No Clouds

No Clouds
Originally uploaded by V G.

Today was absolutely clear. There was not a cloud in the sky.
Such a contrast from earlier this week.
It's almost the weekend...my favorite time of the week.
TGIF.

Extreme Weather, 3/27/07

Marina Jetty, 3/27/07
Originally uploaded by V G.

This was taken yesterday. It was an intense cloud day.
I was in awe of the monster clouds. They were moving fast too.
Lots of wind. I could barely hold the camera steady. I think there was a wind advisory warning, but I didn't know about it until after the fact. Yes, lots of wind.
I don't see this type of extreme cloud very often...and usually when I do, I don't usually have such a great view of it.
I got inside just as raindrops were falling. Later in the afternoon, the clouds were gone with no rain. It was very strange how quick it went through.

More Cool Clouds

I'm still hooked on cool clouds. In fact, I have always been hooked on them.
I can not resist a good cool cloud. They are always different. I love how
they change with the wind and lighting.

Nothing too new here... I'm still keeping very busy at work during the week. Then I chill out with my son and husband during the weekends.
My son and I went hiking with my friend Meredith, her two kids and two dogs in Griffith park this morning.
My husband played golf in Griffith Park and was going to meet up to go hiking with us, but our timing didn't connect. I saw my husband later after the hike at home.
When I get a chance I may post some of those Griffith Park photos, although I'm not sure how any of them turned out yet. We'll see.

Kill Bill Vol.II is on tv right now...I always get sucked into this movie when it plays. The scene that is on right now is Uma Thurman training with the master. I don't know why this movie lures me in. Maybe it is David Carradine, who I remember watching in the afternoon on Kung Fu when I came home from grade school. Quentin Tarratino is such a brilliant director, I like just about all of his films. I'm a big fan of his music choices. The soundtrack definitely adds to the film. Good thing my son is asleep. I wouldn't advise watching any Tarrantino films with children. They are too violent. It is definitely rated R, for a good reason. Now as a parent, these ratings really do make a difference.

I'd better turn off the tv and the computer so that I will be ready for work tomorrow. I could watch TV and blog for hours, which I do, but I also need some sleep tonight.

Happy blogging, blogger friends!

Throw your dreams into space...

Malibu Canyon Drive
Originally uploaded by V G.

"Throw your dreams into space like a kite and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country."
~Anais Nin

I randomly picked this quote during a fun Design XChange function at work.
To my amazement it just happens to be the perfect quote for me right now. A couple weeks ago I was wondering about the whole blog thing. Questions in my head came up like: Who am I writing this for? Is it for me? Is it for you? Does it matter? Then bottomline, am I wasting my time?
So, random or not, this quote is inspiring me to continue my blog and to borrow the words of Anais, throw my dreams into space!

Last weekend, I went painting with the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains, a group of Plein Air artists. Driving back I took this photo of the road through Malibu Canyon Drive. It seems like the road and sky combined with the concealed turn in the road up ahead kind of captures what I read into this Anais Nin quote. Even though I can't see the road up ahead, I just keep driving.

Mister Seagull

Mister Seagull
Originally uploaded by V G.

Mister Seagull is walking on the sand during this overcast
afternoon. I think he wanted to say something to me, but
may have become distracted by one of his seagull friends.
There were a lot of seagulls out, but you can't tell from this photo.
Bye Mister Seagull. See you next time.

The weather has definitely cooled down from last weekend's mini heatwave.

LA Zoo

LA Zoo
Originally uploaded by V G.

We went to the Los Angeles Zoo last Sunday. It was Zach, my mom and myself. The temperature was hot when we were there.
It just happened to be a mini heat wave getting up 90-95 degrees. Looking at seals swimming may have been a way we could psychologically cool down, although our bodies knew different. Anyway, despite the heat, we enjoyed ourselves. I am thinking more about the heat in retrospect. I didn't even realize it was that hot until I got to my car and the temperature gauge told me how hot it was outside. Zach loved the seals. He stuck his hand through the chain link fence to point at them. He kept saying, "ohhh!"! We saw all kinds of animals. It is now Zach's second time to the zoo.

Anonymous Painting of a Woman.

Anonymous Painting of a Woman.
Originally uploaded by V G.

*Call me Isadora. Born in 1932. Still unmarried and hopeful.*

Where did I find this painting? I became the owner of this painting by staying at my friend's garage sale just before they were packing up for the day.
I asked my friend, "Who painted it and when was it painted?" I checked the back of the painting for a signature or date. Nothing.
As far as I know it is anonymous. If anyone can identify the artist, let me know. This leaves many questions. There are so many unknowns, which is why it is the perfect piece for inspiring creative writing.
I'm guessing this woman was painted in the mid 50's. The canvas stretcher alone looks like it is from the 50's. It is painted in oil. The canvas is held on by nails hammered into the side of the stretcher frame, which is not done too often these days in the Art Stores around here in the US. Although, they still do it this way in Europe in some of their art stores. I will even be bold enough to say it is an art student's work because it has many nice qualities, but some areas are lacking the refinement of a more seasoned artist. Right now my husband and I call her, the original owner of our house. Our house was built in the 50's. She looks like she could have just signed loan docs. She was progressive for her time, being a single woman home owner.

Our secret fantasy is that the painting will one day be discovered on Antiques Roadshow. It is the student work of a famous artist now worth $500,000. I did say fantasy. This is highly unlikely.

I'm still coming up with stories for her. I may have to do another post on this painting again.

Cool Clouds

These are cool clouds that I saw last week...the same week as the cool pink clouds.
This was taken on my low res. cell phone camera. I love how low res. simplies things to the basics. It really seems to work for these cool clouds. I can't resist a cool cloud. I love hi res. too, but sometimes a good low res. hits the spot.

I also want to thank Patrice at MakingPeace. She let me know that she was not able to post comments to my blog, which I didn't even realize was happening. I did notice that I had no comments for a whole month. I was beginning to wonder who I am blogging for? Is it just for me or is there somebody out there who does read my blog. I was very happy to get Patrice's e-mail and to know that somehow I accidently selected "members only can post" to blog. I had no idea. I think I have fixed it now.
I hope you all, whoever you may be out there in the blog world, will be able to post comments on my blog now.

To happy blog posting and commenting!

Pink Cloud

Pink Cloud
Originally uploaded by V G.

This past week I saw this perfect pink cloud.
It was pure and lovely.
It lasted for only about 5 minutes, maybe 10 minutes max before it turned grey.
I live for pink cloud moments.