Pink Crow Stirrings

30-Second Rave: Walking my City

Type: Rave

Subject: My life in One Square Mile

Martin and I knew we didn't drive much, but it didn't really sink in until earlier this summer when we compared the mileage written on the oil change decal to our actual odometer reading. In June we drove down to central Illinois to meet up with family for a lunch and we were shocked to realize that between mid-February and mid-June we had put just over 300 miles on the car, and about half of them were added that day. That was the day that I started thinking about this post.

I walk EVERYWHERE. I'm so fortunate to live in a neighborhood where everything is within walking distance and I try to take full advantage of that. When family and friends visit and I tell them something is "just down the street" or "a short walk" they know to wear comfortable shoes. I don't try to be misleading, it's just that once you start walking everywhere the miles zip by like nothing. 

Of course to be able to walk everywhere you have to live in a neighborhood where everything is close at hand. My grocery stores (4), work, doctor, dentist, gym, bank, used book store, park, movie theatre, beach (and on and on) are all within a mile of my home. I basically live my life within one square mile.

Last week I discovered this website. It's called Walk Score, where you enter your address and find the "walkability" score of your neighborhood. When I found it I entered every address I can ever remember living at, and was pleased to find that my current address has been my most walkable address ever: 100 out of 100! Yea for my sweet home!

I think I'll stay awhile.

A Post-Script:

Maybe a bit more than 30 seconds? 

I can't believe almost full month has passed since I last posted, and yet again I can. But the chill in the air tells me that my summer is coming to an end. In a few short months my life will once again transition to a mostly indoor existence with short breaks outside, quite the opposite of my life during the summer. I will, once again, spend hours in the studio and also sitting in front of my faithful little Mac pounding out posts. My body hates to see the summer go, but my creative spirit is energized by the crisp air and excited by the promise of the many many days of studio time ahead. It is coming...soon...I feel it in the air, and it's coming just in time...my soul is craving time at my studio table.

30-Second Rant: Your Butt on My (or any) Street

Type: Rant

Subject: Discarded Cigarette Butts

I have to say that this subject may have been one of the original inspirations for my "30-Second R&R" posts. I believe myself to be a totally reasonable and tolerant person, maybe even a bit too tolerant at times, but this is one thing I just can not understand. 

Why is it that perfectly respectable people who wouldn't think of littering think nothing of tossing a cigarette butt off in any random direction while walking or driving down the street? Why when I'm at the beach do I look around and see people using the sand as their own personal ashtray? What is it about cigarette butts that have allowed them to be overlooked as trash?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying "don't smoke", to each his own, right? I believe that every person has the right to choose what works for them, and some people smoke, so be it. I think you can do whatever you want as long as it doesn't interfere with my life and my happiness. If it does I might have to say something, and I have been known to speak my mind about this very subject to random butt-tossing strangers (as long as they didn't look like they could/would beat the tar out of me).

Chicago has a trash can on almost every single street corner of the downtown area. If you're anywhere downtown you could probably see at least a few trash cans within your general vicinity. A few very convenient and capable trash cans just waiting for your nasty, used up, stained and reeking butt.

I promised 30-seconds, so I'll stop...but not before posting a picture of a whole group of butt-tossers I saw at the beach while Martin (pictured, but blurred so as not to be associated with the tossers) and I were in Florida a couple of weeks ago.

Shame...shame on those butt-tossers!

-c

30-Second Rave: Flea Market Fun

This past weekend Martin and I went to a flea market that sits right on the border of Mexico. I thought if I was lucky I might find a few little treasures to incorporate into a future piece of jewelry...I had no idea I would find something even better!

One of the first vendors we happened upon was not manning a booth, but rather more of a field of boxes filled with the most random assortment of goods. I thought there might be some potential here.

