Angst on a Shoestring

Where Am I?

2008-07-14T10:38:00.002-04:00

Folks, your guess is as good as mine! I've been under the weather and just not feeling pithy. Pissy, yes, not pithy though. I will return.

Apparently, Proper Grammar Was Optional for the Title...

2007-12-11T11:01:00.001-05:00

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Drama Nerd
Social Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Anime Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
Musician
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

Where I've Been..

2007-11-30T10:07:00.001-05:00

Well Gentle Blog Readers, I've been a bad blogger.
I've not posted for a long time. My forever companion, MS (multiple sclerosis) took me on a terrifying journey into the world of
Optic Neuritis.

From the National MS Society:

Optic neuritis is inflammation or demyelination of the optic nerve—the nerve that transmits light and visual images from the retina to the brain. Because the nerve is located behind ("retro") the globe of the eye, the condition is also known as retrobulbar neuritis.

It has been estimated that about 55% of people with MS will have at least one episode of optic neuritis. Frequently, it is the first symptom of MS.

Acute Blurring or Loss of Vision, Usually in One Eye
Optic neuritis is generally experienced as an acute blurring, graying, or loss of vision, most often in only one eye. It is rare that both eyes are affected at the same time. There may or may not be pain in the affected eye. Loss of vision usually reaches its maximum extent within a few days, and generally improves within 4 to 12 weeks without treatment.

Recent studies suggest that a short course of methylprednisolone administered intravenously, sometimes followed by a tapered course of oral steroids may be useful in helping to reverse the inflammation and restore vision more quickly. There is, however, no definitive evidence that treatment with steroids produces a more complete recovery than that which would have happened without treatment.

It is Possible to Have Optic Neuritis Without Affecting Vision
A person may have a subclinical episode of optic neuritis. That is, there may be inflammation and/or demyelination of the optic nerve that occurs without affecting visual function so that the person is not aware of any changes. In these subclinical cases, visual evoked potential (VEP) testing is still able to demonstrate evidence of lesions—or damaged areas—along the optic pathways. It is for this reason that VEPs are often used as part of the diagnostic workup; a positive finding can provide evidence of a second demyelinating event even in the absence of visual symptoms.

Not Everyone Who Experiences Optic Neuritis Develops MS
Not everyone who has an episode of optic neuritis goes on to develop MS. Long-term follow-up from the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial, which involved 388 people with a single episode of optic neuritis, yielded the following:

The ten-year risk of developing clinically definite MS following a single episode of optic neuritis was 38% for the entire study group; the twelve-year risk was 40%. Most of those who developed MS did so within the first five years after the initial episode of optic neuritis.
The strongest predictor of MS in the study group was the presence of brain lesions on MRI at the time of the episode of optic neuritis. Within the study group, patients with at least one brain lesion on MRI at the time of the optic neuritis episode had a 56% risk of developing MS within 10 years, while those with no brain lesions had only a 22% risk of developing MS within 10 years.
While other disease processes can cause optic neuritis, MS is the most likely cause in a young, otherwise healthy individual.

We Meet Iron Chef Morimoto!

2007-10-17T15:58:00.000-04:00

And we look like deers in headlights.

The boy and I were going to our car after dinner. And I looked over at the Library's back entrance, and I spied Morimoto catching a smoke after his lecture. I grabbed the boy and we said hello and generally acted like fanboy/fangirl. He was very cordial and asked if we wanted a picture.

To All My People, babe...

2007-09-13T09:13:00.000-04:00

Michael Palin at the FLP!

2007-09-10T15:42:00.000-04:00

It's only taken over 30 plus years, but I finally got to "meet" Michael Palin! I was lucky enough to get a front row seat as a friend of mine got there as soon as work let out. We weren't allowed to take pictures so this was the best sneak pic I could get.

Actually in a picture! With Michael Palin!! I was so nervous, it was all a blur. But we touched pinkies.

20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000089733&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=FFFFFF&bg1=F5F5F5&f=ifr&npa=1" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0">

Which Python Character Are You?

2007-09-10T12:46:00.000-04:00

You are a cardinal!
You love to try & get others into trouble, even if you have to make up lies...NO ONE expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Take this quiz!

"Bling'in" Awards

2007-07-23T16:37:00.000-04:00

I was asked to bling out some awards for the "Bling My Booktruck" contest. My years of being exposed to the Mummers and String Bands paid off!

The KnightBus Arrives!

2007-06-14T12:56:00.000-04:00

The Knightbus rolled into Philly on Wednesday, June 13th to drum up the 7th and final Harry Potter book.

And of course the Boy was properly attired.

With a Name like Snot...

2007-06-08T09:56:00.000-04:00

I can't imagine why she would be so vicious!
This was posted in our mailroom.

Quick post

2007-06-05T16:05:00.000-04:00

Finally got the cable for my little Fuji Finepix. So now I can post our pics from New York.
This is a detail of the iron work around the Dakota.

2007-05-16T13:27:00.001-04:00

Gina Friel --

[noun]:

A person with a sixth sense for detecting the presence of goblins

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Where Have I Been?

2007-05-16T11:12:00.000-04:00

Gentle Readers of Angst,
I've been in the midst of an MS (multiple sclerosis) exacerbation.

The diagnostic hallmark of MS is the relapse or exacerbation, which is defined as; ‘the unprovoked and unanticipated occurrence of a new symptom, or recurrence of an old symptom, lasting for a period of greater than 24 hours’.

The time and course of a relapse or exacerbation is one of the few relatively consistent and predictable aspects of the disease. Typically, a relapse will develop over a matter of days, remain constant for three to four weeks, and then slowly resolve over a period of about a month.

My new symptom was the dah dah dahhhhh - The Girdle!

Girdle Sensation (MS Hug) - A sensation of feeling a tight band (like wearing an overly tight girdle or corset) around your trunk that is experienced by some MSers, who have a lesion (old or new) on the Spinal Cord. If it prevents you from taking in a full breath, it is best to treat with a course of IV MethylPrednisolone.

- This Hug is usually the first indication of a new exacerbation, when the inflammation is primarilly centered around the Spinal Cord. Alternately, the MS Hug can also be brought on by an increase in temperature (body core or ambient); if you have a pre-existing Spinal lesion.

Sounds like fun, huh? So I'm on a course of steroids and slowly the discomfort is easing.

I am The Ego, Goo goo g' joob

2007-04-26T16:07:00.000-04:00

You Are the Ego

You take a balanced approach to your life.
You definitely aren't afraid to act out on your desires - even crazy ones.
But you usually think first. Morals drive you as much as hedonism does.
You've been able to live a life of pleasure... without living a life of excess.

Are You Id, Ego, or Superego?

Whew..

2007-04-26T16:00:00.000-04:00

You Are 20% Abnormal

You are at low risk for being a psychopath. It is unlikely that you have no soul.

You are at low risk for having a borderline personality. It is unlikely that you are a chaotic mess.

You are at low risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is unlikely that you are in love with your own reflection.

You are at medium risk for having a social phobia. It is somewhat likely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement.

You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.

How Abnormal Are You?

Again..I shoulda made book on this

2007-04-26T15:44:00.001-04:00

Who Should Paint You: Gustav Klimt

Sensual and gorgeous, you would inspire an enchanting portrait..
With just enough classic appeal to be hung in any museum!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles

2007-04-26T09:47:00.000-04:00

The more things change the more they stay the same.

