AFK – Chihuly at CMA

Today I decided to go visit the Columbus Museum of Art. Right now most of it is closed because it’s under renovation, but I did get to see one exhibit by glass artist Dale Chihuly.  This exhibit is part of a larger celebration of glass art going on in Columbus right now.Elsewhere in town, at the Franklin Park Conservatory, there are other displays of his work. Franklin park also has some more permanant displays in their collection. That’s where I first came across his art.

I admit before I moved here I hadn’t heard of him and my first impressions were somewhat skeptical. Well you see, a lot of his work has a strangely organic look and they seem to have their own energy. It’s as if I can almost see the pieces moving – or maybe I’m just short on sleep. Anyway, at Franklin Park there’s these chandeliers that remind me of some kind of alien organism – and then again I’d bet they’d look gorgeous if they were lit from within. It’s that kind of art. Since I’ve lived here I’ve grown to enjoy his work more. I love the vitality of the colors and even those strange tendrils of glass hold an interest for me.

It was a nice relaxing afternoon and even though the rest of the galleries are closed right now I think I’ll be going back to see this exhibit again. First, I think I may have missed a piece. I remember seeing a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye, but I never did see the whole thing. The other reason is because I got to practice some photography, even if it is with my cell phone. And by the way, don’t let the image above fool you – it IS in focus, WordPress is just being myopic.

Stranded: Christmas Knitting

On November 5th a local radio station started playing Christmas music 24/7. Now, I like Christmas but that’s too early. Can’t I enjoy November for what it is without having to hear Bing Crosby during my morning commute just yet?

Yes the holidays are on the brain – whether I’m willing to be festive or are more inclined to commune with my inner grinch. Lately I’ve been trying to figure out knitting projects.

Definition: Knitworthy – Adjective – A person who has endeared themselves to the knitter to such a degree that one is willing to spend oodles of cash, energy and time creating a handmade present with the hopes that it will be enjoyed, or at the very least appreciated.

(Pardon if my cynicism is showing. I’m not in a foul mood, really. I’m just tired today)

Anyhoodle, deeming someone knitworthy is an important thing for me. I invest  a lot into the work into a project I make for someone and I want it to make them happy.  So I have my list of people, now I’m working on projects, and here’s the rub: what I’d love to do and what I can realistically do with time and budget constraints are pretty far apart.  For most everyone I’ve got ideas down. Everyone except for one person – my mother in law. She’s a crafter, too, and a recent born again knitter. I was thinking about making her some dish cloths, but it turns out that’s what she’s been working on a lot lately so it would seem rather redundant to make her more. She’s not keen on scarves or other similar accessories, and I couldn’t tackle larger projects like a sweater just yet. Totebags are definitely in the offing, but it seems like an odd gift without something to go in it. So the wheels are turning (and turning and turning) for other ideas.

I can’t be the only one discovering the well of gift ideas is running a little dry this year. It doesn’t have to be knitting related, but what do you do when you need gifting ideas?

Friday Photo

Scarlet and Gray

Friday Photos is a weekly project I’ve got going to practice my photography skills. The goal is to take some pictures every week then share at least one on Friday. This is the view from the top of one of the parking structures near the almost complete new Ohio Union on OSU’s campus.  I really like the strong lines of the garage levels, they seem to create an interesting perspective.

It started With A Dancing Hampster…

Sometimes, you have to sit back and take a break. And then again, sometimes the break takes you.  Anyone who spends any amount of time online has at some point lost time to a meme. And not necessarily the kind that asks you what you last ate, but those viral bits of media, humor, and virtual flotsam and jetsam that take on a life of their own once they hit the interwebz.  Now, there’s a website that offers a timeline of internet meme awesomeness where you can flip through years of distraction all at once – or, well at least the goodly part of an afternoon. Some of the links are dead, unfortunately, but most of the ones I tried aren’t and you get the opportunity to relive the fun (or, perhaps agony) of the experience.  It’s part nostalgia, part cringeworthy performance, but either way it was interesting to see such a collection all in one place.  I admit there’s a lot here I haven’t seen before and some that I have. What’s your favorite? And which one are you hoping to avoid?

Also, with narratives on the brain lately, such a timeline also makes me wonder about what kind of a history is being created here. I’m not looking to make any division between high and low brow information here, but I do wonder about the evolution of popular culture.  Is it possible that the home videos and LOLcats are pointing the way to an even more prolific and democratized popular culture than what already exists? Or has such homegrown humor just found the ultimate free distributor?

Now Playing…

It’s been said that our lives all have soundtracks, particular songs or perhaps decades of music, that seem to offer some insight into our core identity.  What would Forrest Gump be without all the great 50s and 60s songs, after all? For the most part, I agree that’s true. My life is forever colored by the sounds of 1980’s pop. But lately music has become a different kind of companion. At the same time I’m being reacquainted with old friends like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, I’m also exploring new to me jazz and classical artists. That’s not to say that I don’t still listen to classic rock in the car, but I’m drawn more and more to what feels to me are quiet comforts.

Right now, the two that are getting the heaviest rotation are:

Los Lobos - La Pistola y El Corazon
Michael Halaas – The Lucidity Project

Along with Neko Case and this composition from Guiseppe Tartini called The Devil’s Trill:

This is just the first part. I hadn’t heard it before, but I ended up sitting in the car for all near 20 minutes of it so that I could listen to the whole thing.