Merry Christmas To Us!

Big, huge, from-the-bottom-of-our-hearts thanks goes to brother Adam for his AMAZING work! The kitchen is (almost) complete -- just in time to host Christmas tomorrow.

And here is the reveal!

Kitchen Remodel Update!

Did I really miss the entire month of November? I'm sorry! But I have a good excuse. Remember that kitchen remodel I mentioned before? Well, we're almost done! I know our goal was originally Thanksgiving, but that was kind of my goal, and I didn't really talk to the man in charge. "Do you want it done right, or do you want to rush it?" my super smart and lovely brother said. So, we pushed the timeline out a month. And good thing we did, because we've run into all sorts of problems (mainly that every wall in the kitchen is ridiculously crooked).

So I know I promised updates along the way (with pictures!), but better late than never, right? :)

It wasn't until Trip started demo-ing that I realized we hadn't taken a "before" picture. So here is the kitchen after he started taking off doors, taking things out of the cabinets, and I was rushing to cook a bunch of meals before the stove would be gone. What a disaster!

Notice the lighting. Ew.

Cabinets off!

All cabinets out!

The last piece of linoleum to rip up. Definitely something you should be doing in flip flops.

Peebs inspecting the work. I believe he was satisfied.

Walls painted. Now time to install cabinets.

Adam helping Trip. (Hahahaha -- we ALL know who's really been doing all the work.)

Pantry cabinets installed!

All cabinets built! Pantry cabinets installed! Lighting done! Backer board down!

The doors on the back pantry. Trip demonstrating how it will look with the pulls.

Got the fridge panel and the microwave vent installed. Cheers!

Look how dedicated he is! He even worked through an injury.

Microwave installed and working! (They had to test it.)

Placing the range for the counter plywood measurements.

How he is so happy with all the mess around him is beyond me. It's making me slightly insane.

Range fits like a glove!

All cabinets installed! Notice the cabinets all the way across. Gaining a whole cabinet. Woo hoo!

Starting to place the tile.

Look at that gorgeous 18" porcelain tile.

Last tile!

Kickplates installed and tile placed and grouted!

Cabinet doors installed in pantry. Just need to install baseboards and we're ready for the new washer and dryer.

Other side of the pantry.

All shelves, drawers and doors installed! Lemieux's turn to inspect.

Countertops installed!

So pretty!

CaesarStone Quartz in Pebble.

What's left:

• Install sink fixtures (faucet, soap dispenser, filtered water faucet)
• Install sink cabinet door
• Backsplash
• Place appliances (fridge, range, dishwasher, washer and dryer)
• Install all cabinet pulls
• Install beauty bars under cabinets
• Install under cabinet lighting
• Replace all outlets and switches

We're getting there!!

In Case You Haven't Been Reading Kieran's Blog...

Yes, I am still alive, and yes I am still blogging.

I just haven't been here (look here).

So being a mom is a lot more time consuming than a previously non-mom thought (that previously non-mom being me). Being a mom and finishing up your last semester of college is even more time consuming. Being a mom, graduating from college, and trying to keep your house clean is pretty much impossible. Try and throw blogging into the mix and, well, I'd rather sleep for thirty minutes. Sorry. Those are the priorities these days.

And really, I haven't blogged on my own site because my life has just been baby baby baby. I can tell you what my favorite diapers are (Nature Babycare). I can tell you all about how awesome the Quinny stroller is. And I'm an expert on relieving clogged milk ducts (after TWELVE, I had better be).

Not that it's bad that these topics have been my life. In fact, let me know if any of these subjects interest you and I'd be happy to discuss further. I just figured nobody would be particularly interested in the things that have interested me the last two months. 

So anyways... Yes, I have officially earned my BFA in Computer Arts, New Media from the Academy or Art University. I'm super stoked, super relieved, and slightly... missing it? Is that crazy? Okay, I guess it's more the design work that I miss. Although that void will quickly be filled NEXT WEEK when I return to work. 

