Happy List, Week 53

Happy List, Week 53

1. Sugar cookies. Because they're yummy and traditional.

2. Sprinkles. Because they make sugar cookies all the better.

3. National Parks. Because they are amazing and I'm so glad we've preserved all this gorgeous land.

4. Down. Because it kept me warm on 2 chilly winter camping nights.

5. LV. For taking this trip with me and doing all the driving.

That's a wrap for 2014!

Happy List, Week 52

Happy List, Week 52

1. Holiday party. We had our work holiday party last week. It was enjoyable. We actually (mostly) all stopped working and socialized. This is an accomplishment for this group.

2. Garden Glow. I visited this again with my roommate. I'm really glad MoBot brought this back - very enjoyable.

3. 33December. What a great opening - my photography was well received and I had two very important conversations that evening.

4. Exercising latent light design skills. On our new board. 'Twas fun.

5. Good hike. You know a hike is good when you hurt when you come home. Pushed myself a little too far and took some tumbles for my trouble. Still was fun.

Just one more - this year we get a bonus week!

Happy List, Weeks 50 and 51

Happy List, Week 50

1. Book Club. Always a good time with the girls. Especially when H is there to entertain us/distract us.

2. Peter Pan Live. It may not have been great, but it's still fun to watch a live musical shown on TV and wonder if you know exactly how they did some of those "tricks" - especially when you're on the inside.

3. Busy day. Saturday was super busy and as much as it was exhausting, it was fun as well.

4. Trip planning. Doing a 'spontaneous' national park trip at the end of this month. Making lists and plans - this is my fun before the actual fun.

5. Pippin time.  I didn't have much of a chance to play with her (too much to do), but I enjoyed spending time with her while she napped.

Happy List, Week 51

1. Finally opening a production after a tech week. Need I say more?

2. Card rescue. I accidentally deleted important images off an SD card, but found software that rescued the images from the otherwise erased card. Whew. That was a scary moment.

3. Time off. I haven't had a solid tech week of work in awhile... I needed a break.

4. First responders. We had a mini crisis yesterday in which we smelled gasoline in our house (thankfully NOT natural gas). Our local fire department were quick to respond and kept us in the loop as they sussed out the issue and resolved it. Bravo to them and shame on the idiots who caused the problem. (Oops, isn't this list supposed to be all positive?)

5. New Technology. I *had* to get a new iPad because mine (the 1st generation original) finally hit the proverbial wall in not updating anymore. It hadn't been update-able in awhile, but in order to get it to do what I wanted, I need about 3 iOS upgrades beyond its capability.  I hadn't planned on this purchase but I made it work. And no matter the cost to the wallet (ouch!), it's still nice to have a fun new toy to play with and use.

6. Hanukah. My parents and I actually celebrated Hanukah on the actual first day of Hanukah. (Last year, it was so early that we scoffed at it and celebrated it on our own schedule) It was lovely all around - presents big and small for all.

Can you believe how fast this year has gone? There's actually TWO more weeks of this project - I will get to week 53 (Dec 24-31st). I wonder if I should continue it next year?

Happy List, Weeks 48 & 49

Behind again... ACK!

Happy List, Week 48

1. Potluck. It was our staff potluck this past week and it was lovely. TOO much food and time to sit down with my co-worker/friends.

2. Photo Flood. Flooded a new-to-me neighborhood despite the slight chill. Totally worth getting up early.

3. PF friends. Because hanging out with them is good for my soul.

4. Camera time. I'm finding it hard to remember to pick up my camera these days. Not from lack of inspiration but from a lot on my mind.

5. Unexpected snow. The snow wasn't supposed to stick, but it did. Always love the chance to go take pictures.

Happy List, Week 49

1. Thanksgiving. Thanskgiving with our family friends is always a good time.

2. 2nd Thanksgiving. It was a full house, but a fun time was had. The puppies LOVED all the attention.

