Although I found myself dabbling in cartography just last evening, I have no intention of writing about map-making (at least not in this post), but needed something other than "Cold," or "Winter" for a title. Don't you agree?
It's the thick of Holiday shopping, so I've been busy with jewelry-- making, selling, keeping track of and packaging up for shipping. I do have other work waiting on the docket, however, so the remainder of today shall have to be for such things. But a big thanks to all my lovely customers, if any of you find your way here.
I shall try to write here more regularly, although lately every time I log in and set out to say something, I draw an utter blank, as I'm doing now.
More later.
09 December 2008
03 December 2008
NaNoWriMo
(Man, it's cold in here after the heat's been turned down all day!)
Well, It's done. It's been done for several days, in fact. The "National Novel Writing Month" 50,000 word challenge! I made it, and with about 700 or so words to spare. It's by no means "finished" of course-- now it shall require reading and editing. There will be the filling in of plot holes, the sorting out of continuity problems, a good deal of re-writing and of course the crafting of more effective and beautiful language to tell the story.
I didn't use half of the characters I'd invented, nor access a good deal of detail that I'd like to incorporate. Now's the time to go back and sort it all out. Well, soon, anyway.
I miss the frenetic writing writing writing!
Getting back to work in earnest has been a little difficult.
Well, It's done. It's been done for several days, in fact. The "National Novel Writing Month" 50,000 word challenge! I made it, and with about 700 or so words to spare. It's by no means "finished" of course-- now it shall require reading and editing. There will be the filling in of plot holes, the sorting out of continuity problems, a good deal of re-writing and of course the crafting of more effective and beautiful language to tell the story.
I didn't use half of the characters I'd invented, nor access a good deal of detail that I'd like to incorporate. Now's the time to go back and sort it all out. Well, soon, anyway.
I miss the frenetic writing writing writing!
Getting back to work in earnest has been a little difficult.
21 November 2008
And, in honor of winter...
I have some new jewelry pieces on the way-- some ridiculously cute new pendants and earrings. These are featuring some adorable little winter drawings instead of photographs! Look for them in my Etsy shop next week~
I will also be selling jewelry at KE Haas Salon on Wednesday, December 10th for a Holiday Party and Trunk Show.
20 November 2008
Winter is here.
I have been remiss with this lately. Writing other things- well, one thing; the book-in-progress! Nearly at 30,000 words, but still behind. Jewelry has been keeping me busy as well.
It's frightfully cold the past few days, although it's what ought to be normal for late November. Sucks having to pay for heat; it makes me miss the steam radiators of past apartments whose excessive exudations were included in the price of monthly rent! ::sigh::
It's frightfully cold the past few days, although it's what ought to be normal for late November. Sucks having to pay for heat; it makes me miss the steam radiators of past apartments whose excessive exudations were included in the price of monthly rent! ::sigh::
10 November 2008
Oy!
Well, the folks at National Novel Writing Month weren't kidding when they said it's hard to catch up once you get behind! I'm over 3.000 words behind now, and by tomorrow even more! I have to write tonight! It's one-third through the months and I'm nowhere near one-third to 50,000 words.
::sigh::
But first, dinner...
::sigh::
But first, dinner...
07 November 2008
an excerpt...
From the book in progress. It's entirely likely that this, along with mush of the rest of it, will be re-written once the first draft has been completed.
___________
She continued, “They were printed with blank pages at each end, and it was on these that family trees were recorded. Many people also kept their most important papers safely folded away inside the book. They are rare these days and extremely valuable. Not just valuable because they are worth a lot of money, although that’s true-- but because the information in them often exists nowhere else.”
Emily had a way of discussing dry topics like bibles and paper so fervently, and with such interest, it was impossible not to get caught up in her excitement. The three of them sat and waited as she donned a pair of white gloves and rustled through a sheaf of papers that looked very dry indeed. They were all wondering when she was going to pull out one of these family bibles.
Instead, Emily drew three yellowed sheets of paper on which the brown ink had nearly faded away. She carefully spread them out on the table so they could all see them, and removed her gloves. “These three pages were tucked away- not in a bible, but in an early edition copy of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of the Species!”
She paused dramatically to let this soak in. When she saw they were all staring blankly at her, she sighed, and continued. “This book was one of the breakthroughs that led to modern scientific study as we know it. The man who wrote these pages was a scientist! It was his bible, you see?”
“O-oh!” the three let out nearly in unison.
___________
___________
She continued, “They were printed with blank pages at each end, and it was on these that family trees were recorded. Many people also kept their most important papers safely folded away inside the book. They are rare these days and extremely valuable. Not just valuable because they are worth a lot of money, although that’s true-- but because the information in them often exists nowhere else.”
Emily had a way of discussing dry topics like bibles and paper so fervently, and with such interest, it was impossible not to get caught up in her excitement. The three of them sat and waited as she donned a pair of white gloves and rustled through a sheaf of papers that looked very dry indeed. They were all wondering when she was going to pull out one of these family bibles.
Instead, Emily drew three yellowed sheets of paper on which the brown ink had nearly faded away. She carefully spread them out on the table so they could all see them, and removed her gloves. “These three pages were tucked away- not in a bible, but in an early edition copy of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of the Species!”
She paused dramatically to let this soak in. When she saw they were all staring blankly at her, she sighed, and continued. “This book was one of the breakthroughs that led to modern scientific study as we know it. The man who wrote these pages was a scientist! It was his bible, you see?”
“O-oh!” the three let out nearly in unison.
___________
05 November 2008
it wasn't even close.
President Elect Barak Obama!
What an amazing Election Day (and we even knew who won before midnight for a change). You should have heard Brooklyn last night!! Horns honking, people were in the streets celebrating and whoo hoo-ing for several hours after the announcement was made. An epic victory.
It's exciting to see intelligence, reason and compassion come out on top.
EVERYBODY WINS!
What an amazing Election Day (and we even knew who won before midnight for a change). You should have heard Brooklyn last night!! Horns honking, people were in the streets celebrating and whoo hoo-ing for several hours after the announcement was made. An epic victory.
It's exciting to see intelligence, reason and compassion come out on top.
EVERYBODY WINS!
04 November 2008
29 October 2008
Incidentally, I should mention that I did have good birthday, despite the following day having been poor! Spoke on the phone with my Mom and Beth and Kelley; lots of well-wishing from brothers and others, too. Later, I had a happy hour beer with Kim before her internship at the theater, then I went to Beast and saw friends. Ben met me there for dinner and gave me the above antique cigarette package, from 1878. He had made it into the beautiful card pictured above; the writing on the back even more lovely than the design on the front.
Thanks, everyone! :)
28 October 2008
holding it~
Update: Heat in apartment fixed, furniture successfully delivered and set up. Alas, the absurdity continues.
This morning, post-pee, a smallish plastic container of lotion fell from wall shelf into still-flushing toilet. Reached intrepidly into nasty freezing bowl to retrieve, but too late-- bottle surprisingly disappeared from view! Attempted coat-hanger to retrieve with no luck. Rushed out in pouring rain to hardware store for proper plunger. Result: continued failure and out $7.99 for unhelpful plunger.
Man sent by landlord with bizarre plumber equipment (some sort of vertical snake-in-a-pole with revolving handle), also had no luck. Thirty minutes later: he returned with additional man, much equipment. Currently have toilet on its side, on the floor (after sawing apart amid flying sparks!). Much mess. Water everywhere. Total nightmare.
