Love and Politics

Monday, Apr. 28th, 2008 – Sunday, May. 4th, 2008
This Week's Love Horoscope
Sagittarius Love Horoscope (Nov 22 - Dec 21)
OK, Saggie, this is the weekend you've been waiting for. The moody Moon is in adventurous Aries and your 5th house of romance. You're ready to open your heart, dance on tables, show your feelings and do whatever it takes to have a good time. Overly sensitive individuals should probably stay away.

Hmm, that last line seems so harsh. Tactless? Blunt? Moi? Not always, I can be diplomatic, really. But that's just my Saggitarian nature, or is it? I've loved astrology, numerology, tarot--you get the picture--since I was a teen. Even before it was trendy, thanks to my Aunt Marie, who gave me a subscription to Astrology Today for my fourteenth birthday, I got into occult studies rather early. My great-grandmother, with her Irish brogue, would have me scrying before I was three. Growing up Roman Catholic, I was taught angels watched over me, the devil was out and about trying to steal my soul and demons could whisper tempting, naughty things in your ear.

Not surprisingly, I enjoy writing about vampires and Ice Maidens. They become real characters while I am writing their tales and I do enjoy their company. I tend to categorize certain people by their astrological signs when I can find no other explanation for certain behaviors on their part. I was wondering if this could help me with this Democratic spat they call a campaign.

Now, Barack Obama was born on August 4. That makes him a Leo. This is a fire sign. They love to be the center of attention. They like to take charge. They can speak before they realize the consequences.

Hilary Clinton was born on October 26 which makes her a Scorpio. They certainly are tenacious. This is a water sign, deep. They can be secretive. They are passionate.

Fire and water create steam. Steam? That explains the hot air.

We, the American public, can deal with some steam, but we need more substance. We need more focus on issues that affect our daily lives. What happened to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan? Not much press on that. The economy--have you been grocery shopping today?

How about filling your gas tank? How much do you contribute to health care for your family? If the candidates discuss these topics we hear very little about it. This is partly due to media coverage and to the candidates steam production.

I am not looking to the stars to help me decide who the best candidate is. I have enough confidence in my judgement to make a choice without checking their astrological charts.

Well, maybe I'll take a little peek. After all, the more informed I am, the better equipped I am to make my decision.

'Til then I'll be dancing on the table having a wonderful time showing my feelings. Watch out!

Kindling Earth Day

Here in New York Mother Nature is giving a big thumbs up to Earth Day. Sunshine illuminates the city streets, filtering through the budding branches of the trees in front of our homes and businesses. The air is warm and sweet with the scent of magnolias and daffodils. Yes, there is plenty of traffic, even by my humble garden apartment--NYFD down the block, Glen Oaks Ambulance Corp several blocks from them and the bikers across the street are polishing and pumping the chrome and the pedal. Lilies I planted in the fall are pushing through the soil and my five year old three dollar sunset orange rosebush is full of new growth. So, how am I acknowledging Earth Day? Why with a new Kindle, from Amazon. My love/obsession with books has created a huge collection which I am having great difficulty culling. In my heart I know I will continue collecting books. The feel of a book in my hand comforts me. The scent of books fills me with anticipation. Walking through a library is a sensory delight, the sight and touch of the books and the wonderful smell of old and new books mingle, tantalizing and exciting. Just an aside, after reading The Historian, I had a deja vu experience similar to showering after the scene with Janet Leigh in Psycho. I found myself looking over my shoulder in libraries for quite a while.

Something about vampires lurking in the Research Area was quite unsettling...digressing again. I read about the Kindle, a reading device for e-books and thought this may be an asset in my search for consolidation. It can store about two hundred books, download newspapers and blogs and even store MP3s and photos. Two hundred books in a small, paperback-sized, device. My dilemma was, where's my paper to touch, my pages to smell? The solution was waiting for me on my return home yesterday evening. Two packages were delivered, one from Amazon and one from Perceval Press. I opened the Perceval Press parcel first. Skovbo, a hauntingly beautiful collection of photographs and poetry by Viggo Mortensen was in my hands. The touch of the cover, the look of the photographs, the words of the poems and that heavenly scent caressed my senses. Next, I opened the Amazon box and found Kindle packaged in a cardboard book. I enjoy new technology, I'm oh so geeky! I think I'm going to like this baby. It took me one minute to download A New Earth and subscribe to the the New York Times. Web access, e-mails and all that jazz are incidental to me. Books. Instant access. Yay!

