Recently in Art for Art's Sake Category

I was at the library the other day multitasking.
Because that's what libraries are for, right?

Writing recipes, looking for design inspiration while simultaneously reading TITANIC TRUCKS to the boy running through the stacked aisles. I was beginning to think that a vacation might be something to consider when all of the sudden books started screaming and jumping off the shelves -- dangerously missing my head... I grabbed Will and dove under the nearest table. The piles of books surrounded us as one manuscript fell open at my knees... it was Poe, "I am above the weakness of seeking to establish a sequence of cause and effect, between the disaster and the atrocity." It was then that I realized that something needed to be done immediately... Because I have reached the final point, and this is it. I am dangerously approaching the end of my blogging quota.

Visualize this to be like filling a water balloon to capacity or eating copious amounts of McDonald's like this guy did a few years ago... only to result in weight gain, heart disease, ulcers and bad skin.... because what did he think was going to happen? I wonder if he wishes that he could go back and undo -- kind of like going back and picking through - deleting the bad blog posts while copying and saving the good ones for republishing possibilities... revitalizing the QUOTA. But oh the HUMANITY.

I started For the Birds on August 22, 2008. It was a slow start... and, although I never intended for this blog to turn into what it is now... it has been a journey like no other... similar to swimming across the Atlantic or leaving the space shuttle mid-universe to test out that gravity theory... floating aimlessly into DEEP SPACE. And if you know what this blog is about, then you're a hair-slight more genius than I, because I lost track a LOOOONG time ago. But I am missing the point.

What I am trying to inch out there is that I am now starting the tedious task of going back, judging myself and then deciding who gets to stay and who gets to go hang out at the pearly gates of archival heaven. But what do you think? If you are here, reading this right now -- If you wouldn't mind turning time off for a few minutes and letting me know if there are any posts that must stay live... Because beyond self-inflicted torture, I am my own souvenir. And I'm sure that isn't the first time I've said that.   

I'm asking because yesterday I saw something that sent me into a deep meditation of WOW you are REALLY intense... So intense that the craziest thing I've done lately is order this brooch:

But then I thought further and it was total madness that I went out INTO THE SNOW to build yet another snowman. OR - perhaps it was the blue cheese that I allowed on my beet salad... Cheating myself is only PART of the diet game. Then there was the mixing of darks and lights in the laundry -- something that I do ALL THE TIME. So insane that whilst at Target last week I took the chance on GINGHAM--My inner cowboy calling. I might just paint my nails... SOME ONE STOP ME. 

But there was a time when I was equally inspired... although I've never acted on the desire... I really wanted this exact same tattoo--to be worn with ratty jeans, black eyeliner and purposely tussled hair--just precisely out of place. 

And no. Courtney did not make it okay to have a gut OR go sans bra...Nice try though. But.. the image was burned into my brain. Okay - So WHAT IF 1995 was 15 years ago. I resisted the impulse by bleaching out my bangs. I know - how very SKUNK of me. ALMOST as insane as the triple pierce in my ear circa 1988--almost completely wiped from existence. And so... while others are out there doing what could be considered CRAZY - I just have to pay thanks... thanks for the allowance to live vicariously... and because if this was a level 3 on pain -- in my world it would have been a 20... along with my safely coiffed brunette existence... I bow in envy. 

But would you just look at this? Art for Art's Sake AND permanent to boot. Well done Vapid--Well Done!

  

We have a serious problem... I've tried to tell it that being fully erect is not acceptable... I mean.. people are starting to stare. "Error, the lens will not retract, Please restart". What? Is it trying to tell me something? This part of me that launches full speed on my "GO GO GADGET CAMERA" command and then explodes out of my chest attached to my third arm..And what brought on this fit of excitement? The shots of Santa? The scenic swans on the ice? The endless obscure pictures that I take of toys, bathroom fixtures and signs? The world's most handsome 2 year old, or the Bluedog, in all of his stubborn glory? ai-je offensé?

