ArtPrize 2011 #5

ArtPrize has officially left the building, until next year! I still have a bunch of pics that never made the blog, so here's one last post.

ArtPrize founder Rick DeVos has said ArtPrize is about fostering conversations about art. Each year there's usually a ton of discussion about the Top Ten and the winners. This year was no exception to that rule and I felt it was the most controversial to date. Lots of sad pandas over the Top Ten and top three winners. I was happy that Site:Lab was honored with the "Outstanding Venue" award. Given all that, I'm still a fan of ArtPrize and the art and creative people and energy it brings to Grand Rapids for a few weeks in the fall. If you want a list of the Top Ten, it's all spelled out nicely on the ArtPrize site. Let's just say that I'm looking forward to some fresh art and artists hitting ArtPrize next year and getting into the Top Ten!

With that, here are some snaps of a few interesting pieces I took in during my jaunts through ArtPrize...remember, you can click on any photo for a LARGER view!

Untitled no. 1, Jennifer Cronin

Shown at Grand Rapids Public Museum

Serious Business, Steve Toornman

Shown at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

Rain, Lynda Cole

Shown at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

Four on the Floor, Observed, Karen Bondarchuk

Shown at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

Detail, Generations, Mark Chatterley

Shown at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

Have Sticks Will Travel, Jonathan Brilliant

Shown at Kendall

American Icon, Jennifer O'Meara

Shown at the Grand Rapids Art Museum

Bath, Keith Pakkala

Shown at Minty Keen

ArtPrize 2011 #4, Site:Lab + U of M School of Art & Design

Of all the ArtPrize venues I visited so far, I've spent the most time at the Site:Lab + U of M School of Art & Design location in the old Junior Achievement building on the corner of Fulton and Division. Site:Lab regularly produces temporary art installations within buildings that have been abandoned or buildings that are in transition in Grand Rapids. You may recall the Site:Lab installation last October in the former Network 180 building (current home to LaFontsee Galleries), among others. Because of Site:Lab's track record of producing interesting and thought provoking art events, I was excited to see what the ArtPrize edition would bring.

I wasn't disappointed.

First off, just getting to walk inside the building that's been closed up tight and sitting empty for years was a treat. I could feel the new, creative energy as a strong presence in this old and under-appreciated building. And then I wandered into the space to explore.

This is not your average ArtPrize venue, thankfully! Venue curators Paul Amenta and Elona Van Gent brought us art that isn't easily defined and most certainly can't be packed into a crate. My photos (remember you can click on any of them for a larger view) are a mere attempt to capture that which must be experienced first hand. Stop in while you're out ArtPrizing this weekend and through the end of ArtPrize. Chances are you'll run into some of the artists and the Site:Lab crew. Do chat them up and find out more about each piece and the space itself. And if you're lucky, there will be a dj spinning some tunes, adding an aural layer to your experience.

foreground: tele-present water, David Bowen

background: first floor view, Spire, Alois Kronschlaeger

In motion view: tele-present water, David Bowen

The movement of this piece was mesmerizing, especially given that the combination of science, art and engineering made it possible. The name tele-present water says it all. The wave motion of this piece is brought to the corner of Fulton and Division through wave data collected by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration bouy located somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Who hasn't video chatted with friends or family who are far away? This piece allows you to "watch" the water in the Pacific Ocean! That blows me away. I could have stayed there watching the "water" for a long time on each of my visits to Site:Lab and will likely go back to see it again.

