Mac is back
Posted on Feb 28, 2007
Just got back from picking up Mac down in Santa Fe. We'll see how he looks before too long. Now all I have to do is get Windstream (data services) in my name and order our satellite. Seems to be taking a long, long time to get it changed into my name. But then, things move slower here. They really do.
But I can keep myself busy in the meantime reloading all my software and data from my backup--I've got a brand new hard drive.
Husband will be home in about an hour! He's been gone for over a week back to CA to clean our old place and tie up loose ends! I've got to get home and start the fire and chill the champagne!
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Do you know the way to Santa Fe?
Posted on Feb 26, 2007
I know where the computer doctor is in Santa Fe. I'm looking at a new hard drive. Good thing I BACKED UP before the move! Sigh. But still, all the tunes that hadn't yet made it on to the iPod...Oh well. It's even affordable. I was afraid I'd have to go out and buy a new one. I'll have a timeline on repairs tomorrow.
So that was most of my day, as long as I was in town I stopped by Trader Joe's--yes, they have one here!
The studio is set up and ready to roll. I got some paintings up on the wall, not just against it. Have some stretchers & canvas out ready to stretch some fresh ones. It's looking good in there!
I also have a terrible cold. I found some cold medicine in one of our boxes, dumb luck, and that sure helped. Spent most of the weekend on the couch with the cats, a blankie, and a really, really fat science fiction anthology, in front of the fire. Now if you MUST be sick, this is the way to go.
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Storm is blowing in...
Posted on Feb 23, 2007
Snow is expected tonight and tomorrow. The wind is whipping out there!
At the library again, trying to scare up a doctor for my poor Macintosh. In order to get high speed we've got to go with satellite. Of course--getting Mac fixed is the priority. With any luck that'll all happen next week.
I'll get started hanging paintings this afternoon and evening--at least bringing them in from the storage space and positioning in potential spots. The couple I've got out already look like they were made to be shown in this space--they really, really look teriffic. I've emptied a few more boxes and there's a bit more room in the studio/gallery. I'll also play around with some designs for the Ghost Pony Gallery sign for our outside signpost this weekend and finish up our application forms for the High Road Studio Tour.
The kitties stuck their noses out the door today but still believed it too windy and cold to venture out and retreated to their windowsill pillows where they can watch the inclement weather whilst still cozy in front of the fire.
That's all until Monday--our little library is closed on the weekend. I'll post up pictures as soon as I get all my systems and equipment in working order!
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The Wild, Wild West!
Posted on Feb 22, 2007
We're in Truchas, unloaded, and settling in. It's so beautiful here it's like living in a postcard. A bit of snow but not much. It doesn't stay all winter--just through storms. Today it's about 45 degrees, but should cool off over the weekend. I'm looking forward to the next storm, I want to use those skis!
I'm at the library on the computer as Í've not gotten everything sorted out at home as far as hooking into the electronic world. Also something happened to my computer during the trip and it's going to need some TLC before it starts up properly. But at least I get an icon--Mac is not dead.
I haven't gone around to meet the neighboring artists/artisans yet--though everyone waves as they drive by and the Water Guy stopped in to introduce himself. I've got a bit more unpacking to do (the paint and canvas come out of the box this afternoon!) I will probably take a stroll through some of the galleries over the weekend.
We're massively loving the adobe. We offloaded most stuff into the garages (we have 2 spaces together) so only brought into the house what we really needed. It feels suprising uncluttered and spacious. I'm eager to begin working in the front room.
A herd of wild mustangs ambles around the village and we hear coyotes howling at night. You should have seen the kitties' faces when they caught a glimpse of their first horse ;-)
I'll probably wander in here tomorrow to check email but the library is closed on the weekends. Now, I'll walk back up to the house and continue with the nesting.
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See you in a few days
Posted on Feb 15, 2007
OK, gang, the computer goes off now. The place is getting really empty now and I've got to get the file cabinet freed up so the guys can load it up! I'll be back in a few days!
Thanks for all the well wishes.
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This thing is Huge!
Posted on Feb 15, 2007
The truck is here. You could fit a small city inside! I don't think we'll have any trouble fitting everything in, including all the motorcycles.
Speaking of small cities, I see both my neighborhood and my place of former employment made the front page of The Tribune today. Sadly, neither one is in all that good of shape.
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Find Your Lover
Posted on Feb 15, 2007
We took a break to watch Lost tonight. And then I tucked my husband into bed. He's a morning person, I'm a night person. Problematic, but we work it out.
Here in the Bay Area on weekends he will wake up early and take Wendy (Wendy is his Harley Sportster) out for a ride and come back with breakfast fixin's just about the time I'm emerging from the shower. It's all good. And then he brings me a cuppa coffee in bed along with the morning paper.
How sweet is that?
