BIG WEEK for Neko!!

BIG Week For Neko!

Late last week:
Neko lost her last Canine tooth! (the last to go in a puppy's mouth)!

Yesterday:
Neko caught her rope toy with her MOUTH! (a desirable doggy talent that we almost threw to the wayside given trial after trial. She understood the concept but could never open her mouth in time.)

Today!
Neko caught the TENNIS BALL with her Mouth!!! She's a quick learner, and this opens up a whole new world of puppy entertainment!!!!


We're so proud of our little one!

The Labyrinth: Amazing? or Just A Maze?

After recently indulging in some throw-back entertainment, such as, the original "Star Trek" episodes and "The Wonder Years," I stumbled on "The Labyrinth."

Now, I have to admit, for years upon years "The Labyrinth" has drummed up an enormously committed cult- following; and, for years upon years I have felt like I somehow missed the bus on that one.  I did not share the same undying affection.  For some reason I felt as though I didn't "get it" or, possibly, my A.D.D. kicked in and I didn't pay attention, or something else of the sort.  So! As you can imagine I was quite excited to happen upon this viral movie and was looking forward to the opportunity to reconnect with my teeny-bopper years and finally find out what I was missing all these years!
..........

Well, the movie is over, and my reaction is surprising.  I can't help but feel a sense of overwhelming satisfaction when I realized that, in fact, it wasn't my A.D.D. kicking in, nor was it that I didn't "get it." The movie is J.u.s.t. T.h.a.t. C.o.n.f.u.s.i.n.g. There was more cohesiveness for Bambi's hooves when he tried walking on ice for the first time, than there is in "The Labyrinth." And, aside from David Bowie's eyes, there is nothing-cool-about-him. Can't dance, Can't act, and worst of all Can't Sing (yet, somehow, is paid millions of dollars per year for this supposed mysterious talent).

Vindication: it's the best way that I can describe my feeling.  When I was a teen I didn't miss out, I simply moved on, and forgot about my wretched experience all together.  And, might I say a special thank you to all the trendy hipsters who have built up this (imaginary) divine infatuation with "The Labyrinth" so that my junior high school experiences and opinions can, once again, be vindicated.


Warning: Some of the opinions in this blog post may be hard to swallow for some self righteous trendy hipsters. I recommend watching the movie again.
(Also, I probably should have put this disclaimer at the top of my post....)

Dabbling in New Computer Technology

Playing around with my new toy, the "Wacom Bamboo Tablet" A.k.a. computer sketch pad thingy. 

SCARVES! Here Comes Winter!

This is definitely going into my archive!

Choice is Powerful

Girl Friends; Old, Best, and New!

Today, I had a Girl Day.

I spent this glorious Saturday with an old friend, a best friend, and a new friend.

My day began with one of my dearest friends Crystal, who I have been friends with since elementary school.  As she made fresh coffee, I cooked up a couple of tasty omelettes and we chatted about adventures, and the endless pursuit of pure bliss.  After coffee and filling our happy bellies, we continued our morning with a quick-or-not-so-quick jaunt to the local Bull Dog Restaurant/Bar to grab some necessary Bloody Mary's and Mimosas.  Ahhhh...Now that we were feelin' good'n' loose, we thought we'd also loosen our muscles a bit with a hike; after all, it was sunny and 55degrees on November 12th, the same day that produced a snow storm exactly one year ago!  The hike was, needless to say, ShaaAmaaazing! It was a great workout for both Crystal and I, as well as the Pups we brought along, (Shhhh! I won't tell My pup, Neko, that it's really for insurance that her 5-month old, four-legged self will sleep in until 9am tomorrow morning, so that Mamma and Pappa can sleep in tooooo!...Shhhhh)

As I split ways with Crystal, and as I rolled into my lovely St. Paul abode, I make myself a Ham and Swiss sandwich and, suddenly, am pleasantly surprised by a phone call from San Francisco; it was my Best Friend Sara! What a delight! We spent almost an hour on the phone giggling like silly girls, poking fun at each other and ourselves for the foolish fools that we are.  We discussed our struggles and successes in work and in love, in our art, and in our goals in life.  It was a nice, clean dose of fresh air. --INHALE----EXHALE....mmmmm, Smile.