Apparition, Meghan Reynard

I finally made it downstairs on to see this light installation on my third (I think) visit to Site:Lab. I had heard people say, "make sure you go downstairs!" So I made sure I got downstairs. This is one installation that you'll be treated to once your eyes adjust to the darkness. The evening I spent time with this, there was what appeared to be a person within the space - or was there? I watched the space for a while and couldn't decide. I couldn't hear anything that would have confirmed my suspicion. Part of the experience or not, I enjoyed using my senses trying to answer the question. I was also pleasantly reminded of Alex Schweder La's Evaporative Buildings from ArtPrize 2010.

basement view, looking upward: Spire, Alois Kronschlaeger

Being that I carry my camera around ArtPrize ready to photograph the pieces that intrigue me, this installation and the fact that you literally cannot photograph the entire thing in a single image was both awesome and frustrating at the same time. It caused me to spend even more time exploring it, trying to contain within my viewfinder that which cannot be contained. I would imagine that's exactly the kind of thing the artist might love to hear. There are so many potential viewing angles on the building's three levels. The basement view was one of my favorites, but I'd love to get up on the roof and see it from there!

outdoor, night view: Spire, Alois Kronschlaeger

The view standing across the street on Fulton is the closest I got to the roof. I love that it's lit up at night! Had I not been inside the building to see Spire for myself, this view alone makes me think of that Tom Waits song, "What's He Building?" "I heard he was up on the roof last night signaling with a flash light."

I obviously did not cover each piece featured in the Site:Lab + U of M School of Art & Design venue. All the more reason to go see everything for yourself between now and the end of ArtPrize. Site:Lab is a fixture in the Grand Rapids art community and as someone who lives here and craves new and different creative experiences, I'm grateful for the contribution they make to the art community. I look forward to the next iteration of Site:Lab!

ArtPrize 2011 #3 "Taras in Three Colors"

Taras in Three Colors, Kevin O'Rourke

Showing at Grand Rapids Public Museum

Detail view, Taras in Three Colors, Kevin O'Rourke

Showing at Grand Rapids Public Museum

This particular piece deserves its very own ArtPrize post for a few reasons, the first and most important being that this large scale (4'x6') linoleum block print is a beautiful tribute to a family friend who died tragically nine years ago. Even if I hadn't known a thing about the subject, I would have been drawn to this piece - the colors, the Japanese-inspired imagery, and the fact that it's a block print. Awesome!

ArtPrize 2011 #2

Back at it! More ArtPrize! The following photos are from my quick visit downtown on Friday evening, September 23. The crowds were so thick! Yay for ArtPrize, but boo for this girl who just wanted to see some art! I had a small window of time to be looking at art in the first place since I had to be up early for my first 20 mile training run on Saturday morning and probably shouldn't have been traipsing around in the first place. I ended up ducking in to see a friend who was working and then heading home much earlier than I thought I would. My main ArtPrize Tweet of the night, "I might be over #ArtPrize."

Here are some share-worthy pieces from venues in the Heartside neighborhood:

American Portraits, Michael McCafrey

Showing at 48 West Fulton

Maybe it's because I've shot film before and still love how a contact sheet looks, but I found this piece and its hundreds of 35mm Kodachrome portraits to be quite captivating. I would have loved to spend more time taking in each portrait, but the crowds during my visit were a bit much in this small venue. Worth a visit though if you can get there.

Detail view - Dream Home, Ghost of a Dream

Showing at UICA

So even if you've only managed one visit to ArtPrize EVER, you've no doubt seen "art" made from other objects. Could be found objects, wine corks, pennies, nails, toothpicks, you name it and someone has probably made something out of it for ArtPrize. I'm not really a fan of such entries, and certainly don't think they're worthy to win the big prize, but this one was somewhat interesting. Lottery tickets. Add it to the list and scratch it off for next year. Really. Is it a commentary on the economy of greed and poverty that coexist in this country? I will admit I did not read the artist's statement.

Finding a Green Photo, Barbara Reimer

Showing at Calvin College (106) Gallery (106 S. Division)

Photos printed with coffee. I've printed black and white film in the dark room, so I can appreciate this piece for the images themselves and for the process. It's not easy to get a good black and white print and then if you're printing with coffee?! How does that even work?

