Life As I See It - a blog

Quote from Life in the Colonies by Jan Swafford

2011-12-19T22:08:00.002-06:00

"Artists generally refer to their work as a job, but the reality is that few artists of any kind make a living at it. Most of us are not pretentious enough to speak of it as a calling, but that's what it amounts to. We do it because there's nothing we'd rather do, because we're good at it, because we're wired up that way. There are far too many artists in the world, far more than the market can bear. The reason is that art is one of the greatest things in the world to do. In a perverse but typical corollary, the gods have decreed that art will therefore be one of the worst professions in the world to get by in."

~from Slate article Life in the Colonies by Jan Swafford

Together Again

2011-12-11T21:39:00.003-06:00

I haven't watched any of the Muppet Movies since The Muppets Take Manhatten (1984). I guess I felt like all the new stuff (Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, etc.) wasn't really the Muppets anymore, after all, Jim Henson was no longer the hand or voice behind Kermit or many of his other creations.

When I saw the previews for the newest movie The Muppets, I didn't know what to think. There was a part of me that just wished they'd leave The Muppets alone and let them simply live in our memory. Then I heard the music...

Song with humor, songs with heart, Celo's "Forget You" performed by chickens, it made me curious.

So last night we went to see the new movie and for the first time in many years I realized my Muppets lived again!

It's amazing that 20 years after Jim Henson's sudden death his art lives on through the people who knew him as well as those who grew up influenced by him to make us laugh, cry and sing out loud in the movie theater.

so on the art side of things...

2011-11-08T19:21:00.003-06:00

So on the art side of things I've helping form a new art co-op and along the way am expanding my circle of artists here in McAllen. It's been really good. For the first time in years some of my UTPA pieces have seen the light of day and are getting sold! Even the stuff that isn't selling is getting noticed and talked about.

Mary Williams one of the artists in the co-op wrote about me for her blog. Check it out. There was even a piece about our co-op in the paper yesterday. I wish there was an online article to link to. I'll post a picture later.

When all the pieces come together

2011-10-22T07:55:00.002-05:00

For the past few years I've struggled as a teacher. I've gotten trainings on lots of great things (IB,PBL, AVID, Kagan) but the setting, system, focus did not allow me to put it all together into one package. It was frustrating.

This year I finally get to put it all into practice and because many if these programs are new initiatives at the school I get to put them onto practice but I don't have to be excellent yet. The best part is that I know we will work on these initiatives for a few years to get them established. In the past, there was nothing as frustrating as starting something new on a school wide/ district wide level only to have it tossed. Every year felt like starting from scratch. Now, I'm at a disadvantage because I need training on things that have were established a few years ago and I wasn't here when it started.

The stress of the last few years has been so worth it. I feel like I can really grow a program, I feel like I've finally found a home.

Happy New Year

2011-08-09T06:51:00.001-05:00

When you're a teacher the year really runs August to August. Every new school year is a chance to start fresh. You toss the things that didn't work. You revise the things that did. You set new goals for things you are going to learn, improve upon, or learn.

This year I will do those things with a new district. I'm excited about the change! I will have a new classroom that will be mine indefinitely and I will only be teaching middle school. I am hoping this school will become my home for years to come.

From my phone

2011-08-04T08:51:00.001-05:00

Added a Blogger app to my android phone. Let's see if this encourages blogging.

What to talk about....

2011-08-03T20:09:00.003-05:00

Just getting in the habit of sitting down and writing is hard. Twitter and Facebook have made it so easy to right down a one sentence thought and send it out to the internets. I used to do that here but that was also when I had a desk job with an always on internet connection.

As part of my renewing of my blog I have decided to look at my other social networking tools and do some cleaning up. I said goodbye to Twitter yesterday. I never really got into it and was annoyed that all the "people" following me were business. Today I'm looking at my MySpace. The last status update I posted was on Dec 7, 2009.

And it's gone.

blowing the dust off the blog

2011-08-02T19:20:00.002-05:00

Facebook has become the medium in which I post quick thoughts and random pictures and for a little while I contemplated deleting my blog in it's entirety.

On Sunday I was sitting at a local arts festival waiting for people to come buy my work and thought, "I really need to start blogging again." So here I am, though I'm not sure what to talk about.

my 4th post in 2010

2010-09-18T20:32:00.003-05:00

I can't believe I wrote over 200 posts in both 2004 and 2005. Of course, that was back when I had a desk job. Even if I wanted to blog at school I'd have to do it from my phone because all Blogs are blocked.

So this is my third year of teaching. This year, I took on the challenge of being a founding teacher, a floating teacher and teaching technology in addition to teaching art. This first month has been crazy and I now know it is due to the nature of the school (and district), not my lack of teaching skills. I know I still have a ton to learn about teaching but instead of feeling stressed when I walk into a class and relieved when I walk out, I feel relaxed in the class and stressed when I walk out. The lack of communication and disorganization is staggering. It was probably just as bad in my first year of teaching, also a new school in the same district, but I was so much in survival mode that I couldn't see past the end of my own nose.

In spite of all my stress and frustration, I have discovered that I really love teaching. It's fun and it's challenging. You never know what the kids are going to do. And it's fun watching them learn even when they ask you the same question over and over because they didn't listen when I answered it for one of their classmates.

I miss having a classroom. I had no idea how much it meant to me until I didn't have one. I spent a lot of time last year considering the placement of tables and materials and how things would flow - systems, routines and storage. I also had a place to put my stuff.

My dream classroom would be a science lab or bigger size room with tables (4 students per table), counters, drawers, shelves and at least 1 nice, deep sink plus a kiln. It would have lots of storage and lots and lots of room to move around (RANT I'm tired of not being able to navigate around 30 kids and their bags - We are not supposed to stand in the front of the room yet the room is packed like a can of sardines leaving us only one place to be /RANT) I'd have traditional media on one end and technology tools at the other end including an elmo, an interactive white board and a mobile cart with a class set of laptops.

My biggest frustration is, as always, the place that enrichment classes have in our schools. What we do is not taken seriously. At any moment our classes can be interrupted, kids can be pulled out and our classes can be outright canceled at the last minute. It's just enrichment. The thing is, I know that I can walk into any of our core classes and teach the lesson that's being taught. It might not be to the depth that the core teacher might get to but I know I would do alright. Could any of them say the same of what I teach? It shouldn't be too hard. I teach Art to 2 kinder classes per day in addition to Art and Technology to two 6th grade and 9th grade classes per day. At least I'm having fun!

Learning new things

2010-05-16T01:16:00.002-05:00

So my summer challenge is to learn to communicate in Spanish - reading, writing and, most importantly, speaking.

I took two years of Spanish in high school but I will tell you I spent a lot of time drawing pictures and not so much actually attempting to learn Spanish. My teachers lost me when they described the English parts of speech and how it differed in Spanish. I was never good at labeling English sentence structure so comparing it to Spanish did me no good. I'm still not sure how I managed to get credit for graduation - maybe it was because I was a well behaved student (aside from never doing any actual work).

I've been in the Rio Grande Valley for nearly 15 years now and am constantly surrounded by people who speak Spanish or some variation of it. I will admit to learning a few words along the way - mostly the bad words and as well as how to apologize and explain that I don't speak Spanish - but other than a few memorized phrases, couldn't string together a simple sentence.

For the past two years, Spanish has become more of a necessity. Many of my student's parents only speak Spanish so I am forced to rely on someone to translate for me. But even still, my skills have not really improved because I really haven't had the desire to learn.

A few weeks ago I was at a community event for my new school and was surrounded by Spanish speakers. I really wanted to be able to understand what was going on and interact with the community. I realized that I really I wanted to learn. I switched my car radio to a Spanish music station, found some Spanish kids shows on the internet (let me recommend Pocoyo ) and I sucked it up and bought Rosetta Stone. Yes...It's lots of money but so far I am very happy with the product.

What's changed for me is my mindset - mindset is such a big thing when it comes to learning. If you don't want to learn it, you probably won't. On the other hand, when you want to learn, you seek it out. I find myself playing little games in my mind - how many things can I identify in my house or on the way to work? what is the purpose or message of the commercial I just heard?

It's all about the mindset.

I learn the things I want to learn or the things I know are going to help me be successful at my job (because I want to be successful at my job) but the things I don't want to learn - I don't. I can't be bothered. I'm sure this is where many of our kids our coming from, because this was my mindset as a student as well.

As a teacher, know my students all want to learn something. The question is what do they want to learn and how do they want to demonstrate that new knowledge or skill? And more importantly, where does their "this is what I want to learn" coincide with my "what I'm supposed to teach you" because then the powers that be are incredibly happy - and if not, I'm going to try to set aside a little time each week so they can pursue the thing they really want to learn even if it has nothing to do with my subject area.

mind dump

2010-03-14T15:53:00.002-05:00

Look at this...my second post in 2 whole months.

When I first started blogging I called my blog "All my Tediousness upon Thee." I was a line from William Shakespear's Much Ado About Nothing. After all what is blogging but the tediousness of my life being posted for the world of the internets to see. And honestly, who really cares?

That being said...here's some of my tedious thoughts to share.

I've been sick with a cold/bacterial/alien invasion for the past three weeks. I would almost start to feel better and then be hit harder in a new part of my body. Now I'm tackling it with antibiotics. I'm not a big have a sniffle, run to the doctor kind of person but decided it was time for the big guns. It seems to be working but I am exhausted.

It's the kind of exhaustion that even when you are are awake you feel a bit out of it, disconnected. When I went outside today...it almost seemed unreal, hyper real (it was so bright). That's what happens when you spend the day in semi-darkness. It's these kind of days when I feel like I'm living in my mind...or someone else's mind if I've spent time watching movies, reading a book or playing a video game.

I've been watching Caprica and it's renewing my fascination is virtual reality like in the book Snowcrash and the Otherland Series.

The other night, since I was feeling miserable, I got up and spent time surfing the internet. The good and bad about blogs is that you get to read little snippets of other people's lives. Somehow I came across this mommy blog - 5 kids, sews & knits, home schools the kids, grinds flour to make her family homemade bread. She probably makes her own soap too.

For a few moments I felt inadequate...and then it hit me, I don't do any of that stuff because I have no interest in it. That is not the life I want to lead. 1 kid is enough for me to handle, I find sewing incredibly boring, I could never homeschool my kid (I love him too much and he is way too much like me) but am pretty decent teaching other people's kids, and I'd rather spend my time eating than cooking. I don't have the skills to live a like Little House on the Prairie but I can navigate myself and my family comfortably through the 21st century and I'm pretty proud of that.

1st post of 2010: thoughts on being a teacher

2010-02-07T13:38:00.003-06:00

So my blog and website has been generally ignored for the past year and that needs to be remedied.

There's a lot I've wanted to write about but have held back.

When I started my blog in 2004 (I can't believe it's been that long) I was working as an administrative assistant for KVEO and had just returned to school in an attempt to get my degree. Having graduated during the summer of 2008 - Summa Cum Laude - I am now in my second year of teaching Art for IDEA Public Schools in Mission. IDEA a district of public charter schools.

A lot has happened.

When I was working as an administrative assistant I had a lot of computer time so it was easy for me to document my life. Once I quit my job and focused on school I had a little less time for blogging and once I began teaching...most of my free time was spent relaxing, destressing and planning.

I don't think there are many things that can compare to the stress and frustration of being a new teacher. In my case add alternative certification, charter school and brand new school lacking, in my opinion, strong new teacher support.