3. Puppy time. I've had some puppy time recently. It's been delightful.

4. Garden Glow. They've outdone themselves - they included installations from last year and added several more.

5. Photographer's Night. I went to a photographer's only night and it was a wonderful opportunity. Use of tripods and a low census. I can't wait to go back again!

Happy List, Weeks 45-47

Because of the behind-the-scenes glimpse at the exhibit, I missed posting Week 45. Here's both last week and this week's.

Happy List, Week 45

1. Meeting new people. Met a new person through the sale of one of my pieces.

2. Halloween. Haven't dressed up in ages but when one of your BFF's kiddo wants to go trick or treating... when in Rome.

3. VLAA. This wonderful service (volunteer lawyers and accountants for the arts) provides low cost workshops for artists. Check them out: http://www.vlaa.org.

4. Daylight Savings. I know it's darker earlier, but at least sunset is right after work. Makes it more convenient.

5. Election Day. Because it is your and my civic duty to participate.

Happy List, Week 46

1. Theatre colleagues. We had a one-woman show at work recently and it was lovely to spend time with her and her stage manager.

2. Friends. It's wonderful that a friend drove in from far away to see my show before de-install.

3. A full day. Saturday had a photo shoot, an exhibit pickup (from this summer), an art fair and a show. Sometimes being busy is fun.

4. Family photo Shoot.  I had a photo shoot with one of my BFFs and her son. It was a lot of fun! We had a beautiful day for it. And my models were gorgeous.

5. Monday Funday. Pippin and I spent Monday together and it was a lot of fun. We got to enjoy the most beautiful day of the week outside and I still managed to do several loads of laundry. Didn't get everything on my to-do list done but almost all.

Happy List, Week 47

1. The Imitation Game. What a movie - thank you SLIFF for bringing it to STL just a hint early.

2. Benedict Cumberbatch. After seeing the Imitation Game, I'm now thoroughly a fan of Mr. Cumberbatch. I've now seen him exercise his acting talents in three different major roles and he's been brilliant in all of them.

3. First snowfall. The first snowfall that sticks is always kind of amazing.

4. Time with BFF. Though she's been apart from her husband for awhile (because of being state-side temporarily), I've personally enjoyed having LA in town a lot. I am, however, looking forward for her to have the opportunity to spend some time in her other home in Germany!

5. Poker night. Monday night no/low stakes poker night with friends. Good times.

Happy List, Week 44

Happy List, Week 44

1. Art Openings. They're a lot more fun when they're not mine (less pressure)! I managed to make it to two in one night.

2. Wedding photography practice. Getting the chance to shoot a wedding without being THE photographer.

3. Pippin day. Spent most of Sunday with Pippin and it was a lot of fun.

4. Naps. Naps are for grown ups too... and puppies.

5. National Theatre's Frankenstein. What a hands-down brilliant production. I'm so glad it was rebroadcast for me to see it.

6. Benedict Cumberbatch. Riveting as the Creature. Riveting.

7. Jonny Lee Miller. Equally captivating as Victor Frankenstein. Would love to see him as Creature.

8. National Theatre. Their theatre is technologically amazing... I was drooling over the set, lighting and scene changes in the few moments that I wasn't captivated by the cast.

9. Fall. It's back and it's glorious.

10. Sales. Three more this week - hopefully more to come!

Happy List, Week 43

Happy List, Week 43

1. JG. I couldn't have done my exhibit without him - from his advice throughout the process to his installation help - all of it, priceless. Lucky to have him as a friend and colleague!

2. Installation day. That was the day that everything exhibit related became real. It was incredible.

3. Opening night. It was almost indescribable in its amazingness. It still seems so surreal. Seeing my art on the walls, seeing people's reactions to them (both people I knew and didn't), seeing my friends and family come out to support me... there really aren't words.

4. Cousin time. I don't see my cousin that often and we don't talk as much as we should. But her coming to my opening from MI and spending all day Saturday hanging out was wonderful.

