Frankenstorm

We are battening down for Hurricane Sandy. The boat is in the winter slip, and the goal today is to reduce her windage and put on storm lines. Doesn't it figure that today would be a fab sailing day?

Jane McGonigal: The game that can give you 10 extra years of life

When game designer Jane McGonigal found herself bedridden and suicidal following a severe concussion, she had a fascinating idea for how to get better. She dove into the scientific research and created the healing game, SuperBetter. In this moving talk, McGonigal explains how a game can boost resilience -- and promises to add 7.5 minutes to your life.

Click her to see her fascinating talk, and don't forget to play along.

Family in Vegas

I've been hanging out with my brother and his family in Las Vegas. It has been wonderful catching up. Heading home tomorrow. Feels like I've been away from home for a long time.

Something borrowed

Kids grow up so dang fast. Am loving spending time with my nieces. They ask such great questions. And guess what? I was able to borrow shoes from one of them. How fun. Check out our footwear for this evening.

Swimmers

My nieces are the next generation of swimmers in our family. Watching them doing drills reminds me of so many fun years of swimming competitively as a kid.

 

Attended a meet earlier today. Here are my lovelies before their heats. Love these girls. 

Journal page

Journaling while traveling is a fun way to spend time while waiting. And there is lots of waiting to be done. I find the movement of a pen and brush soothing.

Window seat

Leaving Oregon for Nevada via California. It is a lovely day to fly.

Powells

A city of books. My fave bookstore. Every time I visit Portland I spend several happy hours browsing the stacks. I would consider moving to this city just for this bookstore. Love it.

Portland, OR

Left the rainy Pacific Coast, for the rainy city of Portland. You know how you can identify the tourists in Oregon? We have rain gear and umbrellas, and in general are dressed for the weather. Locals walk around sopping wet in their cotton hoodies. Nuts.

Enjoyed a fab view of the city from Portland City Grill this evening. If you go you gotta try the Kung Pao calamari. Yummy.

Rain with a chance of rain

The weather is is enough to drive a girl batty. If I stay still I'm concerned that moss will start growing between my toes. Other than my first day, it has rained the entire time I've been on the Oregon Coast. 

Went to check out the Lincoln City Kite Festival today, and saw some interesting flying techniques. These are not the kites I used to make as a kid. Remember using newspaper and twigs and twine. Kites have sure been upgraded since then.

And if the rain was not depressing enough, the Patriots lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the last couple of minutes of the game. Sigh. Moving base camp to Portland tomorrow. 

Tillamook

The rain continues in these parts. The fog rolls in, and it is spooky. During our explorations today, had to stop in and sample the cheese and ice-cream. Came away with extra for later. Yummy.

Ahoy Matey

I'm glad I got around to exploring the area before the rains rolled in. It is pouring in these parts, and expected to rain until the day I leave. In the meanwhile am having fun catching up with my sister, and trying not to get flogged.

Pacific City, OR

A beautiful day to explore coastal Oregon. 

Arrived in town yesterday to hang out with my favorite sister. There is something magical about long walks on the beach. Sunset was lost behind the fog bank, but still lovely.

Readers

In our house everyone is a reader. Makes for lots of good conversation. If you are a reader, you know exactly what I mean.

Time flies

Where the heck does the time go? Babes and I are celebrating 21 years. 21. Guess we are now legal. :D
Happy anniversary Babes.

Journal page

Cataclysm. One of those great words. Was inspired by art in a magazine. Reminds of looking down from the window seat of a plane at 30,000 feet. Something I will be doing myself in a couple of days. The world looks so different from that perspective.

(Click on image to enlarge).
Pen and watercolors.

Recent Reads

103. Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain
I read this for book club, and am delighted that I did. I am fascinated by neuroscience, and this easy to read book blew my mind. Lots to noodle over. Is there really a ghost in the machine? When you argue with yourself, who really are you arguing with? A book that changed my mental models. I scrutinize my actions, thoughts, and emotions in a whole new way. Very cool. Rating: 4 stars.

104. The Leftovers
I listened to this on audio for book club, and honestly would not have finished it otherwise. It was however really well narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris.