Oh my gosh... How did the last eleven and a half weeks go by so fast? I am actually looking forward to getting back to work, but I start to cry whenever I think of being away from my son. I haven't been away from him for more than a few hours. I'm really really really not okay with leaving him. But knowing he will be with Grandma and Grandpa eases my mind a bit (that and knowing I can call them every hour). 

And don't get me started on missing watching Martha and Ellen everyday.

But anywho, so far motherhood has been more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined. The first six weeks were pretty challenging, and I spent a lot of time crying (man, people weren't kidding when they talk about postpartum emotions), but half as many tears were of joy. Every day he does something that overwhelms me with joy. 

Now that things have settled and we're in (some what) of a routine, I hope to be able to blog more. And yes, it will be about diapers and strollers and all the challenges that come with raising a baby. But I do still have my own life (I keep reminding myself), so I'll throw in some creative stuff as well.

Speaking of which, it's time again for the annual Academy of Art Spring Show! If you haven't been before (or even if you have), this is a must see. The artwork always impresses, and there is often some great work for sale. It's running through June 11th, so try to get there this weekend if you can!

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

When: 
May 21 – June 11 
9 AM – 5 PM (ongoing) 
*Closed Sundays and Holidays

Happy Birthday to Tripple, and Some Catch Up

Sorry friends of the interwebs -- I didn't post at all last week. My goal is to at least post once a week, and I would really love to post two or three times. So shame on me for slacking.

Last week was my last week of the Fall semester at Academy of Art, as was it the last week of one of Trip's graduate courses. Work has been project after project, and Trip was wrapping things up before his 2-week holiday break (man am I in the wrong profession!). So needless to say there has been some serious cramming going on. Good thing is that we really didn't do any Christmas shopping this year, so I've been relieved of that annual stress-fest. For the past few years, my family has done the Secret Santa thing, but this year I was inspired by a wonderfully heartwarming story I saw on the news about a company that decided that, because the food banks are so low this year, they would donate their $4500 holiday party budget to a food bank. So instead of drawing names, my family agreed to donate to a charity of our choice. Trip and I did the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Humane Society of Silicon Valley. Christmas shopping -- CHECK! Now next year I realize will be quite different, as our son's first Christmas is sure to be an extravaganza (to say the least). But let me tell you, I have definitely enjoyed being mellow this year.

Speaking of the peanut (or English cucumber, as BabyCenter claims a 26 week baby is the same size as), everything seems to be going along smoothly. We have our 6 month appointment this Wednesday (6 months?!?), so I'll be sure to give an update, with new belly pics. I swear, the belly (among other things...) has been growing on a daily basis. As has my appetite, so go figure. At this visit our OB said she would schedule another ultrasound, just to make sure my placenta has moved up. I'm so looking forward to getting another peek at the little guy!

It was Tripple's birthday yesterday, and we had a really nice dinner at our favorite vegetarian restaurant, with a few of our favorite people. My birthday gift to him was driving him and Adam downtown to see a hip hop show on Friday, then picking them up at 1:30A. I think that wins me some Wife of the Year awards, don't you? I was a trooper again on Saturday night, when we went to a friend's party, where we stayed until after 1AM. I figure I better let Trip have some fun before it's all about the baby. Plus he deserves a little R&R after a hard first semester at work, some pretty demanding graduate school courses, and all the extra works he's had to pick up around the house (painting, kitty litter duty, cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms, carrying things up and down the stairs for me, and cooking dinner most nights -- yup, he's a keeper).

Okay, I've rambled enough... I'll try to post soon after my appointment on Wednesday -- Christmas Eve!

MUTO.

At 7 minutes and 26 seconds, I realize this is a bit of a long video to post. But seriously, this is the most amazing animation I have ever seen. Please take the time to watch this video, from the artist BLU, when you have a chance.

Also, BLU's web site is a must see (where you can see more of the artist's work), as well as his blog!

Another Great Reason to Live in the Bay Area.

