Friday, February 10, 2012
I LOVE this pic of a children's room, naturally from Ikea. I used to hate Ikea. Hate it. I still have mixed feelings about a lot of the product (some way too modern for my taste, not liking the cheapness of it all) but for a kid's room, it's perfect. They go through phases and stuff so quickly and there's no sadness when it's time to move on (or it broke) because I haven't spent a ton on it...and there's always something just as cute and imaginative around the corner. I suspect that is why I love Ikea for children...it embraces the abstractness of art and the wonder and imagination of being a kid and captures it so well in the products. It goes against the whole controlling/matchy-matchy of PB, Babies R Us and the like.
Monday, February 06, 2012
Falling Apart
I must be PMSed because I don't cry this much in one day. Earlier I sobbed over my business financials and could barely muster the energy afterwards to make a few call backs - and good call backs nonetheless - the ones to people who are actually interested and wanting to talk to me about an artist.
I just sobbed over a petition for a small dog that lost it's life overseas due to horrific abuse. My own dog has been driving me crazy this past week is getting a big hug now.
I put the boy to bed tonight and and like when he was an infant and I was a hormonal wreck, I pray for him, pray that he's always protected, safe, happy, and healthy...but I worry. I'm a parent so I worry. I worry - what if he's bullied? What if he struggles in school? In a sport? What if he's gay? What if he's unhappy? What if he hates his parents someday and rebels and turns to drugs? What if he's one of those kids that writes what they feel on pieces of paper and creates a video on YouTube? Christ.
Not all the above are scary per say but just worrisome because of the society in which we live and the pressures on kids (and even parents) today and the lack of control I have over others' behaviors. I mean, I have little to no control over most of the above. God has a plan. The end. I can only trust that me being his mother clearly meant I was part of that plan and I am equipped with his grace to handle things.
His school is teaching his class all about safety and I spent time this morning talking with him about strangers and what to do and say. I remembered the time at the kids museum when we walked out of the bathroom and he was engulfed by the crowd and I couldn't find him. For a good 30 seconds I covered a 10 yard radius shouting his name and surveying the crowd with no avail. Then I stopped and stayed in place for another 30 seconds and did the same thing, remembering that stay put rule...maybe he would see me first? Then I called in reinforcements. And within 1 minute the entire museum was on alert and a minute later a staff member found him.
And how I sobbed over him for a week after scared of what if...and how I couldn't sleep that week since we were slated to go to NYC and I was panicked of losing him (and still am - on the subway or wherever) and I carried his 30lb two and half year old self ALL over Manhattan that day out of fear. My arm was in pain for days after but I was completely freaked out at the thought of him walking or even being in an umbrella stroller. Even now, I take extra caution when I know we are headed to high traffic places.
Worry. PMS and a full moon have escalated my worry over all situations right now.
I just sobbed over a petition for a small dog that lost it's life overseas due to horrific abuse. My own dog has been driving me crazy this past week is getting a big hug now.
I put the boy to bed tonight and and like when he was an infant and I was a hormonal wreck, I pray for him, pray that he's always protected, safe, happy, and healthy...but I worry. I'm a parent so I worry. I worry - what if he's bullied? What if he struggles in school? In a sport? What if he's gay? What if he's unhappy? What if he hates his parents someday and rebels and turns to drugs? What if he's one of those kids that writes what they feel on pieces of paper and creates a video on YouTube? Christ.
Not all the above are scary per say but just worrisome because of the society in which we live and the pressures on kids (and even parents) today and the lack of control I have over others' behaviors. I mean, I have little to no control over most of the above. God has a plan. The end. I can only trust that me being his mother clearly meant I was part of that plan and I am equipped with his grace to handle things.
His school is teaching his class all about safety and I spent time this morning talking with him about strangers and what to do and say. I remembered the time at the kids museum when we walked out of the bathroom and he was engulfed by the crowd and I couldn't find him. For a good 30 seconds I covered a 10 yard radius shouting his name and surveying the crowd with no avail. Then I stopped and stayed in place for another 30 seconds and did the same thing, remembering that stay put rule...maybe he would see me first? Then I called in reinforcements. And within 1 minute the entire museum was on alert and a minute later a staff member found him.
And how I sobbed over him for a week after scared of what if...and how I couldn't sleep that week since we were slated to go to NYC and I was panicked of losing him (and still am - on the subway or wherever) and I carried his 30lb two and half year old self ALL over Manhattan that day out of fear. My arm was in pain for days after but I was completely freaked out at the thought of him walking or even being in an umbrella stroller. Even now, I take extra caution when I know we are headed to high traffic places.
