Inauguration Day,2009

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Above in Chicago............about Obama

The Dance

Slide Show here of Inaugral Ball

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Former Pres. Bush smiled, but it didn't look very heartfelt.

Cheney in his wheelchair was a surprise to me.

..and all I could think was, thank God, we didn't inherit McCain and Palin.. Thank God!

I still shudder to think anyone would have voted for them.

And I tremble in my shoes to think of her in office.. a worse disaster is hard to imagine.

This was a great day, and the whole world loves it, and he and Michelle are loved. 

I think we need Obama TV!

Thank God, we're free at last!

Murphy's where I stopped to watch the Inauguration.

I had a bloody Mary

Biden gets sworn in..

Then we have music by Yo Yo Ma, what a minute, now we have Biden as VP, but Bush is still president?

 An improvement.. but..?

Don't worry, Obama was president at 12:00 noon, regardless..

Hooray!!!

Leaving home by almost 7 AM wasn't early enough to get into Seattle proper for a celebration, so I stopped in Wallingford, here are a few pics, then after Seattle, see the space Needle shrouded in fog? 

This is home folks!

I am a nimbostratusdweller,  (C) SS 1994

I live in nimbostratusland (C) SS 1994

Collections

An angel from my Mexican folk art collection

A beautiful bowl (& gift) is made by my friend Martha ( and ceramics instructor in college).

I have more of her work. Presently she is doing fused glass a lot, and teaches at Normandale Community college in Minnesota.

Below, the b&w plate is more Mexican folk art, shown with two seashells.

The long white one in front is carried in Japanese wedding bouquets. 

Two shrimp are trapped in these for life.

hmmmm....

It's amazing, as most seashells are.

One stunning Scandinavian goblet, and a beer horn from Iittala.

 I also collect some Iittala items.

And it's my year, the year of the ox.

Another Mexican folk art plate. (green) 

It's not clay.

The book in back was my Mother's, Flash Gordon. 

My family had many of these books, but I don't know where they are.

The little clay house is by and from a friend , Marylou, from college.

She is a linguist for the NSA.

Potpourri is in an Iittala vase here, and is primarily tulips petals, and roses.

Two vases are ancient.

 And....... the painting is from Argentina, (from an old BF who traveled there).

Iichiro, thanks.



Mexican folk art links on Amazon
400 Mexican Talavera 4"x 4" ceramic tile Mix
Nevada Tile Mexican Talavera Ceramic - MC (Set of 6)
Talavera Light Switch Plate Cover - Duplex Plate
Ceramica y Cultura: The Story Of Spanish And Mexican Mayolica [VHS]
Mexican Indian Folk Designs: 200 Motifs from Textiles (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)The Ephemeral And The Eternal Of Mexican Folk Art: Two Volumes

Another Inagural Birthday.....early tonight so I can celebrate Obama tomorrow..

What a nice birthday evening I had with my friend, and look at the beautiful gifts, another kimono bunny...who could ask for more? I hope now I have a male and a female..I'll be in business.

The scarf is by a woman who is virtually famous for this work, and I have to get her name form the gallery, but it is exquisite. A real work of art for sure. More photos later...

And what a beautiful gift box in black , with red ribbon, it's enough of a gift itself! 

( From Kobo Gallery is Seattle)

There is a book of iron ons that is going to be so much fun, you might get a gift with an iron on!

I'm wearing a new Haori I got recently, isn't it luschious?

Oh what beautiful fabric.. wow.

I also got green tea soap. It smells so good, I can't wait to shower with it.

And what about this new oil lamp? Isn't it just me? From VIetnam.. and looks like something I would make in my studio.

And this tiramisu,... umm..I just died and went to heaven.

Thank you my friend...

Isn't this beautiful. The artist is from India, her name is   Neeru Kumar. It is simply too beautiful for words to describe, shimmers, and is soft, and is 100% silk.

Inaugral Events, in Seattle. Help me find a good event to attend on my birthday.

Isn't this an exciting event? I am so happy to share in this inaugration, it will make this birthday special, after all, I got what I wanted!


examples..
Enjoy an ObamLette at Magnolia Village Pub
ObamLettes and $4 Bloody Marys and mimosas until 3pm.

Watch the Inauguration at Murphy’s
Doors open early at 8 am for live coverage of the Inauguration ceremony with special Bloody Marys served all day—instead of celery, they come with a branch of “Barackoli.” Domestic beers are on special all day and all night so you can celebrate being American.

