Condo Hunting

Well, maybe it's Christy and Amy, who are both looking for houses, that really got us started. Mark and I spent last weekend looking at condos. Yes, we are tired of sending our lousy landlord money every month and seeing nothing in return. We have lived here 2 and 1/2 years and the only thing that has been done is a termite bombing. I am pretty sure it is the only thing that has been done since the building was built in 1938.
It is a tough to get over the fact that our only option is a condo. My lovely friends have the sweet fortune of actually looking at houses. I have lived in a house a total of maybe 3 out of my 35 years, so maybe that's why I yearn for one so much. That and the fact that now I can't have one. Most of the condos here are apartment buildings from the 70's or 80's that are termed 'condos' because they are for sale. Here are some pics of one we saw. It was about 700 sq. ft. It had one window total on the bottom floor with the world's tiniest kitchen. There wasn't even a space for a couch or a TV, but there was an ugly fireplace with Three's Company mirrors and fake brick. It can be yours for $400,000. That's $3200 a month with all the fees, etc. Actually, if it was bigger we might have considered it. The horrible carpets, windows, and fireplace could be remedied. (We are thinking that we should just wait for an earthquake; They bring down costs.)

In spite of this, I am very cheerful and hopeful! With patience, we will find a great place, in a nice neighborhood, on a quiet street, with many windows, and a patio! Wish us luck!

Blogging

I have learned a whole bunch of good things from lurking around the blog world. I have found some blogs that I love, like Dooce, Whoopee, and a couple of vegetarian blogs like this and this, along with my friends' blogs that I visit pretty much every day. Thanks to Christy, Dave, and Amy.
I have to vent on this one thing I came across the other day which made me so upset Mark had to force me to close my computer and walk away. Wonderland is also a favorite haunt of mine. She's funny and keeps me up to date on current issues. This post made me so unbelievably upset. The kind of mystified, terrified, no-this-can't-be-happening upset. I do live mostly in my own little world, and I like it that way. Then something like this comes along and punches me in the stomach.
Read the post and you will know what I am talking about. Along with other Southern states doing similar things, South Carolina is about to put into effect a Bill(if passed by the Senate) forcing any woman to view an ultrasound before she can get an abortion. I am not going into a debate about abortion, and that is not the real issue for me. The real issue is the forcing bit. I don't agree with forcing anyone to do anything. If I want to go get a pint of Ben and Jerry's and eat it in front of the TV at 1am, should I be forced to look at the clogged arteries of a cadaver before I am allowed to buy it? Will they pry open my eyes with fishing line and hooks and hold my head down?
I wanted to post this for the 5 people who read my blog and hopefully spread the news as to what our politicians are doing.

Burning Burbank

When I said that I would tell you about my 'exciting' life, I was being sarcastic. But I actually have some exciting things to tell you about.
For the most part LA is pretty boring. No thunderstorms, no hurricanes, no hail, no snow, not even rain. Yes rain. In the past year less than 3 inces of rain has fallen here. All the smog grit, exhaust grit, and sand grit just swirls around (it is still nice here, come visit!) with nothing to wash it away into the Pacific ocean. So at this time of year, the winds blow, the temps rise, and, voila, wildfires! Yay!
I was in Hollywood yesterday, when about 1pm I saw this big orange and purple cloud billowing up from behind the hill. It looked like it was about a quarter of a mile away, but it really was 5 miles away. It was a BIG cloud. Mark called me up and told me there is a fire in Burbank, and I headed home. I wasn't worrying at all until I saw how freakin' close it was to our apartment. So I was in a controlled panic mode as I parked and ran inside. Okay, kitties are still alive. Whew. It smelled like a campfire. A really big one.
The hills behind our apartment were smoking with areas of erupting flames. It was about a tenth of a mile away. Too close. I went out to get closer, and was immedialtely struck by the scale of destruction. The beautiful green hills are now grey and barren with tree skeletons here and there. I started to tear up thinking of all the baby birds, squirrels, and scared critters that died a horrible death. It was pretty much under control by this time, about 4pm. I was then dumbfounded by the quickness of the fire, In a matter of a couple of hours hundreds of acres were burned to the ground. Jesus.
These pictures are from right across the street, and then from walking a few blocks toward the fire. By Southern California standards, this was an insignificant fire. But for me this was just too freaky. (In Connecticut, backyards don't spontaneously combust.) Mark came home, and we walked down together, and I noticed what seemed to be every firefighter and police officer in LA County setting up camp on Forest Lawn Drive. There were dozens of firetrucks. And I was so amazed at the volunteers who brought stacks of water and meals for the firefighters. I was walking by all these men and women who were ready to risk their own lives to save mine, and I can't describe that feeling. I was speechless.
I have to mention the helicopters. The persons piloting these helicopters are part insane and part heroes. There were power lines, other helicopters, thick smoke; I was awestruck yet again. They were amazing.
So we went home, back to an apartment that I appreciated so much more than yesterday, and so thankful to have all my stuff and to have my kitties. Life is okay.
Turns out, it seems like a couple of kids stated the fire. Nobody was hurt, and no property was lost.