Worry. PMS and a full moon have escalated my worry over all situations right now.
Friday, February 03, 2012
Some IPAY Inspiration
I was MIA most of January between both APAP and IPAY - the first being the industry's huge national conference and the second being my niche conference for youth programming.
IPAY this year was in gorgeous sunny hip Austin, TX. Seriously, who knew Austin was TX? It's like a red headed stepchild (or maybe blue headed?) in the otherwise red state. So fun, so hip, full of young and old alike but you totally picked up an artsy vibe immediately. The city's slogan is "Keep Austin Weird." Well, that was enough for me!
The weather for January was in the 50s (lows) through the mid-70s (highs) and I walked for miles schlepping from the hotel to the theaters to the funky shops, to just exploring the walking trails along the river. I wish I could have seen and explored more but I'm happy to have seen the little bit of U of TX at Austin, the see south Congress St and take it in like a local, and dine out at authentic BBQ and Tex Mex joints.
Below are some pics I took from the first "showcase I saw" -- more like an exhibition. Architects of Air out of the UK create these amazing sculptures that you walk through. This was my favorite, probably because I couldn't stop photographing every square foot of it. It was an abstract artist's dream.
IPAY this year was in gorgeous sunny hip Austin, TX. Seriously, who knew Austin was TX? It's like a red headed stepchild (or maybe blue headed?) in the otherwise red state. So fun, so hip, full of young and old alike but you totally picked up an artsy vibe immediately. The city's slogan is "Keep Austin Weird." Well, that was enough for me!
The weather for January was in the 50s (lows) through the mid-70s (highs) and I walked for miles schlepping from the hotel to the theaters to the funky shops, to just exploring the walking trails along the river. I wish I could have seen and explored more but I'm happy to have seen the little bit of U of TX at Austin, the see south Congress St and take it in like a local, and dine out at authentic BBQ and Tex Mex joints.
Below are some pics I took from the first "showcase I saw" -- more like an exhibition. Architects of Air out of the UK create these amazing sculptures that you walk through. This was my favorite, probably because I couldn't stop photographing every square foot of it. It was an abstract artist's dream.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Toxic
I know I'm a pretty rational and compassionate person. I also know when enough is enough...when all compassion and tolerance has to end because someone I've tolerated in tiny dosages (because I needed to) is actually just a miserable insecure toxic bitch.
I've known for years this girl and I were night and day. So much so that it was always a chore to entertain her, hang out with her, and just have her within my circle of acquaintances. But I did it because it was like family..and because every once in a while, I can just deal. I can make the small talk, I can be cordial. Because it's what we do as adults - we suck it up sometimes.
I can.
And then one day, despite whatever conditions this chick has in her life, whatever someone wants to say - again - to excuse her horrid, fake, bitchy snobby behavior - I say no. I'm done. At 34, I am done. I don't need to pretend anymore, to be civil, to do anything ever again. Because girls like this don't deserve someone like me. Girls like this don't know how to handle someone like me...they only know how to handle their kind, the kind that enable and percolate their own insecurities.
Cutting the toxic yet again.
I've known for years this girl and I were night and day. So much so that it was always a chore to entertain her, hang out with her, and just have her within my circle of acquaintances. But I did it because it was like family..and because every once in a while, I can just deal. I can make the small talk, I can be cordial. Because it's what we do as adults - we suck it up sometimes.
I can.
And then one day, despite whatever conditions this chick has in her life, whatever someone wants to say - again - to excuse her horrid, fake, bitchy snobby behavior - I say no. I'm done. At 34, I am done. I don't need to pretend anymore, to be civil, to do anything ever again. Because girls like this don't deserve someone like me. Girls like this don't know how to handle someone like me...they only know how to handle their kind, the kind that enable and percolate their own insecurities.
Cutting the toxic yet again.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Understood
I think this speaks to parents, great friends, great relationships, and significant others.
These words reminded me of a moment at IPAY talking with colleagues and we were sharing some of our fears and insecurities and I recalled a few that while they are still with me are less intense now than they were about 10 years ago. It also reminded me of my colleague who once said to me - in front of others - "You can be so tough sometimes and then so completely vulnerable." No, I told Alex the other day, it wasn't a girlfriend but a male colleague. Uh, 8 years later, I still HATE that I had nothing to say in that moment...so taken aback, so called out, so mad he knew me that well. With a guy's perspective, he thinks it showed how much this guy cared for me.