How am I going to make the time see all the things I want to see! First there is the grand opening of the California Academy of Sciences, and now this!

Opening the very same weekend, September 27th, is the exclusive U.S. appearance of Leonardo: 500 Years into the Future at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose.

For the first time ever in the U.S.!
The world premiere of the largest, most comprehensive exhibit of the innovative art, science and engineering works of Leonardo da Vinci and his contemporaries comes to The Tech Museum of Innovation this Fall for only 99 days.

Leonardo: 500 Years into the Future will be at The Tech September 27, 2008 to January 4, 2009. Have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see how this genius of the Renaissance has influenced and inspired much of the technology we use today.

Not only will the extraordinary machines and mechanical devices be on display, but also two beautiful paintings on loan from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

99 days, people. You have no excuses.

Home Sweet I-Must-Decorate-For-Every-Holiday-Even-Labor-Day Home.

Buying a home is a huge feat. Buying a home in the Bay Area is a colossal feat. Designing the interior of said home leads to catalog addiction.

We've been in our home for nearly two years now, and we are still doing this-and-that, mainly because once every few months a new catalog from CB2, West Elm, Crate and Barrel or Williams-Sonoma arrives in the mail box. Just when you thought the table linens you bought were perfect year round, you get the Fall Williams-Sonoma catalog with the Halloween decor. Dang it!

Halloween Spider Web Rubber Doormat. Must have this.

Great Pumpkin Candle. They look so real!

Pumpkin Place Mats (Set of 4) Ummmm. I want pumpkin pie.

And no, it's not too early to be thinking about Halloween, silly. Shoot, I'm already thinking how I'm going to decorate my mantel for Christmas...

An Exhibit Not to Be Missed!

Here in the Bay Area, we're so fortunate to have such a range of amazing museums: the de Young, the Legion of Honor, the Asian Art Museum, and of course the Museum of Modern Art, which Trip and I have been members of for some time now. But there are also some great places to view art right here in San Jose.

Some time last year, Trip and I decided to explore our local museums, and stumbled upon the fabulous Anno Domini, as well as a fabulous artist exhibiting -- Bruno 9Li from Sao Paolo, Brazil. Since the exhibit, Mysterium Tremendum, Bruno 9Li has experienced some great exposure here in San Jose, with a mural along the side of Anno Domini (which used to be Camera One) and a cover of The Wave magazine.

Well he's back with his second solo exhibit, META. It is a reflection on its Greek origin relating to the concept of "beyond." What lies beyond the perceptible reality that we share in our day to day lives? What follows our existence here on Earth? Bruno continues his process of drawing as a means of contemplative action while these ideas flow through him and into the art. He pulls his inspiration from the themes of spiritism, metaphysics, ovnis (UFOs) and exotic, aquatic plants and animals.

His work is hard to describe. It's graphically bold, colorful, and extremely intricate. It definitely has a street-art influence, but I wouldn't categorize him in such a way. From his website: He often speaks of "all being one," and is deeply aware of the unity of people, animals and nature itself. 9Li creates works of art that share this vision with his audience through epic encounters of natural and supernatural beings. These encounters, depending on the viewer, can be seen as mythic morality tales of the past, or a keen foretelling of the future.

Not only is his breathtaking work on display, but it is all surrounded by a beautiful site-specific installation that adds to the overall exhibit, bringing together all the pieces to this one magnificent vision.

There are still a couple of works available for purchase, but I was really surprised at how fast many of his pieces have sold. So if you are interested, you should act fast. Of course, you should also have $2700 of disposable income (Me, not so much. Sad.)

META
Solo Exhibit by Bruno 9li
Exhibit dates: 1st August thru 20th September, 2008.

Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design
366 So. First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408.271.5155

Gallery & Store Hours:
Tuesday through Friday, noon - 7 p.m.
Saturday, noon - 5 p.m.

This was not "Photohsop"-ed

Oh, I hope he didn't pay too much for this ad.
And I'm not even going to comment on the overall artistic quality...