Detail view - natura, Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk

Showing at Calvin College (106) Gallery (106 South Division)

I remember a time when my grandmother had a vase full of the "silver pennies" this nest piece is made of. They're ridiculously delicate and I find them to be so pretty. Maybe that's why I liked this piece. It doesn't scream #ArtPrize to me, but I do appreciate the creation. This was just one vignette out of several that were on display, each one a little different, all using "natura."

131 N and 196 E Exit, Steven Vinson

Showing at CODA, 44 South Division

I'm obviously only presenting a limited number of images from my Friday night walk through a few ArtPrize spaces and I chose to feature this piece because it's a scene from Grand Rapids. Call it home turf advantage.

Under the Microscope, Slide: p(twelve)^3, Sarah Knill

Showing at CODA, 44 South Division

This piece reminded me a little of RH Giger's aesthetic. I like the fluidity and movement and that it's based on a microscopic view.

Pour Some Sugar on Me, Susan Mulder

Showing at CODA, 44 South Division

What exactly is going on here? Woman in Rococo-era finery being pelted with giant jelly beans? I can't decide if I like it or not. I love the colors and the size discrepancy - who doesn't love the idea of these giant jelly beans being real? The piece's title, is unfortunate though unless you actually have no idea that this is also a song title from an 80's hair band that I shall not name on this blog because I am NOT a fan.

Fear not, I am not over ArtPrize so I shall be sharing more of what I see with you. I survived my 20 mile training run on Saturday and was able to get out again for more ArtPrize on Sunday afternoon with some friends, so stay tuned for that update. I actually haven't voted for a single piece yet. I need to get on that. While I've seen some really nice work, I haven't felt super strongly about any single piece yet. There are no pieces haunting me with their beauty. I'm still waiting for that "wow" moment that I've had the last two years when coming across a truly amazing piece. Have you had your ArtPrize wow moment yet? Where? What piece? Do share!!

ArtPrize 2011 Opening Night

Hey, kids! Do you know what time it is? It's ArtPrize time again! I had so much fun last year seeing art, talking to artists and capturing images and then sharing them here that I'm going to do it again. I may not be able to get out as much as I did last year (I am training for my first marathon, hello! And this week alone I'll be running 40 miles, and working the day job, so, it's going to be tricky, but I'm going to try to bring you as much coverage as I can!

Let's get to it: (Click on any of the photos to see a larger view!)

Detail "Wall Drawing #3" (Screwed Rapids) by the Screwed Arts Collective

Showing at UICA

Detail "Wall Drawing #3" (Screwed Rapids) by the Screwed Arts Collective

Showing at UICA

One of the main reasons I love opening night of ArtPrize is that many of the artists are with their pieces and you can chat them up. I had a really cool conversation with Daniel Burnett, a member of The Screwed Arts Collective, about this GIGANTIC wall drawing, the creative process they employ as a group and about ArtPrize in general. He said the piece really is reflective of their time spent in Grand Rapids creating this site-specific piece. Rest assured, the group did not whip this up in someone's garage last year and truck it up here for a chance at the big money. This art is fresh, y'all! Go see it up close and chat with the artists yourself - they're here through Saturday. Also make a point to peek in the window as you sit in traffic these next two weeks at the light on Fulton at Division!

According to Me, by Nicola Renzi

Showing at UICA

If you haven't clicked on the link to this artist's profile, can you guess what the material is? It's a rubber band wall! In person, at first glance it did not look like rubber bands - more like some sort of fiber. I didn't think if it when I was standing in front of it, but I wonder how far you'd bounce back if you ran up and bounced off it. I would NOT recommend doing that unless you want to get tossed out of the venue on your ear, but imagine it, will you?! I talked to one of the collaborators who worked tying rubber bands together to form super long rubber bands that could stretch from a single starting point, travel up over that beam and back down to the starting point again. My fingers hurt just thinking about the days involved doing that. Then keeping them all orderly as you stretch and place each rubber band. Wow!

