Ready.

Haven't felt very verbal this week, I'm realizing, since all I seem to be doing is posting images. Back from a good dinner catching up with Tony. Now all I want to do is lay here under warm covers and think until I fall asleep. It's still so cold here, and I'm ready for Spring. Really, already.

This image by One Blue Wren on Flickr. It says to me, happy warm rain (not cold, sleeting snow).

Olivia Bee. Part 2.

This girl continues to amaze me. This photograph, taken with a disposable underwater camera, is so beautiful. I know I have a thing for underwater and pools, but really. I have added Olivia Bee to my Flickr list on the side because every time I go there, something moves me.

Good Morning.

I was doing a little browsing with my morning coffee and came across this capture. Nice. I love the greys and yellows.

Photo by Anpamuca on Flickr.

Um?

Image by me. In my front lawn. Tonight.

David Best.

*click to enlarge these photos if you want, because the details are wonderful*

Back in 2005, I took a trip from Orange County up the California coast, stopping along the way and ending in San Francisco for about a week. My friend David showed me all around the city. This was an outdoor sculpture by artist David Best for the Black Rock Arts Foundation.


Isn't it cool? It's made mostly out of recycled materials and took about a month to make. David Best is well-known for the temples he builds for the Burning Man festivals, and then, well, burns down. Incredible.

Dear Troy.

I did something I've never done before last night: I IM'd a complete stranger. Blah, Blah Blahg is a blog I only recently started browsing. I like it. Take a look. But I was instantly impressed with a new blog she linked to in one of her posts, Dear Troy's blog Empty Spaces.


It's image heavy, with short text notes of quotes or thoughts. The images killed me. I haven't seen a lot like this browsing. I wanted to learn about Troy and you know what? Seems like some other people do to because while there's not much in the way of a profile, he says in a post something like, If you want to know more about me, IM me, and he left his chat address.


I simply could not resist and added him to my contact list. I needed to know where he finds these pictures. When he came on last night, I threw all common sense about crazy interweb stalkers out the window and said Hi. Turns out he finds most of the images, like the rest of us, but some are also by friends, etc.


He also posts MP3s, which is how I just listened to Great Lake Swimmers for the first time. I clicked on it because of the name not even realizing it would play for me, and now I HAVE to get this music. So anyway, I'm a huge fan of Troy, and will make Empty Spaces, which is so not empty, a regular stop.

Sorta speaking of swimming, do you want know what I also did last night? Swam a set with paddles.

For those of you (Ruth) who don't know what that means, imagine thin flat plastic rectangular boards you attach to each hand using rubber tubing. They have some holes for relief, but they provide an additional resistance against the water so when you pull through, you get an enhanced version of each stroke. It's more difficult but it also propels you further, "distance per stroke".

Normally when I do a new exercise or mix up the routine in any way, it takes about 24 hours to suffer the results. It hasn't been 12 and I can feel this one already, which is a little scary. I think I can even feel it in my abs?!

Enoteca Roma.

Had another great dinner last night with Jacki and Elizabeth, something we've decided to start doing monthly. I had been to Enoteca Roma once before with Dinner Club, and I was curious if the restaurant was great, or if I was influenced by my company. The answer is Yes. The food was great, the conversation greater. In both cases.

This restaurant is no scene. It's so neighborhood, with the good food and good wine and good atmosphere, that it would be hard for me to have a bad time there. After we'd totally finished eating, there was no rush put on us to get out of there, which to me is the best feeling when I am out to eat, and so authentic to the way Italians do dining, that based on my two experiences there, bring me to the conclusion that indeed, I love this restaurant.

It is small, with tiny tables pushed and scrunched together. But they do expand into the bakery next door, so we never felt too packed in. They also have a large outdoor patio, and while it was way too cold to eat outside that night, they provide individual warm blankets if you opt to do so. The two guys next to us got their meals (whole wheat gnocchi) before we did and the scent of it made me weak with anticipation of our first course. The Polenta.

I would go back and make the polenta my main course if the circumstances allowed (i.e. I went with someone just to get the polenta). I think there were five combinations with one "special" of this dish. They bring it out all soupy in this ceramic crock and pour it onto this marble slab right at your table, then top it with the ingredients you choose. Ours was a white bean (I forget the name), tomato, prosciutto (chunks, not sliced) and fresh garlic and basil combination, topped with freshly shaved Parmesan cheese.