I was intrigued by the premise - a non-religious rapture takes place. Random people from all over the world simply disappear. One minute they are there, the next gone. Vanished. The story is told using five narrators, and explores the fallout of those left behind - the loss, grief, incomprehension. Everyone copes differently - some get really fit, others join cults. The most interesting way a person coped was to publish a magazine with salacious details of the disappeared - as proof that they were not deserving of such an honor. I think there are some interesting parallels to be drawn between this story and how we deal with death (people disappear in a sense), but overall, I did not find the story, or any of the characters interesting. Rating: 2 stars.

105. 12.21
This book has all the right ingredients - end of the Mayan calender, an epidemic, the end of the world as we know it - but did not grab me. It has been touted for "Michael Crichton fans", and as one, I suggest that the bar is set too high. Interesting premise, but I almost gave up on it several times. Rating: 2 stars.

Journals for my nieces

I love journaling with my nieces, and always take along journals whenever I visit. Here are the new ones I made for them.



If the embedded video does not work, click here.

Journal page

And just like that it is October and sailing season in New England draws to a close. I fully expect to get in some day sails before the snow flies, but the regular season is over. Sigh.

(Click on image to enlarge).
Pen and watercolors.

Sweden’s Newest School System Has No Classrooms

With all the technology changes, it is about time we changed the structure of education. Classrooms are not for everyone. And the days of one teacher standing in front of huge classes are not going to last. Online education is available now, and has been for some time. The changes are trickling in. Slowly. All over the world. Check out this new school in Sweden. Wouldn't it be so cool to go here instead of those prison-block type schools we have today?

October Rambles Travel Journal (pre-trip)

My new journal for my trip next week is ready.



If the embedded video does not work, click here.

Wayne McGregor: A choreographer’s creative process in real time

We all use our body on a daily basis, and yet few of us think about our physicality the way Wayne McGregor does. He demonstrates how a choreographer communicates ideas to an audience, working with two dancers to build phrases of dance, live and unscripted, on the TEDGlobal stage.

Click here to watch this interesting TED talk.

Where letters come from

With the help of the Egyptians, Sumerians, and Phonecians, Jason Novak illustrates what characters in the alphabet originally represented. Click here to see the fun roots of the alphabet.

Books and Booze

Read this interesting post: 10 great novels and cocktails you should pair with them, and think it would make a fun themed book club. Don't you think?

Journal page

And you thought I was kidding when I said I've got a thing about people wearing hats....

(Click on image to enlarge).
(Pen and watercolors.

Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability

Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.

Click here to see her TEDx talk.

Journal page

I've got a think with hats. Actually any head covering. Attitude can be conveyed with a simple hat. I particularly like this one. I gotta get me one of these.

(Click on image to enlarge).
Pen and watercolor pencils.

Background pages for travel journal

I like to use watercolor paper for some of my signatures in my travel journals. For this project, I used sheets of cheapo watercolor paper sized at 18"x12". I watered down fluid acrylics, and used stencils and a little spray bottle to create background paper. These pages will be cut into 9"x12" sheets and folded in half, before I bind them into my travel journal. Stay tuned for a video of my pre-trip journal.



If the embedded video does not work, click here.

New Travel Journal

I've got a fun trip coming up next month, so of course the first thing on my to-do list is to make a new journal. Hey, I've got my priorities right. I can always figure out transport details, and what to pack later. Decided I wanted to stay with a FALL theme, so picked through my stash of fabric, and starting up the ol' Singer. Here are pics of the completed cover.

Front cover: (Don't you just love that fabric?)

Outside front detail:

Inside front and back covers:

Inside detail:

Back outside cover:

Back cover detail:

Love the fabrics and how easy these are to make. Click here to watch a video of how I make these fabric covers. Work on the inside pages is in progress. Stay tuned for an update.

Recent Reads

99. The Sketchbook Challenge
I participate in The Sketchbook Challenge online, so was interested to read this book. The book is divided into themes or topics. A couple of artists interpret that theme in their sketchbook, and then create a final project. I found that I liked the sketchbook pages/sections much better than the final works. If you are interested in how artists play in their sketchbooks give this a look. Rating: 3 stars.

