Art History Alli

A SAD Confession

2012-02-14T22:38:00.001-07:00

Today is St. Valentine's Day. Some people call this day Single Awareness Day or SAD, I for one have a slight issue with this title. I don't need a day to remind me that I am single; I have that already every day of the year. I wish it was only one day a year that I'm aware of my lack of marital status then I could go on for 364 days and be completely oblivious :)

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I'm going to watch a couple of books before I go to bed tonight

2012-02-10T10:49:00.005-07:00

The Onion reported:

"According to a report from the U.S. Department of Education released Thursday, watching a single episode of the British TV series Downton Abbey is the cultural and educational equivalent of reading an entire book. "It's a period piece with British accents and drama that hinges on each character's place within an aristocratic peerage system, so needless to say, viewing one show from beginning to end is basically the same as reading a book," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. "Also you really have to pay attention to the storylines, so it's also like reading in that respect. And it's not as if you can stop watching Downton Abbey for a while, come back to it, and remember exactly what's going on. You'd probably have to start over from the very beginning, just like you do with a book." Duncan then excused himself from the press conference so he could go home and watch a couple books before he went to bed"

Nevermind about literacy, kids- The US Department of Education says you can just watch BBC production of Jane Eyre rather than reading it since it is the "education equivalent" to reading.

I love Downton Abbey!! It is such better television than anything we have seen recently (well incomparision to all the reality show crap that I am also addicted to, ahem Kardashians and The Bachelor) but I would NEVER suggest that watching an episode would replace reading a book. Reading creates the image and events in your mind which encourages creativity and imagination. Watching a movie puts is on the screen for you- no imagination required.

This is a really good argument for private or home schooling- these are the idots that determine what our kids are taught and apparently it is OKAY to watch the 6 hour Pride and Prejudice (which is awesome!!) rather than read one of the best books ever written. It brings new meaning to "I'll wait for the movie to come out"

Stuff you find on Pintrest

2012-02-01T10:08:00.001-07:00

I'm Elmo and I Know It

2012-02-01T00:00:00.001-07:00

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fzw5VjnOHk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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Saturday Seething (part 41 of a 444 part series)

2012-01-21T16:41:00.001-07:00

Seriously- How dumb do you have to be to NOT know that George Washington was the first president of the United States of America?
A middle-aged woman was in the gallery with her young grandson and she was talking to him about the art. When they saw "Prayer at Valley Forge" by Arnold Friberg, she at first told him the picture was of Captain Moroni, but quickly realized her error and said "Oh, that's George Washington.... (pause for thinking) one of our presidents." Really?!!! She couldn't remember that he was our 1st president?!! It's un-American to not know who our first president was.

On a side note- I understand it must be hard to have a kid throw a tantrum when you're in a store, but I am SO sick of hearing toddlers scream and watching them throw themselves on the floor. I have seen 7 temper tantrums today alone over at Mormon Handicraft. One was by a 7 year old- I thought they were too old to pull that stunt.

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Duality

2012-01-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about goals and the future, as I am sure many are at this time of year. I have been thinking about where I see myself in 5 years and the type of person I am now and who I want to be. I have also been thinking about the past (my 10 year high school reunion is coming up this summer!!!) and where I thought I’d be in life at 28. I am about to be brutally honest and I hope I have the courage to leave this post up rather than be a coward and delete it right after I publish it.

Let me start by stating I really enjoy my life right now. I have high job satisfaction, even though it can be stressful at times. I love living with my twin sister. I have quality friends that are drama free and we all support one another. I have a church calling that isn’t too difficult or time consuming. Of course there are always things that I need to work on and nothing is ever perfect, but I don’t have much to complain about in general.

Then there is this other side of me that nags, “This is not what you wanted nor is it where you saw your self 10 years ago.” This other side of me is miserable and lonely. I follow lots of blogs (shocker!!) and I am so happy for my friends and truly love hearing about their lives, most of whom are wives and mothers. I know that everyone has their own trials and challenges, but this other side of me can’t help but be jealous when they write about play dates and birthday parties and post pictures of their cutie-pies doing something funny. I want that. I see my sisters and I know how difficult motherhood is, but I was taught from a very young age that to be a wife and mother in Zion is the best way we could serve the Lord and our purpose on this Earth.

I never thought I’d be single at 27. I thought I’d get married to my college sweetheart (after graduation of course), work for a couple of years, and then have kids in my late twenties. I was not prepared to be perpetually single. I blame Young Womens- all my leaders said that it would be a challenge to NOT get married in college. They didn’t prepare us for the possibility that we’d be single, though President Hinckley mentioned several times that not all of us would get married in this life (RS General Meeting September 2002 or 2003).

So basically I am struggling with this duality in my life. One side is content and fulfilled while the other is mad, bitter, and frustrated. I am sure duality in desires is common place, “we always want what we can’t have” kind of deal, but I am wondering how I can suppress the other side of me so I’m not constantly reminded of what I lack. I guess I can pray about it, prayer works miracles.

Disco Night, courtesy of Comcast

2012-01-07T22:43:00.001-07:00

I'll miss the perks of being Lesley's "plus 1" at her work parties.

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Christmas!!

2011-12-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Christmas Eve Eve everyone!!!!!!!

Saturday Seething (part 40 of a 444 part series)

2011-12-10T23:43:00.001-07:00

Without thinking, I wished a Muslim woman a Merry Christmas as I walked out of Walmart tonight and felt bad about it as I walked to my car.

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Saturday Seething (part 39 of a 444 part series)- Thursday Edition

2011-12-08T19:05:00.001-07:00

I really dislike it when people bring their huge strollers into restaurants. A baby carrier is ok but once you have a toddler, please leave your Graco in the car.

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China 2011

2011-11-25T19:12:00.014-07:00

Walt Disney World, June 2011

2011-11-25T18:14:00.007-07:00

Spanksgiving!!

2011-11-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

Two years later and I'm still crying with laughter!! The Real Housewives of Late Night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is genius.

http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2009/11/real-housewives-of-late-night-giving-thanks/

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I did something dumb... What else is new

2011-11-14T16:41:00.000-07:00

Millie and Fiona have 2 speeds: comatose and speed demond. As I was making my way to the kitchen, Mille raced down the hall at lightning speed, I stepped on her which made me trip and crash into the kitchen counter (catching myself with my chest. Ouch!!) pushing our stacks of mail and Tupperware meant to be returned to people off the counter and falling to the floor in a huge mess. I broke the gorgeous peacock serving dish my grandmother gave me and twisted my ankle. The crash must have been loud as it woke Lesley up and she was an angel to clean up the mess as I was balling my eyes out in pain.
People at work today keep asking why I'm limping and I'm embarrassed to say "My cat did it" but it's true.

Saturday Seething (part 38 of a 444 part series)

2011-11-12T13:39:00.001-07:00

Smells and Memories

It is amazing to me how powerful scents can be in recalling memories.

When I smell VS Love Spell, I am transported back to my freshman year apartment.

When I smell Lubriderm lotion, I instantly turn into a little girl saying good night to my mother.

When I smell Maple and Brown Sugar instant Quaker Oatmeal, I am back in my graduate school apartments. (I ate oatmeal EVERY morning for 2 years and the smell would permeate the entire apartment. Lesley says I ate so much of it that my natural smell started to be maple syrup.)

When I smell mayo and liquid smoke, I am making fry sauce at Eat-a-Burger.

Scents and smells are also powerful elements in sentimentality and traditions.

The smell of roasting turkey = Thanksgiving

Cinnamon scented pinecones = Christmas

Camp Fires = Summer

It is almost as if scents become symbols that we interact with that signal the event taking place. Much like the Christmas Tree and twinkling lights, it just would not feel like Christmas without the smells of delicious food and baked goods being prepared in the kitchen. It is wonderful that smells and memories can be so varied and individual for each person.

I am finding this correlation between smells and memory recollection to be quite fascinating!!

What smells trigger memories in you?

The Bright Lights of Shanghai

2011-11-11T23:57:00.000-07:00

I really am trying to blog about my trip to China... I promise.
Until I'm really able to sit down and write, and upload photos, quick little posts will have to do.
Btw: Happy 11/11/11 everyone!!!
I love Veterans Day (I've blogged about it before back in 2008), but I also love that today marks the opening of the first H&M clothing store in the great state of Utah- hooray!!!

