Blog Power Brings More CRAFT...

Late last week I received an email from the producers of CRAFT IN AMERICA (the pbs program that I raved about last May). The viewing of the show was higher than they had anticipated, and they attributed the show's success to all the bloggers spreading the word.

She thanked me for spreading the work via BlogHer, and let me know that two additional episodes have been ordered by the sponsors!

Personally, I was hoping that the thank you might include a request for my address so I could I get the DVDs for free. Alas, their thanks were not that deep!!

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.
blogging, BlogHer, Craft In America, PBS

Crafting a Community: Why We Do What We Do

It is now two weeks post-BlogHer 07. The contact high created by the sheer energy of 800 women sharing face-to-face the ideas that they had previously only shared in text and photos is fading. I'm slipping back into the quiet; savoring the thoughts and ideas of women, many of whom I may never meet.

I know the power of the conference will drive me to not only continue writing, but work to craft more prefect words. It led me to wonder about others who continue to share their creative process with the world through their blogs. What inspires them and keeps them moving forward?

Cherry from Tales of the Pixie Wood who lives in Britain admitted her truth:

My country is now at security level critical, which is as high as it can get. It is under attack and the word on the street is when not if.

And it's because of things like this that I want to make a difference. I want to water down the evil with goodness. I want to diffuse the anger with kindness.

Much, much later in the same post she write:

Kindness is infectious. It grows and spreads with a virus like speed and you only have to look out to blog-land and to the community that surrounds blogs that are similar to this one to see that. I need that right now.

I've just read this post back. It sounds so naive and oddly futile. No structure or coherence..........

Who cares.

The entire post is a pure gift of kindness to the blogosphere.

Alicia explained the importance of her blog when she wrote:

I've changed.

All my life I've felt a little separate, a little bit apart, with my alien blood and my prissy ways, riding my imaginary horse down the middle of the sidewalk; but I'd stomp my feet in frustration when I wasn't understood. If someone would say, as they sometimes did, "I had no idea you felt that way," I'd fly into fit of hysterics, more radical than ever seemed warranted or expected, blotchy with tears and accusations.

"Nobody listens to me!" I'd shriek, alone, into my pillow, then smooth it — I'd embroidered it, after all; no point ruining the stupid thing. I'd always planned to leave, take my pillowcase and find my places, was sure that I could, though it always has taken me a long time to get to them, as it takes us sloths.

Sometimes I'll walk through the living room now, and I'll see Andy in his brown chair, hunched over the laptop. He'll smile, laugh, scan the screen, smile again. "What are you reading?" I say. And he says, "The blog." He reads every post and every comment. Each comment is a wave — Hi, friend! — a wink, a hug, a giggle, a shrug, a squawk, a total miss, a tiny kiss, a hand held out, steadying an elbow.

Insert sob here.

Look at all the listeners, he says.

Blotchy, I look up from the pillow/keyboard and see you, right there, yours hands cupped toward me around your ears. How you got here is a mystery to me, but don't leave.

Over at Bella Knitting, Sarah was writing about how creativity is action that feeds itself in Enact the Verb:

Bloggers, you know what I'm talking about -- when you first started,
you know you had a little voice in your head saying "how the heck am I
going to feed entries into this thing several times a week?"

Then you started doing it, and it got easier. Maybe the gardening metaphor above
doesn't quite work -- maybe it's more like birdfeeding. If you just
look at your garden occasionally, you'll see a bird now and then. But
if you put out a birdfeeder and add seeds or peanut-butter pinecones on
a regular basis, you'll see birds all the time. You may even start to
attract squirrels, racoons, and other crafty little critters.

After all, when you get into knitting and knitblogging, you're getting into a
community that isn't limited to just knitting -- you started
out with knitting needles and a little yarn, you end up with a needle
and notion collection, a yarn stash, a spinning wheel or two, a fiber
stash, a sewing machine, a pile of pretty fabrics...inspiration stops
flitting into your life like the occasional hummingbird: it swarms to
you.

What is it that keeps you sharing your creativity and spirit with a unseen but loving community of bloggers?



I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions . Crossposted at BlogHer.

What I Know, So Far...

Yesterday I mentioned that I've been examining the parts of me that I've let drop over the years. The things I used to be that for one convenient reason or another I decided not to be anymore. Things that I now miss and wish to recover.

One thing I know: I like a little adrenaline rush and a bit of physical activity, but I don't want to be responsible for it or think too much.

When I was in my 20s I would white-water raft at least once a season. I've done the Cheat, The New and the Gauley in West Virginia, thoroughly enjoying the experiences. We'd get to the put-in site and a professional river runner would take us and our raft through the water for the day. He/She was responsible for fixing lunch, and for choosing the line we'd take through each rapid to insure a safe but exciting ride. All I had to do was sit there and paddle.

But my husband and one of his friends were fond of going on the Yough outside Pittsburg, Pa. These trips were always self-guided. For some reason, our raft would usually get the newbies, so I always felt like we got the short stick in the deal. The only real problems I've had doing a river were on this one.

I tried a couple times to convince them that there was a river experience wider and more fun than the Yough, but I never won those discussions. They liked what they liked and that was it. My old river rafting friends were also getting married, having families and not available to just run down to West Virginia for a weekend with me, to I didn't feel I had the option to say: you go on your river and I'll go on mine.

Instead I quit running rivers at all. I gave up a great adrenaline high because I couldn't stop thinking and simply have fun.

I've learned a lot about myself and physical activity this past year:

I actually love to exercise as long as I don't have to think about it. That's why when I go for a walk I completely repeat the same path. Rote is good; random is thinking.

Walk the dogs? Better on a leash, because then I'm less responsible for paying attention to them.

My major complaint with the interval training that my trainer wants me to do? None of the equipment has the program set the way he wants me to do it, so I have to pay attention and think.

For me: Movement = Moving Meditation. Now that I know, I can make choices in the future that align with that feeling. And if someone wants to me do to something that requires attention and thought? I will gladly hand that over to them.

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

Watery Wondering...

Do you bathe or shower? Or do choose a method depending upon your mood?

For decades I would shower. Not quick jump-in-jump-out showers that get the job done with a minimum of resources used. I'd often stand in the shower letting the water run over me until I used up all the hot water in the house. Because water lets me think. It must be because my horoscope chart is strongly centered in water signs.

A couple years ago I realized that I do not give myself permission to do certain things: contemplate quietly or just read a book. That's when I discovered that if I made myself take a bath (and allow myself to stay in the water until it cools to something less than body temperature), I have a time and place where I give myself to do those things forbidden the rest of the day.

So now I bathe.

Normally I stand in the tub for a couple minutes, waiting for initial cold water to mix with the eventual hot water, then slide down under the surface. I start reading as soon as I step onto the fiberglass surface. (the spouser says it's quite a picture.. a woman standing naked in a nearly empty tub with her nose stuck in a book. Whatever...) I get about 30 minutes of reading before I must scrub myself new. I remain sitting in the tub as the water drains then dry myself off and dress.

After, I'm often drawn back to my computer to write. I do most of my blogging after a bath. And sometimes, when I'm dry, dry, dry for something to write, I find myself drawn to the tub as if it were my muse.

Lately, I haven't been reading in the bath. I've been thinking about who I was once-upon-a-time, how I've lost that gal, and what parts of her I wish to reclaim. Instead of leaving the bath just physically fresher, I find I'm exiting it with a better understanding of who the gal is beneath the skin.

