My new nephew, Plato Robert Charneski.
30 March 2009
29 March 2009
New Work! Hardhat stickers that rock!
28 March 2009
Buy handmade!
Lately I have been feeling really guilty for not doing anything new in my art, and not adding to my shop or posting anything artistic. Worst...artist...ever...I know! Truth be told, I have been to the doctor several times for my shoulder, which has hurt excrutiatingly bad since last fall and has prevented me from doing much, and finally got a diagnosis. Turns out I have bursitis and rheumatoid arthritis, which sounds terrible, but can at least be controlled. Now that I finally know what is wrong, I can finally begin to heal and treat it, which is a good thing. The meds I am on now are amazing wonder drugs, and I am feeling better than I have in months! I also recieved so many well wishes and prayers, which I thank you all for, because it truly puts everything in perspective. One was even from an reader of this blog that was praying for my pain, while she is fighting cancer. Talk about perspective.
Despite the fact I have been absolutely terrible about posting new goodies to my shop and creating new things, I still buy handmade whenever possible, and even managed to cross off everyone in my Christmas list last year with handmade. I was very proud of that. Not only is your money going to someone who has personally put their heart and soul into it (and appreciates your business, no matter how small), but you are also getting something truly unique and top quality. My friend Libby put it in a funny, but true, way on her blog:
"I hate buying crap from China, so that's one main reason I buy handmade and why I encourage you all to buy handmade. When you buy from China you support communism...and a little puppy dies each time you walk in wal-mart....and baby birds fall out of their nest each time you THINK about going to wal mart...and volcanoes erupt and take out whole cities and towns when you BUY something from wal-mart....you get the picture. Its just bad. BUY HANDMADE!!!"
Libby makes incredibly soft, natural, and soothing soaps and sweet hippie clothes, which I am the biggest fan of. She also sent me out of the kindness of her heart, all kinds of feel better stuff for Sierra when she got in her bike accident last fall. The best thing was unrefined shea butter, which did amazing things for fading Sierra's scars and speeding healing, which I never would have even known about if it wasn't for her. Another good reason to buy handmade- where else do you get that personal of a touch?
I promise, dear readers, I am on the path to healing and will have new work to post soon. Keep your eye out, cause once I start, it's hard to stop me! First on the list is a commissioned painting of a Tuscan street scene, which I am pretty excited about. I plan on working all week on that this coming week, along with starting my Tai Chi classes and visiting the spa for a massage! Ah, life is good...
26 March 2009
Welcome to the world, Plato!
My only sibling, Andy, and his wife Erica had their first baby last night!! I am sooo excited to be an aunt! Plato Robert Charneski was welcomed into the world around 10:15 pm Mountain/ Pacific time after 39 (yes, 39!!) hours of drug free labor! Whew! Way to go Erica...and to boot, baby was a whopping 9 pounds, 1 oz and 21 inches! Now, my brother is not always the quickest to call or email, and I know he probably doesn't read my blog, so we're gonna test this out. See, I was promised pictures today, and while I am sure the proud parents are totally exhausted, I am equally impatient. So until I get a picture of the baby, I am gonna have to post another picture here.
Like Plato, his namesake. Andy, if you read this, send me baby pictures! So much cuter than the philosopher!! And by the way, love the name! Very cool for what's gonna be one cool kid!
22 March 2009
Star Wars- as retold by a girl
Ok, so I am talking to a friend the other day, and he cannot fathom that I do not clearly remember what happened in the Star Wars movies and that they didn't change my life. Perhaps part of this is hurt feelings, because the truth is, I have seen the original trilogy twice in my life (and never the new ones): once when they were out in theatres and I was a kid (I fell asleep), and the second time in college when I humored said friend and watched all three back to back with him (I fell asleep). So he asks me to name five main characters, which I thought I did pretty well, but failed because my main characters were apparently not main enough or something. I remembered R2D2 and C3PO because I had Star Wars underroos when I was a kid, and was proud of myself for remembering those two. He then asks me to tell him what actually happened in the movies, because apparently at this point, I am failing the science fiction quiz miserably (I'm a girl, hello?), to which, again, I think I did pretty good for not seeing them in over 10 years.
So here is the deal. Below is my version of what happened. Girls, read it, and leave me comments adding in what I missed and fixing what I got wrong. I figure between all of us, we can piece together the important parts. Then I am going to take those comments and put together a sort of Girl Cliff Notes to Star Wars. Sure I could ask a guy to do it, but we all know how that would go. 5 minutes into the description, he will sigh and say, "Just watch the movie...".