Saturday Seething (part 37 of a 444 part series)

2011-11-05T14:27:00.001-06:00

Quote from this week’s episode of the Big Bang Theory:

Amy Farrah Fowler to Sheldon:

Sometimes you forget, I’m a lady. And with that come an estrogen-fueled need to page through thick glossy magazines that make me hate my body.

So true Amy.

Another great way to also make you hate your body is traveling in Asia. All the women are fashionable and thin.

One of us, who I shall not name (but it was Jenny), kept saying she was going to become anorexic when we got home b/c the women in China were so gorgeous and skinny and I couldn’t help but agree with her.*

The truly sad thing is, the men in China are not even in the same league as their women.

*Warning: Sweeping generalizations ahead* - All the men were hawking leugies and/or smoking all of the time, no matter where we went. I would be very happy never having to hear a man clear his throat and watch him spit ever, ever again. It is the stuff of nightmares!!!!

It sums up to this- in China, the men are disgusting and the women are fabulous.

* Eating disorders are very dangerous mental illnesses. Art History Alli does not condon or support such self-destructive behavior even though she frequently jokes about them as effective weight-loss techniques. We appologize for any offense that may have been taken by our readers.

China 2011

2011-10-31T23:12:00.000-06:00

This is just a preview and I'll share more as soon as I can.
What an adventure we had!! China is a gorgeous country with a rich, 5,000 year old culture. The Li River, Terracotta Warriors, and the Bright Lights of Shanghai were my highlights (everyone has their own highlights) but it was all fantastic!!!

Orient Bound

2011-10-19T02:01:00.001-06:00

No time to blog but just wanted to get a post in for October.
Finally got all packed and ready to leave in the morning for China!!
Knock-Off designer bags, here I come!!!!!!!

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Repartee is on Groupon!!

2011-09-26T11:36:00.001-06:00

http://www.groupon.com/deals/repartee-gallery-and-frameworks?c=dnb&p=1

Follow the link to purchase a coupon for $39 to get $100 in custom framing at the Repartee Gallery.

Saturday Seething (part 36 of a 444 part series)

2011-09-24T20:12:00.001-06:00

Is Art Recession Proof?

Yes, art has been around since the beginning of time.

Yes, art has and continues to serve a function in society.

But, art is a true luxury item and such items are the first things to go off a priority list when times get tough (financially).

The filthy rich will always be filthy rich and unfortunately there will always be some sort of poverty because it serves a function in society (from a Functionalist sociological theory) so that leaves the middle-class left to feel the effects of a fluctuating economy. I guess one could argue that the rich are the ones who purchase art (originals) so there will always be a market to sell art in. In this post, I am questioning the sustainability of the middle art market, meaning the market for fine art reproductions and small originals.

We are in a golden age for quality reproductions. The gicleé (pronounced jee-clay) printing process gets us closer to recreating the original than ever before. Developed in the first decade of the 21^st century, they take several HD photographs of the original artwork then, using paint pigments instead of lithographic ink, spray the canvas with the image. The pigment is laced with a UV protectant to insure the canvas is impervious to any fading or sun damage. The colors are rich and the canvas has a glossy glow to it. Gicleés are made to be cost-effective and with the middle-class art buyer in mind. If the middle-class no longer purchase gicleés, I wonder if the ability to maintain this technology will survive. I also wonder if an even better reproduction process could exist but would not be developed because lack of funding.

The middle-class art market is slowly shrinking. Artists are going bankrupt (or selling their souls to big box warehouses), art publishers are cutting back product and galleries are going out of business all over the country. Luckily, museums are still going strong but even they have the felt the effects of an unstable economy. Yet we still hear stories of art being sold at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Just this weekend, there was a story on MSN about Jennifer Aniston and how she let her boyfriend bid and win a painting titled “Stranger #44” by a contemporary NYC artist. The winning bid was $450,000 and that shattered the record for this artist’s originals that usually go for around $250,000. The high-end market is still very strong (in cities like NYC or LA) but in middle America, art for the middle-class is floundering.

The reason why I am concerned about this is not only because I sell art but because I love art.

I know that I will never be filthy rich, I can hardly even begin to hope to be minimally rich, but that should not mean that I will never be able to have good, quality art in my home. I believe that every one should have access to art that moves and touches them, or at least creates some sort of reaction. I believe that artists are blessed with talents that they must share with the world, not only the cultural elite.

So, is art recession proof? I don’t know but I sure hope we all can weather the storm.

Custom Framing with Groupon

2011-09-24T11:56:00.001-06:00

Big News!!! The Repartee Gallery is doing a Groupon next week for $100 in custom framing for only $39!! That is a discount of $61- woohoo!!!!!

It would be a great time to frame travel mementos or a gift for Christmas!

So, keep your eyes peeled for the Groupon offer which should run Monday through Wednesday of next week.

Allison Dawson

Gallery Manager/ Art Consultant

Repartee Gallery at Fort Union

1110 East Fort Union Boulevard

Midvale, UT 84047

(801) 352-2569

allison@reparteegallery.com

www.reparteegallery.com

Competition

2011-09-21T11:30:00.001-06:00

Life is hard- competition is even harder but what is the hardest is when you are your own competition.
The me of last year is kicking the trash of the present me (work wise).
I'm competing against my numbers from last year and this time last year I was very lucky. I had that rare magic of the right piece with the right client and a very negotiable right price. That is the ultimate triumvirate of original art sales.
All I can do is my best but it is so frustrating when your very best now can't beat your very best from the past.
My gallery is having crazy 1 day sale this Saturday where if you buy any framed item, you get a second framed item (of equal or lesser value) for FREE. The only catch is you need to like us of Facebook and print off a certificate to be eligible for the sale. At this point- I'm happy to waive the bringing in of the certificate just as long as people come.
I feel like I'm planning a big party and fear that no one is going to show up.
I really hope this works and that people purchase and I can make room for products for Christmas.
I know that competition is a good thing and works as a motivator, but it is frustrating and can make people emotional. I have such passion for art and I love my job so it gets to be really hard to hold back the tears when I'm not doing well. Hopefully this sale will be a great day and something to celebrate!!

My Day

2011-09-20T14:59:00.001-06:00

My day has been filled with cleaning, laundry, and this... A snoring Fiona cuddling cheek to cheek.

Downton Abbey

2011-09-19T15:05:00.001-06:00

Downton Abbey is a British television program that airs on PBS Masterpiece. The first series (season) won a bunch of Emmy’s last night: best mini-series, best director of a mini-series, best writer of a mini-series, and best supporting actress in a mini-series for Maggie Smith.

The first season starts the morning after the sinking of the Titanic and ends with England declaring war in WWI.

The second series premiered last night on ITV in the UK but we have to wait until January for it to air in the US. With our increasingly global society, I wish they would air them in both countries at the same time. I am going to try my very best to not read spoilers of the second series which will be SO hard b/c of my insane curiosity.

So to tide me over, I did find the series 2 cover image. The first image on this post is the 1^st series cover photo and the second image is series 2. You can tell by the photo that Lord Grantham, Matthew, and Thomas are in the military. You can also see that Sybil is working as a nurse. I am surprised that O’Brien is in this series- I thought she would have left Downton after what she did to Cora at the end of series 1.

Any who… I am just super excited that such a great program was recognized in a major way. January 2012 does seem like a long way away, but it will be over the holiday season so I’m sure the time will quickly fly by.

Saturday Seething (part 35 of a 444 part series)

2011-09-17T10:52:00.001-06:00

“The Holy War”

Today is the BYU v. Utah football game and I just need to vent about how much this “rivalry” disturbs me.

I know that sport rivalries are all in good fun but it seems to escalate more and more each year. There is nothing wrong with school spirit and fandom, but I have a huge problem when it becomes hateful and violent.

People are teaching/brainwashing their kids into hating a whole group of people (the opposing team and their fans). My sister shared a rather humorous video on Facebook of a 3 year old little girl hysterically crying because she hates BYU so much. Where did she learn that behavior? Why is it OK to hate someone for liking BYU? The scary thing is that it is not too far a leap to start hating someone just because of their religion or skin color or politics.

Our contemporary culture (as evident in our current political climate) is increasingly becoming more and more extreme. There will be no real change until there can be compromise for the greater good. With kids being bullied on the playground and online, with dems and repubs in congress hardly able to be in the same room as each other let alone work together, with all the trolls on message boards spouting hate speech, how are we ever to live in a Zion-like community?

