I found this pattern in Scarf Style and decided to give it a go. The colors are Hudson Bay Blanket inspired... sort of. I went with a deep blue instead of the black stripe and I wish I had gone with an off white, but I realized my mistake after knitting two rows and I wasn't about to change gears.
Now at the halfway point, I think it's turning out well and I'd consider doing another scarf this way. Instead of casting on the width of the scarf and knitting to the desired length, you cast on the length of the scarf on circular needles and then knit the other way. This way I can knit vertical stripes, which are pretty cool too!
******Update******
I finished the scarf in less time than expected. It turns out the pattern is for a 10" wide scarf and I'm not crazy about wide scarves and so I edited the pattern which was supposed to a repeat of the red, yellow, green, and blue and then red once more with white between each stripe. It started out as a Hudson Bay blanket inspired scarf, but I really do think it is more of a Fruit Stripes bubble gum scarf.... This one was fun and I have lots of yarn leftover. I might have to make another one!
Lucinda Williams -- Little Honey a semi-review on my brand new cd
The sweetest bits of honey, according to me....
1. Tears of Joy This one seems so familiar I've been trying to decide if it's on a different album or where I've heard it before. This is VERY much the Lucinda Williams I know and love.
2. Hey Little Rock Star This song has been stuck in my head for days now. Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs sing backup vocals on the song too! Really this is my current favorite on the album. Melt in your mouth goodness.
3. Well, Well, Well This one has a sort of "old country" feel to it which I always think is fun.
4. Jailhouse Tears I didn't love this duet with Elvis Costello the first few times I heard it, but I really do enjoy it quite a lot now.
5. Knowing This is typical Lucinda--slow, sorrow and love drunk sounds.
6. Rarity The lyrics to this song are intriguing. The remarkably slow pacing of the song adds to its power. Do her other songs have horns? They seem more noticeable here. At times, a bit much.
7. Plan to Marry This one feels very Joan Baez to me. Maybe it's the lone woman and acoustic guitar and the love is only a word line. It doesn't matter. I like it. Good stuff.
This dad creates a new lunch bag every day for his kids. And this is one superpowered bag I wholeheartedly approve of! I love it.
For those of you who know and love the portable little Pass the Pigs game, here's a handcrafted twist. I am overwhelmed by the cuteness. It even has an adorable carrying case. Check out the full post here.
And this amazing R2D2 hat, is right in line with the Princess Leia hat I saw on Bleu Arts a few years ago. Man, I need to try to make BOTH of these.
I am in AWE of Helle Jorgensen. I don't crochet, but even if I did I am certain I'd never be this artistic and creative. Helle also does some very cool things with plastic. Check our her amazing galleries at her blog, Gooseflesh.
Am loving the hat
And this is a bit of crocheted coral. I'm guessing she hangs out near the Great Barrier Reef... I wonder?
Ifound this one on Sheila Variations. And had to give 'er a try. The things I've done are in the bold font. I'm not sure what this list reveals about me. It seems I have a lot of living to do, places to go, sights to see. I mean, clearly my life will not be complete until I have held a praying mantis! :) 1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked --I've picked up a hitch hiker, does that count? 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a Marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo's David 41. Sung karaoke 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted 48. Gone deep sea fishing 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Been in a movie 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business 58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 65. Gone sky diving 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check 68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial 71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt 73. Stood in Times Square 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 77. Broken a bone 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox 89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous 92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one 94. Had a baby 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee 100. Read an entire book in one day
When my friend, Anna, called Saturday afternoon asking if I wanted to go to Neil Diamond later that night I actually considered saying no. I was feeling lazy and not excited at the prospect of spending even $55.00 to see him (the cheapest ticket price)... that's still a bit pricey in today's lean times. Then she mentioned that she had FREE tickets... And that clinched it. I mean, who passes up a chance to see Neil perform for free? He's just good happy clappy tambourine shaking fun and his concert didn't disappoint. He did perform some songs I didn't know, but he has a new album so that explains that. It's been 35 years since her performed in Grand Forks... not since 1973 (what a good year!). One has to admire a musician who has been in the music biz for 40 years, singing and songwriting.
