Creative Living as Luxe?

I am an artist. I believe we are all artists. I've been caught saying this before and have influenced other thinkers on this matter: No matter how one thinks of oneself, one is an artist. Even while doing dishes, the very act of doing the dishes is performance art -every act thereafter is just derivative of that act. Composing music, writing, illustrating, acting are just imitations of that act caught two-dimensionally.

So why is it after 40 years I've just confessed to myself that creating art was a luxury? I knew that year 40 would be a magical year. This year is the coming of age story of myself where I take direction with the knowledge I have experienced and acquired and put it to go use. Very good use.

I find myself frequently saying, "Thank God for Andrew." He was the one who has enabled me to focus and create art work worthy of other's adoration. As I played with paints, beads, and ink, we both found unique statement that begins a series worthy of reproduction.

I now believe creating art is not a luxury, but a mandate ordered to fulfill my promise to the world. I am liking this mandate.

What is a fate worse than death?

Having the Bush Administration decide when one lives and dies.

Today, I signed into law a bill that will allow federal courts to hear a claim by or on behalf of Terri Schiavo for violation of her rights relating to the withholding or withdrawal of food, fluids, or medical treatment necessary to sustain her life," Bush said in a statement.

Just another reason leaving the US is a good idea. Canada is too cold, although I never met a Canuk I didn't like. Perhaps Spain? Nah, then I'd really learn to hate the British -the Gibralter issue and all that. Italy? Nah, the highest appeals ruled that women wearing jeans can't be raped. Any place North of those two is just too damn cold.

My little icon to the right states that I'm in an imaginative mood. That may be, but I'm getting really very angry.

This is my public statement: Being of sound mind and body, I hereby ask anyone to pull the plug on my life support after a reasonable time of incapacitation. Allow me to define reasonable: If I am in a coma, allow 3 weeks, then pull feeding tubes and other man-made objects from my body. I cannot conceive of providing a fulfilling life to myself or to my husband if I have brain damage of any extent. I am an artist and if I cannot create, I am not living a productive life. I do not want battles over sustaining my life. Just pull the damn plugs.

Quote from The Incredibles

"Luck favors the prepared."
Edna, the designer to ElastiGirl

10 Things I Have Learned by Milton Glaser

Milton Glaser was a mentor of mine in college, although he didn't know it. Upon design class enrollment, we were to learn his name, study his philosophy, and emulate his passion. God help any of us if we could be so enlightened and talented.

Meanwhile, Professor Milton has created a collage of learned ideas influenced by artisans all over the world. Cultures include African groups to the Balinese whose approach to art is not a separate activity from daily life. I believe life is performance art, and if this is true, I'm almost always embarrassing myself onstage.

Here's a list of Milton's practice of design repackaged attractively from the past 50 years:

1 - You can only work for people that you like
2 - If you have a choice, never have a job
3 - Some people are toxic, avoid them
4 - Professionalism is not enough or The Good is the Enemy of the Great
5 - Less is not necessarily more
6 - Style is not to be trusted
7 - How you live changes your brain
8 - Doubt is better than certainty
9 - Solving the problem is more important that being right
10 - Tell the Truth

How tunes get stuck in your head

BBC NEWS | Health | How tunes get stuck in your head

Don't want that song swirling in your brain like an eddie? The key is to finish listening to the song before turning it off!

If you can't do this, we've come up with a couple of songs that will turn your brain station channel:

Karma Chameleon
Wake Me Up Before You Go Go

Do you have any to recommend?