01SJ Festival - Better Late Than Never

Last week marked the 2nd Biennial 01SJ Global Festival of Art on the Edge, and I really did have good intentions to blog about. Instead I went and enjoyed too much wine and forgot to. So, you get a recap instead of a plug.

In case you are unfamiliar with it, 01SJ is:

North America’s newest and largest festival of digital arts, and a great deal more. From a hip hop, multi-media meditation on Antarctica to robot art, from conversations with artificial intelligence to operatic performances of Google headlines about the environment, from avant-garde cinema to new musical forms - well over 100 artworks, performances, screenings, talks, and workshops will be featured at 01SJ. Festival organizers expect it to be a perspective-altering experience that entertains, enlightens, educates and involves attendees in a new understanding of our changing world.

Last Wednesday night was the opening ceremonies, and my friend Amii and I (who was my companion to the event last year), went to check it out -- specifically the lighting of City Hall's Rotunda. Of course we were both a bit hungry and thirsty when we got there, so started off the evening with some wonderful wine and appetizers at Bella Mia. Feeling satisfied and toasty, we then walked down to City Hall to meet up with our friend Mariah to check it out. I have to say, although there wasn't smoke and lots of lights projected everywhere like last year, this year's installation was much cooler.

Incursion 37:20:15.71” N - 121: 53:09.51” W continues Craig Walsh’s series of large-scale projection installations occupying specific sites and responding to contrasting environmental contexts. These urban interventions provide surreal visions of nature dominating architectural sites and altering their perceived function. This new project for 01SJ will continue this strain of enquiry whilst considering the impact technology might have on these simulated clashes between Nature and the built environment.

I got to take some really cool, interesting photos -- which is always a plus.

Friday night Trip, Amii and I went to SubZero, a huge block party on south First that celebrates unique and emerging arts movements ranging from contemporary music, street performances, Do-It-Yourself and interactive, on-the-edge art installations. As always Anno Domini was displaying an interesting artist, and I still love the huge mural they have on the side of the building -- something I shot a while back for a web site project. But it was the Fingerbangers turntablism (is that even a word? it should be) that provided the most entertainment, and the biggest draw.

Oh, I should mention that Friday started out with dinner at La Pastaia, in the Hotel De Anza. Absolutely fantastic meal with a lot of vegetarian options. I highly recommend the fried artichokes and the asparagus risotto to start, and the cappellini con salsa fresca for your main course. And the wine list was great :)

So if you didn't check it out this year, make sure you get out to 01SJ next year. Hopefully the City Hall Rotunda installation continues - and continues to progress - as it really is a very very cool concept.

Reason #386 Why I Love My Husband

Trip and I have been blessed with hummingbird visitors year round, mainly because they love our sugary-sweet hummingbird feeder concoction (and by "our" I mean Trip's). We've been talking for some time about getting a birdhouse, in hopes to keep them as permanent residents. So I was thrilled when I received an email from Design Within Reach today advertising a kick-ass birdhouse, and quickly forwarded it on to Trip. Our exchange:

ME: Oh my God I want it! $95, though.... :(

Close up of email

TRIP: and it makes a great home for tits! :)

ME: [laughing hysterically] you, sir, are HIL-AR-IOUS.

(End scene)

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

-They Might Be Giants

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!

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.

Random Thoughts From The Once Infectious Joy.

Hi, remember me? Yes, I'm still around. Yes, I've been missing you all dearly, oh friends of the interweb. (Even though my brother - who read this - says that nobody read this. Poo head.)

I can't believe it's May. Where did the last month go?? I've been go go go going full speed for the past month that the days just flew by. So trust me, I am ready to slooooooow the heck down. My house is almost done, school is winding down and the sun is coming out. All of which means I am ready for some R&R.

Of course school is not over yet. And my house is not done yet. But I feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. I think the sun does it for me. Being outside and feeling that vitamin D beaming into me just puts me in a much more optimistic and sunshiny kinda mood.

