Creative Expression and Adventures

Why I Ride

2007-04-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

I thought it was that feeling of weighlessness--flying through time and space--crunched down in the tiniest shape possible as your bike bombs down a hill.

But today I realized it's a full sensory experience....5 swans flying overhead...the smell of freshly cut grass and hyacinths...sunbeams warming my back

One Word: Magnetic Paint

2007-04-16T17:08:00.000-07:00

Okay that's two words. But it's amazing. You can paint your wall--any wall and it suddenly becomes one giant magnet. Good for vision boards and remembering all your ideas.

Why the long silence?

We moved. At long last, an entire room dedicated to being an art studio. With a spiral staircase, vaulted ceiling and now a magnetic wall.

Let the creativity begin!

Pink Room

2007-03-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

Tagged

2007-02-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

I've been Tagged. This means I must list 6 weird things about myself and I have to tag six people too.

6 Wierd Things:

1. I've had a lot of pets. [not all at the same time] Growing up I had a pet Chicken named Esmerelda. A pet Rabbit named Nellie, a Hamster named Tootsie, a Canary named Sylvester, a parakeet named Phoebe, a dog named Benjy, two Gerbils named Prissy and Sissy, a Cat named Isis, a Cat named Tigger, a Cat named Sebastian [named after Josie and the Pussycats] and a Cricket named Chester. As an adult, I have three cats: Michia, Kitee and PanTwardoski [aka aka Doski, P, Peanut, SweetPea, Mr. Snarky, Snarkalark and DoskiRoski]

2. I usually wear two different socks. It's easier than finding a matching pair. The drier eats them.

3. I waited a solid 10 years to see Titanic. Just because of the hype. I finally did see it 10 years later and while I was reluctant to admit it, I kinda' liked it.

4. I still like swings, rollercoasters, slides and those carny rides that are like a human blender.

5. I haven't had TV since 2001.

6. I am both a morning person and a night owl.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome 2007!

Santa

2006-12-19T16:12:00.000-08:00

My first real live experience with Santa left an indelible impression on my brain.

I was probably 5 years old and I knew that the whole Santa thing was a sham but this was a WOMAN. [That's totally pathetic] I remember thinking at the time. I'm pretty sure it pissed me off.

We used to drive to Brooklyn on Christmas Eve to see my relatives for a big party and then usually spend the night and come home super early Christmas morning.

While we were in the driveway, my Father would 'accidently' spill my crayons in the back of the car [I never left home without them] and then sprint inside to put the presents under the tree.

It was really complicated b/c we didn't have a fireplace, only a chimney that let to the furnance so my mom explained that she left the backdoor open.

Little did I know then that we are all Santa and she was totally right.

Holidays

2006-12-13T17:18:00.000-08:00

Wow. Before I even had a chance to answer emails about how Thanksgiving was, it is suddenly smack in the middle of the Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanza/New Year's etc. season. Tada!

And here we are. Right here, right now. I'm updating my art site. Can't wait for everyone to see.

Real Live Crash Experience

2006-12-06T05:04:00.000-08:00

{As in "Crash" the movie.} I was talking to Theresa, the woman that helps me clean and we started talking about how she donates money to her son's highschool.

The nicest person ["Bob"] helped me when my car ran out of gas last summer. He helped me push it to a safe place, drove me to get gas, helped me fill the car and waited until I was on my way.

Bob is a guidance counselor at this same highschool. I brought him cookies to thank him.

Bob is also her son's guidance counselor.

Closing Ceremony: The End and the Beginning

2006-11-14T19:25:00.000-08:00

Victory! 420 Miles later, our bikes were raised above our heads in honor of each mile we rode and each step closer we all were to understanding the true power of being kind. While this was the end of the ride, for many of us, it was just the beginning. Fueled by good spirit and joy we were all given the strength and courage to do what we never thought possible, and the faith that we can make a difference.