Detail "In Light of Suffering" by Daniel Van Duinen

Showing at GreenLion Gallery

Detail "In Light of Suffering" by Daniel Van Duinen

Showing at GreenLion Gallery

This piece is a must-see. Regardless of your religious or spiritual leanings, it's a piece that best seen in person - my meager photos don't do it justice at all because it's actually displayed in a near-circular fashion so that when you stand to observe the piece you become part of it, one criminal to your left and one to your right. ArtPrizers with good memories will probably recognize the artist's last name. It seems there's some talent in the family!

"Last Station" by Randy Van Duinen

Showing at GreenLion Gallery

This also is a must see, so you can take in the fact that this photo collage is printed on aluminum. The choice in print material really lends itself to the surreal subject matter. Being that I enjoy playing with cameras, I had the pleasure of chatting with the artist about his process and about HDR photography.

Yay ArtPrize! Did you get out tonight to experience the rush of opening night? Let the sleep deprivation begin! It's already WAY past my bedtime...I would love to share more, but I have to sleep now! Tell me what you saw that I need to see!

Function over Fashion?

I almost bought these spectacularly beaded, sparkly sandals tonight after work. I am in no way, shape or form in the market for a beaded, sparkly sandal and no way would I pay full price for them. I did, however, after trying these beauties on come so close to forking over the cash and adding them to my already brimming shoe collection. Function over fashion? When did this happen? Who have I become?

I became a runner over three years ago and it's put a serious crimp in my fabulous shoe collecting ways. The thing is...I really have very few occasions in my life today to wear a beaded sparkly sandal, however beautiful they may be and however swoon-y they make me feel. I think that means I'm growing up a little or pulling one over on my mild shoe addiction.

I lead a pretty simple, athletic life. The more time I spend wearing shoes that add four to five inches to my already tall stature and pinch my toes, the higher possibility my feet have of getting blisters and not feeling up to running. I'm to the point where I'm more comfortable and content in my life when I'm running at least four times a week. Messing my feet up over wearing a glorious pair of heels all day just isn't something I've chosen to do in a long time. As much as I want to.

If you looked at my shoe collection right now and didn't know me, you'd think I lived a fabulous party lifestyle. Then I'd show you the running shoe collection I've amassed over the last three years. It's in stark contrast to the fancy shoes. They don't even live in the same part of the house. Runners get their own space near the back door. Fabulous footwear is meticulously cataloged and housed in my closets.

Running is such a big part of my life, but fashion inspires me and is in my blood. I do try to work in a fancy pair of shoes here and there just because...even if it's just to run errands. I don't want to completely turn my back on fashion and let my fancy shoes collect dust. I guess this is just another example about finding the right balance in all things. There is a time and a place for everything - even fancy fabulous shoes. Today's lesson, I don't have to buy every pair I fall in love with.

One. Word.

I love a good Internet meme! Taking a cue from TwoAdults, (who just shared her own version of One. Word. that she saw over on MFAMama) I keep the one word wonder going.

One. Word.
No. Explanations.

yourself: unique

your boyfriend/girlfriend (husband, whatever): tbd

your hair: wet

your mother: swell

your dog: cremated

your favorite item: laptop

your dream last night: zzz

your favorite drink: water

your dream car: BMW530xi

the room you are in: living

your fear: loss

what you want to be in ten years: thriving

who you hung out with last night: NPR

what you're not: mean

muffin: toast

one of your wish items: peace

time: night

the last thing you did: shower

what you are wearing: jammies

your favorite weather: balmy

your favorite book: Shantaram

the last thing you ate: dinner

your life: calm

your mood: calm

your best friend: real

what you are thinking about right now: sweets

your car: wagon

what you are doing at the moment: slouching

your summer: fading

your relationship status: single

what is on your tv: dust

what is the weather like: warm

when is the last time you laughed: tonight

Home is where the "R" is

Peanut Butter Pie

If you're a foodie like me and follow any number of food blogs, you've probably seen some Peanut Butter Pie mentions of late. If you haven't, you should read this and watch this. Go on...I'll wait for you right here.

