Saturday, July 21, 2007
Nothing
...got done today. I was just wiped out. Eliza arrived late in the evening, and we stayed up and chatted. That was my big accomplishment for the day.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Rosario's memorial
It's amazing how long it can take to put together a couple of bouquets sometimes. It doesn't normally take so long, I don't think, but it took me 3 hours to put these 2 together today. I had to redo them each a couple of times; things were just not going my way. I also wanted them to be somewhat different.
So this first one -- mallow, clematis, 2 types of hydrangeas, hypericum berries, chrysanthemums. I was pleased that both the mallow and the clematis lasted well into the evening and still looked pretty good around 11pm. I was afraid that they wouldn't make good cut flowers (because I never see them as cut flowers), but they surprised me.
This one -- hydrangeas, oregano, 2 types of lilies, mallow, nandina, and a different type of hypericum berries than above. I really liked the hypericum berries in the arrangements. I'l use them more often now.
Then it was off to the memorial. 325+ people came, the line to sign the guest book went around the block outside the Chinese Garden. Lots and lots of people came to help. The staff and volunteers at the Chinese Garden, the board and volunteers of the China Council. When I finally left at around 11pm, people were still cleaning up.
There were lots of good stories tonight, and many talked about his connection to Dunhuang, how he's probably out there walking in the desert now. I almost talked about that too, but decided to tell another story, something a little more recent. So this was my story (more or less):
Last November, while Mike and I were at the movies, we saw an ad for the Metropolitan Opera's simulcast of The First Emperor, Tan Dun's opera about Chin Shih Huang Di. The simulcast would be at Lloyd Cinemas at 10:30am on a Saturday morning.
I emailed Rosario and a few other friends to see if anyone would be interested in joining us. And I said to Rosario, "Mike suggested that we should meet for Chinese breakfast before the show."
I envisioned a Saturday morning with a few friends.
On Jan 13, the day of the simulcast, Mandarin House opened bright and early at 8 in the morning for a delicious Chinese breakfast for 60 people. Rosario was busy chatting with everyone; I don't know that he had a chance to have any breakfast at all. A few people came in from the street, mistakenly thinking that the restaurant was open, and they too enjoyed a special Chinese breakfast. My Chinese isn't the best, but I think, In Chinese, you would say that these people tuo le Rosario de fu -- that they owed their good fortunes to Rosario.
Rosario also prepared a program for the event -- a synopsis of the opera and some information about the composer -- which he handed out once we arrived at the theater. The theater was packed, and our group was the envy of everyone, they all wanted to know where we got our programs; nobody else had them. I had so many strangers tell me how lucky we were that somebody had gone to the trouble to prepare a program for us. So here, there's no doubt that we owed our good fortunes to Rosario.
This is just my little story about how Rosario thinks -- it's about the community and it's about sharing. He didn't want us to just go off by ourselves to enjoy something when 60 people, and more, could be invited to participate. He wasn't satisfied with just learning all that he could about the performance, but he shared what he learned with us.
It was our good fortunes to have known him.
So this first one -- mallow, clematis, 2 types of hydrangeas, hypericum berries, chrysanthemums. I was pleased that both the mallow and the clematis lasted well into the evening and still looked pretty good around 11pm. I was afraid that they wouldn't make good cut flowers (because I never see them as cut flowers), but they surprised me.
This one -- hydrangeas, oregano, 2 types of lilies, mallow, nandina, and a different type of hypericum berries than above. I really liked the hypericum berries in the arrangements. I'l use them more often now.
Then it was off to the memorial. 325+ people came, the line to sign the guest book went around the block outside the Chinese Garden. Lots and lots of people came to help. The staff and volunteers at the Chinese Garden, the board and volunteers of the China Council. When I finally left at around 11pm, people were still cleaning up.
There were lots of good stories tonight, and many talked about his connection to Dunhuang, how he's probably out there walking in the desert now. I almost talked about that too, but decided to tell another story, something a little more recent. So this was my story (more or less):
Last November, while Mike and I were at the movies, we saw an ad for the Metropolitan Opera's simulcast of The First Emperor, Tan Dun's opera about Chin Shih Huang Di. The simulcast would be at Lloyd Cinemas at 10:30am on a Saturday morning.
