Presence of Mind

Input

It's been busy in the Presence of Mind world...

Still in a blue frame of mind...  For the most part, I mean that color-wise. Just finished a midnight blue collage chock full o' stars. Calling it (in a shout out to Ryan Adams) "When the Stars Go Blue." Will post a pic. soon.
It just seems like when I'm focused on art, my blogging slides. Need to find more balance for sure!

Truth be told...
My beautiful daughter turned me on to "Stumble" and I've become a web-surfing junkie.  So many interesting, thoughtful websites and blogs out there that capture my fancy. In fact, I've bookmarked so many that I'm sure my family and friends just cringe when I sit down at my computer to show them something cool that I've "stumbled" upon.

One of my recent discoveries is a page devoted to quotes about love... Every time I explore, I find a quote that strikes a chord. Check it out.
Here's my favorite quote of the week.

The joy of late love is like green firewood when set aflame, for the longer the wait in lighting, the greater the heat it yields and the longer its force lasts. - Chretien De Troys

I find that the more new "stuff" (art, music, literature, food, people, and other inspirations) that I introduce into my world, the better I feel. I keep hearing that our brains get rewired with new experiences and its good for us in a myriad of positive, healthy ways.  I so dig that idea!
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my routine. I enjoy being comfortable. It feels very safe... but it can also be cold, gray, and just plain boring.
I need color...
Or to quote that stupid robot Johnny 5 from the movie "Short Circuit" (Remember, "Number 5 is ALIVE!!??) Yeah, that one... I need INPUT!

And to meet that insatiable need for input, I'm going out with friends today.  We are going to see the new U2 3D movie at the IMAX theater. Prior to the big event, we are going to visit my favorite Indian restaurant so I can feed my need for spicy Indian curry and Naan. Great friends, great tunes, and great food. The makings of a great day for sure!

Flash forward: Frozen in Time

So do you remember a couple of posts ago how I told you how I had this diary that marked what I liked as an 11-year-old? Well, for fun, I'm going to fast forward a few decades and document what I'm into these days. It will be interesting to revisit this entry in 20 years... (uh, God willing.)

Music – OK, so I’ve been in this Ryan Adams mode for quite awhile now and it doesn’t seem to be abating any, thanks to the recent R.A. cd’s I was given by my dear son PJ as a b-day present. Also, I'm hoping that if I blog enough about R.A., our paths will cross... if for no other reason than so he can tell me to quit writing about him. So, enough about Ryan.

Now I would like to introduce you to an Australian singer named Sia. She performs on her own as well as with the band Zero Seven. She has a beautiful, incredibly soulful voice. Check it out.

Motivating me

– I tune in religiously every Tuesday morning at

10 a.m.to hear Marianne Williamson’s program on XM radio channel 156. I love her message and her calm, reassuring voice. I read the book “A Return to Love” a few years ago and have been a big fan of Marianne’s ever since.

Tasty

– My favorite bakery (Concannon’s) is now within walking distance these days. This close proximity spells nothing but trouble for me! When people ask me why their pastries, cakes, and cookies are so good, I tell them it’s magic. (It tastes like magic to me anyway!) My current favorite is a white coconut cream cake. Delicate, creamy white frosting dusted with coconut... mmmmm!

Talk about guilty pleasures! I’ve re-fallen in love with crepes. IHOP (yes, IHOP!) makes some delicious Chicken Florentine crepes. Yum! A number of years ago, my mom gifted me with my own crepe pan. Boy, I made crepes like they were going out of style. I love them, but they are a lot of work. Letting someone else do the crepe-making work??? Oh yeah!!! There's is a great review and pictures on Food Makes Me Happy.

 Favorite drinks – I love chai tea. I also like limeade... not lemonade, limemade.

(Sorry to the guys for the upcoming passage... I'll make up for it it at the end, I promise!)

Favorite makeup – I’m not a huge makeup girl… I wear it, but I don’t put a lot of research and/or effort into new discoveries. Recently, I was totally excited to find a foundation that starts out all lotiony white and then (magically) transforms to just my shade of pale. It’s Almay Smart Shade makeup! The ad features a photo of model Elaine Irwin Mellencamp (yeah, John’s wife…) She’s gorgeous, boys and girls.

 Favorite new bath product – Caress – Moroccan scented body wash.

Favorite new web discovery – The photography of Bryan Adams. (No, not RYAN ADAMS… Summer of ’69 Bryan Adams) He’s a really accomplished photographer. Beautiful work of some celebrities like Heather Graham, Elle MacPherson, Pink, and Lindsay Lohan to name a few…

Favorite television programs – Even though I don’t have cable, I do still enjoy an occasional television program. I know, I know, as usual I’m the last person to discover 30 Rock. Honestly, I didn’t want to like it… but I do and I think Tina Fey is just adorable. Some really great writing that makes for some hilarious lines!

Lots of major linkage, I know... but fun places to check-out if you get the chance!