I'm not even going to acknowledge this behavior. Are you finished? Would you mind putting that thing away, because I'm really beginning to get upset... I understand that you are trying to make a statement... that this kind of thing is not actually a dysfunction -- more likely it is an internal issue that is keeping you at full attention. OF COURSE I love you, but please-- this is a little much. You are NOT old, at least I don't think you are... Remember when we met? Please, just retract. And what is that noise you're making?

I didn't say ABNORMAL, I just think it's a little off-putting.

Okay, so no - no cooperation on your end... I'm sorry, but we are going to have to do something about this. Christmas is on Friday... I can't have you hanging around in such a state. You just had to pull this all out now, didn't you. Perfect timing. Did you try massaging the converter lens? I mean, what will everyone think? No, I don't want to try something new. I like things the way they are. What are you talking about? I don't think this is exciting or fun... it's really annoying actually. 

Isn't there something that you can take to make it go away?  I mean, you can't be comfortable like that. Isn't this making you a little worried? Because I'm beginning to freak out. What am I supposed to do with you NOW? No, I'm not going back to the iphone camera--I told you that I'm totally dedicated. No, film won't work for me either--You showed me how to live! PLEASE, don't DO THIS! I don't think I can go through another life lesson. I read the book and it doesn't say anything about...   

That's it. I'm calling for help.

PS Technorati... 5CDJ8JMDKB8D - CLAIM. 

Let me preface this entry by making a huge excuse for the spoilage of my son, Will. Aside from his inherent awesomeness and beyond this planet cuteness, he is also currently the only Grandson with one set of Grandparents, and a 3rd Grandchild to the other set. He is also a Nephew to my two sisters and my husband's siblings - two sisters and a brother... not to mention the endless sea of extended family that we all love and adore. Then there are the friends... Wow, we sound like the most popular kids in school, right? Not.

In Will's vast lifetime of 2 years... I think that Mr. Sal and I have purchased--at the most--10% of his belongings... toys and clothing... All the rest have been bestowed upon us by our loving collection of friends and family... The toys that have truly turned our home into a playhouse... and the clothing... MY GOD THE CLOTHING. Honestly, we love it... so if you are reading this... please DO NOT STOP... But during the holidays... it does beg the question as parents... What to buy?... I turned to Mari @ Small for Big, a friend that I am stalking whose website I am slightly obsessed with... I love Mari's picks because the items are all dollar friendly, somewhat green and are usually created with an AWESOME design sense... I might just buy a few things for myself to display as our Holiday centerpiece.. Regardless, I'm sure by the end of this list I will have spent it all--sorry to the rest, it's all for Will this year... Take it away Mari!...

When I sent out my request to help shop for the kids dear to you this holiday season, little did I realize Ry's response would be: "what do I get for the boy who has everything?" Hmm. That's one of those tough ones isn't it. And with the grandparents' tendencies to spoil kids rotten (we love it though, right?) I think the phenomenon is pretty common.

So, I thought I'd help her out with some of my favorites for a 2 year old boy who happens to like trucks, trains, blocks puzzles, and balls. There's something in every price range here - and some great things for girls too.

Magic Gertie Ball - Many parents already know the wonders of the easy to grasp, easy to inflate Gertie Ball.  But the Magic Gertie is special - remember Hypercolor clothes in the 80's? It's baaaaaack.  (This is much better than my HS choir teacher and his hypercolor shorts. Not Kidding.)

Stacking Cone - An Act Two twist on the classic stacker - it's definitely harder than your standard version - for the puzzler side of Mr. Will.

Billibo - A toy beyond explanations. Because it's creative potential is best unlocked by a kid (hat? Rocker? Pail? Sled? Something never seen before?) This one made Small for Big's theWANTlists this year.

Dexterity Stellina Color Sorting Puzzle - Mr. Will can find hours of puzzling choices with this crazy star-shaped shape/size/color sorter.

