We are moving

Baking cookies is what I've been busy doing these past couple of days. The Toot and I delivered our cookies to family this morning. 

Next week will be the last week we'll be spending here in our apartment. It's time for a new chapter in our lives and we are ready. It will be nice when we are finally out of here. There are a lot of good memories and some bad which are not worth mentioning. 

I've managed to put up some lights on our living room window to get into the spirit of christmas. We're keeping it simple and it's been less stressful for all of us. 

Between packing, cooking and decluttering I'm making time to read and play games with my Toot. She's growing fast and I don't want to think back and regret that I didn't slow down to spend time with her. I'm also turning off the television to spend more time to listen and talk to my girl. It's too easy to turn on the tv when I need to clean or cook and I've promised myself to not do that anymore. I've realized that when I turn it off that she can keep herself occupied with her toys and books. Having her move around and using her imagination is encouraged. I look forward to having a backyard for us to play and garden in. 

We are getting close to our move out day (Dec 27th ) and I may not get a chance to post again until the new year. We will be busy packing, unpacking and settling into our new environment....our home. I may be disconnected for a couple of days. We'll see. It may be a smooth transition if AT&T does their business right...and for a charge of $47.50.

Great day for a stroll at the zoo

These goats were loving the sun. They were probably meditating and getting ready for the mob of school children heading their way in a few minutes. 

.....OM......

I relaxed after being in their space of calm. 

It set the pace for us as we continued our trek through the park.

A day at the zoo was our gift to Melissa for her 23rd Birthday. 

Happy Birthday Melissa!

I was impressed with all the new exhibits at the zoo. This is under construction. 

The day was cloudy and cool.....fantastic!

 

I'm obviously not wasting my free time stuck in malls and parking lots for Christmas. I've come to realize that I can choose to do what really makes me happy. Being outdoors in Nature and with my family is a much more memorable and pleasant way to spend my time. Every year it gets easier to not get caught up in the commercialism and consumerism of the holidays. I'm not at all interested in getting presents and I don't have any money to waste on gifts that I do not know if the receiver will even appreciate. Most likely "not" because they won't be expensive or the latest name tag or logo.  It's all so boring and I'm not going to play the game. I've had enough of commercials and advertisers (and relatives) telling me what I should have. I am grateful for what I've got and that is enough. 

Really! 

Sharyll Burroughs-Chung : A friend of mine is having a show...

Here's a write-up from MorYork Gallery:

"MORYORK GALLERY is pleased to present the debut exhibition of
Los Angeles-based artist Sharyll Burroughs-Chung.

ONE NATION UNDER A GROOVE: Buddhas, Nigras & Other Favorite Things
comprises works in mixed media including wood, metal, cloth, paper and
more. In addition to these, Burroughs-Chung uses concepts of banality,
high kitsch and spirituality as tools to examine the ocean of racial
assumptions in which Americans seem to be drowning. Text is integral
to the artist's exploration of these themes, including liberal use of
that infamous word "which must not be named."

"I feel these are the best instruments I can use to poke at
people for being so rigid about what race really means in this
country," she explained. "And `nigger' typifies not so
much the ways we discuss race, but the ways we DON'T discuss race.

More than 50 works never before displayed in public will be unveiled
in Sharyll's debut at the MorYork Gallery from 2 pm – 10 pm on
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, with an opening reception beginning at 7 pm
during the NELAart "Second Saturday" tour.

Born in rural Georgia, Burroughs-Chung attended the Santa Monica
College of Design, Art and Architecture, studying with faculty such as
George Herms, Deborah Sussman and Betye Saar. She resides in Echo Park
with her husband and two sons."

I had the fortunate opportunity to see her work in her studio and I couldn't stop smiling for days. Sharyll left me thinking about so many things and I like that. Her work makes people stop to question themselves and society. People who are sensitive to the word "Nigger" should come take a look, if you dare. Come see what she has to say. See also here for more.

Figure Sketches for Fun

"Crown"

Forensics in my Kitchen

Melanoma

 Bone Marrow

Dry Skin

Ode to My Mind:

There is so much to observe. 

Every little detail is a whole new world. 

Sometimes I look too hard and I forget to stand back to look at the big picture. 

This is a cold case.

We're going to the dentist tomorrow morning.....an unexpected and overdue appointment.  A hump on the road and we will get through this. This=I do know.  

Update: Everything is good in the teeth department for my Toot. No cavities! Hurray! She just needed a little cleaning. I can breath now.