It is so yuck and raining and wet and cold out today, it seems like the perfect day to read my napping book by SARK that a friend gave me recently. I especially like the part about how " the more naps you take, the more money you will make." It seems that my cat Buckely is enjoying learning a lot from the book.
The beautiful Rideau Canal opened for skating on the weekend. I was very excited. Jason and I did a tour and stoped for hot chocolate along the way. I didn't go too fast on my speed skates, just taking it easy for the first time out.
Its getting a bit warmer this week, so I hope the canal stays open. It seems that Tania also went for a skate in Toronto. yay for winter fun!
I'd have to say this is one the best horoscopes I've had, ever. I found it in this week's Express(ottawa's entertainment newspaper). I rarely read them, but sometimes browse through them. Hope all capricorns have a good year (well, and everyone else too :) with all the conjuring that will be going on.
This was the cutest scene in Quebec City. It's a mini 'Battle on the Plains of Abraham', which took place in Sept 13, 1759. If only I had taken a trip to Quebec city for my Canadian history class, I might have learned more. Today, instead of fighting, there's a beautiful cross country ski park and tobogganning hill on the Plains of Abraham.
What does a gal-who-makes-cake make for her birthday? Cake, of course! Its true, I used this cake at a New Years eve party, but it also made good birthday cake. Its small enough to have travelled to Quebec City for a birthday get-away (since I also make a handy carrying tote). I am working on a more elaborate birthday cake, but it was not quite ready. I like to think January will just have to be birthday-month, and stretch the fun over 30 days...
Welcome to 2006!
This little snow globe was found last night on the street. It was frozen in the slush, but seems to have thawed over night. Its another indication that miracles do happen at Christmas! Now I am off to eat some shortbread, ginger bread and fruit cake. Enjoy the holidays!
There is a storm brewing and this makes me excited about all my favorite winter activities. The canal has not frozen yet, but soon I will be able to speed away on my speed skates. I do think it would be a good idea to retire my bike for a little while. I have been doing a bit too much winter biking and it zapping all the heat out of me and I can't warm up. Anyway, all the snow on the way will make biking a bit treacherous. Yay for Winter!
I went to a holiday party at my studio building on the weekend. I made some cupcakes. Yummy! Just for fun, I had included a few fake ones to keep everyone on their toes. Can you guess which ones are the fakes?
I was saddened to see that Side Door Bingo closed down. Apparently they went bankrupt. I kept meaning to go there, but now I never will. In my neighbourhood, there were two bingo places: Side Door, and the church bingo on Tues and fri nights. I went to the church bingo a few month's back. It was fun...but maybe bingo's had its hey-day. Anyone know what to do with 24,000 sq/ft of space???
I love how bushes get wrapped up for the winter. I took some pictures today by the new War Museum along Booth St. These trees must have been newly planted in the fall and now they are bundled up. There are so many of them too. They look so lovely and sculptural. Its nice that someone has taken the time to cover them and keep them warm for winter.
Here's something to chew in for the weekend...I found it in aceartinc's (an artist run gallery in Winnepeg) 2003/2004 publication of Paperwait. Written by editor Risa Horowitz.
I am kind of sad, but also kind of relieved that my job at the construction site is over. It was both exciting and exausting to be witness to the landscape change (oh, and test the air for bad fumes, of which there were none.) Each time I went to site it was different, with big new equipement brought in, or blasting that had been done. Also, there was danger all over: falling into a hole, getting flattened by a concrete brick being dropped by a crane, run over by a truck. It was a thrill to be a on site with so much activity, so much destruction. This is also a place that women are not: it is such a man's world. And these men work hard. Even though they may be working the equipment, it inevitably breaks down, so then it becomes a physical labour job to change to crane cable, put a new scoop on the shovel. All this work, equipment, labour, blasting and landscape change to build a big highway, so we can get somewhere faster, easier, in our cars. This is by far the weirdest/craziest job I've had, but it sure was an excellent experience. I took lots of pictures which will be good foder for something someday.
I have been working on another tiling job for my same customer as here. It is for a powder room, a smaller space than the first time. This time around, I am using white glass pieces and blue grout. It looks so nice: shiny, pearly beads in a sea of blue....
I'm happy to say that I have a piece at the Ottawa Art Gallery Art Rental and Sales. They are having a opening for their winter delights on Saturday. The sculpture looks so good on the wall...and perfect for a wintery feel, which is appropriate, as it is snowing today.
I know, I know, I'm a few days behind, but here's my November 11:
I think poppies were made to fall off. Even with a safety pin, this one still got lost.
I was in Toronto for the weekend and visited the Toronto International Art Fair. I thought it would be fun to bring along one of my sweet cakes to the show. Its amazing how many people will talk to me when I walk around with cake! Everyone loves cake! So much Fun!
Also, saw my pal Lori in the play e-dentity at Artword Theatre, dim sum with bloggers Tania and Krissy (and their Pauls') and also had a chance to see Body Works at the science centre. Not for the squeemish. What a weekend!
I started a new job today. Its part time and only for a few weeks, so that suits my schedual and will leave me time to do other art things. I have to hang out at a construction site for 4 hrs a few days a week and test the air. The site is an old land fill and a higway is going to built on it. Before any construction can take place, the site has to compacted by big cranes. I get to stand around with a little air testing device to make sure there are no hig levels of methane or carbon monoxide coming off of it. How I get myself into these things is beyond me...I am just going to enjoy being outside, watch machines and think. Maybe this is my training for becoming Edward Burtynsky's assistant.
Down the street from me: That's one Big Pumpkin on the roof.
I am excited to announce that I have some work in a commercial gallery! weeee! La Petite Mort is opening tonight and I have my digital flower photos available there and just today, I delivered my crazy patent black vinyl kinky chairs there. The place is run by Guy Berube who is known for his eclectic tastes and zany art, so it seems like a good fit to have work there. The gallery is located at 306 Cumberland in Ottawa.
