Exhaustion

I don't have much time to draw, write, or read. I am very exhausted, particularly today, by the job. I do not have enough time to prepare for the day and can be occasionally found running around trying to get this thing done or that during any of my short breaks. I use my lunch to get work done. I have to force myself to sit down and get off my feet, but that never lasts more than five minutes. I am working hard to not over use my voice, but I find it very challenging with so many loud noises and distractions on campus--including roads, BART, trains, another school, and people. The challenge is fun because of all the students I can have an affect on, but will be much more worthwhile if I allow myself time to see and enjoy the affect I am having.

Motorcycles

Sport bike riders have this click. No matter who the person is--their background, their gender, race, economic status, job, education, etc.--a rider is welcome. Anyone who enjoys to ride, who enjoys fast bikes, who can tell, listen, ask about stories of the rode.

We ought to have more activities out there as welcoming as this. It's great to be a part of a group that does not deny kindness, access, true companionship to anyone. Granted, hopefully, they can come in less expensive hobbies. Still an open topic, idea, hobby, or passion are great ways to bring people together.

Developing True Friendships

I find it hard to get to the core of who people are, to discuss important things, and to not scare off others/be scared off when getting to know people. There are events in life, such as an evening out or a day of volleyball and BBQ, that can introduce new people, but it is our jobs to make those things more than just an event. This is often where I fail in developing true friendships. I may gain acquaintances, but often not the depth of a true friendship.

Farm Bill

I believe that the state of the US's food is rather poor. Too much money is place in un-nutritional, processed foods. Although I do not know the economics or politics behind it. This video from The Farm Bill Food Battle has definitely encourages me to find out more.

Health Awareness

I recently joined a gym. After going to my training consultation and talking with other friends/gym members, I've become more aware of my diet (i.e. what I eat) and exercise. I consider myself a fairly healthy person, but it's good to be aware. One way of doing this is tracking what one does. This morning, I tracked my breakfast by drawing each part of it. As you can see, I've even put some color into my journal pages lately.

Special days

There are certain days in our lives that although completely ordinary, certain events--either discussions, decisions, or unchanging happenings--make the days extraordinary. These days may be better remembered with a journal writing, a drawing, by telling stories to others, or a photograph. It is through these and other forms of expression that we remember.

Views

Art is often depicted in symbols. Stick figures, flowers, sun, stars, etc. These figures can skew our vision of those things around us. The reality is that images are light and shadows, straight lines and curved lines, and much more that we do not see after being introduced to the representative symbols of life.

Visiting Family

I'm visiting family and spending as much time with the little ones as possible. Kylie, two and a half, is a very social and creative kids. She's discovering many things. A couple of months ago during a visit we drew together.

Music in Our Lives

I am one of those you may find wearing headphones on the ride to work. Some days I prefer the natural sounds, but I often enjoy the music's affect on mood.


At home, I do the same thing. But more often than not I turn on Pandora to listen to my personalize radio stations. I like internet radio because it provides an alternative to the collection of music I have on my iTunes. I would rarely discover new music if it weren't for this form of listening. I don't have a car, a home radio, a TV, and I'm certainly not a music store junky. Occasionally, I get suggestions from friends, but even then I go to internet sites to tests the music. I appreciate this form of expression and would hate to see it disappear from hiked up licensing fees. Today is a Day of Silence for internet radio sites. Any of my music listening will be done from my current collection of music. But I hope that this won't be my future. SaveNetRadio.org is challenging the new rates and attempting to keep internet radio in business.

Seeing People

Truly seeing people for who they are, how they want to be perceived, or who they want to be is a time-consuming/challenging task. When I seeing someone out in public, I often with just a glance pick them out as someone I have seen before--categorize them (is categorizing an innate human habit??) into one of the groups I have come to know and more likely one of the groups of people I've come to prefer. Example: If I like people who are athletic, I'm more likely to decide this random woman on the street in tennis shoes is an athlete. I suppose this is to make my surroundings feel more familiar or comfortable. If I decide that I like/can relate to athletic people, then wouldn't it be nice to live in a society full of them?

These first notions of people are not always true, however. We must see much more of a person to perceive them as they are. And we must get to know people through conversations and several different interactions over time to understand them. I have begun reading a book with a friend: Reading People by Jo-Ellan Dimitrius about getting to know people by their image, body language, conversation and much more. Dimitrius is a long-term Jury Consulter and has had to perfect this "art" over many years. She reinforces often the importance of seeing the whole person and an image of a person based on small things. Still I find it challenging to read about signs of say 'frustration' through body language or how clothing can represent a person. I understand that there is some validity in these things, but it goes against everything I stand for in not judging a person. I will keep reading, however, before I judge the book.

Below is an example of how I saw a man on BART in two different ways just based of how much I could see him and his actions.




I know judgment is a necessary tool to humans, and I use it often. I just hope that I and others can constantly improve our judgment to be used for safety and understanding.

Deschooling

I've been spending some time reading the essays in Deschooling Our Lives. I love the different discussions of learning through experience and developing a love for learning and self reliance. Looking for more information from some of the resources, I found an example of a school Windsor House in British Columbia, Canada. I really enjoyed how the video expressed the lives of the Windsor House school community.

Wise is in the Wrinkles

I often draw while on BART. When I keep in practice, my figure drawing improves. Not to say that these are the best drawings, but I do learn each time I draw. This day was the discovery of wrinkles. Drawing someone to look older proved to be a challenge some days. But the wrinkles, that is what creates age in figure drawing. Hence "Wise is in the Wrinkles". It is a thing of beauty.

Memories of emotions

These are good weekends. Relaxing outside with your feet up. Contemplating life... What are memories? A thought of a feeling such as love is never the same as that exact feeling. It's something we create in our head--"expressed" in a way we keep it. It's either with words or pictures or an intangible understanding, but not the physical deep feeling of something such as love. How is this related to expressing oneself in poetry or prose or art or photography or videography or whatever other means? Do these forms of expressing help one understand a feeling better? Do these things form memories that are somehow more "real"?

Creativity & Motivation

I'm looking forward to some time to spend journaling, drawing, reading, and other hobbies. These things are all great motivation to being creative and happy. Just started listening this two part podcast Be Happy, Dammit! It's great to hear examples of people who make a point to practice these forms to creativity and happiness.

And here begins a more frequent posting...

From the days of floating school-to-school, I often got bored with no paper-work or planning outside and could be found reading or drawing. This was a reflection of myself at the computer-backwards hat and headphones on. Later the next day, I went to the Poetry Slam in Berkeley. I love that place and it's expression. SO MANY ways to express oneself!

art everywhere

During a stressful couple of weeks (I just switched job location and am currently living on a living room floor while looking for a new place), a nice relaxing dinner for two was just what I needed. But don't forget the art. I was spoiled; while I was being cooked for, I drew and wrote about the evening. When I walked away from the table, I looked back to see this beautiful set up and had to capture the moment--even if just on a camera phone. Art in art.

drawing

I enjoy drawing those things around me. It is art, but not art in the sense that most people think of it. It is my own personal art. It is observation and understanding. Drawing is a way to better appreciate the world--just read Danny Gregory (Creative License or Everyday Matters). Here is an example of my work from years ago--lips I drew in high school for a class. There is the art that I spend time on and the art that I draw quickly (on-the-go)--both are fun and interesting in there own way. I am proud of each differently. These lips say something to me that can't fully be put into words. <---that is also art

Coming back...

In a month or two... I'm coming back with a new format. More creative expression on the everyday, of course focus on interests, including education. Now if only I could get my digital camera working... In the meantime, check out these art blogs:

Mattias Inks
Craftmonkeys