When the Sun Came Out I Went to the Pet Store Today

This huge German Shepherd dog was left out in his owners car, at the pet food store.
And this chap, so loved his owner that he didn't even notice me standing next to the car taking his sweet, sweet picture.

With Westminster Dog show this weekend and pet sitting withdrawl all I can think about is:
I so want a dog!!!!
How about a St. Bernard! 4 AKC pups still available!
Or how about a Beagle??? I so want a dog!!!

Been Following the Tea Party... but the fact remains

I've been following the politics meets sociology phenomenon The Tea Party.
And many shocking things are catching my attention. This is not a political blog. But the fact remains: Bad Spellers of the World - UNTIE!!
See For Yourself! Thanks Jimmy Kimmel!
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SNOW DAY! Kids go sledding!!

The past three days have been miserable and dangerous on the roads.
Hundreds of car accidents on roads. Trecherous to get anywhere.
Two days of school closing at noon, practically state wide. Oy vey!
Today school was cancelled. By late afternoon the sun came out. Cabin Fever now had a cure: The blanket of fresh snow was calling kids out to play and go sledding and tubing! And it was fun and refreshing to see kids out and about enjoying their snow day!

More freakin' Snow. This is getting ridiculous. And expected to be a 3 day storm.

I'm grateful to not be in Philly or in DC where the whole city shut down. But this picture is taken out my car window. The snow is THAT tall piles up off the street from Le Plow. These folks left their holly day decor in their tree. That is a lot of snow accumulation. I'm just sayin'.

More Snow. Theme: Snow on Tractors

Thanks to the Snow, I found a whole new beauty in the unfamiliar: farm implements.
Who knew?

Theme of the Day: What does your Tshirt Say about you?

The green shirt is first, because it is my favorite. Its from a junior high. I'm sure it was part of a peer helper intervention/leadership program. Great! But, yo yo yo, the "peace sign" you used in your little logo? Check yourself befo' you wreck yo'self. That's a Mercedes Benz sign. Ha ha ha! I mean, google images is not that hard to use. Google Peace sign has THREE prongs. Benzes has TWO. So this Tshirt tells me only the poshest yuppie kids are allowed to be Peer Helpers!
Maybe this shirt is from a school in the Hamptons!! :D Haaaa ha ha ha!

Detail: Scarf and Hat

Theme of the Day: On your feet - Uncomfortable but Fun

Theme of the Day: Colorful Toys

Theme of the Day: Vintage Plates

Expressionist Digital: Suits on Saturday

Expressionist -- like Monet. Digital -- From my ancient cell phone's camera.
Suits on a Sunday -- High School Cafeteria on a Saturday morning; all students in business suits for the Speech compettion. Next Saturday I'll bring my real camera.

Reflections of the Way Life Used to Be

Adulthood is increasingly teaching me that Adulthood is about navigating loss and grief and learning to keep moving forward. Here at the end of the month I just want to honor those I miss. And today I watched the movie Meet The Robinsons for the first time. Oh I just cried for the last 10 minutes. The tears felt good. Movies like that really help me grieve. Now that I look back over this post. I look at their names and their pictures and I hear them whisper back at me "Caaaaarrrrpe. Carpe Diem."

I miss you Ann-Marie. Thank you for making me laugh and telling me I have gifts the world needs. You were a kindred spirit for a fellow Wacky Chick. Thank you for who you were and all you did.


I miss you Debbie. Many of my childhood happy memories happened when we came out to visit you and your family. Of all the people I know, I don't have any bad memories of you, it was such a blessing to see your three kids on Friday after 15 years. What a gift you were to so many.


I miss you Truman. Mankato doesn't have icons, but that's the category I'll always put you in, even if you yourself would not like to have been remembered as someone on a pedestal. I miss your gregarious approachabiliy, love of learning and love of people, and even your love of new-fangled technology. Most of all I love that day when I was over for lunch and you took my picture with Reta and Jean. You showed me what "Bloom where you are planted" really means. Its been a month now since you left us, but you are never far from my thoughts. I want to be like you my friend. I just wish you were here to tell me how. Here's the article I have read a dozen times already.

I miss you Howard Zinn. My American history teacher, writer champion-guru, and turns out Matt Damon's neighbor. Matt, The bar scene in Good Will Hunting, and My University History classes and then later me teaching with your texts in the classroom, I count those as part of our 6 degrees of separation. You single handedly re-wrote history to make it real and accessible. You pointed out the humanity and the problems that encompass the lasting effects of people's actions on history. The People's History of the United States, and all of your writings are now more cherished in my heart and my library. From your arrival in the 1920s, you saw it all, you participated in it all-- and then taught what you knew! You were a writer whose voice of being a 'liberal lion' I admired. I'm sad that I'll never get to meet you as once hoped and dreamed of. Howard, I consider you the friend that told me that American History classes have to be taught differently at the HS and University level if there is to be any change in how this nation sees it self. Thank you Mr. Zinn.

