Shutter Click & Chat 8/31

My Favorite Shoes

Can I just tell you how much I love these shoes? I purchased these J. Crew pumps in 2001 for $109.00, my only regret is that I didn't buy out their entire stock. They are classy, classic, smart, sexy and, extremely comfortable. Oh favorite shoes, how I love thee. Now, show me yours.

Shutter Click & Chat 9/7:

Thrifted, make it funky! Is it fun, funky and thrifted? Let me see it!

Random Fodder

photo stolen from http://www.parents.com

The closer I get to my 200th post the tighter my cranial, occipital, temporal, and parietal bones are clenching my tired brain to come up with interesting blog fodder. The fact that I already gifted myself a 200th blog post treat doesn't help either. I feel like the writers behind the genius of Seinfeld, only without the cute that is Jerry and the cult following. Yes, I am a fan of Mr. Seinfeld. At one time I'd even selected my failed-marriage-default-photo, ready to scan and upload on JDate if things turned ugly between the Favorite Guy and I. I'll post that photo on Shutter Click & Chat's Best Pic Ever Week!

Things have been a bit complex at the Hive lately and I'm feeling the burn for vacation, intoxication, and inspiration-in that order. Before I maimed our Wyndham resort catalogs for the 16 ACEO Swap-Bot challenge, I came across some interesting prospects for road trip getaways. The Favorite Guy- in need of a vacation as well, obliged and said, "Get busy, plan something". Instead, I'm here whining. Why do I do that? I'll tell you why, because this is my blog and I can. Plus, it's post 197! Gotcha! Laughs. Peace.

A Meme of My Own

Mama may have, Papa may have but,

God bless the child that's got his own-Billie Holiday

After a few weeks of playing the waiting game and chasing The Daily Meme I decided it was time to start my own. What is a meme? The skinny is this; a meme is a fun tool for those of us who have, on more than one occasion sat at their writing stations and come up with nothing. Nothing but a throbbing temple and drool. It is a fun way to spread cheer throughout the blogosphere while masking a dull day. It is also a way of luring those who only like pretty pictures and giveaway blogs into my verbose and visceral trenches under the guise of a FUN! weekly get-together. Insert evil laughter.

The spiel? Shutter Click & Chat Sundays: one pic, as few or as many words as you wish, and a link for me to check it out. The fine print? I get to choose the subject matter-I'm bossy, sue me. Ready? Now, generally I'll provide the subject matter on Sunday alongside the previous week's entry, but for the first one, Wednesday evening will suffice.With a full week's notice you can plan ahead and even schedule your post, how cool is that?! Are you in? Better yet, will you try to be in, but can't really make any promises because the last thing you want to do some weeks is schlep around looking for shit to take pictures of? Well, that works too! Winks.

Shutter Click & Chat

8/31: Your favorite pair of shoes

Damn You Duffy!

I am an old soul; I like old words, old music, old movies, old dances, old books, you get me, yes? So, when I first heard Duffy's Mercy, I was overjoyed by her soulful voice, the 60s musical arrangement, the whole deal. And then, I heard it again, and again, and again, and again. It's on the tip of my tongue, it's stuck in my head, I hear it emanating from my clothes dryer (Hush, my carbon footprint is not HUGE.), the washer too, my cats are singing it. I'm doing the Mashed Potato in my sleep-sans the calorie burn much to my dismay. It's a great song for getting your Mashed Potato on while you vacuum, by the way. But alas, the time has come Duffy, when I must give you a dose of your own medicine. Sings. "Why won't you re----lease me". Please...like seriously? For real, all jokes aside, I'm begging you for mer...oh God it's back!

Coming Up Roses...I Mean Daisies

"To the world you may be one person,

but to one person you may be the world".

Today began with the imminent threat of disaster, we were out of coffee! Favorite guy quickly intercepted with a trip to the store where he also scored the gorgeous bright orange Gerbera daisies you see above. I didn't hit the yoga mat, as much as I wanted (and needed) to, I just couldn't get up the drive. I do however, still have tomorrow since the leftover Chinese went over without incident. In all, today was a much clearer, forward-thinking day than yesterday. I'm proud of myself. Any deviation from "The Plan" generally brings on a toddler-like primal emotional response, and that didn't happen. No groaning, no pouting, if I could manifest the thoughts and emotion in physical reaction, I'd say I straightened my crumpled collar, gently brushed errant hairs from my eyes and rather assertively walked away. I feel good, very good.

