a few months back i discovered this blog and felt like i'd stepped into a gold mine of Funny. even though it is no longer active, i still like to visit the site on occasion and peruse the archives, especially on particularly slow mornings at the Day Job...it gives me that extra boost i need to get through the day. (today would be one of those days). these two are my favorite finds of the day. i feel that it is my blogging duty to pass these comedic gems onto you.
[note: please do not enter site if you are easily offended by things such as expletives and/or strong sarcasm]
Friday, June 20, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Caffe Vivaldi ~ 6/18 show ~ 9:30 p.m.
it's that time again ... *VIVALDI* time!!
{this little plug is for those of you who AREN'T already my faithful friends planning to come tonight (thanks friends!), or my far-away friends who are currently hundreds of miles from me (sad)}:
if you like LIVE, FREE music, and don't fall into either of those categories, then please stop on by!
Katie Arnold and Jodie Manross play Caffe Vivaldi
*TONIGHT* Wednesday, 6/18 @ 9:30-11:00pm
32 Jones Street (at Bleecker near 7th Avenue)
New York, NY 10036
No Cover, F/V Train to W. 4th or 1/9 train to Christopher Street
[sidenote: Woody Allen just filmed at Caffe Vivaldi's a few weeks ago...]
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
boston & art & stuff...
soo, boston was a hit (i'd never been there before, and it turns out -- i heart boston!), and the art show was the bomb (and i never say that, so you know i mean business). the beau and i had such a lovely time getting away from everything, just the two of us, exploring and taking in new sights in a new city. and the art opening couldn't have been more encouraging -- lots of kind words about my work and even some possible future sales! i left feeling inspired and encouraged and happy...all in all, an amazing weekend (and just what i needed in order to come back refreshed and ready to face a somewhat busy and stressful nyc week).
***
::well hello!! this is my art!:: {i believe this was the moment when the beau said, "okay, so pretend you're looking at your art ... now TURN!}
***
::well hello!! this is my art!:: {i believe this was the moment when the beau said, "okay, so pretend you're looking at your art ... now TURN!}
Thursday, June 12, 2008
tired...
sometimes i have trouble just being present. even if i am not currently super-duper busy, but just know that busy times are coming, my mind runs in circles going over and over all the things i need to accomplish before those busy times come, and suddenly i find myself utterly worn out and exhausted before I have even DONE a thing!
whew.
that combined with the fact that i can't seem to get myself to bed before 1:30 am (and generally the Day Job doesn't appreciate or support a work day that begins at noon -- meaning i need to get my butt out of bed in the morning), combined with a packed-out week of New York Fun, has left me: pooped.
on my way home tonight i will a) stop and get a tasti-d-lite treat b/c it is hot and b/c i want to and b) take the long way home via MTA bus service and read my new book. a little way of forcing myself to stop thinking so much about everything that needs to be done and just CHILL THE HECK OUT.
some of the things currently causing my mental gymnastics and subsequent anxiety:
~ a show next wednesday. and therefore new songs to write (ha!), cover songs to learn, emails to send, flyers to make, set lists to write, old songs to polish, and just overall mental preparation. oh and the pickup on my guitar is busted so i need to squeeze in a trip to guitar center for diagnosis/repair. these things are all doable except that...
~ i am going out of town this weekend. again. heading to boston for the art show opening reception (woo!). my suitcases are still lying on the floor of my room half unpacked from my last two trips. and i am sure that when i return from boston on sunday night, that suitcase will again remain untouched in the corner of my room until friday comes back around and it is time to switch out the old clothes for the new and pack for the weekend all over again -- this time to attend a wedding in the mountains of Virginia. [half unpacked suitcases lead me to my next point of contention]...
~ cleaning/organizing the hellacious hideousness that IS my room lately. this insurmountable task has grown so larger-than-life-out-of-control over the last few weeks that i am forced to create categorized to-do lists for each separate "area" of my shoebox size bedroom (aka: "The Beast").
there is more but this list is stressing me out! time to wrap things up and head out for ice cream and chill-the-heck-out time on the bus.
whew.
that combined with the fact that i can't seem to get myself to bed before 1:30 am (and generally the Day Job doesn't appreciate or support a work day that begins at noon -- meaning i need to get my butt out of bed in the morning), combined with a packed-out week of New York Fun, has left me: pooped.
on my way home tonight i will a) stop and get a tasti-d-lite treat b/c it is hot and b/c i want to and b) take the long way home via MTA bus service and read my new book. a little way of forcing myself to stop thinking so much about everything that needs to be done and just CHILL THE HECK OUT.
some of the things currently causing my mental gymnastics and subsequent anxiety:
~ a show next wednesday. and therefore new songs to write (ha!), cover songs to learn, emails to send, flyers to make, set lists to write, old songs to polish, and just overall mental preparation. oh and the pickup on my guitar is busted so i need to squeeze in a trip to guitar center for diagnosis/repair. these things are all doable except that...