Also: currently needing to pee again!
Welcome to year 38.
This morning, post-pee, a smallish plastic container of lotion fell from wall shelf into still-flushing toilet. Reached intrepidly into nasty freezing bowl to retrieve, but too late-- bottle surprisingly disappeared from view! Attempted coat-hanger to retrieve with no luck. Rushed out in pouring rain to hardware store for proper plunger. Result: continued failure and out $7.99 for unhelpful plunger.
Man sent by landlord with bizarre plumber equipment (some sort of vertical snake-in-a-pole with revolving handle), also had no luck. Thirty minutes later: he returned with additional man, much equipment. Currently have toilet on its side, on the floor (after sawing apart amid flying sparks!). Much mess. Water everywhere. Total nightmare.
Also: currently needing to pee again!
Welcome to year 38.
24 October 2008
Leg the uglydoll
the scrolling wall, complete.
(Most likely, more things will wind up on that wall. Little things in gold frames, oddments, etc. But the painting is finished at last.)
moomins hibernate.
This week started off wretchedly- nothing was working out, timing was all off. Puzzle pieces mismatched.
It has gotten better and better, and things have been falling into place, but today a stumbling block! Nothing so important, just irritating, and my fault. We were expecting a furniture delivery (new living room furniture- we got rid of the futon couch last night); the place told us between eleven and two o'clock, but they would call an hour ahead of time. Well, I hadn't got the call (so I thought) and jumped in the shower. Of course, this was exactly when they arrived and they only waited fifteen minutes and my phone was in the other room, so I missed them! Oh, if only they'd have hit the buzzer! Turns out my phone volume was way down, too, which was why I missed the first call. So, probably have to wait until Tuesday to have a place to sit our asses down in the living room, unless by some stroke of luck the delivery folks have time to come back later today.
On top of this (which is mostly annoying me because it was my fault), we have been without heat since it's gotten cold, and our landlord is out of town, so it's goddamn freezing in the whole apartment.
Not a very great post, after so much time going by with none, but the need to rant is always such a motivator, huh? Ha ha! Otherwise, all is well. November is just around the corner, during which I shall embark on the adventure of >NoNoWriMo, otherwise known as National Novel Writing Month, to which I look forward. I've been researching and fleshing out characters for a story I began five years ago, but never got past chapter one, which has since been dropped in favor of a better beginning. The new beginning, along with the rest of the story, has only been put into outline form, as the whole point of NaNo is to begin and complete 50,000 words in a thirty day time period.
Well, back to work and trying not to freeze. (It's amazing how cold 55-60 degrees can feel when you're indoors!)
It has gotten better and better, and things have been falling into place, but today a stumbling block! Nothing so important, just irritating, and my fault. We were expecting a furniture delivery (new living room furniture- we got rid of the futon couch last night); the place told us between eleven and two o'clock, but they would call an hour ahead of time. Well, I hadn't got the call (so I thought) and jumped in the shower. Of course, this was exactly when they arrived and they only waited fifteen minutes and my phone was in the other room, so I missed them! Oh, if only they'd have hit the buzzer! Turns out my phone volume was way down, too, which was why I missed the first call. So, probably have to wait until Tuesday to have a place to sit our asses down in the living room, unless by some stroke of luck the delivery folks have time to come back later today.
On top of this (which is mostly annoying me because it was my fault), we have been without heat since it's gotten cold, and our landlord is out of town, so it's goddamn freezing in the whole apartment.
Not a very great post, after so much time going by with none, but the need to rant is always such a motivator, huh? Ha ha! Otherwise, all is well. November is just around the corner, during which I shall embark on the adventure of >NoNoWriMo, otherwise known as National Novel Writing Month, to which I look forward. I've been researching and fleshing out characters for a story I began five years ago, but never got past chapter one, which has since been dropped in favor of a better beginning. The new beginning, along with the rest of the story, has only been put into outline form, as the whole point of NaNo is to begin and complete 50,000 words in a thirty day time period.
Well, back to work and trying not to freeze. (It's amazing how cold 55-60 degrees can feel when you're indoors!)
11 October 2008
October!
Some abstracts of my new studio in my new apartment with Ben:
wall above computer, no art on walls yet
The wall above the Queen Anne (and Leg the UglyDoll!) in progress
Get to work!
And, some images of the Atlantic Antic last weekend. Warren, Kim and I shared a booth and hawked artistic wares on the folks at the street fair.
Kim at the tables with all of our collective wares
As you can see, I've been very busy with the resin and photos lately...!
A close-to of some necklaces
New this autumn: belt buckles. Available in my Etsy shop...
More to come, but there's an update on what I've been busy with over the past month or so. On the way, eventually: images from the trip Ben and I took to Rhode Island in late September.
wall above computer, no art on walls yet
The wall above the Queen Anne (and Leg the UglyDoll!) in progress
Get to work!
And, some images of the Atlantic Antic last weekend. Warren, Kim and I shared a booth and hawked artistic wares on the folks at the street fair.
Kim at the tables with all of our collective wares
As you can see, I've been very busy with the resin and photos lately...!
A close-to of some necklaces
New this autumn: belt buckles. Available in my Etsy shop...
More to come, but there's an update on what I've been busy with over the past month or so. On the way, eventually: images from the trip Ben and I took to Rhode Island in late September.
"Reckless Example"
It can't be about me; I spell it Lizzie...
Seen in the tunnel entrance to Prospect Park last weekend.
17 September 2008
S A L E
I shall soon be moving into the House of Ben, and we had a superbly successful moving sale Saturday last-- the weather held without rain, and many walkers of the Avenue stopped to look, and to buy. (The photo above shows only a fraction of the myriad what-not 'twas for sale, as I hadn't a chance to snap a photo 'til afternoon.) A busy and fun day-- whirlwind purge of duplicates and extras before the the merging of our two homesteads.
Only a few boxes remained at the end so I have far less to pack than before, and we have a good start on saving money for a new couch, sorely needed.
post script: I'm happy to report that a few thing didn't sell (things which I'd marked pricey on purpose), so I got to keep tham after all. You know, there are some things that, once you see people looking at them like they are worthless, you just don't want to part with, despite trying to pare down.
05 September 2008
McCain
*sigh* The RNC: frat party to GOP supporters and oligarchs alike. Whoo hoo!
Not even worth much in the way of typing, but...
(1) [Sen. McCain] "...and get this country back on the road to peace and prosperity."
Really? With Four More Years of same? Who got us into all this mess? The Republicans have, after all, held 20 of the past 28 years in Washington. He has plans to "shake up" Washington DC. If he has problems with the way things have been running, why has he sided with Bush on just about everything? Is he now re-negging on the past 8 years? It simply underscores that the people in that convention hall are the ones who would be there no matter who was nominated; there is no application of reasonable thought. "When he says he will "stop leaving all our country's problems for some unluckier generation," does none of the audience realize he can only be referring their party, especially under GW Bush?
It seems as ever, all a GOP candidate need do, ultimately, is say "Democrats will raise taxes!"
(2) [audience, chanting] "USA! USA! USA!"
Hmmm... Do they mistakenly think that they are at the Olympics, or some other venue in which this country is in competition with others? Do they not realize that both parties are, in fact, of and for the USA?
UGH.
Not even worth much in the way of typing, but...
(1) [Sen. McCain] "...and get this country back on the road to peace and prosperity."