I know I'm a bit late. And Inauguration Day is my birthday, too.
But I'm looking for places to join others to watch this event of a lifetime.
This is what I'm finding...

"Seattle Theatre Group opens the historic Paramount Theatre on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7:00 am to the public for a free event celebrating the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.

Watch the live broadcast of the inauguration ceremony on the big screen, provided in partnership with KOMO 4 TV. Be among the millions of viewers as our new President is sworn in to office. This event is free and open to the public; no ticket is required for entry to The Paramount Theatre. "Let's celebrate this momentous occasion as a community!" says STG Executive Director, Josh LaBelle.

Concessions will be available for sale in the Paramount lobby from Tom Douglas Catering & Events and will include "Malia Scones with Bright Cherries and Almond Crunch," "Banana-bama Bread," and "Sasha's Carroty Goodness Muffins" from Dahlia Bakery. Beverage service includes a specialty cocktail, the "Obama-Mama," a refreshing grapefruit mimosa; non-alcoholic beverages will also be available".

e Paramount Theatre
Tuesday
January 20, 2009
7:00am

Show is free and
open to the public -
no ticket required

Here is a list at Seattle Dirt
Inaugural Events, Seattle

Help me find an event!!! Capitol Hill would be nice!

This is for Linda, movies showing in Seattle (Landmark Cinemas)

The Metro in the U dist.
Tara
Che
Defiance
Last Chance Harvey
Vicki Christina Barcelona
Mall Cop
The Wrestler
Gran Torino
Bride Wars
Revolutionary Road
Benjamin Button
Valkirye


One Night Only!
Thu, Jan 22 at 7:00pm at the Metro Cinemas
The accidental Advocate

Starts Friday, January 23 at the Metro Cinemas
Frost/ Nixon

Starts Friday, January 23 at the Metro Cinemas
Waltz with Bashir

The Guild 45th
Doubt

One Week Only!
Starts Friday, January 23 at the Varsity Theatre
Wendy and Lucy






The Egyptian
MIdnight movies:
Peter Sellers in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove • Jan 16 & 17
Keanu Reeves in the original The Matrix • Jan 23 & 24
Milk

Seattle Premiere! Prize Giveaways!
Fri & Sat, February 6 & 7
at Midnight at the Egyptian Theatre
Chocolate
("Jeeja portrays an autistic girl who learns martial arts from watching Tony Jaa and Bruce Lee films so as to exact revenge on those who bankrupted her mother. Featuring death-defying stunts and a charming newcomer, Chocolate represents Prachya's proper follow-up to the smash success of Ong-Bak.")

One Week Only!
Starts Friday, January 30 at the Varsity Theatre
Were The world mine

Harvard Exit
Slumdog Millionaire
The Reader




Advanced Screening of United States of Tara, Jan 13...7 PM

Metro Cinemas

Obviously past due, but good to look for free screenings!
I think THE GUILD 45th has been chosen for free screenings, too.

Example of free screening invitations:
FREE
Conceived by Steven Spielberg. Diablo Cody, Academy Award Winner for Best Screenplay.
"Meet Tara (Toni Collette), the suburban Mom who really knows how to be all things to all people—she should be, she has multiple personalities."
"Drinks and snacks will be served, courtesy of our friends at Netflix".

Buy your tickets online, and I think with Visa, there are discounts at several theater houses, on beverages, etc. (10%)
I am sure you can buy a pass, too, for 5 tickets, that is even cheaper than a senior discount. It doesn't seem to be advertised anymore, but I asked recently, and they still have those.

Landmark Theatres is the nation's largest theatre chain dedicated to exhibiting and marketing independent film. Landmark is a recognized leader in the industry for providing consistently diverse and entertaining film product in a sophisticated adult-oriented atmosphere to its customers. Landmark is available in 24 areas nationwide.

Tickets
Film archives Magazine
Links
Join Film Club
Promos
NEWS

Top Movies of 2008and 10 worst..
Moviefone's 50 best films of 2008:

50. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
49. Burn After Reading
48. Mamma Mia!
47. The Bank Job
46. Bolt
45. Son of Rambow
44. W.
43. Quantum of Solace
42. Defiance
41. The Duchess
40. Appaloosa
39. Wanted
38. Zack and Miri Make a Porno
37. Boy A
36. Religulous
35. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
34. American Teen
33. Planet B-Boy
32. Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!
31. Rachel Getting Married
30. Dear Zachary
29. Let the Right One In
28. Pineapple Express
27. The Wackness
26. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days
25. Gran Torino
24. Happy-Go-Lucky
23. Taxi to the Darkside
22. Shine a Light
21. Revolutionary Road
20. Kung Fu Panda
19. In Bruges
18. Doubt
17. JCVD
16. Role Models
15. Surfwise
14. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
13. The Counterfeiters
12. The Reader
11. The Visitor
10. Tropic Thunder
9. Milk
8. Man on Wire
7. WALL-E
6. Frost/Nixon
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
4. The Wrestler
3. The Dark Knight
2. Slumdog Millionaire
1. Iron Man

