Today's Small Step: Forgive and Forget.

A few months ago I subscribed to the newsletter of one of my favorite Food Network stars, Ellie Krieger. She hosts a wonderful show called Healthy Living with Ellie Krieger, where she often cooks vegetarian dishes (although not entirely, she is the best option for a vegetarian that loves cooking shows).

The focus of the newsletter is mainly cooking and eating healthy, but she also writes about living a healthy life in general. This recent issue really resonated with me, so I thought I would pass it on.

The poet Alexander Pope said: "To err is human, to forgive divine." Medical research has shown that forgiveness is good for the heart as well as the soul. One study found that when people dwelled on slights from their past, their blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension all increased, indicating that their bodies were physically stressed when they were in an unforgiving state. Harboring a grudge or resentment against someone or something can only have a negative effect on your health. Forgiving someone can release this negative energy and positively affect how you feel. Today, I'd like you to perform an exercise in forgiveness.

Forgiving someone when he or she has hurt you can be extremely difficult. But true forgiveness can set the stage for a deeper relationship, help prevent disagreements about inconsequential things, and improve your health.

Many people find that writing a letter to the person who hurt them is helpful. So today, get out all your feelings and frustrations on paper. Pretend you're facing the person who hurt you, and tell him or her how you feel. Then rip the letter into tiny pieces or burn it to symbolize that you are putting the incident behind you permanently. (Alternatively, you can try talking to someone close to you about what happened — this may allow you to vent and gain perspective.) Then make a conscious effort to let the incident go — don't keep bringing it up. Dwelling on it, especially with the person you've forgiven, may prevent you from really forgiving and moving on.

Is That A Banana In Your World's First Fully Bonded Bodysuit...

I'm sure Speedo’s new LZR Racer (pronounced "Laser Racer") is as wonderfully high-tech as it sounds, with its paper-thin nylon and Lycra blend. And I really do hope it helps Michael Phelps win a bunch of gold medals.

But every time I see an athlete modeling it, they just look so uncomfortable. Not in the, "this thing is killing me" kind of uncomfortable. More in the "Oh my gosh I can't believe I'm out in public wearing this thing" kind of uncomfortable.

And for good reason. Let's face it. The goods are pretty much on display here folks.

Michael Phelps doing his best Vitruvian Man impression.

How much do you want to bet NBC does a whole lot of tight face shots during the swimming competitions? And will the cameras shift down if ratings aren't great?

I do have to say, one cool thing is that Speedo is collaborating with designer Rei Kawakubo (of Comme des Garçons) on a more colorful version for the Olympics -- most likely the standard red, white and blue.

As long as they keep the see-through butt crack, I'm cool with it.

Some Good Spam For Once - I Know! Oxymoronic, Right!?!

Okay, maybe not so much spam as one of my other frequented design web site sharing my info with another *new* design web site, Feel More Human.

Jill rules. Joy is jealous of Jill.

I do love modern design! I too am interested in new ideas on sustainability! And lord knows I think every aspect of life could involve a bit more hugs and kisses. I'm so excited! Can't you tell?!?!? Exclamation marks rule!!!!

More to be excited about — here are just a few images from the email:

Skull Modern Gnome

Austin's Metrohouse

Naturally I was intrigued by these images of modern goodness, and went straight to the site (mainly because I had to have that gnome, dang it).

Ummm yeah... think again. This lovely "Skull Modern Gnome" is $100.

After more poking around I found this eco-friendly pillow that would look perfect in my bedroom. Like PERFECT perfect.

Perfect Pillow

$145.00

For one pillow.

Okay, so maybe I'll be visiting this site more for it's Tips on How You Can Make a Difference then for purchasing purposes.

But a very inspiring, beautiful site nonetheless to add to my growing "Design" bookmarks.

Academy of Art Spring Show - A MUST SEE!

Trip and I ventured out to the city last night (trust me - a rare event) to attend opening night of the Academy of Art Spring Show. I know I may be bias, but honestly, this is some of the most talented work I have seen in my life. We were both completely blown away - and Trip is a hard critic to please.

From the sculptured jewelry to the animation to the industrial design to the illustrations, there is definitely something for everyone. Trip was in awe over the illustration section, where simple sketch book displays were anything but simple. And I of course was green with envy with the New Media work. There were about ten computer stations set up to experience multiple projects, which was perfect for such interactive art. I was totally inspired to get in gear for next year and submit some work!

I had the pleasure of meeting two of my instructors (the Director and Assistant Director of New Media), and they encouraged me to go to the complete New Media gallery at 180 New Montgomery, as the Spring Show is only about a third of what they have on display there. If it's anything near the caliber of work I saw at the Spring Show, I'm afraid my head may explode. This gallery is also open all summer.

The Spring Show is a free exhibit, open to the public - so you really have no excuse. Give yourself plenty of time. We were there for about an hour and a half and still didn't get to really see everything (the place was mad crowded, yo).

