Super Fan!

I love my fans. As a mom myself, i would never post anything without clearing it with a parent first. 'Mom in question' gave the thumbs up...so have a look.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bajzSDnO1vU

The Leash.

I’m sure you’ve all seen it.
The kid leash.
The…’not a dog’…leash for the toddler.

I saw one such confined child the other day, and many thoughts ran through my head. Among them; ‘How strange.”, “A leash, hunh?”,  “Where does one go to purchase a leash (for kids)?”, “Why have I never seen the leash aisle at Toys R Us?”
As the ‘pet-kid’ dialogue continued in my mind, a few images popped in as well;

'Nuff said.

I just wanted an excuse to draw pictures really...
:-)

Running.

Anyone who knows me would agree that I am pretty obsessed with two forms of exercise: running and yoga. Two diametrically opposed forms of physical activity, yes… but let’s move on.

I was out for a run this morning, when I realized it has been getting warmer outside. Garbage is starting to smell a bit more than it has in the past 6 months. Many runners would agree that there is nothing worse than ‘running by’ smelly garbage. OK, maybe ‘running by’ road kill would be worse… Or, having to go to the bathroom after you've run 10k away from home (the kind of going to the bathroom that would be the more embarrassing kind if you did it in your pants)… Or, the time when you finally (for the first time in your entire life) felt pretty OK about your body, and bravely decided to wear your new running shorts, when you run by a group of Orthodox Jewish men who shouted out curses of disapproval at you...

But smelly garbage is probably the worst.

Anyhoo…

I wanted to share with those of you who run, some awesome running distractions that get me motivated. I need something to keep me occupied. Something to pass the time, if you know what I mean. While I admittedly hate ‘social sports’ because I don’t want to talk to anyone while in a state of extreme discomfort, the irony is that I don’t want to spend any time with myself either. Thus the need for distraction…from myself I guess.

Here are some great things to 'run to':

#1 best song of all time to run to: Lose Yourself by Eminem (trust me, if you are not a runner, nor ever though you would be, this is the song to get you going).
#2 any Broadway musical soundtrack (I like things like Avenue Q, Shrek the Musical, Seussical the musical, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Young Frankenstein) Don’t roll your eyes…I am 100% serious.
#3 Podcasts. I love the Official Lost podcasts (☹ so sad almost over…wwwaaaaaaaahh!), but I have lately been obsessed with Jason Mraz and Imogen Heap’s podcasts.
#4 Old 80’s music, specifically Daft Punk and De la Soul.
#5 Anything my 10 year old daughter would listen to, because it’s usually ‘hooky’, and secretly I love it.
#6 Books on tape- ‘Open’ by Andre Agassi was AWESOME!!!

There. Now run Forrest...ruuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!

Update: Running by barf, and loogies...DEFINITELY worser!!!!

Bar chords....

I've taken a few days off to figure out some 'ish'. The other day I realized: "Hold on a second...I play guitar for a living!" I play in the mornings for my classes, and I am technically a children's 'musician', therefore signifying the ability to play music (in my case the guitar). The only thing is; I suck. It's kind of pathetic actually. 'Real' musicians hang their heads in shame when in my musical presence. I can't even do a bar chord.

bar chord: noun. a musical chord that is played on a stringed instrument using the barré technique (a.k.a. really hard chord that needs a lot of finger strength.)

So, I decided to spend a few days going hog wild, and learning just about every song I've ever wanted to teach myself. After 2 days, my family wanted to shoot their eyes out. How can I suck at something so bad? Which brings me to my next point...I hate sucking at things. I am a perfectionist. Type 'A' personality. I Googled 'perfectionism' and I found this picture which describes me perfectly:




Maybe that's why people succeed in life? The 'ever ending search for perfection'. When I see the wrath eminate from my 5 year old son upon 'loosing a race', or, 'not being first in line' etc. it is a scary sight. The pressure for some kids to excel, even from a very young age, can be very troublesome. As a parent, I constantly remind myself that I am their most significant role model. A daily reminder of how they should pattern their lives, and the inspiration for what they can accomplish. A huge pressure for someone who doesn't feel as though they are anywhere close to even being a grown-up...yet.

So, who cares if I suck at guitar?? Why should it bother me if I don't eat my corn on the cob in perfectly neat little rows?? Did it bother me when I heard myself referred to as 'the Jewish Martha Stewart'? Hell no!!!

I have a lot of work to do......

Sunday.

This was my day today.
I have blisters all over my hands, and my back is KILLING me!


On a more positive note...I discovered 'Paintbrush'. It is a ridiculously simple illustration program for Mac. Here are some of the other things I wasted my time doing...



'Dragasaur' by Ethan and me.




We have a trampoline. Sometimes people get hurt....