kite strings

now i have a reason to watch the superbowl

2012-02-03T12:11:00.003-05:00

a new hunger games trailer!!

looks like they're departing from the book a bit - no madge. and what's katniss doing giving the mockingjay pin to prim? and then getting it back from cinna as a secret? whaa? oh well, i'm predisposed to like it no matter what they do.

surprise!

2012-01-25T21:35:00.009-05:00

we're in the huffington post!

AND

i'm going to be a guest artist at the workhouse!

we building 4 artists have been working hard on the "have a heart" project, creating interactive and food-centric artworks in a variety of media.

and you can help! just bring non-perishable or canned goods to fill our kitchen on or before the

second saturday reception.

(feb 11, 6-9pm, workhouse building 4)

all items will be donated to the local food pantry, food for others.

l-r: joan yi, mary gallagher stout, lynn goldstein, john gascot, and annie gedicks working on a collaborative project for have a heart.

can't make it to the reception? donate here. all proceeds will be used to purchase items for food for others.

thank you!

2012-01-17T21:20:00.000-05:00

thanks to all who came to my last featured artist show at the workhouse! you are the best.

stay tuned for details on a home studio open house...

in a month or so...

the last one...

2012-01-09T23:22:00.001-05:00

please join me for second saturday at the workhouse arts center!

after 3 and a half years, this will be my last show with the workhouse. please come help me say goodbye, and enjoy some great art and light hors d'oeuvres, while you're at it.

saturday, january 14 from 6-9pm

studio 406

workhouse arts center

9601 ox rd

lorton, virginia

i've done something

2012-01-04T18:39:00.002-05:00

introducing...

the benannie republic!

related to all things annie and ben. sure to be updated approximately as much as this blog.

what? i have to go read hunger games again. (and again and again and again...)

i had a dream...

2012-01-04T11:14:00.004-05:00

...that i was a tribute in the hunger games. it was scary.

perhaps my obsession is becoming less healthy.

please excuse me while i watch the trailer another 9 billion times.

is it march, yet?

2011-11-14T12:37:00.005-05:00

i already know i'm gonna love it.

if the embed feature isn't working, go here.

so...

2011-11-11T08:36:00.000-05:00

i think people should post on their blogs more. don't you?

at long last

2011-09-29T21:54:00.005-04:00

i've returned to the blogosphere! sort of. however did you get along without me?

since i didn't take any of my own pictures at the wedding and i don't have access to the photographer's pictures to post online and i can't rip images off facebook anymore...behold the trailer for the wedding video. yes. a trailer. awesome, no?

video by jared sattler. he rocks.

the tale of two engagements

2011-04-16T17:43:00.023-04:00

it was the best of times. it was the worst of times. it was really just stressful times involving some art show preparation, some substitute planning, a road trip, a lecture, a demonstration, a van ride, some really gorgeous picassos and one really great boyfriend who drove, carted my stuff around for me and generally kept yours truly cool and collected, if not completely calm. (how's that for a sentence that never ends?)

okay okay, i'll get to the good part. monday morning after most of said activity had gone swimmingly, thank you very much, i was frantically trying to finish up some last-minute framing for a show opening later that night. things were not going well. i texted ben and voila, he turned up at my studio with a rose. thinking he had decided to be late for work in order to cheer me up, i gave him a big hug and blathered on about my woes. i have a question for you, he said rather seriously. what, i said, not very kindly, steeling myself for the worst. next thing i knew, he was on one knee with a ring - this ring - in his hand.

he cut right to the chase, "will you marry me?" a much better question than anticipated. i said yes immediately. we hugged. we kissed. we kissed some more. when he finally got it through my thick skull that he wasn't going to work, we finished framing my works and delivered them to the gallery. *perfect* proposal.

(after seeing this picture, i decided to give up my lifelong dream of hand modeling)

over our celebratory lunch at mcdonald's (he wanted to get sushi at our spot near my studio, but there wasn't time) he mentioned that he hoped i wouldn't be let down when i discovered his original plan. there was a powerpoint. and tshirts. the strike force might be disappointed, he said.

(he's too sexy for that shirt)

wait. wait wait wait. tshirts? powerpoint? STRIKE FORCE?! i had to know. he wouldn't tell me everything, but we agreed to go through with the original plan the following evening. we managed to keep it a secret from the entire force except for two, who gamely haven't told us exactly what dorks we really are.

so after work, we took a walk down to "our spot" on the tidal basin, near the roosevelt memorial. it was a beautiful day, a bit blustery, but the cherry blossoms were still out and i got to wear my raincoat and hat. he borrowed back the ring. as we approached one of the benches, there was some red velvet draped over it. hmmm, what is that? ben wondered aloud. why don't you see what's underneath it? i picked up the fabric to reveal a rose (the same one from the day before, which i'd left at his house).

then he was on his knee again and this time there was a speech. a good one. and i said yes again. more hugging and kissing. and staring at the tidal basin. then we walked out as the strike force converged. sadly, we hadn't been able to find any water guns with which to attack them, so we settled for giving them the truth (that we'd been engaged for more than 24 hours) instead of a surprise soaking. i mean, they did do a rather good job keeping the park ranger and other people away from our spot. except for that one jogger. they took it like professionals.

(he can by my chicken tikka masala any day. mmm-m!)

ben then took me to the restaurant of my choosing for a celebratory dinner. so with the sky as my limit, of course i chose the hole-in-the-wall indian buffet and loved me some chicken tikka masala. mmm-m.

*special thanks to strike force alpha

peanuts

2011-03-21T00:13:00.000-04:00

no, not the comic strip. me again. here.

oh yeah...

2011-02-10T17:02:00.001-05:00

more peanuts for you to read. posted last friday (oops). clickety here and enjoy!

on sweet nectar and dreams

2011-02-04T11:34:00.001-05:00

i've just discovered that drinking caffeinated beverages after 4pm gives me really strange dreams. i probably have really strange dreams all the time, but when i drink diet coke, i actually remember them, probably because i don't sleep as well. who knew?

baby snowmageddon

2011-01-29T17:12:00.003-05:00

if i’d known when i left school at 4pm that the snowstorm would wreak havoc on normal rush hour traffic, i’d have filled my tank before i got on the beltway. as it was, i had just enough to get me to ben’s, even if it took me twice as long as usual. when i realized, around 5pm, that my commute would take much longer than usual, i called ben. i estimated i’d be there around 6. we chatted till my phone ran out of battery and cut us off. a few minutes later, the real traffic hit: i was moving about one car length every fifteen minutes. two hours later, i started eating the dinner i’d brought for the two of us. i turned up the radio and attempted to dance, belted into my seat. thirty minutes later, i wondered how crazy it would look to jump out and make a snow angel on the shoulder of the highway. i definitely had time and i didn’t think anyone would honk. two hours after that, i silently cursed the people for whom the rules didn’t apply as they created their own lanes. five minutes later, i joined them and drove a whole mile in ten minutes. it was exhilarating. an hour later, four lanes of traffic (and a few invented lanes) funneled into one, snaking around jack-knifed semis and other distressed vehicles stuck in the middle of the highway. twenty minutes after that was a tree, stretched across three lanes. around 8pm, i started hoping that ben would eat without me. then i put a few pieces of gum in my mouth to see how big a bubble i could blow. an hour later, i irrationally worried that he’d go to bed before i got there and send me back out on the highway towards home. with a sore jaw, i spit out my gum. around 10pm, on the exit ramp 1.5 miles from ben’s house, my car heaved and sputtered and coughed it’s last breath of gas and refused to move one inch further. four kind strangers helped me push it through the slush to the side of the road. a fifth kind stranger said he’d watch my vehicle in addition to his while i hitched a ride to get gas for the two of us. i politely asked the kind strangers to drop me off near ben’s house, instead of the gas station. at 10:30ish, i knocked on the door of a very worried ben. five minutes later, i collapsed into the passenger seat of christian’s car and the three of us went in search of gas. two stations later, we'd filled the 5 gallon can and headed back to the exit, dodging a downed power line. christian drove as close as he could to the exit ramp and ben and i sloshed the block across the intersection to my car and the waiting kind stranger. it took another thirty minutes, much spilled gas, some very cold gas-covered fingers (ben’s), a bit of creativity involving a long drinking straw, and another kind stranger’s flashlight to decant the gas into the cars. at midnight, 2 blocks from ben’s house, a large load of snow fell on the roof of my (now breathing, moving) vehicle. 10 feet later, we noticed the power line stretched across the road (a different one), making it impassable. we turned around to discover that what we thought was snow falling on my car was actually another power line, now stretched across the road and blocking our escape. so i parked and we gingerly stepped around the power lines and walked back to ben’s, arriving around 12:30am, stoked the fire, drank some tea and finally fell asleep.

a litta hope

2010-12-29T11:28:00.002-05:00

so apparently i can't embed from imdb, but go here to watch. i'll bring the kleenex if you'll bring the chocolate and popcorn and diet coke. fair trade, right?

it's that time again...

2010-12-03T11:00:00.002-05:00

that's right. the time of year for beating heads - rather, one head, mine - against desks, walls, tables, really any hard surface. behold these opening sentences for a compare/contrast paper:

"The two photographs or the two art piece that I choose where "The Flagellation of Christ" by Samuel H. Kress Collection. And I lost the other title of my other choice but I guess I'll have to do without."

or this title:

"There Alike but Different"

as mr. mb said, "i think that's a line from The Matrix or something...it's trying so hard to seize the dynamic tension of paradox, but instead is settling for the depressing vagueness of dumb."

the peanut gallery speaks

2010-12-02T15:21:00.003-05:00

it's my turn to post again! over here, where we in the peanut gallery speak without you rude people saying, no comments from the peanut gallery.

enjoy :)

why i like modern art, part ii

2010-11-28T09:00:00.006-05:00

"every artist has an attic" this is the title of a screenprint by retired ttu professor of printmaking lynwood kreneck. sadly, i couldn't find an image. it's a very clever print, showing partial and complete artworks by famous artists throughout time strewn about an attic; the influences in the neatly jumbled mind of an artist. the following are a few images stashed in my attic:

paul klee's "die zwitscher maschine" (the twittering machine) (1922) found here

paul klee's "hermitage" (1918), here (a "site that is impossible to navigate properly." good luck.)

kandinsky here

cy twombly images found here and here (notice the second is for sale...you have $1,338,351 lying around to buy me a christmas present, right? i've been a very good girl.)

per kirkeby's prints, both "untitled" from 2003 found here. also for sale. {ahem}

and last, but DEFINITELY not least, a woman...who's still alive! i know right? behold: "tumbleweed," by karen kunc (1997):

the woodblocks for this beauty were on display in the printmaking lab at wake because my professor, david faber, helped to print the image during a workshop. i drooled over them every classperiod. someday i'd like to meet her.

i was going to tell you why i liked each of them, but for each one i started writing, the color! the line! the immediacy of the mark-making! delicious! and so, well, there ya go. but even more, i like them because they go beyond what you see to address deeper ideas (remember how artists think?) klee, for instance, manages to merge the monstrous with the playful, addressing industry's horrors and atrocities with childlike honesty and sincerety. twombly's works use line, texture and color (or lack of) very poetically and are often references or responses to literary sources. per kirkeby's abstractions are reminiscent of the danish landscape he grew up around and, likewise, kunc's abstracted landscapes are "interpretation and contemplation on larger issues of the eternal life struggle, of endurance and vulnerability, growth and destruction." (source) and of course, i'd be remiss if i didn't mention my former professor, terry morrow (who defies all links). he helped shape the artist i am today.

quote of the day

2010-11-22T16:31:00.002-05:00

"harry potter 7 was lame; the werewolf didn't even have abs." -smashly

didja see it yet? didja didja didja?

if you didn't, you're behind because now you have to read hunger games AND watch hp7. you'd better hurry before hp7.2 and hunger games the movie are released. i don't accept late work.

the aftermath

2010-11-21T16:47:00.004-05:00

i went to the midnight showing of harry potter 7. how did i deal with the aftermath of staying up all night? well...i slept in till 6:30 and didn't wear any make-up. i thought i covered my exhaustion fairly well till one of my students asked, why do you look like you're sick? {sigh} it was totally worth it. so worth it that i went to see it again friday night.

why i like modern art, part i*

2010-11-16T21:30:00.003-05:00

i'd like to start this discussion with some insights of my own, but for now, since there are projects and tests waiting for my red pen and it's already after 10, i must do what i've forbidden my students to do - paste in a really long quote with a few of my own thoughts. ben showed me this excerpt from kurt vonnegut jr's breakfast of champions. i'm not really sure what the novel is about at all, but in it, a town buys a piece of modern art for $50,000 from a minimalist painter. it's described thus:

The original was twenty feet wide and sixteen feet high. The field was Hawaiian Avacado, a green wall paint manufactured by the O'Hare Paint and varnish Company in Hellertown, Pennsylvania.** The vertical stripe [a thin stripe a few inches from the left of edge of the panel] was day-glo orange reflecting tape. This was the most expensive piece of art, not counting buildings and tombstones, and not counting the statue of Abraham Lincoln in front of the old...high school. ...

