hot / iced

L - Nikon / T - iphone

No this isn't an advertisement, but we do like our Starbucks.
My mom asked me to look through my photos for some painting reference. (she's been asked to paint some pictures to hang in a doctor's office) but as I was looking for something I realized that just because something makes a interesting photo doesn't mean it will make a good painting. I really didn't find anything suitable. / today no class, no tests - freedom to read what i want - at least for a month. i will be going to school the summer semester for two classes and then i am finished for good. mom asked me how that felt... i told her its terrifying really.

historical fiction / fairytales

L - Nikon / T - iphone

New reading - a book I received at Christmas - a great white elephant score. I thought it was interesting that I ended up with this book. I love historical fiction, especially when it's about an artist. What about you - what type of reading do you enjoy? / my children's lit reading list - grimm's fairy tales, frankenstein and dracula to name a few. should be fun.

make ready / get ready

L - Nikon / T- iphone

“Failing to prepare is like preparing to fail.”
- John R. Wooden

from where i stand / from where i sit

L - iphone / T - iphone

no words today. a break in the busy busy day

for pleasure / for knowledge

L - Nikon / T - itouch

"Concentrate and nurture your mind with your best thoughts and great literature."

- 54 precious keys to happiness

(part of the series)

While I read to escape, she reads to absorb.

cute little journal from this etsy shop

i walked / she sat

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

The weekend was like a beautiful day in April.

"The sun was warm but the wind was chill.

You know how it is with an April day.

When the sun is out and the wind is still,

You're one month on in the middle of May.

But if you so much as dare to speak,

a cloud come over the sunlit arch,

And wind comes off a frozen peak,

And you're two months back in the middle of March."

- Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud Time, 1926

fictional / historical

L - Nikon / T - phone pic

I just finished a book title "The Great Man" - the story of a fictional 20th-century New York figurative painter and the women he left behind. It was a book I picked up in our work library to read while having lunch one day. It keep my interest enough to take it home and finish it. It was an enjoyable read but I don't do a good job of reviewing books so I'll let you read about it here. / i think this looks pretty familiar to a picture that was on the blog last year- the infamous art history notecards. i really do enjoy the subject of art history, i just wish that it was more specific to art i was interested in. it's tough to be enthralled by a clay jar or the remnant arm of a statue sometimes. but it'll all be over with tomorrow at noon! and then i'll be able to take upper level art histories, maybe even the history of photography!

read / re-read

L - Canon / T - film sp

I do like to read but I don't always pick out books that keep my attention. Lucky for me I have a nice library right in my office complex and can check out the latest releases and just swap them out if they don't pull me right in - some books just don't. Both of these books sounded interesting - I had just read an excerpt from them on npr.org so I checked them out today and will see if one grabs me.

I don't re-read books very often but I have a few that I enjoyed enough to re-read. Taylor on the other hand re-reads often. In fact she told me she had recently re-read "The Road" and is now re-reading "The Bell Jar". What about you? Is there a book you enjoy over and over again? / i'm re-reading the bell jar by slyvia plath.

"I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn't quite make out. I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet." – chapter seven

past-time

solo post - L

Sorry for my absence here. I've been without internet at my home since the middle of last week (something to do with damage to the phone line). Here at work I can sneak in a little reading or commenting at lunch or after hours - like now, but at home I've been gently forced to step away from the computer. It's a refreshing change really. Being away from the computer screen brings me into the other room where I've been enjoying a warm fire and reading a good book. I could get used to this. But I would miss you all so I look forward to getting my internet back and catching up with you. Until then the change is welcome. Please don't cross me off your list just yet.

my evening / a break

Yesterday the mailbox was stuffed to capacity with catalogs - there must have been at least 10. I enjoy looking at catalogs. So that's what I did tonight. I built a fire, made some hot chocolate, put on some Christmas music, got my blanket and sat by the fire...browsing at silver jewelry, cashmere sweaters, red leather purses, wool felted rugs, flannel sheets and treat towers from Harry & Davids.... I go through them and earmark the pages of things I like. I've always done this, leaving them lying around the house as little hints of what I like (I 'm not sure anyone else ever looks though). I don't often buy from catalogs but I love to look and dream and I ALWAYS mark the pages thinking someday I'll go back and order. One of my favorite catalogs is Sundance. I love their jewelry, everything really. Now, I did buy myself a ring with some birthday money from their catalog. Well, actually from the website. But the catalogs are a lot more fun to look at than the website wouldn't you agree? Last year, instead of buying from catalogs, or retail, for Christmas, I bought handmade from etsy. I can always find unique items there for any one I need to buy for. Where do you enjoy shopping? / taking a break from all the class work. i've been drawing like mad this week (can't wait to show you) and i've finished my english portfolio. yeah

reading / listening

When I picked up this book I didn't know that it was the last of a series. hahaha (I've never read the others) but it seems like it holds together on it's own (I'm not very far in to it). At work we have a "library" of books that people bring in and I needed something to read today so I chose this - The Careful Use of Compliments. I make sure I get outside for a short break everyday. We have a beautiful courtyard to sit in and on a day like today of course I can't resist. OH the breeze, the sun - perfect... looks like she had the same idea / just had to have a starbucks today between classes. i try to limit my visits there through the week but it was just so nice out i couldn't resist. chai soy latte please, and on my ipod: dear ms. leading by the dear hunter, this is it, this is it by as cities burn, jesus christ by brand new, act appalled by circa survive, don't let them see you cry by manchester orchestra
What was your last favorite read? / What's on your ipod?