I attended BYU for 6 years, the first of my siblings to graduate from that wonderful institution, but that doesn’t mean I hate U of U- my siblings went there and it is also a wonderful institution. Both have great football programs and both represent our state very well. Can’t we all just enjoy a game of football and realize that no matter who wins, it’s a great day for the state of Utah?

Oh well, Utah is now in the Pac 10 so I really don’t think we can consider BYU and U of U rivals any more. The “holy” war is soon to be over.

And Now, a Dear John Letter

2011-09-16T17:17:00.001-06:00

Something is happening to me.
I'm not sure why.
I'm a little scared.

I now think that Coke Zero and Diet Coke are the most disgusting substances I've ever tasted.

What?!!!!!

I used to live off of Diet Coke; we a had a deep, personal relationship, but I fear it has all come to an end.
I will miss the Crest drive-thru runs during grad school and cherish the limitless consumption while working at Eat a Burger.
I know this may be a low blow but I have moved on to other diet sodas like Fresca and Diet Dr. Pepper.
Diet Coke tastes like a chemical, and not in the good way. Yes, it lends itself to drink mixing with lemon, limes, vanilla and cherry, but that isn't enough to withstand the horrible flavor anymore.
So this is goodbye, my dear Coca-Cola products. I shall think of you longingly while eating spicy fries at Rumrz.

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"Modern Chinoiserie"

2011-09-07T14:00:00.000-06:00

So I found out about a new artist on artthatfits.com and I think I might need this piece in my apartment J

The first image is titled “Morning Light” and the second is “A Song of Celebration” by Kathe Fraga.

I kind of have a love hate relationship with Fraga’s art. She claims to have a modern Chinoiserie vibe to her art when really she has a heavy Asian influence in her paintings. Chinoiserie was the Western interpretation of Eastern (Asian) motifs in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. It is a matter of semantics but it bothers me none-the-less. I believe she isn’t interpreting anything with her art; she is directly applying Japanese florals and mode of landscape narrative where the branches enter and leave the picture plane. I guess one could argue that the Western aspect of her art is her non-objective abstraction but I still don’t see a Westerner reimagining the Eastern Other in their Western context.

Still, I enjoy her use of color and the mixture of Modern drips (a la Pollock and Morris Louis) and squares (citing Joseph Alpers).

I would classify Fraga’s work as Contemporary Art Nouveau which fits perfectly with the style of our apartment. We love florals, bright colors, feminine abstraction, and general girlyness.

Happy Adoption Day Millie and Fiona!!!

2011-08-27T17:02:00.000-06:00

2 years ago today Millie and Fiona joined the family. They are crazy, purring, cuddling kitties and we love them.
Millie purrs non-stop like a motor. She prefers to sit next to you rather than on top of you, but always in the same room. When she is off by herself is when we know she is being naughty. Her fur is soft as silk and she loves to sit in the window and stare out at the world. She is most definitely the alpha cat between the two. She enjoys pureed pumpkin but only Libby's brand and not the new brand they sell at Smith's- she knows the difference. She also enjoys opening cabinet doors and hiding in dark places.
Fiona is a beauty. She understands English and will literally follow orders. Earlier this Spring, Lesley said "I'm gonna take a nap in my bed. Come with me Fiona." and Fiona got off the couch, followed Lesley to her room, jumped on her bed, and napped with her for an hour. She did something similar this morning when Lesley asked for companionship while she was sewing. Fiona is a scare-d-cat and is terrified when anyone knocks on the door. The only "strangers" she doesn't hide under bed when they come over are my mom, Jenny, and Kendra.
They both shed awfully bad but they love having their paws rubbed. They are getting better at getting their nails trimmed and Millie loves to be brushed. They sleep approximately 20 hours a day but always seem to be wide awake at 6 AM.
Bottom line is that we love then dearly and cannot imagine our lives without them. They have brought joy and purr-fect love in to our lives.

I'm so glad this didn't happen to me

2011-08-22T17:18:00.001-06:00

A piece of tree debris fell on my car between the hours of 10:00 PM to 10 AM Saturday- Sunday. I feel so lucky it was only bark and not a whole branch and now I only need to replace the windshield. As we were looking at the damage, Lesley brought up this commercial and it was the only thing that got me to smile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CocgDJJCBFI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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Saturday Seething (part 34 of a 444 part series)

2011-08-20T13:34:00.001-06:00

So I went babysitting last (yes, I'm 27 and still babysit Friday nights). The boys played video games, something called COD Black-Ops, while the girl and I colored. I was SHOCKED by how hypnotized the boys were while playing. I'm used to the normal tv watching vegetative state most people get into, but these boys wouldn't even notice if the house was on fire!! They were so out of it I got right in front of one and took a picture- I wasn't even sneaky about it either!! So funny!!! The sound was muted after I heard a bad word and even still, they were totally absorbed. I thought it was hilarious and spent a good chunk of the night trying to break them. I turned on music, ran the garbage disposal, turned on lights, and the only thing that got then to look up was when I said "dinner is ready". I think the boys are official on their way to being teenagers.

Yellow Roses

2011-08-17T15:43:00.001-06:00

I am in love with this still-life by Minerva Teichert.

The original was brought to our company about a year ago by the son of the original owner.

His mother grew-up in Cokeville, WY and Minerva Teichert was her visiting teacher. When she got married, Minerva offered to paint her wedding bouquet as a gift. Can you imagine that?! At the time, Teichert was not considred the amazing artist she is today, but she had still done some brilliant work up until that point, like the Manti Temple murals. Luckily, the original was always displayed with reverance and not placed in an attic so the painting is in practialy mint condition.

The client has given us permisson to make reproductions and I am so excited!!

It is a small giclee* canvas, 15x8 inches for a bargain price of $59.00

*meaning they use paint pigment instead of ink in the printing process.

The Cosby Show

2011-08-16T00:16:00.001-06:00

I have been watching The Cosby Show on Netflix and tonight I finished watching the final episode. It's been a long journey over 8 seasons and 201 episodes. The best seasons were 2 and 6. My favorite episode is the one where Denise makes a designer knock-off shirt for Theo in season 1. The last season felt tired, like the writers had run out of gas and I really didn't like how they "broke the 4th wall" in the final moments of the final episode.
I think what makes The Cosby Show a classic series is it was always about the love parents have for their children, even when they are upset or disappointed. What is also great is the love Heathcliff and Clare had for each other and they never let anything come between them.
What also makes the show is its fashion- it's like a catalog of fashion trends circa 1984-1992!! Jumpsuits!! Fringe!! Neon!!! Funk!! It was always changing.
What rarely changed with the interior design of the house. With the exception of the new kitchen in season 8 and the change of couch in season 5, the house stayed the same. They added new artwork here and there but no dramatic differences occurred throughout the run of the series. A lot of the art was done by Honeywood and a lot of her prints were personally owned by Dr. Cosby.
I'm so glad I've had the opportunity over the past 8 months of watching the Huxtable family grow and learn.
Now onto the next goal!!
Ps: Lesley is almost done watching the entire The Dick Van Dyke Show and hopefully she will give us a report when she finishes :)

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The Help

2011-08-11T11:31:00.001-06:00

Confession: my New Years goal to read a book a month has fallen off track- the last book I read was March's art crime memoir.
But remember my book for January, "The Help"? The movie came out yesterday and apparently it is very good. I really want to see but I'm working this weekend so I probably won't get a chance until $6 Tuesday movies after work.
We are set to see Captain America next tuesday since we missed it this week. Maybe Cap will have to wait until after I've seen The Help.

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Saturday Seething (part 33 of a 444 part series)

2011-08-07T00:35:00.001-06:00

Deodorant is not optional, People!!!!!

Lesley invited me to her company party at Boondocks today and we had a ton of fun (she also brought Aaron and Ashley). We played miniature golf, rode go-karts, almost played laser tag but A&A freaked out when we put the vests on them in the black-light.
We also played arcade games and I have never been around more stinky, sweaty people in my life. The smell of body odor could have been a WMD (weapon of mass destruction) to my lungs!!
Why don't people wear deodorant?!
The kicker was that almost everyone there was an adult even though it smelled like the eau de perfume of pre-maturation seminar sixth grade boys.
As a hydra-perspiration sufferer myself, I cannot fathom going without odor and wetness protection, especially during the sweltering August heat but I guess I am alone in that line of thought.
The true tragedy is that Lesley may or may not have to work with some of these stinkers :)

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Saturday Seething (part 32 of a 444 part series)

2011-07-30T13:21:00.001-06:00

High School Never Ends

Maybe it's the YSA stage of life.
Maybe it's the same for everyone.
Maybe it's just me.