I was pleased that he performed my favorite song of his... "Solitary Man." It wasn't the crowd favorite that "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "Sweet Caroline" were, but that's just fine. He has so many hits that it's got to be difficult to decide which ones to perform. According to my calculations he did 24 songs, give or take a couple, and the only ones I really missed were "I Thank the Lord for the Night Time" and the title of this post. Oh well.
I didn't grow up listening to and loving Neil Diamond (at least not his versions of his songs), but I'm pleased to say he makes my top five list of musical artists I underestimated in my youth. The rest are as follows:
1. Neil Diamond 2. Dwight Yoakam 3. Stevie Wonder 4. Michael Jackson 5. Elvis Presley
There are far more to add to such a list now, but I recall being on a big "top five" list making kick after reading the book and then seeing the movie High Fidelity. These five artists were all ones I didn't particularly care for when I was a teen. If you'd asked me then my opinion would have been one of apathy or disdain. Now, I see each of them for the musical wonders that they are. And now I've seen one of them in concert and that's pretty cool!
I've got my sidebar blogs listed for my own reading pleasure. I have my routine blogs I check daily. There are other crafty ones that I look at less frequently and I'm always pleased when I do and I discover some amazing little gem or a tutorial or a new artist or what-have-you.
Today in my wanderings I discovered a trail that led me back to my Google reader. I tried to use this once upon a time, but I found that I didn't enjoy reading people's blogs in that format and it never occurred to me that there could be more to this whole thing.
Today, I learned that one can add a subscribe button to your internet browser toolbar so anytime I find a blog I like and want to revisit I can simply add it to my Google reader instead of adding it to my sea of unorganized bookmarks.
Also I can add a "next button" to my toolbar so instead of even going to my "Google reader" for updates I can click "next" and it will bring me to any fresh pages from the blogs I subscribe to in my Google reader. I decided to add in only my crafting and art blogs since there are so many of them and it's easy to keep going back to a few key ones and neglecting other good ones. The best part? I can see them in their full blog pages rather than in the limited viewing the Google reader page offers.
I am now totally immersed in crafty goodness and here are a few of the happy things I found today.
Crazy knitting and crocheted items:
Safety cones -- why I'm not sure? But they are kind of funny.
Apple cozy. I've seen these before, usually for sale.
Pavlova is my favorite dessert at my favorite dessert stop --Baked Expectations in Winnipeg, MB Here's a recipe, I found. The image looks different than the pavlova in Canada, but it's likely just as tasty.
On Wee Wonderfuls' blog I saw a post on paper dolls, in particular a kind of paper dolls called The Ginghams. That reminded me of a Little Golden Book I loved and probably still have somewhere on the shelf. I thought it might be the same series. It doesn't seem to be. Yet, I was filled with a gushy kind of warm feeling anyway.
Funky clothing:
a cardigan I couldn't wear, but admire anyway. From Anthropologie, though they appear to be sold out.
Why these items? The actually remind me of one another. And I love the sort of bunchy, not terribly symmetrical button thingy going on.
This super cool skirt, I'd wear this for sure. I found this skirt and this blog all in the same day. Be sure to check out Uniform Studio
Well, I've finally reached a point at which I'm so fed up with my inability to exercise at home that I broke down and got a gym membership. About 5 years ago I was going to the gym daily and working out before school. I was much, much healthier than I am now. At least when it came to physical exercise. I have grown increasingly sedentary over the past 5 years (and it might have something to do with this darn computer!). My efforts in eating better have improved. My awareness of calories and carbohydrates and cholesterol has improved, but I'm still at my all-time highest weight. I guess it has something to do with the magic number of 35. As in my age. I've been told it will not get easier and so if I want to reclaim my slimmer self and start fitting into my clothing again I have to start sometime. Why not now? Or heck, how about last night?
I joined the UND Wellness Center yesterday and even worked out after my evening class ended at 9 pm. I'm excited to actually start doing something. I was going great with the great 30 Day Shred DVD until school started. Now, maybe with my new out-of-home workout system in place I'll be more motivated to do a few workouts AT home too... on DVD or the elliptical, perhaps? My goal is to burn 475 calories a day, approximately.
This morning I worked out at 6:30 am on the treadmill and on the elliptical for about 45 minutes and still only managed to burn 275 calories (according to the equipment). Of course I am slow and out of shape and perhaps as I get stronger these goals will all be achieved with much greater ease? I may return for a second workout this evening to try some different equipment... or just do my own elliptical at home while I watch some of the DVRed copies of last night's TV line-up.
