Curvily Yours: First Day

Our secret society awaits. As I see the light reflected on my dash. I realize that my choice of outfit today is perfectly me. Comfy, casual, sporty, sparkly. 

This is real, it is not a dream. here's pride awareness tears journey is officially begin  and I am sparkling on the way there. on my way there with every breath galaxy of lights play across the visor, dash, and steering wheel of my car.

Portrait Painting SMC: Class #5

I woke up today and was just a great big ball of whiney. Exhausted and not looking forward to the events of the day to come. First on the agenda was a tangle with our storage unit which you can read about here. Second was my fifth week of Portrait Painting. Even though I was tired I was partially looking forward to class after the positive results from last week. Unfortunately, class today was to be a bit of a disappointment to me.

I just can't seem to follow our instructors formula even when I try. Today we were really working hard on warm vs cold light. What I learned was that when you have warm light hitting your subject you get cool colored shadows. When you have cool light hitting your subject you end up with warm shadows. We had both types of light hitting our model so we were supposed to paint one side warm and the other cool. Again, the instructor took up the first hour of class demonstrating and explaining how we could make this happen. I think I started out ok, but towards the end my brain was mush and I think I just stopped caring about what color I was mixing as a warm or cold versus just getting my painting to at least look like the model. Sigh. Hopefully I will have better luck and more time with the assignment next week. Two hours really isn't long enough for me to sketch and paint someone.

Initial Sketch and "underpainting"

Final Painting at end of class.

Portrait Painting SMC: Class #4

Hurray! We finally got to take an entire class to sketch and paint the model. I'm still not quite getting the technique that my instructor is using but I was happy with the results from today's class.

The initial sketch

The end painting

Curvily Yours: Class #1

That's right my friends, yours truly finally officially started back at her pole classes. It was a very interesting experience. Kind of like starting at a new school. My class still has a few of my girls in it. But there are a lot of new faces to get used to. New energies to figure out. One of the girls who is "new" to my class is one of my life long pole friends. She and I took classes together in the very beginning and all through the middle. Sadly Ms Soarer and I haven't been in the same class for probably about 4 years. Sure we have had run-ins over that time. A make-up class together here and there, chance meetings at our studios dance-a-thons. But it's different, and frankly we both dance completely different than we did 4 years ago. So the next few weeks will be a learning curve for me. Finding my place in the class. Meeting new ladies. On a happy note, my body is stronger than I thought it would be. I didn't do anything too crazy. But I can tell that the strength in my arms has returned as well.

For my dance I chose one of the studios suggested songs for the week "Underneath" by Adam Lambert. I wasn't sure with this being my first dance back, just how it would go. Would I love the song? Hate it? Would I be able to connect?



I'm happy to say that although initially I didn't really feel myself sinking into the song, eventually the annoyance and anger at the song built to a level that I was able to let it out. So it was unexpectedly a great dance for me. A bit all over the place and I felt like I had so much to say I wasn't even sure what to let out first! Fortunately, I don't do a whole lot of thinking while I dance, so most of that was subconscious. It was great to be back. I'm looking forward to my next class, but I might just wait until my regular class time next week to take it. Trying really hard not to push myself too fast. Not an easy feat since I just want to go, go, GO! I love being active again. It felt exquisite to move and bend and stretch my body. To feel the rhythms and beats pouring through my soul. It's good to be home. 

Portrait Painting SMC: Class #3

Phew, painting class is exhausting. I'm beat. Today instead of using the limited Zorn palette we added a bunch of additional colors.

Today's Palette.

New Palette Colors:

Raw Siena
Burnt Umber
Violet
Ultra Marine Blue
Veridian Green
Alizarian Red
Cadmium Yellow Light

I wish our classes were four hours long instead of three. That extra hour would really make all the difference. Every week I  feel rushed to try and finish my paintings. I think it's also a matter of I haven't done much sketching in the past few years so I'm pretty rusty too.

Figure drawing was never one of specialties but I am really enjoying this class. Even being rushed it is fantastic to just be painting every week. I still feel really far behind the rest of the people in class, but I am trying not to judge myself too harshly. Trying to accept where I am and just acknowledging that I have a long way to go.

Initial Sketch and "underpainting" start.

Final Painting end of class.

Final Painting by Instructor:

Not just the hair

For the past few weeks it seems as if everyone and their mother has commented on my haircut. Which by the way is the same haircut I have had since November. Only it grew out a bit and I just had it reshaped. 