Ending relationships has that same dichotomy of trauma and triumph that I experienced with the wretched, rectum-altering experience that is natural childbirth. Relationships grow and grow and grow, and almost inevitably you reach a point where the two of you intrinsically know it's time to separate. What ensues is an agonizing, expletive-laden process of pushing and pulling. Ultimately, you're torn apart and with one last deep breath and guttural vociferation, you've a new beginning.

Relationships are complex, sensibilities-cannibalizing drags for introverts. Much like growing teeth, and the presence of pinkies, they are evolutionary glitches. At once uncomfortable and unnecessary, but we're stuck with them. With that all figured out, I leave you the morsel above and a reminder that quality trumps quantity. Peace.

The Day the Game Changed

Today was one of those days when the only redeeming grace lies in the possibility that the leftover Chinese take out that I'm sloughing down whilst typing will kill me or tomorrow will be better. I'm banking on the latter but far too cynical to rule out the former.

When I was about Yael's age, nine-my dad and I used to have conversations where I-according to him, would intrigue him with my insightful perceptions of human behavior. I was always more of an observer than a contributor and much preferred adults to children. The adults had so much more to offer in terms of observation; the kids laughed or cried with sporadic hints of contentment. But the adults, they did all of those things plus, they lied and cheated and swore and even entered altered states of consciousness at times. A few too many times, but that's a whole other jeremiad. It was swell for a while, these times I shared with him, but as I grew older and more finely tuned intuitively, I discovered things I wish I'd never about my parents and their relationship, their peers and honestly about just about everyone in one way or another.

These days- much as a result of those findings, I come upon relationships with great trepidation. While I prefer children to adults, and cats to children-at the very core of my triune brain, I'm part of some overly complex social reptilian-mammalian tribe so, suffer I must. Making nice with the humans is part of the game. Well, then I ask, why is there no instruction booklet for the damn game? Like, okay, I pull out...I don't know, let's call the game "Concern". We've been playing this game for a while. Certainly we've been playing the game long enough for you to know the rules of the game and hopefully, unless you've fallen victim to some tragic frontal lobe damage-you do know it is Concern we've been playing all along. Follow? Okay, so I move my game piece. Sings. You move your game piece. Sings and then stops abruptly. "Well, why are you moving counterclockwise"? I ask. Then, you completely fucking lose it and tell me, "Well, because that's how you play "Animosity!", you didn't know? Gulps. Well, I guess not.

The next thing that happens, in the mind of a Reserved Analyst is an emotional kicking of one's own ass for not noticing all of the other times the game got changed up. See in the small world of my own perception, I would never see the game as anything other than Concern because that's the only game I play. I've seen Animosity, Greed, Jealousy, Envy played before-I even know the rules. I'm sure I've seen enough hands of it played to make a pretty damn skillful run of it as well. But y'know...I thought we were playing Concern. So now that you've hit me with this new piece of information, and as I sit back in the lab-one can't help but wonder, "Has it been Animosity that you've been playing all along"?

I'm going to play "Catch the Cat-nip Filled Cannoli" with my cats and wait for my intestines to give me the yay or nay on the leftover Chinese. If it is my last meal, it was pretty damn good. If not, then I'll start my tomorrow with yoga, a smile and a lesson learned. Peace. Oh wait, hang on...Mr. Rogers' song enters brain stage right. Sings. "I'll start the day tomorrow with a smile -for-you..."

At Home on the House

As many of you know I'd been gearing up to hear (and see) Joe spin the Unity event at Phoenix's Ruby Room. I was also quietly gearing up for an easy off the cuff photojournalistic post on the evening, but it needed more.

Jack's House

In the beginning, there was Jack, and Jack had a groove.
And from this groove came the groove of all grooves.
And while one day viciously throwing down on his box, Jack boldy declared,
"Let there be HOUSE!"
and house music was born.
"I am, you see,
I am
the creator, and this is my house!
And, in my house there is ONLY house music.
But, I am not so selfish because once you enter my house it then becomes OUR house and OUR house music!"
And, you see, no one man owns house because house music is a universal language, spoken and understood by all.
You see, house is a feeling that no one can understand really unless you're deep into the vibe of house.
House is an uncontrollable desire to jack your body.
And, as I told you before, this is our house and our house music.
And in every house, you understand, there is a keeper.
And, in this house, the keeper is Jack.
Now some of you who might wonder,
"Who is Jack, and what is it that Jack does?"
Jack is the one who gives you the power to jack your body!
Jack is the one who gives you the power to do the snake.
Jack is the one who gives you the key to the wiggly worm.
Jack is the one who learns you how to walk your body.
Jack is the one that can bring nations and nations of all Jackers together under one house.
You may be black, you may be white; you may be Jew or Gentile. It don't make a difference in OUR House.
And this is fresh.

