Great Minds Discuss Ideas

I have this print in my office.

The new year brought a sense of stability and less anxiety as I transitioned from a consultant to a full-time Project Manager. Hooray! I even traveled to Philadelphia at the end of March for a staff retreat. I'm especially excited as I was offered the opportunity to focus more on sustainability + community development.

***
I read this quote by Carl Jung a couple days ago...

"Loneliness does not come from being alone, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important."

I think it translates to the loss of someone you dearly love. It also strikes me to the lonely process of being unemployed or in transition. Being unheard. Sending out all those freaking resumesssss and wanting so desperately to be heard and valued.

I'm just so grateful right now.

Year Beginning.

Bookends.
A wake this evening.
A baptism on Sunday.
Epiphany pageant tomorrow.
Hellooooo 2011.



In the past I've made some lofty goals in January. This year, I'll try for these four ... with perhaps a few surprises in-between.

1. Take a vacation. One that doesn't stretch for one long weekend. Or sleeping on a friend's air mattress. It's been awhile. And we deserve it.
2. Go to more concerts. We both love music + live in the city. No kids yet. Make it happen.
3. Read more classic literature. I picked up a Charles Dickens novel at the library this week after being captivated by the BBC mini-series, "Bleak House." Oh.So.Good. Watch the trailer here.
4. Live with less. Declutter our apartment. Take inventory. Donate.

Number five was to find more meaningful employment... but I can check that one off the list. My consultant position recently developed into a staff position. Hooray!

Ready. Set. Go.

{mini goals clockboard}

lost + found

I found this section in my journal. Don't you love finding something that gives you inspiration for a second time?

The divided life comes in many and varied forms. To cite just a few examples, it is the life we lead when...

*We refuse to invest ourselves in our work, diminishing its quality and distancing ourselves from those it is meant to serve.
*We make our living at jobs that violate our basic values, even when survival does not absolutely demand it.
*We remain in settings or relationships that steadily kill off our spirits.
*We harbor secrets to achieve personal gain at the expense of other people.
*We hide our beliefs from those who disagree with us to avoid conflicts, challenge and change.
*We conceal our true identities for fear of being criticized, shunned or attacked.

source: "A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward An Undivided Life."
by Parker J. Palmer

{graphic art print}

New {professional} adventure!

I'm starting a new job next week! Though I went in yesterday to get my feet wet before the director left on a business trip. The organization is a great combination for me: architecture/historic preservation, community development and interfaith relations. So excited.

{San Francisco No. 18}

Visitors to your own city

A few weekends ago, a college buddy came up to the city. Michelle's been to Chicago numerous times so we didn't feel inclined to entertain her with touristy sites- though I did come up with a few ideas. She wanted to check out this garden shop in the city so we ventured in that direction. Falafel for lunch turned into oatmeal milkshakes and Costa Rican Casado. Sprout had these adorable little succulent plants*. I am apparently rather clueless to the current interest in succulents; my friend filled me in. The shop was close to Salvage One- this GIANT loft space of salvaged materials, architectural wonders, furniture, etc. We roamed around the space just before getting kicked out for a wedding reception. As we made our way back to our neighborhood, we randomly drove up a street in Ukrainian Village where Michelle used to house sit. We parked and wandered over to a little bakery for coffee and snacks (though I took a pass since they didn't have any gluten-free treats). One of the things I love about this city is its neighborhoods. We spent the better part of a Saturday exploring a part of the city we don't often venture to.

*I found three little succulent plants at the local organic plant sale organized by the park district. Now I'm intrigued.

{Baby Toes Succulent Hanging Terrarium}

{Succulent Living Wreath}

appreciate {the little things in life}

{appreciate / green and gray / letterpress print}

****
Do you ever listen to The Story on public radio? I went to the chiropractor this morning {sooo stiff from a weekend migraine} and couldn't walk into my apartment until I heard the end of the program.

The first piece was a real life story comparable to the movie 'Up'! ... On a dare from his work mates, Jonathan Trappe took his first balloon-powered flight two years ago, in his office chair. Hoisted by over 50 giant helium balloons, he sailed up to 14,000 feet, floating across the North Carolina countryside for over 4 hours. ...

The second story made me think about the first architecture office* I worked in while still in high school. ... Jami always had an interest in typography, and that's how she found herself visiting a small print shop in town called The Sherwood Press. The owner, Jocelyn, would change the way Jami saw her career and her life. ...