It's an interesting idea.

I'll be sharing it with you over the next few days.

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

Arftul Blogging: The Premiere Issue

Stampington has just issued a new quarterly publication: Artful Blogging. I picked up my own copy Friday and spent the weekend visiting with old and new friends inside. It's an interesting idea: create a publication that honors an online process. I was skeptical of the idea, but I think Stampington actually pulled off this feat.

There are 40 artists represented who blog about photography, illustration, craft, scrapbooking, althered books...the gamut of visual work. Each blogger discussed why they started and why they continue. Each author mentions building communities, connecting with like-minded folk, putting themselves out there, blogging the process, sharing the experience. All the reasons that we all began our blogs. It reinforces my belief that blogging is a personal state of mind.

There are partial blogposts from some of the artists highlighting their best writing. While this is a very visual publication, the words are like magic. This edition also features what the editor calls 6 creative "hubs". These are weekly or monthly challenge blogs like Studio Friday or Wednesday Stamper. They also have suggestions on blogging etiquette and how to get started.

Who are some of the artists featured in this issue??

BlogHer Keri Smith who just spoke at BlogHer07.

BlogHer Alicia Paulson has one of the most perfectly beautiful craft blogs ever.

BlogHer Artsy Mama will be throwing an Artful Blogger Party on her blog on Wednesday, August 8th. About the party, she writes:

I was thinking that each participating blog could post a quick tutorial on making some sort of artsy type craft. We could all skip around and get tons of fun ideas and try new techniques. Wouldn't that be fun!?...Last time this was a huge success and over 75 blogs had parties of their own and we had tons and tons of mingling bloggers all over the world attend. This time is sure to be bigger and better than ever!!

And a variety of other talented women represent including:

Art Tea Life a happy, colorful romp through craft!

Juju Loves Polka Dots a little bit of everything shows up on her blog.. including bad jokes at the moment.

Ornamental makes beautiful journals and altered books.

Posy Such a Story-Teller!! And this gal can sew!

Misty Mawn who writes long, rambling, beautiful posts about her life.

What's the buzz? Check out:

Figments of Cindy's Imagination

Jamaica

Newbie blogger cj stitching and blooms

Finally, Jaded Optomist who had an interesting line:

In a kinda weird new media/old media twist, Stampington & Co., known mostly (to me at least) for its crafty mags, is releasing a print magazine about...crafty bloggers. Of course, reading their blogs is free; buying the magazine is 14.95.

So is the publication worth forking over all that cash? In my opinion, yes. It would take me hours to prowl these blogs (ok and the 100 others I'd be reading) and I might never find the words supplied. I've spent the weekend overwhelmed by some of the visual pages, though. It's like a sugar-rush from eye candy.

But more importantly, for me, this just may be a way to share my life with friends who "just don't get" blogging, and don't understand what I do. They WILL "get" the images, they may finally understand the depth of the connections being made. With any luck, it means that they will "get me" a little more.

Do you have a great crafty blog? Stampington is looking for submissions for their next issues. They require your blog to be atleast 6 months old, that high-resolution versions of your artwork be available, and that you write a submission that is inspiring or entertaining. Ironically, they do not make it clear if email submissions are welcome.

Who would you nominate? Who would you like to read a bit more about?

crossposted at BlogHer.
I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and every Saturday and Monday at BlogHer.

Artful Blogging, "Stampington Press", Keri Smith, "Alicia Paulson", "Artsy Mama", blogging,
craft

Not Quite Green...

Hydrangea debris. 8/5/07.

I have a mysteriously sick Sycamore tree in my front yard that finally necessitated a visit from an arborist Friday. This guy is a multiple-certified tree guy and even he is stumped. But we are guessing that there was either some kind of chemical burning of the roots (now to figure out how??) or it's the worst case of anthracnose ever!

Chris (the arborist) is so confused that he's bringing in the corporate expert to look at my tree on Tuesday. Who knows? It might be the subject of an academic paper someday. Some poor schmoe from UC Davis will be driving down to gather leaf samples and soil samples and scratching his head all the way home.

Anyway.

While Chris was here, we walked around the yard looking at general health of everything. Anywhere might lie a clue. With my sycamore dropping leaves like it's November, we are chopping them up and trying to compost them. The spouser put them into our tumbling compost bin, even though I've explained that it's BATCH composter. The mix of carbon and nitrogen must be correct when you begin. You don't continuously add things to a tumbler. Which is why I put all fresh debris into our black standard compost bin and let it cook a while. When that bin is full, I remove that stuff into the tumbler to finish cooking. A semi-cooked batch will finish up in the tumbler in 4-6 weeks. It's a pain of a project to do, but it works.














Hydrangea debris with bloom
Again, back to Chris. He believes that if the compost get hot enough, it should cook off the powdery mildew and anthracnose spores instead of spreading them around the yard futher. IF it gets hot enough. Which means if it's perfectly balanced with carbon and nitrogen. Better known to us composters and "brown" and "green."

The one problem with composting is that one is either rolling in "brown" or "green" but seldom has the right mix together at one time. At the moment I'm letting our lawn go dormant (we have water restrictions in place) so there is a dearth of green material to add to those leaves in the tumbler. I mixed some Blood Meal in the other day to atleast get some nitrogen in there, but I haven't seen evidence of much cooking happening.

However, Friday afternoon I also trimmed a number of faded blooms off one of my hydrangea plants. And while it's not quite "green" it is live and tender growth and might help to increase the mix in our tumbler. At least until I beg a bag of grass clippings from a neighbor.

So I stripped the flowerheads from the woodier stems and dropped them on them of the leaves. Then realized these needed to be photographed. Looking closely at them, the texture and color is subtle and beautiful. One would guess that it was taken here inside our tumbler!


I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

Where Do I Go From Here??

photo credit: Mark Sardella's Flickr photostream

The high from last weekend is mellowing out and becoming more of point on my soul that I can revisit from time to time. A signpost to what's next. A touch point for my life.

Truly it was 4 of the best days of my life. With all the schlepping and vacuum-memory moments (wait.. I attended sessions? On what??), the sheer quantity of admiration and love that emanated from the conference will keep me moving forward for a good long time. And many of us have continued the love fest by keeping in touch throughout the day on Twitter. Little shots of laugh and love and positive vibe... with some constructive guidance thrown in too.

So, where am I going from here?

I've written that I've lost a lot of my passion for the art quilting and quilting in general. I still love the surface design and will continue to play with that, but I may need to find ways to alter that approach. Using the surface design to create wearables and home dec items that I can sell at an Etsy shop. Perfecting a couple techniques and hitting the local art centers about teaching these as classes. Occasionally making a quilt to comfort a friend, or express a specific thought.

Just keep working until the next step reveals itself to me.

In the meantime, I am taking on an interesting project. Don't know exactly how or where it's going to go, but I think I'm one of the few in a position to do this:

I'm examining a number of the new "social media" sites (like Twitter, ScrapBlog, Facebook, etc.) specifically with an eye as to how these might be useful for the artist/crafter. The person who wants to get information quickly in a neat, tidy package so they can get back to their work. The person who wants to organize information they might need in the future in a way that is useful to them, not determined by someone else's hierarchy.

Do these sites have enough to offer to make them more than time-wasters?