When
May 23 – July 25, 2008
10AM TO 6PM
(closed Sundays and Holidays)

Where
Academy of Art University
601 Brannan Street (at 5th Street)
San Francisco, CA 94107

On a side note -- we parked on Townsend, and as we walked to AAU gallery we passed a couple alleys with FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC street art. We're going back to the Spring Show partly to see the show again, and partly to shoot that street art!

From Fantastic to Huh?

Trip and I saw such an amazing movie on Saturday - Lars and the Real Girl. If you've ever wondered what heartwarming means, see this movie and you will understand. I smiled and cried through the entire thing (happy tears!), and felt so refreshed after the credits rolled. Of course it is completely off the wall, and no synopsis could ever do it justice (Man suffers from delusions that a Real Doll is, well, his real girlfriend). Don't think "this would never happen," but watch it and have hope that somewhere there does exist such a charming community of good natured people. I wonder why it didn't get more press when it was in theaters. I personally think it was a better screenplay than Juno, and deserved the Academy Award more.

So of course when we went to Blockbuster to exchange it for another, I knew we would have to switch gears quite a bit, especially since the movies we were looking at were No Country For Old Men and Charlie Wilson's War (we went for the latter. I wasn't quite ready for all that violence). But perusing the aisles, neither of us could get over how many disgusting horror movies there were. Like, every other movie was some guy's face being eaten off. Sick. Ass. Can somebody please explain to me what the appeal is?

Nothing, however, could prepare either of us for the obvious Oscar snub that is Teeth.

What is Teeth, you may ask?

Well, Teeth is a horror movie about a teenager that finds out her vagina has teeth.

And on that note... I'm going to go wash my hands, because I feel dirty just from typing that.

Launch of joypjohnson.com

Thanks to my production staff (aka my brother), the kinks have been worked out and my personal portfolio site is up and running. Check it out when you have a sec, and let me know what ya'll think.

Did "Steve" Tell You that Per Chance?

Trip and I were riding the VTA - my first (and last) time on the bus! - taking one of his past students to the Tech Museum. In the bus they had a lovely sign announcing the Employees of the Year for 2007. There was something particularly amusing about one of the winners and I wanted to take a picture, but Trip wouldn't let me. So I will describe:

[picture of employee]
And underneath it said:
Steven "Steve" Maloon

Really?

Not "Boom Boom" or "Big Paulie" or "Lucky" or "Skip" or "A-Rod".

Nope."Steve".

Priceless.

My weekend, by Joy Johnson.

Hola amigos y amigas! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

I will be celebrating at my brother's casa tonight. Well, not so much celebrating Cinco de Mayo as frantically trying to get my last Flash project done. I'm doing a site on the illustrious music of Adam12, and not only need help getting his music up there, but pretty much creating the entire site. As my beloved husband joked last night, "Who Joy, wait until the last minute to do her homework? Nooooo." I then hit him in the face and continued to lie on the couch for my marathon tv watching sesh.

Which, by the way, was buckets of awesomeness. I can't remember the last time I wasted an entire weekend on the couch. The body needed some big time rejuvenation, ya'll. We watched pretty much everything on our DVR, and two movies. One of which I can't recommend enough - Gone Baby Gone. Not only is Casey Affleck my new stalker crush (dark hair and light eyes... <sigh>), he may very well be in my top five of actors. I was really really impressed. Kudos to both him, for his acting skills, and his big brother Ben, for his directing skills. Definitely rent this movie if you have yet to see it.

The other movie we saw was Sweeney Todd, starring another of my top fives, Johnny Depp. I have to say, the movie was a lot more gory than I anticipated. I mean, I knew the story, but dang that was some blood. But of course Johnny (yes, we're on a first name basis) is absolute genius in everything he is in, so I also enjoyed this film. I was pleasantly surprised at how good his voice was. (Side note - yes, this is a musical. But it is also Tim Burton, so give it a chance if you are not a fan of musicals. Or just sing Nightmare Before Christmas songs throughout, as Trip did).

I had a double dose of Johnny this weekend, as couldn't sleep on Saturday night (a possible side effect of too much lying on the couch all day) and channel surfed upon Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I think it was the first time I saw the film sober. Still just as freaky, but not nearly as affecting as it was the first time I saw it. Fascinating nonetheless (although I do admit, probably not the best movie to watch at 2AM. I had some craaaaazy dreams that night).

Oh, I should mention that my fabu weekend started out on Friday with girls night out (two weekends in a row! this time, much much much less alcohol involved) to see Duran Duran. Holy crap they were good. Simon's voice was amazing, and they played pretty much every song I wanted to hear. I can't believe it took until 2008 to see them, but well worth the wait. My sister and I danced the entire concert! Do do do do do do! Do do do do do do! Ah. Fun times.

So to recap: Gone Baby Gone is a must see; Casey Affleck is my new boyfriend; Johnny Depp can sing, and remains my other boyfriend; Duran Duran still rule the world, twenty years later; and there really is no need to leave the house if you have a television (with DVR of course - duh), Dagoba 87% organic dark chocolate, Diet V8 Splash, and a husband who rubs your neck because it hurts from laying on the couch watching tv for seven hours straight.