It "sets up" while you wait, watching the cheese melt on top, and then you use a spatula to bring pieces of it to your plate. I don't have a thing for polenta in general, but this polenta is to die for. Then we split our entrees on little plates. I got the risotto pescatora, since I can't for the life of me pass up an opportunity to eat scallops. Jacki ordered the pear stuffed ravioli with a Gorgonzola and walnut cream sauce, and Elizabeth got the skewered grilled prawns and tomatoes, over a bed of spinach in a light lemon "sauce". What a taste sensation of flavors, and what a way to have them all with a glass of wine (or 3).

I'd be crazy not to mention that the people I had both meals with at this restaurant MADE the meal. Our conversations were interesting, illuminating, insightful, thoughtful and just overall special, which never hurts when you're out to eat in my opinion. But to top it off, the establishment itself allowed us to do it. When we were sitting there with an empty table except for 3 ice waters for the last twenty minutes, I never once felt that I was imposing. The website describes the intention to fulfill a "desire to have a place like the ones I grew up with in Roma, Italy. A comfortable place, where you can have a great meal, and drink a glass of wine and relax". They succeeded. It was exactly what we did.

The conversation wasn't bad either. Yum.

I got SO distracted by the chatting that I completely forgot to snap pics of the rest of it, although, the polenta was the best, so maybe that's for the best too.

I Like Grass. (Me too).

Stumbled upon this Flickr pool, "I like grass". I too, like grass. I love watching it move in the breeze. Or large fields of it swaying in different directions. On one of the woods hikes I like to take, almost my favorite part is the open field stretch, any time of year. The dried and dying is as beautiful to me as the green and thriving. I love the colors and I love the movement and symphonic rhythm it creates.

Pictures of it aren't bad either, huh?

I think this is a great set to visit when you need to take a break. Well anyway, it's a great set for me to visit when I need a break, so I'm recommending it. These last two are a little more gratuitous. Sun spots and glare have become appealing to me recently, and I'm always drawn to a good barn scene. Can't you feel the dampness of that grass?

This last one depicts one of my favorite color combinations in nature. I noticed this first as a lifeguard, and now consider it a treat when it happens: Bright sunny day with a thick storm rolling in. The contrast between the deep dark grey against a sunlit green. I normally see it in tree leaves, but this field (with the maize as an added bonus) is so lovely too.


All images from Flicker pool "I like grass" by (top to bottom) Julius the Cat, Jason Benjamin, hn, Avarie Riot and Dingbat 2005.

Jason deCaires Taylor

It's been about 3 weeks since I've hit a swim practice, so upon re-entry tonight, I think it's only fitting that I finally post these pics of an amazing installation I learned about months ago, but never had the drive or need to post about until today.


Since all that time has gone by, I regret that I can't credit whoever brought Jason deCaires Taylor to my attention. I've been sitting on these pics since January. Apparently, they are the stills from the very first underwater sculpture park in the world. These images moved me. It's like mummies underwater, frozen in time, but with these live fish swimming by them, adapting to their presence. I think this is beautiful (and odd). Does it evoke a sense of other-worldliness in you? It does to me.

I don't feel the need to regurgitate the website you can click to and learn about on our own if it interests you. Likewise I don't want to throw my feelings into yours. But I do want to call this exhibit to your attention. It moves me somehow, for the obvious reasons but also for ones I haven't realized. And, it reminds me of swimming and what the water looks like on the "elite deep end" of our swim practices.



I'm curious, Do these images make you feel anything?

Completely Unexpected.

Dave and I had been missing one another in an attempt to connect for about two weeks. I needed to gush over his recent engagement, and he needed to tell me all about it. So, I'm in Austin for the conference with the family, and miss a phone call and a text telling me how lame I am, again, because I'm not picking up the phone.

I send a note back that I'm in Austin, bla, bla, bla, and get a message back, I'll be in Austin tonight! What the heck are the chances of that?!

I met Dave after the final performance and cocktail party down on 6th street. This was great for a couple of reasons. The obvious: Getting to hang out on a total whim with one of my best friends. But also, it was great to see a side of the city I'd surely have missed had he not been there. It was a zoo down there. We hung out in this little dive (they all seemed like dives actually) called Lovejoy, and I got to hear in person how the whole thing happened. We'd talk for a while and then stare and each other in disbelief at the chance and luck we were sitting there together. It felt both perfectly normal and spectacular at the same time.

I should describe the scene a little. Or the bathroom in the place. Gross. It has been a long time since I walked into a bathroom and felt an immediate need to do an about face. I don't know if I ever have actually. I was so taken aback by it, stood there for a sec wondering what I should do, then I went for it.