Which is a very good thing, being how messed up the world is today. The fact that Miley Cyrus is the main topic of conversation is just, well, stupid. I personally don't have a problem with the Vanity Fair cover photo (If you've been living under a rock and have no idea what I am talking about, you can read about it here). I actually think it's quite beautiful. The subtle hues and silvery lighting remind me of a painting. She looks vulnerable, but in a "I'm an everyday average teenager, not a bagillionaire with make-up and hair people fixing me up for 5 hours" kindaway. In fact, I think it's her "plainess" that makes the portrait so compelling. But nooooooooooo. All the uptight conservatives says it looks like she's "topless," whoring around on a bed. Really? Do people honestly think that 15-year-old Miley and her parents (who were in the room), thought, "Hey -- Annie thinks Miley should look like a topless whore. That sounds fantastic!" What they probably thought was that they would be making another historic Annie Leibovitz portrait. Well, they pretty much got that.

Any who.... I digress. The much more important topic of conversation is American Idol, people. Is that really our Top 5? Ugh. When did that happen? I guess now that Michael Johns and Carly Smithson are gone, I'm forced to root for David Archuleta. Because I CANNOT STAND David Cook (can he look anymore smug and smarmy?), Brook White is just "eh", Syesha Mercado is nothing new, and Jason Castro's goofy stoner image and baby blues no longer make up for the fact that he just can't sing very well. I think I would be happy if anyone BUT David Cook wins, but I'm afraid I'm in the minority. Sad.

So yeah, my life has been busy with work, school, house and yes...TV.

Well, that's it for now. I am thinking of all ya'll and promise not to leave for so long again :)

P.S. Have you donated to Global Giving yet???? Do it.

Merry F'n Christmas

I'm trying really hard to stay in the holiday spirit. But there are so many a-holes in my universe that it makes it very difficult.

After a wonderful date night Saturday (the Cirque du Soleil show Kooza, enjoying the lights at Union Square, then dinner at Millennium), Mr. Johnson and I woke up Sunday ready to tackle a long list of to-do's. We spent the morning cleaning the house, did our Winter cleaning of the closet, then went out to run our errands.

First stop was Crossroads Trading Co., where we brought in FOUR bags of clothes and accessories. There was a line when we got there, so we looked around the store. We knew some of the stuff we brought in wouldn't be purchased, but once we started looking around, we knew quite a few would.

Looking around... looking around...Oh my gosh, I kid you not... LA GEARS. And not just any, but HIGH TOP LA GEARS. Okay, now I know they will be taking a bunch of our stuff.

So then it was our turn and the girl starts going through our stuff. Another employee - who hopefully was on her break - was trying on clothes and kept coming behind the register for her co-workers approval, which kind of bugged. A few minutes go by, then she calls me up. Did she really have time to go through all FOUR bags?

"Hi. I bought 2 of your items, for a total of $7.18."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Ya, those were the only things we'll be buying."

"Okay, I know I had some Old Navy stuff in there, but what about the Betsey Johnson dress, the four Urban Outfitters jackets, the Chanel sunglasses, or the Dior scarf? Or the polo shirts that had never been worn?"

"Ya, they weren't really the quality we look for."

But dirty-ass neon-pink high top LA Gears from 1991 are? I'm so confused. And why did I feel like this twenty year old was judging my fashion sense? My handbag cost more than her rent!

But I'm not vain like that (ya I am). We were offended for about 5 minutes, and figured we'd probably benefit more from the Goodwill tax write-off anyway. I'm sure there's some kind of science to having your clothes purchased there (probably should have separated out the Goodwill stuff), but I just don't have the time for that. I barely got around to cleaning out my closet - now I have to go through and determine what some wanna-be hipster thinks other wanna-be hipsters would want to buy? Not happening.

So we took our $7.18 and went to our next stop - Cost Plus.

We had to go to Cost Plus because a few weeks early I had bought some wine glasses, and the top of one of them looked like some kind of crazy weapon. Meaning it was totally jagged and you could definitely hurt yourself with it.