For those who are unfamiliar with House Music, the above is the House Music Pledge of allegiance if you will. It is the credo of all who enjoy House Music, it is our only commonality, it is rather awesome.

House music is essentially (per me because, this is my blog) a fusion of African rhythms layered with jazzy horns and entrancing bass lines. Vocals, when present, range from light Euro-pop girls to Griot like chanting and spoken word to goose bump inducing gospel-esque "blowing", and it's still all House.

Joe and I have been part of the House Movement since 1988 and through many changes in stage, hair and makeup House has remained a constant. From multi-level NYC mega clubs with all the bells and whistles to dingy unlicensed "black door" spots we've seen them and danced them all. Friday night was no exception, track after track, we sang and screamed, twirled and chanted even. From the sexy party girls with the exposed backs to the progressive guy whose shirt declared, "Republicans are old and whack!" It makes no difference in Jack's House.

All in all it was another fabulous evening, special thanks and good luck wishes to the folks behind Unity; Ruben, Raul, Byron and Ruben's lovely dancing wife. Laughs. Ruben a founder of the Unity party, which he calls, "a work in progress", conceded, "he felt a need for something like this here". There is a need everywhere for Unity and the overall House experience, further success is in the journey not the destination, life is but a work in progress.

"No dress code. No attitudes. No cover. Just dope music". Thanks for bringing us home on the house, guys. And of course, a very special thanks and round of applause for my Favorite Guy without your stellar performance at the helm I would not feel like I wrestled a semi today. Laughs. Peace.

The recorded version of the evening's sets will are available on next dimension music . Enjoy.

Oh no the hell you didn't!

Photo courtesy of www.offoffoff.com

Do you ever wonder what the wives of the presidential candidates and their girlfriends talk about? The wives have to have some pretty thick skins and finely tuned bullshit sensors to wade the storm that is politics. They say, "Behind every good man is a great woman". (I don't know about all of that behind business, but I'll allow them this one instance.) I bet they're pretty awesome and as I was telling favorite guy the other day, I'll never be quite that awesome.

I've become undone over music reviews, perceived tone in e-mails, and minor business disputes. Could you just imagine if everywhere you looked, everywhere you turned-every channel, every radio broadcast, podcast, blog, Etc. section of the Etsy fora, someone had something to say about your husband? Some of it good, some of it not so much and most of it pretty damn bad! Yikes! So tell me Michelle, when Barack comes home are you sitting at the dining room table in your mu mu, head scarf, coffee mug in hand, talking to your best girlfriend and sporting a Noxzema covered grimace? And, do you say, "Girl he just came in! Let me go tell him about his damn self and I'll call you tomorrow. Alright girl, bye!" Do you then ask him, "How in the hell did you let all them damn people catch you slippin' at Saddleback?" Followed, by a lengthy sucking of the teeth, a few "mm mm mmms" and a neck roll or two? Do you vow to have "something" for all of the "haterade drinking nay-sayers" once you get in the White House? Note: "Something" can be anything but when used in this context it certainly indicates the imminent threat of a good ol fashioned ass whippin'. I.e. And, this is one of my favorites, "You bring your ass in here one minute past twelve and I got something for you". You follow? Good. Winks. Do you harangue him about how you "Just got through telling your girlfriend (You know the one whom you tell everything, much to your husband's chagrin.) how you had a feeling this shit was going to happen"? Do you then say horribly immature albeit cathartic things about the opponent's wife's chastity, hair, makeup and wardrobe? I mean, I'm just asking because...well, I would!

Unfathomable, the degree of caffeinated beverage consumption required to withstand the squawking of an entire nation as they debate my husband's qualifications, intentions, religious affiliations, ethnicity, integrity, and more. Insanity would surely ensue. Do you remember when Wendy Williams drove Whitney's train off the track?! Tsk tsk, ugly, ugly. So, with that being said if you know what's good for you, you'll keep that woman's husband's name out your mouth! And know you will surely need prayer if you start messing with them children! Laughs...

I'm taking the weekend off-I think...I'll see. There's still time to try the Meganame Generator and enter to win some cool promotional goodies care of Tea & Honey Bread and next dimension music. Mind your manners and shush your mouth.

Peace

No Schmates for this 71% Diva!

