Chiaroscuro bear, bonus dog

A year ago on TTaT: Guess I should turn my cell on

Physics jerk

During a parent-teacher conference, Mr. Barrett told my mother that my brother should be a game show host. She was so furious that four years later when I had him for chemistry and physics, she sent my dad to speak with him.

Almost once every class, Mr. Barrett would tell a morose or distracted student, "Here's a dime. Go call someone who cares." He never said it to me, but if he had, I would've kept his dimes.

Over the xmas interlude, at dinner with my parents, brother and his family, old teachers came up in conversation. Once I'd clarified some name confusion, my brother said, "That's right. So what's Mr. Barrett up to these days? Is he still teaching and coaching golf?"

"He's dead," I said.


A year ago on TTaT: It ain't over until it's a done deal

I want to go to there

The clock reads 1:53 AM. I roll over and close my eyes, pull the covers up, adjust my pajamas.
I think you'll figure it out.
I think you'll figure it out.
I think you'll figure it out.
A litany to prime my dreams.

I think you'll figure it out.
Wait. Or was it, "I think you'll know?"
I replay the scene in my head, testing the phrases.

I think you'll know?
I think you'll figure it out.
I think you'll know.
I think you'll figure it out.
I think it's "I think you'll figure it out," but I'm not sure.
"I think you'll know" is stronger.
Whatever. Doesn't matter. It's close enough.
I roll over and glance at the clock: 2:17 AM.

Frak! I'm thinking too much.
With eyelids shut, I slow my breathing and heart rate. The words become a protracted meditation.

I think you'll figure it out.
I think you'll figure it out.
I think you'll figure it out.
Just. go. to. sleep.
A few minutes later, I check the clock again. It's 5:13 AM, but I don't feel like I've slept at all. I must have but I feel like I never stopped trying to trigger the dream.

I think you'll know.
I couldn't recall having any dreams during that three hour stretch.

You're trying too hard. Just let it go.
I relaxed into the mattress and waited to return to sleep.


2 years ago on TTaT: Living well

The Light on the Bear

Of course as soon as I returned from walking to the next room to get the camera, the light had changed and the sun was rapidly dipping below the treeline. The light in the third shot is similar to what originally caught my eye though.

4:00:13 PM
4:03:35 PM
4:04:21 PM

3 years ago on TTaT: At a loss

Proof of work

Always a good thing to have. ;)

2 years ago on TTaT: Formalwear Claire

Musicians on songwriting

I finally got around to reading an article by Rosanne Cash that I'd bookmarked ages ago, and it turns out it's part of a whole series of posts by several musicians about songwriting. Very very cool.

The New York Times website describes their blog Measure for Measure thusly:

With music now available with a single, offhand click, it's easy to forget that songs are not born whole, polished and ready to play. They are created by artists who draw on some combination of craft, skill and inspiration. In the coming weeks, the contributors to this blog -- all accomplished songwriters -- will pull back the curtain on the creative process as they write about their work on a songs in the making.

The blog begins with blurbs about its contributors--Andrew Bird, Darrell Brown, Rosanne Cash, Peter Holsapple, Jeffrey Lewis, and Suzanne Vega--here. The sidebar has next post links as well as links to each contributor's posts. You can also listen to songs they're working on or writing about from players within the posts or in the sidebar.

If the creative process interests you, these posts are definitely worth a look.


2 years ago on TTaT: Steady now...

"delicate slut strings"

The language in my dreams is becoming more inventive.

***

For those of you celebrating football today, a Merry Superbowl to you.

I'm not going to watch but I plan to eat chips, dips, and snacks in honor of the occasion. And probably watch some of the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. Puppies! (Kittens historically at half-time.)

I just wish they would ditch the crowd roar on the soundtrack. And show more water bowl cam!


A year ago on TTaT: Like Juno, but real and from the adoptive mother's point of view