Thanks Giving

A time to give thanks. And I'm happy to do so.
I'm thankful for my health, my husband, my friends, my family, my job, my apartment, my bike (plus a whole load of other things that I could list and, with more time, might do just that!) and especially all the happiness each one of these things bring me over and over and over and over, all year long.

I screened you

I used to call my friends a lot more.

Remember the days when you had only the option of calling someone?
There was no email.
There was no texting.
Or Im-ing.

You really had to pick up the phone and call someone.
Hear their voice.
Or, eventually, their voice mail, at least.

I remember being stalked by phone. Twice, really.
Ahhhhh, the good ole days.
When people actually dared call you.
Now, I think stalking only happens by text or email.
If it happens at all!
Sad.
My second stalking incident actually moved me up to the world of caller id (something i swore i'd never get!)

You no longer have to have the courage or the energy to call people.
Now you can just email them. Or text them.

I miss dialing.

Dollies

My brother is a collector. Well, for that matter, so are my sisters, my mom, my dad and my other brother. And me. I'm a huuuuge collector. My brother is also a really fantastic "dumpster diver"--and I put that in quotes because it's not necessarily dumpsters he needs to dive into. He finds goodies everywhere. He rides his bike all over Los Angeles, so he sees things the rest of us don't. And he usually picks them up.

For awhile, one of those things was hand-made dolls. He'd find them in thrift stores and estate sales. He found a lot of them, brought them home to my sister's house and there the collection grew. The thing that made the collection so very interesting was the added bonus of removing their clothing to reveal these amazing little cotton bodies. Hand sewn fingers. Tiny painted nails. Perfect little silk shoes.




It's made me look at those wacky little dolls I see at every thrift store quite differently. The collection now residing at my sister's house is a beautiful set of undressed dolls that I wouldn't mind dumpster diving for myself.

Some days I feel as if my list,
my pile,
my intentions of things to get done
will never recede.

Play it again, Spam!

Chronicle books has come out with the latest in creative endeavors. It's a book of fantabulous artwork by Linzie Hunter, based on SPAM titles.

Really, really funny, beautiful stuff.
Now a postcard book, but you can get 20x20 prints of these, as well.

Whenever I see great things like this, I always wish I'd thought of it first...
hmmm,
is that terrible?

Bella, part deux

Bella Bigsby, a really fantastic artist that I've written about once before, recently contacted me about a show coming up next week. Details below.
I love that she's throwing a "full moon party"

New Works in Oil

Full Moon Party
and
Artist Reception

Wednesday, November 12, 5-9PM
winter warming food and drink

AUGUST
5410 College Ave, Oakland CA, 94618
510 652 2711

exhibit continues through November

Because I can't get enough.
Because I will never tire of hearing his voice.
Because I'm so excited to look at this man, his beautiful wife
and adorable daughters, for the next four (and, hopefully, eight!) years.
Because he speaks like a true leader.
Because never before (in my lifetime)has there been such a passionate and inspirational leader.
Because in every speech he's ever given, he is inclusive.
Because he is what I've been waiting for...


Great, big thanks to Maggie. She really put it best.
And, like David Letterman said the other night: "would anyone mind if he started a little early?"

Oh, what a beautiful mooorning, Oh, what a beautiful daaaaay!

Martin Luther King's Sister, taken when Obama was named the winner

I'm not sure I would have done anything today but try to write down what this feeling is. I'd try to write it a hundred different ways, never quite capturing the palpable energy that began last night around 8:30pm and has yet to dissipate.

Luckily (I suppose), I had to go to work today. I only cried about three times, talking about Obama, the election, the reaction from people, the joy...and really, most people cried with me. Teachers and parents alike all weighed in with a great big sigh. The world seemed rosier today. The kids came skipping in early, singing "Obama won! Obama won! Miss Molly, did you hear? Obama won!" Yes, yes, I did hear.

I heard it on the corner of Valencia and 19th. Our party of fifteen (who'd been happily ensconced in the living room with the big ole tv, having just listened to and given a standing O for, Obama's acceptance speech) converged with an eventual party of hundreds. All hooting and hollering at the top of their lungs. Tons and tons of people had tears streaming down their face with these huge, elated smiles to balance it all. We couldn't get enough of it, turning to look at each other with these wide eyes and heads shaking, "Can you believe it? Really?, really?, FINALLY!" It was incredible to witness. It was incredible to be a part of.



thnx to deb
& huffington post for the photos (from all around the world, reactions to obama's win)

TODAY IS THE DAY

courtesy of AIGA

Think Happy Thoughts

Countdown: T minus 3 days

My 8mm Ideas"political set"-- we all do what we gotta do!