So it starts out with the scrolly words that go back into space giving this big back history or something. I think it tells us that the universe is in trouble and someone needs to do something, already. Then we see this dusty, deserty planet where Luke Skywalker? lives, and he is looking for something to do. Then someone comes and tells him, "hey, you've been chosen to save the universe," so he goes away on a spaceship. Oh, and the spaceship has these fun little robot dudes on them, I'm not sure what they actually do, R2D2 and C3PO. R2D2 is a little round robot that doesn't talk he beeps, and C3Po is like a gold tin man type robot that talks too much and understands R2. There is also this BigFoot kinda dude there that makes this crazy yell-growl sound, and never talks named Chewy? Yeah, I think thats his name.
Then somewhere along the lines Luke meets Princess Lea, although I don't really know what she is the Princess of, and he likes her. Then he decides, or maybe someone tells him, cause I think there is this old dude giving Luke advice over this hologram thingie, he needs to hire help. So Luke goes to this really happenin' alien bar to hire help for his mission. There he meets Hans Solo, this guy that is better looking, stronger, and more skilled than he is, except he doesn't have the force like Luke. But noone knows that yet, I think. So Hans Solo comes with him, and then because he is the good looking one now, he ends up smooth talking and kissing Lea until they are interrupted by that bumbling chatterbox of a robot, C3PO. Then, they all meet Darth Vadar, the bad guy in the black suit that breathes a lot (maybe he could breathe better without the mask?).
Anyway, Darth Vadar ends up kidnapping Lea, and then Luke and Hans have to save her. Somewhere in there, they all go to this foresty planet with all the cute little Ewok dudes too. Darth Vadars friends, the storm troopers, fly in the forest with all these smaller spaceships and the good guys and bad guys blast away at each other. I don't really know what happened to the Ewoks, but I'm guessing a lot died, because they're so little.
Anyway, so at some point, Luke finds out that Darth Vadar is his father. Maybe from this little green dude with big ears, Yoda, that lives in a cave. He is apparently, like, the smartest dude in the universe or something, like a sage. I think that's when Luke learns he has the force, although I don't really know what that means. So then that old dude that has been giving Luke advice teaches Luke how to use a LightSaber sword, because apparently that's way harder than it looks, and Luke is able to kill Darth Vadar and save Lea. Even though Darth Vadar plays the "you wouldn't kill your father, would you?" card, Luke kills him anyway, cause his dad's a dirtbag. Then I think since Darth Vadar is dead, its kinda like killing the head vampire, because all the Storm Troopers all just kinda stop fighting then. Or maybe it was just that he was a real bad boss and they're glad he's dead. Either way, the good guys won.
So here is the deal. Below is my version of what happened. Girls, read it, and leave me comments adding in what I missed and fixing what I got wrong. I figure between all of us, we can piece together the important parts. Then I am going to take those comments and put together a sort of Girl Cliff Notes to Star Wars. Sure I could ask a guy to do it, but we all know how that would go. 5 minutes into the description, he will sigh and say, "Just watch the movie...".
So it starts out with the scrolly words that go back into space giving this big back history or something. I think it tells us that the universe is in trouble and someone needs to do something, already. Then we see this dusty, deserty planet where Luke Skywalker? lives, and he is looking for something to do. Then someone comes and tells him, "hey, you've been chosen to save the universe," so he goes away on a spaceship. Oh, and the spaceship has these fun little robot dudes on them, I'm not sure what they actually do, R2D2 and C3PO. R2D2 is a little round robot that doesn't talk he beeps, and C3Po is like a gold tin man type robot that talks too much and understands R2. There is also this BigFoot kinda dude there that makes this crazy yell-growl sound, and never talks named Chewy? Yeah, I think thats his name.
Then somewhere along the lines Luke meets Princess Lea, although I don't really know what she is the Princess of, and he likes her. Then he decides, or maybe someone tells him, cause I think there is this old dude giving Luke advice over this hologram thingie, he needs to hire help. So Luke goes to this really happenin' alien bar to hire help for his mission. There he meets Hans Solo, this guy that is better looking, stronger, and more skilled than he is, except he doesn't have the force like Luke. But noone knows that yet, I think. So Hans Solo comes with him, and then because he is the good looking one now, he ends up smooth talking and kissing Lea until they are interrupted by that bumbling chatterbox of a robot, C3PO. Then, they all meet Darth Vadar, the bad guy in the black suit that breathes a lot (maybe he could breathe better without the mask?).