While Mr. Johnson looked for the glasses, I walked up to the register just as the salesperson was putting up her "Closed" sign. To which she looks at me and says, "I guess I'll help you first". Off to a great start. So I told her the deal, showed her the glass, and she told me to just go grab one out of another box and replace it with the lip-cutting one, and that they'll just give the next person that buys it a discount.

Ummm okay.

So I go and find another box (where the heck is my husband?) and go to replace the glass. But then I start having these visions of some grandma excited to take her first sip of Chablis, and as she puts it to her mouth she cuts her lip open, blood starts gushing out all over the place, and she has to spend the rest of the night in the emergency room.

Yeah, I can't do this.

I bring the deadly glass and the new box of glasses up to another register, at which point Mr. Johnson joins me. I tell the new sales person the deal. And she says, "Oh ya, these aren't the hand blown ones, they're factory made, so you'll have some defects."

Nice. For the second time today my purchases are questioned by some twenty-something. Don't judge me bitch. We have a mortgage and student loans.

"Well someone could seriously hurt themselves on this defect," Mr. Johnson sternly says.

"Oh yeah, you're right. I'll put this in the damages." Oh, so she'll listen to him. But then she wrote "Scary Broken Glasses" on the box and that made me smile. You have redeemed yourself.

Off to OSH, to buy a carpet cleaner. We're merrily on our way, over the fashion judgments of Crossroads and the near grandma-lip-cutting at Cost Plus.

I'm feeling the Christmas spirit again; I've got $7.18 burning a hole in my pocket. Things are good. I turn the radio to the holiday station.

<singing>
"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."

We're first in line at a stop light. I look over and see a panhandler holding a sign:

MONEY.
ARM.
ANY THINY WILL HELP.

Me: "Wait. What does that guys sign say?"
Husband: "I think he's trying to be clever. He only has one arm."

Now, usually I try to avoid any indication that I acknowledge a panhandlers presence. But I was so confused by this guys sign, I had to make sure I was reading it right. And I was. But it was too late.

He saw me looking.

So he starts to do a little dance with his sign, and we pretend we see something interesting on the other side of the road. You know, the "look over there!" routine.

We were not to be let off so easily. He starts to walk up to the car.

"I know you know how to read mother f***ing english."

Oh. No. He. Didn't.

Yes, yes I do know how to read "mother f***ing english", kind sir. But last time I checked "thiny" was not part of the english language.

<sigh>

So there you have it folks, a day full of Christmas cheer.

Epilogue

This story does have a happy (in somewhat roundabout way) ending.

Mr. Johnson received an email today from one of his colleagues that a friend suffered an apartment fire over the weekend. They unfortunately didn't have renters insurance, and 60% of their belongings were lost. As the fire happened near their closet, 90% of their clothes were lost.

The husband happens to wear the exact same size as mine. And the wife, although of normal size thus not fitting into any of my pigmy-sized clothes, will be pimping some Chanel sunglasses and Dior scarfs.

Superflat meets Superego.

I saw a CD for Kanye West's single Stronger while shopping at Target yesterday, and thought the artwork was a complete ripe-off of Takashi Murakami. Well apparently it isn't a rip-off (really? <>).

I am a big fan of Murakami's work. Pre-LV (you know, the Louis Vuitton handbags with those cute little smiley-faced cherry blossoms - the most bootlegged purses in history). I first fell in love with his work when Art in America had an article on his 2001 "Superflat" exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. The bizarre, vibrant paintings of mushrooms were absolutely captivating! Love at first site.

My first experience seeing his work in person was in 2004, when Mr. Johnson and I went to the Supernova: Art of the 1990s from the Logan Collection exhibit at SFMoMA. In one of the rooms was a giant sculpture of a manga-esque man, ahem, pleasuring himself and a woman with Pamela Anderson-sized boobies squirting a blue liquid out of them. Really, whats not to love.