Who knows. Truthfully, I can't forget it...it was that dead on...I used to say in my early 20s how much I wanted someone to just completely understand me and this person not only figured me out but had a wisdom to know who I was at 26...maybe he understood because he was/is the same.
Monday, January 16, 2012
7 Fingers "Traces" at Union Square Theatre
I saw Traces at Union Square Theatre while at APAP earlier this month. Long overdue. This is an amazingly talented physical theatre company. The acrobatics are jaw dropping.
Turtles with Tierney Sutton
Many moons ago I supervised the Turtle Island Quartet's rooftop photo shoot. Come to think of it, there is an adorable photo of me from that dreary November day in 2003. A lot of memories captured in one little photo.
This is the ensemble with jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton. They did a rendtion of Joni Mitchell. I know it's blasphemy admitting this but I actually do not like Joni Mitchell...not one bit. I tried, I did. I tried to like Blue. Don't get me wrong...she's a wonderful songwriter and vocalist. I'm just not into her style nor I am I really into that whole 1960 hippie/poet thing. You can throw Bob Dylan into the mix of artists I respect but just don't like. However, this was a wonderful performance. Tierney has such a strong beautiful voice...I am sure I am not doing it nor her a service in my choice of adjectives. And Mark Summer is just the man on cello.
Many moons later, I am still one of the Turtles biggest fans.
MAN
Can you look at this picture and see anything but cute innocence? Too bad he wreaked havoc this entire day! Good thing he is this adorable.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Christmas Toys
One can't help but have a moment of panic pre Christmas about whether your child(ren) have enough...does the pile seem big enough? Is there a fair amount of diversity (clothes, toys, games, crafts, electronics, etc.)? I experience this each year. Mitch definitely had more pressies to unwrap this holiday from previous holidays...although this year we thankfully did not have to assemble anything! No train table or kitchen. Those were the big gifts of years past and it makes sense to let them stand alone with a few items flanking it.
There is also the moment after the first round of gift opening that you wonder -- yikes, there is too much. Where is this all going?
Suffice it to say that he made it out well - just enough. We are sorting through some older outgrown items and donating to friends and Goodwill and making an Ikea trip later this week for a storage bin. All in all, I am pleased as I am positive he is with his loot.
There is also the moment after the first round of gift opening that you wonder -- yikes, there is too much. Where is this all going?
Suffice it to say that he made it out well - just enough. We are sorting through some older outgrown items and donating to friends and Goodwill and making an Ikea trip later this week for a storage bin. All in all, I am pleased as I am positive he is with his loot.
My Favorite Things
A repost from Piccadilly's blog from this week.
A fellow blogger recently posted about how she'd been inspired by
one of my favorite movies, Love Actually, and the words "Love really is
all around." She let those words be her guide as she decorated her
house - specifically her Christmas tree - for the holiday. Stenciling
those words on ribbon she encircled the entire tree in the ribbon and
adorned it with handcrafted framed ornaments of her family.
It got me thinking. If I had the time to do something similar, what would it look like? Most likely "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. Then I thought - in lieu of ribbon - I'd write a holiday blog post about my favorite things, especially at this time of year.
Classic Movies
I am watching Meet Me In St. Louis as I type. My Pop Pop introduced me to classics with the Sound of Music around the age of 5 so it's no surprise that I love that movie, and tons of others, and feel the need to watch them all one right after the other during these relaxing post holiday days.
Cocoa and Lights
A cup of cocoa and a stroll through a park, Macy's Light Show, or even South Philly looking at all the lights (and plastic praying Blessed Mother hands) goes a long way, especially with a 3 year old in tow. I love white lights most of all, especially when entire streets are lined in them. Cue a little Celtic music and it's the most romantic setting. My son is entranced with all lights (and scary blow up Santas, etc.) but it's OK...it's all magical to him and experiencing the holiday through his eyes is joy.
Vintage
My love of vintage runs the gamut but this time of year I especially love gorgeous vintage dresses, old photographs (in general but mostly of my family), mid century ornaments, and Christmas albums on vinyl.