Is there a Web 2.0 option that could act as a valid replacement for all the knowledge we used to get on the Quilting Arts mailing list without all the wasted stuff that has driven many of us off the list?

What might you be looking for in a web 2.0 social media website? Do you even know? How would you like to use the web more efficiently in the future? For networking? For information sharing? For increasing your income?

Tell me. Help me figure out what to look for, what questions to ask, and I'll tell you about your future...

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.
"web 2.0 and the artist", Web2.0 "new social media" craft art

Notes for BlogHer 08

From Laurie White's Flickr photostream. This is Catherine Morgan (fellow CE) and I having some deep discussion on Thursday night. BTW, I completely LOVE Laurie and Catherine.

I've decided I've yammered enough about the past weekend. I'd yammer more, but I'm still waiting for photos to be uploaded. (Ahem, yeah... I'm talking to you Laurie!) Instead, for my own benefit as well as everybody else's, I'm going to make a list of things to remember for next year:

For BlogHer 08:

• Bring a rollerbag to carry items to/from/around the conference. Living like a turtle with my life on my back for 3 days was a pain in the shoulder.
• Leave the camera at home. I took few photos; it was extra weight and worry having it.
• MAX: 2 pairs of jeans and 4 tshirts. One pair of supportive shoes. I am not the fashion plate person here. And I need space for the swag!
• Color my hair (and maybe whiten my teeth and get my eyebrows done) a week before the conference. I might not be a fashion plate, but I can still look good.
• Pack earplugs for more than just sleeping. Or investigate sound-cancelling headphones. Something to kill some of the background noise but let me hear the people.
• Set reminders on my phone for sessions I don't want to miss. Then set it to vibrate. In my pocket. I won't miss anything important while I'm gabbing my face off and sipping espresso at the internet cafe.
• Carry a small notebook in my hand (with pen this time) and use it. Note down when/where you meet people and get their cards. Copy down links in sessions.
• Talk to more newbies.
• Remember that I'll be tired and dehydrated and do whatever I can to compensate.

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.
BlogHer07 BlogHer08

Must. Remember. I'm. A. Blogger!

photo uploaded from Flickr. By Liz Henry.

Yes, I've been home from Chicago for about 36 hours now, so you'd think I would have a post or two published by now. Afterall, I'm a blogger coming home from a conference on blogging. I shouldn't forget.

Truthfully, I've catching up on my sleep. And all the post-BlogHer buzz about travel delays, illnesses and how we all loved seeing each other and miss each other already. There is even a rumor of someone flying cross-country next weekend to reconnect with her new BFF.

I swear I started a post while we were delayed at OHare, rambling on about living in closed-environments and how it kills the senses. My sinuses and lungs are still dry from the air; thankfully I've kind of recovered from the noise sufficiently that I don't expect my ears to spontaneously start bleeding.

Yeah, we're talking a riveting positive read about four of the very best days ever! That is probably why my addle-pated brain failed to save it. Consider yourselves lucky.

So where did I leave you? Elizabeth Edwards.

I truly loved this woman. She spoke her own mind, making it clear that what she believes is what she believes, and not necessarily what the campaign wants her to believe. That kind of openness is refreshing! She gave complete (often too complete) answers to every question, so there weren't as many asked as might have been.

As an aside: I am damn impressed with my complex verb structures here! Part of my brain isn't still dead asleep.

After the keynote speech, we all wandered the 1/2 mile down to the other end of Navy Pier and took over the Children's Museum for Saturday's cocktail party.

With Chloe Dao!

Dove Ultimate Clear supplied a ton of cotton t-shirts in bright colors that we could cut up and turn into stylin' fashions. Halter tops, sashed tank tops, a great 2 strap tank. The theme was sleeveless because of the Sleeveless Ready theme to the Dove ads. I spent about 1/2 the night at the project stations making stuff for myself and others, though I was not nearly as kick-ass as Elizabeth Perry! She made a great 2-shirt cardigan and a bag!

I'd have done better, but the scissors were cheap and dull, and the shirts only came in a medium. Too many ladies there couldn't fit into them (that's why Elizabeth made the cardigan). Also, when I wasn't slitting shirts I was slurping Pina Coladas.

Which might explain why on a dare (roomie Maria Niles gave me $1), I took off my original t-shirt, stuffed my bra straps into the cups (how did I not know this tip??) and pulled on my fabulous pink and green halter. I know that several ladies took their photo with me, so I will be searching the BlogherFlickr photostream until somebody gets her photos uploaded there!

BTW, if you do click over to the photostream, you will notice a number of photos that look like really nice scrapbook pages. That's because one of our sponsors (and really nice people) was ScrapBlog. I haven't had time to play with thier site yet, but one fabulous artist there took time to explain all about scrapbooking to me. What to look for to judge a great page from a so-so one. He even said I could email him for help!

A good thing. I've been called out for not writing about scrapbooking over at BlogHer. But if I don't know what I'm looking at, and they write in a way that doesn't makes me love them, what am I supposed to do? I could write about crafters and knitters and spinners even if I don't do it, because I've found great photographs and writing.

Anyway...

This is enough about the rest of day two. Let me save Sunday (day three) for Wednesday. Maybe by then I'll even have photos!

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

BlogHer07, Chloe Dao,Dove Ultimate Clear, scrapblog

BlogHer, Day Two...

It's 4 pm in ChicagoLand, and I'm almost to the point of total overload.

Got into Chicago Thursday morning about 6 am. after taking a red-eye from LAX. I woke about 1/2 hour before we landed and got to watch thunderstorms rolling across the land below us. Rain. Oh, shoot. But the weather cleared as the day went on, so I wasn't too unhappy.

I had flown in a day early to go to a ball game. White Sox/Tigers were playing at 1 pm. and I got to scratch one more stadium off my lifelist. (Big Yahoo!!). I sat right behind home plate, but up in the topmost row of the stadium. It took me about 5 innings to adjust to view before I really got into the game. Still completely well worth it! I left in the 9th inning for my cocktail party obligations with the score tied. (still don't know who won or when).

Here, I get to brag a little. I was at the game alone. I walked to the Red Line, asked for guidance, got to the right stop, and walked from the Chicago Loop to the City Center. Only had to ask a couple people if I was walking in the correct direction! And got to the parties on time. (three in a row).

Friday was the first day of BlogHer. I was a volunteer at registration, and a microphone wrangler at 2 of the sessions, so I worked most of the day. The sessions were great! If you want to read what went on, most sessions were liveblogged. Just check through the articles that were tagged BlogHer07

The cocktail party was held on the roof of center. We are at the very end of Navy Pier, so we got a great view of the city. Our entertainment was singer/blogger named Christine Kane... and she was fabulous! Then a bunch of us went out dinner at a pizza place. Back to our room, it felt like early evening. It WAS 11:30 pm. I didn't think I tired, but my head hit the pillow and I was gone.

Today I have been a social slug. I've spent 8 hours so far, talking to people in small discussions, trading business cards and (unfortunately) missing every session that was held today. Only problem with that? I was supposed to be live-blogging one of the sessions and completely missed it!

Thank goodness this conference is only 2 days long.

I'm now sitting in the ballroom where Elizabeth Edwards (yes, the wife of Presidential candidate John Edwards)... where she's talking about the support and experiences of her life. How online communities are unifying experiencings. Which is why she agreed to come to Blogher.