5. Apple picking. Guess what, it's still fun as a grownup.

6. Learning about beer. I'm not as intimidated by beer anymore now that I understand what different things mean and what I do and do not like.

7. Exploring. Got a chance to wander around a neighborhood I haven't been in awhile.

8. Camera time. I'd been so wrapped up in the exhibit that I forgot to have photo time.

9. Beautiful weather. It's a touch chilly but I don't mind when the sun is shining brightly.

10. Puppy time. Any puppy time is awesome. 

Happy List, Week 42

Happy List, Week 42

1. Photo Floods. They're a lot of fun and I'm glad I can still make them, even if only for a half hour.

2. Seeing things differently. I like revisiting places I've been to before to see them in a new light.

3. Crossing things off. My to-list for the exhibit is complete. Very satisfying.

4. Pippin time. Pippin came for day camp at my house this weekend - we had a lot of fun. She's an adorable handful.

5. Weather. I love a good thunderstorm - however, we've been getting a lot of rain lately... usually I'm a fan but not quite in this quantity.

Short, but sweet.

Happy List, Week 41

Happy List, Week 41

1. Sunrise. They're getting a little later and they are getting more beautiful!

2. Exhibit. I'm working on the finishing touches... it's getting real.

3. Purple. I really like it when I can find things in my shade of purple. I'm very particular.

4. New car. The more I get comfortable in it, the happier I am with the choice. Even if it scares me.

5. Girl's night. Got to see a friend I haven't seen in awhile. It was lovely hanging out.

6. Old friends. Some family friends that go way back were in town briefly and I had the chance to have brunch with them. Lovely!

7. Puppy time. Puppy time with all three pups... each have their own wonderful characteristics.

8. Fall. It's my favorite season. Pretty colors and cooler temperatures.

9. Thunderstorms. I do love a good thunderstorm.

10. Patience. Patience lead to the photography of the lunar eclipse...

Happy List, Week 40

Happy List, Week 40

1. Girl's night. aka Book Club. Fun times were had.

2. Half Day Off. Friday, I had a fabulous lunch, goodwill/resale shopping and an unexpected stop at a city carnival made for a fun half day off.

3. Finding an awesome dress. At a resale shop that makes one look amazing.

4. Gotcha day. I celebrated a day late with the family and it was tons of fun. An afternoon at the Art Museum and a delicious meal.

5. Puppy cuddles. They're the best.

6. Beautiful sunrises. I had three days of gorgeous sunrises in a row. I love sunrise season!

7. Printing. Photos for the exhibit have been printed - it's getting real, y'all!

8. Apple cider. It's apple cider season and I couldn't be happier!

Okay, over 5 but not quite 10... good enough for me!

Happy List, Week 39

Happy List, Week 39

1. AH's wedding. I served as wedding day-of coordinator for a friend's wedding - and had a blast. She was a beautiful bride and it was a wonderful wedding & reception. Her family and the family she married into are wonderful!

2. Weddings. Weddings are fun - a lot of my friends are already married so I haven't been to one in awhile.

3. Photo Flood. Explored a park that I don't go to regularly but should. That's why I enjoy this group.

4. King and I. I'm trying to think back if I've ever eaten there - but I highly recommend it. Delicious!

5. PF friends. They're good folk - and hanging out with them is a blast!

6. Crab Rangoon. King and I has the best crab rangoon in town. I'm hooked!

7. Rummage sales. You never know what you're going to find at a rummage sale. I walked away with some beautiful vintage medicine bottles.

8. Efficiency. I can have a pretty big lazy streak when I want to so I love it when I'm uber-efficient.

9. Beautiful weather. Fall is here and it's my favorite season of all. Crisp temperatures, beautiful skies and less sweating while standing still.