Next week I'd hoped to be lifting weights too, but the intern who does the orientation for weights is only available from 4-8 one day next week... Tuesday. When I have to teach my night class. So I guess I have to wait until Wed. Dec. 3rd instead. 13 days AFTER joining the gym. That's just messed up. I should get a discount or a refund or free locker rental for a month or something. I can't believe I have to wait that long. I could do it on Tues. between 4-6 but he already has a 4 pm scheduled. Figures.
I guess I'll try out some of the group exercise classes.... like yoga, wake up and cycle, Zoomba or some kind of classic step aerobics. It should be interesting.
I've been agonizing for more than 24 hours about a little Yorkie named Nickel. I wouldn't consider getting a dog at this point in my life and in the school year, but for a few specific reasons.
1. He's 8 months old... though that's still puppy, malleable in a training sense, 8 months implies housebroken, potty trained which is pretty important in my apartment dwelling lifestyle.
2. He's only $300.00 for his big bad full-breed current shots and neutered self complete with toys, treats, doggie kennel/carrier. I always like a bargain.
3. He's used to being kenneled for even longer than what I would need to do while I was at work from 8-4.
4. He's cute as a bug.
5. He's a small dog which means I can tote him around with me, with ease... possibly on airplanes even?
6. I read about the dog breed and Yorkies don't shed and also are fairly non-allergenic. Not shedding scores big points with me.
7. It's an energetic dog, but it likes to run around indoors more than outdoors. Not that I require this in any sense of the word but really long long walks in subzero temps is less than ideal at this time of year.
8. Did I mention he's so cute I could eat him up?
9. I had even thought of a list of nicknames. Fantasized about having him sleep in a little round cushiony bed in my bedroom. Imagined him tucked in my lap while we watched Wed. night TV line-up. Pictured him listening to NPR on a small radio while I had him kenneled in the kitchen with a doggie gate so he'd have room to roam but also the comforts of home as in tiled kitchen rather than carpeted everywhere else and so forth.
................................... Then I met him. He's still got the face of an angel... but the magic wasn't really there for me.
1. He was TWICE as big as I pictured.... 10 lbs... instead of about 5. Not a big deal, but for some reason it was a wee bit disappointing. Not sure why. Suddenly lugging him around in my red thrift store purse peeking out and woofing at strangers seemed highly unlikely. I had a hard time holding his squirmy body. I wanted to put him down and immediately he piddled on their couch... I KNOW small dogs do this. It's excitement. They can outgrow it. It's fine. But it was unfortunate.
2. He never stopped moving. Not once. He is a whirling dervish. A tornado of energy. He only barked when I arrived and I noticed he was pretty calm on the barking after that, but his owners admitted it was because we were giving him attention. If we were to get busy and ignore him he'd begin to bark until we paid him his due attention. He's a very attention seeking dog. Hmmm...
3. I probed a bit more about the kenneling procedure for when they are gone. He stays in his little pet carrier/kennel deal which is also his bed for the night. Because its his bed he never has an accident in there. But if they kenneled him in the kitchen for example as I dreamt of doing... well, he'd pee for sure in that 8 hours. Sigh. I guess we still have NPR.
4. I asked about cuddling and so forth. If the dog ever stops and wants to just sit on the lap or whatever... and the owner said about 9 pm poochie slows down and wants to cuddle and sometimes will get in bed with them and snuggle up... however, they don't let the dog sleep with them since a few times it did the dog woke before them and instead of waking them up to go out by barking... it just hopped out of bed and went on the carpet right there in the bedroom.
5. I asked about pottying... Apparently they take it out every 4 hours when they are home with the exception of when they are at work or the dog is kenneled to sleep. The minute they are awake the dog goes out and does both his businesses and does so about four times a day. But it sounds like you have to anticipate this. The poochie will not let you know by going to the door or barking. This doesn't sound like a very potty trained dog to me? Or am I living in some fantasy world?
6. Why are they selling the dog? Because they aren't home enough--gone all day and sometimes in the evenings for college classes too. I am home a little bit more but I am just one person and based on the things they were saying, I think this doggie has the energy for three or four or for kids or another fellow house dog. That his loving needs to be spread around.