Every Tuesday he brings me flowers. OK, so he was the only boy growing up with five sisters. He knows what women like. I could not be more lucky than to have this man for my husband.
Sorry to get sappy on you. I'm just so pleased to go on this adventure with such an awesome, wonderful partner. My husband is just THE BOMB!
Happy Valentines to everyone, and may you enjoy your great love or find it very soon!
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Ready or Not, Here I Come
Posted on Feb 14, 2007
Truck is coming tomorrow at 9am. There are bits of packing left to do--I'll be riding shotgun whilst the truck is being loaded. (I used to be right there with them, showing off how strong I was but I'm not 25 anymore. I'm also not 30, or 35, or 40, or 45 anymore....you get the picture). So I'm hiring a couple day laborers to help my husband and our friend. While the men load I'll finish the tidbits in the kitchen, throw the bathroom into one big box, make a run to hazardous household waste center, switch back in the nasty flourescent lights for the full-spectrum bulbs we installed in the studio, spackle all the nail holes (we had a lot of art up) and clean as best as time allows.
I'll pack up my computer last of all as I want that to be one of the first things off the truck, and who knows what I'll need to post up on Craig's List tomorrow. Today I saved a couple trips to goodwill just by putting boxes of stuff out on the corner. There are a lot of folks in this long-downtrodden, rapidly gentrifying neighborhood that appreciate free stuff and have the consideration to not make a mess of it. This neighborhood is rapidly undergoing an infill campaign by the city of Oakland--the politics and ramifications are intense. It's basically a class war. The new condo owners against the homeless (many or most of whom called this home long before the yuppies moved in)-- the condo owners have both savvy and the electronic conduit on their side, the homeless have only shopping carts, worn shoes, and are constantly getting rousted. You can imagine how that's going. If you're really curious (and you want to see how nasty people can be about NIMBY) then go read all about it. On Yahoo groups search for "Dogtown", if that doesn't do it, add "West Oakland."
I'll type to you again tomorrow--from then on it shall be a missive from a minstrel.
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OMG!!!
Posted on Feb 14, 2007
This is our "last" packing day. I expect I'll be putting a few things in boxes tomorrow while the gentlemen are loading ;-) Also have to make a trip to Hazardous Waste Facility tomorrow as they are not open today. We are getting a 26 foot truck--we've been "upgraded." We'll probably have to unload from the road, we're both fairly certain the truck will be too big to make the tight turn into the driveway. Today I'll do the kitchen and bathroom, clean out my Tacoma and prepare the kitty carriers. Have a few errands--get cash for the day laborers, top off my gas tank, pick up snacks for the road.
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Ninja Moving Artist Warriors!!
Posted on Feb 12, 2007
Wow, what we've done today! It actually, finally looks like we are moving. We have boxes packed and stacked--in the triple digits. I've finally given up on the idea that I'll get any more painting done until we get there and get settled so everything is getting packed up--brushes, sketchbooks, works in progress. That's hard. It's hard to put that stuff into a box.
If there is extra time it will be filled by a trip to Willie (Goodwill), The Depot for Creative Reuse in Berkeley (where I take all my way cool, crazy stuff that could be considered art materials by any stretch) and the Berkeley dump. I've posted a lot of free stuff on Craigs List, we've given away a bookshelf, a desk, and a really, really cool old wooden tray full of moveable lead type. I've got a few more things to offer up to CL-ers--I keep running across more things I forgot I had. And I haven't made it into the kitchen yet, that's tomorrow, I think. Tuesday, I said, didn't I? Then we're right on schedule.
I think I'll save the good, cool, or useful things I find in the next couple days and post a CL ad for local folks to run by and pick things out. I do know I have a really big pet food bin--holds 20+ lbs. of pet food, keeps it fresh and safe from ants, a problem we have out here.
That's it for today. I'm really tired and it's way past beer-thirty.
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Truck is Reserved
Posted on Feb 11, 2007
All righty then--the truck is reserved--a 24 footer. We'll load up on Thursday and roll out on Friday. Should arrive in Truchas by Sunday. If Leonardo has his way we'll be there Saturday. An actual deadline. Scary.
We're going to hire a couple day laborers to help with the loading since all our friends are working during the week, lucky for them!
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Thoughts for today
Posted on Feb 11, 2007
My husband and I saw these sentiments on bumperstickers in the last couple of days and share them with glee:
Remember who you wanted to be.
And--
Those who have abandoned their dreams will help you forsake yours.
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It's Not So Far Away
Posted on Feb 11, 2007
We've been running around with errands for days now (spare keys, oil changes, etc.) , tomorrow we are ensconced with the boxes and the tape. Our moving obligations to our friend who recently relocated to Alaska are complete, now we can be self-centered and continue with our own adventure.