The countdown for Harry begins!

2007-04-20T11:27:00.000-04:00

Go and preorder your copy of "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows."

Save NetRadio..

2007-04-18T09:42:00.000-04:00

From the site:"The SaveNetRadio coalition is made up of artists, labels, listeners, and webcasters. Please contact us if you are interested in sponsoring an event, making a donation, or would like to become a leader in the fight to save Internet radio. The recent ruling by the Copyright Royalty Board to increase webcasters' royalty rates between 300 and 1200 percent over the next 5 years jeopardizes the industry and threatens to homogenize Internet radio."

Get a Clue - Redux!

2007-04-17T11:02:00.000-04:00

How Rare is Your Personality?

2007-04-17T10:58:00.000-04:00

Your Personality is Very Rare (INFP)

Your personality type is dreamy, romantic, elegant, and expressive.

Only about 5% of all people have your personality, including 6% of all women and 4% of all men
You are Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

I Spy - Illustration Friday

2007-03-23T15:50:00.000-04:00

A Hard Day's Night...OF THE LIVING DEAD!

2007-03-22T11:37:00.000-04:00

Can the lads save us all from being zombie chow? Will the Fab Four triumph over evil? Who will do their hair???

I'm not the least bit surprised...

2007-03-20T15:57:00.000-04:00

Which Velvet Goldmine Character Are You?

You are Jerry Devine.
Take this quiz!

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The Doctor is in...

2007-02-27T14:51:00.000-05:00

Finally! The IconFactory® delights us again with the best Doctor Who icons I've seen. From the site: "With the third series about to start in the United Kingdom, Gedeon thought now was the perfect time to launch an all new set of Aqua Doctor Who icons for your desktop." And bonus coolness, a Cyberman desktop, in wide screen and regular.

You can get plenty of great Doctor stuff at the Beeb's site: Doctor at the Beeb.

Tim Minchin - Canvas Bag

2007-02-23T15:42:00.000-05:00

I only discovered Tim in the past year, and he reminds me of Robert Smith's Happy, Aussie and Demented twin.

I am now a fan-girl!

2007-02-20T13:57:00.000-05:00

So I was posessed to write Mr. Paterson's agent for an autograph. I assured them I wouldn't be selling it on Ebay. And I would send a SASE. The agency told me to write a request, enclosed with said SASE and they would pass it along to Bill.(girly squeal) Mr. Paterson has been one of my faves for a long time. See Anglo Addiction.

I sent my letter along on my faboo letterhead, included what I hoped would be a clever note and waited.

I come home on Friday and my hubby says you got a letter or something from England. Could it be??? Huzzah it was! And he sent me two!!
Of course this had me in swoon mode.

It's a quiz taking day..

2007-02-12T14:24:00.000-05:00

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion:

You have medium extroversion.
You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party.
Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences.
But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time."

Conscientiousness:

You have low conscientiousness.
Impulsive and off the wall, you don't take life too seriously.
Unfortunately, you sometimes end up regretting your snap decisions.
Overall, you tend to lack focus, and it's difficult for you to get important things done.

Agreeableness:

You have medium agreeableness.
You're generally a friendly and trusting person.
But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism.
You get along well with others, as long as they play fair.

Neuroticism:

You have medium neuroticism.
You're generally cool and collected, but sometimes you do panic.
Little worries or problems can consume you, draining your energy.
Your life is pretty smooth, but there's a few emotional bumps you'd like to get rid of.

Openness to experience:

Your openness to new experiences is medium.
You are generally broad minded when it come to new things.
But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it.
You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.

The Five Factor Personality Test

What Tarot are you?

2007-02-12T14:17:00.000-05:00

You are the Moon card. Entering the Moon we enter the intuitive and psychic realms. This is the stuff dreams are made on. And like dreams the imagery we find here may inspire us or torment us. Understanding the moon requires looking within. Our own bodily rhythms are echoed in this luminary that circles the earth every month and reflects the sun in its progress. Listening to those rhythms may produce visions and lead you towards insight. The Moon is a force that has legends attached to it. It carries with it both romance and insanity. Moonlight reveals itself as an illusion and it is only those willing to work with the force of dreams that are able to withstand this reflective light. Image from: Stevee Postman. http://www.stevee.com/
Take this quiz!

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Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you on the Cat Organ - Lady of Spain

2007-01-26T14:22:00.000-05:00

This was an invention of one Athanasius Kircher. Kircher was a 17th century German Jesuit scholar. He was a Renaissance man, a polygot if there ever was.

2007-01-11T17:13:00.000-05:00

Art School Girls of Doom - The Bra

I am sooo glad someone had this taped! The Art School Girls of Doom (TASGoD),
was always near and dear to my heart. It has a John Waters flavor to it.
Probably due to the drag and to the accents the girls are sportin'. It's got the I-95 nasal twang.

Wow..

2007-01-11T12:49:00.000-05:00

Well, my Gentle Blog Readers, it seems like ages since I last posted. Fear not, I was just taking some time away from writing. (That and Blogger wouldn't let me post) I promise I won't be away so long.

Really.

Ok, a recipe that even I can make.

2006-12-19T13:57:00.000-05:00

One of our delightful coworkers gifted us with a container of what appeared to be some kind of toffee.
Eating it was so yummy, I was expecting my teeth to get caught but by surprise everything melted nicely. Very good mouth feel with this. When I turned it over, I saw the giveaway pattern of a saltine. Apparently, this is a big hit for the holidays that somehow bypassed my family, who were into the fad food recipes like ambrosia and blender pies.

Rachel's Nani's Salty Bark

Nani taught me how to make it Â its called Salty Bark.

1 stick butter (NO margarine)
1 cup sugar
1 sleeve saltines
1 bag chocolate chips
1 bag peanut butter chips

Line baking pan with aluminum foil, place saltines flat on pan.
Melt butter and sugar over low heat and pour over saltines.
Stick in oven at 350 for 10 minutes.
Remove crackers from oven and pour peanut butter and chocolate chips over hot buttery crackers.
As the chips melt spread them out over crackers until smooth.
Stick in fridge for one hour
Crack and eat.
Mmmmm
Visit doctor due to clogged arteries.
Happy holidays!!

The beauty of this is that you can add little things to dress it up, like drizzling white chocolate over it. But it's good just the way it is.

The Twelve Days of LiveJournal

2006-12-18T16:00:00.000-05:00

On the twelfth day of Christmas, artslaveangst sent to me...

Twelve crudelydrawns drumming

Eleven greyaenigmas piping

Ten crip rights a-leaping

Nine corvids dancing

Eight fonts a-milking

Seven beatles a-swimming

Six fables a-reading

Five bu-u-u-ubble teas

Four multiple sclerosis

Three charles addams

Two graphic novels

...and an adoption in a coffee.

I think my favorite line is "Four Multiple Sclerosis." I would have never thought to use it in a song.
Without a doubt, one very odd version of the song.
For more odd fun check out The Surrealist.

2006-12-12T09:28:00.000-05:00

Sure! Blame it all on us!

Dan Zanes sings for Heifer Org.