I emailed Rosario and a few other friends to see if anyone would be interested in joining us. And I said to Rosario, "Mike suggested that we should meet for Chinese breakfast before the show."
I envisioned a Saturday morning with a few friends.
On Jan 13, the day of the simulcast, Mandarin House opened bright and early at 8 in the morning for a delicious Chinese breakfast for 60 people. Rosario was busy chatting with everyone; I don't know that he had a chance to have any breakfast at all. A few people came in from the street, mistakenly thinking that the restaurant was open, and they too enjoyed a special Chinese breakfast. My Chinese isn't the best, but I think, In Chinese, you would say that these people tuo le Rosario de fu -- that they owed their good fortunes to Rosario.
Rosario also prepared a program for the event -- a synopsis of the opera and some information about the composer -- which he handed out once we arrived at the theater. The theater was packed, and our group was the envy of everyone, they all wanted to know where we got our programs; nobody else had them. I had so many strangers tell me how lucky we were that somebody had gone to the trouble to prepare a program for us. So here, there's no doubt that we owed our good fortunes to Rosario.
This is just my little story about how Rosario thinks -- it's about the community and it's about sharing. He didn't want us to just go off by ourselves to enjoy something when 60 people, and more, could be invited to participate. He wasn't satisfied with just learning all that he could about the performance, but he shared what he learned with us.
It was our good fortunes to have known him.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
A world of difference
When I think, in an abstract way, that I'll never see a friend again, I am saddened by it. But that's a whole world away from knowing that I'll never see them again because they've suddenly ceased to exist. And Rosario has ceased to exist; I find it very hard to wrap my mind around it.
The obit in the Oregonian came out today. I found it terribly disappointing -- it hardly touched on some of the more unique things that he had done. For example, for years he worked as a translator at various Dunhuang studies conferences out at Dunhuang, the oasis town on the edge of the Taklamakan desert where the northern and southern silk roads diverged/converged. He had access to the top scholars who studied the Buddhist caves, murals, and frescos at these oasis towns, and had been invited back year after year to translate for them.
When we went to China with him in 2000, his connection to the place and people got us into caves that were not open to the public. I am very sad that I couldn't go on that early morning hike out into the desert with him while we were there; I had gotten sick, and I was so disappointed that I couldn't go. He told me, "don't worry about it, we'll go back again someday." More than once, we fantasized about making the complete silk road trip from Xian to Venice.
I hadn't planned on speaking at his memorial service, which is tomorrow at the Chinese Garden. But Willow asked me specifically if I would, and I said yes. So I spent a bit of time preparing for it this afternoon -- it's pretty short, just a couple of minutes. I hope it will be sweet as well. He was one of those people who enriched the lives of those around him, in a very serious way. I don't just mean that he was fun to visit with, or have lunch with, but rather he made big efforts to have an impact on people's lives by making things happen. I will miss him.
On other happier, at least less sad, fronts -- Rebecca was finally ready for the changes for their tree house site, so I worked on that. Made more changes to my own site too, to add Portland Open Studios information, including a paypal button so people can buy the tour guides/calendar off the web site.
The obit in the Oregonian came out today. I found it terribly disappointing -- it hardly touched on some of the more unique things that he had done. For example, for years he worked as a translator at various Dunhuang studies conferences out at Dunhuang, the oasis town on the edge of the Taklamakan desert where the northern and southern silk roads diverged/converged. He had access to the top scholars who studied the Buddhist caves, murals, and frescos at these oasis towns, and had been invited back year after year to translate for them.
When we went to China with him in 2000, his connection to the place and people got us into caves that were not open to the public. I am very sad that I couldn't go on that early morning hike out into the desert with him while we were there; I had gotten sick, and I was so disappointed that I couldn't go. He told me, "don't worry about it, we'll go back again someday." More than once, we fantasized about making the complete silk road trip from Xian to Venice.
