Pingry reception rescheduled for Monday, March 1 from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Mr. Delman apologizes fro the short notice, but because of other events at the school, this was the best they could do and feel that it is important to have a reception rather than none at all.
I hope to see some of you there. I will photograph you work in the gallery setting and give you a print in case you cannot make it.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Shoveled three times, chopped ice, slathered the Ben Gay on but boy was it worth it. I just do not believe that there should be cold without the snow. So disappointed that the Pingry reception was cancelled, but hopeful that it will be rescheduled. Love that show... a beautiful setting.
I have had this idea of a photo project for myself for several months now. I tried some version of it when an undergrad, but was not creative enough to get it right. Now I think I have the supplies and ideas I need. I just need the hubby to keep Millie busy. It never fails, whenever I start something - metals at my desk, painting or drawing on the photos, making books, setting up the sewing machine - here comes Millie looking for a lap!
Read so much yesterday. I just love curling up with a good magazine or book. Also found a pile of old clothes I forgot about up in the attic. I was in the process of altering them into the kinds of things I would wear - altering seams, cutting and rearranging - but never finished. Now I REALLY need to get the sewing machine fixed. Of course I could just wing it and guess the stitch and length and just go...
I have had this idea of a photo project for myself for several months now. I tried some version of it when an undergrad, but was not creative enough to get it right. Now I think I have the supplies and ideas I need. I just need the hubby to keep Millie busy. It never fails, whenever I start something - metals at my desk, painting or drawing on the photos, making books, setting up the sewing machine - here comes Millie looking for a lap!
Read so much yesterday. I just love curling up with a good magazine or book. Also found a pile of old clothes I forgot about up in the attic. I was in the process of altering them into the kinds of things I would wear - altering seams, cutting and rearranging - but never finished. Now I REALLY need to get the sewing machine fixed. Of course I could just wing it and guess the stitch and length and just go...
Thursday, February 25, 2010
PINGRY RECEPTION CANCELLED...
ATTENTION ALL PHOTO STUDENTS!!!
The Pingry reception scheduled for tomorrow night has had to be cancelled as a result of the weather. I will be e-mailed a new date if they can reschedule and post it here immediately.
The Pingry reception scheduled for tomorrow night has had to be cancelled as a result of the weather. I will be e-mailed a new date if they can reschedule and post it here immediately.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
And the bad news just keeps coming...
Pensions being attacked. To see my opinions of us "wealthy" teachers, see my earlier post. No one lives a life of luxury on a state worker pension of they worked as a teacher or social worker. Sorry...
My favourite hardware store in my town closed. Just up and gone. I knew they were fed up with the politics in our area, but I wanted to say goodbye. Now I have to walk further to the one on the other end of Main Street. Bummer...
Snow coming. Normally I do not mind, but Friday is the Pingry show and last year it rained. I want it all clear by Friday night... No accidents for students this year.
Looks like Photo III is a very real possibility. The only good news this week.
I had a dr's appointment after school yesterday and Scholastic awards at night. Check the yearbook website this morning and none of the girls uploaded any pictures. To say I am angry does not even begin to cover it. My life will be so much better when I have rid myself of this stress factory...
My favourite hardware store in my town closed. Just up and gone. I knew they were fed up with the politics in our area, but I wanted to say goodbye. Now I have to walk further to the one on the other end of Main Street. Bummer...
Snow coming. Normally I do not mind, but Friday is the Pingry show and last year it rained. I want it all clear by Friday night... No accidents for students this year.
Looks like Photo III is a very real possibility. The only good news this week.
I had a dr's appointment after school yesterday and Scholastic awards at night. Check the yearbook website this morning and none of the girls uploaded any pictures. To say I am angry does not even begin to cover it. My life will be so much better when I have rid myself of this stress factory...
Monday, February 22, 2010
Doing my part...
Ok ladies and gents, I contacted my senator and assembleymen, did you? Heck, I may even drop by the house of one of mine since he lives down the hill from me...just kidding.
For less than 24 hours, there was a possibility of going to Italy after the end of the school year. But, alas, mother found a way to not do it. Always does. So, back to looking at Hungary.