Anyway, Darth Vadar ends up kidnapping Lea, and then Luke and Hans have to save her. Somewhere in there, they all go to this foresty planet with all the cute little Ewok dudes too. Darth Vadars friends, the storm troopers, fly in the forest with all these smaller spaceships and the good guys and bad guys blast away at each other. I don't really know what happened to the Ewoks, but I'm guessing a lot died, because they're so little.
Anyway, so at some point, Luke finds out that Darth Vadar is his father. Maybe from this little green dude with big ears, Yoda, that lives in a cave. He is apparently, like, the smartest dude in the universe or something, like a sage. I think that's when Luke learns he has the force, although I don't really know what that means. So then that old dude that has been giving Luke advice teaches Luke how to use a LightSaber sword, because apparently that's way harder than it looks, and Luke is able to kill Darth Vadar and save Lea. Even though Darth Vadar plays the "you wouldn't kill your father, would you?" card, Luke kills him anyway, cause his dad's a dirtbag. Then I think since Darth Vadar is dead, its kinda like killing the head vampire, because all the Storm Troopers all just kinda stop fighting then. Or maybe it was just that he was a real bad boss and they're glad he's dead. Either way, the good guys won.
20 March 2009
Dressing for Parties at CYC
So for those who don't know, I work as a bartender for the Commonwealth Yacht Club, here in Grand Rivers. Not only is it a beautiful place to work and has the greatest employees ever *wink*, but it also is a super fun place to work where I actually, honestly, like my job. Of course, one of the reasons is because the members are all really cool people, but the shopaholic in me REALLY loves the fact that I get to dress up for all the parties we have. Usually, all the events I have worked have been easy to dress for, because of the theme or color involved made it a no brainer. St. Patty's Day? Wear the green shirt. Derby Day? Glue stuff to hat, find shirt that matches junk glued to hat. However, in trying to pick out a dress to wear to work the Commodore's Ball coming up on March 28th, I struggled to find something just right. This is the first Commordore's Ball I have worked, so I wasn't sure what to wear that fit the occasion, is dressy, and still practical to work in. Especially since when I asked if I could wear a dress instead of a tuxedo shirt, my manager hesitated, and seemed to say with her face, "well, as long as it isn't all sexy Corinne..." So after much deliberation, and by deliberation I mean 2 hours of online shopping, I just bought this little number:
Here are some of my ensembles from past parties, although all slighty less formal events:
Derby Day 2007
Fashion Show 2007
17 March 2009
Happy St. Patty's Day! Thats how we roll...
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here we celebrate with good friends, good food, and drinkin' all things green, of course! I made my old family recipe of Irish Soda Bread, which is a coveted recipe, especially since mom always said, "we're Irish, and the Irish don't cook," and it was, of course, delish. I also had a big appetitizer spread with smoked salmon rolls with horseradish sauce (no corned beef in this house, since I don't eat beef or pork and everyone humours me), real Irish cheese and crackers, little green pinwheels (not Irish, but green and super yum!), hummus, and then, of course, my friends brought chicken salad, chicken breasts, and rolls for the perfect snacky St. Pat's meal. Nothing like enjoying the company of good friends!
Happy St. Patty's Day! May the luck of the Irish be with ye!
11 March 2009
6x6
So my blogger friends have missed me! Good to know, cause here I put all my thoughts out there on the web for all to read, and if noone is there, well, that just makes me the crazy person walking around talking to themselves. You know, like those homeless people we all try not to stare at while we clutch our purse a little tighter to our chest.
In an effort to bring me back to the world of blogging (that people do read- all together now, in the style of Sally Fields, "They like me, they really like me!"), my friend from down under, Annette, has tagged me. Its a 6x6 tag, which means I'm supposed to show you the sixth picture in my sixth folder, which just happens to be titled "Lady and Tramp," after my dog and cat. Here is Lady, when she was just a wee pup:
Cute, right? I love my dog.
So now I have to tag six others, so I'm going to tag those bloggers I follow and see if they read me too!
