Laurelhurst Art Walk '09

The annual Laurelhurst Art Walk took place a few weeks ago, and it was an event not to be missed. I spoke with several artists and jewelry makers displaying their goods for sale, and even though the economy is in a down-turn (hopefully soon an up-turn) plenty of people came to show support for the artistic community.

It was the perfect day for it, 80 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, slight breeze, the smell of fresh cut grass and new beginnings. My friend Neyda joined me, and we walked the loop around Laurelhurst taking in the art and cute houses out of our respective price ranges.

It only happens once a year, so make sure you put it on your calendar for next time. http://www.laurelhurstartwalk.com/

What follows are what I consider the highlights of the art walk. This is just the tip of the artistic iceberg, of course. There were far too many things for me to include all of them here. If you see something wrong, please let me know. I did my best to get all the info about the art as I was taking the pictures, but I am only human.

I spoke with artist Bonita Davis, her original oil paintings are inspired by real life. More of her work can be found at http://www.bonitadavis.com/.

This is the work of Whimsical Wonders: Darla Murray and Bridget Smith. Recycled glass garden sculptures.

Super cute "mixed collage" bibs by Heather Lee.

The neighborhood.

Some lovely wisteria hanging from a garage opposite Laurelhurst Park.

These necklaces are très chic and they can be found at http://www.spindesignsonline.com/.

The concrete garden sculptures (also by Spin Designs Inc.) remind me of a scene out of "Labyrinth".

Sweet wearable treats and adorable jewelry of the Gum Drop Shop.

More wares from the Gum Drop Shop.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this fuzzy little plant. It was soooo soft!

Functional glass designs by Debra Galaty.

Inspiration Walk

Every once in a while I run out of steam. I can't push myself to sit at the computer and type out the words that I know I should. And then the cycle of punishment begins. I nag at myself and belittle the things that I think. Nothing good can come of it.

So I take an inspiration walk. I just get out and look at the world. I try to see new meaning in the things around me in the hopes that it will spark the well that has run dry.

A few rainy days ago, we had a sun-filled one, and I took the camera with me to capture what I saw. If you find the gloom getting to you, hopefully these pictures can serve as an inspiration for something. Faux sunshine from you computer screen.

You can find the whole album at: http://picasaweb.google.com/goblinmarket82/InspirationWalk

Columbia River Gorge

I'm doing a couple of sunny weather posts today in order to counteract the gloomy weather.

A few weeks ago, when the sun first came peeking out, I decided to take the day and go for a drive up the Gorge. It was still chilly out, and the leaves on most of the trees were slowly peeking their little buds out to test the air.

I pulled off at the Portland Women's Forum State Park Viewpoint, also known as Chanticleer Point. Feeling brave, I grabbed my bag of essentials (books, journal, pens, water) and marched on through the gates down the overgrown dirt road. Not knowing where it would lead me, I wasn't even sure if it was part of the park (there was no sign regarding trespassing), I wandered along until I found a bend in the road that overlooked the highway and the river. It was peaceful, and the birds were making their little bird noises as they welcomed the first warm day of spring.

I sat for quite a while in the breeze, writing and reading on a blanket I had spread out on the grassy edge of a dormant blackberry patch. Suddenly I heard a noise behind me. It sounded like heavy footsteps. I sat up at attention, not knowing what would come traipsing around the bend of the road. It got closer and closer, until I could see the outline of what looked like a very tall person walking with long strides. I sat still and waited. What came around the bend was a young girl on a chestnut brown horse. She was startled to see me, but not as startled as I was. It was not what I expected.

A line of nearly ten horses and their riders quietly and softly walked by me. I know enough about horses that if you are on the ground you shouldn't make any sudden moves, so I sat very still and waited for them to pass, smiling at the riders.

I didn't want to stick around until they came back on their way out, so I packed up my blanket and things and headed back up the hill to my car. I drove a little further to the Crown Point overlook and took a few more pictures.

Inside the Crown Point Vista House.

Wool spinning demonstration.

The view from the balcony of the Crown Point Vista House.

Ha Ha Ha... Love it.

