Earth Day Comes to a Font Near You

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I recently read about Ecofont in O Magazine.





SPRANQ, a Dutch creative communications firm, asked the deceptively simple question, "How much of a letter can be removed while maintaining readability?"

Apparently lots of coffee and hours later, they figured out that you can remove small circles and save up to 20% of your ink. Download it here for free.


Happy Earth Day!

Be Anonymous

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I am trying out a new little gadget, widget, what-have-you, in which you can rate my posts when you're done. You'll see it right, well, below the end of my post. Before I say "Ciao!" and all that stuff.


Don't be shy!

Edited: you don't need to be shy because I will be the shy one. I'm done messing around under the blog hood for a bit, back to concentrating on photos and posts!

A Year Ago in Blogland

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This morning, I thought it would be fun to see what was going on here in my blogland one year ago today. Turns out, I was posting about my TiVo.


 I think everything is more fun in Italian though so I took the liberty of using Google Translate to read it that way. I've never used that tool before but you just copy and paste "www.sweeteventide.com/2008/04/tivo.html" into the translate box and choose from English to Italian. 

Google will return with my post in my formatting and everything. Then you can mouse over the translated language to read it in English. 

Of course you can read my post in any language you prefer!

Anche in italiano, non è divertente da realizzare ero malato nel mese di aprile dello scorso anno troppo.


Every Monday Matters

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Carolyn from A Beautiful Ripple Effect introduced me today to Every Monday Matters.

From their About Page:

"...every Monday people can make a difference in their life and the lives of those around them. No matter how big or small the actions, they matter. And not only do people have the power to make change, they have a social responsibility to do so. Not out of guilt, but out of an appreciation for every living thing in the world."


By the way, there is also a book to go along with the movement. I am waiting for permission to use the book's cover image so when I get it, you will see it! (Do you like how optimistic I am?)

Edited: I got permission! Optimism pays!

This concept could not possibly be more timely to how I spent my morning. Seeing how I learned about it after the fact, I can say with the utmost certainty that the universe has been hard at work this morning for I did a courageous act straight out of bed.

I was upset by an email I had received and with some private encouragement, I spoke up to a large group of people in response. I was speaking on the topic of the importance of following the sick policies set forth at my son's school. Not only to protect the children and educators, but also the parents.

This was my first time addressing the entire school via email. I also chose to reveal my cancer history for the first time to this community of people. So there ya go, two courageous acts with one click. I spent the rest of my morning reading wonderful, thoughtful responses to my email. I feel bolstered and encouraged.


Jungle: shot yesterday with my new lens from the Camera Fairy


This has turned out to be a big Monday for me. I feel like the leaf standing out in the crowd: I wasn't entirely sure I would like it, but feeling the support of the branches and leaves around me, I am happy to shine in the sun today. Even if it is 92 degrees out here!

Please leave a comment and share how your Monday has mattered.

Reader Appreciation Day

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I think we all know I love everything about blogging: the creative outlet, the opportunity to write on a regular basis, the endless inspiration, the exposure to all kinds of art, the photography...I can go on and on.


Something else that I love about blogging is knowing people are out there reading my posts and I especially love when someone is moved enough to comment. Comments make a blogger's day, every day!

Today is the official beginning of Reader Appreciation Days around here. I would like to give a Reader Appreciation Award to one of my very loyal and supportive friends and readers: Miss Clare of This and That. Clare really knows how to give out the comment love and I appreciate it every single time she leaves her mark on my blog.

Clare, Boo and Me
one of my all-time favorite photos (was this in '06 or '07?)

The last time she happened to comment on one of my photos and wrote, "Beautiful picture. It brightened my day..." For a photographer, there is no greater joy than to hear that someone thinks one of your photos is beautiful.

I think Reader Appreciation Days and Awards feel great! It makes my heart bigger to share my gratitude so much that I plan to make this a regular feature here.

Is there anyone special in your life that supports you? Please leave a comment and give an Appreciation Award of your own, and if there is a link involved please leave it!

Happy Tax Day?!

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I know you're wondering, "Is it possible to have a happy Tax Day?" I believe it is! At the least, you can feel good that the hard work is behind you for another year.

I didn't mention it to many, but I recently had a brief, doubtful period in which I put my new Etsy shop on hiatus. I've reconsidered, and I am...


© The Noodle


...again. To celebrate, I am offering a Tax Day deal: 26.5% discount on any orders placed by midnight tonight. Visit my shop to find out how I came up with that percentage. :)

Also if you type in "#taxdaydeals" on Twitter's search page, you might find more great deals today.

Cheers!

Morning Pages

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This morning, fittingly, my MIL told me about Morning Pages. They are a basic tool from Julia Cameron's classic book The Artist's Way.


Julia writes:

"In order to retrieve your creativity, you have to find it. I ask you to do this by an apparently pointless process I call the morning pages. Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages -- they are not high art. They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind -- and they are for your eyes only."