I wish I'd written more down. Of course what has held me back is how to voice the frustration I felt. My blog is not private and I certainly don't want to burn bridges by publicly venting or criticizing. I will admit that I was seriously considering quitting in November of '08. I spent a lot planning time sitting in my car crying those first few months.

The good thing is that the things that most stressed me out are fading and that comes down to practice. Teaching art, I'm given a Do Over with each new semester so technically I'm on my 4th go round. I'm slowly beginning to learn my job and willing to be open with the kids about the things I'm not so good at but am open to improving. In general, they seem to like being able to provide me feedback and make suggestions and LOVE IT when I implement their suggestions. I'm also learning how to be more positive and less negative. Instead of saying "you MUST do something this way" I'm saying to them "challenge yourself to try it that way." It is still far from perfect. I still don't have lesson pacing down, I'm not always clear with my kids as to the direction we are going and I am still learning how to ensure it is a good learning environment for everyone but I'm moving in a generally forward direction.

One of the things I didn't realize was how solitary and isolating teaching was going to be. We talk about Teams and we talk about Learning Communities but in the end it's just me and the kids each day.

In Frank McCourt's book Teacher Man he wrote, "You are with the kids and, as long as you want to be a teacher, there's no escape. Don't expect help from the people who've escaped the classroom, the higher-ups. They're busy going to lunch and thinking higher thoughts. It's you and the kids...Find what you love and do it."

That book was one of the things that made me feel better about the job I was doing. First of all, I am getting the opportunity to teach what I love even if it isn't a TAKS testing subject and there's no conclusive evidence that students who take Art classes do better on standardized tests, and I have no clue what my budget is and it's rare that someone actually comes to observe me...but still...I get to teach Art. Second, kids are kids - many of the classroom management issues he was dealing with 50 years ago are the same issues we are dealing with today. Yes, somethings have changed, but let's face it - kids are kids.

Well, so now that I'm beginning to wrap my mind around what I need to do to improve myself as a teacher I'm going to take the leap into a new school. Not just a new place but to another brand new IDEA charter school in Alamo. Am I crazy? This one is going to specialize in The Arts, Culture and Technology. The Arts...how can I not take the leap? I'm really excited about the opportunities and the possibilities.

As I finish up this year and begin making the move to the new school next year I am going to try to be better about documenting my life with posts longer than a Twitter or a Facebook update. We'll see how it goes.

On the Art side of life...I sent my first piece to an out of state show! I'm waiting to hear if I got accepted to another one. My goal is to try to enter 1 non-local show per quarter. I am also going to have my very first solo show ever. It will be a 2D show because it will be at the Blue Onion restaurant but still...it's a show. 2010 is going to be a good year.

my photo on the wall at the Applebee's on Trenton and Jackson

2009-06-24T00:24:00.001-05:00

my photo on the wall at the Applebee's on Trenton and Jackson
Originally uploaded by gydnew

We went to eat there a few weeks ago. While waiting for a table I began to look around at the photographs on the wall. One of them looked stangely familiar to me...
www.flickr.com/photos/wynde/704013112/

hmmmm...

more of the same plus the possibility of death by pig

2009-05-03T21:14:00.002-05:00

So I completed my back therapy and have an MRI scheduled for Wednesday in order to see if the therapy worked. I know it has had an impact because my foot is no longer numb, I haven't felt like my foot or leg is on fire and I'm generally walking better over all. I'm still not a 100% and I may never be. Up next is exercises to strengthen my back.

The other news is the Swine Flu. There is a fine line between taking something seriously and panicking. Generally what has been said on the news is "We are ALL going to DIE!" Craziness. Of course being a teacher where I'm constantly surrounded by sneezing and sniffling kids brings out the slightest hypochondria in me. I guess it's to be expected. The big worry is that schools may close, a number in the region have already. I don't want school to close because I don't want the school year extended any longer than absolutely necessary. We'll see what happens.

yet another tedious post about my back and general health

2009-04-19T20:01:00.004-05:00

So I've been doing doing the back therapy for a number of weeks now. Generally things have been better. I was feeling pretty good but then last week the building was very cold and I could feel my back just tighten up. The leg pain has faded a lot. I feel it sometimes when I go to stand up - it can be excruciating. But, it doesn't happen all the time so I never know when standing up is going to be something I regret doing. My lower back is uncomfortable - tired and achy but not unbearable.

Besides the cold, I can feel it tighten up as soon as I am in a stressful situation. This is something I'm going to have to work on. The weeks keep ticking away at school getting closer to the end of the year and a chance to relax.

The change in diet has resulted in a loss of 21 pounds since the beginning of March. It's encouraging. Of course, I cringe every time I go to the grocery store. How can 4-5 plastic grocery bags come out to nearly or even over $100 each time?

Why is America overweight? Food made from refined sugar and flour is cheap while fresh fruits and veggies are expensive.

The interesting thing about the Zone Diet is that I've stopped craving food the way I used to. Food used to be such a social thing where I'd spend the day thinking about what I was going to eat for dinner. I don't do that anymore. In fact I'm not even all that excited about food and yet when I sit down to eat, I'm not disappointed. It always tastes great and I really enjoy all the flavors as I'm eating. I'm even enjoying cooking the food I'm going to eat.I'm not sure if this is a side effect of not eating all the sugar and carbs via pasta, rice and bread or just a mindset change. Either way, not having food cravings has made sticking to the plan easier than I expected.

week 2 of back therapy

2009-03-29T11:35:00.002-05:00

So it's been a few days since I have experienced my leg and foot on fire. Also, generally my pain is even more diminished. My foot is still partially numb with pins and needles and I can still feel the exact path of my sciatic nerve through my entire leg but overall I'm beginning to feel hopeful that overall the therapy is making a difference. They've only been stretching me for two weeks and I still have 3 days a week for the next 4 weeks to go so hopefully it will only continue to improve.

The change in diet is going well. I haven't stepped on the scale but I am feeling good about what I'm eating and how much I'm eating. At the beginning I was hungry but now it is much better. I like The Zone because you can get very nitpicky and count and measure everything or you can sort of eyeball it - 1/3 plate lowfat / nofat protein, 2/3 plate low carb/ low sugar veggies plus a little tiny bit of healthy fat. At this point I am eyeballing it. I figure the longer I do this the easier it will eventually be to really make it work. Considering what I was eating before, just this simple change in diet will have an effect.

Just over 9 weeks of the school year left and I will have survived my first year of teaching.

the end of the first week

2009-03-22T14:41:00.002-05:00

So this is the end of the first week of the doctor stretching and electrocuting me. Generally the pain is better. I have less overall stabbing and throbbing pain but a new symptom has emerged - BURNING. Yes, it feels like my foot and calf have been set on fire.

Nerves are funny things. Their job is to send sensations to the brain. But when the nerve is irritated or impacted in some way it begins to send false sensations to the brain. I've been dealing with tingling and numbness in my foot for the past few months but the burning is nearly as obnoxious as the stabbing pain.

This week was weird. I did very little. I read a little, did a little work, played a little on my DS, watched a little TV but didn't really do much of anything. Most of the week was focused around my daily doctor appointments. Trying to get my mind in work mode is becoming difficult. I'm looking forward to going back to work but not the stress of it.

the pain of measuring pain

2009-03-18T17:20:00.002-05:00

Yesterday they started my back treatments. They are using this machine to separate my vertebrate (gently pull me apart) and then this machine to stimulate (gently shock) the muscles in my back. It's actually very relaxing. For an hour I simply listen to my ipod and try to be as relaxed as possible while the machines do their thing.

So each time I go to the doctor I have to give them the level of pain I'm currently experiencing from 0 - 10. How to measure pain? I started measuring it based on how much brain power is devoted to the pain. Below a 5 means that I feel the pain in my leg but also additional pains like my stiff right shoulder that I have been sleeping on for that past month because sleeping on the left hurts too much. Anything over 5 means all pain is focused on the leg. A 1 or 2 means I am thinking other things and am only occasionally reminded about the pain while a 3 or 4 means there is a small part of my brain dedicated to "ow that hurts." 5, 6, 7 & 8 is really all about how much much my brain is shouting at me about the pain and how much I can think other thoughts. A 9 or 10 means that nothing in the world exists except the pain and I have resorted to breathing exercises in order to keep from going crazy.

Between time, the pain medication I have and the new treatments I am feeling generally better than I have in weeks. I'd been over 5 most days for weeks with 9s in the morning when I try to get up but the past few days have been 3s. Last night I even managed to spend part of the night flat on my back and part of it laying on my left side.

I will have back treatments everyday for the next two weeks and then three days a week for the next month.

The doctor gave me nutritional shakes to replace meals for the first few days to help me get started on the diet. I don't mind the shake for breakfast because I was never a big breakfast person anyway but can't stand it more than the one meal.

Since going in to the doctor initially about the pain a few weeks ago I have lost 12 pounds. Most of it I'm sure is due to the fact that the pain meds made a mess of my digestive system so I immediately began drinking a ton of water and watching everything that went in to my mouth. Also with the nerve pain, I have stopped ingesting caffeine - I'm not missing it but man, I want something SWEET AND SUGARY!

back for more

2009-03-16T20:46:00.003-05:00

So I met with the doctor today. He said most doctors would recommend surgery given the state of my disks but we are going to try the non-spinal decompression therapy. But, for me to see long-lasting results and a live with back that won't keep crushing disks, I absolutely MUST lose weight - 80 pounds worth.

So the therapy will start tomorrow (they didn't have time to start it today) and last six weeks. It should stretch my spine out and hopefully create negative pressure so that my disks will go back to where they belong. It's also supposed to increase water and nutrients into my disks, hopefully resulting in healthier disks than I currently have. Given the current state of my disks he doesn't expect that my issues will be fixed 100% but I will have a reduction in pain. With physical therapy, we should be able to put off surgery for a long time. My insurance won't cover the spinal therapy. :( What is the point of medical insurance? I really don't get it.

The quest towards losing weight began today with The Zone. My mom has been doing this. I was reading one of the books and after talking to the doctor, his diet recommendations where very much along the same lines.

It's going to take some getting used to - particularly the cost of the groceries versus the actual amount of groceries. Plus, of course, the lack of all my favorite comfort foods ... and I wonder why I'm 80 pounds overweight.

my back

2009-03-14T20:57:00.001-05:00

So, my leg has been driving me crazy with pain. A few weeks ago I went to the doctor where they x-rayed me and hooked me up to these little electrode things and zapped me leg in order to determine the source of the pain. Sciatic Nerve.

I then got an MRI which between the pain and claustrophobia was a difficult experience. The conclusion is that I have two slipped disks. One of them is "irritating" my sciatic nerve on the left side. Tomorrow I go to the dr to begin non-surgical spinal decompression. Hopefully this helps because the pain is effecting my thinking. Its leaving me depressed and unfocused.

getting them to slow down

2009-03-06T21:44:00.002-06:00

The biggest issue I see with my kids is the need to rush. Hurry up and get done. The results are sloppy.

Today I asked a class, "Are you going to get to go play outside when you are done?" "NO" "Are you going to get to watch TV when you are done?" "NO" "Are you going to be able to read a book?" "NO" "Is there any place else you have to be?" "NO" "What are you going to get to do?" "Draw more."

They know that if they rush I'm going to make them go back and do more or do it over again with more care. And yet...

how is it possible he's 14?

