman sing "Vide cor Meum" (and it's a heartbreakingly beautiful salve to body). Max can tell you when something is Brown and when something is square. He's still working on D and E. I think it's because B, C, D & E all sound kind of the same to him. We've gone to the Zoo already and hope to go again. He's long been able to count to the # 2. Beds are mostly being made, but you see, I'm just having a hard time getting out of bed these days. I hope you understand.

November is all about taking it all in, savoring what's beautiful and carrying on bit by bit.

Low.

2009-11-11T00:46:00.000-06:00

As a part of my classical music listening this month I wanted to include some opera. My grandmother loved opera and would often blast Pavarotti throughout the house. I've been listening to a lot of Puccini's Turandot today. "Nessun Dorma" has long been my favorite from that opera. I've been feeling rather low these days. This song has really helped soothe my soul.

D is for Diana and Dots!!!!

2009-11-08T21:35:00.001-06:00

Photo 758, originally uploaded by artinlifeproject.

(J is for Jazz Hands!)

I'd Love To....

2009-11-05T22:13:00.000-06:00

.....write all about our really fun and amazing zoo trip yesterday, I'd love to talk about the Letter D and all its divine and delicious delights. I'd love to talk about how it's hip to be square or how making the bed in the morning is coming along quite naturally.

But I can't. Because I'm sick. Sick in more ways than one. Also, one of my dearest friends who I haven't seen in a year and a half is coming to Chicago tomorrow and I'm too busy being giddy about her arrival (and pretending not to be sick) to articulate on anything else. Finally, I've been interviewing for a small little gig at a fun little gallery and I really want this job and I'd love to talk all about it but I don't want to jinx it.

Instead, I WILL say that I can't find a single brown thing I"m willing to interview in so I'm announcing that I"m taking my Free Day tomorrow.

And I'd love to have some witty end to tie this whole post together but really? I've got nothing for ya today.

Play-Dough is Clay for Toddlers.

2009-11-03T20:33:00.000-06:00

So, today I made play-dough. When I said that to a friend on the phone just now she was impressed, but it really wasn't hard at all.

Do YOU want to make play-dough? Here's how:

1 cup (250ml) boiling water
1/2 cup (125ml) salt
1 cup (250ml) flour
1 tbsp. (15ml) each oil , cream of tartar (a preservative), and food coloring.
Boil the water, add the salt, and bring back to the boil. Remove from heat, add the flour, oil, cream of tartar and food coloring. When the mixture is cool enough to handle, knead until it's smooth.

(This recipe was taken from www.makeplaydough.com an AMAZING website that has all kinds of fun crafty things for kids!)

My playdough is a bright and vivid blue (I simply couldn't/wouldn't make brown play-dough.). It was really malleable and when it was warm, it was really quite nice. Max liked it too and he only tried to eat it once (it's pretty salty so I think he was deterred by that). He kept grabbing an indistinct mass and exclaiming, "LOOK, KITTY" or "LOOK, DINOSAUR"! Clearly he's as easily entertained as I am.

I'm thinking this would be a really nice christmas gift for toddlers/younger kids. Different colored balls of play-dough each in their own little mason jar.

How Now Brown Cow?

2009-11-02T21:34:00.000-06:00

NOVEMBER is:

Number: 2
Letters: D, E
Color: Brown
Shape: Square
Music: Classical
Medium: Clay
Location: Zoo
Habit: Make the bed every morning

After all the excitement of last month, this month feels like I'm falling into a nice soft (brown) pillow. My initial experiences with this months categories is that they are rather soothing. Brown is a soothing color. It lacks the bright joy of Yellow. I don't feel like I stand out in brown. The Classical music I listened to all morning had a very soothing quality to it. Pushing your hands into some clay has a very relaxing quality to it. There is something very nurturing about all of this.