In fact, the author recommends that you do not read your own Morning Pages for at least several weeks, if ever. I think this exercise would be valuable for anyone, whether you consider yourself an artist already or aspire to be one someday. I think it's even valuable for say, engineers or accountants!

Julia has written quite a few books about the creative process.

100 Ideas

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Yesterday I did number 25 on the list without consciously realizing it!




This was an engaging, sad and beautiful account of what it is like to lose a baby at the end of pregnancy. It may not be for everyone but I liked it. My favorite quote from the book is roughly this, "If life were different, then life would be different." It's such a succinct way of thinking about the what-ifs in your life...

Anyway, I can't remember the last time I read a book in one day! It was only 184 pages so that certainly helped.

The Beauty of Children

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I could not help but think of my son when I read this page of Keri Smith's intro to her new book how to be an explorer of the world. 


Every time we go out into the world we can choose to be alert to see what we've not seen before. A trip to the corner store can contain a multitude of universes. It only requires a conscious decision to "tune in" and activate all the senses. To be open to what we don't know yet.

-- Keri Smith

One of the many beautiful things about children is their innate ability to notice their environment in a way adults do not take the time to do. It can be frustrating if you are in a hurry and your child is taking 15 minutes to walk two feet down the sidewalk because every little thing catches their eye. 

But I am here to remind us (me!) that when possible, let go of our adult pressures and timelines and step into their worlds --  we won't regret it.

Soothing Blooms

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Recently, a friend died and the day I found out, I felt a little solace behind the lens among the beautiful spring blossoms at Santana Row.

You can read more about the amazing paddle out held this past Sunday in Dave's honor. I missed the funeral and paddle out because I've had the flu or something similar for the past 9 days.

I guess this is my way of saying goodbye to Dave, with photographic aloha.

Italian Etsians

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I read this article on Etsy's blog The Storque the other day about Italian Etsians and I can't seem to get it out of my mind. In particular I keep recalling this happy artist:


photograph of Chiara by Andrea


Wouldn't you be smiling too if you lived in Genova? Chiara says, "I think Genova is just the perfect place. I'm lucky enough to live with hills and mountains just outside and just half an hour away from the sea."

It makes perfect sense that she has a category in her shop called Magical Notebooks!

Moliterno

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This small town in southern Italy is where my great-grandfather Domenico Valinoti was born in 1851. He left Italy for New York and that is how the paternal half of the Valli family got started. 

We are not sure exactly when and where the name got changed. It is still hard for me to believe our real name only has one L, not to mention two extra syllables.

My favorite uncle found this gem on YouTube for us.

Artist Profile: Marti Somers

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Good Sage is one of my favorite shops in San Carlos and I'm happily on their mailing list. This is precisely how I found out about local artist Marti Somers.

Zebraland No. Nine
Her reception and book signing at the store was last weekend but that's no reason to miss enjoying her beautiful art. On her website, she says:
“As a visual artist, I hope to bring you into my world of storytelling.
The search for peace and beauty, the fragility of nature juxtaposed
against modern life, the human form in balance with others,
and, in the face of an often foreboding sky, abundant hope.”


One thing I love about delving in to a new artist is learning about all kinds of other things I didn't know about, like the Monotype Marathon at the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art.

They don't have a link up yet for this year's event, but here is a link to last year's marathon. (I called and the event will be in July, link up in a few weeks). But if you want something to do soon, check out their Printmaking Today event on April 9, 2009.

100 Ideas

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I have been looking at Keri Smith's 100 Ideas off and on for a couple of years now.


Here are the first 10:

1. Go for a walk. Draw or list things you find on the the sidewalk. 2. Write a letter to yourself in the future. 3. Buy something inexpensive as a symbol for your need to create, (new pen, a tea cup, journal). Use it everyday. 4. Draw your dinner. 5. Find a piece of poetry you respond to. Rewrite it and glue it into your journal. 6. Glue an envelope into your journal. For one week collect items you find on the street. 7. Expose yourself to a new artist, (go to a gallery, or in a book.) Write about what moves you about it. 8. Find a photo of a person you do not know. Write a brief bio about them. 9. Spend a day drawing only red things. 10. Draw your bike.

I have sent it to others but so far, I have not done a single one of these ideas myself.

Well that's not entirely true.

I have gone for a walk here or there but I didn't draw what I saw on the sidewalk.

Recently, I have had this urge to follow a list. I have an unused Moleskin journal that I have been carrying around in my purse for weeks. I think I have a mission. Keri even makes it easy for people like me by providing a pdf that is formatted for easy accomplishment.

I'm going to randomly select #5 as my first idea. I'll post it tomorrow for Friday Poems!

Happy First Day of Spring!

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Blink again! I promise that you are in the right place!


Welcome to Sweet Eventide, my NEW HOME in the blogosphere. 

I have been planning this for us for a long time. Not everything is perfect just yet, but the minor changes here and there in the near future will be little things to look forward to and nothing to fret over.

