Roogoodoo

A Retro Review: Digital Fortress

2011-12-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

I know lots of people are Dan Brown fans. My mother is one of those people. I have a nook and lots of time, right now, so I figured I would give it a try. Sort of one of those "Mom reads these books and she doesn't read a whole lot, so it should be okay, right?" Plus, I wanted to read his few books in order (not succession, that is far too large for Mr. Brown) which took me to his first: Digital Fortress.

Published in 1998, Dan Brown's first novel takes place in Seville, Spain and in DC at the NSA's headquarters. The two main characters, Susan Fletcher and David Becker, are working two sides of a problem that include computer algorithms and encoded rings. The story starts simply enough: Becker, a linguist, gets called to pick up a passkey from someone in Spain. Meanwhile, Fletcher does what she does best and attempts to break a code that has the NSA's main computer - TRANSLTR - stuck in an endless loop typical of a virus. Why no one had checked the encryption key it was processing for mutation strings sooner is beyond me, but that is the way the story rolls.

Anyway... there are car/bus/Vespa chases, a fight, murders left and right, a hit man, and a Catholic church in this book. Of course, our hero tag team saves the day, the second in command goes crazy and stuff, everything fits at the last second.... blah blah.

Personally, I couldn't get into this book. It should not have taken me this long to read the almost 300 pages of ridiculously simplistic text. The fact that they are all supposed to be the best in the country at what they do leads me to question where they are recruiting from. I have never see this level of conversation for the degree of scholastic achievement they have. Not to say that people from a certain scholarly level are held to a higher standard than most. Not at all. I just expect them to be able to communicate to each other in a more proficient way. The conversations on Dawson's Creek were far more intellectually stimulating. Also, weak plot twists and super predictability left me a bit saddened. I have read teen books with more umph. Fear Street, anyone?

I was hoping to get something out of this and was left looking at a last page wondering if that was the rough draft.

Sadly, I will continue to read his books and hope that this was just a bad first book. I look forward to my next book: Angels and Demons. I hear it's pretty good!

A Silly, Wonderful Day...

2011-12-09T16:14:00.000-08:00

I really had an awkward sort of nice day. It started with the realization that this was the end of a very large chapter of my life. Not only am I leaving Skyland on a positive note with a clearer frame of mind and a better outlook on life, but I am also returning to my island of misfit toys sans a few things I had when I left... There's a lot and it is greatly personal so feel free to get a hold of me some other way to inquire, thank you. Besides the emotional dichotomy I am facing, I know now that I have the strength needed to get through it all.

Anyway, back to my day... I realized that I am ok at a few different things and that was nice, I cried a lot during my last session, DBT was all cheer-leading statements and also made me a wreck, picked up some awesome thing I created from the greenhouse with some extras and got some presents for myself (I made them). The day ended with a blondie (type of brownie) that I received.

Up and down. Up and down. Up and down. It was nice to be up and down for the right reasons instead of for no reason at all. I DID get to wear my new hair bow! You can see it on Facebook or Google+. I made it last night. It was like I was wrapping my self up and presenting the polished up new Mimi to the world. I have a few dents, but I run better than ever!

Fun With Hair Clips

2011-12-08T18:38:00.000-08:00

Fig 1. Just a few.

So, I have a lot of hair pieces. It started years ago with barrettes and fun clips til I was well into high school, then putting actual flowers in my hair every day. Then came fake flower clips. This lasted for a while and I lost a lot of them to random acts of silly. Then I started making them. Now: addiction.

I can be seasonal or match an outfit. I have to say I am a bit disgusted with it. I blame it on being someplace with not much to do.

Boredom will do it, assuredly.

This box is what I have "acquired" this past 5 months. I don't know what happened, but I think it started in a craft store. I slipped walking in and walked out with sass in feathers, paper, and yarn. Let me show you some of the ones I have done!

Look at all the feathers and clay and paper and yarn and more...

Just some of the ones I really like. All made by me.

I will give you some close ups:

Close up of my "Carnival Mini Headpiece."

A perfectly placed pink jingle bell.

Origami lotus blossom. Polyurethaned, of course. I wear this most.


Fabric and feathers go so well.

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my creations. I think hairpieces are a blast. I really do have a problem. Please let me know what you think! What kind of head gear do you like?

Spencer's Cousin

2011-11-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

I have a dog that I think is related to this animal. The resemblance was so remarkable it took me a second to determine whether or not to post here or on Potspoon! today! I refer to the dog as a Sabre-toothed chihuahua, and this is refered to as a sabre-toothed squirrel. Pretty similar in looks though I'll admit, Spencer does not have rodent teeth, he does have an under-bite with pretty large fangs.

Fig. 1 artist illustration of squirrel.

Fig. 2. Spencer

See what I mean?

Tibetan Buddhist Temple

2011-10-27T06:15:00.001-07:00

Tibetan festival from recently:
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Gardens Galore!

2011-10-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy in my recovery lately, but one thing more that most has occupied my time: the gardens. I enjoy working on them, sitting in them, watching and just being in them.... I will just show you.

Some Music: Jeff Buckley

2011-08-23T03:35:00.000-07:00

I am a pretty big fan. His music makes me happy and sad and frustrated and that whole big gambit of emotions only real artists can make you feel and something I work on a LOT. He died in 1997 in a drowning accident when he was only 31 years old. You can find out more about this amazing musician here.

This particular song speaks volumes to me. It's called "Lover, You Should Have Come Over" and is one I have never played out but play for myself a lot. It's too sad for me. There is a line that gets me every time : It's never over, a kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder. I love good songwriters. The lyrics follow the fold.

(J.Buckley)

Looking out the door
I see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners
Parading in a wake of sad relations
As their shoes fill up with water

Maybe I'm too young
To keep good love from going wrong
But tonight, you're on my mind so
You never know

Broken down and hungry for your love
With no way to feed it
Where are you tonight?
Child, you know how much I need it.
Too young to hold on
And too old to just break free and run

Sometimes a man gets carried away,
When he feels like he should be having his fun
Much too blind to see the damage he's done
Sometimes a man must awake to find that, really,
He has no-one...

So I'll wait for you... And I'll burn
Will I ever see your sweet return?
Oh, will I ever learn?
Oh, Lover, you should've come over
Cause it's not too late.

Lonely is the room the bed is made
The open window lets the rain in
Burning in the corner is the only one
Who dreams he had you with him
My body turns and yearns for a sleep
That won't ever come
It's never over,
My kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder
It's never over,
all my riches for her smiles when I slept so soft against her...
It's never over,
All my blood for the sweetness of her laughter...
It's never over,
She's a tear that hangs inside my soul forever...

But maybe I'm just too young to keep good love
From going wrong
Oh... lover you should've come over...

Yes, and I feel too young to hold on
I'm much too old to break free and run
Too deaf, dumb, and blind
To see the damage I've done
Sweet lover, you should've come over
Oh, love, well I'll wait for you
Lover, you should've come over
'Cause it's not too late.

Bipolar Genius!

2011-08-22T17:43:00.000-07:00

Neat article!

High achievers more likely to be bipolar

(PhysOrg.com) -- The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said "there is no great genius without a mixture of madness," and now there is some scientific evidence that there is a link between mania and high IQ and creativity, since a study of over 700,000 subjects showed those who scored the highest grades were almost four times more likely to develop bipolar disorder in their adult lives than those scoring average grades.

Thanks and Another Video Update

2011-08-18T19:12:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Monroe Movie

2011-08-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

I am a bit disappointed to find out that Michelle Williams was cast as Marilyn Monroe for an upcoming movie, My Week with Marilyn. Really disappointed. I don't care for her much. I just can't see it, even though I have seen pictures:

Um.... do you not remember what she looks like. No.

I think Marion Cotillard would have been a great Marilyn. I only really know her from Nine, though I know I have seen her in other films. She is so unusually pretty, though. Plus, in Nine, she showed such a vulnerability coupled with sex appeal that really captures the essence of Marilyn to me. If you haven't seen it yet, you should.

Plus, she is just pretty. :) But seriously, watch this clip to see what I mean about Marilyn-esque. Musical phobic types be warned:

Seriously... Michelle Williams?!?!?!?!?! ARGH!

Blirthday Video....

2011-08-07T04:02:00.000-07:00

Blirthday: Birthday Blog. Simply because I was too lazy to type.

Drugs for Sleep

2011-07-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

... make me feel loopy and incredibly sad. This is not a good day. I really had a hellatious day today and just really need a hug. Anyone close by?

An Attempt at Pattern Interruption

2011-07-25T16:46:00.000-07:00

bumble bee on a sunflower

I am finding harder and harder to breathe at the moment, so I am attempting to interrupt myself. Apparently my train of logic right now is completely distorted. I don't feel like it is, but it must be because I am in a highly elevated state of emotion and am feeling frenzied. Since I am attempting to change what I have been thinking about, I am going to post pretty pictures of flowers. Flowers with bugs and the like.

Every morning when I get to the place I am getting treatment (and some learnin'!), I wander the gardens and take pictures of the lovely plants. Sometimes I just sit and watch the bugs buzz around, the plants sway in the breeze, the way the sunlight bounces off the leaves....

Here's to hoping it helps.

bug on milkweed

pretty blue

yum yum pepper

these have been eaten

just what it sounds like

hiding amongst the veggies

God is a Single Parent

2011-07-23T18:37:00.000-07:00

Yeah... you know... it takes a while to think of it that way. It is so true! And funny! That little piece of enlightenment is courtesy of a book I read by Karen Salmansohn. It's called Even God is Single (So Stop Giving Me a Hard Time). I have to say: Witty, funny, to the point, and almost snarky. The illustrations (by Ed Fotheringham) were equally entertaining.

The book tackles the premise of how to answer that dreaded question, "why aren't you married?" It tackles it in all of its forms, too. All my single ladies: Try to read it! I found it super cheap at a local bookstore. The picture below links to Amazon and also has a bunch of cheap-o copies. Super fun!

Tiny Origami

2011-07-23T12:59:00.001-07:00

So fun! It's made with tiny origami paper! My fingers hurt...
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More Happiness Out of Doors

2011-07-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday , I was fortunate enough to get to do an outing. I was invited to go with a group to aid in making an archway at the entrance of a nature preserve. The Blue Heron Nature Preserve, to be exact. This was just the sort of outing I needed. A bit of exercise, some fresh air, wildlife, sunshine, and running water made for a more mentally relaxing day. A contrast to today. The post needs no more words. Here are a few pictures.

Invasive Ivy I spent most of the morning yanking out

Really big ants!

People staring at the Wisteria vines we used.

Nancy Creek

Lunch by the water.

A Tiny Bit of Serenity

2011-07-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

Drizzly garden fun.

This day was not an easy one. A bit emotionally taxing, if you will. Decidedly so. One of the nicer parts of being here, however, are the cute little tiny gardens everywhere. This is the organic vegetable garden. I didn't get shots of the goodies in the garden, but will soon.

