What comes round. . .

. . .goes round!

You really do have to be careful what you put out in the universe. Just recently I was telling a friend, "Thursday is the one day of the week I do not have to go downtown."

First the Sabbatical Committee schedules my interview on February 8. Then I get an invitation to a private PRE-OPENING viewing evening at the Art Institute to see the Cezanne to Picasso show, complete with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and guided tour of the exhibition! And today I receive an invitation to an opening of a friend's show downtown.

You guessed it! All events are on Thursday!

Looks like my Thursdays are going to be busy for a while.

Skype

A friend told me about it a while ago. A former student told me about a month ago. I saw a co-worker use it yesterday. I finally became a Skyper today!

Free calls to Europe, through your computer! And unlimited calls to land lines here in the states and Canade for $15 for the year! I am not fully sure how it works, but it works and it is through my computer which is pretty damn cool!

Check it out at Skype.

The longest journey starts with a single step!

Electric bills are supposed to be going up soon here in the Chicagoland area. I said that when my light bulbs need to be replaced I will with the mini fluorescent bulbs.

Here are some facts:
• 2 bulbs cost $8.67 with tax
• They say I will save up to $77 per bulb
• Each 23 watt fluorescent bulb = 100 watt regular bulb
• 1600 lumens is the light output
• 23% energy use of regular light bulb
• 10,000 hours of life

There is also a 9 year warranty on the package per bulb with the disclaimer of the bulb being used on average for three hours a day. I have put the receipt in a file and will report back in nine years if the bulb lasted.

I guess this is my part of saving the world.

Iconoclasps

One last ASL post! These are a really cool twist on paperclips!

6 Weird Things About Me!

1 - Have an obsession with an orange (we even vacation together!)


2 - Collect hotel shampoos (latest addition from the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa)


3 - Enjoy a good dumpster dive (people pay money for this stuff!)


4 - Have blown glass…but it's not what you think! (or maybe it is?)


5 - Have green thumbs (orchids in the winter in Chicago? that's crazy!)


6 - Take pictures of animals, well, being animals! (nuf said!)


It seems as though I have been tagged, thanks Willie! I feel like this is having the "cooties" on the playground as a kid, but I will play along!
Here are the rules:
• Each person who gets tagged needs to create a post of their own 6 weird things as well as clearly state this rule.
• After you state your 6 weird things, you need to "tag" six people and list their names.
• Don't forget to leave a comment that says "your tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog for information as to what it means.

Sorry in advance to Lisa, Trixi, Alina, Paul, Mace and Kai

ASL Alphabet

Yesterday's post of the ASL alphabet was a bit "school-textbook circa 1950" if I do say so!

Lisa sent me this version of the alphabet.

ASL

I am taking an American Sign Language (ASL) class to learn the language. I have always wanted to learn ASL but never found the time. Assuming tenure is mine, a sabbatical will follow in the fall. I have developed a sabbatical project that looks at how ASL and graphic design relate in their both being visual communications. Then again, I have found lots of movement, improvisation, sculptural qualities within ASL so who knows where this may go!

The class is taught immersion style which means no talking allowed! There is a lot of pointing and charades playing as we have just begun this past Monday. But currently I can spell my name, greet you and ask how you are!

It's not just you.

Blue Monday: Is this the most depressing day of the year?

If you're feeling a little down in the dumps today -- you're not alone. Some experts say this is the most depressing day of the year for many people.

The holidays are over, the Christmas bills are piling up and the winter weather is growing old fast.

Add to that, failed New Year's resolutions and the prospect of a long year ahead and it's the perfect storm for depression.

Dr. Cliff Arnaill, a psychologist at Cardiff University, even came up with a mathematical formula to show how these factors can cause the blues.

"The truth is a lot of people feel down at this time and a lot of people have depression as well, particularly men, and they don't want to talk about it," Dr. Arnall said.

I'd like to buy a vowel please.

Kauluolaka Heiau

This is the view from a .5 mile hike in Kauai, looking west and east. Had we gone another 1.5 miles we would have come to the famous Hanakapiai Beach. It does dot sound far but it was wet, slippery, muddy and treacherous! "We should have sticks with us. It makes the hike easier," said Eileen, as we saw nearly every other person walk past us with sticks! And the way down was no easier, maybe a little. I just kept seeing Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner sliding down that rocky ravine in Romancing the Stone. That is just what it looked like.

I was good with the amazing views from the half mile point, a 45 minute hike.

Bananas

This trip to Hawaii, I visited the island of Kauai with my friend Eileen from grad school.

On the north side of Kauai is a brightly colored place called Hanalei. I found these bananas behind a restaurant selling smoothies, shaved ice and other island treats.

Aloha!

Well, I am back from the island of O'ahu. Had a great time at the 5th Annual International Conference on Arts and Humanities. I am not sure if I had a great time at the conference. I know I met some great people from around the world. Reconnected with friends from grad school and saw lots of new stuff including the island of Kauai, The Garden Isle.

And I stayed at the best room of all my trips to Hawaii, Room 2756 of the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, the host hotel. This is the view I woke up to everyday, Diamond Head and the ocean.

City I Call Home

There was a beautiful blue sky this evening and the city was amazingly clear. Yet I love the blurr of this picture!

Cattail

This is my cat's tail as he lies across the top of the couch and his tail droops down. Every now and then he gives it a flick and it changes shape.

I love the two-dimensional designs he creates. I think he is a designer too.

More Sushi!

This time chocolate! This was a holiday gift! Even the dish it sits on is chocolate. The rice is rice crispy treat-like stuff. The leaves under the "ginger" are plastic.

You can find more of the chocolate sushi goodies and a complete menu at Koo-Ki Sushi.

I had me some shrimp for lunch today!

Here are some facts about shrimp!

How do prawns, crayfish, and shrimp differ?
As so often happens, common names are used loosely and inconsistently in the shrimp family. The "prawn" of Great Britain and other countries is essentially the same animal as the shrimp of the United States, the only biological difference being that prawns have their second abdominal flap (counting from the head towards the tail) overlapping the first and the third. In this country, the term "shrimp" applies to all crustaceans of the Natantia group, regardless of size. "Crayfish" or "crawfish" are names given to both a common freshwater crustacean and to the saltwater spiny lobster.

Is there more than one kind of shrimp?
Numerous varieties exist, among them brown, white, pink, royal red, brine, and rock shrimp.

How big do shrimp grow?
Depending on the species, size ranges from about 1/2 inch long on the west coast of the United States, to almost 12 inches elsewhere.

How long do shrimp live?
The life cycle varies geographically and by species. Some live as long as 6-1/2 years, others live only a year.

Vanille Royale

Mmmmm! Smooth!

If you like Bailey's, you will love, LOVE Vanille Royale! It is a new vanilla cream AND cognac liqueur. Use it just like Bailey's but enjoy it twice as much. On the rocks, with some club soda to make what they call a French Fizz, or just a shot in coffee will make ice, club soda or coffee a new treat!

You can find other drink and dessert recipes at Vanille Royale.

Frushi

Had a New Year's Brunch yesterday. Frushi was on the menu. What fun! With my sister's sushi rolling skills, we turned my kitchen into a liitle frushi factory! Sweet rice, add coconut milk and some sugar, lots of fruit, and plenty of imagination!

There were Berry Rolls (black and raspberries), cucumber melon rolls, pineapple mango maki, and strawberry kiwi mint rolls. Then there were just assorted nigiri. My favorite were the grapefruit sections as they looked like tuna or salmon! Some raspberry and vanilla yogurt for dipping and your frushi is complete.

New Year Greetings!