So You Think You Can Dance

So I always thought I could dance, but oh my goodness not like this. If you love to dance or love watching dance then I highly recommend the reality dance contest television show, "So You Think You Can Dance". The choreography is amazing! What a compelling artform!



This is one of my favorites from this season.



This is one of my favorites from the season before. They call this lyrical hip hop.

Happy Friday!

I love Louie CK! He tickles my funny bone!

Happy Friday

This video makes me soooooooooooooo happy!

Do the happy dance with me!

Esperanza Spalding

Esperanza Spalding's Chamber music is another album I recently purchased that I can't stop listening to.

At age 20 she became a professor at the Berklee College of Music at age 20!

As a rule, I am not a jazz fan, but I am in love with Esperanza! David Letterman said that she was the coolest guest he has ever had on his show. Her birthday is the day before mine, this fact alone makes her cool in my book! Gorgeous beauty, gorgeous music and mad talent, what's not to love?

Florence + The Machine

Cover art for Florence + The Machine's new CD Lungs

I bought the Florence + The Machine CD Lungs last weekend. I love it when I find a CD that I can play straight through and enjoy every single song! You may already be familiar with the song "Dog Days are Over", due to the prolific airplay it has been receiving on the radio. I also love the songs, "Rabbit Heart" and "Kiss With a Fist", but I have to say that I hate the video for "Kiss With a Fist". It makes light of the heavy topic of domestic violence. The words are so powerful and the video is playful, low tech and trivial. The images may go with the music, but not the content of the song. I am pissed off by it.

My daughter and I were listening to it in the car this morning. She asked me what Florence meant by "A kiss with a fist is better than none." I explained to her that unfortunately, some people have violent relationships and sometimes people do not love themselves enough and/or feel powerless to end the relationship that is hurting them. I took this opportunity to plant the seed that she should never be with someone who hurts her. She nodded her head vigorously in a "no duh" kind of way. I could tell that she found the concept horrific and I hated to diminish her childhood innocence, but the message is too important, to pass on such a teachable moment.

The Help

I just finished reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett, a recommendation from Alisa of Daily Violets. I am thankful to my friend for turning me on to such a wonderful book and I am so glad I finished it before the movie came out.

A few weeks ago, I learned that a friend and colleague was reading the book too. I squealled and asked her, "How far along are you?". A moment later another co-worker walked up and asked my friend if she was pregnant. We had to laugh when we realized the miscommunication. This is how rumors get started, right!

The Help is the best book I have read in quite a long time. I rank it up there with The Secret Life of Bees. The voices of the characters are so authentic. I applaud Kathryn Stockett the bravery it took to write about issues of race as a white woman. She is a masterful story teller.

Now that I live in the South, race is on the forefront of my mind. One of the reasons I moved to Savannah, Georgia, was to live in a city that was more ethnically diverse than my former city of fifteen years, Santa Cruz, California. Santa Cruz, while being a very liberal town, is ironically pretty darn white. I want my daughter to grow up with friends of different cultures and races. We live in a global society and it is long past time for all of us to learn to play together nicely.

I work in an office building and there is a woman who works here with me. She empties my trash can twice a day, vacuums my cubicle and cleans the office bathroom, amongst other duties. I heard that her predecessor was fired for being caught sitting down on the job.

As a green freak I will empty my trash into my neighbor's, so that another plastic bag isn't put into the landfill on my watch. I think she thinks I am just trying to help her. She laughs at me. I can't stand sitting at my computer while she cleans around me.

I asked her what her mother did for work and she said she comes from a long line of janitorial workers. I told her about the book and movie. I am so curious what she will think about it. I thank her every day and we make small talk. I wonder if I annoy her.

Stockett's book, while based in the early sixties, is extremely relevant today. It makes you think about how far we have come, when it comes to race relations, and how far we still have to go.

My Favorite Tree

My husband took this picture yesterday of a baby raccoon getting caught stealing figs out of our tree. The raccoon was thinking, "Oh shit, what do I do now?"

Do you have a favorite tree? I don't mean a favorite kind of tree, but rather an individual tree that you have loved?

We planted this fig tree when we first moved to Savannah. It was only about two feet tall then and now look at it five years later. It is busting with figs! There is nothing like a fresh fig with a bit of Gorgonzola stuffed in the middle. Yummy sweet and cheesy goodness - it is so simple and yet so gourmet!

I planted this tree in our new home in honor of my favorite tree of all time. It was a giant fig tree that was in the backyard of the "Collective" that my family lived in with two other families in Berkeley, in the seventies. I know this explains a lot....

I used to climb this tree daily. The bark was smooth and the limbs were huge and spread out, making it a perfect tree to climb. I would climb up to the center of the tree and just hang out.

