Monday, July 31, 2006

Just an Update

I can hardly believe today is the last day of July. I don't know where the days go, especially in the summer. Maybe it's because I love the summer that it just flies by.

I will start school in about one month. I think I have all the books I need. I ordered them on line through Amazon.com and saved myself about $100 or more.

I've been doing some reading on African Art over the summer. The independent study I will be doing in the fall will basically be a research paper and I needed to find a subject to write on. So, I chose African Art since I don't know much about it. So, I think I have my subject, just need to narrow it down a bit.

Friday was my last day at the sandwich shop. I'm going to be working full time at what was my evening job which will now be my day job. That's what's so convenient about this job. If I need a day off, I just don't schedule myself for that day. If I don't want to work at night, I sign up for day hours.

I'm considering riding my bike to work from now on. Then I won't have to park a mile away, won't have to pay to park and I will get some exercise. The scary thing is the traffic. I need to give the ride in town a try and see how long it takes. The hours at this job are not the usual 8-5, so I really wouldn't need to worry about rush hour traffic.

The next couple of days are forecast to be really, really hot. The heatwave from the mid-west is moving our way. So, doing anything in the afternoon is just out of the question.

Three days till Buffett!!!

Thursday, July 27, 2006

All Fun-ed Out

Tonight some friends and I went to Hersheypark. I haven't been there...in well, over 10 years. They have lots of new coasters that I got to ride for the first time tonight. I got my first taste of an inverted roller coaster. That was certainly a new sensation! Let's just say my throat is sore from screaming OH GAWD! for most of the night.

At first we thought they weren't running the coasters because it was kind of stormy round about 5:00. And, it did rain a little. But after we got on some of the water rides and were soaked to the skin, it just didn't matter anymore.

The last ride we rode on was Tidal Force. Basically, there's one big hill and a really huge splash at the end resulting in becoming thoroughly soaking wet. My clothes I swear weighed about 10 pounds.

I've had enough fun for a while. My throat needs a rest. Off to bed I go!

Disappointment

I just heard some disappointing news about the Floyd Landis, the winner of the Tour de France. Now, there are allegations of him doping. They've found increased testosterone in his body. There are still some tests to be done to see if, in fact, he was using drugs to improve his performance.

What fun is there to winning if you have to cheat to do it? Here's this local guy from Lancaster County. He was raised strict Mennonite. His parents don't even have a TV and were in church while he was winning the Tour.

I hope these allegations are simply the French version of a temper tantrum.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

The Final Countdown

As it has been in the past few months, my life has been running in fast-forward. And as always the summer just flies by. And most of the time I find myself going, Holy crap! I have this tomorrow, or don't forget about that the day after.

Today is one of the days that I've sort of been dreading. It has been looming out there for the last three months, now the time of reckoning has come. Because I'm going to school full time in fall, I have to get a physical. That's not the problem. The problem is that according to my medical records, I haven't had any sort of vaccinations since I've been like 2 years old.

In light of that, I'm due for about 5 shots today. Yea, go ahead, make the wincing sound. Thanks!

The other thing that has seems sort of far off but is now fast approaching is the Jimmy Buffett concert. It's next week!!! My friend Stacey and I are super excited about the show and the fact that we will get a chance to get away for an overnight visit to the Washington D.C. area. The show is at the Nissan Pavilion in Virginia. Hope the hotel has a pool!! God, what will I wear?!?

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Jesus Freaks and Music in the Streets

I do like to go see live music, but don't do it very often for some reason. Well, this weekend was the exception.

Lancaster County isn't just about the Amish and Outlets. There is the Chameleon Club that is pretty cool and has some great music. So, me and this guy went down to hear his brother-in-laws band The Butchers at the Lizard Lounge at the Chameleon Club. Imagine ear piercing, hard driving music in a small venue with a really low ceiling. To get the full feeling of the experience, also imagine thick smoke that burns your eyes the minute you walk into the place.

If you click on their web site, you can get a taste of their music. It's similar to raw, unproduced Beatles, or The Who. Kind of the Sixties meet the Ramones. It was loud, it was fast, and it was fun.

And speaking of Lancaster County, congratulations to Lancaster's very own Floyd Landis for winning the Tour de France. That ought to piss off the French pretty well!

Saturday night was off to downtown Harrisburg for free music, yes FREE! There was a stage set up in the square, streets were blocked off and there were food vendors tantalizing us with delicious smells. I invited my nephew to come along to see One Sweet World, a Dave Matthews cover band. The weather was just gorgeous. There was a beautiful breeze keeping everyone cool and happy. I was kind of disappointed with the amount of people that were there. I mean it was FREE!! It was pretty interesting watching folks um, "express" themselves through dance....if that's what you'd like to call it. Oh well, they were having fun.

Besides the free music, there were other things to do there that were free as well. One of those things was the mechanical bull whose name just happened to be Jesus. I know this because it was on his behind. Without much coercion, Patrick and Brian a.k.a. "John Smith" were in line and signing the inevitable waiver and hopping on board...uh Jesus. While neither got all Urban Cowboy, Brian got extra points for form and style. Patrick was just hanging on for dear life.

