TCB

It's tax time, deadlines at work are looming, and my personal bizness to-do list is growing. So I'm going to take a break from posting this week and give these areas of my life some attention. I hope to return next week feeling very accomplished and having cleared some space on my internal hard-drive, fresh for blogging.

In honor of my own current battle through resistance, I am posting one of my favorites from the War of Art.

R E S I S T A N C E' S G R E A T E S T H I T S

The following is a list, in no particular order, of those activities, which most commonly elicit Resistance:

1) The pursuit of any calling in writing, painting, music, film, dance, or any creative art, however marginal or unconventional.

2) The launching of any entrepreneurial venture or enterprise, for profit or otherwise.

3) Any diet or health regimen.

4) Any program of spiritual advancement.

5) Any activity whose aim is tighter abdominals.

6) Any course or program designed to overcome an unwholesome habit or addiction.

7) Education of every kind.

8) Any act of political, moral or ethical courage, including the decision to change for the better some unworthy pattern of thought or conduct in ourselves.

9) The undertaking of any enterprise or endeavor whose aim is to help others.

10) Any act which entails commitment of the heart. The decision to get married, to have a child, to weather a rocky patch in a relationship.

11) The taking of any principled stand in the face of potential reprisal.

In other words, any act which disdains short-term gratification in favor of long-term growth, health or integrity. Or, expressed another way, any act that derives from our higher nature instead of our lower. Any act of these types will elicit Resistance.

A Weekend with Mr. Stearns and the Beales

My insanely wonderful package arrived a day ahead of Mr. Stearns. It contained many wonderful things, including an Eggleston book, the new Amy Sedaris book, teas from Chinatown in San Francisco, and fancy Australian salt. My most beloved item would have to be the Grey Gardens box set. I have had the Netflix Grey Gardens for over a month, now I can send it back. I really like this newly released footage, in many ways more than the original release. Mr Stearns and I have been enjoying this footage while he's here for a few days.

ps Do not waste your $8 on The Queen.

Antique Auction

My friend Keme is in town from San Francisco and we have been having some good country fun with her family in Charlotte. Pork Chops on Saturday night with the fun squad, breakfast at Jarman's Market on Sunday morning, and Tuesday night her Daddy's Antique Auction in Van Leer. Charlie (Keme's Daddy) let us dig for treasure at the auctionhouse Saturday night. I found some great scarves,a cart with wheels for the studio space, and an old watch, among other treasures. I also had my eye on some things that were already marked for auction: some very unique buttons and a green glass vase. I won those at the auction last night, but Charlie paid for them (he's just like that). I did win and purchase for myself a little antique kitchen stool. Keme's Momma, Sandra was working the snack bar at the auction. They were out of cheeseburgers by the time my brother and I got there, but she made us hot dogs and tater tots, brownie sundaes for dessert. If you have never been to a country auction, you should check it out...it's a good time. If you leave anywhere near Nashville, the Van Leer Country Auction is on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30. Here's a little preview...

tales from the goodwill outlet

If you have a Goodwill outlet in your town, you should really check it out. They get all of the merchandise that didn't sell at the regular Goodwills...and it is unbelievable what you find. Clothing is priced by the pound ($1.49) and shoes are $1-$1.99, housewares start at at .25 and furniture is rarely over $20.
It's funky, it smells weird, and you have to dig through bins to find the gems, but it is so worth it.
Here's my haul from Friday...

I would have paid $20 just for the cute black flats (which are kind-of hidden), but I paid $15 for the whole shabang. I have big plans for those American Tourister bags (I'll keep you posted on that) and the antique mirror will be hanging in good spot very soon. I have been spoiled for "real" thrift store prices.

Office hoops

I did two shows at the office today. Nobody seemed very impressed. Only Gina from across the hall was interested in trying the hoop. It's ok, I don't need any outside encouragement, my love for the hoop is a deep love.

More presents and other good stuff

My friend Shona got an extra calendar from a trade with Misselz, and oh how I love it! It is sold out, so I feel very fortunate to have it gracing the wall of my little studio.
Speaking of Shona.. have you seen her gnome shirts? They are nothing short of fabulous. I am buying one for myself and a couple as gifts. I suspect she is going to sell out of these pretty darn quick, so get while the gettin' is good. I hope this will be the beginning of a whole new medium for my little letterpress genius.
I'm thinking of participating in the Wardrobe Refashion'07 challenge. It would kickstart me into use of the dressform I got for xmas (remember I have no excuse) and it would be awfully fun. I'll just have to get a headset for my home phone so that I can still talk to Mr. Stearns while I make stuff.

I like presents and presence

My friend Vaile is so enamored with yarn, that she gave herself carpal tunnel syndrome within a few weeks of picking up needles. I'm happy to report that she has recovered and is knitting at a slightly more sane pace (and she has learned how to hold "loose"). The great thing about teaching people to knit is that they often knit you something as a thank you. This weekend Vaile presented me with this lovely mohair and wool scarf. It looks great with my pumpkin-colored coat and will enjoy many years warming my neck.