2006-12-07T13:12:00.000-05:00

Dan Zanes, of The Del Fuegos, is enjoying a second career as family musician. Fun, bright songs for you and the kids, without the saccharine.
His latest "Holiday Time in Brooklyn" is Heifer's tune this year. Fron the site: Amazing things happen when friends share music with each other. Even more amazing things happen when you give a gift to a friend through Heifer. Check out the gift animals you can give to a loved one to do something this year that helps a family out of poverty and despair. Each recipient family passes on the gift to another needy family in their community. You can start a cycle of giving that lasts generations.

How cool is that? A gift of chickens, llamas, goats, bees even! They all can be part of a sustaining gift to impoverished families all over the world.

Heifer Org.

The Sea Hag by the boy

2006-12-07T11:44:00.000-05:00

Medium: Craft paper, crayons, my patience.

"One by One"

2006-11-27T10:58:00.000-05:00

A friend's daughter led me to this video. I believe that it's every child's right to hope, to dream and to play. Using the song "One by One", from the musical "The Lion King", it is most inspiring. Given the change in the political arena here in the States, this song, for me anyway, gives me hope that some day everything will be alright. And it all starts with a feather..

“One By One”
Written and performed by Lebo M.

Ibambeni njalo bakithi
[Hold on tight my people]
Ninga dinwa
[Don't get weary]
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
[Don't lose your strength]

Siya ba bona
[We can see]
Bebe fun' ukusi qeda
[They wanted to hold us back]

One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
[They will not succeed]
One by one
Sizo nqoba
[We will win]
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
[They will not succeed]
One by one

Ibambeni njalo bakithi
[Hold on tight my people]
Ninga dinwa
[Don't get weary]
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
[Don't lose your strength]

Siya ba bona
[We can see]
Babe fun' ukusi qeda
[They wanted to hold us back]

One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
[They will not succeed]
One by one
Sizo nqoba
[We will win]
(Repeat)

Ngoba thina
[Because]
Siya zazi
[We know who we are]
(Repeat)

Ibala lami
[The color of my skin]
Elimnyama
[That is dark]
Ndiya zidla
[I'm proud]
Ngalo
[Of it]
Ibala lami
[The color of my skin]
Elimnyama
[That is dark]
Ndiza kufa
[I will die]
Nalo
[With it]
(Repeat to fade)

"Feeling a Little Wobbly?"

2006-11-09T12:18:00.000-05:00

Or maybe you feel like Rosie the Riveter?
Look no further than the Union Shop of the AFL/CIO. Everything that is sold is union made and supports the "folks that brought you the weekend." Great clothing, posters, even Holiday cards. And get this, American Flags made by..Americans! Smell that? That's sarcasm.

One of the things that makes my blood boil is listening to ditto-heads talk about lazy unions and their members. They never had to work in a sweat shop, and I'm sure if you made them work past 40 hours, with no overtime, they would be the biggest bitches.

Wait for the shake!

There's a great series on the History International channel. It's called The Worst Jobs in History. Hosted by Tony "Baldrick" Robinson, we romp through those alleged care free days of yesteryear. Thrill to fun jobs like Saltpetre Man:Seeking Rough Ralphs and Welsh Wills. The Saltpetre Company – whose slogan you will no doubt be aware of: 'We're taking the piss' – are recruiting door-to-door collectors in your area.

The position requires you to force your way into premises to collect as much urine as possible. The homes of friends, family, neighbours and even the clergy can be broken into if needs be and the precious urine extracted for the manufacture of saltpetre, which in turn will be used to make gunpowder.

The company operates an equal opportunities policy, and we have been assured that a criminal record will not hinder your chances of being appointed to this post – in fact, it would be a bonus.

Or how about Lancemaker: This position is available for those artistic types who like living life at the sharp end. You will spend an age lovingly crafting a beautifully balanced weapon and then carefully painting and decorating it with intricate designs. Then a posh knight will smash it into thousands of pieces in moment.

Using an ash bow-lathe, you can create a lance handle in about half a day. Then the careful construction of the shaft can begin. By the precision placing of laminates, you will create the ultimate lance – one that can prise the opposition from their horse, but will also shatter on impact so as not to endanger the life of the knight. If you get the construction wrong and harm one of the medieval big cheeses, you can expect to pay with your life.

Large batch orders for lances are expected for international tournaments. Prissy types and those precious about their work need not apply.

Jargon Database

2006-11-08T13:27:00.000-05:00

As I was looking up the correct usage of "zipper clause", I was taken by the Google Genie to
Jargon Database. Think of it not as a standard dictionary, but a lexicon of various trades and professions. For instance, while I may know alot of police jargon, like "On the Job" means, employer as a sworn police officer, I sometimes lose the meaning of legalese. So having a spot to go and learn new words is a pleasurable deversion. I found this tasty Irish word: Sleeveen. Seems to some up alot of the Republicans that were swept out of office last night.

I'm famous!..(well I look like famous people)

2006-11-02T11:29:00.000-05:00

Call for Change!

2006-10-30T10:14:00.000-05:00

In 2006, Democratic voter turnout matters big-time. Many races will be decided by just hundreds of votes—and those races will determine the future of Congress. MoveOn's Call for Change program allows people with busy lives to spend as little as 15 minutes mobilizing voters in key races from their home computer and phone.

Michael J. Fox = Class, Rush Limbaugh = Ass

2006-10-26T11:53:00.000-04:00

One of the things I'm most grateful about is that there are people willing to "out" themselves and put a face to disease. Michael J. Fox embodies inner strength. Watching his physical decline is hard for me. I have Multiple Sclerosis. My MS and his Parkinsons share some of the same fun symptoms.

MS is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system. Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system that belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders. Parkinson's is the direct result of the loss of cells in a section of the brain called the substantia nigra. Those cells produce dopamine, a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain. Loss of dopamine causes critical nerve cells in the brain, or neurons, to fire out of control, leaving patients unable to direct or control their movement in a normal manner.

It is vital to anyone with a with a neurological disease that stem cell research continues. It could lead to cures and treatments.
Mr. Fox did an ad for Claire McCaskil running for Senate in Missouri:

Rush Limbaugh decided Mr. Fox was "faking" or "acting" in this ad.
From Limbaugh's site: Michael J. Fox is allowing his illness to be exploited and in the process is shilling for a Democrat politician. In the process of doing that, creating an impression like John Edwards tried to do that is not reality. Michael J. Fox is using his illness as a way to mislead voters into thinking that their vote for a single United States Senator has a direct impact on stem cell research in Missouri.

Oy. This coming from the expert on drugs.
Enjoy this Crook and Liars tidbit. In which Keith Olbermann gives us the delightful visual of the attack on Michael J. Fox.
Michael J. Fox Foundation

So where do I go for shoes?

2006-10-19T11:44:00.000-04:00

You Are a Centaur

In general, you are a very cautious and reserved person.
However, you are also warm hearted, and you enjoy helping others in practical ways.
You are a great teacher, and you are really good at helping people get their lives in order.
You are very intuitive, and you go with your gut. You make good decisions easily.

What Mythological Creature Are You?

For your viewing pleasure - Mister Reusch!

2006-10-17T11:36:00.000-04:00

Cauldron

I stumbled here bopping about the net. I looooooove anyone that has bright colors and luscious pinups. And bug-eyed dogs! He proves that Saturdays spent in front of the TV to catch the Creature Double Feature actually can be useful in a career. His work is creepy but oh so much fun.