Today is the first day of spring and I chose this as my personal launching day for two reasons: it is a symbolic season characterized by budding and new growth all around our natural world and it's a powerful verb (to be released from a constrained position; to come into being; to take an upward course or curve from a point of support).

All of this is around me and all of this is me. I have been moving towards this moment for a long time. I have been supported in so many ways by so many people from all different times and parts of my life. But today, in my first post in my new home, I need to thank one person in particular.

Jay, you are a master gardener and you don't even know it. You planted the seed that has now bloomed into my sweet eventide. I will always be grateful to you for your wisdom.

Oh, happy day!




A Little Letter

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Dear Little Spider in My Shower:


I am not sure if you are a Miss or a Mister but I have a small issue with you now. 

For the past week or so, I have observed you and you have stayed still and we have had a successful relationship in this manner. I felt so secure in the way we related to each other that I did not even mention you to my husband. If you'll post a quiz on my Facebook network, you'll see that is abnormal behavior for me.* 

To further demonstrate the depth of my security with you, when my husband mentioned you to Jaden in my presence, I did not make a single comment. I merely enjoyed a quiet internal conversation that went something like this: "You and me, we're good. You stay still and I stay quiet."

Well you betrayed my confidence this morning Mister Miss Whatever Gender You Are and by the way what color are you: white or brown? Normally I could care less about this kind of thing, but since I'm writing, I'm bringing it up. I thought all this time you were white (freaky enough but I accepted our differences) but it appears you are two-toned: white in the sunshine and brown in the shadows. 

Back to your wicked betrayal. I turned on the water, did not check for you in your permanent location and stepped in with confidence, thrilled to use my new razor and new Alba facial scrub.

Then! Then you immediately started dancing around erratically on what? Your web? Seriously? You're building a WEB in my shower upon which you plan to behave in no comprehensible fashion WHILE I am showering? How could you do this to me? To us? 

For a brief moment I thought we had a chance. I finally spoke to you right out loud. I said, Go up to the ceiling right this minute! And you did! You scrambled up immediately. I was so impressed with your good listening. 

But it didn't last. A split second later and you were wigging out again: up, down, side to side and I had no choice but to retreat to the farthest wall, then the farthest corner and shave rapidly risking cuts. Is that what you wanted? You wanted to break my trust and make me bleed?

Now we're doomed. A report will be filed. A report is being filed right here in the interwebs (you didn't know I spoke your secret web language did you?) and my husband WILL see it because he DOES have a feed reader still. I know this is true even though he NEVER stops by my blog anymore or even my Flickr (even though I painstakingly make every photo an active image with a direct link to its Flickr page).

But I digress. 

My life is unstable enough most of the time. I need a little stability in the morning. A hot shower and a cup of coffee and I have a chance of facing the day.

Sadly,
Your soon-to-be EX-roommate 

* Sadly you can't post such a quiz because now I won't add you as my friend.

A New Year's List

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Inspired by Clare's post Lists, wonderful lists, I thought I'd share the list I made on January 1st this year.

A New Year's List

1. Get a stainless steel water bottle and use it
2. Use my MOMA membership regularly with Jaden
3. Beach Tuesdays
4. Take a drawing class
5. Buy and use a Canon Rebel training dvd
6. Subscribe to letterpress printer blogs
7. Find a Gocco
8. Make weekly uploads to my Etsy shop
9. Advertise my Etsy shop
10. Create a bookkeeping system for RRD
11. Visit Portland in winter
12. Go to San Diego
13. Take Jaden to Disneyland
14. Update portfolio
15. Buy a case of wine

I have rocked #1 right off the bat with an awesome bottle from REI.




I was driving yesterday and thought to myself as I sipped from it, "I have really, truly bonded with my water bottle." This is huge for anyone who knows me and knows "drink more water" has been my sole resolution since, oh, 1995.

#11 -- done!

As for #8-10: big changes are coming to this part of my life very soon. And RRD stands for Rosina Red Designs but let's just say a lot has changed in my mind since I wrote this list. So don't be too tied to RRD specifically.

#13 is up for heavy debate in the household right now with Jaden's birthday looming on the horizon. So far the vote is 2 against 1, me being the only one who wants to go. Frankly I don't take Jaden's vote too seriously since he's never been to Disneyland. All I know is he said to me just yesterday, "Mama it's nice that you want to take me to Disneyland but I have to tell you something honestly." "What's that baby?" "I would never S-U-R-V-I-V-E the drive to Disneyland!!" Um that dramatic language at the end of the commute = one upset Mama. Maybe I'll just take myself to Disneyland.

#15 -- Jamie, did I miss the 5-cent sale completely by now? I bet I did.

So there's my list. Did you all know that I don't really make lists very often? I think I may have mentioned this a few times. It mystifies me as I'm a Virgo. I think lists should be like oxygen for me. I bet if I could get in the habit of list-making, I'd free up a lot of my brain for other things. Hmm. I feel a personal challenge coming on.