Handmade
It was something of a lean holiday in this house but it made me grateful for my artistic side. For years I've given paintings from various classes, b/w photographs taken and framed, and most recently, hand crocheted scarves and dishcloths. Needless to say, a few daycare teachers received Trader Joe's coffee, cookies, mugs and a crocheted dishcloth. I appreciate all handmade goodies, be it jewelry, little ceramic magnets and stones, ornaments, pottery, you name it. And I love spending time hunting for that perfect handmade item for the artists and creative folk in my life.
Italian cookies
My Grandmom nails pizzelles as well as her lemon cookies. I experiment with ricotta ones but I have yet to try the pizzelle iron.
Pointsetta
Red, white, and tons of them. My Pop Pop would get them for my mom every year and they would adorn the house. Flanked with evergreen swag and red bows, it's so classic Christmas to me. And it ties into my next favorite thing.
Nature
I know it's dreary out and we almost never get a White Christmas but I love nothing more than bits of nature brought indoors this time of year -- pine cones, green, berries. If it was up to me I'd have THE Charlie Brown tree (I'm not a fan of fat bushy trees). Brandywine River Museum has an annual "critter sale" - critters made from all natural elements, assembled by their volunteers - and I have a dog, squirrel, and bear and they are the coolest and simplest ornaments. There's also a bit of hope that shines on December 22, the first day of winter, knowing we gain a little more light with each day until June...always worth celebrating.
These are just a few of my favorite things...and if I look around I can see a little piece of each in my holiday decor, mood, and spirit. Piccadilly wishes you all a wonderful holiday season and Winter Solstice. May you find the time to rest and recharge, be with your friends and family and to quote one of my favorite bands, "Be here now." Enjoy and be grateful for the gift of the present moment.
It got me thinking. If I had the time to do something similar, what would it look like? Most likely "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. Then I thought - in lieu of ribbon - I'd write a holiday blog post about my favorite things, especially at this time of year.
Classic Movies
I am watching Meet Me In St. Louis as I type. My Pop Pop introduced me to classics with the Sound of Music around the age of 5 so it's no surprise that I love that movie, and tons of others, and feel the need to watch them all one right after the other during these relaxing post holiday days.
Cocoa and Lights
A cup of cocoa and a stroll through a park, Macy's Light Show, or even South Philly looking at all the lights (and plastic praying Blessed Mother hands) goes a long way, especially with a 3 year old in tow. I love white lights most of all, especially when entire streets are lined in them. Cue a little Celtic music and it's the most romantic setting. My son is entranced with all lights (and scary blow up Santas, etc.) but it's OK...it's all magical to him and experiencing the holiday through his eyes is joy.
Vintage
My love of vintage runs the gamut but this time of year I especially love gorgeous vintage dresses, old photographs (in general but mostly of my family), mid century ornaments, and Christmas albums on vinyl.
Handmade
It was something of a lean holiday in this house but it made me grateful for my artistic side. For years I've given paintings from various classes, b/w photographs taken and framed, and most recently, hand crocheted scarves and dishcloths. Needless to say, a few daycare teachers received Trader Joe's coffee, cookies, mugs and a crocheted dishcloth. I appreciate all handmade goodies, be it jewelry, little ceramic magnets and stones, ornaments, pottery, you name it. And I love spending time hunting for that perfect handmade item for the artists and creative folk in my life.
Italian cookies
My Grandmom nails pizzelles as well as her lemon cookies. I experiment with ricotta ones but I have yet to try the pizzelle iron.
Pointsetta
Red, white, and tons of them. My Pop Pop would get them for my mom every year and they would adorn the house. Flanked with evergreen swag and red bows, it's so classic Christmas to me. And it ties into my next favorite thing.
Nature
I know it's dreary out and we almost never get a White Christmas but I love nothing more than bits of nature brought indoors this time of year -- pine cones, green, berries. If it was up to me I'd have THE Charlie Brown tree (I'm not a fan of fat bushy trees). Brandywine River Museum has an annual "critter sale" - critters made from all natural elements, assembled by their volunteers - and I have a dog, squirrel, and bear and they are the coolest and simplest ornaments. There's also a bit of hope that shines on December 22, the first day of winter, knowing we gain a little more light with each day until June...always worth celebrating.
These are just a few of my favorite things...and if I look around I can see a little piece of each in my holiday decor, mood, and spirit. Piccadilly wishes you all a wonderful holiday season and Winter Solstice. May you find the time to rest and recharge, be with your friends and family and to quote one of my favorite bands, "Be here now." Enjoy and be grateful for the gift of the present moment.
By Chrissie
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