10. Sunset/sunrise stalking. I don't always get rewarded but it is still fun!

Happy List, Week 38

Happy List, Week 38

1. New car! My previous one was 12 years old and it was past time to replace it before it was really just a hunk of junk. I settled on a beautiful dark blue Mazda CX-5.

2. Mazda. For still making great cars at a mostly affordable price and some zoom-zoom.

3. On my own. I did this whole car thing on my own - research, to test driving, to researching more, to negotiating to deciding to signing. I did have virtual support but I felt quite grown up doing all this on my own.

4. Advances in technology. Cars have changed so much in the last 12 years. No longer will I be jealous of other people's cars for having what I've always wanted (rear windshield wipers and an auxiliary cable for an iPod).

5. Photo time. I've been still able to sneak a little photo time in this weekend. Hopefully more to come before I publish this list.

6. Fall. Fall is here - it came quite suddenly but it's a welcome respite from the digesting humidity.

7. Catching up. I've fallen behind on this blog - it was nice to catch up.

8. Sunrises. THey're always beautiful, even if they're simple colors. And since I can't sleep in... might as well.

9. Macro. I had a chance to do a slightly different kind of macro and it was a lot of fun.

10. Friends. Good friends are hard to come by and I have some pretty awesome ones in town.

Whoo hoo! Got to 10, even if I posted a day late. The list was completed to #7 before Wednesday, I just forgot to post!

Happy Lists, Week 36 & 37

Well... Week 36 ran away from me so here's two for one!

Happy List, Week 36 

1. Sheer laziness. It's kind of fun when you get the chance.

2. Haircut. This weather finally got to me - 4+ inches on the floor!

3. Day drinking. Celebrating a friend who is a bride-to-be!

4. Sunday. Sunday was a great day - Japanese Festival (complete with a Teahouse Island tour) and Paint Louis with a friend made for a great day despite the sun and humidity.

5. Monday. Monday was great day - spent almost the entire day with the family and puppies. Japanese Festival part deux including no rain and delicious lunch and then Labor Day BBQ later.

6. Naps with pups. I got a chance to nap with Sgt Pepper on Monday and it was awesome. I missed having a cuddly pup.


Happy List, Week 37

1. Art festivals. St. Louis is lousy with art festivals in a good way. Two for one, one weekend.

2. Clayton Art Fair. I may not make a good patron (too expensive!) but the art there is certainly beautiful. I didn't really wander it too much this year, but there's always next year!

3. Chuseok Festival. I'd recently been jokingly complaining that there's no Korean festival in town. There is a new, small-but-ready-to-grow one in town. I hope it really takes off!

4. Calligraphy (Son Keun Hee). There was a calligraphy artist at aforementioned festival and he wrote my name out in Korean - first time I've seen my name written out outside of my adopted records. I was so pleased with the result that I framed it later that day.

5. Sunrise. Twice in week 37 I had the opportunity to view beautiful sunrises in Forest Park. Two very different sunrises, two beautiful sets of pictures.

6. Storms. We had a particularly wicked storm on Friday of Art Festival weekend and it was incredibly exciting to be out in it.

Happy List, Weeks 34 & 35

Whoops... I wrote the list out but forgot to post... so here's Week 34 and Week 35 together!


Happy List, Week 34 

1. Rosie. That's our new-to-us, 3 year old terrier mix rescue. Welcome to the family, Rosie!

2. Art Openings. They weren't mine, but I visited two in one night. It was time well spent.

3. Last Days of Vacation. I spent the last days of vacation being unabashedly lazy.

4. Busy bee. I crossed a ton of stuff of my proverbial to-do list during vacation. Perhaps the next one, I can be more lazy.

5. New Exhibit. I have not one, but two, upcoming exhibits in the near future. Exciting!


Happy List, Week 35

1. Sgt. Pepper. That's our new-to-us 18 month old Cairn Terrier rescue. Welcome to the family, Sgt. Pepper!

2. New car. Not mine, but mom finally got the 1996 van replaced. I will sleep easier knowing she's driving a reliable car.