I remember my first ever bout with insomnia being the night that I spent fantasizing about building a tree house in this wonderful tree. My fantasy tree house was so cool! I was inspired by this television episode of "Zoom", where this teenage boy built this amazing multi-level tree house. I think it even had a bathroom, or if it didn't my fantasy tree house certainly did. I could not get it out of my head. This must have been my first house fantasy. Perhaps this has something to with why I am compelled to troll real estate websites, when I actually love my current home very much. Is this a pathology?

I hear that in Florida there are tree houses that you can go camping in. Learn more about them here.

I am sad to say that I do not believe that my daughter has ever climbed a tree. How can this be possible? It makes me want to run outside this very minute and scout out some good tree climbing trees for her. She needs to have this simple childhood experience before it is too late.

Crazy or Genius?

To do list tattoo

I have been told twice in one week that I should be making checklists. This morning, as I drove my daughter and her friend to art day camp, my daughter's friend said, "You forget everything!..You should make a list and stick it on your forehead!".

Ahem, I don't know who she thought she was talking to, but I have to admit I was the one who forgot my lunch today and yesterday it was my cellphone. So maybe this is a wake-up call. Don't worry, I won't be tattooing a to do list on my arm anytime soon. It will be a big leap for me to just make a list and then actually, check things off said list.

Instead of a to do list, I propose from now on we call it a ta da list, like TA DA - look at what I have accomplished! Somehow this sounds more motivating, don'tcha think?

Lynda Barry

Self Portrait of Lynda Barry

I was once lucky enough to meet Lynda Barry in person. (Of course it was in person, it is not like I met her over the phone!) I told her that I was her number one fan. So she autographed my copy of her book, "To My Number One Fan, Liza". I was thrilled!

Apparently I have been neglecting my role as her number one fan though, because when I googled her today, I was shocked to find out that she has written a bunch of new books since we met! Yippee! I also found that she posts a weekly comic at marlysmagazine.com. For those of you not familiar to the wonder that is Lynda Barry, she used to write a weekly comic called Ernie Pook's Comeek. You can find a hilarious example here. Her comics are hysterical mixed with a bit of melancholy, kinda like life.

One of my favorite quotes of Lynda's is, "Humor is such a wonderful thing, helping you realize what a fool you are but how beautiful that is at the same time." You may read more of her brainy quotes at this cool website.

You can find a review of two of her new books on the creative process here. I can't wait to read them both!

The Sartorialist

Scott Schuman came to SCAD to lecture in the spring. I had fantasies that he would spot me and ask to take my picture. Somewhat delusional, I know, but these thoughts make me excited about getting dressed in the morning. Scott writes the blog "The Sartorialist". (I like to think we are on a first name basis, again delusional, I know.)

On my way to Scott's lecture, a man who was just one bad day from being homeless said, "Looking good!" as I approached. As I passed he emphasized, "Looking REAL good!", as if he wasn't totally convinced before, but once he saw my booty shake was reassured that his compliment wasn't misguided. I know it is sad, but I can not tell you how good that tooth missing almost homeless man's whistle call made me feel. It had been such a mighty long time since a stranger gave me any attention due to my looks and when I was a young hot thang, it was an obnoxious daily occurrence. So this man made me think, that my fantasy of Scott picking me out of a crowd to photograph may not be so far fetched, right?

He did take a picture of one of my fashion students, Madisen. Her pic is on the very bottom of The Sartorialist blog for the month of May, 2011. One of the things that I love about my job advising art students is I get to live vicariously through them. But Scott is the one who has the job of my dreams. He travels around the world and takes photographs of people with terrific fashion sense. He also seems to be a terrific dad and husband and an all around cool guy. What a life!

If you squint your eyes and imagine me thirty pounds lighter, you will see what is in my mind's eye. Perhaps then you will understand why I felt that this was another day that I was ready for the Sartorialist to click my pic. He needs to come back to Savannah and look me up.

Converse

I bought my daughter her first pair of Converse high tops. She has had a few pairs of low tops. Over the years, I have had both high and low tops, in a variety of colors. Since St. Patrick's Day is so huge in Savannah, I think my next pair will be green. These shoes make me feel nostalgic and happy. I am glad I am introducing my daughter to the tradition. She says they are comfortable. That may have something to do with the flat feet she inherited from me. I once had a doctor tell me I walked like a duck. I guess that is better than walking like a penguin.

Spectrum

"Four Palms"

"Sorbet"

"Four Dollars"

"Write"

I submitted these digital photographs for the SCAD show on color called "Spectrum". I am waiting to hear if they made it in. This is my homage to Andy Warhol. I actually ran into him the summer I lived in NYC. We were both shopping in the Fiorucci store on East 59th. I about died! Of course I was too chicken shit to say anything to him. He was with a young man and other than the shop employees, we were the only ones in the store!

The Fiorucci brand was so cool. I bought my friend Aimee and myself large cylinder tins showcasing one of their iconic prints. I still have mine, it is now sitting on my daughter's dresser.

Andy Warhol

Got to love Warhol's "Marilyn"

Warhol quotes - words of wisdom?