Conclusion: I really wanted a dog. I wanted this dog and this breed because I thought based on what I read it would really work and that I'd be suited to it. That it was cute, that it was portable, that it was potty trained because I absolutely cannot housebreak a brand new puppy at this time of year and when I am at work and on the third floor. If the dog isn't coming to me trained and if there's the possibility I may have to work on breaking bad habits that are already there... wow, then there's not really any benefit to having a slightly older dog. Especially when I don't get the privilege of naming nor the joys of pure puppy fun.
I've always wanted a Shih Tzu, after I bonded with a super dog named Rosie. I wonder now if she was a mix or a full breed. Regardless, she's the best dog I've ever known. When I looked up her temperment it acutally called that breed "lazy" and I wonder if THAT is why I clicked. It was a dog that really did just want to hang out and cuddle. :) Maybe things would be a different story if it was that breed and not fairly frantic dashing around? But then again, maybe it would still be a mistake regardless. I may have dodged a bullet, here. Still, the desire for dog was real and I was ready checkbook in purse to return home with a dog if I could make it work.
I guess now my only option is to join a gym. I'm thinking of joining this one. It turns out I qualify for a grandfathered grad membership thanks to my masters degree. And so even though it doesn't have a pool for lap swim, nor does it have a steam room for my therapuetic end to every workout, it does have an almost guaranteed no wait for using the cardio equipment, which is state of the art.
So, I guess the end of this story is that the only little body I will be curling up with at night is my own... if I can manage to lose the 20 lbs I've had my horror-filled eyes on lately. And that might be just fine. For now.
-------------******* UPDATE*******--------------
This morning I checked my email and found a message from the doggie owners saying they'd decided not to sell their dog. As they watched me play with him and told me all about him, they fell in love with him all over again and just couldn't bear to part with him. They plan to try to come up with a better scheduling plan to allow them to be home more for their little poochie. Hmmm... my work here is done. I'm like Mary Poppins for dogs.
Am I losing my mind? It's possible. There is a darling 8 month old male purebred Yorkie for sale on our school sale site. He's clearly adorable. And he's likely to be potty trained. And he's had his shots and is neutered. He comes with books, bed, leash, treats and plenty of love (I added the last part). What should I do?
Friday night, after things closed down at the writing retreat guest house, I headed off to create signs with my sister and her friends. Even her new little poochie was offering her help. Isn't that sweet? Just 18 hours after joining the family, she was already volunteering her sign making services for equal rights!
Ashley and Katie sporting their signs.
Me with mine.
I love the bluebirds of equality.
Approximately 85 people showed up throughout the 3 hour protest that started outside city hall at 12:30 on Saturday and then moved to the town square for greater visibility. The mood was optimistic and a terrific positive vibe just radiated from this group of people passionate about civil rights. This was my first protest and I was thrilled my baby sister and friends were eager to be a part of this. It was part of a nationwide effort.
People asked why were doing this protest here in ND where Prop 8 had no specific impact. Yet, to ignore the implications and impact it did have is foolish. I think my sign actually explains it well. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." This is not an issue that should have even gone to a vote in California. It's a civil rights issue. It's about equality for all people. This isn't a religious issue and to try to argue it with that rationale is madness. A church may do or decide what it will within its doors; they have every right to deny or denounce what they feel is not in line with their doctrinal beliefs. I may not agree with that, but I can respect that. However, laws in our country are completely separate and should be. Our government cannot be subject to the doctrinal beliefs of a particular religion. This is about the law. This is about rights of US citizens. This is about all people being treated with dignity and equality.
I find that in the whirlwind of my typical days which turn so quickly to weeks, I have little or no time for writing. I have a storehouse of ideas and rarely have time or patience to truly dig in and do anything with them. This month, I pledged to write a poem a day in honor of all the other writers who are happily writing their crappy novel as a part of NaNoWriMo. Even that simple goal has gone unmet, though after this weekend I'm getting closer.
Friday night and Saturday I retreated from "life," at least as much as one is able, and I took part in a RRVWP writing retreat with 7 others. It was heavenly to just have a space and place and time to work. Three participants stayed at the guest house and the rest of us, who live locally, returned home to sleep. Each person worked on a different kind of writing; Some on young adult books, some on professional writing, on a NaNoWriMo novel, poetry, childhood memoir, and essays.