Very busy week: Scholastic Art and Writing awards Tuesday night, Teen Art Jam Wednesday night, sister's b'day Thursday night and The Pingry School reception Friday night. Whoosh......
For less than 24 hours, there was a possibility of going to Italy after the end of the school year. But, alas, mother found a way to not do it. Always does. So, back to looking at Hungary.
Very busy week: Scholastic Art and Writing awards Tuesday night, Teen Art Jam Wednesday night, sister's b'day Thursday night and The Pingry School reception Friday night. Whoosh......
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Prediction?
Dinner Friday night at Veggie Heaven... fortune cookie gave the following gift:
"They will be grateful that you cared enough to make it."
Really? Who? So many questions and so few answers... Considering I have not sold a thing on Etsy yet, I have to hope this pertains to PV. I know the students are grateful...
The last great fortune I received was "How dark is dark? How wise is wise?" Well, I think darkness is wise ... like film photography and a darkroom....
Busy weekend... titled all the photos I have been working on; found three more shows to enter and prepared a cd to send off; got a very positive reaction to some input I gave on some crazy redevelopment plan being floated to the Historic Preservation Comittee here in town; read some pamphlets from PFLAG that should help Czeps and I a great deal with GSA; worked on some clothing. But I must get that LCD on the sewing machine repaired. I am dying to sew! Oh, and a haircut. Normally I cut my own hair - saves gobs of money - but I had a gift certificate. So yesterday I spent some time in an old lady salon. Sad to say I can't claim to be the only person without grey hair, since they are multiplying like rabbits on my head... need a dye job pronto!
"They will be grateful that you cared enough to make it."
Really? Who? So many questions and so few answers... Considering I have not sold a thing on Etsy yet, I have to hope this pertains to PV. I know the students are grateful...
The last great fortune I received was "How dark is dark? How wise is wise?" Well, I think darkness is wise ... like film photography and a darkroom....
Busy weekend... titled all the photos I have been working on; found three more shows to enter and prepared a cd to send off; got a very positive reaction to some input I gave on some crazy redevelopment plan being floated to the Historic Preservation Comittee here in town; read some pamphlets from PFLAG that should help Czeps and I a great deal with GSA; worked on some clothing. But I must get that LCD on the sewing machine repaired. I am dying to sew! Oh, and a haircut. Normally I cut my own hair - saves gobs of money - but I had a gift certificate. So yesterday I spent some time in an old lady salon. Sad to say I can't claim to be the only person without grey hair, since they are multiplying like rabbits on my head... need a dye job pronto!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The news...
Wellllll........
Probably no Photo III next year. But I did have an idea about how to give the students what they deserve and I plan to talk to them about it today.
The meeting went about how I expected it to. There are massive cuts coming. I really wish I could be blunt and honest about all this but the ban on teachers discussing political viewpoints means that students can listen to and read things from those who despise the teaching profession and not hear the counterpoints from those who are actually in the field.
I will say this... I would like to, some day, see teachers get the same respect and gobs of money that those in the police departments, fire departments and the military get. There are never any arguments about those people getting too much of anything, be it pay, overtime - which teachers DO NOT GET, contrary to what many of our students and their parents think - benefits, etc., etc.. I remember talking to an Italian student years ago. He was a very conservative person - one would assume that he felt teachers get too much - but he felt that US teachers deserve the respect the teachers in other countries get. We are entrusted with something most common citizens would never do - spend each and every day with a roomful of youth and work to increase their knowledge and abilities in a myriad of areas to prepare them to be well educated and prepared adults. The majority of us do this because we love it. NO ONE is getting rich as a teacher. But we do not get respect and we certainly do not get fair compensation when one considers the level of education and expertise we are required to have. Oh, and by the way... that Master's degree I just got? Paid for it out of my own pocket. No teacher has a whole master's degree paid for in full by her/his district. In fact, the amount of reimbursement I could have gotten would have amounted to peanuts compared to what those in the business sector get.
