02+02=04
note: i didn't watch the super bowl, but am nonetheless happy that the pats won! yeah new england!
happy groundhog's day! so, it looks like we've got another 6 weeks of winter! the groundhog has seen his shadow. (the source I am referring to is punsxutawney phil, a groundhog who lives in pennsylvania). sigh...

tips on keeping warm:
• put a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or pimiento powder in your hot water and drink! drink! drink!
• crochet yourself fingerless mittens, or commission a pair from me!
• increase the amount of hugs you give and receive.
• make sure you've got warm boots / shoes - i just got a pair of sorels and they keep my toes toasty!
• eat and drink lots of chocolate - i don't know if this will keep you warm, but your mouth will smile!
• if all else fails, buy 10 - 20 handwarmers, and attach them to your body.

links:
since we're going to be staying indoors a bit longer, here's something to keep you entertained:
mushroom / badger / snake : flash movie
while not a "groundhog", badgers are close enough, and this makes me laugh and hop around... don't try to understand it. just watch it.
lions / tigers / kenya : flash movie
also not starring groundhogs. this one will make you dance from side to side. happy! happy!

racquetball massage! this feels REALLY luxurious, and will only cost $2-4 for an unlimited number of massages! treat yourself!
materials: 2 racquetballs or tennis balls
time: 20-30 min. or however long you need
instructions:
1) lie on your back (on the floor) & bend both legs so the soles of your feet on flat on the ground, and near your butt.
2) place the racquetballs on either side of your spine, just below your neck.
3) going one vertabrae at a time, slowly use your feet to push yourself over the balls. go a couple inches at a time, and hang out for a minute or two.
if one area feels particularly sore, you can spend more time there, or put more pressure on by bending your arms and lifting your elbows (if it's in your shoulder / upper back area), or by lifting up one leg at a time (if in your lower back area)


i can't stop humming that tune
stars the sound and soul of montreal, in 4 people who form the band 'stars'. i listened to their latest album heart 5 times in a row yesterday... kept going to change the cd, but instead pressed play again... and again... and again...

mice parade an impressive and successful definition of the term one man band. when i listen to mice parade, i feel like i'm in a snowglobe. it's nice! obrigado saudade is their brand new album, and they're currently on tour!

01.22.04
welcome to chinese lunar year 4702! it is the year of the monkey! according to chinasprout, "the monkey is a symbol of energy, activity, mischief and loyalty."

wow, that kind of sound like me!

to be precise, it is the year of the GREEN monkey. that has to do with this year being a "wood" year, in the five elements cycle. i don't know anything about this, but if you do, please share!

have a wonderful year, month, week, and day!
go forth into this new year with an abundance of energy, an openmind for new and unknown activity, a healthy dose of mischief, & a quiet grounded loyalty!

china sprout :: a pretty smart looking website on all things chinese! lots of good information on chinese new year traditions.
monkey king :: the fabled and famed!
tripmaster monkey :: one of my favorite books, by maxine hong kingston
new monkeys :: a new monkey born everyday from my friend ben; sometimes he doesn't always bear monkeys, just to let you know.
jane goodall :: how can we talk about monkeys and not mention this woman
cha wan :: the store where the little crocheted chinese girl lives!

01.18.04
the first winter in a new apartment. out back reminds me of eastern europe. i like it.

in the midst of one of the bitterly cold days this week, i looked out the window and saw this squirrel, huddling in the crook of a tree, 30 feet up. the wind was biting, snow was falling down, and i wondered whether the squirrels thick winter coat was enough. i think it was clenching it's hands together, much like i do inside my mittens when i'm cold.


Links!
a magical game / story / adventure:
"an entrancingly beautiful and organic, flash-based puzzle/story. Move your cursor around the screen and figure out how to help the little guy save his home."

social security
the number of retired persons is beginning to outnumber the number of working persons. the social security system is not going to work for much longer. we of the working age, cannot rely on social security to be there when we retire. why is this in the luxury section? this isn't any fun! because we have the luxury of choosing to be proactive. to take control of our own future. read this article, and you'll see. it's a good one, and will take but a five minutes of your time. this is fun!



antye greie fuchs
electronic poet musician collaborator nerd female german visionary magician producer ... and more
she's got a new website, and a new cd/book out. currently collaborating with 3 other women, all from different countries, all from different generations. they're called LAPPETITES. i saw/heard her with vladislav delay a couple years ago. it was amazing! he was creating on the spot grooves and beats and she was speaking and singing and creating all kinds of electronic bleep scratchy things.