I was wandering around trying to quiet my head and am so glad I did. This has all been really hard but fruitful, but... well, hard. The green spaces make it for me, though. A lot. Knowing that I can always find a bench or seat somewhere amidst the buzzing bees, butterflies, and humming birds while surrounded by plants and flowers is so important to me. I value outdoor spaces. I need to feel connected and rooted in that way. It feels very right. It may not be a cure all by any means, but does it ever help! Just the little bit of reprise I get from the people and walls are so beneficial to me.

Where do you find your serenity?

Head Change and Bad Psychotherapy

2011-07-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

So many of you may have wondered where I went off to and why... and some of you may not have noticed at all. Good.

Good thing about where I am and what I am doing is I am learning a lot. A LOT! My happiness is something that I never take for granted. I look for happiness in very simple places and allow simple things to bring me joy. I don't always get the results I want, but it isn't for lack of effort. In fact, it is mainly due to weird messed up chemicals in my head. Things may be going great and nothing is wrong, but lo! I am crying! What the hell?

In case you missed the memo: yours truly is bipolar. It is an illness like any other. Some days I feel fine. Other days I feel like death. Like diabetes, I can do certain things to control it as much as possible, but every now and then things decide to go haywire without warning and that is that. It is what it is.

So where was I going with this? Oh yeah... I am on a retreat, of sorts. Trying something out. There are lots of classes involved. I like it so far.

First thing I learned: no one is allowed to devalue your emotions. They are a completely personal and subjective state. What is important to one, may not be to another... but no one has the right to say how you feel is silly or worthless. At all. Our life experiences, our values, our beliefs and thought processes are unique to us as individuals and help mold our responses to things. If someone tries to tell you that how you feel or believe is wrong: they're wrong. Find someone else to talk to and if it is a psychotherapist: hire someone else fast.

It is true that perhaps our reasoning may be flawed, but how we feel is just that. Helping someone talk out why they feel that way or discovering that the heightened sense of emotion may be irrational to a degree, but you aren't wrong for feeling. It isn't silly or ridiculous. How you REACT to those feelings may be wrong, but the feeling itself is a unique and personal experience and only you know why you feel the way you do.

In my case, sometimes I feel for no reason at all. Even that isn't a silly reason. It is still a very real emotional state.

Remember that next time you and your friends are having a disagreement. Unless the disagreement is based on SOLID evidence (i.e. the year Marylin Monroe was born), or a moral/legal issue (like drug use), it may just be a battle of feelings hurt.You both may feel that you are right emotionally, but it is just that. An emotion. Don't take that away from the other person. It is what makes us human (even though I am one of those weirdos that think animals convey emotion well, too). Even if you agree to disagree, at no point are you okay to lessen someone else's emotional response.

That is all for today. I think I just need to chronicle my learning and recovery so that I don't forget it. Teaching is the best way of learning for someone like me. Smile!

Cheese Sticks

2011-07-08T06:12:00.001-07:00

String cheese is amazing. That is all.

Have a nice day!

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Living MY Life

2011-06-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

This isn't going to be a fancy post with lots of pictures or anything. This is just a post about things I need to voice and record in the off chance I forget how I feel right now.

For the first time in a long time, I have control over me. It is an odd sensation because for so long I had to think about how my actions and decisions would affect someone else. Now, I only worry about how they will affect me. It's so raw and exposed and free. It's akin to dancing naked in the breeze.

At first I was really hesitant about the new way my life was going. Could I do it? Was I capable of surviving this? Would I find happiness on my own? The answer surprised me: HELL YES.

I didn't know I could do it. I was so lost and scared. Now, though, I see it. I am more than capable of surviving: I am THRIVING and it is fantastic. I am doing well in so many aspects of my life all of a sudden. New found friends with amazing lives of their own fill my head with warm and fascinating and inspiring stories. They have all helped me be more attuned to the creative side I had put away for so long.

My music has become less technically minded and more an expression of me. Anyone can sing a pretty note, but to convey raw emotion is such power.

My art will be so different now. Canvases that I had started and planned now I look at with a totally different end product in mind.

My laugh is finally free. I smile. A lot. Since when? When I was little, my mother always told me to smile more. Hey, Mom, I'm smiling and I have been doing it a lot lately. I knew I was always a happy person. I just needed the right amount of light to grow and show my true colors. I am not living in some shadow anymore. I can feel the sun and it feels amazing.

"Rare" Lunar Eclipse Wednesday—Longest in a Decade

2011-06-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

"Rare" Lunar Eclipse Wednesday—Longest in a Decade

You should definitely read this article and keep an eye out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feeling Home

2011-05-25T11:03:00.000-07:00

This has been a heck of a year for me and last week didn't help. For those of you that do not already know, my house got burglarized. Kind of. Yes, some stuff was taken, but it felt like more of a vandalism. Things opened. Like an inventory was taken. Things like this normally don't bother me, but I don't have a whole lot left these days in the way of material things. I have very little and what is mine is just that: mine.

Fig. 1 The Hierarchy of Needs

Breaking into a car doesn't bother me, purse snatching even, as those are both deeply impersonal. To come into someones place of residence, though, knowing when they are not there, seeing photos, rummaging through personal belongings: that's invasive. I have had a hard enough time these past few months trying to feel like I have a place to call home and that was shattered. Abraham Maslow may have been onto something. My physiological needs are barely met- I am failing at the sleep thing and now my security feels insanely threatened. I miss my doggy. She made me feel safe.

So now I want a new home. Someplace where I feel secure, safe, healthy, and happy. A home isn't the walls or furnishings, it's how you feel when you are there. I feel at home in my art studio. I feel happy and at ease. I haven't felt home at the place I live except for when my two besties were there and we were cooking together. I have just felt like it was a place to shower and keep my clothes.

Fig. 2 Me and my besties

I am in dire need for shelter and having a home. I am working on it. I know I will be successful because even with all the chaos in my life, I have been happy with me for the first time in a long time. I like the person I have become and I know I can do this. For now, it's just scary and lonely but I am strong. Sort of having an inverse on the hierarchy.

How far along up your needs are you? Where do you feel most "at home?"

Toe Tapping

2011-05-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

I know that I write about music a lot, but I can't help it. I am an addict, it seems. I just wish I were better at making time to practice it. I know I can be good, but alas, I don't practice enough. Shame. I know.

I even bought a new (old) bass, but alas, the frets are bigger than my teeny bass. :(

I can make it work, I think.Until I can find the time (i.e. NOT at work) I will satisfy myself by pretending and listening to GREAT music. Like today's earworm:

What are you listening to today?

Fun and Free (ish) With a Rant in the Middle

2011-04-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

I love the views here!

Many times in your life you will hear the old saying, "the best things in life are free," and you know what? It's absolutely true.

I am a little spoiled to live in a veritable paradise, I will admit, but island life does have its own set of downfalls. Will I dwell on it? Not usually. I find it much more pleasurable to remember the happy times and to enjoy the simple things. Sure the traffic on the waterfront may be atrocious, but the views are spectacular. You're stuck anyway so enjoy the scenery.

Regardless of geographical location, however, one should still be able to enjoy all the little things.
This past weekend, I was lucky enough to go with a friend for a little ride around the island. Well, we covered the WHOLE island, but it's not very big. What was so special about a day cruising? The scenery was spectacular as always and it's easy to forget that. It the whole not seeing the forest for the trees. Yes, some of the houses are wrecks; yes, there is litter (which maddens me, but baby steps help); yes, there are strays; too many power lines; bad crime... whatever! When you just step back and take a good look, as a whole, it's amazing and beautiful.

Yes, I can spend time dwelling on the bad, but there is already so much of it in the media. NEWSFLASH: Politicians were never honest, not even in "your day." Crime was always bad: it was just usually across racial lines and "back then" it was okay to beat up coloreds, communists, Jews, fags, cripples, women, spics and what have you. You know, all the people with no rights so they couldn't really call the police anyway? Don't pretend it wasn't true.

Fighting with pirate statues.

Now that I made my statement for all the elderlies reading my blog.... glad I got that off my chest... let's get down to the point! ENJOY THINGS!

nifty vest

Yes, enjoy. I had so much fun just seeing the island from a slightly different vantage point. I enjoyed playing with bubbles and scoping the scenery and watching the pavement zip past and feeling the wind in my fingers and having easy conversation. I liked pretending I was a tourist and then freaking out. I enjoyed seeing the flowers and butterflies. I had FUN. It was great. I got some sun. I had a big ole grin on my face. It was free (ish)... gas did need to be bought. I didn't drink, I didn't need to spend all kinds of money, I didn't need a bunch of fancy things to do it. It was nice.

Plus I got to wear this nifty vest for a second. Shhhhh....

Where I'd Rather Be...

2011-04-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

What's that there?

Today is one of those days. Started out with a scare and finished up with an, "OMG I'M STUCK!!!!!!" I just for a second felt like I wasn't going anywhere. I had to sit back and relax and remind myself that even though I would rather be on the beach and even though I feel at this very moment like I am going nowhere fast, it is all a lie. I have gotten lots of places fast. I am just at a rest stop.

Another beach???

Maybe today I am agitated at certain things. Yes I would rather be on a beach playing guitar, napping, eating, snorkeling, or some mixture of the above. Am I though? No. I do not own or work at a beach shop/bar/location. I work at a desk, now. That was my choice to make. At the time, it felt smart. It was painful, but felt smart. Would I rather be doing my art again? Absolutely. Realistically, though, we are about to go into off season. No sense in me getting all adventurous now. I have a good job with a good wage and I live in paradise.

Jellyfishing!!!!

Maybe this is just a small stop. Maybe I need a long break. Who knows? Maybe I will end up with a beach shack selling fancy sandwiches and hand painted goodies and renting out snorkel gear. All I know is sometimes you just need a reminder of how good you actually have it. Do I get to see the pretty sea critters and turquoise waters the way I want to everyday? No. But the water is visible from the roads and the views make up for it. I guess, right now, it's not soooo bad. :)

How do you keep sane in your environment?

For the Love of...

2011-04-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

People often ask why I run myself the way I do. Why do I do so much? Why am I a science blogger? When did I become a musician? Why did I add radio? Do I like being cellular tech support?

I wear myself out.

A lot.

But I do it for a lot of reasons. I do it for love:

for the love of butterflies...

and secret beaches...

for Floyd...

for the hidden beauty of the unfinished canvas...

for hurt and pain and becoming the monkey on his back...

for lights and productions and music...

for bacon and good times at Betsy's with new faces and old friends.

But mostly, I do it for me.

I do it because even though sometimes I feel my world falling apart, I know that there is always something else, someone else, someplace else, some new adventure just around the corner. I do it because I love. So much.

What keeps you motivated?

More Songs and T'ing

2011-04-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

In case you all haven't figured it out, I'm sort of surrounded by music. Between being in a band and working at a radio station, saying I have music around me sometimes would be a definite understatement.

In case you didn't notice, I even have pages dedicated to all the nonsense that has to do with music. The links are right above the posts here on Roogoodoo. Musical Mayhem is updated with whatever stupid song is in my head. Like today's great song by Travie McCoy:

Feel free to post things you think I should listen to and be careful, while I usually post things I like, more often than not, what is stuck in my ear is pretty bad. There was a day in February, for example, when I had Good Charlotte's "Last Night" stuck in my head. Ugh.