Really? With Four More Years of same? Who got us into all this mess? The Republicans have, after all, held 20 of the past 28 years in Washington. He has plans to "shake up" Washington DC. If he has problems with the way things have been running, why has he sided with Bush on just about everything? Is he now re-negging on the past 8 years? It simply underscores that the people in that convention hall are the ones who would be there no matter who was nominated; there is no application of reasonable thought. "When he says he will "stop leaving all our country's problems for some unluckier generation," does none of the audience realize he can only be referring their party, especially under GW Bush?
It seems as ever, all a GOP candidate need do, ultimately, is say "Democrats will raise taxes!"
(2) [audience, chanting] "USA! USA! USA!"
Hmmm... Do they mistakenly think that they are at the Olympics, or some other venue in which this country is in competition with others? Do they not realize that both parties are, in fact, of and for the USA?
UGH.
04 September 2008
Miserable Palin.
The RNC speeches were baseless, devoid of fact or reason, and generally nausea-inducing. Giuliani is more desperate than ever (and such a tool)! Hard to watch the speeches; embarrassing that so many were there with their hateful BOOs and misplaced applause and cheering. Sadly, the GOP has done very well by appealing to culture-clash points and derision.
I'm pasting the following bullet points on Palin here (courtesy of MoveOn.org), just because they ought to be widespread. Book-burning. Really? So sad. Please let not a single Hillary vote go to the GOP on account of this wretched woman-- er, bulldog.
• Palin recently said that the war in Iraq is "God's task." She's even admitted she hasn't thought about the war much—just last year she was quoted saying, "I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq."
• Palin has actively sought the support of the fringe Alaska Independence Party. Six months ago, Palin told members of the group—who advocate for a vote on secession from the union—to "keep up the good work" and "wished the party luck on what she called its 'inspiring convention.'"
• Palin wants to teach creationism in public schools. She hasn't made clear whether she thinks evolution is a fact.
• Palin doesn't believe that humans contribute to global warming. Speaking about climate change, she said, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being manmade."
• Palin has close ties to Big Oil. Her inauguration was even sponsored by BP.
• Palin is extremely anti-choice. She doesn't even support abortion in the case of rape or incest.
• Palin opposes comprehensive sex-ed in public schools. She's said she will only support abstinence-only approaches.
• As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the library. Palin asked the library how she might go about banning books because some had inappropriate language in them—shocking the librarian, Mary Ellen Baker. According to Time, "news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor."
• She DID support the Bridge to Nowhere (before she opposed it). Palin claimed that she said "thanks, but no thanks" to the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. But in 2006, Palin supported the project repeatedly, saying that Alaska should take advantage of earmarks "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist."
I'm pasting the following bullet points on Palin here (courtesy of MoveOn.org), just because they ought to be widespread. Book-burning. Really? So sad. Please let not a single Hillary vote go to the GOP on account of this wretched woman-- er, bulldog.
• Palin recently said that the war in Iraq is "God's task." She's even admitted she hasn't thought about the war much—just last year she was quoted saying, "I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq."
• Palin has actively sought the support of the fringe Alaska Independence Party. Six months ago, Palin told members of the group—who advocate for a vote on secession from the union—to "keep up the good work" and "wished the party luck on what she called its 'inspiring convention.'"
• Palin wants to teach creationism in public schools. She hasn't made clear whether she thinks evolution is a fact.
• Palin doesn't believe that humans contribute to global warming. Speaking about climate change, she said, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being manmade."
• Palin has close ties to Big Oil. Her inauguration was even sponsored by BP.
• Palin is extremely anti-choice. She doesn't even support abortion in the case of rape or incest.
• Palin opposes comprehensive sex-ed in public schools. She's said she will only support abstinence-only approaches.
• As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the library. Palin asked the library how she might go about banning books because some had inappropriate language in them—shocking the librarian, Mary Ellen Baker. According to Time, "news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor."
• She DID support the Bridge to Nowhere (before she opposed it). Palin claimed that she said "thanks, but no thanks" to the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. But in 2006, Palin supported the project repeatedly, saying that Alaska should take advantage of earmarks "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist."
21 August 2008
art deck-oh!
electrodeck
Above is the deck I painted for the Apache Skateboards/Humble Collective "My Way" skateboard art show at Humble Gallery. I sent it off by Fedex yesterday-- nothing like pushing 'til the last minute, but it's been just too busy lately! The opening is tonight, so if you're in Santa Fe, go check it out.
13 August 2008
b u s y .
Sometimes, it's a good thing to be too busy to have much free time. Sometimes, when you're working on far too many projects, it can be good-- because it forces you to focus; forces you not only to find a way to finish things and to be creative about it, but also to have sudden and visceral responses to all the many layers in your life. This is useful, if somewhat vexing.
It can be a road to clarity.
It's interesting: Ben is my strongest association with that word, clarity, and I don't think it was a concept I ever gave much thought to outside of visuals, or in the context of writing or designing. But it has come to be such a crucial concept, a big picture thing.. (At least, in theory-- achieving the attainment of same is easier said than done, naturally.)
It calls into my mind the Thoreau bit: "Our life is frettered away by details. Simplify. Simplify." (That one reminds me of my dad.)
Hmmm...
Tonight was another sky of mad contrast- a great LIGHT in the west while a big dark storm brewed over the trees on the slope, off toward the park, at sunset. But the sky never really did open up. Not really. Dylan was playing in Prospect Park tonight. I'd entertained the idea of crashing, of listening on the lawn. I felt relieved when the thunder struck, because I knew I had to WORK. But then it didn't rain more than two minutes.
I worked anyway. (I didn't really have much of a choice.)
I'm curious how the show was. It'll be a story I hear from others; a good one, as it never did rain out.
Common enough occurrence, isn't it?
It can be a road to clarity.
It's interesting: Ben is my strongest association with that word, clarity, and I don't think it was a concept I ever gave much thought to outside of visuals, or in the context of writing or designing. But it has come to be such a crucial concept, a big picture thing.. (At least, in theory-- achieving the attainment of same is easier said than done, naturally.)
It calls into my mind the Thoreau bit: "Our life is frettered away by details. Simplify. Simplify." (That one reminds me of my dad.)
Hmmm...
Tonight was another sky of mad contrast- a great LIGHT in the west while a big dark storm brewed over the trees on the slope, off toward the park, at sunset. But the sky never really did open up. Not really. Dylan was playing in Prospect Park tonight. I'd entertained the idea of crashing, of listening on the lawn. I felt relieved when the thunder struck, because I knew I had to WORK. But then it didn't rain more than two minutes.
I worked anyway. (I didn't really have much of a choice.)
I'm curious how the show was. It'll be a story I hear from others; a good one, as it never did rain out.
Common enough occurrence, isn't it?
06 August 2008
31 July 2008
work work work
Hi. It's late and I spent the whole of the day on the TLB site, after all- didn't animate anything or work on jewelry (though it's only midnight, so I shall do that now- prep for resin-pouring).
I feel like sharing a sneak peak at the site, anyway- as it's ALL I've worked on for the past couple of days, and it's coming along quite nicely, I think. (edit: it's live now)
have a look----> the site
I feel like sharing a sneak peak at the site, anyway- as it's ALL I've worked on for the past couple of days, and it's coming along quite nicely, I think. (edit: it's live now)
have a look----> the site
balance, upset
Had one of those days yesterday in which I got so much done, it was almost absurd. But today I just couldn't wake up! Slept incredibly late, and I need to have another getting so much done day! (I will). I don't seem to have gotten back on a sensible schedule since my return from Upstate, the farm.