Who knows what will happen tonight. Eventually it will wind down. Tomorrow is much more relaxed, an unconference experience, before I fly home. I'll admit it, I've left my computer closed most of the time and my camera, too. This is a very face-to-face experience to me.

Today a bit of irony: our afternoon snacks were hotdogs, cotton candy and those big pretzels. Sponsored by Curves.

It's been a fabulous experience! I'm so glad I'm came and I'm sure that within 3 months I'll be eagerly awaiting next years. (oh, yeah.. we don't know where yet.) If you get a chance to come next year (wherever we are), please consider coming.

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.
BlogHer07

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

San Francisco from Cesar Chavez Park. 7/20/07. See the beautiful, cooling fog in the back.


This evening I take off to Chicago for BlogHer '07. Four days packed full of networking, meetings and parties. I just wrote out my schedule and I'm tired from reading it! Will get home late Sunday and probably spend Monday sleeping and doing laundry.

I hope to have fun things to share with ya'll when I get back. One thing before then, though:
I will be live-text-blogging one of the sessions: The Art Of Craft:

The Art of Crafts
The CraftBlogging community is diverse and large, covering everything from scrapbooking to knitting to other handi-crafts. They use their online communities to collaborate, to provide critiques, to engage in commerce, and simply to learn. How do you find your piece of the CraftBlogosphere? And yes, we'll also talk crafts...our favorite solo and group projects. Leah Petersen moderates the conversation with Kathy Cano Murillo (aka Crafty Chica), Kristin Roach, Natalie Zee Drieu and Amy Sedaris.

So look for it here (probably at first chock filled with typos.) My goodness I get to sit at the feet of these women!!! I promise not to swoon.

See ya'll on the flip side.
I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.
blogher07
art of craft
ArtOfCraft
CraftBlogging

Last Friday I took the dogs for a walk at Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley. It's a pretty circular route down by the bay; cooler than at my home, with great views.

Since then I've been fighting a cold that's settled into my chest and left me coughing and a bit breathless. Poo! I've spent little bits of time and energy trying to clean some of the clutter in my work room and hoping I can the pattern pieces I drafted my project. How did I lose half of them?

I'm not really in shape for doing much detailed sewing, so this project will have to wait for completion until I get home from Chicago. I really wanted to take my cool new bag with me, too.
I guess I can be thankful that I don't have to plan my whole wardrobe to match my new bag.





I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

Ten-Second Meme (did I mention I'm math challenged?)

Once again, just before BlogHerCon we are all quickly letting people know a bit about us. This should make it easier to talk to some of the 1000+ folks I'll be spending the weekend with.

I'm a second generation American of mixed European peasant stock; as such, I'm strong, independent and optimistic. Also short, dark ash blonde (the box says) and bespectacled.

I'm a survivor of emotional abuse; as such, I'm careful with my words and easily perceive slights. (often when not intended). But I laugh a lot and listen well.

I'm a middle-aged, post-menopausal female; as such, I've got a good sense of humor and warm heart. Often that warmth just can't be contained!

I'm a married woman with 2 dogs and no kids.

I love baseball, sci-fi, creative activities and just recently developed a love for working out. I can explain the infield fly rule, discuss the brilliance that is Joss Whedon's society in Firefly (and how I think it's based on Walmart's world domination) and do either while I'm knitting socks.

For some remarkable reason, I'm generally happier now than I've ever been.

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer

BlogMe2007

Week, Next and Last

Next week, I've got to get ready for my 4 days of BlogHer. I've got things going on each day! (whew! I will run myself silly! baseball game, cocktail parties, microphone wrangling, live blogging, CHRISTINE CANE, CHLOE DAO!! Take a peak at some of the activities being offered.. and this doesn't show the private parties or the baseball game. ) Gee, and they think that a blogger conference will be nerds in dark rooms!

I leave Wednesday evening for a red-eye flight to Chicago and get home about midnight Sunday night. I'm pretty sure that Monday will be nothing but sleeping and chillin'.

BTW, I've gotten a small hint that next year, BlogHer08 may be in Atlanta.

Ah well. Maybe that's why I've been so laid back this week. I remember sitting on the porch swing, reading my books, and doing some research on articles.

Today:

I'm taking the dogs to Cesar Chavez park down in Berkeley. We haven't been there since 12/31 and I usually get some good photos down there. Like the boat above. We'll see what a summer walk offers.

Grocery shopping follows, then work on my sewing project. A couple weeks ago I cut out all the pattern pieces, now I can't find half of them. Re-drafting is in order! I'm hoping I finish up this project this weekend.

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

BlogHer07

Week, Next and Last

Next week, I've got to get ready for my 4 days of BlogHer. I've got things going on each day! (whew! I will run myself silly! baseball game, cocktail parties, microphone wrangling, live blogging, CHRISTINE CANE, CHLOE DAO!! Take a peak at some of the activities being offered.. and this doesn't it all!) Gee, and they think that a blogger conference will be nerds in dark rooms!

I leave Wednesday evening for a red-eye flight to Chicago and get home about midnight Sunday night. I'm pretty sure that Monday will be nothing but sleeping and chillin'.

Ah well. Maybe that's why I've been so laid back this week. I remember sitting on the porch swing, reading my books, and doing some research on articles. Ah well.

Today:

I'm taking the dogs to Cesar Chavez park down in Berkeley. We haven't been there since 12/31 and I usually get some good photos down there. Like the boat above. We'll see what a summer walk offers.

Grocery shopping follows, then work on my sewing project. A couple weeks ago I cut out all the pattern pieces, now I can't find half of them. Re-drafting is in order! I'm hoping I finish up this project this weekend.

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

BlogHer07

Dreams

I had this strange dream last night... well, I woke up because of it, so I guess it was this morning.

I had just moved into a condo or apartment. I was happy with the situation. There were boxes still all over the living room, but I was building a computer work desk and putting some shelves up, when there was a knock at the door.

I answered opened the door to a man that the-me-in-the-dream knew, but I didn't recognize. He stood at the doorway peeking in around me. When he saw something about the shelving and desk, he said: Well, we can fix that later.

I got pissed and woke up.

I know I was angry that this guy thought he knew better how to organize my own living space than I did. But the more I thought about the dream, the more I saw it as a positive thing. I was building my own space. It might be a place to live... or it might be my LIFE. I was making my own way and my own decisions.

And (because I apparently never let the guy in) I was willing to defend my life against the interference of others. THEY might think that things needed to be arranged differently; but I was having none of that.

Also. If I was putting up shelves and building a desk (I'm thinking it was from IKEA)... it probably meant that when I moved into this space, I knew to buy my own drill.

I don't know why that is important, but it made it very happy when I realized it.

I'm just hoping I bought a level, too. Or I'm so screwed.

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

Still No Head Shot.

Still no useable headshot. It's amazing what exists in backgrounds that you just don't see until look at the shot in an editing program. And lighting? Shouldn't be so hard.

Today we're driving to Bodega Bay. Ignore the thought of 2 hours with a convertible blowing my hair around. I'm hoping an oceany background will work some magic on creating one or two (or 10) usable shots. Of course those multiple shots mean a cooperative photographer. We'll see.

I didn't get any work done on my project.. and with the spouse home through Tuesday, it might be Wednesday before I can get to work. Sigh.