There is also the Happenings page, which lists any events I deem important that are coming up. Usually music or art shows, this is where I let people know what I'm doing with what little free time I have.

What's new with you?

Playing On-Air

2011-03-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

I have to say, I honestly wasn't sure how I would deal with my new job. As a morning show co-host on a radio station, the hours are ridiculously early, the pay isn't so great, and it means that you can't stay out too late the night before. It is exhausting to try to be humerous at 6:30 in the morning.

Fig. 1 A wall in the studio

It's a bit tough to get used to, but I actually enjoy waking up before the sun and really like having witty banter with my co-host. Well, it's more like I'm his sidekick, but I have learned a lot from him. I have no radio experience whatsoever and I am having a blast!

The perks can be kinda nice, too, like this little concert I went to in Puerto Rico a few weeks back.

Fig. 2 Little Concert

This still is a ton of work as I do have a full time job as a call room person for cell phone tech support... usually until around 9 pm. I don't have many days anymore. I don't mind too much. The days go quickly. I can't spend a whole lot. I REALLY appreciate my days off. I don't have time to stress and think about things anymore. The Buzz is an incredibly enriching experience so far. I speak more slowly (thank goodness), my confidence is up, and I feel better about public speaking. I think I may stick to it!

Things You Need but Didn't KNOW You Needed

2011-03-12T07:17:00.000-08:00

OMG FINGER LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!

Apparently I really have been living under the rock I am supposed to be living on... hmph! Anyway, I didn't think I needed these until I saw the link below. It was all clear at that moment: they really are perfect for night blogging. Or night digging for cellphones in cars. Or night gaming. Or playing piano in the dark. Yes.

The possibilities are so boundless. I am so excited to have stumbled across something that made me giggle so much today. I needed a good laugh.

What's something funny you want that is practical in an impractical way?

Art or Something Like It

2011-02-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

The poster for part 2 of the event

Steve Rockstein is one of the most amazingly talented people I know and I am honored that he has allowed me to participate in what is sure to be an outstanding event in our community. His photography exhibition— aptly titled STEVE ROCKSTEIN: PHOTOGRAPHY 1971-2011— is his life’s work in every sense of the expression.

The exhibit will showcase more than 100 of Steve’s photos and covers every type of photography from photo-journalism to nature photography to portraits… whatever genre you want to put it in, the fact is it is all truly artistic. He cuts right to the core of the subject matter and really brings out the essence of what the subject (or his rendition of the subject) is attempting to portray. Steve’s shots all have a rawness and almost candid feel to them. He has an unapologetic take on photography that I would love to call “refreshing” amongst all the scores of people with expensive digital cameras and auto-focus that have websites and consider themselves photographers, but I can’t. It is just who he is.

He has taken pictures this way for far too long for me to call his take “refreshing:” it is simply genuine. It is provocative. It is introspective. You are sure to find a piece that will make you smile, make you wonder, make you reminisce, make you turn away, make you sad. His images invoke such an array of emotions every time I am fortunate enough to look at them. I am duly honored that I can even consider such a talent a friend as well. Luckily I know his awesome wife or she may wonder at my praises. It’s the artist in me: I can’t help it.

One of the most nerve binding views and he captured it perfectly.

Part One of the exhibit is at Oceana in French Town and Part Two will be at Seven Minus Seven in Subbase. Both parts take place on March 18th from 5-8pm and 9pm-midnight, respectively. I am honored that my band UncovereD will set the musical backdrop for a show that is not to be missed. If you can’t make it for the opening, the show hangs until April 15th.

Things You Learn Being in a Band Part 2

2011-02-18T16:00:00.000-08:00

If you think you have enough extra _________ you should bring one more (or refill or whatever).

This applies to just about everything: drumsticks, rolls of duct tape, guitar picks, beer for a party, gas for a road trip, underwear for a vacation, sunblock for a beach day... you get the idea.

Guitar strings are notoriously manipulative like that. You will have sets for months, but being the good little guitar owner you are, you change your strings. You get down to the last two spare packs and even with new strings on your axe you break two B strings in one show! What the heck?!?!? Now you have new strings and 2 new incomplete sets! Should have brought an extra set.

Fig. 1 The picks I use mostly. See duct tape post for proof.

Guitar picks are the same, too! It must be a familial thing. You are great about not losing your picks. You get rid of them only after you have worn them down. You still have five and that should be enough, EXCEPT this show is particularly sweaty and the playing is a little more aggressive and the picks start flying. Like crazy. Should have brought a few more, buddy. And don't even get me started on the plight of drum sticks, snares, 1/4" cables, extension chords, 9V batteries... The list goes on.

Real life examples abound as well! Let's say Jedediah gets invited to a swanky party and all he has to bring is ice. He brings two bags and half of one gets dumped on the deck accidentally and there are way more people than were expected. Way to go, Jedediah. You should have bought one more bag. Seriously, they're like, what, $2?

I suppose the moral of this similar to the girl and boy scout motto: be prepared (or always ready or some derivative thereof). Even when you think you are prepared, just remember, you might just want to reconsider that one last roll of film that you unpacked (yes, some of us still enjoy film) and just stick it in your camera bag.

Be prepared.

A Very Appropriate DailyOM...

2011-02-15T12:53:00.000-08:00

I am a dork and receive the DailyOM every day in my inbox. I have found quite a few gems in there and today's was one of them. I figured I would repost it. It is called "Recharging Your Batteries."

Our natural state of being is vibrant, happy to be alive. Yet, there can be times when we feel run down and worn out. This does not mean that we are lazy or unfit for the tasks in our lives; it means that we need to recharge our batteries and find a way of keeping them charged. Vitamins and extra rest can be very helpful in restoring our physical bodies. And if we are willing to delve deeper, we may discover that there is an underlying cause for our exhaustion.

Whenever you are feeling run down, take an honest look at how you have been thinking, feeling and acting. You will likely find a belief, behavior pattern or even a relationship that is out of alignment with who you really are. Perhaps you believe you have to be perfect at everything or you have been bending over backwards to get people to like you. Maybe you are dealing with mild depression or simply have too much on your plate right now. There may also be people or situations in your life which are draining your energy. Once you get clear on the root cause, you can weed it out and better direct your flow of energy in the future.

In time, you might notice that the reasons you feel run down have less to do with how much you are doing and more to do with the fact that in your heart, you would rather be doing something else entirely. From now on, try and listen to what your heart really wants. It may take meditation, or just a moment of silent tuning in to gain the clarity you need, but it is well worth the effort. When you know what you truly want to do, and honor that in all situations, you will find that getting run down is a thing of the past.

I really enjoyed this today.

Stuck in my HEAD!!!!

2011-02-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

This song has been stuck in my head all day. I don't even know where I heard it or how! I had to Google the lyrics just to figure out the darn name of the song and now it is stuck. Badly. Like a splinter in my eardrum or a worm that is winding its way through my cochlea. Horrid. It won't stop and it won't go away. I think I really like this song. How did I not know it existed?

A Mode of Transportation

2011-02-12T09:32:00.000-08:00

I finally got one. I am so excited. Honestly, I didn't want to spend quite so much, but I did and I am glad that I did.

This week I did something I never thought I would do on my own. I bought a used car and got financing. A 2008. Yes, dear friends, Mimi bought a car that was built within 10 years of her driving it and it wasn't a beater that cost less than $2000. That never happens. It is just what I need, too: good gas mileage, four wheel drive, room for gear, working windows, no leaky roof, great price and functioning seats. The seat thing is a long story but let us just say that my passengers usually got a great core work out or a good nap in while riding with me.

The whole reason I have been carless was the topic of much controversy as of late. All one really needs to know is my beloved Beast is dead. It died the week I accepted a second job that takes place in the wee hours of the morning on the top of the mountain on the other side of the island. Yeah. Awesome. So now I must wake up to be at the station at 5:45 am, leave there by 9 - 9:15 to be at work usually between 10 - 12 to then put in my eight hours. Fantastic. Especially when you do not have a reliable mode of transportation. Trust me. There are not too many friends who will help you out for a ride at five something in the morning.

Fig. 1 Yes, I bought the blue one

I managed, though, and asked around and looked at beaters and even rented a car and then, when I was dead to the world yesterday, I insisted on car shopping. Then I found it. The price was right. My bank was awesome. Now I have keys.

There is something to be said for having an enclosed vehicle with good ground clearance. Being dry while it is raining is a luxury I was okay without, but rolling up my windows and not having my car leak on me yesterday made me realize that I was okay with that luxury, too. Oh, and I don't have to worry about my music equipment getting wet, and I can lock the doors, and give people rides without apologizing for the wildlife that made it's home in my open to the elements car. This could be good.

The Most Amazing Birthdays

2011-01-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

I have had a few friends celebrating birthdays recently. I have to say, being honest, I am the type of person that celebrates my birthday for a few days in the least. I start singing songs about my upcoming birthday months before. I don't mind the forehead wrinkles and new digit. I embrace it. I know there are many who don't celebrate at all and that is fine, but I look at it as a reminder of this amazing person I know.

Sure we should treat the ones we love special all the time, and believe when I say I do, but birthdays are anniversaries. Mile-markers. Because of this, I have the tendency to go overboard with my loved ones. I insist on telling everyone that it is their birthday for at least a week. The birthdays are usually always more personal. We talk, laugh, make memories, play music. It may not be all glitz and fancy cars and sparkly champagne, but in the very least I can make someone feel special. I don't have a lot to give but I can give my love and make my friends feel special in the very least. Simple gestures like buying them their favorite flavor of ice cream or giving them pictures of fond memories seem to make it even more.

Cooking their favorite comfort food, going to karaoke and singing their favorite song, no matter how horrid, showing you really KNOW them seems far more important than some fancy clothes in a giant hall... unless that really IS the only sort of thing they are into. It may not be a fancy (generic) lotion set from Bath and Body Works, but damn it, it is unique to only that person! It may seem cheesy, but I think it's fun and far more sentimental. I wish I had some photos of some of the "celebrations" I have attended, but alas, I am at work. They mostly consist of bad karaoke, beach days with guitars, and home cooked dinners, so I shouldn't bore you anyway! What do you do to make birthday's special?

WooHoo Steeker Time

2011-01-13T15:16:00.000-08:00

Yes! Stickers are in and you are gonna buy them. If you want. Because it makes you feel good. They're only $2 and it's about the same as buying us a beer. So stock up! They're 6 inches long and SUPER shiny. They also happen to be your new favorite band's first ever sticker. So you should get one, or two, or 20. I set up easy pay thingy just for you. You could just call or text or Facebook me, too. Just saying.

Why I'm Really Excited Today

2011-01-12T09:01:00.000-08:00

I received stickers in the mail. Not just ANY stickers. Oh no. These are better. One was actually a box of 1000 UncovereD stickers. Yay band swag! The other I received from the Union of Concerned Scientists and simply says, "got science?" I would post pictures, but I don't have my USB cable at work today. *sigh* Still. Stickers make me happy.

Another reason for my excitement? New glasses. Two pairs. Transition. Yes. One is rhinstoney and nice and the other is red leopard print. Double yes.