The Canada Ride

2006-11-13T20:31:00.000-08:00

Just to fill everyone one in on how amazing the Canada AIDS Ride was, I'm going to be recreating the experience [through writing and photographs] from the first ride I did from Montreal to Maine.

On September 5th-10th 2001, 1800 riders gathered together from all over the country to ride to raise funds for Aids
Vaccine Research. Above and beyond that specific goal, the underlying cause was a journey for human kindness. The Five days we spent together were an example of what most people wish the world could be. We saw beyond the limits we have placed on ourselves, and the limits we have placed on the world. Words cannot describe the inspiration, support and genuine caring expressed by all riders and crew to one another, and the true magic of being kind.

We began our ride just before the crack of dawn on a chilly morning at the Olympic Park in Montreal. Opening ceremonies filled us with inspiration and adrenaline. A police escort led out of the of the city to a panoramic view of Lake Champlain.

Day 5: 48 Miles

2006-11-14T19:13:00.000-08:00

Traveling along the coastline of Maine was just another day at the beach with the warmth of sun on an 85 degree day. With less than 50 miles to go, there was plenty of time for some extra rest and a Maine-style Lobster dinner.

Day 4: 89 Miles

2006-11-14T19:11:00.000-08:00

There are just some things you will never see unless you are up with the sun. Morning fog rising over a New Hampshire lake commenced our journey into Maine.

Day 3: 78 Miles

2006-11-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

Lunch stops, stratigically placed at about the 60 mile mark kept us going strong for the rest of the day. Riders soaked tired legs in the icy cold water of this New Hampshire lake.

Bikes and Riders

2006-11-13T20:43:00.000-08:00

Everyday was a celebration. Bikes and bodies were decorated with costumes, beads, stickers and in this case...a co-pilot.

Day Two: 104 Miles

2006-11-13T20:40:00.000-08:00

The steep climbs through the green mountains of Vermont brought a wonderful variety of sights and scents. Mountain mist, wildflowers, morning dew...and COW.

Day One 109 Miles

2006-11-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

The journey across the Canadian border into Vermont had us zipping past endless cornfields, pastures and a big blue sky filled with cumulus clouds and Monarch butterflies.

545 in 5

2006-11-08T21:34:00.000-08:00

My AIDS Lifecylce Tshirt arrived in the mail today and it reminded me that it's time to officially annouce to the world that next June I will be riding 545 miles in 5 days from San Francisco to Los Angeles to help support people who have or are at risk of AIDS. I recently read an article in the nytimes that found a link between AIDS drugs and leprosy.

The article states: "With affordable AIDS drugs arriving in many poor countries, experts say a startling and worrisome side effect has emerged: in some patients, the treatment uncovers a hidden leprosy infection." and "And in the third world, where 300,000 new cases of leprosy were discovered last year and where 38 million are infected with the AIDS virus, the problem will inevitably get worse, experts say."

AIDS is a cause that needs immediate attention and I am thrilled to be a part of another ride.

In September of 2001 I rode from Montreal to Maine for the same cause and it was one of the most memorable and gratifying experiences of my life.

I have been training everyday at 6am and am combining spin classes, mountain biking on trails, running, swimming and yoga as part of my training routine.

If you are interested in making a donation, be the first one and click here

Happy November!

2006-11-08T17:21:00.000-08:00

I finally launched a new blog. I feel like it needs more finishing touches before I announce it to the world. In the meantime, here is a nice photo of my mother and my grandmother.

My grandmother somehow always looked like a grandmother even at the age of 40. Around that same age, my greatgrandmother had a powder blue formal dress in her closet that she would show you and in Italian say 'this is the dress I want to be buried in'.

She lived to be 96 years old puttering in her garden and grape arbour until the day she died.

My grandmother is in her 80's right now and although she has that same strength to follow suit, she's starting not to believe.

Costumes

2006-10-31T11:04:00.000-08:00

[Roddy won "2nd Scariest" for his brilliant rendition of Dr. Lecter. It's almost too good.]

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Mostly because of the creativity. It's funny this whole 'costume idea'. I mean--we wear costumes everyday--except one day a year we take it to another level.