100. The Fifth Witness 
I listened to the audio version wonderfully narrated by Peter Giles. This is book #4 in the Mickey Haller series, and is a fast read. The audio is 12 hours but seemed to fly by. Interesting story, but not much in terms of flushing out the characters. As usual, the ending seems rather abrupt. If you already like the series, you will like this one too. Rating: 3 stars.

101. Wide Open 
This is not a book per se, rather a stack of cards that prompts you think about how you use your art journal. I own this set, and tend to read through them about twice a year. Have yet to use the notebook, as I prefer to make my own journals. A fun way use creative prompts.  Rating: 4 stars.

102. Hey World, Here I Am! 
A delightful little book of poems and journal entries by a young girl trying to figure out the world around her. Much of her ruminations are spot on. As a journal keeper from a very young age, I approve.  Rating: 4 stars.

Historian Says Piece of Papyrus Refers to Jesus' Wife

Did you get a chance to read this New York Times article?
You can read the article here.
Fascinating no?

A School of Life for Atheists

Alain de Botton is a philosopher who likes the best of religion, but doesn’t believe in God. So he’s created “The School of Life,” a secular community in London. He explains why wisdom and ritual shouldn’t be reserved just for believers.

I am already an Alain de Botton fan - love his books, so was fascinated to hear about this. Click here to hear his podcast and learn more. Lots to think about.

Art Journal Flip #3

Here is a flip of a journal I had completed earlier this year.
Double click the video to view in full screen mode.



If the embedded video does not work, click here.

Journal page

The theme for the sketchbook challenge this month is patterns. I immediately thought about circles.

(Click to enlarge).
Pen and watercolors.

Deborah Rhodes: A tool that finds 3x more breast tumors, and why it's not available to you

Deborah Rhodes is an expert at managing breast-cancer risk. The director of the Mayo Clinic’s Executive Health Program is now testing a gamma camera that can see tumors that get missed by mammography.

Click here to see her TED talk.
 

Recent Reads

97. Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend
I wanted to love this book. I really did. I love the clever premise. Who would not love a story told from an imaginary friend's point of view? Especially if you've ever had one.

I really liked the first half or so of the book - the character/scene setup. Getting to view things from Budo's perspective was fascinating. However, once we get to the "thriller" part of the book I found myself losing interest. While I quite willingly suspended disbelief for the first half, the second half did not ring true.

It is interesting that this book is recommended for people who loved Room, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. I am ambivalent about the former, while I loved the latter. Rating: 3 stars.

98. Emily, Alone 
This is a sequel to Wish You Were Here, which is a book I have not read, but works well as a stand alone read.

It is often said that life is about the journey, not the destination. This book is a wonderful meditation on just that.

If we are lucky, we grow older. Gracefully, or not. With someone by our side, or alone. In sickness or in health. With money in the bank, or not. The writing is beautiful, and we are drawn into Emily's life. A snapshot in time. The highs and lows. The love and loss. The connections and misunderstandings. The minutiae. This is a slow paced, character driven novel, so if you are a plot driven junkie, this is not a book for you.  Rating: 4 stars. 

Pay Phone Library

I love the idea of having books out and available for people. Like those lending libraries at B&Bs. You never know what treasure you'll find waiting just for you. I tend to leave books behind, like a trail of breadcrumbs, everywhere I go.

Imagine my delight when I read about an creative mind who uses the dead space around phone booths to host free lending libraries. Love this idea.

Click here to watch a short video and read more about the project.

The Other Day

The other day I played with watercolor paints.

The other day I met up with a new group of friends and spent a fun evening laughing and talking about books.

The other day I allowed myself to be vulnerable and ask for what I needed.

The other day I bumped up my running to the next level with no pain.

The other day I was flooded with memories of years long gone.

The other day I started making new travel plans.

The other day I was gently rocked to sleep on the boat.

The other day I tried something new.

The other day I was brave.

Journal page

The thing about a visual journal is that it involves a part of my brain that does not use words. I keep a written, private journal as well, and it is all words. In that journal I tend to record, reflect, ruminate. It is more of a cerebral thing. Does that make sense?