Yes, I Still Love You

Yes, I am still alive. And yes, I know it is not that difficult to put up a silly post now and then. So here is a silly little post. Clouseau and Cato have been terrific models. Clouseau is demonstrating his 'come hither' look, and Cato is enjoying my new lamp.

I promise to update you on my super exciting life this weekend.

When You're Married to a Famous Artist

Last night was Mark's opening at the Copro Nason Gallery in Santa Monica. It was a three man show with Joe Vaux and Dan Quintana. It was well attended, and Mark sold three out of the five paintings. A wildly successful first time!! I am delighted and thrilled for Mark. He deserves all the recognition and reward for his tireless hard work. I had to take pics of the paintings with the beautiful RED DOTS next to them!

Update: Cats, Taxes, and Art Show

For the first time in oohhhh... too many years to even remember, I have my taxes done before April 14th. Mark and I waded through our piles of receipts and papers, wrapped them in tidy looking folders and little clips, and proudly presented them to Ronnie. Ronnie is a full time actor/part time tax preparor. Chuck, the head tax man, kept coming in to check on us because he couldn't believe people could laugh during this process. Well, you don't know my husband. A laugh a minute, Baby!

Also, here is a sample of the desperate, starving, neglected kitty-cat stares we get when coming home.

And most importantly, tomorrow Mark has his work in a real big time LA art opening. Here is the link to his work and the gallery site. His work is already getting a lot of attention and admiration. It won't be long before he is famous. Am I proud of him? Maybe, just a little.

Pears, Pears, Pears

I went to the grocery store to pick up mustard and stuff, and I saw these little baby pears. They were this beautiful red and gold color. I had this urge to paint them. It's nice when I have that urge with fruit, because most often I have it with faces and people. But it's difficult to just grab someone, put them in a bag, and take them to your studio. Not to mention that it's probably illegal anyway.
So this is the result so far of my painting obsession with them.
I need to go back and get some more.

Those DAM Paintings

I took a few shots of some paintings that I really enjoyed when I went to the Denver Art Museum (DAM) with Christy. The red one was one of Christy's favorites. I wouldn't have been able to choose a favorite, but I have posted some memorable ones. I really loved the intimate little portrait of a man by Bastien-Lepage.
Also, there is a photo of the outside and inside of the museum. There were no right angles anywhere inside or outside. I am sure that architecturally this is quite a feat, but the effect it had on me was vertigo and queasiness. The artwork was displayed beautifully, and there were stations throughout the museum where you could sit and look through books or listen to music or watch videos. Very nice. Overall the collection was interestingly diverse, with everything from gothic to Native American to contemporary, including installation and video.

1/2 of Cato

Okay, I know. But I had to post this picture. I really should just get one of those Flicker things.

Cato - Potato

Sometimes, when I look at Cato, I know that he was a royal enlightened soul that reached nirvana, but decided to return to enjoy the perfection of being Cato.

For The Love Of The Weiner Dogs

When I was in Denver visiting Christy, I had the fortune of also hanging out with the weiners, Mr. Gibson and Miss Tika. I don't know why I don't have pics of Tika. Perhaps it was because most of the time she was buried under a blanket.
But here are a couple of pictures of Mr. Gibson, who was more than happy to pose for me. I suspect he has had his picture taken before by his Daddy. He wasn't sure what was his best side, so Mr. Gibson posed profile and front view, so everyone can see how handsome he is.
Last time I was there, I don't remember adoring the doggies so much. They are warm, cuddly love moochers. They just want to interact with you and sit on your lap. I fell in love. Puppy love. Give them a kiss for me.

Clouseau Has A Sweet Face

I am posting this picture because, one, it's cute, and two, I might use it as my new Pofile pic.

Goodbye, Wisdom Teeth

Yesterday, I voluntarily went to a very nice doctor to have him pry, hammer, chisel, and saw four teeth out of my head. Teeth that were very, very comfortable where they were. But also teeth that would occasionally cause me so much torment that I wanted to rip them out myself.
Blessedly, our health insurance covered my heavy sedation during the surgery, so that I would not remember the ordeal. I slept most of the rest of the day, still under influence of the pain killers. And then the pain killers wore off.... Holy Crap. Another blessing: huge horsepill Ibuprofen.
Now today, I am not recognizable as myself. I had prepared myself for 'some swelling', but I think that what has happened to my face is utterly absurd.