We attended a lovely dinner party this evening thrown by the glorious souls in my art group, we were extraordinarly fortunate that spouses and partners were in attendance to richen the experience. Film at 11 (notice I did not specify which day at 11. Stay tuned.) Art gossip was exchanged. Kindred minds understand editing letters. Artesians were wished. Love that stuff.
The rain continues. The kitties are becoming more and more agitated as they realize this is much more than a vacation where they might expect one of their favorite cat-sitters. They become even more upset when their cat-sitters come to visit but do not stay. They know something large is at paw. It's nearly time to break out the kitty carriers in order that they understand that they, too, are coming along on this trip. Poor things. They are California kitties. They have no concept of snow. However, they will enjoy the wide window sills and the two fireplaces; even way up high in Truchas, spring is not so far away.
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Stormy Art Day
Posted on Feb 9, 2007
Pounding and plentiful rain today and predicted for the next few. Rose far earlier than I ever do other than to catch a plane somewhere exciting. Made it into San Francisco at exactly 8am to load a client's paintings (I provide "Artist's Services" such as painting delivery/retrieval, canvas stretching, Press Release writing, etc. when I am between selling paintings or day jobs) into the truck to deliver to her exhibition in Palo Alto at Stanford University. Took us an hour to get there, through the morning rush hour and inclement weather.
Then it was back up to Oakland and Emeryville to take down my own exhibition at MobiTV. Funnily enough, the curator that secured me the show at MobiTV is in the exhibition at Stanford. We just missed each other this morning.
Tomorrow, errands ranging from taking a friend's last load (said friend is already in her new home in Alaska) to storage to stopping by my Oakland gallery to wrap up some details, to attending a "C U L8r" dinner thrown in our honor by my art group.
I promise, I will find time to put some more things in boxes. I will choose the raiments I shall inhabit for the next two weeks and pack up the rest. Throughout the house I am continually reaching for something that is not there. We are not yet into the "camping in" stage. That happens Tuesday, when I pack up the kitchen.
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Treasure in the Desk--Poetry
Posted on Feb 8, 2007
Going through the desks now. We used to call this Spring Cleaning. Now we call it Moving. No one seems to be in one place long enough to go through drawers in spring. Lucky me, I have an antique mission style desk with only one thin drawer. My husband has seven drawers to go through!
I found a poem I'd saved and one I'd written amongst many other treasures. I'll share the one I found and saved.
The Winds of Fate
One ship sails East and another sails West.
With the selfsame winds that blow.
Tis the set of the sails and not the gales
That determine the way they go.
Like the winds of the sea are the waves of fate,
As we voyage along through life.
Tis the set of the soul that decides the goal,
And not the calm or the strife.
From: 'Tis the Set of the Sail by
Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1916
For the full text of the poem please click
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Errand day
Posted on Feb 8, 2007
Today we've picked up new boxes, stopped by Triple A to renew our emergency road service, dropped off documents to our tax accountant, ran by the PO, put the canopy back on my truck, had my truck's oil changed, and extra keys made. I've got a couple more errands when my husband returns from the hardware store.
It's pouring rain here and is expected to continue for a week.
So I may as well go and box up the spring/summer clothes now as it is definitely spring here but most definitely will not be in Truchas.
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No pain, no gain
Posted on Feb 7, 2007
That's pretty much the story for the day. I don't have a part on my body that doesn't ache. Oh! I lie! My ears and nose are fine! And chin. Scalp. No pain there. Find a muscle group that doesn't hurt. Go ahead, just try that.
The studio is finished, with the exception (ok, there's always an exception with the studio) of the large piece on the wall that is bigger than any packing materials we have. I have an idea how I'll deal with it but it requires our large work table be completely empty for about two hours. I can do that. The challenge is working it out with my husband. If he sees an empty space....well. Therein lies the greatest challenge.
Dining room is down.
And so am I.
More when I am able.
~~Groan~~
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Sticker Shock!
Posted on Feb 6, 2007
We just checked into the price of our moving truck. We are seriously thinking of constructing a wagon and getting a couple of donkeys. There is nothing budget about Budget truck rentals. We will most likely go with UHaul. I told my husband there must be a reason why we see so many of them on the road! That is, of course, unless we can find our donkeys locally.
I'm busy comunicating with computers this morning, arranging to terminate phone, PGE, etc. I remember the 'good old days' when you actually got a real person on the other end of the line. Especially hateful are the phone systems that actually make you yell into the phone at the computer. Only after you've been forced to sit through their marketing message. The Working Assets people were nice though--I actually got to speak with someone there.
The flat files are packed and I have a few paintings still to box up, then the studio is finished. Really. I know we've been at it a week. Today we're moving into the living room to take down the mask collection, the skull collection, the Christmas lights (that stay up all year long, al la Cantina), and "Junior", our steer skull surrounded by a heart shaped wreath of several strands of little white lights. Whether we'll tackle the wall of bookshelves today remains to be seen.