My visual journal lets my left brain take a vacation - well, not really, it always has input - but it is really right brain time. Colors. Shapes. Reminds me of pre-school years. Before learning that those squiggly shapes were the alphabet. I find playing with color and shapes soothing.

(Click on image to enlarge)
Pen and watercolors. White crayola resist.
Have you played with color and shape lately?

Brené Brown: Listening to shame

Shame is an unspoken epidemic, the secret behind many forms of broken behavior. Brené Brown, whose earlier talk on vulnerability became a viral hit, explores what can happen when people confront their shame head-on. Her own humor, humanity and vulnerability shine through every word.

Click here to watch her TED talk.

Madeline Miller: Writing at Six Miles an Hour

I read an interesting post by Madeline Miller. Click here to read it.

A couple of things struck me while reading this post:
One) I can so relate to people telling me that I should be doing something other than reading. Some of my fave examples are:

• How can you sit inside reading while it is such a beautiful day outside?
• You came all the way to Goa to sit on the beach and read?
• Reading is a rather antisocial activity don't you think? 

And Two) As a beginner runner, the very idea of running six miles an hour is mind boggling. Forget about all that creative output after. Whatever. Six miles an hour? I'm working on running a 5K without walking.

So my lessons learned are:
One) You can never really explain why you are reading to a non-reader, so why waste your breath?
And Two) Comparison is the thief of happiness.

Next generation bicycle helmets

One day I will live in a place where I use my bicycle to go everywhere I want to go.
One day my friends will live a short bike ride away.
One day the roads will all be bike friendly, and I will not feel like I am risking injury every time I go for a ride.

Helmets, like seat belts, are essential A safety requirement. Accidents happen. But they are often uncomfortable, and leave you with helmet hair. Two women are working to change that.

Check them out here.

Journal page

If ever in doubt whether a journal is authentically mine, all you gotta do is look for a page with hands. If there isn't one, then you can rest assured that it is a fake. I mean, when I am dead and famous, and my journals are auctioning at Sotheby's for incredible sums. I'm just saying. You have an insider tip direct from me. Don't be fooled by forgeries.

(Click on image to enlarge).
Acrylic background, pen and marker.

Recent Reads

95. The Art of Fielding
I agree with the jacket blurb by Nicolas Dawidoff: "The Art of Fielding is a mere baseball fiction the way Moby-Dick is just a fish story." What unites the characters in this story is the setting of Westish College. It is an exploration of talent and hard work, of mentors and coaches, the pain of loss and the love of learning, of the joy of unexpected relationships, and yes baseball. I enjoyed following the story from multiple viewpoints. A well written book. Rating: 3 stars.

96. Honolulu 
Here is a jacket blurb: “In Korea in those days, newborn girls were not deemed important enough to be graced with formal names, but were instead given nicknames, which often reflected the parents’ feelings on the birth of a daughter: I knew a girl named Anger, and another called Pity. As for me, my parents named me Regret.”

I really, really wanted to love this book, and am having a hard time reviewing it - there is the book I wanted to read, and then the book I actually did read.

Immigrant stories are so similar at the diaspora view, and yet so particular at the individual level. This story has all the elements that I love - girls with dreams, women with grit, "picture brides", historical setting - and yet. And yet. I felt like I was snorkeling along the surface of a really deep story. And while snorkeling is fun, I really love deep dives.

I loved his other book Moloka'i, but this one not so much. Rating: 3 stars. 

Jamie Lee Curtis: My Brave Year of Firsts

I've been a fan of Jaime Lee Curtis for ages. Talk about someone aging gracefully.

In addition to being an actress, she is also an author, and her new book for kids is about being brave. Kids are exposed to lots of new things, but as adults, we tend to be afraid to try new things for fear of looking foolish. How is it that we expect kids to be something we are not?

Click her to watch her interview on TODAY.

What new, foolish thing will you try today?

Scarves for word lovers

School buses on the street. The kids are back in school. No reservations required. The light is different. Sunset is earlier and earlier. All sure signs that we are heading into autumn.

Time to pack away those bikinis and sarongs, and inventory your scarf collection. If you love words and scarves, and words on scarves, you gotta check out these wonderful items.