I wear a costume to meet with clients [collared shirt/snappy pants], to go to a yoga class [tank top, loose yogi shorts], to go biking [biking shorts, helmet, gloves, pads, shirt with the nifty three pockets on the back].

For halloween, I dressed up as a WASP. Literally and figuratively. There was a party that we were invited to where theme was "W.A.S.P [as in white anglo-saxon protestant or whatever]". How do you put a creative spin on that? Some girl dressed up as Martha Stewart in jail. I liked that idea but that is so 2004.

I end up finding a literal WASP [the bug] outfit in the thrift store for $4. It was a kids XL but I made it work. I wore that over an oxford and plaid skirt with knee socks. What you would think of as a traditional "school girl outfit" but in actuality I was a 'Wasp In Training'. That makes me a WIT. [now...that's ironic....] Two costumes for the price of one. Snarky.

Since we're all are from or live in greenwich the irony is that most of the group just rifled around the closet for their outfits--vineyard vines, polo shirts, blazers, a tux....so was it a costume party or just a bunch of people getting dressed up?

Funny Day

2006-10-30T17:39:00.000-08:00

I get up this morning at around 6:45, pleasantly surprised that it's bright and sunny out. I go for a run around the same time everyone is hustling and bustling to get to school.

I'm on my way down Route 1 toward the highschool when I see a mom drop off her 16 year old curbside to avoid the rush on Hillside Avenue.

Next thing you know, this kid, carrying 60 pounds of books and electronics SPRINTS past me! Here I am, unencumbered, save for my Nanopod and this guy feeds me dirt.

Motivation.

creative

2006-10-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

i just realized that i buy food in glass jars
because i am attracted to the packaging
more than the contents.

it's not the marketing, but...

because i like how my colored pencils look
in the jars.

Flow.

2006-09-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

I read this about 6 years ago. It's about that flow of creativity where you don't need to sleep, you forget to eat, you are so immersed in your creation[s] that everything in the process clicks.

Somehow, right now, I am exactly at that place. I started by wading in--committing to carry a sketchbook everywhere, taking Fridays off for art and then suddenly I am swimming in it--ideas are flowing in so quickly that I barely have time to get them down.

and

all of the necessary pieces--the people, the opportunities, the emails, the phone calls are appearing with the same intensity.

~~I'm beginning to forget what it felt like to feel stuck.~~

Panfrodoski

2006-07-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

After many months of excitement and anticipation we are pleased to announce the new addition to our family. He is a healthy 10 oz., 13 inches [not including his tail] and is already a hand full. He has Maria's shiny dark hair and Andrew's fast reflexes. Yes our new kitten, Pan Twardowski ( pronounced Panfrodoski) is a little wonder.

The name was inspired by a story Andrew's dad used to tell growing up. Pan Twardowski, was a polish noble man who made a deal with the devil to sell his soul in exchange for fame and fortune. Trying to outsmart the devil, Pan Twardowski pledged the devil could take his soul if he was ever found in Rome, a city he never intended to visit. Years later Pan Twardowski was in a polish bar, named "Rome", when the devil decided to make good on their deal and take him to purgatory. After praying to the Virgin Mary for help, Pan Trardowski was let go and fell to the moon where he remains today as the polish man on the moon.

Home

2006-07-14T02:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've been up with the garbage man. I got up at 4:45 this morning. My body is still on Italy time and thinks it's about 11am. I'm sitting here downloading about a GIG's worth of images from the trip and can hardly believe how much ground we covered and how funny time is when you travel. While I was there, it felt like I was there for months, finally getting down enough language to order food and ask where to find this or that. Now, at home, it feels like a dream...like I never left.

Veridian

2006-07-12T07:56:00.000-07:00

I have always ignored the Veridian green tube in my paintbox. I had no use for it. Too bright for trees, not enough yellow for grass. It took all this time and a twist of fate to see that it is the exact color I need to paint the sea in Sorrento.