If you're a little teary-eyed after both of those, I'll give you a minute to collect yourself.

Jennie from In Jennie's Kitchen lost her husband Mikey and she couldn't help but think of that Peanut Butter Pie she didn't get a chance to make for him. As she blogged about her grief, she shared the recipe and closed her post with these words:

For those asking what they can do to help my healing process, make a peanut butter pie this Friday and share it with someone you love. Then hug them like there's no tomorrow because today is the only guarantee we can count on.

Food plays such a huge role in our lives, beyond providing nutrition and sustenance, it also acts as a means for us to relate to other people, the people we love, cherish and appreciate, and celebrate the times we have together. Making special recipes can also act as a conduit for connecting to and processing all sorts of feelings, including grief. It took me a few days to gather the ingredients for this Creamy Peanut Butter Pie, but I thought of Jennie and her daughters often until I had the chance to make it last week. When I was done in the kitchen that night, I read her blog post again and tried posting a comment. Comments were no longer being accepted, so I'm posting it here:

"I don't remember how I originally saw this tribute for your obviously beloved, departed husband Mikey. Just know that my heart goes out to you and your girls. I've thought of you and your peanut butter pie often since I saw your post for the first time. I finally had the time to make the pie tonight. I have tears in my eyes for you, your family and those whom I love, but cannot share this pie with. Sending you peace, love and light from my kitchen in Michigan tonight and from now on every time I make your creamy peanut butter pie (for Mikey)."

I made the pie and shared it with my best girlfriends from high school on Tuesday night last week. I then brought in the leftovers for my crew at work. There are so many more people I would have loved to share this pie with. If you have even the slightest yen to make this pie for those you love, do it. You won't regret it.

Weekend Running

I ran my favorite half marathon over the weekend. We call it the Fallsburg Half because you start and finish in Fallsburg Park in Lowell. The medal and shirt say "Old Fart's Half Marathon," no joke. It is run by the Old Fart's Running Club. So there you go.

This race is my favorite because it's a ridiculous challenge. This was my third year running it and the course has gotten progressively more difficult each year. The first year, my running buddy A and I knew very little about the race, thankfully! The course that year was about a 60/40 split of trail running vs. road running. Last year it was about 80% trail and 20% road. This year was probably 90% trail running.

When I say trail, you might have a picture in your head of a nice wide, clear hiking path. Oh, there are some stretches like that, but there's also trail that's barely wide enough for your own two feet and you're running single file with one runner on your heels and one directly in front of you if you're lucky enough to be running in a pack. Running in a pack is helpful so you don't feel like you're lost and alone running through the woods and it keeps you motivated to keep moving.

We traversed a few streams, gingerly stepping on rocks or a fallen tree to get across the water and up the slightly muddy bank. Under fallen trees, over fallen trees. Up some of the steepest hills and down them as well. They are so kind to put a rope "railing" on some of the descents. Probably because it helps keeps the body count down, lolz! They even named one descent Geronimo! Then there was "Little Chuck," a hill so steep to climb, the sign said something like "Bet it makes you walk. Haha!" I'd like to meet the person who ran most or all of the hills and would pay them to train me to be able to do the same! Tough stuff!

Another reason the race is my favorite is that people are super friendly and you end up chatting with people more than in any other race I've run. I think the fact that it's so difficult makes people just relax. I know I was out to enjoy the experience, not beat the clock, so maybe others were as well. We chatted with a guy from near Ann Arbor and a couple from England who were running the full marathon and then had another marathon to run on Sunday. True story!

Just under three miles into the race, only 10 or so more to go. All smiles!

(photo via the race's site)

I finished the half marathon in 3:02:04. Last year's time was 3:05:28, which I just looked up and am surprised! I actually improved! Ha! My personal best at Fallsburg is 2:26:43 in 2009 when there was more road and less trail! My PR for any half marathon is 2:16:37, my first half ever in 2008. Go figure!