2009-03-06T21:40:00.001-06:00

training

2009-02-25T01:45:00.003-06:00

I'm leaving to to NYC on Thursday morning for 4 days of IB training. I'm very excited both about the training and NY. I hope it isn't too cold. The hotel is only a block from the Museum of Modern Art. :D

crushed under the weight of a giant apple

2009-02-22T08:50:00.005-06:00

I have this image in my mind of a person being crushed by the weight of a giant apple. Of course the apple is teaching. I have a thing for symbols.

Last semester, I spent almost everyday feeling overwhelmed - like I was drowning. I cried constantly. This semester I feel more confident. I got to start over with a new group of kids and so I get to rectify all the mistakes I made last hosen to deal with this semester by aggravating my sciatic nerve. I don't feel like I'm drowning and yet I am feeling the stress. How do I know? I can't focus.

2009-02-08T19:57:00.000-06:00

My site really needs to be updated!

watching history in the making

2009-01-20T22:17:00.003-06:00

I got to watch the inauguration with the class of 2021 (kindergarten). What was wonderful was listening to them clap and cheer anytime they heard "Barack Obama." It was like a crazy party game. "Barack Obama." "YEAH!!!"

so here I am again...another year in review

2009-01-03T20:09:00.003-06:00

2008 was a year of both surprise and stress and, happily, more baby steps forward.

On the Family Front:

-In March, the kid turned 13 moving into official teenage hood and is MUCH taller than me now.

-In September, my mom moved in with us from Connecticut. The apartment feels smaller but otherwise it's been really good. My sisters also made the move to Austin - now they are within a day's drive of us!

-On December 31st we said "So long!" to the POS Ford Focus and "Hello" to a brand new 2009 Honda Fit. Between the Mini and the Fit we (hopefully) won't have car worries for many years to come.

On the School Front:

The spring was a semester of stress as I prepared for the Senior Show. In the end the show itself was not worth all the stress. My pieces went in a totally different direction than I had anticipated but I'm incredibly happy with the results.

I finished up my last few credit hours in the summer and officially graduated in August! The surprise there was that I was the top graduate and was invited to speak at my graduation. It was both nerve-wracking and empowering. I never could have imagined making a speech in front of such a large group just a few years before.

On the Job Front:

I passed both on my teaching exams and got a job teaching art with a new charter school. Art jobs are hard to come by so I was incredibly lucky. I am currently teaching with a 1 year certification. The job has been both exciting and stressful. It leaves me exhausted and frustrated on nearly a daily basis but is getting better each and every day - baby steps. I'm so happy to have a job!

On the Political Front:

Both Hillary and Barack visited the valley last February and I got to see both of them in person. I even got to shake the new president-elect's hand. For the first time in my voting life I was actually excited about going to vote.

-Gas was up to nearly $5 a gallon this summer but has dropped down to $1.35. I don't expect it to stay.

-The war in Iraq continues and the economy has tanked thanks to years of crazy loans. I'm glad we never did one of those mortgages. Many people are worried about their jobs. I'm happy to be both in an area that is slow to react to the rest of the American economy and in an industry that continues to grow in our area.

-With one party on the way out and a new party on the way in, the border wall is in a holding pattern. We'll just have to wait and see.

Seen and Done this Year:

I participated in a few art shows and went up to Denton for a clay workshop. This summer I was so busy between finishing school and starting my new job that we didn't go anywhere. Basically, not much seen or done.

2009 will bring:

-more confidence as a teacher as I learn my job and earn full certification

-more financial stability

-better health as we try to move away from eating garbage on a daily basis

-the kid becoming a high school student

My main personal goal for the year is to block time just to create art and reinsert myself into the local art community.

still alive

2008-11-01T18:56:00.002-05:00

Teaching has has me feeling excited, elated, angry, frustrated, turned upside down, inside out and exhausted on a daily basis.

My Mom has moved in!

2008-09-21T18:39:00.000-05:00

so what has happened since last month

2008-08-23T07:10:00.003-05:00

On August 4 I started VERY intense training with my new job. While it would have been nice to have a few weeks to breathe and relax before school started I'm grateful for all the training. I was at an orientation meeting for my Alternative Certification class last week and met a lot of brand new teachers who are scared because they are about to be tossed into their classroom with very little support.

I have had a chance to get to know my colleagues both at my school and in my department district wide. I KNOW what is expected of me and I know how to get the support I need to accomplish it. It's a really good feeling.

Logistically, there are still going to be things to be worked out - probably throughout the year. The school is brand new. I will be floating and I won't have a planning space until the ground is dry enough (yes we got a ton of rain last week) to move in the portable that will be offices. For the sake of storage and carting items around I think I'm going to take a cue from a friend of mine and theme this year "Miniature Masterpieces!" Everything will be in a 5" x 7" format.

So the other thing that happened this month is that I graduated! I had decided not to go to the ceremony since I was so busy with training. Then about a week and a half before graduation I received a call from UTPA. Apparently I was the top graduating student!!!! and they wanted me to do a short speech at the commencement ceremony.

Back when I started at UTPA I had a HUGE fear of public speaking. In fact my first speech for my communications class back in 2005 was about my fear of public speaking. I decided to give it a go just to challenge my self. I did alright. I was very nervous at the beginning but the more I spoke, the easier it got.

I was regretting saying yes because of all the hassle I had to go through to get my gown and tickets for the ceremony but in the end, I'm very glad I said yes.

School starts on Monday - The kid starts 8th grade! Will starts his 7th year of teaching! I start my first teaching job!
My mom moves in a week from Monday!

the waiting game

2008-07-22T21:38:00.002-05:00

Keeping an eye on the weather. Everything has been canceled tomorrow in anticipation of Hurricane Dolly. It is supposed to make landfall tomorrow morning depending on size and direction we may see a lot of rain and wind or we may see nothing at all.

look what I made...

2008-07-20T09:29:00.000-05:00

with a little help from my son

One class left to go!

2008-07-10T14:11:00.003-05:00

See that counter to the right? => That's how many days I have left until graduation. For so long it seemed so completely out of reach. When I started school in January of 2004 I needed 153 credit hours to graduate. I'm down to my last 2 hours...that's right 2.

I'm still not sure if I'm going to go to the graduation ceremony. I have so much stuff to do that it kind of seems like a wasted afternoon that could be put to better use. On the other hand, I've worked hard to finish school and the graduation ceremony is part of the school experience.

Have I mentioned that my mom is moving to Texas and will soon be living with us? Changes all around.

brain drain

2008-06-23T23:37:00.002-05:00

Some much new information has been dumped into my head over the past few weeks. Between my Photography as an Art Form class, my ACT certification class and all the new information and books leading up to my new job this fall, my brain is being forced to absorb new information at a rate it hasn't been asked to do for a long time. It's great! yet at the same time exhausting! My brain seems to be running a million miles a minute and I have resorted to making lists in order to try to sort and organize it all.

2008-06-06T22:33:00.003-05:00

oh, and I help out at the RGV Food Banks Bowl-a-thon at UTPA and am now on YouTube...

...how come nobody told me my head is so round? ;P

what occured in the merry month of may and into june...

2008-06-06T22:30:00.000-05:00

via bullet points:

The Spring Semester finished, weeks ago - A's all around. :) I just have TWO more classes to go before graduation!
Currently taking a photography class.
I passed the TExES EC-12 Art Content test getting only 5 questions wrong - which is exactly how many questions I'd had no clue about when taking the test.
I've been cleaning, organizing, getting rid of the junk, ~~trying~~ needing to lighten the load, A LOT! My mom will soon be living with us.
I keep trying to make my black thumb, green. I've managed to keep a number of indoor plants alive for a few months now and have a few plants outside that haven't died yet. say "Yeah!" to cheap, hardy plants from WalGreens.
I had the opportunity to teach my very first art lesson to a group of 8th graders. It went very well and I had fun doing it.
I, for sure, have a job teaching art in the coming school year.
I'm currently in the midst of also taking my Pedagogy classes this month in order to qualify for my temporary certification.
I've started working on building an art curriculum for the fall.

2008-04-22T18:00:00.002-05:00

Took the EC-12 TExES Art Content test on Saturday. 90 questions took me 45 minutes. They hadn't even finished making the seating chart for signing out when I finished. Out of the 90 there were 5 questions that I did not know. The rest seemed so basic that it worries me. Maybe they are trick questions and I bombed the whole thing. I'll know May 9th.

Opening for the BFA Show was last night. We had a good turn out.

long time, no blog

2008-04-16T20:01:00.002-05:00

Since the workshop, I have been hard at work trying to finish up my pieces for the BFA Show with what spare time I've had dedicated to finding a job after graduation. I'm happy to say that my pieces are done with the exception of one hiccup ( a minor piece I dropped yesterday - luckily I had a few spares waiting in the wings that just needed some glaze. I'm also happy to say that it looks like I have a job as well with the exception of one or several combined hiccups ( the whole won't have a degree till August, won't have a temporary teachers certification till after that hiccup). It looks like they are going to be able to work with me and my complications. In the meantime, I am trying to get everything else taken care of that I can.

- I'm taking the TExES Art EC-12 test on Saturday, yes this Saturday.
- I'm signed up for the Pedagogy classes in June which also coincides with my Summer 1 class.
- I'm trying to round up my supplies ahead of time for my Summer 1 class "Photography as an Art Form" because I know it will be intense and I want to spend my time on taking pictures not running around the valley looking for supplies.
- I have permission to do the work for my summer 2 class early so that I will have better availability in August.
- I'm starting to make supply lists and and beginning to formulate lesson plan ideas for the upcoming school year.

In the meantime I also have the opening to the BFA Show on Monday and an Art History project due Tuesday. We also only have a couple more weeks of school so that means critique crunch time and final exams.

I'm going to be MIA for a few more weeks!

workshopin'

2008-03-15T15:24:00.003-05:00

click on the Blue Plate Special for the Flickr photo album

I spent last Friday, Saturday and Sunday at my first ceramics workshop!

The workshop hosted at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX (which had snow on the ground on Friday!) featured Ron Meyers with guest artists Chuck Hindes and Dan Murphy. All three make functional pieces and all three work very loosely - meaning quick, a little ragged, finger marks and such.

Dan Murphy and Chuck Hindes are both woodfire guys which means the surface effects of their pieces are all determined through the firing process and part of that process involves the building of the kilns, the loading of the kilns and managing the firing process. While I found the results interesting and would like to participate in the building of a kiln someday, I was bored about a third of the way into the slide presentation on wood kiln building. Ron Meyers says that there are two kinds of ceramics people "Mud Guys" and "Fire Guys." There is no doubt in my mind that Murphy and Hindes are Fire Guys.

I really enjoyed watching Meyers work. His work is quick and direct. He thinks nothing of leaving finger marks as part of his process and will even add more marks and dents purposely "surface enrichment". Where I most identified with him was in his background and in his imagery. He came to clay a little later in life. "Everyone comes into ceramics by the back door." He's always had an interest in cartooning. He decorates his works with a cast of characters that represent people and places in his life. I found his images humorous. He gives his characters shifty eyes and pointy teeth in order to keep them from becoming cute. This is also an area where I struggle. I want to be funny, I don't want to be cute. He tells stories with wit, humor and sarcasm yet still makes all his pieces functional.

