Throw It All Away

At the beginning of each year, I usually find my self - like most other people- reflecting on the year gone by and taking stock of my accomplishments, or lack thereof as it may be. As I have repeated this process at the beginning of 2009, I've come up with a list of things I'm not going to do this year. A list of Anti-Resolutions, if you will.

What tops the list, you ask?

I have resolved that this year I'm not going to hold on to the memory of all the things I haven't done. I'm not going to feel guilty about my lack of accomplishment. I'm not going to lament the dreams that didn't come true or the plans that never saw fruition. I'm not going to regret the opportunities I let slip through my hands or berate myself for not doing more. In short, I'm going to let go of the past. Because no matter how much I beat myself up, it doesn't change a thing. I think I've finally realized that.

In honor of this new Anti-Resolution, I'm posting the lyrics to one of my most favorite songs by one of my most favorite bands, Toad the Wet Sprocket, from their album Coil. I happened upon this song as I was completing my workout yesterday, and I just had to share it.

Throw It All Away

Take your cautionary tales
Take your incremental gain
And all the sychophantic games
And throw 'em all away

Burn your tv in your yard
And gather 'round it with your friends
And warm your hands upon the fire
And start again

Take the story you've been told
The lies that justify the pain
The guilt the weighs upon your soul
And throw 'em all away

Tear up the calendar you've bought
And throw the pieces to the sky
Confetti falling down like rain
Like a parade to usher in your life
Take the dreams that should have died
The ones that kept you lying awake
When you should've been all right
And throw 'em all away

With the time i waste on the life i never had
I could've turned myself into a better man

'cause there ain't nothing you can buy
And there is nothing you can save
To fill the whole inside your heart
So throw it all away
Won't fill the whole inside your heart

Help me empty out this house
The wool i've gathered all these days
And thought i couldn't do without
And throw it all away

Music by glen phillips and toad. lyrics by glen phillips.

The IList

Well, my eyes are very itchy and I am trying to go to bed early tonight, but I promised I would update today... so I will. (D is trying to enforce an early bedtime and is ,as we speak, threatening to confiscate my laptop!) So I'll make this quick.
A short list of things I love right now. We'll call it the "I List". Not only is that a great knock off, but it sounds very of the moment and apple-y, don't you think.
The IList:

• Blogs. I love to read other people's blogs, all the time, everyday.
• My new iphone. It's amazing and I love it. Really, love it.
• Coupons. Just started clipping coupons again. Last week I saved over $40! Can we say new shoes? Well, shoes that are 75% off anyway!
• Podcasts. I am addicted to podcasts. That I can hear on my little ipod at the gym to distract from my burning muscles as I log hour after hour on the elliptical.
• Ipods.
  
• Technology. Right now, I am in love with all the amazing things we can do from anywhere in the world.

I did say I would keep this short, so until tomorrow.

A little list

So, I wanted to give my loyal readers, all two of you, a little update. Now anyone who knows me well, or looks through my purse, knows I am constantly making lists. To do, to buy, to give, to call. It's out of control. So for some insight into what I've been up to in the past few days, here's a sampling of some of the things that have been on my lists.
1. call the electrician to move the outlet for the new tv
2. buy the cables for new tv
3. finish research for paper on 16th century Venetian architect Andrea Palladio
4. finish research for paper on photographer Tina Modotti and her work in Mexico
5. put out Christmas decorations
6. register for Spring
7. check prices on new cars
8. Christmas shopping
9. study anthropology
10. study algebra
11. see doctor about cut finger
12. get guest room/ bathroom ready
13. submit party orders for southern living at home
14. organize office and studio
15. hang print in entry

oh, the list goes on and on. But even though the to-do list is never ending, I am thankful for all these things I want to get done because it means I live in a comfortable home, I am fortunate enough to get a college education, we were able to get D the TV he wanted, and I have health insurance. All huge blessings.