J.D.Salinger... You loved your Privacy. WE loved your words. Glad to discover that your short stories published in the New Yorker so many decades ago are now available online for reading and enjoying all over again.

Miep Gies. Thanks for keeping Anne's story alive. Our lives are better because of your 100 years on the planet with us, what you saw, who you loved, who you kept hidden, whose words you found, yet did not read because you believed even a teenage girl's privacy was sacred; you who kept those writings safe until you could pass them on to her Father's safe keeping. Miep, your humility great:
"I don't want to be considered a hero," Miep said in a 1997 online chat with schoolchildren. "Imagine young people would grow up with the feeling that you have to be a hero to do your human duty. I am afraid nobody would ever help other people, because who is a hero? I was not. I was just an ordinary housewife and secretary." So many amazing people by choice and historic niceties, their names and faces will never be known. We know you because you, darling Miep, were one name and face we could honor because you represented the thousands of souls who worked tirelessly for what was right, but we will never know their name or their specific story. We loved you Miep because you gave us just one story, just one little book, and for that, we are ever grateful. God Bless Anne and your diary and God Bless all those lost to war's atrocities and Bless those who are just ordinary people doing their human duty every day to help their neighbors.

Erich Segal. You were one of the premier go-to professors of Greek/Latin. Students at Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Oxford were blessed and lucky to have you as their teacher. In a eulogy delivered at his funeral, his daughter Francesca said, "That he fought to breathe, fought to live, every second of the last 30 years of illness with such mind-blowing obduracy, is a testament to the core of who he was -- a blind obsessionality that saw him pursue his teaching, his writing, his running and my mother, with just the same tenacity. He was the most dogged man any of us will ever know."[Thanks Wikipedia] I just want to say thank you for writing Love Story and screenwriting Yellow Submarine oh so many years ago.

Just sayin'

Not a picture, but worth capturinga few Twitterings from the people I follow.

Recent Twitter post:
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 9:40:53 PM
NiaVardalos: RT @johncmayer: More people would watch the State of the Union Address if President Obama introduced a new gadget at the end. Just sayin'.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 11:01:50 PM
GhostPanther: As my 9 year old said about Obama tonight "It's easier to talk than to do" But she also wants to eat cupcakes in the pool.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 11:07:49 PM
aplusk: dear congress, stop trying so hard to get re-elected and try a little harder to represent my best interest #dearcongress

Saturday, January 30, 2010, 5:42:33 PM
tonyrobbins: The iPhone & iPad will now allow skype over At&t 3G wireless. http://bit.ly/aWFb5t too bad they didn't put camera on iPad 4 video conf

Wanted: Immediate Helpful Feedback in my Life

Going Thru an old stack of Mary Engelbreit Magazines I saw this and took a picture of it. Two things about needing a good, new teacher to encourage me crossed my path today. This is exactly where I am at too.
From Penelope Trunk, Brazen Careerist's blog:
Being an expert takes time, not talent
Thursday, January 28, 2010, 11:39:02 PM | Penelope Trunk

I've been walking around with the July/August 2007 issue of the Harvard Business Review constantly, for close to three years.

The article that I’m attached to is The Making of an Expert by Anders Ericsson, Michael Prietula and Edward Cokely. I would not normally bother to tell you all three authors for one article in my blog. This is not a medical journal. But I love the article so much, that I want you to know all of them.

The article changed how I think about what I am doing here. In my life. I think I am trying to be an expert.

Being an expert is not what you think, probably. For one thing, the article explains that “there is no correlation between IQ and expert performance in fields such as chess, music, sports, and medicine. The only innate differences that turn out to be significant—and they matter primarily in sports – are height and body size. “

So what factor does correlate with success? One thing emerges very clearly is that successful performers “had practiced intensively, had studied with devoted teachers, and had been supported enthusiastically by their families throughout their developing years.”

There are a few things about the article that really make me nervous. The first is that you need to work every single day at being great at that one thing if you want to be great. This is true of pitching, painting, parenting, everything. And if you think management in corporate life is an exception, you’re wrong. I mean, the article is in the Harvard Business Review for a reason.

I am panicking that maybe I am just figure skating again. Maybe I am doing something I’ll never be great at. I worry about this because I don’t actually know what I’m doing. Am I getting good at bringing a startup from fruition to exit? Am I getting good at writing career advice?

This reminds me of the day I realized that my figure skating coach was an alcoholic. My dad picked me up at the rink. He asked why my skate guards were on. I said I never went skating. I said, “I think Ivar is sick.”

