indie rock

I told myself that if I ever reached a limit on my pictures then I'd have to delete and start over. Well I've exceeded my limit and it's time to delete. I have shared with friends and family over 10,000 yes ten. thousand. photos. Some you loved and some you didn't really care about them but heck, I wanted to share them anyway. So some time next week it's delete mode. :(

photo from june 2011 at the prophet bar

On another note & surely another "photo op" I'm looking forward to tonight's Girl In A Coma concert . Strange name for an all girl band but man can they play. Girl In a Coma is an indie rock band from San Antonio, Texas on Joan Jett's Blackheart Records' label. The band is made up of sisters Nina and Phanie Diaz and friend, Jenn Alva. Saw them in a photograph awhile back in the Texas Magazine as a new coming up group. So decided to hear them back in 2011 loved the way the singer ( Nina Diaz) performed. I've been to a couple of bands here in the area and she is not afraid to feel the music and sing. By the end of the concert she is pouring in sweat from her performing. Gross I know but that just means that she doesn't play around. If you have come to see them perform they will give you just that, a good performance. They will be performing at Sue Ellen's tonight and we bought our tickets last month. Didn't want to miss it.  One of my favorites http://youtu.be/0VfN6UmQlfI . If you have seen the movie Machete (2010)  they have a song featured in the movie. I havn't seen it yet.

If you get to see them tonight be prepared to hear the voice and feel the music. If you don't get to see them tonight don't worry they will be back.

smile

We moved to a rural side of Irving back in 1998 and we had a special neighbor that greeted us from day one. She has watched my sisters grow up and now watches them as they come home and leave to their own homes.

I visited her today but not my regular visit. You see she fell in love and married and it had been 56 years this year when she unexpectedly had to say goodbye to her husband. He made it just one more valentine before he left. I accompanied my mother to visit with her. She married a navy man. We didn't make it to his service but she told me of the flag folded that was given to her. She is one special lady. It was always just him and her. They never had a family. I didn't want to ever ask why they were not able to have a family. I felt that there might be more to the story if I had asked and didn't want her to feel any less for not having a child. My concern is that she has no one but her mother who lives an hour away. On his side only a sister and a niece. She doesn't have any plans of moving but she disliked the fact that, that was the number one concern on other peoples mind. I told her that for us it would be just fine if she stayed, that if anything we were just around the corner.

She told us a story of her husband and that included saying " how I would give anything to see that big smile of his again".

His death was sudden. She wasn't prepared for a goodbye.

Picture a 77 year silver hair with light pink lipstick on sharing with me a photograph of her and her husband back when her hair was red.

Her birthday is in May and she jokingly said "if I make it another birthday".

She is a strong woman. I just don't want her to feel alone.

I came home to share the story and tried to capture Heathers smile.

You capture a smile.

faulty

The tiger with a mended heart. A valentines approaches but we are at the store for another reason when we have to pass by all the red I love you items.

I have in my life a stuffed animal lover. It has gotten better with the years but I have to share with you a story. She spots it and says "I want this can I have it?" I say really. "Yes really". So I keep it photographed in my mind for later. You see its hard to buy or surprise with something when we are always together. We start to walk away she goes back and says " no we have to get him now, today". Why I say? " Look at him he is different, no one will buy him, he will get sent back". Why? I still say. "See he is different than the rest". I come closer and see what she is talking about. We gather another and check the rest and sure enough he is different. I say okay I guess we can get him today.


the tiger has his heart defect or just a special tiger

I have a collector of odd things in my house due to my (no one will buy it) other half. You think it's not real but let me bring you to just one more example. This ceramic dog was on a shelf at a store a couple of years back and she also had to have it. When I said, well let me see if they will give me a discount on it first. I didn't understand then why she would want this broken trinket. When they said no on the discount I knew I had lost my battle and bought it anyway.


broken leg

The only thing I can come up with is that everything broken still means something to someone. That it may not be whole but it's still complete. It may not serve it's purpose to anyone but just to that one. That if it had real feelings it would feel like a lot of people feel when they are rejected.

By this point in time I have given up all whys and just agreed to okay let's get it.

If you have someone in your life like I do then we both know that feeling.

This is one aspect of my better half that I somehow admire, she finds ways to save the up most out of anything  

beads and a snake

Familia Shoulders

I'm going to start by saying that I'm happy to announce that Heather was part of a unique group of artists to join together for the first time at Converge Artist Workplace. A new gallery in the making. Didn't realize that she would be apart of a group that made it's first beginning. I know to some it might not mean anything but it really is a big deal.