Progressing from there is unimaginably difficult to outdo, however, it was done.

After finishing my mid-day fresh breath of air with Sara, I get a phone call from Farrah. Though she is an old acquaintance, she has become a new great friend.  Farrah and I trotted around downtown St. Paul, and found peace laying on the ground that was freshly covered in yellow and red, crinkly, autumn leaves, under trees that were adorned in twinkling lights, in a park that was pumping out classical music through the speakers.

Smile. Sigh. Smile.

Farrah and I talked music and critiqued artwork, then she pushes on to meet some peeps downtown Minneapolis for a fun night out, so I return once again to my place and am greeted by my amazing boyfriend, Brian.  

I am so lucky to say that I ended my long, love-filled Girl Day with a fine bottle of Malbec wine, and an in-home date night, with my number one Guy in my life.

11-11-11, 11:11

11-11-11: at 11:11 make a wish! 

This opportunity presents itself once every one-hundred years, and, usually, I don't necessarily care to fawn over numerical oddities...but there's something about the number 11.

Upon researching, I found it even more interesting.

According to a paradigmsearch these are the findings about the number 11:

Most predictions and opinions concerning 11/11/11 are based on or rooted in its mathematical uniqueness as a number.

(2 digits) 11 x 11 = 121

(6 digits) 111111 x 111111 = 12345654321

(9 digits) 111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Base 16 (hexadecimal) for example:

(2 digits) 11 x 11 = 121

(6 digits) 111111 x 111111 = 12345654321

(9 digits) 111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Now that brings us to; What happens today, November 11, 2011...?

There are three possible scenarios:

Something good happens—

There is absolutely no scientific basis for this belief. There are no known logical premises for this belief. The belief that something good will happen is based solely on spiritualism, faith, and/or innate optimism. This belief is not necessarily a bad thing; we don’t know everything; the probability is not zero.

Something bad happens— 

There is absolutely no scientific basis for this belief. There are no known logical premises for this belief. The belief that something bad will happen is based solely on pessimism of reality. This belief is not necessarily false; after all, things are generally/usually a mess. The probability is not zero.

 Nothing happens— 

This is the most likely scenario. Just because an unusual date number sequence occurs doesn’t mean that something extraordinary will happen. Usually it’s a non-event.

http://paradigmsearch.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Interpret-111111-Friday-November-11-2011-And-a-Metaphysics-Experiment-111111

Needless to say, today is, essentially, what you make of it.

Every choice is your own, and will subsequently affect your next choice. These choices will, without a doubt, have an affect on your neighbor and your neighbors choices. 

You have two chances to make a wish today! 11:11

Starting NOW! 

much needed creative release...

Let me introduce you to Awesome and Amazing!

My Beautious Bike Ride to Work, Oh how I love thee....

Portaledge...I want one!

Shamaaazing! :A portaledge "is a deployable hanging tent system designed for rock climbers who spend multiple days and nights on a big wall climb. An assembled portaledge is a fabric-covered platform surrounded by a metal frame that hangs from a single point and has adjustable suspension straps."

Papa & Pup Pup at the park!

I'm not quite sure who's having more fun....

I Likes to Hikes!

Rhythms

Rhythms and life; and Life's rhythms

Reflection and Appreciation

As I was nearly exploding with frustration at the wicked wind today,

 I happened to see a beautiful red, gliding, soaring kite;

 I, then, came back down to earth.

These following images are among my reflections and appreciations for today. 

Everyday I am thankful, even for the kites so that they have their wind.  

New ArtWork!

New ArtWork!

Oil on Wood Panel

Congrats JeanLuc Cornelius-Eijadi for making the Blog!

(and for being my first test-subject for oil on wood)

More Oil on Wood Panel to come...stay tuned...

A day in a life with NeKo.

Documented Day; September 19,2011

Summa time Fun!

Me and Ma Byke

The Family Farm

Clouds in the Lake!

Fish...waiting for bait?

The Man.

The Thoughts.

The Visions.

The Drive.

The Passion.

The Talent.

The Strength.

The Genius.

The Confidant.

The Boyfriend.

The Brian Feser.

The Man.

