Thicker than a single strand of yarn or even three strands braided, I think this will hang and swing nicer on a yarn belt/skirt. I'll do some braided strands with silver metallic cord in them, too, for some sparkle and put some coins and silver beads in, like the hair braids. The yarn is 1 strand of 4-ply Red Heart burgundy and 1 strand Lion Boucle in Popsicle held together using a really big hook that my daughter got at a JoAnn demo. I'd say it's close to a J...
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Arrrrr!
Here's some more blogthings nonsense...a couple of weeks ago it was "Talk Like a Pirate Day" and yesterday I went the the KC Renaissance Festival (so, I'm still not convinced that Pirates belonged in Tudor or Elizabethan England). So...
| Your Pirate Name Is... |
 |
Friday, October 06, 2006
Musicians
This is a photo of my friends Amy and George and I when we played some music for church service one Sunday. Amy was my recorder and piano teacher and is a good friend as is George. We grew apart when I had my kids, I just have a busier life now. They stay in my thoughts, though. The kids are more forgiving of my practice time now, and I've added Middle Eastern drumming to my interests along with dance. I'd like to get back into some contact sometime soon...find out how they are...I miss you guys!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter and Human Extraordinaire: 1962 -2006
Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter and Human Extraordinaire: 1962 -2006
Originally uploaded by lorenzodom.
Malinda
Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter and Human Extraordinaire: 1962 -2006
September 5, 2006:
The death of Steve Irwin is not as tragic as many media pundits are purporting it to be.
Far from, for how many of us have the courage, the tenacity and the integrity to do exactly what we love doing, everyday, regardless of the risks and the ridicule, regardless of the perils of the unknown?
Not many.
But Steve certainly did, and he died well knowing of the dangers involved in executing his greatest passion. That is not tragic, that is triumphant.
Granted, I’m sure he, his family and all his fans around the world would have preferred that he had lived a lot longer.
Alas, when a man looks fate straight in the eye and even vies to wrestle with it, and when an indifferent and amoral species, such as the mortal stingray that killed Steve on Monday by piercing him directly in the heart, as it reacted out of primal fear—he, nor we, should be surprised.
Zoo owner, star of several documentaries on Animal Planet and the Travel Channel, ardent conservationist, and business entrepreneur, Steve Irwin understood what it took to succeed; he understood the perseverance, the passion, and the peril that he faced often, if only because he wanted to teach and inspire others not to fear living life to its fullest.
Fearless in so many ways, Steve was still known to have a more vulnerable, human side to him. For he is reported to have said, “Getting married was the scariest moment of my life.”
Nonetheless and allthemore, the fact is, Steve likely died as he had hoped, maybe a little earlier than he had anticipated, but certainly in as grand a manner as his gall, his showmanship, and his exemplar exuberance had together deemed what was ultimately the most apropos way to go, for this extraordinary man, this extraordinary human, and this extraordinary lover of (wild) life.
The End Is Not So Horrible, If You Know How To Get There *
Immediately after Niezstche's Zarathustra gives his prologue, the tight rope walker carrying on above Zarathustra and the onlooking town folk—plunges to his death.
The following conversation ensues between Zarathustra and the fallen, prior to the latter's last breath:
“By my honor, friend,” answered Zarathustra, “all that of which you speak does not exist: there is no devil and no hell. Your soul will be dead even before your body: fear nothing further.”
The man looked up suspiciously. “If you speak the truth,” he said, “I lose nothing when I lose my life. I am not much more than a beast that has been taught to dance by blows and a few meager morsels.”
“By no means,” said Zarathustra. “You have made danger your vocation; there is nothing contemptible in that. Now you perish of your vocation: for that I will bury you with my own hands.”
To die by one's vocation.
That is perhaps the highest form of passion. To live and perish in the thrill of one's purpose and the moments that made life meaningful for that individual. That is the ultimate form of living.
Perhaps, it is living dangerously, but it is also living.
How many heroes have done much the same? Those we hold in the highest esteem live and die by that which they know to be their calling.
9.11 and the bold acts of all the municipal servicemen that perished is a poignant example.
But just the same, the likes of the greatest artists, writers, scientists, entrepreneurs and other elite minds and imaginations who died of old age are equally laudable, if only because they held their course in life, they overcame obstacles and defeated monsters, and outwitted conformity, complacency and their seven ugly sisters: jealousy, envy, virtue, materialism, righteousness, apathy, and the unknown.
“Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.”