Had a very fun and eventful weekend. Love doing things with my senorita and I love the fact that we share the same interests. The one thing that was out of the ordinary was to attend a live performance of Susan Nicely as Julia Child. It was a free event and there was going to be food involved. I was expecting to see Susan perform like Julia but we didn't realize that she would also be singing. I say singing because it was put together by The Opera House in downtown Dallas. She had the audience laughing she was quite a performer. Did she act like Julia? Yes she did and some extra. Julia Child was known for her french cooking. She was featured in cooking shows and if you ever had the opportunity to see a show you would love her not your Paula Dean kind of stuff. Since it was at the farmers market we couldn't pass up buying some fruits and veggies.

If you haven't been to the Farmers Market Downtown Dallas it is a must on your to do list.

lucy the last time i saw her was when her little girl standing next to her was in her belly

Celebrations this week include Mardi Gras and the Chinese New Year. I know you probably are saying " but you're a Mexican, why would this be something you would celebrate?" I see it as why not. I have friends from different backgrounds and it wouldn't hurt to learn more. It's feeding my brain and enjoying the possibilities. Went to the parade for Mardi Gras, had we not gone Heather wouldn't have collected a real krewe doubloon from Louisisna. This year I ran into a high school friend and caught and image of a special boy with his mother.  This was his first Mardi Gras Parade. Just so you know anyone can go no rated "R" stuff unless you get beads that are sticky from that one float that soaked them with alcohol.

It's also Chinese New Year. It's the year of the snake. There will be a celebration downtown Dallas this Friday. I'm pretty sure if you go there will be a lot of hissing going on along with dancing dragons. It is also free to attend your opportunity to check out the Crow Asian Museum with the festivities they will have.

Almost forgot the most important holiday this week (not really) Valentine's Day. It's not just for lovers its also for friends so while you are sitting lonely at home because you have no mate to love you for you, you do have a friend that accepts you for you so celebrate. I am asked the question every time it never fails "what are you doing for valentines day?" I'll respond and say nothing special. I don't celebrate it by going out, everywhere will be busy. I stay home with my love like a regular day just know that I love her. We end up celebrating it later when all the food places have slowed down. I mainly use Valentines Day for friends and family. I'm not a diamond kind of girl. I'm more of an, I love the special CD you made me, girl. So friends just know you are loved.

ATTENTION
ATTENTION
ATTENTION
i almost forgot if you plan on getting married but have no clue on how to plan it
if you are getting married one day not tomorrow but one day
if you are not planning to get married but know someone that is
if you don't care about being tied down to one lover but want to have a fun night
then this is for you
freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
with just reservation call 972-237-7500 to experience a bridal show at the Ruth Jackson Center Tuesday fed 26 5:30- 8:30
"A Midsummer Night's Dream!"
there will be free food and even a fashion show

till next time friends be safe and make memories.

a typical weekend

So ready for this weekend to be here. I get excited over anything. Work has made it too unbearable to be there. Walking out the doors will feel literally like having a huge amount of weight off my shoulders. Then I think about how hard it will be to start over and wanting to help provide for my little family, wanting it to grow won't allow me to just walk away and never look back. So when that time clock hits end of shift I'm too tired to run out of the doors. I have gotten better at walking faster. I like to think I live another life when I am not at work. I turn into this other person. So when I say I'm so ready for this weekend I am.

"Heart Song"

If you would like to join us. We will be at Converge Artist Workplace tomorrow Friday 02/08/2013 for The Love You To death Art Show starts at 7pm. This show continues onto Saturday 02/09/2013.

Heather also has a piece for one night only 02/09/2013 at Kettle Art for The Love Of Kettle starts at 7pm.


"Strings"

Both are free events. Swing by and check out the artwork. Heather has accomplished more than I could have expected. As long as I have known her she has always been my artist but others have just seen her work in the last two years.

A while back when we saw the movie about the true lives of Julie and Julia I vowed to buy her cookbook and try a recipe I have yet to do that. In the meantime we have decided to let Susan Nicely as Julia child cook for us. This I could not have imagined so we will see how interesting this will be.

Sunday there will be a Mardi Gras Parade in Oak Cliff. Yes Oak Cliff knows how to throw one heck of a party so you might want to check that out.

So even if work can be just a tad too crazy I look forward to what I make my life exciting. We are into February already and have only done one thing for this new year that I had mentioned. I have a list I need to start crossing them off.

Want to say thank you to friends and family for voting my photo in the Nasher Sculpture Center Contest. Thank you for taking the time to check it out.