*I don't quite remember how I came to work in the office. The office was within walking distance from my house and I think I just showed up one day wondering if they would hire me as an intern; they did. Fred and Adelaide were a husband-and-wife team and were easily in their mid 70s by the time I started. They had thirteen children and welcomed me into the fold like family. I haven't worked with Fred in years but I still remember his vocational instruction and his stories. The office was tiny. I remember everyone gathered for a holiday party once and we had four religious backgrounds at the table: Catholic, Evangelical Christian, Buddhism and Hinduism. To this day, I've never had a boss treat me with as much respect as Fred did. I don't think I really appreciated it at the time.

Helen Keller taught, “The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.”

{Hilltop Neighbours}

If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then unto me.

{-William Shakespeare}
****
{Shakespeare's 12th Sonnet}
****
I have Will on the brain. I'm currently reading Bill Bryson's, "Shakespeare: The World as Stage." This isn't a typical read for me but it reads quick and I like biographies. I haven't read much Shakespeare since high school. My sophomore English class is now haunting my dreams- ahhh!

Main Street

Last week, I made around 30 cold calls to designated Main Street communities in the vicinity of Chicago. Main Street, I should clarify, is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

" The Main Street Four-Point Approach® is a community-driven, comprehensive strategy used to revitalize downtown and neighborhood business districts throughout the United States. It is a common-sense way to address the variety of issues and problems that challenge traditional business districts. "

I spent hours on the National Trust website, Googling community locations and creating an Excel doc of communities, names of directors and telephone numbers. I went down the list and just started calling. I spoke to directors about Main Street, their specific program and inquired about employment opportunities. I spent Earth Day on the phone- not exactly the most 'green' of activities. I didn't come away with a job offer but I did receive information one can only acquire from speaking directly to "the source." Conversation was fruitful and some directors passed along additional networking contacts. All the directors I spoke with are scrambling for funds. Today I read a story how the State Main Street program is on the endangered list, according to Landmarks Illinois.
****
Is your community attempting to revitalize its downtown? Historic buildings? Neighborhoods? Or have things completely stalled due to the economy?

If progress is coming, is the city involved? Or are these more grassroots endeavors?

Are you involved with your local neighborhood and/or business associations?

What do you like about where you live? What do you dislike? Do you drive everywhere or do you use alternative modes of transportation [walking, biking, public transit]?

What do you see as your community's assets?

---> All responses will remain in the comments section. I'm not passing along remarks to any sort of survey. This is just for personal reflection and informal conversation.
****
image: "town" ~ screenprinted fabric in leaf green on oatmeal cotton.

Spring cleaning

{"to make lines and wait" - original mixed-media encaustic painting}

(15) Ways to Simplify Your Life
a repost. source.

1. Decide what's most important to you. What do you value most?
2. List your current commitments and evaluate them in light of these values. What do you want to be doing with your precious time?
3. Simplify work tasks. Focus on the essential tasks and eliminate the rest.
4. Do one thing at a time. Multi-tasking is more complicated, more stressful, and generally less productive.
5. Sort through your stuff. Pick a room or a closet or a work area and do a thorough purging. Separate into three piles: keep, give away, and trash.
6. Simply your wardrobe. Give away things you haven't worn in the past year.
7. Limit your purchases. Buy less stuff. Ask yourself if you really need this and if you really need to own this before purchasing it.
8. Have a place for everything.
9. Limit your communications. Decide when and how much time you will devote to email, IM, phone calls, etc.
10. Eat slowly. Slow down to low weight, improve digestion, and enjoy life more.
11. Exercise. It helps burn off stress and makes you feel better.
12. Spend time with the people you love.
13. Spend time alone. Learn to meditate.
14. Slow down. Live life more deliberately.
15. Always ask: Will this simplify my life? If the answer is no, reconsider.

small pleasures

I bought the labradorite flat teardrop earrings from The Peach Tree last week. And for an added bonus- to celebrate her "2,000 sale SALE"- Amy sent me those green aventurine earrings for free.

Monday packages are the best.

“Daffodils that come before the swallow dares, and takes the winds of March with beauty.” ~ William Shakespeare

{roadside flower stand of fresh daffodils}

garden club

{vintage photographs via abby try again}

I met up with an old friend from architecture school in downtown Chicago last week. The weather was brilliant. Jenn and I reconnected on Facebook and hadn't seen each other in person for years. I was a little nervous about the meetup- mainly because of the lapse of time. Would it be awkward?

We met at the train station and walked + talked our way to the Art Institute of Chicago. Conversation was easy. The museum didn't open for 45 minutes so we sat in the Lurie Garden for well over an hour and talked some more. We rediscovered our common interests + learned that our husbands are both equally obsessed with board games :) Jenn recently resigned from her job. I'm looking for gainful employment. We swapped networking contacts in the sunshine.

