A Gardner or A Sailor

I haven't posted a whole lot lately because this job I've taken on as 'Facilitator' of the 'Artists Co-op' has been pretty damn all consuming.

Let's see, what exactly HAVE I been doing?
Writing Contracts
Designing A Logo
Creating Business Cards
Working Hours at the Shop
Organizing Meetings
Writing Agendas
Attending Meetings
Acquiring Licenses
Painting Walls
Tearing down walls - Actually that was my husband (thanks sweetie!)
Cleaning Carpet - (thanks for your help Bill!)
Managing leaks - As in, climbing ladders and placing buckets in the ceiling to keep it from falling in.

And when this is all done:
I create art in what my husband likes to refer to as my 'rubber room.'

Who knows where all this activity is going? I hope towards creating a sustainable artist community... That IS the ultimate goal anyway.

So, some days I feel like the Gardner, carefully nurturing the tiny seed we've planted:Other days, I feel like I'm on the deck of the Titanic, the band is playing and the ship is going down:The highs and the lows have been both amazing and character building. I'm learning a LOT but damn am I tired!

*Where DO I find the time to play with my crappy 'Paint' program? The shop doesn't have an internet connection, pffffttt!

From the 'What Are The Odds' File...

So the other night as I was folding clothes the phone rang. The caller ID did her thing (yeah, my caller ID is a girl) and when she announced the name of the caller I thought to myself, 'I know that name' even though I hadn't heard it in years.

Several years ago, I used to teach Scrapbooking classes. I'd hold workshops on a regular basis and lovely women, who ultimately became dear friends, would pay me money to schlep their pictures over to my house. They would hang out in my basement and listen to me give them advice on how to make a meaningful and pretty scrapbook. And you know, it's hard NOT to get close to people when their sharing their photographs of families, vacations and special memories with you.

So when the caller ID announced the last name of one of my former 'students'... I thought, Wow! How did J.M. track me down? (I've moved since retiring from being a scrapbook instructor.) So I picked up the phone, said, "Hello?" And heard that same sweet voice I remembered from like 10 years ago say, "Hello... Judy?" I replied with, "I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong number but is this Jean?" To which she answered, "Yes, who's this?"

Imagine Jean's surprise when I told her, "It's Margie." She then said, "Oh my goodness, you live in Florida now?" That's funny huh? Jean thought she was calling Florida. "No" I said, "You called Maryland."

Eventually, Jean realized she was calling her friends old phone number... Her friend Judy, the one who moved to Florida, that is. We laughed at the coincidence of it all and shared a lovely half-hour conversation. We talked about what each of us has been up to over the last several years and she told me how much she missed hanging out in my basement. She may have just been saying that to be polite but I'm glad she did. I have some fond memories of those times too. So I have to ask you, What are the odds?

Answer: V-O-L-U-N-T-E-E-R

Question: What is, the word I have emblazoned upon my forehead.

Doesn't everybody just LOVE a Volunteer?

Today I attended a meeting in which I was asked twice to join the board of Tourism. - I wisely declined. "I'm already spread pretty thin." I explained.

Later I had another impromptu meeting in which I was asked to become Director of the Arts & Entertainment District. - Since I'm already doing a lot of what the job entails... Well, "Hello! I'd like you to meet the new Director of Arts & Entertainment."

Next week I have a meeting with Obama. *just kidding*

Taking Some Time For Me

Things have been pretty damn crazy around here and since I'm getting rather tired of this 'thing' taking over my life, I'm not going to talk about 'it' and post something completely off the topic.

Yesterday was my friend Lori's birthday and after we all went out to dinner to celebrate we ended up back at our house where the topic of discussion was:

What would your answers be to James Lipton's list of 10 Questions from Inside the Actors Studio?

It was a lively discussion, with some very interesting answers. Below are the questions along with my answers.

1. What is your favorite word? I have a lot of 'favorite' words but the one I always come back to is 'Serendipity'... I like the meaning AND it's fun to say.
2. What is your least favorite word? Barge... It's such an unattractive word to not only say but also hear... Also, It rhymes with the shortened version of my name and I hate my name, so there you go.
   
3. What turns you on? Unfortunately, food. No really, I get excited just thinking about the next meal... Especially if it's something I didn't have to prepare.
   
4. What turns you off? Hypocrisy
5. What sound do you love? When a baby giggles... You know, like this.
6. What sound do you hate? Whining... Or should I say Whiiiiiiiiiiiiiininnnnnnnnnggggg!
7. What is your favorite curse word? I have a slew I use, mostly when I'm driving, but my standard expletive when something isn't working the way it's supposed to is... 'Son of a Bitch!'
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? Comedic Actress or just a Comedienne. I've wanted to be an actress ever since Jr. high... Nothing major, just regional theater would make me happy or stand-up but I've never had the guts to go for it.
9. What profession would you not like to do? I've watched a lot of episodes of 'Dirty Jobs' and hands down, the one that grossed me out the most was the time Mike Rowe worked at the 'Waste Treatment Plant'... In fact, any job having to do with the maintenance of human fecal matter is strictly not for me.
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? "You made a difference"... However, I really liked my daughters answer of, 'The line for the never ending buffet begins right over there.' Hmmmm, I wonder where she gets it from?

Now it's your turn...

Pushing

It's like I'm pushing a boulder uphill, through deep snow, with the wind in my face. I'm frustrated so I drew a picture... I really rock that paint program.

What does one do when they're giving 110% and it feels like the people around them... The very people one is trying to help... Quite simply don't give a shit! Should one just throw their hands up in the air, walk away and have all the hard work they've already invested be for naught?

Last night we were watching the last installment of the Lord of the Rings saga and even though I've seen the entire trilogy, I really can't keep it all straight (is it Narnia they're fighting for, is that Dumbledore, where's Willow?) I've mentioned before how that whole back and forth struggle to get that damn ring to the fires of Mordor is just too frustrating for me to bear. But last night while I was busy working on this stuff, this stuff that sometimes feels so pointless, I find myself wondering if I'm just wasting my time... Anyway, while I was working away, I asked my husband, "What's with that guy, that king guy, why does he want to burn the body of his son when his son isn't even dead, what's that guys problem anyway?" To which my husband replied: "He's given up, he's a giver upper, he's a big wuss!" Meanwhile, I'm watching poor Gandalf (who's no longer grey but all white now), ride hither and yon, putting (quite literally) fires out everywhere. I mean, how many battles can one guy fight, am I right? And then when one of the hobbits (Mary, Pippen, Lucy... whoever) starts talking about dying, Gandalf makes even the end sound so wonderfully wonderous (and he should know, he's white afterall) that he convinces that little hobbit to be brave and well, just happy to be a part of it all (you know, because Peter Jackson is going to make a killing on this whole franchise along with anyone associated with it.)

So, long story short. I have to ask myself, am I a big wussy quiter like that king with the itchy torch? Or am I like Gandalf, ready to fight each battle as it arises, keeping my eye trained on the big picture?

Nope, I'm just a huge geek, working hard, looking for answers and pushing... Always pushing.