~ i am going out of town this weekend. again. heading to boston for the art show opening reception (woo!). my suitcases are still lying on the floor of my room half unpacked from my last two trips. and i am sure that when i return from boston on sunday night, that suitcase will again remain untouched in the corner of my room until friday comes back around and it is time to switch out the old clothes for the new and pack for the weekend all over again -- this time to attend a wedding in the mountains of Virginia. [half unpacked suitcases lead me to my next point of contention]...
~ cleaning/organizing the hellacious hideousness that IS my room lately. this insurmountable task has grown so larger-than-life-out-of-control over the last few weeks that i am forced to create categorized to-do lists for each separate "area" of my shoebox size bedroom (aka: "The Beast").
there is more but this list is stressing me out! time to wrap things up and head out for ice cream and chill-the-heck-out time on the bus.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Last night I went to Paris...
...and it was a dream. A beautiful, air-conditioned dream. There was popcorn and junior mints (together...mmmm). There were velvety-soft seats. There was a grand balcony that I got ALL to myself. Not to mention stunning cinematography and a moving story line.
Of course, I am not speaking of the Paris with the twinkly romantic lights that is nearly 4,000 miles away from here (though that would have been dreamy too), but the Paris that any New Yorker can visit on any given day of the week. The Paris Theatre that is. According to New York Magazine, this "posh" single-screen theater is the longest continually operating art cinema in the United States.
This is where I decided to go for my Artist's Date. And that is...you ask? An Artist Date, by definition, is a time for "receptivity, preplanned solitary hours of pleasurable activity aimed at nurturing the creative consciousness." In other words, a fun & delightful date that you set up for yourself and with yourself in order to inspire creativity, loveliness, etc. It was part of our "homework" this week in Julia's class. She warned us that planning something delightful for ourselves might be challenging and that we may fight against it and make excuses. As ridiculous as that sounds, it's true! On Sunday, I realized I had not yet planned anything, and instead of saying "oooh, what fun things can I find for myself!" I whined and toiled on the internet for ideas thinking, "I don't have time for this. And it's so hot. And I don't know what to do. And it's so hot" ... and blah blah blah.
But that Julia -- she knows what she's talking about! My time of solitude at the theatre was beautiful and quiet and rejuvenating and SO what I needed....much more so than going home and watching tv or whatever else I might have ended up doing had I not be "forced" to go on this lovely date with myself. And I can see how making a habit of doing this would lead to more creativity and inspiration. When I left the theatre, the heat had lessened a *tad* and there was actually a SLIGHT breeze, so I decided to walk the 30 blocks home, up Fifth Avenue along the edge of the park. I didn't pull my cell phone out and I didn't pop in my earbuds to drown out my thoughts with music. I just listened to the quietness of the city and smiled at strangers who were out for their late night walks. I prayed and I reflected and I got lost in my thoughts. The reflections weren't art related and I wasn't necessarily struck with any profound creative ideas. But it was still soul-refreshing, and soul-refreshment (I feel) is absolutely imperative in the creative/art-making process.
These Artist's Dates will be required homework for the class over the next four weeks, but I'm hoping that it will turn into a lovely habit that I can carry with me beyond these four weeks...
[oh, and by the way, the class was AMAZING and inspiring and Julia is wonderful, and I am SO looking forward to the next one!]
Of course, I am not speaking of the Paris with the twinkly romantic lights that is nearly 4,000 miles away from here (though that would have been dreamy too), but the Paris that any New Yorker can visit on any given day of the week. The Paris Theatre that is. According to New York Magazine, this "posh" single-screen theater is the longest continually operating art cinema in the United States.
This is where I decided to go for my Artist's Date. And that is...you ask? An Artist Date, by definition, is a time for "receptivity, preplanned solitary hours of pleasurable activity aimed at nurturing the creative consciousness." In other words, a fun & delightful date that you set up for yourself and with yourself in order to inspire creativity, loveliness, etc. It was part of our "homework" this week in Julia's class. She warned us that planning something delightful for ourselves might be challenging and that we may fight against it and make excuses. As ridiculous as that sounds, it's true! On Sunday, I realized I had not yet planned anything, and instead of saying "oooh, what fun things can I find for myself!" I whined and toiled on the internet for ideas thinking, "I don't have time for this. And it's so hot. And I don't know what to do. And it's so hot" ... and blah blah blah.