Favorite Guy has an event on Friday that I've been gearing up for over the past couple days. Today my dress came in the mail, delivered by Murphy-you know him right? As in Murphy's Law himself? Right, that guy. Well, it's too big. Like way too big, it looks like a schmate. I'm 5'3, so without accentuating the estrogen infused gifts of the Goddess I look like a 14 year old boy with great cheekbones. Too big is never a good look. Let's scratch that.

Back to the lab...

And, then I remembered my $13 jeans! Alright, I'm set. Signature move; the jeans, the tailored white shirt, the essential: push up-then out-ego inflating-free drink demanding-heavily padded bra and, of course lip balm! I think I'll leave the Harry Winston's home and skip the 4 foot long phony-tail as the good people over at My Heritage.com have issued a Potential Paparazzo Alert. Yes, apparently there is a 71% chance if I'm not careful, I'll be mistaken for Beyonce. Other potential hazards include Victoria Bernadotte 66% (Who's she?), Vivica A. Fox 64%, Rhianna 62%, Thandie Newton 62%, Queen Latifah 61%, Nicole Richie 60% (Hearty laughter ensues.), Nia Long 59%, Cameron Diaz 57%, Jada Pinkett Smith 57%. Yay! No Forrest Whittaker Laughs. Who do you kinda look like?

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

Take 5 Tuesday August 19, 2008 and more...

Woohoo! It's Take 5 Tuesday and more

You know the drill, if you complete a list of your own, please make the nosey lady happy and link back so I can check you out!

1. 5 things you're good at.

-Writing/Blogging (see below)
-Remembering names and faces (and a good thing since I'm geographically inept)
-Retaining information
-Party planning
-Likening humans to animals (long story-just trust me)


2. 5 things you wish you could say to someone.

-"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."
-"At some point you're going to have to stop planning and start acting"
-"I understand the point you're trying to make, but I still feel it isn't a point worth making."
-"For every finger you point three point back at you, that is something for you to consider."
-" Who are you when no one else is around?"

3. 5 times you can't help but smile.

-People watching, especially little people
-Watching Joe spin
-Watching my children interact with their peers
-Reflecting on the things I say and do while angry
-Talking to my cats and having them "talk" back

4. 5 things you do for fun.

-Watch documentaries on different cultures in far off lands
-Mixed media collage
-Vintage/Thrift shopping
-Talk to Jordan (teenagers: weird but interesting)
-Lurk/post on the Etsy fora


5.5 CDs you own.

My most recent purchases include:
-Rhythms del Mundo Cuba by Various Artists Featuring Ibrahim Ferrer & Omara Portuondo
-The Orchard by Lizz Wright
-Across The Pond by Various Artists
- This Kind of Love by Carly Simon
-Hear Music Opus Collection presents John Lennon

And now...

Remember how I was nominated for the illustrious Brillante Award a week or so ago and it kinda got foiled. I was nominated again! Is the universe good or what? Thanks Renee, you made my week in the most unexpected way. Well, let's get started, shall we?

Here are my picks for blogs that make me laugh, think, wonder, and imagine. In no particular order:

The Mum & The Rose

Big Girls Need Love Too

High Desert Diva

Three or More

88 Words

Rachel Says So

Sticky Nymph

For the nominees here are the rules:

1) Add the logo of the award to your blog

2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you

3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4) Add links to those blogs on your blog

5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

Ha! I did it! Peace

A broad by any other name...

Happy Monday my faithful readers. In true Tameka fashion- yes, I've done it again, I'm spread way too thin. This week I am teaching fractions and Sophocles, writing music news and reviews, memorializing Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes, donning the warpaint and morphing from homeschooling mom of two to intoxicated groupie fool (aka "Donut Beer") as Favorite Guy spins this Friday at Phoenix's Ruby Room. In light of the aforementioned insanity, (and to think I reserved a few events for future fodder) I present The Amazing Mega Name Generator. Names to go along with the many hats I wear in this crazy mixed up life of mine. Now here's where it gets notably more interesting. If you, yes you (Points.) spend a few mind-numbing moments completing the quiz and generating your very own list of fun names I will enter your name in a drawing for an advanced copy of Just Listen; a soon to be released compilation of some of next dimension music's deepest, smoothest, sexiest lounge tracks. And, (I'm on fire) your very own...(Does Vanna White hands.) Tea & Honey Bread key fob. Humor me, will ya? Laughs...The Bored Nipple Clips-where do they come up with these things? Come on, be a sport-let me see what you've got.

