Self Portrait - Painting in Progress

I'm working on my self portrait for Acrylics class and it's coming along nicely so far... I have the background begun and I'm pleased with the way the colors look.  The staircase is from an antebellum mansion that is now owned (or was, anyway?) by Ashland (an oil company) and it's located in Louisiana - I think Baton Rouge?- anyway, it's probably gone now because of Katrina, but the photo remains, and I am in love with the curves of the staircase, aged plaster walls and old wooden stairs.  This one is due on December 16th, so I have to get going on it - I plan on working more on it this weekend. 

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Thankful

The list could go on for miles... but here's a quick list of what (and who) I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, 2008-

- My Health - My Family - My Wonderful Animals - Eyesight, being able to move... drive a car... communicate effectively - Sanity (or insanity, depending on the day; I'm thankful for both) - creativity (the little I have) - my yarn stash - the support of my partner in my endeavors - friends online - friends across the country (and around the world) who I don't see as often as I'd like - sending (and receiving) random letters or packages in the mail - Knowing that everything happens for a reason and in time, everything passes - the comfort of knowing that my father and grandmother are both at peace, no longer suffering with illness or age - my history and the path that led me right here, right now - the courage to know who I am and the freedom in my country to be out and proud (even if that doesn't include the freedom to marry; at least I have the freedom to love) - and as corny as it sounds, I am thankful for every breath, every blink, every smile and laugh - I'm thankful I'm alive...

I'd love to hear who or what you are especially thankful for this year - if you feel inclined, email me or post a comment.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving -

Lyrics to the "song of the moment"

the song is beautiful and reminds me to be thankful for every day...

I'm Alive - Willie Nelson

It's so damn easy to say that life's so hard
Everybody's got their share of battle scars
As for me, I'd like to thank my lucky stars
That I'm alive and well

And it'd be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames
You were on, on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me, I'm alive

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing, can't you see?
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
And I'm alive and well, God, I'm alive and well

Stars are dancing on the water here tonight
It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight
This boat has caught it's wind and brought me back to life
Now I'm alive and well

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing, can't you see?
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
And I'm alive and well, God, I'm alive and well

I had a lot of fun last night at ceramica working on my sheep and baby lamb - they're supposed to look "primitive" - giving a nod to the style of pre-columbian pottery... they are not finished yet (as I hope you can tell!) but wanted to share and show them off... stay tuned :)

...and just because it's Friday, here's a little fun scene from Sesame Street... I remember this one from my childhood!  yip yip yip! :)

What a beautiful place for a retreat - nestled north (I think it's north?) of the Golden Gate Bridge, we were at Point Bonita YMCA - bunkbeds, staying up late, knitting and learning...

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The grounds were beautiful - we saw deer, racoons and even a skunk (who was cute!) - I was enamored with the fog, cool temperatures, drizzle, moss and atmosphere - it's not what I'm used to in Los Angeles, that's for sure! 

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a short and easy hike down the pointe brought us to this big steel door through the mountain - it is the entrance to the path that leads to the lighthouse - and is open only a few hours a day a few days a week - I loved the rust colored algae or rust or whatever it is around the door - the color was so beautiful!

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I tried to get a photo of the bridge at night - and while I was very still (sat my camera solidly on a post, set the timer, did long exposures) I didn't take into account the mist and fog in the air... it's fuzzy because San Francisco is a bit fuzzy - it's misty and hazy and foggy and I LOVE it!!

Here are some other photos from the trip - I had a great time and suggest any guy who is interested in knitting visit the Men's Knitting Retreat website or the group on ravelry!

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Poor Darrellllll... (founder of menwhoknit.com) - when are ya gonna get out of the brigade? :)

a view from inside a part of the brigade (used for WWII I think) - not sure what this really was, but we thought it'd be a great place for a bar or dance club - that is; if they'd put up some railings...

Mr. Farris again taking great photos of the city and the bridge...

me and my buddy Michael - he helped me immensely with my circular sock knitting machine... (and he MADE a pair of socks on his while doing so!) - see that sweater?  he made it - an insanely talented guy - can't wait to learn more from him and the other guys next year!

and last but not least, Point Bonita Lighthouse - a beautiful spot... (and I got great cell phone service out there!)  I know I didn't show much knitting on this post - but knitting WAS done - I just didn't photograph it... I got about half of the front of a sweater done, and took a few classes as well.  we learned twined knitting, hand spinning on a drop spindle, freeform knitting/crochet, mosaic, and entrelac among other things.  Wanna be involved next year?  please do... just get in touch with the guys who organized it and they'll email you as it gets closer.  WonderMike and HizKnits from Y Knit were the ones in charge this time -- amazing men - along with everyone who attended...

