14 October, 2007

Layers

Hello Kitty can be quite adorable....especially when it comes in the form of a pink tres leches [to be exact] birthday cake smeared all over the face of a three year old. Madeleine, my niece, celebrated her third birthday today. The weather was nice. Warm sun & cool breezes. A party in the park is always nice. The pinata could be destroyed outdoors without candy flying and hitting something fragile [although, a few babies were present..!]. And yes, I even ran out to get some candy...there were so many pieces of chocolate being left behind! Soon thereafter, the birthday girl ended her own party with a temper tantrum. And here I though she had left her 'terrible 2's' behind...

Alright, let's back up a few days. Thursday evening the [new] Mesa Contemporary Arts Center [which is just outrageous!] hosted the event, 'Sound in the Ground'. Truth behold, the live music was literally held 'in the ground'. The small courtyard-esque/amphitheater projected the sound of the D.J. [who was AMAZING] and the band beautifully. The stars, waterfall, throw pillows, and free cream puffs [mmm..] definitely added some pizazz. The interior of the arts center could be seen from the amphitheater through panels of glass which grew from the ground to the tip top of the two story building. This sleek structure projected a peculiar glow outdoors onto some modern, and almost space age like, sculptures. Huge opaque panels formed several cubes which changed colors and iridescent tiles covering massive walls are just a few of the innovative designs within the center. Several artists were showing their work in the galleries indoors. One of which displayed the first ever 3D 'painting'. From what I remember reading, layers of ultra sensitive and extremely thin photo paper, along with very specific colors, were used to create this dimensional look. O.K. sounds cool, right? Well this artist [I forget his name....which I am now kicking myself for] which is known for his strange and humorous works of art, decided to make this innovative 3D painting an image of a cow with huge utters and with a cartoon like quality. !??!?!. ugh. And the stupid thing exceeded 23 million dollars to create! Anyway, the other galleries were....wait, let me stop here, I could go on and on and on and on about what I saw and what I think.

FRIDAY. If one word were to be chosen to describe Friday evening, I'd choose beautifulmesmerizingcollaborativemasterpiece. Do I have any Devendra Banhart fans out there in this cyberspace blogspace?? Anyone? Oh goodness, I reeeeeally hope so [if not, hurry, VERY QUICKLY, and visit this site: http://www.myspace.com/devendrabanhart]. Actually, I am still recovering from my experience. I am not too sure if I can continue 'blogging' on about it. But I will. Devendra projects his music in the most organic and insanely creative way. You really need to be familiar with his musical process and his background before jumping into such a performance! I was in a trace for the two hours he, and his band, were performing. Banhart's band consisted of even more inspirational musicians. All these artists seem to be intertwined within this huge breeding network of unearthly talented folks. Gosh, what a night. I wanted to speak with Noah, a touring member of the band, afterward about his solo work [Apparently, so did everyone else in the venue!]. He has the most handsome music. Ah well. It was best I headed straight home anyway to reflect on such a magnificent night.

I am now back to the Hello Kitty cake in the face birthday bash.
I would reflect on last weekend and my time spent in Old Town Bisbee at the organic fiber arts festival, as well as my trip down into Mexico, But I wouldn't want to jinx these great weekends I've been having.....

XO

happy birthday, miss madeleine.


good ol'Bisbee




agua prieta, mexico

02 October, 2007

For The Love Of Autumn

October! [Hmmm......what happened to July, August & September?]
Autumn has brought the valley warm 90 degree temperatures with slightly cooler breezes. Ohh, how awful!

Where to begin? July consisted of: Czech Republic, planes, trains, bikes, countrysides, canoeing, horseback riding, bones, fairytale villages, Dresden, castles, sights, sounds, beer, delicious food, grumpy folks, and Czech clothes [which, by the way, is not the greatest]. I must say the Czech culture is extremely interesting, but their slavic language is insanely difficult!

Following this adventure, August brought me a month of recovery.

To regain all that $$$ well spent, I have been working for the non-profit Prevent Blindness America. As a certified vision screener....sounds legit, huh?.... I've been driving daily all over the valley to screen the vision of children in low income schools. [Don't even get me started on the environmental causes ( gas, pollution, etc.) this job has contributed to while working here!]. I've also participated in health fairs to not only screen the student- but mom, dad, grandma, cousin, etc. who may not otherwise be eligible for free vision check ups. I adore screening those itsy bitsy preschoolers. They are a handful, but boy they sure are cute!

This brings me to my future plans as, not a vision screener, but as a student. I will continue going to school in January at Brooklyn College, NY. This will be a huge lifestyle change, but an enriching one nonetheless! For the next few years which are left I will eat, breath, and sleep- science, geology, urban studies, traveling X 9276384, awesome culture, amazing food and music....then wake up three years later in a huge pile of debt. I am so excited!

Alright, I feel sort of strange blabbering on about myself....but then again, this is a 'journal', non?
OUI!

Below are some, well, A LOT! of photos from my experience in the Czech Republic and Germany. 'Czech' them out! haha...get it? heh....never mind.



The beautiful Cesky Krumlov, CZ- on the Austrian Border



I canoed down this river for six hours! Cesky Krumlov, CZ


Rowin' away!



Ohhh Cesky...



Prague Castle



Old Town, Prague



Prague Castle


Waiting for the tram at Namesti Miru, downtown Prague.


Told ya bones were involved....Kutna Hora, CZ


Apparently the Czech's enjoy cactus flavored beverages?


Petrin Hill, across the Charles Bridge in Prague



Barrandov Studios- Where Narnia and other popular movies were/are being filmed. Somewhere discreet, CZ


Time Continuum? No. Just a very long escalator in the metro station.


I have no idea. Old Town, Prague


I was fortunate enough to see this beautiful view every evening.


Lost biking. Somewhere in Brno, CZ


Bridge of Tourists....I mean, the Charles Bridge, Prague


View from the Charles Bridge



Dresden, Germany was very cosmopolitan


Also, Dresden is very dark.


Babies crawling on the t.v. tower in Prague. Ohh, abstract art....sometimes i just don't get you.


hahaha... :/


The Czech's know good music.


The opera was wonderful!


The 'Dancing Building', Praha

05 July, 2007

mountains, volcanoes, and rivers...oh my!


adieu and farewell! safe travels to all those exploring planet earth. take full advantage of EVERYTHING you encounter; and don't forget to absorb those precious moments between blinks.

oh, p.s., be a dear and send me a postcard!
xoxo

02 July, 2007

going on holiday

how's a girl to pack for six weeks in two itty bitty bags?