In his words:"Freelance illustrator/ mask-maker/ poster artist/ spookshow collaborator holed up in a big spooky apartment (that came with its own embalming machine in the cellar) with self-described "evil hootchie dancer" Miss Firecracker and our bug eyed Boston Terrier/ home wreckers, "Frankenstein" and "Mr. Rupert Giles."

Co-founder of the horror-themed Black Cat Burlesque and art guy for Miss Firecracker's "La Gata Negra League of Masked Lady Wrestlers". I type with my middle finger with occasional assists from mister thumb. I've designed snowboard art but prefer sledding and snowball fights. I sit at home all day painting pictures and playing with my dogs, and at night I put on homemade monster masks and chase my girlfriend around on burlesque stages of the Northeast. I really like sitting in the tub with hot water. If it's hot out, I like sitting in the tub with cold water. I look forward to becoming a very destructive ghost someday. There are a lot of mean shitheads in the world, so in my future job as a ghost, I will make them miserable and scare them 24/7 until they go crazy and/or lose all control of their bowels. I think the world would be in much better shape if everyone had great sex lives."
Bella Luna

This is how I see the moon. Sweetly shining. Plus I'm a moonchild so..

Suitcase Scavengers

Custom Jacket

John Hodgman Public Service Announcement

2006-10-10T15:07:00.000-04:00

215 Fest Recap!

2006-10-10T11:49:00.000-04:00

What an amazing night! My sides ached for days afterwards. I was dissappointed that Jonathan Coulton didn't get a chance to play more. But if you go to his site Coulton's Site you can get his Podcasts.

John Hodgman explaining all the areas of his expertise.

Hodgman with his personal songwriter, Jonathan Coulton.

Hodgman doing his best Phil Donahue as he interviews Amy Sedaris. Amy got a volunteer to help make her famous cheese balls.

Amy and I as I lurch over her as she signs.

The new domestic diva, Amy Sedaris.

Jonathan, the very busy troubadour, as I mooch a picture off of him.

He very gallantly put away his cell phone for me.

Amy's inscription.

Hobo chalksign!

What Tarot are you?

2006-10-06T09:55:00.000-04:00

I Am

Which tarot card are you?
Spiritual enlightenment, inner illumination, hidden power. Link between seen and unseen. Balance of positive and negative forces. Receptivity. Unseen guidance.
A young woman sits on a throne holding a scroll labeled "Tora" meaning "law." On her breast is the sign of the meeting of heaven and earth, the Maltese cross. Her crown is the full orb supported by horns, the crown ofthe Mother Goddess Isis, who rules all things changeable, shown by the moon at her feet. Her power, upon which her throne rests, derives from the creative principle of duality, shown by the two pillars of light and darkness. To those who know and love her she dispenses the sweet fruit of the world itself, symbolized by the pomegranates.

2006-10-05T03:02:00.000-04:00

1987 - Betty Glover Library Workout Tape Ad

This helpful video was brought to my attention by a friend.

A Reminder - 215 Festival

2006-10-04T13:48:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow night! Free! With Amy Sedaris! John Hodgman! John Coulton! David Rees! I'm tired of exclamation points!
Go Here for Info

Día de los Muertos icons!

2006-10-04T10:54:00.000-04:00

From the good folks at The Iconfactory and artist David Lanham. These icons totally capture the feeling and color of The Day of the Dead. Now, I just need to keep pestering for the matching desktop image. Comes available in Mac, PC or as a Pixadex iContainer. I'm really surprised there aren't more Day of the Dead desktops/icons. There are some great Día de los Muertos sites. Just mosey down my page for a post about them.

Cat Head Theatre

2006-10-03T13:43:00.000-04:00

It's cat heads, it's theatre.
You know, ya gotta love it.
From the folks at Naked Rabbit

For my people..

2006-09-26T15:10:00.000-04:00

Celebrate El Dia de Los Muertos!

2006-09-19T09:32:00.000-04:00

A Family Altar

The Mexican festival, Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday that always fascinated and frightened me as a child.
As I got older the more I learned about it, the more I wanted to join in. The Day of the Dead is a way to honor and remember those who have died. It is celebrated on November 1 and 2 (The 1st being All Saints Day, the 2nd is All Souls day in the Catholic Faith.) All Saint's Day, in the Mexican culture, is a celebration for the soul. of children who have died. All Saints is for adult souls to return and visit their families. An altar is made with pictures of the deceased, decorated with marigold flowers, Pan De Muerto (bread of the dead), and sugar skulls. Plus foods of whatever was the decedent's favorites. Some might have bottles of beer, cigars, anything that would make the decedent happy.Families would gather at the cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves. Some may even picnic.

One of the most recognizable images of the Day of the Dead is the sugar skull. They are decorated and have the name of the deceased on the top.

The altar is decorated with clay figurines called calacas. They are made into whimsical characters of all kinds. Like our Happy Widow here. Children are also given calacas to play with so that death is something not to fear, but is a part of life. To celebrate the souls who went before.

José Guadalupe Posada's Katarina

Mexican Sugar Skull is a great find for all your Dia de los Muerto supplies. They have sugar skull making kits and gorgeous fabrics. Papel picado (paper banners), tshirts and more.

José Guadalupe, Mexican Engraver and Illustrator
Casa De Calaveras
AZ Central's great on-line exhibit of Dia de Los Muertos

My Awful Punning - "Boo-tique"

2006-09-13T16:34:00.000-04:00

I was going through my scraps and sketches and I found this from 1992. I had drawn it for a story hour.

I..need..a..nap..

2006-09-08T14:54:00.000-04:00

Seriously wiped out, my gentle blog readers. What with all the drama of Project Runway and Vincent - FINALLY- being kicked to the curb.
It was too much excitement to deal with for moi. I think I'm channeling Malan. Gads, if I start calling you "my darlings" I know I need bed rest.

Leigh Young Illustration

2006-09-01T10:58:00.000-04:00

I love Leigh's work! She celebrates the big beautiful woman and obviously has a lot of fun doing it. I came across Leigh's work at Pixel Girl's site. I loved her Luchababes icons and desktops. Freelancing since 1997, she's an illustrator and graphic designer. Her work translates easily from t-shirts, toys, even lottery tickets! Her ladies are fun, fierce and gorgeous! They exude confindence. And now you can get her
illustrations for your phone!

Continuing "Behind The Mask"

2006-08-31T14:17:00.000-04:00

TrueNuff - Mac/PC commercial spoof - "Upgrading"

2006-08-24T11:09:00.000-04:00

And not to leave the fans of Microslop er I mean Microsoft:

More Gothic Fun

2006-08-23T14:26:00.000-04:00

A darling Lil She Creature Pillow.

I don't know how I make my way about, but I'm glad I found my way to Strange Monster.
From the site:
Strange Monster is run by the outrageously industrious team of Cameron Smith and René Cigler.
Almost every design you see here was drawn by René and the brands such as Sugar Hiccup and the Lil She Creatures were created and developed by René and Cameron. We print all of our designs here on our manual press so if you buy from us you are buying from the source and we hand made it.

Who wouldn't love a Bone Kitty sachet?

Some of the novelty items on the site such as buttons and keychains are made by one of our licensed manufacturers and are based on the graphic brands we have developed such as the Lil She Creatures, Sugar Hiccup, Ultra Vixen, Miss Kitty and now Bone Kitty and Monkey Love.

And yes they do plus sizes for us larger Gothic ladies!

Only 27% Evil??