Some may say that they see rich teachers. If one of us has a flashy car, big house, expensive lifestyle, or goes on lots of fancy vacations, you can bet they fall into one of these categories:
I know I am ranting, but as I sit here, to my right is a very expensive digital SLR my co-worker got from a friend in the military. It was given to her because the guy dropped it and it broke. See if she wants it once she can get it fixed. The military paid for it. He dropped it. They buy him a new one, no questions. From what I can tell, this was a bad and careless drop. But no ramifications.
None of our students drop DSLR's. We can't afford any for them... We can no longer afford to pay for the cameras that do break because of wear and tear. Anyone want to do a can shake or bake sale for the Photo program to get our equipment fixed?
I'm done...
Probably no Photo III next year. But I did have an idea about how to give the students what they deserve and I plan to talk to them about it today.
The meeting went about how I expected it to. There are massive cuts coming. I really wish I could be blunt and honest about all this but the ban on teachers discussing political viewpoints means that students can listen to and read things from those who despise the teaching profession and not hear the counterpoints from those who are actually in the field.
I will say this... I would like to, some day, see teachers get the same respect and gobs of money that those in the police departments, fire departments and the military get. There are never any arguments about those people getting too much of anything, be it pay, overtime - which teachers DO NOT GET, contrary to what many of our students and their parents think - benefits, etc., etc.. I remember talking to an Italian student years ago. He was a very conservative person - one would assume that he felt teachers get too much - but he felt that US teachers deserve the respect the teachers in other countries get. We are entrusted with something most common citizens would never do - spend each and every day with a roomful of youth and work to increase their knowledge and abilities in a myriad of areas to prepare them to be well educated and prepared adults. The majority of us do this because we love it. NO ONE is getting rich as a teacher. But we do not get respect and we certainly do not get fair compensation when one considers the level of education and expertise we are required to have. Oh, and by the way... that Master's degree I just got? Paid for it out of my own pocket. No teacher has a whole master's degree paid for in full by her/his district. In fact, the amount of reimbursement I could have gotten would have amounted to peanuts compared to what those in the business sector get.
Some may say that they see rich teachers. If one of us has a flashy car, big house, expensive lifestyle, or goes on lots of fancy vacations, you can bet they fall into one of these categories:
- part of a wealthy family
- married to someone who makes a great deal more
- has no kids and makes do without many common comforts
I know I am ranting, but as I sit here, to my right is a very expensive digital SLR my co-worker got from a friend in the military. It was given to her because the guy dropped it and it broke. See if she wants it once she can get it fixed. The military paid for it. He dropped it. They buy him a new one, no questions. From what I can tell, this was a bad and careless drop. But no ramifications.
None of our students drop DSLR's. We can't afford any for them... We can no longer afford to pay for the cameras that do break because of wear and tear. Anyone want to do a can shake or bake sale for the Photo program to get our equipment fixed?
I'm done...
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Anticipation...
and excitement getting ready for a return to London. I spent some time yesterday looking up exhibits and such. The East End has late Thursdays at the beginning of the month. Gallery crawls and fun! We are staying across from the Victoria & Albert this time - completely across the city from where we stayed in August - and the Medieval galleries are now open! I can't convey the excitement! I may even shiver and drool when looking at the exhibits! See, if I had to choose another career - and when I thought I may not find a full time teaching job - I was looking at getting my Master's in Art History and, of course, focusing on the Medieval era. It is a time period I am totally fascinated with. We will also be nearer to Hyde Park - playground of Henry VIII - and Chelsea and other areas we did not have time to explore in the summer.
So happy to have the DSLR to bring... So I guess this will be a four camera trip! Looked up the Royal Albert Hall schedule, but nothing good. So I will be looking to go to another free classical music performance at one of the churches. Last year we happened upon the practice session for a Vivaldi concert when we walked into St. Martin-in-the-Fields. What luck! Less than two months and I can't wait!
On the negative side, the guv had proposed some drastic things for the schools. I don't want to give any opinions whatsoever. I just hope that no matter what happens, the students will be supportive and creative and make the most of what we end up with. Photography is such a magical thing for us all to experience and I will just have to find creative ways to keep it a fun and meaningful class... I was testing some photo altering methods at home this weekend - pictured below - and was very pleased with the results. So we shall see...