- Mary Schmich -
The greatest journeys are always alone and end with death, which is why the journey itself should be the ultimate goal. Fulfillment comes with the fulfilling. If you constantly are looking to go somewhere in order to achieve happiness, you'll really never get there.
“That's the message of the myth. You, as you know yourself, you are not the final term of your being. And you must die to that, one way or another—giving of yourself to something or in being annihilated, actually, physically—to return, you might say, or to recognize (that) life is always on the edge of death—always. And one should lack fear, and have the courage of life. That's the principle initiation of all of the heroic stories.”
- The Power of the Myth, Joseph Campbell -
And so my fellow photographers, kin spirits, adventurers, lovers of life, Make Every Shot Count, position yourself well, and then click before you’ve lost the nerve.
Life is fleeting, as are all the fine moments that cumulatively constitute our existence.
So fear not! Most of the time you won’t get hit or the person you’re aiming your camera at really won’t care (especially after you walk away).
“The choice to live our passion is not dangerous,
it is much worse, it is unknown.
But what is known can never be new or creative.
If we die in our passion, at least we have lived,
if we live in the known we have already died.”
-Steven Harrison-
Decicated in memory of Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter and Human Extraordinaire: 1962 -2006
*Excerpted from the upcoming book 25 Lessons I Have Learned, to be published by Cyan Books in the Spring of 2007.
Uploaded by lorenzodom on 5 Sep '06, 5.33pm PDT.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
New Map on Flickr
Guess what? You can see where photos were taken and plot yours on a map within Flickr! You can set permission to say who's allowed to see the location on an individual photo basis or for all photos and change the ones you don't want, like home and school photos...so no one, or family or friends only can see them. I tried it out with some of mine...the most recent...and it's cool! Click on the photo, then, once you're in Flickr, click on "Map" under the photo...
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Henna Sunflower Hand
Not been doing much art lately...unless this counts. Dance is an art. Middle Eastern dance is the victim of much mis-information. In the eyes of most Westerners, it's a dance of semi-naked gyrations and bellyrolls, seen only in Greek, Middle Eastern or North African restaurants or, lately, Renaissance Festivals. Women in the Middle East and North Africa often dance among themselves to entertain themselves at family celebrations or at the end of a long day to relieve tension. It is celebratory. It is feminine. It is physically challenging and has many health benefits.
I am more comfortable in my body than I have been in a long time. My belly is stretched and pouchy from having my two babies and I bare it proudly. I am a Mother.
The henna that stains my hand in this photo is a paste from a plant that grows in the Middle East and India and used to decorate hands, feet and bellies of women for Islamic holidays, weddings and pregnancies. Mehndi has become popular in the US also. I've been doing Mehndi for a while, a girl I knew in school from Pakistan gave me a tube of henna and I tried some designs with it. Now I use mylar cones to apply the paste and get very intricate designs this way.
A week ago, some friends and I met for a video/henna party and there was some left-over paste that I've been playing with...
So, here's my latest art-work!
I am more comfortable in my body than I have been in a long time. My belly is stretched and pouchy from having my two babies and I bare it proudly. I am a Mother.
The henna that stains my hand in this photo is a paste from a plant that grows in the Middle East and India and used to decorate hands, feet and bellies of women for Islamic holidays, weddings and pregnancies. Mehndi has become popular in the US also. I've been doing Mehndi for a while, a girl I knew in school from Pakistan gave me a tube of henna and I tried some designs with it. Now I use mylar cones to apply the paste and get very intricate designs this way.
A week ago, some friends and I met for a video/henna party and there was some left-over paste that I've been playing with...
So, here's my latest art-work!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Europe? Ok.
| You Belong in Paris |
 You enjoy all that life has to offer, and you can appreciate the fine tastes and sites of Paris. You're the perfect person to wander the streets of Paris aimlessly, enjoying architecture and a crepe. |
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Little Drummer Boy
Here's Geordan on my doumbek! Look at him go!! I shot the video clip at the end of his drumming session so he's a little less energetic than in the photos...but you can see him in action, doums, teks and all! He really likes drumming and has learned the basic Baladi rhythm of Middle Eastern music!
That's not the only way he's growing up right now...he's ALL ready to start Early Childhood school in the Fall! No more DIAPERS!!!! We visited Mrs Frey, who will be his teacher and was his sister's, yesterday and she is so excited that he's ready!!
There are more photos, and the end result, in my Flickr!
Friday, May 26, 2006
Hydrants and Firefighters - EDM #66
When I was 6 or 7, I went to vacation bible school in Smithville. At the end of the week, there was a parade and I got to ride on top of a fire truck.
