New Light

I've been in the process of changing the ceiling lights around the house. This chandelier, in the dining room, is my favorite.

It's difficult to see the details in the web-sized version. The chandelier body is dark bronze with antique brass accents and the glass is alabaster rimmed with antique brass.

Slowly but surely the boring brass builder lights are being replaced by lights of my choosing. The new lights aren't elaborate. People who see them are more likely to look around saying, "is something different in here?" than to notice them directly, and I like that.

It makes me feel like I've chosen well when a new object blends in with the existing environment. I'm such an eclectic shopper that I'm always happy when my mish-mash of purchases blend well.

Now if only the light for the garage entryway would arrive. I ordered it at the beginning of April with the others and while they were all supposed to be here in two weeks, the last one is backordered. I've just had a call that it isn't expected now until July.

Even simple home improvements are never simple.

For the Love of Joss

Have you ever anticipated something wonderful to the point of it becoming near-dread? Joss Whedon finally has a new series, Dollhouse, coming to TV this fall and it sounds so good that my excitement is almost equally mixed with the fear of a premature cancellation.

I'm not sure my soul can face another heartbreak like it endured over the loss of Firefly. (The most promising, brilliant one season show to ever spawn a feature film - Serenity - and still not be continued, making me sad for the future of our world.)

It may seem ridiculous to be worried about losing a show I've never seen, that hasn't even been filmed. But this is Joss - it will be brilliant, I have no doubt. What I do doubt is the ability of any intelligent television series to survive on TV today.

Come on, people (networks, viewers, advertisers, whoever really holds the fate of TV), we don't need more reality shows. We don't need to watch people make fools of themselves, bathe with porcupines, eat slugs, or find someone to shack up-- I mean, love. We need some intelligent television. Shows that entertain, yes, but that also explore real human emotions and relationships. Shows that actually (gasp) make us think and feel.

Here's an excerpt from a Sci Fi Wire article about the upcoming Dollhouse:

"It came from my conversation with Eliza [Dushku] about her, about her life, her career, about what everybody wanted from her, what they wanted her to become and what she was trying to become," Whedon said in an interview last week during Fox's upfront presentation to advertisers in New York. "That's really what the show is about. It's about plumbing the depths of our identity."

Dollhouse stars Dushku as Echo, a member of an underground, illegal group of people who've had their personalities wiped clean, enabling them to be imprinted with any number of new personalities to carry out missions at the behest of their handlers. The people, called "Actives," live in a spa-like facility called the Dollhouse, and everything seems to be going according to plan until Echo begins to experience self-awareness and feels compelled to uncover the truth about her identity. (read the full article)

Despite my fears (or mistrust of the network-gods), I will be watching Dollhouse this fall and will try not to worry about its future. How could I not watch? Joss Whedon's genius is one of the few things that I find truly inspiring in this world.

*Update: here's a blog for Dollhouse info galore: http://dollverse.blogspot.com/

Feng Shui

Feng Shui. It's one of those phrases with a lot of connotations - some true, some hype. I believe people are affected by their environment. The colors of the walls, the objects, the shapes of the furniture. All of the things around you affect your mood, though you may not even realize it.

Though I haven't gotten very involved in the philosophy, a lot of Feng Shui concepts do seem to work for me - color choices, furniture placement, minimizing clutter, etc.

There was a writing contest not too long ago with several titles asking for Feng Shui tips, so I dusted off my smattering of Feng Shui knowledge and put out a few ideas that might help a person try out some of the basic principles.

Feng Shui Tips for Small Spaces includes tips for studio apartments, small rooms, foyers, etc.

Feng Shui Tips for the Bedroom talks about differences for master bedrooms, kids' rooms, guest rooms, and bedrooms for single people.

Feng Shui Tips for the Living Room has design ideas for both formal living rooms and more casual, multipurpose, family rooms.

Feng Shui Tips for the Bathroom has advice to promote positive energy in the bathroom.

Feng Shui Tips for the Home Office includes advice for improving productivity in a home office.

