Banksy's Barely Legal

A couple weeks/months ago, I heard a small rumor that Banksy was to come to town (thanks to the bloggers over at Wooster). Since then, I've been patiently perusing art blog after art blog, hoping to be the first to learn of the location/time. Alas, his website finally released the location/time yesterday mornin.

I planned ahead and took the day off work. No joke guys. That's how much I love this man's work. I (and Andrew, whom I convinced to also take the day off work) had to have been one of the first ten people there. Stalker, I know.

Anyway, it was off theee hook. He had a lot of his famous stencils on display; and even had a room devoted to a slide show of his stealth-mode endeavors. All in all, it was a gallery of goodness that cannot be dismissed. Although, I do have to admit that seeing his work commercialized on a canvas isn't the same as passing it on a metropolitan street. It didn't make me stop and think - but it was still amazing.

It's a three day exhibit (there's still time!) in one of LA's ghettos. He doesn't provide an address, but with the aid of google maps (and me) you should have an easier time finding it than I had (three wrong turns).

Take the 10 and exit Santa Fe south. It's literally the next street over from the freeway. Actually, it's not even really a street - more like an alley. A shady alley. In the ghetto. You'll know you're in the right place when you hit the dead end.

Nine 11

Photo: WTC Outline Project

There really isn't too much that I can say that hasn't already been said. I see the images playing over and over again on TV, but I don't to pretend to understand the despair that certain people must be feeling to this day.

It's a sad sad thought... that so many people perished so horrifically. When really, if we all just utilized our innate capacity to love thy neighbor, the world would really be a better place. I know, it sounds too easy. Impossible even. But it's a start.

God bless the souls that passed on that day. Not one more than any other. From the firemen to the maintenance men; from the father of eight children to Father Mychal Judge (the first recorded casualty of 9/11). I still can't think of him and not weep inside. They were all mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, brothers, sisters, etcetera - and each one of their lives had value.

And post script, God bless our armed forces (including those who have lost their lives) who are out there today as a result of nine eleven.

I must admit that I feel a bit guilty... because sometimes I forget. Yes, it affected my country, but it didn't hit me as hard as it may have to someone who saw it happen, or who lived down the street. I can live each day and not "consciously" think about nine eleven, even if I live each day in its shadow. Many people (mainly New Yorkers or those affected directly by the tragedy) can't go one hour without replaying that tragic day in their heads over and over. So, God bless them too. I pray that they eventually find peace of mind.

Seriously, without fancy metaphors and fancy words, let's all try and be better people. You'd be surprised at how a conscious outpouring of kindness can rub off on strangers who pass you on the street.

In all the countries I've visited, there is no place quite like America. It's a country second to none. I don't know enough about politics to insert a witty comment about the president or our government, but outside of all that hoopla, it's a great place to be - and I'm really proud of everything that this country stands for (even if I claim that I'm British half the time).

I think we all died a little that day.

Banksy News

I was randomly perusing through one of my favorite blogs when I came across this story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5310416.stm

Too frickin' awesome! My boy strikes again.

Going Nowhere

Every time another friend leaves to explore the world, I want to take a harpoon to my college diploma and pretend that I'm not qualified for anything that requires an education... or deodorant; JUST so that I could convince myself that I am brave enough to become a minimalist in New Zealand - or some place equally fascinating.

Dance

With talks of a promotion and the accelerated climb up the corporate ladder, why is it, you ask, I’d opt to live life on the cheap? Because money doesn’t matter when you’re dancing with children in Rwanda.



Next big trip. TBA. SOON.

Praise

Holy and Anointed One

Jesus, Jesus
Holy and anointed One
Jesus, Jesus
Risen and exalted One
Jesus

Your name is like honey on my lips
Your spirit like water to my soul
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet
Jesus I love you, I love You

Jesus, Jesus
Holy and anointed One
Jesus

Copyright © 1988 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing

My Thank Yous

Thanks to my family and friends, it’s quite possible that my 23rd birth ‘day’ has been the best so far.

Thank you for the early birthday wishes.
Thank you for the chocolate cake.
Thank you for the midnight phone call.
Thank you for your call from Japan.
Thank you for the balloons in my cubicle.
Thank you for the lovely two hour lunch.
Thank you for having flowers delivered to my work.
Thank you for the poem that made me cry like a river.
Thank you for the decorations and the lovely dinner.
Thank you for the 45 e-mails.
Thank you for the comments on myspace.
Thank you for the comments on facebook.
Thank you for your voicemails.
Thank you for your text messages.
Thank you for the conversations on the phone.
Thank you all for joining me at the yardhouse.
Thank you for the gifts (I loved them all).
Thank you for the cards, and calling me delicious.
Thank you for your company all day long.
Thank you for not complaining when they made us evacuate.

