November 2005 Archives

Why do I insist on making the Holiday season so hard? I can never just be happy with the store bought decorations or presents. I have always feel the need to make it bigger and better. More sparkle, more shine and more bloody work for me. I seem to be a glutton for punishment, because the truth is- I love it. I love working really hard on the Holidays. It makes me happy and gives me much satisfaction. I have just felt the lists of things to do get longer and longer until I wonder if I am even planning more than I could ever get to. How do I make myself stop at some point? When does the madness end? Oh thats right- Christmas Eve... Hopefully it comes soon...

Andrew and Bella (BoBo to us)

Thanksgiving was nice. Nice and relaxing. However, it has come to my attention that relaxing is not my thing. I want to do something most of the time. Relaxing can sometimes just spell boredom for me. But I made myself kick it and it was good for the soul. Now I feel that I can move on with the fast pace that I set for myself. So it was a little break. A little break where I saw my family, ate really good food, and took a break from the world.

I made a short list that I am thankful for:

- My family

-My sister- without her, I would be alone, she is the only one who I don't have to explain to, the only one who I can bring up something about my dad and she doesn't feel sorry or get tired of it, wrong or right she knows what I am feeling and that is comforting.

- My cousins- they are my brother and sisters too (I can't wait for our own Christmas)

- My dog, Jazz- she barks at people who hug me (I hate hugging too long or at all actually)

- My art

- My many inspirations

- My truck (I don't know if you can love a hunk of painted metal- but I do) lol.

- My dreams that I am going to make reality

P.S the blog wasn't letting me write for awhile- Thanks Gabe for fixing it!

Maya

This weekend my cousin came over and brought her beautiful baby, Maya. Isn't she cute. I am amazed at how much she has grown and how well she can walk. She will be 1 on December 8th. She is going to be one hilarious girl with the way she yells out crazy noises and the way she is not afraid of anything.

I was pretty productive this weekend. I did three pieces of furniture, some magnets, got a few presents, and made a couple of scarves. Here are two of the pieces that I finished this weekend. I also finished a small stool that I will post later.

I learned this weekend that you can get a huge headache from the fumes of spray paint. Bad call. But it was worth it- sort of. At least they are done. Three down- Seven to go. Whew....

look at all the mica in the sand (not to be confused with my brother Micah)

Enough is enough- no more distractions and no more excuses- I am getting things done this weekend. I hope to paint a lot (1 piece down nine to go), make some more scarves, shop for some Christmas gifts (its never ending), and watch Scrubs season 2 on dvd (I love this show).

We'll see how I do.

I just read this article about some magic shoes. Judi Werthein, an artist, makes shoes that used to just be on display in boutiques. But she is now giving these shoes to those who cross the border in Tijuana. These protective shoes come equipped with a hidden money pocket, a compass, a small flashlight and a map printed on the insole. I almost cried when I read this article- these shoes show the humanity of the situation. Crossing the border is incredibly dangerous- many are brutally killed or hurt. And before anyone gets angry about illegal immigrants, think about this- don’t blame these people for wanting better opportunities. Don’t call them illegal aliens- call them what they are- people…

The Old Main Building on NAU's campus

Where The Sidewalk Ends- Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

Dear Dad,

We saw Paul McCartney last night and he was amazing. Its hard to believe that is a 60-something. He sang all your favorite songs and didn't even take a water break. He was on stage for three hours and he told amusing stories like how during a previous night of performing he fell back into the hole where the piano was and how he realized what was happening mid-fall. The concert was connected to the International Space station and he sang to the two astronauts there.

I am so happy you introduced me to the Beatles. It makes me feel connected to you. I wish you had been there. You would have loved it. But something tells me that you saw it.

Love-

Jaclyn

sunrise and palm trees

Ok, this is the last sunrise picture for a while, I promise. On to bigger and better things next week I hope.

Tonight, I cleaned out all of the clutter that I had sitting in weird corners in my room and worked on a small bookcase. I am covering it with various pictures of graffitti and then I will paint the inside and spray paint words on the outside on top of the graffitti. I am hoping to do more pieces in the next two week- if I am really ambitious I will get all six that I have in the back room done (but we shall see). My main goal is to get to do a large scale painting when I finish the furniture and scarves. I have been aching to do my large canvas- but everytime I make the time to do it- it seems forced. I want it to flow organically but I also want to get it out of my system. The idea has been holed up in my brain for quite some time now.

It seems that when I finish a piece of artwork I have exorcised something out of my being. No, not like in the Exorcism scary movie sense. I mean that the idea is taken literally out of me and put down into a physical manifestation and I feel like a weight has been lifted from me. Until the next idea takes presedence that is. Its nice to have the creative juices flowing though.

I think I will just enjoy it while it lasts...

Sunrise at Newport

Random thought for the day: Who can I talk to that will bring back Pop Up Video? I loved that show. Who doesn't need music education. Now we have shows like Breaking Bonaduce, which is just so painful to watch and Laguna Beach (which is weird that my sister knows people from that show- Lame).

trees in Flagstaff

What I am listening to: Matisyahu (Jewish Reggae- nice and uplifting)

What I am eating: an orange (I love me some oranges)

What I am watching: Freaks and Geeks tv show (why did they cancel this show? It was funny...) and before I was watching Run's House- why do I like it so much? Well, I guess cause its hilarious and they are always yelling. Who can't relate to that?

What I am reading: Basquiat by Phoebe Hoban

What I am ordering online: Cucina hand soap for the kitchen- my grandma tried to recreate this soap when it ran out by mixing dish soap and olive oil. Now we are washing our hands in quasi-salad dressing. Don't ask me why.

What I am doing: sketching designs for some furniture that I am going to paint. I want to have at least 10 pieces done for the swap meet this Winter.

What I am thinking about: the new sweatshirt that my sister and I are coming out with this Winter as well as the scarves I should be doing rather than painting. Why do I never do what I am supposed to?

sandpipers at Newport Beach

I was really busy this weekend and that felt good. I like to get a lot of things done so it was definitely a good thing. I was up at 4am on today to take pictures with my cousin. I don't really mind getting up early if there is a good reason. Besides we had breakfast at Jerry's Deli in Costa Mesa- who doesn't like that?

Sidenote: Those little sandpiper birds are bloody fast. If you get just a little close to them they run like nobody's business to get to a safer distance. It was hilarious.

I will post more sunrise pictures this week. It seems like I haven't blogged in forever. Life is moving fast these days and I am trying to keep up. Then it seems that sometimes so much has happened that I have nothing to say. Its an interesting phenomenon. I promise to write more this week.

leaves in Flagstaff

the Santa Ana's came today
and tried to blow out the birthday candle I lit for you
I watched the flame flicker and stay strong

and that was you

the flame that spars with the wind
quiet and steadfast
waiting for the calm

they never knew
they mistook your stregnth and kindness
as weakness

but they were wrong
we knew

you bobbed and weaved silently
and won

no one will ever be as strong as you
not even me

but when those Santa Ana's come
I will be waiting

to flicker and stay strong
for you