Here are a few things that really stood out in my mind:

he prices his work based on how much he would pay for the piece
fingermarks are the artist's hand
functional ceramics need to be used in order to fulfill their purpose

What I got out of it:
While I'm not ready to stop making simply sculptural pieces I do think I should try to work on some functional ones as well. I also pulled all my functional pieces I've gotten from other people and put them where they will be used. I had already started to use the "what I would pay" rule of thumb and and glad to have it reinforced. I've still got some cutesy going on but am working on ways to counteract it. Oh yeah...and I'm a Mud ~~Guy~~ Girl ... and I also learned how to make a round plate into an oval platter!

As a bonus, it was good to see yet another ceramics department - not as nice as TSU but nicer than ours. And it was a good experience to see what the ceramics grad students were doing at UNT - mostly woodfired and functional. They were cool but, at this point, that's not my thing.

Since I've never attended a workshop like this before here's a quick breakdown of the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Good:
Being able to watch an artist work for nearly three days straight you get to watch a large part of their process. You can ask questions about their work, their history and even "What's that tool you're using?" Everything is immediate. Not only did many people ask the questions that popped into my head but many asked questions I hadn't even considered but found to be interesting and informative. My sketchbook is full of notes and my head is buzzing with tons of ideas. Not only do I want to try techniques I saw demonstrated but I have other ideas that were simply generated by being in the environment.

The Bad:
Watching but not being able to touch clay is frustrating. My hands were itching to play in the mud by the end of the first day and I still had two days to go. I also found that while the hours flew by, sitting for hours on end in a folding chair gets pretty uncomfortable. That, though, is the hazard of most conferences or workshops...lots of sitting.

The Ugly:
This has nothing to do with the conference, just my geographical location. The Friday before, we had made the round trip drive to Austin to pick up art. To follow this with a 10 hour each way drive to Denton just SUCKS! But there's not much I can do about that. As long as I live in the valley and don't have money to burn - getting places is just an exercise in frustration. Also, one of our group was super sick and spent the weekend feeling pretty miserable.

2008-03-06T07:50:00.001-06:00

The kid is 13 today! I guess that now makes him the teen-ager.

Drooling over TSU Ceramics Lab

2008-03-02T18:30:00.003-06:00

Had to make a crazy drive up to Austin and back on Friday. We stopped by TSU in San Marcos to see the show in the gallery and popped into their ceramics studio. It was incredible!

For the record, driving to Austin and back in one day SUCKS! It was only made tolerable with good company. We do live in the 21st century. You'd think someone would have figured out teleportation by now.

presidential politics in the Rio Grande Valley

2008-02-22T15:37:00.006-06:00

I got the opportunity to see both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama speak in person this week. Texas is generally written off as a red state but we do have a few pockets of blue. One of them is here in the valley and it earned us a visit from both candidates.

I think it's a pretty safe bet to say that the next president is going to be a Democrat and given that both candidates from the Democratic party are making history by not being old white guys, I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity and see them both.

I didn't even hear about the visits until Wednesday afternoon when I found out the Hillary would be at the Dodge Arena that night at 5:30p. At that point Obama's visit was only a rumor. I made it to the arena just at 5:30 but was easily able to find parking. There was a crowd going in due to the TSA security screenings but they went reasonably quickly. We sat waiting for about an hour but were entertained by various dancers and musicians - mostly traditional stuff like folklorico dancing and mariachis .

It was pretty exciting when she came out. History in the making.

Her speech was short and to the point. She focused on the fact she was here 30 years ago signing people up to vote - She hit her major points that effect the valley including NCLB, Iraq and military service, health care and affordable education. The issue that got the biggest crowd reaction was Iraq. The valley has a large percentage of people serving in the military. She didn't go into details and was all finished within 20 minutes. You can see her speech as recorded by local ABC affiliate KRGV HERE.

I left, in order to beat the crowd out of the parking lot when she began to wrap up her speech.

On Thursday, the Obama rally at UTPA was confirmed for Friday at 9:30am. There was confusion as to exactly where it was going to be but when they started setting up a stage on the quad we were pretty sure we had located the spot. While the Dodge Arena is a big area I know space on campus is limited and there is a student population of over 17, 000. It wouldn't take many people to create a large crowd so we (me and a friend of mine) got there a little after 7am. A line had already begun to form, happily we were relatively close to the front. Within the hour the line had stretched from the Student Union to the walkway near the library. We stood there for 2 1/2 hours waiting for the gates to open. We spent the time by talking with the people around us.

The line moving through security was a bit crazy as people kept trying to cut in line from the side.

Once through security, we were in a "corral" that faced the stage. We managed to negotiate our way towards right making our way towards the front. We managed to get within one person of the front rail and then had to stand there for another 2 hours. It was hot, claustrophobic, smelly (we were crammed next to a group of high school kids), my back and knees were killing me and then the sun came out. I am sunburned. At about 11:45 Obama finally made his appearance.

He was incredible! He spoke for about 40 minutes. Like Hillary he hit his major points but elaborated and seemed to make it all very personal. You can see his speech as recorded by local ABC affiliate KRGV HERE. I'm somewhere in that crowd.

At the end of his speech he walked the rail. I got to shake his hand! At that point, the crowd decided to surge forward leaving me feeling even more trapped than before. My friend managed to push through towards the back to get out and grabbing on to her elbow I followed her out.

So now my feet and legs hurt and my face is burning ~~but next week I'm going to go early vote for Obama.~~ updated 2/27/07 I went on Monday! Having never voted in a Primary before, in Texas I will be considered a Democrat until December 31, 2008, at which point I will revert to unaffiliated again.

Most of the platform differences between him and Hillary are small and once compromises have been made with Congress, will probably be negligent. The two big issues that really stand out in my mind, in his favor, are his policy on a transparent government and his no money from lobbyists stance. I also like his idea of a $4,000 tax credit for college earned through 100 hours of community service.

Hillary Clinton was in McAllen yesterday!

2008-02-22T00:06:00.003-06:00

Barack will be here tomorrow!

There is no crying in Senior Show!

2008-02-15T08:38:00.004-06:00

Critique #1 was last night and unfortunately, I ended up crying. If you want to read about it Go HERE. Otherwise, give a day or two to get my head back in the game.

2008-02-14T08:00:00.001-06:00

Tonight I have the first of three critiques tonight for my BFA show. I have no idea what to expect so I'm feeling a bit nervous. Just getting to this point has been a frustrating experience thanks to a lack of organization and communication on behalf of the administration. In addition, after feeling so frustrated I decided to change the focus of my show.

I'm sure that in the long run, things will turn out just fine but in the meantime I'm feeling a little crazy.

the local art scene

2008-02-07T05:58:00.000-06:00

So last night I went to a panel discussion at our newest local "art space" Manichaus. The panel was made up of three local critics / artists and the discussion was regarding our local art scene, in particular, The Art Walk.

It is true that the Art Walk is somewhat stagnant. A lot of work gets recycled from establishment to establishment and there's not a lot of loyalty between venues and artists.

What I got out of the discussion is that in order for it to change, the artists are going to have to be the ones to do it. The business owners are willing to be a venue in order to get people into their business but are not necessarily going to take a strong interest in what art gets displayed in their establishment.

It was suggested that, we as artists, take control over what goes up, organize and curate our own shows. It is what needs to be done but I know from my own experience, it's not an easy one. Many don't take initiative to follow up on showing opportunities and after committing to show, many back out at the last minute.

In general it was informative, a bit frustrating, and I did feel like I was asking some very basic questions that apparently I should already know the answers to. . There is no formal "here's how to write a CV, artist statement, build a portfolio, get established with a gallery, curate a show" kind of class. Maybe students were learning these answers at school a few years ago but the whole "how to be a professional artist" is something I've been learning as I go. I guess I'll just continue to ask seemingly basic questions until I have answers.

2008-02-04T07:41:00.000-06:00

Had a great weekend in Austin and happy to be home but feeling blah about school. This semester is not what I expected. I really need to learn to let go and just flow with it. I'm trying.

updated 9:46pm-
forgot to mention that having Google Maps on my Centro was amazing!!!! was able to navigate through Austin with relative ease.

the one at the end of a long day

2008-01-21T23:17:00.000-06:00

not a hard day...just a long one

I was up early today so that I could babysit a kiln. This guy candled (sat at about 250 or so) in the kiln for the last day and a half today I had to bump him up (turn up the gas bit by bit every hour) to 1900 degrees. I started him about 8:30a and finished at about 5:30p. Maybe late tomorrow, defiantly Wednesday morning I'll be able to see if he survived fully intact.

At the same time, I also ran a bisque for the first time in a small electric kiln the school just got. It's great because it's perfect for doing very small loads with out waiting weeks for enough stuff from the rest of the classes.

I discovered that if you call Sprint/Nextel after 10pm you actually get someone here in the US. The guy was very nice but told me it could take up to a week for my phone to fully be ready to activate and there is nothing they can do. *sigh*

In the meantime my "PDA / may someday be a phone" takes good pictures. Here is a side-by-side comparison with my old phone.

the one where I gush about my new phone

2008-01-19T19:17:00.000-06:00

I just got one of these. It is wonderful! PDA and phone all in one compact system with a camera. I'd forgotten how much I love having a PDA. For a long time I was using a Palm T3 but the battery started having issues. Then I was using a Palm Life drive but between size and reset issues, I stopped carrying it around. I've got art all over the place and important critiques at school that I need to track as well as sub jobs and all other stuff so this is going to be a lifesaver.

It's also a really pretty red color.

So here's my only issue...
The phone is through Sprint. We've had T-mobile for years simply because the price was right. Sprints prices suddenly got very competitive and new phones for all of us was an incredible deal as new customers so we switched. We've been out of contract with T-mobile for a few years so switching numbers was not an issue...or so I thought. The other two numbers ported with no issues but I'm still waiting for my number to switch. According to someone in India (one of the many i've spoken with today), my number is "in progress." The thing is, my number is one I had with Sprint 6 or 7 years ago before I switched to T-mobile. Somehow me transferring the number back is pulling up old account information separate from the family plan I selected. Why can't this ever be easy?

the one I'm writing while trying to wake up

2008-01-11T07:35:00.000-06:00

So Monday, I will be back at school. Over the break I planned to make more art but that didn't happen. I did manage to redo the website as well as get the Robot Invasion off the ground. I did make a few things so it was not a total bust but I had planned on more. You know, if I had planned on doing NOTHING over the break I would have been bored three days in and started creating. Such as life.

Anyway...I spent the last two days substituting. It is certainly the most challenging job I've ever had. When I started, I was at a different school each time which means even in the same district, the procedures such as bell schedule, morning announcements and such, were different. It was like going to a new job each day. That part is getting better. I'm getting comfortable with a few schools. It's also helping me narrow down age groups I'd rather work with in the long run.

For me, the great part of subbing, is when you actually get to help a kid learn something new. Seeing the "I get it!" look on their face is wonderful! The difficulty is always dealing with the amount of time any of them can focus, be reasonably quiet and sit in a chair. A class can go from quiet to deafening in a matter of seconds without much provocation. I spend my day doing a lot of walking and glaring. It's exhausting!

the obligitory one where I review the year

2008-01-02T12:02:00.000-06:00

Every year we've looked at the progress of our lives as baby steps. Each year, a little better in someway than the previous year...

Odd Jobs and Art:
To make a little extra cash this last year I have been selling my art both online and locally, I did a couple of face painting jobs, some graphic design work and I have ventured into the intimidating world of substitute teaching.

