Favorites from E.A.S.T.

I have a few favorite weekends in Austin. In no particular order, these are:
1) Art City Austin
2) AIA Homes Tour
3) E.A.S.T.

Coming from an East-side livin' + art lovin' Austinite - I'm thinking that E.A.S.T. might win out this year. E.A.S.T. (aka East Side Studio Tour) is just freaking awesome. Artists all over the East Side open up their homes/studios/galleries to share not only their artwork, but the space where the creation happens. So. Freaking. Awesome.

Mike, my art festival partner in crime, accompanied me on Sunday to 10 stops on the tour. Here are some highlights:

Chris Levack
I had *just* drivin by these sculptures at Mueller, curious as to what they represented, and low & behold, not but 1 hour later, I found myself in deep conversation with the artist himself! It's one thing to appreciate a piece of art... but a whole new thing to speak first hand with the artist and understand his vision for the work longterm.

Robbie Ortiz
I don't think Robbie gives himself enough credit. His art was fantastic, and I have to say his pricing was *WAY* off. For anyone looking to own some badass cubist art, check him out. He's a really nice guy, too, which for me makes the art even better.

Judy Paul
I first noticed Judy's art at the Blue Genie Christmas Bizarre last year, so I was really excited to see her new stuff. She painted one of my favorite pieces from the tour, called "Moving On," and dammit I wish Mike would have bought it. She has lots of bird & house themes. (Anyone who has seen my walls would know I like birds and houses.) By visiting Judy, we got to tour Flatbed Press as well, and see a printmaking demonstration. Very cool!


David Bjurstrom
I snuck a peek in David's space early Sunday morning... knowing that if I could show off just one place, this might be the one. I have never seen someone as talented with a pencil as this man, and I was in awe of nearly all of his pieces. In fact, if I was able to buy from any artist this year, it would have been him. I'll let his drawing speak for itself. Yes, I said DRAWING. Wow.

Okay, to end my psuedo tour of E.A.S.T.... here is where I turn a little bit nuts. When I looked at the tour map, I noticed that there was an artist right across the street from Joe's house. As in, I could see it from the front window. When I looked at the name, I freaked out. I've been following this artist for YEARS.... and I've been looking at his house for months not knowing that genius lived there!!! Of course I darted over to his studio as soon as I could. (No, I didn't admit my obsession with his work. I can remain calm when necessary, honest!)

Nate Jensen
Yeah. He's pretty much amazing. In addition to his crazy cool art, he illustrates children's books. You may have seen his Armadillo book all over Austin... Um, I'm just not even sure what to say about him and how awestruck I was that he lived next door.
And... It turns out I live next to greatness too!!! I mean, I look into this artist's studio/house from my yard! I had no idea what was inside!

Denise Prince
I saw Denise's photos during a show at Women & Their Work. I thought they were really interesting - the kind of photos that stick with you for a long, long time. I merely wanted to introduce myself to my neighbor, but when I walked inside her house and saw her photos, I was nearly gushing like a preteen at a Miley Cyrus concert. She. Rocks. (And she lives next door!!! Wheeeeee!!!)
So, there you have it. A few of my favorites from E.A.S.T. 2009. It still goes on next weekend, so check it out if you can! I'll leave you with my last favorite piece from the tour (photographed beautiful by Mike) - a metal willow tree. One last time... SO. FREAKING. COOL!!!!!!

Two New Things I Love

Sam & Blue! That about sums it up. Yes, I'm crazy enough to put a tiny golden retriever puppy atop a 2.5 foot robot. She... uh... loved it! :)

Tripods!

I think I'd be more upset than John if this really happened!

It's not news, but gosh I love the library. Just sayin'. Granted... lately I've been immersed in books from my childhood. Ones that I didn't even have to check out, thanks to Dionn. (I arrived at my hotel room in CdA to a super thoughtful gift of the book series we both loved as kids.) Anyway, I now have about 150 pages left of The Tripods Trilogy. It is so awesome. Better than I remembered, even.

Yeah, I'm reading "young adult" fiction. I'm not embarrassed. I love it!

Running

It's no secret that I have issues with running.

But lately, I *really* have issues with running.

As in, I will do anything to avoid running. And I don't even HAVE to run.

The thing about running is that it's a necessary evil of triathlon. And, more specifically, that little triathlon called Ironman that I signed up to do next year. I've walked that thing, and I'm not doing it again damn it. Which means I still have to train to run.

And I don't want to.

Ugh. Here's to hoping it's just another phase.

Halloween Fun Facts

While doing a bit of research for work, I came across this info & thought I would share. Fun!

- Halloween, referred to as All Hallows Eve, was originally a pagan holiday in which they honored the dead. It was celebrated on October 31 since this was the last day of the Celtic calendar. The celebration dates back some 2,000 years.

- The ancient Celts thought that spirits and ghosts wondered the streets on all Hallows Eve so they began wearing masks and costumes in order to not be recognized as human.

- The jack-o-lantern tradition comes from an old Irish folk tale about a man named Stingy Jack. It was said that he was unable to get into heaven and was turned away from the devil because of his tricky ways. So he set off to wander the world looking for a resting place. For light, Stingy Jack used a burning coal ember in a hollowed out turnip. When the Irish immigrated to the U.S. during the Great Potato Famine of 1845-1850, they found that turnips were not as readily available like they were in the homeland. So they started carving pumpkins as a replacement for their tradition.

- On Halloween, Irish peasants would beg the rich for food. For those that refused, they would play a practical joke. So, in an effort to avoid being tricked, the rich would hand out cookies, candy, and fruit – a practice that morphed into trick-or-treating today.

Soulmates...

It's only Wednesday morning, yet I've had 3 separate conversations about "Eat, Pray, Love" already this week. It's amazing how that book speaks to such a broad range of people.

I love this quote.

…A true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you
everything that’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your own
attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most
important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and
smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever. Nah. Too painful.
Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself
to you, and then they leave. And thank God for it.

Hehe....

Frankly, I don't think this picture needs any explanation. All I will say is.... AWESOME!!!!
Hehe...

45 Life Lessons

Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on
Originally published in The Plain Dealer on Sunday,May 28, 2006

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

It Ain't About How Hard You Hit...

What a week. Let's just say I'm glad it is Friday...



(Some people always know just what to say. And for that, I am okay with getting hit...and moving forward.... Thank you, like always.)

"It's All a Matter of Priorities"

What comes first, the compass or the clock?

Before one can truly manage time (the clock), it is important to know where you are going, what your priorities and goals are, in which direction you are headed (the compass.)

Where you are headed is more important than how fast you are going. Rather than focusing on what's urgent, focus on what is really important.

-Source Unknown

Over Vegas

I'm not a Vegas girl. Nor is Carrie... which was good since we were traveling together. Last night we hit the Wynn buffet (Oh. My. God...YUM! The ocean called and they want me to bring their seafood back!) Then we went to the crits at the Mandalay Bay. We were both so tired that we left halfway through the pro men's race. We were going to go to the PowerBar party at Blush, in the Wynn, but after waiting in line for 2 minutes we opted to go upstairs instead.

And today, after roaming the show floor again, we had a few hours to kill. I hope Carrie doesn't kill me for saying this, but we spent our time riding the Monorail. We were looking for a cheesy double-decker bus tour, but couldn't find one. So we rode the Monorail. (It was kinda fun, though!)

Anyway.... we were at the airport ready to depart and return to lovely amazing wonderful Austin, Texas. Interbike was great - Vegas was Vegas - and we are ready to come home.

Yup. We are definitely over Vegas.