I hadn't planned on speaking at his memorial service, which is tomorrow at the Chinese Garden. But Willow asked me specifically if I would, and I said yes. So I spent a bit of time preparing for it this afternoon -- it's pretty short, just a couple of minutes. I hope it will be sweet as well. He was one of those people who enriched the lives of those around him, in a very serious way. I don't just mean that he was fun to visit with, or have lunch with, but rather he made big efforts to have an impact on people's lives by making things happen. I will miss him.
On other happier, at least less sad, fronts -- Rebecca was finally ready for the changes for their tree house site, so I worked on that. Made more changes to my own site too, to add Portland Open Studios information, including a paypal button so people can buy the tour guides/calendar off the web site.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Back to my own stuff
While Rebecca is thinking over what she wants for her web site, I'm back to doing my own stuff. Updated my own web site (long planned price increases, javascript updates, etc), and started working on my grant application again. Yay!
Went to the RACC site and registered as a user (for online applications). Discovered that when you enter your password, they echo the characters, rather than the usual *****. Well, at least I'm home so no one is looking over my shoulders, but it's probably not encrypted when it's sent either.
Went to the RACC site and registered as a user (for online applications). Discovered that when you enter your password, they echo the characters, rather than the usual *****. Well, at least I'm home so no one is looking over my shoulders, but it's probably not encrypted when it's sent either.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Clean clean clean
Not quite eat off the floor clean, but it will do. Got the gocco room clean enough for the visitor at 1pm, and finished it up after the visit. Now it's ready to be messed up again. Then a bit of class preparation, followed by Portland Open Studios stuff...answering questions about Photoshop...I should start charging for these.
The movie tonight was A Mighty Heart, at the Hollywood Theater. This site used to have a wonderful photo of the theater, built in the 1920's, but I can't seem to find the photo anywhere. I think the new site is not an improvement over the old version. It's not even clear where the movie listing is. Anyhow, it's a neat little theater, but the sound is not great. As a result, I really had a hard time understanding what people were saying. Unfortunately, it is a story we all know well, but still I wished I could hear the sound a little better.
The movie tonight was A Mighty Heart, at the Hollywood Theater. This site used to have a wonderful photo of the theater, built in the 1920's, but I can't seem to find the photo anywhere. I think the new site is not an improvement over the old version. It's not even clear where the movie listing is. Anyhow, it's a neat little theater, but the sound is not great. As a result, I really had a hard time understanding what people were saying. Unfortunately, it is a story we all know well, but still I wished I could hear the sound a little better.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Time flies
And another day flew by. I really, really meant to clean out the printing room today, since I have a visitor tomorrow. But instead, I spent the day working on a couple of web sites (doing some groundwork). What can I say, it's something I do that actually pays! (And I enjoy doing it too.)
The visit is not until 1pm, so I still have the morning to clean up. Reviewed Helen's grant proposal...she's pretty much ready and it looks good. Of course, I haven't worked on mine since the last class, which is now weeks ago! Like I say, time flies. It has been on my list this whole time, same with 'making a new print!'
Hey, actually, an idea that I was proposing to my new web client got rejected (or will likely be rejected tomorrow...she isn't sounding too excited), but I like it enough that it might be a good starting point for a new print.
The visit is not until 1pm, so I still have the morning to clean up. Reviewed Helen's grant proposal...she's pretty much ready and it looks good. Of course, I haven't worked on mine since the last class, which is now weeks ago! Like I say, time flies. It has been on my list this whole time, same with 'making a new print!'
Hey, actually, an idea that I was proposing to my new web client got rejected (or will likely be rejected tomorrow...she isn't sounding too excited), but I like it enough that it might be a good starting point for a new print.
Lots of phone calls...
Well, the announcement about Rosario's death went out today, so there was a flurry of phone calls and emails (both to and from). The Oregonian will be doing a full obit this coming week and the memorial service will be in the Chinese Garden. It feels a bit surreal, as I had seen him just recently.
The rest of the day was pretty broken up by the various phone calls I got and made. I did work on the lothlorien web site a bit. And it's a nightmare. It was done probably 10 years ago and has been modified by a variety of people, and it's a complete mess.
