Status Upgrade

My moving mileage this month has officially upgraded me to Professional Nomad status. I also know what it would be like to be in the Witness Protection program.

As the moving Yoda of my generation, I'd like to offer you this sage advice... Travel light, Travel collapsible. Tupperware Tubs are your friends.

Time for a break and a beer.

Oooh Child...

I just went down to the Home Depot to sign a lease to my new apartment and get the keys. While signing, I felt so much relief and heard this song over the loudspeakers.

You know how sometimes you hear a song at one exact moment it feels like it's speaking to you? Well, I heard this song right in that moment and it almost made me cry. But you can't really cry when bolt cutters and de-greaser are all around you.

So in honor of Soul Train, Mr. Don Cornelius and feeling like breaking through to the other side, here ya go....

Appreciation

Holy Crap. Thank You.

For the first time in two months I'm gonna have my own space. That was not an easy thing to do. I cannot believe it and am so grateful.

It's been a crazy month and I'm so happy for a little relief. Moving all my shizat - TODAY.

Dear Space...

Dear Space,

I have been looking for you everywhere. Being that it is Fantasy Fest time, I would prefer not to share a bed with three other people, have free room and board if I let someone take naked pictures of me as an enchanted forest pixie or find out that the apartment comes with a complimentary golden shower.

I know you are out there - something bright, clean, calm and perfect just for me. I really need a space of my own. If you could please appear soon I'd really appreciate it. How 'bout tomorrow?

Yours Truly,

Penelope

Whale

2011 - It's All Good!

So part of the Artist Way class is to take yourself on an Artist Date each week. Basically it's picking something to do each week by yourself that interests you. I get excited thinking of new things to try out.

There's this astrology blog I read from time to time from this lady in Canada - Willow's Web Astrology. I've always enjoyed her insights and she's got a blunt writing style that I love. I've never had my astrology chart done and after seeing a Venus Retrograde reading sale, I was in. Plus you gotta love an astrology reading via Skype. Gave her the birthdate info and not much else. Didn't know what to expect.

Now just to let you know, I can be pretty skeptical of certain people who do this stuff. Hell, half the websites you see for astrology might as well just have a giant unicorn with a rainbow shooting out of its butt. But I chose wisely and picked someone who truly spoke to me.

Let's put it this way... Willow's description of her work is: "A practical application of cosmic energies from an astrologer who didn't drink the New Age Kool-Aid." And it's not everyday you see an astrologer telling someone to fuck off after they posted an off-hand remark in the comment section. She rocks.

I'm not going to go into major details but bottom line is I'm currently in a death and transformation phase that hit critical mass last week (Uh, yeah). All the things I've been considering for myself are right on track for where I am right now and the visions of what I want for myself and what I need to be doing are right there as well. I do have some serious work in front of me.

A very clarifying experience in the light of the almost full moon.

Holy crap, it lit a fire in me and I'm about ready to go fucking print myself out some T-shirts that just say "2011! It's all good!"

The Artist's Way

So... In between moving, trying to find a new place to live, getting re-settled, working and writing a press release for an upcoming show at the Gallery on Greene, I decided it was time to retake a class.

The Artist's Way.

Took it a few years ago which helped me start painting again. Thought about taking it again before I left on my trip cause I need to get more comfortable with my art being seen and really putting it out there. I've got an opportunity to illustrate a children's book and have been blocking it for some reason. Determined to remove the block, I signed up for the course.

I waited and waited on it cause I will have to miss some classes due to work. Thought I might do it on my own but the structure and interaction of class have a lot more oomph to it.

As I started the process of moving out of the place I've been in, Salvation Army arrived to pick up the bed and there was so much movement happening all at once, it was kinda perfect that the Studios of Key West called exactly at that moment to find out if I was in.

I decided to do it and am so glad I did. The group is great and think I'm going to get a lot out of it. It's exactly what I needed.

Going to start dismantling my studio today. More importantly going to get some supplies and my desk today.

Time to take everything to the next level.

Looking Back to Look Forward

Realizations come in many forms.

The biggest one came to me one night this week while I was looking at my life in pictures and words through my Spanish blog. The realization was this... I was so much happier before. So much joy I glowed.

I see how making choices based on your own needs is crucial to that happiness and am shifting my reality by making choices for me and only me. Finally speaking up for what I want and deserve. Didn't realize how far off I had wandered from that and it's time to emerge from the chaos.

Now I'm determined to collect the lost pieces of me and bring them back home. Bit by bit, it's coming. I read somewhere that endings should be celebrated because without them, there would be no beginnings. So true.

Sometimes looking back is a way to really look forward.

This is what I remember

This is who I am.

The Big Apple

Getting goofy at the Guggenheim.



"Strike a pose, bitches." (As Toni has appropriately titled this photo). Alternate title is "Yes, I will cut you."



Mmmmm. Anchovy flavored popcorn. Check out the dude with the giant pitcher of corn.



Wheee! Caffeine works!



Brothers and sisters gotta hug. Love you two!

The Big Apple