It was funny when the parents came in to say Hi, the stark contrast between them and everyone else. It was funny the contrast between myself in my black trench coat, scarf and pants, and all these grungy "kids". I still don't get if they were college students or what. Major tattoos, dread locks, piercings. There were t-shirts and souvenirs in the airport with the saying, Keep Austin Weird. I don't think they need to worry about it. Being out at night in that crowd was stimulating, and almost scary. Bands blared from every open door and window. There were cops everywhere, with big guns drawn after the bars closed. I kept trying to add 50,000 people to what I was witnessing, imagining what it had been like the week before for SXSW.

We got tacos from a street vendor and walked back to our hotels 4 blocks away, and 1/2 a block from one another. What a cap to an already terrific night. I still can barely believe the luck, although at the same time, I can.

The image above is from Katy Elliot, and while it has nothing to do with this story, I think it's so amazing how our paths intersect with each other, so there's the tie. Also, isn't this a cool way to do a walkway? I love it. It makes me want to turn my backyard into a little zen wonderland. Maybe some day.

Thoughts on the CBDNA.

What an incredible weekend. Do you ever have experiences that you appreciate in retrospect even more than you did when you were experiencing them? I learned so much I never knew I didn't know.

For starters, Carter is an "animal" and a "monster". These were congratulatory remarks made after his performance at the final concert of the conference. Actually, I did know that. But it's really something to hear people telling that to him while enthusiastically pumping his hand up and down and grinning from ear to ear, shaking their heads, dumbfounded.

It's hard to grasp the magnitude of what's going on when you're not a part of the community of musicians, conductors and composers. This is one of the big perks for me in seeing these performances, taking in what's happening. Because I think I "get it" but then every time I go to another show I start to "get it" even more, but on a different level.

When it comes to music I couldn't be more ignorant. So for example I learned that a concerto is kind of like a duel between a soloist and the band or orchestra. (I think). Carter's piece was Concerto Logic, which was a 4-part movement about different games of, well, logic and intellect I guess. During the performance I was surprised by the length at which he was playing alone. I felt like the band was sitting around waiting a lot, but now I realize that was the point. They'd have a turn, then he would. Which ties the whole thing together. The title, the method of play, the story behind the music. It's all so simple and clear yet I didn't pick that up right away. So great.

Also it's one thing to see a band perform one of Carter's works, and quite another to watch him do it. It actually surprised me how emotional it made me feel. I typically get pretty emotional at these things anyway, because it's our family gathered together and it's celebratory, and there's this feeling of pride and excitement at Carter's gift and accomplishments. There's a lot of feeling of amazement and wonder, so strong it's almost overwhelming to me.

Anyway, different than just listening to music, watching it being made is really amazing. Seeing the people running back and forth banging drums and clapping wood blocks together is so exciting. I guess that's what I'm starting to "get" about the difference between a band and an orchestra. When you're in an auditorium, or at least when I am, looking at people on stage formally dressed with instruments it always seems sort of like it's supposed to be boring and stuffy. Not the case at all. It's so playful and fun, I find myself involuntarily smiling throughout the whole performance.

Couple all this stimulation with the knowledge that what you're listening to was conceived, developed and written by someone you know, that their brain works in such a capacity, is simply incredible. Then to watch him actually perform it too, was literally too much for me to take in all at once. Without really understanding it, I realized I was a nervous wreck. I mean, I was physically holding my breath through the whole thing. Even during it, when I realized what I was doing and tried to stop myself, another few minutes would go by and I'd have to tell myself to breath again.

I'd like to see it again without the emotional attachment to the performer. It was distracting. Normally I enjoy just swimming around the stage, zeroing in on all the people and movement and sound. I tried, but could not take my eyes off Carter. His hands for sure, but then I found myself trying to imagine what he was feeling and sensationalizing – am I using that word correctly? – both physically and emotionally. Wow. Wow, wow.

I'm not doing this justice. I wish everyone I know could have been there. I walked away from it wishing I could see and hear it all again about 10 more times in a row. In a word: Awesome.

The CBDNA in Austin.

I just learned where I'm actually going this weekend. The College Band Directors National Association Conference. All I know is, my friend Carter is being honored in that they are playing different pieces he's written every day, and he's even doing the piano solo with the band Saturday. I'm meeting him and both our sets of parents there to see the performances.

I came across this image on Solid Frog. It will be 80º in Austin. I want to be at this pool. I can't stop daydreaming about lying on a deck chair in the sun. It's all I want scheduled every weekend this summer. Soon.

Sometimes professionals don't know.

I had a botanical print framed recently, and I didn't get what I really wanted. Sometimes the standard isn't good enough and I need to remember to listen to myself when I know what I want.