Douglas, from Monster Factory - Because every single monster at the Monster Factory is worthy of Mr. Will's love, but I could only pick one.


Switchback Racetrack -  A vertical way to get your fix of racing, crashing, and little boys' squealing.


Dalmation's Choice Fire Engine - The Cadillac (sorry, fire truck) of ride-ons. It's a retro classic to keep for the grandchildren. It has to be for that price.

Thanks Mari!--To follow up, en-route to our house via Santa's sled (PS did you know that if Santa actually went as fast as he would have to go to reach all the children of the world in one night, his sled would burst into flames? sorry.)...

• Billibo - I'm just so curious to see how Will approaches this thing...
• Dexterity Stellina Color Sorting Puzzle - He loves puzzles!...
• Switchback Racetrack - Hours of predictable fun...
• Douglas, from Monster Factory - Honestly... ALL FOR ME, ALL ME - do you think Douglas drinks? Kinda looks like a Patrón man... shots anyone?
  

The consensus that I'm getting is that everyone is a little stressed out. Here is a fine example... and another... I'm feeling it too - as you know.. I wrote about it here, here and here. So, what can we do about it? "The Holidays" are supposed to be fulfilling... fun, cheer, love, presents, bodily warmth that can't be explained (or is that just me?)... but alas - we all seem to have let LIFE into the scene and that makes for no fun. So.. what are we going to do? All muck about and complain? Well - apparently yes... unless we cancel the holidays... kicking Ol' Saint Nick off the wagon into an unbridaled downward spiral... breaking things and scaring Rudolf. Poor, poor reindeer. And so, dear friends, I am afraid that there isn't an answer to solve this holiday thing. It simply is not curable... unless you're hanging out with me, of course (insert really scary laugh)... There is just nothing that can be done--so keep on keeping on, swearing and spitting on your own floors... just keep in mind that once Jan 2nd arrives, it isn't over... The Holidays are merciless, and will return with a vengeance next year... if only to ensure vindication.. and the year after that.. and the year...

So... this all being said. Let's all take a big swig of that bloody Bloody Mary and talk about something really really ground breaking... I HAVE A NEW BATHROOM...

Amanda Miller and I met at that little virtual world cafe on the corner where perfection runs deep among the critics of the blogosphere. Miller, a quick wit and major speed-resistant rising star of the internet publishing world with TWO blogs to boast and gobs of material to share, takes a sip of her Meyer lemon iced water... The interview begins.

So... Amanda, Why California? I fell in love with San Francisco on a visit when I was 18 and told myself I would eventually move there. My husband and I were married overlooking the San Francisco bay, we actually eloped. I would like to leave though, 10 years is too long to stay in one spot. I get antsy. Do you think that France will be the next destination? Eloping sounds fun - was your family mad?  I would say France or Italy. Just got my Italian citizenship (my kids as well) so now I can vote over there. For what, I don't know. I can't even speak the language. Oh I forgot about Amsterdam. I love Amsterdam... As for eloping, my family wasn't mad, don't think they even noticed.

How would you describe yourself in three words? Determined, Lazy, Decisive. Are you a Gemini? No, I'm a Taurus. Why? What does that mean? I'm not familiar with astrology speak. Am I going to die soon? I'm not that into Astrology either but Geminis typically flip flop between determined and lazy - I know this because my husband and I are both Geminis...In a sea of incomplete projects - determined to get it done, but then too lazy. Not sure if you're going to die soon... I hope not! Well my husband is an Aquarius and he's lazy too. Sounds like we're all just a bunch of incredibly smart, funny and talented lazy people. Ha!

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? Japanese Maple. How very determined, lazy and decisive of you.

What is your favorite color? Do I have to pick just one? Okay, black. No, white. Final answer? I don't have one. Did you know that both white and black are not actual colors? Instead they are "states of being" as in space. The percentage values are either 100% or 0%. Black is my favorite color too. Why yes I did know that but could have never put it as eloquently as you just did. Speaking of absence of color, my next project will be painting my living room black. Exciting!