This is hilarious. Time to wake up people, no one cares what you are doing every second of every day. If you ask me, narcissism is the biggest hurdle our generation is going to have to overcome.

Lessons Learned

For some reason, I can't sleep. So I bring you: lessons learned.

I learned this lesson a while ago, but I'm just now remembering how funny it was, even at the time. So my friend and I (we'll call her J for anonymity's sake, but she knows who she is) were having a pint down at our local pub (okay, so even though we're not British, we can dream, right?) and we got to napkin writing. I was explaining the virtues of Flarf poetry to her, and then we got into Lambertism. Anyway, the following is actual photographic proof that poetry and alcohol do not mix. Unless you're trying to be funny.

And if you want to know what it says but can't read the writing, here's the translation:

L

The goat wants a glass

of honey for the sparrows

in the laundromat.

J

Beer for the masses in quantities

beyond belief make drunk fishes

that swim in circles that

create the currents in the ocean

& control giant snowmen in Africa

L

Charity lies in the new

red flag and the children

want molecules of pure

fog in their pails of

gruel for the hamsters

J

Light fragments & the pretty

people of the world control

cursive writing and dance in

endless meaningless until the

music falls like raindrops onto

pillows of cotton crowns

L

The lucky prank finds gold

in the bottles of skunk juice

and the lettuce fingers wants

a bloody nail to puncture the

truth in justice of chiffon

J

Silver knives and silver bells are not so

varied in Mars atmosphere crazines

where Lindsay learns lollypops while chewing

phones to little stars and launches

rockets into dreams far away into Peter

Pans NL

L

Do you want a sausage tree

to grow in the land of

carrots? what would comets

bring to the party of licentious

mandibles and frank lilacs?

J

Hot dogs and corn pops float in the batter

of dog hairs and levitate beings from

another world until vapors of putrid

sweat stain the bedsheets in kings

llama and bows of satin.

L

Cerulean salt breath in landmines

of caramel and coral beads

of sweat on a carousel of pigeons

in a pineapple of ruby altruistic

notions and lotions of milk and

honey bush tea trees.

J

Photos of buckets and steam of movies

sound the alarms of fire president of

ill and fate fall in sand dunes and

cry bold rivers of forks that receive

great compliments of Harmony & Love

pandas in the lower basin of Guilt.

L

I WANT A LION MADE OF

FERRETS, SUGAR BEETS, AND STARS TO

BE MY FAMILIAR.

J

MEE TOO!

L

THE END!

OUR PROSE RUNS LIKE RIVULETS

As you can see, it deteriorated into a warped stream-of-consciousness exercise. At least we weren't bored!

Remember When...

Cartoons were actually good?
This was one of my favorites growing up. Hilarious!

My Exciting News!

I am going to be published!
Words can't even begin to describe how excited I am right now. This has given me the energy boost I needed to finish up work on a few of my projects. If you are interested in buying a copy of the book my story will be in, the website is here: http://patchworkpath.com/index_files/ppdb09.htm

Now back to our regularly scheduled blog.

Spam Poetry

I love this:

http://poemsmadefromspam.blogspot.com/

He's Just Not That Into You...Really?

It's been a few years since Greg Behrendt's co-authored book came out. It was featured on talk shows across the nation, and even sparked the creation of his own talk show (short-lived as it was). Now, there's a movie coming out with the same title, and it promises a comedic female journey into romantic situations in which "he's just not that into you".

But I'm not buyin' it.

When the book came out, I thought to myself, "Really? that's all there is to it?" and I watched as thousands of women flocked to buy the book and find out the reasons behind male behavior. It gave a blanket excuse for the mistreatment of women (or at least all the jerk moves that guys pull) in the form of a simplified statement. It was intended as a revelation, meant to enlighten and relieve women of the stress of trying to figure out the mystery of why he doesn't call. However, I found the statement "he's just not that into you" to be insulting. It assumes that women just sit around all day, pining for men to come to their senses and are clueless as to their actions.