If you are my friend in real-life, then you know I have been spending a lot of time on the phone to Seattle lately. I hate the damn phone, but it is the only way to converse with people who are many miles away. In what I hope is the beginning of many collaborations, Mr. Seattle and I have decided to create a photo blog together. Check it out if you like and leave us a note.

Global Warming

While 70 degree days in January aren't that uncommon, I don't recall ever seeing actual blossoms on cherry trees until at least April.

Cold front is rolling in...cherry blossoms aren't long for this world.

Pear-Shaped Girls Like Pear-Shaped Things

Ever since my twenties I have been a distinctly pear-shaped girl. Even when I was very thin, I still had my hips and my longish torso just accentuates the bottom of the curve. I don't mind being shaped like this, it's supposedly a healthier shape to be than the "apple" shape. I'm used to taking in the waist of every pair of pants I buy and reaching for the a-line skirts.

I also like the association with the fruit. When they are at their ugliest and most imperfect on the outside they are the most delicious.

The image of the pear is one of my favorites, perhaps because I am a bit self-involved. I love this pear-patterned Orla Kiely fabric on the pear-shaped chair above and her fun umbrella has been added to my wishlist.

My favorite interpretation of pear-shaped is the lesser known phrase describing a situation that went awry, perhaps horribly wrong. A failed bank robbery, for example, could be said to have "gone pear-shaped". The phrase seems to visualise the original plan as a perfect circle, and the failed execution as a distorted figure, hence "pear-shaped".

I believe I am a pear-shaped girl living in pear-shaped world.

Thrifting Booty

Today I went to a thrift store that I have driven by many times, but haven't stopped in. It will be added to the regular rounds. No clothing, but lots of buttons, some pins, a little bird & a little pitcher, an embroidered tea towel, a Thai cookbook, pillows, fabric...good finds. Also found some sweaters for felting projects at the Goodwill Outlet. This weekend I am going to make some headband prototypes so that I will have patterns to work from when my band forms arrive in a few weeks.

Live Music in 2006

I didn't get out as much as I would have liked this year. It was a busy one, with finishing up school, starting a new job and such; however, there were a few memorable evenings that deserve noting.

Yeah Yeah Yeah's at War Memorial
Fever to Tell still gets heavy rotation on my playlists, and Karen O is one the coolest girls in rock and roll since Chrissie Hynde. I could watch Karen O do almost anything, even forget the words to her songs (which she did a few times that night). This video is from the recent tour and shows her wrapping things around her head and her crazy harlequin-punk costumes designed by Christian Joy.


Cold War Kids at the Basement
I went to this show to see Figurines, and my friend went to see Tapes 'n Tapes. We had no idea that this little band of scruffy kids was going to steal the show. Highlights for me included percussion on a Pelligrino bottle and the spastic bass player. This video captures the vibe from that night and is also one of my favorite songs. They are getting a lot of attention now from their Robbers and Cowards release, it is well deserved.


Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris, and Gillian Welch at the Opry
I am a Nashville native and I've never been to see the Opry. There, I said it. When Terrance came for a visit, he wanted to see the Opry and we were both excited at the lineup. I've seen a lot of shows at the Ryman, but seeing the Opry there is very very different. In addition to Emmylou, Buddy, and Gillian, Vince Gill was there and a few Opry old-timers sang Christmas songs. The Del McCoury Band also showed up and Buddy Miller sang his wife's "All My Tears" which is ironically impossible to not cry through. It was a moving very sweet, funny, and warm evening. How can you not love Little Jimmie Dickens?

Full Wolf Moon

I'm feeling a little discombobulated, funky, and restless. I am going to attribute this to the New Year, the full wolf moon, and perhaps the mold in my basement. I have been taking stock of things, labeling, organizing, cleaning up, tossing out, assessing, welcoming in, and bringing order and intention into my life for the new year. This process inevitably uncovers some things that aren't fun to look at (which is why I put them under rocks in the first place). It is time to do the undone things and deal with demons before they deal with me. I'll allow myself some dustbunnies in my head, bones in the closet, and hiding under rocks again, but now it's time to clean it up.

Wolf Like Me TV on the Radio

now I have no excuse

Santa Claus completely surprised me with a dress form under the tree. Now I just need to dig up some of my sketches and fabrics, tune up my sewing machine and work on my basic skills. I'm pretty rusty, so perhaps I will start with some alterations before I launch into full-scale constructions. By spring I should be cranking out a new wardrobe.

ringing in the new year

Good fun with friends (and safely off the streets) is the best way to welcome a new year. Chicken spaghetti, salad, a bath for Little Ella and Big Heather, Penny's wedding cookies, knitting with Vaile, and another trip to Grey Gardens to see Big & Little Edie. I made it to midnight for the first time in a few years.