My new singles ward feels very much like I'm back in high school even though the average age in the ward is mid to late 20s. There are the popular girls, the jocks, the goths that sit in the corner, the dorky but funny guys that we all love/tolerate, and drama drama drama. Seriously, I feel like I'm in
an unfunny version of a John Hughes movie!!

Why do I care?!
I thought that I didn't!!

I bugs me how society always segments itself (some call it Cliques) into insiders and social outsiders. How do we become insiders? Why are we outsiders? Does everyone feel like an outsider?

It reminds me of Bachelor Pad last summer- the house ended up divided into groups of insiders vs. outsiders and the insiders dominated the competition. I wonder if the same thing will happen this season.

I probably should have been a sociologist- I find human nature fascinating!!

Happy Saturday!!! You're all insiders to me :)

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Happy Pioneer Day 2011!!!

2011-07-25T19:07:00.000-06:00

We celebrated the 24th of July (AKA: Pioneer Day) today. We started the day at a neighborhood breakfast then went to Liberty Park to watch the Days of '47 Parade. We were able to park the car in Lesley's old employer's driveway and they joined us to watch the floats.
Happily, the weather was only in the 80s and overcast so it wasn't sweltering and we didn't bake in the sun.
Happy Pioneer Day!!!!!!!

I feel the need ...

2011-07-20T13:52:00.001-06:00

... the need to blog.

It could be boredom or a longing need to communicate into the void, but I have a desire to blog today even though I have nothing important to write about. (who am I kidding, I never have anything "important" to write about!!!)
I saw the new Woody Allen film "Midnight in Paris" and I really enjoyed it. The art cameos got to be a little over the top (hello Adrian Brody as Dali) but the overall message of the film really touched me. The message is that nostalgia for the past, along with being dissatisfied with the present, is part of the human experience, no matter what our present is.
Long story short, our 2010 protagonist longs for the days of the Roaring 20s in Paris and he magically gets transported back there nightly at midnight. While there, he meets a girl who longs for La Belle Epoch (the beautiful age) of the late 19th Century Paris. They, in turn, get transported back to that time and while there they meet Toulouse Lautrec and his friends who long for the time of the Renaissance. It's a never ending cycle of never appreciating the present.
I believe the phrase "the grass is always greener on the other side of the street" fits this situation rather well.
Maybe this human desire for the past is why some people struggle with contemporary art- because it is from our present and therefore we are dissatisfied with it. Being an art historian, the past captivates my interest and imagination. I adore contemporary art at the same time but perhaps we value art from ages past because the past can never change, it is stable and constant.
These are just some ramblings of a girl who is looking for contentment (or satisfaction) in a rather uneventful life. My wish and hope is to find joy in the journey of life and feel valued or find value in everyday tasks. I need to look towards the future and appreciate the gift that is the present.

Saturday Seething (part 31 of a 444 part series)

2011-07-16T20:43:00.000-06:00

This week's rant is brought to you from the checkout line at Walmart. Apparently it is totally for a Walmart cashier to close the line at anytime even if there is still a long line waiting to be checked out. I have had the line "close" when I was only 1 cart away not once, but twice tonight- I wish I was kidding. Both lines where incredibly long so basically I've had to start all over 3 times. The current line is stopped b/c the customer needs translation. OMGosh- the first line that closed on me just reopened but now the line is as long as the one I'm in- ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do I have more than 20 items so I can't get in the "express" lines? Oh ya, I'm in charge of mingles in my YSA ward and we have zero budget so I'm stuck buying 200 paper plates, cups, and napkins. Except the utensils only come in packets of 50 so I have a cart full of cheap quality foam that is just going to be thrown away to fill up a landfill for the next 100 years.
I have now been waiting to be checked out for 30 minutes. I hate Walmart.

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Saturday Seething (part 30 of a 444 part series) Thursday Edition

2011-07-07T16:40:00.001-06:00

I really don't get why people order their food to-go, then eat it at the restaurant anyway.
This drove me MAD when I was working at Eat-A-Burger. At EAB, if you were staying, your food came on a tray with napkins and mints but if you asked for your food to go then it would come in a bag with napkins. I cannot tell you how many people would order to-go, but then dine-in. It wasn't like it was a mistake or they changed their mind- people would do it over and over on purpose. What?!!!
So the other day, I went to Cafe Rio for a pork taco and the 3 people before me and 2 people after me in line all asked for their food to go, yet all of them stayed to eat at the restaurant. Why?!!!
I guess the argument can be made that they only want to eat a little and take the remaining home but Rio has the lids and to-go supplies by the napkins and utensils so people could get it themselves.
At EAB the to-go yet dine-in eaters would make such a mess of the tables which only gave me more to clean up; it drove me nuts and I still get worked up about it 2 years later. It's the same kind of anger I get when I see people that litter and yet drive hybrid cars.
Go Figure!
Happy Thursday (the work week is almost over!!!!)

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America the Beautiful- Happy Independence Day

2011-07-04T19:21:00.000-06:00

Here is a photo of my gorgeous mother and myself at the neighborhood breakfast this morning. I love this holiday and I love this annual breakfast. The kids were in a bike parade, all of them on two wheels (Jack on a glider bike) and played games. Even though the sky was overcast, it was a lovely day and I'd give this 4th of July a 9.5 out of 10!!!
God Bless America

Saturday Seething (part 29 of a 444 part series)

2011-06-25T13:43:00.000-06:00

Clumsiness Must Go!!!
I have fallen UP the stairs not once, but twice today.
Both times I was carrying big, but not heavy, boxes so it made my falls audible throughout the entire store. Apparently I can't do two things at once, like carry stuff and walk up stairs.
The only things hurt besides my pride are the palms of my hands.

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Saturday Seething (part 28 of a 444 part series)

2011-06-25T12:35:00.001-06:00

I wonder if Heaven has the Internet.

I must admit that is an odd topic to think about but let me explain the thought process that led me to that line of questioning.

I walked in to the gallery this morning to find 3 burned out bulbs when 12 hours earlier they were all fine. I was frustrated because I had just changed out 5 burnt out bulbs on Tuesday. The gallery cannot go more than a week without having a light bulb burn out- argh!! So I pulled out the ladder and thought- why can't they invent bulbs that will never burn out- which led me to think about the Brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon and the lit stones they used as light in the boats- which led me to think about what they use for light in Heaven. Then I said to myself "That is the dumbest thing you have ever been curious about!! God is light. Knowledge, truth, and purity are light... THERE IS NO DARKNESS in HEAVEN"
Well then I thought- if we have no need for light bulbs in Heaven, do they have electricity? Does Heaven (or more appropriately, the Celestial Kingdom) have Internet access?

Sometime I wish my brain would just turn off.

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Saturday Seething (part 27 of a 444 part series)

2011-06-18T16:02:00.001-06:00

Okay, okay... So I've missed a couple of Saturday posts but this is a 444 part series so I'm sure I can catch up!! Ha ha ha
The hardest part about a fantasy dream vacation, like the one I just had at Walt Disney World, is coming back to the cold, hard reality of a 44 hour work week. I love my job but was such a bummer to come back to problems and a plethora of emails to answer.
While in Florida, Valie kept saying, "Wouldn't it be great if we could spend a whole year at Disney World?!" and I would agree with her but add, "Don't you think it would get boring being on vacation all the time?"
I guess the reason why we love vacation is because it is rare and we get to savor every moment. We long for vacations to take us out of the monotony of our everyday lives. I have an escapist mentality where I love anything that takes me away from my reality, even if for only a small moment, like TV, books, art, and trip planning.
I'm already looking forward to my next adventure!!!

Twins

2011-06-15T13:14:00.000-06:00

My co-worker brought this to me today and I just had to share!!!!!!