I reach for Skovbo and smile. As practical and convenient as Kindle may be there will never be a substitute for holding a beautiful book in your hands. But saving some trees and some energy by consolidating books in this type of device is great. Remember your book bags from school? Think of all of those books in a Kindle. I guess it's just as cool to have someone carry your Kindle home from school for you.

Skovbo by Viggo Mortensen~Perceval Press

Kindle, Vickie's new toy, amazon.com

Spiritual Spring

Monoprints for Z's Spring Print Exchange are pulled and ready to head to the North Country. This is a lovely exchange for many reasons, but especially because it starts during the chill of February and March when a touch of Spring is sorely needed. The completion in April heralds a new beginning of the seasonal wheel. Despite my whining, I enjoy the changing seasons very much. Having Pope Benedict XVI in New York this weekend seemed to put a positive spin on things. Blessing the Ground Zero site was very moving. It is the only resting place for so many.

Certainly it is sacred ground. The theme of reconciliation is healing and so important today. We can all look into our hearts and souls for peace with one another.

Meanwhile, boobook from Oz has started a call to wear a Saffron Bracelet to support Tibet while still supporting the Olympian athletes. I'm in, boo.

http://geocities.com/boo_book/blog.html

Reconcilation doesn't mean forgetting indignities, it means forgiving them.

Spring Garden monoprints~ilovelillies nness

Frazzled Friday

All's well that ends well.

Had to take my Mom to the hospital for some cardiac stuff today. She is fine and feisty and will be home manana. Another reminder to appreciate those you love and those who love you while they're with you. After spending most of the day in the 'waiting' area I decided to wind down with a glass of wine and a haiku. My nervousness buddies on the Haikus Gone Wild thread seem to be on sabbatical, so I'll get my poetry therapy here.

Ephemeral smile,

your scent lingers in the room

your song in my heart

Need some music, ah yes

http://www.todotango.com/spanish/download/player.asp?from=Letra&id=818

Tango Oriental

Music: Juan Carlos Howard y Roberto Zerrillo

Words: Enrique Cadicamo

Sung by: Roberto Rufino

Thanks to Todo Tango

Art by Shari Elf xoxo

Special thanks to Wendy, Corie, Christine & Peter, you rock

Remember Tibet

Jazzed

April is Jazz Appreciation Month

http://americanhistory.si.edu/events/programdetail.cfm?newskey=500

Due to my fondness for drummers, I discovered jazz at an early age. My high school heart throb introduced me to Thelonius Monk, Charlie Mingus and Dizzy Gillespie. My Uncle Donald would
play Dave Brubeck's 'Take Five' over and over again, mumbling something about perfection each time. Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto's 'Girl From Ipanema' still brings summer to you no matter the season. To 'Take The A Train' with Duke Ellington is a groovy experience. If you prefer, you can fly with Charlie Parker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TqLmDhOdEc

Listen to Mel Torme sing 'Harlem Nocturn' and you know why he was 'The Velvet Fog'.
http://longs3x.imeem.com/music/j8gdxZy7/mel_torme_harlem_nocturne/

There are so many great artists and amazing music still being celebrated in song today.




One month is just not enough time to appreciate jazz. Here's a link to a Nervousness thread that was about all that jazz:




http://vb.nervousness.org/showthread.php?t=13828

Jeez, Neil. I hadn't listened to Round Midnight for ages. It's still so magical. Yessss!








Mesmerized and Round Midnight by the illustrious Neil Ornstein ~ thanks Neil!


Remember Tibet

Timeless

Pilar Rioja is in town, performing her amazing flamenco here as she has for over thirty-five years at the Gramercy Theater on E27th Street. The wondrous thing is she is seventy-five years young. Here's inspiration for anyone who feels age should get in the way of their passion. If you didn't stand up and at least clap your hands while she danced start polishing that rocking chair, baby. Now, where did I put my castanets?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npgBsa--sDY

Te Quiero Viggo

Kind of weird day. Chill wind still in the air. Wandered over to Perceval Press and found Viggo Mortensen singing a beautiful tango, "Te Quiero", in honor of the centennial of his beloved San Lorenzo soccer team. His voice made me feel kind of melty. That will be my lullabye tonight, hoping for sweet dreams. You know I'll be first in line to pre-order a CD collection of fantastic tangos. Take a listen.

Lucky soccer team!

Pics from Hourly Comics, although not today, I did start and finish the same way.

April Showers Predicted for Idaho

These will be postal soon. I like them a lot. Heading your way Trish.

Step by Step

Sleep brought dreams of you

we climbed stairs togother,

you were wearing your uniform,

young and fit and giving advice.

It was so good to see you again,

although even in sleep

I knew we were in the dreamworld.

What is real, what is a dream?

They mingle for me, my realities merge.

