When I go to England...

I will be visiting the Stokesay Court. It has been a dream of mine since I sat in the Green Hills movie theatre in 2007 and watched Atonement for the first time. They recently updated their website, as I'm sure it has become a tourist trap since it was used as the back drop of an Oscar nominated film, although it was built in 1889 by philanthropic entrepreneur, and an evangelist Christian, John Derby-Allcroft.

Once there, I intend to take every corner with a sharp, exaggerated 90 degree turn. I want to lay out on the front lawn and complain how I have nothing to do and feign disinterest for the gardner. Then maybe I'll work on writing a screen play in the garden or "give the nettles a good thrashing." I'd even consider going for a dip in the fountain if the rules permit.

Here's a view from the back of the estate. If I remember right, it is used in the darker scenes. It contributes to the more ominous mood of the film...like when Robbie is having the flashback and everyone is staggered on the porch.

If you haven't seen it, I hope I'm not giving anything away.  I've met many people who didn't care for this film, but I for one love the way in which the story is told.  It's broken into chunks and replays the same scene multiple times because in reality we never have the enitre story at our disposal when events occur that confuse us or make our life difficult. We only have snipets and our perspective can distort and skew what actually happened, especially when one has a vivid imagination. 

 There are many things that contribute to my love of this film. I'm absolutely in love with the fact that the typewriter is incorporated into the score. And I love that it's set in the 1930's and is so much like the book. But this post gives me a chance to express how much I adore the cinematography of this masterpiece. Although the film is directed by Joe Wright, Seamus McGarvey is given credit for the cinematography. Now I'm not an expert at anything, cinematography most of all. But I know what I like. And I like this film. Here are a few of my favourite shots for you to peruse.

 Another thing I love about this movie is that it is so detail driven. Even after seeing it countless times, I'm still finding choices and similarities that I have never noticed before. This past time I observed that Robbie is seen tying his boot lace...and moments later we see Cecila fuss with her sandles. I have to think that was intentional.

 "Can you do me one of your Bolshevik roll-ups?" Her accent is so thick and she talks so fast, but I think their chemistry is dynamic.

He's playing "O Soave Fanciulla, O Dolce Viso" from La bohème in case you were wondering...

I aim to see this dress in a period costume exhibit someday.

 Oh, wouldn't this be an amazing location for a game of flashlight tag?

I love how you can see Cecila light her cigarette. I feel like that is something F. Scott Fitzgerald would describe. Ian McEwan's details are quite satisfying though. I should call him the modern Fitzgerald from now on.

The cigarette smoke is connivingly stunning in this shot. I'm afraid I wasn't able to capture it.

Ah, you've got to love that wallpaper!

I'm thoroughly convinced that James McAvoy is the greatest actor of my generation. This film features some of his best work. Why wasn't he nominated for an Oscar?

Sorry, I got a bit carried away. There are just so many shots that I wanted to share with you. It's such an exquisite movie. I can't wait to tour the house someday.

Festival 5.1K 2011

This is the fourth year that I've been able to design the poster for the Duluth Heights Festival 5.1K. And you know...it's not your typical 5K.  Here's the final design for the poster.

 They also asked me to update an image on their index page. I was excited to be able to design the banner previously. But here is the banner and new image on http://www.festival5k.com/

I really should run this, but last time I ran I felt like Nancy Kerrigan might have after Tonya Harding's goon attacked her. I could hardly walk for days. Of course I could always train for it...

One Summer Dream

This dream/nightmare I had last night was all too strange not to share it publicly.  And, oddly enough, I was able to recall it quite well.

I was in a bird sanctuary with a class. I don't remember anyone from the class. I do remember that this sanctuary had a similar floor plan to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. You know, the room with the chocolate waterfall and river that Augustus Gloop falls into. Yet this sanctuary was less colourful...and probably less delicious. First I saw the wood ducks in a large birch tree across the river.

Exhibit A: (Mind you it was a male bird)

Picture by Matthew Studebaker

Then it started flying. I don't know if they can really fly. He stayed on the other side of the river though...probably looking after some nest.

I tried to take pictures with my camera phone. I don't know if this is important, but I remember that detail.

Then I realized there was a large creature close to me on the bank. Freakishly close. It was an enormous penguin. I really can't find a picture of the species that was in my dream. So, you'll need to merge these two images to get the full effect.

Yep. Scary. Cause it was looking at me like Danny DeVito. It was the size of a human too.

Then, I dropped my phone. I was fumbling for it in the grass and at my feet I discovered this.

Except it was coloured like this:

I thought it was dead because it was so still and looked like it was on display at a museum, but I don't think I've ever seen one in real life anyways. I think there was a little baby beside it too.

Then I snapped awake.

 "What does it mean, my Uncle Martin?"

I thought it was odd that all the birds were very rare. Out of curiosity, what do you think this dream means?

Happy Father's Day, Kimosabe!

This is my dad. I owe a lot to this man. He inspires me in so many ways and encourages me beyond what I deserve.

He draws cartoons and taught me how to draw by allowing me to look over his shoulder ever since I was a little girl. These are my oldest memories to this day.

He always makes me cards for my birthday. They are priceless to me. You can view and/or purchase more of his cards at http://www.iceboxcards.com/

I drew this for him a couple years ago...just an example of what I've learned from him.

He's fond of many things and finds a way to make those things interesting to me. He brings great music, great poetry, great quotes, & great people to my attention constantly.  If he likes it, I'll eventually share his opinion. And he may be the most sentimental person I've ever met.