The first box that drew my attention was marked $2 and was filled to the top with multi packs of one of my studio staples: Sharpies. Or so I thought. Upon closer inspection I saw two varieties of markers...the "Shoupie", and the "Skerple":

Once I found these I made it my mission to find "almost exact" Chinese knockoffs. It was a fun treasure hunt. There were lots of knockoff purses and shoes and things like that, but nothing as visually satisfying as that first Shoupie find. I did, however, find this "Panasonic"...I mean "PenesamiG" battery:

 

...and boxes of Miao-Bang bandages, which, according to the packaging are "free". 

 

I think the "free" labeling is translated and is in reference to one of two things on typical bandage packaging; latex-free, or maybe the "ouchless" fact that they don't stick to your skin, so, they come free from your skin without a worry. This I'm afraid I will never know.

-c

30 Second Rave: The Bloggess

I'm feeling a bit under the weather at the moment, but I came across something today that I just had to share. I find humor in many situations, but it is very rare that I actually laugh, out loud, uncontrollably. Well today I laughed, then cried laughing, then went into what I imagine looked to Lisa, my coworker, somewhat like a seizure. 

You may wonder what it was that had me in stitches today, despite my not feeling so well...please, read this.

-c

30 Second Rave: Orchid Island Juice Company

As many of you know I grew up in Florida, and by the time mid-winter rolls around here in Chicago I am in desperate need of sunshine, liquid or otherwise. A post on Iris' blog reminded me of a juice that I recently found which is as close to fresh-squeezed as you can get. Yes, squeezing it yourself is always best, but oh, the sticky-up-to-the-elbows mess, and in the midst of this crazy life who has the time? 

When I lived in Florida, and on my mid-winter trips there I often visit(ed) a locally-owned grove where you can buy citrus straight from the trees...and you can also get the most amazingly fresh citrus juices bottled right there on the premises...I always buy too much. If you're lucky you might even be able to get soft-serve ice cream that has been sweetened and flavored with fresh orange juice. Oh I miss those road-side packing houses!

Last month at my local Trader Joe's I spied a shelf in the refrigerated section upon which sat the familiar packing house in-plant-juicing bottles I had grown to know so well. They had orange and grapefruit juices, so I picked one of each. Carrying them home I was still a bit skeptical that the juice inside could be as good as the juice fresh from the grove (store bought never is), but I had to give it a chance. 

Well, I'm happy to report that I was thrilled when I took my first sip and was immediately transported home (Florida home, not Chicago home). Oh the goodness! I have to say that I will be doing my part to be sure that TJ's continues to carry this stuff!

Thank you Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company for bottling the sunshine and sending it north, and thank you too Trader Joe's for making it so easy for me to find.

Oh, and another thing about Orchid Island Juice Co., how can you not love a company whose toll free number is:

Awesome!

-c

30+ Second Rant: Apathetic Employees and Empty Shelves

Let's talk about feeling productive...making lists and trying to get things accomplished. A great way to start the new year, right? Today by 3 PM I had just one thing left on my list, I needed to pick up some resin for the studio. To accomplish this "one last task" required a trip to the art supply store.

My rant today is about a specific art supply store that I've been going to since 1997, and how I wonder how they can still consider themselves in the art SUPPLY business. I'm allowing myself to break the "30-second" rule this once because it is directly studio related ;)

First of all, the place is run by a bunch of uninterested, apathetic employees. I think they must have started working here while they were going to art school, and I suspect that once they graduated they just never bothered to look for another job. I'm sure they had it in their minds to leave, but it never happened and so 5, 10, 15 years later they are still really resentful of this job and any of the art-makers who walk through the door. 

Maybe I'm wrong, but this is what I see. Since day one every time I've gone into this store I've noticed how the employees seem bothered by the presence of customers...like they are the only true artists and anyone else who walks in is undeserving of both attention and art supplies. If you've ever seen "High Fidelity" you understand exactly what I'm talking about, except here it's art instead of music.

You might wonder why, then, I still go to this place. 

Well, until recently it was the only art supply store around where you could go to get say, painting, ceramic, drafting, gold-leaf and book-making supplies all in one place. Being the mixed-media person I am it was very convenient for one-stop shopping. I could deal with the apathetic employees.