2006-08-22T11:43:00.000-04:00

However, my site is 73%. Not crazy about having a cross be the "good" symbol though..I was thinking..Peeps. Yellow ones.

Behind The Mask

2006-08-21T14:57:00.000-04:00

Some boards I designed for an exhibit. More to be posted.

Monalisa Descending a Staircase

2006-08-16T12:40:00.000-04:00


Two-dimensional clay animations melding and merging the work of 35 famous artists.

215 Festival! News openly swiped from our site!

2006-08-15T14:12:00.000-04:00

Amy Sedaris | I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence WITH John Hodgman | The Areas of My Expertise, John Coulton AND David Rees | Get Your War On!
Thursday, October 5, 2006 at 7:00PM
Central Library
Ticket Info: FREE. No tickets required. For Info: 215-567-4341.

The multi-talented Amy Sedaris is many things: actress (Comedy Central’s Strangers with Candy, Sex and the City), film star (Bewitched, Maid in Manhattan), and yes, David Sedaris’s sister. The movie version of Strangers with Candy, in which she stars alongside Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello, Sarah Jessica Parker and Philip Seymour Hoffman, recently played at your local theater. In I Like You, Sedaris serves up hospitality with a twist and includes the recipes for her popular cheese balls and cupcakes, sold at Joe Coffee in Manhattan.

A frequent guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and NPR’s This American Life, John Hodgman is the author of The Areas of My Expertise, an astounding compendium of faux truths. Dave Eggers comments, “His world is similar to our world, but better in that its geography is crossed by magic and hoboes and lies so odd and bold and true that they may even qualify as fiction.” The host and curator of the eclectic literature and music series, “The Little Gray Book Lectures,” Hodgman performs on stages nationwide and his writing appears in McSweeney’s, the New York Times and The Believer. He is also the PC guy in the Apple Commericals.

David Rees’s profane and irreverent political comic strip, Get Your War On, is seen by millions of readers online, in Rolling Stone, and other publications weekly. Biting satire coupled with a keen news sense are the hallmarks of Rees’s clip-art comics, which skewer both politicians and the media with dead aim.

Jonathan Coulton is the musical director of “The Little Gray Book Lectures,” for which he composes theme-appropriate music for nearly every show and also provides “the occasional quirky cover, haunting interlude, or graceful transition.” His full length CD is Smoking Monkey.

Amy Sedaris's Sort of Official Site

Amy Sedaris Rocks!

John Hodgman

Jonathan Coulton

David Rees

Steve Wozniak!! Here at the FLP!

2006-08-15T13:53:00.000-04:00

Steve Wozniak | iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It
Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 2:00PM
Central Library
Ticket Info: FREE. No tickets required. For Info: 215-567-4341.

In 1975, a young engineering wizard, Steve Wozniak, created the first personal computer, the Apple I, and ignited the computer revolution. Ten years later, he received the National Medal of Technology, the highest honor bestowed upon American innovators. In 2000, he was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame and received the prestigious Heinz Award for Technology for “single-handedly designing the first personal computer and for lighting the fires of excitement for education in grade school students and their teachers.”

I am beside myself with glee!

Steve's Site
Lecture Series

October Effigies

2006-08-09T13:56:00.000-04:00

Around our house, Halloween is a sacred holiday that my son would make a religion if he could. The Boy has a nice collection of witches, black cats and various costume bits and bobs. As an artist, I want train his eye as it were not to spend his allowance on crappy decor but instead aspire to better things to collect. So I'm always looking for new things. And my GBRs, I've found a great one. October Effigies is the site of one Ms. Kerry Kate. She stitches together wonderful spells in the form of dolls. She calls them "Vintage Style Abnormal Dolls."

Take this sweet devil for example. She comes complete with a recipe right on her tummy!

This is a lovely Attic Doll. Crafted from oils, ink, paper and cotton. She reminds me of Lene Lovich, actually, which is probably why I covet her!

From her site: In addition to designing over 100 dolls and making and painting several hundreds by hand, Kerry Kate also designs and makes a line of stuffed print dolls that are for sale and are also available for wholesale. October Effigies has been featured in several films and upcoming features like MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM, BLACK DAHLIA and Silent Ghost Cinema's THE GHOST OF SLEEP. Publications including DOLL MAGAZINE, VIAL, DARK CULTURE MAGAZINE and SPIN. Her hand painted dolls have been sold and shown in galleries all over the world.

This just in from the Beeb

2006-08-07T16:01:00.000-04:00

My friend Michael brought this to my attention:
Hunger Dictates Who Men Fancy

As a large woman this is not news to me. It always seemed that the men I attracted looked like they needed a good meal and GBR's, I am the Hungry Man Entree!

The Venus of Willendorf

Venus of Willendorf '91 - Harriet Casdin Silver

100 Actions - Register to Vote!

2006-08-01T09:49:00.000-04:00

100Actions.com has a post called "Register Someone to Vote" that's worth checking out...

Deadlines for voter registration vary from state to state, so it's important that you reach out to unregistered voters before it's too late.

We only have 98 days before the elections. Exercise one of your greatest rights; the right to vote. Don't forget all those that fought and died for your freedoms and if you want "D'uh W" out, VOTE!

"Votes for Women" Suffrage Pictures, 1850-1920
Native and Chinese Americans Get the Vote
The Civil Right Movement
Pins from the Civil Rights Movement

Visted Countries!

2006-07-31T12:48:00.000-04:00

This is so cool. The only drawback is I've yet to visit all of the states and all of Canada. But still, its fun to see where you've been.

And where you need to take over as some sort of benign dictator.

So I've been to South Korea and Viet Nam. I would love to visit China, Thailand and Japan.

create your own visited countries map

Fun with Phone Wire

2006-07-27T13:30:00.000-04:00

I've been working on this dragon off and on for a while now. Doing wire sculpture is a great way to work something out in your head. It's like when I am trying to hard to make something happen, I'll pick up some wire and play. Usually I get some ideas that way.

Someone buy this poor woman a decent camera!

The Sultan's Elephant - Part The First

2006-07-27T10:39:00.000-04:00

A friend sent me this link. I get goosebumps watching it!
The Sultan’s Elephant is a spectacle you’ve only imagined... Created by theatrical magicians Royal de Luxe, it tells the story of a sultan from far-off lands and his magical, time-travelling mechanical elephant. Forty feet high and 42 tons in weight, this beautiful creature will capture the hearts and minds of everyone who sees it. Breathtaking

The Sultan’s Elephant is played out over four days in the streets, squares and public spaces of central London.

The creators site:The Sultan's Elephant.

The Sultan's Elephant - Part the Second

2006-07-27T10:28:00.000-04:00


The second part. The little girl giant awakens. On the morning of Sunday 7th May the little girl giant woke up at Horseguards Parade in London, took a shower from the time-traveling elephant and wandered off to play in the park.

Font Management Made Easy

2006-07-24T14:03:00.000-04:00

FontExplorer™ is an absolute joy to work with. When Suitcase and FontBook fail you, crash on you and generally reduce you to curling up in a corner, and believe me, we've all had those days, FontExplorer™saves the day.

It sets a new standard for font management software! Font management, font sorting, font shopping and font discovery are simple, easy and fun! You have an app that's clean, functional and easy. It's like iTunes for fonts!