I have also been showing my work at nearly every Art Walk, have shown in a few longer-term venues (group shows) in both McAllen, Brownsville and up in Austin. I've also gotten a good grasp on what I'm doing with my work, the look, and what it means to me. Also....I LOVE clay!

School:
I managed 18 hours worth of classes last spring, 6 hours in the summer and 18 more hours in the fall - all A's. As usual, school politics left me ready to scream in frustration but at this point, I'm simply trying to let go.

Stuff Seen and Done:
We took the kid to a Renn Faire which sadly ran out of funding and won't be around this year. We (as in all three of us) took at 4,500 mile road trip in the Mini manging to visit Williamsburg, Jamestown, DC, CT and OH before heading back to TX in June. The kid and I went to the last ever Harry Potter book release party at our local B&N in July. BTW I was very pleased with how she wrapped it all up. Will spent a good part of July at a really intense conference about the constitution in LA. In August, we moved to a new place which gave me a whole separate room to use as a studio. I tried to grow a garden and killed most of it off. The aloe is still alive as well as two spider plant cuttings from my MIL.

The Current Political Situation:
-The war in Iraq continued. A lot of local kids have died.
-The Border Wall became the newest political distraction. If it's built, it will have a HUGE impact ecologically on this area while doing nothing to impact illegal immigration.
-Gas prices have been fluctuating between $2.50 and $3.10. I still see a huge number of very large trucks and SUVs here so I guess it's not high enough yet.
-the presidential campaigning began in force this last year but since I am not affiliated with any party officially I'm not even looking at the candidates until after the primaries.

2008 will bring:
more confidence substitute teaching
my BFA senior show in the spring
graduation and a degree in August..."keeping my fingers crossed that no roadblocks appear"
teachers certification in August or September thru an alternative certification program
a full time job of some sort in the fall
my work in a show in Austin

...and life will continue to move forward in baby steps.

the one where I reminisce

2007-12-21T09:11:00.000-06:00

So lately when I've been subbing, it's been primarily middle school and high school age kids. The hazard is that by hanging around these kids it's triggering all the memories I've worked really hard to repress about my own jr. high and high school experiences. I was shy, awkward and totally uncomfortable in my own skin most of the time. The only time I was ok being me was when I was making art.

Now standing in a classroom all those memories come flooding back. It's a good thing I'm finally confident about who I am or those kids would eat me alive.

Nothing like a sub to walk into a class to let the students know that today will be a "busy work" day.

BTW...I was in one school where I did kindergarten- 25 kids - 8a to 4p - NO NAP!!! The school doesn't believe in naps - That's just not right!

Happily the kid seems pretty comfortable with who he is and fully embraces being a gamer/band geek whose also smart.

the one where I stand up and cheer

2007-12-20T10:14:00.000-06:00

I got this off from Penelope's blog a few weeks ago...
Do schools today kill creativity? (Ken Robinson, TEDTalks)

the one where wendy's brain explodes

2007-12-17T11:04:00.000-06:00

So now that I've got a break from school my brain has been running a mile a minute. Between the creative avenues I want to explore and the basic necessities that need to get done, I'm feeling overwhelmed. Can you feel overwhelmed with creativity?

There's a part of me that just wants to turn on the TV 'cause if I turn on the TV my brain switches off. Instead, I'm making lists...lots of lists.

the one where I recap my semester

2007-12-16T20:16:00.000-06:00

I'm tired my titles. I had fun with them when they were "tedious" but now they're just blah so I've decided to steal the naming conventions from Friends for my blog titles.

Anyway... I just finished up another 18 hour semester - all A's. I'm just that good! :p That and most of my classes were studio classes. The only way you can blow those is to not show up and produce nothing.

My English class Survey of American Literature was wonderful and sadly my last English class. I have maxed out all my elective hours, finished up my minor and now only need studio classes for my BFA.

My classes in the art department were generally good though I did have a couple of disappointments which, I can now see, has been a constant every semester. At least 1 or 2 classes, every semester, leave me feeling like I've wasted my time. This time it was my art history class and my design class.

The art history seminar was never as full of discussion as I'd hoped - most of the grad students in the class are students that got their BFA from Pan Am. They are too comfortable, too passive, too willing to act like undergrads and simply wait for information to be fed to them. They need some shaking up, something that challenges their conventions and gets them to think in some new directions.

The design class was taught by a new instructor who was approaching the class way over the heads of most of the students. Most of them were frustrated because they were still trying to grasp the basics. I spent a lot of time reinterpreting and re-explaining - I guess it was good teaching experience for me. On the flip side there were too few projects with too much time in between. That aspect wasn't very challenging. I did get one project that I would like to try on a larger scale with ceramics and sculpture next semester.

Ceramics was great! I learned how to fire both the electric and gas kilns, how to invent a glaze from scratch (2 different ways), began to grasp the Zen of Glazing, learned how to make a slip cast piece, built the largest ceramics piece I've ever built (it's not yet fired and may blow up in the kiln), fully experienced "ceramics pain" and have nearly learned to let go, and...think I've got a handle on the direction I want to take my work.

Painting wasn't a class I was all that excited about and I spent the first few weeks feeling frustrated and impatient. By the end of the semester, I'd gotten comfortable with the medium, found my groove, began to enjoy myself and learned a ton about color theory and approaches to painting. It also immensely aided in the Zen of Glazing. I ended up with 9 pieces - the last few resulting in work I'd almost hang on the wall.

So overall...more good than boring. I learned and am continuing to grow creatively. 7 whole classes to go before graduation.

The Gilberts..."Simpsonized'

2007-12-04T14:09:00.000-06:00

getting my art out in public

2007-12-02T10:42:00.000-06:00

I'm really excited to announce that the Santa Anita Gallery will be showing (and hopefully selling) some of my photography thru the middle of January! I have been showing my work in various group shows now for the past year but this is the first time I have received an official contract from a gallery. It's very exciting! Hopefully a few pieces will sell and they'll give me the opportunity to show more work with them.

It's a great little place. Small but very warm and unpretentious and I'm thrilled that they're giving me this opportunity. The next Art Walk is December 7th. Go check it out.

I've been doing a lot of work on my website. I discovered a new way to display my galley images using Flickr and Pictobrowser. Now instead of creating a thumbnail for each image, a blog post for each image and hand coding the popup window between the two I simply add the image to the proper album in Flickr and it shows up in the proper place on my site. OMG! It's so easy!

I still need to make some header images but overall the hard work is done. Best of all...the Shop is now up and running with links to all the places my work is available for sale.

BTW...I will be having a sale tomorrow in my Etsy Shop. If you mention "happy holidaze" at your time of purchase or payment I'll throw in a little extra something for you.

fallen leaves from not quite fall

2007-12-01T12:32:00.000-06:00

We had a few days that felt kind of cold but we are now back to sort of warm. At least we get no snow.

a few pieces on display today

2007-11-29T21:20:00.001-06:00

I never seem to remember my camera when my art ends up on display.

I had two nearly back to back critiques today. Long but both seemed to go relatively well.

crunch time

2007-11-26T10:59:00.000-06:00

This semester is rapidly coming to a close. I've got two final critiques this Thursday, a presentation and a paper due next Monday and another paper due on Tuesday. The following week I'll have two critiques and a final exam. While everything is close together, at least I don't have a repeat of the midterm critique/exam day I had in October. I still don't know how I managed it.

After that I just need to get my spring schedule straightened out.

Handmade Ceramic Necklaces - Now for Sale

2007-11-25T14:10:00.001-06:00

In a bit of shameless self promotion... here are some handmade ceramic necklaces I have for sale in my Etsy Shop. Each are on a cotton cord with an adjustable slip knot.

If you are local or are family and want to order directly... call or email me.

life moves constantly forward

2007-11-13T07:34:00.000-06:00

Did I mention my son is now as tall as me?

For the love of Chuck

2007-11-13T07:21:00.000-06:00

I haven't owned a pair of Chucks since high school which were bright yellow. These are clay dust gray and cheaper than the Target knock-offs I'd been wearing for the past year. Whoo hoo outlet stores!

My Daemon

2007-11-09T07:01:00.000-06:00

I have a blog?

2007-11-02T07:04:00.000-05:00

So I've made it through the half way point of the semester. Thursday October 18th was when it all came to a head. I had a 3 hour critique in ceramics Wednesday night, a 3 hour critique Thursday morning in painting , a 3 hour critique in Design on Thursday afternoon followed by a midterm exam in English late Thursday afternoon. While critiques don't require any studying beforehand, they are a mind numbing and emotionally exhausting experience. I felt pretty brain dead while taking my English exam. So I was very surprised to see I made more than 100% on the exam (there were a few bonus points).

The even bigger issue was that on Tuesday, the 16th, I'd discovered I was short hours to graduate in the spring. It was a mistake that could have been rectified had I had a good adviser from the beginning but it's also my fault. I had made my own spreadsheet to keep track of my degree plan. Last spring I remember figuring out that if I took 9 hours in the summer, 18 in the fall and 18 in the spring, I would graduate in the spring. During the summer I started running the Degree Audit the school's computerized record keeping system provides.

Turns out that system is wrong. I only took 6 hours during the summer. With 18 hours this fall, it appeared I'd only need 9 in the spring! WRONG - I need 21. The system is short 12 upper level elective hours. I would have seen this if I'd stuck to my spreadsheet.

While I could do 18 hours a semester, I can't do 21. I've decided to take 15 hours in the spring and 2 summer classes which will put off graduation until August. I will be part of the BFA show in the spring.

So less than 6 weeks to go in the semester. I still need to:
-write a paper for my English class
-write a larger paper for my Art History class
-finish 4 paintings for my painting class
-finsh a large bust for Ceramics as well as a few more tile for my narrative project, do my slipcast project and glaze everything!

Last weekend I went with a couple of friends to the Texas Clay Festival in Gruene, TX. Gruene is a pretty, quaint little town that has been turned into an antiques and souvenir mecca. It reminded me a lot of downtown Mystic. Cool old buildings, lots of stuff to but that you don't really need.

The Clay Fest was fun, if a little overwhelming. So many different things to see - so many different styles of ceramics. The pottery, I think, can get a bit boring. Most potters are know for a certain style so in order to make money they have to create the same pieces over and over again. Once you've seen a plate, bowl and cup - you've seen all their plates bowls and cups. Of course their stuff sells really well because even people who aren't into art can find a use for a plate, bowl or cup.

I loved the different sculptural pieces I saw saw as well as some really cool glazing effects. Colors POP on porcelain. I loved Carl Block's Face Jugs, the glazes on Jake Allee's work & Randy Broadnax's Raku Frogs.

The two things I came away with were:
1. Thanks to Chris Leonard - my instructor - I have a lot of information about ceramics: Looking at different pieces, I had a good idea of the technique used to make them, watching the demos I discovered I knew many of the skills being demo'd and most importantly, I knew the terminology.

2. I think my work could sell in an environment like that.

For a long time I've felt like I've been just messing around and it wasn't until this semester that I've begun to see my work as a whole - how all my pieces connect to one another. I've also started to see how I can make very different pieces and still be consistent in my style. I'm also beginning to understand the power and impact of multiples - all similar yet slightly different.

The world in which my characters live is beginning to take shape and I'm excited. I think it needs a name.

hey look!!! portfolio shots!!!

2007-10-24T07:27:00.001-05:00

Visit Flickr to see them.

Now I can start working on updating my portfolio page.

caught the kid practicing

2007-09-30T19:44:00.001-05:00

nearly october

2007-09-29T15:42:00.000-05:00

I started the month with the intention of blogging nearly everyday - that didn't happen.

