DOC-U-MENTING

Hello Job, Hello Summer

Oh where oh where have I been?

I've been stepping in ponds and chasing dogs.
I've been to the beach in crummy weather.
I've been to the beach in nice weather.
I've eaten chowder, clam cakes, and hamburgers.
I visited an abandoned military fort and climbed rocks.
I had a picnic with pickles and carrots and seagulls.
I've been upside down on roller coasters and spinny-rides.
I've gotten a sunburn three times.
I've had drinks by a late night fire.
I've attended a friend's college graduation party.
I sang my heart out to oldies on a road trip.
I planned my first camping trip with friends.
I cut my hair.
I watched the finale of LOST and still remain in denial that he is really dead.

   
    Among other things, I've mostly been working, working, and working. The new job is going well. The training was a bit overwhelming, what with being everyday and all day. But it was necessary. This week I finally start working my normal schedule which should feel nice to be able to get settled in a new routine, though I'm trying to avoid routines now. Dilemma dilemma..
   
    I've been so busy with trying to learn and remember things and not mess up at work that I haven't created any art at all in about a month. That makes me feel very empty. Tis why I've dedicated tonight and tomorrow to creating and brainstorming. And then shaking my bum to eighties music at night with the girls. Speaking of art though, some of my work is currently showing in a wonderful new gallery that opened in Brooklyn! Fact & Fancy at 75B Hoyt Street is having their very first show featuring over 25 undiscovered artists running from May 29th until July 11th. It's such an awesome gallery owned and operated by Christine and Danielle. Thanks again to them for asking me to be apart of it!

(My work is on the very bottom! :)

    And continuing on with my plans of getting back on track, some journaling shall be happening tonight as well. I gots myself a rather sleek and soft new Moleskine. It's perfect for writing stories from the core and brain. I also discovered a new book today. Feeding Your Demons by Tsultrim Allione. I wasn't looking for it, didn't know of it, yet it spoke to me from the shelves. And so tonight I read as well.

    Today was enjoyable, even if it was focused on errands and cleaning. Aside from the duties, I listened to classic rock (which is my all time favorite). I purchased fresh strawberries, Pink Lady apples, bananas, and key lime pie. I discovered the new book I mentioned. I helped a woman with her groceries at the market. I carried a 20lb bag of cat food effortlessly on my shoulder. I roamed Target and only bought what I actually went in for. I gathered up mushrooms, onions, and lemonade at the store. All because I woke up oddly early on my first real day off in a month. I am so glad to have some days off again. I've missed reading your blogs and twittering away on the interweb with you guys. I'm slowly finding my way again. I promise, I will have delights to share soon. Thanks for the sweet emails and comments during the past month. Hope you all are well!

Love, love,
Mae Jane

WEEKEND RECAP

It was a good weekend, went by fast though.

+ friends on friday
+ denny's run at 2 am
+ doubles tennis match
+ planning the first camping trip
+ early quiet mornings
+ fruit baked to sweetness
+ backyard adventures
+ super duper weather
+ making the best steak sandwich around
+ pizza and cheese sticks!
+ i love food

- missing plans to go into the city at night because
    i fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion.
- leg muscles aching from intense tennis volleying
- falling behind on emails and chores

    Much to do, much to do, and much to share. Creative work has slowly been taking over my life when it can. I have some new pieces to share soon once I get around to scanning.

Hope everyone else had a sunny and happy weekend!

    Much Love,
        Mae Jane

P.S. All daily photos will be listed in the top right sidebar in corresponding sets on Flickr, I may or may not post all of them here on a daily basis, I don't want to overload the interweb with fur! Though, the sets will always be updated. :)

 

I SPY SKY

     Usually my camera is glued to my hand. Yet, I missed Thursday. How I didn't take even a single photo yesterday blows my mind. I kind of think I was abducted for a few hours because I can't recall much of what happened yesterday. I blame the migraines. Or aliens. Or both. Maybe the aliens create the migraines. Stupid aliens. Either way, here are the ones from Wednesday and today.

daily photo 4/16/08


daily bones 4/16/08


daily photo 4/18/08


daily bones 4/18/08    

    I don't like that I missed a whole day for my simple daily photo quest, (I refuse to start and never finish a new project, a bad habit which I'm trying to overcome). So I will take two extra photos today, rather tonight, and even though I missed a day, the numbers will be caught up. :)

MEMORY LANE AND MARGARITAS

    Where have I been since Tuesday? Man oh man. Wednesday was a blast. I met up with my cheesecake Nikki (I love calling her that) and we went out for breakfast at our local Modern Diner (which was recently featured on the Travel Channel, how about that, click the link to read more, it's the first one listed in RI). We both grew up eating there on the weekends as little ones. It was yum. It's better to go during the week rather than weekends, as the wait can be over an hour long, and this place is literally a few streets away from where I grew up as a kid.

photos via image415.com

    In the afternoon it was wedding planning stuff. We gathered up the mama and maid of honor and went to pick out some bridesmaid dresses. I love the fact that she wants us in bright fun colors. That turned out to be a success but the highlight of our day was going to the park, laying on the blanket, sipping pomegranate margaritas and eating margarita pizza. My kind of fun in the park, especially on the sunny beautiful day that it was. I plan on going back there soon to take better photos, there's a really pretty lake at the park as well. This park was my childhood. I have pictures of myself there at two years old and every age from then to now, and I still love this place. There's so much more to it, which is why I should take an array of photos of the place. There's a carousel, tennis courts, grill and picnic areas, huge playground, a little farm area with animals (they used to have a petting zoo with goats and even an elephant named Fanny), an awesome food place, bike trails, and so much more.