When I was 12 or 13, a girl next door used her toaster and it caused a fire that burned the kitchen of the duplex on the other side of ours. The girl's family had to move and lost some of their possessions due to smoke and water damage. There was a crack in our kitchen wall from the firefighters chopping out the burned bits with their axes. Our apartment smelled like burned plastic for a long time.
When I was going to school at DeVry (1986-88) there was an explosion at a gravel quarry near 87th street and Blue River Road near Swope Park. Someone had set fire to a trailer full of fertilizer that the quarry used to blast out gravel. When the fire company arrived, no one told them what was in the trailer and it exploded, killing six firefighters and injuring others. The blast could be heard 20 miles away and broke windows all over the area. I was in the area, staying with a friend. I heard it. There is a memorial there now.
When I lived at the car shop, Storm and I volunteered with the Red Cross Disaster Aid Teams as monitors. We would listen to a scanner for fire calls. When there was a fire in an occupied residence or more than 2 alarms called, we called the RC to send the IRV (Immediate Response Vehicle). It had blankets and coffee and relief items for firefighters and victims. One time there was a fire across the street from the shop. We went and watched the firefighters work. They are so efficient, fearless, tireless and courageous. Their lives are at risk every time they leave the station. People have so little respect for what they do, I see so many cars not pull over and stop when emergency vehicles have their lights and sirens on. What if it was their loved-ones' lives at stake? There's a new station being built near our apartment. We'll make sure they know they're appreciated!
When I was 12 or 13, a girl next door used her toaster and it caused a fire that burned the kitchen of the duplex on the other side of ours. The girl's family had to move and lost some of their possessions due to smoke and water damage. There was a crack in our kitchen wall from the firefighters chopping out the burned bits with their axes. Our apartment smelled like burned plastic for a long time.
When I was going to school at DeVry (1986-88) there was an explosion at a gravel quarry near 87th street and Blue River Road near Swope Park. Someone had set fire to a trailer full of fertilizer that the quarry used to blast out gravel. When the fire company arrived, no one told them what was in the trailer and it exploded, killing six firefighters and injuring others. The blast could be heard 20 miles away and broke windows all over the area. I was in the area, staying with a friend. I heard it. There is a memorial there now.
When I lived at the car shop, Storm and I volunteered with the Red Cross Disaster Aid Teams as monitors. We would listen to a scanner for fire calls. When there was a fire in an occupied residence or more than 2 alarms called, we called the RC to send the IRV (Immediate Response Vehicle). It had blankets and coffee and relief items for firefighters and victims. One time there was a fire across the street from the shop. We went and watched the firefighters work. They are so efficient, fearless, tireless and courageous. Their lives are at risk every time they leave the station. People have so little respect for what they do, I see so many cars not pull over and stop when emergency vehicles have their lights and sirens on. What if it was their loved-ones' lives at stake? There's a new station being built near our apartment. We'll make sure they know they're appreciated!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Rianna Comeneci
The kids go to gymnastics at the Kansas City Gymnastics School up in Riverside. The school has trophys lining the gym walls and banners of college girls from the gym (and a boy!). There are the usual apparatus and a big foam pit for the kids to jump into at the end of their classes.
Last weekend they held their Spring Fling. It's sort of a meet for the parents to see what the kids are up to. The gymnastics version of a recital. The kids all get scores and ribbons and everyone gets a medal!
Rianna got to participate, Geordan is sitting out for a little while. She got sixth place for Beam and Bars and third for Floor! She was so good, sitting patiently with her classmates while she waited to be called! She even tried a trick on the beam that she had been afraid to do! She is very proud and so are we!!
As an extra bonus, some of the college girls were there visiting. One of them, Jennifer Naughton, did her floor exercise routine! The kids were sitting on the edge of the floor and Rianna said, "Mommy, she ran so fast and she was flying!!"
Here's video clips of the day! (Remember, no sound!)
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Sketchcrawling with Mom
Here she is drawing with me at the park. She is drawing our waterbottle. I'll post the finished drawing, too.
Dancing Princess
More videos!! Rianna wanted me to shoot her dancing at the park, so, here she is, dancing to her own singing, Rianna!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
People You Don't Know
Hi! This is my husband Ron (say "hi" Ron)("Hi!"). We've been married for almost 4 years (June 30) and together for almost 13 (June 1). I just found out this morning that he used to paint.