Runners can talk running till the cows come home. It's a little odd sometimes to talk about races with non runners. It's probably like that talking about whatever your "deal" is with anyone who doesn't get what your deal is all about. When you've run a race like Fallsburg in the morning and someone asks, "what did you do today?" how can you not be jazzed to tell a little bit about what makes running a race like Fallsburg so much fun! People who don't run tend to think doing something like Fallsburg or any distance race for fun is ridiculous and crazy. People can think I'm ridiculous and crazy, but I don't care because I'm doing what I love to do and having fun.

I hope every single one of you who read this blog has something you love to do, no matter what it is and you do it regularly purely because it makes you happy. That's what life is all about!

Holocene

Bon Iver's Holocene. No other words needed. Just watch and listen.

Currently: Me

Currently drinking: Soda water, two ice cubes and the juice of half a lime. Delicious and fizzy!

Currently avoiding: Gathering the trash for trash night.

Currently wearing: Grey tissue T, gray and white striped maxi skirt and silver gladiator sandals. It feels like I'm in my jammies, but it's what I wore to work today. Comfy, yet put together!

Looking forward to: Running one of my favorite races (I actually love all the races I run, but this one is special!) this weekend - the Fallsburg half marathon. Tons of hills, tons of trail running and tons of fun. No, really!

Current Web-session: StyleMePretty.com aka "The Ultimate Wedding Blog." I added this to my google reader a few weeks ago after someone in my twitter feed shared it with me. I've been to two weddings so far this summer and have one more on the schedule. My good friend A and her man, B are getting hitched! My interest/fascination with this site is purely a spectator sport at this point, but you can bet I'm tucking ideas away for my "someday" wedding to my "someday" man. This was at one of my favorite locations so far: the Ace Hotel:Palm Springs, CA.

Current favorite song: "Raindrops" by Basement Jaxx. I love it when this song comes up on my ipod! I usually listen to it a couple times. And now that I've seen the video...even more fun!

Current food favorite: I call it Avocado Toast. If you make something more than once, it deserves a name! So it's super simple: Ezekiel 4:9(R) bread, toasted and "buttered" with Earth Balance soy butter. 1/4 mashed avocado with a little guacamole season mix stirred in. Then top it all off with a slice of smoked provolone flavor soy cheese. Unless you're vegetarian like me or vegan, this probably sounds terrible, but listen to me now and believe me later when you make it yourself (or your own version!) It's sooo good!

Current house annoyance: My bathroom faucet has started dripping, which of course means I can't just get a new faucet. It means I'll have to get a new sink to put the new faucet in. And if I'm going to rip out the current sink, I'll have to rip out the tile and put in new tile. Then I'll at least have to paint since the floor will be ripped up. Yeah, all over a little drip!

Currently grateful for: My kitchen away from home, Marie Catrib's and all the folks there who I see on the regular. Love that place! Oh, and I'm also grateful that I currently do not have a headache. I've had one on and off since Saturday night. I hope it stays away.

Currently listening to: the cicadas through the open windows and the faint conversation of my neighbor who must be in his yard chatting with someone. Now, sirens wailing through the neighborhood.

Sweet Snack Secret

This is a story about something so simple, yet so delicious.

It's a little sweet snack secret that I'll share with you because I like you and I want you to be able to partake in this tasty goodness whenever you like. If you're anything at all like me, that will be on the regular.

It's been proven that I like to bake. It's also been proven that I can, at times, use a little help getting beyond my sweet-teeth (I don't just have one). There are times when I'm in dire need of a sweet and I have absolutely no business baking something that will result in a large pan or batch of anything sitting around my kitchen. This so simple, yet so delicious sweet snack was born out of one of those instances.

Behold...

Three simple ingredients: Two graham crackers. Peanut Butter. A handful of chocolate chips (melted). Prep: break each graham in half. Smear peanut butter on each square. Then top with melted chocolate.