3. Macro time. I spent 2 very sweaty hours at MoBot, taking macro photos. About every other picture I was wiping sweat from my brow or condensation from my glasses. Totally worth it though.

4. Road trip. I'd forgotten how nice road trips are. Just you and the road. Very zen.

5. Photo shoot. There is a place that has been on my to-do list for awhile. Despite the heat, I'm glad I finally went. I'm sure it's not the last time.

Short lists, but they're meaningful. Here's to a nice vacation induced list next week!

Happy List, Week 33

Happy List, Week 33.

1. Fixed Car. It may have cost a bundle, but it definitely drives better and safer.

2. Photo Flood time. Exploring another new-to-me neighborhood with a good group of friends.

3. Chatting with colleagues. A few of us chatted after the post-flood dinner until almost midnight. Very fun.

4. Time off. It's been absolutely glorious. I've gotten a lot done in my time off while also catching up on rest and relaxation.

5. Crossing things off. See above. I like crossing things off on a to-do list.

6. Donations. I rustled up some things that have been collecting dust (literally and figuratively) since I moved back to STL. It was wonderful to take a carful of donations to Goodwill.

7. Starting a photography page on FB. I created a page for my photography on FB which will hopefully let me not *just* post about photography on my personal page and drive my friends nuts.

8. 3 year anniversary. Friday was my 3 year anniversary at work. My, how time flies.

9. Friends. Actually having a little time to spend with some work colleagues who are also friends is wonderful. They know who they are.

10. Upcoming trip. There's an upcoming trip in Week 35 that I'm really excited about. More to come on that.

I enjoy this list because sometimes I really have to 'force' myself to find the good in the week. Sometimes it is not obvious and sometimes it is not there. But it is an excellent exercise for me, nonetheless.

Happy List, Week 32

Happy List, Week 32.

1. Camera time. Even though I've been feeling under the weather, I made some camera time and it has been worth it.

2. Nature. Because with a macro lens, nature can be even more beautiful if you have the patience to look closely.

3. Kleenex with lotion. Because when your nose is a faucet (sorry, TMI), you want something that will be less harsh on your poor abused nose.

4. Good friends. Because seeing them, even briefly, helps make your day.

5. West Wing. Because, West Wing. That's all.

6. Vacation. I have worked harder this season than I have in a long time. It wore me out and now I am on vacation. YAY.

7. Summer thunderstorms. I love a good thunderstorm.

8. Streamlining. Starting to streamline my possessions down. It feels good.

9. To Do lists. It's nice to be able to work on and accomplish things on a personal (vs work) to-do list.

10. Claritin D. It's a wonder drug when allergies are out of control

HAH. I posted on time and it's a 10-er! YAY!

Happy List, Weeks 30 and 31

Well... it's been a busy time (the busiest I think I've ever been) at work, so just about everything but the show got my attention. Thusly, these two weeks have blendeth together and I didn't feel like trying to pry them out.

So here's two for one:

Weeks 30 and 31:

1. Photo time. I took 3 hours out of my already show oriented week to take some photographs with Photo Flood St. Louis. Well worth it on many counts.

2. Caffeine. Without Starbucks Iced Black Tea, I would not have survived the last two weeks.

3. RP. Without her, I would not have survived the last two weeks. Or more.

4. Friend/Colleagues. There are those colleagues who are friends as well, and without them, I would not have survived. They know who they are.

5. Audience response. Hearing the cheers from the crowd on opening night made it worth it.

6. Seeing them onstage. Seeing this cast that worked so hard for so long onstage at last... priceless.

7. Unexpected help. We received some unexpected help from various people at various points along the way and for that, I am grateful.

8. Kleenex with lotion. I have come down with a severe case of allergies, a cold or just a regular post-intensive show something that has caused my nose to run a lot.