What made you happy today?

Things You Learn Being in a Band

2011-01-10T06:18:00.000-08:00

Fig 1. Basic Silver Glory

You can NEVER have too much duct tape. Seriously.

From taping down cables to holding your guitar strap in place to ghetto rigging a cymbal stand to keeping your picks in an easy to reach area... uses abound. This is just scraping the surface. There are so many uses for this stuff. I feel compelled to carry a roll with me at all times now.

Fig. 2 My pick holder.... duct tape on a microphone stand.

I have always had a bit of a crush on the stuff and I know duct tape fixes EVERYTHING, but the random things we use it for when on stage (although we really have only ever been on an actual stage, what, twice?) is pretty amazing and only serves to verify duct tape's awesomeness. Did I mention it comes in a bunch of colors now?? Yup. Awesome.

Need to fix a broken city duct? No worries. Gotta secure a poster? Piece of cake! Leaky car roof? Easy. Wardrobe malfuction? Got ya covered. Need something to wear? Yeah, it can help there, as well. There is even a festival dedicated to the awesome staple in Avon, Ohio.

Is there anything this stuff CAN'T help with?

Almost Smart

2011-01-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

I can't help but eavesdrop on people's conversations. Since I was a kid I have been unable to block out background noises and conversations. I can have a conversation with you and still know exactly what three of the four other tables around us are talking about. I hate it. Believe me when I say I have blushed horribly at some of the vivid imagery that comes to mind when I am talking about potatoes but the person behind me is talking about something far more naughty.

This has made me really fascinated with topics of conversation. I especially enjoy topics that upon first encroachment sound really intelligent, but end up painfully almost smart. What I mean by this is it is obvious that the person may have read a book pertaining to this topic the odd 15 years ago or may have seen something on some historical documentary a few weeks ago, but the information seems somehow off and the names are just a bit confused and the vocabulary is just out of reach and you end up with very wrong words in very wrong places. Words like "argumentated" come out in conversations like this. Things like Copernicus become Capricornius in said conversations. "Irregardless" is commonly used in such conversations.

I know it sounds like it should be a headache, but it's not. It gives me hope.

FIG 1. I'm pretty sure this monkey may think I am almost smart, too.

Why? Well, these conversations about heliocentrism and New World discovery and existentialism show me that even though people believe you have to have certain grades, an IQ above crazy points, a degree or whatnot, the fact of the matter is even these misguided people WANT to have intelligent conversation. It shows that they WANT to learn and feign scholarly some of the time. Heck! I feign it most of the time! I would rather hear misinformed people at least attempting to have intellectual conversation then limiting themselves to the latest celebrity gossip or grunts of approval or whatever.

At the end of it, the more you push yourself to learn, the more you talk about those same topics, the stronger the synapses in your brain get. This is where you really begin to absorb information and realize how very little you know. Once that self-actualization moment sets in, the REAL learning begins. Everyday I try to learn something new. I enjoy it. I can't imagine not learning a little. I am an eternal student and I intend to keep it that way.

These conversations actually occasionally pull back memories of things I hadn't thought of in ages and force me to refresh myself. They do give me hope and remind me that I, too, am almost smart.

A Song and Dance

2011-01-05T16:21:00.000-08:00

I honestly cannot believe it has been so long since I have posted anything anywhere! My life is in this bizarre state of flux and I am waiting for it to stabilize but right now I feel the desire to type. So I am. I started by thinking of how drastically my life has changed in the past few months when my posts started to die down. New living situation, new job, social revamp, new hairdo, missing my doggy... it has been insane. How I have managed to survive is beyond me.

Somehow through it all I managed to maintain my sanity. Well, I maintained what little of it I had to begin with. The holidays were a bit not what I expected, but it seems ok now that I am on the far side of things. I loaned my tree to a much deserving friend. I feel more like myself than I have in a while and more alone than I have in a while. I guess that is to be expected.

In the end, though, I am lucky. I still have my studio, although I seldom visit. I have a good paying job so I count my blessings there. I still have my health, although I am a bit sniffly now. I still get to play music with some pretty amazing (albeit occasionally drama infested) musicians. Aren't all bands drama? I guess I kind of like it though. Keeps me on my toes.

Speaking of toes, every time I say "my toes" I think of mitosis. It's the science geek in me. "Mitosis" cold! Ok... maybe I am the only one who thinks that is HILARIOUS, but I do. Like my super cool math shirt... if you have to explain it, it's not so funny. Oh well.

On to yet another tangent. I would really love it if someone, ANYONE, would give me some advice on some great recent albums to buy, I think the last time I bought an album the year it came out was "The Beekeeper" and I do have some (SOME) more recent ones than that, but I bought them like 2-3 years after the fact and I still have no clue what's current. What's good, guys? Give me some feedback. I need some ear candy badly. I am craving something different and new. Who better than an audience spread the world over

to give me something different to listen to, right? There is something really cool about listening to people tell you why they love such and such album. So much of music is how it speaks to a person and how it moves a person. It can be just the rhythm that gets you dancing or in a trance. It can be vocal harmonies that send shivers down one's spine. It can be a lyric that pierces your very soul. Whatever it is, I want to hear it. Really.

Anyway, this little note seems to state nothing of importance, and I am still trying to figure out why I posted this random picture, so what is new and exciting with you?

WOW!

2010-11-16T11:28:00.000-08:00

BBC News has a good way of learning how to use memory palaces. I thought the video was cute too. Memory palaces are an interesting memorization technique and the best of "architects" are incredible at it. Practice makes perfect.

The Miners

2010-10-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

I am really excited that the miners in Chile, trapped since August 5th, are finnaly coming out. 12 so far. This article keeps getting updated. I started reading this morning when only 7 had emerged. This is just really great. I am happy for the families. So many lives get lost to mining accidents and this rescue is truly amazing.

Losing Grip

2010-09-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

I am really tired and stressed about all the things that are going on in my life right now. I really would like to get into writing on here and Potspoon! more, but it is not to be. Things in my life are so chaotic. I barely have access to a computer anymore. I feel so detatched. What do you do to ground yourself? I seriously could use your advice.

Live at Jack's

2010-09-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

Me and my girl Rita doing a duet! Yeah yeah, I know... I never post anymore. I have been a little busy and stuff around here hasn't been easy. At least I still have my music.

2010-08-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

I'm sad... I found out recently that one of my favorite scents (of which I have finished three bottles) has been discontinued. Now the hunt starts for online vendors that may have some stock of Anna Sui's Sui Dream. OMG smells so good! Why oh why? Instead I bought Juliette Has a Gun's Miss Chaming. Very nice. Still. I love Sui Dream. *sigh* I don't even wear fragrances much, but this one I liked. What are your favorite fragrances?

Rockstar Moments

2010-06-14T05:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I really love pretending I'm a rockstar. Sure we are a little local coverband with really big sound, but I still feel like I'm free to do what I want while on stage. It makes me feel like I can overcome anything.

You have to understand: I have terrible stage fright. It's part of the reason I am so obsessed with karaoke. Helped me get over it a bit. Having a band behind you helps a lot. I know that if at any moment I lose my way, the guys are right there to point me in the right direction. We really are a team. The feeling you get when everything works out is fantastic, too.

That is the rockstar moment.

The feeling you get when all the work you did paid off. Whether it is playing on stage, climbing a mountain, teaching at an orphanage, winning a game, getting that account, realizing you are in love, running through a fountain, riding your first rollercoaster, having a shark encounter, finishing a really great book, finding that perfect shade of red lipstick, watching your best friend marry: these are all rockstar moments.

Have you had any rockstar moments lately?

Photo of UncovereD by Jeff Lange, 2010.

Stupidity Unleashed

2010-06-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

I wish there was some way I could capture the essence of stupid. Use it when I want to just not think about things all the time. Unleash it and leave people a bumbling mess of drool and incoherent speech patterns. In a recent stint of stupidity I had, I left something dear to me somewhere unknown. I thought and looked and frustrated myself beyond all help. Then it hit me. Like a ton of feathers (still weigh a ton, but more tickley). It was right where I left it. Really obvious. My soul almost melted away.

Ah, the stupid.
At least it isn't contagious.

Winding Road

2010-05-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

I love the stunning winding roads and amazing cliff colors out west. That is all. Good day to you.

Wildlife Pictures

2010-05-02T05:45:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was younger I wanted to be a wildlife film-maker or photographer. That is part of the reason I started Potspoon! a few years back. It was supposed to have more videos, but also gave me a chance to flex my science writing skills and post some of the amazing pictures my husband and I have had the fortune of taking these past six or so years.

In the picture above, for example, I am stoked to be so close to a wild buffalo. I am glad my husband had the digital as I am rarely in any of our outdoors photos. The camera in my hand is a 35 mm camera because it just takes that good of pictures. I love the opportunity to take pictures of any sort of wildlife. My husband is excellent at flora and I take care of the fauna. It's a good match.

There is something absolutely magical about seeing an animal in the wild up close. There is a mutual respect that passes through you and the animal, as cheesy as that may sound. I know that a buffalo is capable of amazing ground speeds and could trample me. I have to respect that but also show that I do not intend to harm in return. My healthy fear and respect for the majesty of nature has allowed me some fantastic shots through the years and makes me want to learn more of the intricacies of photography.I'm ok with the SLR I have but really want to learn to better apply f/stop and shutter speed settings. Experimenting with them is one thing, but I want to step it up for sure! Mother Nature deserves a professional approach. Anyone can set things to certain settings and have the camera do all the work.

I suppose that is why I like my camera. It only does so much for me. I can't doctor or edit the photos easily. I can't take 100 photos and pick out the best ones. Well, I could, but it would be expensive and cost me lots of film and time. You have to make every shot count. Using a camera without all the fancy settings has made a better photographer and I can't wait to learn more.

What's your secret hobby?

J'ouvert 2010

2010-04-30T04:12:00.000-07:00

J'ouvert (pronounce JOO-way) is a massive street party held before the final parades of Carnival. It is a conjugation that literally means daybreak or open day and starts at the wee hours and works it's way until around noon. We march and dance down the street behind bands until we get to around the Carnival village or stadium where we have the Jump-up. It's just what it sounds like. People come in silly costumes and tramp all day. Even though ours is big, it is actually considered one of the (gasp) lame ones of the East Caribbean. It is still, however, the largest in the VI and we always try to make it a good time.

J'ouvert was going to be shut down because of a lot of misbehaving, but they pushed it up this year and everything was cool. That is what happens when you get 10,000 drunk people together at once: someone fights. This year was pleasant and started after 6 am so there was lots of light and not enough time. People still had a great time and I think everyone realized that we shouldn't lose one of our local traditions because of stupidness.

Usually there is powder and dye thrown as well. I saw a few people in curry yellow dye, but not too many. I was a bit disappointed. I did boogie and break in my boots for sure and had a blast the whole time. Sorry about the lame picture and video quality. I had my camera in a housing for fear of beer, water, and/or dye being spilled. Today is the Children's Parade and tomorrow is the super popular Adult Parade. I hope to catch one. Happy Carnival!

