tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82071010773196235902024-03-13T00:51:09.813-07:00Ivy9's Day to DayAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-73283599015383822232010-12-23T08:13:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:20:04.669-08:00Sightseeing in Vancouver--Part IIt has been a whirlwind last few days, starting with Jon's dad dropping us off at LAX before 9:00 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Monday</b></span> morning for a flight at noon up to Vancouver, Canada. Even though the flight was short and WestJet service was good, we were pretty drained by our day in two airports and 36,000 foot altitude, plus a bonus surprise visit to customs.<br />
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We were picked up at the airport by Jon's cousin, who took us to the place we are staying / house- and cat-sitting. On the 28th floor, the view looks out over False Creek and Granville Island. Verrrrrrrry nice--see?<br />
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On <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Tuesday</b></span>, we walked through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtown_Vancouver">downtown Vancouver</a> to <a href="http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/">Stanley Park</a>. It was a little cold, but not rainy, so I was able to take plenty of pictures. You can see the full slideshow <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpv_54wpOlw">here</a>.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Wednesday </span></b>we decided to hit the Farmers Market on <a href="http://www.granvilleisland.com/">Granville Island</a>, which was lots of fun, but dangerous--we had some serious sensory overload! We started out by taking the <a href="http://www.granvilleislandferries.bc.ca/">False Creek Ferry</a> over, then just walked around and looked at all the shops. Finally, we went inside the market and did some grocery shopping. Gorgeous pictures of our day are right over <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6s5jyaxK_Y">here</a>. We finished up our afternoon by walking to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/2690791720/">Vancouver Central Library</a> and being amazed by the grand architecture and massive collection of books. An unplanned stop at <a href="http://www.japadog.com/">JapaDog</a> made our evening complete!<br />
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By <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Thursday</span></b> it was raining for pretty much the whole day. We went to visit the <a href="http://www.ubc.ca/">University of British Columbia</a> (UBC), planning to see the <a href="http://ubcbotanicalgarden.org/">botanical gardens</a> and other features, but instead decided to spend the whole morning indoors at the <a href="http://www.moa.ubc.ca/">Museum of Anthropology</a>, which gave us plenty of opportunities to practice our amateur photography skills. Nice that they have a pass that covers all the different sights and you don't have to use it all in one day! Enjoy <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7AXGa8srHQ">my slideshow</a> of pictures from the museum--I hope I selected a nice representation of the 1000's of artifacts and objects they have from all over the world.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So today is <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Friday</span></b>, and we decided to take it easy, giving me a chance to catch up on my vacation blogging! I hope you enjoyed a vicarious visit to the north with me. Check back soon for part two!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-50843586494284888332010-11-26T07:35:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:49:46.892-08:00Black Friday through Cyber Monday Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgR2Czxd8xah9gReZYDI9YUwodkL6gzX00larJEi87GdgnhqC5GZf0gQ9NSbm8nN5zM3VvWuJ-jkvqTXfkE7QS9smO__7-N4IZyPCQGpr0HjFKw5Hd2PJnM64ph-ypMMJeHBkSyR92ws/s1600/IMG_5754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgR2Czxd8xah9gReZYDI9YUwodkL6gzX00larJEi87GdgnhqC5GZf0gQ9NSbm8nN5zM3VvWuJ-jkvqTXfkE7QS9smO__7-N4IZyPCQGpr0HjFKw5Hd2PJnM64ph-ypMMJeHBkSyR92ws/s400/IMG_5754.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />If you're in the mood to start your holiday shopping today, but don't feel like dealing with throngs of people at the malls, this is your lucky day! Today through Monday you can receive a special discount in my <a href="http://susanneedlehands.etsy.com/">SusanNeedlehands Online Boutique</a> without even leaving the comfort of your own home.<br /><br />Just enter the coupon code BGBFCM2010 at checkout and you will receive a 15% discount on your entire purchase! And don't forget to let me know if there is a charity of your choice that you would like the proceeds to go to. The list is below.<br /><br />Thank you and Happy Shopping!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-56684504640406932802010-10-24T15:32:00.000-07:002011-12-23T14:56:26.088-08:00Terms of EnJOYmentAs the end of my first week in the InsightLA class, <a href="http://www.insightla.org/schedule_details.asp?event_id=663&adref=s101110">Deepening Joy</a>, draws near, I find myself scrambling to put my thoughts together reflecting on the theme of setting a joyful intention.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tassiesim/3775904003/</span></td></tr>
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Based on the book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Joy-Steps-That-Happiness/dp/055380703X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287956525&sr=8-1">Awakening Joy</a>, by James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander, this first assignment is to reflect on what the word "joy" means to me, the images that come to mind, and how I most naturally express or experience it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4it44M1c7PaJ5Djkzmt5-I5dS3z3v-AuJ_ucFY8I3JM5olbWgUzW3mim51B4j8LreS-KJx70pc38uyaDgtXVLB7OMGip32fi6pLyAs86MYv5JzcaAVQgm_o3N0GGJxYxajJBD1qT0geE/s1600/Joy,+Mom,+&+Kay" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4it44M1c7PaJ5Djkzmt5-I5dS3z3v-AuJ_ucFY8I3JM5olbWgUzW3mim51B4j8LreS-KJx70pc38uyaDgtXVLB7OMGip32fi6pLyAs86MYv5JzcaAVQgm_o3N0GGJxYxajJBD1qT0geE/s400/Joy,+Mom,+&+Kay" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom, Joy, and Kay<br />
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My first reaction to the word "joy" is actually a sorrowful one. Joy was the name of my mom's older sister, who died when she was in her late 30's or early 40's. I feel sad that I never had the chance to know her. But when I picture the moment when my grandmother first held her baby daughter in her arms, and said the name, "Joy", I can't help but feel a warmth and purity of love that my grandmother always radiated, only this in this moment, it is stronger and more intense, enveloping all I can see, hear, and feel. It makes me happy to picture my grandmother in this moment.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah</td></tr>
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Another image of the word joy is the feeling I used to have when lying in bed, on my back, with my big, heavy, cream-colored cat perched on my chest, purring away, vibrating my ribcage and filling my heart with warmth and peacefulness. The weight--instead of being stifling--is soothing, as if saying, "There is absolutely no need to get up for anything. Stay here, rest, and relax. Everything you need is right here in this moment."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHm1sNLtwcAGxIsK3RRDj1Fq-QCWoZyahH3S_9VKtxzQGIhqK8p9YZHWgzBpISoQauR6-5PjIzkZ4d3Szgj_kuiif5ZeysaSeryE11_ENN7JWLaBZgYQmF10hQBXIK79TewpJxFLY5Ug/s1600/448744655_96f34fe583_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHm1sNLtwcAGxIsK3RRDj1Fq-QCWoZyahH3S_9VKtxzQGIhqK8p9YZHWgzBpISoQauR6-5PjIzkZ4d3Szgj_kuiif5ZeysaSeryE11_ENN7JWLaBZgYQmF10hQBXIK79TewpJxFLY5Ug/s640/448744655_96f34fe583_z.jpg" width="418" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarnie/448744655/sizes/z/in/photostream/</span></td></tr>
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How do I express joy? I guess in a quiet way, with a gentle smile. I haven't danced around the room in ages, and that was mostly when I wanted to get something out, not when I was happy. The same goes for writing, and most of my other creative ventures. Usually I create when I want to get something off my chest, not because I feel joyful. The act of creating something usually brings about a change in my emotional state, from chaotic to calm. A catharsis.... Maybe this is why I haven't done anything creative in so long--nothing to get off my chest. That can't be true, can it?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SZ2hqrHZemhLW1ytWBb-7aaMZWUtM3mG4tdTNTLzj83-UWRt5_wJNWYySng0ZAjq7b8l6NE5UGronk0MndTjSVM3GGCXiNXzQDtrGXO8-wW-ddW28uAd7OXUFuVrqZYhwLvfAx5sIEg/s1600/3984329521_bceeaf2337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SZ2hqrHZemhLW1ytWBb-7aaMZWUtM3mG4tdTNTLzj83-UWRt5_wJNWYySng0ZAjq7b8l6NE5UGronk0MndTjSVM3GGCXiNXzQDtrGXO8-wW-ddW28uAd7OXUFuVrqZYhwLvfAx5sIEg/s400/3984329521_bceeaf2337.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/formalfallacy/3984329521/sizes/m/in/photostream/</span></td></tr>
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I am supposed to say, "I want to be happy," and see what happens. I feel like I already am pretty happy, like joy is already part of my daily experience, but am I really hiding unhappiness away? Is there something I am burying inside?<br />
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Surely, I will find much more in the coming weeks' investigations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1kpdAbcGMWaUkjgqyggYoSiaqnZYiROzbEjhzmZGabEVsFjjlCQAxpvPyRMvRb2lxt7bcUIVW1QQdoJgcuBX2mQmVg_F-Pag5Yt_ANK7k-DCyn4cqp8onlICTyEEYWv0jb-KzFjDdu0/s1600/3947814511_7a40bf3a48_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1kpdAbcGMWaUkjgqyggYoSiaqnZYiROzbEjhzmZGabEVsFjjlCQAxpvPyRMvRb2lxt7bcUIVW1QQdoJgcuBX2mQmVg_F-Pag5Yt_ANK7k-DCyn4cqp8onlICTyEEYWv0jb-KzFjDdu0/s640/3947814511_7a40bf3a48_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicepopkorn/3947814511/sizes/z/in/photostream/</span></td></tr>