No, no people, it's not just the haircut that you are reacting to. You're also reacting to the fact that I have lost 17.8 lbs since Martin Luther King Day. My face is thinner, I'm overall a lot leaner and THAT is why you currently are amazed at how awesome I look! Nope, definitely not just the haircut. 

But thanks for all the compliments just the same :) They really do make a girl's day! 

Portrait Painting SMC: Class #2

Every class starts with our teacher telling us what we will learn this lesson, a few extra pointers, and then a demonstration on what we will be doing. This week we were going to go a step beyond our value paintings of last week. Today we were tackling the Zorn palette. Which is a limited palette technique named after Anders Zorn. Limited meaning we were only allowed to use the following four tubes of paint to create all of the colors necessary for our painting:

Ivory Black

Titanium White

Yellow Ochre

Cadmium Red Light

She told us this was an excellent way for us to learn how to mix the colors for flesh tones. I have to agree. I don't have the colors right yet, but I can definitely see where I would find them if I continue to work within this palette.

Initial Sketch

Final painting end of class.

Progress so far.

Portrait Painting Homework I

There is something exceptionally daunting about a blank canvas. Even when you know what you are going to paint. It's just at the moment of actually starting I have this spiking fear of failure. Which I admit is ridiculous. Because really who is around to judge me other than myself? And why should I WANT to judge me? Painting classes have made me realize that I have unrealistically high expectations for myself when it comes to doing new things. This is where I think that the description for "Capricorn" actually finally rings true for me. I'm a perfectionist. Which is horrible, because I don't give myself space to grow. To start off awful at something and work hard to become better at it. I have a history of "trying" things and then quitting them. I'd like to change this fact about me so you'll likely see me hammering away at attempting to paint and learn photograpy this year. These two things are my focus. 

So upon the ending of my first oil painting class our teacher suggested that we go home and that sometime during the week we attempt to paint a self portrait. So in keeping with my resolution this year to really try. Here is my attempt:

All set up and ready! Now, the hard part, that first stroke.

The final product. Wish I had thought to take a few inbetween shots.

Well, I think I captured some likeness, but I need to work on values. It will be interesting to see how the next one turns out. I will just have to keep trying. 

Portrait Painting SMC: Class #1

Today was the start of my six week painting class at SMC. I was a bit nervous earlier in the day. But after all the last minute rushing around and dropping off Mr. Mine I forgot the nerves and was eagerly anticipating class. The teacher, Ms Bledsoe, was kind and efficient. Starting the class out with lots of explanations and how tos. Today our assignment was a value scale painting using only black and white. I got too class about 15 minutes early so was able to get an ok spot. Although i think next week I will opt for more of an angled position.

This was my first time working with oils so it was a bit off an adventure. I did feel as though everyone else in class seemed to sink their teeth into the assignment while I was only just starting to graze the surface. I'm a very slow painter and we had probably about two hours to work on this. It was also hard because the model seemed to only sit for short periods of time. Then she'd get up, stretch, then get back into the pose. Every time i swear the light hit her face differently. Which was a little frustrating. I'll have to get used to this.I'm not used to dealing with moving subjects. But overall i loved the class and it was exceptionally fun getting my hands dirty.

Heart's Desire

One of my cousin's shared this video on facebook today. I love the message. It speaks to my heart and what it has been trying to tell me the last few years. Or maybe even the last decade. Enjoy:



No matter what your job is this video tends to speak to your life. One of the commenters on the post wrote the following which also rang true to me:

"There is no happiness in pursuing a quest that matters not to ones true desires."

What are your desires? What would I do if money were no object? I'm still working on figuring my answers out. On initial response and much I am sure to my parents chagrin I would say. I want to be an artist, a photographer, a dancer. I do love designing, but it is definitely not something that comes easy to me.

So I have been working towards a few things. I signed up for an online photography course and I also signed up for a painting course. The photography course is all year, but the painting class starts this Saturday. I'm a little nervous. Last year Mrs Bokeh and I took a 3 hour painting class and while it was fun, I found that I was berating myself over technique and lack of abilities most of the class. Which made it a lot less enjoyable for me. I think that my expectations are way to high so I am also trying to work on that. Since talent takes time and patience to grow.

I also signed up for online photoshop, flash, and dreamweaver courses. I know photoshop pretty well, but there are always different ways to do things and so much to continually learn.

