Been a long time

Just a couple of goodies to tell about. This blog is probably going by the wayside, soon. However, I am tweeting (see sidebar to follow me), and have started a Tumbler post at Sketchy Grrl. That's much more fun for me than trying to actually write about my life. Plus you'll see the sketches from my drawing class there.

Like this one:

Hope to see you there

Earth Hour

Now here's a cool idea. Light a candle on Saturday night for one hour, turn off the lights and cast a vote for earth. You can sign up here.

Big Birthday Weekend

I turned 41 on Saturday, and have the scars to prove it. It was a wonderful, busy, fun birthday weekend, and I still have two more "gatherings" to go. I love the fact that I am connected with many different people and groups; it allows me to spend time with a myriad of types and helps me to keep expanding my own beliefs and question the way I see the world.

Here's how I spent my birthday weekend-
Friday after work; a couple of quick drinks with co-workers (and friends) at a great local spot, the Daily Planet. It's a cool and funky place with great food, and fairly well-priced, especially if you eat off the bar menu. We got a surprise visit from the college president, who bought the first round! Thanks, Tim.

I ran home, showered, changed, flattened my hair for serious rock-star stylin' and headed out to meet my dear friend Ian, and another couple for dinner at Pacific Rim. It's a terrifically tiny place on St. Paul Street that serves, well, yes, Asian food. Delicious and cheap. Then it was off to Higher Ground in South Burlington! It's been several months since I've been to a show at the club there, Neko Case was my last one, I think. Railroad Earth was playing. They were not my usual fare, but a very talented group of musicians, nonetheless. Here's a couple of shots from the club.

(that's Ian)

Saturday was a bit more low-key. During the day I cleaned the house and ran a few errands, then met Mom and Dad for an early dinner at Shanty on the Shore by the Burlington Waterfront. Mom and Dad gave me a fantastic 6 quart All-Clad Dutch Oven, hooray!

The Shanty has been there since the mid-80's and is just a fun, family-friendly fish house. Nothing fancy, but if you want deep-fried seafood, give it a go. After dinner, Dad and I went up to UVM to watch the dullest hockey game I've seen in years. Go Cats?

Sunday rolled around. I got right up and moving; hit the laundry-mat and then met my friend Jennaflower and her daughter Uma to go to the Mind & Body Expo at the Sheraton. We dropped Uma off with a friend and had brunch at Penny Cluse Cafe, yet another wonderful food destination in downtown. I'm telling you, it's like I ate my way through B-town this weekend.

Finally, Sunday evening I got myself all glammed up and headed out to Koi & Eric's place in Westford for their annual Oscar Party. And let's just say here and now that it was one of the best Oscar events in a long time. Well, the party wasn't the usual crowd, thanks to the big storm that rolled in that evening. Most folks stayed home. This is a photo I took on the way back into town on Monday morning.


Yes, I took Monday off and relaxed!

Cheese Alert

Okay, this is totally hokey, but I love it!

The Wrath of God

I finished a new piece in the crow line last night. This time crow is almost missing; a tiny speck in the upper-middle portion of the painting. Crow Flees the Approaching Storm is acrylic and found images on canvas board, 16"x 20". An atomic storm? The hand of the almighty? Perhaps a bit of each. All rights reserved, please!

Flying above it all

Two days ago I finished a new painting that continues the crow theme. This one if very hippie-art inspired in my mind, but I love it. Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 16", it's called Crow's Dream.

Art from the Heart

There is a new art fundraiser happening in February at the Firehouse Gallery in Burlington.

Art from the Heart was started in 1994 by Abby Rose, and is modeled after the Harlem Art Studio in Harlem NY. Our goal with this program is to facilitate self-expression with recovering children. Our philosophy is simple and direct: allow children to grow and heal through their own creative process.

Art from the Heart's official partnership with Fletcher Allen began when it became a program of Burlington City Arts in 1997 and has remained strong ever since. Each year, the program showcases the young artists' work by producing an assortment of greeting cards that can be pre-ordered for the holiday season or a special occasion. Art from the Heart also exhibits patient's work several times throughout the year, where families of participating children, donors, volunteers and administrations from BCA and Fletcher Allen come together to celebrate the children, volunteers, and the art of healing.

Please come if you can, the even is on February 10th, 2009 from 5:30-7:00 pm. Raffle tickets are $25 and includes the price of admission. To make a donation to this worth cause, go here. For more information about the event, click on the Art from the Heart link above.