The rest of the day was pretty broken up by the various phone calls I got and made. I did work on the lothlorien web site a bit. And it's a nightmare. It was done probably 10 years ago and has been modified by a variety of people, and it's a complete mess.
Friday, July 13, 2007
A not so great day
Even though some great things did happen today. First, the worst thing -- I found out that a good friend died last night, totally unexpected. And I'm not supposed to talk about it for the time being. I was glad we saw each other several times recently, after not seeing each other for a while.
I tried very hard to not be distracted, as I had several errands to run, a couple of meetings, and the Sense & Sensuality artist's reception in the evening at 23 Sandy. Lots of freeway driving time, and I kept repeating 'be mindful' to myself.
Things got better as the day went on. The reception at 23 Sandy was quite wonderful, lots of people came, including Rick (whom I hadn't seen in months) and was totally not expecting to see him. (But of course, he had to come up to pick up someone at the airport, so I guess he had no excuse to not come.) Got to chat with Mr. & Mrs. 5000 (Mrs. was in the show); and Gretchin came, too.
Also, my jubilation at selling the violin piece was slightly premature. Turns out, they're still thinking it over, but it is hanging in their place while they're thinking it over, so everyone -- keep your fingers crossed!
I also tried a new restaurant today, Pambiche, a Cuban place and it was wonderful. I first met Margaret there in the afternoon right before the reception, and had an early dinner. Then when Rick and sister-i-l showed up, we ended up back there for their dinner an hour later. The wait staff were all "oh, so great to have you back again!" and shaking my hand. I felt like I had gotten past the proverbial velvet rope, or something.
I tried very hard to not be distracted, as I had several errands to run, a couple of meetings, and the Sense & Sensuality artist's reception in the evening at 23 Sandy. Lots of freeway driving time, and I kept repeating 'be mindful' to myself.
Things got better as the day went on. The reception at 23 Sandy was quite wonderful, lots of people came, including Rick (whom I hadn't seen in months) and was totally not expecting to see him. (But of course, he had to come up to pick up someone at the airport, so I guess he had no excuse to not come.) Got to chat with Mr. & Mrs. 5000 (Mrs. was in the show); and Gretchin came, too.
Also, my jubilation at selling the violin piece was slightly premature. Turns out, they're still thinking it over, but it is hanging in their place while they're thinking it over, so everyone -- keep your fingers crossed!
I also tried a new restaurant today, Pambiche, a Cuban place and it was wonderful. I first met Margaret there in the afternoon right before the reception, and had an early dinner. Then when Rick and sister-i-l showed up, we ended up back there for their dinner an hour later. The wait staff were all "oh, so great to have you back again!" and shaking my hand. I felt like I had gotten past the proverbial velvet rope, or something.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Another red letter day!
Whoa, I hope I'm not using up all my red letters all at once.
Found out today that my OCAC gocco class is gonna go, and there are 10 people signed up. Yay! Last year's class didn't go (or was that 2 years ago?) and I was pretty disappointed. I've started to prepare; it's about a month away yet, but I've got so many things happening in the next few weeks that I'm starting to get stressed out about it already.
Spent a little time this afternoon helping Jim hang the Copper Canyon Press exhibit at the Collins Gallery. Unfortunately, their reception is the same time as the Maryhill exhibit reception, so I was glad to have seen the broadsides first-hand today. Then the rest of the day was spent helping Rebecca with the pre-web site stuff. She needs help with everything -- deciphering packages from web hosts, answering questions about domain registration, web hosting...lots and lots of questions. I've probably spent 4-5 hours responding to all her questions via email, and my clock hasn't even started! But tomorrow, I'm gonna start charging.
And speaking of web sites, Jim mentioned that Deborah has a new web site and I should check it out. And I did. And wah! It makes me feel very bad. Very, very Bad. It's very well done, very sexy. Nicely done with Flash, very understated. But definitely sexy. I guess I'm gonna have to get the Flash books next.