There we were on the stairway to heaven

like the old days, you watching over me.

Today, you gave me a special gift for your birthday,

always with love.

Feliz cumpleanos Reuben Santiago Jose Emilio Trancho SanEmeterio Reveon de Gonzales

Heaven is even cooler with you there Dad. Mona's Dad shares his birthday with you. I can see you whipping up a tasty Egyptian paella for him. I know you'll make him feel right at home. Hasta la vista.

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

There Can Be Only One Friday

This has been one of those weeks. Not a terrible, horrific week or anything of that ilk, just weird.

Exploding transformers, wacky octogenarians and sadness. On the other hand, it's been messy, creative and fulfilling. All things considered, I guess it balanced itself. I didn't. There's a need for release that carousing with friends just can't meet. I'm feeling the need for The Highlander.

Adrian Paul and his crew can work their magic. Lopping off heads, electrifying quickening, flashbacks in history all in the name of entertainment. Did I mention Adrian Paul? Three generations of the women in my family have watched every episode and movie ever made in the Highlander series. We are serious fans. My Mom is the one who first found the immortals and Watchers. My daughter grew up singing "Here we are....the princes of the universe". My brothers would give us good-natured smiles, a tad condescending perhaps, but if they were around for an episode in progress you know they were into the action. It's been a while since I've enjoyed a good swordfight. All right, there were those explosions, but no comparison to the pyrotechics after a decapitation. This is all very theraputic for me, soothing in kind of twisted way. Is there a sword or two in our home? Maybe. A katana? Maybe.

An official Highlander beer mug and/or wineglass? Maybe. Will I use any of the above items while partaking of my Highlander therapy? Heh, you bet I will. After all, there can be only one.

Etching the Sun

It seems I got a little carried away with my etchant, but I am so happy with the result.

Some of the copper disc actually dissolved (the sun did lose its yellow), but the resist lettering remained intact.

So here it is, etched, patinaed and burnished. It's adhered to the tin ATC which has been colored with Sharpies, heat-set and trimmed with copper tape.

Remember Floride and the brave women of the DRC.

The following email reminds me how fortunate we are

and how much we take for granted living in the USA.

Silence is not always golden. Speak the truth.

Dear Victoria,

On Tuesday April 8, at 10pm HBO is premiering the Sundance Film Festival’s 2008 award-winning documentary The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo. It will continue to air throughout the month of April.This powerful, moving film literally breaks through the wall of silence and opens the world's eyes to the tens of thousands of women and small children who have been raped, mutilated and tortured in the name of war. Emmy award winning producer/director Lisa F. Jackson takes you into the war zones of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and introduces you to some of the most courageous, inspiring women and children you'll ever meet. With the help of Women for Women International’s Country Director, Christine Karumba, she interviewed participants in our program. For decades they have suffered in shame and silence. Now, they are sharing their painful stories with the hope that it will help end these atrocities and they can feel the peace that you and I enjoy every day.As a friend of Women for Women International, you know the stories these women tell are not just about the unspeakable tragedies they have endured. Their stories are also about hope, courage and amazing resilience.It is our privilege to work with these women. In the last two years, we have expanded our programs to reach remote villages and have now helped over 15,000. The women in our programs receive rights awareness training, job skills training, money for food, clothes and schooling for their children. And Women for Women International provides a support system that helps her move from victim to survivor to active citizen.I truly hope that you'll join me in learning more about what is happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo by watching The Greatest Silence.These women have been given a voice. Now their voices need to be heard. Sincerely, Zainab SalbiPS: If you'd like you can send a message of hope right now to a woman in the Congo. Simply follow this link. What may seem like only a few words to you could be the very hope and inspiration a Congolese woman needs to carry on.

Forward to a Friend.

Scattered

Yesterday three transformers exploded just outside our office. The first explosion shook the building; our poor patients got more than they bargained for as far as stress tests go. The second explosion knocked out what was left of our electricity. Bad news, no power for the rest of the day, good news, left work early.

I "organized" my material for Script Frenzy. I have my characters outlined and a title and three lines of Scene One. More vampires, I guess I just have to get them out of my system. There's probably a deeper meaning in there, but it is fun. Check out Michael DeMeng's blog post on Shadows

http://michaeldemeng.blogspot.com/2008/03/issue-of-shadows.html

Etching April Showers ATC's is still in progress, I'm liking these pieces. It's evolving day by day because each process takes twelve to twenty-four hours to complete. I'm trying a salt on copper patina after the etching. It works out well time-wise. While the metal cooks I can work on my script.

The power is back so I do have to go to work, sigh.

ATC from Robot Swap vt