But that Julia -- she knows what she's talking about! My time of solitude at the theatre was beautiful and quiet and rejuvenating and SO what I needed....much more so than going home and watching tv or whatever else I might have ended up doing had I not be "forced" to go on this lovely date with myself. And I can see how making a habit of doing this would lead to more creativity and inspiration. When I left the theatre, the heat had lessened a *tad* and there was actually a SLIGHT breeze, so I decided to walk the 30 blocks home, up Fifth Avenue along the edge of the park. I didn't pull my cell phone out and I didn't pop in my earbuds to drown out my thoughts with music. I just listened to the quietness of the city and smiled at strangers who were out for their late night walks. I prayed and I reflected and I got lost in my thoughts. The reflections weren't art related and I wasn't necessarily struck with any profound creative ideas. But it was still soul-refreshing, and soul-refreshment (I feel) is absolutely imperative in the creative/art-making process.
These Artist's Dates will be required homework for the class over the next four weeks, but I'm hoping that it will turn into a lovely habit that I can carry with me beyond these four weeks...
[oh, and by the way, the class was AMAZING and inspiring and Julia is wonderful, and I am SO looking forward to the next one!]
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Creativity Boot Camp
Big FUN news (that I have somehow forgotten to mention until now): tonight is my first class with THE Creativity Guru and Expert of All Things Artistic, Ms. JULIA CAMERON...(!!) After reading Sound of Paper, (parts of) The Artist's Way, and her memoir (all of which I highly recommend), I decided to do a little googling, hoping that since she currently resides in New York that perhaps there would be a class or workshop I could sign up for. After doing a little digging, I found the The New York Open Center, a "non-profit holistic learning center," where Ms. Cameron teaches on a somewhat regular basis. And to think that just a few posts back I mentioned wanting to meet Julia one day. Crazy.
So tonight begins "Creativity Boot Camp," an "intensive four-week trek through her creative kingdom" (according to the website). Which sounds daunting -- and kinda scary. But Lord knows I need it. My creative well has officially run dry. I can't even remember how to write songs anymore!! (and I'd be embarrassed to share with you how long it has been since I have written a song). So my parched creative soul is desperately hoping to experience some refreshment and relief over the next four weeks. And what better person, really, to help with this sort of thing than JULIA CAMERON, the Unblocking Expert?! I feel incredibly blessed to have such an opportunity.
With that said, however, I must admit that when it came time to actually sign up for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I felt myself hesitate...apathy and laziness for sure, but I also think I'm a bit nervous to come face to face with this amazing woman -- someone whom I have held up as such a strong and prominent figure in the creative world and whose work I have admired for so long. Even now as I type this I am feeling the butterflies. But, I know this will be amazing, and that I need to take advantage of where I live and the opportunities that are available to me b/c of where I live. And so -- nerves and apathy and all -- I am taking myself down to Soho tonight at 7:30 sharp to learn from the master.
Oh, and did I mention that the Open Center is right down the street from Rice to Riches, one of my FAVORITE dessert places in ALL the WORLD? Well, it is...which helps. I mean, it's not like I based my decision on the fact that I can now enjoy a tasty rice pudding treat every week. Not completely. But I do love tasty rice pudding treats. So it's a win win.
So tonight begins "Creativity Boot Camp," an "intensive four-week trek through her creative kingdom" (according to the website). Which sounds daunting -- and kinda scary. But Lord knows I need it. My creative well has officially run dry. I can't even remember how to write songs anymore!! (and I'd be embarrassed to share with you how long it has been since I have written a song). So my parched creative soul is desperately hoping to experience some refreshment and relief over the next four weeks. And what better person, really, to help with this sort of thing than JULIA CAMERON, the Unblocking Expert?! I feel incredibly blessed to have such an opportunity.
With that said, however, I must admit that when it came time to actually sign up for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I felt myself hesitate...apathy and laziness for sure, but I also think I'm a bit nervous to come face to face with this amazing woman -- someone whom I have held up as such a strong and prominent figure in the creative world and whose work I have admired for so long. Even now as I type this I am feeling the butterflies. But, I know this will be amazing, and that I need to take advantage of where I live and the opportunities that are available to me b/c of where I live. And so -- nerves and apathy and all -- I am taking myself down to Soho tonight at 7:30 sharp to learn from the master.
Oh, and did I mention that the Open Center is right down the street from Rice to Riches, one of my FAVORITE dessert places in ALL the WORLD? Well, it is...which helps. I mean, it's not like I based my decision on the fact that I can now enjoy a tasty rice pudding treat every week. Not completely. But I do love tasty rice pudding treats. So it's a win win.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
MEXICO pics, as promised...
[puerto vallarta]
[the wedding]
where the ceremony took place. a-m-a-z-i-n-g.
the bride and groom.
mom and george at the ceremony.
[fun times]
my oldest friend in the world, Nancy! (sister of groom)
beach dinner in the rain. magic.
seeee...a BAR in the POOL! genius.
[us]
[the wedding]
where the ceremony took place. a-m-a-z-i-n-g.
the bride and groom.
mom and george at the ceremony.
[fun times]
my oldest friend in the world, Nancy! (sister of groom)
beach dinner in the rain. magic.
seeee...a BAR in the POOL! genius.
[us]
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