Why You Shouldn't Buy Nike

2010-04-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, sure, people have been attacking big businesses like this for a while. When I was a kid, we were told not to buy Nike because of sweatshops, which, by the way, there was a documentary of in 2000 featuring one in Cambodia run by Nike. Now my reasoning behind it (times two) comes from a different approach. You shouldn't buy Nike because you will send out a message that you do not support misogynistic behavior and sexual assault. Vote with your dollars.

Why would I make such a claim? On the light end, Tiger Woods. On the heavy end, they also STILL sponsor Kobe Bryant and Ben Roethlisberger. If you don't know... he assaulted a woman after she repeatedly said no in a restroom. What did Nike have to say about this? Pretty much still maintaining a relationship with them and as for the allegations? No comment. Great. But there is a great article as to why on ABC! Like that makes it any better. Meanwhile Michael Vicks gets taken off their payroll right away. I am not a fan of cruelty to animals, but I am also not a fan of cruelty to women and human beings. What makes one ok and not the other?

I am a bit put off by the fact that one would take precedence over another, but this is his SECOND accusation. Nike needs to let him go. Nike needs to let all men accused of rape and assault go or they will never get a dime from me and hopefully all my other girls out there. We can vote with our dollars. They need to let us know that they really believe it is NOT okay to assault anyone! There is a good article here on Roethlisberger and a great point about Nike on Care2.

I don't know about you, but I just can't stand by and shrug my shoulders anymore. We CAN do something. We can make a stand that ANY kind of abuse towards another human being is not ok. The worst of it is I'm a Steelers fan. They won't be getting my money either.

Some Aches are Better Than Others

2010-04-19T16:28:00.001-07:00

Drag me down and beat me no more. It's over. Done.

It stings a bit, like picking the scab off a wound or overchewing a fingernail. In the end, I would do it again.

I would do it for a million reasons, or one.

The pain is only caused by me and only exacerbated by contact with you. Because of this: because of the heat, fire, emotion, passion, undying whirlwind of electrical currents, there is a cessation.

The ache is good. It reminds me of why.

With the ache: a flood of fantastical moments and intense sensory memories. It makes it all okay.

TOGA!

2010-04-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited that our bands next show is a toga party. It is right during the peak of Carnival festivities so I am hoping someone comes! Carnival is one of my favorite times of year here and I am hoping this years doesn't disappoint! Parades, pageants, food, and concerts abound this time of year so the competition is rough. I hope we can compete! Any excuse to wear a sheet usually gets people out though.

One of the highlights of Carnival every year for me is the food fair. Food is good. Rising Stars Steel Pan Orchestra is better. These kids are the only reason I go. Imagine a double decker open air bus filled with kids from age 6 to 16 all jammin' and swinging' and playing steel pan with a few adults thrown in for supervision. It is a sight and sound to behold and I can't wait!!!!

If you happen to be on the Rock for carnival these are your two best odds of finding me. Either that or I will be tramping it up at the village and maybe dancing until my feet bleed for j'ouvert! Gotta love Carnival!

Radio Time

2010-03-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

Very exciting for my band is the fact that we got featured on our local morning show the day of our last concert. I didn't pick the song, but we did the best we could at 6:45 am. I had to drink a LOT of tea. Part of the reason I am so fidgety is the copious amounts of tea I had consumed that morning to aid in the warming of my vocal chords. Fun times! I hope you all enjoy it! If you haven't noticed in past posts... I am pretty excited about the music I get to make now. I am still doing lots of science on Potspoon!, but between the band, my art business, and other things, I haven't been blogging as much as I used to. Sorry. I hope all is well with all of you.

Weather Conspirators

2010-03-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

They must exist. I finally have a day off(ish) and was planning a fabulous beach day with some friends and dear Floyd, and it's cloudy and poopy. The weather networks say sunny high of 82! What the heck!? I guess I will just hang out here! This could have been poor Floyd today. She needs a doggy beach day badly. *sniff* The weathermen are conspiring against me... I just know it!

2010-03-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

My buddy posted some great picts of my band at our last show. We are so high energy normally that this picture really stood out. Tom and I look so mellow and in sync in this photo. Kudos to iPhones apparently.

HECTIC!

2010-03-17T06:29:00.001-07:00

I was writing my calendar out for the next two weeks and I realized I am pretty much done for. The closest thing I have to a day off coming up is the day after a concert I am doing. I think I may be able to sleep. Sheesh. Really, I should do laundry that day. I should also maybe paint stuff. Oh well. I am going to be a slacker and take my day off as I can. I don't really have one til sometime in April! Who knew this could be such a busy time of year?

How are you guys holding up?

The Confusion of Speech

2010-02-12T05:25:00.000-08:00

I know I may not be the most eloquent person in the world. I also have the tendency to not be able to filter adequately the things that pop out of my mouth. Part of it is there is so much going on in my noisy brain that I can't keep it all in and part of it is mostly I am not even talking to the people around me but having a running dialogue with myself. Obviously this leads to a lot of fights and confusion on my part and leaves me with a small group of friends. The worst of all of this is my stupid lack of gray area in anything pertaining to opinion.

I never feel "okay" with anything. I either greatly like (love, become obsessed with) or strongly dislike (more like hate, loathe, despise) things. There isn't a whole lot of things I am just so-so about. I don't know why. Because of this, people think I am volatile and maybe I am. I just don't think I am in the way people think. If I feel like I am doing something stupid and state "this is stupid," I don't want people to tell me that I am wrong or try to build up my confidence. I just want you to agree. Why you should ever agree with someone telling themselves that they suck is beyond me, but I have the tendency to blow up if things go otherwise. I have tried really hard to work on this, but I can't seem to change my evil ways. Maybe it is because unless I know something is really wrong that will be the only way I will fix it. If you say it's all okay, then why improve at all?

This often leads to many bouts miscommunication in my life and for that I am eternally apologetic. I then end up overly apologetic and this grates people even more. I hate when things get lost in translation, but I wish there were some way to explain to people how my brain worked. I hate arguing with people. I always feel guilty afterward because I know it's my fault in the end. I wish there were a way we could all communicate on the same level of understanding, but because of different past experiences and levels of comprehension, this is usually easier said than done. That is part of the reason I wrote this post. Occasionally I seem to be better at getting my point across in written word. It forces me to stay focused and I feel like just for a moment, I can't get interrupted and the responses I get I have to treat with the same respect. I know it isn't easy to deal with people like me, but maybe this helps. I don't really know.

How do you deal with miscommunication? Do you find writing letters to help?

Milky Challenges

2010-02-01T04:47:00.000-08:00

I drank soy milk. Copious amounts. It wasn't because I am lactose intolerant (I'm not), or because I am vegan (hello, bacon!), but merely because the majority of the milk on St. Thomas is overpriced and gross. Really. I am talking $7-10 a gallon. Yup. It's true. Occasionally you can buy the St. Thomas dairies milk for like $5.99, but it is gross and tastes like the reconstituted milk it is. Nick and I bought Parmalat and other UHT milk products for a while. Good product, nice on an island with frequent outages, and about the same price as the crap sold in the refrigerated section of the store.

Soy milk is a tad cheaper per quart so I started buying it for my self. It's odd that soy milk would be cheaper than regular milk, but there you have it. I drank soy milk religiously for a good 5 years. Oh the flavors! Yummy (you gotta know the brands), creamy (which is such a bad description since there is NO cream), and super healthy. It has tons of protein, which I crave a lot, so I was happy there. Lots of calcium was also a plus so I became addicted. What I was blind to was the fact that soy has really high levels of phyto-estrogen. This is all well and good for normal people who have normal hormonal levels, but not for me. Add to this the fact that I also really love tofu, veggie burgers, steamed soy beans, soy sauce, soy nuts, and probably inadvertently eat soy as an additive in many things and you got a LOT of excess estrogen. For someone with already high levels like me, that is not good. Well, not HORRID, but not pretty.

I thought I was just cursed with adult acne. Then I read up on soy and got to thinking. I went soy free three months ago as an experiment. No soy lecithin, nothing. My face looks awesome. I always broke out in the "estrogen zone" around my mouth and cheeks. Nothing. My periods aren't as vicious. I just feel good. It's odd. I didn't change anything else except my soy intake. As someone with a strong science background, I can run an experiment pretty well. There were no other changes. I still drink a lot more than I should, but nowhere near the amounts most drink here on island. I stay out late a lot. I still use the same soap, detergent, etc. It's great. The down? I still need a milk substitute.
Today I tried rice milk. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was kinda dry. I don't know how that makes sense since it is a liquid, but it was. Just dry. Also, well, it tastes like rice. Maybe it was the brand: Rice Dream. I had okay luck with the Soy Dream in the past so I gave it a shot. My favorite soy products are Vitasoy and Natura Soy (super yummy strawberry tastes like Nesquick). Maybe the fact that I had it with Special-K (rice cereal) didn't help. I dunno. I will try it later with some cookies or some Nesquick (don't hate).

WOW! This post is getting long! Anyway, now I am asking for your help. Is there a good rice milk product available? Almond milk is a tad too expensive. Any other suggestions? Maybe I should just raise milk goats.

Secrets

2010-01-22T06:15:00.000-08:00

I just finished a really incredible book that was recommended to me by my buddy Heather. The book, entitled The Memory Keeper's Daughter, is a very well written first novel by writer Kim Edwards. In the book, an insanely intricate web of lies ties the characters together.

It got me thinking: how many of us really know anyone? Do we really know everything about our significant others? What secrets do we hide from them? How fragile are the lives we have built for ourselves? It's a bit daunting of a thought, but at the end of the day, would you let some grave secret destroy you, or would you move on, realizing that we all have our own secrets, some more sinister than others?

As bizarre as it seems, I sort of like not knowing. Maybe it is the biologist in me, always trying to falsify the evidence, always asking questions. If I don't know, it is something new for me to discover. Even if I find absolutely nothing, the challenge of proving that it was nothing was worth it in the end. It isn't because I am trying to find drama, or something that isn't there- it is the mystery that is intriguing. Perhaps I was a cop in my past life. My husband constantly accuses me of such. Staring to long at someone's expressions, memorizing details and nuances in conversations and surroundings, bizarre games that I have gotten quite good at playing.

It's like the book Harriet the Spy, which was a fave as a kid. You secretly wonder why they chose to wear only purple socks, or why they bought so much cat food. Unintentionally, by observing some of these little intimate moments, you now harbor a secret of your own.

Ah, secrets. How do you feel about them?

Fast Forward

2010-01-20T04:20:00.000-08:00

Sometimes things go horribly wrong. Really. Just plain bad. At certain times I feel like I just want to skip ahead to the good stuff. A few people in my life are having a rough time of it and it is unintentionally affecting me as well. I wish I knew with certainty that it will all get better, but I don't. What I do know is that I will continue to support in any way possible. It is all I can and will do. Even if we did skip ahead to the fancy job and the stable relationship, what good would it really do? Part of being wounded is the scar tissue that builds. A little tougher than normal, more resilient. I think this "toughness" is worth it. While I would love everything to be fun and sunny for all, the reality is we need those tough times to appreciate the good times more. It helps keep things in perspective.

