getting alphabetized

Our move may have been 6 months ago, but somehow we're still getting organized.:) We've made quite a bit of progress and after the purchase of some Dvd/Cd shelves from Ikea, our living room is really starting to shape up. We have even gone so far as to alphabetize our dvds and cds as well as our record collection. Considering the ridiculous amount of media we seem to have, this was no small task.:) But it looks really good and we should be able to find things pretty easily now. Incidentally, if you need a good foreign film look no further.:) Hopefully I'll get pics posted eventually...

lunch break drive

Viewed on the sidewalk of 86th St. today: a slightly built man pushing a "portly" woman in a wheelchair who was in turn pushing a sleeping baby in a stroller.

Avatar--- an opinion

Luke and I finally put ourselves through the arduous task of watching "Avatar". We'd had a copy of it in hand for awhile and finally forced ourselves to watch it (over a period of three days:). I figured if I wanted to be able to judge it, I'd better watch it.:) We were both very underwhelmed by the film. I can see where in the theater and IMAX 3D it would have been visually entertaining, but the story line was quite melodramatic and cheesy. It tried to be far too political and was extremely predictable. And calling the "element" that the military was after "unobtainium" has to be the weakest link. Are you kidding me? Unobtainium? Sounds like they should probably just give up on that one.:) At any rate, I've now seen "Avatar" and have the right to legitimately voice my opinion and distaste for it.

Art

Just FYI if you're in the Indy area you should probably be attending IMAF (the Independent Music and Arts Fest) tomorrow from noon-8 p.m. at the Harrison Center. This is a pretty sweet event and encompasses many art forms. The Indie Handicraft Exchange will also be taking place in conjunction with the music fest. And my new favorite local brewery, Sun King, is sponsoring and will be sold at the event. Looks like a pretty sweet day.:) I have to work part of the day, but I will get down there sometime after 3 and will be opening up my studio and chilling in there when I'm not out shopping the handicraft exchange and listening to sweet tunes. Swing by if you're there! (I'm right next to the Underground).
Also, this piece made it into the book arts show at the Harrison Center in August and there will be a gallery opening on the first Friday in August. Yay!

a pleasant surprise

This morning when I left for work, our patio out back was as I had seen it last night-- lots of weeds around the concrete, maple tree "helicopters" all over the place and a generally unkempt appearance. Luke and I had discussed how we needed to work on it and make it more appealing and pleasant out there.:) When I got home from work, Luke had surpised me by weeding, sweeping the entire patio and laying mulch around the concrete. It was so sweet of him and now we can check it off of our long to-do list. With the warm weather we've been enjoying grilling out and eating outside and now the patio looks great and is a much more relaxing environment!

craigslist success

Craigslist is my new best friend.:) After the move we found that there were a few things we needed and craigslist has been a good go-to for some of those items. Granted, you don't hear back on about 50% of the emails you send, but when it actually works out, it's great.:) Since we got married most of our furniture has consisted of free items that we received to help get things started (a welcome blessing), so we decided it was time to replace a few of those items. One of the main things we wanted was a new couch and we were very pleased with the acquisition of this sectional. It's great for watching all those movies.:)

But my very favorite find has been our bikes. I had forgotten how much fun it is to ride a bike.:) And with the great walking/biking trail behind our complex we have a safe and pleasant place to ride. My brother helped us fix them up and we've been enjoying putting them to good use.
We also got a brand new bookshelf and a sweet chair for my studio. It's great to be able to get things for a good deal and to be able to use things that others no longer want/need. We're still in the market for a few more items, but I'm very pleased with our success thus far.:)

a brief update

I've taken an unintentional hiatus from blogging. I'm going to blame it on moving, unpacking, illness and... well a general lack of inspiration. Things are looking better around here, but there's still plenty of organizing to be done. Inadequate shelving is partially to blame for the time it's taking me to get unpacked.:) Between books, movies and records we need a ridiculous amount of shelving.

We are loving the Zionsville area and are very happy to have located here. My work commute is about half the time and is a much less stressful drive. I'm enjoying not having to get on the interstate at all.:)

We acquired a pair of old yellow his and her cruiser bikes from craigslist (I'll post pictures soon) and, after a few minor repairs, have been taking advantage of the nice weather and biking on the trail that goes behind the apartment complex. It's been a lot of fun!

With the move I haven't been to my studio as much as I would like, but I've still been able to get a few projects done and have a few larger paintings in the works. I recently finished this piece for submission to a show at the Harrison Center in August. We'll see what happens. The painting was done on book covers with ink & acrylic. The separate pieces are bound together with a leather like cord. This photo isn't the best, but it's extremely difficult to take an accurate photo of a painting. You get the idea though.:)