I went to the same place I've been going for years, and was helped by the assistant rather than The Frame Guy. He was helping another customer. Whatever, I start to tell the girl what I want, and she's doing what she's been told to do anyway, pulling out mattes and frames that "go" with botanical prints. No, I told her, I definitely don't want green, and no, I don't want that patterned gold frame you use for flowers. I told you, I want black, thin.

This is when it got awkward because The Frame Guy finished and came over, and then got snippy with the girl, wondering if she'd shown me the "frame for flowers". I started showing him examples of what I wanted, and he told me No, we don't do prints this big with frames that thin. He also tried to fight me with the matte proportions. We do this...

I refused to cave on the matte, but I stupidly allowed myself to be talked into the thicker frame. This tormented me until I picked it up, and guess what? I'm not satisfied. It looks more like a generic pre-framed print you get at Target than the more, I don't know, "vintage" feel I was going for? And it bugs me.

I've been waiting to come across an example so I can take it back and have it fixed. Today SF Girl by Bay posted this image from Domino in her Ode series, and I think I've got it. Those frames don't look to thin do they? Hopefully I have learned a few lessons.

Warmth.

I think this stove is neat. Posted by Automatism via Sköna hem.

His Holiness.

I heard a clip on NPR yesterday about the Tibetan monks and their throat singing. I kind of want to get the CD. Anyway, I've been so crabby and stressed out lately that I haven't been feeling very creative, let alone patient enough to thoughtfully browse pretty and interesting things. I just don't want to spread my negativity around. But this story made me think of the Dalai Lama, and looking at him always puts a smile on my face. I'd love to say he makes me feel calm and peaceful and full of light... I'm working on it.

For the Love of Fishing.

I got an email from my Dad this morning with "Favorite Daughter" as the subject and a request to pick another two Shimano Sedona 750 spinning reels for $29.98 each at the fishing counter at Gander Mountain. This is the second time I have been summoned to run this "errand".

Do you know how many of this exact same reel he has? Three. Do you know how long it takes me just to drive there and back? An hour and a half with no traffic. Do you know what else there is to do when I get there? Nothing.

Doing this, though, will up my status to "Double Favorite Daughter". How can I say no?

Bring Spring Inside.

I'm still sick (Day 5) so it's hard to focus on anything and I have nothing interesting to say. But, here's something I love. Hyacinth. They smell incredible (like lilac) and are strong enough to fill an entire room.

I got this one at Trader Joe's for $2.49 – pre-bloom. It looked like a sad little pod of green buds with leaves, but I knew what was coming. I took it home, gave it a little water and stuck it in a sunny spot by the window and one by one the buds turned into these pretty white flowers as the stem grew nice and strong and tall. It changed and grew every day for about two weeks. It was notably different every morning when I got up and evening when I got home, so there was always a surprise.

I want another one.

Sharon Montrose.

It's official. I am completely crazy about these Sharon Montrose prints on Etsy. It's embarrassing how often I look at them. It's also embarrassing that now I read her blog and look at her professional photography website, too. I'm drawn to the complex simplicity and design of all of it, but I get immense pleasure out of looking at these animals for some reason (the colors, the compositions, the textures, floor boards, the expressions). I really love them.

The Goat was the first one that got me. Now I have the Single Sheep, the Chick and the Owl hanging in my room trying to pick my favorite so I can order it. I can't do it for myself yet, but my Mom's birthday is next week so I think I'll pick one out for her. I thought these three would be pretty good options. The Goat would strike her sense of humor, the Silky Chicken because she has a few ceramic pitchers, bowls and artwork of chickens in her kitchen, and the Geese because water fowl art seems to be pretty prevalent around my parent's house.

Vote for one of these or tell me which one is your favorite. I think I will order it tomorrow.

The Daffodils Are Coming!

*click to enlarge*

Yep, I planted them... and here they are coming right out of the ground... 5 months later.

What's the coincidence?

I watched Empire of the Sun this weekend. Around the same time (high school) I remember liking this movie I was also into The Last Emperor. I would sometimes confuse the two. So while I was watching Empire of the Sun, I decided to see if The Last Emperor was available to view instantly. I had originally searched Emperor of the Sun, that's how much I still confuse these two movies (no idea why).


It wasn't available to watch online, but then next to it on the page was Others We Recommend and listed first was Empire of the Sun. Huh.

Then later I bought a Dawn Landes album on iTunes and up comes this listed in You May Also Like: Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun. The album cover is designed using all the rich color and imagery (golds and reds) similar to that in the movie The Last Emperor.

Now this morning, as I do most mornings, I go to Habitually Chic and here's her title, Valentino: The Last Emperor.

Coincidences?

Both images are movie stills, top is Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun, bottom is from The Last Emperor.