Cool Bird Video

Came across this video of some Birds of Paradise from New Guinea today.

Saw this on tv last summer and found that my cats were VERY interested in these particular birds for some reason. They couldn't take their eyes off them and tried to swat the screen. It was so amusing that I kept that recording for a long time.

Quote of the day is a Chinese Proverb: A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.

Dead Comedian

Boy, George Carlin would have loved my title! Watch his piece on soft language.



From georgecarlin.com "July 21, 1972 - Arrested at Summerfest in Milwaukee for using indecent language in front of wheelchair-bound children. Narrowly escape big cocaine bust by giving shit to the Siegal-Schwall Band while exiting stage. Band thrilled."

George Carlin made me think and made me laugh, sometimes until I cried or almost peed my pants. Thanks for the laughs!

So here's to you, George! Today's quote comes from George himself: Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty thing.

Remembering Tim Russert

I don't really know why Tim Russert's death touched me as it did, but it did, and deeply. Does it matter why? I guess not. Rest in peace, Tim.

So a week ago Saturday, I pulled out this piece I had bought at Bead and Button from Gary Wilson (that's an entirely different entry) for some unknown reason. And I knew that it was a way for me to work through these feelings. It did help. A great deal.

So, even though the event happened outside the technical dates of the 2007 BJP, this is my May page. Here's to Tim who cut through the crap for me and helped me understand politics.

Today's quote comes from Tim Russert: What a country!

Summer Solstice - a Day Early?

Photo of the sun by NASA.

This is the first time since the year 1896 that the June solstice has occurred before June 21. It will occur at 11:59 pm Friday, June 20, 2008. The leap year puts the solstice just before the dawn of the 21st of June.

Celebrate the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere!

Tonight's quote comes from Shakespeare from a Mid-Summer's Night Dream (referring to the summer solstice): Whatever is dreamed on this night, will come to pass.

June's full moon taken by David.

This One Bears Repeating

How can I not enjoy this? It combines a Bach Suite for cello (a piece that I played in high school on the cello) and animation (my college love.)

Enjoy this piece by eggman913.



Today's Quote comes from Lin Yutang: Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.

Tag, You're It!

Vivage has tagged me to do a meme.

Here are the questions:

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

• Working in a government job pushing paper and going to Grad School in Business at night. I was exhausted. That was a pretty artless period of my life. I'm still paying off the student loan for one year's worth of half-time grad school...
  

2. 5 things on today's to-do list:

• Work a little overtime to catch up.
  
• Laundry (Bead and Button and work have eaten my brain and my get up and go!)
• Bead a second Saturn beaded bead from the Saturn bead class I took on Sunday at Bead and Button from Doris Coghill (a good teacher!)
  
• Have coffee with a friend before work.
  
• Relax with family.
  

3. Snacks I enjoy:

• Nuts, especially cashews, but almonds and peanuts will do. And ice cream. Oh yes, and chocolate.
  

4. Things I'd do if I were a billionaire!

• Continue to work (I need structure) until I can retire and figure out what to do.
  
• Figure out a way to give back.
• Buy a home in a beautiful location and have someone else clean it for me!
• Travel, travel, travel.
• Buy an iPhone.
  

5. . Places I have lived:

• Chicago (that toddlin' town)
• Minneapolis
• Paris, France
  
• Milwaukee

6. People I'd like to know more about:

• KrispiS
• Pam T
• The Bad Liz
  
• Cathy W
  

Creating on Demand

A bead I made out of plexiglass (!) in Robert Dancik's class. I love the other side, which is plain black, but sanded so that light refracts off of it in different ways. No reference at all to the original material. I'll post a picture of that when I can take a good one!

While I love learning new things, I don't like what I call "Creating on Demand." That's what I find happens at a lot of classes and workshops that I attend - people go nuts and make multiple things while I sit and wait for the muse to come to me. I wish I could learn a technique and make multiples of things during class time, but I usually move at a slower pace during a class.

I'm more concerned about learning a technique properly so that I can have fun with it on my own time and in my own way. That's when I find that I can get really creative. When I've learned the technique and let it and the possibilities sink in and ferment in my subconscious, then the muse comes to me.

I do like seeing the results from everyone at the end of the class. Gives me new ideas and new ways to approach problem solving.

Anyway. That was the case again in Robert Dancik's class "A Bead Like No Other." I am very happy with the results which are posted above.

May I also take a minute to laud Robert in his teaching? He is the most amazing teacher and was awesome at letting people feel successful no matter what their learning skills/level was. I think everyone came out of that class with at least one bead that was a piece of art on it's own. He's a former teacher and he must have been a good one. If you get a chance to take a class from him, do. You will not regret it!

Today's quote comes from Vincent Van Gogh: If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.

Namaste

Bead and Button is Here Again!

Tonight is the Meet the Teacher's Reception. All of the teachers sit at tables and some, like Laura McCabe and Sherry Serafini, are mobbed, while others are not. Nearly all take advantage of the opportunity to sell kits or patterns. And some of us who were unable to get into a specific class go in the hope that that teacher will be selling a kit that we like.

Tomorrow I have a class with Robert Dancik called "A Bead Like No Other" which I'm really looking forward to. Then let the shopping begin! Thursday night is preview night which is open only to attendees (but that doesn't seem to lessen the mad rush!) A lot of good deals can be had that night and I find myself wondering what will catch my eye this year.

I really shouldn't be buying much of anything this year. There is a lot from years past that hasn't yet been used. But I always seem to find something new. And I always buy seed beads.

I find myself not quite as excited about this year's show. Maybe it's because I just got home from vacation - I don't know.

One thing I do know: it sure would be a lot easier if I'd traveled to go to a show - then I'd have already gotten prepared for class and wouldn't have to worry about transportation and parking. But I do get to come home and sleep in my own bed each night.

Tonight's quote is a Chinese Proverb: Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I'll understand.