Today (what's left of it) is for animation and for resin jewelry. I will make up for late-sleeping.
I will work into the night.
l a t e r :
I have been working at the Tara Lynne Band materials all day. They have now a blog, and an updated MySpace page. Web site will (hopefully) be finished by the end of next week. I have also to update the KE Haas Salon site, on top of about 8 or 9 other projects which will be ongoing for a few weeks at least. Whew! Busy.
Today (what's left of it) is for animation and for resin jewelry. I will make up for late-sleeping.
I will work into the night.
l a t e r :
I have been working at the Tara Lynne Band materials all day. They have now a blog, and an updated MySpace page. Web site will (hopefully) be finished by the end of next week. I have also to update the KE Haas Salon site, on top of about 8 or 9 other projects which will be ongoing for a few weeks at least. Whew! Busy.
23 July 2008
l i s t m a k i n g
Today I did a drawing of a rutabega (see above). A magic rutabega. (More on why later...) Oh. Oops-- turns out I've been spelling it wrong, according to Mirriam-Webster. It's rutabaga!
There is a mighty thunderstorm occurring RIGHT NOW! A beautiful summer storm, following several hours of that tinged purple sky and flashes of heat lightning. Gorgeous. (And I left the wine bar just in time so as to enjoy this storm from my front room, and not have to walk through the downpour!)
Ben is in Philadelphia for some meetings, he left this morning. I shall wake early tomorrow to catch a plane up to Rochester. Looking forward to seeing the family! And: meeting the new pup, Wolf; seeing the new barn, the redecorated kitchen, and the farm in green in general. I hope it doesn't really rain all weekend, as I'd like to swim and go riding (horse and bike!). We'll see. Will take lots of photos. Meantime there are a few from Fire Island up on Flickr now.
recent readings
* The Places that Scare You, Pema Chodron
* The Poetics of Space, Gaston Bachelard
* Lighthousekeeping, Jeanette Winterson
* The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway
* The Wapshot Chronicle, John Cheever
recent viewings
* The Dark Ages (The History Channel)
* The Spiderwick Chronicles
* Mary Tyler Moore, (eason one)
* Moonlighting (pilot- oof!)
* A Picture of England (wonderful series, with David Dimbleby)
* Barbarians (series, with Terry Jones)
lately listening
* Girls and Boys, Ingrid Michaelson
* Music for Airports, Brian Eno
* LOTR Complete, Howard Shore
* s h u f f l e
21 July 2008
"Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs"
Now that's a fantastic subject line.
The body of the email was pretty mundane, although its closing lines are equally poetic, in their way. To wit:
"Find me there and tell me a bit about your dreams.
Waiting for your answer"
Who writes this stuff? It makes you wonder how many among us (perhaps they give their job description as Internet Marketer?) are making their living in the industry of SPAM?
The body of the email was pretty mundane, although its closing lines are equally poetic, in their way. To wit:
"Find me there and tell me a bit about your dreams.
Waiting for your answer"
Who writes this stuff? It makes you wonder how many among us (perhaps they give their job description as Internet Marketer?) are making their living in the industry of SPAM?
14 July 2008
out of the fire..
Fire Island, that is.
One full week out there and you completely forget that feeling in your lower back that arises from being in front of the computer machine all day! Alas, after a single work day, it begins to creep back up the spine. I feel fairly certain I've caught up with everything, but some emails from last week and weekend seem to have disappeared into the ether, so if you sent on e to me and haven't yet heard back, send another post haste!
Hmmm. I thought a bit of typing might be cathartic, but it appears I'm not ready.
More later.
One full week out there and you completely forget that feeling in your lower back that arises from being in front of the computer machine all day! Alas, after a single work day, it begins to creep back up the spine. I feel fairly certain I've caught up with everything, but some emails from last week and weekend seem to have disappeared into the ether, so if you sent on e to me and haven't yet heard back, send another post haste!
Hmmm. I thought a bit of typing might be cathartic, but it appears I'm not ready.
More later.
30 June 2008
shelter, swelter or soak.
Those were the primary options over the weekend, but we had a good one of it anyway. A roving wander took us through Vinegar Hill , DUMBO and into the Heights on Saturday, finally trapped in air conditioning with beer and a Mets game as the torrents began in earnest. Tasted and bought some delicious things at the New Amsterdam Market on Sunday before being caught in another downpour on Mott street.
I've been missing Pi lately. Being a cold water fish, he never did care much for summer (I sometimes put ice cubes in his tank to melt and give him some relief from fish soup conditions). Oddly enough, he's still in the freezer, awaiting a proper burial. At Coney, later in the year, I think-- where Tres was also ceremonially laid to rest.
I've been missing Pi lately. Being a cold water fish, he never did care much for summer (I sometimes put ice cubes in his tank to melt and give him some relief from fish soup conditions). Oddly enough, he's still in the freezer, awaiting a proper burial. At Coney, later in the year, I think-- where Tres was also ceremonially laid to rest.
23 June 2008
the Solstice has come and gone
Thanks to all who made their way out to Red Hook last week, whether for the opening or since. The collection from the opening (minus the pieces that have sold, of course) are still at Metal and Thread, along with myriad other lovely things, so do stop by if you haven't yet.
It's dark dark dark in Brooklyn today, and it puts me in mind of Winter days. This year, I shall be looking forward to the month of November, if for only one reason: a strange thing called NaNoWriMo. I've signed up already and it certainly sounds like heady fun.
It's dark dark dark in Brooklyn today, and it puts me in mind of Winter days. This year, I shall be looking forward to the month of November, if for only one reason: a strange thing called NaNoWriMo. I've signed up already and it certainly sounds like heady fun.
20 June 2008
digital
The problem of email (how or if it will be manipulated back into Pandora's box, or at least made to fit in one's Inbox); Texting; the omnipresence and simultaneous nonexistence of Blogs; IKEA: "if you build it and provide transport, they will come"; an hallucinatory human-sized bird cage; horse-porn as a tool in an Election year;
Moreover:
(from previous asides)
Were the Hulk's pants similarly affected by radiation, for there is otherwise no passable reason for "suspension of disbelief" (an ongoing problem still not tackled in 2008)--
and
How, in the future (read: now) everything is affordable, excepting the cost of living (eg: furniture; air conditioners; hi-def anything; iPhones; and external hard drives-- nearly free).
Moreover:
(from previous asides)
Were the Hulk's pants similarly affected by radiation, for there is otherwise no passable reason for "suspension of disbelief" (an ongoing problem still not tackled in 2008)--
and
How, in the future (read: now) everything is affordable, excepting the cost of living (eg: furniture; air conditioners; hi-def anything; iPhones; and external hard drives-- nearly free).
16 June 2008
electroweb
The new electrofork site is launched.
Photos and Fine art missing, but soon to re-emerge (with much more than was on electrofork) at elizabethdaggar.com
In other news, some of my artwork may be appearing in the apartment of the young and the Real on a cable network near you before long, so keep an eye here for further details. See you at Metal and Thread in Red Hook this Thursday!