I can't save everyone (even though I try at my own expense quite a bit) but I can help them see that even though it seems hopeless, a lot of that emotion is emanating from you. As hokey and superficial as it sounds, we truly are our own worst enemies and if I can help someone else realize that, it was worth it. I just want everyone to be happy. The anger and bitterness is unnecessary. I saw a really good post on Facebook the other day. "Life isn't like a box of chocolates, it is more like a single coin: you only get one, so spend it wisely." Too true!

In the words of the Dalai Lama, "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."

What keeps you grounded?

Something New!

2010-01-10T05:38:00.001-08:00

I'm so excited. My hubby got me this awesome pair of knee high Chuck Taylors. They were replacing my super-awesome-limited-edition-2004 Peace Chucks that are finally falling apart. I didn't think they would be this rad. Normally I am not into fancy new things, but these are pretty rad. I am gonna paint them up Mimi style! He says he bought them for when I rock out. He's a great stylist. :D Awesome! And we got the after Christmas super cheapo price. I'm in love. These will last me another 6 years.

Do you have any rad shoes?

Old Year's Day

2009-12-31T08:54:00.000-08:00

Today is not New Year's Eve. Sure, that is what the calendar says, but they are wrong. How can I make such an argument? Perhaps it is because I have lived in the Caribbean for too long. Here, we refer to this day as Old Year's Day. It isn't a day to make goals and correct mistakes you made last year and chit-chat about new beginnings and all of that... that is what tomorrow is for. Today, you celebrate the past year. All of it. The ups. The downs. Celebrate the old year. If it was good: kudos to you. If it was bad: YOU SURVIVED! There will never be another 2009. Every single one of those experiences over the past year will never be replicated again. Appreciate that. Be grateful for the amazing vessel that is your body. It allows you to experience and memorize your life. Don't think to hard on the future, enjoy the present, and respect the past for what it is. Happy Old Year's Day!

Were there any experiences in the past year (good or bad) that really impacted you?

No Time for That...

2009-12-03T04:56:00.000-08:00

WOW! Has it been a busy week or what? Since last week I have barely had time to sit and breathe, much less keep up with all my bloggy buddies and write anything on any of my sites. So today, ladies and gentlemen, I give you a moment of peace. This photo was taken at one of the most impressive fortresses I have ever been to... and I have been to quite a few. It sits atop a hill in St. Kitts. The fact that some of the buildings have been there as long as 320 years is amazing. The fortress looks so strong perched atop this hill overlooking the Caribbean sea. We'll talk more about this later though. I hope you guys have an awesome weekend!

Stuff to be Thankful For...

2009-11-26T04:48:00.000-08:00

I suppose I could get all mushy and list the many reasons I am thankful this year, but in case you guys haven't figured it out, I am easily pleased and find pleasure in the smallest things. I think that is what keeps me young! Anyway... one thing I am thankful for is (and super excited about) is my Bento USB. It finally came in the mail. If you couldn't tell by the picture, I want to eat it. I took the close up so you could see all the mini food! In case you forgot, I won a contest on Adventures in Bentomaking. Thanks, Pikko!

I'm doubly thankful that I get to have a non-traditional Thanksgiving at a friends house. No turkey here! We're going Cuban style with roast pork. It's in the oven now and smells super yummy! A lot of the people here on island are "orphans" and don't have a lot of other family here. It's nice that we still feel like it's a family gathering. I can't wait. My friend bakes such awesome pastries!

I know that I am grateful for a lot of other things as well, like my health, my finances (come on, I could be living in a slum... you don't have to be rich to be wealthy... perspective peoples!), my hubby and such, but I think being grateful for the little things is so much fun. So what silly little thing are you grateful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh My Goosebumps!

2009-11-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

I thought the craze for Susan Boyle was over, but then, perusing through YouTube (an addiction I'm afraid) I stumbled across this performance. It was posted yesterday. Holy cow. She really can sing.

The One Ring

2009-11-21T06:35:00.000-08:00

The exhaustion is coming again. I should be painting, but I am blogging. It is my zen moment. Odd, isn't it? I'm trying to curb the sleepiness with diet Monster beverages. I have designs swimming in my head. Maybe I need to go for a walk or something.

I lost my wedding band in my car earlier in the week. Two days ago, really. I spent all yesterday in tears and going through my car with a fine toothed comb. I even had a friend come help me out. My car is a disaster. There is enough sand in my car to start my own beach. We go to the beach a lot. There is only one car wash in my vicinity on island (you know, with the giant shop-vacs) and it's across the street from a whore-house. I don't go a lot. So my car is a portable sand box. It happens.

Well, I didn't find it combing through the car. I went to pick up the hubs, friend still in tow, and we pulled over to grab some snacks at a gourmet grocers. Nick, my tall husband, rubbed his head in frustration that I hadn't found my ring. His hand bumped the roof. Guess what he felt. Yup. My ring. I have a really ghetto car— we call them island rides here, for the record- and the fabric on the roof is saggy. I don't know how it ended up in there and I honestly don't care. I NEVER would have looked there. It was a serendipitous head rubbing. I have my ring back.

My band where it needs to be. Woot!

WOOHOO! First Listing...

2009-11-17T06:06:00.000-08:00

Okay, it took a while but I did it! I listed my first thing on Etsy. So it's only one listing... whatever. I am working on it! Woohoo! Little by little. Now, off I go to deal with my stupid cars! Have a great day!

Oh no! I'm SICK!

2009-11-12T09:03:00.000-08:00

I feel like ground beef today. Or oozing garbage. All of my muscles ache. I have no voice. I'm so tired and shouldn't be. Argh... tourists and their germs. I am pretty sure it's the flu. Gross. I was feeling pretty horrible about the fact that I was getting one of the most painful flus I think I have ever had 'til I saw something adorable on ThinkGeek.com.
If you can't tell what it is, it is a plush microbe. This is the latest addition to the family, the H1N1 flu microbe. Cute, huh? I love plush microbes. They come in oversized petri dishes and are just too freaking cute, in that really disturbing, science geek sort of way. I am a really big fan of the common cold plush, krill plush, and herpes plush (it looks like a flower, I swear). All of them come with pictures of the actual microbe and information on it. What will they think of next?

What sort of cooky thing do you think is fun?

Thank a Vet.

2009-11-11T07:07:00.000-08:00

Regardless of what side you take with current conflicts we may have, the fact still remains that our armed forces are volunteer and these servicemen and women will fight for US when we need it. Special shout out to my bro, Joel, a former Marine and war vet himself and to my sis who is currently serving. Thanks to all of you. And as an extra aside, this day is, in fact, Armistice Day. This was to remember the day that the armistice was signed between the allies and Germans in World War I.

A Super Floyd Picture

2009-11-08T10:49:00.000-08:00

Because of the lack of anything cheap on island, I have neglected to get my film developed in any sort of reasonable time-frame. Yes, I still use film. Something about the crispness and inability to delete the bad ones... you have to make every shot count, you know? It makes you a better photographer, I think. Anyway, I finally got a roll developed and I was so pleased to see this adorable picture of my Floyd on it.

She's just too cute, with her scruffy neck and heart shaped nose. Do you have any pets? If you do, leave a link to a picture in comments. I love animals and photos of all kinds!

Rockstar

2009-11-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I'm not really a rockstar, but I definitely am pretending to be. Aside from the crazy amount of painting and shows I have been doing, which are going great by the way, I auditioned for a hard rock band. Very different from the chic rock, folksy stuff I do on my own. One person in the band was pretty sure that he did not want a female in the band because he did not want the band to be "chic rock."

Well, I must've done something right because I have gone to two practices already and the band is very excited. We all have a lot of positive energy and agree on a bit, which is really surprising. I'm finally using my electric. When you are a one person show, doing metal songs alone is silly, so you do campfire acoustic sessions. Having a band makes such a difference. The band website is here. We are reworking a bit on it. I hope I can keep up though. The guys are such awesome musicians, but I already see myself improving my knowledge of guitar. It's so nice.

The art shows are doing great as well. It's kinda funny, because when I was really young, I told Mom that I would live someplace beachy, do science during the day, art for tourists, and play music on the weekends all in cutoffs and flip-flops. Well, I do write about science on Potspoon!, I definitely do art for tourists, and now I do music too! Oh yeah, and I live in paradise. Not the EXACT dream I had, but, this is pretty close to living it, I must say. Now all I need is a Vespa and I'm set! ;)
So that is what's keeping me busy, well, that and Floyd... What's new with you guys?

What a Week!

2009-10-23T17:24:00.000-07:00

I did 3 shows and did pretty well, if I do say so myself. I also did a mural at the Butterfly Farm and painted a bit. I'm exhausted. If that weren't enough, my car broke down today. I know that sounds bad instead of good, but hear me out. My car broke down so I had to walk to the Marriott (where the hubs works) to get his car to move my inventory out of my car. Well, usually this is easy as many people hitch on island. Today, not too much luck. And it rained.

The good part? I ate some genips off a tree, saw some iguanas and chickens, got some exercise (the hills here are brutal!), and took some time off. If my car hadn't died randomly, I would have just proceeded home to paint more. I have been wearing myself out a bit though, so it was nice to have a little time for me. I collected my thoughts, reworked my schedule in my head, and really felt quite happy by the time I got to the hotel. Odd how the universe knows when you need a break. Sure I could have been upset, but I am glad. I needed a break and was given one. I guess it is how you look at it.

I will post pictures of the mural as soon as I get my camera! I'm a dork and left it at the Butterfly Farm! I am really quite pleased with how it turned out. Nothing to fancy, but the butterflies are fantastic. I may be a few hours behind painting now, but am I truly ever going to be ahead? Not likely. In the end, it really is all perspective. I had a great day!

Island Doggies Need Love Too!

2009-10-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am obsessed with my Floyd. She is the best doggy ever. There are other dogs that need help, too. There is an organization that is trying to help island dogs. Please read my post here to find out more.

So Rested!

2009-10-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

What a great week off! Nick and I are so relaxed now and we got some much needed errands out of the way. I even got my kayak back! I was devastated when I sold it. The new owner didn't really need it, as he has another, so was willing to sell it back to me. I am so glad to be out on the water with it once again!

I also started playing the game Assassin's Creed
to ready myself for the sequel. Also, FYE was having a really good sale on some movies and I bought a Kubrick boxed set for cheap and got Fiddler on the Roof for $7! For those of you that don't know, I am a gamer geek and LOVE LOVE LOVE musicals! Even more, West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof are my two favorites. Now I have them both.

Home Sweet Vacation

2009-10-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

So the hubs is on vacation this week and we decided to stay here. We figured we could try the whole "staycation" thing that seems to be so popular. It's really easy to do here since we feel like we are on working vacation all the time anyway. People spend a lot of money to come here on real vacations after all.

I think we would feel differently about taking a stay-at-home vacation if we lived somewhere like Salinas, Kansas (no offense to the people of Salinas). Although, while driving through Kansas once, Nick and I had some car trouble and got towed into the town of Goodland. We saw the coolest thing we could have seen there, too. It was a giant reproduction of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers." Really. It was awesome. I know I have a picture on one of my discs somewhere. Just can't find it. That was the neatest. It really made Kansas cool. You can follow this link to see someone else's picture of said painting.