Midland City was outraged. So was I.

***

I did not expect Rabo Karabekian to rescue me. I had created him, and he was in my opinion a vain and weak and trashy man, no artist at all. ...

Listen:

"What kind of a man would turn his daughter into an outboard motor?" he said to Bonnie MacMahon.

Bonnie MacMahon blew up. This was the first time she had blown up since she had come to work in the cocktail lounge. ... "Oh yeah?" she said. "Oh yeah?"

...

"You don't think much of Mary Alice Miller?" she said. "Well, we don't think much of your painting. I've seen better pictures done by a five-year-old."***

Karabeckian slid off his barstool so he could face all those enemies standing up. ... "Listen--" ...

"The painting did not exist until I made it," Karabeckian went on. "Now that it does exist, nothing would make me happier than to have it reproduced again and again, and vastly improved upon, by all the five-year-olds in town. I would love for your children to find pleasantly and playfully what it took me many angry years to find.

"I now give you my word of honor," he went on, "that the picture your city owns shows everything about life which truly matters, with nothing left out. It is a picture of the awareness of every animal. It is the immaterial core of every animal - the 'I am' to which all messages are sent. It is all that is alive in any of us - in a mouse, in a deer, in a cocktail waitress. It is unwavering and pure, no matter what preposterous adventure may befall us. A sacred picture of Saint Anthony alone is one vertical, unwavering band of light. If a cockroach were near him, or a cocktail waitress, the picture would show two such bands of light. Our awareness is all that is alive and maybe sacred in any of us. Everything else about us is dead machinery.

"I have just heard from this cocktail waitress here, this vertical band of light, a story about her husband and an idiot who was about the be executed at Shepherdstown. Very well - let a five-year-old paint a sacred interpretation of that encounter. Let that five-year-old strip away the idiocy, the bars, the waiting electric chair, the uniform of the guard, the gun of the guard, the bones and meat of the guard. What is that perfect picture which any five-year-old can paint? Two unwavering bands of light."

even taking into account that vonnegut is probably making fun of minimalism and the idea of reducing life to vertical bands of light, i still think this is a beautiful defense of artists who work nonobjectively. and it describes perfectly why i love it: because it strips away everything that is unneeded and presents to you thoughts in pure form. because {most} artists actually think about what they're doing. because art is a process. because it's visual poetry.

maybe someday i'll speak more poetically or at least coherently about this. and perhaps post some of my own work that a five-year-old could do better than. maybe.

*this could be part i of many or part i of i.

**hellertown, consequently, is right outside of allentown, the man's (formerly known as the boy) hometown.

***if i had a dollar for every time i heard this argument, i'd be a very very rich woman.

turns out

2010-11-12T10:19:00.003-05:00

i woke up this morning with a zit on my lip. it was ripe. so i squeezed it. turns out it was (is) another cold sore. i believe i've angered it.

i woke up this morning not wanting to do my hair. turns out it {kind of} fits in a ponytail for the first time since 2007.

i woke up this morning not too excited about a certain institute activity tonight. turns out, outrageous polyester plaids can change a girl's perspective.

peanuts again

2010-11-11T12:12:00.000-05:00

so i keep on postin over at the peanut gallery. read my latest post here. and have a nice day :)

i can tell the future.

2010-10-27T10:30:00.004-04:00

i knew it was going to rain today.

not because it was forecast.

not because it was cloudy.

because i washed my car yesterday.

the peanut gallery speaks (still)

2010-10-21T11:53:00.004-04:00

you will be happy to know that my garage door opener remote is now working just fine. my roommate took it and, after doing exactly what i had done without success, got it to work. i guess it just liked her better...?

true confessions

2010-10-19T10:03:00.001-04:00

i might be turning into a morning person.

and i kind of like it.

except when i don't.

prelude

2010-10-04T20:57:00.002-04:00

a few years ago my friend miss bell invited me to go camping at glacier national park.* during the drive on the way to our campsite, we started discussing religion. all of us had differing opinions, though we were all practicing mormons. eddie** strongly advocated assimilation to a zion culture. i was and still am adamantly against that.

now there's something to be said about cohesion of culture and brother- sisterhood within an organization such as the church. i have no problem with people believing and acting in a way that allows them to identify and feel one-ness with their faith or other organization (as long as those acts aren't illegal or bring harm to others). my problem arises when the culture is assumed to be doctrinal and those who don't assimilate are shunned or otherwise made to feel bad. we are given principles and can govern ourselves. there are many paths of righteousness within the church. my path is not your path is not his path is not her path.

i guess i bring this up because i have to remind myself of these things every general conference. this is something i've fought hard to come to terms with. for so long i wanted to be on whatever "right" path everyone around me was on. kind of difficult when that changes depending on who you're with. i finally figured out that i have to follow my path no matter what everyone else is doing and as long as i've consulted the lord and have his approval, then i'm good. even if sister so-and-so*** is on a different path. yes, i need to follow the prophet and i love listening to the inspired messages and getting pumped to change myself for the better. i love setting goals and ~~forgetting~~ striving to keep them. one of mine this conference is to be more service oriented and to think of what i can give to {people, organizations, events} instead of what i'll get from them.

so, uh, what are your conference thoughts?

*this is a whole other story in itself. if i remember, i'll post it someday. reminders welcome.

**name has been changed to one i don't like. actually i didn't like his real name, either. (my apologies if your name is eddie. please don't take it personally)

***when i was little, i thought sister so-and-so was someone's real name. but i don't anymore.

i never said i was patient

2010-09-08T13:57:00.003-04:00

will you all please hurry up and finish the hunger games trilogy? please? i don't think you understand how difficult it is to remain silent while you all take your time finishing. I'M DYING HERE. once you finish, please call me. or email. or gchat. or snail mail, carrier pigeon, whatever. let's discuss!

more peanuts

2010-08-19T16:20:00.004-04:00

a teaser...

the last time i saw a meteor shower was more than a decade ago. and, really, it was lost on my 19-year-old self. i was more concerned with the guy lying next to me than the stars parading through the sky. the "rule" was when you counted 10 falling stars, you held hands. he counted those 10 shooting stars pretty darn quick and eagerly seized my hand, which was covered in band-aids. how romantic, he said. i laughed and decided not to tell him the band-aids were covering the warts i'd had burned off earlier that day.

so with my hands wart-free (for over a decade now) and a greater appreciation for the universe, this meteor shower was going to be different...

you're invited

2010-08-09T21:56:00.002-04:00

personal altared tectonics

(i spelled it that way on purpose)

new artworks

by ann elizabeth gedicks

(that's me)

august 11 - sept 5, 2010

opening reception saturday august 14, 2010 7-9pm

(you should come)

workhouse arts center

building 4

9601 ox rd

lorton, va

more comments from the peanut gallery

2010-07-29T22:40:00.002-04:00

i posted again on the peanut gallery speaks. head on over and leave me a comment. please.

sleepless in virginia

2010-07-27T03:03:00.001-04:00

there's a big fat spider on my sliding glass door. i need to wake up every hour or so to make sure he hasn't come inside. i know he wants to; he's jealous of my spiderman tshirt.

true confessions

2010-07-21T16:19:00.003-04:00

i don't think anyone appreciates how much i really love cheese.

study like a scholar, scholar

2010-07-16T20:14:00.003-04:00

really, it speaks for itself

video by hbllproductions

did you know chickpeas have agency?

2010-07-07T16:42:00.000-04:00

i'm going to be a blogger. i mean a real, live scheduled blogger. on a blog other than my own. this could get interesting, since i generally only write as passion or fancy strikes (which, as you followers know, can be rare). but now, in addition to a schedule, i have guidlines to follow - they have standards, people, a statement of purpose!

help.

i asked for a deadline because i work best under pressure. pressure begat writer's block (can you have that when you're not really a writer?), which begat stress, which begat more blockage. so of course i procrastinated and turned to gchat:

10:33 pm
me:
looking back through my posts, i think the good ones are either really randomly funny (like putting pantyliners in my armpits or chickpeas falling down my shirt) or really personal

mb: chickpeas?

me: yes
i was making hummus one day and testing the chickpeas for tenderness

mb: with your shirt?

me: one of them jumped down my shirt and got stuck

mb: are you ascribing agency to the chickpea?

me: yes. yes i am
here...read it for yourself

mb: haha
it's the classic story, really; fall, then redemption; dilemma, and reconciliation.
you have the same basic plot here as in most jane austen novels.
except instead of a poor virtuous woman you have a chickpea.

me: lol
maybe i'm the poor virtuous woman
taken advantage of by a chickpea
and the lima beans are redemption
?

mb: haha. an uncommunicative chickpea who refuses to confess its true feelings until the lima
beans bring him to proper temperature.
10:48pm

***
we then discussed veggie tales, jimmy carter, peanuts and boxes of junk in our parents' garages. and then i wrote my post...which you can read here on July 8. it has nothing to do with chickpeas, but owes a lot to mb. thanks, friend.

five seconds

2010-07-06T16:03:00.001-04:00

this is where truth or dare in the shadow of mr. lincoln on july 4 will get ya:

(video via washingtonpost.com)

and if you stick out the heat (and the dares) you get this:

happy birthday, america!

another deep thought

2010-06-30T14:09:00.004-04:00

if you ever try to make your own chocolate diet coke, don't use powdered quik or you'll have a carbonated volcano spewing chocolate lava all over your kitchen. and it doesn't even taste good.

image by lauren diaz

since you asked...

2010-06-14T00:08:00.005-04:00

...the closing walk and talk went really well.

lots of people came.

i said some stuff.

the good days are still winning.

summer soiree

2010-06-12T00:26:00.000-04:00

yes. the event was actually called the summer soiree. and there was a code - a dress code: khaki, white or cream. or seersucker. hats encouraged. i was more than happy to oblige.

x10 rocked the linen suit

me and miss sassparilla

it's summertime

2010-06-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

and the good days are winning.

if you missed the opening...

2010-06-07T13:57:00.003-04:00

come to the closing!

i will be speaking briefly, along with the other artists. hope i see you there!

Abstract Realities
May 14 - June 13
Closing Reception and Artists Talk: June 13, 5-7pm

Curated by Trudi Van Dyke
Apprentice Curator: Pam Rogers

Featuring work by Allen Levy, Ann Elizabeth Gedicks, Zoé Hathaway, Cherie M. Redlinger, Felisa Federman and Damian Yanessa

6 contemporary artists in a variety of media explore reality with abstract presentations.

District of Columbia Arts Center - 2438 18th Street NW - Washington DC 20009

can we pretend?