Photos and Fine art missing, but soon to re-emerge (with much more than was on electrofork) at elizabethdaggar.com
In other news, some of my artwork may be appearing in the apartment of the young and the Real on a cable network near you before long, so keep an eye here for further details. See you at Metal and Thread in Red Hook this Thursday!
12 June 2008
Of summer and a small island off the coast
A quick mid-morning missive, from an air conditioned perch in a small office building in Manhattan; I'm covering for a friend while he takes a long weekend. I woke later than planned, and had to rush but caught the N just as i descended the staircase at Atlantic, so I arrived on time.
I woke late on account, mainly, of having been up late working. Not working on what I should have been, but working (as I have been, obsessively) on the new electrofork site. It's nearly finished! The jewelry section is proving time-consuming, but nearly there, nearly there. (Honestly, it has been stealing time from other projects!) It's so close that it's just killing me to have to take time away from it lately to do "real" work.
I'm sure this is all very exciting to read. Back to work.
I woke late on account, mainly, of having been up late working. Not working on what I should have been, but working (as I have been, obsessively) on the new electrofork site. It's nearly finished! The jewelry section is proving time-consuming, but nearly there, nearly there. (Honestly, it has been stealing time from other projects!) It's so close that it's just killing me to have to take time away from it lately to do "real" work.
I'm sure this is all very exciting to read. Back to work.
11 June 2008
Electrofork at Metal & Thread
Selected new works in sterling and silverplate featuring my photographs will be featured at a wine reception on the evening of June 19th, at a lovely shop/gallery in Red Hook. Come on down after work and say hello, maybe see the sun set over the harbor or show off your new art-bling at one of the local bars or eateries...
Thursday June 19th 6pm-8pm
Metal and Thread
398 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn
09 June 2008
Art and things that start with A
Amsterdam III (above) was a selected piece in Artlog's studio for this past weekend's Atlantic Avenue Artwalk, in Brooklyn. It has now been selected to go on to the Affordable Art Fair in Manhattan.
20 May 2008
new site
I am an artist and my name is elizabethdaggar.com
This will be the future home of my more art-oriented, less design-oriented works.
paintings : drawings : photographs : perhaps, jewelry...
we'll see. For now,
t r e e s .
This will be the future home of my more art-oriented, less design-oriented works.
paintings : drawings : photographs : perhaps, jewelry...
we'll see. For now,
t r e e s .
14 May 2008
TIME IS A LOAN SHARK™
Other than that:
- Working
- Not exercising enough, but some, and enjoyably, as it's no longer winter.
- New mobile-- Alias™ with QWERTY. (have to get used to typing straight keyboard with thumbs!)
-Jewelry sales have been great for wholesale market! (nil on Etsy, but I've been remiss...) Met the owner of Fuego 718 over the weekend and he is wonderful, as are the owners of Metal & Thread. (If all my future wholesale customers follow suit, it will be an ongoing pleasure, honestly.)
- I have finally put all the business cards I've collected over the past year and a half into my Rolodex™ (so old school with the paper).
Hmmm...
- Benn doing some work in Flash again; realizing why I missed animation. (Although I still vastly prefer After Effects for it)
- I enjoyed some sun today, running errands and also running into some friends. The time of iced coffee has returned!
- Have notions for a 2009 calendar. I know I said it would happen last year, but this year, I mean it. I've realized, in the years without one, that it really was a wonderful way to stay in touch and reach out.
- I am loving springtime (even the rainy bits)
- Currently reading "The Mysterious Benedict Society"- a book after my own heart, as it covers some themes I've begun in a chapter or two of beginnings of a book... Besides, it's illustrated by Carson Ellis who is, as far as I'm concerned, an Edward Gorey for a new generation.
Alright, finished for now.
Mainly, I just wanted to point out that TIME is a LOAN SHARK. That is to say- it's a thief! and you can't ever hope to catch up.
- Working
- Not exercising enough, but some, and enjoyably, as it's no longer winter.
- New mobile-- Alias™ with QWERTY. (have to get used to typing straight keyboard with thumbs!)
-Jewelry sales have been great for wholesale market! (nil on Etsy, but I've been remiss...) Met the owner of Fuego 718 over the weekend and he is wonderful, as are the owners of Metal & Thread. (If all my future wholesale customers follow suit, it will be an ongoing pleasure, honestly.)
- I have finally put all the business cards I've collected over the past year and a half into my Rolodex™ (so old school with the paper).
Hmmm...
- Benn doing some work in Flash again; realizing why I missed animation. (Although I still vastly prefer After Effects for it)
- I enjoyed some sun today, running errands and also running into some friends. The time of iced coffee has returned!
- Have notions for a 2009 calendar. I know I said it would happen last year, but this year, I mean it. I've realized, in the years without one, that it really was a wonderful way to stay in touch and reach out.
- I am loving springtime (even the rainy bits)
- Currently reading "The Mysterious Benedict Society"- a book after my own heart, as it covers some themes I've begun in a chapter or two of beginnings of a book... Besides, it's illustrated by Carson Ellis who is, as far as I'm concerned, an Edward Gorey for a new generation.
Alright, finished for now.
Mainly, I just wanted to point out that TIME is a LOAN SHARK. That is to say- it's a thief! and you can't ever hope to catch up.
01 May 2008
Center for Contemporary Arts
Electrofork joins the Mad Framer in donating a piece to the Center for Contemporary Art's 7th Annual Photography Auction in Santa Fe this June. The above photo (24" x 18" print from an edition of 13) will be treated to a custom, archival frame by The Mad Framer for the auction. Check out the CCA web site for more details.
28 March 2008
a fine line
Upcoming show at ARTISTS! at the Mad Framer: Opening reception on Friday April 18th.
A show featuring works by Santa Fe artist Robin Williams that feel as if she's pulled energy from thin air and transformed it into a series of blind contour drawings, and images by Brooklyn artist Elizabeth Daggar that find the quiet corners in dense urban settings. Opening Reception: Friday April 18, 2008 5pm - 9pm
(click on the postcard above to go to the site)
T'will feature a number of works that were featured in the American Artist article. If you find yourself in Santa Fe, do stop by!
Wildflowers!
Wildflower Week is coming your way, New York. See here!
That feisty, windblown logo is an electrofork design. A current project, and the web site will have lots more info added over the next few weeks, so keep a lookout.
In other news, Here is a link to some pictures from Easter Sunday, which turned into an epic wander.
25 March 2008
of magic
the magic hour in the city of lights
I realized this morning that it was time for a new background image on my monitor - something colorful --not black and white-- but not yet the greens of spring and sunshine... I landed on the dusky blues penetrated by oblongs of warmth: the magic hour in Paris! Those curlicues of streetlamp and balcony ironwork are the stuff I've been waiting to see since I read (looked at) all those whimsical, wonderfully illustrated children's books from the sixties and seventies.
(Oh, and while I'm noticing- it rather resmbles that image of Amsterdam, doesn't it?)
What a complete pleasure. To see them once, then to see them again at my leisure. Life can be sweet.
It's usually the little things...
24 March 2008
of late hours and new music
It is almost midnight, and still a busy day rolls on.
Sold my first batch of wholesale jewelry to some cool fellow Brooklynite artists tonight, who shall be enjoying a grand opening in Red Hook this Saturday, March 29th: Metal and Thread. Go see their shop and visit them on Van Brunt Street soon.