Most especially:

Thank you all for making my day infinitely unforgettable.
I have so much love for you.

CLICK HERE FOR BIRTHDAY PHOTOS

Photo: Happy B-day Me!

23 Isn't "Old"

Well, looks like I've made it to 23! I’m not going to sit here and pretend that “23” is old. To be 23, is to be fabulously young! And any of my peers who declare otherwise are, safe to say, completely delusional.

Twenty three is to be completely void of any distraction that may prevent me from spreading my wings.

Twenty three is living out all of my wildest dreams, and not leaving it to fate or to the future, to jump on a plane in order to find myself. Why wait until tomorrow? Tomorrow is a concept; a vague and unpromising entity on the brim of thought that shrivels into nothingness when doused with the torrent of cold truth that you might not be here tomorrow (it’s my mantra).

Twenty three is being exactly where I thought I’d be. Over the years, I’ve been so blessed. I’ve climbed trees that have swayed through summer breezes, trees that have seen the darkest of nights. And there I’ve sat, upon their highest of branches, perched from my castle in the clouds, feeling in all the world as if I were Cinderella. In the deepest corridors of my heart, I’m still that same girl. The only real difference between that child and her grown-up self is the complexity of her coping mechanisms. She still grows the same brown hair, cries the same tears.

Twenty three is too young to pretend that I have enough wisdom to marry, mother, and domesticate. How can I be all of that when I haven’t lived out all of the uncompromising promises I’ve made to myself over the years (which require full, encompassing selfishness)? Find myself first, define my relationship with God first, then maybe I’ll start to dab on those thoughts.

To embrace my youth, and to take my time in this amazing era called ‘early twenties,’ is a choice that is all my own. Soak in every last drop! I raise my glass to an amazing 23rd year of life… and my new mantra ‘free to be 23!”

Harvest

http://www.harvest.org/crusades/index.php/93.html

Your formal invitation.

Update: 9,313 people dedicated their lives to Christ that weekend. Wow.

My Boy Banksy is Back

The man kinda fell of the face of the earth for a while, but he's back... and he's in Brooklyn. I stole these off of the WC site. So sick.

All You Need Is Love

Bible study on Friday night focused mainly on 1 Corinthians 13. The topic of love. Here’s an excerpt from the New King James Version.

(NKJV) 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.

Of all the studies I’ve attended within the past several months, no cluster of words has been imprinted on my mind more so than: [love…] is not provoked.

How simple. How alarming. Love is not provoked.

That study was perfectly fitting to set the mood for the weekend to come.

The following morning, I attended, what is to date, the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending. Leah and Daniel finally tied the knot! Everything about the wedding was simply elegant; from the candle-lit chapel, to the way Daniel cried when he recited his vows. I don’t think that there was a dry eye in the house! Well received, because it went down flawlessly. Leah was lovely, the bridesmaid’s dresses weren’t ugly, the slideshow was phenomenal, the favors were practical, the centerpieces were breathtaking, Daniel was a ball of energy, the cake was classy, and for once, the reception was actually... fun.

And just by looking, you could tell that Daniel is crazy about her. Just by looking. So romantic.

Photo: Mission Inn, Riverside

Live Life Like Keala

“I really wish that I could live my life the way that I drunk-dance. Because then I’d be completely honest. And real. And unafraid.”

Bye Y-vonne

The downside to making good friends is having to let them go.

There aren’t many people who I feel absolutely no reservations with, but you, Yvonne, are one of them. There is something that is uniquely “Yvonne” about you – and it’s that inherent nature that’s allowed you to easily finesse your way into all of our hearts.

It’s been a pleasure getting to know you this past year, and I truly hope that we’ll keep in touch over time. It’s a sad thought that through this process, work grew more, and Yvonne-Rowena time grew less. But we’ll always have the unforgettable forty minute break; where we engaged in conversations that were limitless and boundless. I enjoyed each one. Your patience, kindness, and nerdy-ness know no comparison. Whether it be your obtuse capacity to solve brain teasers, or the ardent dedication that you display for footwear, it is a lucky thing for me to able to have crossed paths with you in this lifetime. That sounds too corny (even for someone of my nature), but what I mean to say is that you’ve made an impression on me.

At the risk of sounding overly McCheesy, let me conclude by offering my final pinch of wisdom (until we meet again): Live life with vibrancy and unflappable spirit, and never cease to retain the capacity to love, laugh, and contain an unwavering idealism for romance. It’s unfortunate that we won’t get to spend our birthdays together, but I wish you all the best beyond your 25th year. It’s so easy to become more jaded and more cynical as we grow older, but I’m sure you’ll maintain that inner kernel of what is so very you, and I’m sure you’ll do it well. Apart from men and money, make a life that is completely your own ~ and always, always stay true to your heart. God has an amazing plan for you, and I can’t wait to meet with you in the future to hear all about it.