Moviefone's 10 worst films of 2008:

10. Meet Dave
9. The Hottie & the Nottie
8. 88 Minutes
7. Fool's Gold
6. Saw V
5. Jumper
4. 10,000 BC
3. Disaster Movie
2. The Love Guru
1. The Happening

A few gifts from friends.., reminiscing..

This features two small tea cups from Kim (about a year ago)

Kim is also an artist, she is both a graphic artist and she builds wonderful assemblages, I love this one soo much!

and paints, and does 'everything'.   

She finds nice ceramic art like these cups ...and...her blog is a sensation!

Kim's  Mother, Diane, (I've known almost as long as Kim, who I went  to college with), fills me up with

'elegant after-maths' every time I visit.

 She  is the best cook I know

( I have yet to eat Linda Reeder's cookies, tho)

These sweet Japanese napkin rings are made by Yumiko's Mother, in Kobe. 

Yumiko was a house mate years ago in Snohomish while she was in college here. 

We stayed up many a night working on papers together on my computer.

The good ole'days!

I miss Yumiko so much. I hope she visits soon.

 I have several other gifts from her to post later on. 

But aren't these just delicate beautiful napkin rings?

The Wiinblad piece (the round plate the cup sits on) is from Jennifer, 

who I went to college with, too. 

I recall, vividly, the day we met.

 I was in in the sculpting classroom,

 ( along with Kim) 

and Jennifer was in print making across the hall.

 Kim invited her to go to coffee with us.

Jennifer  was tall and thin, and  had the mischievous look of an elf.

Delightful!

She had been an exchange student in Denmark in high school,

 and had all these wonderful Danish things. 

She and I shared a love of Wiinblad early on.

I remember once I was sick, and she brought her  down comforter

 with delightful Wiinblad cover to comfort me. Ahhh.....

I have another plate like this from her, and these delightful renditions of the four seasons....

I cherish my friends and their contributions to my life. 

BTW, the oil lamp is from an antique store in Seattle.

(Originally from Denmark, go figure)

 I collect oil lamps, sort of, and buttons, and Wiinblad, and 'stuff'...

Ok, I collect Mexican folk art, goblets, special instruments ( Shakahatchi flute from Japan, drum from Rwanda, Rain stick from Brazil, Organetta from Germany), ceramic art, special sea shells, and ordinary seashells..beach glass, of course, and apparently flower petals...

........why stop there?

Here are some bottles with my walks along several beaches, including many NW beaches, Sea of Japan, Halfmoon Bay,Sea of Cortez, etc. and some buttons in jars. I have Kate Greenaway buttons and calico buttons and a treasure trove of other buttons.

..and here's a kimono bunny from Kobo in Seattle, oh and I collect kimono's.

I guess it is only fair to say I collect 'art'.

Harvard Exit, Seattle, Pike Place, Organetta, Movies, recent adventures...

  I 've forgotten my camera lately when I have been out.

So.......here are a few more shots at home, and of some more treasures;

 my Wiinblad cups, along with links to theater's and movie trailers.

The new addition, an organetta by Hohner

This is from Germany, and I had to get an adapter for the plug. 

The sweetest little organ...for my instrument collection.

I'll post a link to a video soon...

Meanwhile I've been to Seattle a lot lately to movies, @ The Harvard Exit, 2 Screens. Built in 1925. Operated by Landmark since 1979. The Harvard Exit Theatre offers Seattle's finest in independent film and foreign language cinema in a cozy atmosphere evocative of the 1920s. Beautiful, classic 1925 building with grand piano and couches in the lobby...(Annually, the Harvard Exit is host to the Seattle International Film Festival and the Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.)

 Saw The Reader, a haunting movie.

Also, The Secret Life of Bees,  (at the University District), Metro Cinema's and @ Harvard Exit,  Slum Dog Millionaire. The Golden Globe winner for best picture and many other awards. 

Slum Dog is magnificent! Filmed In Mumbai.

It's a 'Bollywoodies Hollywoodish' film, east meets west in the best way..