2010-06-06T15:58:00.015-04:00

you know what "they" say, if you want to make god laugh, tell him your plans. i hate them a little bit right now. i kind of get the idea that the universe is ganging up on me. it's not that anything particularly terrible has happened. just life: my heart broke. it's ok, i've got glue. my employer dropped me from the group health insurance. it's ok, i'll buy a plan myself. my grandpa died. it's ok, he was 85 and lived a happy life.

but sometimes the irony of the universe that i usually find so amusing is not so funny when i'm the butt of the joke. you know, when the plan that makes god laugh gets severely thwarted from all sides and you have to go to plan x because you've already gone through plans a-w and you worry what's going to happen when you get to plan z, which you assume won't work because plans a-y didn't and you realize you should've been using numbers all along because they're infinite. you know? and this realization comes rather painfully like driving full speed into a brick wall because it seemed to all be working out so perfectly according to plan whatever-letter-it-was, complete with nods of spiritual confirmation from the big guy and then, as sherry carpet once said so succinctly, free will kicks my butt again.

so i have some conversations with that being who's probably simultaneously rolling his eyes and chuckling at (with?) this prideful little mortal daughter of his as she tries to wheedle, cajole, bargain and finally submit to his all-knowing plan. (can i at least see it? please?)

perhaps this is an abrahamic test - when one is asked to relinquish truly righteous desires in the name of god. (melodramatic much, ann?) like abraham and sarah raising the miracle child isaac, through whom the covenants of god would be fulfilled, and then being asked to sacrifice him to the very being who gave them this gift in the first place. its a story i'm still not sure i'm comfortable with. i guess the upside is that abraham didn't have to sacrifice isaac after all - he just had to be willing to - and the lord did fulfill his promises, but only after abraham climbed the mountain, placed his cherished gift on the altar and raised the knife.

so maybe i'm still climbing my mountain (it ain't about how fast i git there, right). maybe i haven't placed my gift on the altar yet. maybe i don't have the heart to raise the knife or maybe i haven't even received said gift(s). it's all very confusing. and until i figure all that business out, i will stock up on sweet sweet nectar of the gods, a few choice scriptures, some words from the wise, a lot of books and several sleeves of double stuff oreos...

and pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars cause i could really use a wish right now.

the party don't stop, no

2010-05-22T22:00:00.005-04:00

this has been keeping company with the strange dreams in my head.

it's been stuck there all day. ALL DAY.

don't ask.

but it prompted me and kz to watch the official music video in which she looks about 14. so of course we had to google her to find out her actual age (same as suz), which led us to this gem of a quote:

Everyone's really offended by that (the Jack Daniel's lyric). But come on, brushing your teeth with Jack Daniel's: what girl does that? People are like, 'Do you really advocate brushing your teeth with bourbon?' I'm like, 'Yes, actually, I do, every day, for everybody. Especially eight year olds.' I mean, what are you talking about? Of course I don't. Come on.

(found here)

maybe i should wake up in the morning feeling like p-diddy. would that make it go away?

but until then...

don't stop, make it pop

dj blow my speakers up

tonight i'mma fight

till we see the sunlight

tik tok on the clock

but the party don't stop, no

mwahahahahaaaaa

to all my friends:

2010-05-17T19:21:00.007-04:00

now i know who you are.

i kid.

thanks for coming!

i think i had more people show up than any of the other artists (because, yes, this is a popularity contest).

thank you for walking in the rain (10 blocks if you rode with genius me) and battling traffic and searching for non-existent parking and your well-wishes and asking great questions and being interested and showing up and liking (or at least pretending to like) my art.

you made the show great.

see you in june at the closing!

what i learned at school this year

2010-05-12T09:45:00.005-04:00

this post alternately titled "i give up"

1. avoid use of bathrooms if at all possible. if not possible, use in the morning. the bathrooms are always less disgusting in the morning.

2. ABSOLUTELY NO LATE WORK actually means come up with such a sad story that your professor will be the biggest jerk on the planet for not showing a little leniency.

3. it doesn't matter how many times you say it, write it, staple it to their foreheads, they will still do it wrong. or forget and not do it at all. then, see no. 2.

4. art students are just as judgmental and closed-minded as everyone else.

5. never let them know you carry extra pens.

6. the request to write complete sentences will solicit a response akin to that of commanding someone to bathe in acid.

7. the responses to any questions i pose the class will likely be, "the details" or "the colors" (in incomplete sentences).

allow me to illustrate:

Q: How do the differences in these two artworks reflect the cultures from which they came?

A: the details?

A: the colors?

8. nobody cares about grades until the last 2 weeks of the semester.

9. attendance in class is (apparently) optional. if one absolutely must attend class, be sure to bring cell phone to occupy oneself.

10. it is always the professor's fault.

why is danny devito trying to kill me?

2010-05-09T18:05:00.007-04:00

maybe because i can't spell his name. your guess is as good as mine. but in my dream the other night, he sure was persistent. he chased me all over the city with a machine gun. until ss discovered that if you stand on top of a bed and face him, the bullets have no power over you. it was all very care bears meets matrix meets labyrinth. of course, in the dream i was the hero, despite the face-off being ss' idea. what? it was my dream; they never make sense and they've been particularly strange lately.

ps. i love you mom. fer rills. thanks for borning me.

remember how i'm an artist?

2010-04-27T23:47:00.006-04:00

Abstract Realities
May 14 - June 13
Opening Reception: May 14, 7-9pm
Artists Talk: June 13, 5pm

Curated by Trudi Van Dyke
Apprentice Curator: Pam Rogers

Featuring work by Allen Levy, Ann Elizabeth Gedicks, Zoé Hathaway, Cherie M. Redlinger, Felisa Federman and Damian Yanessa

6 contemporary artists in a variety of media explore reality with abstract presentations.

District of Columbia Arts Center - 2438 18th Street NW - Washington DC 20009

please oh please come.

yes, you. come.

pretty please.

runnin on empty (runnin wiiiiiiiiiiiiild)

2010-04-27T20:18:00.011-04:00

i ran this race the weekend after easter with my friend a.s. (i contemplated posting our before picture, but it looks suspiciously like an after picture.) it's a beautiful course 'round the monuments, usually lined with cherry blossoms. but they came out the week prior and then most were knocked out by the high winds and rain we had just before the race.

here's a lil run-down.

we met at the smithsonian metro just after 7am and listed all the reasons we weren't prepared for this race (this is the part where i complain). i didn't sleep or eat much that week,* didn't drink enough water and had waffles with whipped cream for brunch the day before, which my mouth loved, but my stomach did not. and it let me know sunday morning when i could barely choke down a bite of cliff bar without it closing up slash rebelling. that's all i'll say about that. i started waking up at 3am, stopped trying to sleep around 5am and finally got up at 5:55 on race morning. also, i was wearing brand new shoes and had gotten a pedicure the night before. total amateur.

and now a list:

miles 1 and 2 - cramps in my arches - probably from not being used to actual support

mile 2.5 to 3.5 ish - cramps in arches gone, replaced by side ache

mile 4.5 - remembering that i felt GREAT at this point last year. not so much this year.

mile 5 - i'm only half way? why am i doing this again?

mile 6 - blessed water stop!

mile 7 - considering stopping at portas, just so i can rest

mile 7.5 - water stop is half mile earlier than expected, throwing off what was left of my sorry mental game

mile 8 - calves hurt a little. that's it. stop to stretch.

mile 8.75 - last water stop. only a mile and a quarter. i can do this

mile 9.5 - the finish is just over that hill. chaaaaarrrrggggge!!!

halfway up the hill - maybe i shouldn't have floored it

top of the hill - where's the damn finish?!

mile 10 - "ma'am, you have to keep moving; please collapse over there"

despite all that, it was a fun race...because i like to run. also, finally a semi-decent race picture. i think its the sunglasses. they really bring the whole ensemble together, no?

hmm...i need to work on my form.

*i can count the number of times this has happened on one hand. i like to eat. a lot. it generally doesn't even have to be good. if it's there, i'll probably eat it.

because i like to laugh

2010-04-21T20:26:00.002-04:00

and don't know how to embed.

click here

i promise this wallow* won't last

2010-04-10T13:29:00.011-04:00

i've decided to make a mix tape**

please feel free to suggest your favorite break-up songs.

so far i have:

johnny cash "i see a darkness"

damien rice "delicate"

martin sexton "caught in the rain"

magnetic fields "i think i need a new heart"

imogen heap "hide and seek"

daniel bedingfield "gotta get through this"

the weepies "not your year"

annie lennox "why"

bright eyes "a perfect sonnet"

cheap trick "want you to want me"

iron and wine "the trapeze swinger"

leona lewis "bleeding love"

beyonce "single ladies"

mr. big "to be with you"

moulin rouge "el tango de roxanne"
the fray "how to save a life"
stevie nicks (and covers) "landslide"

jewel "you were meant for me"

what else?

*songs and songs only in the comments, please, or i will turn them off.

**did we really used to spend hours that way? weird.

thank you and have a nice day

allow me to introduce

2010-03-12T20:39:00.031-05:00

the super cute, like for serious boyfriend-boy.

he...

owns a vcr

loves his couch

likes to sit on your left

hasn't seen avatar in 3D...he hasn't seen anything in 3D

knows what an erg is and the correct usage of such

is the only redhead in his family

is approximately 5 minutes older than his younger brother, 2 years younger than his oldest brother, and 2years older than his youngest sister

loves "the proj"

is a fabulous uncle

lives 15.3 miles from me

makes a good sentient program

real good. trinity-called-a-truce good.

tells stories with details

speaks fluent german

knows how to pack a duffel

is the most sincere boy i've ever met

calls me "girl" and gets hell from his family

thinks its funny when i (sometimes) swear

throws a mean slush ball

likes to take care of me

likes adventures

once owned a party wagon, which apparently ran on blessings (thanks to rd)

for serious.

when you get kicked out of the kitchen

2010-03-10T13:25:00.010-05:00

make a picnic on the floor.

and put your back to the clutter and hope your mom doesn't aggravate her tmj as she looks at the picture. or you can block it out. literally.

red eyes are for valentine's day, right? and romance?

ohhhh red is for hungry vampires. i see. in that case, if you don't stop taking pictures, i'm going to eat the boy, with a lovely rose garnish.

look at that face. he doesn't have a clue, does he.

is it too ridiculous to post valentine's day pictures in march?

2010-03-08T14:22:00.002-05:00

just askin.

breaking up is hard to do

2010-02-10T13:08:00.026-05:00

dear winter,

you know i love you, but i just can't take it any more. what used to be a pristine, fun and happy relationship has frozen over, turned gray and treacherous. i'd say it's not you, it's me. but really it is a little bit you. or a lot. you're just so cold and relentless and i feel i need more variety in my life, you know? i really love cozying up inside, but now and then, really, i NEED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. it's not healthy to be cooped up for so long. also, you're taking people's power and and HEAT and with sub-freezing temperatures, that's just wrong. and so please. stop coming around, at least for now. maybe we can try again next winter. so we're not really breaking up, just taking a break. a long one. but we can still be friends. we've had some good times, no?

like the first time you dumped 20 inches of snow on us in a little over 24 hours. that was wild. and there's no mistaking your beauty.

(pictures from the january 2010 snowstorm)

and then there was the time we rang in the new year with the boy. and he came to the 90s party at my house even though he was in charge of a ysa dance and then gave me a ride to said dance and i played navigator and got us lost, but we made it there before midnight, despite the snow and danced and partied all night long (or until 1am, when the dance ended). remember that? that was good times.

(me, the boy, and a big chandelier)

and the time i moved out of my studio into a new one in the midst of a snowstorm. also good times, thanks to shellie and the boy. and then the same night helped throw a wedding reception for some friends amidst the unrelenting snowstorm? i learned how to use my 4 wheel drive that day. and the next day i turned twenty-ten and many friends braved the elements to share some asphalt pie with me in celebration.

there was the time amidst the snowpocalypse (when you dumped about 22" of snow in a little over 24 hours AGAIN) that we bravely took the rav to skeen's to go running....

...and she dug out a parking spot in her driveway just for me...

...and we had to put plastic bags on our feet to keep them dry (and it worked like a charm). lovely.

i don't think i'll ever see 395 this deserted ever again.

and of course, remember that time we doubled with tali and went snowshoeing slash telemarking after the flakes had ceased flying? and the rangers were super awesome and let us park illegally and blaze our own trail somewhere in the hills near the potomac but we discovered that its so difficult to go uphill on telemark skis that it took us an hour and a half to blaze a half mile loop and never even got out of earshot of the generator? that was great.

oh and who could forget the mobile karaoke party, courtesy of stephanie, carrie and jeanette friday night - smack in the middle of snowpocalypse?

(me, emily, kate, mary)

all good times, but i'm ready to move on. i'll always love you, but i have to do this for me. i hope you understand.

annie

ps if i were you, i'd blame it on that puxatawney phil for making you stick around so long. stupid groundhog.

my ax is ALWAYS sharp (i'm a girl scout)

2010-02-05T20:09:00.009-05:00

in case you didn't know, the national weather service issued a winter storm warning with blizzard conditions - up to 28 inches of snow are expected in the dc region between 6am Friday and 10pm Saturday. consequently, thursday evening everyone in the greater dc area commenced to panic. schools pre-emptively closed, college classes were cancelled and stores are now out of toilet paper, bread and bottled water and lines for the check-out were ridiculous. all before a single flake fell. fellow dc-ists, please note this sage advice from laura lorson of npr kansas:

1. Chopping up your furniture for fuel goes a lot more smoothly if you keep your axes nice and sharp.

2. Do not pay more than $50 for a loaf of black-market Wonder Bread.

3. There's more food in your house than you think. Search the junk drawers — there are often stale Gummi bears and Lemonhead candies.