Army Bunnies

I spent entirely too much time on today's photo for my Photo a Day project. But it was fun. :-)

Michael recently dressed up his bunny, whose name is Bunny, in this little Army uniform. (Which came from another stuffed animal.) As soon as he showed it to me, I knew Bunny was destined to end up in a photo.

I thought the front steps would be a good spot - being cement and sort of a utilitarian backdrop. I began trying out some poses and found that it's not easy to pose a floppy, well-loved, stuffed animal! But Bunny looked so adorable that I decided he needed some friends. Luckily, it's pretty easy to get bunnies to multiply!

I imagine they are sitting around waiting for the transport to pick them up. That's why the bunny in front is checking out the sky and the bunnies in back are dozing. The original title was going to be "Waiting to Come Home", but I couldn't resist "Army Bunnies".

(click photo to enlarge)

Blue, But Better

I'm feeling better, but stuck in the lull that seems to come over me after a cold/flu. I'm physically better and should be energetic - no longer pushing to work through a sore throat and stuffy nose - but instead, I feel a nearly overwhelming lethargy. I assume it's because my body had been waging a war against a virus and, now that the battle is over, wants to take a break.

Pushing to get back to my Photo a Day project (instead of posting a recent "eh" kind of pic every day or so), I risked the pollen and freshly cut lawns to take a few outdoor shots.

This flower moved me. It was battered and rather droopy after the torrential rains we've been having. But it had survived to raise its face to the sun. I was going to post the straight shot of it in my Photo a Day gallery, but when I played with the levels I was really drawn to the contrast against this striking blue background.

It's a little unnatural, a little eerie, but I like it.

Feeling Lousy

I'm feeling lousy this week. I thought it was allergies - and they are probably contributing, since everything is in bloom - but Peter had the same symptoms last week, so I'm thinking virus. It's not awful, just sore throat, congestion and cough. Enough to make me want to lie on the couch for a few days.

It's putting a crimp in my Photo a Day project, and it doesn't help that today is such a dreary day. But I did manage to get out for a few minutes before the rain came and took this quick picture of an interesting new flower in my neighbor's yard.

The Piano

I love the piano, always have. I'm not a great musician and I'm an even worse performer, but I love to sit and play alone in a room. I love the feel of the keys under my fingers and the rhythm tapping through my foot.

Here are a few articles I've written on piano technique. They were written for a contest awhile ago (meaning I didn't choose the topics/titles) but you may find them interesting.

Piano Techniques: How to Maintain the Proper Posture
Are you at risk for injury when playing the piano? While injuries may be anticipated when you or your child engages in a sport, the physical demands of playing the piano are often overlooked. (read more)

The Self-taught Pianist: What to Do When You've Outgrown Your Piano Teacher
After years of diligently working with your piano teacher, you've come to the realization, either mutually or on your own, that you have surpassed your teacher. What do you do now? Without guidance and the structure of regular lessons, your acquired skills may quickly plateau. How can you continue to grow as a musician? (read more)

Piano: Why Scales are Important
For many piano students, practicing scales may feel like a meaningless chore imposed by their teachers. The most common mistake is thinking of scales as merely an exercise to warm up your hands. If your fingers are moving while your mind is thinking about other things, then you may be wasting your time. (read more)

I Heart Eddie Izzard

I went to see Eddie Izzard last night and had a momentary realization of what it feels like to be a groupie. Watching him strut around the stage, listening to him talk with that sexy accent (yes, I'm a sucker for a British accent, okay, for most accents), I had an overwhelming desire to meet him backstage. Not so much for where your mind may be going, but to hijack him off to the nearest bar and sit up talking the rest of the night.

He's that kind of guy - at least from what he shows on stage - the kind of charismatic guy you could see yourself sitting up with at 3am discussing how the Tuolumne salmon's high risk for extinction may ultimately impact man's ability to discover new planets in other solar systems.

It's strange to look around a crowded concert hall and realize that all these people are gathered to see one man. To hear one man postulate and poke fun. To laugh until their cheek bones hurt from over-smiling and their ears ache from straining to hear every word through the riotous applause.

It's inspiring and humbling, poignant and frivolous, compelling and trivial. It's bloody brilliant.