Tameka Allen-Mercado's Aliases

Your movie star name: Cake Sinclair Your fashion designer name is Tameka Brussels Your socialite name is Bucky New York City Your fly girl / guy name is T All Your detective name is Cat Homeschool Your barfly name is Donut Beer Your soap opera name is Broadway Your rock star name is Take5 Airplane Your Star Wars name is Tamanj Allvin Your punk rock band name is The Bored Nipple Clips

http://www.blogthings.com/meganamegenerator/

When I was a girl...

Somewhere between the extinction of pigtails and the emergence of platinum locks, I have morphed into my grandmother and hence inherited consent to use the phrase, "When I was a girl." Now this isn't something I use consciously or often even, but it has nonetheless become part of my repertoire. I made just a few modifications, in keeping consistent with my progressive nature I have traded "girl" for "a child" or simply "younger".

This evening while home alone, the usual-the little people are people people. I furtively scanned through the channels of our paid for and seldom enjoyed DirectTV. I found The Omen. The Omen has topped my list as the scariest movie I've ever seen for years. This movie's score-y'know the eery opera thing, had me afraid to flush the toilet at night even after I was living on my own! So anyway, it was already an hour in, but being the big girl that I am and after years of therapy on how to assert myself and face my fears, I said what the hell. And, as luck would have it, it was a two for one deal. It was on The Chiller channel. Do you remember Chiller?

Chiller was- as my grandmother once explained upon my entering her room in tears, " What you get for not taking your behind to bed when I told you to". Well, not only is Chiller a network now, but the ghastly hand is cybernetic and, it has an eye! Who could've known?! Come to think of it when I was a girl I wouldn't have been able to share this nonsensical musing with the world! The times they are a changing. Anyway, it's time for the Chiller network's second frightful feature! Peace.

Right Said Fred

With each passing day, the future and all hope for humanity becomes more bleak. Sigh.

Photos courtesy of The Improper, click pics for more disturbing details.

Namaste Art Swap

All done. This is what I came up with for my secret swap buddy. Yes Joe, I kept it a secret. I'm notorious for giving away secrets. I seldom make it through any pre-holiday, or birthday without giving up at least one item ahead of time. I snoop too! I shake boxes and squeeze gift bags, I empty pockets for receipts and go through online history looking for my favorite sites on his PC. But, not this time-I held out to the very end, ta da. Laughs.

Little People are Funny!

I love the little people, love, love, love them. If pregnancy and childbirth weren't fraught with so many evolutionary glitches it is something I'd probably have done an additional time or two, but until the goddess gets cracking on Gestation 4.0 I'm staying put.

Here are two mixed media pieces I've recently completed, they are the first in a series of works centered around images of children. There's nothing like creating what you love and loving what you've created.

This is my niece K'maia (Laughs) my sister, her mom is deep in the perils of pilfering toddlerhood. The last few times we've spoken, through bated breath she repeatedly murmured something about being driven, "crazy". This is my artistic interpretation of her suffering.

These guys are probably about my age now judging from the wingspan of their collars! I picked this photo up while Favorite Guy and I were out and about in Phoenix's Historic District. I was laughing as soon as I lifted it from the bin of vintage photos. Did I mention that poorly behaved children-not my own of course, make me insurmountably giddy? Prints of this ACEO are available here.

Children are appealing because they are children, period. New. Eager. Alive. Open. And they haven't done anything really awful to their eyebrows yet. -Lenore Skenazy

Artists, The Oldest Profession

Last week sometime Favorite Guy and I were headed everywhere and nowhere in the vehicle while listening to Ankarlo discuss the pros and cons of legalized prostitution. I'm all for it, get a vendor's license, some clean drawers that you can write off as a business expense, comprehensive health insurance with an exceptional mental hygiene plan and hit the streets! Logistically it seems simple enough, but boy have you got to have some thick skin to do that full time. Not that randy men are the most discerning (Okay women either-let's not be sexist Tameka!) but selling art is emotionally taxing enough let alone adding prowess as a BOGO.

I thought about it today after I sold a piece of art that was nearing its listing expiration in my Etsy shop. (Pauses for applause) I sell my wearable designs daily, but jewelry is similar to baking for me as you have far fewer opportunities to veer from the beaten path. As many opportunities to botch it, but so few are the opportunities to really create something no one else has tried. Visual art encompasses so much more room for expression and interpretation, y'know like sex. So when I put my foot (Old world Southern expression for exceptional effort.) into a piece of work that sits idly, it's like putting on your see through stilettos (boy or girl) with your, I don't know-whatever kind of uncomfortable undergarments Johns like and, hitting the strip only to come home with nothing. Here's to peanut butter on a spoon for dinner: a do-over.