Just like the blues, classical music is something I have very little experience with. (I have to admit, iIm not going to miss the blues.) So, I'd be grateful for any great recommendations. There are so many subcategories to Classical music. Do you want to listen to Baroque? How about Restoration? Opera? Romantic? Celtic? Medieval? Classical Crossover? It goes on and on. I could really use some direction. So today, I found this amazing website based out of Boston. Not only does it have great podcasts of Classical performances (with little stories about the performers) but it also livestreams classical music 24 hours a day. YES! I turned it up loud and it seemed to fill up all the nooks and crannies in the apartment. I think I'm going to like this.

Changing my life over from Yellow to Brown has not been as horrible as I thought. I loved the Yellow. I'm really glad the project started with yellow because it was a bit of a challenge and a major life change. Wearing Yellow everyday is kind of special. Wearing brown every day? Not a big deal. In fact, I think this might be a little too easy. However, I think it's nice that some colors will be hard and some will be a bit simpler. I'm not much of a brown person, I prefer black over brown. I DO have brown clothes though and they all are kind of cozy comfy clothes. Like today, I'm wearing a some brown cotton pants (the kind with a lot of pockets) and a pink and brown striped thermal and tan socks and my brown doc marten shoes I've had since I was 19. (In fact, I WAS a brown person in my teens!) Yesterday, I wore a brown long-sleeved t-shirt with some detailing, jeans and my brown mary jane doc martens. Do you see a pattern forming here? I do.

I have to admit that I haven't really started working on the other categories because the baby has been at his Oma's but he comes back tomorrow and we will begin in earnest then.

The last thing I'd like to talk about is the New Habits. I used the word "Habit" because I wanted to pick things that I felt would be good for us to try and if it works; to maintain. So, I'm definitely going to keep exercising. I have to say that I didn't see a lot of visible results with my daily exercising from last month but it did make me feel good. Hopefully, as I progress perhaps 20 mins a day can turn into 30, etc.

The bed making habit is something we tried when we first moved into this apartment and it kind of fell off the map. I've really come to appreciate the value of getting into a bed that's been made at night. I don't think we'll have to much of a problem with this.

Finally, I know I've not been very cohesive in this post and my writing has been spotty at best. So, please accept my apologies. I'm a little under the weather but I wanted to get this month started officially. The comments and encouragement from this blog really helped carry me through this month. Thanks for that.

October Recap (or mellow yellow.)

2009-10-30T16:03:00.001-05:00

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.

Slightly Off-Topic

2009-10-28T18:22:00.000-05:00

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?

Brought To You By The Letter "C" :

2009-10-26T15:53:00.001-05:00

Letter - C (Cropped), originally uploaded by GrumpyBear276.

In Honor of the Number One:

2009-10-25T01:29:00.000-05:00

Field Museum!

2009-10-21T22:14:00.000-05:00

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.

b-b-b-B!

2009-10-18T23:51:00.000-05:00

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.

Accountability

2009-10-16T23:03:00.001-05:00

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.

Chartreuse to you too...

2009-10-13T21:11:00.001-05:00

IMG_3236, originally uploaded by artinlifeproject.

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.

I'd like to dedicate this to my husband, in case he ever gets around to reading this blog:

2009-10-12T00:28:00.004-05:00

Triangle Solo:

Triangular

2009-10-12T00:14:00.000-05:00

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.

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...

2009-10-11T01:55:00.002-05:00

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.

In Other News.....

2009-10-10T05:39:00.002-05:00

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.

This I Don't Like.....

2009-10-07T17:30:00.002-05:00

Amorous

It just sounds too darn.....MOIST.

Thank you for following along.

These I Like....

2009-10-07T03:48:00.000-05:00

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!

Meanderings

2009-10-05T17:56:00.001-05:00

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.

Not the Every Day Kind of Girl

2009-10-04T12:14:00.002-05:00

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.

In Moderation....

2009-10-02T23:53:00.000-05:00

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!

There's No Turning Back Now!

2009-10-01T15:34:00.000-05:00

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.

And So It Goes.....