The other thing that I want to do this year are workshops and possibly conferences. I've found that my local camera store has a lot of workshops that happen pretty regularly and are not too pricey. And I was thinking about trying to attend the annual Adobe MAX Creativity Conference.

New Year's Party Prep

Ok, I will admit it. I am a person who is very set on having her own way. Especially when it comes to event decorations. I like to have a color scheme and I like to stick with it. So when Mr Mine and I decided last minute to have a New Year's Eve party I  had our scheme picked out the second I walked into Party City.

Color Scheme: Robin's Egg Blue, White, and Silver

I bought a gazillion balloons in those colors and decorations galore. I wanted to make this party extra special since it was our first ever New Years party. Even though I knew that it was only going to be a small group of us I wanted the "Wow" factor. We started our day by heading to target to pick up a new chair and a new lamp. I picked up this side chair 3 years ago with the intention of refinishing it to match the apartment. I sanded, attempted stripping, and even bought the fabric to re-upholster it. But it just has not gotten done and I finally got fed up and decided to put it aside. I will finish it one day but I knew it just wasn't going to happen in time for New Year's and it was a complete eyesore in our living room in the meantime. So when I saw this simple brown chair at Target over the weekend I decided it was our best option.

Once in place I realized that it was a tad small, but it still looks a helluva lot better than the old one.

After our errand running was done it was time to get down to business. Mr Mine and I each took our party tasks in hand and rocked them out. My job was to blow up the bazillion balloons that I had bought and Mr Mine's job was to figure out how to fill up our 2013 balloons. Fortunately we both were successful in completing our tasks. Although I have to say I definitely got a much better workout than he did! My abs were crying by the time I was finished. Who knew that blowing up balloons was a great ab workout?? Oh and yes, that is an air compressor that he is using. Worked perfectly for our big numbers.

Next came hanging them and putting out all of the finishing touches.

Ms Bliss Residency Graduation

Friday, August 3, 2012
So unbelievably proud of my sis, Ms Bliss. Today she graduated from the Nurse Residency program at CHLA (Children's Hospital of Los Angeles). I know what an extreme struggle it was for her to get through the program. It's a tough program with a very steep learning curve and apparently it's also the place where residency programs were born.

I teared up several times during the proceedings. Once when they had a bunch of their patients come in and sing a song to the grads and once while the Head Nurse was giving an interview about why she's glad she became a nurse instead of a doctor. I'm paraphrasing here but it went something like "I get to be there for all of the moments, the happy, and the sad. When the doctors go home for the day I am the one who pays my last respects to the patients.."

It's an amazing achievement and I know she is experiencing a great opportunity. For now she will be staying at CHLA and I expect that she will learn a lot more in the coming two years. Congrats Sissy!!! All that hard work paid off!

Women's Soccer Mania

USA vs Australia

Let’s just start with the words Free Tickets. That’s right, my girl over at Fox Soccer is awesome. I was so delighted when she contacted me and said she had two tickets with my name on them if I wanted them I didn’t even bother asking any additional details!

My sister and I met our girl Ms Foxx at the Chili’s around the corner from the Home Depot Center so we could all carpool to the game. Since not only did she get free tickets, but she managed to snag two free VIP parking passes as well! I know right! She was on fire, then once we are heading to the cars she nonchalantly mentions that we don’t really need to worry about getting sunburned because our tickets are for Box seats! WHAT?????????

This day just keeps getting better and better. Well, once we finally got through the parking lot traffic! We made it to the game with just minutes to spare. As they started playing the Australia anthem we were being escorted to our seats. Which had us sitting directly in front of the USA team bench! OMG I could see them, I could see their faces, Solo, Wambach, Rapinoe, Morgan, Heath, Lloyd, O' Hara, LePeilbet, Rampone, O'Reilly, Boxx…and so many more, all legends in my book. I really wished that I had asked Mrs Bokeh if I could borrow her camera for the day! But I made due with my cell phone and my little point and shoot.

women's national team right after anthem - CLICK HERE FOR LARGER VERSION

Left: The Starting Line-up   |   Right: Mr Hopeful

The Gang

Mrs Primerib and I

Ms Foxx and friend

Ms Bliss and I

The girls started off the game a bit rough and it took me a while to discern what the issue was. This team is used to fact-paced controlled passing and the Home Depot field frankly looked like it hadn’t been watered in a month. I’m guessing this was partially due to the crazy heat waves we have been having here in LA over the past few weeks. Including it getting up to 106° just the day before.  I think that the dry grass was creating additional friction on the ball causing it to drag. So passes that would normally easily have reached their teammates were continually falling short. Or….maybe the team starters were just having an off day. But Australia came out strong and the turf conditions didn’t seem to be bothering them at all.