Spontaneous Winter Saturdays and Wine Mugs.

As I kick back with my feet up, I reminisce and think about the spontaneous Saturday late lunch with my Dad, then a Spontaneous Luminary Loppet snow-shoeing with my Mom on Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis.  In my reflection, I pour myself a nice glass of Spanish wine into my favorite carousal wine-mug. I continue tipping the wine-mug back, in pure satisfaction with my spontaneous day, until, lo and behold my wine-mug is empty.  I look inside the mug and can't help but notice the red cracks that, in metaphor, paint the picture of the veiny long-lived life of liquid enjoyment.  I also notice the stained spots from which it was poorly hand washed.  Nevertheless; dirty, stained, & cracked, my wine-mug is loved and appreciated by me.

Ovens, Buses, Cold Weather, and Art.

I love Minneapolis:

When functional art, advertisements, buses, and cold weather combine.  Creativity at its best!

Thank you Caribou Coffee for keeping our bussers warm!!

Inspired...nuff said

http://www.recreate.za.net/products/furniture/page/2

A Razor, Scissors, Vanity and A Comb

It never fails...once I get ahold of these Highly refined cutting tools, I feel this undeniable rush of exhilaration...an excitement for the changes I am about to endure.

However, this time it was different.  It wasn't like when I was 16 years old and making social statements by changing my hair cut and color with every moon cycle.  Although, admittedly still howling at the full moon, I am not interested in challenging the social norm anymore.

As I gripped the scissors, I was surprised to find myself drifting into this, all too familiar, calming trance state of mind.  Slowly sliding the razor's edge against each bundle of hair, I began to trim back the dead lengths.  Receiving some sort of seemingly twisted enjoyment, I listened to the blade slice through the fine strands as I sculpt  the jagged edges of the growing mass atop my head.

Initially, the finished result left me quite satisfied.  I had cute new bangs and my head felt about 30 lbs lighter.  Yet, for whatever reason, this dramatic change didn't thrill me like it used to. Instead I was strangely feeling slightly robbed.  Stripped of my progress and hard work, from my years of dedication and discipline.  My lovely long locks that had become such a defining characteristic for me in the past five years was now chopped into tiny bits...and I was the only one responsible to blame for this catastrophe.  There it was, looking so pathetic, and spread chaotically in a messy heap on my bathroom floor. 

I gave it one more good glance, inhaled...exhaled... then I swept it up and tossed my Vanity into the trash.


Without even looking into the mirror, I smiled and walked away.





 

Eggs Benedict set the Bar for the New Year!

A new year calls for Newness all around:

"For Last Year's Words belong to Last Year's Language.
And Next Year's Words await Another Voice.
And to Make an End is to Make a New Beginning."
-T.S. Eliot

Why not kick off a new year with Blogging!? aaaaaand Brunch downtown Minneapolis Pizza Luce!

When I imagine brunch, I immediately begin to salivate at the very thought of Eggs Benedict; the sweet sweet combination of the biscuit, or english muffin, topped with delicately poached eggs and adorned with the buttery-cream tang of the hollandaise sauce. Yummm.

While skimming over the Brunch Menu, my eyes hone in on the, waaaait, did you saaaayyy....SALMON CAKE EGGS BENEDICT with DILL HOLLANDAISE sauce....? and JALAPENO HASHBROWNS...?



Helloooooo NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!! WeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaww!



Well, I guess that's a pretty good start, but now I'm a tad bit nervous because we (and by 'we' I mean, of course, myself and Pizza Luce Brunch Menu) have set the standard bar for the upcoming new year....and this is pretty damn hard to beat.

But, as always, I love a good challenge with high expectations...So awaaaay we GO!

What's better than good brunch on a Sunday at Noon? ...Good Brunch on a Sunday at Noon with good company :)

Brunch with the Beau, Brian, usually goes like so:

He says a joke...or several...I laugh hysterically...and we (I) get looks from around the room for disturbing the quiet, (with laughter?? c'mon people, this is one thing that I won't hold back...I laugh loud and hold no regrets when I do so...)
People say my laugh is infectious...I'm not sure what that means since I tend to associate infections with festering open wounds...buuut I think it's meant to be a compliment, so thanks?