Silly faces for a strong mixed "koolaid" and I swear there's only ice in that cooler.

    Other than that I've been sneaking outside when I can to soak up the sun, and working on some projects. It's been a good week, and a fast one. I'm glad it's Friday though, it'll be nice to see some goofy faces tonight.

    Much Love,
        Mae Jane

THESE ARE THE DAYS

+ yoga backbends and stretches
+ sunny warm breezes
+ star wars iv a new hope
+ always yoda
+ the universe on the history channel
+ coffee milk
+ pears and bananas
+ homemade pizzas
+ bonding with friends
+ smart looking shirts
+ typography
+ oh you pretty things series
+ a creature for every letter of the alphabet series
+ trying on hot pink bridesmaids dresses this week
+ wine
+ catching up on BSG season 3
+ collecting recycled stickers

    Much Love,
        Mae Jane

SUNDAY INTO MONDAY

    If you haven't become aware recently, I've started a new quest to take daily photos either in the morning or evening of the day. I aim to capture one photo of ordinary objects/life as well as one photo of Littlebones every day. It's my way of visually documenting a year (granted I started this in April) and capturing daily life, as well as, yes, my fluffy kitty cat. What can I say? She's a great photography subject and you know you love her face too. Typical behaviors and things is all it really is, though to comprehend these subjects as a whole over the course of a year is fascinating to me. Being able to portray the growth and progression of style and perspectives in a matter of three hundred and sixty five days is also abstractly artistic. I like it. It challenges me to look at life and daily actions in alternate perspectives, I actually take the time to study the essence of the subject within the camera frame. Truthfully, it causes me to look at almost everything with a sense of "newness" while trying to define it without labels but by it's own nature.

First two are from Monday morning. (Today!)




Last two are from Sunday evening. (Last night)

Clicking on the photos will take you the new
sets I've started for this quest on Flickr.

    Overall, it was a nice weekend. Saturday was incredibly warm and beautiful outside, so naturally that's where we were for part of it. We splurged on Chinese food one night and cooked up some yummy tacos last night. I say we weren't too creative there in the foodums department, though we did run out of our favorites in the house since it was the end of the week. Speaking of, I need to run to the market today and stock up. Let's see if I actually make it there though. I do have plans today to hang out with my cheesecake Nikki and her loverman. Recently they became engaged, and I couldn't be happier for them. They're an incredible couple who've been together for longer than I can imagine. They're like family to me. Last night we were gabbing on the phone about all her ideas and plans for the wedding, and then she asked me to be one of her bridesmaids! Aww, I was thrilled, of course I would accept. She then gave me this big speech about what I mean to her and I just about started to cry. I've realized that the older you get, the more you weed out the crummy "friends" and value the true friends and she's a keeper for sure, even her beau, he's like a brother to me.    
    Speaking of true friends, the gang came over Friday night for some usual silly fun. We often get together at the end of the weeks to relax and catch up, and generally just have a good time after working all week and going to college. We're a tight group. Sometimes we don't even have to plan anything, because we just know they'll be coming over. I love that. Most of them came over this time plus three extra new ones and it was a good time. I didn't get to take too many pictures since I was running around and mingling. Here are two I managed to capture though. I know my Leah took a ton but they are most likely all a bit funny faced and goofy. :)

It was a Super themed party.

There were super cupcakes, superheroes, super villians, just super silly.

    I'll never get tired of nights like that. Can't wait to move them to our new apartment though! Which is still a few months away. :( :) Bittersweet I tell you.  Other than having a relaxing and super weekend, I took some time to create some new art pieces, which I shall be sharing soon soon. I'm starting to explore the idea of series, which I've realized I inadvertently do in some of my work already, I guess I tend to go through phases of themes and mediums. It's all part of the journey and process though.

    Hope everyone had a great weekend!

      Much Love,
           Mae Jane

SATURDAY EVENING

DAILYNESS

A.M. Adventure

    Much Love
        Mae & LB

LiTTLE THiNGS

Little things, edible things.




Yum. Garlic and onion.
Yum. Mangonana smoothie.
Yum. Fried artichoke hearts.
Yum. Raspberry sage pork chops.


Yet, no matter how little our pets are, they still manage to get in our ways.


This is my new Kitty-Easel. It's awesome. It has a soft, cushioned surface,
perfect for propping your drawing pad on. The Kitty-Easel also wheezes and
makes a slight motor sound. Sometimes though, an extension of the Kitty-Easel
will extend and flick about. If you expect to get any work done on a big desk,
get one of these. The Kitty-Easel loves to sit right in the middle of your work space.

    Much Love,
        Mae Jane