A collection from female artists at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery at the University of MN. There was a challenge for men to try walking in high heels. My guy did it, no problem.
Wonder Women
Luminary Loppet
Freezing in the slippery dark to take some snaps of the Luminary Loppet. It's a pretty event. I am not very good at photographs in the dark. Ok it was also negative degrees outside and windy so I did try. It's not easy to balance a camera on ice but I'm gonna try again next year.
Making Things
There are some sad and frustrating things happening in my life right now. When my mom died some years ago, it was suggested to me to find some sort of not serious creative outlet. I started making little handmade pieces of jewelry to distract myself. I never thought I'd still be making it and sending it all over the world. I am glad for my creative time. It's really getting me through tough times again. Sometimes it's hard to focus but when I can get right into it, the concentration required is a great help to me. These are some of my favorite things I've made and a few new things I've made recently. Some are listed in my ETSY shop, GirlyGeekChic if you are so inclined. Thank you for stopping by!
Art Junkie
I was just at the MIA this weekend for the Habsburgs exhibit(what a bunch of inbred weirdoes) (but worth it to see the Werewolf Syndrome painting). It was the first known case to be documented.
*source of picture unknown
I was not allowed to take pictures in that exhibit but the first week of Jan. I visited the museum twice in one week. The first visit on Jan. 3rd was to see the Italian Fashion exhibit which was only ok in my opinion. But I did take some snapshots of some cakes created to celebrate the MIA's 100th birthday.
Then I went back with a friend who was in town visiting and she lent me her Olloclip lens to try out on my phone. I still have an iPhone 5 because well, around here we pretty much use things till we cannot anymore. It took some pretty good pictures even with my tired old camera. I will have to get one in the future as I use my phone a lot for snapshots. Have a look:
In Summation Part 4 or Funny Things From My Last Job
So, I have completely and totally messed up this whole In Summation posts. I can't even tell you why. However, I can tell you that I am picking it back up and again. I am going to start with a funny story from my last job at the bookstore I worked at for 7 1/2 years. It was a pretty great job. People did silly things all the time and here's a good example.
Team of Rivals- wait this isn’t a sports books?
People have the NOTION of good intentions. They truly want to be more educated and open. Well, at least I think so?
I have days when I’m just not sure and if I feel that way here with Minnesota being the most educated state in the union: I can’t help but wonder how I would feel elsewhere.
Allow me to say the usual disclaimer that people feel the need to give when something can be construed as a complaint from their job. I love my job. I really, truly do.
There is nothing I want to do that doesn’t involve books in some way.
In fact, this little bit I am about to share is also something I love. These dumb little things people do. Watching it happen brings me some sense of weird joy to notice the strange things people say or do without realizing it. The implications of the things people say tend to resonate further than they realize. It’s curious to see the lack of awareness that even some of the more educated population seems to posses when it comes to certain things they say. Not that we all don’t “stick our foot in our mouth” from time to time. But the reality is I suspect, that most people often just really don’t think through what they are about to say. Thus, also not realizing what it says about them.
That out of the way here are a couple of tiny tidbits: I was asked once who wrote “Beowulf”. I explained to this gentleman that in fact, Beowulf was published without an author with a bit of information as to why.
He informed me that books “could not be published without an author” and he “knew” he had seen it somewhere and he’d “find that copy and bring it to me to show me.” That was almost 2 years ago.
Sue Grafton is an author famous for her mystery series which is titled using the alphabet. In order. The most current is “T” for Trespass”. These books have been around for a very long while. Someone held one up to me pointed to the “T” and asked me what letter came next.
I answered the phone and was asked to find a book for someone. They told me the title and author. I was unfamiliar with both. I asked if they knew what genre the book was. I was told it was hardcover.
Now, I could go on like this for a while but I would like to share with you my favourite story from work to date.
Many of you are probably aware that we have been under a presidency for the last 8 years that was what many considered “anti-intellectual”. You can interpret this to mean a lot things but as of late the interpretation has taken the form of reading.
President Obama is a new sort of man to lead in many ways least of which is love of reading. Something that I personally had joy in my heart about until about a week ago when the words “He is to books what Oprah is” were uttered by a reporter and allow me to explain why.
I say with a mix of grand appreciation and trepidation that Oprah sells books.