The plants are still somewhat alive. I do remember to water everyday but the white flies have sucked the life out of most of my plants. We'll see if they've got enough energy to produce.

School is going really well and am really enjoying the semester. I have two classes I'm not totally thrilled about. Painting is frustrating simply because I'm not a huge painter and when I do, I use acrylics not oils. My painting teacher is great and understands my frustrations. He's passionate about the subject and has been great about showing me how to approach the medium as well as showing me when I am making some very basic mistakes. My Design class is also a bit frustrating but I think with some gentle guidance, it will improve.

Last weekend I went with a friend of mine to Monterrey, NL Mexico. I had no idea it was only 2 hours south of us. The modern art museum The Marco had a show of Frida Kahlo's work. It was wonderful! Turns out there is a whole lot going on in the city so we are going to try to visit more often.

Pendragon Series: The Merchant of Death (book 1) by D.J. MacHale

2007-09-06T07:06:00.000-05:00

When I spotted the Pendragon series in the bookstore I assumed it was a series based on the Arthur mythologies. I didn't pick it up but my son did and loved it.
It was much different than I expected. It's told in the first person by the main character, 14 year old Bobby Pendragon, as journal entries but also in the third person as it follows his two friends who are reading his journal entries. Bobby is a typical middle school kid who is suddenly sucked into another time and place. What was great is that Bobby doesn't become an instant hero but instead is a typical kid - he's scared, angry, makes mistakes and all he wants to do is go home. His friends back home also are worried about his sudden disappearance and frustrated by their inability to help him. It was pretty intense.
The series is currently up to 8 books, each taking place in a different time and on a different place in the universe. It could go on for quite a while. I will probably read the second just to see if it moves the story along or is simply a rehash of book 1 in a new setting but I don't know that I'll read all of them.

Feeling annouyed at Cashiers and talking Gas Pumps

2007-09-04T15:23:00.000-05:00

We recently moved right behind my very favorite grocery store. This is the store that actually has most of the strange ingredients chef's on the Food Network use. It's clean, organized, has fast service and the staff is always willing to find something for you. (Can you tell it's not Wal-Mart?) What they don't have is Self-Checkout. I miss the self-checkout lane. Yesterday the cashier would not shut up! There are days when I really don't want to have to smile and nod at the "friendly" cashier making small talk with me, especially when they want to say more than simply "Hi" and "Have a Nice Day."

This morning I noticed, at the gas pumps of this very same store, they've added this new system that adds some special product to your gas to help your engine. The problem is the thing talks to you while you are trying to pump gas. OMG!!! Unless they drop their prices a good $.25 per gallon lower than everyone else, I will be getting gas across the street where I don't have to listen to the sales pitch every time.

2007-09-04T15:19:00.000-05:00

I pay $34 for my parking pass at school. Absolutely USELESS anytime between 9am and 3pm Monday - Friday!

from yesterday to today

2007-08-30T07:03:00.001-05:00

the horrors of gardening

2007-08-29T09:23:00.000-05:00

So far nothing has died but ALL my plants are COVERED in whiteflies. I am NOT a fan of swarms so I'm pretty grossed out. I've been told they are attracted to yellow so my solution is was to paint some cardboard yellow, staple them to Popsicle sticks and spray them with cooking oil to trap the whiteflies. Apparently the yellow works because I had a few flies stuck as soon as I went outside.

a few sentences on my latest read

2007-08-28T07:44:00.000-05:00

Before his death, I'd seen Kurt Vonnegut on the Daily Show but had never read any of his books.

This morning I finished Slaughterhouse-Five. The beginning was somewhat rambling and disjointed but seemed to come together as he launched into the story of Billy Pilgrim. Billy seems to both pitiful and likable having "come unstuck in time." The word that keeps coming to mind is bittersweet. His nonlinear time line takes away the concept of free will yet also seems to create a certain comfort in the inevitable.

I will definitely read more of his work.

so here's something random

2007-08-27T06:13:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning remembering that, in my dream, someone was talking to me in Chinese but since I don't speak Chinese I have no idea what he was saying. This leads me to wonder if my brian was actually regurgitating Chinese gleaned from subtitled movies and restaurants or was it simply making up sounds, a la Rosie O'Donnell, that I had simply identified as "Chinese."

catching up with lots of exclamation!!!

2007-08-23T21:28:00.000-05:00

I've been lax about blogging. The move and getting through my summer session kinda sucked the life out of me. But it was all for good. The apartment is great and my PE class is behind me. I swam 250 yards at the end of the 5 week session! I could barely swim the width of the pool once during the first week.

I really enjoyed my children's lit class. It opened my eyes to a lot of new concepts that are going on in ELA education - positive changes to reading in the class room. If I don't get a job teaching art I can see myself enjoying teaching ELA - and I can always work some art into it.

I am thrilled to say that the current audit of my degree plan shows only 30 hours to go!!! I have 101 hours behind me. I will be applying for graduation next week for the spring!!! I've spent the last few months feeling frustrated about my fall schedule - two classes I need for graduation are overlapping - Design 2 and Art History. Yesterday I was really feeling frustrated because my solution to the schedule conflict was not going to work out with Design 2. Today, everything was resolved and in a way that worked out much better than my solution. I am going to take my art history class as an "independent study" and participate in the graduate level art history class instead. I'm excited!! It will be challenging!!

In addition, the history class will be at night and I've moved my Design 2 class to the Thursday slot so I will open up Tuesday afternoon as a time to do school work or sub.

Anyway school starts for all of us on Monday though Will has already been in the set up his room, go to trainings and meetings. The kid will be in 7th this year.

In other news, I've gotten the green thumb itch. The problem with that is I am notorious for neglecting plants and letting them die. We still don't have a backyard but we do have a patio that gets sun but not the setting 150 degree western setting sun we used to have. My solution is to try growing things that we may actually eat. I've started with a few small herbs that I cook with. Fresh one's are so much better than dried. I've also got a couple of tomato plants, green peppers and eggplants. I think by growing food, I will be slightly more attentive, the veggies will be good for us, taste good, and will be so much cheaper than buying them at the store. If I actually managed to get some stuff to grow, I'm going to try lettuce and a few cooler crops over the "winter" and look into a mini compost.

We are getting rain bands from the far northern edge of Dean. Not bad since it was originally tracked to com right at us.

Guess that's it for the moment.

hurricane season

2007-08-18T23:44:00.000-05:00

Tropical Storm Erin was directly on track to hit us and veered far north. We didn't see more than a mere sprinkle of rain. The newest hurricane is also on track to come right at us. We'll see.

current path of Dean

moved

2007-08-09T21:13:00.000-05:00

So I survived the move thanks to a lot of great help from a few friends of mine! Will came home, to our new home, to a HUGE chaotic mess - but it was all here. Since then we have been unpacking, putting away and figuring out all the little bugs and quirks that are part of living in a new place.

The master bedroom is much larger :) - the living room is smaller :(
the kitchen is much larger with lots of cabinet and counter space :) - there is no dishwasher or garbage disposal :(
I get my own studio space :) - Kyle's room is slightly smaller and so is his bathroom :(

One of my biggest complaints about our old apartment was the noise, the funny thing is this place is so quiet you can hear the ceiling fan...weird. I'll take the sound of the ceiling fan over the drunken brawls we were listening to. I need to make something to cover out bedroom window because I keep waking up at 2am thinking it's 7am - there's so much ambient light. For some reason there's only one rack in the oven - I need to find another one. I love the ceramic tile on the floor. I hate the wallpaper borders on some of the walls.

The best thing about the new apartment...No Stairs!!!

It's beginning to feel like home.

moving day 1 and 2

2007-07-26T21:03:00.001-05:00

Spent yesterday and today moving boxes and random items I simply grabbed and put into the car.
Yesterday I did most of it between 1 and 5 and gave myself a headache on the verge of migraine due to overheating myself. Today I skipped class because of utilities guys coming to hook stuff up. So I started hauling things at 7 and took a nice break in the afternoon. I did manage to bruise my hand, my arm and smash my head into the underside of the trunk leaving me with a headache once again - and a pointy bump. ~~Trying to send a pic to Flickr.~~ Yesterday I didn't feel like I had accomplished very much but today went much better. I removed almost everything from Kyle's room, cleared out the outside closet, moved most of the boxes that had been stacked in the living room and moved a good portion of the kitchen as well as most of my art supplies.

Moving sucks!

Merito, TX

2007-07-23T23:17:00.000-05:00

While geotagging some of my Flickr photos, I noticed something interesting. Photos tagged for the area I know as north McAllen come up in Flickr as Merito, TX. Where and what is Merito, TX? Google had the answer. According to the Handbook of Texas Online Merito, TX was:

...on a site now at the intersection of North 10th Street, Dove Avenue, and the Southern Pacific line, within the city limits of McAllen in south central Hidalgo County. It was established as a siding on the Texas and New Orleans Railroad as that line extended to McAllen in 1927. An attempt was made to develop a settlement at Merito in the late 1920s and early 1930s but no substantial community materialized. In 1936 Merito reported a population of ten and one business, but by the 1940s no further statistics were available. Merito's small but attractive one-room combination passenger and freight depot was removed in the 1940s and was eventually placed in an exhibit at the Rio Grande Children's Home in Mission. A commercial establishment occupied the former Merito railroad siding in the 1980s. Residents of the Merito site from the 1920s state that though there was a roadside store there, the townsite did not develop because of the effects of the Great Depression.

learned something new

New Look

2007-07-21T09:43:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon I managed to crank out all new header images for all my pages. It's amazing what can be accomplished when I'm trying to avoid packing. I LOVE the new template interface. So easy to customize! I barely messed with the actual HTML at all - such a change. I still have to do a little tweaking with my various sidebar info.

It sure has changed from my very first template way back in 2004.

Harry Potter Book & Release Party Tonight

2007-07-20T18:57:00.000-05:00

More photos should be coming...

www.flickr.com

Mondays Suck

2007-07-16T18:22:00.000-05:00

Due to thunderstorms all night I slept poorly. Drove to school (white knuckled it) in torrential rain. Stepped out of my car into 5" of water soaking my shoes and bottom of my jeans. My swimming wasn't bad. Learned how to do the Elementary Backstroke. Then had to dry off only to put on wet jeans and shoes. Squelched my way to Lit class where I sat under a fan causing the muscles in my neck to ache. Analyzed Where the Wild Things Are - very interesting. Headed home, still damp, overtired and with a headache. While it was no longer raining, many roads were flooded. Spent the afternoon half dozing while watching TV. Finally feeling some what normal. It looks like the thunderstorms are rolling back in.

cats

2007-07-10T16:14:00.001-05:00

NPR : Plans for 20-Foot Border Wall Rile Texas Residents

2007-07-10T10:39:00.000-05:00

Repost from NPR

NPR : Plans for 20-Foot Border Wall Rile Texas Residents: "Plans for 20-Foot Border Wall Rile Texas Residents

by Wade Goodwyn

All Things Considered, June 15, 2007 ·

Business leaders, farmers, politicians and environmentalists — almost everyone in Texas' Rio Grande Valley is opposed to the federal government's plan to build a wall along a 135-mile stretch of the state's border with Mexico.

About 70 miles of the wall will be built through the Rio Grande Valley, and residents say it will change the character of their communities, disturb wildlife habitats and have an impact on the region's economy.

Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas says Valley residents are indignant, and believe Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff misled them.