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I end with stating my intention: I intend to be positive and encouraging, with both myself and others. I see everything as an opportunity for joy, peace, and happiness.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-85739524160528102402010-08-09T22:24:00.000-07:002011-12-23T15:01:35.449-08:00Serafine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOZhTHv-5rXWCzLBHW7WMwhKA3r9cSZWEDwHq7eW_xeaVr0O5-6fsGtFJRv059zgfmchA1WgF84dL1LUWFJ1N1yKV2BhiQRdb9pLKI4fDYE26l-Jt65ajXciql-9kLc8sWVBASbkquw8/s1600/d2b79d1140e5ebae2074fb33372a6260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOZhTHv-5rXWCzLBHW7WMwhKA3r9cSZWEDwHq7eW_xeaVr0O5-6fsGtFJRv059zgfmchA1WgF84dL1LUWFJ1N1yKV2BhiQRdb9pLKI4fDYE26l-Jt65ajXciql-9kLc8sWVBASbkquw8/s640/d2b79d1140e5ebae2074fb33372a6260.jpg" width="417" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://evelynej.unblog.fr/2008/10/06/seraphine-de-senlis/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>I honestly can't remember the last time I just sat at home and watched a movie all the way through. Especially a French movie, with subtitles.<br />
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My <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/margaret-laurena-kemp/a/179/9b5">pilates instructor, Margaret,</a> had been on me for ages to watch the movie <a href="http://www.seraphinemovie.com/">Serafine</a> since she saw it last year, and I finally signed up for Netflix this morning, so what was the first thing I watched?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChyiRthxEraXc66OALM5ZB0DzENUPgKsdS0zIzpJG0_cTP-oKOtKnsPILGWO2lUwWz_jzljRgYCyETAshUumVWzu25_wMspUt3EGtmG5E-_75QFmY2PO02Uk3bwZS-2rShBj5SSP_7ow/s1600/Maillol_1253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChyiRthxEraXc66OALM5ZB0DzENUPgKsdS0zIzpJG0_cTP-oKOtKnsPILGWO2lUwWz_jzljRgYCyETAshUumVWzu25_wMspUt3EGtmG5E-_75QFmY2PO02Uk3bwZS-2rShBj5SSP_7ow/s400/Maillol_1253.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://cbx41.com</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>A quiet, slow-paced movie, that gives you plenty of room to question and infer, Serafine was anything but tranquil. No, it reminded me too much of other artists' stories, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5QhxSzz_CI">Camille Claudel</a> for one, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi98631961/">Van Gogh</a> for another, and the too familiar, sad, tragic, lonely end of these peoples' lives that really bums me out. (Pardon the terrible, cheesy movie trailers; I remember both movies as having actually been much better than these make them seem.)<br />
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It brought me back to the age-old question, do the artistic temperament and mental neuroses/psychoses go hand in hand, or are they completely separate issues?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqwH-Q3VpwRhWbKCgqcOwnLnoKFdbIlZMXfuFgcWnChyphenhyphen3pWiMd-7qXwBXEFdLi5WgT6-OpANargORl07wJsaURhApWF0NdoQiH-45rnyb0ONwLfnTzzOyJ-yhNpVpSi053IFRIWgJXkU/s1600/3454704763_335fae89c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqwH-Q3VpwRhWbKCgqcOwnLnoKFdbIlZMXfuFgcWnChyphenhyphen3pWiMd-7qXwBXEFdLi5WgT6-OpANargORl07wJsaURhApWF0NdoQiH-45rnyb0ONwLfnTzzOyJ-yhNpVpSi053IFRIWgJXkU/s400/3454704763_335fae89c9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://flickriver.com</span></div><br />
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Can one be truly inspired (imbued with spirit) without there being some kind of imbalance or instability in the mind? Send me your two cents on this, if you like. I'd be interested to know what you think.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dsGw4Tw2W8NeNlPtqZ8oa4O1_BrOve8jzbFDnDCaFQfjQUjBQS1nQH0gbPm5JOH_r2lytulECn9fEQfXvNQtyUx4ZT4cw8vPqTcCTVXs1N7SkApM3J5WcnxuMwiKOdDhxMtwy91t1rc/s1600/seraphine-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dsGw4Tw2W8NeNlPtqZ8oa4O1_BrOve8jzbFDnDCaFQfjQUjBQS1nQH0gbPm5JOH_r2lytulECn9fEQfXvNQtyUx4ZT4cw8vPqTcCTVXs1N7SkApM3J5WcnxuMwiKOdDhxMtwy91t1rc/s400/seraphine-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: thatchwick.blogspot.com</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #228822; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
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Well, needless to say, this was not a movie for answering any of those questions. But I do hope you enjoy a look at this woman's unique and colorful art.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-89594731285141569612010-08-06T14:18:00.000-07:002011-12-23T14:49:46.946-08:00Showing Off my LovMely Headband<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigK2hz3gOhCcqxH77c481RbIR5qmaFhEPyoNNG8QwNN1Jct3Q3KfxU27F4SDAJefjgVWDN149dpqb1TKLVrUnM225VDs3OpE5TGKt5uEa-7RIV86NeOigPOc6bBbxecwKgQGPLa5Xljpk/s1600/IMG_7400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigK2hz3gOhCcqxH77c481RbIR5qmaFhEPyoNNG8QwNN1Jct3Q3KfxU27F4SDAJefjgVWDN149dpqb1TKLVrUnM225VDs3OpE5TGKt5uEa-7RIV86NeOigPOc6bBbxecwKgQGPLa5Xljpk/s640/IMG_7400.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Just wanted to show off my new <a href="http://lovmely.com/">LovMely</a> turquoise feather headband. She does beautiful work! You can see more of her lovely pieces and shop for them <a href="http://lovmely.etsy.com/">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-68436074647835334672010-07-15T19:05:00.000-07:002011-12-23T14:56:26.097-08:00Happy Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbevRk5M6y08Rdgp_CktZTtqzy54RnxCwzGfqt6WjgNTLN6O2zMH1ET-76RLXQNfEQ9-lGU5fcpzlTpjiainJ0H4lpH9iI2nCURaGZqRBs39hHzEeyAJalRlNUqh5qwrQX1uWlELWBGA/s1600/4564509075_34f9c8ea1f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbevRk5M6y08Rdgp_CktZTtqzy54RnxCwzGfqt6WjgNTLN6O2zMH1ET-76RLXQNfEQ9-lGU5fcpzlTpjiainJ0H4lpH9iI2nCURaGZqRBs39hHzEeyAJalRlNUqh5qwrQX1uWlELWBGA/s400/4564509075_34f9c8ea1f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/susan_hellein/4564509075/</div><br />
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According to an email I got from <a href="http://tdling.org/">Thubten Dhargye Ling</a>, July 15th is one of the days traditionally recognized as being the day of the Buddha's first teaching after becoming enlightened. There is a clear and understandable version of that story about the Middle Way and Four Noble Truths <a href="http://www.helium.com/items/524072-buddhas-first-teaching">here</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9EtJGSoow0xD_WRa8rVffs9QoktNPRDLupgc_0MDkYIfjVxoYHAgQFja_7vT0xiqMnS3UMFIFunJqjOz5GO9Mkd8DGrzUxoH4P3B5vFJk5cOqOwbpOEeM0QvU-Fkh7B_B5JAjf48Jc8/s1600/233228813_ae74d9ec1d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9EtJGSoow0xD_WRa8rVffs9QoktNPRDLupgc_0MDkYIfjVxoYHAgQFja_7vT0xiqMnS3UMFIFunJqjOz5GO9Mkd8DGrzUxoH4P3B5vFJk5cOqOwbpOEeM0QvU-Fkh7B_B5JAjf48Jc8/s400/233228813_ae74d9ec1d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/233228813/</div><div style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br />
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Reading this, I realized it was a good time to check in and find the areas of my life that are balanced or unbalanced. Usually, I do not encounter any trouble erring on the ascetic side. No, the difficulty (probably with many in America as well) is erring on the hedonistic side. Giving in to our wants, desires, and cravings, just because we can.<br />
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One of the things I've decided I need to come back to center on is input vs. output in my life. I find myself endlessly looking at things on the computer, but then do not give myself the space to process the information or let this percolate into my own ideas that lead me to produce something that is purely my own. It has been a while since I knitted or made something, aside from dinner every night.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mSUkrALEqn69YanQvYBf52-FihUE_pOtqQs28ZespAMrqIZGGIrooJjPgqPmSDcVyRORpRRCdnjzAW5xlbAAHaJbXeHs4olUiQ1dt0YT4WqENocQmiBPXf-frJAOyQeAUYgXl__9Qas/s1600/4529836138_15afc22f58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mSUkrALEqn69YanQvYBf52-FihUE_pOtqQs28ZespAMrqIZGGIrooJjPgqPmSDcVyRORpRRCdnjzAW5xlbAAHaJbXeHs4olUiQ1dt0YT4WqENocQmiBPXf-frJAOyQeAUYgXl__9Qas/s400/4529836138_15afc22f58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zebrapares/4529836138/</div><br />
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I find the endless hamster wheel of blogs and websites to be tiring and draining, instead of uplifting and inspirational, because my mind spins in convoluted circles even after the physical run on the wheel is over, and I don't get the rest I need.<br />
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So, back I go, into my meditation, my restfulness, to let the ideas calm, to make room for the best ones, hopefully, to rise to the surface.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dq1E-V8vHyGqKaL4QsbiX9WKc9Upcgv5cJOIf8FMF7QrLG869KeNHmnsv4YpMxr-0d98y7x_kDMTCd7y39699rtqQulII6qbyDwMu9Ir-m6YS9eHXvwpRxv_JB0QG3hryzaK09TpfNY/s1600/3022290830_6fe96bf1c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dq1E-V8vHyGqKaL4QsbiX9WKc9Upcgv5cJOIf8FMF7QrLG869KeNHmnsv4YpMxr-0d98y7x_kDMTCd7y39699rtqQulII6qbyDwMu9Ir-m6YS9eHXvwpRxv_JB0QG3hryzaK09TpfNY/s400/3022290830_6fe96bf1c2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesjordan/3022290830/</div><div style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br />
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So, what about you? What parts of your life do you feel are off-kilter? What can you do to bring it back into balance so that you can be a more rested, happier you? I'd love to hear from you!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-9642033073171000962010-07-12T19:55:00.000-07:002011-12-23T14:20:04.681-08:00Lighten Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKtBlpXb2g4YnG61mRT3uVjUwUocYbwY5jqKqAhugAQ2OwYaWXwCuNUMMTP_zy6r4kRCbvpOXz_Hd2fKHcNTskNtmB0lSK98ysQyDvj_McrOQVhDyi4fAiJzpqQIR87H_csC1AP8fb78/s1600/IMG_7302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKtBlpXb2g4YnG61mRT3uVjUwUocYbwY5jqKqAhugAQ2OwYaWXwCuNUMMTP_zy6r4kRCbvpOXz_Hd2fKHcNTskNtmB0lSK98ysQyDvj_McrOQVhDyi4fAiJzpqQIR87H_csC1AP8fb78/s400/IMG_7302.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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The morning began with my signing up for 4 yoga classes this week at <a href="http://mandalayogabend.com/welcome/">MYC Yoga</a> in downtown Bend for only $20. After the 30 minute walk there, and some help finding it from a local shop worker, I was greeted warmly at the front desk. Turns out it was Claudia, the teacher's, first day teaching there and I was her only student! So I got a wonderful one-on-one session in Vinyasa foundation from a lovely German woman.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKRA9IpAgY7rzdzahEIBBErW-bKSUtcm9-UaxSqpPxNtcw_XBfsTdgwvgnUJMmkp7CvgGOTQkJYtCu02i8g9oAhxC-9ppMopTO5JLrwcw7ECEuEWg81ip5CFi1qrhr39pXbmX1aKUHj0/s1600/IMG_7301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKRA9IpAgY7rzdzahEIBBErW-bKSUtcm9-UaxSqpPxNtcw_XBfsTdgwvgnUJMmkp7CvgGOTQkJYtCu02i8g9oAhxC-9ppMopTO5JLrwcw7ECEuEWg81ip5CFi1qrhr39pXbmX1aKUHj0/s400/IMG_7301.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Next, I mosied up the street to see what else I could find, and lo and behold, the<a href="http://tangerinehairsalon.com/hairsalon.html"> Tangerine Hair Salon</a> I had <a href="http://bend.citysearch.com/profile/42910303/bend_or/tangerine_hair_essentials.html">read about</a> online was right there. When I asked in the shop about getting an appointment with Chelsea (the hairdresser most recommended online), they went across the street to the Lemon Drop (smaller shop where the original Tangerine used to be) and got her and it turned out I could get in right then and there! <br />
