oh my stars

look at this amazing chair currently up for bid on ebay. the opening bid is low, but certain to skyrocket for such a unique piece. my living room is currently an eclectic mix of art nouveau and modern...do you think I could add some victorian in there as well?

weird childhood

this is my mom being kissed by shamu at sea world circa 1972.

she was chosen from an audience of about 200 to have the pleasure of a two ton giant get intimate with her.

everyone was laughing and clapping as the trainers led her up to the platform. I was petrified and could barely move or speak. shamu cranked up the entertainment quotient by circling his tank several times, building anticipation, before pulling his massive self up out of the water and planting one on my mom.

it was over in an instant. my mom was led back to her seat to wild applause. my dad was practically falling over himself in the hilarity of the moment. I was just relieved that she was safe, would still be my mom, and I wouldn't have go through my life explaining to people that my mom's head was eaten by a killer whale. I finally cracked a tiny smile that eventually exploded into uncontrollable laughter. and I thought, "she is so brave."

friends

I'm very much inspired by others this week.

I love this photo I found on flickr and enhanced.

kelly rae included an arabian proverb yesterday on her blog:

"a friend is one to whom one can pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keeping what is worth keeping, and, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away. "

blue monday

still blue...in a good way. a few of my flickr faves.

color crush

have I told you how much I love etsy? I'm somewhat obsessed with browsing and always amazed at the talent there. my new favorite store is circa ceramics. I really, really want a set of these funky little bowls.

cheeky girl

april's self portrait challenge is "absurd".

this one was difficult for me (and I'm not sure I've nailed it yet). absurdity doesn't seem to stand out to me, possibly because it's a big part of who I am and what I embrace. I love things that don't make sense, that are quirky and whimsical. I think quite a few people can easily find some absurdity in me and my life. and that's okay with me. when I was moving east from california, a friend was curious if I was concerned that easterners would find me weird because I was from california. then she said (with love), "I mean, you're weird here."

truly absurd was the time when I longed to be traditional, normal, safe, quiet. when I wanted to curl up with sameness and mediocrity, that place where no one ever wonders, "what's up with her?" I longed to be rid of baby apple cheeks set aglow by a silly grin and giggles that I couldn't seem to control. I wanted a mind that didn't distract me from the business of life with random questions like, "who made the rule that you can't wear bloomers after age 4?" and "what does Chewbacca carry in his purse?" and "what was the blond guy's name on Scooby-Doo?"

absurd was the time in my life when I had scars from biting the insides of my cheeks to keep from smiling at everything. I wanted to be sullen, colorless, invisible.

I'm not sure when I grew out of that; it happened gradually and naturally. I finally figured out that I can live near the fringe and still be accepted and loved in the real world (even in the east!). I like being the cheeky, smiling, laughing girl. I like being weird.