Why is the stop sign an octagon? That's an odd question. I really don't know and not sure that I really need to know. Some things are just better left a mystery. Agreed. This question came from the IQ test you challenged me on @Twitter. (kidding) Ha ha.

What kind of people do you dislike? People without a sense of humor. People who don't like cats. Come on, it's a cute kitty, what's not to like? Crazy religious preachy people who believe their God and our government should mix. People who don't wash their hands after using the bathroom. I'm not too fond of most people. So... France would work well for you--sans the hand washing habits. Really? They don't wash their hands in France? I know the men sometimes pee in the streets. I don't know, I suppose I'd be too busy drinking wine and buying berets to even notice. I'm sure that they wash their hands in France. A good friend of mine and I were flashed by... Well, a Flasher, in a Paris Metro tunnel - This was after an awesome stay and on our way to the airport to leave... so my lasting impression is somewhat jarred.  I think that would be a wonderful way to end a stay in Paris. Just icing on the cake...

What is your favorite drink? If I'm drinking alcohol my choice is champagne. I could drink it every day. Have you ever tried champagne with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? It's quite good. Otherwise I like ice water with a wedge of Meyer lemon. Don't the bubbles go to your head? Ice water with lemon makes you sound super healthy.  That's the point, no? Yes, I try and be healthy so I'll drink my delightful ice water and then proceed to shove four cupcakes into my mouth. Organic of course.

Who would you like to see play the lead role as you? I'd have to go with Marlon Brando. Wait, he's a guy, right? And dead. Okay then I'll say Zooey Deschanel. Yes, she's a little younger than me but movies are just pretend anyway so let's pretend she's exactly my age. (laughing) ZD is my virtual "I don't know this person" image of you. Weird!  That is weird! I am way older though, so enjoy that image of Miss Zooey. Good thing you didn't say Marlon Brando... I picture you as the girl from the Twilight movie (never saw it, just read the tabloid garbage) You know, the one rumored to be dating the hot English vampire. Ha ha--I haven't read it either but I am interested in this new teenage surge of over-sexed vampires. Like it's a new concept? How can you possibly be way older than Zooey? I think I might be way older than you. Well according to Internet (and we all know it never lies) Zooey was born in 1980. And I was not. Is this a sneaky way of you trying to get me to reveal my age? For some reason I hate telling people how old I am. Getting older sucks.

What would I find in your refrigerator right now? Hummus, every yogurt under the sun, shriveled up basil, duck and sweet potato dog food (my dog is well taken care of) Irish butter, almond milk, cows milk, a beautiful bunch of baby carrots I need to use before they go rotten, whipped cream, peanut butter, coffee, leftover Indian butter chicken from last night. Just the regular stuff. Regular stuff = Leftover Indian butter chicken? Come on, who doesn't have Indian butter chicken in their fridge? I'm actually on an Indian food kick and have cooked it once a week for the past few weeks. I'm really over it now. Really over it.

What is the last thing you did before answering these questions? Well I started this yesterday and haven't been able to finish because my kids kept pestering me. Some nonsense about rumbling stomachs. So let's see, yesterday I had just emptied the dishwasher and tonight I just cleaned up the dinner plates. See a pattern? Yes - like Laundry, it never ends... Myth of Sisyphus. Say that 10 times really fast...

What inspired you to start your blogs? Well I've always enjoyed writing and once I discovered this thing called "blogging" I knew it was for me, just never had the balls to start my own until last year. Subjects such as art, music and personal dairies like Dooce were my favorites. When I began writing Brilliant Sulk I wasn't sure which direction it was headed. I suppose it has morphed into a "humor blog" but that could all change tomorrow. I'm slightly unpredictable. Do you think that Dooce is a little too "Tell All"--like what else is left? Brilliant Sulk is funny - does that surprise you though? I always find myself a little taken-aback when people call my writing funny. Do people tell you that the blog sounds "like you"? What about Brilliant Spread? The photography is gorgeous. I used to be a huge Dooce fan, not so much anymore. She's a bit too smug and as you say, "Tell All" I aim to be smug and mysterious. Kidding, I'm kidding. I'm not sure I'm really as funny as I am sarcastic. But I suppose it's up to my billions of readers to make that determination.