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Quick reminder of the hair before:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdwOEAmFFzBXCFsNIoJsJwprSEc6HixeIILhaGUu6c4PaSocK_wZWNf_Ms4OaJJpNlNsbWnfKpSREwF9pGIGSnbPf1C1WYGMgBajBq3uMImXJ45bezKfan1EwonTFQgmMfG7LN5IFOiQ/s1600/DSC_0487_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdwOEAmFFzBXCFsNIoJsJwprSEc6HixeIILhaGUu6c4PaSocK_wZWNf_Ms4OaJJpNlNsbWnfKpSREwF9pGIGSnbPf1C1WYGMgBajBq3uMImXJ45bezKfan1EwonTFQgmMfG7LN5IFOiQ/s400/DSC_0487_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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After a brief consult about what I wanted, and 5 hours of going back and forth between the sink and styling chairs (still not as bad as the day I had the black stripped out, that took 8 hours), I came out like so (no heart attacks, please).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZE5Wo2GB2aaruyUyHZbo7yjfdwVsYbDr2O1dVxi6L4NqkiqNlQRc5liqzwKUpWLO8wJ6QqMAfYMXVci6M5l9lOfgc4vQxQlNkLCbGdAdEvFMkrMRABLh8LGB8s8hNHwx1vL0Ie0Z83Uk/s1600/IMG_7273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZE5Wo2GB2aaruyUyHZbo7yjfdwVsYbDr2O1dVxi6L4NqkiqNlQRc5liqzwKUpWLO8wJ6QqMAfYMXVci6M5l9lOfgc4vQxQlNkLCbGdAdEvFMkrMRABLh8LGB8s8hNHwx1vL0Ie0Z83Uk/s640/IMG_7273.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br />
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Maybe it was my going through the old family photos of me being strawberry blond when I was 2 that inspired it, plus a wanting to "lighten up" for the summer, and being on vacation, but I felt like it was time for a change. With <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/CHELSEA/122454657787280?v=wall">Chelsea's</a> very capable hands on the job, and her determined patience to do as many steps as the process required to get it right, she pulled the old color out and put the new color and highlights in--I think beautifully!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aibrs3m_zXYBDNxMm8_JJ5_sWocrP8-WgguJzFpfKXQD3spTeddG3bx83AF5m6VB1AEiefXxr1257UPbFqgxegB9-DKfM4vquN-h3KnNFyWql43yOaNnHGtcsnEgnsO2bw6uioSzn_c/s1600/IMG_7269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aibrs3m_zXYBDNxMm8_JJ5_sWocrP8-WgguJzFpfKXQD3spTeddG3bx83AF5m6VB1AEiefXxr1257UPbFqgxegB9-DKfM4vquN-h3KnNFyWql43yOaNnHGtcsnEgnsO2bw6uioSzn_c/s400/IMG_7269.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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My final stop of the day was at <a href="http://www.900wall.com/">900 Wall</a> (as recommended by Chelsea) for "lunch" at 4:30. Had some nice Happy Hour food (fried green beans and chicken gorgonzola pizza), then began the hike back up the hill to go home and crash, exhausted after my big day.<br />
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What do you think of my new strawberry blond 'do? And while you're at it, tell me a story about a somewhat drastic hair style change you've done. <span style="background-color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">☺</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-85131508964801013752010-07-10T18:33:00.000-07:002011-12-23T14:20:04.676-08:00Summerfest in BendSo, after my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Michaels-30-Day-Shred/dp/B00127RAJY">30-Day Shred</a> workout this morning (I tried the Level 2 program today--nearly killed me, think I'm going back to Level 1 tomorrow), I decided to walk to Downtown Bend to check out <a href="http://www.c3events.com/events/Bend-Summer-Festival/">Summerfest</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OISQeRbfei183yp4tF0JtdyttqrTArD-ynCE2Boh9ONeFPQhoTJCF6y2_nHBmFXpIGoQsbmV244Cjx4KPVuxE-V8IMi54Kh_pGm45p6Uf-rAmdPQJ34UvRlq43oMlWbVnt8EsSbnK6o/s1600/IMG_7251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OISQeRbfei183yp4tF0JtdyttqrTArD-ynCE2Boh9ONeFPQhoTJCF6y2_nHBmFXpIGoQsbmV244Cjx4KPVuxE-V8IMi54Kh_pGm45p6Uf-rAmdPQJ34UvRlq43oMlWbVnt8EsSbnK6o/s400/IMG_7251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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It was your typical collection of arts & crafts sellers and local businesses. Being that it was so hot, after walking up and down a few aisles, I decided to stop in the <a href="http://www.pinetavern.com/about-pine-tavern-restaurant.shtml">Pine Tavern</a> for lunch. The salad and fried oysters I had were quite satisfactory.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLq1hQGfZ9GjgqGrDasi5v3eZdFAmKDb-QLH3NCW2eQcgDPY9-IV41S0U4BT3QEqbwU-Bn-OtAFXn3z1GoQdOzu0olLvLJ3NrRhwAwappPYTKPoQrd4aZZkw4yWSeCQ9nK3hd4Ta0EX_0/s1600/130603535_8c67427765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLq1hQGfZ9GjgqGrDasi5v3eZdFAmKDb-QLH3NCW2eQcgDPY9-IV41S0U4BT3QEqbwU-Bn-OtAFXn3z1GoQdOzu0olLvLJ3NrRhwAwappPYTKPoQrd4aZZkw4yWSeCQ9nK3hd4Ta0EX_0/s400/130603535_8c67427765.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kahunna/130603535/</span><br />
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Then, back to perusing booths. I was tempted to buy some summer/yoga pants at <a href="http://zazenshop.com/">Za Zen</a>, but don't like to buy clothes if I can't try them on first. There was a bejeweled bracelet that I tried on as well, but then remembered all the bracelets in the drawer at home that I never wear. Finally, I found the <a href="http://tumalolavender.com/">Tumalo Lavender</a> booth, and could resist no longer. I bought a small lavender dark chocolate bar, a lavender rosemary focaccia bread mix (can't wait to try that out), and a lavender gourmet lemon pepper that is going on our chicken for dinner tomorrow night. It smells like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMotbh8XcwUFYvmlauTtgisILw35YEY2G6WZDi7sAnmqxmUvFv1mbuI4Rw0ifOs9H079w4gY13-gHxYvBrfIBkbQRioxgc-xx1vPTKP5aoZHburTOLSwlqB8JUvx4QAm86KjE02qWcQOg/s1600/353313907_67d8284089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMotbh8XcwUFYvmlauTtgisILw35YEY2G6WZDi7sAnmqxmUvFv1mbuI4Rw0ifOs9H079w4gY13-gHxYvBrfIBkbQRioxgc-xx1vPTKP5aoZHburTOLSwlqB8JUvx4QAm86KjE02qWcQOg/s400/353313907_67d8284089.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/slack12/353313907/</span><br />
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After a couple of samples of Riesling at the winery booths and of course, more chocolate, I was on my way for the hike back up Awbrey. A good, but tiring, afternoon.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-45363779173529906352010-07-07T08:47:00.000-07:002011-12-23T15:01:48.315-08:00Still My Heroine, After all These Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox4XvGlZDE52Mu99XycbAZstiCpSxd7oQWb9fC5drwMNR9va2ycNN3QzZ5TrU9CsPAvUIf3ldgBstYHq0TMzEqpWPn2mkCJc_ca59a0dQ0e6VDVEg8wgWSImCtaMTjpuIuR7DyZUBacM/s1600/KateBushComicRelief.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox4XvGlZDE52Mu99XycbAZstiCpSxd7oQWb9fC5drwMNR9va2ycNN3QzZ5TrU9CsPAvUIf3ldgBstYHq0TMzEqpWPn2mkCJc_ca59a0dQ0e6VDVEg8wgWSImCtaMTjpuIuR7DyZUBacM/s400/KateBushComicRelief.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #a2c4c9;"> Photo Credit: Squidney on Homeground via Wikimedia Commons</span><br />
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Kate Bush was and always will be my #1 heroine. She opened up the music business to women like no other female before or since, and yet, many are still not familiar with her music. Her dramatic and heartfelt singing and dancing style influenced me no end. I'm quite sure I owe my ability to stand up in front of a room of 35-100 preteens and hold their attention for more than a few minutes at a time today to my countless hours of watching this woman when I was a teenager.<br />
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For those of you who are unfamiliar with her story, you can get it right here--in this short, sweet tribute to her life in music, by Music Matters on Vimeo.<br />
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<object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10379531&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10379531&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br />
<div style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/10379531">Music Matters - Kate Bush (23-3-10)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3440358">Music Matters</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div><div style="color: #a2c4c9;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #a2c4c9;"><span style="color: black;">Do you remember some of your heroes from when you were young? Do those heroes still have an impact on your life today? </span></div><div style="color: #a2c4c9;"><br />
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Um, not a typical day at Jane Addams...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-72197760869882421132010-05-30T09:42:00.000-07:002011-12-23T14:56:26.101-08:00Multitasking or One Thing at a Time?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNF78qQiZpupyW4rion_onWMFnsaBk6U4-hz5zmFHXRqTmuHgnUIzI7n6PJZRB0rTqGoB8kQXlCswrRoTAq_KzdDRWei8LRtTRdxu_6gej2B0JBuhHEQfLNm9DvEkrYJ-htmaNHaFZ-o/s1600/4328834917_2ef01569d6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNF78qQiZpupyW4rion_onWMFnsaBk6U4-hz5zmFHXRqTmuHgnUIzI7n6PJZRB0rTqGoB8kQXlCswrRoTAq_KzdDRWei8LRtTRdxu_6gej2B0JBuhHEQfLNm9DvEkrYJ-htmaNHaFZ-o/s640/4328834917_2ef01569d6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="color: #a2c4c9;"> Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremybrooks/4328834917/</span><br />