So, this is the reason for all the blog posts today. I ice my face ten minutes on, ten minutes off, and in between, I write a post. Am I working on my Bio?, nooooo.... Am I cleaning the apartment?, noooo.... am I doing anything constructive?, no. But I am eating a lot of chocolate pudding!

Some New Artwork

Here are some new sketches. Two oil sketches done while out painting with Frank and Mark. And two charcoal sketches of some lovely models.

Happy Valentine's Day

Ticking Clock, Baby Hats, and Real Estate

Saturday, I arrived in Denver, and Christy and I went directly to a baby shower. Christy had knitted two adorable baby hats as a gift. (The Mom-to-be is having twins)
It was fun, including fun games such as 'guess the baby food', and 'a memory game of looking into a basket at 36 baby items for a few seconds and then trying to write down all the things you can remember from it. Even with Christy and I working together we still didn't win the prize, but almost.
I was worried that being around all the baby talk and baby gifts, that I would have a ticking clock meltdown. But a left wanting to be pregnant just a tiny bit more than before. At this point, it doesn't really matter.
Does anyone know of a good term for when a woman wants to get pregnant, when the urge to have a baby is so strong. And NOT 'ticking clock'. That doesn't accurately describe the feeling. It makes it sound like merely a physical condition. I mean, really, there are all kinds of words for being horny, or mad, or sad, or so many other states of being, but no official word for this desire to create. That one thing without which, there would be no you or me. So WHY is there no good word for it? Any ideas?

After the baby shower, we relaxed back at Christy's lovely home, had some coffee, looked up potential real estate in Burbank. Here
is what Mark and I have to choose from. And then we waited 45 minutes for the world's most inept cab driver to pick us up. That is what is so fantastic about Christy; even waiting for a cab, and you are hungry and frustrated, you still have the best time!
Here is a picture of Christy at the Jazz club we went to after dinner. The fuzzy picture is when this drunk guy tried to take a picture of us. He did a good job at keeping the camera still, don't ya think?

Yes, Finally, A Post!

I know, I know. I have been back from Denver for three whole days, and no post! Don't get the wrong idea, I have so much to report! A weekend in Denver with Christy gives me weeks of posting subject matter. But just like fine wine, these things need to be sipped, sniffed, slurped, and spit out a little at a time. I just want to say that it was a much needed visit to my long time, closest, funnest, most lovely, BFITWWW!

Here is a picture of the beautiful Christy as we were dolled up, going to dinner in hip downtown Denver.

Weekend in Denver!

I am going to visit Christy this weekend! We are going to laugh, reminisce, cook, eat, drink, knit, play with weiner dogs, dance, sing, and probably do some things I can't tell you about. HA!

Oh, and I will touch snow! Yay!

Even More Pictures

I had to post some more pictures of the Birthday Outing. The hiking trails were so beautiful. There was this hawk of some kind that was just hanging out on the wire, completely ignoring all of us humans staring at it. And here is a pic of the aforementioned oil pumps.

Happy Birthday, Husband.

Sunday was Mark's birthday! We drove OUT of Los Angeles county to celebrate. It was a very warm day, high 80's, and sunny! We drove out to Ojai, where there are these working, and not working, oil pumps. I love anything industrial, old, and rusty. We took a big bunch of pictures of them, and drove on to Ojai to have a burrito at Ruben's Burrito's. Outsatanding food in this hole-in-the-wall place. Then on to Santa Barbara where we hiked up the Seven Falls trail. Except there were no falls because there has been no rain since last March. And drove back along side this most amazing sunset that no camera could capture. The clouds were streaked across the sky lit up in neon arange and pink, in contrast to the turquoise sky behind, and a powdery blue ocean. It was a wonderful day. Now I am no longer the 'older woman' for Mark. At least until October.

Really Big Hair

This is the sketch from last Wednesday's drawing group. The model wore this huge fake wig with a little cap. Very fun.

I See Famous People

So Mark and I were at Trader Joe's the other night because we needed spinach, and there is this couple there with an adorable baby. They are totally rock and roll punked out. The Mom has a tattoo on her arm that says "F**k Off", and the Dad is this big scary guy who is completely gah-gah and goo-goo-ing the little baby. Mark says to me, 'Isn't that the singer of Queens of The Stone Age? The cool thing about being in LA is that when you say,"Gee that looks like so-n-so", it IS that so-n-so. Of course this is so cool for Mark and me because we are big fans. We were awe-struck! I also have seen Steven Spielberg and Edie McClurg at this TJ's.