In other news, preparing for an art exhibit at the Mad Framer in Santa Fe soon; to wit:
Artists at the Mad Framer : An Alternative Space for Emerging Artists. The Mad Framer sets out to redefine the dynamic between artist and gallery by providing museum quality presentation in an alternative, salon-style venue.
Watch the Mad Framer site for a revamp which will include information about this and other upcoming shows.
Work of the graphic design persuasion is also ongoing. Current listening: Ingrid Michaelson.
Did you know it takes ten pounds of milk to make on pound of cheese? It's true. Just ask Saxelby Cheesemongers.
Sold my first batch of wholesale jewelry to some cool fellow Brooklynite artists tonight, who shall be enjoying a grand opening in Red Hook this Saturday, March 29th: Metal and Thread. Go see their shop and visit them on Van Brunt Street soon.
In other news, preparing for an art exhibit at the Mad Framer in Santa Fe soon; to wit:
Artists at the Mad Framer : An Alternative Space for Emerging Artists. The Mad Framer sets out to redefine the dynamic between artist and gallery by providing museum quality presentation in an alternative, salon-style venue.
Watch the Mad Framer site for a revamp which will include information about this and other upcoming shows.
Work of the graphic design persuasion is also ongoing. Current listening: Ingrid Michaelson.
Did you know it takes ten pounds of milk to make on pound of cheese? It's true. Just ask Saxelby Cheesemongers.
21 March 2008
end of summer, and strange hats
Dreams of a pool next door; a guest room in a summer house owned by the Bells, all windows, with my own linens on the bed and I couldn't decide whether to leave them for a winter visit or take them off, and home.
A herd of 60 or 70 horses going hungry found its way into our pastures, homeless or driven out of wild places; making no sense- we were not feeding them (they were too many) and in the late season the grasses of our pastures were depleted almost immediately from their presence, so day after day they milled around, switched places. Each day, mid afternoon, a pack of drooling and cruel-looking black wolves would appear. I didn't see any of the horses eaten, but I knew there must have been disappearances day by day. I trusted that they'd not catch our three horses, the healthy ones, strong and fast as we'd been feeding them. As the herd grew weaker and hungrier, they'd take to lying on their sides in the nighttime, a disturbing view in such numbers- like a vision of giving-up en masse.
(Wouldn't they have been better off without fences? What good was it doing them? Keeping them away from grasses, unable to outrun the wolves.)
I wanted one last swim in the pool before the summer was gone, but I kept finding things to pack; several cloth hats of the sort that frame the face- postmodernly embellished revisitations of long outmoded headwear. I couldn't decide which one to wear. Relatives everywhere; the kids didn't know enough to be dismayed by the horses.
A herd of 60 or 70 horses going hungry found its way into our pastures, homeless or driven out of wild places; making no sense- we were not feeding them (they were too many) and in the late season the grasses of our pastures were depleted almost immediately from their presence, so day after day they milled around, switched places. Each day, mid afternoon, a pack of drooling and cruel-looking black wolves would appear. I didn't see any of the horses eaten, but I knew there must have been disappearances day by day. I trusted that they'd not catch our three horses, the healthy ones, strong and fast as we'd been feeding them. As the herd grew weaker and hungrier, they'd take to lying on their sides in the nighttime, a disturbing view in such numbers- like a vision of giving-up en masse.
(Wouldn't they have been better off without fences? What good was it doing them? Keeping them away from grasses, unable to outrun the wolves.)
I wanted one last swim in the pool before the summer was gone, but I kept finding things to pack; several cloth hats of the sort that frame the face- postmodernly embellished revisitations of long outmoded headwear. I couldn't decide which one to wear. Relatives everywhere; the kids didn't know enough to be dismayed by the horses.
13 March 2008
the moon and chocolate cake
After a dinner (both delicious and healthy) accompanied by a lovely 2006 Scghesio Arneis, we split the warm chocolate cake and swooned over it. Mmmmms after every bite.
Walking home in the wind we noticed how beautiful the crescent moon was, and how it had been even more so on the previous night, when it looked precisely sideways- like a sliver of a bowl in the sky. We spoke of how great it is that we can still find the moon and chocolate cake and sex and so many other things to be amazing. Even after all the history of mankind, we can still be amazed. We spoke of time all the way back to the time of primordial ooze. It was pre-sexual and decidedly pre-cake, but the moon was there. Was the ooze amazed?
I like to think so.
Why else would it have bothered to evolve?
Walking home in the wind we noticed how beautiful the crescent moon was, and how it had been even more so on the previous night, when it looked precisely sideways- like a sliver of a bowl in the sky. We spoke of how great it is that we can still find the moon and chocolate cake and sex and so many other things to be amazing. Even after all the history of mankind, we can still be amazed. We spoke of time all the way back to the time of primordial ooze. It was pre-sexual and decidedly pre-cake, but the moon was there. Was the ooze amazed?
I like to think so.
Why else would it have bothered to evolve?
12 March 2008
the usual.
Vivid dreams, and numerous.
Picture them on a bed of ceremonial lettuce! Remember the days when every American restaurant adorned each plate with a sprig of some inedible green nonsense- wilted, overgreen parsley or some such?
Thank god that sort of thing has gone out of vogue.
Picture them on a bed of ceremonial lettuce! Remember the days when every American restaurant adorned each plate with a sprig of some inedible green nonsense- wilted, overgreen parsley or some such?
Thank god that sort of thing has gone out of vogue.
10 March 2008
more efork in the UK
Here's a composite of some images of a tattoo that a friend of electrofork in the UK sent this weekend; his tattoo featuring the Fisher-Price™ style punk, goth, rockabilly and other weerdos from a poster I did a few years back. A sweet homage-of-an-homage! Thanks to Glenn for the photos.
05 March 2008
whoosh!
Despite the mild temperature, it is a bitter day to be on two wheels. Rode my bike to the park, and sadly enough got winded just on the way up the hill to get there. Then, all the way around the park huge gusts of wind mocked me incessantly; pointed out just how soft and weak these winter months have made me. Lost vigilance, and it's time to start paying.
That's what happens. Gotta pay for everything eventually.
That's what happens. Gotta pay for everything eventually.
28 February 2008
deep freeze!
Day two without heat in the ol' palace. And during such cold days, too! My fingers have literally been going numb at the keyboard, as I work away on web sites and other design projects. Better get out my fingerless gloves from the one Euro store in Münster!
Supposedly it is being worked on my someone in the basement right now; I'll believe it when I hear the lovely hiss of steam from the radiators...
Supposedly it is being worked on my someone in the basement right now; I'll believe it when I hear the lovely hiss of steam from the radiators...
26 February 2008
American Artist
The article about my paintings is online now! Hits the newsstands in the April issue. (Click the image above to see the article.) Three of the paintings are still available if anyone out there needs something new to hang on a wall. ;)
(However, the "Necropolis" screen print is not available die to a problem with the printing.)
23 February 2008
bits
Nothing important, just a couple of bits from text interchanges:
"Winter grows tooth-long, and its welcome wanes."
"Life goes through a frustrating phase, perhaps [inspired by, or] in concert with the moon's hiding,
All tries to escape reason."
An older bit:
"Subatomic particles will not be shouted at!"
"Winter grows tooth-long, and its welcome wanes."
"Life goes through a frustrating phase, perhaps [inspired by, or] in concert with the moon's hiding,
All tries to escape reason."
An older bit:
"Subatomic particles will not be shouted at!"