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Are you a multitasker? I know, I know, who isn't nowadays? I see people in the supermarket trying to pay for groceries, have a cell phone conversation, and control their kids, all at the same time. I know my students are taking 5-6 hours to do their homework every night because they are also trying to text friends, watch TV, or listen to music.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr3aytWQ6LfrG9JiCuhIVCkZgq1TeMdINKpAin4R8MEYNgEzuH3MDcYHQV8njDX-6cCnPxox3ArOHPP_dXOn-4_P60OQrE-5CTXHdDVwEADT8sZR6g5PrQPrXMRikkt5NBYY-SDcqpr8/s1600/2591454436_2d316a1820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr3aytWQ6LfrG9JiCuhIVCkZgq1TeMdINKpAin4R8MEYNgEzuH3MDcYHQV8njDX-6cCnPxox3ArOHPP_dXOn-4_P60OQrE-5CTXHdDVwEADT8sZR6g5PrQPrXMRikkt5NBYY-SDcqpr8/s400/2591454436_2d316a1820.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/2591454436/</span><br />
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But, being familiar only with how my own mind works, and that only sometimes, I can tell that when I am forced to do more than one thing at once, the things don't get done well. Or as well as I would like them to. It is much more satisfying to the perfectionist in me to have the luxury of focusing on one task at a time, for a nice, uninterrupted stretch, until I either finish or get tired enough to need a break from it.<br />
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I have known this since my meditation studies at UCSB, but this nice, clear video from cognitive scientist <a href="http://www.danielwillingham.com/">Daniel Willingham</a> explains why we can't do two things simultaneously as well as we can do one.<br />
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<object height="295" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/34OZ-dsNkBw&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/34OZ-dsNkBw&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br />
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What is your style--doing several things at once, or one thing at a time? How do you think this is working for you?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-18537240677586054122010-04-03T10:37:00.000-07:002011-12-23T15:01:05.377-08:00Morning Haiku<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91VpXk3U2bS_20lJGAblU3g9B0hm__9CrleiuG6GoBgkNlAoGzUoPaKLCBDuO6tbs_XdCZXVYOE4VaQ3F8E2lGbXjUNSaDS_ic34Zl2p9oBT4OTHmcR-6kQ-qgHWitOgJJT7OAn33miE/s1600/Rusty_Profilbild_Zunge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91VpXk3U2bS_20lJGAblU3g9B0hm__9CrleiuG6GoBgkNlAoGzUoPaKLCBDuO6tbs_XdCZXVYOE4VaQ3F8E2lGbXjUNSaDS_ic34Zl2p9oBT4OTHmcR-6kQ-qgHWitOgJJT7OAn33miE/s640/Rusty_Profilbild_Zunge.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="color: #a2c4c9;">Photo credit: Patrick Burghard @ burghi.de</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sitting still and calm</div><div style="text-align: center;">Small, rough tongue licks at my wrist</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am full of love</div><br />
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<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43039595@N02/4292318138/">Lynx at Muskoka Wildlife Center</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/43039595@N02/">Raymond J Barlow</a>.</span></div><br />
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Kit kitt kitteh with the massivist of paws!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-23679452798559547482010-03-20T12:34:00.001-07:002011-12-23T15:01:05.385-08:00A Haiku<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xKyzj6pEQdL7MuXv4XmyN4E3d7ugXLvta5pabqTn33oXJah9DmoK1-MlorD5mG8IumMIQqGtup8UQzZpo2a4aO4s6s2CGhJDo7oX1WWj7PIrQ7MxipHDLMAZa2Nt6PJRNjYrdIUk5vc/s1600-h/jacaranda_mimosifolia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xKyzj6pEQdL7MuXv4XmyN4E3d7ugXLvta5pabqTn33oXJah9DmoK1-MlorD5mG8IumMIQqGtup8UQzZpo2a4aO4s6s2CGhJDo7oX1WWj7PIrQ7MxipHDLMAZa2Nt6PJRNjYrdIUk5vc/s400/jacaranda_mimosifolia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #d5a6bd; text-align: center;">Photo Credit <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/contemplar/" title="contemplar">contemplar@Flickr</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking to the gym</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jacaranda blossoming</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love West L.A.<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-77875188007552049072010-03-12T21:01:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:52:10.861-08:00Feline Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zu6dUfgPv98MNIFFQA80F_aN39BY38dw5FKJPuTn7izaydPSDjojrhTdcpxBc1mesfa-Kbrv4KL7xREcUH4aD4gLn99VGxidTCXYrtTnakoIgN3d3MByenY-g3X5LuikF3fB0R6HqeY/s1600-h/IMG_1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zu6dUfgPv98MNIFFQA80F_aN39BY38dw5FKJPuTn7izaydPSDjojrhTdcpxBc1mesfa-Kbrv4KL7xREcUH4aD4gLn99VGxidTCXYrtTnakoIgN3d3MByenY-g3X5LuikF3fB0R6HqeY/s640/IMG_1248.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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"Don’t just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it."<br />
~ <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1268456292_2" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Jim Rohn</span><br />
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<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1268456292_2" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">What have you read lately that has challenged you--your ideas, beliefs or ways of thinking? </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-39851090824371679682010-02-27T21:45:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:49:46.872-08:00Adventures in NetworkingFor my final examination of areas in my life in which I have fallen out of love with my old ways, I look at how things are going in the world of <a href="http://etsy.com/">Etsy</a>.<br />
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As soon as I picked up <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Get-Connected-Networking-Toolkit-Business/dp/1599183587/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267334723&sr=8-1">this book</a> at Borders, I realized that I was no longer enamored with my normal going-it-solo route. So I started looking for Etsy teams that I might fit with, and found, well ... several. As of right now, I think I am a member of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/susanneedlehands" target="_blank">eight teams</a>.<br />
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Scrambling to try to get "networked", I added people willy nilly, left-and-right to <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ya9nmum">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/SNeedlehands">Twitter</a>. I have now signed up to <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/susanneedlehands/">Stumble</a> and <a href="http://susanneedlehands.tumblr.com/">Tumble</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanneedlehands">Flicker</a>, <a href="http://www.shuttercal.com/calendar/SusanNeedlehands/">Shutter</a> and <a href="http://www.kaboodle.com/susanneedlehands">Kaboodle</a>. Someday I hope to actually learn how to use all of these services, and get my contacts organized (thus my fiddling around with <a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com/user/SNeedlehands/#directory">TweetDeck</a> today). Ahhhhh!!! In an effort to make my life simpler, I have totally complicated things--as usual!<br />
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What was that I said about falling out of love with Wonderland in one of my previous posts? The Cheshire Kitty might as well put a blindfold on me and spin me around and around and throw me out into the forest. I'll be wandering around on these platforms for a looooooooonnnnnng time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-58205369352779503962010-02-26T21:17:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:52:10.856-08:00Feline Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DQog3f_A8XnMFiGnhiUwIn1tPimTCnel8CJRyHo2NBE0XbVtqQLzJCH_tCOFsapCUw1wtfNytaOaFOQAC7zGolE0MZHIqHHMyahsnZZLVJtL-0GQeY6b8qNhRZcuG4YVBJpKrthuivs/s1600-h/IMG_3025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DQog3f_A8XnMFiGnhiUwIn1tPimTCnel8CJRyHo2NBE0XbVtqQLzJCH_tCOFsapCUw1wtfNytaOaFOQAC7zGolE0MZHIqHHMyahsnZZLVJtL-0GQeY6b8qNhRZcuG4YVBJpKrthuivs/s400/IMG_3025.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>“I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.<br />
~ <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267247630_2" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Agatha Christie</span><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-72917384725839994692010-02-25T21:13:00.000-08:002011-12-23T15:02:15.143-08:00Simplicity & the Art of Focusing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL59AnAu7B6kz1J_g32MGMGG1pM3BMz7iG1exnc40qi4iwlWyNfpPcDf3oXEJ3uAkRy_5n3us5uFmX1iiAkmdqnlIPAqhybZaSVpeUGpsnJchZSw9x7Nw7p_iNlxjcSq24Ns6X88FCy4A/s1600-h/Elena_Kalis_alice_in_wonderland_series_yatzer-interview_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL59AnAu7B6kz1J_g32MGMGG1pM3BMz7iG1exnc40qi4iwlWyNfpPcDf3oXEJ3uAkRy_5n3us5uFmX1iiAkmdqnlIPAqhybZaSVpeUGpsnJchZSw9x7Nw7p_iNlxjcSq24Ns6X88FCy4A/s320/Elena_Kalis_alice_in_wonderland_series_yatzer-interview_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Okay, I'll say it--I think I have finally fallen out of love with Wonderland. This muddled up mess that is my mind, yanking me this way and that, until I have no sense of direction or point or purpose, really gets in the way.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Picture Credit: <a href="http://www.yatzer.com/1886_alice_in_waterland_by_elena_kalis">Elena Kalis</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFoE93B2jxRNct7pKdHQ1E6z8dX7nl-SCqWVLcNIiKYuUn1AZd-ADEdyAFHwrmyk8IpEpFFR2DLexWnQWDIwLbkgy8Q1sxD4J0OsBu5hl_B1DDx_DAoukMv46gRbb3vG7_QFyVKoCLcE/s1600-h/alice-falling-into-wonderland-31000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFoE93B2jxRNct7pKdHQ1E6z8dX7nl-SCqWVLcNIiKYuUn1AZd-ADEdyAFHwrmyk8IpEpFFR2DLexWnQWDIwLbkgy8Q1sxD4J0OsBu5hl_B1DDx_DAoukMv46gRbb3vG7_QFyVKoCLcE/s640/alice-falling-into-wonderland-31000.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In the way of what? In the way of simplicity. In the way of feeling the pleasure of focusing on one thing at a time. Is it just me and the way my brain works, or is this a societal problem? I'm pretty sure that I am not the only one affected. Or infected, may be a better word for it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Twitter this, FB that, inbox stuffed with 125 new emails (and they're not even spam!). I can't fall asleep at night, lying in bed exhausted, but still feeling the weight of the emails I didn't return, papers I didn't grade, lessons I didn't plan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes, I feel like I am falling, literally falling through space, while I am lying in my bed. Did you know, there's even a condition called </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_syndrome">Alice in Wonderland Syndrome</a> for people who get disoriented?