Wambach Pressuring

O'Hara Trapping

Rampone Shutting It Down

At the half we were down 0-1 due to a beautiful goal by Lisa de Vanna but Alex Morgan brought us back into the game second half with a pistol of a shot off a pass by Heather O’Reilly. Neck and Neck it was time for some nail biting. Fortunately that didn't last long, less than ten minutes later Shannon Boxx found herself squaring off on a penalty kick with Australia keeper Brianna Davey. Beautifully done, the ball fired into the back of the net on a near post shot and we found ourselves up for the first time in the game 2-1. 30 minutes after that the winning score was final and there were smiles and thunderous cheers of U-S-A all around.

women's national team making their victory round - CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE

Victory Lap

Rapinoe and Morgan

Rapinoe and Morgan

After the game was over the Team called everyone together and presented their now retired coach Pia with a guitar signed by all of them. She even gave us a vocal demonstration in the style of Elvis doing a bit of Jailhouse Rock.

Women's National Team and Pia

I don’t know who suggested it but someone mentioned going down to the field as the players did their victory lap so we hopped out of our box and maneuvered our way into some empty second row seats hoping for a better view of our legends. These women, and this team has stolen a little piece of my heart ever since I watched them play their own hearts out during the Women’s World Cup last year. I cried as they were denied their hearts desire by Japan in the final. And I whole heartedly cheered them on to their hard fought victory of taking home the Gold medal in the Olympics just weeks ago. 

Words cannot describe being in such a close proximity to this team. I know that probably sounds a bit weird, but, I guess I was feeling a bit starstruck. I was wielding my little camera like digital was about to go out of style. Much to my sis’s amusement and chagrin. Although I know she’ll appreciate the pictures later.

My excitement over getting to see the girls up close during their victory lap was eclipsed by some crazy mania when I saw the girls split up and head toward the stands each with a black sharpie in her hand. OMG, I think I went a little crazy I lunged forward holding out the only thing I had in hand, my game ticket as Hope Solo stood within 3 feet of me and started signing autographs. I’m still not sure how I managed it since initially we were probably a good 8 or so feet from her but I ended up landing an autograph for myself and two of the other girls who were with us at the game. I even managed to keep my wits and snap a few up-close pics of both her and Heather O’Reilly when she later graced us with her presence. Although I wasn’t slick enough to grab her autograph as well. But hey, I was deliriously happy with just the one!

O'Reilly and Fan

Heather O'Reilly

Hope Solo

Solo and Fan

Solo and Mr Hopeful - Who yelled "she said yes" to his friend as she was taking the pic. 

My Autograph and I :)

Brilliant Ideas

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

I was walking through the airport to my gate looking for a drinking fountain and saw this gem. What a brilliant idea! I love the water bottle filling option! May I introduce you to the EZH20 Filling Station by ELKAY. If I had a company I would definitely be considering this option, especially out here in LA where people drink water by the gallon.

Salty Sweet Surprise

Safeway Select Limited Edition Salted Pretzel Caramel Ice Cream has to be one of the best flavors of ice cream on the planet. This was on sale 2 for $6 at my local Von's and I just decided to try it. All I can say is it's an orgasm in a bowl. Sweet creamy vanilla ice cream laced with ground pretzel bits, salt and swirls of caramel. Mr Mine and I have taken to watching an episode of Firefly each night while eating a small bowl of this divine heavenliness. Who knew?

I actually just bought the last two that they had in stock at the store today, because the thought of running out saddens me. I'm thinking I may have to try making my own version of this. It might be time to break out the old ice cream maker that we got for Christmas from my cousin and her husband year before last. 

We made several sorbets with it when we initially got it, but I have yet to try making actual ice cream. Two of the three sorbets came out pretty well, we did a Raspberry Mint, a Lemon Basil, and then a simple Orange Sorbet. The orange one came out pretty awful but I loved the other two.


