Summer Lesson: Knitting!

While standing at a local craft store with my MIL and needling her with a myriad of questions about knitting, I decided to just bite the bullet and learn to knit. With her guidance, I've learned to both knit and purl. I'm currently working on my first project where I've not had the sense to count my stitches; rest assured, the next project I will and also understand how to keep my tension consistent.

Meanwhile, I am gaining a better respect for knitters.

Photo Friday: Summer

: Summer


Canon Rebel XT

A Fire Under My Revolution

Last week, I was experiencing Jerry Springer's radio show on the progressive channel (XM Radio) for the first time. While Jerry's got a bit of Bill O'Reilly's "I'd like to shirk my own point" mentality, he was reminiscing over protest songs.

I learned that they're not protest songs, but song of justice -dunno if that's PC or a gov't spin for artists back in the 60s. Well, I was utterly moved by a song I had never heard before, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" by Gil Scott-Heron from his album 'Pieces of a Man.' Fortunately, I found it on iTunes.

A few excerpts from his lyrics:
You will not be able to plug in, turn on or cop out.
The Revolution will not be Televised
The Revolution will not give your mouth sex appeal
The Revolution will not be Televised
The Revolution will not make you look 5 lbs thinner
Because The Revolution will not be televised, brother
The Revolution will not be brought to you by Xerox.
The Revolution will not be televised.
The Revolution will not go better with Coke.
The Revolution will not be televised.
The Revolution will not give you fresh breath.
The Revolution will not be televised.
The Revolution will put you in the driver's seat
The Revolution will not be televised.
The Revolution will not be a rerun brothers,
The Revolution will be live.

That's just a portion, but immensely riveting for those of us who need a little fire under our own Revolution.

Copyright Fee Increase: July 1st!

Aspiring Artists... the gov't is increasing the fee structure for copyrighting your work. Normally, the work has been $30 per group/per piece, but now the fee structure is all over the table. You'll want to take a look to see how it pertains to you.

Direct link to structure: http://www.copyright.gov/reports/fees2006.html

Happy Birthday to Me

Andrew took a vacation day to spend the day with me. Yea!

After spending the entire weekend working on client stuff, I finally came to bed at 4am and slept for only a few hours. Can't stand sleeping my b-day away!

For dinner, he grilled tuna as a special treat. Yum.

Screaming for Ice Cream

Andrew made us a treat last night... low fat homemade ice cream in our Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. Man, was it delish!

Recipe:
1 can Low-fat Condensed Milk
2 cups Fat-free half and half
2 oz unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

I love that man. It was so smooooooth and rich.

Churchill

Churchill said that when you're at the top, all you have to think about are policies.

When you're second in line, you have to think about what your boss is thinking, and about what your opposite number is thinking, before you can begin to think about policies.

Start your own company, then you can have control of your own destiny. It makes you number one from the start.

Have you started your company yet?

I Heart Gehry

Gehry's architecture has always fascinated me. From facets bursting out of the NY Guggenheim, the recent project of Marque de Riscal winery in Spain and now his partnership w/Tiffany. Naturally, I'm enamored with his sumptuous linework of Equus within his collection. Guess I'll have to wait many years to see that piece in my stocking.

Raleigh Networking for Women

I've been involved in a local networking group for a little over a year now. However, they've decided to formalize but unfortunately, this is isn't aligned w/my business priorities.

Are there any women in the RTP area that would like to continue a free-forum group that permits networking at it's best? I'm not saying that I want to start a grassroots organization -God knows I am absolutely swamped. Although, being able to ask for a housekeeping referral (I need one or two!) or publish reasonable self-promotions & announcements (granted, the holidays you are going to get bombarded) and refrain from flaming those whose beliefs (religious & political) differ from yours would be a great asset to my personal/professional growth.

Anyone game? Please contact me so that we can decide on a YahooGroup nomenclature (free + easy = ROI) and move forward. I'm thinking Triangle Women.

Thoughts? Please let me know.