What? You say, it's not a big deal. You make this all the time or your kid does and they make a mess. Well, my friend, that's where you are sadly mistaken, because if you look closely at the photo, you may be able to decipher the secret to this so simple, yet so delicious snack. Once assembled, you pop everything in the freezer and wait at least a half hour so everything is firm and the chocolate has a frozen snap to it. That time spent in the freezer turns this so called pre-school snack into something akin to snack salvation. I dare you to try it and not get at least a little hooked and make them a couple days in a row. Go on...you know you want to!

Point Plank

So you're all down with planking, right? I know it's so last month already. Owling too. I guess leisure diving is the new thing, but it's not as user friendly because you have to have access to a body of water or a pool! I prefer planking. My nephew K is down with owling. We had fun taking a few pics during our recent family vacation.

Planking in at the Lower Harbor in Marquette, MI

Owling at the Lower Habor in Marquette, MI

More owling!

More planking!

Fresh!

Fresh back from a seven-day vacation with my extended family in Marquette, Michigan. Feels great to be back home, but I'm already missing my people and the beach. Big love and hugs to my awesome family!

"Sometimes Love Isn't Stronger Than Wine"

"I Will Meet You by the Windless Tree"

A Tale of Two Dogs

So let me tell you about how a tale of two dogs....as you may have read, I had a dog sitting gig last week.

I was responsible for two dogs while staying at my client's home, about five minutes from my own house. The gig lasted only for two nights beginning Thursday after work. I was done by about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Mixed feeling pretty much sums up the experience. Going for a walk with them on Thursday night was decent enough, although one dog is a good walker, the other one would just stop and lay down mid walk, making forward momentum difficult to maintain. Playing ball with the dogs in the back yard was fun on Friday evening. We all had fun, but I don't know if all of it was enough to make me want to dog sit on the regular.

Here's the deal. I don't have my own dog or dogs because I'm gone, out and about and what not a lot and that fact alone would mean serious alone time for a dog or me cutting back on my out of the house activities. On Thursday night when I knew the dogs had been in the house all day, I felt like it wasn't really right to leave them again since it was my job to watch them. Same deal Friday night. It might be different once I got to know the dogs and what they could handle or if they were my own dogs and I knew what they were capable of. But this time, not so much. I felt a bit tied to the house.

Bottom line, I'm a single lady who likes to be out and about doing things, often at the spur of the moment. Being responsible for someone else's dogs while they're out and about doing things (granted this situation involves travel for work) seems a little off in my book.

I talked to my client while she was en route from her work trip and when she asked how things were going and if I'd be able to watch the dogs at the beginning of August, I told her what I had been thinking. She was understanding, which was cool. I may end up doing a couple short gigs to see if anything changes, but I probably won't be putting dog sitter on my resume as a permanent side gig.

I'm glad I've given it a try and am open to seeing if things change, since you never know how things are going to work. Some things work, some don't and some take a little bit to figure out.

Sprinkles of Random

A friend from work is getting married this weekend. Tons of people from work will be there. The vibe at work Friday afternoon has been something reminiscent of pre-prom. People are talking about what they're wearing (it's an outdoor evening wedding, so there's some figuring to be done, especially for the guys!) It's going to be fun.

*****

I started my dog sitting gig last night after work. I will give you a full report after the gig is up. Meanwhile though, can we talk about TV? I have not had cable or been around cable TV in years. I had the TV on last night and am completely disgusted by what's on TV these days. It a wasteland of trash. Yes, I realize it was probably a bunch of crap programming when I last watched TV on the regular, but I think after not watching it I'm way more sensitive to it. Like my TV lungs pinked back up. MTV has some show about girls who look for older men who will buy them things. The title involves something about a sugar daddy. My thoughts on this: 1. It's sick that there's a show about this. 2. It's sick that there are people who actually do this. That is all.