But I'm making plans. I'm thinking about (another) whole series of articles for BlogHer where I (gasp) demonstrate some of the art/craft I things I do. One of the first articles will be on discharging stained t-shirts to extend their life. Part two of this will be how to paint or dye over these discharged pieces to completely change to look of the shirt.

If you have a blogpost on either of these topics, and wouldn't mind a link back to what you've said/shown, would you please send me the link Thanks.

In the future, I'll be writing about DNA beading, felted bags from sweaters, and maybe t-shirt quilts.

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

Tags: BlogHer, Crafty-fun, Fiber, hobbies, recycled art

This is going to Take All Day!!

I have a simple goal for today: get a couple new "head shots" taken. Me, bright and smiley.. a background that is not bland... and one with me sleeveless and showing my arms (there is this Dove-sponsored cocktail party at BlogHer in 2 weeks and they want these...).

Unfortunately, all the walls in the house are pale off-white. NOT what I want. Moving outside I'm in shadow (at the moment) and the backgrounds are lit. NOT what I want. When I check them, the backgrounds still have elements that are not desirable. NOT what I want.

And my photographer seems reluctant to participate in the process, quickly snapping 2 or 3 shots then wanting to leave. Also, he was brought up on the stand-em-straight-ahead-and-shoot-'em philosophy. Quick, painless and the ugliest pictures of humans one can take.

I have a tripod, but can't find my instruction book to know how to take timed photos. What I'm trying ain't working.

sigh.

Wonder how to accomplish what should be a fun and slightly goody fifteen minute experience. At the moment, it feels like it's going to take all day. Where is a creative photography friend when I need one?

If I ever get a photo I like, my Saturday ToDos:

Farmer's Market
Walk the dogs
Play with PhotoShop
Finish constructing pieces for my project.
Grilled Animal Flesh and Farmer's Market veggies for supper.

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

Did I mention that last week I got a copy of A Writer's Coach by Jack Hart? It was recommended by Roy Peter Clark at Poynter Online. Since one of my goals for this year is to work on my writing skills, this was an easy call!!

Now this week I've been analyzing my daily schedule and thinking that it isn't working as well as I'd like. I want to try and switch things around a bit in what remains of this month and give a new schedule a real try starting in August.

What does the book have to do with the schedule? Simple. Part of the schedule will be to polish skills I've had in the past and add a few more. Spending 2 hours each week day seriously working at studying stuff. Writing will be one of those skills. Hence the Jack Hart book. (the other skills? Finally teach myself PhotoShop and become more comfortable with all the things one can do with MS Office).

This week, I've begun reading A Writer's Coach; think of it as part of my summer reading list for school. Just nine pages in, the book already has given me a clue that is starting to work. Hart wrote:

Nothing generates ideas like getting your hands on the keyboard...

Writing generates ideas by encouraging the kind of sequential, cause-and-effect thinking that leads your mind into new territory.

About the time I read that, I started searching blogs for posts about color. How do different crafters choose the palette they use in a piece? How do approaches differ? It's an interesting topic and will make a nice little post both here and on Blogher. And while I was reading for color inspiration, I found several other ideas: why do crafters craft and blog (what's our motivation?), what makes me envious of craft/art blogs (who has really pretty design features?), atleast 2 recycled craft projects.

This is a good thing!

While I have always been contracted to submit 8 articles/month to BlogHer, starting in August I will have to submit those articles on a predetermined schedule (every Saturday and Wednesday). While it won't be hard to comply, the schedule started freaking me out a bit. But thinking about Hart's suggestion to simply start the work and know that one thing will lead to another... I'm building a fine little reserve of ideas that I can grow into articles in small bits of time.

I'm also reassured that researching these topics will lead me to many others. Only nine pages in, and part of my life is easier already.

It's harder, I think, to use this technique for my daily blogs. When other bloggers slowed or stopped blogging in the last year, we talked a lot about how they stopped "thinking like a blogger." That ability to observe one's life like a third party and find the moment of magic that the world will appreciate? That's a much different talent to both develop and refine. My life at the moment is a fairly solitary affair which also doesn't provide much fodder.

Some bloggers will leave notes by their computer of small ideas that they plumb during dry spells. DebR. uses these notes for her Random Items.... Since I store everything online (notes are usually written in ScribeFox with any links I need right there), this would work if I remembered to enter items when I was working online. Alas, that isn't always a possibility.

Two techniques I've used successfully in the past were a)making myself take a photo each day and b)narrating my day to myself. Both of these techniques worked because they made me an observer in my own life. I've contemplating searching out a "creative non-fiction writing" class to help me find the groove again. But, who knows? maybe Hart will have a few more tips that get me moving in the right direction.

One thing that I know will help a lot: I'm getting an itch to do some more soy-wax batik and shibori work.

ToDo this weekend:

Continue working on my sewing project. Hopefully finish it up Sunday.
Weed gardens.
Measure family room for potential new sectional couch.
Walk dogs.
Start organizing/cleaning the drawers in the kitchen.

What will you be doing??

I also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

Just a Hint...

Just a sweet little taste of what I've been doing...



Sewing and stitching.

ToDo Thursday:

Walk the dogs.
Work out with trainer.
Sew a Little.
Go to Mall for a Bra Fitting??
Dinner and a Play with Friends. (the original Nunsense, directed by the playwright and with several of the original cast members.)

Debra also blog at: Deb's Daily Distractions and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

Recycled Geek Jewelry

If you're reading this, you use a computer. And odds are that you, like me, have a closet where you've stored broken computer pieces until you find the time to run them to a recycler.

You might want to rethink that move.

In articles that turn Geek into Chic (what? it does too rhyme!), you can use the keys from a now-defunct keyboard to make bracelets and necklaces.

DIY gives details. from Michele Beshen's program B.Original. In other articles, she uses a defunct USB port and internal computer pieces to make other jewelry pieces.

I like the take on this that Mixxtape riot shared with the cute earrings and bracelet she crafted at Craftster. She brilliantly used a heated pin to melt holes into the keys, rather than the drilling suggested at DIY. I like that gal!!

I'm curious to see how these feel and work on both skin and clothing. My instinct says they need something to fill the back, though neither artist mentions this. I wonder what would work?

Now if you'll excuse me I think I'll (accidently) pour some soft drink on a keyboard that's been giving me fits! Then you can all instantly know me at BlogHer07 by the stylin' necklace I wear!! What do you think? My name as a drop from a simple cord?
----------
This is one in a series of posts on "found object" and Recycling crafts. Coming up: recycling sweaters (both unknitting them and felting them), a review of a new book on making beautiful quilts from t-shirts, and soy wax batiking with found objects.

What other found/recycled art/craft would you like to see?
--------
When Debra isn't destroying computers for embellishments, she her life at Deb's Daily Distractions and all things arts and crafts at BlogHer. This is republish of a BlogHer article.


Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions

Catching Up.. next Comments!

Man in a Pink Boat: The island of Burano, Venice, Italy.

I finally spent this evening catching up on all the blogs in my feed. (did you see that Gabrielle actually blogged again?) While I took a quick moment to comment on a couple blogs, most of the time it was a quick read in my feedreader then on to the next one. Not that I didn't want to comment!! But given the choice of catching up almost completely or commenting and only getting part way through? Sorry, but I chose reading over writing tonight.