The Boston Book Festival

The author lineup has been announced, and there are so many I am excited about. So looking forward to it. Click here to see the lineup.

Recent Movies

I don't get to see movies when they first come out. By the time I think about seeing them, they are usually out on DVD. So most of what I watch is not current.

1. My Week with Marilyn
The thing is, I don't really care about how men viewed Marilyn. This would have been a much more interesting story if told from her point of view. I know that it was based on a memoir, but did not find it a compelling story. Did love the wonderful supporting cast though.

2. The Descendants
Another book adapted for the movies. Interesting story, but on the lighter chick-lit side. I wonder if the book explores the sense of betrayal and loss on a deeper level.

3. One For the Money
To be fair, I had very low expectations for this one, and so was not disappointed. Another book to movie adaptation, and I was not impressed by the book either.

4. We Need to Talk About Kevin
This is the strongest movie of the lot. Another book adaptation, interesting how all of these are. A compelling, if incredibly, disturbing story. Lots to ponder with this one. Nature versus nurture. Not a movie for the faint of heart. The book is on my TBR list.

Journal page

Warning ahead - my sketch of you might not be the ego boost that you need!
People are hard to draw. We react emotionally to faces. But does that stop me? Absolutely not. I jump in where angels might fear to tread.

(Click on image to enlarge).
Pen and watercolors.

Suheir Hammad: Poems of war, peace, women, power

Poet Suheir Hammad performs two spine-tingling spoken-word pieces: "What I Will" and "break (clustered)" -- meditations on war and peace, on women and power. In her poems and plays, Suheir Hammad blends the stories and sounds of her Palestinian-American heritage with the vibrant language of Brooklyn to create a passionately modern voice.

Click here to view her TED talk.

Cloudscapes

One of the many things I love about being on the water is the ability to see huge cloudscapes. This tends to be much harder to do on land - trees and buildings get in the way - unless you are in big sky country like Wyoming or Montana. Incredible no? Don't forget to look up.

 

(Click on image to enlarge).

Red Sky at Night

Sailor's Delight baby! Looking forward to another lovely sailing day.

Scituate Harbor

Beautiful evening in one of my fave harbors. The GPS quit working on the way here, but never fear my mateys, I do remember how to navigate the old fashioned way with charts and a compass. One cannot always rely solely on technology gadgets.

So am now gently rocking in the mooring field, waiting for the recently full moon to rise. Life is good.

33 Ways To Stay Creative

Am I the only one stunned that it is already September? I mean really. Where the heck does the time go? Well, new month, new fun project. I found this list and decided to print it out and do something from it every day this month. See how many I get around to. Wanna play along?

Recent Reads

92. How the Irish Saved Civilization
Am about half way through this book and it has not grabbed me yet. There are informative funny bits, but the rest is simply too pedantic for my tastes. Would maybe have worked better as a long essay. Moved it to my DNF pile. Rating: 1 star.

93. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You about Being Creative 
This is a fast and thought provoking read. Some of the material covered are things you already know. But it never hurts to be reminded. Other wonderful ideas were new to me - like the one about creating your own creative ancestors family tree. A book that I will be dipping into again for sure.  Rating: 4 stars.

94. The Expats
Maybe my expectations were set too high. Maybe I was suckered by all the glowing reviews. This is a debut novel after all.
I listened to this on audio, and alternated between being bored and annoyed. All that chatter in Kate's head! Was I the only one who wanted to hit her on the head with a saucepan? Honestly, the only reason I finished the book, and rated it 2 stars instead of 1, is because it was wonderfully narrated by Mozhan Marno. Rating: 2 stars.

Journal page

Feels like Fall in these parts. Where the heck did the summer go? Well, time for fall sailing I guess.

 

(Click on image to enlarge).

I was thinking about maps and charts while creating this page. Places known and unknown. Adventure and surprises around the corner. When a land lubber becomes a mermaid.  Pen and watercolors. 

Rob Legato: The art of creating awe

Rob Legato creates movie effects so good they (sometimes) trump the real thing. In this warm and funny talk, he shares his vision for enhancing reality on-screen in movies like Apollo 13, Titanic and Hugo.

Click here to view his TED talk.