A Gem for a Jewel

2006-07-24T13:41:00.000-04:00

A little something for my cousin's Ring Mass..dance..thing. Catholic High Schools go all out for class rings. Ring Mass, RIng Dinner, Ring Dance etc. And if its a girl's High..oh man..the Madness! They have to have their rings turned so many times for luck and god knows what else. It is alot of fun for them. I totally missed out on that.

My class ring experience was limited to going to the school store and picking it up. That's it.

Stephen Colbert - ROCK STAR!!!

2006-07-21T15:08:00.000-04:00

Colbert is essentially every male 80's popstar in this video. And he's SIZZZZZZZZZLIN' baby!

"He Came From Outerspace To Save the Human Race"

2006-07-17T15:34:00.000-04:00

Astro Boy!

"I might as well look as alien as possible because it reinforces a point I am making. My whole thing is that I approach everything as an absolute outsider. It’s the only way I can break so many rules. Remember, my background is totally strange - German classical opera. So I was uncertain about coming from that to rock. It was just as shocking for me to sing opera in a falsetto soprano in Germany. It was another rule I was breaking. You just didn’t do that. And I am helped by the fact that pop and rock, which you would think has no rules at all, is really just as conservative as classical music. So what I do is doubly shocking. The difference is that punk audiences admire that I can shock them. Nothing is sacred to me. Who is making the rules anyhow?" - Klaus Nomi

Klaus Nomi photo by Curtis Knapp

I finally got a chance to see Andrew Horn's The Nomi Song.
Klaus Nomi always fascinated me. I think the first time I really saw him was when he was on Saturday Night Live as a background singer/performance artist for David Bowie. With his AstroBoy hair and opera-trained voice, he was amazing to watch. He was poised to be bigger than the stage, gearing up for the new MTV Nation. Sadly Klaus was one of the first gay artists to die of AIDS.

An Exercise in Frustration...

2006-07-17T13:49:00.000-04:00

I like to torture myself using Adobe Illustrator.

It lives! It's Jim Draws!

2006-07-12T12:19:00.000-04:00

My friend Jim has launched his brand spanking new website, Gentle Blog Readers. As the title states, Jim does draw. He's an old school artist like, moi, which means you're actually seeing training and mad skillz. He can work a pencil just as easily as he slaps around the pixels into shape. Armed with a variety of styles, you can go from serious to EXTREEEEME!!!

Don't go for the hype of the instant logo joints that are cropping up like weeds. Jim works with you to give you your best face forward for your design needs. If you're in the market (that means you're going to be hiring and like paying cash money -don't try scratching for a freebie) for a talented artist with quick turn around, Jim's your guy.

PeeWee's Playhouse - TONIGHT ON ADULTSWIM!

2006-07-10T16:48:00.000-04:00

How cool is that? PeeWee's back on my birthday!

Yarg, It Be Piratey Stuff

2006-07-10T11:57:00.000-04:00

Howard Pyle, Book of Pirates (1902)

Black Beard the Pirate
Pirate party supplies, Blackbeard stories, swords, treasure maps, toys, nautical gifts

Captain Jack's Pirate Hats
Authentic Handmade Pirate Hats

Pirate Fonts
A treasure chest filled with fonts and dingbats to create yer maps!

Pirates in Paradise Festival, Key West
Pure Piratical Escapades Celebrating Key West's Rich & Colorful Maritime Heritage

Pirates Info Site
Truth and Legends

Talk Like A Pirate Day - September 19
Yar, It's The Pirate Band
It be music of ye pirates!

Howard Pyle, founder of the Brandywine School, that also included N.C. Wyeth, Maxfield, and Jesse Wilcox Smith.
His swashbuckling paintings of pirates are some of the best ever.

Wiki entry for Howard Pyle
Biography of Howard Pyle

Follow My Voice

2006-07-06T14:01:00.000-04:00

John Cameron Mitchell with students

Angel touches up her makeup before the talent show

If you've never seen Hedwig and The Angry Inch get thee hence to your video peddler. I found the movie to be a joy. Of course I cried my eyes out.

I saw Follow My Voice Friday night on Sundance. The CD, Wig in A Box was created with the help of over 75 artists. A cd with a cause, namely Hetrick Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk High School. From their site:The Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) is the oldest and largest non-profit agency created to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth between the ages of 12 and 21. HMI offers a wide range of programs including After-School and Supportive Services.

Follow My Voice gives you insight about the creation of the CD. You also see the story, interwoven with the footage of the artists, of 4 students of Harvey Milk,and their struggles and triumphs.

The Breeders
John Cameron Mitchell
Yoko Ono/ Yo La Tengo
The Polyphonic Spree
Spoon
Jonathan Richman
Cyndi Lauper
Stephen Colbert
Sleater-Kinney
Frank Black
Chris Slusarenko
They Might Be Giants
Robyn Hitchcock
Bob Mould
Stephen Trask
The Bens (Ben Lee, Ben Kweller, Ben Folds)
Rufus Wainwright

This is so cool..

2006-07-03T14:40:00.000-04:00

I love sites like this. Coming soon, Gamername Decoder.
Name Decoder

The Boy as Rocker

2006-06-29T15:29:00.000-04:00

My Prince in his gear for his first solo tap performance. Of course he was fab. I see Broadway, baby, Broadway!

My Pirate Name

2006-06-29T13:05:00.000-04:00

Just in time for Johnny...

Gina, your pirate name is:

What is YOUR pirate name?

Words & Those Who Love Them

2006-06-27T11:54:00.000-04:00

I've always had a fascination and a love for words and their origins. Back in grade school, I would do all the vocabulary pages especially those with origins. Of course I got in trouble, but I didn't care. It was all too tempting! When I go to those big book sales or to a discount book store.
I like to bop around the net to find great collections. I hope you enjoy them.

The Phrontistery
FRON-tis-te-ri, n a thinking-place [Gr phrontisterion from phrontistes a thinker, from phroneein to think; applied by Aristophanes to the school of Socrates]

With 15,500 word of obscure and rare words, this should keep you busy for a while. There's 33 glossaries covering such topics as Sciences and Studies, Colour terms, Dance styles. It's very easy to lose one's self and track of time!

Cool Words at Wunderland
A fun little quiz

Collective nouns is another favourite of mine. Books of collective nouns started to appear about 1486. The Book of St. Albans was the first, coming from a small press at St. Albans. Who couldn't love a "skulk of foxes" or a "pace of asses"?

One of the more definative collections would be found in James Lipton's An Exaltation of Larks : The Ultimate Edition
And a great online source Collectives.
They're fun to create as well. I like mine, "a slick of lawyers" and a "shrug of mechanics".

Odd & Wonderful Words

Last Night's Event

2006-06-21T15:52:00.000-04:00

Short post today. Last night's authors' panel was a bit of a drag. Though I did get Ms. Chast to sign my books.
The first clue to something being off, was the lack of crowd. Still an intimate gathering with the artists could be nice, right?
When Paul Buckley started speaking, I got his whole laid back thing, which is fine. His co-presenter was a little too un-prepared for the exciting world of panel moderation. She was really quiet and did the "um ah" thing too much. I'm sure she's a good art director, but keep her outta the public talk circuit

I did say this post would be short, right?

Seth was an engaging person. His love for nostalgia (The man -still- does his own separations. BY HAND!!) was apparent in his work and it harkened back to the days of hand lettering, hat wearing and no computers. Roz Chast was by far the more well known out of the trio and her enthusiam for her work, her schtick had the audience laughing.