So happy to have the DSLR to bring... So I guess this will be a four camera trip! Looked up the Royal Albert Hall schedule, but nothing good. So I will be looking to go to another free classical music performance at one of the churches. Last year we happened upon the practice session for a Vivaldi concert when we walked into St. Martin-in-the-Fields. What luck! Less than two months and I can't wait!
On the negative side, the guv had proposed some drastic things for the schools. I don't want to give any opinions whatsoever. I just hope that no matter what happens, the students will be supportive and creative and make the most of what we end up with. Photography is such a magical thing for us all to experience and I will just have to find creative ways to keep it a fun and meaningful class... I was testing some photo altering methods at home this weekend - pictured below - and was very pleased with the results. So we shall see...
Monday, February 15, 2010
Busy gal...
Documenting Millie's cuteness...
Some of the experimenting I've been doing with my photos... Involves pigments, toning, painting and other sundry art supplies...
The crochet'd blanket my grandmother never finished. My sister taught me the stitch to finish the final round around the perimeter. I am lefty - I had to do this righty...no small feat!And LOTS of reading!!!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Snow...how I love thee...
It is amazing how clear my head is and how much work I am getting done...
But London first... and also re-reading up on that to find new things to do this time!
And dinner at the best Mexican restaurant in NJ tonight! What a week!
- hung new curtains & washed old ones
- working on art - applying colours to old, bad prints
- getting rid of clutter
- measured all of my sculptures from last year's show
- entered art in juried shows
- learning Hungarian alphabet - a Magyar abece! - and pronunciation via a super website
- reading, reading, reading
But London first... and also re-reading up on that to find new things to do this time!
And dinner at the best Mexican restaurant in NJ tonight! What a week!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
It's Here!!!
...and to anyone that says anything negative about it I say "It is winter in this northern mid-Atlantic state. If you do not like the snow, please move." It just looks so pretty and I just can't wait to go shovel! Cuddling in with Millie, listening to music, reading, napping...
I hope to go in the darkroom later on tonight.... luckily the blue glow from the gas when the heat kicks in does not affect the printing - a wee little thing I neglected to consider when setting the room up.
Oh, and WQXR just keeps playing more and more Dvorak! Is this a sign that I need to get the Eastern Europe soon? I think so...
I hope to go in the darkroom later on tonight.... luckily the blue glow from the gas when the heat kicks in does not affect the printing - a wee little thing I neglected to consider when setting the room up.
Oh, and WQXR just keeps playing more and more Dvorak! Is this a sign that I need to get the Eastern Europe soon? I think so...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The stupidity continues...
In perhaps my klutziest string of days to date, I ran into a doorframe while playing with Millie last night. She has trouble running in a straight line as it is... Throw in a fleece string to chase, and you have a recipe for disaster. Jammed my middle toe... I know have two bum toes on the left foot... Yikes.
On a good note, tried the Silvergrain Tektol Black in the basement last night. Made four prints, three different types of paper - expired Kodak FB postcard, expired Kodak polycontrast RC and expired Ilford satin RC. All with bad negatives and the results were nice!
On a good note, tried the Silvergrain Tektol Black in the basement last night. Made four prints, three different types of paper - expired Kodak FB postcard, expired Kodak polycontrast RC and expired Ilford satin RC. All with bad negatives and the results were nice!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Skull, meet beam...
You would think that after living here for almost 6 years, I would realize that though I am short, there are parts of the attic that are shorter than me. No, of course not. While putting the decorations away in their respective boxes I stand up full speed and crash my skull into a support beam. I keep working of course. But then I slept on that side of my head all night and the noggin has been hurting all day. At points I have even felt nauseous. I am too much of a klutz. But I spent a great deal of time not on the computer, which helped.
Disappointed that the work to be done this past weekend on the yearbook was not done. Should not be surprised...
Scholastic awards ceremony this week, Pingry and Teen Art Jam in two... and a four day weekend coming up. Open Ended Art Collective has more for sale in our Etsy shop... No sales yet but we remain hopeful...