*****

I'm entertaining the idea of getting new glasses. I've had my same frames, which I LOVE and are so me, for about three years. Maybe it's been four. Man time really does fly, doesn't it?! I found my current frames in Marquette of all places. They're Jean LaFont (super-fancy) and since I'll be visiting Marquette again soon, I'll look at the same place to see what's new. There's also a new place in Grand Rapids called Sight that I want to check out. I've also been looking at a few online sites Warby Parker and Zenni.

*****

My post title reminds me of cupcakes. I believe there will be cupcakes at this wedding. I'm also way late in getting to try out a cupcake or two from Bartertown/Roc's Cakes. I've heard good things!

Running Dogs

The clock in my living room decides to slow down about every six months (I'm thinking a battery should last longer than that, but that's another story) and being that it's Sunday night, I'm wishing the 8:15 p.m. that it currently reads was true! The weekend went too quickly as is customary. If you're a regular, you saw what my Friday night consisted of. Here are a few tidbits from the rest of my weekend:

Running. Saturdays are supposed to be rest days now with long runs taking place on Sundays. I had some miles I had to catch up on since I did not run on Thursday night since my entire town was in chaos and I could not peel myself away from the police scanner, streaming news, Twitter and Facebook. It was probably safer that I did not run that night. So sad and tragic, I still can't believe it happened. Back to running, I did a quick three miles on Saturday morning and then met up with Running Buddy A for nine miles this morning at the the crack of 7:00 a.m. so we could beat the heat. Have I mentioned the heat? Brutal for the last few days.

More running. I got to talk running with two new people on Saturday. I love that I can say, I'm a runner and instantly have something to talk about with other runners! We're definitely a big club, us crazy runners. I'm in the market for new shoes as the miles are creeping up on my current pair - Brooks Adrenaline ASR 6 - my third pair of the same shoe. They discontinued the style, so I have to find a suitable replacement. I think I have my choice narrowed down (if you click the link you'll see it's sort of an obvious choice), but I was a bit of a sad panda when I realized my current ASR 6s would be my last. None to be had, even in Internet land.

Dogs. I met up with my new client and her dogs on Saturday. Did I tell you I'm a dog sitter? My first gig is this week and I'm so psyched about being able to spend some time with my new little Westie friends. Seems like it's going to be a great arrangement. I have wanted a dog since having to put the Wolf down, but have always felt too guilty about my schedule and a dog spending too much time alone and/or in a crate. This dog sitting gig is like rent-a-dog, but I'm the one getting paid! I hope it works out as well as I've made it out to in my mind!

More Dogs. Running Buddy A has a Beagle Mix named Mae and I met her, her daughter and the Beagle at the dog park in town earlier this evening. We were having a good time chatting and watching all the dogs run and play. Beagle Mix Mae is a runner (A's always telling me about her latest escape) so I was telling the story about how my mom's dog wriggled under the fence at the dog park once and went for a run. Just as we're talking about it, someone is calling out, "the beagle just got out!" The mere power of suggestion must have wafted through the air and to her ears. She wasn't going to be out done by my mom's dog and she wasn't. She gave us quite the time trying to catch her.

Somewhat of a dog. I watched The Time Traveler's Wife on DVD tonight. I tweeted this earlier, but, must re-iterate for the blog, as is always the case, the book was MUCH better than the movie. Had it not been for Eric Bana and his handsome good looks, I would have shut it down.

Dog tired. And now, since I've been up since 6:00 a.m. and have had a busy day, it's time to call an end to this weekend. Depending on when you're reading this, goodnight, good morning or good day!

Friday Night Photo Walk

After getting in a quick run, I took a little walk downtown last night and captured just a few images from all the sights and goings-on near the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) and Rosa Parks Circle. It was such a lovely summer night with a butoh dance performance on the steps of the GRAM, bubbles, beautiful sunlight and jazz wafting though the air.

What did your Friday night bring? Whatever you do today, enjoy it and make sure you look for the beauty all around you.