4. Check on your shut-in neighbors, especially the ones who don't think you are sufficiently serious about lawn care in the summertime. Be extra-nice and superconcerned while you are there. They will feel guilty. The evil glee in your heart will keep you warm.

5. If Pa goes out to find more wheat, tell him to go to Almanzo Wilder's. He's holding back some in the walls to use for seed next spring.

6. Four-wheel drive will get you only so far. Next year, consider investing in a mule. Their accelerator pedals never stick! In fact, their accelerator pedals are a stick!

7. Keep a sense of perspective. Running out of Chai Latte K-Cups is not worth a call to 911.

8. To clear your driveway of heavy snow and ice, get married.

9. Stay off the roads if you can ... but if you absolutely, positively have to get to Capitol Hill, strap yourself to Mitch McConnell and tell him that Harry Reid's scheduled a vote on abolishing the filibuster.

10. Enjoy it. Stay home; stay safe; make soup; read a book. Make snow angels. Learn what we already know here in the Midwest — you can think of snow as an annoyance, or accept it for what it is — a gift of time. Time with your family, time with your thoughts, time to be thankful for shelter and warmth and hot chocolate. Take the gift; enjoy it; use it well.

thanks for the advice, laura! it rivals the advice i received before moving from georgia to colorado: don't eat the yellow snow. good thing i only paid $47.68 for the last loaf of wonder bread after i fought off an old lady trying to beat me with her walker. sucker.

thanks also to my mother for bringing this lovely broadcast to my attention and to npr for employing such a person. the full broadcast can be found here:

Listen to the Story

All Things Considered

[2 min 53 sec]

note to self

2010-01-22T12:04:00.003-05:00

its not a very good idea to keep your drink next to your paintbrush water.

deep thoughts

2010-01-11T21:05:00.010-05:00

if you ever make hummus and drop a steaming hot chick pea down your shirt and it gets stuck in the canyon and burns you, let your roommate throw a handful of frozen lima beans down there, too. the burn is soothed and you have a serving of vegetables ready to eat.

suspicion confirmed

2010-01-07T11:18:00.004-05:00

i interrupt your blogsurfing break from your productive workday to bring you this perfectly useless and very unblogworthy, yet fast breaking story:

my right calf is smaller than my left.

and there you have it. stay tuned for more drivel. up next, if you think you're invisible when driving down the highway in your car, think again. i can see you picking your nose. yes, even at night. how does this effect dc-ists and what can you do to stop it? find out, after the break.

******************(this is the break)******************

**
******************(the break is now over)******************

really, picking your nose in your car doesn't effect dc-ists at all, but we're going to blame solely that for the spread of the swine flu and caution you about an impending epidemic if it isn't stopped. so what can you do to stop it? don't pick your nose.

have a great day.

**video courtesy of forwarders of emails including disgustingly cute babies, puppies, kittens and other things that make one say "awwww" and throw up a little in one's mouth.

christmas in january

2010-01-04T23:45:00.011-05:00

because i'm always a litta behind.

this is the national christmas tree on the mall. and the national menorah in the background, which nobody ever seems to mention. i wonder if that makes it sad. the national tree is surrounded by 50 smaller trees each decorated to represent a state. usually ~~christmas~~ holiday music is blaring and a bonfire roaring and you can walk around and view the trees up close. but because the snowstorm had just finished dumping that morning (remember the 20 inches?) the chain link was installed to keep everyone out. i'm sure it was for safety reasons. blah blah blah. the music was still blaring though.

awkward family photos, anyone?

a little frolicking at the capitol never hurt anyone. annoyed, yes. hurt, no.

the capitol tree is often referred to as "the people's tree" and is brought in from one of the nation's state parks (i think). this one hails from arizona and was decorated by arizonian schoolchildren. we liked it the best.

you can't see it, but the flag is actually flying over the senate chambers, signaling that, even at 9:30pm on sunday the 20th, the senators were still - er - discussing the healthcare bill. i hope they know how to whip it.

*photos courtesy of the amazing tali

dear santa,

2009-12-24T12:11:00.001-05:00

i believe.

love, annie

ps. you read blogs, right?

the nerve

2009-12-22T12:39:00.010-05:00

so i went to ALL the trouble of dragging myself to the airport and spending hours in transit only to be abandoned by my family. apparently there's something called work in which some people prefer to indulge. so i'm eating copious amounts of sweets and watching good things utah (and trying not to put a pen through my eye).

and there's diet coke with lime EVERYWHERE.

i know. my life is so hard.

it's good to be home.

i would just like to remind you all...

2009-12-19T16:59:00.010-05:00

...that i live in VIRGINIA.

*update: official snowfall measurements

from M. - "lots and lots" (in inches)

from S. - "a s***load of snow"

from E. - 16.5" at Reagan National Airport, 7th largest snowstorm in dc history

from me - it's above my knees

you'll never guess...

2009-12-14T09:44:00.014-05:00

the sweating began as i started getting ready for church yesterday morning.

i wore this. that's right. green tafetta.* not the greatest fabric OR color when you know you get the nervous sweats. but my roommate said it made my eyes pop (in a good way), so i HAD to wear it.

just walking from closet to bathroom to bedroom and back again in the daily ritual hunt for my keys/lippy stuff/sunglasses/coat/scarf/purse/phone/violin/shoulder rest/music/etc/etc/etc was apparently too much for my system and, well...

maybe it's cool on a rockstar, but when you're supposed to play a rather difficult (for me) solo arrangement of mannheim steamroller's "silent night" in front of a couple hundred people and you're the last number before the bishop's christmas address, pit stains are not ok.

so i did what any girl would do. i put pantyliners** in my armpits.

worked like a charm.

merry christmas everyone!

*i have since been informed that this color is chartreuse. i always wondered what color that was. and now i know. and you do, too.

**apparently pantyliners with wings work even better. thanks, k!

ketchup, catsup, catch-up

2009-11-25T12:31:00.011-05:00

lately i've really been wanting to rebuke everyone for not posting more frequently. i don't think you realize how addicted i am to your blogs. but then i think i can't rebuke without posting myself. and that just requires so much energy! i have to clear space on my hard drive so i can download pictures, download the pictures, photoshop em, upload em, and think of something to write. i know - my life is SO hard.

also, i have to grade papers. papers are the bane of my existence. but i still love my job.

test question: what's the difference between sculpture in the round and relief sculpture?

actual student answer: the difference is that they're different.

THAT IS BRAND NEW INFORMATION!

i digress.

here's a briefing from the last MONTH of my life, according to the pictures i've only just downloaded from my camera...unphotoshopped...and sideways:

i flew to san jose for a wedding. actually, that was in september. i'm really a behind. wait, i mean, i'm really behind.

we locked the keys in the rental car and spent a good 45 minutes sweating it out before one of the other bridesmaids mentioned casually that she has triple a. oh YOU have triple a?!! why didn't you SAY something?!

no harm, no foul.

we were rescued and managed to make it to the rehearsal dinner, having only missed the rehearsal, which is really a non-event at a mormon wedding anyway.

(mwahahahaa)

i ran the ragnar relay and took almost no pictures. i did get this great shot of the sunrise (yes, sunRISE) in the middle of our second legs.

i went to regina spektor with the girls. love regina.

love the girls.

max and perry visited (twice!) and they had a great time on the love sack. and the stairs. and emptying my purse.

oh yeah, their mother came, too. and we went shopping and got us one o those ones in the middle.

i flew to seattle for my grandpa's funeral which also turned into an impromptu reunion. reuneral! (can't take credit for that brilliance. that was all justin, the eldest, wisest cousin.) i had some thoughts on my sweet and ornery but mostly sweet grandpa, but decided not to be a downer, since it's november. november's a downer month, don't you think? i do.

we surprised our grandmother for her birthday. all of her (living) grandkids, daughters, daughters-in-law, sons and sons-in-law were able to make it to the funeral, which preceded her birthday by 2 days.

behold the stimpson grands plus a grand-in-law and 2 greats:

(click here for a more better pic by lola)

some of us forgot that we're adults. yes, this is just after i fell out of the swing. yes, i'm 29 years old.

i love my family. the faces were grandma's idea.

we stimpson women sure know how to party.

the men on the other hand...

might ACTUALLY know how to party.

i taught a lesson on photography for enrichment, or relief society activity or whatever the official name is now.

i was trinity from the matrix for halloween, complete with morpheus, neo and agent smith. i had boots for the actual party, but not for the pictures, which is sad. the boots really made the costume. that and the leather pants. thank you, wet seal!

speaking of halloween, abby turned 27. wait, what?! they grow up so fast... don't worry, abs, you'll always be 23 to me :)

speaking of birthdays, i finally mailed a gift that i bought for my mother in july 2008 for christmas 2008, forgot that i'd bought it (apple, tree, not far...), decided to give it to her for her birthday, forgot again that i had something already, decided to give it to her for mother's day...see a pattern? mom, didja get it yet? i sent it via usps, so i'm kinda scared.

deette came to visit! so of course the girls got together for drinks. virgins all around! (sigh)

the anniversary of alex's death came again (as anniversaries tend to do), but i figured i was sufficiently depressing on his birthday post, so i'll just let it ride.

mary and i zipped our friend courtney into a suitcase.

i remembered that autumn is my favorite season and that i like to take pictures and that i love dc because even though november's a downer, it's still warm enough to run outside in shorts and a short-sleeve.

so here's a little preview for the next post...sometime in march...ish.

my lists will defend me*

2009-10-14T17:23:00.012-04:00

today's to do (or this week's...whatevs):

+fight parking tickets, unless i procrastinated too long, then pay them

+prepare emergency lesson plan in case i contract the swine flu (this is an actual department request)

+grade art projects (turned in 3 weeks ago)

+prepare study guide for test 2

+write test 2

+prepare review lecture

+pick up dry cleaning

+exchange camis

+pick up abby's birthday present

+papa's 85th birthday present

+go running

+field trip form

+field trip worksheet

+blogs:

+tales from the trail pt 2

+ragnar relay

+regina spektor

+deette and brandon's wedding

+tithing

+prepare study skills and test taking strategies handout? lecture?

+wash car (several months overdue)

+change oil

+photograph art projects

+photograph my new paintings

+update website

+potatoes for ragnar team dinner on sunday

+budget

+clean bathroom

+clean/organize room

+tomato soup ingredients for sunday

+read "march" for book club

*"i love to make lists. maybe its my background in beehives and breadmaking, the whole business of being industrious and frugal that a list promotes. or maybe its the power that comes when you can cross something off a list. ... i can see in a very tangible form what i have accomplished in a day. or perhaps it's the democratic nature of lists that i find so attractive. each task is of equal importance on paper. ... it's the line slashed through the words that counts. never mind that the pleasurable items are crossed off by noon and the difficult ones, meant for procrastination anyway, get moved to the net day's agenda. the point is that my intentions are honorable. my lists will defend me. -from terry tempest williams' "refuge: an unnatural history of family and place"

the stars have not yet aligned

2009-10-11T18:24:00.003-04:00

and so i can't post. i have to make sure i have time, my computer, it's power cord, my external hard drive that holds all of my pictures because my computer has zero memory left, it's power cord, it's computer connection, time, something to say (ok i guess that's not ever a problem), space over which to spread all this stuff, and maybe some time. i mean, i know i just quit my job, but seriously, people, i really must catch up with my friends ryan, taylor, seth and summer; jim, pam, dwight, michael, et al; tim gunn; nigel, mary, tyce, and the random people who think they can dance and some who actually CAN dance; and finally, sometimes haley, nathan, brooke, lucas and peyton. and believe you me, it is HARD to catch up on 2 years. i've also made some new friends. in addition to THAT, i have to run because i just have to. and because i'm so righteous, i decided to go to institute this semester to let my light so shine as an example to all those sinners out here in the dc area because teaching sunday school clearly is not influential enough. AND and sometimes i prep my lessons and grade papers. so with that busy schedule, you can see the pickle i'm in here.

stay tuned...i feel the stars love me this month...

do you ever just want to be sad?