Saturday Seething (part 26 of a 444 part series)

2011-05-28T11:02:00.001-06:00

Thing that Must Go: people saying "I appreciate it" as they walk out the door of stores.
It really bugs me when instead of a simple, appropriate "thank you", people utter an insincere "I appreciate it." I have to hold in my sarcastic "Do you? Do you really appreciate it?!" every time I hear it, even when it's not directed at me.
I had this same issue when I was working drive-through at Eat a Burger.
Not that using this phrase is bad, it's just getting over used and therefore loosing sincerity. To appreciate means to recognize the quality and full worth of something or someone.
I guess the root of my seething today is the lack of sincerity of people today. Mean what toy say and recognize the meaning of words you use. I am reminded of the words of Dr. Seuss in Horton Hatches the Egg: I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant is faithful, one hundred precent.

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Max-i-Kins

2011-05-26T11:45:00.001-06:00

Remember my post from October 2009 about Lesley finding a kitten while doing yard work? Well, I'm sad to say our miracle cat Max has died. He had been missing for a few days and we found out yesterday that he had been hit and killed by a car less than a block away from his home. We are all devastated and heartbroken. He was a beautiful, adventurous, friendly, crazy cat. He was excellent at killing rodents and birds. He loved to cuddle and get up onto the kitchen counter. He was best friends with his littermate sister Ruby; they would sleep entwined and groom each other- who is going to clean her neck now Max is gone?
We love you Max!! We will never forget you- have fun with Tigger and Kitty in the Spirit World (and don't let them teach you all their bad habits!!).

Brontë Sisters Power Dolls

2011-05-17T00:23:00.001-06:00

I saw this video on a friend's Facebook page and was laughing so hard I nearly cried!!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NKXNThJ610&feature=youtube_gdata_player

*Please watch before you continue reading*
I think my favorite part is the ruffle doily collar on the Bronteasaurus and the "barrier breaking feminist vision"- BRILLIANT

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Saturday Seething (part 25 of a 444 part series)

2011-04-30T22:52:00.001-06:00

They say "to error is human" but there can be nothing more frustrating than human errors.
To make a long story short- I took my car to get the safety and emissions inspected to renew my registration and due to human error ended up paying someone else's taxes. The poor counter girl had a hard time telling the difference between gray and silver Mazdas and confused my paperwork with another persons. Luckily the other person paid my taxes in a trade type situation; if he hadn't then I would have had to go to the DMV to get the situation resolved (agh!!).
At least everything worked out and I didn't die of a heart attack.
Happy Saturday!!!

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ROYAL WEDDING - 2011

2011-04-29T12:43:00.001-06:00

> I am so happy I woke up at 3 AM this morning!!!
> This was such a beautiful wedding and I loved every second of it. The dress was perfect and I thought her simple veil was classic. They will be able to look back on the photos of their wedding in 30-50 years and not cringe!
> Her sister's cowl neck dress was really fun and I loved the box pleats on the flower girl dresses. William and Harry looked regal in their military regalia.
> I really enjoyed the sermon the Bishop of London gave about love and marriage in the modern world- it almost sounded LDS!!
> I went back to bed at 5:30 once the bride and groom arrived at Buckingham Palace then woke up at 6:30 to see them come out to the balcony and the two sweet kisses... Awe... And the crowd goes wild!!!
> Then I went back to bed until 8:30 and saw them drive out in the blue convertible with the license plate "JU5TWED"- too cute!!!
> What did you think of the royal wedding 2011?
>

ROYAL WEDDING- 2011

2011-04-29T12:39:00.001-06:00

ROYAL WEDDING - 1981

2011-04-28T19:09:00.001-06:00

I am SO excited for the royal wedding tomorrow!!!!
I wasn't alive in '81 but I remember my sister Andrea always talking about it when I was really little. We stayed up (or got up early) to watch Diana's funeral with Andrea in '97. I kind of wish we could watch William and Kate's wedding together for the sake of continuity :)

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQTe47cR-Ws&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I still haven't decided if I'm actually going to wake up at 3 AM to watch or sleep and watch clips on You Tube. (if only this were next Friday then I could DVR it!)
Do you have any Royal Wedding plans? I might have to make cucumber sandwiches and wear a funky headband to work so I can feel a wee bit British :)
Is there any particular commemorative wedding memorabilia you wish you could get? I'd love a tea tin or one of the commemorative plates. I did get a commemorative phone cover (yes, I'm that cool) but it is still being shipped- I'll post a picture once it arrives.

Happy Wedding W&C!!

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This Totally Made my Day

2011-04-21T18:18:00.001-06:00

Marines+Britney Spears+primitive editing= The Best You Tube video I've ever seen!!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCrG6TzG-nw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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Saturday Seething (Part 24 of a 444 part series)

2011-04-16T18:26:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I wish I had a remote control for the weather.

I would love to have it snow when I can stay home all day or be at the cabin for a weekend.
I would love it to be sunny and comfortable on my days off work.
I would love for it to be rainy when I want to wear my beautiful trench coat (and feel British!).
I would love hot days to spend at the pool.
I would love cool days for a long walk.

It would be so awesome to be able to select the weather!!

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Oh look, Spring Spheres!!

2011-04-14T13:27:00.000-06:00

http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2011/04/09/seattle-school-renames-easter-eggs-spring-spheres

Please follow the link and read the article then come back to this post.

If you choose not to follow or unable to follow the link, I will give a brief summary.

A teenage girl was volunteering for a week in a 3^rd grade class. At the end of the week, she wanted to give the kids plastic eggs filled with treats and jellybeans and she asked the teacher if that would be alright. The teacher then approached the school board and they said they could hand out the gifts as long as they called them “Spring Spheres” instead of Easter Eggs. So when the girl pulled out the treats, the teacher exclaimed “Oh look- Spring Spheres” and the kids looked at her and said “Oh, Easter Eggs!”

The part that gets me mad is not the removal of the word “Easter” because that is just beyond ridiculous and will not go in to it at this time.

The part that gets my blood boiling is that the plastic eggs are not a sphere shape- they are an ovoid!!!

That school board and teacher should be ashamed of themselves. The Earth is a sphere, a ball is a sphere. An egg has a slight point to one end making it an ovoid.

I guess the word “egg” is so offensive and must be purged from the public school system at the cost of educational mal-practice. These poor children- what other subjects are the teachers misleading them about all because they are PC?!

Saturday Seething (part 23 of a 444 part series)

2011-04-09T19:24:00.001-06:00

The following is a conversation I over-heard between an 8-10 year old girl and her grandmother this evening.

Little Girl: Grandma, I have the best idea ever. How about I go over and pick out a fabric and you can make me a pillow- all we need is the stuffing and it would be a super fun craft. We could make it this size (pointing to pillow on my couch) except smaller and a different shape.

Grandmother: I don’t like sewing. How about we spend time looking at the art?

LG: Come on Grandma! I have been SO bored all weekend… well except yesterday; yesterday was the best day of my life.

G: So you really have only been bored today.

LG: Yeah. So are you going to make me a pillow or not?

Um… Little Girl, I am guessing you are NOT getting a pillow made for you tonight.

I am not sure why but the way the little girl spoke to her grandmother really bugged me. She wasn’t being super bratty or disrespectful but her attitude just rubbed me the wrong way. It is probably because I have been taught to revere (fear) authority figures but I would never dare demand my grandmother make me a pillow because I was bored and I wanted to pick out fabric. I felt bad enough asking her to hem my dress the night before prom.

I must admit I had to stifle my laughter when she said she was SOOOO BORED this weekend, and then promptly stated that yesterday was “the best day of [her] life”- totally cracked me up!!

Day 90

2011-04-09T18:32:00.001-06:00

Toilet training cats (or at least the attempt to toilet train cats) has been and continues to be a strange journey.

As of today, both M&F use the bowl regularly and with less than a teaspoon of litter or no litter at all. We clean up immediately after they are done so it doesn’t start to smell.

The next step is to fill the bowl bit by bit with water until the bowl of water is the same as the water level in the toilet- then take out the bowl.

I am worried to push to the next step because of what happened last time we moved forward on the training (see post Day 44) but that is a risk I guess I will just have to take.

Hopefully we can have them fully toilet trained by this Summer

Magnum Bars now sold at Walmart

2011-03-30T16:02:00.001-06:00

Do you need to re-read the title of this post? Go ahead... I'll wait...

I KNOW!!!!! I can't believe my eyes either but if you go to www.walmart.com/magnum it is for real- yay!!!!!!! Plus you can get a $1 off coupon on a variety pack.
Guess where I'll be heading after work?

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DWTS Dance Troupe (Boo!!)