Anyway... back to our plans. We are going to enjoy ourselves the way we always do: lots of rum, sun, sand, and ocean. We may throw in a few more days hanging with the turtles (which we do a lot) and maybe try some really touristy things and go parasailing or something. Not a bad vacation in the end though. I really do live in paradise.

And the Winner is....

2009-10-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

Me!

I'm in shock. I have to cheat at Go Fish to win. It's sad. I actually won. So what did I win? This nifty bento USB drive. It's 2 gigs! It's got food! I'm a happy girl. So how did I acquire this nifty prize? It started a long time ago. Oh yes, I am going way back. You see, when I was younger I hated boring lunches. I was always packing myself really quirky lunches of the style Sailor Jupiter did on Sailor Moon. I didn't know that it was called an obento, or bento lunch. I just liked it. There is a lot lost in the English translation of Japanese animated shows. Once I did know, I became obsessed with bento boxes and anything to do with bentos.

Fast forward a few years to the point where blogs entered the scene. I had looked on the internet for bento sites and most were in Japanese. No help. Then there was a trickle, small at first, of bento enthusiast coming on to the scene. Cooking Cute was great while it lasted. A little more decorative than I wanted, but awesome and worth the look. Lunch in a Box is gigantic now compared to when I started reading it. Then there was Pikko's site. Adventures in Bentomaking was a simple blogger blog just like mine when it started. I was immediately attracted to her site because she mixed the simplicity I needed with cute touches I could handle. Her photos are awesome, too. She is honestly one of the few bento blogs I read regularly and there are tons of them now. It's very popular. Anyway, back to the contest.

Pikko has contests. I never win them, but it is always nice to participate. This one was no different. I leave comments occasionally anyway so it's not like I am saving myself from lurkerdom or something. However, I HAD to win this contest. The minute I saw it, it was meant to be. The question posed was great. I had a solid answer. I love USB gadgetry. I am a geek in the end. Luckily, Random.org was on my side. Then came the post. I had won. Where was I? Who knows. It took me a week to reply. That is what I get for slacking. I'm just so thrilled though. I can't wait! Woohoo! I will post pictures when I get it!

Paula Deen's Showdown

2009-10-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

While I don't approve of the name of this video, I feel bad. Barbara Walters has gotten a lot of slack for asking Mrs. Deen a very legitimate question. They introduce her with words like "deep-fried" and "countess of calories" and even Whoopi makes a comment in the beginning asking if it is all for kids. Deen even admitted to having an intervention done by some of her coworkers to get her in shape. Most of the people who buy Mrs. Deen's books don't have the luxury of a Food Network salary to pay for personal trainers. Was Barbara Walters out of line for this? At the end of the day, she is a journalist. She will play the role of asking the tough questions as real journalists do. Do you think she went to far?

Honestly, as much of a "comfort food" junky I am, I did not eat cheesecake for breakfast and snack cakes were a rare treat in my house growing up. Bacon-wrapped-deep-fried-macaroni-and-cheese is not homestyle cooking for me. Click on the link. It's a real recipe! Sure I have eaten my share of greens (turnip, collard, kale, and more!) and love me some hushpuppies and fried fish, but some of her stuff is a bit excessive. I do think our children need to learn healthier eating habits. It does start in the home. I personally don't think Walters' question was that far out of line, she isn't one for tact, but I would love to know what you think.

No Excuses

2009-09-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted anything on any of my blogs in a week. I am sorry. Part of it is I have been lazy and mopey, and part of it is I have been trying to get things together for season. Really, at the end of the day, I am a bit mad at myself for it. I am usually better at forcing myself to do something. I haven't even logged on to any social networking sites (gasp!) or read any science news (double gasp!). I always read science news! Oh well. Such is life, right? Sorry. I will return you to your regularly scheduled program soon!

Update on the Show

2009-09-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, I set up shop (or is it table?) for the first time with the "Roadshow" as they call themselves. Tuesdays there are two shows, in the mornings at Bluebeard's Beach Club, and at night at Marriott Frenchman's Reef. My husband works at the Marriott so this could work out! However, it is off season here and the Marriott show is the money show so everyone shows up and there is no more room. I opted for the morning show at the Beach Club. The sun was shining, the water was crystal blue, the ants were biting.

The hotel does a beach party on Tuesdays for guests. It includes lunch and music and us artists set up a few tables. There were only 5 of the 16 artists present. Only 12 people came to the party. I sold two things! Not to bad considering it was my first time and there were people who didn't sell anything. I am really excited! I am waiting for my tablecloth to be complete so I can do more shows. I think I will do the Beach Club and Bolongo for now. Artist belonging to the Roadshow can set up tables at Bolongo Bay's Caribbean party on Wednesday evening. They have moko jumbies, steel pan, and all sorts of cool stuff. I think, until season starts, these two are at least the most entertaining. When season rolls around, we also have shows at a few other locations on island and by then, I should have painted enough to be able to do at least four shows a week.

I'm babbling a bit, but I am really excited. I think this could really work out. Funny thing though, is I didn't even sell a bag, I sold some of my minis! The picture to the left is my hubby at the Beach Club (locals call it Lime Tree) beach two years ago. Sorry for the bad quality, it is a scan of an actual picture. You know, 35mm film? :oD Not to bad of a place to spend a few hours though. Not really work at all!

Downtime...

2009-09-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

I shouldn't really be blogging right now since I have things I could be painting, but It's so nice and breezy today that I am enjoying sitting in front on my computer enjoy the view from my window. Taking a little downtime away from my work isn't too bad. It is just so hard to get motivated when it's so pretty out. I enjoy looking out over the harbor an reading on my porch. It's one of my favorite downtime activities.

Do you get easily distracted? What's your biggest distraction? How do you spend your downtime?

How the years have passed...

2009-09-11T16:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been so long. Feels like yesterday.

No More!

2009-09-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to see Inglorious Basterds. Yes, that is how it's spelled. I was enjoying it until the end. Then it lost it's luster. To top it off, earlier in the day the hubs and I had a marathon of Nazi Zombies which is actually a bonus game in Call of Duty: World at War.

It's official. I'm Nazied out. While I do get a perverse pleasure that I am offing pixelated Nazi zombies (or pixelated non-zombie Nazis in many cases), between the hours spent playing the game and the hours spent watching Brad Pitt carve swastikas in peoples heads to mark them Nazis, I'm done. I have no more in me for at least another week. If not longer.

I over did it. I know. I have no one to blame except for me. Well, my husband, too. He is addicted to zombie killing and begs me to help since I am so great at FPS. FPS, by the way, is gamer geek slang for first person shooters. Think games like the Call of Duty franchise and the Halo franchise. Still got nothing?! Well, I guess I let my true geeky colors show. All I know is I must stay away from anything WWII related for a while. It's pretty hard to do since the background noise for me posting is Nick playing said game online. Someone save me from myself! :D

I DID IT!!!!!

2009-09-05T06:06:00.001-07:00

I know, I shouldn't use all caps, but today I feel like I should be allowed to do so. Who made that a rule anyway? I'm really excited to say I made it into the show I wrote about a few posts back! I got the call last night. Now I really have to get to painting! This is great news for me and for some of my friends. There is no way I could produce enough on my own! I'm going to try, but I'm pretty sure I will be calling for back up! This is fantastic!

Yum!

2009-09-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

I was doing a post earlier on Potspoon! about a book, and the picture I used was so yummy! I took the picture our last night in St. Kitts. We ate at a Marriott restaurant named Blu. It was so good. Pictured here is Nick's dinner. You can see mine at the other site. The scallops were browned perfectly, not in the least slimy or rubbery. The flavor was to die for. The steak that came with it was perfectly done to my liking. It was all so good and the scallops were approved by my little sustainability card so that made it better. I love food and good karma. Did I mention how much I loved my trip? Oh. I did? Well. I guess I am just depressed that I don't get to see the hubs 24/7. Funny thing about us: if we see each other all the time, we don't argue. It's when we work and hang out with other people and DON'T see each other that we do. Weird.

The Jury is Out...

2009-09-02T05:17:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to apply for the Traveling Craft Show. It's a little show featuring a bunch of local artisans showing off their wares. They visit various hotels throughout each week giving people staying on island the opportunity to purchase something locally crafted and unique. I have to submit some of my wares for jury. All the artists and crafters get together and vote on whether or not I would be a valuable addition to the show.

Needles to say, I'm a bit nervous. She took a palm tree mini, an iguana bag, and a hibiscus/beach scene bag. She said she would get back to me Thursday morning. She seemed to really like my stuff and I do know some of the people in the show already so I think I stand a good chance. If I make it in, it would be a great way to get my stuff out there. They do 6 shows a week, two of which are at the Marriott so I could spend more time with the hubs! Plus, I could charge full retail. If I don't, I really have to get some more accounts. I have my fingers and toes crossed. So nervous! Wish me luck!

Texas Seceding???

2009-09-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

This sort of scares me a little. It seems that there is a really strong movement to get Texan Independence. While that seems fine and dandy to some, and there is the myth that Texas has the right to secede (it doesn't, only the right to break up into 5 smaller states), the part that scares me is the fact that they are SOOOO anti-America. Many of the Texas Nationals party use argument that they will be better off because they have NASA and oil refineries and farm land, so they will be more rich than the US. Ok, except for NASA, oil refineries, mines, natural gas, farming.... all of those are subsidized by the federal government.

There is also the argument that they have great schools and a lot of defense industry. Many college students wouldn't be able to attend said schools because since the average household income in Texas is pretty low, they do currently qualify for FAFSA... another federally funded program. The defense industry is what it is because of the US Armed Services. Without those billions a year in contracts, how would that industry pay off? I got the list of arguments for the secessionists side here.

I guess I am just really bothered by the fact that they (true patriots they consider themselves) are so anti-America. Sure our government is far from perfect, but it is the best one we have. I enjoy my liberties. I am proud of my birthright. I don't appreciate people saying they hate us. Hate some of the things our government does, sure, but America is great overall. It saddens me to hear this. I'm sorry about the political stuff, but it bothered me so much to hear.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

A Message I Hold Dear

2009-08-30T06:41:00.001-07:00

I got this last year, but I really love the site DailyOM. I find a lot of what they say to be inspiring. You can save your favorites to read later, which is also nice. My real home hitters I print out and have on the wall next to my computer. There aren't many of these. Ok. There are three. One of them is really inspiring me now with my new little painting business. Here is one of the passages:

Whether we avoid something because it scares us or bores us, or because we think it will force a change we’re not ready for, putting it off only creates obstacles for us. On the other hand, facing the task at hand, no matter how onerous, creates flow in our lives and allows us to grow. The relief is palpable when we stand on the other side knowing that we did something even though it was hard or we didn't want to do it. On the other hand, when we cling to our comfort zone, never addressing the things we don’t want to face, we cut ourselves off from flow and growth.