Reading right now

I've got several books going at the moment. The Art of Fielding in print, The Expats on audio, and Incognito and A Passion for Books on my nook.

 What are you reading right now?

Unplug and smell the person next to you

Remember that old saying, stop and smell the roses? How quaint and old-fashioned no? How about smelling the real, live, carbon-based person next to you instead?

I read this interesting article, and was reminded of a birthday party where the birthday girl spent her time at the party updating her Facebook status. The entire time we were there. Why invite us to a party? We could have all gotten onto to Skype, or Google Play and celebrated the party just as well no?

There is a fire hose of data we have access to today. Via Facebook, and blogs, and tweets, and news outlets, etc, etc, etc. It is easy to get addicted to spending time with strangers online. These are after all much easier relationships to manage than the ones with the real people in our lives.

Recently I decided to take a hard look at all the input coming my way. I've created additional filters, and simply deleted input that is no longer relevant to me. That does not add value to my life in some way. These are not bad people, simply not important enough to clutter up my precious time. It has been exhilarating. Remember my recent post about quality versus quantity? Well that applies to people and relationships as well.

So, turn off those devices and screens, and be present. Smell the person next to you. What do you discover?

Recent Reads

90. Shantaram
I have been lost in this world for several days. And have been monogamous the entire time. That is unusual for me, as I usually have several books going at once. This book would not tolerate unfaithfulness. Stayed up late and finished this wonderful read last night. At 933 pages this door stop of a book is a really fast read. It is a travelogue and adventure story. A love story and a crime novel. A war story and philosophical meditations. It is about life and love, dignity and fate, choices and redemption. And just like India, the country, you will either love the book or hate it. There is no middle ground here. Rating: 5 stars.

91. The Fallen Angel
This is book #12 in the series. I worry about Gabriel Allon. He never has time for a vacation. Just as he settles into retirement (from his assassin job), and starts to restore a Caravaggio at the Vatican, he gets pulled in to investigate a murder. This slippery slope of a path leads to a reunion of his team - the wonderful members of Barak, and we are off on another fun ride that includes murder, kidnapping, terrorist plots, and pithy lines. I am a huge Allon fan, but this one does not live up the standard of the other books in this series. Rating: 3 stars.

On an unrelated note, I mistakenly requested a large print version from my library, and I might never go back!

LEAKED Official Apple iPhone 5 Promo Video

I am loving this trend towards "honest" marketing. This is hilarious.
Check it out here.

Books on the nightstand

Here are the current books on my nightstand. And these are just my library books. Does not include my shelves of unread books, or my stash of ebooks on my nook. So many books, so little time. A good problem to have. Which one to read next?

Legitimate Rape??!!

I simply could not believe it when I heard what Todd Akin, the Republican Senate nominee from Missouri, had to say about rape:

“It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare,” Mr. Akin said of pregnancies from rape. “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something: I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child.”

Well, if "doctors" said so, then golly it must be true!

I could not agree more with the Renegade Raging Grannies response. Click here to check them out.

Journal Page

I've been thinking about the idea of quantity versus quality lately. Mass produced goods cheaply available are not necessarily a bad thing. But I for one really miss the quality of artisan products. You hold an item in your hand, and you just know.

(Click on image to enlarge).
Pen and watercolors.

Sailing in the Boston Harbor Islands

Another wonderful day spent playing in the islands. Seagulls and Cormorants are good company. Loving being out on the water for several nights. The gentle rocking at the mooring makes for great sleeping. Only problem is that I'm out of chocolate, so heading back to land tomorrow for reprovisioning.

Boston Harbor Sunset

A lovely day to be splashing about on the islands. Jumped in with my wetsuit and am happy to report no shark attacks.

"Honest" Trailer of The Hunger Games

I loved The Hunger Games trilogy. The books that is. Technically, I loved the first and second books, and thought the third one was okay. But that first book. Loved it.

So, decided to go watch the movie in the theater. You know on the big screen with all the sounds effects, etc. Now to be fair, I did not expect to love the movie like I did the book. But I was dissapointed to an extent that surprised even my skeptical self. Now if only I had seen this "honest" trailer, my expectations would have been set correctly.

