 As some of you may know, I live in Denver, CO. I'm not a huge fan of football as it is, but I'm glad the Broncos were murdered in Superbowl 48. I'll tell you why.
First off, they cut off Jeopardy the Friday before the game for football coverage. So rude! I love Jeopardy, I don't care about football. How many grandmothers were sitting at home knitting, not giving a rats ass about football, trying to entertain themselves while the grandkids were out skateboarding and not calling to see how grandma was doing?
The whole state was assuming that every single person wanted to focus on football. Inflated ego, the Colorado tradition.
 Second, they had already blocked off streets for a "victory parade" that was supposed to happen Tuesday. Also rude. They had no inkling that their team could loose. They weren't going out and saying "Oh, I hope they win, go team!" They had already assumed that the Broncos would win. No humility! Which is why I'm grateful that the Seahawks won. Their defense was better. They were prepared. They had their act together.
Step it up b
 Don't stop to think, you may not be able to start again. Don't worry, it's been one of those days for me too.
Life can get so busy, we forget the joys of sitting around and just enjoying life. I know I get so charged up it gets difficult to stop and breathe.
Just had to share this sentiment. Sorry I haven't been around lately, it's been busy over here. Enjoy!
Sorry I've been MIA for a while, I've been doing the whole 'life' thing. Here's another exposure of art-ness for you--because, be honest, you're more cultured than you'd like to admit.
This month we have an up and coming artist who is strutting her stuff on the website deviantart. As she is a minor I will not be giving her full name or exact location, but she was kind enough to agree to an interview. (p.s. we e-mailed back and forth--I've edited her stuff to fix some grammar-capitalizing, etc...but otherwise left her responses in tact.)
Let us begin! Me: What's your real first name? Where are you from?
Adrienne: My name is Adrienne. I live in the state of Iowa.
Me: How long have you been drawing? What got you into it?
Adrienne: I've been drawing for around three years now, though my mum said I've been doodling since I could hold a pencil. I first realized that art was my passion when my mum let me sit in on one of her drawing classes and I was having way more fun than she was, (she's not particularly artsy).
Me: What's your process when you're drawing? Do you like to have the TV or music going when you're working (and if so, what)?
Adrienne: I draw freehand and I tend to start with a basic outline. Then I go in and work on one section at a time. I like to listen to music while I draw, mostly songs that I have listened to so much that i don't get hung up on the words.
Me: Do you have any artists that inspire you?
Adrienne: Too many to list!
But among them are M.C. Escher, Vincent Van Gogh, and Leonardo da Vinci
and then the artists that are still alive: snowbody and callykitty on deviantart.
Me: Would you still draw if you were the last person on Earth?
Adrienne: I would always draw, especially then, as it would be the only thing keeping me sane.
Adrienne's deviantart page: http://selftaughtartist1.deviantart.com/
 So, it's been a while since I've had a date.
I know, I know, hard to believe with looks like this, but it's true. It's a tough dry-spell. I need love.
I think a lot of the problem is I don't leave the house. As a rule I'm not the best around other humans, which would explain why I haven't had a 'real' job in over a year.
I mean, it's not like I'm really bad around people--I'm decent, for the most part I know how to act, but I just feel awkward.
 And I don't have any specific trust issues with men. I've had one bad break-up, and I know not to repeat those mistakes.
Maybe I should join a dating site. Anyone have suggestions? Keep in mind that I'm cheaper than Barbara Streisand at a restaurant (my apologies to restaurants).
 I keep thinking that I'll find someone at my coffee shop, but the only people there are hipsters and old people (my apologies to old people).
I suppose the best thing to do is to keep at it. As my mother always said, "When you know better, you do better." I've got the first part down, at least.
http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/entertainment-cheapcelebrities/3/
Tolerance of intolerance is cowardice.--Ayaan Hirsi Ali  Anyone else hate trolls? In real life or online, they can be annoying and downright rude.
Here in Denver we've been getting a lot of snow this past week; not wanting to go outside (I can be kind of a wuss) I've spent a lot of time online.
Now, this blog isn't popular enough to gather that kind of attention--mixed blessings, I guess--but I'm on enough sites to see people making idiots of themselves.
It's embarrassing.
 I wish I could say I have the self control to ignore every one of them, although I've definitely mastered the art of picking my battles.
But I've learned there's a fine line between an annoying troll who's just picking a fight and someone who's actually an intolerant asshole.
We shouldn't keep quiet in the wake of intolerance. It's easier to just keep your head down, and it can be difficult to know when to say what, but believe me, it's worth it.
I think the most important thing in dealing with people, trolls or in general, is love.
 All the greats have advocated for love. We can't do anything without it, but so many people forget it.
And I'm not trying to preach or anything, I'm just trying to get the word out there.
Promoting Tolerance--http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/tolerance_general.aspx
More about Ayaan Hirsi Ali--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayaan_Hirsi_Ali
How quickly fortune turns when one knows how to steer its course.