2009-09-22T09:42:00.015-04:00

not because anything's wrong or terrible or troublesome, but just because?

like maybe you saw a commercial* for a board game that reminded you of your brother and you thought, i should get that for him for his birthday, and then you remembered that he can't play it and that you miss him?

i don't think the sadness of someone's death ever goes away. it's no longer the crippling sadness that that alternately kept me awake all night and then cringing from the world under the covers come daybreak, but it's still there. sharper and deeper in some ways, or maybe just clearer**, now that i understand it with 29-year-old wisdom instead of whatever passes for wisdom when you're 17-almost-18.

he'd have turned 31 last saturday - still so young. what would his life be like? would he be married? what would his kids be like? where would he live? what career would he have chosen for himself? would he have served our country in iraq or afghanistan? what would he have thought about that (because surely he'd have an opinion)? i worry that i'm forgetting too much. i think about him often, but only mention him in passing because it still has the ability to make my eyes fill no matter where i am - like in my office writing this post, but particularly if i'm doing something he would've loved like this. were he alive today, he'd have been out in front leading our expedition, running down side trails, winning the gallon challenge and generally leaving his own (infamous?) trail behind. like the time he won a contest by eating, legend has it, 12 raw eggs at scout camp.***

my memories become more and more shadowy and are replaced by the frozen pictures from various albums and i feel like this is a kind of betrayal, to myself and to him. curse my mortal memory that saves every exquisite detail of the night he died and the ensuing grief, but fades the sound of his laugh and what his hair looked like and the way his eyes looked when he was up to something. it makes my heart happy (and a little scared for his mother) how much this one reminds me of him, in both look and personality. so alike that grandma kept calling him alex at our last stimpson hoo-rah.

the connections between experience and people and how those things affect a person is the inspiration for much of my artwork. and so, i leave you with this, the artist statement that goes along with these, which i've probably posted before because they're among my favorites:

"she thought of the rain and fire and you"

and this one, too

"the place with the fireflies"

*because you've been watching entirely too much tv lately...

**for those of you that read this, yes, this post was influenced by her. really i should just ditto what she said and call it good. dear little sister, you are younger in years than i am, but so much wiser.

***for the record, it wasn't that many, but as he said, let the tale-bearers tell their tales...

yes bonquiqui i have had better days

2009-09-10T10:34:00.007-04:00

my shirt clashes with my purse. the hem is falling out of my left pant cuff. i'm getting a blister on my right arch and another on the pad of my left foot and i can't feel my toes anymore.

it's going to be one of those days.

***

that was yesterday. now i'm in california and life is good.

and actually, yesterday wasn't that bad. more funny than bad.

tales from the trail part 1

2009-09-07T12:52:00.010-04:00

after a slight debacle finding a ride to the trail, my buddy jordan agreed to give up his entire morning and shuttle dad and i out to front royal. Ten miles later we made camp at a shelter apparently infested by snakes, according to some southbound boys. we didn't see nuthin', but i also refused to sleep in the shelter and insisted on pitching my tent instead. i like tenting better, anyway and i don't think freddo really likes snakes all that much, either. we woke up the next morning to the pitter patter of a gentle rainstorm. we broke camp in the rain and got on the trail just as it turned to a steady downpour which stopped only about an hour before we made it to the next shelter.

behold the aftermath of hiking in the rain...

what you can't see is the grubs that enjoyed the mud caked on my shoes and took refuge inside during the night. good thing i thought to dump them out before i put them on. ew.

i actually don't mind hiking in the rain, especially in august, which is disgustingly hot and humid. the rain cooled us off and gave me some gorgeous photo opps.

if you look closely, you can see hiker fred in the distance. he's always faster than i am on the downhills.

a few days later we hit the roller coaster, named for its several miles of ascents and descents marking every mile.

it says "hiker notice: warning! you are about to enter the roller coaster!!! built and maintained by the 'trailboss' and his merry crew of volunteers. have a great ride and we will see you at the blackburn trail center (if you survive)" it used all caps but i don't like them cause they look like shouting. i don't like to shout on my blog.

the entrance looks innocent enough, right?

at the top of the first hill. go freddo go! ride that roller coaster!

not sure how i feel about this ride.

a few bumps and about 8 miles later at bear's den hostel, named for bear's den rocks (in the background).

every now and then the trail crosses a highway or freeway. the experience is a little surreal, going from the woods to the high speed bustle of the "real" world.

for some reason i also really like power lines. dan (who wrote the a.t. thru-hiker's handbook that dad and i like) uses them as milage markers. i also like the openness and rare view from the man-made clearings. AND and they remind me of when alex and i would pretend they were evil transformers (from the old cartoon) when we were on road trips. actually, i think those "road trips" were really the 20 min trips to nana and papa's house. but when you're 4, 20 min is a looooong time.

anyway, i leave you with another lovely view, courtesy of our communications technology.

finders keepers

2009-09-02T16:25:00.006-04:00

i love finding things in unexpected places...under my bed...in the refrigerator...the top of the closet...my bathroom drawer...in my pockets.

i've been looking for my driver's license for a good 2 weeks, now. i'm also missing my social security card. if you find one floating around with last four digits...

ha! i'm not THAT stupid.

anyway, after searching high and low and in between,* through several purses, a number of wallets, several skirts, and laundry clean and dirty, i finally found my license in the pocket of a suit jacket that i last wore at my pgcc interview.** it's one of my faves, the same one i got on sale for $4 (i know, right?!) at dillards and wore for my mfa lecture and orals, but i don't often have occasion to wear it unless there are clients in the office. no idea why i put my license in my pocket instead of in my wallet, but there it was, keeping mr. lincoln company. and then i found some washingtons partying in the other pocket.

it was a good day.

*which i often have to do because i don't put (or throw) things away, i put them in piles (or bags or boxes or containers) for later. so i have shopping bags full of old mail to sort, documents to file away, random receipts i felt compelled to save, ticket stubs, pairs of earrings, bracelets that bugged me so i took them off, magazine subscriptions to send off, tickets to pay, etc. etc. etc.

**this interview went VERY well, in my opinion, and i think they agreed since they hired me and i'm now teaching 3 sections of art appreciation.

did i mention...

2009-08-31T13:47:00.000-04:00

that i started school today?

that my last day at sidley is october 1?

that i ran a 10 mile race yesterday?

that i hiked 167.7 miles with my pops earlier this month?

that i'm one of the "featured artists" at the studio?

that i'm going to see the killers tonight?

that i'm kind of behind on downloading pictures and posting?

that i'm captain obvious today?

that i like peanut butter on crackers with raisins? and pecans? and almonds and honey?

that the above is pretty much all i have left in my cupboard?

that i'm "going private" and i need your email addresses?

that i'm going to expound on all these topics maybe?

that i need to know which one you want to hear about first?

that i'm starting a new blog?

that i'm in the market for some plastic pants?

i did mention that?
ok just checking.

why i like the long hike

2009-08-02T17:41:00.001-04:00

i'm currently, as you read this, if you're reading it between august 1 and 12, hiking a section of the appalachian trail,* which i've been spelling wrong for the past 2 years. and i love it. the trail, not my spelling problems. like, really really love it. yes, maybe i will marry it, thank you very much.

i don't really know, exactly, why i have this love affair with backpacking. it's a combination of things, i guess. i like the idea that i can carry everything i need to survive (at least for a few days) on my back. it really throws "needs" and "wants" into sharp focus after you've lugged them up and down a few mountains. one outfit. underwear and socks for the number of days you'll be between towns. one set of rain gear. a map. a very lightweight camera. food. water. fire. baggies. duct tape. anything else is added weight. and let me tell you, those ounces add up fast. and they get heavier and heavier.

your worries, too, become a matter of survival. it's no longer, what shall i wear to work today (one outfit, remember?), it's how many miles will i walk. where will i rest. when do i get to eat again? all those daily stressors sluff off and fall by the side of the trail and you realize how silly and unimportant they are, especially if you have eggs to sit on.

it's a good time to sort things out. i come back feeling lighter (literally and figuratively), refreshed and rather smelly.

(my one outfit.)

there's a surprising culture on the trail that i've grown unaccustomed to in the city: hikers are nice. and honest. and take care of each other. even strangers. a small example: on my last trek, i lost a filtration water bottle. not super-expensive, but valuable to a hiker. the next day back on the trail, i discovered it was missing. having walked down a mountain and all around town, i knew it would take too long to retrace my steps, and i was NOT going back to the top of that mountain. i told some friends about it at the next shelter. they'd seen it. someone had found it at the top of the mountain, carried it into town and attempted to find its owner. when it went unclaimed, he left it in a "hiker box," curiously enough at the motel at which i'd stayed and the only place i hadn't checked in my search for it. someone else whipped out a cell phone and called the motel, who shipped the water bottle to my home. nobody asked for compensation.

this year i'll be trying a skirt like this guy, but not plaid.

(he was one of the water-bottle-finder-helper-guys...and his little moose too.)

two words: trail magic, or "assistance from strangers through kind actions, gifts, and other forms of encouragement. trail magic is sometimes done anonymously. in other instances, persons have provided food and cooked for hikers at a campsite." (thanks wikipedia)

these persons are called trail angels. trail angels rock. these two showed up unexpectedly several different times on our last trek with deliciousness: oreos and ice cold coke. mmmm.

it's especially refreshing after you've had to deal with stuff like this.

i know, right?

cleaning house rocks, too. look, mom, no clutter!

and, finally, i like the hike cause i get to hang out with this guy.

my most favorite dad ever. this year, we will try to convince everyone that we are indeed father and daughter, not professor and student posing as father and daughter to cover our sordid love affair.

maybe in a few years i'll post pictures from this year's hike. until then...

*i will not accidentally-on-purpose end up in argentina. stop asking. it wasn't even funny the first time. (stupid governor)

it aint' nothin but a g-thang

2009-07-28T11:43:00.018-04:00

this post alternately titled, what i did at work today - part four. or five. or whatever.

on a whim, i decided to play softball for the sidley sluggers, part of my firm's summers program. i put my name on the sluggers email list and proceeded to miss every game until last tuesday. they needed another woman or they'd have to forfeit. title nine rules or something.

because i can catch and throw, they stuck me in right field...a safe place to stick a girl in the outfield, right? paul, who, consequently will be freddo's t.a. this fall, played right center and told me, "if it comes near you, go for it and i'll back you up."

wait, what?!

"if it comes near you, go for it and i'll back you up."

just checking. i thought maybe i'd heard wrong. a guy who will actually let a girl field the ball all on her very own? i don't mean to be sarcastic (except i do), but that's craziness. his wife should know (and i'm sure she does), he's a keeper. not wanting to let paul down, and playing for the reputation of pseudo-athletic girls everywhere, i dutifully paid attention. coach klazkin described the game as "an epic thriller that will likely go down in Sluggers history" but it was pretty boring in right field. i guess i shouldn't complain. i mean, i DID move around a lot. i smacked my fist in my glove. i squatted in ready position, trotting forward when a woman was at bat and jogging back again for the men.

despite the boredom in right field, the game was definitely a nail-biter. we defended the diamond well, with a double play and some spectacular outfielding. and we were true babes at bat. but just when we thought we had the game in the bag, "back-to-back-to-back fielding errors allowed the contract killers back into the game, as they put up 5 runs in the top of the 7th." another friend and fellow legal assistant, josh, threw his glove across the field in disgust when we finally made our third out. he's a little intense.

to keep from being throttled by said glove-thrower, we rallied. as coach wrote, "With 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th inning, reece hit the game-tying single to put the game into [an extra] inning. And finally after a game saving, diving catch in right field by rookie sensation ann gedicks, the sluggers were primed to take back the game in the bottom of the 8th."

wait. let me run that by you again. "...after a game saving, diving catch in right field by rookie sensation ann gedicks..."

did you know i'm a rookie sensation? me neither. but hey, i can't take all the credit. i had help. paul was true to his word and let me field the ball.

anyway, we managed to pull out the win. you should know that when we play extra innings, we play one pitch rules, meaning each batter gets only one pitch. (i know, right?) if it's a ball, you walk. if it's a strike and you don't hit it, you're out. imagine my stress as i walked to the plate, with one out already against us. i knocked out a single, made it to second on a walk and actually scored the winning run when the contract killers bobbled an infield single. "when asked about her amazing and game-altering 8th inning catch in the field, gedicks humbly replied, 'ain't nothin' but a g thang.' "

can you hear it, friends, can you hear it? it's kenny loggins, telling me i'm playin, playin with the boys.

