The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey

My sister introduced me to this book before Christmas. I thought it was hilarious, genius, and witty. It's a journey through the alpahbet that shows a child and a horrible death.

Please don't take it seriously.

Enjoy!

I'm Grateful....

that baby Cannon is home from the hosptial. This little guy got pretty sick and I'm so happy he is well enough to be home. I haven't even met him yet but I'm in LOVE. I can't wait to kiss those cheeks.

"Don't think, Just Shoot"

Lately I've been intrigued by Lomography. I saw these great cameras at Urban Outfitters for less than $40. My friend who is in to photography and collecting cameras showed me some of his pictures taken with a Diana. I also saw some YouTube short documentaries on Lomography. I love the idea of "Don't think, Just Shoot" the idea of being able to take this camera anywhere and every shot is art. It's the lightest camera evvvver. Wikipedia says, "In 1991, the Austrian founders of Lomography discovered the Lomo LC-A. As the company states, they were "charmed by the unique, colorful, and sometimes blurry" images that the camera produced." Some how the lens has a way of capturing brilliant color and focusing the light in the center of the shot. There is also a Fisheye lens that takes pictures looking like a front door peep hole. Real cool.

What I'm trying to say is.... I WANT ONE!

This American Life

All day long (8-4:30) I listened to This American Life. My day flew. And on the way I learned a few things. This American Life is a weekly radio show hosted by Ira Glass, "There's a theme to each episode, and a variety of stories on that theme." These are the shows I listened to today:

Babysitting: "The last story in this show, about two teenagers who ended up babysitting children who didn't exist, is one of the most popular things we've ever put on the air, and even won an international prize."

--I really liked the story about two children who had a horrible mother who was unloving and cruel. The daughter made up a pretend family and told her mother that she was asked to babysit. She even took her little brother along to "babysit." It went on for years and made there lives much happier as they invented a perfect family and had a way of getting out of the house.

Break-up: "Writer Starlee Kine on what makes the perfect break-up song and whether really sad music can actually make you feel better. Plus, an eight-year-old author of a book about divorce and other stories from the heart of heartbreak."

---On the way to work this morning I was listening to "Breakin up" by Rilo Kiley. As I was failing to replicate Jenny Lewis' beautiful vocals I thought "What a great Break up song. Then I actually listened to this show that talked about Break-ups and one particular story about a girl who talks about a bad break up. Though I've never experienced a bad break up I could relate to her feelings on Break-up songs. She hit the nail on the head. She ends up writing her very own break-up song, with a little help from Phil Collins.

Telephone: "A man suspects his teenage son is doing drugs. He starts taping his son's phone calls, setting off a series of deceptions and counter-deceptions, all caught on tape, and ending in an act of pure, surprising genius parenting."

---This story was fascinating. A teenage boy attending Beverly Hills highschool is using drugs and his life is changed forever when his Dad has him listen to over 40 90minute phone recordings. The boy realized what he was really like when he was on drugs and what a rude and selfish person he turned into.

Cruelty of Children: "One of David Sedaris's funniest stories, plus a story that's so disturbing – about kids being cruel to an adult for very understandable reasons – that years after it was broadcast, people still ask if it's true."

---Thank you David Sedaris. If you haven't heard or read his stuff, then you should. He is a fantastic writer. Another story in this broadcast tells of an elementary school teacher who created a new rule in her classroom, "She instituted a rule: "You can't say 'You can't play.'" In other words, if two children are playing, and a third child comes over and wants to join them, they can't tell him or her to get lost. They can't reject him or her. This is the cause of unending pain in most classrooms and playgrounds. The experiment was a remarkable and immediate success."

Act V: "Murderers perform a play about murder.Over the course of several months, we followed inmates as they rehearsed and staged the last act of Shakespeare's Hamlet. They shared surprising insights into the play. "

---You have GOT to listen to this. It's really a genius idea. I love the notion of having inmates actually think in a way they've never done before. Stretch their brain and have them exercise other uses of their intelligence. I felt as though I was on the same journey as the man doing the documentary. After months of visiting the inmate actors he went to the city hall to read of their crimes. It was heartbreaking and horrifying to hear of what these men had done after getting to know them and hear them talk. They are smart and capable men who have made some bad bad choices. This play forever changed them though.

Brian Kershisnik

Today I wanted to share a few samplings from Brian Kershisnik, an artist from Kanosh, Utah. This is my mom's favorite artist and we first saw his paintings at the BYU art museum. They are stunning. It is so refreshing to look at his work. This is the first first painting we saw when we walked through an exhibit on Jesus Christ. This is a Nativity scene. Stunning in real life. It's HUGE.

I love this painting. I think you could derive a lot of your own meaning from it.

And this reminds me of my Mom.

This week was better because of...

Beirut
Vampire Weekend

NPR All Songs Considered Studio Sessions! I've already confessed my love for this show. But, at work this week I needed something to get me through the hum drumness. So I listened to full studio sessions by Vampire Weekend, Beirut, Iron & Wine, and also guest DJ Thom Yorke of Radiohead. Beautiful music that made me happy.

Just Read...

My older sister Annie told me about this book in September. She is a really good reader and I get excited when she tells me about a book she is reading. I got this for Christmas and couldn't wait to dive into it. Luckily my sister prepared me that it took a little while to get into. So I kept with it and really loved the story. The narrator is Death, which made it such a unique way of writing and telling about this story taken place in Germany during the Holocaust. The main character is a young girl and she has a love for words. I also enjoyed the relationships she had with her foster parents, friends, and neighbors. Her foster mother had quite the vocabulary of German swear words, Her foster father was an accordian playing, cigaretter rolling, simple man, and soooo sweet. If for no other reason, pick up this book because of this picture:

High Fashion Modesty?

My sister told me about this magazine started by some LDS girls that is geared towards modest High Fashion. I think the idea is great. They even highlight modest clothes worn by celebrities. I love clothes and creating outfits that are modest as well as fashionable. What's in fashion changes constantly, but modestyis always in fashion! Elizamagazine.com!

Treasures

About two years ago a friend and I were discussing music and how we both have our little "treasure" bands/artists that we like to keep safely in our ipod. As we keep them safely there we are also fearful that our ear candy will soon be unleashed to the wrath of pop culture. With more and more indie bands getting over played on the radio, commercials, and tv it pretty much takes the excitement out of your favorite tunes.

Recently Bob Boilen of NPR All Songs Considered did a show on just that. Asking listeners/readers to tell there favorite bands that few people have heard. I've really enjoyed listening to it. I think you would too.

Google Game

So as I was creating my last post I had this idea for a game. And I'd like YOU, yes you to join me. It's simple just enter a word into Google search images and pick the picture that makes you laugh. The picture that makes you double-take and say "What the..." For example: I typed in the word "JOYOUS" and this is the picture that I chose. Post your hilarious finds.

Yippee Skippy

I got myself a job. Yes sir ee...this chick is employed. Well...as of tomorrow! It may have taken longer than expected, but the day finally came. I'm a full time working gal now. YAY!

Wish Oh Wish

Ain't she pretty?! This is the Leica Mini Digital Camera. Fits right in your palm. What a gem.