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Source for all remaining pictures: <a href="http://layoutsparks.com/">layoutsparks.com</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I find myself whining that there's never enough time to get everything done, feeling as if I'm being pulled in all four directions at once, but really, what are the things I have to do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Obviously, if I'm to survive with any semblance of sanity left intact, I have to answer my three percolating questions, "What can I let go of in my life?" "Where have I changed my interests or priorities?"and "What no longer works for me?"</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZuYo3Dg8qi5ptA3B-xh72aL5gjRn_JbxfSIjqTqZPL2CrXkPbPJ90dvq_Pzmck65Y_zCanV4goeJdItSdK13HCoOO7h8ldSoWWFyNXTl9l_yaLizOP29PEyWz_K4UDlqYmW6YA10MCc/s1600-h/Alice-wonderland-paradise-trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZuYo3Dg8qi5ptA3B-xh72aL5gjRn_JbxfSIjqTqZPL2CrXkPbPJ90dvq_Pzmck65Y_zCanV4goeJdItSdK13HCoOO7h8ldSoWWFyNXTl9l_yaLizOP29PEyWz_K4UDlqYmW6YA10MCc/s400/Alice-wonderland-paradise-trees.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshf-OO1e0UpUZSiFLeDbnnJwx9hA5Zf5qyB6vrwxP4jj4OCYlhvraUG6-z4_N_yVmaLiROYiBsR0eAC6fW1bHXBKVQawnEIypmV-GESHD-ppl3c8ItW55RT-_BmXdxMYf5X3Qe6qV_i0/s1600-h/cute-Alice-in-wonderland-31000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshf-OO1e0UpUZSiFLeDbnnJwx9hA5Zf5qyB6vrwxP4jj4OCYlhvraUG6-z4_N_yVmaLiROYiBsR0eAC6fW1bHXBKVQawnEIypmV-GESHD-ppl3c8ItW55RT-_BmXdxMYf5X3Qe6qV_i0/s400/cute-Alice-in-wonderland-31000.jpg" width="325" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">These answers--let go of as much as possible, choose one priority at a time, and don't overcomplicate things, are what I come back to every time. >Sigh< I give myself very good advice, but when--oh when--will I ever learn to follow it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Click here to watch the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3_WBv4juI4&feature=related">classic Yooouuutuuube Alice video!</a> Got to go full screen with it. Guaranteed to drive you nuts, but in a totally good way!!!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-52078877990614460492010-02-19T21:45:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:52:10.846-08:00Feline Friday<BR><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAylleIfYtYnAy1surCnZPv6nipx4KyqmT-xJ8_ndUwFaQBU1hVicgT5iROE_q3IdgmZW33sZ07_hgdAhAIpRHun6UuG-E4GMHtcLBY3mP7qh-Hsfh3C4Ro26EdUpZoUgmsSkkCB8j64/s1600-h/IMG_3057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAylleIfYtYnAy1surCnZPv6nipx4KyqmT-xJ8_ndUwFaQBU1hVicgT5iROE_q3IdgmZW33sZ07_hgdAhAIpRHun6UuG-E4GMHtcLBY3mP7qh-Hsfh3C4Ro26EdUpZoUgmsSkkCB8j64/s400/IMG_3057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">“If you want to get the best out of a person you must look for the best that is in him.”</div><div style="text-align: left;">~ Bernard Haldane<br />
</div><BR><BR>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-23790034482092654052010-02-18T21:02:00.000-08:002011-12-23T15:01:05.390-08:00Simplicity #1<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jYThtcMsVxppAvZG6_8syY-fhtuBq6PeADo3JEHpmDNNyeD8gyN2hzi16nx0MgRNzNyEybHqbBdlvwK-g8ZFHPj17R5bvN29kJ7cWPpBty3lYqKNsraalU4ekxUOqqjjPvcrplsC10w/s1600-h/IMG_6552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jYThtcMsVxppAvZG6_8syY-fhtuBq6PeADo3JEHpmDNNyeD8gyN2hzi16nx0MgRNzNyEybHqbBdlvwK-g8ZFHPj17R5bvN29kJ7cWPpBty3lYqKNsraalU4ekxUOqqjjPvcrplsC10w/s320/IMG_6552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So I'm starting to read this book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Philosophy-Save-Your-Life/dp/1585427462/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266554311&sr=8-1"><i>How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas that Matter Most</i></a> by Marietta McCarty, and decided I would try to write a post based on it each week.<br />
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The first idea is about Simplicity, and of course, I throw it into overdrive.<br />
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There are suggestions for readings, songs, poetry, and more, and I take it upon myself to download all the poetry, buy all the songs on iTunes, and bookmark all the texts on Google books.<br />
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Right, like that's simplicity.<br />
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What it makes me wonder is, why do I need to overcomplicate things? Why can't I just focus on one thing at a time and let it soak in?<br />
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Why do I need these constant distractions and endless chain of puzzles?<br />
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The easy answer is that, I don't.<br />
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Sometimes I remember this when I am meditating regularly.<br />
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Well, to back up a second, McCarty encapsulates the teachings of Epicurus, then asks you to state five things you will remember and use in your life. So let me just try for that.<br />
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1. Public life (and social networking) makes tranquility impossible. We need a retreat from daily life, not constant engagement. It is important to distinguish between real responsibilities and the "extras". You have to prioritize your engagements, which for me means having real connections that create deep intimacy, not shallow Facebook interactions. Something I've always believed in--it's better to have a few really good friends, than 1000's of acquaintances.<br />
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So why am I leaving my Facebook/Twitter/Ning/Yahoo Groups tabs open all the time? In the goal of promoting my (and other's) Etsy shops, I am trying to open these kinds of connections with people, but is that really what I want? Ultimately, I would like people to benefit from their interactions with me--a smile, a break in their day, a cozy, warm, comfortable scarf or two. But it needs to be meaningful, not just another busy distraction for people.<br />
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2. Simplicity is the key to pleasure. We don't actually need that much to live, just appreciate what life sends you. If you remember to take the time to savor the small things, you won't have room for desires and wants.<br />
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3. First, see what you actually need to be happy, then don't seek more than that. When we master our desires, we gain peace of mind. I know that from Buddhism. The question is really, what is essential? My answer was basic breath, fresh air, sweet water, wholesome food, a calm, clean environment, and someone you love who loves you. I have those things, most of the time, so why do I try to clutter it all up? Leave everything else behind. Don't let desire strangle you. Such good advice to ponder...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B7bMVSjQOURC9QSYGSl4er1anQQTssCUQO8Bn6GNOOHQDwbdrzuuKbbkHnWDKQPZWn53srV50nFlwRgE7iq8mXBz6qUsPqGiMimyqAKMfdooO8c1fpLNFbEPhTbnaTbFKSpEc9p9SZw/s1600-h/IMG_5483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B7bMVSjQOURC9QSYGSl4er1anQQTssCUQO8Bn6GNOOHQDwbdrzuuKbbkHnWDKQPZWn53srV50nFlwRgE7iq8mXBz6qUsPqGiMimyqAKMfdooO8c1fpLNFbEPhTbnaTbFKSpEc9p9SZw/s320/IMG_5483.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
4. Satisfaction is unalterable by external circumstances. Another Buddhist tenet. The only way to find satisfaction is to look within. More meditation, coming right up!<br />
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5. "An unadorned life is full of pleasure and lasting satisfaction." In America? When are we ever unadorned? A couple of weeks ago, I lost my nose ring by blowing my nose too hard and putting the kleenex in the trash, which was then picked up by my custodian at work and taken away. When I realized it was gone, I felt naked. Why? When did this adornment become part of my identity?<br />
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Well, that's enough for tonight. I'll come back to this another time. Hope you have a wonderful, simple week, and feel free to chime in with your thoughts about simplicity!<br><br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-35481169319805841892010-02-14T10:58:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:56:26.070-08:00The ADD's of Creativity<br>How do you use your creative energy? Are you a poet, painter, potter, or just perplexed by the thought of making something?<br />
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Throughout my life, I have dabbled in many different venues of self-expression, seemingly as an act of survival by creativity. Swinging from vine to vine, I have grasped on to one lifeline after another in the jungle of arts and crafts. If I try to tell this story in order, it goes something like this:<br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zpChCuCbY-yhKA6v2seQSckxuqQgWgZQvToVrY07yYiUOxC4iaGE5W0DoHampQzEA6EQ28Haj6d2mFUL_pF9jhQmyJkDSWOAEiCUOzi4BSeuGjtWaDwAegDMO09ALndIStOaOEZJVzU/s1600-h/Early+Guitar+Days" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zpChCuCbY-yhKA6v2seQSckxuqQgWgZQvToVrY07yYiUOxC4iaGE5W0DoHampQzEA6EQ28Haj6d2mFUL_pF9jhQmyJkDSWOAEiCUOzi4BSeuGjtWaDwAegDMO09ALndIStOaOEZJVzU/s320/Early+Guitar+Days" /></a>Music - I started taking guitar classes when I was in the 3rd grade. (Never did break that resting pinky habit!)<br />
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I also played cello in junior high, something that I sometimes think of resuming, but when?</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPOyLe0Y52WVOIbctJjfqY_iO7I_EvrJ7Dw0GkFNBig6REvLRtdaS6NB1BwctXFcb9NeoT7IVa9e6ABUI0W84xNtkCTjX5nNnFutOT_DUh2Vp8jnIbh_ajAN0Ftruvr2XOHKc9Ned4AI/s1600-h/Noah+in+Guitar+Case" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPOyLe0Y52WVOIbctJjfqY_iO7I_EvrJ7Dw0GkFNBig6REvLRtdaS6NB1BwctXFcb9NeoT7IVa9e6ABUI0W84xNtkCTjX5nNnFutOT_DUh2Vp8jnIbh_ajAN0Ftruvr2XOHKc9Ned4AI/s400/Noah+in+Guitar+Case" width="400" /></a><br />
