Hard Day....

Everyday after school, Brandon gets home, takes a shower, then naps before heading to work later in the afternoon.  He must have had a hard day today because this is what I found in the bathroom when I got home.....

Maybe he's exploring his artistic side by setting up a still life......

Only in LA....

is this "front page" news....all day....full coverage.....with special cable channels devoted to reporting up to the minute news......

Geez Louise!!!

My Homage to Hanoch Piven

And what a delicious spinach quiche it was!  Just makes you smile :)

Mom & Dad Visit!!

Mom and Dad flew out to visit last Thursday, July 8th!  While Brandon and I were in school/working on Friday, Mom and Dad visited the Griffith Park Observatory and the Arboretum down the street from our apartment.  Over the weekend, we all visited Dad's best friend, Boone, in Newport Beach - boy was the water COLD!!!  People out here just don't know what a good Florida beach is!

Dad stayed with Boone until his flight out on Tuesday and Mom came back with me and Brandon.  She hung around the apartment on Monday since B and I were back to work.  When I came home on Monday, we began work on the large mannequin!!!  She's gonna look great once I'm done with all of her details - thanks for your help Mom!!!  We love crafting together, don't we :)!!

Brandon and I can't wait for them to come back out here and go to Disneyland with us!!!

Newport Beach

SPANKY'S

Dad leaving his "special" footprint....

See....special!

LA Arboretum

More peacocks!

Craft night!!!

Had to paint her head where she looked burned....

Go mom!!  

Artist: Hanoch Piven

Aunt Marty, if you are reading this, you will LOVE it!  :)

A guest speaker today at work, illustrator, Hanoch Piven - Hanoch is originally from Uruguay, lived in Israel, and studied art in New York.  While in the city and studying caricature, he became very frustrated that his drawing talents were not as strong as those around him.  He began to "draw" with objects and has become known for the type of graphic portraits you see below; all composed of objects!  He is also an accomplished children's book illustrator; great stuff!

His philosophy was to embrace the unexpected, let what happens happen, and try to see the world from a different view everyday - great philosophy and one of my new favorite artists!  I wonder what he will inspire me to do.....

Enjoy some of his work!

Hanoch's self portrait

Barbara Streisand 

Obama

Michael Jackson

Albert Einstein

The Vomitologist

Vomitologist you say???  Let's break it down, vomit - ologist.  I think you get it!

Today's lesson:  The Vomitologist

Definition:  The guy who rides the simulators to determine at which point, the ride system might be just too much for a guest making them experience motion sickness and/or just vomit.

Yes, there is an actual guy for this!!  Now, vomitologist isn't the real title - he's actually some type of engineer and scientist with all kinds of proven studies.  Many work for the air force and NASA helping pilots adapt to certain situations.  But for our purposes, vomitologist!  And for additional information, designed into the exits of certain rides are "puke pads" which are easily hosed off if a guest, well, pukes.

Who knew.  Go ahead, google it!  And you're all welcome, no visuals today :)

OH, THE PLACES WE'VE BEEN!!!!!!

My Ford Focus and I.  We've been through a lot but THIS was a MILESTONE!!!

ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Through high school, college, the trips home from New York, and cross country road trips.....she's driven in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, and California!!  WHEW!

Here's to another 100,000 little Focus!  Thanks for keeping me safe!!!

3rd Earthquake 5.4

Earthquake??  What earthquake??  Neither one of us felt this one - I was in a car and Brandon was working.  The epicenter was in Anza-Borrego, south of Palm Springs.  Oh well.....no complaints here!

Mannequins

This week we had new couple move into the apartment across the hall from us.  They finally seemed all "moved in" towards the end of the week and had begun the fun process of getting rid of all of their trash.  I had an eye appointment today so after work, I came home for a bit then left for my appointment.  As I was closing our balcony door, I noticed a mannequin head in the dumpster.  Now, I could tell at once that this was no ordinary head, it looked like an older molded head and that got me excited!  I figured it must have come from the new neighbors but couldn't do anything since I had my appointment.

When I got home, the head was still there so I decided to dumpster dive and get it!  I gathered a box to throw away (I needed a purpose) and a grocery bag to put it in.  But....when I opened the door to leave, my neighbor was in the hallway getting food delivered!  Since they could potentially see me from their dining room, I just decided to ask:

Me:  I'm assuming that was you that put the head in the dumpster?
Him:  Yes....
Me:  Well, this sounds weird, but I didn't want you to see me going through the dumpster because that would be really weird but I really want that head and this is just weird....did I mention I'm a set designer and artist??
Him:  Take it!  You want a mannequin with a blown out torso??
Me:  YES!!!!

Turns out, he is in the film industry (a pyrotechnic by trade) and works on set dressing, props, special effects, make-up, etc.....needless to say, he gets it  :)  

Here they are!  And what a steal, these are a lot of money!!!  Stay tuned for what my artistic self does with them......   :)