Don't judge him on his Kanye work alone (although I hate to admit, as is the case with Kanye's music, it's all pretty bitchin'). Check out this Jonathon Ross interview. It's a really interesting look into what inspires Murakami. Plus the background music is rad.

Addicted to Pretty.

So if you know me, you know I like pretty things. I kinda obsess over it. And I'm trying really hard to curb my appetite. So a few minutes ago I was talking to my husband about the possibility of getting a new entertainment center. Yes. YES. Seriously, what is wrong with me?!? He had to remind me of the post I just wrote Sunday night for my History of Aesthetics course:

**********
I remember around this time last year coming across an article online in the New York Times about Annie Leibovitz's new book, "A Photographer's Life, 1990 - 2005". I have always been a fan of her celebrity photos in Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair, as well as her groundbreaking career as a female photographer, so was interested in reading about this new book's subject matter. I didn't actually know much about her life, and was sad to read that Susan Sontag, her long-time partner, died of leukemia in late 2004.

But what stuck with me all this time, what made makes me remember reading the article, was one particular photo of Leibovitz's. This is a photograph Leibovitz took of Sontag, post-mortem:

I believe two of the Five Reasons to Regard Beauty* apply to this image. First, because its existence is analogous to the good and the true it once symbolized. I think Kant's middle road aesthetic perspective is most fitting for this image, as I personally have conflicting thoughts. Part of me thinks this is image is a wonderful memorial to Sontag, completing Leibovitz's photographical chronicles of her life; part of me thinks that perhaps there is a story behind it that only Leibovitz and Sontag will ever know; part of me thinks that this image will touch someone else that has had a similar experience with the death of a loved one; and then there is part of me that thinks that the modern world has made death a bit taboo, and Leiboviz is showing us that Sontag will forever be beautiful to her - a perfect subject for a portrait - even at death.

I believe the second reason to regard this image as beautiful is, because is encourages a contemplative, appreciative, patient attitude in us and at least rebukes automatic recourse to appetitive desire. To be honest, at first look, I found this photograph really hard to look at. But it made me think, "why would she share such an intimate image of the woman she publicly proclaimed her love of, with the world?". I think Leibovitz's message, as layered and deep as it may be, is that through all of our desires to look picture-perfect, her love for Sontag and the woman that she was is the epitome of beauty. As someone that has made her fortune taking pictures of perfect, flawless, "beautiful" celebrities, with this image of Sontag, she is throwing all of those ideas of beauty out the window. She is telling us this is what beauty is. This woman that I loved, that has died before my eyes, is still beautiful even at death.

Changing gears for a moment, I also wanted to note that, Umberto Eco's passage from The History of Beauty really resonated with me:

"We can consider human beings to be most beautiful, even though we may not desire them sexually, or if we know that they can never be ours. But if we desire a human being (who might also be ugly) and yet cannot have the kind of relationship we desire with him or her, then we suffer."

I realized that all too often I have an inner conflict between appreciating beauty and desiring that which is beautiful. Last night I went to a dinner party at a friend's house who had a beautiful kitchen, something that have been wanting to redo in my home. I thought of this kitchen all night (sad, isn't it?), even frowning a bit at my own when I made my morning cup of tea. I said to my husband, "Their kitchen was amazing, wasn't it". And he responded, "Absolutely, it gave me some great ideas for ours whenever we get around to it." Not a bit of jealously in his voice, not the desire to rip the tile off the counter that very second (she says while whistling and looking around). Just an appreciation for a pretty kitchen. I know this story sounds pathetic, and trust me, its embarrassing to even admit it. I felt pretty teeny tiny.

I now I am reviewing the lecture, and reread Eco's quote. All too often I feel this need to feed my desires for the newest, the greatest, the best. I think both Eco and Leibovitz have taught me something very important. One, to be content with and appreciate being fortune enough to experience something beautiful; and two, to appreciate the beautiful things (family, friends, accomplishments) that I already have.

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Touché, Mr. Johnson. Touché.

*If you want to know these five reasons, you must pay the $1800 it cost me to take this course.