I haven't done much with it lately, but it's nice to know my guitar playing inspired my nephew to pick it up later on when he was old enough to hold a guitar. He now has a room full of guitars and music equipment--quite the little rocker!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvpxiwIMj_blCBY_wx2ObzCfDy9Uajj3RdHB5dwG6Lq5MwW4OlO6R5mOvIjHVqUJXwv6ezm8Cd4V9qQUuynKWrBu1dV_lrINIZ7h_bAeilnKbJdJiwsYcrHrR9Td2TaLv94E_2nToXuE/s1600-h/Dru+w:+Guitar" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvpxiwIMj_blCBY_wx2ObzCfDy9Uajj3RdHB5dwG6Lq5MwW4OlO6R5mOvIjHVqUJXwv6ezm8Cd4V9qQUuynKWrBu1dV_lrINIZ7h_bAeilnKbJdJiwsYcrHrR9Td2TaLv94E_2nToXuE/s320/Dru+w:+Guitar" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My niece was also curious about the object as a baby, but has since found other creative interests to hold her attention such as beading, handcrafts, etc.<br />
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I went so far as to dabble with a 4-track recorder, electric guitar, and midi keyboard after being inspired by Beck and other 90's indie music artists, but it has since fallen by the wayside...<br />
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</div><div style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqfQ9bpU-KHm2f42I4_vLAwku3wuclPoMqwuoP_H_2eUXzYEl8m78OLfjMYQ-3bUHu226M5cqp-LEUMR2JNwUARdwm9tiMTYtFJ1qIykORgCS2yxg__JkFa0X0uMs-RlAPCWrJpJJ5fk/s1600-h/Halloween+Poems+Cover" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqfQ9bpU-KHm2f42I4_vLAwku3wuclPoMqwuoP_H_2eUXzYEl8m78OLfjMYQ-3bUHu226M5cqp-LEUMR2JNwUARdwm9tiMTYtFJ1qIykORgCS2yxg__JkFa0X0uMs-RlAPCWrJpJJ5fk/s400/Halloween+Poems+Cover" width="282" /></a>Next up on my creative journey was probably poetry. I think it all started with the Hallowe'en poetry contest in 6th grade. After winning that with the likes of this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YB8f_FcsJL_Q1pGLccVVZUazltaVdXrsWAtyvQK7nWeEbvjlmis-7eKVblkS1-O_OeVykOXZsqUmRJ9UvUw5bOaeA5vckHFvImE8w8DTe3xOQQxlhGbUTAyfMFTLbzkFQQHwDDFKJn8/s1600-h/Hallowe'en+Poems" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YB8f_FcsJL_Q1pGLccVVZUazltaVdXrsWAtyvQK7nWeEbvjlmis-7eKVblkS1-O_OeVykOXZsqUmRJ9UvUw5bOaeA5vckHFvImE8w8DTe3xOQQxlhGbUTAyfMFTLbzkFQQHwDDFKJn8/s400/Hallowe'en+Poems" width="291" /></a></div><br />
How can you blame me, I figured I must have a talent for writing poetry. Whew, gives me the shivers and not in a good way!<br />
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I even went so far as to take a creative writing class when I was on Study Abroad in <a href="http://www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/">Stratford-on-Avon</a>. I mean, what better place to write poetry than the possible birthplace and town of Shakespeare himself!<br />
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That creative outlet comes and goes. Every once in a while, a poem still sneaks up on me...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO971z71E6TZtvkhd9PUdywlzaJ_5PlyJ1LR8XR6x44v53pAAKIsBOkoK77ICg3DdJyVAQYWq0YiJ2sNutP2sz6rlIT1KQ0AoyZ2glV23a-mkfaFKvfJ6iKGEEOd-j7Oi8Qa-O9GbnsMo/s1600-h/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO971z71E6TZtvkhd9PUdywlzaJ_5PlyJ1LR8XR6x44v53pAAKIsBOkoK77ICg3DdJyVAQYWq0YiJ2sNutP2sz6rlIT1KQ0AoyZ2glV23a-mkfaFKvfJ6iKGEEOd-j7Oi8Qa-O9GbnsMo/s320/IMG_1323.JPG" /></a><br />
Drawing was another way to indulge my fantasy world. I remember taking a class at the <a href="http://www.ci.burbank.ca.us/index.aspx?page=258">Olive Rec Center</a> (when I wasn't in gymnastics or basket weaving) and learning that I could draw things from real life as well as from my imagination. I still have my drawing notebook from high school art class, and pick up the pencil now and again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcwyZfp0ClM1Y0kJ7CugmCcIv30nogMApPrvCdz33hHS3JHY2qhMz4AlzGpknjYOsfhjje19spnFObmPtfJVq1AjXucwgfdHEGpEOmdURSQroWZxAe1DwZQTiC7dK7dxBDwLbcQwnons/s1600-h/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcwyZfp0ClM1Y0kJ7CugmCcIv30nogMApPrvCdz33hHS3JHY2qhMz4AlzGpknjYOsfhjje19spnFObmPtfJVq1AjXucwgfdHEGpEOmdURSQroWZxAe1DwZQTiC7dK7dxBDwLbcQwnons/s320/IMG_1311.JPG" /></a></div>Painting, just an extension of drawing. Sometimes I get in the mood, and other times blank canvases sit in the back of my closet just dreaming of their day in the sun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XETc1wPmJtnaOtGtaJARYg12W5_p9aubs97vHTN_JPKGk4NMfuBSVuGq-UhgaHWGoBFo1WvXOSW3mVshv7CzhdmOpzwPJnUWxaAaIORu2t5gPFMgKWyIfLkzm-mi_o3Ne3k37fECbrA/s1600-h/fashions+by+me" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XETc1wPmJtnaOtGtaJARYg12W5_p9aubs97vHTN_JPKGk4NMfuBSVuGq-UhgaHWGoBFo1WvXOSW3mVshv7CzhdmOpzwPJnUWxaAaIORu2t5gPFMgKWyIfLkzm-mi_o3Ne3k37fECbrA/s200/fashions+by+me" width="200" /></a></div>Fashion design was another art-related interest. I remember designing a horrific dress in collaboration with several friends during Mr. Mathias' math class one day in 7th grade. He caught me with it and said, "Susan, if only your math was as good as your drawing... oh wait, it is." I used to play with my Fashions by Me kit for hours and hours, making outfits from all kinds of gaudy material.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKT2zf6h96DL6Lbv4mFELpXmRKlkM86x8jVMSZKrB65QX46n0HsfhSfG_AcuEqCr23Mqyrrp4YaO4sMcdo9B2_gxJIjLyoYoPk7a64uNGHXueGqZr_76jpbcyUjMQNEVVL8zNsKsreSI/s1600-h/Monkey+in+a+Bin" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKT2zf6h96DL6Lbv4mFELpXmRKlkM86x8jVMSZKrB65QX46n0HsfhSfG_AcuEqCr23Mqyrrp4YaO4sMcdo9B2_gxJIjLyoYoPk7a64uNGHXueGqZr_76jpbcyUjMQNEVVL8zNsKsreSI/s320/Monkey+in+a+Bin" width="320" /></a></div>Later on, this gaudiness became a reality (for better or worse) in making costumes for my high school dance production shows. The thought did cross my mind to go to <a href="http://fidm.edu/">FIDM</a> after high school, but when I saw the price tag, I high-tailed it over to the <a href="http://www.glendale.edu/">local community college</a> instead!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lbqrT7uwpibYlksd5uU2FlasaMxIDwIDpvuGieXM5oA1sxA7w3yXRSW5IFOsdcsg_UNTprwqrkUO_8ws1YSVPk6-S_j-CtpW4sQhLkRffC2Xu07SEejnxUs4ywPjUweC73K7Ih2Ch9A/s1600-h/Colorful+Skirt+Dance" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lbqrT7uwpibYlksd5uU2FlasaMxIDwIDpvuGieXM5oA1sxA7w3yXRSW5IFOsdcsg_UNTprwqrkUO_8ws1YSVPk6-S_j-CtpW4sQhLkRffC2Xu07SEejnxUs4ywPjUweC73K7Ih2Ch9A/s320/Colorful+Skirt+Dance" /></a>Speaking of dance, this one was a real life saver. I was always so bad at P.E. in elementary school and junior high (awful hand-eye coordination and depth perception due to my bad eyesight and growing up not knowing whether I was really left- or right-handed), that when it came time to choose an athletics class for high school P.E., I saw Dance on the list and thought, "Well, at least it doesn't involve anyone throwing balls at you" and signed up for that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmYtkUeD9fjDJo-Z3SP2MPoWz8EXiScKAbstPJo6OlVwoZoDrhKffCPMM7gAiyBlt0vRRzlzQr2BYFGwFES-0obH959NZHJTEi2vn0VPMU_bzQM7Pgm6BpVyzX6iA3V9-nGCW2a0VYpc/s1600-h/Monkey+in+a+Bin+Dance" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmYtkUeD9fjDJo-Z3SP2MPoWz8EXiScKAbstPJo6OlVwoZoDrhKffCPMM7gAiyBlt0vRRzlzQr2BYFGwFES-0obH959NZHJTEi2vn0VPMU_bzQM7Pgm6BpVyzX6iA3V9-nGCW2a0VYpc/s320/Monkey+in+a+Bin+Dance" /></a><br />
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I was hooked. Here was the first time I was able to express myself in public (even though the audience probably had no clue what I was trying to communicate) without being shy and reserved. I could use my budding seamstress skills, hairdressing, acting, and dancing and never once had to say a word to the audience. My creativity was fully unleashed for the first time. In fact, it ended up being <a href="http://www.theaterdance.ucsb.edu/dance_overview.php">my (first) college major</a>, which later on shifted to <a href="http://www.english.ucsb.edu/index.asp">English/Creative Writing</a>, and then finally to <a href="http://www.religion.ucsb.edu/">Religious Studies</a> (the B.A. I finally finished).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgfITw4GK645d26cO7UVmI7GTIIqcMGa2Oa0TEpc6lBAxRhBOVtZaPcQc1H0ohN4JJ56_XP9kcO68okVi7-l-P4IzISYTKNXZGfRfixp3s_dxsR9w_P01cIL6OrXYGSDRzx28Ow41xu8/s1600-h/Bernard" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgfITw4GK645d26cO7UVmI7GTIIqcMGa2Oa0TEpc6lBAxRhBOVtZaPcQc1H0ohN4JJ56_XP9kcO68okVi7-l-P4IzISYTKNXZGfRfixp3s_dxsR9w_P01cIL6OrXYGSDRzx28Ow41xu8/s320/Bernard" /></a>And lest I forget to mention, teaching is probably my most creative endeavor yet. That one started way back when I was lining up all of our stuffed animals into a semicircle and teaching them things on an imaginary blackboard.<br />
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<-- MY FIRST STUDENTS, BERNARD AND TRIXIE<br />
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Later, in junior high and high school, I tutored some of my friends in math, but it wasn't until I was in my mid-20's that I finally realized this was my calling in life. Now I've been in <a href="http://jams.lawndale.k12.ca.us/nichols">the classroom</a> for 10 years and still feel that every day presents an opportunity (if not dozens) to use my creative and problem-solving abilities to the fullest.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnSXR9Hf9cEVVrxqVgHdtbc2hBg2cwDyfEuH5HgbmHsmdPudGCQu6NZiyL49lIscvDHtr9bO012eFb4WQ1cOS9btqEu5yMvUCky7cF4-13ThEVCSyr-kMR4XLQ1EDekBAgIrBnR9MO7A/s1600-h/Classroom+Yr+1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnSXR9Hf9cEVVrxqVgHdtbc2hBg2cwDyfEuH5HgbmHsmdPudGCQu6NZiyL49lIscvDHtr9bO012eFb4WQ1cOS9btqEu5yMvUCky7cF4-13ThEVCSyr-kMR4XLQ1EDekBAgIrBnR9MO7A/s320/Classroom+Yr+1" /></a></div>From crafting interesting and provocative lessons to shifting your teaching angle on the spot when you see kids aren't getting it, and now, learning new ways to use technology in education, this is my ultimate love and challenge.<br />
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So there you have it! The story of my creative life in a very large nutshell. Hope you enjoyed coming along for the ride. Now it's YOUR turn--what inspires you to create and what venues does your imagination come to life in?<br><br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-88844227061059282052010-02-07T20:22:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:49:46.940-08:00Falling in Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lPLZN8bfivAnqvq97qvGS8UQ2XZIn62337_Ikh54La8a_pVtzx_G6s2V85qfTZFDORtmtZgLTXd_uD7lWzM-SOb1V2Ed0hHrcPReKn2oqyAF6fgy9OImPz3lzCbkC3buLioh7RXYaOg/s1600-h/il_fullxfull.121917601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lPLZN8bfivAnqvq97qvGS8UQ2XZIn62337_Ikh54La8a_pVtzx_G6s2V85qfTZFDORtmtZgLTXd_uD7lWzM-SOb1V2Ed0hHrcPReKn2oqyAF6fgy9OImPz3lzCbkC3buLioh7RXYaOg/s320/il_fullxfull.121917601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40262010&ref=sr_gallery_2&&ga_search_query=hearts&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">The Safe Place by The Little Fox on Etsy</a><br />