2009-09-30T17:00:00.005-05:00

I've had a lot of crazy ideas in my time and I'm am great at starting projects. Finishing Projects? Not so good. However, I have decided to commit myself and my son (and my husband as far as he's willing to participate) to a year long project that involves a certain amount of dedication. Why are you doing this? Well let me start from the beginning.......

There were three major kernels of thinking that created this project:

1. Like most folks these days, I don't have a job and since I'm also not in school (Does anyone else love school as much as I do?), I have little to occupy myself with. There has also been a significant lack of art output in my life. I feel mostly uninspired and if I am inspired I am not executing those ideas. As a woman and an artist, I'd like to be continually evolving and right now I'm feeling rather stagnant.

2. My (amazing) son Max, turns 3 in March. This means that he will be 3 1/2 when he starts preschool and I'd like to start putting some effort at real learning at home.

3. I was speaking to my Mother about buying clothes and my closet and what I wear and what I don't wear. The same goes for the Refrigerator. Do we buy more than we need? In an era and a country of major consumption sometimes we are plagued by too many choices. What if we narrowed things down a bit? Would it be harder or easier? What would it be like to place some very intentional focus into several aspects of our lives?

So, I've created this crazy art and learning project wherein for each month for one year we will limit our focus in each of these areas:

Number
Letter
Color
Shape
Musical Genre
Art Medium
Chicago Cultural Institution
New Habit (Not included in chart. See Below)

So , I came up (or divided into) 12 of each of these areas and dropped them in a box and picked them randomly. (Say YES, to Artistic Chaos!) This is what I ended up with:

October	November	December	January
1	2	3	4
ABC	DE	FG	HI
Yellow	Brown	Green	Orange
Triangle	Square	Diamond	Rectangle
Blues	Classical	Folk	Hip/Hop
Crayons	Clay	Fabric	Dance
Field Museum	Zoo	Shedd Aquarium	Chinatown

February	March	April*	May
5	6	7	8
JK	LM	NO	PQ
Purple	Blue	Gray	Red
Octagon	Circle	Star	Crescent
Jazz	Polka	Motown	Country
Paper	Musical Instruments	Cooking	Acting/Theatre Arts
Art Institute	Nature Museum	Planetarium	MCA

June	July	August	September
9	10	11	12
RS	TU	VW	XYZ
Black	Silver/Gold**	Pink	White
Oval	Heart	Trapezoid	Pentagon
Reggae	Latin	Rock	Middle Eastern
Chalk	Acrylic Paint	Pencils/Markers	Watercolor
Botanical Garden	Children's Museum	Science&Industry	Millenium Park

* Now Sam, Stars and Planetarium in the same month? You really just drew both out of a box? Well, No. There were a couple switches that had to be made for the Cultural Location based on weather, so I took the opportunity to put those two together. I also originally had Middle Eastern music slotted for December. Ultimately, I decided that we wouldn't really explore Middle Eastern music that much admist Christmas Carols and replaced it with Folk (which originally landed in September). Folk music is something we are pretty familiar with already so it doesn't need to be explored as much and can also likely be incorporated into our Christmas Carol listening (which Middle Eastern probably wouldn't be). However, everything else is just as it came out. Pinky Swear!

** I had a hard time coming up with a 12th color, so I chose Silver/Gold. I'm a little worried about our ability to find Silver and Gold clothes. Max has none and I only have one pair of Gold Lame' panties. So, I think we have some thinking to do and would GLADLY take suggestions (from the 2 people who will probably read this! Hi, Mom!)

OKAY!

So what does all this mean? (Are you lost, yet? This has been crazy hard to explain if you don't exist inside my head.) The overall idea is to create an atmosphere where these specific categorizations are constantly absorbed into our daily living and consciousness. The challenge is to make us more mindful of our choices. It will definitely be a bit tricky at times but hopefully also pretty fun.

Let's take it by each category:

Number

Clearly some of the categories are more reflective as an educational tool for Max. Hopefully though, I as an artist and thinker will find ways to incorporate the more simple areas creatively. Each month we will focus on that particular number. We will count to that number. We will identify objects in the quantity of that number. Could he possibly learn to add or subtract with that number? Could he actually learn to write it?

