The Perfect Container

03 January, 2014

this should not be an excuse to collect more crap

In an effort to examine my many ideas and interests, I recently compiled a list of the various projects and activities that I have floating in my brain that I want to pursue. It's no wonder I don't make progress in any one singular direction, as my list is so broad that my brain gets pulled in different directions when I finally have an opportunity for some "me" time. Analysis paralysis with a good dose of laziness usually sets in and I find myself staring into my iPhone, reading something of minimal importance. Life moves on. Moment lost.

Here's my list, if only to make it more tangible for myself:

Blog (hey, look at that! Score one for me doing this today- woohoo!)

Learn German

Draw

Journal

Pink series

Hell boxes

Play accordion

Yoga

Exercise

Photography (personal and professional)

Play guitar

Etsy

Today, I started reading this book:

It's so inspiring, it crystallizes my desire to put a concentrated effort into my art-making which has been dormant for far too long. How can I possibly ever dive into the creative process when I only allow myself the time and space to think about this stuff during my little man's nap time and after he goes to bed at night? Not to mention that all of my art-making supplies and gathered ephemera are stashed away in boxes so that the apartment can be clean and safe.

However, this should not be an excuse to collect more crap. It's an impulse to study, explore, create. Do we not owe it to our future selves to use the time that we have to actually DO something, to leave our mark and materialize those impulses floating around inside? I say yes.

01 January, 2014

juice juice juice!!!

We got a juicer and I'm in love. This green cocktail is inspired by a bottled juice from Whole Foods called "Green Aid". It's apple, kale, spinach and lemon and totally delicious.

I can already see this will take my composting efforts to the next level. I currently fill empty quart yogurt containers and freeze when they get full, taking a big bag of compost popsicles to the local green market each week for collection. At this rate, I'm afraid we'll need a bigger freezer!

p.s. For the record, this is not for a New Years resolution. It's just plain good.

things don't have to be written really big to say something huge

Smith Street and 3rd Street

27 December, 2013

from here forward, everything will be different

23 November, 2013

Mural on Huntington Street dead end at Gowanus Canal and Smith Street

18 October, 2013

the sound of comfort

Last year, I was in the market to purchase a dishwasher. As the salesman ran through his spiel and the choices, one of the main selling points on several models was how quiet they were. For me, this was not an asset as much as something missing, something lacking from the complete "dishwasher experience".

I've always liked the sound of the dishwasher. It's one of those noises that you often hear in the evening as the day draws to a close, as everything else quiets down. To me, the dishwasher is a comforting sound, like all is well with the world. I've thought about this several times since the dishwasher shopping experience, and I have a few realizations about why it feels this way.

The sound means several things:

- you have electricity

- you have running water

- most likely, you've just eaten

- for a child, this means you most likely have a parent or other adult who is doing the dishes and probably taking care of you, too

How much of the world has all of those things?

A dishwasher is absolutely not a necessity. It's one of those modern conveniences that make life easier, more comfortable. I appreciate having a dishwasher, and as I hear the whir of it running while the rest of the house is quiet, I'm grateful for all of the other things that having a dishwasher means.