My Virtual Life: Business Week Cover Story

Speaking of virtual real estate, has anyone read the article in Business Week: May 1:
Virtual World, Real Money? Reader Reports:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_21/c3985025.htm

Oh, now this is fascinating and can't wait to get personally involved.

Anyone else involved in Second Life? I'm thinking of making Felidae Isle a virtual isle for my frolicking pussy cats. Please let inquiring minds know what to expect because this is truly awesome -and I refrain from using that word "awesome" but it's a bitchin concept that could probably screw with my head in ways I haven't conceived.

Opinions?

Creative Goddess: My squatting rights

After 2 glasses of wine, I realize that CreativeGoddess (creativegoddess.blogspot.com) has not been squatted upon! Is no one else in this universe aligned with creativity and narcissism? Well! If this is the case, let it be me who cast the first stone into the blog squatting atmosphere and usurp this real estate.

Give me time to align my thoughts -which will probably be in June after my mind has time to gel.

Geopolitical Art

I receive Robert Genn's Twice Weekly Letter for artists and found this letter on Geopolitical Art to be particularly interesting.

Many artist's struggle with determining if their pursuits are a personal hobby or if their work is 'good enough' to sell. Rarely, have I heard an artist talk about their work being 'marketable.' Geopolitical art definitely falls into a niche barely touched by individuals seeking work for their dining rooms. Robert Genn's Geopolitical Art helps to at least define one's market if one should pursue this artistic statement.

I've got a few ideas beyond showing work to public gallery curators.

1. After creating large-scale productions, one could reduce their work and create a coffee table book for political aficionados and donate a portion of proceeds to your favorite charity.
2. Create faux stamps homage to your large scale works or allow them to become statements within themselves and affix them to your outgoing mail. I have even framed some of mine.
3. Think of other ways one could make a powerful statement in a clever way.
   

While I'm not much of a political pundit, the moons and planets were aligned just right for my last political statement. Last year, friends of ours were holding a housewarming party and we decided to bring a bottle of wine. Because it was near Halloween and he's a consultant for the Democratic party, we decided to have a bit of scary fun. The wine was purchased from the grocery store, however, the label was just a bit different than one would ordinarily find. Naturally, he and his wife loved it!

Geopolitical Quote for Artists

"If everyone would paint, political re-education would be unnecessary."
Pablo Picasso

Priceless Ad

Just saw a commerical for MasterCard to write my own lines for the 'Priceless' commercial. Unfortunately, it was for their commercial, not mine.

Thus, I've decided to write my own virtual pricessless ad and the timing couldn't be better; Andrew and I have just celebrated our 5th year anniversary of the day we met.

Subscription to match.com: $30
Coffee Date at Borders Bookstore: $2.96
Finally Meeting My Soulmate: Priceless

What's yours?

Googling & Kaboodling

I recently discovered this online tool quite by accident last week. I don't even remember how I found it, now. It's pretty sweet as it takes 'bookmarks' to a new level.

http://www.kaboodle.com/

The tutorials are quite simple and easy to follow. It allows you to snag a URL (+select a specific image as a designated avatar) into a self-made Web page and organize it with tag words. Kaboodle creates 2 *public* default lists:

-ecstewart's shoppinglist
-ecstewart's wishlist

One can also create private categories should you want to gather info for a special project. One can also *invite* friends to private pages for online collaboration.

Hope this works for you.

First Metalsmith Class

This weekend, I finally took a much desired metals class at Flame Kissed Beads that involved creating a sterling silver pendant.

The components include:
Sterling Silver
Copper
Iolite

We applied a texture (+ pickeled it), an applique (+ pickeled it), cut metal (+ pickeled it), choose a gem to fit into a pre-made bezel (+ pickeled it), sweat soldered, and finally, pickeled it. At the very end, we tumbled the piece and fitted the gem. Okay, I might have exaggerated on the pickeling.

Anyhow, I've got my piece and I can't wait to string it!

Vosges Parisenne Hot Chocolate

We found Vosges chocolate cafe in NYC last October and promised ourselves to return before departing the city. We completely forgot!