Bonuses tonight -- when I was out walking, I had a bat sighting! And, a lightning storm started to roll in, although it doesn't feel like we'll get any rain.
I feel amazingly awake considering that I've had slightly over 5 hours of sleep each night for the past 3 nights in a row.
Found out today that my OCAC gocco class is gonna go, and there are 10 people signed up. Yay! Last year's class didn't go (or was that 2 years ago?) and I was pretty disappointed. I've started to prepare; it's about a month away yet, but I've got so many things happening in the next few weeks that I'm starting to get stressed out about it already.
Spent a little time this afternoon helping Jim hang the Copper Canyon Press exhibit at the Collins Gallery. Unfortunately, their reception is the same time as the Maryhill exhibit reception, so I was glad to have seen the broadsides first-hand today. Then the rest of the day was spent helping Rebecca with the pre-web site stuff. She needs help with everything -- deciphering packages from web hosts, answering questions about domain registration, web hosting...lots and lots of questions. I've probably spent 4-5 hours responding to all her questions via email, and my clock hasn't even started! But tomorrow, I'm gonna start charging.
And speaking of web sites, Jim mentioned that Deborah has a new web site and I should check it out. And I did. And wah! It makes me feel very bad. Very, very Bad. It's very well done, very sexy. Nicely done with Flash, very understated. But definitely sexy. I guess I'm gonna have to get the Flash books next.
Bonuses tonight -- when I was out walking, I had a bat sighting! And, a lightning storm started to roll in, although it doesn't feel like we'll get any rain.
I feel amazingly awake considering that I've had slightly over 5 hours of sleep each night for the past 3 nights in a row.
Red letter day!
Found out I sold a framed drawing this weekend! And B, a special collections librarian, emailed me about purchasing a copy of Fatherland (thank you, if you're reading this)! And I uploaded Margaret's web site to its official home!
Then I went out and belly danced the night away.
So here's a link to the violin drawing that sold, it's the charcoal one, I think. (This was all done through the gallery and I don't have the paperwork back.) And here is Fatherland. And here's Margaret's web site.
And here's a picture of the pirate belly dancer at It's a Beautiful Pizza tonight (yes, it's a pizza parlor, and they have belly dancing and live music every Wed night, going on for about 15 years now) --
She came out with a black veil (ok), a sword (ok), and a pirate hat...huh? Then I noticed the eye patches in the audience and ar, ar, ar going off everywhere. OK, I finally got it. The cutest part was when she opened her veil, there were skull and crossbones stenciled on it. You can barely make out that she's wearing pink and black horizontal stripped leggings and gauntlets too.
And Andrew, see someone familiar looking on the very left there? There were four dancers tonight, with open dancing in between.
Met with Rebecca for a working dinner before the belly dancing. I'll be starting on her web site in a few days. So here's a picture of yesterday's 'bill monster' piece. The human figures were stenciled on there during our June meeting from one of Alex's drawings. Kind of looks like a belly dancer, if you ask me.
Then I went out and belly danced the night away.
So here's a link to the violin drawing that sold, it's the charcoal one, I think. (This was all done through the gallery and I don't have the paperwork back.) And here is Fatherland. And here's Margaret's web site.
And here's a picture of the pirate belly dancer at It's a Beautiful Pizza tonight (yes, it's a pizza parlor, and they have belly dancing and live music every Wed night, going on for about 15 years now) --
She came out with a black veil (ok), a sword (ok), and a pirate hat...huh? Then I noticed the eye patches in the audience and ar, ar, ar going off everywhere. OK, I finally got it. The cutest part was when she opened her veil, there were skull and crossbones stenciled on it. You can barely make out that she's wearing pink and black horizontal stripped leggings and gauntlets too.
And Andrew, see someone familiar looking on the very left there? There were four dancers tonight, with open dancing in between.
Met with Rebecca for a working dinner before the belly dancing. I'll be starting on her web site in a few days. So here's a picture of yesterday's 'bill monster' piece. The human figures were stenciled on there during our June meeting from one of Alex's drawings. Kind of looks like a belly dancer, if you ask me.
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