My dad said, “Yeah. I’ve been thinking that for a while.”

I said, “I don’t think he really can teach me any more.”

My dad said, “I’ve been thinking that for a while.”

I remember the heartbreak I felt knowing that I didn’t have a teacher. I remember also realizing that it’s important to know who can teach and who can’t. If you are a person who wants to be an expert, the thing you want most is a teacher. I think that’s why I carry the magazine with me everywhere I go. To remind me to look. Like my life depends on it.

But I've recently started reading research beyond the article, and it turns out that the teacher isn't the important per se, but rather, what you need is immediate, helpful feedback. And this is what you get when you have a blog. So maybe I am still on my path to being an expert, and I'm just crowdsourcing my coaching.

Apollo the el gato

I need a new friend. I need a pet. That can't happen until I get my own place. Today I remembered the good times I had with "'Paulo 'Paulo." His name is Apollo, but for the whole month I pet sat and lived with him, he was my friend, PauloPaulo.

Strawberry Shortcake

This coloring page is my inspiration to learn embroidery. I want to make these three and the Purple Pie Man into 4 tea towels. I like the classic Strawberry and Friends MUCH MUCH more than the modern reincarnation of her in jeans. I have 4 tea towels ready to go. I have found my stash of embroidery thread from my junior high "friendship bracelet" making phase. I thank 1980s Strawberry shortcake for teaching me the power of green and white striped tights. Progress on this Fearsome Foursome tea towel project as the year goes on.

driving in the snow mix

dryer. ball. drama.

There was some hollering. Someone felt bad that dryerballs expected to be at the dryer weren't there. Someone accuses and demands. Its gets ugly. When Someone's expectations aren't met, ooh it not good. Someone gets mad. And its hard to live in the house with Someone when she gets like this. You just want to say, "And why can't you help look for this object you prize so much instead of automatically lashing into eveyone around you?" But one does not dare utter those words. More drama and wrath would ensue.

So today's picture is like "Where's Waldo" only it is "Where's Dryer Ball?"

Oh look Someone... its on your kitchen table, amid all your clutter and your nest of stuff. Yep, right there next to your new crock pot.

Passive aggressive people really really vex me and make life difficult.
Who lives with a kitchen table that is always like this?? Oh, Someone does.

2 Pizzas

Dad's fave pizza place closed and he's been on a hunt to find a good pizza since. He's now found it. And he gets a Large Veggie and a Med Meat. Dad loves getting fast food to go as he's given up cooking altogether.

Pink Skirt

What a flag means

Today, my thoughts are with Haiti.
They have been for the last 10 days.

So many souls in need. So many souls lost. So many more on the brink.
I want to be there to help!
My heart breaks. I can't watch the coverage anymore.
The earthquake hit Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 04:53:09 PM at epicenter (Haiti time). Entire schools of children and teachers lost in one long minute, one fell quake. People who are coping with the known loss of 10 people in their families, and waiting on word on another 10 of their loved ones. A whole generation of orphans created in a horrific minute.
Supplies stuck on the tarmac of a teeny tiny airport trying to accompodate hundreds of flights as if it was JFK international. A system of help mired in a logistical nightmare on so many fronts creating a secondary nightmare of undelivered supplies to a people already existing in a humanitarian night mare.
I hear the cries. I see the faces.

The HopeForHaitiNow telethon came and went.

Today I post this picture because I know what it means for me to see my flag flying in the midst of adversity (after a hurricane or after a blizzard). I hope soon the people of Haiti will be strengthened with hope by their flag flying their tent cities, flying near make-shift hospitals.

There is so much work to do before that happens.

Haiti and all her souls struggling for safety & survival, all those offering their time, expertise, monies, supplies, transportation, food, opportunities and hope to loved ones and strangers, you are never far from my thoughts.

I just want to be there like I was down south after Katrina. I just want to be there and hug someone who feels hopeless and forgotten. I just want to hold a baby so a mother can talk to an aid worker and get paperwork sorted out. I just want to hand out water and I want to smile and serve a fellow human being when the food is hot and ready. Its the little things that mean alot.

UPCYCLING: I'm making a booksafe out of old trashy romance novels, just for fun.

They were free.
Trashy novels are always available in abundance for some reason.
When you take something and re-purpose it for a new & different use, it can be called Upcycling instead of recycling.

Bookshelf needs some love

Anonymous image from my scanned collection

I'm still too sick to come up with anything interesting. This is from a magazine. I rip out stuff like this and scan it and archive it for my costume design and fashion inspiration files. Every costume designer I know does this.

