Good morning,
I am NOT fishing for complements, but I do need a response. The most frustrating thing about this blog is my sense of hollering into a vast emptiness. With my sabbatical presentation completed, should I cease?
KB
PS: A cuppa PGTips, a silent house, and a snow covered world is awesome this morning :0)
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
. . . an ending
Tomorrow I will present the tangible results of my sabbatical to the Academic Affairs department, thus formally marking the end of my sabbatical (even though I have already been back a whole quarter).
It looks like so little. Puny. Wimpy.
But the time was so rich and filling. I am at a loss for how to communicate that. It isn't a matter of "You had to show up to work and I didn't!" It was more: "You know all that stuff we want to do and work gets in the way, thats what I did".
(Puny, wimpy AND inadequate).
It took several weeks to sort of get into the new flow- and release the old flow. It took WAY more time to edit what I thought I had already written (weeks and weeks).
Mood: frustrated :(
It looks like so little. Puny. Wimpy.
But the time was so rich and filling. I am at a loss for how to communicate that. It isn't a matter of "You had to show up to work and I didn't!" It was more: "You know all that stuff we want to do and work gets in the way, thats what I did".
(Puny, wimpy AND inadequate).
It took several weeks to sort of get into the new flow- and release the old flow. It took WAY more time to edit what I thought I had already written (weeks and weeks).
Mood: frustrated :(
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Joy
I've been thinking for 24 hours about joy in life.
For me, the first step is focusing on the joy. It doesn't make the difficult things go away, but it does add a bit of sweetness to them and makes them more palatable.
What brings YOU joy? Please post :)
KB
For me, the first step is focusing on the joy. It doesn't make the difficult things go away, but it does add a bit of sweetness to them and makes them more palatable.
What brings YOU joy? Please post :)
KB
Saturday, January 1, 2011
1111
1111
oneoneoneone (Herb Lubalin would have so enjoyed this date)
A new year, a new month, a new day, a new quarter, a new workspace, a new manager and a new department. All are looming or already upon me. Nice.
Growing up I had zillions of resolutions every year and kept none more than a couple of weeks. Last year, I tried something different: I set only two goals. Both are still in force. So this year, I'm going for broke and setting . . . . only two more resolutions. (Hey, it worked last year!)
1) Complete the illustrations for Janette by April 11 (The real Janette's birthdate).
2) Enjoy my job more.
That's it.
I love my job. I don't just endure it or suffer through. I look forward to teaching my subjects. I work with some of the most amazing, creative, intelligent people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I thrive on the open, intelligent, creative spirits that are my students. I have allowed myself to be pulled down and I refuse to continue.
I find it sad that some doubt the sincerity of my happiness. My life isn't perfect, no one's is. But I find great joy in the moments of my days.
My third hoped-for but not-counted resolution: complete enough paintings to start showing my work again. Funny how at 20 + it wasn't scary. But now it is.
I'll keep things updated here. When you see me, remind me of my goals. And remember what brings great joy to your moments!
KB
oneoneoneone (Herb Lubalin would have so enjoyed this date)
A new year, a new month, a new day, a new quarter, a new workspace, a new manager and a new department. All are looming or already upon me. Nice.
Growing up I had zillions of resolutions every year and kept none more than a couple of weeks. Last year, I tried something different: I set only two goals. Both are still in force. So this year, I'm going for broke and setting . . . . only two more resolutions. (Hey, it worked last year!)
1) Complete the illustrations for Janette by April 11 (The real Janette's birthdate).
2) Enjoy my job more.
That's it.
I love my job. I don't just endure it or suffer through. I look forward to teaching my subjects. I work with some of the most amazing, creative, intelligent people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I thrive on the open, intelligent, creative spirits that are my students. I have allowed myself to be pulled down and I refuse to continue.
I find it sad that some doubt the sincerity of my happiness. My life isn't perfect, no one's is. But I find great joy in the moments of my days.
My third hoped-for but not-counted resolution: complete enough paintings to start showing my work again. Funny how at 20 + it wasn't scary. But now it is.
I'll keep things updated here. When you see me, remind me of my goals. And remember what brings great joy to your moments!
KB
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Proven
I have had a theory for about 20 years: teaching sucks all the creativity out of me. (So, maybe that means that technically I suck. . . :)
I find it very hard to paint, write, design while teaching.
Hats off to my colleagues who are able to do both- often while also raising children. Sadly, I just can't. Seems two is my limit. I can raise children and teach -or raise children and create.
So, I'm looking forward to the holiday break and getting back to my canvases and my book.
And I'm even more grateful for the summer sabbatical that allowed me to get back to creating for a brief moment in time. It was filling and wonderful. And I miss it.
KB
I find it very hard to paint, write, design while teaching.
Hats off to my colleagues who are able to do both- often while also raising children. Sadly, I just can't. Seems two is my limit. I can raise children and teach -or raise children and create.
So, I'm looking forward to the holiday break and getting back to my canvases and my book.
And I'm even more grateful for the summer sabbatical that allowed me to get back to creating for a brief moment in time. It was filling and wonderful. And I miss it.
KB
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Thank you, Dr. Seuss
My book continues to develop, but I am disappointed by how much time I have spent writing and re-writing it. There aren't that many words on 32 pages, for heaven's sake! Pacing is EVERYthing, though.
My daughter Sarah is getting into reading biographies. She checked one out last week that has made all the difference to me. It seems that the late, great Dr. Seuss spent up to a YEAR per book just getting the words and rhymes just right. I have gotten mine polished and paced over about 7 weeks and have already completed the studies, grids, etc. for all the illustrations. And, I have about 8-9 images completed.
I'm not feeling quite so slow and foolish now. Mind you, a good "humble-ing" does everyone good now and then.
KB
My daughter Sarah is getting into reading biographies. She checked one out last week that has made all the difference to me. It seems that the late, great Dr. Seuss spent up to a YEAR per book just getting the words and rhymes just right. I have gotten mine polished and paced over about 7 weeks and have already completed the studies, grids, etc. for all the illustrations. And, I have about 8-9 images completed.
I'm not feeling quite so slow and foolish now. Mind you, a good "humble-ing" does everyone good now and then.
KB
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Asleep (and not so much)
This book requires seven or eight images of this little girl asleep (or faking sleep). The best thing about today's work: the subject announcing "That's me!"
KB
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