I tried to offer the statement as comfort to a girlfriend once when she was bemoaning the status of her relationship with a certain guy. He wasn't calling her, he only wanted to hang out once a week, so I suggested, "Maybe he's just not that into you," thinking that it would give her peace and let her off the hook to move on. Instead, she said, "Well what's wrong with me? Why isn't he into me?" It hit me that by giving the responsibility to the man to decide whether or not he's into us, we take away the power we have over our own feelings. If you spend all of your time trying to figure out whether or not he's into you, you're going to lose sight of the fact that you may not really be into him.

As modern women we are pushed to go to college, start a career and be successful at it, find a man, have children, be a mom, get the promotion, etc. It can be a lot to fit onto one plate, and "finding a man" shouldn't be something we need to worry about. Do you ever hear a man complaining about how he needs to find a woman? No, because for one thing most men aren't marriage obsessed and for another they don't have to worry about the window in which they can have children.

So here's my advice to all the women out there who are worried that "he's just not that into you": stop it.

Stop worrying about whether or not he's into you, listen to your own feelings, and let them develop at a slower pace so that you can really understand them. Don't focus so much on the need to get him into a committed relationship. Just let things happen naturally, relax, and enjoy getting to know the person you are dating. Then, if he doesn't call you won't feel the need to obsess and analyze ever single interaction you've ever had with him.

Now, as for the movie... we can only hope that it doesn't continue to drum this idea into our collective female psyche.

Who cares if he's not into you? The truth is he probably wasn't worth your time anyway.

Wordstock 2008

I've been meaning to document my Wordstock experience for a while now, but with the holidays and everything going on this time of year it has unfortunately fallen to the side. If you get a chance to check out Wordstock next year, I would highly recommend going. They have many volunteer opportunities, and it's a great chance to mingle with other readers and writers.

The way that they have it set up is very conducive to mingling. The booths range in subject from publishing companies to writers' groups. I picked up some great info at the Willamette Writers' table as well as the Women's Writing booth. It's great to see so many classes and organizations devoted to the progression of the art form.

Also saw some great lit magazines and journals being represented, I can't wait to explore those one of these rainy days.

The job that I had as a volunteer was to usher the speakers to their stages and make sure everything was organized and on time. The first group I walked with was Ellen Heltzel, Mark Sarvas, Stewart O'Nan, and Floyd Skloot. They did a panel on "The Book Review Crisis" which I found really stimulating, as I often review or recommend books on this blog. I've been a follower of Sarvas's blog for some time now and I have read a couple of Heltzel's reviews, and I was really excited to hear what they had to say. The foremost topic of discussion was the part that the internet plays in book reviewing, and what that means for authors and reviews alike. The impact that the internet has as well as the interest the industry has in how readers determine what books they will read were also discussed. Personally, I tend to get book recommendations from friends, and when I really like something, I'll post it on here. I think the interent is a great way to make books of all genres accessible to all people.

I also got to have short conversations with Kevin Cook and Jennie Shortridge, they were both very nice, and as I haven't read any of their work yet, it's next on my list.

The highlight though, was being asked by an elderly woman to walk her to the author's waiting room. I was done volunteering for the day, but still had the shirt on, and I was glad to help her as she was having a small amount of difficulty with her cane. As we walked she asked me if I am a writer. I responded that I am in the process of writing, and it's a dream I'm hoping to pursue more in the coming years. She told me I am still young, and she recommended the 'Attic workshops', she said they helped her cultivate her passion. I did not get her name, but I've been searching to find out who she is as I know she has several volumes of poetry out, and I would like to read them. Hopefully I can find out soon.

Well, that's it for now, I plan on volunteering again next year as it was extremely gratifying!

Things I am Thankful For

Friends who care about me, and who don't want me to be alone today even though I have the plague and am most likely contagious.

Fred Meyer for being open until 4pm so I can get more kleenex and some sinus decongestant.

The long shelf life of Nyquil.

The leaves on the tree outside my window (even though they are gone now) because they hide my apartment windows from the street and provide me with a small amount of privacy.

Netflix for having movies I can watch on my computer now that I am barricaded from the outside world like a shut in.

Happy memories of Thanksgivings past spent with friends and their families.

And finally, I am thankful for having survived some of the worst long and lonely Thanksgivings between parents' houses spent wishing for a repair to come fix my broken family. They make today seem pale in comparison.

