CELEBRATING TIMOTHY’S BIRTHDAY and other fun stuff…..

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

CELEBRATING TIMOTHY’S BIRTHDAY and other fun stuff…..

It all began with a birthday dinner at P.F. Chang’s in Pasadena…………

….just a quick glance at the kitchen….

Great work with those chopsticks Timothy….

Started with lettuce wraps, one of my favorites and then ….mmmmmmm……good…….

Dorothy, Sandie’s mom on the left, Sandie, Dr. Jim and Timothy. Hey, what’s that on my plate????

Jim, I think this gives new meaning to a Shrimp Cocktail……

I had to get home early and missed the main event……opening presents! Oh well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIMOTHY!

Next day it’s on to Kendall’s Brasserie at the Music Center with Tomiko…..

Fabulous Bouillabaisse ….

….then it’s the Ahmanson for ‘Backbeat: The Birth of the Beatles’. Don’t leave when the show ends because there’s a terrific surprise after.

Next day, Mission Street in South Pasadena…

At Mike & Anne’s for brunch with Grace.

This was one fabulous omelet with veggies & goat cheese….yum!

Couldn’t resist this little guy but he was such a jump about it was hard to get a good picture of him. (Or her….noting the pink.)

Then, Carol introduces Edward L. Goldstein who spoke on his new book, ‘Faith-A Lion’s Healing Journey Back to Innocence: Lessons on Forgiveness’ at Carol’s ‘Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life’.

Some of the peeps…

…..cute cake for Edward…..

….mingling……

I just had to put these strawberries in because they look so beautiful…..

Of course Fortune Cookies were in abundant supply for the New Year….

I love this landscape painting..it’s quite wide and it was hard to get a full shot with all the peeps about….

My favorite part…..

Edward proudly displays his book…..

This table gets my vote for ‘most interesting table decor’…..

….another gift for Edward….Note: He didn’t share!!!!

O.K., I forgive you for not sharing.

This is a clue for what’s to come…...

This is a BIG clue. Despite the poor reviews, I thought ‘Identity Theft’ was one cute movie… and give it a ‘Five Laugh’.

Next it’s Katsuya at Americana to zone out after all that hilarity.

My favorite….the ‘Double Double’

Next day…..picking up the armchair cushion that Kita had for desert one evening. When she’s done with this chewing (in a year or so) this is where the two sofas are going!!!

All better….somehow she managed to rip out all the stuffing from just one side of the cushion so a patch was sewn in and the top miraculously still goes with the chair.

Picking up Nikka at Tony’s Automotive just down the hill…..loved this ‘49 Chevy!

Luci Janssen, Nan Rae collector and patron of the arts extraordinaire sent this fantastic jazz CD tribute to legendary Bob Florence that she produced. Amazing.

Trudy & Geoff are back from their world tour and are taking Kita for her early morning constitutional once again. Boy was this ever a long month as we counted the days ‘till their return.

Thanks so much for the chocolate Trudy. You’re right, Neuhaus is the best!

Note: I’m listening to Blondie ‘Parallel Lines’…..anyone remember this CD???? Absolutely loved it then & still do!!!

…..to be continued……………….

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Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.