We had a sharing time on Saturday before we left and it was wonderful to get a glimpse into the writing and progress of others. To be fair, Linda's piece on a childhood story was the most polished of anyone's writing at our sharing time, but it was so wonderful I wish I had a copy. I think she's really got something there. A natural story telling gene, perhaps. Rather than a short narrative essay, I think she's got one chapter in a wonderful book. I'd buy it!
And that's not all. We were treated to delicious food from Dakota Harvest Bakery who catered the event with yummy soups, salads, breads, fruit, and pastries. Considering I am not a fan of cake I am amazed at how their lilac-colored cream cheese-frosted cupcakes are dominating my thoughts. If I was ever interested in losing weight or being healthy I would say this retreat did little toward that effort. I probably consumed a stick of butter yesterday and possibly a small loaf of bread. And now I'm dreaming of cupcakes. Sigh.
I had a wonderful time and would do it again in a heartbeat. I am afraid to praise it too highly for fear the next time the RRVWP hosts a retreat, they won't have room for me!
An artist I've long loved is a British woman named Laura Stoddart. Most people don't have a clue who I am talking about until I reference the designs on the Crabtree and Evelyn products. She's done some work for Kate Spade and she also designed cards for Roger LeBorde. Does that help? No, probably not.
A few years ago I bought a darling book of gardening and nature related quotations illustrated by Stoddart. It's called The Sweet Life: Reflections on Home and Garden. Well, rumor has it, she's done it again. Her latest book is a collection of quotations on love. Yippee!
On Nov. 5th I had the privilege of seeing Martin Sexton perform for the third time. I met a girl who told me I was on the verge, that this concert might put me over the edge. She said she'd seen him perform a dozen or more times and that soon I'd be driving great distances just for a chance to hear him sing live. I have to admit that it's entirely possible. I love Martin Sexton. I love his songs, his voice, his creativity, his attitude.
I now own all his albums with the exception of a handful of live concert CDS. [Solo (2008), Seeds (2007), Camp Holiday (2005), Live Wide Open (2002), Wonder Bar (2000), The American (1998), Black Sheep (1996), In the Journey (1990)] That night, though, I heard a few songs I truly hadn't heard before. One of those was "Failure" from his Seeds album, which I already owned but the song hadn't really hit me until the concert. THAT is reason enough for going.
I already blogged about the surprise of finding an opening act I enjoyed so much. I've been listening to Ryan Montbleau's CD quite a bit this week. It was the background music for my book club meeting earlier this evening.
Sexton is coolness personified. And while I personally think that Willy Porter's guitar playing is superior, few can match Sexton's vocal abilities. I tend to agree with my pal, Nancy, who said if they would get together and perform or do some recording, she would probably spontaneously combust. My pics are more proof that I was there than anything else. But below are two Martin Sextons. Enjoy.
Masters of Guitar Series -- Martin Simpson
Martin Simpson performed yesterday at the Empire, my Tuesday off, and after a weird day of me "being blue" it was a nice treat. This was the final Masters of Guitar Series show until next Spring. He performed a real range of songs from traditional Scottish ballads to Joan Baez and Dylan to Randy Newman to "Killing the Blues" by Roly Salley, and even some that sounded like the deep South. I guess his time living in the French Quarter of New Orleans rubbed off.
One of the songs I loved best was one he wrote for his dad--"Never Any Good." He said his father was born in 1899 and he got married at 52 and had Martin at 54. Now, years and years later Martin Simpson is 55 and has a three year old. Go figure. Simpson also painted some fun pictures of life as a youngster in 1965 learning guitar. That's an era that I would love to slip through time to observe.
I also learned about a new guitar trick from this concert. He used a tool called an Ebow. This isn't a new thing, certainly, but for me it was. It's a tool that uses a magnetic force or energy to move the string and so it resonates and can provide a wonderful sound. I enjoyed this concert and had I not just been to see Martin Sexton, I'd say Mr. Simpson would have fared better. So it goes.
That's how my friend, Jer, says "thank you" and I'm not too far from that sort of butchery. My French is WEAK, at best. I understand glimmers of ideas, probably completely incorrectly when I try to make sense of this language and think my sketchy knowledge of Spanish will help. I had to use a translator program to try to read the little blog bits I read. I discovered the figurines (below) through an exploration into the Waldorf dolls (also below) I've been reading about. Happy to See You features some lovely dolls, and figurines as luck would have it. The blog, however, is in French.