A few other errands remain: Getting extra keys made for everything, oil change on Tonka (a native word for buffalo, not toy truck), and my husband still has to repair his vehicle that conked out last weekend.
So, on to it!
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The studio is secure!
Posted on Feb 2, 2007
We did it. The studio is set and ready to go (OK, with the exception of the flat files, but that's only about two hours to empty drawers and pack up). I wish I could leave the contents in the drawers, but they are so heavy, not to mention the great weight of paper products--not a practical approach.
Tonight we opted to stay home and enjoy cocktail night with friends. Tomorrow is tax day--I have the entire year's receipts to put into a spreadsheet. Well, why do it ahead of time? Suppose I'd gotten run over by a bus yesterday, then I'd have saved myself the trouble. Sunday is Superbowl Sunday--I could totally skip it but my husband is into it and we'll go to a friend's house for a last hurrah--so I think we are rooting for the....Ponys, oh, the Colts. Of course, Ghost Pony Gallery, the Colts. Really. This is how my husband picks his teams. Plus he's happy about the two black coaches in the super bowl since he is from South Africa--he's all about making emotional decisions. A man after my own heart!
Slainte! Which is Irish gaelic for "cheers, good health, drink up" you get the idea. Cause my family is all from the Isles. Scottish & Welsh in there as well.
Til tomorrow, then.
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Sorting through the studio
Posted on Feb 2, 2007
What an ambitious project. Finding old work I'd forgotten about. Finding things I never finished. Stacking up a free box.
Kind of inspiring though--as things come off the shelves in various orders they end up in interesting juxtapositions. I always receive an abundance of new ideas when I clean out the studio. Just about ready to knock down that last shelf!
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Openings & packing flat work
Posted on Feb 2, 2007
Yesterday we drove across the bridge into San Francisco to pick up large sheets of cardboard, almost 4' x 8' for packing flat work and making 'pizza boxes' for the paintings I'm currently working on. I get it in bundles of 10. Then we stopped by David Ivan Clark's opening at the Hang Gallery. He's doing quite different work than his abstracted landscapes. We visited for a bit, chatted with some other artist friends who stopped by. You can see his old and his new work
here.
Today is packing up flat stuff like matt board, foam core, old loose drawings, old portfolios, and, ugh, probably whatever is in the flat files. I'll have to build a box for each group. The sooner I get started the sooner I'll finish so I suppose I should head off into that direction.
Tonight is First Friday so we may make our way down to the
Esteban Sabar Gallery where Leonardo still has his flower paintings exhibited.
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Winter gear and art stuff
Posted on Feb 1, 2007
The North Face parka just arrived, it's truly wonderful. My cross-country ski boots are also here.
Just received all the application materials for the High Road Studio Tour. I only have to nail down our mailing address, decide upon a photo for the brochure, and choose a commitee to work on. We can only display one work of art in the brochure, I guess Leonardo and I will have to flip a coin.
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Ode to my co-workers at PGW
Posted on Feb 1, 2007
I was going to save this post until the last, until I unplugged my computer and put it in the truck. But I thought--just as I considered giving notice--I know what I want to say now, so why wait until the last minute. Especially since waiting to the last minute also allows so many unknown little picadillos into the picture that one may not have the leisure of fixing at the last minute. (Do I sound like someone who has experience with system glitches?)
So I will honor my co-workers at Publisher's Group West right now.
Karla fits into the circle of my best "bosses" ever. She shares this honor, and well deserved on her part, with Cecile McCann, founder of ArtWEEK magazine (before it was acquired by the new publisher that I never liked and shall not name); also with Paula Baker, a former longtime tour de force at Peachpit Press. So there are three, and funnily enough, they are all women. Ladies, thank you so much.
Next I must tell you what a bright future Jeannie has in the publishing world. Not only was she my technical saviour at my job, she's a bright light as a friend and she will certainly be briliant in publishing. Besides that she is sweet and fun and altogether enjoyable. I will miss her tons, and Jeannie, you'd better make good on that promise to visit! (see how I changed person there and it still worked?)
Iris. A dancer who has retired from dancing. A good, honest, sweet, loveable person who has no trouble wearing her heart on her sleeve. From adopting animals to adopting us loveable but disenfranchised folk...Iris is a godess in disguise. When she dains to give you a hug you come to tears because you know she wouldn't even touch you if she didn't mean it.
I came too late and left too soon to really become part of PGW. Who knows what the future will bring? But I believe in PGW, I was honored to be a part of it. Please do keep me apprised of the news, and if you go somewhere, let me know where you go.
Follow your bliss.
Much love, Trish
P.S. You all have my permission to forward this message as you see fit.
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