You know, not many people I know read my blog (Brilliant Sulk) because I haven't told them about it. Is that weird? My mom and husband read it. Maybe I'm embarrassed. Gosh, I have issues. I think I need a good therapist. But I think you and I have similar writing styles. Maybe we should take our act on the road.

My other blog, Brilliant Spread, is great fun because I love taking photos and writing about food. It's a fairly new site that I need to spend some more time working on.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be? There's a party in my tummy. Nice.

Aside from your Tummy, what motivates you? My kids, art, music, nature. I mentioned before that your photography on Brilliant Spread is, well - brilliant - did you study photography or is it just a thing? Why thank you. Oh, gosh I've always wanted to be a "real" photographer but because I'm so incredibly lazy I never pursued it professionally. I wish I had because I really enjoy it. I suppose it's never too late.

On that "never too late" theme, if you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? I'd immediately hop on a plane and travel the world like Brad and Angelina. With or without the 26 kids? Hell no, they can keep those children. I'll take my two girls, two nannies, my husband and we're off. What would I do with my dog and two cats though? I suppose I could bring my dog, but I'd have to hire a full time cat nanny. It would be difficult being rich.

If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you have? I'm going to have to go with the Italian dressing you get at a steakhouse. The incredibly vinegary kind with chunks of blue cheese. How very determined, lazy and decisive.

If you were written about in the newspaper, on the front page, what would the headline say? She's Innocent! Of what crime? Goat thievery. I would never steal a goat.

What makes you angry? Fluorescent lighting, litterbugs, genetically modified food, Rush Limbaugh, parents who don't watch their kids at the playground, Barney, that stupid giant purple dinosaur. Genetically modified food and giant purple dinosaurs can ruin my day too... have you ever approached a parent not watching their kids? I certainly would approach them but I can never find them! I hate taking my kids to the park but I have to because that would be really mean and they would look even pastier than they do now.

What's the most important part of the sandwich? The bread. If you have terribly stale or tasteless bread the sandwich is completely ruined. And without the bread the sandwich fails to be a sandwich,  I suppose... Exactly.

Can you describe an atom? No. Thank you.

Describe your most rewarding experience to date. Well I suppose the politically correct answer would be the day my kids were born. Or maybe volunteering to bring food and gifts to the elderly every year on Christmas morning. Or all of the animals I've rescued over the years. No, can't say I've had any rewarding experiences to date. I'm waiting. How very determined, lazy and decisive. No really... good things come to those who wait (NYC 2010). How about saving the world while you're at it? I'm far too busy blogging to try and save the world.


(kitty cat photo credit: Image by Peri Apex via Flickr)

Guest Bird #7  - Sylvia

If you're not familiar with Palm Springs weather, check out last month's warm temperatures!
 
Water has always been an important theme in the Palm Springs area, for the beauty as well as the cooling effect.  At last count, there were said to be over 30,000 swimming pools in the Coachella Valley.  I have chosen the most interesting residential pools to share with you...

Guest Bird #4  - Sylvia

Palm Springs is in the Coachella Valley (in the desert) about 100 miles east of Los Angeles.  It's hot -- it was in the 80's or 90's every day in October, and it rarely rains!  It does get up to 115 degrees in the summer, so most people do not live here year-round.
 