I'm a fairy tale nut. I love the stories and all things fairy tale related. For some reason I am completely captivated by this set of figurines.
Curious about the Waldorf dolls, I found a tutorial. I am not ready to venture out in that direction, but others may be. Here's the link.
On Friday I had three generous glasses of this yummy wine at Dave and Marci's scavenger hunt party. I am happy to report no headache on Saturday. And did I mention it was yummy?
Lately, I've been a coffee addict. Usually I wait until I am at work before I indulge in that first cup. During my babysitting stint with days beginning at 5:30 am, I just couldn't wait. However, I also didn't have a spill proof travel mug. The first one I bought didn't fit my cup holder and when tipped even a little it spilled down the sides of the mug. This sucker can be totally upside down and that coffee is not going anywhere. Its turbo tight seal is amazing AND it fits nicely in my car. Woo hoo! It's worth the $20 price tag at Target or Amazon, I guess.
Today the concept of justice weighed heavily on me. Enough to move me to tears. I find that I wear my emotions close to the surface and tears are pre-made in the factory of me, ready to spill in joy or sorrow. I am sure I needed the release but I actually found I was unable to control it and that felt embarrassing as I ended up crying in front of my boss as I explained to him my concerns. They were tears of righteous anger. Of frustration that reached the boiling point and I was spilling over. There are times when I feel that people take too much crap ... allow too much wrong to be done without proper protest because it's easier, because it doesn't "rock the boat" but today I'd had enough. I'm sure that will soon pass and I'll be like everyone else ready to endure, let it go, move on, follow the adage of "time will tell." But I'm not sure that is better. I am not sure that it's right. Maybe more people need to speak up.
Last night, my friend Pam and I traveled south through wind and rain to hear Martin Sexton perform at the Fargo Theatre. It was fabulous and I'll have to blog more about that later.
An unexpected treat was Ryan Montbleau who opened for Sexton, playing acoustic guitar and performing without his band. I'd not heard of Montbleau, but I was pleased with his easygoing humor and entertaining lyrics. One of my favorite songs was one called "Quickie" and that's exactly what it was about. Yet, the most moving and thought provoking song from his set was an A Capella number called "How Many Times?" and I have reprinted the lyrics here for your reading pleasure.
I would encourage you to open the following link in a separate window and then follow along as you listen to him perform this song. This version has instrumental back-up, though the version we saw performed was truly just him singing. I almost think that was more powerful, perhaps because of the starkness of the song.
There's a coat that I won't wear again 'til late sometime this year And when I hang it in my closet I'll go on about my day. Just a passing little chore, but before I close the door I take one final look up on it and I wonder just the same... How many times? How many times will I get to see the seasons change and stand here at the door? How many times? How many times will I be standing here, how many times?
There's a general store in Maine where I spent some younger days. I took a drive one day to see it with a long lost love of mine And, though that day, it now was years ago, I cannot help but feel as though I was such a foolish child As we we argued on the ride.. How many times? How many times did I look for something petty as loved stared me in the eyes? How many times? How many times will I get that chance again, how many times?
There's a simple understanding in the moment undemanding of our notice. Years spring up from months and days until we're suddenly afraid of what we've chosen. Have I done all that I can? Could I have been a better man? I need to do more with these moments, need to do more with less time- It's time to ease from concentration into focus.
There's a friend that I once knew and before his days were through, He was dark and he was stormy but he could laugh at all the world. I loved and took it all in stride And though I laughed on the outside, I'd give my life to take the loneliness that he had to endure... How many times? How many times did I get to see my friend Alive and think nothing of it? How many times? How many times did I look upon his face, how many times?
And though he's gone now, I have this song now. And I still get to sit here, remembering the lines. And though I'm not yet under, I can't help but wonder: will I get this chance again and how many times?
I love Etsy. It's a wonderful site filled with all kinds of handmade goodness. This is a link to my current favorite things that Etsy has to offer. Mostly I am in love with the art and the jewelry.
For example, this funky necklace. Of course its relevance is limited to only certain times of year.
And right now I'm trying to decide if it's justifiable to purchase one of these wonderful shadow puppets from this Etsy store.