I can't wait to go back!

27" x 50", Acrylic and mixed media / collage on canvas - I had a great time working on this piece - frustrated a good part of that time - it was when I allowed myself to just "let go" and try things that it started to work out the way I wanted!

I'm excited about being finished with this one and look forward to the next projects!

After the Men’s Knitting Retreat, I have been thinking seriously about compiling a collection of stories and interviews featuring knitters and fiber artists from all 50 of the United States. While this is a very premature request, I wanted to find out among you who might be interested in sharing who they are, how they began to knit (where they learned), etc. etc. - I have started a webpage linked here - it's very much under construction, but everything has to start somewhere, right?

This will be for a Senior project at my University - a “culminating” project and will hopefully record our section of the arts and crafts community and showcase our diversity throughout the country as well as document the current specifics that we may see as relevant… things always change, so I think it’d be neat to get our stories down on paper…

If you’re interested in participating, please send me an email here

and while I am sure I’ll get multiple entries from some states, I am glad to accept everyone - and as time goes by I will edit as needed. For now, all I need is a report of interest :)

Thanks!!

PS when you email or reply, let me know which state you’re “claiming” as your own so that I can keep track of that - and if you send a private message, be sure to include your email… and any other links like blogs or ravelry / menwhoknit ID's as well as etsy stores, or anything that might help me know a little about you so that I can take into consideration those participating as the interview questions are developed.

This project will begin in Early January, 2009 with culmination and completion in Late April / Early May, 2009 - it will (with any luck) be the final project before my BS degree from Middle TN State University (even though I live in California) - it's a long story :)

Participation will include answering a set of interview questions online, possibly phone conversations, submitting photos of yourself and/or work, business, hometown, etc. that could be used in the project.  More details will arrive as they are developed.

thanks!

ps for those of you eager to hear all about the Men's Fall Knitting Retreat, I just haven't had a chance to write about it yet - it was one of the most enjoyable trips I have ever taken - and I'll leave you with this: I can't wait till next year! -- a full report with pics to come soon...

[NOTE]

My friend knitroyknit on ravelry wrote this post on a forum there - it gives me hope that prop 8 may not have passed.  PLEASE read it, and sign the petition - we must all make our voices heard to show how important equal rights are!]  - thank you!  (and sorry again for the politics instead of yarn - it'll be yarn again soon, I hope!)
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FRIENDS!!
About an hour ago, my colleague personally contacted the California Secretary of State. The woman she spoke with confirmed that PROPOSITION 8 HAS NOT BEEN CALLED. She stated that they are still counting ballots…and they will not know the results until DECEMBER 13th!

All media has announced a victory for Yes on 8! THIS IS WRONG. Keep the pressure on the Secretary of State to count all the provisional and absentee ballots (rumored to be up to 3 or 4 million!) !

Roughly 400,000 votes separate yes from no on Prop 8 – out of 10 million votes tallied. Based on turnout estimates reported yesterday, we expect that there are more than 3 million and possibly as many as 4 million absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted.

Tell them that you want ALL the proposition 8 votes counted!

CA secretary of state: (916) 657-2166, or you can lodge a recorded complaint by calling 1-800-345-VOTE

There’s also an online petition going around! SIGN IT HERE

We will never be done fighting!
What else is being done?  the ACLU has filed this petition asking for immediate relief

Want to become more involved? here are some more links:

http://www.marriageequality.org
http://www.aclu.org/
http://www.noonprop8.com/
http://www.nclrights.org/
http://www.lambdalegal.org/
http://www.hrc.org/

and again, thank you!

It's time for us to take action.  If you believe that anyone should have the right to marry the person they want, regardless of gender, please take 5 minutes and write your senators and congresspersons.  I have attached a letter addressed to CA Senators Feinstein and Boxer.  Please download, add your name, address and signature line at the bottom, print, and mail it.  The more that we share our concerns, the more that our representatives will begin to pay attention.

For those of you who do not believe in equal rights for all, I respect your beliefs-- and hope you'll move past this post if you're not interested in open discussion.  In the end, we're all here looking to lead good productive loving lives... the passing of Prop 8 in California has no benefit that I can see.

The only silver lining in the prop is that it does not appear to forbit civil unions to be created for same sex couples.  If it's 100% the same except for the name, then I'd be fine with that - of course, in the forms across the state that ask single, divorced, married - I'd check "married" - but baby steps...

This letter will hopefully make a point and might someday down the road help any couple who wishes the benefits of marriage.  Thank you for taking time to stand up for equal rights! :)