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This post is supposed to be about how I fell in love with crafting and creating; however, I think I've pretty much exhausted that topic in previous posts <a href="http://ivy9sdaytoday.blogspot.com/2010/01/birth-of-susanneedlehands.html">here</a> and <a href="http://ivy9sdaytoday.blogspot.com/2010/01/defining-my-mission.html">here</a>.<br />
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Instead, I feel the need to revisit those persnickety <a href="http://ivy9sdaytoday.blogspot.com/2010/01/nightmare-before-time-management.html">goals</a> I came up with not so long ago (has it only been two weeks?), and check in on the progress (if any) I'm making towards them.<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span> <br />
<div style="color: #073763;"><i>Goal #1 - To prioritize my time in order to balance work, shop, recreation, and my many interests:</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienKa0Hogjj_VRvc_dCWeG32IzSAHmIrqc5eGRNyoX352-L-mp6j1juTfVgJY5P9j09Lwm54bmmJGQCD3JfjUPHSXKDkosvXoKCc1jQpRDkZr5mcq1y6vR4zXWCPiujBf63UgTfMzn6nA/s1600-h/il_fullxfull.17750013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienKa0Hogjj_VRvc_dCWeG32IzSAHmIrqc5eGRNyoX352-L-mp6j1juTfVgJY5P9j09Lwm54bmmJGQCD3JfjUPHSXKDkosvXoKCc1jQpRDkZr5mcq1y6vR4zXWCPiujBf63UgTfMzn6nA/s320/il_fullxfull.17750013.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9014057&ref=sr_gallery_9&&ga_search_query=hearts&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=7711&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">Abstract Photo Chocolate Hearts Satin Flowers by StudioJB on Etsy</a> </div><br />
Hah, now I realize what a pipe dream it was to think I could cut 12 hours from my work schedule. Since I set that as my primary goal, my mind has been consumed with ideas of things I could do for work, things I want to learn about teaching and technology, and wanting to work on <a href="http://missnichols.edublogs.org/">our class and student blogs</a>. It's almost as if the thought alone made me feel guilty, like I need to work overtime to make up for even thinking of abandoning my students. Or really, I just love teaching kids and want that to be the priority over crafting and trying to sell my wares. Could it be???<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9bNrz75ypv76X8dcaQ_o29ra4QyVEoggfUjyXcvOUk8JKrQd_3ARuzp-BmMbUyiCSJIyH3gFVtOeWqav3d2GJJQtT6eA_OgLJO8BbOevysBU2UHj5MIfN_tUeI8ZjOn0LrkkEMSYMZU/s1600-h/il_fullxfull.80562064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9bNrz75ypv76X8dcaQ_o29ra4QyVEoggfUjyXcvOUk8JKrQd_3ARuzp-BmMbUyiCSJIyH3gFVtOeWqav3d2GJJQtT6eA_OgLJO8BbOevysBU2UHj5MIfN_tUeI8ZjOn0LrkkEMSYMZU/s200/il_fullxfull.80562064.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27984939&ref=sr_gallery_9&&ga_search_query=hearts&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=7703&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">Victorian Heart Earrings by Stardust Love on Etsy</a> </div><br />
In fact, I didn't do any shop updates this week (since putting together my <a href="http://ivy9sdaytoday.blogspot.com/2010/01/valentines-day-scarf-sale.html">Valentine's Day Scarf Sale</a> for the month of February last weekend), and you know what? I don't feel bad about it at all. To be brutally honest, I'm kind of glad I didn't have any sales, or I would have had to wrap the items, package them up, get to the post office (not a thrilling place my past few experiences) and get them in the mail, all on top of parent conferences at work. I know, I know, this is sooooo not good P.R. for <a href="http://susanneedlehands.etsy.com/">my shop</a>, but I have to say it.<br />
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I did up my meditation time and that seems to be helping me not feel like it's imperative that all things must get done--NOW! Somehow, I wonder if this is what helped me decide to reprioritize my time back to teaching.<br />
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Didn't get any exercise in, because I was feeling sick again. <br />
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<div style="color: #073763;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0R1PBHTUmohGS_TIOHqxFFyX_CKKodPqb31AhS8e5Al14AmTAelwBcVL-EhBQr_SvCqJWei4e4LVOb64mhT5PV6TGb8svImsGajB-JU50WsCZ0CC_tzGqzLtGKiXW220p27XnXxLjnw/s1600-h/il_430xN.73452273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0R1PBHTUmohGS_TIOHqxFFyX_CKKodPqb31AhS8e5Al14AmTAelwBcVL-EhBQr_SvCqJWei4e4LVOb64mhT5PV6TGb8svImsGajB-JU50WsCZ0CC_tzGqzLtGKiXW220p27XnXxLjnw/s200/il_430xN.73452273.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25860621&ref=sr_gallery_12&&ga_search_query=hearts&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=7697&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">Blue Glitter Heart Necklace with Wings by Stars Sprinklez on Etsy</a></div><br />
<i>Goal #2: Taking the time to organize and put things away</i></div><i style="color: #073763;">Goal #3: Finish up projects that are already out instead of starting new ones</i><br />
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I did clean up the living room. Now I'm down to one little pile of papers on the couch, but the dining room table and rocking chair are no longer being used to hold up stacks of stuff! I also put away most of my "in progress" projects and am down to just my regular knitting bag by the couch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Overall, I think it was a very good week.<br />
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I guess what I'm saying through this little diatribe is that I fall in love over and over again with different parts of my life, in cycles. Sometimes I am in creative/making things with my hands mode, and sometimes I am in research/educator mode. And sometimes, just sometimes, I clean up the house a little bit!<br />
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(Of course, there are people I love too, but that will be another post to come....) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUn7gn6az6emcLjhL3KTsmnPdFg5rfGDMiSLWH8X4ilkRWOxeLURXeLbWPFmjngGR-DIY5HZymTv2CHQxCMoMJwoL_LvvNEVQLcJlS6OnTgdAD1rrUNTMZfc4WFMloHFa5moTUQzoDoQ/s1600-h/warren_7hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUn7gn6az6emcLjhL3KTsmnPdFg5rfGDMiSLWH8X4ilkRWOxeLURXeLbWPFmjngGR-DIY5HZymTv2CHQxCMoMJwoL_LvvNEVQLcJlS6OnTgdAD1rrUNTMZfc4WFMloHFa5moTUQzoDoQ/s400/warren_7hearts.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><a href="http://www.planetperplex.com/en/item141">Jim Warren on Planet Perplex</a><br />
Can you find the 7 hearts in this picture?<br />
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So, what about you? What are YOU most in love with in your life right now? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-64333474268693205042010-01-23T16:45:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:56:26.092-08:00The Nightmare Before Time ManagementBased on the issues I raised in my last post, I decided to change a few of my challenges into goals. <br />
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Goal #1: To prioritize my time in order to balance work, shop, recreation, and my many interests.<br />
<ul><li>Resources/Inspiration: <a href="http://ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/1006.html">http://ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/1006.html</a></li>
</ul><br />
Where does my time <b>really</b> go? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgip-QPdFi7lHCIL8TgVchps4cEGK5LF_n5pA4OEHfx2lV1_ib4_zs2PxhEb4e8FAk-NINWw8AFQ_RurTXSPdFXp6531X57vbMURZPgcO2nH2RV6PUbFegvk_SzzZxmSDeJ2RJJLrug3o/s1600-h/How+I+currently+spend+my+time.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgip-QPdFi7lHCIL8TgVchps4cEGK5LF_n5pA4OEHfx2lV1_ib4_zs2PxhEb4e8FAk-NINWw8AFQ_RurTXSPdFXp6531X57vbMURZPgcO2nH2RV6PUbFegvk_SzzZxmSDeJ2RJJLrug3o/s400/How+I+currently+spend+my+time.png" width="400" /></a><br />
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How would I <b>like </b>my time to be spent? (What are my priorities?)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsTKBKN_nH8r5-137RVxXiW8hCAQkqZj803MB8BEONST2maIzo2JpcyrPe3AL7Wyiax6jnYnR6jXG6z6LdiD0fmEavVOrtpfM88Kz3N3XePciJqzjHW0mp1j1w4wBcPthDXCn_zX6Xhc/s1600-h/How+I+want+to+spend+my+time.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsTKBKN_nH8r5-137RVxXiW8hCAQkqZj803MB8BEONST2maIzo2JpcyrPe3AL7Wyiax6jnYnR6jXG6z6LdiD0fmEavVOrtpfM88Kz3N3XePciJqzjHW0mp1j1w4wBcPthDXCn_zX6Xhc/s400/How+I+want+to+spend+my+time.png" width="400" /></a><br />
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So, what do I need to do differently?<br />
1. Cut 12 hours from work.<br />
2. Add 2 hours to working on shop merchandise, photos, updates.<br />
3. Add 3 hours of exercise.<br />
4. Add 3 hours to meditation.<br />
5. Add 4 hours to relaxation/reading before bed.<br />
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That doesn’t seem soooo drastic, does it? Unfortunately, what that means is:<br />
<ul><li>I have to leave work by 4:00-4:30 every day, and am only allowed 3 hours of work from home (I just spent two hours grading and got through only three essays--help!!! I need to get more efficient with my grading time!)<br />
</li>
</ul><ul><li>Spend one hour per day on my shop or save it for one of the days of the weekend? I think I will try to post an item or comment in the forums every morning and do the big stuff (taking pictures, etc.) on the weekends. </li>
</ul><ul><li>Exercise after a long day at work 2-3 times a week, not just on the weekends. (I didn't even get to the gym today, because I'm suddenly sick again. Hmmm, wonder if this time management thing was just too stressful for me to handle...?) </li>
</ul><ul><li>Reinstate my morning meditation on weekdays, whether in the bedroom or living room (already doing better on this one :))<br />
</li>
</ul><ul><li>Get off the computer by 8:00 every night so I can read and relax before bed!</li>
</ul><ul></ul>Yeesh, no wonder I don't like to think about this stuff. Gives me a headache. Well, okay, I already had one...<br />
<br />
And that's only goal #1. The others are:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span> <br />
Goal #2: Take the time to organize my things and clean up after each activity.<br />
