Monday, June 27, 2011

"Michigan Drop" song

Twelve years ago at 3 am on the frozen edge of the lone weather tower on the sea wall bank of Great Lake Michigan. Me, Jenny, Regan, Karl, Chad.  Everything almost changed forever.  But it didn't.  Did it?




I am wearing a brand new horse necklace that my six year old wheedled out of my mother, the Grand Collector of my world...and I then wheedled out of her.  Oh, horse of destiny! 









Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Bookmaking: My Ben and Emma book

This is my second hand made book.  Important features: mixture of newsprint style old fashioned school ruled papers, graph paper, account ledger paper.  Hand stitched binding, still only semi-methodical with some jury rigging to get it tight in the end.  Added illustrations taken from my Open Mic sketch collection, loosely "Ben and Emma."  They are, in true form, both horrid and nearly unrecognizable.  I'm sorry.  I never claimed to be a portrait artist; I just like to draw pictures of people.


I'm using this book for journalling and writing music, principally. 





I love this paper


I just used card stock and bent it around for the cover/spine.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Open Mic

I imagine that everyone secretly wants to write their own music, and perform it.  Clearly that isn't so.  I rather think the people who don't are the ones leaping out of airplanes, playing the stock market, carrying deadly weapons.  We all have ways of leaping off cliffs, of scaring ourselves silly, of flirting with total destruction.  Mine just happens to be forcing myself up in front of other people to take what's in my heart and my head and smash and mangle it into a tune, metal strings and air, blown across vocal chords.

Truly, I've never been a part of a creative community quite like this one.  Here anyone can try.  I haven't heard a snide word spoken.  I am speechless each and every week as a bizarre cornucopia of folks, instruments, ages and mediums get up and kick down.  You will be cheered.  You will be clapped for.  You will want to get up and do it again.

Riverwalk Cafe, Railroad Square, Nashua.  All ages.  7:30-10pm

Steve, the Owner
Ben, Steve and Jane's son.  Played Bob Dylan, Low Anthem
Mike.  Likes to play originals, and lately, Foster the People
Emily, an employee, singing with her Dad.  Played 'Land of Your Imagination' from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!  and Falling Slowly
Emma, Jane and Steve's daughter, a cellist, singing with Max.
3 song max
The Ukulelele crew
Andre.  Plays Bob Dylan and Nirvana.  Kinda.
Simon
Simon, Noah and Jed, played Hallalujah
He sand a few Appalachian folk songs.  Originals..?
Mike and Mary
Brothers Andrew and Dan, and Andrew's wife, Angela

Jeff.  Plays originals and Bon Iver, Iron and Wine
"Amerikant" the rapper.  "All you people think you're rappers, all you rappers think you're gangsters, all you gangsters think you're people."
French hornist from Old Abram Brown
Carson
Genesis.  
Me!  I play lots of originals, plus Arcade Fire, Sea Wolf, Bell X1, Muse.



Sunday, June 12, 2011

Bicycle Arts, Bicycle Parts

Chelsea, a recent import from Virginia, has worked in fashion in NYC, and has an industrial design degree from R.I.S.D.  She creates jewelry, and works as a designer for Brookstone, whose headquarters are here in Merrimack, Nh.  She's also a Vinyasa Flow Yoga instructor, and is running free classes on Monday and Thrusday night this very week, so connect with her on facebook to learn more about Chrome Yoga on Factory Street in Nashua.



This piece caught my attention, so I barged in on her conversation at the Riverwalk Cafe this afternoon to snap her photo.  So glad I did!  Welcome to New Hampshire, Chelsea and Bernie.



Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Thai Peanut Pasta recipe

Thai Peanut Pasta:

boil/prepare one box of 100% whole wheat pasta; penne or angel hair
saute shrimp and/or chicken in a bit of peanut oil + sesame oil + pad thai simmer sauce
stir fry one bag of broccoli slaw veggie mix in sesame oil for 3 minutes
toss together with meat and pasta
add salt and sesame oil to taste
chop 3/4 cup of peanuts
chop 6 bunches of green onions
chop a large bunch of cilantro 
squeeze 1 or 2 limes
optional: add bean sprouts

toss everything together, and serve hot or cold, with your favorite peanut sauce!




I couldn't resist adding these, mainly because Levity insists on posing her 'candid action' shots so precisely.





Monday, June 6, 2011

Worst Food Presentation Ever

This is a video shot at the House of Blues, at the Foxy show.  Seriously?  Would I eat that pizza?  If someone paid me?  


Took my breath away.  




Foxy Shazam, baby

The great Eric Nally





Friday, June 3, 2011

What's round on the end and high in the middle?


I honestly believe that friendship is a cure for most ills.  It's difficult to express the level of therapy and hilarity and joy I experience swapping stories and ideas with dear friends, pastors and leaders that work all over the world to build people up in their faith, to help them become the people they were meant to be, in Jesus name.

I must also say that I am still processing a staggering amount of content that I absorbed and noted this week.  I am amazed by the variety, artistry and wisdom displayed in the array of speakers, work shop leaders, and creative arts that went into this year's program of events.  I am walking away feeling like "that is why I am in Foursquare.  It is not an accident.  I have a place here, and I have a future here."  I have some complaints and negative observations, as well, but I have already received a survey monkey request via email, and honestly believe my reaction is wanted by our National leaders, and so shall express those things there.  

Below are oodles of shots, many of which are taken in the phenomenal North Market, a famous international market of Columbus that was, fortuitously, about a block away from our hotel.  

Super cool chick who works in International Relations as a Translator of Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese.  With fab body art and a cool wallet.  (grin)





There was a lot of great mural art all over this neighborhood, and in the Market.

(photo courtesy of Jody Ogle)
(photo courtesy of Jody Ogle)
(photo courtesy of Jody Ogle)
(photo courtesy of Jody Ogle)
(photo courtesy of Jody Ogle)
Cooking school at the market


We took almost all of our meals here.  
New Ukrainian friend who grew up under Communism
He says it was love at first sight, and he asked her to marry him on their first date.


Pig mascot of North Market
The boys.
Guy, pastor from Haiti, John and Debbie Booker, and Jason


The best ice cream shop I've ever been to.  Top fave:  Cayenne Chocolate.  

Ice Cream Day Dreams












Ian!  Thanks for the fantastic pad thai.












"When I get bored, I make food."







Hand crafted pastas
More elaborate pasta artistry...




This place is definitely where the cool kids hang out. 


Jodi and Matt
New friends from Washington State
Steph and Rob
Matt and Rob
Steph and Jodi


Whoever this guys was, he said things I hope to tattoo on my brain forever.   Anyone...?