Happy Birthday to me...

dozens of roses arrived from Lisa, Beth and Bruce... and cards "to a special friend, you're the star, Mom...love your daughter,"  the softest socks ever (warm feet at night and when reading)...a necklace, made of glass by an artist...and all opened in bed after being awakened by coffee and a reminder that the laptop was for Christmas AND my birthday...

Slumdog Millionaire

If real art portrays truth and beauty then the beautiful bedlam of Slumdog Millionaire is the real thing. Ravishing in it's cruelty it is part action, part fantasy, part drama, and part romance.  If Shakespeare had directed a movie this is how he would have done it.  

Vanity Fair Portraits

Edward Steichen photographed this definitive portrait of Gloria Swanson in 1928.  The exhibit entitled Vanity Fair Portraits has recently traveled to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art .  Seeing the portrayal of the greats of film, stage, literature,dance, music and science was as exciting as the experiencing the perfection of the photos.

Vanity Fair Portraits

A stacccato of sheer beauty could describe the exhibit of portraits by such greats as Herb Ritts, Annie Liebowitz, and George Hurrell.   George Hoyningen-Huene photographed this portrait of Gary Cooper in 1934. 

Merry Christmas to all...

...eggnog with brandy...gifts that warm at night...Asian pears with brie...candied pecans made by a friend...artist-made Christmas decorations...candy canes with my name on them...pie and ice cream (Dick is one of the few who likes mince meat)...something to make our chores easier...more of our favorite candies from those who love us...a  laptop for me...and a pair of shoes with the promise of another pair going to a shoeless person somewhere around the world...

Ming Dynasty Exhibit

I was in San Francisco long enough to see the Ming Dynasty Exhibit at the Asian Art Museum  before it closed.  

"Striving for excellence is reason enough."

Ming Dynasty Exhibit

Having this mung bean soup with hot tea was an authentic country treat.

Frida Kahlo, et. al.

Frida Kahlo's extensive exhibit, along with the permanent collection, at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.   I will never be able to see   Henri Matisse's, THE GIRL WITH THE GREEN EYES (1908), enough.  It seems so straightforward yet there is something new to see each time.   Robert Rauschenberg's painting which was formerly UNTITLED and is now called COLLECTION was created in 1954.  Looking as though it is still on the easel, you are "in" the studio with the artist as he creates with paint, marks, material, drips, forms, and even an edge! 

Elegy

After the  Women in Film screening of the gorgeous movie,  Elegy, Patricia Clarkson came in person for questions and answers.  She told that the director "let the actors be the artists they are."  

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

The criteria for a good film could be "never wishing it would be over."  I was sorry when this film was over.  

Rachel Getting Married

 A powerful film about a wedding I wish I had been invited to attend.  Anne Hathaway is nominated for  a SAG award for Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role. 

Reading Alice Roosevelt Longworth--- White House Princess to Power Broker at the same time Obama was being elected was fascinating.  

Missing dance until 2009

1) dance. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001 

...dance, [Old High Ger. danson=to drag, stretch], the art of precise, expressive, and graceful human movement, traditionally, but not necessarily, performed in accord...

Chihuly at the DeYoung Museum

Looking at the art of Dale Chihuly brings you to your knees.

AUSTRALIA was big, beautiful and lusty.  Going to the country might take less time.