I say anyone that can stand the emotional toll of such a lifestyle whilst donning uncomfortable shoes and undergarments should certainly be able to do so legally and for great profit. Tameka for change! Laughs.

A beautiful weekend...a peaceful beginning

The sorrows of duty,

like the heat of the sun have scorched your heart.

But, let stillness fall on you with its sweet and cooling showers,

and you will find happiness.

Ashtavakra Gita 18:3

And I breathe; in through my nose and out through my mouth. I took a much needed break from the rigors of reality this weekend. I let go of my health concerns, my perfection paralysis, housecleaning, cat and cavy grooming, cooking, jewelry design, communication with other carbon based beings and more. And, it felt wonderful. I ate what I wanted, drank what I wanted engaged in mind numbing television-except for The Dog Whisperer, that is intellectually stimulating. A great many thoughts are born hypothesizing about how seemingly sane people keep large carnivorous creatures that aren't fond of them as pets.

So what did I do? Well, what I didn't do (although I wanted to) was rewrite the accidentally deleted Brillante nominees posting. As sweat beads began to form across my flaring nostrils and I could feel the bowling ball of fiery bio-chemical rage traveling through my oropharynx headed toward my occipital lobe (trace the path it totally feels like that), I remembered this is the same frustration that my children experience whilst playing video games. A frustration that is almost always met with me snatching said insanity inducing device and forcing them to, "Cool off and go read something"! So, that's what I did. I read one of my many beautiful crafts magazines.

Following the inspiration that is Somerset Studio, I worked on some projects of my own. One being the Namaste Swap project that I try only to work on when I am in good spirits. I want to convey the energy of Namaste through my creation, not the fury of Kali. Creating a piece for an artist whose work I've purchased has been a blessing and a curse. There are few areas of the left brained world that escape me, but the right hemisphere is much less traveled. This endeavor has come to mean so much more now that it combines the physical, spiritual, courageous and fearful, the humble and proud. It isn't easy to step so far out of your comfort zone, but the air is fresh, trust me. Winks.

I also managed to get in a lighthearted while no less thought-provoking film, Ushpizin. My cinematic tastes tend towards the obscure or as favorite guys says, "Weirdo" movies. This one isn't weird at all, it makes perfect sense if you're attuned to all of the subtle nuances and idiosyncrasies of the human condition. I can almost guarantee you have been where Moshe and Mali have been, and hopefully not where the ushpizin have been. No spoilers here, it's available on Netflix. No worries if your Hebrew is a bit rusty, there are subtitles abound.

And, lastly I re-read one of my favorite Shel Silverstein books. I'm a long-time fan of Mr. Silverstein's work. I have managed in my adulthood to replace all of my original underappreciated copies of his books with new shiny ones, this makes me very happy. Today I read The Missing Piece. Funny, it didn't read like a love story or a self help book in third grade. Do you ever read something over many years later only to rediscover something about the story or author you never noticed? That never fails to amaze me about some of my favorite children's books; further strengthening the argument that they really are just unripened people, all of the same thoughts feelings and aspirations as the rest of us only from a greener perspective. I think they may be on to something. Here's to a peaceful week. Breathe.

Brillante Weblog Award

Wee! I've been nominated for another cool blog award. Technically I should have been disqualified as I have sat on it a bit longer than I'd like. Well, here it is my illustrious award. And following are a few feel good blogs that I frequent. Jenney, thanks for the nomination. Peace

The rules once you receive an award are:
Put the logo on your blog.
Be sure to add the link from the person that sent it to you.
Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
Be sure to add those links to your blog

Leave a comment on their blog so they know they are nominated.

?

Okay seriously somehow my entire list of nominees deleted as I was notifying them of their illustrious win. I'm going to take this as an omen from the 08.08.08 gods and log off this damn computer before I break it. Congrats winners! Please don't laugh, I'm glass chewing pissed right now...

Peace, Unity, Love and Having Fun

We're at the half way mark of the Namaste Art swap! I created the Flickr! group this afternoon and I'm so eager and excited to see what everyone has come up with. Hosting the swap has been so much fun. Namely because I'm a seven year old and being privy to secrets that no one else knows (swappers' and their partners' identities) makes me feel magical. Of course I get to be the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus, but I have to wait for that. Now, I can be omniscient whenever I choose. It was with this ideology in mind-and, the fact that I want to be part of the solution which led my decision to host several swaps throughout the course of the year. Each of them will represent change. If you have any ideas or are interested in the next one, drop a line.