'On February 21, we met with director Chertoff in Laredo, and we told him firsthand of what we thought of the wall, and we told him it was not necessary. And he answered and said, 'You're right. We may need it in Arizona and New Mexico, but the Rio Grande River is a structure we need to work with,'' Salinas says.

Salinas says business and political leaders from the Rio Grande Valley were thrilled with Chertoff's response — that a virtual wall, consisting of cameras, sensors and boots on the ground was a viable alternative to a real wall.

Salinas says living on the Texas-Mexico border has given local residents perspective about the determination of Mexicans who cross illegally.

He points out a 16-foot fence that runs along the border next to one of the international bridges that connects South Texas and Mexico. He says the McAllen port director used to park his car on the U.S. side of the fence next to his office.

"And he had somebody at 1 o'clock in the afternoon jump that 16-foot fence and land on his vehicle. If people are willing to travel through the deserts of Arizona to work in the United States, you don't think they'll jump a fence? It does not make sense to spend this money this way," Salinas reasons.

The Rio Grande Valley is more than 80 percent Hispanic, but it is not just Hispanics who are opposed to the border wall.

"I'm white, I'm an Anglo, and I'm opposed to it," says Keith Patridge, executive director of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. "I think there are other ways to protect the country."

The white power structure in the Valley — the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau and the conservative Rancher's Association are all opposed to the border wall.

"The way we see our community of McAllen and Reynosa, Mexico, is that we're one city that happens to have a river running through it. Not that much different than any city in the world, except that we have to go through Customs and Immigration every time we cross," Patridge says. "Families are on both sides of the border. Business and commerce activities are going back and forth. How would Washington, D.C., react if we built a wall along the Potomac River?"

An editorial cartoon circulating around McAllen shows a 20-foot high border wall running through town. On the Mexican side of the 20-foot wall is a store and a sign that reads, "Jose's 21-foot ladders."

Nobody seems to have any idea how to quantify the potential economic impact a 70-mile-long fence will have on the region, but economics is not the only concern.

"The biggest problem is the ecosystem. They're going to destroy an ecosystem that has been here for centuries," Noel Benavidez says.

Benavidez and his wife's family have owned land on the Rio Grande River near the town of Roma, Texas, since 1767.

Remember the Alamo? After that war was over, many Hispanic landowners along the Rio Grande had their land taken from them by force, but that did not happen in Roma, which is halfway between McAllen and Laredo.

Hispanic landowners were granted large portions — 17,000 acres. But now, the land could be taken after all. The border fence has been drawn to go right through Benavidez's land.

"I grew up around the river. I've been fishing here, I've been swimming, picnicking," Benavidez says. "You can come by the river and meditate. It's a beautiful, beautiful site. My granddaughter will never be able to do that if we have a wall. Is my son and daughter the last generation that will be able to enjoy the river?"

Benavidez complains that the fence is not going to be contiguous. It will run dozens of miles through populated areas and then stop when it gets to open country.

Then, it will pick up again in the next urban area. But in West Texas, open country is not measured in miles; it's measured in hours. Benavidez says it doesn't make sense to cut his land in two and cut him off from the Rio Grande. He points into the brush and at the path under his feet.

"We have a wall right now," he says. "There's sensors all over this place, and they're welcome to do that. They have always had access to this property. Probably, within the next five minutes, we're going to have a border patrolman come in here because we've set off a sensor. That's the type of wall we need."

But the Department of Homeland Security is committed to building a physical barrier.

Russ Knocke, spokesman for Homeland Security, says he understands there are a lot of concerns about the border wall and fence, but the department is on a mission.

"We have a mandate from Congress and the public to secure our borders, and we are going to be steadfast in fulfilling that mandate," Knocke says.

Knocke asserts that walls work to slow down illegal immigrants, especially in urban areas.

"In your metropolitan areas, we've learned through experience that fencing is more effective than technologies," he says. "Because that fencing slows someone down even by a few seconds before they can find their way to a house, a business, a car, some transpiration system and get away."

Knocke emphasizes that there is no final decision about exactly where the border wall and fence will be built. He says Homeland Security will listen to residents' concerns, but he is firm that walls and fencing are coming to South Texas.

That's a big concern to the biologists at the nearby Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge.

"Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is a really special place," says Nancy Brown, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 2,088-acre refuge is considered the jewel of the national wildlife system, she says.

"You can get a 7-mile hike in, or you can do a half-mile and on either one you can see birds at Santa Ana that you can't see anywhere else in the country," she says.

There are more than 500 different species, and birdwatchers pump $125 million a year into the McAllen economy alone. Of course, it's not the birds that will be impeded by a wall or fence, but the birdwatchers.

Brown says the barrier is scheduled to go through two of the three National Wildlife Refuges down here.

"We have 70 miles of riverfront and we are federally owned. It has been stated that federal property will probably be designated as the first place to put fencing," Brown says.

And there is an endangered species of cat, the ocelot.

The ocelots once roamed from Arkansas and Louisiana across to west Texas. Now there are only 80 to 100 cats, most of them in South Texas.

The ocelots roam back and forth across the Rio Grande River. A fence might put an end to them. One way or the other, the border wall is going to test the adaptability of all kinds of creatures in South Texas.

a complicated month in bullet points

2007-07-07T20:52:00.000-05:00

I expected July to be a bit busy but it's going to be more than that.

Will just left today for a three week conference in LA
My summer semester starts on Thursday - 2 classes
I am supposed to have work for a three person show beginning in August - sort of under control
Supposed to be starting a business this month with two friends
Helping the Food Bank collect art donations for the The Empty Bowls Project
Taking Kyle to the Harry Potter Book 7 release party

and...

....we are moving.

Yes I said moving. We got an opportunity to move to a bigger, better apartment just a few blocks away. It came up very suddenly and we just can't pass it up especially since our current place is giving us no hassle about giving less than 30 days notice.

I'm EXCITED! Between problems with noisy neighbors, the constant changing of management and the fact that we've been feeling cramped for the past few years, it is time to move on. We've been here for over 4 years.

Of course I'm now feeling a bit overwhelmed. Moving was not in my plans, though, it's never in my plans. Whenever we move it seems to be a very quick decision based on opportunity and need.

So I've got a lot of junk to sort through and not much time to do it. What really bothers me about moving is not the sorting, packing and unpacking - it's awlays a good time to let go of stuff. To me the bother and annoyance of moving is the changing of utilities, services and addresses on EVERYTHING. Last time we moved, the electric company didn't charge our new place for nearly 6 months - there's always something.

It's 3 bedrooms which means I get a studio! *jumping up and down*
ground floor - no stairs!
a duplex in a quiet neighborhood - sharing only 1 wall - not 3 three sides and a floor
tile floors - I've been living with ugly brown carpet everywhere for 4 years
laundry room with room for cat boxes
closets, cabinets and counter space
same school zone

The only downsides are that I have to pay for water and there is no dishwasher.

Hey did you know this blog is 3 years old?

2007-07-02T11:10:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe I know, that I've managed to say nothing for three years and over 570 posts.

mushed mini

2007-06-28T12:58:00.001-05:00

Thanks to the reflection the mini looks even smaller than it actually is

Three people, 1 Mini Cooper and over 4,500 miles of road in 15 days

2007-06-20T20:03:00.000-05:00

If you weren't aware, this year is the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement. Will, as a history teacher, had expressed a strong interest to go see it which led us to pack up the Mini and take a road trip.

I should have taken a picture of the packing job because we had it down to a science - one large bag for clothes, one bag of various necessities, my laptop and a sleeping bag were stuffed in the boot while a snack cooler sat on one of the back seats. For entertainment we had a Nintendo DS, a DVD player and an iPod.

Trusting our trip on directions from Google Maps we hit the road on June 2, heading north out of the valley. We spent most of the day getting out of Texas - got stuck in a small traffic jam in Houston but made it to Baton Rouge for the night.

On the second day due to a navigation error (I blame the lack of caffeine) we ended up going through New Orleans. While it wasn't technically on the way, it didn't put us too far off our path and was an eye opening experience. Just the views from the highway were sad. Here's a few photos I managed to capture. We made it to Spartanburg, SC on day 2.

On day 3 we made it to our first destination Williamsburg, VA. We spent the next three and a half days visiting Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and the Yorktown battlefield (site of the last major battle of the Revolution). The weather was beautiful - in the 80's and breezy. We did a ton of walking.

Next we headed up to DC for a couple of days to see some of the monuments and a few museums. The day we had planned to see all the monuments it was 95 and the ozone warning was in the red so all we managed was the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the three war memorials (Vietnam, Korean and WW2). After seeing the Vietnam and Korean Memorials the WW2 one looks ostentatious. After that we escaped indoors and spent the afternoon in the Air and Space museum. Very cool! On a whim, Will contacted a friend we haven't seen in over 10 years who lives in the DC area. We got together for dinner and had a wonderful time catching up.

On our second day in DC we stopped by the national archives and saw the Declaration and Constitution - not nearly as exciting as the movie National Archive makes it out to be. ; P We also went (for me) to the National Gallery. The west building was great because it contained a number of pieces that had come up in both my art survey classes and art history classes but my favorite building was the east building - the contemporary gallery. It was wonderful. I saw a Pollock, some Calder mobiles, a Kandinsky, some Picasso's and a series of Rothko's. These works just don't convey the same feeling in print as they do in person because of their sheer size. Each piece was huge!

Leaving DC on day 8 we drove up to CT to visit with my family. While this part of the drive was the most familiar to us it was also the most expensive when it came to tolls. *cha ching* It seemed every road we were on was a toll road and none of them were cheap. We also got stuck in at least an hour's worth of traffic in New York.

Inspite of the chilly damp weather and the fact the everything seems to cost twice as much as we are used to paying we had a great time. We visited with both immediate and extended family, caught up with a few more friends we hadn't seen in years and had fun driving the Mini over the hills and curves.

On day 12 we tried to leave CT to go to Ohio to visit my brother-in-law. We had come in to CT on I95 and the GW bridge but due to the traffic had decided to not head out that way. We were going to try to leave by taking a slightly more northern route across the Tapanzee Bridge. Got stuck in traffic on that route as well. We ended up driving up farther north through Danbury, CT in order to finally leave the state. It was frustrating. Calling my mom so she could Google new directions for us, we finally made it into NY.

Once we got going, it was the most scenic drive of the whole trip. Pennsylvania is very pretty. On our new route we happened to drive through Scranton the setting of The Office. It was a long drive but we made it from Ledyard, CT to West Chester , OH in one day. The next day we slept in and then went with the BIL to a theme park called Kings Island. The very first ride we went on? The Drop Zone - a 26 story drop at speeds over 61 mph. I haven't been on a roller coaster in years - it was great! We didn't ride every coaster in the park but did do quite a few of them.

After Ohio we hightailed it home in a two day push that got us from OH to Little Rock and then Little Rock to home. It was great but we also reached the point of wanting to sleep in our own beds. We were also missing the cats- pathetic I know.

I took over 1000 pics. Once I sort them into a much more reasonable number I will post a link to the album here.

another silly cat picture

2007-05-27T09:17:00.001-05:00

Immigration fence seen as dead end for wildlife

2007-05-22T11:19:00.000-05:00

This is an article on MSNBC about where I live.

Activists fear big cats, tortoises will be cut off from water at
Rio Grande

ALAMO, Texas - Nancy Brown drives the government truck slowly past mossy
ponds, thick shrouds of beard-like Spanish moss and majestic ebony trees,
gleefully identifying the song of the kiskadee and the gurgling call of the
chachalaca.