If the hubby will cooperate, I am going to print in the basement tonight. He just needs to keep Millie from crying at the door...
Disappointed that the work to be done this past weekend on the yearbook was not done. Should not be surprised...
Scholastic awards ceremony this week, Pingry and Teen Art Jam in two... and a four day weekend coming up. Open Ended Art Collective has more for sale in our Etsy shop... No sales yet but we remain hopeful...
If the hubby will cooperate, I am going to print in the basement tonight. He just needs to keep Millie from crying at the door...
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Jealous...
of the pictures I see of my home away from home - DC - under a soft blanket of snow and I cannot be there! I have only been there once during snow and the hush that blankets the city is so nice...
And to make matters worse, none of the white stuff here. Just dead and brown... Oh sure, there are predictions of snow for Wednesday, but we've heard that line before haven't we?
Posted more images on my flickr and joined two more groups. In less than 24 hours, over 10 views! Hooray! I want to post more on my Wordpress and put up some more items in the Etsy shop, but the sofa beckons... and I need to ice my toe...dropped a near full can of Christmas tree spray air freshener on it Friday and it is black, blue, yellow and swollen. Funny how I cannot make the garbage can from a mere two feet away, but always a direct hit when it comes to dropping things on myself...
And to make matters worse, none of the white stuff here. Just dead and brown... Oh sure, there are predictions of snow for Wednesday, but we've heard that line before haven't we?
Posted more images on my flickr and joined two more groups. In less than 24 hours, over 10 views! Hooray! I want to post more on my Wordpress and put up some more items in the Etsy shop, but the sofa beckons... and I need to ice my toe...dropped a near full can of Christmas tree spray air freshener on it Friday and it is black, blue, yellow and swollen. Funny how I cannot make the garbage can from a mere two feet away, but always a direct hit when it comes to dropping things on myself...
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Big Letdown...
NO SNOW!!!
hope you can sense the anger... looked forward to shoveling and looking at the presttiness... NOTHING...
Just spent a couple of hours looking up new exhibits to enter, finishing burning the cd for another thing to enter - previously mentioned - and working on the Etsy shop. I am hungry and need Millie to assuage my disappointment...
But on the bright side, I received the exhibition catalogue for the show I am in in Kentucky. It is so nice... cannot wait to read in. The other photographs in the exhibit look amazing!
hope you can sense the anger... looked forward to shoveling and looking at the presttiness... NOTHING...
Just spent a couple of hours looking up new exhibits to enter, finishing burning the cd for another thing to enter - previously mentioned - and working on the Etsy shop. I am hungry and need Millie to assuage my disappointment...
But on the bright side, I received the exhibition catalogue for the show I am in in Kentucky. It is so nice... cannot wait to read in. The other photographs in the exhibit look amazing!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Prediction...
...for tonight is:
The goal is to get the cd burned, complete the submission form, and actually mail it out by the end of the week. Not like the last call for work that I chickened out of. And I received another rejection letter.
But on the good news front, I await an exhibition catalogue for a show I have some work in out in Kentucky. Hooray!
Excited for some good public television tonight - Burt Wolf in Chicago and Rudy Maxa in Seattle. Free TV kiddies... no cable... just a minor donation each year to keep the free public television going. That's something worth spending money on... not Uggs...
- No snow
- I will wake up repeatedly, pull back the curtains, only to be bitterly disappointed and show up to work tomorrow with huge circles under my eyes - yes, bigger than usual.
- I will have delicious rice pudding - thanks mom!
- I will hem and haw over the submissions for a book my old MA advisor wants me to submit to
The goal is to get the cd burned, complete the submission form, and actually mail it out by the end of the week. Not like the last call for work that I chickened out of. And I received another rejection letter.
But on the good news front, I await an exhibition catalogue for a show I have some work in out in Kentucky. Hooray!
Excited for some good public television tonight - Burt Wolf in Chicago and Rudy Maxa in Seattle. Free TV kiddies... no cable... just a minor donation each year to keep the free public television going. That's something worth spending money on... not Uggs...
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