Then Anders Nilsen came up to bat. He's not very good at presenting himself or his art. There's a bit more going on in his work and it takes a longer look. But he was so quiet and UmAh lady was pitching the questions! I was like if they get anymore laid back they'll be in a coma. His work is compelling, moving in its spareness but all I wanted to do was bolt.

I think, for me, hearing how a technique was created, what materials, scrap etc. is more intriguing to me as an artist. I don't need to hear the angst. I can see it for myself.

A painting instructor of mine said and I paraphrase here "that the people that buy the art are the spinner's of all this mythos and artists inner turmoil, sturm und drang. Artists when they're together they want to know who's sleeping with who and where can I score some grass."

Article about Roz Chast
Planet Cartoonist
The A.V. Club interviews Seth

Alison Bechdel | Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

2006-06-15T16:29:00.000-04:00

Thursday, June 22, 2006 at 7:00PM
Central Library
Ticket Info: This event is FREE. No ticket or reservation is required.

This is some great month! Alison Bechdel's memoir, in graphic novel form, about her childhood. With a gothic twist to it all, working in the family funeral home, hence "Fun Home". Ms. Bechdel's memoir is at turns hysterically funny, poignant and filled with sexual angst and discovery. While reading it I kept thinking of Charles Addams. To my delight, she draws comparisons to her home and The Addams.

A cult favorite in the comics world, Alison Bechdel has chronicled the lives of fictionalized characters in her “Dykes to Watch Out For”comic strip since 1993. Called “one of the preeminent oeuvres of the comics genre, period” by Ms, “Dykes” is syndicated in fifty alternative newspapers and is collected into a book with a quarter million copies in print.

Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions Illustrators Roz Chast, Seth, Anders Nilsen & Paul Buckley

2006-06-14T15:56:00.000-04:00

These incredible illustrators will be here for a panel discussion on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 7:00 PM.

With Paul Buckley at the helm, renowned graphic artists Roz Chast, Anders Nilsen, and Seth have designed new covers for Stella Gibbons’s Cold Comfort Farm, Hans Christian Anderson’s Fairy Tales, and The Portable Dororthy Parker, respectively, as part of the new Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions. Inspired by contemporary graphic novels and comic books, the covers are by turns witty, provocative, chilling, and hilarious.

Case in point: Charles Burns cover for Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.(who may be lurking about)

Roz Chast is a regular cartoonist for the New Yorker. Her work is droll and understated but it can be wickedly funny. I always get a kick out of her work. And I plan on lugging some of my old books by her to get them signed.

Best-known for Dogs and Water and the Big Questions series, Anders Nilsen is a member of the Chicago-based art collective The Holy Consumption. Read Anders Nilsen's profile here RAW

Seth is an illustrator whose work has been featured in Details, Spin, and the New York Times; he is best-known for his comic book series Palooka-Ville.

The Graphic Classics

Imagining The Viet Nam War: Versions of a Long Conflict

2006-06-13T13:32:00.000-04:00

I had the honor of designing and mounting this exhibit in support of our annual One Philadelphia, One Book program. The book for 2005 was Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried.

A collection of material entitled Imaginative Representations of the Vietnam War
is preserved in the Department of Special Collections at La Salle University’s Connelly Library.

It is an amazing collection to see and is a rather secret store of information. The following was part of the intro for the exhibit.

In this renowned scholarly collection – the largest of its kind in the world – is gathered a resource presently consisting of about 15,000 books of fiction and poetry and other printed items, with 500 non-print items.

Additionally, more than 600 films and videos are available. These films include narrative, commercial (Hollywood), pornography, and art films, as well as documentary films, curricular production, taped seminars, and extensive TV-generated material. The Collection is limited intentionally to imaginative literature and the visual arts. It is focused on fictive writing in the form of novels, short stories, poetry, drama, and film scripts, with extensive examples of graphic art, painting, video, TV productions, and sound recordings.

Contained in this Collection, and additional to the published written material itself, are unpublished manuscripts, corrected manuscripts, shooting scripts, galley proofs, page proofs (corrected and uncorrected), holograph copies, limited editions, variant editions, runs of comic books, and cartoon art.

The remainder of the Collection consists of carefully catalogued items of ephemera, such as poetry broadsides, dealer’s catalogs of VietnamWar fiction, published strategy games, published software, vanity publications, and curriculum guides for teaching the war through its literature across many educational levels and curricula. For more information on this unique collection: Imaginative Representations of the Vietnam War.

Dropping Knowledge

2006-06-09T13:16:00.000-04:00

I got an email about this site Dropping Knowledge. The concept is a new spin on the round table. It's an initiative to change apathy into activity. You can take part by donating a question. They use a quote that an old illustration teacher would say to us: "However knowledge is defined, by dropping it freely to others, we all gain wisdom."

Amen to that.

A Guided Tour...

2006-06-09T12:19:00.000-04:00

Rummaging through my salvaged work, I came across this poster. Simple straightforward, using architectural elements around the Central building. Designed in the Beaux-Art style, there's vaulted ceilings, flying buttresses of nyaids, rosettes in the ceiling, and gorgeous ironwork. The sad fact is that over time, offices were retrofitted in, with little or no care for the building's overall appearance.

From our site:"Julian Francis Abele, the first African American graduate of the architecture program at the University of Pennsylvania, received scant recognition during his lifetime despite his many significant contributions. Although Fiske Kimball, a noted architectural historian and the director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, acknowledged that Abele was "certainly one of the most sensitive designers anywhere in America" in 1942, the pioneering African American architect remained virtually unknown outside Philadelphia's architectural community until the 1970s and 1980s. Today we appreciate Abele as one of the early twentieth-century's most adept designers of revival buildings, who rejuvenated many long-dormant styles as vital, modern forms of architectural expression.

For more information: The 75th Anniversary

Billy Preston

2006-06-08T09:25:00.000-04:00

Billy Preston at the "Concert for George"
Billy Preston. The 5th Beatle. Keyboardist extraodinaire.

Oh what a cute...WTF???

2006-06-02T16:13:00.000-04:00

I got this from a friend to give to the boy. Oh hell no. "Ok, there's a bee called "Bee" ok. Mantis is "Mantis". Check. Ant. Here.
Ohh a ladybug called "Ladybug. And a Dragonfly with it's right name. Alrighty then! Oh? Someone missed roll call?
Cockroach, sir? Okaay. Looking and you spell that? Oh C-O-C-K-C-H-A-F-E-R."

Someone was either asleep at the wheel or a big Louis "Red" Deutsch fan.
Go look it up. Stop letting Bart get all the glory.

I was so right...

2006-06-01T10:50:00.000-04:00

I am 15% White Trash.

I, my friend, have class. I am so not white trash. . I am more than likely Democrat, and my place is neat, and there is a good chance I may never drink wine from a box.

Take the
White Trash Test
@ FualiDotCom

I am 54% Tortured Artist.

Art is significant in my life, people are scum but I have the capicity to deal with it. Give it a few more years and I will either forget about art or hate the world.