Congratulations on your new job! And always remember to… shake your vonne vonne.

Photo: Yvonne's last day!

Google Maps

How frickin amazing are google maps?!

In an effort to detach my brain from the abyss of work at the farm today, I distracted myself by typing in every address in my memory bank into google maps. That's when it dawned on me: if google.com had that capability, shouldn't google.co.uk? Low and behold, it does! Bloody genius!

The orange circle represents my, Norma, Mel, Mary, and Sandy's flat. That big turquoise thing is the British Museum (oh yes, the place where the magic did happen). See, I wasn't BS-ing when I told you folks I lived around the corner from the BM. Take it all in baby, take it allll in.


Photo: The British Museum!


Photo: Our flat!

Dear Maker

i get it
i finally get it
im where you want me to be
im where im supposed to be
living beautifully and free
living fruitfully with glee
living high
living life
given chances to do right
to laugh, to dance, to cry
and all the world ill tell
its good to smoke that which you sell

and theres a reason why im here
why im single
why im short
why ive loved and why ive hurt
why my skin is darker than hers
why my skin is lighter than hers
why i grow long hair
then decide to cut it all
and still am able to stand tall, erect
because i know that i am beautiful
even if only in your eyes

and theres a reason for my path
where ive been and where im going
what ive seen and what ill see
who ive met and have held close
who ive met and have let go
who ive met and who ive shared
a long kiss, a long embrace
or even just a smile
and theres a reason for my path
where ive been and where im going
where ive been and want to be
take me there again if its your will
for me

California

I wish that I had felt something profound when I saw the Los Angeles skyline as the plane broke through the clouds (or smog) during our descent - I figured it would give me something witty or deep to write about when I got home. But all I could think about was how different LA was from everything that I've seen these past couple of weeks... and that I was home.

Bloomington and Chicago Pictures

Photo: Famous Daves


Photo: Voted best ribs in America.


Photo: Pottbellys!


Photo: Fireflies!


Photo: Comedy clubbin'!


Photo: Colorado Dan


Photo: Dan and Greg


Photo: Downtown Chi Town


Photo: Best city in America!


Photo: Lake Michigan


Photo: Do you?


Photo: Bottom of the Sears Tower


Photo: Top of the Sears Tower


Photo: Sears Tower photo op!


Photo: Best signage ever.


Photo: Ohhh Dan.


Photo: Original House of Blues


Photo: I made everyone go.


Photo: Art Institute


Photo: Married with Children fountains!


Photo: United Center


Photo: Pubbin'!


Photo: Travis, Otto, Paddle Boat


Photo: Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, Californiyay


Photo: Doyle and Otto


Photo: Southern Gentlemen


Photo: Podmate Steve


Photo: Austin and Brad.. why are all my photos with guys?


Photo: Portillos!


Photo: Chicago style hot dogs are the best!

Chicago Part II

Chi-town part deuce was nuts! Definitely the best weekend of 2006 so far.

• Amalfi Hotel
• Gold Coast hot dogs
• The loop and downtown district
• Lake Michigan
• Sears Tower
• H&M
• Jambalaya at the original House of Blues
• Syn & Dublin's
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Buckingham Fountain from Married with Children
• Jordan statue at the United Center
• Palermos
  

I can't wait to share my pictures. Chicago is definitely my favorite city in America. I can totally see myself nesting there in the future. Clean, lovely, and pedestrian friendly.

I raise my drink to Greg, our resident Chicagoan turned Californian. The trip wouldn't have been half as good without you! We're back in the countryside now, and I'm about due for a good nights rest before tomorrow morning's seminar. I'll be back in LA next week.

Bloomington and Chicago

FUN FUN FUN... you've GOT to know how to have it when you're out in the country.

I'm wrapping up my first week here in IL, and it's been a tractor full of fun so far. After landing at O'Hare last weekend, my crew and I wasted no time filling our tummies with a deep dish full of Chicago's finest sausage pizza from Geno's (Gino's ?) East. Probably the best pizza crust to ever dabble on my palate.

After an 8am-4pm M-F sampling of insurance seminars, I max it and relax it on my king size feather bed at the Double Tree. My company is bloody frickin gangster. Outside of seeing (and catching!) fireflies for the very first time in life, networking with fellow farm-goers at our corporate office, eating at Famous Dave's (voted best ribs in America), illegaly j-walking, and catching a show at the local comedy club... there really isn't much time to funk around with the boring.

Leaving the countryside for another romp through Chicago. Don't hate.