I mentioned previously that I had joined Swap-bot, well while putting together my findings in a Musical Scavenger Hunt Swap I rediscovered my Hear Music collection. Hear Music are the genius distribution company behind those great, yet rumored soon to be no more Starbucks music selections. I hate to see them doing so poorly, but their last ditch efforts at preserving the legacy are making me dance a very happy, much less expensive dance-to the tune of $7.95. Right now, I'm listening to Something to Believe In, it includes songs by Nina Simone, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Billie Holiday and Curtis Mayfield; the kids are not thrilled...at all. Wait until Carly Simon and the others arrive, did I mention ground shipping for 3 CDs was $3.99. Here's another Hyperlink for you, let me know what you choose. Peace and music.

Post title Courtesy of Afrika Bambaataa I need a Youtube account like I need another cheek on my ass...

"I danced the macarena"...

"with a banana because Big Bird said so and, he is my leader". The sentence that launched a thousand thoughts. Today has been of those days; too long, patience too short and motivation too low. Nothing like the Etsy fora to spark a chuckle, a twisted chain of thoughts and this post.

Saturday, while out perusing Phoenix's Historic District we shopped the Antiques mall, where I took a few photos of items I wanted to buy but didn't need. Don't knock it 'til you try it, it really helps cut cost and clutter. Winks.

I took a real liking to this banana yellow seat. As I admired it I thought, "What a nice little throne for me." That's when I noticed this cup, "Now, how gaudy-geous is this cup"? In my mind's eye I'm seated in my banana yellow chair sipping-I guess Brandy since it hardly holds enough beer, listening to Celia Cruz or Omara Portuondo and looking pretty in my fitted, floral 50's-style frock. That's when I remembered this...Enjoy, it is quite funny once you get past the dancing shenanigans in the intro. What was your favorite In Living Color skit?

Take 5 Tuesday August 5, 2008

Alright, it's that time again. Remember if you join, link back so I can check you out!

1. 5 things I like about county fairs/festivals
-cotton candy
-giant lollipops
-funnel cakes
-those penny flattening machines
-happy, laughing, screaming children

2. 5 things I take with me when I leave the house

-Joe (I can't drive)

-my camera

-a groceries tote

-lip balm

-my pen, not a pen-my pen

3. 5 of my favorite days of the year

-Halloween

-Christmas

-Yael's birthday

-Jordan's birthday

-Our wedding anniversary

4. 5 genres of music I listen to

-Afro Cuban Jazz

-Folk

-House

-Adult Contemporary

-World

5. 5 of my favorite places to shop

-Etsy

-Antiques malls

-JoAnn

-Barnes & Noble

-Anthropologie

Holy Chicken Shit!

The Tyson foods coverage -not the decision itself, is the last straw for me and I must break my golden silence. My readers know I don't engage in socio-political banter much, but this is an exception.

Let me preface this by saying I'm not a fear preaching hate monger, so if that is what you came here looking for pursuant to your google or other search engine search, hit the back button and exit stage left.

My husband and I own a business; a private sector business like Tyson foods. We are apolitical, pacifists. We vacation from the birthday of our youngest child through our wedding anniversary annually and again for a similar stretch of time 6 months later beginning at the birthday of our 2nd child through the winter solstice. All of our employees are given the same days off because this is our business and the model works for us. Whether they use the time for worship, gluttonous consumption of overcooked animal carcasses or stick a feather in their ass and call it rigatoni-it is their personal choice. From a business perspective if the given model doesn't work for you- one of the other wonderful perks of private sector employment is, you can quit. Yup seek other, more suitable employment.

As native New Yorkers, we are familiar with the many Judeo Christian holidays observed in the tri-state area. These same holidays aren't observed in other areas, matter of fact, Jewish religious holiday observances seem nil here in Arizona. As more and more residents of the (gulp) Land of the Free are engaging new philosophies and embracing (shudder) religious and cultural diversity doesn't it make sense that our business models and practices evolve as well? Did I miss the non-Christian disclaimer? And please don't burden me with the "This nation was founded on Christian principles" argument unless you can point me to the exact passages in the good book where it reads, "Thou shalt not kill unless"...

Yes, it's the working man's day, but really-who honestly cares about Labor Day other than it's the last 3 day weekend for a while unless you're lucky enough to get the Friday after Thanksgiving off. Leftovers Friday, it's what makes America America. If your feathers are ruffled with Tyson foods, why not really make a difference. Wink.