Ten points to anyone who can name where that quote is from. Yes, we're on a point system now *shifty eyes*. Don't worry about the points too much; today I'm here to talk to you about "luck". Do you ever feel like if it wasn't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any? I used to, but then realized that I wasn't doing anything lucky. I'm a big believer in Karma, and I like to think I have at least a little control over my life.
 The more our eyes are open, the more we see. It's not easy, but nothing is.Some people seem to have all the luck. They know not to hold back their hand when they can get something by holding it out. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." They didn't put him on the $100 bill for nothing.
Of course, we must act on what we have. Sitting on your butt wont do anything. As William Ernest Henley said, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."
That includes doing right by yourself and others, and keep your eyes open for opportunities to do so. Don't be frightened when
Changing your luck: http://everythingunderthemoon.net/changing-your-luck.htm
great poem, and a great site in general: http://zenpencils.com/comic/william-ernest-henley-invictus/
 You ever have those days where you just don't want to think? For me, today is that day. It would be easier to just sit back and watch Rachel Ray so the I could clap along with the audience (if you don't know, go watch...the sheep mentality is amazing)
Days like this is the reason I have quotes in frames next to my bed. Today's quote is from the Dalai Lama, "I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe."
 If anyone else is feeling the same way, I would suggest surrounding yourself with positive things. I have my quotes, others go out in their garden or hug their pets (heaven forbid anyone has a pet alligator) but whatever you do, keep going.
<----Maybe post this above your bed. What's more enlightening than Uncle Sam preparing for a fight? If he can do it with a shitty economy and fatass kids, so can you!
Because I've gotten good feedback on the last post about art, I've decided to do it more. So once a month, I'm going to interview an artist and give you their contact info.
So I was at my favorite coffee shop, and I noticed these beautiful paintings up on the wall. I always love the artwork they have up, and I decided to not pass up this wonderful artist. I asked the barista (why wont the spell-check recognize 'barista'?) and he hooked me up with the artist, Julie Mason. Go here for her stuff.Of course, I wouldn't tease you with her website without letting you get to know her, which is why I decided to interview her. Get ready for a lot of reading (these interviews will be one of the few entries with no memes). And I might or might not have stolen the last two questions out of the Westword paper, but in my defense they shouldn't be asking such awesome questions!Her name is Julie Mason, and when she's not painting she is a mortgage loan officer. Me: How long have you been painting?Julie: For over twenty years. I did a loan for gal who owned an art studio, and I took watercolor class from her.Me: Do you have a schedule?Julie: I used to paint when my work was done, now the work is never done. I try to commit to paint every week. My goal is to make enough money to own a gallery, that would be ideal. So I'm very motivated to do a lot of loans, I've already got it all pictured in my mind. It's gotta be some place where people gather.
Me: Do you have a process?Julie: Whenever I have inspiration, it usually varies. I switch, I do a landscape, then a portrait (portraits are intense), then flowers.
Me: So do you like to listen to music or do you like to work in silence?Julie: Both, and I usually instrumental music. I would like to develop a playlist for when I paint. I like painting with other people. We can point out some things that are missing, it's very valuable to paint with other people.Me: Do you have any artists that inspire you?Julie: I wish I could say yes. I don't have a specific artist, but whenever I go look at art it inspires me. I'm from Scottsdale, and there there's an outdoor art show, some are sculptures, some are oils, etc...to be able to talk with them. The one thing I can't do is abstract.
Me: You mentioned working with watercolors and oils. What's your favorite material to work with?Julie: For the last fifteen years I've painted in oils. But, I just found a new watercolor paper, Yupo, which allows you to do different things with watercolor. I also like working with pastels.
Me: Would you still paint if you were the last person on earth?Julie: Definitely.
Me: Name one thing that everybody seems to love but you hate?Julie: Artist's statements--when an artist has to explain what their piece means. The art should speak for itself. Julie Mason's art website: juliemasonart.com
Yupo paper: dickblick.com
Most amazing free paper in Denver, CO: http://www.westword.com/
Best little coffee shop in Denver: http://sojoscoffee.com/
 Ok, I'll say what everybody else is thinking. Judas Iscariot gets a bad rap.
Where are you going? Hear me out!
Jesus worked around the other Disciples quirks--a lot of those guys were cool in my book, it takes a lot of courage to quit your day job as a stinky, sweaty fisherman to become a stinky, sweaty student (yet more and more kids are choosing this lifestyle today...?) I mean, he told Simon to calm down so much that Jesus changed his name! I bet Saint Peter would be rolling over in his grave when Pope Benedict resigned.
Where am I going with this? Jesus recognized Judas Iscariot as having the moxy to put the final steps of his plan into action. Didn't the man NEED to die? That was the point, wasn't it?
 I'm not Christian, so you probably shouldn't listen to me on this. But if the memes are true it looks pretty cool.
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