Sunday November 28th ~ 2010

~ Now on to the serious stuff. ~

Because Words Cannot Describe How Dumb This Is.

I have been very frustrated by the turn of events that our Nation has taken in this past election cycle. We are an impatient lot and I guess that it does not matter that we were warned that recovery was going to take time and that there were no quick fixes and that it was going to be hard and going to hurt to achieve the recovery that is desired.

But what I find more disturbing than anything is the continued popularity of that quitter of a Governor from Alaska. I have a hard time even saying her name. What bothers me is that people are giving her credentials that she has in no way earned and are believing the hate filled rhetoric that she spews forth.

Here is a "political" figure that only operates on a one way street. She does not allow questions or confrontation, belittles anyone that challenges her and only communicates with the world through social media. Her handlers delete detracting comments on her posts on Face Book  and she does not even have the courage to have a BLOG and then have to stand by her statements.

This country has two years to get our crap toothier and not let the unthinkable happen. I am begging us all to not get complacent, do not lose hope. Remember to keep the courage of your convictions and speak out for the promises that this administration is fighting for. I am not saying that they have been perfect but they are a damn sight better than the ones that just got elected to congress.

Please, read the following two columns and start to do real research, then do not keep this information to yourself. Read from the all sources and come to real conclusions and to not get suck into hate speech and fear mongering.

First Article:
THE HUFFINGTON POST - Why Sarah Palin's North Korea Flub Matters

One of the Huffington Post Moderators commented on this article and the following text is one of the most insightful comments that I have read in awhile.


LMKay66: "This is the same woman who didn't know Africa is a continent.  So I'm not sure it was just a slip of the tongue.  Besides that, she is not qualified to speak on the matter, or any other matters as far as I'm concerned.  I think she's a fraud who has gotten this far on her looks and her so-called charisma (though I don't think junior high school-level snarkiness can be construed as charismatic).  She didn't make a good mayor or Governor.  She was a joke of a VP candidate, and she couldn't even finish one term as Governor.  Now Fox news calls her a "news analyst" as if she's supposed to be taken seriously?  I can't tell you  how dangerous it is that the media's obsession with her continues to enable her and her ego to the point where she is seriously considering running for president.  The media has the power to influence elections.  I believe the media influenced the midterms with their Republican takeover narrative.  If they decide to take up a Palin as President narrative, we're in trouble."

Second Article:
Des Moines Regester - Political advisers: Sarah Palin's 'star power' alone isn't enough

In closing, I am sure that we can all agree that we desire and desperately need leaders that are actually smarter than ourselves. I know that I would prefer a Rhodes Scholar (Clinton) or the President of the Harvard Law Review (Obama) over a C average Harvard Graduate (Bush Jr.) of someone that went to 6 colleges and came out with a Journalism Degree. (Palin)

Saturday November 27th ~ 2010

tied to the monthly planner

I have spent the last two days making sure that all of my dates for 2011 are in order and I am looking for those few rare slots in my schedule that I want so I will be able to open up my in home studio classes. I have really missed the intimacy of my smaller studio sessions where I actually get to know the names of my students and we get to have some quality one-on-one time.

My real goal for the next 48 hours is to truly get my website updated and have all of those dates plugged in and get some real work done in in my studio during the month of December. I have some sketches and some ideas that have been stewing for long enough that I think that I am actually ready to take the next leap of faith and start creating.

I love my Kindle...

I have been reading a great deal lately as well. I broke down and bought myself a Kindle DX and have been truly enjoying getting back into the groove of the taking in a good story. I started off quickly with the two latest Laurie King novels, "The Language of Bees" and "God of the Hive." Then I jumped full into Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End." Now, after a huge recommendation from a friend, I have chosen to dive head long into the Stieg Larsson trilogy.

It has been way to long since I have been able to sit down and read a book without getting huge headaches. When I was in college, I put my head through a windshield and I suffered a loss of muscle coordination that made it hard for my eyes to work together to read for extended periods  of time. But to my delight, I find that the Kindle screen does not make my eyes tired nor does it make my head pound, so I have been devouring books again for the first time in ages.

I am finishing up my 5th Master Muse challenge that will be sent off on Monday for all to see. I am pleased with this one and think that it is one of my better ones for the year. After this, I have only one left and then the next group of Masters will take over.

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful start to the holiday season. Mine, so far, has been excellent indeed.

Wednesday November 17th ~ 2010

Can someone please tell me what happened to this year? How has Thanksgiving snuck up on us already and where have the previous 320 days gone? I swear that it was only January a few weeks ago.

I am looking forward to Holidays this year; having a new and invigorated outlook on life is always a plus. I cannot even begin to express how a different  point of view and  ones personal feelings of inner peace can change your outlook on the entire picture.

Andrea, Christine & Anne doing Mr. Napkin-Head

I just finished up with the BABE show in Oakland last weekend and am now crashing for the rest of the week at my friends Andrea's and Whit's  house in Washington State for a few days before I am off again to exhibit this next weekend at the Bellevue Bead Festival.

I love this time of year. I always arrive in Oakland a few days before the show or stay a few days afterwards to hang with my friend Gail and it is always one of the highlights of my year. We both love the Bay Area so much and we always make sure that we get a room in Oakland that has that amazing view of SF.

I had a full days drive up into the Seattle/Tacoma area on Monday had to do some serious driving through an intense rained and wind storm as I passed over the Puget Sound on my way to Port Townsend. I arrived to my destination in a total power blackout, dodging pine branches being blown here and there. Who knew that the "flash light" APP on my Droid could ever come in so handy.

I got to spend today doing our best Mr. Napkin-Head impersonation at breakfast and just relaxing while catching up on good stories and playing a little bit in Andreas studio. I have a few students tomorrow for 2 impromptu fusing classes and then I have some serious work to get done for my next Master Muse project that is due in a few days.

I have a long drive back to Albuquerque the beginning of the next week but I am really looking forward to getting back home to all three of my sweet girls, one very large Odie and a Goodle.