She has revived many a writer’s career and kicked them off as well. She gets people to read. Love her or hate her- Oprah has done a lot of good in the world all around.
But, the flip side to this is she also responsible for people reading a lot of poorly written books. Things that become mass market printed (never mind the environmental implications) and quickly discarded because it does nothing to further said reader’s intelligence or emotional depth. I suspect, a lot of the books she has never even read herself but gets sold on such stories and decides to roll with it.
You attach Oprah’s name to anything and a lot of the upper/ middle class want to put their hands on it.
Well, Obama’s reading list now has Oprah’s name attached to it. Most noted as of late has been his affinity for the history book “A Team of Rivals”. It is talked about that he has even used it as an influence for establishing his own cabinet.
(A side note to those who may not know what this book is about: It is a book about President Lincoln’s own presidential cabinet. A man who was an innovator in many ways including making sure to not surround himself with people who only agreed with him. It was of tremendous importance that he be also around people who argued with him every step of the way thus creating a system of checks and balances and open view points. A way for him to understand that his way wasn’t the only way. Something I’d be willing to bet regardless of party affiliation we can all agree on.)
Day One, Sunday: A woman comes up to me as I am working. She is a very typical customer in the sense she is carrying a list for her book club. She has a very sensible short haircut and is wearing somewhat urban but not “too crazy” funky glasses and high end all weather sports wear.
She asks me about the book. She doesn’t know what’s it about nor why her book club chose it. I explain what I know and she seems to listen and I take her to where we have it. It is a very nice book. Normally $35 and we sell it for half. It’s of substantial size being a history book. I pull it out and hand it to her. Her eyes instantly glaze over.
“Wow, that’s really long. I think I’ll skip this one and geez, it’s expensive ($17.50).”
I say okay and put it back. Reactions to books considered “too long” are something I am accustomed to.
Day Two, Monday: A male version of the woman comes in the store. Seriously, I think they even have the same REI vest on.
He tells me he heard about this book on NPR. He actually, knows what it’s about. I take him over to the shelf pick up the same copy from the day before and hold it out to him. He looks at the cover and he incredulously states, “It’s written by a WOMAN?”
Right.
Very carefully resisting the urge to state “Yeah, and we can also vote. Can you believe it?” I explain that the woman in question is a noted and well-respected historian who also wrote an incredibly well-received book about baseball.
He simply stares at me like I am an idiot at which point I put the book back on the shelf and walk away. This is not a situation I can win.
Day Three, Tuesday: Another man. Me and my poor timing. He too, looks like white Minnesota. He asks me for the book. I pause, considering the possibility that my co-workers are possibly playing a prank on me.
I explain what the book is about on the way to the shelf. I have decided my investment in this situation should probably be minimal.
I get to the shelf, pull the same copy off the shelf and hand it over. He looks at it flips it over and looks straight at me.
“LINCOLN? Why would I want to read about Lincoln?”
(sigh)
“I don’t know sir.”
New Shop Listings!
Taking a break today to work on new listings for my shop, GirlyGeekChic. Please have a visit!
In Which We Dada
So maybe it's not sophisticated music. I dunno. What I do know is that Dada Life is about as much fun as you can have both listening to them and seeing them live. I have seen their show twice now and I just love it. It is high energy and silly and all about fun. The first time I saw them I'd had a terrible day and I left with the biggest smile having danced for two hours straight and cracking up at the obsession they seem to have with bananas. This time around I took a few photos from my phone(I try not to take pics at shows because I find it very rude). I really couldn't resist. Especially when the giant banana appeared.
The lighting gear was most impressive at Myth Nightclub.
The aftermath of the giant pillow fight.
The Transcendental Order of Divertissement Presents: Divine Midnight: A Preternatural New Year’s Event
Yes I am way behind. But I wanted to share with you the New Year's Eve Party I threw with my friends this year. I included the invite copy and pictures as well as snapshots.
This time around it wasn't as big as they have been but it was a great deal of fun with about 60 people. Looking things up about the occult and conspiracy beliefs was especially interesting.
Enjoy our weirdness!
The Transcendental Order of Divertissement Presents: Divine Midnight: A Preternatural New Year’s Event
This dark and fateful New Year’s Eve your humble hosts and hostess bring you a new, more intimate, more elaborate, but no less spectacular affair.
