Pink Crow Stirrings

30 Second Rave: Falling Asleep in the Bathtub

OK, yes, sounds a bit risky, but what's life without a risk or two? 

Last week I was SO busy all week long both in the studio and at my "real" job that by the week's end I was absolutely EXHAUSTED! Besides that the temperature outside had plummeted and after walking home from work one evening all I could think about was relaxing and warming up with a nice bath. 

  

That evening I ran an amazing bath: perfect temperature, my favorite mineral bath & sesame oil. I lit a few candles and poured myself a glass of wine...and then I sunk in and relaxed. Apparently I relaxed a bit too much...so much so that at one point I heard a noise outside the bathroom that WOKE ME UP. How's that for a nice surprise...to wake up only to think, 'oops...good thing I didn't drown'.

OK, so this is supposed to be 30 seconds, so I won't go on and on, let's just say that those few minutes of bath-sleep must be equal to several nights of bed-sleep, because when I woke up in that wonderful warm water I honestly thought that I had found the universal source of all that is calm and blissful. I even considered trying to fall asleep again but thought that might be asking for trouble.

I don't recommend you try this at home, but at the same time, ummm, yes I do. As a disclaimer I have to say that if you are considering it PLEASE tell someone what you are about to do...and leave the door a bit ajar so they can peek in from time to time to be sure your head is still above the water.

(By the way...no, that is not my tub...but I kinda wish it was. Please Santa can I have that for Christmas?)

-c

Poppy's Print

I can't believe I haven't written about this piece before! Where has my mind been? 

Nearly 5 months ago I received a very sweet email from Christy in Scotland letting me know that she really liked the "One Circle Share" piece and inquiring if it would be possible for me to make another. That message started a dialogue between the two of us that transformed the original idea into something very precious and personal to both Christy and her daughter Poppy (I know...most precious name ever!).

We were trying to decide what the centerpiece of the custom pendant could be and after a series of friendly back-and-forth conversations Christy asked if I thought a sterling silver disk with Poppy's fingerprint in it would be something I could work with. Absolutely! I was so excited to get started on this piece!

When, about a month ago, I received the little disk I almost cried. It had the sweetest little fingerprint in the center of the front, and Poppy's name and "2008" inscribed on the back. I thought it might be one of the most precious little mementos I've ever seen! As I thought about how perfectly it would fit into the design I kept thinking about the information on the back. I didn't like the idea of closing this info up forever inside a pendant, so I asked Christy if she would be OK with me cutting a little window into the back of the pendant so she and Poppy could forever see the "who" and "when" info carefully noted on the disk. She replied without hesitation, and I began the work right away.

Working the design out...getting everything situated.

As I worked on this piece the elements came together so nicely...some pieces are battles, (generally still worth the fight, but intense battles nonetheless), but this one was such a pleasure to fabricate. As I worked on it I also loved the idea that such a literal mark of a person is forever a part of this piece...I love the thought of Christy wearing this, a constant representation of her daughter, and once Poppy is old enough I imagine her wearing it both as a marker of a specific time in her childhood and also as something she remembers her mother wearing.

I want to send a special "Thank You" out to Christy and Poppy for giving me the chance to collaborate with the two of you on this very special piece. I hope you love it!

-c

Dream Big

I spent the evening watching the election numbers come in while making and receiving phone calls, and once all of the calls were over, and my mind had a chance to absorb the incredible news I realized that despite it being past my bedtime I couldn't stay home.

I walked down to Grant Park because after so many months of watching every step of this sometimes painful election season, and exhausted after a day of hopeful anticipation I needed to share in the energy of the good news, and also because in 20 years I don't want to tell my children that on this historic night in Chicago I decided I was too tired to make it to the rally.

I approached the Park and I could hear the unmistakeable sound of Obama's voice echoing off the buildings. As I listened to his voice spread throughout the downtown area I thought to myself, 'that is my next PRESIDENT!', and the thought put a smile on my face...a smile that I saw reflected on so many faces in this sea of people...more people than I've ever seen out on the streets. Everyone was so happy. It was something worth witnessing.

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer." 

- Barack Obama, November 5, 2008

Congratulations Mr. Obama...President Obama!

-c

Post-Vote Treat

I anticipated waiting two hours to vote...I brought a notebook and planned on getting a bit of Spanish homework done. I got to my polling place (the apartment building next door...how convenient) and was happy to see lots of people waiting to vote, but I was also happy that because of early voting it only took me about 1/2 hour total.

Just once. Just one time every four years we are asked as a people to keep this process of democracy alive by casting our vote in the general election. This democracy which, when at its best makes a promise of freedom and equality that it always strives to deliver, but at its "not so best" can begin to chip away at those freedoms and that equality. 

In the relatively short history of our nation many people have fought very hard to guarantee our right to vote. People have died for this...for YOUR right to vote. So please, make a bit of time in your schedule today to go out and vote. I know the lines are supposed to be long today, but have you ever waited in line for concert tickets? Or for a Black Friday store opening? Or for a ball game? Or for something maybe not so rewarding but necessary...the bank, the post office, the DMV? I know you've waited in line before. It's not THAT bad, especially when it is just once every four years.

Once you've stood in line, and have cast your vote, if that "after-vote" glow isn't enough for you then go out and treat yourself to a small indulgence. It's just once every four years, right? Go get a doughnut, or your favorite takeout (even if it usually makes you feel a bit guilty), or if food isn't your thing maybe pick up that book you've had on your "to read" list (hmmm on second thought, maybe go get that book before you vote just in case you need something to do while you wait in line). 

Bottom line is: you know what you want, so why not start a tradition of a post-vote treat? I'm going to get a GIANT hot chocolate...full fat milk WITH whip!

This ad caught my attention a few days ago. Starbucks is big enough on its own, and certainly doesn't need me to promote it, but I watched this ad and was really inspired by this promotion (maybe it was the music). It made me want to pass the word along more because of the idea behind it than the promotion itself. Nice. Thanks Starbucks, for inspiring me.

So, if nothing else, after you vote go get yourself a free tall coffee from Starbucks...and be inspired.

-c