Julia Licht

I bought this 3d ceramic tile for my husband's birthday. Studebakers are his favorite car and he has owned a few in the past. The artist, Julia Licht, is having a terrifically charming one person ceramic show called "Cash for Clunkers" at the SPACE gallery in Savannah. Click here to see more examples of her work. Julia made all of pieces for the show in the last year. She is amazingly prolific! I am thinking of buying one of the tricycles. I can't decide between the red or the blue.

Marcel Chairs

These are our new Marcel Breuer chairs that I ordered on Overstock.com.

My friends' dad had a pair in their childhood home. I always admired his amazing modern taste. I remember being surprised by how comfortable the chairs were.

On my first trip to NYC when I was 16 years old, I bought three posters from MOMA of a photographic image of a mod woman sitting in a Breuer chair. I gave the Breuer posters to my boyfriend and best friend at the time. I loved that poster.

I have been wanting to update my home with some new modern pieces. I want my decor to be less Pottery Barn and more Elle Decor. I also needed to find chairs that my dog, Woody, will not chew up. I am hoping the chrome will detract him.

This is Woody.

This is the chair that Woody ate.

Sparklers

OUTSTANDING!

Met Ball 2011

Dakota and Elle Fanning at the Met Ball 2011, dressed in Valentino.

It has been said that my daughter favors Dakota Fanning. What do you think? She certainly is my shining star!

Giselle Bundchen is the definition of gorgeous!

Michelle Williams is simply stunning! This look is both sophisticated and unique, which is hard to pull off in my opinion.

My question is how does one get tickets to the Met Ball? I Googled it and couldn't find an answer. The idea of attending this Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC has just been added to my list of favorite material things to fantasize about, joining the ranks with, what art I would buy if I could only afford it and my families favorite game of what to do when (not if) we win the lottery. An active fantasy life is a healthy thing right? It keeps the dreams alive and in my family that is a tradition.

Vancouver Riot Kiss

Shot of a lifetime!

Photograph by Brian Stetler at the Vancouver riot after the Vancouver Canuks lost the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins.

Dang, I wish I had taken this photograph!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Bob Dylan and Muhammad Ali

Norman Mailer and Muhammad Ali

These photos show three of my dad's favorite people. Muhammad Ali is hands down my favorite boxer. I remember my dad telling me in the early 70's that Muhammad Ali was the most famous person in the world. I loved watching boxing with my dad.

When I grew up, fighting was considered a normal way for a kid to solve a conflict. I was so proud when my six grade teacher, Mr. Lavrov, called me "Lefty" for beating up a boy that was bigger than me. In those days the first person to cry lost. I think the boy cried simply out of humiliation, not because I had hurt him physically. I used all my might to fight back the tears that day. My friends got sick of me bragging about kicking that boys ass.

One of my favorite inspirational quotes is by Ali, "I was saying 'I'm the greatest' long before I believed it."

Thanks to Duncan for turning me on to this website:

http://awesomepeoplehangingouttogether.tumblr.com

Things You Will Never Hear Coming Out of My Mouth II

"Wow that tomato was delicious!"

"There is way too much cream cheese on my bagel!"

"May I please have olive oil instead of butter with my bread?"

When did it become popular for restaurants to offer olive oil and not butter? I shamelessly order butter with my olive now and while you are at, it how 'bout bringing me a big hunk of deliciously fattening cheese!

Ace

Do you have a favorite playing card? The ace of spades has always been mine. Not because of this, my self given nickname is Ace. I decided I wanted a nickname and I asked my husband to start calling me Ace. He obliged in email greetings for about a year, but I recently took note that he has not called me "Ace" in any kind of form in quite a while. Hopefully this is not due to any lack of ace-like behavior on my part.

"So why do you call yourself Ace?", you ask. Well, it is a little known factoid that while teaching English in China, I won a ping pong championship . This generally impresses people. I suppose this is due to the stereotype that the Chinese are master ping pong players. This is a like saying, "Wow, I am impressed that you won a game of horse in the U.S., because those Americans sure are good at basketball." This logic is flawed and I promise you that there are plenty of Chinese people who suck at ping pong!

I am proud of my accomplishment though, not because it happened in China, but because I take my ping pong seriously. My motto is, "Consistency wins the game!". I just try to return the ball and not get too fancy. I have played ping pong with many a man who loses to me, not because I am so good, but because he beats himself, trying to show off his masculine power by slamming down the ball, only to have it miss the edge of the table. Oops! I win!

So I am proud of my ping pong accomplishment. Feel free to call me, "Ace".

Things that You Will Never Hear Coming Out of My Mouth

"Wow, those mutton chops are soooo handsome!"

They weren't handsome then and they aren't handsome now!

What do think of Jermaine from "Flight of the Conchord's" mutton chops?

"Honey, how about wearing your sexy man clogs tonight?"

If anyone can pull off man clogs, Jake Gyllenhaal can?