2011-03-30T11:23:00.002-06:00

Last night's DWTS results show introduced the new concept Dance Troupe. I thought they were totally lame and I hope they don't replace the Pro's dances on the results shows (even though they probably will). I love watching the Pros dance because we get to see what they really can do. The Troupe will be like a permanent guest performance aka: another element to fast forward. The only good things about the results shows are the encore dance (which they skipped last night), seeing who gets eliminated, and the Pro dances. At season 12- I think the "stars" are now the Pros like Maks and Cheryl. I vote based on what Pro I like best and rarely on the celebrity partner. So all in all, I was un-impressed with the DWTS Dance Troupe last night. Give me the Pros dancing all night long!!!

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Saturday Seething (part 22 of a 444 part series)

2011-03-27T10:28:00.001-06:00

I love reading art history blogs- I think I have about 5 or 6 on my google reader- but sometimes the posts are almost like a dissertation!!
My favorite art history blog is Alberti's Window which is written by my good friend Monica Bowen from graduate school. I love reading Alberti's Window because the posts are concise and only a few paragraphs in length which makes it a quick read. Monica's word choice is engaging and she has a great talent of getting right to the point (something that I struggle with as evident in this very post!). I'm not sure if it's the blog format or the fact that I'm reading them on my phone, but my attention span is rather short. I wonder if it's an Internet reflex or a side-effect of a Google mentality, but if I am not interested from the begining then I switch to something else. Maybe it's because I'm not as invested with a blog as I am with a book or scholarly magazine.
I also like The 3 Pipe Problem but I usually just skim through because it would most likely take me a good 10 minutes to read it all the way through. One day last week, I was skimming 3PP and it was kind of short compared to the usual posts so I scanned back up to the top and saw that my friend that writes Alberti's Window was a guest poster! What a pleasant surprise!! I loved Monica's take on a female Renaissance artist and the way her self-portraits were used as a vehicle to illustrate her status and wealth.
I love art history blogs; I like them to be short and sweet like a fun size candy bar. Sure, king size candy bars are desirable but sometimes you can have too much of a good thing.

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Maybe I'll start my own newspaper wherein all articles will be Letters to the Editor...

2011-03-21T15:28:00.000-06:00

Oh wait... that's my blog... Never mind :)

Kate Birch Print Giveaway!!!

2011-03-21T14:33:00.001-06:00

Kate Birch is having a giveaway for one of her prints!!

All you need to do is leave a comment on her blog- here is the link:

http://katejarvikbirch.blogspot.com/2011/03/first-day-of-spring-contest.html#comments

You also get an entry for blogging about it, Facebook it, and even shouting it from the rooftops J

Yay!!! I love her art and even more so when she is willing giving away a free print!

Saturday Seething (part 21 of a 444 part series)

2011-03-19T18:13:00.001-06:00

I'm tired of people that return purchases. Not that I blame them, they shouldn't have to keep something they do not want. Returns just ruin my day and screws up my numbers.
If you are going to return something, please try to do it the day you purchased it because then it zeros out as if the transaction never took place. It would make the life of your local salesperson much easier.

Thank You-
Alli

Saturday Seething (part 20 of a 444 part series)

2011-03-12T23:48:00.000-07:00

Telethons are the most annoying part of Public Television.
1. I know the telethons are very important as they survive on donations in order to provide quality programing but why are the "host" always so obnoxious?! As a sales person, I find them irritating. They are so falsley perky and say the most idiotic things like "oh, I just love the sound of phones ringing!"- BLAH!!!

2. The breaks always come at the most inconvenient time where all you really want to do is change the channel but at the same time you really want to see the next part of the show they are broadcasting. Plus, they show really amazing shows for the telethons like Anne of Green Gables, or tonight they had 2 episodes of Lark Rise to Candleford and Doc Martin. Why don't they show boring shows like American Masters or that documentary they have been playing over and over on the Panama Canal?! Or even a Ken Burns WWII show- I would gladly welcome a telethon break during that program so I could at least have a bathroom break.

3. I always feel kind of guilty b/c I have never donated and probably will never donate to PBS (my tax $ already goes (or went, however it turns out in Washington!!) to Public Broadcasting) but I watch KBYU, Create, and KUED 99% of my TV watching time. I love it!! I love Masterpiece, Nova, Rick Steves Europe, America's Test Kitchen, Knit and Crochet Now, Everyday Foods, Travels and Traditions, Globe Treker, all the BBC shows they broadcast like Doctor Who, MI-5, Lark Rise to Candleford, Land Girls, Manor House, and even Doc Martin.
I know I should donate b/c I truly do enjoy their services and I would probably die without PBS which is why I feel guilty. It's like eating Lemonheads as I am planning my RS lesson on living a healthy life, or working out at the gym for an hour then getting an Iceberg milkshake on your way home.

So because of annoying hosts, annoying breaks during great shows, and annoying guilt, PBS telethons are annoying!!!

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I have a feeling...

2011-03-07T12:19:00.001-07:00

That today is going to be a good day.

The month of March always plays with my heart- some days it seems like Spring is here, the next day it snows – but it at least gives us a glimpse of warmth and sunshine.

Weather aside, I have a feeling that good things are just around the corner and I feel positive about the future. This is going to be an amazing Spring/Summer with lots of events and milestones to celebrate. It is nice to have things to look forward to; it provides motivation on difficult days.

Things I am looking forward to:

My Grandparents coming home from Yuma
Cameron’s graduation (and our trip to Disneyworld)
Not having to wear tights and nylons to work

Yay March!!

Saturday Seething (part 19 of a 444 part series)

2011-03-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

I love giving away free prints but I hate people.

When my sister Haley was in the gallery yesterday doing some framing for her birthday, a woman came in asking for a free print (sadly the prints had not arrived yet) and then let her son destroy my moulding corner display saying it was a “puzzle”- I really didn’t think any thing of it because it happens on a daily basis but Haley commented after the woman left and it got me thinking.

I have Saturday Seethed about this before, but I am always shocked by people’s sense of entitlement and the tendency to be rude and demanding.

We have a new print for March but to be green we are reusing the fliers from last month until they run out before we use the new ones. Well a woman has already come up with the flier and demanded she get the free print from last month b/c she doesn’t like the one for March. I really don’t think it is “false advertizing” because the flier does not say “you will get the print pictured on this flier” it just says “come upstairs to get a free print”. Even if you don’t like the print for this month, you could say “it’s nice but no thank you” instead of throwing a fit like a toddler.

I love my job, but I hate (some/most) people. I love it when I get to frame with a client. I love when a Bishop comes to get art for his office. I love it when clients call me after they get the art home and tell me how much it has changed the feeling in that room. I love it when people walk in the gallery and actually look at the art instead of walking through as if in a speed race. I love it when parents bring their kids in and teach them about Jesus through the art. I love it when people come in looking for a particular piece and we have it. I love being able to answer questions about art; when people come asking “you know that picture of Jesus?” and I can happily answer “Yes, I do”

Art Find of the Day... Alex K. Mason

2011-03-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

So as I was browsing artthatfits.com this morning, I discovered this interesting artist. Alex K. Mason has her MFA in painting and is very much inspired the landscape of New Zealand (where she studied for 2 years. Her works are in several collections mainly in the South, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest while her paintings have been included in 2 issues of Domino (one of my favorite style magazines). She currently resides in Australia.

Here is the link to her prints (both in canvas and paper) from artthatfits.com:

http://www.artthatfits.com/art/Search.aspx?key=mason

Here is the link to her personal website about her history and background:

http://www.alexkmason.com/artist.html

I am truly excited and intrigued by her work. She has a primitivistic approach to the classic subject matters of landscape and still life with a Post-Modern twist. She has objects, like branches, that enter and leave the picture plane similar to Japanese landscape painting, but then encourages the drips and staining much like Jackson Pollock and Helen Frakenthaler.* I would love to see one of her originals, I bet the texture is fantastic!

I’d love to hear what you think.

* Alex K. Mason most likely paints on an easel whereas Pollock and Frankenthaler painted with the canvas on the floor.

Symptoms...