My frustration today is the result of something I've been noticing happening slowly at this, my "once #1" art supply store: out of stock items. I've been there several times over the past year or two and have noticed that if I needed ten items, I might only find six. Very bothersome once or twice, but after five or six times you begin to think it may not be worth the trip.

Today I had one thing on my list...resin. I knew they would have it because they carry the brand I use in 3 or 4 different sizes. I prefer to buy the largest size, but I figured even if that wasn't in stock I could pick up a couple of the smaller sized kits to tide me over. When I got there this is what I found:

Yes, two completely empty shelves where "my" resin usually sits. If I told you "completely empty" without showing you would would have thought I was exaggerating. I'm not. EMPTY. No resin for me today.

I was so frustrated that I had made the trip for nothing that I called Martin to vent. And after that I walked around the store to document the random emptiness:

     

    

I've decided that I don't need to visit this store anymore. How depressing is it to see this store that was once spilling over in its art supply abundance slowly withering away to nothing? I know the bad economy is affecting so many retail places, but this is something I've seen coming at this specific place for quite some time. I hate to see any place shut down, but I just don't see how this place can make it...I WANT to go in and spend some money, but NOTHING that I want is in stock. And the thing that bothers me the most is that if they just had some employees who seemed to care, I might too.

-c

30 Second Rave: Ice Storm

Late last week a winter storm that came through and on Saturday Martin and I drove south of the city and saw things this Florida girl has never seen before. It was a pretty devastating storm for many people...long-lasting power outages, and lots of damage, but the one thing I can say about an ice storm is that unlike a tornado or hurricane, what is left in its wake can be gorgeously breathtaking. It was a real-life winter wonderland, and it was spectacular! I won't go on and on...these images speak for themselves:

 

I'm not so into the winter cold, but the visuals can be simply stunning.

Until next time...

-c

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

30-Second Rave: War Dance

Type: Rave

Subject: The Movie War Dance

Martin and I rented this movie last weekend. I'm not going to go on and on about it, I am just going to say that if you're reading this right now you HAVE to promise yourself that you will see this movie. Watch it with the people you love, but maybe not the little ones...there are some pretty heavy issues covered here.

This is the story of a group of kids living in Uganda who are preparing to go to a national music competition. It is both heartbreaking and triumphant. Amazing, incredible and so emotional. This is one of those films that stays with you, and also really puts your life into perspective.

If I could rent it for you and bring it to your house and put it in your DVD player myself I would, but I can't, so you'll have to do it yourself. I promise that it will be worth the bit of effort and money...I'm telling you, you have to see it.

-c

30-Second Rant: Huge Umbrellas

Type: Rant
Subject: Ridiculously Huge Umbrellas

It's typical I suppose, it shouldn't surprise me that such a huge percentage of our population still lives by the mantra, "The Bigger The Better".

OK, so I know, Hummers and McMansions and the 3000 calorie burger and wearing pants that fall off of you unless you walk with your knees 2 feet apart. A cross section of American culture, but is that still the American way?

Here's the thing:
Today we're lucky enough to be having a really beautiful sunny Spring day here in Chicago. On Monday we had a beautiful rainy Spring day. Beautiful except for one thing.

Why can't a person walk down the street on a rainy day without having to dodge these people who for some reason feel like they need a 60" umbrella overhead? Since when do you need a golf umbrella to  make it down the street on a rainy day? It's just ridiculous and it's rude. I don't want to be hit by your giant umbrella, don't want to have to dodge your giant awning, don't want to walk under your umbrella, and when I have to walk under it in order to pass you on the sidewalk I certainly don't want your giant umbrella to be shedding water down the leg of my pants.

I'm not saying you shouldn't HAVE a HUGE umbrella, although I've never felt the need to carry an apartment sized umbrella around. If you absolutely need it to run between your home and car, and then between your car and Walmart you go right ahead and use it for that. All I'm saying is that your 60" umbrella should NOT be your walking umbrella. Don't make other people dodge your giant self on the sidewalk.

Have more than 30 seconds? Read this.

-c