Step into the parlors of Victorian England as the Occult Spiritualist Rage sweeps the continent, bringing with it all the spells and voodoo enchantments of the New World.
Join us in your finest semi-formal, formal, or demimonde attire as we submit to you, for your leisure, our Illusionarium Dance Floor, Otherworldly Libations (for our 21+ guests), Crpytovegan Food, Fortune Telling, Seances, the Den of Iniquity, Cabinets of Curiosities, Mesmerizing DJs and more, to create for you a Wunderkammer for the senses.
This will be an invite-only engagement. Sacred and pleasurable. You are welcome to bring a guest, but if you plan to bring more than one please check with your presenters as space is limited.
There will be no cover charge, but we will be accepting gratuities and offerings to the spirits.
We do so hope you’ll join us to welcome in a mystical new year as the clock strikes Divine Midnight.
Our Drink Menu
Our Food Menu
Foggy Days
Some photos from an unusual foggy December day here.
The Butterfly House
There are very few creatures I love more than Butterflies. I learned quite a lot here. Including that if you send the Save Our Monarchs Foundation $25 they send you a 100 milkweed packets. My balcony garden will be tripling in size this year. If you don't have $25, you can send them a self-addressed stamped enevelope and they will send you three packets. If you don't have a stamp, send me your address, I'll take care of it for you.
Girly Geek Chics
A new member of the Girly Geek Chics, lockets and cute Thank You cards!
Have a great day!
Ella Cerulean, Throwback Thursday
My throwback Thursday is my book launch party from this past July. My book Ella Cerulean was published this year and I am working on my second one! Some snapshots from the party.
Millner Heritage Winery
I have now been to 11 different Minnesota wineries. A couple of them I've visited more than once. I'm not an expert but I do have a little experience. Well, back at the start of November before all the holiday insanity hit me I went to the one that I believe has been the best so far. The name of the place is Millner Heritage. The tour I was taken on was over an hour long and I learned more about wine than I had in all my previous visits. Everyone working was knowledgable about the product which has not always been the case at other places. We were greeted immediately when we walked in the door and offered a glass of mulled wine which I had never had before (I did enjoy it a great deal). I tasted 15 different wines and liked a great many of them. The whites were quite standout and I bought six different bottles that I served throughout the holidays. I really cannot say enough about what fun this place was and how everyone there seemed to be having a good time. I am really looking forward to going back when it is warm and I can walk around the grounds.
Home
Snow
Snap Shots
Bits and Pieces of my shop's holiday!
GirlyGeekChic 2nd Annual Open House
I did not get accepted to a craft show that I applied to be in this year and was pretty discouraged. But with some help of one very supportive helper elf, I hosted a 2nd Open House this past weekend and I am so glad I did. It went even better than last year and I feel so happy and grateful for the support of my little shop, GirlyGeekChic. Here are some photos from my 3 day event. Have a great week!
Franconia Sculpture Park
I've been on a mission to see the odd, wonderful things in Minnesota and the surrounding states. I've found and visited some places I had no idea were here and oh-so-cool. One such place is the Franconia Sculpture Park. In mid-October I went here as the sun set to explore. I was only there for an hour but next time I want to go longer as I didn't get to see everything. What I did see was so neat. Minnesota is full of creative people and this is one more great example of their work. Oh and I took lots of pictures.
New Geek Girl Pieces!
There are more new things in my shop! I am so excited for the holidays and my Open House!
Minnesota Monday, Wild Mountain Winery
In continuing to tour the Minnesota Wineries, a trek was made out to Wild Mountain Winery. It was a bit of a drive but the land around it is quite beautiful. The same day I spent part of the day in the town of Taylors Falls, Minnesota. Taking a boat ride and shopping in a great beads and gems store. The stop at the winery lasted a couple of hours most of the time spent exploring the grounds. We did a tasting as well and there was a wine on the menu that tasted just like lettuce. No kidding. It was quite odd. I do so enjoy a great deal of the Minnesota whites and here was no exception. The one thing I'd say as with some of the other ones I've been to, they really rush your tasting and that gets a bit tiresome. We usually end up asking for them to slow down so we can savour and enjoy what we have. Regardless of this, visiting the Minnesota winieries is turning into one of my favorite things to do.