The Anniversary Booty!

Thanks for all of your sage words and well wishes, we had a great weekend and today is looking good too. Now for the anniversary booty:

Favorite guy and I are the cool NEW! owners of these magical micro studs from Cherry Creek Designs on Etsy. Not only is Heather a talented artisan, but she is local; right here in Arizona.

This is the project that almost cost me my wings. So, the pic in the center that is a scanned image of our marriage license; our yellowing, cracking, very sad looking license. (Get with the archival papers and inks please.) Well, I scanned it and fused it to a most lovely tea stained linen, stitched some other lovely patches of fabric with niceties about love on them and just as I was stitching it into the folder I designed to house it, the sewing machine jammed, I cursed mashed the pedal and broke the needle. I digress, so the pic in the center is a scanned image of our license flipped in Picnik and printed on the reverse side of some pretty awesome leftover vellum that my cats hadn't chewed the corners of. Joe loved it anyway!

More goodies: The vintage figurine was another Etsy purchase. Joe and I are 70's kids so this was quite an exciting find. Just below her is my gorgeous crystal bee from the coolest little Antiques mall in Phoenix. Favorite guy bought me some fancy sunflowers too. Don't you just love the macro? And, this bee print was another Antiques mall lovely. There are a few nicks in the frame that I can sand and stain, but otherwise it's a fine addition my workspace.

All in all we really had it all before the dining and shopping, but goodies are fun. Again, thanks for all of your well wishes and heartfelt words of advice. Peace.

Allegory of the Hive II

Inside India's Ajanta caves

Thoughts and answers started to coalesce as the weekend neared a close. As much as I tried not to dwell, it's those unfinished woes, ideas and cares that take up so much space. I'm where I need to be in terms of thought and emotion now. It certainly feels good to know I'm not alone. Remember Seal's Crazy? "In a sky full of people only some want to fly isn't that crazy". It sure is, but according to Charmaine of High Desert Diva -and I certainly believe this to be true, "...there comes a time when all one can do is set others free in the Universe...and they too will find their own path. Why? Because they need wings". Charmaine is the winner of my first blog giveaway having provided me the sweetest morsel. Many thanks, your goodies will be en route shortly. Your quote has been added here at The Honey House for posterity; morsels and friends are for sharing. Peace.

This just in 12:57, I think it's going to be a great week:

You've made a lot of friends throughout your life, Tameka, and you'll be making a lot more. You can be very proud of this. But you can safely multiply that number by 7 to reveal the minimum number of secret admirers who've loved you from afar; by 100 to approximate the minimum number of people you've inspired; and by 10,000 to uncover the least number of lives yours has improved. And this... I'm very proud of.

We've only just begun,

The Universe

We've Done It Again

I've shelved the Allegory of the Hive through the weekend while I take part in anniversary celebrations!

I'm primping and reflecting on the magic and madness of marital bliss. Tomorrow marks our seventeenth year of marriage; it's beautifully mind boggling given the roads we've traveled. Neither of us come from sparkly Dr. Sears-like upbringings. And, our parents, while, they may have watched the Cleavers' they certainly didn't aspire to live like them. What I'm getting at is, Joe and I essentially built the road we travel and, with very meager tools and teachings.

I watched that reality show once; The Amazing Race, it was during the couples' season. It's the closest physical representation of our marriage that I could use as a springboard for this post.

Some days we've got the maps out, feverishly bumbling about trying to find our way out of one phase and into another. Other days we're victorious, it's those days we're able to recover, process and strategize before the next detour. I get choked up just writing this; we have been tragically lost at times; desperate and even hopeless. And, just like the participants, you vacillate between quitting and sparing yourself the uncertainty, disappointment and shame of losing and, risking it all and just believing in yourself and this other equally lost and clueless person. Some days admittedly, the thought of beating them to death and burying them along the trail seems a viable option. Had I not watched more, exponentially more episodes of Forensic Files than that race show, I might've considered that route a few times. Laughs.

The good thing, like all races, marathons and our marriage is this point we're at right now; the big win, another anniversary, our very own ticker-tape parade. Tomorrow is all about bells, whistles, fine dining and wine (beer for me); a reprieve. A day of rest and reflection before we go back to training and lacing up our shoes for another 365 days on the course. Perhaps we'll move a bit faster this year. While we're still looking lovely as ever, it appears we're not burning as many calories as we once were. And, what's that in our hair you ask? Oh, um it's uh...confetti. Yeah that's what it is, silver confetti!