I promise that I'll try to comment on blogs within the next few days. You all deserve some love.

Friday's To Dos:

1. Grocery shop? First I have to check to see what's stashed in our freezer. if not, then vacuum and dust.

2. Write an article for BlogHer. What on?

I'm tempted to expand upon Sharon B.'s post this past week about child labor and inexpensive beaded goods. I need to have my writing brain working to get it right, though.

I can do a round up of the fun projects on knitting blogs, or quilting blogs. Is it just me, or do there seem to be fewer really fun projects and challenges being written about on quilting blogs? Please say I'm just missing them. I see lots of finished projects, but little real discussion of the process.. or things that make me believe it will be interesting to casual or non-quilter readers. (my audience at blogher).

I can write a round up of all the crafty podcasts.

I can try to find some of the charitable activities for crafters, quilters, and knitters (like Afghans for Afghans... which I've written about twice already!)

Hmm. other ideas? It's sad when I make a silent prayer to find something inspiring before I open up my feed reader. It usually works, but it's sad. (fingers crossed it will work again).

3. Begin my quarterly closet clean up.

This might shock some of you. Every 3 months I go through most of the clothes in my closet: if something doesn't fit (too large or too small) or if it's stained (more likely) or damaged, it gets tossed into the donation bin. I do not keep clothes for a "some day" that is anything more than someday I may need a dress instead of jeans. No "some day I'll fit into this again, or someday it may come back into fashion." It's wearable NOW or it's gone.

That's enough work for one day...

This weekend, if it cools, I'll be working in the garden and sewing a new purse I'm working on. Will there be photos by Monday??

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I review (sadly, not favorably) a new website.

Tags: BloggityGoodness, ToDo,BlogHer, work

Babbling about Books

Occasionally I step out of my "normal reading" zone (alternating mysteries and sci-fi) and pick up something different. Frequently, these are books that speak to me, or books that someone specifically tells me I should read. Last year, it was Twyla Tharp's and Linda Ellerbee's. This June, it was EAT, PRAY, LOVE.
I consumed this book while on vacation, and I've decided to revist it immediately again to more slowly savor it. If you're looking for a good read, pick this book up.

Elizabeth Gilbert was 32 when she decided to divorce her husband. The 2 year experience was emotionally and physically devastating to her, except that she found "her" guru and began to meditate and practice yoga. A professional travel writer (oh, to have such a job), she was offered the chance to travel to Bali to report on yoga vacations. There she met an ancient medicine man who predicted that soon she would come and study with him.

Now I'm the kind of person who, when a ninth-generation Indonesian medicine man tells you that you're destined to move to Bali and live with him for four monhts, thinks you should make evry effort to do that. And this, finally, was how my whole idea about this year of traveling began to gel.

(snip) But what about the benefits of living harmoniously amid extremes?... My truth was exactly what I'd said to the medicine man in Bali - I wanted to experience both. I wanted worldly enjoyment and divine trascendence - the dual glories of a human life.

(snip) So I stopped trying to choose ---Italy? India? or Indonesia?? -- and eventually admitted that I wanted to travel to all of them. (pgs.28-29).

That's what most of this book is about. Gilbert spent 4 months in Italy learning to speak Italian and experience PLEASURE. She spent 4 months in India living on an Ashram and learning to meditate and PRAY. Then finally 4 months in Bali learning how to live in balance with both extremes.

She shares her experiences is a way that is personal, hysterical and touching. I enjoyed almost every word (OK, she went on a bit too long about divorcing her husband and breaking up with her lover. But that's what pushed her to writing the book.)

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions for this week's Tale of the Scale.

Ragged Rooftop in Old Dubrovnik. I love this photo!


It appears that my comments are broken at the moment. (2 pm edit: comments are working now! Haloscan was down for a while this morning, now everything is fine.) I'm trying to fix it, but if you feel the need to leave a comment, I'd suggest that you email me!

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions

Art and New Social Media

Blogumenta describes itself as the possibly the first art gallery/art fair group on Facebook. Running officially from June 16th, 2007 until July 16, 2007 the group encourages members to submit artwork.

The opening of the ceremony was announced by Michelle Kasprzak at Rhizome.org. where she described the event as an online reaction to the "Grand Tour" of large art festivals taking place throughout Europe this summer:

Blogumenta is more than that - it is a different kind of art event entirely. It has no physical gallery to visit, but there is an image repository on the website and in Facebook, one of the most popular social networking websites. It has no curator, but it was initiated by Robert and he is also the “Admin” of the Facebook group. The work itself is not for sale, but in the “Shopumenta” online store, you can purchase a Blogumenta ringer tee.

There is a companion blog to the Facebook space.

What is becoming interesting to watch are the other art activities springing up on Facebook, too.
There is a group that is discussing the connection between visual arts and language, there are museums and galleries...

So if MySpace is the home of all things pertaining to "bands and music".. will Facebook become the home to other aspects of the arts? And will this demonstrate further the perceived divide between the two?
Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions

Goal Checking (CAC)

I'm home, which means it's time to start catching up on the fun at Create A Connection. Today, Julie ZS made a great point:

Are we accomplishing our goals? Let's check in!

Last December 30th, I wrote:

I WILL:

-get strong physically. It helps me feel healthy.

-control the "siren song" of the laptop and the TV. (I'll admit it, I'm
addicted, but more later)

-get out among people more (volunteer? work?) .

-continue working on my writing.

-learn photo shop.

-get back into the workroom.

#1:
When I checked the year-long prediction from the new astrologer at BlogHer, KT's major theme for we Crabs was: develop a diet and exercise program that you will maintain for life. Seems that the universe was pushing that idea on me. Yes, it succeeded. I am 30# lighter, eating more healthfully (most of the time), and actually miss it when I don't work out. My moods are better too.

#2
Control time on the computer and background TV: Not so much. I'm going to revise this for the 2nd half of the year to make it more specific: Turn off the TV and close the laptop for 4 hours a day. The way the original was written was too vague.

#3
Slightly successful. I've started trying to get out more. It's baby steps for me, though. Perhaps another more specific goal: have 3 occasions (an hour longer or more) each week where I am out interacting with people in some planned activity. (and no, spouse, taking the dog to the vets or seeing the dentist does not count). Acceptable activities: luncheons/evening lectures, Geek Breakfasts, docent at a museum, movie with a friend.

#4
Not successful. My writing has suffered this year because of personal distractions. Often I simply crank something out, barely proof it, and press "publish". I have, however, started several blogs about great writing. And I'm slowly beginning to integrate those ideas into my work. And this summer, with most of the evening entertainment in repeats, I will spend some time each evening sharpening those skills.

#5
Nope. Haven't done it yet. The only positive step I took was buying a photo shop elements tutorial book.

#6
Nope. Pretty much a failure there, too. But I'm beginning to think that I need to redefine what I expect from the workroom. Before I get in there to work, I need to define the work I'll be doing there. I have ideas. I don't have a clean and uncluttered place in which to expand upon it.

In January I proclaimed: I see the possibility for big change this year but it won't happen if I don't work at it. So 2007: The Year of Living Pro-Actively. And I believe that I am taking that position most of the time.

In review, my I am only moderately successful at achieving my goals for this year. But I've still got half a year to become more successful. And thanks to Julie, I've been reminded of the commitments I made at the beginning of the year to refocus the rest of the year.

