24 Hours with The Jürg

Since Jürg and I have lived apart we have done a mighty fine job of seeing each other at least once a month. Not ideal, but given the circumstances certainly a good goal to have.

I was supposed to fly out to the City of Brotherly Love right after I gave my don't go into the arts dream big and do whatever you want speech, but last week Jürg got called into an important audition here in Chicago. So, as is typical whenever you make a plan, everything had to be rescheduled. We cancelled my flight and transfered the credit (God bless you Southwest Airlines) so he could fly here for a mere twenty four hours.  Again not ideal, but we adapt.

The trip was oh so quick but we did our best to make the most of it. We went out for cocktails at a new lounge in the neighborhood, played Yahtzee, drank wine and talked about summer goals. His audition went incredibly well so we are keeping our fingers crossed and just gearing up for the home stretch of this almost one year separation. It's always the final furlong that's the hardest, but hopefully time will continue to fly and June will be bustin' out before we know it.

Until then....I hope Spring decides to return. Any...day...now.

Something I Covet

Years ago when Jürgen and I first started dating we spent a summers afternoon enjoying the always reliable Art Institute of Chicago. An exhibit which caught my eye and has stayed with me was On the Beach by Richard Misrach. A series of aerial photographs of oceans and beaches around the world. Ever since then I have been dying to get my hands on one of his prints.

Isn't that stunning? It looks like a painting it's so gorgeous.

This one is great too...with the subjects feet peeking above the water.

I would die to have a print like this hanging above my bed. Something about the calm blue water feels fitting for bedside art.  I feel relaxed just looking at these images.

Sadly, it seems as though you cannot order prints from this collection. I have searched, but to no avail. I have also tried to find comprable looking images on sites such as art.com, but nothing seems to move me like these photos.

Boo

Enough To Make You Cry

We're "Trying"

Have I ever mentioned how hilarious I find the phrase "We're trying." As in "We are trying to get pregnant."

It's hilarious to me. I love that phrase.

Because think about it: what are people really implying when they say that?

Jürgen and I could be at a fancy dinner party surrounded by uptight elders and if I declared to the table "Oh yes we are trying to get pregnant" they would all look at us with warm smiles and approving nods at our desire to further the human race and nurture a human life.

But if I instead said "oh yeah we are having all kinds of sex around the clock in an effort to knock me up" they would gasp in horror and possibly lose their meal all over the table.

But that's basically what you are saying when you utter the loaded two word phrase "We're trying."

Hilarious.

Oh and to be clear, we are not "trying", nor do I play to "try" any time soon, and should I ever decide to "try" you will never hear me use the phrase "we're trying."

Words of the Wise

A few months ago I received an email from my high school asking if I would be available and interested to speak to the current students about a "career in the arts." My response was: "You mean to tell them not to do it?"

Ha ha. I kid. Kind of.

As I pulled into the school parking lot yesterday morning I had a bit of trepidation about my agreement. For one, I don't feel particularly successful in my "career" at the moment, and on the other hand I remember what it was like to listen to guest speakers during the assembly period. I was usually fighting a battle to stay awake or feverishly trying to finish an assignment for the following class. This would not be an easy crowd.

I did not want to discourage any young souls from pursuing their dreams, but on the other hand I did not want to be dishonest about the hardships this career path affords you.  Going in I had no set speech, no set list. I figured I would let the kids lead the discussion and I would do my best to answer honestly. Also, I was just hoping not to drop any expletives during my talk.

Despite my fears I actually had a really lovely time.There was a group of about ten or so of us "artists." Among us was a film director, opera singer, photographer, art teacher and graphic designer to name a few. We were all placed in a classroom and groups of about 20-25 students rotated in every ten minutes over the span of an hour an a half.  The kids were very attentive and asked really smart questions. Every group was interested to know more about my day job, what my favorite show has been and a few kids had even seen my commercial a few years ago.  It was nice. I am glad to have been asked to be a part of it.

Sometimes when we try to teach others, we end up teaching ourselves along the way.

Failing Grade

Hi Friends

I have totally slacked in the past few days. I am ashamed. I am sorry. I have been babysitting, I have done another I-65 road trip and I have procrastinated over the past few days to the point where it is almost midnight and I am just sitting down to write.

Perhaps my Lenten goal was too lofty?

I have ten days left to stick to this goal, so in an effort to spice things up let's play 20 questions....shoot me a question (or two!) that you would like to ask me. I will post the answers in a few days!

A Recent Obsession

I can't quite pinpoint when it happened but some point before we entered into a new decade I have become obsessed with candles. Actually it is more specific than that, I have become obsessed with having a lit candle in my entry way.

Sorry this picture is a but dark but you get the idea. When I come home from work my routine is always the same: Shoes off, keys in dish, bag on bench, feed hungry kitties, light candle, collect mail. You could set you watch by it.  On weekends as soon as I leave my bedroom I light the hallway candle, and it will sometimes burn all day long.  For as long as I am in the house, there burns an eternal flame.

I have no reasonable explanation as to how those obsession began or where the need comes from but it's a part of my daily ritual. Do candles in the entry way ward off evil spirits? Do they cleanse the house of any negative energy?  Are there any sort of Feng Shui rules that apply to this?

My candles must not be of the floral scented variety. I am partial to savory or "festive" scents (i.e anything that smells like a Christmas tree). However I wonder if these scents will be appropriate once the warm weather actually decides to stick around. Should the candle be replaced with a vase full of fresh flowers. I am going to wait to see if the obsession is seasonal.

Wow I have become a woman who thinks about candles...what has become of me?