Maira Kalman

I read Ms. Kalman's The Principles of Uncertainty, and truly enjoyed it. She writes/illustrates for the New York Times - you can see her inauguration series here.

crushing on the new president

he's signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act with a smile :).
I was going to link to the Washington Post but I like the picture and the comments on Jezebel better.

President Obama's not sure about the decorative plates

and last, this comment said it best: 'Why does he make it so hard for me to respect him simply as a great political mind and promising new president? Why does he have to be so cool?'
President Obama talks to Beyonce' about learning new dance moves

aurora borealis

Long long ago, in a land called Tom Thumb Hobby and Craft, my Sam-Nash-given-nickname was Aurora Borealis. The name came from the fact that when we took inventory, or checked in an order, we had to print our initials on whatever we had just worked on - AB is me, and that's how the rainbow effect known as Aurora Borealis is written on bead finishes and the like. Here's something I look forward to watching later this weekend:

http://www.astronomynorth.com/Replay2008.html

I love this artwork - it's from last year's Marshall Bennett Classic invitation..

bird's nest

I'm really enjoying our new membership at the Siskel Film Center - it's such a treat, and we've seen things we never would have seen. This evening we saw Bird's Nest: Herzog & de Meuron in China, following the architects responsible for the amazing stadium used in the 2008 Summer Olympics. I have a little bit of a talent crush on the architects now! I definitely recommend this film.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toomanytribbles/2403059797/

http://www.herzogdemeuron-film.com/en/home/

inauguration day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cew2UTW1mmI

my sentiments exactly!

a day in history

so much emotion and reflection today. Words are too many and insufficient to describe everything swirling around these days...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

it doesn't show signs of stopping

There is a lot of snow out there on the streets and sidewalks of Chicago. Not the most ever, but definitely enough to be significantly messy and for my snow boots to have officially become too wet to wear. It's a good time to stay inside and attack the clutter of my home office, finish up a few knitting projects and maybe create some jewelry. That's my 2009 goal - to finally make some pieces to add to my etsy account, for sale. Now that I've seen what's out there - it's time to overcome my intimidation, and, let's be honest, my procrastination, and get things moving.