And three times lately been to The Deluxe Bar and Grill right next door to the Harvard Exit at Broadway and Roy. Wednesdays is hamburger night, Any burger is 4.99. I had blue cheese with grilled onions. Tuesday, I think is fish tacos. Wednesdays it's packed! It's a great place to dine, watch people, and experience Seattle.
Oh the Pear & Gorgonzola Ravioli 13.95, is a fine dish. Margarita's are hand made, not from a mix, and with a 4.99 burger, dinner for two is cheap enough to take in a movie easy.

Across from the Harvard Exit is a nice Japanese Art Gallery Kobo where I am often inspired to spend hours, and dollars being inspired to do art work. ... features Northwest and Japanese artisan crafts in such media as clay, metal, wood, bamboo and paper. The Capitol Hill shop has been around since 1995; a second store recently opened in the International District. In the same plaza find a travel shop, (encouraging already fermenting ideas of a trip to Morocco), a coffee house, a Greek cafe and a theosophical bookstore. (Bamboo garden outside this bookstore is of timber bamboo, just amazing to be in the midst of.

Had Mexican Chocolate Cheesecake at The Market , Pike Place.. I can't 'STOP' thinking about this cheesecake with a 'kick', wow!
(Sorry, I left no evidence to photograph! :~)

I hope I've made up for no photos!

Thank you Louie

I have a special online friend who sent me a gift, and I wanted to say thanks to her here.
Louie, I call her, Louanne is her name, is a wonderful friend. She lives in Ohio, far from me, but not far from my roots back east.
And she is certainly close to heart.

Louie has the most musical voice I have ever heard, and talking to her is sheer delight..!
I think a voice conveys a lot about a person, a nice voice is somehow a reflection of their essence.
Certainly Louanne's voice reflects hers.

I wanted to acknowledge her special gift, which was for no reason at all, except she has the sweetest heart.

She is like family and I've never met her in person!

Might click on these to see the detail on the beautiful cards that reflect the seasons

 They just didn't look so great without frames.. 

 Louie thinks I should sell these things I make..what do you think? How much and where?

I will be making some soon with kimono silk. ANd I will be making kimono Haori jackets, maybe for little girls, puffy jackets of tye die silk..how precious..

For these framed with cards, I'd need to get about 55.00 each I think. These Japanese cards are very expensive, and I have pieces with chess pieces too, some are very large and would need a shadow box frame.

 Well, first the work , then the selling..Thanks Louie for believing in me and my gifts..my goal is lofty,, believe me.

Thanks Louie.  Hugs! (I got frames for some art stuff I had done a long time ago, your gift to me) ..3 pieces of art using Japanese cards, Hanafuda cards

 in memory of my days in Japan..and it's heavenly beauty and mystique..

Thanks Nobu for letting me know the name of these cards.

My Grandma....... reminiscing...

My Grandma inspired a love for crystal, glassware, and china dishes, and lovely cotton fabrics, and table cloths. That wasn't all, tho. She taught me and all her own kids, and all her grandkids, and great grandkids to swim, and a community of other kids as well.

Her name was Margaret  Estella Johnson, Montgomery.

She was a feisty little woman with sparkly blue eyes, and she was a cook and baker, much like our Linda Reeder  who loves making cookies, and sewing,  and plainly enjoying travel, other cultures and all fine things in life.

She taught me to sew, crochet, and appreciate all foods from any culture, and other cultures form early in life. Her interests were vast and she was good at whatever she did.

I wish she could visit me one last time, and have a cup of tea, we always had tea, tea and toast was good for what ailed you. She was an especially wonderful baker, and I grew up on home made bread, and so did the neighborhood of kids I shared hot bread with butter with on snowy days in winter, and brown sugar sandwiches in summer.

She danced, and almost always had a rose behind her ear. 

She was a gardener deluxe.

Peonies, daffs, tulips, roses, lily of the valley, lilacs, rhubarb,  all these are parts of her that became me.

 She would love having tea with me one more time, I'm sure, it wouldn't be sad, it would be perfect, and I'd get to ask her some questions I never had a chance to ask.

 She was the very last of my family of origin to die.

I was 34 when she died.

My Mother died when I was 23.

Others followed quickly.

I have been alone for a very long time.

 Grandma held on for me I think, but had to go, yet in my home and heart, she lives on.

I think of her everyday.

She was just perfect.

I love her very much.

She was the wisest and most loving woman I have ever known.

_()_ Bowing to you Grandma