Palm Springs was sparsely populated until the arrival of air conditioning in the 1940's!  Then it became a hotspot where Hollywood came to play.  The town really kicked into cocktail hour in the late 1940's and 1950's when Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Lucille Ball (our friend Susie owns Lucille Ball's former home in Thunderbird Country Club), Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Jack Benny, the Gabor sisters, Red Skelton, Dinah Shore, Liberace, and Kirk Douglas moved in.  Some of these entertainers would "break in" their routines at clubs here, before headlining the showrooms of Las Vegas.  Palm Springs was the ideal escape -- at the time it was a dusty 4-hour drive from Los Angeles and inaccessible enough that there were few paparazzi...  In the 1950's golf took over, and many people lived inside "country clubs", which turns out to be a great idea NOWADAYS (good security, private, quiet, safe, etc.)


These affluent vacationers wanted their second homes to be beautiful and different.  Wood disintegrates in the desert, so the architects who came here started designing homes with glass, stone, steel, and concrete.  They wanted differing rooflines:  curvy, butterfly, zig-zag, pointy.  And, they wanted transparency between being "indoors" and "outdoors", lots of skylights, and interior spaces more "open" and minimal.  Thus the architectural style known as "Palm Springs Modern" was born, also referred to as Mid-Century Modern.  Palm Springs Modernism reflects Hollywood, tourism, the desert, and wealth.  Similar forces existed in Los Angeles, but in Palm Springs they were concentrated in a small, isolated area.  The architects who subsequently became famous for this innovative, daring, unique style are:  Richard Neutra, A. Quincy Jones, Paul R. Williams, Albert Frey, E. Stewart Williams, William Cody, Donald Wexler, Palmer and Krisel, and John Lautner.
 
Palm Springs has recently developed a dedicated group of modern preservationists, as many of the mid-century homes were to be knocked down.  In 2002, the 1963 Maslon House at Tamarisk Country Club, one of only three homes in the area designed by Neutra, was demolished and this ignited American Modern preservation in Palm Springs.  My in-laws (members of Tamarisk Country Club) were very close friends of the Maslons, and spent a LOT of time at this house.  In 1960, Samuel and Luella Maslon started working very closely with Richard Neutra to design a house to hold their extensive contemporary art collection.  The property was two acres (the Maslon's purchased THREE lots), it was on the fairway, and it had a very desirable mountain view.  After Sam and Luella died, their heirs put the house up for sale.  It was purchased in 2002 by Richard Rotenberg for $2.45 million.  About 30 days later, my mother-in-law was playing golf at Tamarisk.  When she got to the 12th hole, she saw to her complete horror -- the Maslon house was being torn down.  She immediately stopped playing golf, ran home, and called the Maslon's daughter (an attorney in Boston) to inform her of what she had just seen.  The daughter said, "The buyer PROMISED to keep the house intact."  My mother-in-law said, "Did you get that in writing?"  The response was, "No, it was on a hand-shake."  I can't remember what my mother-in-law said next, but the Maslon's daughter hasn't spoken to her since!
 
For some fascinating reading about presidents and celebrities and their homes in Palm Springs, read excerpts here from:  Palm Springs Legends: Creation of a Desert Oasis (start with Chapter 29 and keep reading!)
 
When viewing the photos below, please hover your mouse over the word "Notes" on the lower right side, so that you'll be able to see the descriptions!



Great books I recommend:

• Julius Shulman: Palm Springs
• Palm Springs Weekend: The Architecture and Design of a Midcentury Oasis
• Palm Springs Modern

 
Palm Springs Modern links:

• 2010 Palm Springs Modernism Week
• 2010 Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale
• The Palm Springs Modern Committee
• Palm Springs Preservation Foundation
• Palm Springs Art Museum:  Architecture and Design Council

Sylvia grew up in central California, spent 20+ years working in Manhattan, and is currently trying to sell her New York house--located in Hamptons. You can connect with Sylvia, a Diva at Networking, via http://twitter.com/SylviaEnder and http://www.linkedin.com/in/SylviaEnder.

This is Sylvia's second For the Birds Landing. You can find her first post here.