Letters

Similar in objective to the Number. This one is easier for me to incorporate(ie: Lists of A things. Looking up definitions for unfamiliar words that start with T).

Color

This is where it gets trickier. One major clothing item in the color of the month has to be worn every day for that month. The more color the better. Foods of that color should be eaten. Some art should be made with that color. Whatever area that color can be absorbed in, it should happen. (Are you really going to wear yellow for an entire month? Won't you get sick of it? How will you do it? Yes, Probably and we both have very vibrant closets. We will also pick up a few items from thrift stores if necessary. The idea is to limit our choices and focus on a color. Does that mean more laundry? Probably, but it also means that laundry won't ever pile up the way it does now.)

Shape

Again this is similar in scope as the Number and Letters categories. The shape should be recognized by the end of month. It should be drawn and it should be related to real world objects. (Some of these are pretty self-explanatory.)

Musical Genre

The musical genre is the thing to be listening to almost to the exclusion of other music. (ie: "almost" means that in December it's o.k. to listen to Christmas Carols at holiday parties and while trimming the tree but when not listening to christmas carols we should be listening to Folk music.) The musical genre should be researched and fully understood. For Max, this should be the music we listen to during our kitchen dance sessions, etc. For me, everything else goes out of my ipod in October and only the blues goes in. If at all possible, a live concert should be attended by all (or some).

Art Medium

All art work should be represented by the medium, experimented with by Max and at least one art piece created by using the medium. The only exception for this is a specific commission, performance, daily cooking and if it's necessary to make a present for someone (However, if at all possible, the medium should be used even for this. I just make most of my gifts and I worry about November folks and my ability to make something out clay or how many folks who have January birthdays really want the gift of dance from me?)

Chicago Cultural Institution

The Chicago cultural location must be visited at least once, preferably twice. We want to become really familiar with it (because often we don't get to see everything in one visit.) It would be useful to do some research to precede the trip and incorporate aspects of the location into other areas of the project.

New Habit

I added this after I created all the others and it's definitely the scariest part of the project for me. It will definitely also be the hardest. While I was thinking about the other areas of the project, some of them were so focused on Max that I wanted to add something that would really be a challenge. (In another world, an adult version of this project would include authors, cultures, artists, food and films.) I also decided that I really want this to be somehow life altering in a really healthy way. So I added the "New Habit" catergory. Ever day for that month we will incorporate this New Habit into our lives. Since some of them are longer (and I did it after) I just created the list here. I've still picked these out of a box at random:

October: Exercise for 20 mins Everyday
November: Make the Bed Every Morning
December: Clean 15 Mins before bedtime. (Max before his, Me before mine.)
January: Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day. (For Max, Little Dixie Cups)
February: Mail a Card or Little Letter to someone Every Day
March: No Eating Out or Ordering In*
April: No Meat
May: No Sweets
June: No Cab Rides*
July: No TV Watching
August: Eat Nothing Pre-Packaged
September: Start a consistent Recycling Regime

* We are going to say that these habits are essential except in very special pre-planned situations or emergency situations (ie: I already have a plan for Max's birthday that involves eating at a very special restaurant. Or, yes we will exercise everyday in October but if I get really sick and am in bed for the day, I will be excused from the exercising. OR say we have a real emergency and we need to say, get to the hospital fast and a cab ride is our only quick and reasonable option...we're taking a cab.)

Which brings to mind my original idea of having a "Free Day" at the end of every month. One day in which the rules don't apply. ANY color can be worn! Any music can be heard! No New Habit to maintain! Perhaps it would be better to give freedom to choice of the "Free Day". So there, it is. Evolution of the project already. One "Free Day" each month with the freedom to choose which day it will be.

Finally, I thought to myself, maybe I should write about this? How much can we learn and reflect if we don't keep a written record of the process? Will a public announcement make us more likely to stick with it when things get tough? Will it be really helpful to be accountable? Maybe I should start a blog?

Now I've really gone and done it.