Category Archives: Videos

Something Good

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First on my list today has to be the Well-Fed Woman Retreatshop and Rachel Cole. 13 brave Fort Collins woman sat in a circle with Rachel yesterday, identifying and connecting with their hungers, trying to understand what was getting in the way of feeding them. I can’t stop thinking that we planted a seed, started something, and how powerful we can be, what great things we’ll do, how much love we’ll generate and spread. And when I think of that circle of women, so many of my favorites, I keep thinking of this quote: “What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life? The world would split open.” ~Muriel Rukeyser

Ladybug on the cover of my new notebook. I didn’t even realize it was there, and then, while I was sitting in the above circle of women, I looked down, and there she was. Considering who was sitting next to me at the time (Kandyce), it was pretty special.

Wednesday is Tibetan New Year: the Year of the Water Dragon. Another chance to begin again, make a fresh start, and the Dragon is a powerful symbol for the coming year: “The Warrior of Inscrutable: Dragon” and “The Mind of the Dragon and the Power of Non-Self.”

image by Will Clayton

Quote from Sakyong Mipham Rinphoche: “Aggression comes about from a feeling of inadequacy. Non-aggression comes about from a feeling of worthiness.”

Brittni Mehlhoff’s “Art to Inspire” posts on Scoutie Girl.

Neil Gaiman and his voice. I wish he would read me to sleep every night.

“The Story You Are Telling Yourself” by Daniel Collinsworth on Metta Drum. “You, and you alone, generate the story that tells you who you are. So why not make it a beautiful one?”

“Letter Love 101: Art Journals” Lettering Class!!!! I have been looking for some kind of calligraphy or lettering class for a long time, and this one is perfect, just what I wanted without even knowing how to describe what I wanted. And the fact that it’s self-paced and unlimited access means I don’t have to feel pressured or guilty about the timing.

Alaskan Husky Exercise Wheel. This dog looks like it is having so much fun.

“29 Soundbites On Writing And Publishing” on the Creative Penn. I don’t agree with all of them, but it’s an interesting list.

Claire Brewster‘s Papercut Map Art. This is so cool.

Everblooming Amaryllis. The one in my office at work currently has eight blooms.

Something Good

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I am Left Brain. I am Right Brain.

I despise most advertising, geared as it is towards convincing us we are not enough, something about us is broken or missing or wrong, but if we buy “the thing,” we’ll suddenly and magically be forever happy and safe and young and rich and loved.

Even though I feel this way about advertising, sometimes there are ads that even I have to admit are wonderfully funny (I’m thinking of this Volkswagon ad from last year’s Super Bowl) or beautiful. This one, from Mercedes Benz, is beautiful–and kind of weird as an advertisement for a luxury car brand, (click on the image to read more and see a few other versions).

The text for the left brain reads:

“I am the left brain. I am a scientist. A mathematician. I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate. Linear. Analytical. Strategic. I am practical. Always in control. A master of words and language. Realistic. I calculate equations and play with numbers. I am order. I am logic. I know exactly who I am.”

And for the right brain:

“I am the right brain. I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion. Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feat. I am movement. Vivid colors. I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas. I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel. I am everything I wanted to be.”

My fortune from yesterday’s lunch

Smart cookie.

Baby beaver

I hate the damage the adults do to the tree population at McMurray Ponds Natural Area, but this weekend, we saw one of the babies. So cute! Don’t believe me? Watch this video of a baby beaver in a bathtub.

Dog sighs

I love the noises dogs make when they are dreaming, or when they eat a carrot or an apple, but a dog sigh goes straight to my heart.

Owls

I’m kind of obsessed with owls lately. They symbolize wisdom, intelligence, and freedom. They are seen as oracles of secret wisdom and protectors of the dead, of souls and secrets and dreams. They are able to see things that are hidden, are shape shifters. They have a connection to the underworld, death, and the moon. If this blog had a mascot, an animal spirit guide, I imagine it would be an owl, most likely riding on the back of a dog.

Here’s a great color palette and picture from Design Seeds (a really fun site for all you color and design geeks).


I also love the work done by the woman behind Dou Dou Birds. I finally bought two of her owls, the new mascots for A Thousand Shades of Gray. Now, what to name them…

Some Things You Need to Know

This is from Marc and Angel.

Whenever somebody discredits you, and tells you that you can’t do something, keep in mind that they are speaking from within the boundaries of their own limitations. Ignore them. Don’t give in. In this crazy world that’s trying to make you like everyone else, find the courage to keep being your awesome self. And when they laugh at you for being different, laugh back at them for being the same.

Remember, our courage doesn’t always roar aloud. Sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering, “I will try again tomorrow.”

Calligraphy Links from Scoutie Girl

I am a calligraphy nerd, love the practice, so I loved these links.

“Getting it Up” from Zebra Sounds

Judy Clement Wall is one of my new favorite people. She is the instigator behind the new site A Human Thing, and also the author of Zebra Sounds. Her latest post, “Getting it up” is a really great kick in the pants for artists.

Add to the Love in the world – a challenge

From Unicorns for Socialism, ways to add more love to the world.

Memoryhouse, “Untitled”

Beautiful video, dreamy song.