01.08.04
lately, my mind has been all consumed with grad school applications. i'm applying to social work and public policy programs, focusing on aging.

thus, i've been thinking about my grandma a lot. she's 100, but don't tell her. she likes to think she's 98.

i've also been re-reading a book which was given to me as a going away present by my friend michael mann. he was leaving boston. yes, HE was the one going away, yet I was the one who got the going away present. pretty cool friend. i'd like to replicate that someday.

the book is called the journals of dan eldon: the journey is the destination; dan eldon was a photojournalist who was killed in somalia during a riot in 1994 at the age of 21.

dan's sister has a new show on pbs called global tribe. i don't know if it has already been airing, or will begin soon, but from viewing the website, i'm really eager to check it out. it looks amazing.

Links!
dan eldon
global tribe
michael mann

on my bedside table:
the shell collector by anthony doerr
a collection of short stories that are hauntingly good! somewhat reminiscent in feelings (mine) to when i read geek love (another excellent book, by katherine dunn).
eye pillow, excellent for the 10 minute naps i love to take, or for morgan, when i can't stop reading the shell collector and he wants to sleep.
rooting plant clippings, cultivating nature in the city.
a small bell, don't know why that's there.
morgan's thumb piano, the perfect instrument for playing while lying down.


2 of 'em : 1 for drinking, 1 for eating

Ginger Tea
It's quite chilly outside, but a cup of ginger tea will warm you right up. Cut up fresh ginger root and boil in some water, or plop in a tea bag!

Lemon Tuna Avocado Snack  
adapted from marthastewart.com
Serves 1 greedy person, or 2 people willing to share

1  ripe avocado  
juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 six-ounce can solid albacore tuna in water
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
optionals:
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds  or sesame seeds 
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Zest of lemon   

1.  Halve avocado lengthwise, and remove the pit. Scoop out all the flesh, into a bowl.
2.  Mash the avocado with lemon juice and olive oil until smooth. Toss with tuna and salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with a spoon.

You can fill the empty avocado shells for nice presentation, or you can serve it over hot brown rice like i do! yummy!

01.03.04

our friend jon said upon unwrapping this fantastic gift, "i imagine this painting hanging in your home, and then maybe it'll make it's way into a future kid's room, and they'll grow up with this image of the monkey."

the dreams. the imagined tales. the psychosis.

thanks guys!!! best monkey duck painting ever!!!

and in case you're wondering what peculiar froot loops hippie hat jon is wearing, i crocheted it in 2 days! started out as a toupee, turned out to be a happy head warmer!

i taught myself how to crochet this week! yeah!

back in brooklyn. healthy. feeling the ambitious feelings one feels in a new year. happy new year!

resolution - to not be late. i know, this is going to be tough, but i'm committed to breaking the liu curse of tardiness. no more!

(from lauren schowe)
phenomenology - studying by simply observing, without bringing past/present prejudices into play - just observing, as though seeing something / someone / a situation for the very first time. apparently this is how you learn the true nature of something. i'm going to try it!


Links!
wet monkey - a closer look; prize possibilities!
debra's natural gourmet
nashoba brook bakery

on my "to read" list:
1) middlesex - jeffrey eugenides
2) a home at the end of the world - michael cunningham
3) the shell collector - anthony doerr
4) the wind-up bird chronicle - haruki murakami

on my "to listen" list:
1) lots of radiohead
2) richie hawtin / plastikman
3) postal service
4) stuff i don't even know exists!!!
i welcome recommendations!


you can't ring in the new without remembering the old; i believe that new years deserve old loves. here are two of my favorites:

west concord center, west concord massachusetts
needlearts of concord :: best yarn store ever
debra's natural gourmet :: best natural food store / pharmacy ever - maker's of stark sisters granola
west concord 5&10 :: best 5 & 10 ever - knitting needles, magic pen activity books, pyrex, rubber spiders and snakes, beaded hairnets, tube socks... i could go on
twin seafood :: best lobster rolls ever
nashoba brook bakery :: most hidden cozy hideaway, and they got tasty treats too

grapefruits
it's grapefruit season! let's all fill our bowls and bellies with these succulent sweet/sour good for us juice yummies! along with providing us with loads of vitamin c, grapefruits are also great for aiding in digestion, and getting rid of mucus.

NOTE: inspired by sabrina ward harrison, a high school friend of the wonderful lauren schowe, i am wiping the dust off of frogwosh, and beginning simply. welcome!

12.20.03

28 in 2 days.

married for 3 months. ^_^

time is flying at an incredible rate. i almost don't have time to comprehend all that is happening.

thursday, i saw a pigeon die in a flurry of tumbling and feathers.

i am starting to practice yoga again, after a good yearlong hiatus. i realized i had no more tricep muscles, nor flexibility.

the triplets of belleville :: amazing french movie animated film! wonderful & wierd.

i am also going to start teaching knitting. let me know if you want to learn! classes start in january!

Giant Robot has renewed my faith in them with their latest issue. Look for it on funky newstands!

Links!
sabrina ward harrison
giant robot
triplets of belleville