<br />
Goal #3: Don’t start new projects until I finish up the ones that are already out.<br />
<br />
Goal #4: Be willing to learn by doing, instead of just by reading and doing book research about the topic (i.e. blogging, technology, shop stuff).<br />
<br />
But I'll get to those in the next few posts!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVPTjSoYBX9qYEsotEv3W9lTX1q2Ujyz0CkYm1ryhmh5eaPcWVvhDkNfmXL3vbtWRgDfGwQZd8cfCcHVt4K4FW-MyJfwq5R1x8hh0jL2p1nYlVF2zJAtrhgb7AYxwxXtQw5SuYeeQaTI/s1600-h/IMG_5774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVPTjSoYBX9qYEsotEv3W9lTX1q2Ujyz0CkYm1ryhmh5eaPcWVvhDkNfmXL3vbtWRgDfGwQZd8cfCcHVt4K4FW-MyJfwq5R1x8hh0jL2p1nYlVF2zJAtrhgb7AYxwxXtQw5SuYeeQaTI/s320/IMG_5774.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After getting in some good meditation time yesterday and this morning, I realized this really isn't as big a deal as I'm making it. Everything will work out in the end. When I feel the urge to work on each thing, I will. And it's okay if it isn't all done-- RIGHT NOW.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-19840418228338055722010-01-18T19:13:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:56:26.062-08:00The Thinker Living in a Material WorldThis week’s assignment in my <a href="http://www.scoutiegirl.com/52-weeks">52 Weeks of Blogging your Passion</a> program is to write about an obstacle I’ve overcome in terms of my craft, shop, balancing time, or finding space for things.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jdls3CaVfB_rHRXWWMbyQeKK3u_LqD7b3lMozlSTKIr-f3M8GGvoNecK_xeHdmBCYpxSZQ5yZR47p1HgHB1Lqltcej85lnXpYYqPhEXLLHtHs_p6_huBaROLgp2PREhDv02vrsNt-R0/s1600-h/obstacle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jdls3CaVfB_rHRXWWMbyQeKK3u_LqD7b3lMozlSTKIr-f3M8GGvoNecK_xeHdmBCYpxSZQ5yZR47p1HgHB1Lqltcej85lnXpYYqPhEXLLHtHs_p6_huBaROLgp2PREhDv02vrsNt-R0/s320/obstacle.jpg" /></a>I can think of many current obstacles, but one I have already overcome? That’s where I get stuck. I guess my accomplish- ments seem so small. I’ve already written about:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://ivy9sdaytoday.blogspot.com/2010/01/birth-of-susanneedlehands.html">learning how to knit and crochet</a> when I was young</li>
</ul><ul><li>how there are way <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=yarn+shops+west+la%2C+ca&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a">too many yarn shops</a> for me to have a lack of supplies or choice</li>
</ul><ul><li>and opening <a href="http://susanneedlehands.etsy.com/">my Etsy shop</a> was super easy</li>
</ul>No, the real issues are yet to be conquered. The first challenge is figuring and sorting them all out, which is what I will focus on in this post. <br />
<br />
My current challenges are:<br />
<ul><li>Balancing time between <a href="http://missnichols.edublogs.org/">work</a>, <a href="http://susanneedlehands.etsy.com/">shop</a>, recreation, and my many interests (that crazy Google calendar!)<br />
</li>
</ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul><li>Not enough space at home/Not making the time to organize things</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OL3c8TO0MtE2kRqqx6MLZ6ymPRfL2IgIOhQRdyusREaKQMfdrmpqVBBDmdtnkA7QnkwygFbKhMnJpCaGVhyphenhyphenLfTwJ0ONoTLSm2JQdOpKCX2Bv1FkknzwyWev_yf1D-s24oSrn04U8a-s/s1600-h/IMG_3759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OL3c8TO0MtE2kRqqx6MLZ6ymPRfL2IgIOhQRdyusREaKQMfdrmpqVBBDmdtnkA7QnkwygFbKhMnJpCaGVhyphenhyphenLfTwJ0ONoTLSm2JQdOpKCX2Bv1FkknzwyWev_yf1D-s24oSrn04U8a-s/s400/IMG_3759.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><ul><li>Starting many projects but not finishing them, so they sit around and clutter up the living room</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Wanting to research everything about everything, instead of actually DOING the things!</li>
</ul><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8zIIg0x3zmR3a0yrahIRUiDwYxj-qQjzmHl-3rswu4LsNZDO25F6vTVmRzshYQz1VcyNLk51VFXNyOcvJ28BQQs2RYYAmCuYQ9J_kuuBFWHv2Wsp6pONQ4aYLY30c_nxnlwh4tsYtdM/s1600-h/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8zIIg0x3zmR3a0yrahIRUiDwYxj-qQjzmHl-3rswu4LsNZDO25F6vTVmRzshYQz1VcyNLk51VFXNyOcvJ28BQQs2RYYAmCuYQ9J_kuuBFWHv2Wsp6pONQ4aYLY30c_nxnlwh4tsYtdM/s400/books.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<ul><li>I'm such a thinker and love the world of ideas, but struggle with getting those ideas out into the physical world </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCJpA1yPZvOdj-YEJc3waG57HRQ75hyq4tITKUU2Av5gsXzZJ7U627PEuR-2ANDSnhIBFD24xtxQb11qALJn0akVOKC94hbL5XZJ5MB8-rEfJwooTnesnQz79B_d_JUnGUQCgaouk__k/s1600-h/p303301-Brussels-The_Thinker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCJpA1yPZvOdj-YEJc3waG57HRQ75hyq4tITKUU2Av5gsXzZJ7U627PEuR-2ANDSnhIBFD24xtxQb11qALJn0akVOKC94hbL5XZJ5MB8-rEfJwooTnesnQz79B_d_JUnGUQCgaouk__k/s400/p303301-Brussels-The_Thinker.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><ul></ul><ul><li>And finally, there are <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=handmade&search_query=knit+scarves&ref=auto">so many others</a> who make same/similar products out there, how do I compete for market share?</li>
</ul>I always remember the words of <a href="http://www.alanwallace.org/">my Buddhist meditation teacher</a> when I ask him for advice, "Susan, you need to relax more deeply..." and I know that is the truest advice of all.<br />
<br />
But, when I do have to face these kinds of issues, relaxing comes before (and while) taking action. So, who out there has tackled similar issues? What advice do you have for me? I would love to hear it-- and Thanks!<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul></ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8207101077319623590.post-44579168506602837112010-01-02T18:14:00.000-08:002011-12-23T14:49:46.887-08:00Reaching for the Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ63Pi3vWyP9EwdTPhRsFU_Q-b-xPGuFQbyxmVAPtZbzbWxPj_YKnetLJpXDU5ulG-T4iPNYpBFc8Bw6j3OihQVyAaSV3blbJ77WEwRGBrmXHOOOu0sKT8uCUxNR6L1bmcY8FQsUwSmDU/s1600-h/IMG_6501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ63Pi3vWyP9EwdTPhRsFU_Q-b-xPGuFQbyxmVAPtZbzbWxPj_YKnetLJpXDU5ulG-T4iPNYpBFc8Bw6j3OihQVyAaSV3blbJ77WEwRGBrmXHOOOu0sKT8uCUxNR6L1bmcY8FQsUwSmDU/s400/IMG_6501.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">New growth in the new year<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PXO6-2KnzjMRKxiPkDyUFyOwy7IhDpNdNa8VnqRWPmz9UF86o_iRk2V2Z-dRRdwwHSLbaYqHROSoV10m5KOO3h3O-QJZ2eLFiYEYTqRRzfA496lVPTPOiCJvYQHHChw3wt-43y2FX_I/s1600-h/IMG_6504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PXO6-2KnzjMRKxiPkDyUFyOwy7IhDpNdNa8VnqRWPmz9UF86o_iRk2V2Z-dRRdwwHSLbaYqHROSoV10m5KOO3h3O-QJZ2eLFiYEYTqRRzfA496lVPTPOiCJvYQHHChw3wt-43y2FX_I/s400/IMG_6504.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Something I never seem to have enough of<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I would have written yesterday, but was taking pictures of product for <a href="http://susanneedlehands.etsy.com/">my Etsy shop</a> aaaaalllll day, and then spent the evening learning how to use Google Calendar. I vow that this year I'm going to keep all my to do lists on the computer instead of on my regular kajillion post-it notes that end up everywhere...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I'm supposed to have a "mission" statement to present here, instead of just my usual rambling mode. I can already feel my resistance to the word "mission" statement rising. It feels so boxy, like I'm being reined in, corralled, confined. Or maybe like then I'll have to keep to my word, if I write it down. What if I can't keep all my promises???<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did write out all my reasons for making my craft--the passion and inspiration behind it, and how I learned it, but think I will leave those for another time. They seem too cold and formulaic right now, and I'd rather tell them as a story. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Instead, I'll leave you with a few sneak peeks of the new product photos. They seem to say everything I want to get across so much better than I could in words:<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkYeOARDN7pzv4XOtbqrIvAz1ZoMqIW7Pq1wFXv9fGp7kcTjq371r-FG2ImP5m_Qi2SN3y8fBtk62TkkQEAESEGDIKxOtzKd0egdMBSvxKihz_yEqNOKeO6mfS-ZiwjVTx4m5R3GOH8E/s1600-h/IMG_6175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkYeOARDN7pzv4XOtbqrIvAz1ZoMqIW7Pq1wFXv9fGp7kcTjq371r-FG2ImP5m_Qi2SN3y8fBtk62TkkQEAESEGDIKxOtzKd0egdMBSvxKihz_yEqNOKeO6mfS-ZiwjVTx4m5R3GOH8E/s400/IMG_6175.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIogFLcWlIdwxqyTVIlHImuug1FbuJFVBBrY-gROFd691Tib33vs1m0Q0V9FscAsJ3g9G2Ke_XfX5sXv0VKOXYkQQCJI45zuN3om5acmjQha1Ga0O4SDUZy9SaUcWHcnkdLADNOB99x8/s1600-h/IMG_6241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIogFLcWlIdwxqyTVIlHImuug1FbuJFVBBrY-gROFd691Tib33vs1m0Q0V9FscAsJ3g9G2Ke_XfX5sXv0VKOXYkQQCJI45zuN3om5acmjQha1Ga0O4SDUZy9SaUcWHcnkdLADNOB99x8/s320/IMG_6241.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrH0c4M0vLZCiCqJVfefyjVafzjjIDJGcXUn2xH1406fizm5KUDNWLfRU07ZgUNhW-f_wzKsFwhHmv77DNJ4zwsCHoU2_tRT1aDhpU5jkt8A7yt0kh3hYFBFWrNpX0NYHMpvgfAfYDFY/s1600-h/IMG_6265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrH0c4M0vLZCiCqJVfefyjVafzjjIDJGcXUn2xH1406fizm5KUDNWLfRU07ZgUNhW-f_wzKsFwhHmv77DNJ4zwsCHoU2_tRT1aDhpU5jkt8A7yt0kh3hYFBFWrNpX0NYHMpvgfAfYDFY/s320/IMG_6265.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0skvOxXN7Y1CFIMFFTXuAnbUow4ja6na5tfy63Ipq3ZzKVoQiA9zE2HL-6HpRggmSWgAmW9TatU7GGWcOhWUxzfWESHke3RRcx1sAXoTzRUuhYqW5S_FkThPflXTquFx3GbRSHV_yhU/s1600-h/IMG_6454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0skvOxXN7Y1CFIMFFTXuAnbUow4ja6na5tfy63Ipq3ZzKVoQiA9zE2HL-6HpRggmSWgAmW9TatU7GGWcOhWUxzfWESHke3RRcx1sAXoTzRUuhYqW5S_FkThPflXTquFx3GbRSHV_yhU/s320/IMG_6454.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm going to try to list one item per day in the mornings before I go to work. Let's see how long I keep that up! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRv5efbApBjNzeboinmvCzdoF32lBRwiqfcodAyXDBczyJ7vzbsDS8b_cUQGRsANPREvEciZlrxNcWPvAnR-jYyUWx87wpyBaoMbEa_nimfyLXKR7IyA7W0dGdm6ySVHG4cb4X_qw6qw/s1600-h/IMG_6400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRv5efbApBjNzeboinmvCzdoF32lBRwiqfcodAyXDBczyJ7vzbsDS8b_cUQGRsANPREvEciZlrxNcWPvAnR-jYyUWx87wpyBaoMbEa_nimfyLXKR7IyA7W0dGdm6ySVHG4cb4X_qw6qw/s400/IMG_6400.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Peace and good wishes to all in the New Year!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634294773406792156noreply@blogger.com3