Sunday was more free music at Lower Allen Community Park. I was asked to show my photography while folks came to again enjoy FREE music in the park! I was pleased to see people showing interest in my photos and hopefully I will get some sales from the contacts.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

It's A Small World

I have asked for permission to blog about this but the "certain someone" never got back to me, so I'm blogging anyway.

So, I have been working the last couple of months at a local sandwich shop. This is not your everyday sandwich shop, it is THE sandwich shop in Harrisburg. We make the best subs around. The shop is not big on ambiance, but our Reubens are the best this side of NYC. I don't care what marbled rye afficionados say... There are two locations. The one I work at is conveniently located off of Interstate 81. So, if you happen to be driving north or south on I-81, stop in!!! At least before July 28. I'm not going to be at the sandwich shop after that date. So, hurry while you still can!!

Often times especially in the spring we get many snowbirds returning to New York or all points north from their winter in Florida.

The other day I thought we had some folks that were doing just that. The man was ordering his sandwich and he had a U.S. atlas on the counter. I asked "are you going somewhere fun?" To which he responded "Upstate New York." "So, you've already been somewhere fun then and now you are returning home?" "We're returning from The Caymans." "Oh, were you on vacation?" "No, we live there." "Wow! I know someone that lives there too, he works on a radio station. His name is Mark." "I know who he is, my daughter works for the same radio station. She does a morning show there."

After this conversation, I quickly ran home and emailed Mark. Now, I think he may think I'm stalking him. Which I am not. I'm stalking someone else. I only have time to stalk one person at a time.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

The Devil Wears Prada

Every woman should wear Prada...deviled or not. But did you know that Poets also wear Prada? I came across this web site courtesy of my poet friend Susan Maurer. This web site promotes poetry readings all over New York City.

Another poet web site worth checking out is The Bowery Poetry Club. This place is located ironically in the Bowery of New York City. Susan will be reading there July 30. With none other than the world famous, Feminists in Low Cut Blouses!

If you get to the city be sure to check it out!

Friday, July 14, 2006

A Great Success!!

The opening last night was a great success. There were approximately 75 people there which is a pretty significant number for this small museum.

And, this was Arwen's, the person in charge of the installation, first opening. So, she was a little nervous, but all night I only heard wonderful things from the people that came.

There was lots of yummy food and drinks.











Here are some pictures of the show.




This is Buddah...there is one Buddah, there are many Buddahs.


This gallery was one of my favorites. It is just wide open space with high ceilings. This gallery with the Buddah had all mainly monochromatic images with a few splashes of red. It was my favorite thing in the entire show!

P.S. Happy Bastille Day!!!

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Opening Night

During the last couple of weeks at the Susquehanna Art Museum where I'm doing an internship. The museum has been shut down for the deinstallation of the previous exhibit and the installation of the new one.

This is particularly exciting for me since I knew I would actually be working with the person in charge of the installation. And that's what she and I did last week. It was a series of trial and error...."let's move this one here and that one there. Nope, don't like it. I think there's another downstairs, let's get that one. I think there's a stand in the basement, take the cart, let's go get it." And that's how it went for a few hours.

I was particularly thrilled when the person I was working with would ask for my opinion on how something looked. And, I would make my suggestion, and a change would be made. There was one suggestion that I made that she was very pleased with. I think I may have done a cartwheel.

I just love to be inundated with art work. I love figuring out what is asthetically pleasing for display and figuring out how the flow of the entire show will be. So, I guess it's a good thing I chose the major I have chosen. I think it will work well for me. I also learned a great deal following my two mentors around the museum and simply listening to them talk about the arrangement of the art. The major lesson I learned is if/when I'm responsible for setting up an installation, do not fall in love with the arrangement. Nine chances out of ten the person that has the last word will make all sorts of changes anyway. And while that will be frustrating, it will be a learning process as well. Glad I learned that lesson now!!

This exhibit is opening tonight. I hope a lot of people show up. I think the exhibit is a really nice one. I hope to get some pics tonight, but if you'd like a sneak peek....click here.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Paybacks!

Let me take you back to the summer of 1987. A bunch of friends and I went to the beach together for a week. We must have gone in the latter half of July sometime because two of my friends that went had birthdays in July and turned 21. Of course, because my birthday isn't until November, I got stuck back at the hotel with the other chippies while my friends went to the bars.

I still managed to get my drink on pretty well thanks to the guys that were living across the hall from us. They had a fridge full of booze, we had a fridge full of food. So, it was mutually beneficial anyway.

Well, here we are in 2006 and we'll be turning 40 this year. Well, those two friends will be turning 40 sooner than I. I'm going to stay 39 as long as possible. So, while it was painful to not be able to go out when everyone else was 21, it's payback time. Booyah!!!

P.S. Happy Birthday friends!

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Patriotic Pooch


Hi all, you may remember me from Random Thoughts blog. I've gottena a new "do" just in time for summer. I'm Jasmine, and yes, the cutest dog in the world. I'm extra cute today because I'm so festive. And, because it's my birthday. I'm finally a teenager!! Whoot!!!

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Happy 4th O' July!



Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!