Last Friday I was exploring the web looking for ideas for expanding tutoring in classrooms and I stumbled on onceuponaschool.org and something about it caught my attention. Then I discovered a familiar name--Dave Eggers, author of one of my favorite books--A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.
It took me a minute or two to discover that Eggers was behind the site; that he is an advocate for education, particularly reading and writing. And not only an advocate of education, but of building bridges between citizens with skills to offer and kids who need one on one tutoring.
The website is the result of Eggers receiving the 2008 TED prize (Technology, Entertainment & Design Conference).
In his speech he details his dream, its roots, how he got involved, how his dream has grown, and how he wants to hand off this dream to communities everywhere using the onceuponaschool website to make the evidence visual and inspiring for others.
Eggers speaks rapidly (at light speed, actually) genuinely, passionately, with his hands, and in a style that is completely his own. He is funny and yet, I was completely moved. I urge you to watch the entire speech to really understand what he and others did at 826 Valencia in San Francisco. The video is 25 minutes. I realize that's a lifetime to typical blog reading, internet browsers. Yet, once I started watching it I was transfixed. Maybe you have to love Dave Eggers or be passionate about kids and volunteering and writing, but I thought it was entirely worth it. In fact, I can't stop thinking about it.
If the idea of watching that video is too much, read on. I have reprinted some of the best bits from this article by Alan T. Saracevic, Chronicle Business Editor
Each year, the TED conference organizers pick three extraordinary individuals to each receive an award and then make a wish. Then the TED community, made up of some of the most influential scientists, artists, business leaders and politicians in the world, goes forth and works to make those wishes come true.
This year, San Francisco's very own Dave Eggers, a Pulitzer-nominated novelist and community activist stole the show. In a hilarious, rambling speech that had the crowd roaring with laughter and applauding in appreciation, the 37-year-old writer made his wish:
"I wish that you - you personally and every creative individual and organization you know - will find a way to directly engage with a public school in your area and that you'll then tell the story of how you got involved, so that within a year we have 1,000 examples of transformative change."
To help facilitate the process, Eggers has created a Web site, www.onceuponaschool.org, that will serve as a clearinghouse for people to chronicle their volunteer efforts.
Eggers founded a groundbreaking tutoring center/publishing house in San Francisco's Mission District. Named after its street address, 826 Valencia, it has grown into a municipal treasure and a national movement that is helping thousands of kids with reading and writing skills in cities from coast to coast.
The way it works is simple: Interested writers, editors and artists rent a storefront and hang a shingle offering tutoring services to kids in the neighborhood. During the day, the pros work on publishing projects such as Eggers' McSweeney's literary journal. When school lets out, the kids come in to do their homework and work on projects with one-on-one help. In many cases, the kids work up anthologies that get published.
Now, you're probably wondering how Eggers and his friends get kids to come in for more tutoring after a day of school. A lot of it has to do with the program's whimsy.
When Eggers first rented that storefront on 826 Valencia St., the landlord said they had to sell something. It was zoned commercial. So the writers put together a Pirate Supply Store in the front of the shop, selling gear for the "practicing buccaneer." Visitors can buy custom peg legs, and eye patches, and planks by the foot. Ocean maps and parrot feed. It's all pretty hilarious and it seems to put the kids at ease: This is not your average learning experience.
That very model, learning mixed with whimsy, caught on across the country. A group of writers in Brooklyn opened a store that sold superhero gear. In Chicago, there's a tutoring center masquerading as a spy store. And in Los Angeles, there's a time-travel mart.
Through those experience, Eggers has become committed to the power of tutoring and the need for supporting the nation's foundering public schools.
"This is a different kind of TED wish, one that we haven't had before," said TED organizer Chris Anderson, who went on to say that anyone can get involved in this idea, not only the world's elite power brokers. "I really hope that in a year's time, there's a thousand stories."
To learn more about 826 Valencia and the other like-minded tutoring centers emerging across the nation, go to 826national.org Check it out.
Maybe my talented, intellectual, highly skilled friends in the Seattle area would be interested in volunteering at their site.
I found this pattern in Scarf Style and decided to give it a go. The colors are Hudson Bay Blanket inspired... sort of. I went with a deep blue instead of the black stripe and I wish I had gone with an off white, but I realized my mistake after knitting two rows and I wasn't about to change gears.
