Last week...a recap

I spent the majority of last week tucked away in the hills of North Carolina discussing river and organizational sorts of things. There was also some staff bonding to be attended to. Surprisingly, I didn't pull my camera out that often. A quick slideshow of what I did capture. You can view the full size pictures in my Flickr stream.



If I were to summarize in list form, I would have to mention:

- "Just gun it."
- Running out of water the first morning.
- Getting the van stuck on the side of the hill.
- Smiling faces I haven't seen in a while.
- "Fireman!" "Ew, Appalachian firemen."
- What are models?
- Laughing at others getting splashed.
- Listening to parts of a lot of different 80s songs.
- Amy and the hilarious, smart ass remarks she has for everything.
- A to the K!
- River charades and a level of dorkiness that few should ever learn about.

I'm sure I could think of more, but that's enough for tonight.

Letting it go

I've been trying something new lately. You see...I'm a sensitive person. At the same time, I'm also someone who generally won't shy away from letting someone know when they've hurt me or when I feel like someone else is in the wrong. I consider this part of what I hope is my straightforward nature.
























However, getting worked up over the little things can be tiring, particularly when you wonder if they truly matter in the grand scheme of things.

So I've been trying something new.

I'm trying to learn to just let it go.
























I'm pretty sure Mariah Carey would call this "shaking it off". :-)

File this under things I need in my life

I'm a big fan of Twitter and all of things I learn and discover from the
people I follow. One of my favorites in the art world is Jen Bekman
(www.twitter.com/jenbee), founder of 20X200
(http://www.20x200.com/art/2010/03/myriad.html). She posted a link to a
blog about this beauty below. I don't know about you, but I really think
this needs to find a way to my home someday soon.

Nights in White Satin

I went to Scarlet's Piedmont Symphony Orchestra concert on Saturday and had so much fun. Instead of your tradition classical stuff (which I can also dig), they rocked out with classic rock tunes from the Beatles, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Moody Blues, etc. And by rocked out I mean they played with a rock band. So.Much.Fun.

Search for Stars Hollow: Ellicott City

Navigating the curving road into the Patapsco Valley, I couldn't help but notice the houses getting older, the architecture more distinct. Finally forced to stop at the Main Street intersection at the bottom of the hill, the quaint downtown took my breath away. I discovered Ellicott City, located outside of Baltimore, only through work, but after driving down Main, I fell a little bit in love. By the time I crossed the Patapsco River and noticed the swiftly moving, rocky water I knew this town had the potential to be something special.

















(Photo by: daveb_md)

This enclave of Ellicott City embraces its history, honoring the B & O Railroad and Ellicott's Mills for their role in founding and growing the city. Modern day Ellicott is peppered with restaurants, antique shops, a wine bar, local brewery and historical tours. Like any good Stars Hollow wannabe, it also has its share of festivals, ranging from the Fall Arts Festival to the Chesapeake Shakespeare Festival. There is even a cast of enthusiastic residents ready to envelope you into the fold.


















(Photo by: citron_smurf)

Unfortunately, the quaint village I consider Ellicott City is surrounded by Ellicott City proper with all the modern conveniences provided by urban sprawl. Once you escape the valley, you are affronted with any number of big box stores, chain restaurants, and McMansions. Don't get me wrong. I tend to take advantage of these conveniences as much as the next girl. I live in the suburbs of DC. My Stars Hollow...it's the mythical unicorn I seek, and I have every right to continue my quest for that perfect, magical combination.
























Still, don't turn your back on Ellicott City. Head to the Spring Wine Festival, wander the ruins of the haunted Patapsco Female Institute and don't leave without sticking your toes in the Patapsco.

I might be addicted to decades past

I have a minor obsession with thrift stores. I think it's a combination of the potential for really inexpensive stuff, the thrill of the hunt, and the fact that I believe it's just smarter to reuse old things (if possible and particularly when they are made well). That said, I try to keep myself in check because I live in a little studio apartment, and I, in no way, ever want to be one of those hoarders. I'm lucky because most of the stuff that I find that is reasonably priced and simply amazing is in Texas. A new sofa won't fit on a plane, so it makes for the perfect gut check.

A couple of weeks ago I found some chairs I couldn't walk away from. I scored three mid-century Danish modern chairs for a total of $4.69. I'm I pretty sure they are truly mid-century and not reproductions based on the way they are constructed. Couldn't tell you for sure and don't really care. Last week I reupholstered the seats of two of the chairs and couldn't be more pleased with the results. I wish I had taken a before picture, but the fruits of my labor are below.

Feeling unfinished

Do you have those projects that you start but can never seem to get around to actually finishing? I do. I've had this train set for about 3-4 years now. They were giving it away at the bookstore where I used to moonlight, and I took it home with grand ideas of turning it into a magical forest train set (or something equally fanciful). However, life gets in the way. Other ideas get in the way, and things just get left unfinished. Here's to Thursday and the hope that I can at least ensure nothing is left unfinished on the work front.