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions

Tags: CAC, plans, work

Ok, I've my sidebar.

DO NOT PANIC!! (I hope).

I got the sidebar working before, and the text is there in my template. Somehow I've got to finish the stupid Blogger that it need to publish this information.

However, with it missing, I do have a nice clean layout. A little sparse, true... but clean.

(grumble, mumble, stupid clean...)


Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions

Zodiac-Whacky, I Miss CAP...

Alas, it just isn't as much fun since Laurie of Crazy Aunt Purl has stopped writing her monthly horror-scopes. I understand get her book published takes up the time.. I'm not complaining.. it's just...

Remember how much fun her predictions for the month were?? January for example! OK, I'm quoting my monthly message. Yours was probably different, and if it wasn't Happy Birthday, Soon!!

And your To-Do is equally simple, but very satisfying: Use this month to exercise your future-tense daydream muscles. In place of all that time you spend in your head trying to fix or re-live the past, now just actively focus on daydreaming your future. See it in your mind, down to the shoes you'll wear. Be whoever you want to be in your futures, your fantasies, your imagination. Us crabs never fully live in the present, so if you have to choose between obsessing over the past (which you can never change) or daydreaming a beautiful future... always, always pick the future. (And yes, my daydreams include what shoes I will be wearing. Indeed!)

So Laurie found a substitute to take over. She did not leave us in the learch, un-horrorscoped! And Phyllis Firak-Mitz is a fine writer. Just not quite as quirky as Laurie. My prediction for this month:

Idea! Contracts! Realizations! Your mind and your phone will be buzzing all month as Mercury and other planets stimulate your thoughts and communications. Sure Mercury retrograde through July 10th can cause some snafus in your plans. But it’s also buying you time to think more deeply about what you really want. And it’s attracting others to think more about you, too! Expect some good ideas and offers around July 1st, 5th, 14th, 28th, and 29th. Friendships will also be active during July, as Mars gives you courage and sex appeal to strike up new alliances. It will also help you climb out of your Cancerian shell and assert yourself in existing relationships. That’s a good thing, since it might be time to hash out some value or financial differences you’ve been experiencing with others, especially between July 23rd through August 2nd. Remember: As rocky as matters can sometimes get this month, you can ultimately gain greater security by standing up for yourself and by letting go of projects and relationships that don’t support you. In doing so, you’ll realize what’s worth cultivating with that wonderful nurturing energy of yours, and what (or who!) is just draining your energy.

Let's just imagine what Laurie would have done with that. Guess I should get back to editing those photos...

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions

Freaking Out A Little...

(I believe this is Hagia Sophia. Anyway, it's Istanbul, Turkey)

Somewhere in the second half of our vacation, I realized I was happy. Happy for no obvious reason.

Just plain and simply happy.

That emotion has carried over to this week, too.

Now happy isn't an emotion that I'm used to, and when I am happy, I expect it to be for a specific reason. I'm because _________________.

I'll admit it: this happy-for-no-reason thing is freaking me out a little. I'm suspicious of it.

Yet I'm still happy enough that even that isn't too sad.

=============================
Now for all those waiting for trip photos to appear... I'm slowly adding them to Flickr, one folder for each city, so you can see them as I'm working on them. My goal for today is to go through the photos from the Acropolis and maybe Dubrovnik. You'll notice that I mainly take detail shots of buildings. I hope the spouser took some of the more "touristy" photos!!

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I mourn my limited Geek score.

Home Again... Home Again...

Sorry, no photos yet.

Yes, I have arrived home safely from my 2 weeks vacation. I am rested and relaxed. Yesterday afternoon I found myself walking around the house and feeling very happy for no reason. So I'm guessing that the vacation took.

The dogs are back from the boarder's (and bathed); the computer is back from the computer spa (and should last me until 4/5/08 when the warrenty expires!). I'm almost back to living on Pacific time!

Later today I'm going to upload the 180 some photos onto the computer and start editing and organizing them to upload to Flickr. Maybe by tomorrow or Thursday I'll be able to send you to the links. Each city will have it's own folder. I'm not sure if there are any photos of people.. but you will get a visual "taste" of the beautiful in historic sites and European cities.


Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions

Laughing All The Way

The Last Second of Sunset, 5/21/07. Most likely the last post before my trip.

Thursday was the last workout with my trainer, Guido, before my vacation. I don't know if it was the upcoming break or our moods, but we laughed through the entire hour.

It started as soon as we began talking.

I joked that Roger Clements (overpaid, aging pitcher soon to start for those Damn Yankees) has a "tired groin" because scar tissue from an earlier injury is starting to break up. Scar tissue from my foot surgery last January is breaking up, too, so I wanted to be excused from doing some moves because I have a "tired toe." Yeah, that didn't get me as far as it's getting Roger.

I whined. I still had to do the moves.

During bench presses (I'm using two twenty-pound dumbbells!! Twenty Freaking Pounds!!), I got a new nickname: The Debinator. I like it as much as a name the kids gave me when I was a substitute teacher: Roby-wan Kenobi. I was always teaching them stuff that went beyond the lesson plans...

The laughs continued through funny stories about earlier workout session: the Jim Brown story while we did wall squats; the time I threw a fit about an exercise; the time I almost fainted:

I breathe poorly while working out, gulping air like a guppy then holding my breath. Not a good thing. Guido can spend a third of my workout telling me to breathe. (Breathe in, Deb. Now out. Now you have to remember to breathe back in again...) I was doing lunges across the basketball floor and apparently gulping and holding my breath. When I turned to start back, it was time to stop and catch my breath or time to faint. I chose catching my breath.

"We stopped and went on to something else at that point then, right?" Guido asked Thursday.

I gave him "that" look. "No. You let me rest for 30 seconds then told me I still owed you eight lunges."

He couldn't believe that he made me continue and that I did.

Well, yes, he could. That's the relationship we have. He pushes me a lot further than I'd ever push myself. And afterward he marvels that I do it all (with a minimum of whining). We always surprise each other. Makes it worthwhile doing the work.

While we did the weight and measure thing, he asked me for details about my trip. I told him we were flying into Istanbul and staying at a hotel with a view of the Bosphorus Straits.

"That sounds beautiful, Deb..."

"Um, Guido, you haven't the faintest idea what the Bosphorus is, do you?"

"Nope. Not a clue! But it does sound beautiful!!"

Yes, a geography lesson followed. I earned that Roby-wan name long ago for a reason!

Tags: life, fitness, 24HourFitness

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions

Look What We Found...

After a great final workout at the gym, I came home, inhaled some lunch and took the dogs for a walk. It was a nicely paced 2 mile walk along Pinole Creek. As we approached the last part of the walk, we found this basketball in the weeds along the side of the path.

Basketballs are Jake's favorite toy.

So the rest of the walk, he happily chased the ball along the path and carried it with him back to the car.

Free toys!! Gotta love it!

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions

Busy, busy day...

Had a busy, busy day today.

This morning I stopped at the post office, walked the dogs, picked up a reserved book at the library, did some dishes, made several appointments and still got to lunch with my friend Janice early. (Every year I get a $25 certificate from Pear Street Bistro for my birthday month, and I love to take a friend there to celebrate. This year it was my bud Janice.) No well-wishing yet, my birthday isn't until the end of the month...)