(i need a haircut)

[note: coach klazkin, a friend and fellow legal assistant who played ball in college, creatively writes up each game to rally the team and entice more players to the field for the next week's game. there's a bit of a contest to see if you can get in the write-up and which song lines he'll use as your quotes. i wanted to wholly rip off his entire article, but...well, i work for lawyers, so i just quoted. pretend this is a footnote.]

together forever

2009-07-20T22:33:00.016-04:00

i'd like you all to know that running and i got back together. maybe you didn't know we were on a break. (i didn't want to complain.) we were pretty hot and heavy for a while, but whenever we went out, i just felt like i was gonna explode. and each new date brought some new annoyance or source of pain. some say i was too demanding, that i was pushing too hard, trying to go too fast. we tried various counselors who fit us with new shoes and adjusted our backs. we even tried massage together, but to no avail. it just wasn't fun anymore; the rough patch continued. frustrated and exhausted, i called it off to explore my options: i swam, i cycled, i danced, i slept, but i still wasn't happy. my relationships with these others felt shallow; they weren't fulfilling. they just couldn't compare to what i had with running. i realized that nothing really gets me goin, makes my heart flutter or stomach squirm (in a good way?) like running. so, last night, i asked running to take me back, left my watch at home, and ended our brief cooling-off period. we had a lovely time together.

i missed you, baby. let's never fight again.

avian aversion

2009-07-02T09:23:00.011-04:00

i've always thought birds were a little bit creepy. i mean, they just look mad all the time.
in elementary school, my friend molly had a pet parakeet that she'd, more often than not, try to get me to hold. she'd open the cage and he'd step delicately onto her finger until she brought him out. then, freed, he'd fly up to the corner of her bedroom, fix me with a beady stare and dive straight for my head. i think she thought it was fun. but i always ended up a nervous wreck, worried that he'd peck my eyes out.

during our lunch break from TA orientation at tech, a group of other arties and i sat under some lovely trees to munch. something dropped onto my head and reached up to brush whatever it was out of my hair. but instead of a twig or acorn or piece of bark or dried leaf or beetle, my fingers smeared in warm, moist goo. in my hair. a bird pooped in my hair. it's supposed to be good luck in some cultures. i just thought it was gross.

one time, at art camp,* a sparrow took up residence in the eaves of my cabin and whenever i walked by, he dive-bombed me. i had to run with my arms flailing above my head to get to my car.

so when i started playing with the metaphor "killing two birds with one stone," to represent how much i had to do (the birds) and how little time i had in which to do it (the stone), it seemed to fit.* like a glove. a white sequined one. particularly when all of my metaphorical birds turned and dive-bombed me, pecking out my eyes and pooping in my hair. i think one of them actually built a nest somewhere in there cause i can hear it chirping still.***

*technically it's a graduate summer program, but we all call it art camp.

**i know i know, usually this is a metaphor for getting stuff accomplished faster because you're doing 2 things at one time.

***the partner i was pulling all this overtime for suggested several times that i take today off or at least leave early. then he gave me more work to do.

so michael jackson died yesterday...

2009-06-26T10:21:00.006-04:00

and that's all i have to say about that.

that and, while i've been hit by, i've been struck by a smooth criminal, i am indeed ok.

thank you for asking, michael.

and i'm sure you're taking the discussions. right. now.

a litta art show

2009-05-30T23:19:00.013-04:00

i only have a few pictures of the may workhouse show because once jared left, i didn't bother bribing anyone else to play photographer.

annie, may cause devastation in populated areas, lauren

ashley, annie, skin buckled, straight spine bowed, aaron, nancy

lovely flowers, annie, aaron, nancy

new work! no space left to remember

no space left to remember (detail)

new work!

on the walls inside her head

now you know

the color's kind of off in this image (a little green) but i don wanna fix it right now.

on the walls inside her head (detail)

i had more new work, but it sold already. and i think the images are on my external hard drive and i don' wanna fin' 'em

so. now you can contemplate the meaning of the universe, or at least what's going on inside her head.

awsesome

2009-05-26T10:56:00.006-04:00

sooo...

here's what i've been up to since i left my camera at my friends' house during easter dinner (it's still there)...

i ran a race. a long one. it was awesome.

i co-hosted an art reception. it was awesome.

i went to trial. a long one. it was awesome. except not.

i went to a wedding. a beautiful one. in nashville. it was awesome.

i received a call from one of my cellmates reporting that some of my art sold. it was awesome.

i went to the beach. a long one. it was awesome.

i officially dropped out of the biggest loser race. it was awesome.

now i'm going to eat another nutella-and-pineapple-filled crepe. awesome.

should a made a left toin at albukoykee!!*

2009-04-23T09:53:00.003-04:00

dear friends,

ok in the last month or so i've probably either 1 - begged you to run this race with me, 2 - bragged to you that i'm running it or 3 - made you listen to my training strategy (lots of ice cream and chocolate chips and an occasional long run). so i thought you might like to know that you're invited to a ummmm...party where 5 of the 36 legs start and/or finish and all 12 team members can be there at the same time (usually you're relegated to one van, and don't get to commingle except at major exchanges). so if you happen to find yourselves with nothing to do approximately 10pm on friday night, feel free to drive on up to boonsboro, md. it's in the middle of nowhere, between gettysburg and dc. they're calling it the "oasis," but really it's boonsboro high school. most of us will have only run 1 leg at that point, so we won't smell TOO bad...yet. if you can't (or don't want to) make that, you can watch us finish around 3pm saturday on the potomac river trail between the jefferson and FDR memorials (park at the lots under the 14th street bridge, by the jefferson).

boonsboro high school
10 campus ave
boonsboro, md 21713

ubudee ubudee...that's all folks!

*our team name. we'll be the ones decked in WB gear.

qotd

2009-04-14T12:39:00.008-04:00

that stands for quote of the day. in case you were wondering.

"apparently, filing tax returns is one of those strange laws they expect you to keep when you work in goverment. apparently, no one told the president before he started picking out appointees. but, based on recent events... that whole 'file on time' is sort of a guideline masquerading as a law. it's like the pirate code."

-jennifer gonzalez

but then...we all know what happens to pirates...

i'll be filing my taxes tonight.

did you know...

2009-04-06T15:15:00.003-04:00

that i'm all set to win my office bracket competition? i just need unc to win tonight. so i think you should all watch it and cheer for them and send them happy winning thoughts. ok? ok. thank you.

livin on a prayer

2009-04-06T15:00:00.010-04:00

apparently bon jovi makes me run faster. he's gotten me through a half marathon, my 9-mile leg of the ragnar relay and now, the cherry blossom 10 miler.

sunday was a gorgeous day for a run around the monuments, through streets turned pink with cherry blossoms. but i was rather unprepared. i didn't drink enough water on saturday. i stopped sweating around mile 4 or 5. i didn't train and so around mile 8, i really wanted to quit. but i didn't. (bless those that cheer for runners other than their own). i am now sore. very very sore.
also, i decided that my friends need to tell me when they're running races so i can cheer for them. and then i'll tell them when i'm running and they can cheer for me. because 10 miles gets kind of lonely all alone with only the finish line to look forward to. and at about mile 8, pretending other peoples' signs and "go runner!" cheers were just for me, just didn't cut it anymore. BUT, that said, it was a great race and i had mucho funno. i even managed to scrape in just under my goal time. can i get a woot!woot!

so, anyway, when's your next race?

mine's april 24-25. we'll be comin into dc sometime the morning/afternoon of the 25th. i'll keep ya posted.

introducing...

2009-04-02T07:58:00.006-04:00

since i'm such a slacker and never posted for manda's (or mom's) birthday, i've taken it upon myself to introduce...HER NEW BLOG! that's right family, friends and random stalkers, the youngest gedicks girl has joined the madness. maybe you already knew, but that is hardly the point. head on over and leave her some comments so she doesn't feel like a bloser. thats a blog loser. i made it up. go with it...

2009-03-31T18:09:00.005-04:00

sometimes i have really great days where everything is simply lovely. there's no traffic. i have just enough work to keep me busy, but not overtime. i have a good long heart-pumping, muscle-bunching, lung-stretching run. at my studio, the creativity flows. i make good art. you know, those sunshine-ing, lollipoppy, rainbow days.

and then there are those days when i get home from work and i wonder how long my fly has been open.

what i did at work today

2009-03-29T21:27:00.014-04:00

NOTHING! i didn't go to work today. woo hooo!

instead i ran 8 miles because i'm running the cherry blossom 10 miler and haven't trained since the richmond half in november. it's gonna be ugly. but it was a lovely spring day (finally!), despite the light drizzle. and along my route - 4-mile run to the gw parkway trail - i saw:

a blue heron. i felt a little bad for it, standing so gracefully next to waterfall draining from the water treatment plant (or at least that's where the pipe comes from)...

a pelican. it dove straight for the water and after a splash and a short struggle, came out with a fish...

a cute couple, probably in their mid forties or so, that didn't know how to roller blade. well, the woman did, but the man looked like a six year old on skates for the first time. precious...

some fishermen. they told me they'd caught some catfish. i took my first fly-casting lessons earlier that morning so i just HAD to ask if the fishing was any good...

and then i got to the 14th street bridge, my turnaround landmark. i turned and there they were, across the potomac, explosions of pink popcorn. i couldn't resist. i ran across the bridge to join the throngs of people enjoying the budding cherry blossoms.

i tried not to stand too close.

on my way across the bridge, i saw two of my friends biking back from the rained-out kite festival in the middle of the 14th street bridge and tried not to freak out as the passing traffic made the concrete structure bounce.

across the bridge, at the jefferson i saw:

rows and rows of porta potties...

a wedding party climbing into a limo, looking rather chilly in strapless gowns...

an adorable child in a blue fuzzy sleeper, complete with hood capped with star antennae. turns out it was my friend's nephew...

one chat and a bathroom break later, i was on my way home. that was pretty uneventful. all i saw was my breath. and the blue heron.

iphone v stick

2009-03-24T15:08:00.008-04:00

the possibilities are endless...

personally, i'm voting for the stick
1 - because i don't have an iphone,
2 - because, as ashley pointed out, a stick will outlast an iphone battery, and
3 - because you never know when you're going to need some companionship in the woods after you've removed your molar with an ice skate.

read on. you won't regret it.

that guy* might, though.

*no, mom, not that guy named owlex.

why i love my family (caution, long journal-y post)

2009-03-20T09:06:00.007-04:00

and by family i mean immediate and extended. this an email chain from my mom's side (the stimpsons) before our regularly scheduled family reunion. we're debating what to wear for our family picture. note to jeebers: read for orange space suit reference...
the cast (for those of you unrelated to me, that for some reason continue reading this blog) in order of appearance:
nicea = my mother
fred = my father
shannon = uncle
justin = cousin
annie = that's me
shawn = aunt
coy = aunt
tom = uncle
krista = cousin

Sat, 12 May 2001 01:37:58 EDT
From: Nicea

Dear Folks--

My fashion expert (okay, I'm using the term loosely--Hi, Justin!--helped me see that we have prematurely decided upon the attire for the family picture. On Monday or Tuesday of next week I shall consult a true expert in matters of making ourselves look better than we really do (the photographer himself) and ask him what we should wear for the picture. So, don't rush out to buy khakis, collared or crewnecked shirts or jeans just yet. I'll get back to you on this. :>)

Sincerely,

The Reunion Czar

P.S. Fred, where are you?

Mon, 14 May 2001 13:29:32 –0400
From: Shanon

OK - wait just one second. There is ONLY one fashion ( and we will say EXEC here ) in this family........ Not to mention any names..... No one consulted me?? No grand kids, no eccentric Southern Will to leave behind, at the very least, I can't believe I've been replaced?!?!?! Let's get REAL people! I mean really.......

Shanon

Mon, 14 May 2001 11:56:14 –0600
From: Justin

Shan, you know, and I believe everyone ELSE knows, that everything I learned about fashion I got from you, baby!

Justin

Mon, 14 May 2001 14:32:09 -0400
From: Annie

O Shanon, god of Fashion, do not forsake us for our hardness of heart. For do not the sciptures say that all those who repent will be forgiven? Therefore we will cease to do evil in thy sight and no more worship our false gods of fashion.
We will stand, therefore, having our loins girt about with Abercrombie and Fitch, having on the shirt of GAP and our feet shod with the stylings of Dr. Marten, which thou hast sent thine angels to commit unto us;
We will take the accessories of silver and gold wherewith we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the unfashionable; And will take the hat of the coolest sports team and the watch of the swiss army, and submit to thy word which thou wilt reaveal unto us, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of us and be faithful followers of fad until July, when we shall gather for thy coming, that we may also hope to be as fashionable as thou art. Amen.