Screen Capture: Lady Gaga in her Bad Romance Video

"They look like doll eyes."
"They look like Kermit the Frog's eyes."
"How do you do that with makeup?"
Cool or Creepy? You decide.

** disclaimer. I'm not smart enough to know how to capture screen shots. I got this from google images, bless them.

This video is Gaga meets Kubrick. And its a knock out.
Pop music has a new queen. This one is a force to be reckoned with.
Turns out her eyes (seen here in the bathtub scene) are digitally enhanced as is her spine in the creepy shower scenes. With all the set,prop details & dancer and costumes, oh and the pyrotechnics, this little video cost near a million dollars.
For those who haven't seen it yet, thanks to Vimeo, now you can:

LADY GAGA «BAD ROMANCE» from KOSSMOS.COM on Vimeo.

Slept all day with movies playing in background

It was either a picture of this or my other best friends of the day: Nyquil, ibuprofen and tylen-all. I went with this.

VCR: Wonder of Modern Science
NyQuil: Wonder of Modern Science

Disclaimer: I did NOT watch all of these movies in a day or two. They just live next to my tv and vcr. No I don't have dvd capacity with my tv, only my laptop. Today I had a Six Feet Under episode marathon on at low volume (I know this season so well its like listening to friends voices in the bkgrnd) and then White Christmas. For whatever reason, no matter what season, I watch White Christmas when I feel crummy and when its on in the background when I sleep I have happy dreams. Its a keeper. Last movie of the day: Strictly Ballroom. I love Strictly Ballroom. And today I love how when I'm awake I can't breathe/much less swallownormally but I love Nyquil and how my body knows how to function all on its own when its looped out and sleeping. Oh how I hope to feel world's better soon. Being sick sucks.

Mad Men era Sure was Shocking!

Today I have a nasty sore throat, can't swallow. Taking on a project I've been putting off. I have a collection of LPs that have lived in a box since my aunt died. Today I put them on my book shelf. And there were a few gems worth noting.
Someday I want to find a record player that records to CD and adapt these into my listening realms. Until then, I have to judge them by their cover!

Ann Corio: Before Dita VonTease there was Ann Corio film actress and ecdysiast (one who makes burlesque an art). Album with Sonny Lester, 1966.



Four Roses Society: I loved the cover art and that it was one of the few in her collection that had masking tape on it (sign it was listened to so much it's beloved cover needed to be taped together!). It is a sing-along-album (My bonnie lies over the ocean, etc) that was released to promote Four Roses scotch. Look close at the dog's collar: That's product label placement. Also noted: only the men are drinking! Album circa 1958


Rusty Warren: One of the first stand up comedian women, and she talked about sex!
This was her third album. Circa 1961. Third of Sixteen! Apparently called the Mother of the Sexual Revolution?! WoW! Why were we not taught about her in Social studies classes -- or even in my University Women's History Classes? Found songs online, what a hoot and a half! Rusty? She's still alive, and I really enjoyed her website!

VHS: HBO series Six Feet Under, Season One

D's Golden Globes Bday Party

My Xmas treats thanks to a Thrift Store

I don't have $$ to spend, I really don't, but I wanted to get myself something for Xmas. I had to wait to get my Xmas check from working the holiday, and these are my Xmas prezzies to self! Happy Christmas Me!
A $5 pear and these treasures:
Book: The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green (I've wanted to read it for a spell, but our lame-o library doesn't carry it, and likely won't.) (Turns out I learned today that the author is Zach Braff's brother. Rock on.) $1.99 on half price green tag day = $1
Two patterns: Both vintage 1980s. Burda - wickedly fun high waisted, paperbag waist, pleated pants/shorts. And Style - Sailor dresses. I have a growing vintage pattern collection. Someday I'll do something noble with it. Been thinking I need a third blog - a pattern a day sort of thing! Ha ha haaa! Both 25 cents, total $0.50
Drinking Vessel: Hand blown glass goblet, two tone with blue rim. This thing is massive. And heavy! It feels regal to hold it and drink anything in it. I have eyed Hand Blown Glass goblets at the MN Renaissance Faires for over a decade, but could never justify $65 for one, or $120 for a pair. Someone somewhere gave up their goblet. I love it more than I can explain. And get this: $2.99 + on green tag day = $1.50. No lie, I hugged this goblet as I walked out the store feeling like the happiest, luckiest girl in the world.

Xmas gifts to self budget: $10. Originally wanted to catch a movie, but thought better of it. That's only two hours and I have nothing to show for it. Whatever is showing in theaters now will be on Netflicks, and someday I'll be able to afford Netflicks, so nope. No movie.
Xmas gift giving to self total: $5 pear + $3 prezzies = $8*

*extra $2 used to fill car gas tank. Its the world I live in.