Wordstock: Happening This Weekend

Hey there all you book lovers! Wordstock is happening this weekend, so if you have some spare time you should swing by. I'll be volunteering on Sunday as a stage assistant, and I can't wait!

If you've never heard of Wordstock, let me just tell you it's the finest collection of events centered around books, writing, and authors this side of the Mississippi, as far as I know.

Happening at the Oregon Convention Center, for more information check out:

http://www.wordstockfestival.com

I'll write more about my experience later, so check back!

Read It, Love It

I finished reading Tony Vigorito's Just a Couple of Days about a week ago. It's taken me that long to really digest all of the things it made me contemplate. The overall theme is one that I think is especially timely: when you strip away society and the modes of definition, we are all the same.

Using a slightly frightening tale of bio-warfare gone terribly wrong, Vigorito demonstrates what life would become without the use of words. Instead of being a post-apocalyptic nightmare, it twists and delivers a smack to the human race that is desperately needed. Without words to communicate, humans evolve to a level of understanding and unity that we otherwise would not be able to achieve.

Is it plausible? Probably not, but it drives one to think that maybe something of this nature happening would drive us as a species to accept the fact that we are not so different from one another. The main thing separating us is lack of understanding. If you could clearly communicate your message to everyone else on the planet without having to worry about language or tone or misunderstanding, think of the things that could be accomplished.

The prose flows forth in a beautiful symphony of description and narrative, and there is a lot of irony contained in this story. Overall a great read with short scenes making it great for bedtime reading (you can quickly end a chapter as soon as you start to feel sleepy). A must read if you like fantastical what-ifs.

Volunteering, etc.

This fall the volunteering in my life really picked up. I signed up to do Wordstock where I will be helping out as a stage assistant, and I've done two work parties for the Nature Conservancy so far. I also signed up to be a SMART volunteer which means that I go to an elementary school once a week and read to two little kids. It's way more fun than I thought it would be.

I am typically not a person who likes to do hard labor (especially for free), but I have to say that for some reason I find tons of expendable energy when it comes to doing things for the environment. Earlier this month I went with a group from the Nature Conservancy to the Camassia preserve. If you haven't been there, I highly recommend it (in spring there's an amazing blanket of wildflowers throughout). It's a small plot of oak savannah that the conservancy bought way back when there were no houses in that area. Since then, the residential neighborhoods have grown around it, and houses can be seen from almost anywhere inside the preserve. The task I had to help complete was spreading compost over a small area where they are planting some hedges to keep out the trash that floats in from the neighboring apartment complex. I was sore for about three days.

The second work party I went to I took my good friend Josie, and we had a blast. We went to the Kingston preserve near Stayton. The caretakers have been working very hard to bring this area back to its original state by eliminating the invasive species and harvesting the seeds of the native ones. They do this in a number of ways including controlled burns, but on this particular day we were lopping the heads off of Queen Anne's Lace and collecting the fluffy seeds of some kind of aster.

Here are some photos from that day:

I liked the way this lichen contrasted with the drab of the fall prairie.

I don't know what this plant is, but I like the fluffy, curly seeds.

We were collecting the seeds of this plant.

Just another sign of the times...

Cannon Beach

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been busy with my classes and volunteering (more on that to come), and just enjoying this lovely October we've been having in the Portland area. A couple of weeks ago Colleen and I went to Cannon Beach, it was probably the last "nice" day we'll have in a while (the air temperatures were in the high 60s, low 70s and it was so sunny, not a cloud in the sky).

I will be thinking back on this day for the next several cold months to come, for while it may be sunny from time to time, the cold has begun to settle in.

If you haven't been to Cannon Beach, you should go at least once in your lifetime. While it is a tourist trap with huge crowds on the sunny weekends, it does have a quaint charm all its own. The downtown streets are lined with taffy and ice cream shops as well as a library (they sell some great finds cheap) and clothing stores. There's a great yarn shop if you're into knitting, and kite shops for the kid at heart.

For more info go to: http://www.cannonbeach.org/

Once you make it down to the beach, walk over to Haystack Rock. I would reccomend going at low tide.