He loves this li'l lady and my brother and me very much. But most importantly he loves our Saviour and has been an example of His love for us. Thanks for being a phenomenal father!

The Continuation of 'They Make Cakes'

So I have these two friends, Katie & Becca. They make cakes. They're dynamic!

After creating an eye-catching, delectable cake for Becca's brother-in-law,
they were hired to make a cake for a 50th birthday party held at the newly restored Clyde Iron Works.

The birthday guy loves his Harley, so they made him one and I got to help!

I'm hoping these pictures aren't too heinous. They were taken on my crappy phone.

I was honored that they asked me to help. I've always veered away from anything pertaining to the kitchen, but I can't resist making things out of straws. So they had my devotion for a few hours on the terms that we would be able to listen to Earth, Wind, & Fire, The Bee Gees, and an excessive amount of the The Spice Girls.

I had forgotten how much I love building minitures out of straws. I had a doll house when I was younger and I made the furniture out of all sorts of straws and marbles. I'll show you some time.

We worked on this all through the night. Everyone was slap happy.

I couldn't stop saying, "May I smell your fingers?". (It's from that stupid Ford Focus commercial with Doug.) And Becca kept on pretending to see things outside in the woods, which gets me everytime.

  

I happen to love green frosting. So I'm really wishing I could have had a piece of this right about now.

The road actually looked like pavement. Like you could literally get road rash.

There was a debate over a few stones and whether or not they slightly resembled feces. That had to have been around 4 or 5. They all look like perfectly normal frosting rocks to me now. 

I'm so impressed by the Harley logo! I know the perfectionist in Katie was letting loose. Great result!

This bike was made for Gromit...or Wallace.

Couldn't you picture it? We'd need a decent side-car though...

Oh yeah, and Happy Birthday, Mike!

The 29th Annual Park Point Rummage Sale

I hardly slept a wink last night. I was so worried that all the bargains would be snatched up before I hit the pavement and began to rummage through those garages of Duluth's Park Point. Even though I didn't make it to my first sale until after three, I am still pleased with my findings. I have to thank the talented Amanda Weis, who will play the Baker's Wife in our upcoming production of "Into the Woods". If it wasn't for her, I would have missed them all together! So thanks, Amanda!
Here are a few of my finds:

Vintage screw-back sequin earrings. I'd like to know what era they are from. My guess is that they are older than the 1950's.

SCORE! Have I mentioned I love this film...and the soundtrack..and these stories? I really need to do a post on my obsession with this film. It's long over-due.

Yep! I'm gonna be having a Murder Mystery Party! Be looking for your invitation in the mail.  I have a feeling I'm going to have a difficult time trying to get people to attend this one though. It's an archaeological theme which kills two birds with one stone for me.

I loved this glass bead necklace. It's really long too and could/will double as bracelet.

Some have called this piece of sheet music my greatest garage sale find. When was the last time you listened to this song? Just try not to cry, I dare you.

Ah, somethings you just can't pass up...

"It's for the kids!" Actually, I got this for James. His response, "Uh, Money can't buy you friendship, Jena." (This is not a typo. He's never pronounced my name correctly.)

Then from the same garage where I found my phonograph cylinder last year, I found this No. 2 Brownie Box Camera for $1. It's from 1904. That happens to be the year that "Meet Me In St. Louis" takes place. I love that movie and know that this will make a great edition to my bookshelf. It's so interesting. The people at this sale were so friendly to me as well and remembered me when I revisited their sale later on in the day.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this bucket quite yet,...that is after I clean the worm guts out of it. Any suggestions as to how I could use it creatively?

Then, as I was walking back to my car, I noticed this was free. It has a new home now.
 

It could be the companion to Martin Crane's infamous recliner.
 
But I believe I've just found my next "before & after" project, which should be fun, because this will be my first ottoman!

John Singer Sargent

I just finished reading one of the worst books I have ever read.  At least it was short and quickly over.  Gee, the television show it was based on is so good. Where did I go wrong?

New rule: Never read a book based on a television show.

This rule should apply to books based on movies inspired by an original book as well. Didn't Michael Scott read the "novelization of the movie Precious based on the book Push by Sapphire"? Or was he just listening to it on audio tape? That brings me to a WHOLE other debate...If one listens to a book on tape, can they claim that they have read that book? You can voice your opinion below.
Back to this atrocious book. It felt like it was written by an amateur who had to meet a deadline and sloppily churned it out to his/her publisher over a weekend.
The only redeeming quality of this book was that a large portion of it was about an art collection. And it led to my discovery of this:
 

"Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose" by John Singer Sargent is mentioned as one of the protagonist's favourite paintings. And the print is later given to her as a gift. I could see why she loved it. 
 

I had not been incredibly familiar with Sargent's work, but as it turns out, I have had a postcard of one of his paintings in my room for many years now. The painting, "In the Luxembourg Gardens at Twilight" made quite the impression on me, so much so that I had to purchase its postcard form in the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts gift shop after the tour.  I don't know if I can describe why it moves me, but I think it may reside in the motion of the piece. It looks as if the subjects are still moving and the smoldering lighting drapes a romantic mood upon the scene. I really liked what this blogger had to say about it. http://artdurkee.blogspot.com/2007/01/john-singer-sargent-appreciation.html
 
Here are several other paintings by Sargent that I admire.
 
The reflected clouds are stunning.

 

And like many artists and musicians, Sargent was close friends with other talented artists like himself. Apparently he was close to Claude Monet. "He did landscapes." If you ask me,they should be featured on the Awesome People Hanging Out Together site.