Click here to see this hilarious and "honest" trailer. Wish I had made it!

Lisa Kristine: Photos that bear witness to modern slavery

For the past two years, photographer Lisa Kristine has traveled the world, documenting the unbearably harsh realities of modern-day slavery. She shares hauntingly beautiful images -- miners in the Congo, brick layers in Nepal -- illuminating the plight of the 27 million souls enslaved worldwide

Click here to see her TED talk.

Underground Readers

As part of an ongoing series, here is a reader on the Boston T. You can read more about this series here. I cannot tell what she is reading, and did not want to disturb her.

I'm often envious of people who can read on the T, or in a car. I cannot. I get nauseous. So I tend to listen to audio books, music or podcasts while traveling by those means. Thankfully, this is not a problem when I fly.

Recent Reads

87. The Age of Wonder
I'm throwing in the towel on this one after getting to hour 9 of 22 on the audio book. I quite enjoyed the audio narration (by Gildhart Jackson) of the sections with Banks and Herschel, but then the book starts to meander. I guess I was expecting something different based on the jacket description. Rating: 2 stars.

88. Girl Reading
This book has a wonderful premise - short stories based on paintings that have women with a book in their hands. The stories I read are wonderful. Am moving it to my DNF list fully expecting to come back and finish this at some point, as the writing is gorgeous. This is the problem I have with short story collections - there is no motivation to read all the way through. Then I am sucked in by another great read, and never quite get back to the story collection. Rating: 3 stars.

89. The Deep Zone
I did not find this book to be a thriller. The opposite in fact. If not for the science, and the caving details I would not have finished it. Lacks plot and the characters are so one-dimensional as to be ridiculous. Rating: 2 stars.

After what feels like a dry patch, I finally hit the jackpot with this one:

 Loving everything about it. And at 944 pages, I can wallow in this great read for a bit. Love that.

Everything You'll Ever Need To Know About Napping

I love naps. Always have. I still fondly recall group nap time in pre-KG. A snooze after a tasty snack. What could be better? I am still traumatized about nap time being taken away, because I was a "big girl now". And though I am a frequent napper, I do miss those group naps.

After reading this article, I feel so vindicated. Nap on people. Nap on.

I'm a tri-reader. Are you?

I used to think of myself as a bi-reader. Then realized that is not true. I'm actually a tri-reader. What the heck am I talking about?

I read books three ways:

1. I read them the old fashioned way. By that I mean print books, aka Dead Tree Books (DTBs). You the know, the ones you hold in your hands, and manually turn the pages. The books that you stick your nose into so as to inhale that heavenly scent of pulp and ink. C'mon admit it. You are among friends here.
2. I also read ebooks on my NOOK STR. These are the books that are really a just bunch of ones and zeroes. They take up no room on your shelves, and are whisper light on your hard drive as well. They have no deckled edges, and alas no smell - though you could use this as a substitute. 
3. And I also listen to audio books on my iPod. The trick here is to find the combination of the right book and the right narrator. A good narrator can carry a so-so book, while a lousy one can make you turn off a fabulous read.

So, there you have it. My definition of a tri-reader. Are you a tri-reader as well? And don't you wonder when it will be added as an Olympic event? After all we do train year in and year out. Often starting as young as three. And we could be in either the winter or summer games. How many sports can you say that about?

Julia Child and me. The birthday girls.

I am celebrating completing another revolution around the sun. It puts life in perspective to think about it that way does it not?

I am well. And content. And loved. And grateful. I have everything I need, and most of what I want. Seems like a good place to be. And like Julia Child, with whom I share this birthday, I am delighted by tasty meals. Though not enough to learn to cook them. Maybe that is a goal for the years ahead.

Self portrait journal page

Self portraits are interesting. You could capture how you see yourself in various ways. Here are several of the top of my head:

• photo of face, full body or body part
• photo of stuff you love or use
• sketch/painting/collage of all of the above
• written sketches
• video

(Click on image to enlarge).
Here is a recent one I did. A sketch in my journal. Pen and watercolors. It does not look like me - you would not be able to identify me if this was the wanted poster used for America's Most Wanted - but it captures some of the essence of what makes me me. And I always learn something about myself in the process.

