If The Artful Dodger Had A Guitar

Snow, It's Fury

Today I walked with my roommate to pick up her refurbished vintage bike from the bike shop. As we walked, snow began to fall. At first, the snow was light. We caught flakes on our coats and mittens and tongues. The white flakes on our dark coats were perfect crystals, each of course different from the other, like little brilliant melting diamonds.

The snow started to fall heavier on the way back. As she pedaled ahead, completely exhilarated with the new love of her life, the snow started to collect on her hair, creating for a split second a frozen halo before it melted.

I've always wanted to hear the silence of snowfall. I never have before.

Soundtrack

My memories are scored. Cooking in the kitchen is soundtracked by the Moody Blues (the ridiculous synthesized opening to "In Your Wildest Dreams" reminds me chopping onions) . Janis Joplin's "Summertime" plays on repeat starting June 20th every year. "Superman" by the Crash Test Dummies brings the taste of perfume and dirt to my mouth and makes me think of Los Angeles.

My political consciousness has been scored as well. While any song that had the word "America" in it played after 9/11, it was, no joke, Don Henley's "The End of Innocence" that made me cry. When the bombs were first dropped on Baghdad, my favorite radio station played The Clash's "London Calling". Subsequently, Goldfinger's version of "99 Red Balloons" blasted from my Honda Accord as I drove to school.

So now what? Now what song will define this new era?

THIS ONE.

And if you're looking for the perfect soundtrack to start this administration, this new era, off right, listen to the KEXP's Afternoon Show archive for January 20th starting at 2 pm. It is like every songwriter knew this day was coming.

I love that Barack Obama's name rocks like a reggae lyric. Well hey, what do you know?

I Need To Learn This

Less Than Two Weeks

I was flipping through one of the many mini moleskine notebooks of mine, and I came across theses notes written the day after Obama was elected:

I offered my table to a trio of Golden Girls today in Parnassus. As they settled in, their conversation moved from reminiscing about knitting during their college Russian classes to the magnanimity of last night's election. They had decided that out of everything they had experienced in their lives, last night was the zenith. "We've seen history," one of them chimed.

Later, this dialogue occured:

"I was scrapbooking and watching an 'E' True Hollywood Story about Clinton and all of his women."
"Who cares?!"

I'm sure she meant, "Who cares about Clinton and his women?" and not "Screw you and your scrapbooking!"

Thirteen days until Obama is officially in office, although it feels like Bush hasn't been our president for a good two years now. It will be an odd adjustment, knowing that there is someone in office who not only demands respect (and doesn't whine or make up words when he's frustrated by the lack of it), but has earned it. America is captivated, and waiting, and willing. I sincerely hope the enthusiasm felt on election night and the subsequent days of euphoria shortly thereafter translate into some kind of New American Mindset, one that looks a little like the America I was told existed but have never actually seen.

Note: I use "America" to mean "The United States of America". I understand the USA does not constitute the whole of the Americas, but for some reason you cannot be "United States of American", but you can be "American".

Honey Heart

In a pot of curried apple soup.

Tea Vase

The newest addition to the Novotny-Poinski household:



An beautiful teapot I wasn't using for it's original purpose became a flower vase! Flowers purchased at Trader Joe's.

A Lady Or A Tramp?

Which am I if I echo her sentiments exactly?




EDIT
I forgot the lyrics "with anyone but you", so I guess that negates any inkling towards tramp status.

Because Famous People Say It Better

This year, I handmade cards for my friends and family. Here are three of my favorites:






The rest of the quote for the last card is as follows:

You have every right to just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, gasping, confusing, itching, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, rumbling, rambling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, horse-shitting, hair-splitting, nit-picking, piss-trickling, nose-sticking, ass-gouging, eyeball-poking, finger-pointing, alleyway-sneaking, long waiting, small stepping, evil-eyeing, back-scratching, searching, perching, besmirching, grinding, grinding grinding away at yourself and just DO.

Don't worry about cool. Make your own uncool. Make your own, your own world."

--Sol LeWitt

I love this quote. I want it on a giant poster to hang in my apartment, to remind me every day that I am the master of my own uncool destiny.