22 February 2008
entry No213
Awoke to snow, and the streets outside my windows give the impression that the city has half shut-down. Few presences on the sidewalks, and the parking spots are almost all empty. Further evidence: in the little window on my computer for Instant Messaging, only one soul is logged on today, where on a normal day there are at least seven names lit up with the green lights. Has the whole city taken a snow day for these few inches of fluffy white?
Having checked, it appears the weather experts have issued a Severe Weather warning, with snow continuing through the day to eventually become what they colorfully refer to as a "wintry mix" (read freezing rain- the worst sort of mess to be out in).
A good day, perhaps, to get a great deal of work done from one's desk, safe inside. It beckons, though- my camera and i should venture out later to take advantage of quiet streets in snowfall.
Having checked, it appears the weather experts have issued a Severe Weather warning, with snow continuing through the day to eventually become what they colorfully refer to as a "wintry mix" (read freezing rain- the worst sort of mess to be out in).
A good day, perhaps, to get a great deal of work done from one's desk, safe inside. It beckons, though- my camera and i should venture out later to take advantage of quiet streets in snowfall.
20 February 2008
something crooked...
this way comes. Not really; just a leap year. So, February will extend its reach by a small margin, but still it has zoomed as if something pursued it! Busy and strange has been this month. (Yoda?)
I've only just drawn up a plan for 2008 (more a list) and here we approach the very third month in what feels strangely like a hurry, considering it's the dead middle of winter. Oh, time and light, all I seem to put down here lately! Too much of what's been new is not blog-appropriate (not in my mind)- personal.
Fears, doubts... I could parley some political frustration I suppose, but my forays into the News have been brief, on account of the depression they invariably cause. Speculation of worst-case scenarios.
End transmission.
I've only just drawn up a plan for 2008 (more a list) and here we approach the very third month in what feels strangely like a hurry, considering it's the dead middle of winter. Oh, time and light, all I seem to put down here lately! Too much of what's been new is not blog-appropriate (not in my mind)- personal.
Fears, doubts... I could parley some political frustration I suppose, but my forays into the News have been brief, on account of the depression they invariably cause. Speculation of worst-case scenarios.
End transmission.
12 February 2008
a winter morning, little heat.
Morning, and the spaces between Snooze:
Favorite time of Dreamers and Alarm Resistors!
Those brief, eternal windows between aural attacks that hold the magic beans of middle sleep, making all worlds accessible. Visitations to the ever that stretch on longer than the whole night, and make it feel as though it had been wasted on the deep sleeping subconscious. The vividness of dreams, (particularly within the warm embrace of goose down on a cold morning) makes me wish I'd set the alarm to go off whole hours earlier. Alas. Coffee and the Controlling world await.
Favorite time of Dreamers and Alarm Resistors!
Those brief, eternal windows between aural attacks that hold the magic beans of middle sleep, making all worlds accessible. Visitations to the ever that stretch on longer than the whole night, and make it feel as though it had been wasted on the deep sleeping subconscious. The vividness of dreams, (particularly within the warm embrace of goose down on a cold morning) makes me wish I'd set the alarm to go off whole hours earlier. Alas. Coffee and the Controlling world await.
30 January 2008
peace. expansion. clarity.
The wind howls out there today beneath the great blue dome lit by a winter sun.
The sun's visitations in full have been scarce these January days in Brooklyn, so it is welcome with or without the wind. In the window my tallest plant, aspiring to treedom, extends itself reaching for light, and succeeds.
The sun's visitations in full have been scarce these January days in Brooklyn, so it is welcome with or without the wind. In the window my tallest plant, aspiring to treedom, extends itself reaching for light, and succeeds.
29 January 2008
absent
I haven't been posting on here much lately.
Whether it's the lack of proper amounts of sunlight (winter in the city, not getting outside enough) or (more likely) a whole parade of factors; I have been going through emotional ups and downs a lot this month. It is difficult to put a finger on it, but I feel utterly different from day to day and I don't like it. Perhaps as my current projects pick up steam and get in motion this will cease; action and doing are great antidotes to thinking too much, which may be the real root of my unease.
Now I have to go mail some packages and pick up laundry.
Whether it's the lack of proper amounts of sunlight (winter in the city, not getting outside enough) or (more likely) a whole parade of factors; I have been going through emotional ups and downs a lot this month. It is difficult to put a finger on it, but I feel utterly different from day to day and I don't like it. Perhaps as my current projects pick up steam and get in motion this will cease; action and doing are great antidotes to thinking too much, which may be the real root of my unease.
Now I have to go mail some packages and pick up laundry.
25 January 2008
15 January 2008
The Trunk of Strange
I've been thinking; it seems I really have a lot of, how to describe it? Well, S T U F F. Too much stuff. I'm such a collector and pack-rat;. The reasons it hasn't become a truly serious problem are (1) average size of Brooklyn apartments, and (2) my proclivity to move house fairly often. These factors notwithstanding, however, there is still too much. Then this morning all of a sudden I realized a potential solution.
I have opened another shop on Etsy to share some of these items with other creators. So much of what I have falls under the general catch-all of "stuff I can use to make other stuff with", eg: collage elements of the paper, fabric and object kinds. (Remember the TABLE? You see what I mean.)
This new shop goes by the (probably clunky or inaccurate) French monicker of "Le Tronc d'Étrange", or The Trunk of Strange. Tell your crafty arty friends and neighbors. I've begun the offerings with some sets of beautiful 149-year-old illustrated pages from a Natural History (such as it was in 1859) Encyclopedia...
I have opened another shop on Etsy to share some of these items with other creators. So much of what I have falls under the general catch-all of "stuff I can use to make other stuff with", eg: collage elements of the paper, fabric and object kinds. (Remember the TABLE? You see what I mean.)
This new shop goes by the (probably clunky or inaccurate) French monicker of "Le Tronc d'Étrange", or The Trunk of Strange. Tell your crafty arty friends and neighbors. I've begun the offerings with some sets of beautiful 149-year-old illustrated pages from a Natural History (such as it was in 1859) Encyclopedia...
10 January 2008
morning in light
Today when i woke suddenly and unbidden at 7:18 there was an image in my head of the panorama of Amsterdam offered by the lounge at the 11th floor of the Modern Art Museum there. Ben and I had gone up to check out the view after our day of bicycling-exploring the nascent communities to the north of the city; islands reclaimed from water as recently as 10-20 years ago, with quirky modern style dutch residences and little arched bridges between them.
We'd begun by biking from our "home" south of the Pijp neighborhood, and heading over to the neighborhood where we stayed last year, then up to (and through) Flevo Park, then over one of the bridges to the islands. Later on we biked back toward the center (but still north) and saw NEMO (a large museum that looks like a ship's hull, on the water), and from there we went up the elevator to floor eleven.
I want to make a chart or list of some kind-- of our days on this trip. It went by fast, as they always seem to do, and things by now do seem a bit of an inextricable blur... but just a bit. Today amid other duties I shall begin editing some of my images, finding selects to upload. (Still, I'm sure there will be so many!) Ben has still about 500 mb of them on his USB drive- from the day above, in fact! (Maybe that was why that day was in my mind-- I haven't looked at those yet) I shall have to leave space for them as I edit.
Incidentally, I was surprised at how early it was when I awoke, on account of the light. When we were in Europe, it was still fully dark, even at 8 in the morning!