Mon, 14 May 2001 21:18:05 EDT
From: Nicea

Oh, Shanon, Fashion Guru of all Gurus, King of Khakis, Lord of Loafers, Prince of Polos and Irreplaceable Infant Brother,

Forgive me, for I have sinned. Whatevah SHALL we weh-ah for the fam-i-ly pictchuh?

With deepest sorrow for past mistakes, I remain

Your Reunion Gestapo

Mon, 14 May 2001 14:11:26 –0400
From: Shanon

Hey Babe.... Honey, I'm in for the khaki thing, do ya get me?..... I don't think another blue jean thing is "Our Family." I can envision white oxford tops, (as it's a favorite ensemble for me, but then again with photography, I'm afraid we'd all "wash out" unless I sent everyone for a tanning session.... Still with me love muffin?? Anyway, I do think denim or denim colored oxfords would be good. Again, to use the word frugal (how could I even utter, but should more often) denim, and "denim like" are easily affordable, and look comfortable, yet casual with distinction. One trip to WallMart, and we'd all be fixed up. I also STRONGLY advise (wish I could say not acceptable) NO tennis shoes, toe wielding flip flops or the like. We've ALL got loafers right?? Or at least shoes that go well with light khakis. I'd like to avoid the "Beverly Hillbilly" near miss from last time. We're all beautiful people, but that was a close call. I can still hear granny screaming from atop the truck in the chair. Why again did we not let she and Jethro in the picture....? Oh my memory.....So.... On we go honey luvah, let me know what you think.....

I hope if nothing else, you got a kick out of that....... Maybe a little tip or two... I love you!!

XOXOXOXOX, Shanon

Mon, 14 May 2001 22:01:34 EDT
From: Nicea

Oh, Shanon, how you do make me laugh!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have had our fashion hineys kicked--and with such grace! Be it herewith resolved that the suggested official attire for the Reunion Photograph 2001 (drumroll, please) is spelled out in splendid detail in the forwarded email from the Dahli Lama of Fashion himself. To summarize:

1. Light colored khaki pants, ironed (NO shorts or capris)

2. Denim or denim-colored oxford (not to be confused with "saddle oxford" which is to be worn on the foot. Shanon, will you please describe an "Oxford" for those who might need a fashion cheat-sheet?) Tucked or untucked shirt, or our choice?

3. NO sandals or open-toed shoes or tennis shoes or flip-flops (Better said, wear loafers or real shoes that go well with khakis).

4. Three pieces of clothing do not a complete ensemble make. (And because even the Nazi Reunion Planner has a heart, each is free to choose his/her own underclothing, just as long as the rest of us don't have to see it.)

I like it. What do ya'll think? See ya at Wallmart?

Queen Bee Reunion Organizer

Mon, 14 May 2001 23:26:56 –0400
From: Shanon

ABSOLUTELY! FABULOUS! EVERYONE!

I will be arriving in drag of course dressed like the woman in the old Gap commercials with the very large round black horn rimmed glasses. Don't ask me anything where the answer would not be "fleece" or "cargo pants" or you'll screw everything up. I guess it could sort of be a closet Jackie O thing...... (all together clutch pearls now for a moment of silence)

I now envision glorious smiles clad below and all about with various shades of denim and khaki and fabulous footwear! OH! (hand to the forehead) You'd think I had died and gone to heaven! Which is where I will be headed as Coy begins to strip off if there is no one there to catch my fall!! (in'nt that right Big Red?) ( \/ )

Coy - fabulous, simply fabulous....

Fred - It's a date. Have your people call my people.

Annie - You remind me of all the sleeping I did during Senior English. You are such a writer. You give ME cramps!! I had to put a bag over my head to stop laughing... and YES solely for that reason..... OH! (hand to the forehead again) I'll get my chisel and head for the rock cliffs where proper English skills are not required and fire is more popular than BMW. Hence I go to communicate for the remainder of my days - EE Gad child, you're brilliant - STOP, DON'T STOP! (flattery gets you EVERYWHERE!!)

Justin - Darn Tootin!! - you bettah reconize! Chahl ah beat'cha wit mah own stick!

Nicea - You and ah at the aeahpoaht Julep Club..... You goahgus whip of a Steel MagnOlia......

Not demanding everyone in Oxfords.... Have one? Get one? Grand.... Let's go for all of it ! I say long sleeved thick weave denim in whatever "denim shade" you prefer. Think of it this way, they last forever and can be worn any season of the year!! Men, Let's tuckem' in. This means sit ups for me, after all, the river in Egypt flows on..... Ladies, your choice, whatever is most comfortable, in or out, or as for Coy, on or off........ Also, ladies, capris, why not? For this look, let's really concentrate on the "fabulous" footwear concept here and coordinate! coordinate! coordinate!.... and please shave..... Don't make me chase you around the studio.....Hah!! "I'll get you my pretty!" All Khaki - great! All Denim - great! Coordinate your families so we have a beautiful collage oui? Are we all together? Not if one of our little family units shows up for the picture all dressed in solid khaki or solid denim....SEEK SHELTER from the CLEAVER.....SHING! A little hint of white here and there wouldn't hurt...... Justin, you can always give Beno a wedgie just before the flash goes off..... Send me your thoughts.... and your light slams..... We'll make a great picture like last time so we're all not saying 20 years from now, "I can't believe I........."

Altogether now, quietly as a whisper at first if necessary, like it were a dream.... shades of denim and khaki..... shades of denim and khaki...... shades of denim and khaki....... Sister Barney...... leading the singing.... shades of denim and khaki..... envision her and wave your
arms about as you feel it slowwwwwly coming on...... shades of denim and khaki.... shades of denim and khaki.... The under arm fat shaking with the fervor of Sister Peabody's.... shades of denim and kahki...... shades of denim and khaki...... anyone says pink? WATCH FOR THE CLEAVER! SHING!

Chop! Chop! So on with the classic!

Love to all Sincerely and Twice!

Shan

Mon, 14 May 2001 23:41:24 -040
From: Shanon

I have to share..... I just felt an aura in the breeze outside of someone thinking fluorescent green.... SHING!

Mon, 14 May 2001 23:56:50 EDT
From: Nicea

Whoever was thinking fluorescent green will probably never admit it. But we'll know because they no longer have a head, right?

Mon, 14 May 2001 23:59:39 -0400
From: Shanon

One word..... SHING!

Tue, 15 May 2001 00:07:22 -0400
From: Annie

you mean to say i'm not allowed to wear my beloved flip-flops?!? i don't know if my feet can stand to be so enclosed. they'll get clausterphobic. they need to feel the cool grass and the fresh spring breeze (YES even in july!). they need freedom, man, freedom! i mean, c'mon, this is a fourth of july celebration...don't go all british on me...all i want to do is show off my fluorescent green toenail polish, is that so wrong? and do you want to explain for those of us of a fashionably impaired generation (i mean, we wore SLOUCH SOCKS for cryin out loud) what an oxford is?

love you
annie

Tue, 15 May 2001 00:09:44 -0400
From: Shanon

SHING!

Love you too honey, you know I do. Thanks for making me laugh so hard. I needed it!!!

Mon, 14 May 2001 23:39:25 -0700
From: Coy

I have purple shoes, I really like do them, I think they are way better than oxfords! I really do not have any idea what is going on but I just thought as long as I'm getting these reunion updates that make no sence I can make no sence too. I'm not getting naked by self. I already got a lead on breakaway tuxedos for everyone (no charge) then we would really match, well at least we be able to tell the boys from the girls although we may not be able to tell families apart like, we don't already know who belong to whom! COY Oh dang X rated again!

Tue, 15 May 2001 11:19:02 –0400
From: Annie

i'm all about breakaway tuxes...can we get em in orange?

Tue, 15 May 2001 10:14:30 -0700
From: Coy

I have discussed this with Nicea and she agrees and Shanon too. She loves my breakaway tux idea but would like me to get them a size bigger than you normally
wear so when you put them on you can have your orange space suit on under it. Annie suggested orange as a good color. Good thing I figured out a way to accomidate every one. So final, final , final reunion picture attire (you don't even have to do and thing but show up I got you covered just send me your sizes. We will have orange spacesuits on under our breakaway tuxes Annie wants orange tied in some way, (Iguess you will have to supply your own helmet I can't get enough of those). But this is all cleared and final with Neesh and it is a GO on all fronts. Orange spacesuits under black breakaway tuxes, this is final. About the oxfords shoes or stype of shirt which ever you see oxford as meaning is optional. I'm pushing flipflops with a flower on the toe strap thingy! Send me you flower color choice too, I have this great rental place here that will give it all to me free because they are big on families getting together! Lucky I found this place. You will have to ignore the 'Czar reunion planner' with information regarding this matter she did not click her heels together (at least i did not hear it) I'm thinking she is a fake. So take this as final picture attire and get your sizes to me as quickly as posible. COY (the sender's name as been disguised to protect the guilty). The best news, after the photo shoot Gedicks' are taking us all out to lunch at grandpa's favorite Mexican food place! They said they would pick up the tab so be hungry and tell all your friends and anybody that looks like they need a place to go and bring them . Isn't that shweet of them to offer! Remeber ignore the Czar this is final and official.

Tue, 15 May 2001 10:26:12 -0700
From: Tom

Hey, I have a ahemmmm "friend" who could probably fix us up with the orange space suits. Here is her company's home page.

http://www.spaceprops.com/

Tue, 15 May 2001 11:05:14 -0700
From: Coy

Just messing with you heads!
C

Tue, 15 May 2001 11:47:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: Krista

Help! I live in Seattle--the ENGLISH department of Seattle. We are only allowed to wear burgandy leather, shirts embroidered with human faces, and dynamic neck scarves (pants also permitted, with bicycle clips). Do you think I could have someone meet me in the dressing room? Where do I go for denim?!!

K
ps. Ah, space suits, heavenly.

Tue, 15 May 2001 15:44:54 -0700
From: Coy

Tom found a place where we can all order our own spacesuits and then I won't have to worry about getting all the sizes right, the web sight http://www.spaceprops.com/ it is a friend of his. Check it out and order yours today so you will get it in time. Thank you Tom!

Tom found a place where we can all order our own spacesuits and then I won't have to worry about getting all the
sizes right, the web sight http://www.spaceprops.com/ it is a friend of his. Check it out and order yours today so
you will get it in time. Thank you Tom!

If you are not on the list I am sending to please let me know and I will add you. Coming soon to a computer near you "Who Wants to be A Reunionaire".

Questions will be sent to you from our past, the game may also include puzzles, word scramblers, riddles, etc. every thing will be sent randomly, some day time and you nighttime emailers will have some sent during the evening . Who ever comes up with the best answer in the shortest amount of time wins. My computer clocks the time I recieve your email and yes I can figure out the different time zones. I also realized that some of us have more time to play on the computer than others so I will not sent more than two puzzles a week for the next 6 weeks. If you want to play fine, great, dandy, if you don't great fine ,dandy! If you feel you are at a disadvantage some how, don't wory there will be participant prizes.

COY

Wed, 16 May 2001 01:13:06 -0700
From: Coy

I has been drawn to my attention that nothing is official about the attire for the Stimpson Family Photo July 3rd. So I thinking spacesuits are not out of the picture yet. Some decisions still are left to be made. I mentioned getting all the spacesuits for you if you give me the sizes you want. As far as helmets are concerned you are on your own ,but then I thought since Abby is well known in her school maybe she could ask the fooball coach if we could borrow their football helmets, we would't have to wear them but could certainly hold them like they do in the movies as they are walking to the shuttle. No one would know the difference, i don't think. I got so much mail about the space suits today it seems to be the popular choice so keep those computers on as changes occur daily.

Wed, 16 May 2001 11:12:41 -0400
From: Annie

ok as much as i LOVE the space suit idea, i have to admit i'm a bigger fan of birthday suits (aunt coy you're BRILliant!) i mean, its just so simple....schmear on a little self tanner and we'll all avoid "washing out" AND and...incorporate the beautiful orange that i so love. so what do we think? ps are we still doin breakaway tuxes? maybe we could get breakaway space suits....hmmm....

annie

Wed, 16 May 2001 09:14:54 -0700
From: Coy

Ihaven't got the final word on tuxes from Shan and Nicea they seem to be the experts but I can get them. First we have a few poses all dressed in balck tuxedos and then SHING (Shan's Wonderful word) we rip them off and orange space suits (they come in white too) if we want them.. I like the layered effext because that is how they tell you to dress if you are not sure of the weather, dress in layers. Then if you are too hot SHING again with the spacesuits and it could be you birthday suit or regular summer attire.