Anyway, I got there as she was leaving her house, so I had a little time to wait on her. I stood out on the sidewalk (so she would know exactly where to turn) and worked on knitting a sock. I may not be making much art, but I'm still whacking away with the needles on occasions. Ala the Yarn Harlot (though not as skillfully) I decided to take a quick shot to memorialize the case today.

(I can take a photo on my phone and email it to flickr! complete with it's title. Doncha love technology??)

Anyway, I had my standard dish: a romaine salad with balsamic dressing, topping with Gorgonzola cheese, candied walnuts and slices of bosc pears. I added a bit of grilled salmon to the side. It was yum.

After lunch, it was turn around JoAnne's, a stop at the PetSmart for dog food and bird seed, some cardio workout at the gym, an annual exam for Jake at the vets, and I was finally home and ready to stay here about 4:15 in the afternoon.

This evening? Working some more on that sock (it's a Jaywalker in a tropical punch kind of colorway (#205) of Katia's Mississippi 3 print. A nice all cotton sock yarn.) Next will be the same pair in the blue colors (#207).

Supper: grilled vegetable frittata with whole wheat toast.
So what did you do today?

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions for Thursday afternoon's Tale of the Scale.

tags: fitness, life, fiber

BlogHer Now with More Action...

Ya'll know I that write about things hobby-related for BlogHer.org. I'm honored to be part of this group even though I mainly live in the quiet little hobby corner.

Anyway, today Lisa, Elisa and Jory... three of my personal heroines and the sweetest gals you'd every want to spend an afternoon with... announced the next step for BlogHer:

BLOGHER ACTS:

According to the announcement:

We're introducing BlogHers Act. And just like the BlogHer Conference is the conference the community built, we want BlogHers Act to take on a cause the community develops.

We're starting today: We have asked the incredible duo of Cooper Munroe and Emily McKhann, from the Been There Hurricane Clearinghouse Blog, to lead this effort for us, by helping us work together to identify both:

1. The global issue that the BlogHer community wants to support

2. A voter manifesto identifying the top issues that the community wants addressed during the American presidential election in 2008

I'm encouraging you to go over the BlogHer and let Cooper and Emily know what you think (and register your blog if you haven't already). Or leave a comment here and I'll pass your messages along.

For myself, I'm considering the following:

1. Global Warming and the Environment. This is one issue that we can benefit from grassroots activism. And if women can't work to protect Mother Earth for our own children and future generations.. who should?

2. Top voter issues for the 2008 election:

Health Care. The whole enchilada: prescription drug costs, universal health care, preventative care.

Protection of Retirement Benefits. Stop allowing companies to cancel retirement plans that employees have paid into for years. If they must, make sure that all management loses EVERYTHING they've been promised from the corporation first.

Environmental Issues. From freeing ourselves from the "corn cartel", to making it economically possible for consumers to "go green" to reducing greenhouse gases. Again the whole enchilada please.

One that I feel strongly about, but that won't make the list:
Infrastructure redevelopment (I see the threat of infrastructure collapse in the next 10-20 years as a major concern. Yet nobody is willing to completely rebuild our power structures, our water supply system, or our roads.)

Are you surprised that the Iraq War, the economy, terrorism didn't make the list? While these might be important issues to discuss, I really have little faith that much can be done to impact these issues.

And why am I excited about being part of this?

Britt Bravo shares this appropriate quote with us CEs:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead.

And I added to the quote-fest with:

Before something happens in the world, it must happen in your mind. CS Lewis

So what do you think?

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions where I wrote about green grocery bags, and Thursday will write my Tale of the Scale.. with good news!

Tags: BlogHersAct, Bloghers Act, BlogHer

Doing Better...

Well, the visit with the pros left things temporarily undecided. Just before going out of the country on a cruise is NOT the time to be playing with better living through chemistry. So I'm sticking with my old prescription and hoping that it works for getting me through the severe time-adjusting reset.

Ya know how they make Lunestra sound like a really simple nice drug with no side effects? Take it, fall asleep quickly, sleep for 8 hours and wake up. Limited chance for addiction. Sounds great, right?

Yeah.

For me, I took it and fell asleep over an hour later (so about midnight). Woke up at 3:30 am and never fell asleep again, though I stayed in bed and prone until 7 am. (it's one of the suggestions.. if you're not sleeping through .. fake it. Sometimes you make it.) And I was severely depressed and weepy throughout the day.

Bad, bad reaction. or bad, bad drug for me.

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
for my Tale of the Scale... or my new grocery shopping bags.. who knows?

Just keep drumming along...

This is an image from the Bay to Breakers that I never uploaded. Women drummers in Golden Gate Park who drummed their support for us. It was fabulous.

(Truthfully I'd love to learn how to join these gals. Drumming would be a great stress relief and social activity. Don't we all have times when we'd like to beat the living daylights safely out of something? Oh.. that's just me?? Nevermind.)

When I walked by these ladies I was so tempted to stop and soak in the rhythm from them. But it wasn't quite the strong soul beat that I needed. It was slightly off from what my cells were seeking, so rather than fight with alternate rhythms, I walked on.

Lately, I've been struck by the realization that when the rhythm of something is "right" then the action is effortless. Walking, sewing, painting, breathing, living. It's all about finding that effortless rhythm. And it's amazing what a good night's sleep and remembering to eat every 3 hours can do for me! It's my part of my rhythm, part that I have been missing the last couple days. The part that tripped me down into a well.

I'm not perfect today, but I'm better. I've got some of my rhythm back; I can feel it beating in my muscle fibers. Thanks for all your kind comments and emails over the last day or so. (Heck, thank you for every comment you've ever made! Every email you've sent! Every connection we've made.)

You, too, are the drummer women of my lives. And you rock!

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions
where I'll be a bit about Twitter. (after I eat something...)

Just So's Ya Know...

(sailboats on San Pablo Bay. Taken with full zoom. Have I mentioned lately that I love my camera?? I do!)


Just so's ya know, I'm still here.

Looking at the last month, I haven't taken many photos (and have shown even fewer); I haven't written many blog posts; I haven't done much of anything worth blogging about.

Monday I'm talking to the pros about better living through chemistry. Sure seems to me that mine must be outta whack.

And also so's ya know...

Friday or Saturday I'm dropping off my laptop for a trip to the computer spa.

Next Sunday (6/10) I'm leaving for a 2 week vacation.

So whatever you hear from me this week will be it until sometime after 6/24.

God, I'm going to have a readership of about 10 by then!! But I'll love each and every 10 of ya!

Craft In America

Did you catch it?

I settled in to watch the 3 hour airing of CRAFT IN AMERICA, ready to be inspired and educated. I was not disappointed. I love to watch artists working! I love to hear them talk about their process. I want to know what drew them to a specific craft. For three hours I felt like I was sitting at the feet of these artists, drinking in their lives.

It was wonderful.

It is the best part of my job as BlogHer's Contributing Editor for hobbies. Many professional craftspersons and artists reject the category when listing their blogs, yet there are many bloggers who began their craft blogs as hobbyists and have grown to professionals in part because of their blogs. They build community online, support each other and regularly give us glimpses of their process.

And I "have to" read their words to share them. I tell ya, sometimes life is hard.

I'm working on a list of some of the best "process sharing" bloggers I read. I'll try to get that posted here before the weekend.

Check out my other blog: Deb's Daily Distractions