It's the Little Things

Today was a good day because:
I woke up early to a beautiful sunny day.
I installed a new toilet paper holder in our powder room. By myself.
My mom and I were able to have a nice long conversation.
D and I took in some art at Blue Star.

All in all, it was a good day. These two pictures are from a trip to Arizona last fall. Crissy made me pose in the Zen garden. Ommmmmmmm.........

Renovations, Inside and Out

Just a quick post. Times are busy with a full school schedule, light remodeling (paint, light fixtures, etc.), and various social obligations. Is it just me or does it seem like everyone is getting married or having a baby? I suppose these events are to be expected at this stage in life. That place where you have graduated from school, focused on building your career, played around a bit, and now you are ready to move on to the next stage of adulthood. Of course, I feel as if I'm in a bit of a vacuum where time or rather, progress, is standing still. I attribute this to my status as a student mostly. And that's okay. Because if I've learned nothing else, I have learned that my current circumstances- whatever they may be- are a result of my past decisions and I am responsible. It sounds obvious I know; but when we're in the thick of it, we find it very easy to point the finger. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, so I won't belabor the point. What is the point of this post anyway? That I'm very busy of course! Ha ha! Who isn't?

Actually I just wanted to share a couple updates. First, there is much painting going on and I will be posting before and after pictures and looking for any feedback or suggestions. I think comparing the photos from when we viewed the house the first time (while the previous owners still lived there) with the current photos will be especially interesting. We have very different tastes. We'll just leave it at that. I'm also finally, truly moving into my studio. I was in a sort of holding pattern until I could paint the walls and put up shelves and really organize myself in a more permanent manner. So my studio redux is in the works and I'm super excited! I'll be posting photos of that progress as well.

Second, I have taken several steps towards regaining my health. I've joined Weight Watchers, started working out at the gym and the yoga studio again, and I've also committed to playing on a volleyball team. I had forgotten how good of a workout volleyball is, especially in the sand! If you want to work on your hamstrings and glutes, volleyball is very effective. Promise. During our first team practice I was reminded how beneficial sports can be. I think a little competition is good and being part of a team is always fun.

It is now 4am and I must get some beauty rest. I have a wedding to attend tomorrow!

Hello Stranger!

Wow, I can't believe it's been more than a month already! You know what they say, time flies when you're... well, busy. I finished up summer school, had about a week off and started the fall semester last week. During my short break I became absolutely obsessed with the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. I read all four books in about 6 days. And I know that the books are actually written for young adults and the majority of my fellow readers are teenage girls, but I just love it! I wish the series wasn't over, but I am glad I finished them all because now the fall semester is in full swing and I've got a lot on my plate.

I'm taking a couple of art history classes that I think will be very interesting focusing on art from Venice and 19th and 20th century Mexican art, an anthropology course on ancient civilizations in the east and an independent study where I can focus on my work with text and image. I'm very excited about that class in particular. But you know what comes with attendance UTSA? The never-ending quest for a parking space. Ridiculous. That's the only word for it. I'm considering getting a scooter so I can park in the motorcycle lot. It's a lot closer to the building and they're so cute. I could get a matching helmet!

Fruits of my labor

It's a little late, but as promised I am reluctantly posting photos of some of the jewelry I've been working on. I was talking to my friend, Cristalynn (I call her Crissy, cuz we go waaay back and I'm allowed) last night and we spoke of our struggles with our art/design/projects. I was telling her how I had been excited about the jewelry I was working on, but after days of making and photographing, I'm sick of looking at the stuff and I think its all crap. She related to this phenomena, as I think many artists can. After being so close to something and staring at it for so long it just wears on you. So we'll see.

These are made with pink and turquoise glass beads.


I like the simplicity of a single faceted Amazonite that anchors the silver chain.
I really like this necklace with a simple tee or dress.
I also found a couple more photos from the wedding that actually have the bride in them. In case you were wondering, I did make the necklace I'm wearing. I love it!
Ahhh, love. It's a beautiful thing.