We'd begun by biking from our "home" south of the Pijp neighborhood, and heading over to the neighborhood where we stayed last year, then up to (and through) Flevo Park, then over one of the bridges to the islands. Later on we biked back toward the center (but still north) and saw NEMO (a large museum that looks like a ship's hull, on the water), and from there we went up the elevator to floor eleven.
I want to make a chart or list of some kind-- of our days on this trip. It went by fast, as they always seem to do, and things by now do seem a bit of an inextricable blur... but just a bit. Today amid other duties I shall begin editing some of my images, finding selects to upload. (Still, I'm sure there will be so many!) Ben has still about 500 mb of them on his USB drive- from the day above, in fact! (Maybe that was why that day was in my mind-- I haven't looked at those yet) I shall have to leave space for them as I edit.
Incidentally, I was surprised at how early it was when I awoke, on account of the light. When we were in Europe, it was still fully dark, even at 8 in the morning!
08 January 2008
tuesday... i think
I'm battered and bruised!
Not from the trip, mind. I tripped over a rather large bentwood rocking chair earlier, after contriving a route behind it to adjust the window opening. (It's a recent addition to the apartment so I suppose I'm not used to it being there yet)
The TRIP!
A whirlwind: Rochester, NY for the Christmas holidays - fun! And not even too cold, for upstate! Snow, ice skating, food, food, food, and family. The horses were furry and fat as they tend to get in winter. The nephews and nieces were in full form of pre-Xmas excitement. Made cookies with Mom, Jordan and Em. Xmas eve at Joe and Diana's-- a feast! Some last minute shopping with Dad and Jon, and Xmas was a big breakfast at the farm followed by another feast at my cousin Nancy's house.
On the 26th it was back to Newark airport and no layover onto a plane to Amsterdam Schipol airport, where Ben was waiting for me, as he'd gone there a few days earlier. Whoo hoo! Back in Amsterdam after only a year.; it was wonderful to return- with all its canals and beautiful old houses lining them-- it's magical. We had a chance to have a fun dinner with Gerhard and Eline while there. While in Amsterdam, we stayed at a very comfortable and sweet apartment, by way of a trade with friends of friends.
On the afternoon of the 30th we hopped a train to Münster, Germany to visit with Stork and Elena again, only this time for New Year's Eve (last year we were in Berlin for the change-over). Super fun; some bike riding around town to pick up provisions for New Year's Eve, which was a night was so foggy one could barely see a half block away. We had a great time watching fireworks in the nearby cathedral square after sharing a meal with their friends in the building- raclette style (a tasty prelude to Paris).
On the 2nd, we boarded an early train which took us from Münster to Cologne, at which point we switched for the Thalys to Paris. It was the first high speed train in Europe, and we had first class tickets, as they were cheaper than the 2nd class on the longer, traditional train ride (?!). Very nice. So, we arrived in Paris at around 4:30, checked into Hotel La Lousianne, then headed out for exploration and dinner! We walked to the Isle del Cite, as it was so close to our neighborhood, and caught part of a mass going on while we wandered through Notre Dame. That cathedral is impossible to wrap one's head around; believable that it took over two centuries to complete.
Paris Paris Paris! Five days there- all of them very full of wandering and exploring-- and eating, drinking... not smoking as much as I'd expected, however, as they'd enacted the no smoking in doors rule the very day before our arrival. :( Many cafes, however, still had plenty of outdoor seating, beneath striped awnings and heat lamps. Beautiful city-- endless lovely architecture and curlicued balconies... Amazing. We also had the good fortune of being able to catch up with two Brooklyn friends while there; Steve on Friday afternoon and evening, and Alex for lunch on Saturday.
After Paris, we trained back to A'Dam for one final afternoon of wandering and relaxing. We went to several of our favorite spots, and returned to our kind hosts' apartment for dinner with them (Marloes and Jurjen: they'd stayed at my apartment, and their friends at Ben's, for a week over New Year's)
Time to end this update, as I am on Amsterdam time, where it is approximately 3:30 am. There is an obscene amount of photographs from this trip; as time allows I will sort through and upload highlights and oddities to the flickr site (see link to the right). And, of course, there will be new imagery for jewelry...
Not from the trip, mind. I tripped over a rather large bentwood rocking chair earlier, after contriving a route behind it to adjust the window opening. (It's a recent addition to the apartment so I suppose I'm not used to it being there yet)
The TRIP!
A whirlwind: Rochester, NY for the Christmas holidays - fun! And not even too cold, for upstate! Snow, ice skating, food, food, food, and family. The horses were furry and fat as they tend to get in winter. The nephews and nieces were in full form of pre-Xmas excitement. Made cookies with Mom, Jordan and Em. Xmas eve at Joe and Diana's-- a feast! Some last minute shopping with Dad and Jon, and Xmas was a big breakfast at the farm followed by another feast at my cousin Nancy's house.
On the 26th it was back to Newark airport and no layover onto a plane to Amsterdam Schipol airport, where Ben was waiting for me, as he'd gone there a few days earlier. Whoo hoo! Back in Amsterdam after only a year.; it was wonderful to return- with all its canals and beautiful old houses lining them-- it's magical. We had a chance to have a fun dinner with Gerhard and Eline while there. While in Amsterdam, we stayed at a very comfortable and sweet apartment, by way of a trade with friends of friends.
On the afternoon of the 30th we hopped a train to Münster, Germany to visit with Stork and Elena again, only this time for New Year's Eve (last year we were in Berlin for the change-over). Super fun; some bike riding around town to pick up provisions for New Year's Eve, which was a night was so foggy one could barely see a half block away. We had a great time watching fireworks in the nearby cathedral square after sharing a meal with their friends in the building- raclette style (a tasty prelude to Paris).
On the 2nd, we boarded an early train which took us from Münster to Cologne, at which point we switched for the Thalys to Paris. It was the first high speed train in Europe, and we had first class tickets, as they were cheaper than the 2nd class on the longer, traditional train ride (?!). Very nice. So, we arrived in Paris at around 4:30, checked into Hotel La Lousianne, then headed out for exploration and dinner! We walked to the Isle del Cite, as it was so close to our neighborhood, and caught part of a mass going on while we wandered through Notre Dame. That cathedral is impossible to wrap one's head around; believable that it took over two centuries to complete.
Paris Paris Paris! Five days there- all of them very full of wandering and exploring-- and eating, drinking... not smoking as much as I'd expected, however, as they'd enacted the no smoking in doors rule the very day before our arrival. :( Many cafes, however, still had plenty of outdoor seating, beneath striped awnings and heat lamps. Beautiful city-- endless lovely architecture and curlicued balconies... Amazing. We also had the good fortune of being able to catch up with two Brooklyn friends while there; Steve on Friday afternoon and evening, and Alex for lunch on Saturday.
After Paris, we trained back to A'Dam for one final afternoon of wandering and relaxing. We went to several of our favorite spots, and returned to our kind hosts' apartment for dinner with them (Marloes and Jurjen: they'd stayed at my apartment, and their friends at Ben's, for a week over New Year's)
Time to end this update, as I am on Amsterdam time, where it is approximately 3:30 am. There is an obscene amount of photographs from this trip; as time allows I will sort through and upload highlights and oddities to the flickr site (see link to the right). And, of course, there will be new imagery for jewelry...
04 January 2008
away
i am abroad. This keyboard is awfully different to a US one. I will be away until Jan 9th, so if you've been looking for me, that's why I haven't been findable.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