2011-03-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

of Bieber Fever may or may not include:

- frequent high-pitched shrieks

- sweeping your hair out of your face, even if it's not in your face

- an affinity for the color purple

- singing and dancing randomly to songs that aren't being played out loud

- reading every article on EW.com that includes the words “Justin”, “Bieber”, “hair”, and “dating”

Disney Channel star Debbie Ryan said "I think that the only medication for Bieber [Fever] is to Bieber more," the "Suite Life on Deck" actress continued. "There's a [Henry David] Thoreau quote: 'The only remedy for love is to love more,' and I think that it's the exact same thing. The only remedy for Bieber [Fever] is to Bieb more."*

Common side effects to “Bieb-ing More” may include the following:

- humming JB’s catchy tunes without even noticing it (this is the beginning of the unconscious, uncontrollable urge to love the Biebster)

- his Wikipedia page is bookmarked in your phone

- you start spouting/inserting random Bieber trivia into casual conversation

- you shape your hands into a heart while you are stopped at a stop light when one of his song’s plays on your playlist

- you find yourself hoping you could “borrow” one of your niece’s “I Heart Justin” tee-shirts

The world has seen this epidemic before in its pre-mutated state when it was know as Beatle Mania. It has been dormant since 1970 but 2010 saw resurgence when a new mopped topped musical sensation hit the airwaves and transformed into Bieber Fever.

Luckily, most sufferers of Bieber Fever are blissfully unaware of the seriousness of their condition and will go on to live relatively normal lives. Well, except for the delusional patients who will wallow in self-pity because they never got to marry Justin Bieber; they will die alone.

*Kara Warner at MTV.com; “Justin Bieber Defines 'Bieber Fever' At 'Never Say Never' L.A. Premiere”; February 8, 2011

Space Shuttle Launch: Viewed From an Airplane

2011-02-28T15:34:00.001-07:00

This is seriously incredible!!!!
It is the last launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery and a commercial flight was passing over Cape Canaveral and a passenger caught it on video.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE_USPTmYXM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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This is how Fi sleeps...

2011-02-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

Under the duvet on my bed.

Saturday Seething (part 18 of a 444 part series)

2011-02-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

Today is not Saturday but I need to vent nonetheless...
If you are sick then STAY HOME!!!!!!!
The person that works across the way from me has a cold and is totally grossing me out. She is constantly sniffing, sneezing, coughing up a lung, and generally unsanitary. Does she not realize how disguising her illness is to those around her? Does she not realize she is a walking germ factory and infecting everyone around her?! I feel like I need a hazmat suit but I guess liberally applying hand sanitizer with have to be sufficient.
If you are sick... STAY HOME!!!!!
Yes, everyone gets a cold, but if people just stayed home, only half as many would get sick.

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Day 44

2011-02-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if I should to share this but I want to be honest so....
Yesterday we took out the bowl and switched to the plastic wrap with a hole in it and litter around it. Fiona and Millie were not happy with this so Millie pooped on Lesley's bath mat (they have only ever pooped in my bathroom) and Fiona did something infinitely worse. She usually crawls under my covers and curls up in the crook of my legs to sleep each night- well last night she crawled under the covers and then proceeded to pee. I called for Lesley and she rushed Fi to the toilet as she began to poop. We instantly took off the sheets and mattress pad, luckily it had not soaked in to my memory foam yet. Thanks to the newly installed washer and dryer, we had the sheets being washed within 1 minute of her blatant betrayal.
I'm trying to stay positive- at least she didn't pee on the furniture, or the carpet, or on my down duvet. Sheets are easy to clean.
We put the bowl back, even after 23 days, they just aren't ready for the next step. Will they ever be ready?

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Saturday Seething (part 17 of a 444 part series)

2011-02-19T11:47:00.001-07:00

I wish there was an instant dry function to nail polish.
I always mess up my toes when I paint them but this morning I am determined to keep my polish nice, so I am just siting on the couch watching "Culinary Creations with Mary Craft" and not moving for 30 minutes.
I wish it would cure and dry faster b/c I have a lot to get done today; I really do not have time to waste!!
Side note- I borrowed the coolest polish from Jenny!! It's OPI Black Shatter and I love it b/c you don't have to be perfect with the application. It's pretty much fool proof!!

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Day 41

2011-02-18T16:00:00.001-07:00

So to recap: we have been attempting to toilet train Millie and Fiona. They have been using the bowl under the toilet seat regularly without accidents (a small but important victory!!). The last 20 days have so far been the hardest in this process. It is also the least talked about in the books and articles we have read. I honestly feel abandoned by my research. I have seen several blog commenters have this same problem but no answers or support. I must admit it was nice to know we are not the only ones to struggle with this step.
I think we have progressed as far as we can with the bowl- the cats are using proper stance 90% of the time- but they do not like it when we try to decrease the amount of litter. So the new tactic is replace the bowl with plastic wrap under the seat with a hole cut in the middle with just an inch or less of litter. This way they can get used to the sound of going in water.
I really hope this works because I'm not sure how much longer I can handle my bathroom being a mess all the time!!!

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This is why I need to learn Ukrainian

2011-02-18T11:16:00.001-07:00

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zoh4mei-m7I&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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Saturday Seething (part 16 of a 444 part series)

2011-02-12T16:01:00.001-07:00

I have a hard time understanding how people can be SO rude when you’re giving them something for free.

The entitlement mentality of people these days astounds me. Out of 200 free prints given away this week, only about 20 customers have shown some gratitude and thanked us for the free print. I thought the percentage of happy print receivers would be more than 20%.

We teach our children to say “Please” and “Thank You” and yet how often adults forget to use those same words.

The longer I work retail, the more I realize a little courtesy goes a long way.

I have a challenge for you all: the next time you are getting samples at Costco, make sure to smile and say “Thanks” to the workers. I am sure it will make their jobs more enjoyable instead of just grabbing the first sample you see and scarfing it down before moving onto the next sample station.

Happy Saturday!!!

You've been Jimmered music video

2011-02-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently BYU Basketball is having a great season due very much to Jimmer Ferdette. There in lies the majority of my sports knowledge, well that and people talking about him on Facebook. Go Cougars!!!!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_v_NNkMCR0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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Saturday Seething (part 15 of a 444 part series)

2011-02-05T15:29:00.001-07:00

Cake Pops are so much more difficult to make than the Internet recipes made them sound. I started at 11:30 AM and by 6:30 PM I only had 8 (yes 8!!!!!) finished. The most difficult part was dipping them in melted chocolate- they wouldn't stay on the lollipop sticks and would fall a part even after freezing them.
Lesley stepped in and suggested we crumb coat them or enrobe them like you do when you're making chocolates. Well after they were all lightly coated with chocolate, Haley suggested we freeze them and dip them later. There is a whole tray of little cake balls in Haley's freezer that I need to go over and dip- I almost want to cry out of discouragement.
I really wanted to try something new and get all home-make-y but I'm such a failure in the kitchen and probably always will be (except for my mad mashed potato skills). One positive thing is that they taste pretty good, well let's say they taste better than they look.

PS- the pink sprinkle ones were dipped by Miss Ashley. She was very helpful and supportive. She had great ideas about how to get the chocolate to melt and how to dip them.

TMI Wednesday

2011-02-02T16:08:00.001-07:00

Fiona pooped in the bowl in proper stance (all 4 feet on the seat)!!!! I almost cried I was so happy to see that, especially because I didn’t even have to teach her that. She still pees with her 2 back legs in the bowl.

Millie was our alpha cat but now I am not so sure. She is really struggling with the bowl. She has been pooping on the floor for the past week but she is up on the seat, she just can’t get her bum over the bowl. It is heartbreaking to see her try so hard and still not get it right. Yesterday there was poop on the seat so at least that is progress. I never thought I’d say this but maybe Fiona will be able to help teach Millie proper stance (peer pressure/leading by example).

I wonder if we show them YouTube videos of cats going on the toilet if that will help them learn?

Saturday Seething (part 14 of a 444 part series)

2011-01-29T15:38:00.001-07:00

I heart brunch!!

I want to be able to go to brunch or even a Saturday morning breakfast (un-fancy brunch) - I just need to make time in my busy schedule to do it. I am more frustrated with myself than anything because I do not make the most of my time off from work. I can barely get laundry done let alone go and have fun at The Blue Plate Diner.

Miki the Cat Pees in the Toilet

2011-01-28T17:51:00.001-07:00

For those who want to see our end goal-
Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUIEdxZ5srY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

It's a little weird but awesome- caution if urinating sounds freak you out.

