Arting

Where the heck did April go? I remember starting it, but it seems to have sped on quickly without me.
Yup it's been busy, and kind of weird, but not with its happy moments.
Currently, I'm working on some art. I know, I'm always working on something, but this includes a...deadline. Yikes!
I was attending an opening for my friend, Zeke, on April 3rd. June, the curator of the show, was giving a blank canvas to someone, and I asked if it was time for the fundraiser that the gallery does, called 150 Feet of Art. Yes, she said, and then added, " You should submit a work this year, Kendyl".
I could have said no; in fact, I usually say no. I am not all that confident in my abilities as an artist. On a good day, I consider myself a dilettante, which may explain my limited success at most endeavors. Like Socrates, I don't claim to know anything, and that attitude has manifested itself in my professional life.

However, June caught me off guard, and with no hesitation, I replied, "Okay!".
So before I knew it, I was holding a one foot square canvas. In the car on the way home, I started having ideas. And that's what I've been doing.

I don't want to give it away, not just yet. I will post a photo of the work here before I submit it. The due date is May 1st, which is also my birthday. Just one of the many little "coincidences" the Universe has been sending my way of late.

It's funny; as nervous as it makes me feel when I think of all the other, more experienced artists who will be participating, I know that I'm doing the right thing. The coincidences are signs, if you will. I've never had so many clear signs in my life, ever.
The Universe is finally giving me a freaking map. Yippee!

OMG!

As I watched "Reno 911" tonight, I noticed one of the new actors was named Ian Roberts. I performed in a play with a guy named Ian Roberts @ Grinnell College. It was kind of an odd play...all about the randomness of life.

Turns out, it's the very same Ian Roberts! He was a lovely guy who lived down the hall from my friend, Tracy, and was very accommodating toward us two silly girls who loved to torment him with chocolate pudding/orange sherbet concoctions as well as weird quotes on his memo board. All three of us were in the play, so we spent quite a bit of time together.
Someone I worked with is on the telly! How cool is that? Hurrah!

A Little Faith

On Wednesday, as is my habit, I was at the Pike Place Market before going to work. There I saw the most amazing and wonderful dog...her name is Faith. You may have seen her on "Oprah". She has no front legs and actually stands on her hind legs to walk. I couldn't believe it; I stopped and stared, then ran over as she was crossing the street.
She didn't care much for the bricks making up the pavement and struggled, so one of her human companions carried her across. As they got to the curb, I ran up and asked her name, if I could give her a treat. She looked tired and I couldn't even begin to imagine how hard it must be for her. I gave her the cookie from my pocket and left before I began crying...I'm a sucker for a pretty face and a sad story (just ask Sparky!).
I wish I had gotten a photo with my mobile phone, but even better for you, I've embedded the Oprah segment from YouTube. Watch it, and see if you don't start to tear up. It's beautiful, inspirational and sad, all at the same time.

Just a Little Email

I've done too much online shopping in my computer life, and it shows in the sheer numbers of ads for sales and such that my inbox receives. One day I'll go through them and un-subscribe to the ones that I do not need, i.e., about 90%. It will undoubtedly make my life a little less cluttered.
For today, though, there was one email that I was REALLY excited about...

Hi aunty Kendle it's me Justin. Thank you for the presents. I really liked them. Espicially the science expirement book. I like to watch the life with Derek. School has ben grest because I made lots of friends. Baseball seasons is coming up, I'm gonna be on a team. I'm not sure witch team I'm on. I hope i'm on my friend Austins team.
Will right back. LOVE JUSTIN

Justin is my nephew, my godchild. He's 11. He loves sports, but he's also a very good writer. I think about him every day. I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to get an email from him. I'd love for him to come to Seattle.

Daffodils!

More Randominity

A few more random things about me...

1. I used to have my left eyebrow pierced. Nature and my nephew took care of that one.

2. Selective Service once came after me because I didn't register. No, I have not had gender re-assignment surgery.

3. My left heel had a run-in with the spokes of a bicycle when I was two. Doctors grafted skin from the top of my foot to my heel.

4. Snoopy is my idol.

5. My blood type is B positive.(Isn't that a no-brainer?LOL)

6. I secretly love to read People magazine.

7. Five women I would love to have to dinner include: Doris Chase, Frida Kahlo, Edith Piaf, Jennifer Saunders and Alice B. Toklas.

8. My one full sibling died at the age of four months.

9. My totem animals are fox and otter.

10. I came thisclose to being named Mando or Vio. If you don't get it, think about my maiden name. Then think about my half brother's poor daughter, who is named Brooke.

The Almost

The word "almost" gets a bad rap. I remember my grandma saying, "Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades", to which I would reply, " And probably atomic bombs, too", which would get me the evil eye and possibly a smack upside the head.
However, I've learned that "almost" is actually a good thing. You can take the attitude about almost being equivalent to failure and stick it in the recycle bin. If given the choice between doing something "almost" and not doing it at all, I'll take "almost", almost every time. Almost means you tried, and maybe learned something in the process. Almost means you are that much closer to getting it right.
I had an "almost" this morning. It was the last morning of my yoga immersion, which also means no more getting up at 30 minutes to dawn, at least until I feel a need to do it again.
Yoga is about balance...the body and the mind. Balance is not one of my strong suits, especially when it comes to balance poses. I tend to fall over, which is funny to watch when I'm attempting tree pose. I always have to keep from yelling "Tiiiimber!" as I lose what small bit of dignity I may have had. Thank the Great Mother for a sense of humor.
Aubrey, our instructor, had us doing the side plank pose this morning. Side plank, when correctly done, looks like this:I have never, ever been able to do side plank pose. Not even leaning against the wall, which is my trick for tree, half moon, etc. Face plant is inevitable.
But this morning was different. Without the wall behind me, I opted to try a modified side plank, leaning on my forearm. It's an "almost". I used one leg as a kind of kickstand, and then moved it into place next to the other leg.
By gum, it worked! I was shaky, and maybe lasted only thirty seconds. But I definitely did an "almost" side plank. Aubrey noticed and ran over to congratulate me, whereupon I crashed to the floor, breathing "Mother of...".

I'm going to keep trying, because it almost felt great!