I find that many times, when someone fails at something that seemed too easy, it is because they are unwilling to step out of their "comfort zone" and allow that fear or stubbornness to consume them, ultimately leading to failure. It isn't easy putting yourself out there for the world. You have to be ready to deal with rejection. No one really thrives off of it, but if you are willing to get a few "nos" to end up with one resounding "yes" it is worth it in the end. No one else can carry that for you. It is something you have to do on your own.

As much as I would love to have my marketer of a husband go to all the shops for me and set up my accounts, this would be the wrong way of doing things. I have to do it on my own. Allowing him to do that for me would be putting myself at a disadvantage. What if, for some reason, he is not around? How else am I to get accounts or customers? I then have to rely on friends, but it gives me more satisfaction to rely on myself. Uncomfortable? You have no idea... but it is so worth it in the end.

What forces you out of your "comfort zone?"

Black Sand

2009-08-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

This beach was known as Dieppe Bay in St. Kitts and was gorgeous! That little point in front of Nick is the exact point on northern St. Kitts where the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet. The wave action was pretty incredible. I will go back there one day. I have to. St. Kitts was way to pretty to NOT visit again. There was too much we did not get to see.

Me and My Honey

2009-08-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

I posted this image on Facebook and decided to post it here, too. I think it is a silly picture and me and my honey have way too much fun on our vacations. If only the vacation could last longer! Plus, it's one of a handful of pictures of me I actually like.

What is your favorite picture of yourself? Share a link!

West Side Story

2009-08-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

I own it, I watch it, I never get sick of it, or the special features.

I can't help it. George Chakiris as Bernardo is graceful and strong. He is an amazing dancer. Rita Moreno, I mean, she is just legend. And of course, Miss Natalie Wood is just perfectly cast as Maria. I mean, really! Can you get an ensemble together like this today? There are plenty of actors capable of the intensity of this film, but the choreography, the cinematography, everything was so well done! It was made in 1961 but still feels fresh. I could never get tired of this.

What is one movie you think will stand the test of time? What is the one you never tire of?

Picture Sharing

2009-08-22T13:35:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I'm lazy... but I feel like I have to post something somewhere so I am presenting the actual picture used to make my header. Super neat. Me and the hubs nearly did ourselves in slamming on the breaks to take this and a few more monkey pictures. I love monkeys!Will you share a link to a picture for us? Please?

Success!

2009-08-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

Two days ago, the hubs and I went around to various places to drop off and pique interest in my mini paintings and bags. Well, I had a few set aside for the Native Arts shop, but was really surprised by the reaction I got at Pirate's Chest. I was only going in to show them what I had and see if they were interested and what designs they would like. They took everything I had on me. I now have a lot of bags and minis to paint, but my black paint is being wacky! I need better black. I am so excited to be back in business!

YAY!

Today in History

2009-08-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

I like to browse websites in search of things that happened throughout history on certain days. BBC does an okay job of it, as do many other sites. Instead of thinking about some celebrity's birthday or what have you, I have a pretty interesting list of things that happened today in history from a neat website. The complete list can be found here.

1741 - Danish navigator Vitus Jonas Bering discovered Alaska.
1866 - It was formally declared by U.S. President Andrew Johnson that the American Civil War was over. The fighting had stopped months earlier.
1939 - The National Bowling Association was founded in Detroit, MI. It was the first bowling association in the U.S. for African-Americans.
1953 - It was announced by the Soviet Union that they had detonated a hydrogen bomb.
1977 - Voyager 2 was launched by the United States. The spacecraft was carrying a 12 inch copper phonograph record containing greetings in dozens of languages, samples of music and sounds of nature.
1986 - Patrick Henry Sherril, postal employee, killed 14 co-workers in a shooting spree at the post office in Edmond, OK.
1997 - Britain began voluntary evacuation of its Caribbean island of Montserrat due to the volcanic activity of the Soufriere Hills.
1998 - Canada's Supreme Court announced that Quebec could not secede without the federal government's consent.

Is there anything you would like to add to the list?

Nice Outfit!

2009-08-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

Ok... so I was online at a certain women's channel website, and they were really making fun of Helena Bonham Carter's outfit from a Harry Potter premier. One, I would LOVE to wear this outfit. In a heart beat. Two, it is Helena Bonham Carter. The woman is eccentric, quirky, and brilliant. She is allowed to wear tin foil and she would look fantastic.

There are some choices celebs make that confuse me and get rave reviews. This is not a bad outfit. It's unique, funky and soooo much fun! Why do I even read this stuff? Most of the celebrities on these sites I have never heard of and the one I have heard of (Ms. Carter here), they are making fun of. Not only that, but her purse is awesome! It's a castle! I've always been a quirky dresser though.

Would you wear this or some variant?

Fun Sign

2009-08-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

This was one of the highlights of my recent trip. Let me tell you, if I had been to St. Kitts before moving to the Caribbean the first time, I may have ended up there instead. For real.

Do you have any weird signs where you live?

Getting Back Into the Groove

2009-08-15T06:35:00.000-07:00

Since I came back to the VI, I had been in a bit of a funk. I really didn't want to do much except see my husband and sleep. I didn't get to see the hubs a whole lot because he has this issue. He's a workaholic. Not in a light sense either. He will work three 18 hour shifts in a row, read news online till 3 in the morning then go to work again at 7:45. Nuts. The vacation I took was just the thing to get me back into the swing of things.

I came back ready. Nick acquired me some studio space that I get to check out on Wednesday. I have a new account and old ones that need to be worked on as well. I have a lot to do! No more time for moping.

Yesterday, I painted. It felt fantastic. While most of the things I paint are not really my style of art, I make money producing things people buy so I am stuck painting palm trees. It doesn't bother me though, because it is still a composition. It is still making colors work. It is still putting a brush to canvas. My new account is the Pirate's Chest at Paradise Point. Since it has a piratey theme, I did tall ships, schooners, Caribbean style houses, and skulls. I loved doing the skulls. That is more me. A bit morbid and VERY sciencey. Do you see the light sourcing on those things? Super fun. The houses were fun as well because I can get really creative with them but the blocky design means I don't have to spend too much time on them. Time is important in production art because besides paying yourself a livable wage, you have to make the product affordable and still be able to buy the raw materials.

I'm going to do some bags today. Some more skulls perhaps. I have some sea critters I have to do for another shop as well. I already have a lot of different Caribbean themed designs. Those are easy! I need more pirate stuff!

What kind of pirate themed designs do you want to see?

It's Good to be Back... and Some Political Stuff

2009-08-13T04:34:00.000-07:00

St. Kitts was great! They have monkeys. That is all it takes for me to be happy.

They have a LOT of them. I will definitely post some stories of things we did, but right now I am to sore to sit here for long (INTENSE horseback riding story) so I am leaving you with something I am sure to be flamed for. Go ahead. Make fun. Yell. Get mad. I don't mind. It's mostly just good food for thought. I like discussions. It was published online in 2004 so is a bit old. Written by John Gray of Cincinnati, OH. Just skip to the end of the post if you don't like discussing politics.

"A Day in the Life of Joe Middle-Class Republican"

Joe gets up at 6:00am to prepare his morning coffee. He fills his pot full of good clean drinking water because some liberal fought for minimum water quality standards. He takes his daily medication with his first swallow of coffee. His medications are safe to take because some liberal fought to insure their safety and work as advertised.

All but $10.00 of his medications are paid for by his employers medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance, now Joe gets it too. He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs this day. Joe’s bacon is safe to eat because some liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.

Joe takes his morning shower reaching for his shampoo; His bottle is properly labeled with every ingredient and the amount of its contents because some liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained. Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some tree hugging liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air. He walks to the subway station for his government subsidized ride to work; it saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees. You see, some liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.

Joe begins his work day; he has a good job with excellent pay, medicals benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe’s employer pays these standards because Joe’s employer doesn’t want his employees to call the union. If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed he’ll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some liberal didn’t think he should loose his home because of his temporary misfortune.

Its noon time, Joe needs to make a Bank Deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe’s deposit is federally insured by the FDIC because some liberal wanted to protect Joe’s money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the depression.

Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae underwritten Mortgage and his below market federal student loan because some stupid liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his life-time.

Joe is home from work, he plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive to dads; his car is among the safest in the world because some liberal fought for car safety standards. He arrives at his boyhood home. He was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers Home Administration because bankers didn’t want to make rural loans. The house didn’t have electric until some big government liberal stuck his nose where it didn’t belong and demanded rural electrification. (Those rural Republican’s would still be sitting in the dark)

He is happy to see his dad who is now retired. His dad lives on Social Security and his union pension because some liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn’t have to. After his visit with dad he gets back in his car for the ride home.
He turns on a radio talk show, the host’s keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. (He doesn’t tell Joe that his beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day) Joe agrees, "We don’t need those big government liberals ruining our lives; after all, I’m a self made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have".

Sorry for this, I just felt compelled. I know how many of my readers do not like political things. Anyway, I really can't wait to write about all the neat things I saw and did down island. I could so live there in a heartbeat!

Getting Ready

2009-08-03T05:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't been online in about a week because I am working on things around the house before I go on my vacation. I finally started painting again, which is nice. I also had a friend on island this week, so things got a little hectic. You will probably hear less from me coming up, too, as I will be in St. Kitts. Did you know St. Kitts is actually short for St. Christopher? Weird. When I come back, however, I will have lots of goodness to share here and on Potspoon! We are hiking up a volcano and going into the jungle, we're going to Brimstone Hill Fortress, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and we're going drinking with monkeys on the beach. There is also going to be a little gambling and horseback riding thrown in for kicks. Should be a blast. I will keep you all in the know when I return. For now, I am off to make a list of things we need. I'm too scatterbrained to attempt to pack without one.

What a Day!

2009-07-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

I went to my favorite beach on island today (well, second fave if you count where I was married). Actually, I have a few favorites, but all for different reasons. Brewers Bay, however, is way up on the list. The reasons are it is sooo easy to get to since it's on UVI's campus, it's gorgeous (the opening credits to my videos on Potspoon! are all at Brewers), and I ALWAYS see sea turtles. Today I got to see two. Not bad. Not bad at all.

The sad part was there was so much litter in the water. I mean, not like the Hudson River or anything, but still. It's such a pet peeve of mine. I mean, here we all are, on this beautiful tropical paradise, and you don't even have the courtesy to take your garbage to the bin? Really?

Beer bottles, plastic bags, cans, and plastic cups were all removed by the hubs and me today. And a SunChips baggie to top it off. All at the bottom of the bay in the turtle grass bed. It makes me mad. It's not like there is a lack of receptacles on the beach. It's just a lack of respect. Maybe that, combined with a lack of understanding of what their stupid litter does to the fragile ecosystem in our waters, adds to the mix. I wish there was more I oculd do, but there is only me and the hubs and we do what we can. We always pick up any litter we see on our lovely beaches and collect sea glass. It helps a bit. It's just frustrating. We still had a blast. The water was delicious and blue as ever and the turtles and fish were in abundance. It was beautiful, breezy, and a humid 84 degrees. It's hard for me to let a little litter ruin that for me.

How do you feel about litter? Be honest.