Take the
Tortured Artist Test
@ FualiDotCom

Designing with Languages

2006-05-30T13:49:00.000-04:00

This poster was to announce one of our branches that deals primarily with the Asian Community. The calligraphy was created by an eldery gentleman. The librarian in charge of the posters/PR asked if he could write out the characters for "Library".
With that he pulled out some paper, an old bottle of ink and his brush. And voila! It was painted.
Doing the text was tricky. It was to be in Cantonese, but I don't understand it, plus I had to find the right font out of all the Chinese fonts that would work. A very patient library aide worked with me.

Chào, baby!

2006-05-24T13:11:00.000-04:00

Happy Alex

On May 20, 1999, we finally got to meet our child. When Alex was put into my arms, I felt a wave of emotion like I never have before. We fell in love with his photos after we were approved as parents. I looked into those dark eyes and thought this is an old soul. May 21, 1999 was the day we signed the final papers in Viet Nam and we became a family.

Get that camera outta my face!
Now I watch my little man running around, self assured and bright, easy to cry but just as easy to laugh. Some days the whole concept overwhelms me. Did I really travel to Viet Nam? On a plane for almost over 24 hours? Each way? Where did that will power come from? The answer is in our son's eyes.

We usually celebrate by heading to his favorite place, Hoa Viet. They make the best Pho and their crispy spring rolls are so good. And they do bubble drinks that are so yummy. It's a homey, sit down and relax place. And The Boy is the prince in there. He'll be behind the counter talking to the owner as she makes bubble teas and hacks ducks. He had duck for the first time and loooooved it. Actually he was supposed to just try it and managed to swipe the plate from my husband. He sat blissfully enjoying duck and grilled veggies. Then he moved onto a bowl of pho. We all needed naps!

Chúng ta yêu mến con

Explore VietNam

Such A Pretty Face

2006-05-23T16:32:00.000-04:00

Portrait of the Artist, age 4

All my life, I heard "such a pretty face,
why don't you lose weight?"

I hated hearing it time and again..

I heard it as my mom would load my plate

with adult sized portions of food, that had to be eaten..

cause there were starving children

and your father works hard..

So for the starving kids and Dad, I ate.

I heard it as I would go clothes shopping

in the Pretty Plus section at Sears,

I heard it as total strangers would whisper to themsleves

as though fat meant deaf as well.

I learned to blend in with my surroundings..

trying not to be seen..it's quite easy to do.

Hating myself for not being "normal"

I saw things differently than other kids...

I was artistic and mom taught us to read at home..

so my vocabulary was at a higher level..

made me more of an outcast.

I hated being different.

I wanted to be wanted.

I wanted the boys to like me.

I wanted to be everyone's favorite friend.

I wanted to be normal.

At 12, who really knows what normal is?..

Take It On Faith

2006-05-23T16:29:00.000-04:00

Dragged out of the junk drawer from another site

I never understand people and religion.
I was raised Catholic..not just any Catholic, ROMAN Catholic. There were only 2 religions, them and us.
We were much better then those pagan babies we give our pennies to every week. I was all into it. My eyes would go just as wide as all the other little sheep in maroon plaid at the stories of Jesus and his Apostles. What child wouldn't go into convulsive weeping at the first time hearing how he died for us? Talk about nightmares and guilt! All at the age of 6!
It was around this time I started asking little questions. What was Jesus' wife like? Did he tell jokes? Did he hate to get up early?

All of these perfectly honest questions of a six year old child were met with the blank stare and silence of a habited cow.
I would ask my mother. Mom is a practical woman and she said she's not sure he was married, but she was sure he told jokes and didn't always like getting up early. I trotted back to school happy at least someone told me something! When I dutifully corrected my nun after she said Jesus didn't tell jokes, and, then told her my mom said that he did. Sister Regina Gertrude (she was a fridge with a head and one eye that kinda popped bigger than the other..she terrified me) started turning into a screeching horror. Now she knew my mom wasn't Catholic and she dismissed anything my mom said as heresy. Jeez.

And my mom will surely burn for taking us to a Protestant church for Christmas Eve.

The story is, she took us to the little church next to our Big Roman Catholic one. She just wanted to go there. So we go in and the minister greets us warmly shaking our hands welcoming us. We had never been in there. It was a small congregation..only like twenty people. And we sat in the front pews and the minister stood in the aisle talking to us. Our priest never worked the crowd. This guy didn't even have on vestments or anything!
He began telling the Christmas story in such a wonderful way. I was captivated by his easy manner and expression. The other children there asked questions, and he answered them! I was amazed! I was like sign me up! As he moved to the part about the Wise Men, he handed out little slips of brightly colored paper and pencils. He asked us to write what we would give to Jesus for his birthday. He stressed to all that material things were not the idea, rather something that we would do to make the Christ Child smile. We each wrote something, I can't remember what, probably something like help my mom before she asks. And he collected them in a little basket and placed them at the modest creche at the altar. He said Jesus will open them tomorrow. We sang songs, read passages and had a very nice time.
As we buttoned up to go home, the minister shook our hands and thank us for coming. Shook our hands! And he didn't even pass the collection plate!

We walked home quietly. My mind was so filled with questions. My mom was happy so I felt it was fine. When coming back to school after the holiday, my Sister asked if we visited any other parishes for Christmas. I raised my hand and told her we went to Glading next door. Her face turned bright red and said it wasn't a real church and I committed a sin going there for the Lord's Birthday. I was stunned. I never thought anyone could be so angry. Over a little church??..I got more from that modest little service, then I ever did in my whole time at St. Martins.

I decided I wasn't a sheep anymore.

I never really bought into alot of things. And I didn't take things on faith..I needed to know answers. Well..fast forward to high school..I'm in a religion class..( which, btw, are NOT transferrable credits to public high school) and a nun who went into the convent as a teen, never had sex is teaching Love and Marriage classes. Most of my class had more experience in sex then she's ever had. I raised my hand and asked if she ever dated. This was met with stone silence. And no answer. I was now the antichrist, to be sure. I ended up leaving this "nurturing" school after I refused to dime on someone about a bottle of Southern Comfort that was in a locker. Amazing how these "brides of Christ" become "Brides of Frankenstein" when things don't go their way.

So anyway, what was my point? I think that asking questions and challenging authority is an admirable trait to teach your children. I know I'm rambling here but Catholic School memories bring out the worst in me.

As I grew up I researched all kinds of beliefs. I became Jewish when I married my husband. I like alot of the principles, and the fact I can question the rabbi. I leave what I don't like. You might call it cafeteria style religion, I look at it as being spiritual, which is to me alot more important then how many days you went to church or how much you gave to the organized religion of your choice.

Fun with dolls & a Self Esteem Booster

2006-05-23T12:59:00.001-04:00

I'll admit. I've always -hated- those "net dolls".
One of the reasons? None of them really looked like me! None had fat bods!
So imagine my delight when I came across 2 dollmakers. Do I think I look -that- hot in real time? No, but it's a heck of a lot closer to my body shape. With so many girls having eating disorders and the phobic way they deal with food, thankfully now there's a little bit of help, albeit online.
I've had the pleasure of having my eyes assaulted by myspace and friendster sites so I know the young ladies out there are hit with "desirable" body types at a dizzying pace. I worry about young fat girls and the beating their self esteem takes. There needs to be more voices, in what ever way, to help them. So ladies, thanks for the dolls.
Missy's Doll Maker

Lori Fury's Dolls

It's Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Birthday

2006-05-22T10:21:00.000-04:00

The Official Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Site

The Chronicles of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sherlockian Net

A Study in Mystery

The Consulting Detective