He works as a structural drafter for a company that builds commercial buildings, Butler Construction, in the heavy structures division. His currently working on the US Tennis Association's new building in New York to be finished before the 2007 US Open. He has previously worked on automotive conveyors, commercial office buildings and sports arenas. He was the first person to design a building in AUTOCAD at Black & Veatch, the largest engineering firm in KC. In his early design days, he renovated a number of McDonald's restaurants in the Greater KC area, including the Country Club Plaza restaurant in Seville Square. As part of the remodel, he produced the drawings from which the Seville, Spain bas-relief mural was based. I have his ink on illustration board drawing and plan to have a clean copy made to frame and hang in our house (when we get a house).
I know he drew some as a young man, that's about it.
I am currently in the process of making a batch of hand-bound books; three from typing paper for the kids (their own "Moleskines") and three from watercolor paper (one for me and one to sell). I asked him,this morning, if he would like me to make one for him. He said, "yes." "What kind of paper, typing or watercolor?" "Watercolor."
His answer surprised me, I'm not sure why. I asked if he would draw in it and he said maybe he would. I asked if he had painted before and he said he had, a long time ago. "What media?" "Watercolors, some tempera and oils."
I had no idea.
I am very pleased to know this and pleased that he wants me to make him a book.
I love him!
He works as a structural drafter for a company that builds commercial buildings, Butler Construction, in the heavy structures division. His currently working on the US Tennis Association's new building in New York to be finished before the 2007 US Open. He has previously worked on automotive conveyors, commercial office buildings and sports arenas. He was the first person to design a building in AUTOCAD at Black & Veatch, the largest engineering firm in KC. In his early design days, he renovated a number of McDonald's restaurants in the Greater KC area, including the Country Club Plaza restaurant in Seville Square. As part of the remodel, he produced the drawings from which the Seville, Spain bas-relief mural was based. I have his ink on illustration board drawing and plan to have a clean copy made to frame and hang in our house (when we get a house).
I know he drew some as a young man, that's about it.
I am currently in the process of making a batch of hand-bound books; three from typing paper for the kids (their own "Moleskines") and three from watercolor paper (one for me and one to sell). I asked him,this morning, if he would like me to make one for him. He said, "yes." "What kind of paper, typing or watercolor?" "Watercolor."
His answer surprised me, I'm not sure why. I asked if he would draw in it and he said maybe he would. I asked if he had painted before and he said he had, a long time ago. "What media?" "Watercolors, some tempera and oils."
I had no idea.
I am very pleased to know this and pleased that he wants me to make him a book.
I love him!
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Ice Princess
Here's Rianna's first time on ice skates. After about 20 minutes, she insisted on a "solo" flight!
More Video of My Kid Jumping!
Ok, I think that worked (except for the sideways part!) so here's more...
Are We On?
I'm not sure if this will work, but I have a YouTube account now and have shot some video clips of my kids (no sound, sorry). See if it works and comment! Oh, yeah, it's sideways! I'm a photographer, not a videographer, and forget you can't just flip it sideways...
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Young Illustrator in the Making
We have, from Netflix, Disney's Haunted Mansion. The kids have watched about a dozen times this week and last night, as I was cleaning from supper, Rianna got this book out and illustrated her own version of the "legend" of the haunted mansion story. Very carefully, she drew each of the scenes and told me what each drawing was of and was very excited to do it! The best way to see them is to go to the Kids' Art set, they are in the proper order there.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Bellydance!
We did it!!! We survived and danced, too! Don't we look cool!
We (Marcy, aka Christiana and me, aka Vina) made our choreographic debut yesterday with our original dance to Raquy and the Cavemen's Caravan in the Shimmyfest recital of the Maya Zahira School of Bellydance. We also danced with our intermediate class to Paul Dinletir's Raks Africa. I was in the front row, next to our teacher Amara (whose photo is in my stream!), by accident, and nailed it!!!
(Click the photo to go to Flickr and mouse over it for notes)
Saturday, April 22, 2006
"Still Life" by Dave Gray
One of my Flickr contacts is Dave Gray, his screen name is "dgray_xplane."
Dave is an artist.
His Flickr stream is a lovely place to hang out and just absorb light and beauty, photographs and paintings. Recently, he's uploaded a lot of his oil paintings.
I saw this this morning.
The composition is masterful. His whites are so full of color and light. The palette and tissue next to his easel...like he's just taking a break from his painting to make a painting.
I live within 2 miles of Thomas Hart Benton's studio/home, and the studio was left the way it was when he died, working at his easel on a painting. His palette's there and brushes and it looks like he is just taking a break and will be right back any minute to finish signing it...an unintended homage.
Click the painting to go to a larger version and his Flickr stream!
I really love this Dave!
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