08 March 2009
Kentucky Arts Council News Release- Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet
Kentucky Arts Council's Artist Programs Have March 16 Application Deadline
March 4, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ed Lawrence 502-564-3757 ext. 473 ed.lawrence@ky.gov
FRANKFORT, KY — The Kentucky Arts Council is currently accepting applications for the Kentucky Crafted program, the Performing Arts Directory, and the Arts Education Roster. Online applications are due March 16 and will be reviewed by independent panels to determine acceptance into the various programs. The Kentucky Crafted program is an arts marketing support program for professional visual artists and craftspeople residing in Kentucky. It provides an introduction to wholesale and retail marketing opportunities such as Kentucky Crafted: The Market, the Buyers Market of American Craft and the Capitol Derby Celebration. Once accepted into the program, artists can utilize the Kentucky Crafted ® logo and brand, have representation on the Web through the Kentucky Arts Council's Kentucky Crafted Directory and may receive referral and other promotional benefits. To access guidelines, instructions and application, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog9/kcmp_gdl.htm. For more information about the Kentucky Crafted program, contact Arts Marketing Program Director Craig Kittner at 502-564-3757 ext. 484, toll free 888-833-2787 or craig.kittner@ky.gov. The Performing Arts Directory promotes, showcases and provides professional development for contemporary and traditional performing artists, companies and groups in Kentucky. Eligible artistic disciplines are dance, music, theatre, storytelling and other performing disciplines. The Performing Arts Directory provides performing arts venues with access to experienced, professional performing artists, as well as showcase and marketing opportunities and training for professional artists. To access guidelines, instructions and application, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog3/pad_gdl.html. For more information about the Performing Arts Directory, contact Individual Artist Program Director Tamara Coffey at 502-564-3757 ext. 479, toll free 888-833-2787 or tamara.coffey@ky.gov. The Arts Education Roster encourages professional artists to share their talents with Kentucky's students and teachers by working in school residencies. Artists that produce high quality artistic work in all disciplines and demonstrate the competencies to work in an educational environment will have the opportunity to market themselves as teaching artists for fee-based residencies in Kentucky schools. The Kentucky Arts Council's Teacher Initiated Program requires schools to select artists from the Arts Education Roster to conduct the one-, two-, three- or four-week residencies that the grant provides. To access guidelines, instructions and application, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog3/pad_gdl.html.For more information about the Arts Education Roster, contact Program Branch Manager Chris Cathers at 502-564-3757 ext. 488, toll free 888-833-2787 or christopher.cathers@ky.gov. The Kentucky Crafted Directory, Performing Arts Directory and Arts Education Roster are available online at http://artistdirectory.ky.gov. The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
March 4, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ed Lawrence 502-564-3757 ext. 473 ed.lawrence@ky.gov
FRANKFORT, KY — The Kentucky Arts Council is currently accepting applications for the Kentucky Crafted program, the Performing Arts Directory, and the Arts Education Roster. Online applications are due March 16 and will be reviewed by independent panels to determine acceptance into the various programs. The Kentucky Crafted program is an arts marketing support program for professional visual artists and craftspeople residing in Kentucky. It provides an introduction to wholesale and retail marketing opportunities such as Kentucky Crafted: The Market, the Buyers Market of American Craft and the Capitol Derby Celebration. Once accepted into the program, artists can utilize the Kentucky Crafted ® logo and brand, have representation on the Web through the Kentucky Arts Council's Kentucky Crafted Directory and may receive referral and other promotional benefits. To access guidelines, instructions and application, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog9/kcmp_gdl.htm. For more information about the Kentucky Crafted program, contact Arts Marketing Program Director Craig Kittner at 502-564-3757 ext. 484, toll free 888-833-2787 or craig.kittner@ky.gov. The Performing Arts Directory promotes, showcases and provides professional development for contemporary and traditional performing artists, companies and groups in Kentucky. Eligible artistic disciplines are dance, music, theatre, storytelling and other performing disciplines. The Performing Arts Directory provides performing arts venues with access to experienced, professional performing artists, as well as showcase and marketing opportunities and training for professional artists. To access guidelines, instructions and application, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog3/pad_gdl.html. For more information about the Performing Arts Directory, contact Individual Artist Program Director Tamara Coffey at 502-564-3757 ext. 479, toll free 888-833-2787 or tamara.coffey@ky.gov. The Arts Education Roster encourages professional artists to share their talents with Kentucky's students and teachers by working in school residencies. Artists that produce high quality artistic work in all disciplines and demonstrate the competencies to work in an educational environment will have the opportunity to market themselves as teaching artists for fee-based residencies in Kentucky schools. The Kentucky Arts Council's Teacher Initiated Program requires schools to select artists from the Arts Education Roster to conduct the one-, two-, three- or four-week residencies that the grant provides. To access guidelines, instructions and application, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog3/pad_gdl.html.For more information about the Arts Education Roster, contact Program Branch Manager Chris Cathers at 502-564-3757 ext. 488, toll free 888-833-2787 or christopher.cathers@ky.gov. The Kentucky Crafted Directory, Performing Arts Directory and Arts Education Roster are available online at http://artistdirectory.ky.gov. The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
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