Onto the next adventures.......

loving films

For Christmas we received a membership to the Dallas Film Society. Being a member means you celebrate films and love the impact they have on society. When you see a movie whether in your home or in a theatre has it not made you feel a way that you get so touched by it that you can not get it out of your head? It's a way of  allowing your mind to believe that a film can have a way of changing what you think. I love films, some more than others. This was a perfect gift for me. The DIFF, Dallas International Film Festival (formerly AFI, American Film Institute) has a yearly celebration of films the early weeks of April. If you had not had the opportunity to attend keep in mind it is an experience like no other. In some cases you get to meet the actual movie stars but the whole point is that there are so many people that come from near and far to celebrate the art of filmaking. I still remember our first AFI Festival (DIFF) thanks to Becky Shoulders for getting us involved. Now thanks to Becky and Bart Shoulders for such a very special present, a membership to the Dallas Film Society. We get to watch prereleased movies all year long for free. Being a movie lover this really was an awesome gift. So for the year 2013 I will be a movie critique. I will try my best not to give the movie away. It will not be a paying job but heck I will enjoy it anyway

Warm Bodies:  You probably already know its a zombie movie but not your typical zombie movie, this one has a twist. This one has love in it. Is it scary? No. Is it a comedy? Well not really but you have your laugh moments. Does it have a happy ending? Yes. I would consider this a date movie. Its sweet and bad at the same time. How many of you feel like zombies sometimes? Picture yourself in a zombie mood and you see someone you are attracted too then your mood changes. You become alive your heart starts to beat just a little bit faster. We need love to feel alive. I would recommend this movie to the lovers out there or to the ones that are still waiting for love. Don't expect a lot of blood. It might make you realize that love is what keeps us going with out it you are just a dead state of mind. The soundtrack to this film will blow your mind. I give it four stars (so good wanting to watch it again).

 "You should always be taking pictures, if not with a camera then with your mind. Memories you capture on purpose are always more vivid than the ones you pick up by accident.”
― Isaac Marion, Warm Bodies

Safe Haven: This movie came with special guests. The movie was extra special because it dealt with death and the fact that this can be a real story made it more emotional. Special guests author Nicholas Sparks, daytime Emmy award winner, Josh Duhamel, and dancing with the stars' Julianna Hough, would be there for a q&a after the movie. Even though this movie portrayed the life of a man and his family it was a movie aimed for the ladies. It is a love story but before it becomes a love story there will be death. I already knew the ending before it ended but it will have you thinking about a certain character or two. It helps you deal with the loss of a loved one from a different point of view. In the words of Nicholas Sparks "there is no symbolism in this movie". The movie is based on the fact that you can get a second chance at life, so if the opportunity comes your way, take it. This is more of a romance with and edge, self healing. You will cry. I give it three stars (even though it was a good movie I will wait a while to watch it again)



before winning an Emmy Josh went to dental school
Julianna had a small part in Harry Potter and loves cheeseburgers

Look for these pretty soon at a theatre near you.

Who doesn't enjoy a movie?

If you fall asleep in a movie then you have not allowed your mind to think freely.

Stay tuned for more movie reviews.

wasted

Was invited to an art show this past Saturday it was tittled "Wasted". "Wasted" a food themed art show. When you go to an art show you tend to see a variety of arts but this one was particularly interesting. When they meant a food themed art show they really meant it. A lot of different ways of expressing the foods you eat. One of my favorites which was probably a favorite for others was the mural of a almost flesh gone skeleton with what seamed to be burger bites stuck between its teeth. I would like to tell you who drew it but all I know is that it was done with a cool prop. What you see on the floor is a huge burger and I love burgers so the idea of someone making this uniquely put together piece of work was just WOW. We saw bacon on the walls. Even chicken and waffles on canvas. It wouldn't have been complete with out the ra men noodles wrappers put into a collage of works on display as art.

Cocoandre Chocolatier

do you see a face? someone eating a heart? fries as toes?

DJ Dont Sleep

pizza box art

A donation of five dollars was made to attend with so much being given out it was well worth it. If you happened to be one of the first twenty to enter you could get a free "Wasted" t shirt. We didn't get one but because they were such good sports they had "Support Local Music" t shirts which we did manage to get for free with "Wasted" hats. Unlimited cupcakes from Sweet1020 unlimited ice cream by Carnival Barkers. There was to be some Serious Pizza but I never saw any. Did I mention chocolate wine. Cocoandre was there with their sweets had to get me some very pink and blue mustaches. They even had hamburger jewelry. It was really just fun to have been under a roof filled with real and fake food.

It was like no other art show I have seen in awhile. It's normally about the artist not the art. In this case it was all about the art thanks to the artist. Want to thank the ladies from Cocoandre for the invite had it not been for them we would have missed out on a fun show. The people were nice maybe because they were enjoying the atmosphere or the painting of a snickers on the wall. If they happen to do this again wouldn't miss it.

Maybe I can turn my sugar free candy wrappers into a work of art.