Alas, my husband brought a treat home for Valentine's Day he found at Wholefoods: Vosges Parisenne Hot Chocolate.



Wow! This is the best hot chocolate I have had during my quest for hot cocoas. While it's a bit expensive ($20 for 16oz), it's worth the sweet, quiet indulgence for just the two of you.

Character Credit

Run a red light recently? Raleigh is considering to apply a blemish to one's credit report should one employ the 'no cop, no stop' mantra.

Actually, I like that.

While I'm against the institution of big brother, I'm pondering the benefit of the character credit system. This might just deter the hypocrites who believe they're above the law and I bet you can name one or two who are either in your own family, community, or those in the public spotlight.

How would this help those who feel the morals are going to dogs these days? I think this could be an interesting start to forcing folks to account for their lack of character.

Think of the parents who tell children not to smoke or not to swear (or worse), but continue to repress any self-control. The parent gets a citation for smoking in a public place gets a mark on his credit report. Hopefully, Jr will learn from Dad's poor judgment before he makes the same mistake.

If an athlete can be forced to pay a fine for bad behavior during a game, and take a seat on the bench, why shouldn't Jr who has just run a red light? Bad behavior has consequences, but for the wealthy, it's not a big deal. Even if their credit score is questionable, they have enough cash to make large purchases that circumvent the issue.

The FCC has fined networks for unexpected illicit behavior during programming all because parents were expecting something appropriate for children. So, when Congress is in session and Cheney tells a fellow Senator to F*Off, is he above the law? I know this certainly isn't the kind of behavior I was expecting out of an elected official, so shouldn't he be fined by the FCC as well and supply a nick on his character credit? At this point, Cheney's record would be black, but that's another story.

Likewise, any good deed also gets included on the character credit report.

What are your thoughts?

English Fare - A Fair Quote

I'll bet what motivated the British to colonize so much of the world is that they were just looking for a decent meal. - Martha Harrison

I'd agree since I've been to London and have been greatly disappointed in their dishes -even the Italian was poor.

I remember eating at the house of an acquaintence who announced she and her husband were heading to England in a few days for holiday. Because the husband had never been, I insisted he eat well before he go. His wife became immediately indignant as though I had insulted her mother. Additionally, I reminded her that I, too, was English and had visited England, so insult was not intended.

She didn't have a sense of humor and neither did the shepherd's pie she was serving.

Disaster Awaits for Visual Artists - A Must Read

No thanks to our beloved Congress, we as visual artists just may kiss our careers goodbye.

Lisa Shaftel, Graphic Artists Guild National Advocacy Committee Chairperson has just alerted us to a grave possibility that Congress will add a proposed statute that is heavily slanted in favor of users.

Full report from the Copyright Office

Lisa's White Paper: http://198.173.235.195/gag_orphan_comment.pdf

Victor Perlman of the ASMP is traveling to Washington DC tomorrow to meet with the Copyright Office and members of Congress to alert them of the devastating effect this addition to our copyright law will have on the livelihoods of visual creators. Nancy Wolff of the Picture Archive Council of America has asked him to speak on the PACA's behalf, and I asked him to represent the Guild as well.

If you're a visual artist or art enthusiast, please get the letters in the mail ASAP, like this week. We will make a greater impact if the senators receive letters right away to reinforce Victor Perlman's visit. We believe Congress will push this legislation through fast, so don't wait.

Sample Letter Here
Senate Judiciary Committee Members

If you don't have the time to write to them all, write to:

The Chair, Senator Arlen Specter
Senators Hatch and Leahy

Because they ordered the Copyright Office to conduct this study, and to the senator from your home state- if one of them serves on this committee. That's 4 letters minimum.

Hard copy letters are most effective: they are tangible and impossible to ignore.
If you don't want to send snail mail, you may send a fax to each senator. Click on their names and it will take you to their homepage with their contact information.

Emails are least effective because
a) they have no tangible presence
b) a low-level staffer reads them and simply tallies a "yes" or "no" comment for a report to a higher staffer, and then deletes them, and
c) they are easy to ignore altogether.

Please, get writing!