Creativity with dandelions

Do you remember the last time you blew on a dandelion?

Photo from Shutterstock

I do. As a kid, I loved them because they were soft, pretty and so much fun to scatter around. I grew up in a household however, that considered dandelions to be a great enemy against which major wars should be fought (and were to great success, as I recall). Maybe that's why I find this art installation by German Artist Regine Ramsier so much fun (all remaining photos are courtesy of the artist's website)

Looking at this, it took me a while to realize there were real dandelions. Here's how she put the exhibit together:

Yes- I know dandelions are weeds and we are not supposed to like them. I just love that this exhibit dares us to think about them in a different way. I mean- how could a rational adult (especially one with a lawn) think that a dandelion could possibly be beautiful....?!

Inspiration

It's actually quite a cathartic and rewarding process, this editing business. I was thinking today that once this project is done, there are a few areas of life where application of this would be a good thing. You know- closets, dresser drawers and life in general.

Maybe this is where I'll start when I wake up in a few weeks and find out, to my great shock, that I am no longer a graduate student. I guess I'm going to have to start thinking about what I'm going to do next...

Toward Easter: Part 1

As Lent began this week, I thought Robert Cundick's amazing choral piece, "Behold, this is the way" and Bob Chilcott's breathtakingly beautiful "God So Loved the World" would be a fitting way to open this journey toward Easter. 

Here are these two pieces, sung by the University of Utah Singers. 

Milestone

At 3:14 AM this morning, I completed the last chapter of my thesis.

While there is still much editing to do this weekend (and another paper to write next week), it feels like a major milestone worth celebrating. 

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Jeff's contribution

Jeff has been an unwavering source of support while I've been in school. Throughout January and February, he has assumed most of our basic domestic chores so that I can eat, sleep, write and edit. Those who know Jeff know he LOVES chocolate and anything sweet. Here's his idea of a happy afternoon snack. He knows that I can't eat candy unless I first organize it into colour groups so he even took care of that.

Don't worry.... this was followed by a peeled orange, which is my idea of an afternoon snack. 

Pater Noster

Today marks the first day of Lent. To begin this 40 day journey of contemplation and reflection, here are the Salt Lake Vocal Artists with the incredibly beautiful Pater Noster (The Lord's Prayer) by by Filipino composer Fidel Calalang Jr. 

Writing update

A friend asked me yesterday how I'm feeling about my thesis. Well... it's coming. This past weekend, I spent more than 30 hours rewriting the last chapter (I really wasn't happy with my first draft) and once it is approved, I can start pulling the whole thing together. There are continuity issues to watch out for, and a pretty long reference list to manage. I need to have the final version forwarded to my supervisor by Thursday for a final read through. As a result, I'm feeling like this:

I love how at the end of the piece, the singers are sounding more and more like a bunch of clucking chickens. That feels just about right.

And off I go. 

Writing humour

After a straight two months of writing, I can completely relate to this:

This confirms I really need to step away from my computer...