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Day 21

2011-01-28T17:47:00.001-07:00

So we had to add more litter back in the bowl- one of them (not sure which one) pooped on the floor, right in front of the toilet.
From our research- this occurrence is not uncommon; it is their way of telling us we are moving too quickly. Frankly I'm surprised this hasn't happened earlier in this process.
Happily, Fi peed this morning in the bowl while using proper stance- hooray!!!!
For those of you curious about proper stance, I am going to attach a YouTube link in the next post.

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Day 20

2011-01-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

Decrease amount of litter.
They are doing so well!!!!!
Fiona and Millie both use the bowl and we have not any accidents today.
Plus the bowl is helping them wean from digging- since it's a round bowl the litter doesn't move as easily (if at all) which makes it difficult to dig and bury.

Girls Night Out with Cassandra Barney- Spread the Word

2011-01-27T12:34:00.001-07:00

Dear Allison,

Come for a Girls Night Out with Cassandra Barney

Saturday February 12 | 6-8 PM

Repartee Gallery Fort Union: 1110 East Fort Union Blvd. (Inside the Deseret Book)

*Husbands and Boyfriends are Welcome

Forward email

This email was sent to allison@reparteegallery.com by jamie@reparteegallery.com |

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.

Christ Gallery | 380 E. 620 S. Suite B. | American Fork | UT | 84003

Day 19

2011-01-26T11:58:00.001-07:00

Start decreasing the amount of litter in the bowl.
Both cats used the bowl overnight- this new phase is going to be tricky b/c we have to make sure they use proper stance and balance all 4s on the seat instead of have feet in the bowl. Which means we need to be there when they use it. Even after 18 days, I cannot see a pattern of when they use it- every time is random- they are not consistent.

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Day 18

2011-01-25T19:54:00.001-07:00

The cats still have yet to use the bowl under the seat so we will leave it as is for today.

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Day 17

2011-01-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

Cass Barney and the Midvale Journal

2011-01-24T16:08:00.001-07:00

http://www.midvalejournal.com/pages/full_story/?id=5050&type=Articles&numitems=1&startitem=0&showimages=1

Check out the link- I am quoted in an article about the Cass Barney show we had at the Repartee Gallery back in November 2010!!!

Cass is coming for another show Saturday February 12^th from 6-8 PM and she is debuting her latest originals. She is collaborating with a jewelry designer and painting these gorgeous necklaces in portraits and you buy the necklace when you purchase the original. So you get to wear the jewelry in the portrait, thereby becoming part of the artwork itself- Pretty much BRILLIANT!! I know that when I have walked through the National Portrait Gallery in London, I always found a painting where I wish the replica of the jewelry was sold in the gift shop- well now it sort of is!!

You can check out these portraits in progress on Cassandra’s blog:

http://churningsandburnings.blogspot.com/

Day 16

2011-01-23T19:49:00.001-07:00

Les and I are both sick today so we haven't moved on to the next step. Thar will have to wait until tomorrow.

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Day 15

2011-01-22T19:32:00.001-07:00

We went and bought a metal bowl, 10 inch diameter, and switched it out with the box taped to the seat.
I'm a little worried since this is such a big change and we are going to have to watch the cats to make sure they use proper stance. Should be fun :)

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Day 14

2011-01-21T15:54:00.001-07:00

More of the same- we'll probably switch the box for a bowl tomorrow.

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Day 13

2011-01-20T14:49:00.000-07:00

Still keeping the box taped to to seat.
M&F are doing great!!

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Day 12

2011-01-19T10:41:00.001-07:00

Okay- so we cheated a bit but it was necessary.

When Lesley arrived home from work last night, she found the box to be spilled on the floor (it must have fallen or been pushed off the boxes- which I thought couldn’t happen as the box was smashed in there pretty tight) and the cats had spread litter all over my bathroom/bedroom. She was such a trooper and cleaned it all up without freaking out. The last time they did that was on day 1 and she called me nearly in hysterics while I was on a blind date. Way to go Lesley!!!

Anywho, we decided we needed to anchor the box and the best way we could think to do that was put the box directly on the toilet and use packing tape to keep it secure- that box is not going anywhere!!!!!

So far, our cheating is working and both cats have used the box since the big change. We are going to leave it there for a couple days just to make sure M&F are comfortable with this new change before we rock their world and exchange the box for a bowl under the rim of the toilet.

Allison Dawson

Gallery Manager/ Art Consultant

Repartee Gallery at Fort Union

1110 East Fort Union Boulevard

Midvale, UT 84047

(801) 352-2569

allison@reparteegallery.com

www.reparteegallery.com

Day 11

2011-01-18T11:56:00.001-07:00

Raise the box another 1-2 inches.

I haven’t raised the box yet today. I usually do it in the mornings to give the kitties a whole day with the latest step but they didn’t use the litter box at all yesterday (weird). They did use it over night so I am going to give them a little more time with this new height and I’ll raise it when I get home from work tonight.

You are not supposed to raise the box if the cat has yet to use it at the adjusted height; you cannot skip steps.

The steps/changes are going to get more and more traumatic for the kitties so I want to make sure they are comfortable with each new step before we move on to the next change.

MLK Day and "The Help"

2011-01-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

So my book for January is "The Help" in honor of MLK / Human Rights Day. I'm only 1/2 way through it so far but I'm enjoying it. It took me a little longer than usual to really get into it b/c there are 3 main characters as narrators and they switch voices/perspectives every 2-3 chapters. Once I got the voices set in my head it became a quick read.
I'll give it a full review in a few post.

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Day 10

2011-01-17T13:21:00.001-07:00

Raise the box 1-2 inches.
It's getting more and more difficult to raise the box b/c the space is getting more and more narrow but probably by tomorrow or Wednesday the box will be above the rim and that won't be a problem any more :)

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Day 9

2011-01-16T18:18:00.001-07:00

Raise the box 1-2 inches

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Saturday Seething (part 13 of a 444 part series)

2011-01-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

Oscar Edition:

It seems to me that a film must be rated R in order to get Oscar attention. I realize there are many exceptions to this in recent history (ie: Lord of the Rings, Avatar) but in general, the films that get the “Buzz” are typically rated R.

So that brings me to my weekly rant- I believe The King’s Speech was given the rating of R just to get Oscar attention b/c it DID NOT NEED such a harsh rating. Yes, there are 2 brief scenes of “strong” language but they are actually more comic relief than anything else.* The language is not offensive, nor are the scenes oppressive. If you take out the few words, the film is basically PG (not even PG-13). There is no sex. There is no violence. The King’s Speech is proof that those elements are not required in order to have a film considered “Best”- yet it is R.* The reason I am upset with this fact it that I do not watch movies that are rated R. I think by giving it such a hard rating, it eliminates a large potential viewing public and this is a fantastic film that I believe everyone should see. I really wrestled with myself about going to see this movie and I am so glad I saw it.

There are no special effects, no one gets blown up, no nudity is required, and you actually root for the characters from the very beginning. It is simply amazing storytelling which I think Oscar should praise even the film wasn’t rated R.

The scene that sealed the deal for my voting for Colin Firth as Best Actor is after Bertie’s father’s death (King George V) when he opens up to Lionel, his speech therapist (played by Geoffrey Rush), and tells him of his childhood and when he developed his stammer all while Bertie is putting together a model air plane. In a previous scene, Lionel encourages Bertie to sing the words when he is trying to communicate difficult subject matter, and when Colin Firth sings-songs the words about how Bertie was treated by his nanny, my heart broke. It was simple, it was powerful, it was phenomenal.

* The scenes have a similar feel of Chevy Chase’s rant about his boss in “Christmas Vacation” or Steve Martin’s meltdown over a rental car in “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”

* The rating of R is given for any film that uses the F-word more than once, no exceptions. I think our rating system needs to be changed. I’d much rather hear the F-word 3 times than see nudity, sex or graphic violence (I hear worse language walking down the street in Salt Lake City). R rating is much more broad than all the other ratings and I think that should change. The King’s Speech is a very soft R- I would give it a rating of PG-18, maybe not right for kids and teens to see, but very much appropriate for adults.

Day 8

2011-01-15T17:13:00.001-07:00

Raise the box 2 inches for a total of 9 inches off the ground.

The cats really have to jump to get in the box now, but it’s not a problem for M&F!! They haven’t struggled one bit during this process (so far) and I am excited to see how they deal with transition of the box onto the toilet seat.

Keep up the great progress Millie and Fiona!!!!