When was the last time you created a self portrait? Do it now. Are you surprised at what looks back at you?

Olympics coverage by NBC

The London Olympics are behind us, and I have a bitter aftertaste left by NBC. Was I the only one tired of the seemingly endless water polo coverage?

For the Beijing Games, four years ago, I was able to watch whatever event I wanted online. It is how I watched most of the games. And yet with all the technology advances, NBC took me back in time, to a place where I could only watch what they were broadcasting on TV.

Oh sure, if you had cable, you could log in and watch, but we are not a cable house, so I had no login info to gain access. I would have happily paid a fee to be able to stream what I wanted, when I wanted. It's not like the NFL has not already plowed this road. But that was not an available option. In this day and age? Really? The days of people sitting in front of their large screen TVs hooked up to cable has passed its heyday. Common on NBC. Wake up and smell the dollars you would make from the markets you do not serve.

Twitter

I've got a new twitter account. You can follow me by clicking the birdie under my profile on the right.

Journal page

I often listen to audiobooks or podcasts while sketching. Recently listened to a BBC World Book Club interview with Jeanette Winterson. She has interesting things to say, and I jotted down this quote: "Unhappy families are conspiracies of silence. And the one who breaks the silence is never forgiven". Lots to think about no?

(Click on image to enlarge).
Bill, the dolphin, has moved to the boat for the season. Pen and watercolors.

Shark Attack

You might have read about the shark attack that occurred a week or so ago on Cape Cod. Ballston Beach in Truro to be exact. Last attack in these parts was in 1936. It reminded me of the first time I ever saw the movie Jaws.

Remember the very first time you saw it? I was a wee one and was terrified. It took weeks before I felt comfortable swimming in the pool, let alone the ocean. Well, the recent attack prompted a screening of the movie at home last night. Released in 1975, I am impressed with how well it holds up after all this time. That is great story telling.

So the next time I jump in from the boat in my wetsuit, I'm gonna be thinking how much I look like a seal. Shark bait. That should keep me warm in these chilly waters.

Underground Readers

You can read more about my fun project here.

Looks to me like she is reading Catch Me by Lisa Gardner.

YA Books

I find it interesting how popular YA books are, and not just with YA, but with so many adults. Don't get me wrong, there is much I love about the YA genre, but I sprinkle it in with books written for adults.

You can see a recent Best Young Adult Novel list here. I've got more books to add to my TBR pile.

Sunset

The cannon is going off earlier every day now. It was at 7:50pm this evening. The sea breeze has died down, but the land breeze out of the SW is wonderfully cool. Do not really understand that, as it was really hot on land today. But am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, and simply enjoy it.

Here is a pic looking towards the Garden and the Zakim bridge to the west.

Underground Readers

Readers are my peeps. One thing I do miss with all the ereaders is that it is impossible to see what people are reading without asking them. And who wants to interrupt a reader who is clearly lost in a different world? Inspired by the Underground New York Public Library, I'm capturing readers on the Boston T.

She is engrossed in Matched by Ally Condie.

Summer heat

Crimson berry iced tea and a good book are sure ways to beat the heat.

Journal page

I've often talked about how I arrive early to events. Since I have my journal, I do not mind waiting for the event to start. Deciding to have an ice-cream while I wait ... delish.

Acrylic background. Pen and marker.

Journal Page

We've had a break in the heat wave these past week or so, and for that I am grateful. A chance to cool down and recharge batts. Looks like the muggy hot days are on tap again. So unusual for us.

Collage, acrylics, pen and watercolors.

Terminator

I've been on a Terminator kick lately. Have watched the three movies again, and got immersed in the Sarah Connor Chronicles. This has got me thinking about good story telling. The first two movies by Cameron are really good stories. It is unusual to like a second movie in a series as much as the first. The third one is handed off to a different story teller. You can tell. While the special effects are cool, the story lacks something.

The Sarah Connor Chronicles TV series only lasted two seasons, and I can understand why. Wonderful premise, but not great story telling. And is it just me, but was anyone else uncomfortable while how skinny she was? Ugh.

So I've been seeing terminators in my dreams, and trying to wrap my mind about all that time travel stuff.