Haystack Rock

Mussels and starfish in the tide pools.

Starfish and anemones in the tide pools. I'm not sure what the difference is between purple and orange starfish.

Mussels and large barnacles. They were making a fantastically weird sucking noise as they tried to keep all of their moisture in.

Friends!

Anemones look very strange when they are not in the water.

The sea, for once, was calm.

This little guy was doing his best to hide, but I saw more than one person who wanted to snap him up for supper.

It is a strange landscape.

I loved the reflection on the water from this lonely mini haystack rock.

Socks!

The last couple of weeks I have been madly knitting. I think it has something to do with the cold weather coming on. That, or I'm finally starting to get bored. Na, that couldn't be it. Although I have been feeling a little bit like Bubble-boy for the last few weeks. Time to go outside for my daily walk I think.

At any rate, I knitted these really warm, comfy socks. I used Debbie Bliss "cashmerino aran" yarn, a blend of cashmere, merino, and microfibre. They are so soft, it's like having a cloud encircling your feet. If you're lucky, I just might make you a pair. But you have to ask nice (and give me money for yarn)!

I used the two circular needles method, oo-la-la, now aren't you impressed?

Why yes, I am a foot model.

When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano

Alright, so I'll admit that this spectacle isn't nearly as impressive as when the swallows come back to Capistrano. But it is pretty cool. Every fall these migratory birds roost in the chimney of Chapman Elementary School. More info can be found at the Audubon Society website here: http://www.audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch/swifts.

Some friends invited me to come watch last night, and even though I've been here for 8 years I had yet to witness the event. So I figured it was high time. The birds were already circling and entering the chimney when I arrived, but I was able to snap a few photos and take a short video so that you can see what it looks like.

There were quite a few people there, and I imagine that if it were quieter, or if you were all alone watching, the sound that the birds' wings make would be like the quiet rush of the blood flowing through your veins. The image of those birds moving through the air reminds me of those videos they make you watch in high school of blood cells soaring effortlessly through the tunnels constructing our bodies.

It's hard to see them, but they look like tiny flecks of pepper.

(If you click on the picture you can see the gigantic version of it)

Here's some wobbly and giggly footage.

Another Thing You Should Read: 2nd Installment

Today I learned something disturbing. Let's just say that first you think you know somebody. Then you realize you have no freaking clue about anything. And on that note, I'm going to recommend that you read Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl.

Yeah, it was a best-seller. What of it? Anyway, it has a great mystery driving the whole plot forward, and it's definitely one that you won't want to put down. When you're reading it, you'll feel like you entered high school all over again. Only this time you're that freakishly smart kid that intimidated everyone with your crazy wacked-out knowledge. This same smart freak is accepted into the famous clique and hijinks ensue. Then someone dies. And things get really complicated really fast.

It just goes to show, you never really know someone.

Your Cat is Fine...

In fact we had a really great conversation about Paulo Coelho yesterday. Then we did some knitting on my sock. I know you're totally jealous, but Ami says you can stay in Hawaii all you want.

Discussion time.

Is it a cat treat?

I shall chase you!

In the last picture, it's a little blury, but you can see my foot. I was running towards the door, and he was in hot pursuit. Just in case you don't believe me when I tell you he attacks my leg whenever I try to leave.

What Does This Mean?

Maybe somebody can help me. I've had this business card in my wallet for about five years, and I still don't know what it means. I found it one night in NW Portland, tacked to a wall in the midst of other actual business cards (I say actual only because I don't think this is a business, but I could be wrong). Every time I look at it I can't help but start laughing, it's just that absurd. Or rather, "Better than Absurd".

After doing some research on "Lambertism" I think I know what it's all about. The business card, that is.

Lambertism is a kind of visual poetry that makes absolutely no sense. And that is the point: sheer nonsense.

I think I like it.

http://mailartforums.crosses.net/read.php?4,11792

So the question is, do I send something to the P.O. Box on the card? Should I get my own P.O. Box so this madman can't stalk me? Should I start writing my own Lambertism poetry?

Stay tuned.