As the truck rounds a bend near the greenish-brown Rio Grande, a bobcat
scampers ahead, disappearing into the lush subtropical foliage. Lizards dart
about. A tortoise lazes in the sun. Somewhere in the forest, well-camouflaged by
evolution, are ocelots and jaguarundi, both of them endangered species of
cats.

These are some of the natural wonders in the Rio Grande Valley that Brown
and other wildlife enthusiasts fear could be spoiled by the fences and adjacent
roads the U.S. government plans to erect along the Mexican border to keep out
illegal immigrants and smugglers.

Environmentalists have spent decades acquiring and preserving
90,000riverfront acres of Texas scrub and forest and protecting the
area'swildlife. Now they fear the hundreds of miles of border fences will
undotheir work and kill some land animals by cutting them off from the
RioGrande, the only source of fresh water.

A fence could also prevent the ocelots and other animals from
swimmingacross the water to mate with partners on the other side.

Tourists bring $150 million a year
"If you have a fence that runs several miles long, if you are a tortoise or
any animal that can't fly over or go through it, then you have a pretty long
distance that you have to go to get water," said Brown, an outreach manager at
the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, 225 miles south of San Antonio. Also,
"any destruction of any brush is very damaging."

In addition, some worry that the barrier — described in some plans as
triple-layer metal fencing — will damage the tourism industry along the Rio
Grande.

The wild cats, reptiles and at least 500 species of birds attract visitors
from around the world who bring the impoverished region $150 million a year.
Depending on how far inland the fence is built, it could create a no man's land
north of the river, hurting tourism.

While the Department of Homeland Security said it has not made any final
decisions on where the fence will go, meetings this week with the Border Patrol
have wildlife officials convinced that some of the 70 miles planned for the Rio
Grande Valley will be erected on the string of wildlife refuges along the
border.

Power to waive regulations
Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said environmental concerns will be
taken into account in the final decisions. But Homeland Security Secretary
Michael Chertoff has used his authority to waive environmental regulations for
security reasons in other states, and Knocke said he would do so in the Rio
Grande Valley if necessary.

"We do have to be mindful of the fact that we are remedying a problem that
has been more than two decades in the making," he said.

The refuges show signs of immigrant activity — food wrappers and water
jugs, discarded wet clothing, the plastic bags used to carry a change of
clothing across the river. Similar evidence is found up and down the river,
despite the presence of Border Patrol agents and the sensors and cameras that
make up the current "virtual" fence.

The fence idea "is wholly incongruous with a 30-plus-year investment by the
federal government, the citizens and the landowners of the Rio Grande Valley who
have worked hard to protect their special land and waters," said Carter Smith of
the Nature Conservancy. The organization said the government should instead use
more border agents, sensors and cameras.

President Bush called for about 700 miles of fence along the U.S.-Mexico
border, and Homeland Security is committed to completing 370 miles by the end of
2008. Congress has budgeted $1.2 million for the fences.

11 ecosystems
Close to $100 million has been spent creating, restoring and maintaining
the refuges, wildlife officials said.

"The bottom line is the wildlife corridor took us many years to put
together," said Karen Chapman of Environmental Defense. "It represents work,
hard work, by a number of federal, state and local agencies and citizens of the
Valley. And when we were working to put that wildlife corridor together, nobody
was doing it with the thought that someday it was going to be stuck behind a
wall."

The four-county Rio Grande Valley contains 11 distinct ecosystems, Brown
said.

"From a biological standpoint this area is really, really impressive," she
said. "You have a coastal climate meeting a desert climate meeting the temperate
and the tropical."

Will a big fence stop illegals from crossing? NO!

As long as there are people in Mexico with absolutely no future in their own country and absolutely nothing to lose they will continue to try to cross by any means necessary on the slightest chance that they can make a of a better future for themselves and their families.

That's my cat!

2007-05-18T06:53:00.000-05:00

He forgot his tounge was sticking out.

Weekend in Austin

2007-05-14T23:42:00.001-05:00

Weekend in Austin
Originally uploaded by gydnew.

I saw my two pieces on display in the TCAA Six Pack Show. We also toured 5 ceramics studios as part of the Art of the Pot Tour. It was a great weekend to see art. Too bad I left my real camera at home. The strangest moment was getting gas and seeing some little kids shoe that had been left on the pump.

my new personal logo

2007-05-08T13:27:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I designed a new logo for myself. I went with a robot because it's a theme I've been working on and people seem to like my robot doodles. I'm also working on a robot sculpture project so for the moment it seems fitting. I incorporated both my "W" in a circle, which is how I mark my ceramics, and my little blue bird of art happiness.

OMFG!

2007-05-03T22:57:00.000-05:00

Of the 10 posts I've written all semester, two of them specifically mentioned issues with my printmaking class.

So tonight was our final critique. Most critiques involve you showing your work to the class and the professor - you talk about your work, what you've learned, where you excelled and where you had difficulty. The professor will also talk about your work and, if they're any good, will also get the class to talk about the work - both positive and negative comments. It supposed to be a chance to analyze your work and the progress you've made over the semester.

In this class, we each met individually with him at the back of the room while he looked through our work. He did not ask me anything about it - he simply looked though it and gave me grades based on what he saw ~ an A, mostly B's but also a C or two.

My work was not 100% top quality prints but his attitude for most of the semester was "experiment with the techniques". Given we missed a bunch of classes, he was usually late, he was never prepared (I was ALWAYS prepared!), we NEVER ran a full print run from Proof to Canceled Plate, another student who'd taken the class before did most of the demonstrations, and some of the techniques were very new to me; I think I had a decent body of work. If we'd actually met on time every single week and hadn't wasted time messing around trying to decide what to do next (meaning he was prepared with a project list), I would have had a chance to experiment and once I'd figured out what worked and what didn't, I could have made some better pieces. I already have ideas on how I'd like to expand on what I've done.

He then told me he was going to keep one of my prints, not just any of my prints but the best one of the entire semester - the one that is the basis of this huge narrative idea I want to expand on. Did not ask, Did not offer to buy, Did not offer to trade ~ simply pulled it out of the stack and set it aside. I told him he couldn't have it. If he wanted one he could have one of the others. He didn't want one of those because they were "crap" then tossed the one he'd set aside back onto the pile in a huffy manner.

I have no problem with him wanting to take a photo of my work, or asking if he could have a print (after the critique is over) but to take it without asking, in the middle of grading me?! Just not right.

He took prints from almost everyone and had them sign and date them.

In the end he told me my final grade would be an A but indicated I didn't deserve it.

the race to the finish and other randomness

2007-05-03T00:08:00.000-05:00

Yet another semester is nearly over...only 2 written finals and 3 critiques to go. After that is 1 mini-mester, 1 summer semester, then fall 07 and spring 08. The end is within reach! Finally!

I'm taking a drawing class during the mini-mester. It will be intense. We are supposed to finish with 4-6 very large pieces with a cohesive theme. I plan on continuing with my contour hands but don't know what medium to use.

I'll be out of town for part of summer 1 so in summer 2 I'm taking swimming for kinesology (I can't put it off any longer), a English class about children's literature and (crossing my fingers) a ceramics class - still trying to get that to open up.

I have had some frustartion with the department this semester but class wise, it's been great. I've had some wonderful instructors and I have made a ton of work. My brain is exploding with creative ideas. I am also really enjoying the art history aspect of it all - I think if I ever decided to persue a persue a PhD it would probably be in art history.

Now to change topic completely...
Check this out:

Doesn't that look good? It tasted as good as it looks. It from this really nice new cafe in Mission called Cafe d' Paris. I took the food shot for a pamphlet I put together for them. Here's another one:

Yummy!!!

So here's a bit more randomness...

I've got ceramic work in three shows this month plus the Art Walk - and I'm getting out of the valley for a couple of days!!

I reserved a the next Harry Potter book so Kyle and I can go to the release party at our local Barnes & Nobles.

I am planning a robot invasion later this summer as well as a big trip.

----

I was just looking at my posts for the semester - 10 since the beginning of the semster. Pretty sparse. It's just been that kind of semster.

It's also been the semster of odd jobs - I've substituted, painted faces, sold art and done some graphic design work. I hope to teach a class or two at the Upper Valley Art League this summer.

on a more positive note...

2007-04-18T16:06:00.000-05:00

...as you can see from the previous post there has been a bit of frustration at school. Such is life.

Anyway, I have been creating like crazy (go see my latest in my sketchbook) and have a ton of ideas that I can't wait to execute. On top of that, I've been showing work in a few different places, getting really positive feedback, selling a few things and am expanding out of the valley to put my work in two shows in Austin in the month of May.

School's wrapping up in less than 4 weeks. I'm through with all my papers for the semester, but still have a few projects to finish including, 1 more scupture, an illustrated story and 2 Power Point presentations.

banging my head against a wall

2007-03-22T22:58:00.000-05:00

In printmaking I would really like to learn intaglio and lithograph but apparently because I'm not signed up for an upper level section (I'm officially in Printmaking 1 though my class is a combined studio of Printmaking 1-3) I am not allowed. I have no problem doing the projects that are assigned to my particular level but I don't see why, if I am doing all that I am supposed to, that I can't explore beyond that. Like I said yesterday... sometimes it feels like the department is working against us.

On a positive note, my other studio classes are going very well. I am throughly enjoying sculpture class. I am working on a piece that I hope to have done in time for the Artwalk in April. Ceramics is wonderful! I've gotten a ton of work done and have more ideas that time to execute. Additionally I think I have come up with a solid theme for my BFA show, which should occur next spring. I've been told I can start working on pieces for it as early as this summer that way I'll have more than necessary.

frustrated

2007-03-21T16:27:00.000-05:00

I know that UTPA is not an art school but...
...when there is a department of Fine Arts and a BFA Program in studio art and some very dedicated professors who are artists themselves, there are days when it feels like I'm in a real art program. And then there are the other days when it feels like the department is working against the students.

To begin with, I am really hoping the fall schedule is not finalized because at this present time 3 upper level classes I need are all scheduled at the exact same time and there is only 1 offering of each class. I get to register in less than a week.

Today I found out that the annual student art show that has been held for the past 36 years at UTPA has been ~~canceled~~ possibly moved to the fall. This is one of the few opportunities students have had to show there work on campus other than their BFA show when they graduate. Beside simply being a show opportunity, there was prize money and/or scholarship money to be won.

I was really looking forward to this show. I'd not entered in the past mainly because I wasn't producing any art. I was really looking forward to seeing the best of what the art program at the university had to offer.

The show fell by the wayside because UTPA doesn't have a gallery director at the moment but it makes me angry that none of the faculty stepped up to make sure this show would still happen.

Sadly I get the impression that that Fine Arts section of the department is being pushed aside in favor of other programs that might make the university more money like graphic design. I don't want to see that happen.

insomnia

2007-03-07T02:12:00.000-06:00

I fell asleep before 10pm and woke up at 1am. I've been wide awake for the past hour so I finally decided to get out of bed and do something.

In order to earn extra cash I've started substitute teaching. I've only worked a few days so far - all high school. It's very enjoyable but exhausting.

I just checked the status of my scholarship application through the school. I didn't get one. I'm extremely disappointed. I really thought given my GPA and my involvement on campus I would get one. THIS SUCKS!!!!! ARRRGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!