9. Flexibility. I am grateful for the flexibility of my job to lend me a little time to try to beat whatever this is...

10. Colleagues who understand. And don't laugh too hard when one has worked an 100+ hour week and therefore cannot form complete sentences 100% of the time. I'm looking at you, AS.

I shall be back to my normal blogging self shortly... one hopes!

Happy List, Week 29

Happy List, Week 29

1. Photo opportunity. A friend & colleague handed me an opportunity this week and I had tons of fun doing it. Very grateful.

2. Low light photography. I love the challenge and I'd like to think I'm getting better at it.

3. Street Festivals. I enjoy the occasional street festival. They are often worth the parking hassle. 

4. Food trucks. I am really glad this has become a popular thing. They're very much enjoyable. Sometimes I just wish more of them had bricks and mortar stores as well.

5. Exhibit progress. I finally figured out something that has been mystifying me and I am grateful. Every week a step closer!

6. Mimosas. Found a new mimosa-style I enjoy. Yay for Sunday Fundays and brunch.

7. Rain. Because it is wonderful when it brings a cool front.

8. Cool temps. It feels like early fall in July. How glorious.

9. Arts as Therapy. I made a linoleum carving in class of Tommy. I cried after making the print. It was wonderful.

10. Gin & Ginger. This might be my new favorite cocktail. A good unwinder at the end of a long day.

Happy List, Week 28

Happy List, Week 28

1. Fireworks opportunities x 2.  I had not one, but two great opportunities for fireworks.

2. Short week at work. Summers are busy at work, so it was nice to have a shorter week. It was still jam-packed.

3. Leftovers. Culinary camp leftovers were extremely yummy - they created two full blown menus - italian and seafood.

4. Unexpected weather. This Fourth of July weekend brought some unexpected for July in St. Louis weather. It was gorgeous out, and you weren't sweating waiting for the fireworks.

5. Attic fan. Aforementioned weather led us to throw open the windows and turn the attic fan on. Glorious.

6. Days off. Yup, they're on here again. There were moments where I was absolutely restless and didn't know what to do, but the moments of sheer unbridled laziness were delightful.

7. West Wing. In honor of Independence Day, I started re-watching West Wing again. This show is awesome from top to bottom. I just watched the cliffhanger from Season One to Season Two. Even though I know what happens, I can't not watch them back to back.

8. Block printing. I had the opportunity to continue experimenting with block printing in my mixed media class. I think I've found a new art to enjoy!

9. Lightning. We recently had a storm with an incredible lightning count and RA and I tried to capture it Monday night. We semi-succeeded (it was dying down by the time we decided to do so).

10. Starbucks. I don't drink caffeine often but when I do, I prefer it to be tea vs Diet Coke. When one has a late night, a little caffeine helps the next day.

Happy List, Week 27

Happy List, Week 27

1. Cocktail hour. I'm not a heavy drinker by any means, but I have participated in several cocktail hours at different venues this weekend and enjoyed myself. Happiness in moderation.

2. Time with a friend. I spent an afternoon with a friend and another via FaceTime. It was very much enjoyable.

3. Meeting new people. Went to a workshop on Thursday and it was definitely worth it. And I met more artistic colleagues as well.

4. Exploring new places. Went to a new place this weekend with Photo Flood St. Louis. A hidden secret of St. Louis.

5. Puppy time. At the park, I met the cutest little puppy. Had a little playtime with her... she was such a charmer.

6. Picnic time. We traditionally go out after our Floods and this time we had a picnic. It was a lot of fun. I wish more of us had been able to make it!

7. Quinoa stuffed bell peppers. I mustered enough energy to bake these and they are worth the effort. YUM.

8. Leftovers. Sometimes I complain about eating the same thing all week. Not this week.

9. Painting class. This Monday, we experimented with printmaking. They may have created a monster.

10. Exhibit. I had some major progress this week on this. Hooray!