We did eventually walk around The Modern Wing* for a little while. And then grabbed some lunch, sat in another garden space... before parting ways.

Relationships matter.

*{I bought a membership via Groupon last summer- great deal!}

Salvador Dalí and Disney

~ digital illustration of Salvador Dalí ~

"In 1945, Salvador Dalí and Disney began collaborating on a project that would have been the surrealist's only animated film. With only 18 seconds finished by the original artists, the short was completed in 2003 from storyboards." --- Watch the project HERE.
{thanks for the link, Brad}

Teardrop Camper

"Homebuilt teardrop camper. 6ft. 10 in. by 4 ft. sleeping area. 110 electrical and lights, Kitchen with sink and running water. Weighs less than 1000 lbs"

Adult Games: 101 Sure Ways To Liven A Party Or A Quiet Night At Home Alone!

I ventured over to the vintage bazaar with a friend on Saturday and we were both amazed by the crowd. It was held at the historic Dank Haus- the German American Cultural Center in Chicago. The bazaar was like the vintage side of Etsy- a lot of clothing, shoes, jewelry and home furnishings.

I found a Fire-King glassware piece, an 8" bowl. I got it for a steal because the young man selling it just blurted out a super cheap price. lucky find!
{I collect the orange glassware}

My other find was this book: "Adult Games: 101 Sure Ways To Liven A Party Or A Quiet Night At Home Alone!" It's a Dell purse book from 1963 :)


pg 23- Waist Guessing ~ "This proposition will get the crowd actively participating. Arrange a four-foot length of rope or a thick chord in a circle on the floor, its ends just crossing at the closure. Ask each, in turn, to watch the circle closely while you diminish it (by pulling on the crossed ends). He must call "Stop" when he thinks it's the size of his waist. Hold it at that size and put the loop around him- and see his amazement! For even the most ardent waistline-watchers nearly always guess comically over-size."

Wow, what a p-a-r-t-y!

The inside back cover is an advertisement for other Dell purse books.
Here are a few...
~Month-by-Month to Motherhood
~Exercise to a New Figure
~Eye Make Up
~Becoming a Woman
~The Jacqueline Touch
~75 Hair Styles (1963 edition)
~Coins
~Mixing and Serving Drinks
~Teenagers' Hairdos (2nd edition)
~Training and Caring for Cats
~Training and Caring for Dogs
~Explaining Life to a Child
~House Plants

possibilities

"It is difficult to trust that the pool of possibilities is bottomless, that one can keep diving in and finding more."
~Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation.

{fine art photograph: Feels Like July}


Still life ~
.. winter sunlight
.. tulips from Trader Joe's
.. Fire-King glassware
.. temporary plush computer chair
(waiting on my order from Overstock.com)
.. job searching station

****
Brad and I had dinner with two college friends last night. We've both been anxious about stable employment. I know we aren't alone on this topic. It was so refreshing to talk about professional development; more specifically our dreams and aspirations with people similar to ourselves. We are blessed with some really creative and insightful friends.
****
I'm going to check out The Vintage Bazaar tomorrow. It's advertised to be a modern pop-up flea market ! Seems like a cool event to beat cabin fever :)

feeling restless

{restless}

portion of the artist's statement:

"... Know the feeling of having an unquiet heart and mind?

This ceramic art object is part of my ‘99 feelings’-project.
It derives from a project I did many years ago reflecting my self-portrait.
I called it ‘how the outside can tell how you feel inside’.
I started out with 9 feelings and then I suddenly thought of making 99 of them...
I like the fact that the number is uneven and that it leaves at least one feeling to complete to 100. That one unfinished feeling to make 100, represents for me all the feelings I haven't covered and that it can be anything... "

****
job searching.
winter in Chicago.
creative funk.
restless.

{finds} from The Renegade Holiday Fair

I braved the cold & the crowds last December and checked out
The Renegade Holiday Fair in Chicago. The show had some incredible handmade goods.

I bought my mother a cool grey fabric brooch though I couldn't locate them in Kelly Ventura's Etsy shop. But I love her ruched jersey scarf!



I bought 5 woodcut prints (one for me, four gifts) from All Things Grow ~ shop here. This print is in my dining room.

Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere

Brad kindly added some M.U.S.C.L.E. men to my growing pottery collection.

I wrote about this DIY pumpkin orange CD storage unit here.

The white birch twig picture frame is from kindling.

Finch on Saturday

{Goldfinch among the maples ... photograph}