I was thinking about giving this recipe that I found a try for the Salted Pretzel Caramel:

Salted Caramel Pretzel Ice Cream
caramel adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

-2 cups half and half
-1 cup heavy cream
-1/2 cup sugar
-1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
-2 cups coarsely chopped pretzels

for the salted caramel sauce
-1 cup packed brown sugar
-1/2 cup half and half
-4 tbsp butter
-1 tbsp vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp sea salt

Directions:
1. To make the ice cream base, combine half and half, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt in a blender. Blend until smooth. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate overnight or until completely chilled.
2. The next day, prepare your caramel sauce. Mix the brown sugar, half and half, butter, and salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, whisking gently, for 5-7 minutes, until slightly thickened. Add the vanilla and cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat and pour into a separate bowl to cool to room temperature.
3. Place the ice cream base mixture into the ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's instructions. Once ice cream is thick and nearly finished, add pretzels (you may need to add some of them after you finish churning to evenly distribute).
4. Layer the ice cream and the caramel in your ice cream storage container, beginning and ending with the ice cream. Freeze at least four hours, until firm.

The only change that I might make is instead of coarsely chopping the pretels I might grind them up finely. The Safeway Select version seems to have done that and it is the perfect consistency. 

Dedication Inspiration

So because I knew if I didn't go I would spend another lazy day entirely in bed I dragged my butt to the gym. Mr Mine has been trying to get me to go and I realize that once I am out of the house my productivity quadruples. So into the gym I went, not really expecting much. Initially we both started out on the exercise bikes for a warm-up. After about 3 miles I felt warm enough to launch into my one activity that I am allowed at the gym these days, walking. Since I had forgotten my earbuds and my phone was almost dead anyways I chose a machine that was in front of one of the big tvs so that I could at least watch and read while I worked.

The girl next to me was definitely running a marathon and sprinting for the finish line while doing it. I think she was actually working on her recovery times. While I was walking I watched her sprint for roughly 10 min intervals and then check her heart rate. She'd get off the machine and let it slow down and then get right back on and do it again. A bit intimidating and inspirational to watch. After She had done this about 4 times the woman with her, who was apparently her coach, came up and high-fived her. Telling her that it was her best run yet and that they were definitely on track for the following year's race. Not sure what that race was, but I was proud of this girl and I had no clue who she was. In fact, I opted to tell her just that as she was working through her cool down process. I could tell she was a little embarrassed by the attention, but she asked what had happened to my back. I told her I had broken it and that this (walking) was the only thing I was allowed to do. And she responded by saying, "yeah I have had a lot of injuries, you just need to stay focused on what you CAN do, instead of all the things that you can't." I thought that was pretty sage advice. So I stayed on the treadmill for an additional 10 minutes and felt pretty exhilarated when I got off. 400 cal burned, 5 miles traveled. I'd call that a successful first day at the gym :)

What a nice way to settle into the middle of my day. To keep the energy flowing, I finally drove to my dance studio and put myself officially on medical leave. Something I should have done months ago but hadn't managed to motivate myself. I was pleasently surprised to run into my pole teacher Ms Suavity while I was there. I adore this woman so seeing her was just like having an extra ray of sunshine in my day. 

The Baby Shower

I love Jack and Jill baby showers because it allows the men to be celebrated as much as the women. And since it definitely takes two to make these marvelous creations I think they both deserve the credit! Ms Ianthine and I made our final stop of the day at the main event of my trip. Mr & Mrs Pentagon's Babyshower. We created an awesome Diaper Bike in preparation for the big day and were excited to show it off!

Ms Ianthine and I    |    Our Awesome Diaper Bike

There was lots of simply yummy food. My favorite's being the prettily decorated Cake Balls. They were delicious, and I may or may not have eaten 3 or....5.

It was fun watching the happy couple open up all of their crazy shower gifts. My favorite though was a special surprise from Mrs Pentagon's mom. She wrapped Mrs Pentagon's own baby blanket with a note saying that she had to open it with a special somebody. That special somebody just happened to be the blankets original creator and it was a delight to watch the smiles all around as they opened it together.

And Of course every baby shower would not be complete without BABIES!!!! There was the beautiful darling Miss Mackenzie. Daughter of Mrs Pentagon's Besties Mr & Mrs Smiley.

And two twin boys who were only 5 weeks old. They both look like little orangutans. So absolutely adorable!

Sadly it was over way too soon, but we got some great take home treats! Wine glasses with baby inspired glass charms. A ton of pictures to remember the day by and hopefully sweet dreams after this extremely long and exhausting day.