Would some one please tell me what an oxford shirt is, wouldn't you know, just my luck to have oxford shoes and I'm not sure if I have an oxford shirt because being from California we name thing our way and i might have one and not know it by that name!. But yea I think Julia has the best idea lets all go the Mexico City. Speaking of Mexico I did get reservations at the Mexican food restaurant in Orem for 50 people in Fred's name so if you find any hungry lost souls wondering around invite them July 3rd and noon. Julia wants to come she already told me. SHING for now got a Doc appointment. Yes I do have a life, thank you very much!

XOX,

your Self -appointed Pre-reunion Game Show Host

Wed, 16 May 2001 15:51:50 -0400
From: Shanon

Baby Doll.....

Let's get CRAZY! Space suits it is! Can you get one that accentuates my hind end and fitted tightly around the waist? I don't think I could handle a corset underneath one of those things!!

Wed, 16 May 2001 17:11:58 EDT
From: Shawn

It came to me at 3 in the morning that in keeping with the Independence Day theme we should all sport a firecracker coming out of each nostril and a banner across the front of us which reads "Stars and Stimpsons Forever." Like Mrs. Nicea GAP always says, "It's all about the accessories!"

Shawn's 2 cents

does anyone else think this is funny?

2009-03-13T17:59:00.004-04:00

from one of the briefs i read during my week o cite-checking fun.

"Dr. X* suggests that the Institution* set the [standards] far too stringently because greater pollution concentrations are purportedly seen in disparate locations such as food courts, copier machine rooms, and the People's Republic of China."

*names have been changed to protect the innocent (and guilty)

a coupla questions...

2009-03-11T10:32:00.004-04:00

...for my mother, the biggest loser.*

1. can i count blinking as sleeping?
2. can i count bouncing my knees in anxiety as exercise?
3. can i count flat unleaded diet coke as water?
4. can i count bread pudding as a fruit? (pretend it has raisins...)
5. can i count water drunk after midnight towards the next day?

*no i do not actually think my mother is a loser. she rocks. we're contesting here, people, back off. :) speaking of contesting, i hate this contest. i gave up sweets, caffeinated beverages (i miss you, dc!) AND started drinking more water, eating more fruits and veggies, and exercising more often; i GAINED weight. last week i ate snickers and butterfinger bars for lunch 3 days/week AND ate dessert every night and i LOST weight. what. the. hell?!!

my thoughts exactly

2009-03-02T21:29:00.007-05:00

we got 8 inches of snow last night/this morning. my friend ashley summed it up well.

pay it forward

2009-03-01T18:18:00.004-05:00

"the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a handmade (or possibly store-bought) gift from me during this year. when and what will be a surprise. there's a small catch though...you have to post this same thing on your own blog and then come back and leave a comment telling me you're in. remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift!"

another shout out to miss kitti

2009-01-28T21:36:00.008-05:00

seriously, she has some awesome post ideas. and so i'm stealing another.

last summer, the women of the colonial first ward were asked to bring our favorite pair of shoes to a get-to-know-you enrichment night.* we were supposed to talk about how the shoe represents us. i had no idea what to take. i have a pair of red strappy 3.5" heels that i LOVE for a night out with the girls or to go dancing or just to feel sexy. i LOVE my hiking shoes (i think that one's self explanatory). i love my great leopard print platforms. i love my running shoes. i love my black pumas with the little nubbies on the sole. i love my red clogs. i love my black spike heel boots. and my knee-high brown spike heeled boots. and my brown clumpy boots. and i think all these shoes represent different facets of my personality. how can i just pick one?

i'm all of these things. i like to dress up. i like to go dancing. i like to sit around the house in sweats and do nothing. i like to randomly choreograph dances with friends. i like to go hiking, preferably for weeks at a time. i love to wear dresses, but when i was younger, i wouldn't be caught dead in a skirt, except at church. i love to wear jeans and t-shirts. i don't like wearing make-up** but i do cause my face currently looks like a piece of pizza with all the cheese picked off. i like the color pink, except when i don't. i love going to the symphony and rodeos and monster truck rallies and concerts and baseball games. i love playing sports (even though i suck). i love traveling. i love staying home and reading. i love making art. i love being the center of attention, until i actually am. i love to run. i love to snowboard, sew, cook, dance, sleep...

i've been called princess, a little bit granola, sweet, "worth paying money to watch on tv," preppy, artsy, blond at heart, refreshing, shy, intimidating, serious, fartsy...

i turn 29 on saturday (jan 31)^ and i think i'm finally comfortable with not fitting a mold. maybe you think i fit a mold. that's fine. we can do that mold-y stuff together and be friends. and hey, let me know if you need to borrow a pair of shoes.

*for you unfamiliar with mormon vocab, a ward is a congregation and enrichment night is when we women get together and do different stuff to enrich our lives. this often includes cookies, some kind of craft paint, and (apparently) shoes. the actual title of the program is "home, family and personal enrichment."

**except i love mascara cause i have kick-a$$ eyelashes.

^buy me presents.

what i did at work today - part 3

2009-01-27T00:11:00.005-05:00

9 ish am - took cab to airport

11:20 am - flew to indianapolis and actually used the airplane bathroom. (ew)

1:30 pm - stood in line for rental car (aka the BIG suv, no minivans allowed)

2:30 finally arrived at the conrad hilton.

2:31 was greeted by jd (the valet), who remembered me from my month-long stay for the trial in may and noticed that my hair is now much shorter.

3:30 pm ate lunch (this is different. i don't usually take lunch)

4ish was greeted by kevin, who also remembered me from may, noticed my haircut and remembered that i like sprite zero and plain m&ms.

4:30 ish tried to log into the sidley network. hours later, i finally have access to the sidley network.

7:30 pm went to home depot to buy shelves for the war room

8:30 pm - went to dinner at mo's, a place for steaks. (i had the tuna)

10pm back to the war room to check on the exhibit downloads. they've timed out.

12:25 am - i am now watching letterman while STILL waiting for all the exhibits to download so i can get them to our vendor to blow back in binders to give to the judge. i'm tired. and my phone doesn't work. but this hotel is pretty sweet.

i miss them

2009-01-13T21:11:00.005-05:00

wouldn't you?

my prayers have been answered!

2009-01-07T10:31:00.004-05:00

finally!

a quickie

2009-01-06T10:39:00.009-05:00

no, not that kind! i may have a bug bite on my neck that resembles a hickey, but i'm not that kind of girl. really, people!

so. these are a few of my favorite things - today, anyway - in list form. cause that's always a favorite.

excellent songs with lovely bideos that make me cry with their beauty created by very talented artists

funny/sweet stories. ab, remember when you and lizzy went to alaska? this is kind of like that, but neither cold nor imaginary. what tipped off the authorities? "what struck us was that the little ones were completely on their own and that they had a lot of swimming gear with them"

excellent songs that make that booty shake (i just can't help it)

spontaneous friends that do silly things with you. and record them for the world to laugh at. stay tuned for stories and footage.

love you all
and miss you far-aways.

ps. this just in! (thanks, ashley) why i need to go hiking/snowboarding/snowshoeing/running outdoors/and my new excuse for my lack of self control regarding sugar (and everything else).

what i did at work today part deux

2008-12-08T19:31:00.003-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Kl2T3bQm4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqjSJS8pTDs

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=62652

special thank yous to kayleen, kim and amanda.

estudio

2008-12-02T19:00:00.014-05:00

in august i was juried* into a new artists' community called the workhouse arts center in lorton, virginia. my cellmates and i are having a reception on december 13 from 7 - 9pm. please come.^ it is free. and i would like to see you.*** and so would my art.

in the meantime, here's a preview:

you can also check out my website: http://www.anniegedicks.com/.****

and a smidge of what it's about:

my working metaphor is inspired by descriptions of the richter scale, which measures the intensity of earthquakes. the tremors just under the earth's crust are like emotional tremors within our internal worlds. they range from micro quakes that happen daily - not felt, but not unrecorded - to major quakes that are less frequent, but can cause significant damage in populated areas. i wonder, are we really that different from nature? our personal disasters are as sudden and forceful, as devastating and destructive, as insignificant. they are terrible. they are beautiful.

*for you non-arty-farties out there, this means that i had to apply, submit samples of my art in both digital form and actual work ready-to-hang (on the wall), wait anxiously for acceptance, rearrange my life and sign a 3-year lease. this is not a job. i pay rent. but in the art world, being accepted to something like this is a very good thing.**

**yes. i'm kind of a big deal. (gag)

***don't make me beg. that's just sad. you don't want to see that.

^my handy dandy link to googlemaps wouldn't work so here's the address: 9601 Ox Rd, Lorton, VA 22079

****bonus points for anyone that can tell me the differences since i last posted it (besides the introduction of real words on the homepage)

i have nothing to say for myself...

2008-11-28T19:57:00.012-05:00

don't get me wrong, i LOVE to travel. i just seem to have trouble with TIME. the last several times i've ventured out of the greater dc area, i've almost missed my transportation back. it started when i went to buffalo for christmas to visit my sister and her hubs and 2 kiddos. i got there just fine, but for my return flight, the self-check at the airport wouldn't recognize my reservation. after a few puzzling swipes of all my credit cards yielded the same results, the attendant took my name and informed me that i was at the wrong airport and that, no, she was not joking. she kindly booked me on the last seat of the flight leaving from rochester (where i'd made my poor relatives drive for an hour, instead of buffalo, which was about 10 minutes away) and didn't even charge me.

the next day i adventurously took the chinatown bus to philly for the new year. after a low key new year's eve and a day of showing me around, chris and i were rather hungry. we wandered around chinatown looking for the "good noodle" place that chris vaguely remembered, finally settling instead for a touristy, but decent alternative. it was fast, but not quite fast enough. he only just managed to get me to the last chinatown bus back to dc. but i was on the bus; no damage done.

over the fourth of july, i dawdled at my sister's hotel room before catching a cab to meet my friend mary on the train to jersey. my cabbie was less than pleased with the 20 minutes i gave him to get me across town and dropped me at the wrong station. upon discovering his mistake (an innocent one, though i've made it sound malicious), i booked it the few blocks to penn station and made the train with literally seconds to spare. (i then had to dodge the conductor while i looked for mary, who'd called when i had 11, 7, and 3 minutes to departure but was still en route, and offered to buy my ticket. bless her.)

in october, after a relaxing lunch and stroll around times square with my sister, i put her in a cab and told her i'd wait till she was off to make sure there weren't any problems. i then checked my watch and gave her a quick hug before sprinting several new york blocks with my luggage in tow to catch my bus. in addition to being sweaty, out of breath, and a bit frantic, i was berated by a bossy ticket-taker for being late.

this all in the last year.

so, to make sure i didn't screw up my thanksgiving flight (BOTH of my sisters would be in buffalo, woo hoo!), i left work at 1:30pm for my 4:30pm flight. i arrived at the airport at 2 and realized that i had no idea which airline i was flying. i went to two separate airlines' check-in kiosks and had to call 3 people to hack* into my gmail to find my receipt, only to realize that i was FOUR HOURS EARLY for my flight. that's right. somewhere in the 6 weeks between booking my flight and leaving myself a digital reminder, "leave for flight at 4:30," my brain had changed the note to "leave for 4:30 flight." oy. i guess it's good that i was so early because i was at the wrong end of the airport for my airline. after checking in (at the correct kiosk), i managed to circle around BACK to the other side of the airport, wondering why one must check in at one end, and then hike back to the other for the gate, which was right across from a separate airline (one to which i'd previously attempted to check-in). i chewed on this while i chewed leisurely on my lunch. about an hour later, as i got to the front of the security line, i finally realized that i was supposed to be at gate 4, not 40 and that the northwest check-in was in fact very near the northwest gates. the tsa guard confirmed my idiocy. so AGAIN i trekked around to the other side of the airport, whizzed through security in about 10 minutes (after knocking someone's blackberry to the floor - oops, my bad!) and still had over an hour to spare.

it was totally worth it though. pictures coming soon...

*hack being used very loosely, considering that i gave them my login and password.

i am not ashamed

2008-11-20T10:47:00.008-05:00

i'm going to the midnight showing of twilight tonight. and i'm excited. i apparently have the mentality of a 14-year-old girl. so what?

and now my question is...

are you an edward or a jacob?

this is important, people. i mean, our friendship survived the election, but this...this is CRUCIAL.

choose wisely.