Where is my mind?

It's true.

I've had a lot on my mind lately and ironically, all this thinking (and worrying) makes me absent-minded.

Tonight, I'm at a friend's house for dinner and I had planned to bring my textbooks to continue studying.

Where are my books? On the kitchen table. In my home.

Not. Here.

Grand. Just grand.

This leaves me with that restless desire to be productive so here I am, second post of the day, feeling mildly assuaged that I am at least making up for the past four months of scarcely posting with now two posts tonight.

Maybe I'll post again when I go home. It's the eve of December and it would be nice if November had a few more random thoughts echoing through the blogosphere.

Well, how about the sound of lightsabers dueling?

I found this video by Ryan Wieber and Michael "Dorkman" Scott on YouTube a while ago and find it inspiring. Made by amateur filmmakers for the pure joy of it, it reminds me that not only do I wish I had a real lightsaber, but that I admire and respect the creative spirit in all of us, that creates regardless of outcome, audience, or approval.

It's just fun.


Invite Beauty,

I.

How do I feel about that?

I've shared with you over the last few months (jeez, I think it's been almost half a year, really!) my explorations into interior design or counseling psychology as a parallel profession I might pursue alongside painting.

(Apparently alliteration comes au naturel to me.)

Anyway.

I've decided on a master's in counseling psychology. It's something I've wanted to do for a very, very long time and I'm thoroughly enjoying my studies, which began in earnest in mid-October of this year.

This has left me little time to make and list new paintings as I adapt to my new schedule, compounded by the break I took back at the end of August after two successful art shows and nursing the heartache of saying good-bye to a wonderful friend.

I'm finally bouncing back but it's been almost four months now, so I apologize. I'm still here, I'm learning a lot about psychology and about myself, and I know this will deeply influence how my art evolves. I just want everyone to know that I haven't forgotten about them. Sometimes you've just got to take time to gather kindling if you're going to have a bonfire!

The counseling psychology program will take two years, with a third year spent in internship to gather enough prerequisite hours before I can take the licensing exam. I'm chomping at the bit, but I also know this program will cut into my painting time, even when I do get back to painting.

The intellectual stimulation is wonderful--my art process is so intuitive and silent (except when I write the descriptions for my pieces) that it's a nice change of pace to be studying, reading, writing papers, and discussing ideas with fellow classmates. If art and beauty is the air I breathe, then psychology is the water in which my merman half swims.

I'm happy. A little stressed, a lot behind, but happy.

Thanks for sharing this next adventure with me.

Invite Beauty,

I.

Escaping the cageless cage

"Star Wars" - an a cappella tribute to John Williams by ApprenticeA

I found this video on my friend Michelle's web site, unblunder (isn't that a rad name?), and loved it! You can find ApprenticeA's other videos on YouTube.

I also heartily recommend you read Michelle's blog--if I weren't lactose intolerant, I'd be squirting milk out of my nose from laughing so hard at her writing. She's witty, insightful, brave, and honest--another inspiring person I have the great fortune to know. Her blog will be linked in the right hand menu under the "Blogs to Inspire" section.

Anyway, John Williams pretty much scored the soundtrack to my childhood.

This post is also for a friend who loves John Williams and brought my attention to his work.

Enjoy!

Invite Beauty,

I.

Spotlight on Oriental Poppies and Koi

I went to a diversity training yesterday where we discussed why people were called by certain names. It's easy to say, "Oh, that's just politically correct ('PC')" and dismiss these different terms as attempts to hide some truth.

The truth is, calling someone or a group of people what they wish to be called is not about being correct, it's about being respectful. It takes humility not to impose your name on someone and to ask, "What would you like to be called?" or "What is the appropriate term for...?"

There's nothing wrong with not knowing, no matter what anybody says. Learning is your right. What causes problems is when people refuse to learn, or are afraid to appear wrong. No one can move forward with an attitude like that, and it's sad to consider how small the world is for someone who resists understanding and curiosity. The world's a mystery and it continues to surprise, delight, and frighten us. That's what makes it so full of wonder and awe inspiring.

So--"oriental" refers to things like rugs, poppies, furniture, etc. Not people. When they were building the railroads in the West, they had supply lists of things such as buckets, dynamite, Orientals, etc. Essentially, Asians were treated as cheap things (slaves), and it's not a name they gave themselves.

Years ago, I joked with some of my friends that I'll agree not to call them "barbarians" (traditionally what the Chinese have called Westerners) if they don't call me "Oriental." We all have names for each other, but it's nice to listen and show some respect. Political correctness for its own sake, without understanding or explanation, appears stupid.

Make some sense, ask some questions!

Invite Beauty,

I.