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Goodbye 2009, it’s been swell. Starting out the new year right by attending the Phoenix First Fridays Art Walk. I had my camera on some strange setting and so the photos that I took are closer to how I really see things since I developed “dancing eyes” due to the brain surgeries. I usually take photos so that I can upload them onto my computer, where the screen and scene is stationary. That way I can see what I missed or couldn’t see while I was there. When things or I am in motion, it is next to impossible for me to focus on anything. It is very trippy and inconsistent so sometimes are better than others. I guess it is like that damn box of chocolates, “I never know what I’m going to get”!

The art scene was rockin’ tonight. LOTS of music and, of course, art. I have noticed an increase of beautiful, young, hippie, free spirited people and VW buses and VW bugs. Lots and Lots of dreads and cool wool hats. This makes my heart sing.It is always so great to see people bringing their dogs out, too. It just keeps getting better all the time.

There is a large police presence now and they are cruising through the crowds on their big, brown horses. Actually, the horses are very cool to watch. I think that would be a great job for a horse, you know, if you were a horse who had to have a job. They get to walk around and see art and hear music and check out all of the groovy people!

So, it is 2010 and what a wonderful way to welcome a new year. Embraced by the downtown Phoenix art love. I did get 2 free hugs, by the way (I LOVE the Free Hug people)!  So….2010….. bring on the sights and sounds and magic of the arts! I hope to ride this wave all the way into the shore and beyond.

Enjoy!

‘Tis the season, once again. It is finally getting cold in Arizona. This is the time of year that reminds us of why we live here. It is still pretty warm in the daytime and is finally dipping down into some colder temperatures at night. Northern Arizona is calling me and I cannot wait to take a short trip to where the “real weather” is! I am still barefoot with the windows open in Phoenix during the day. I am pretty sure that I could not get away with bare feet in most parts of the country right now. I am crossing my fingers for snow at Arcosanti by Christmas. Needless to report, we rarely have a white Christmas in Phoenix! I do, however, recall a couple of snow days in all of my years here. It wasn’t anything that stuck around for any measurable amount of time, though.

One of my favorite places to go to in the winter (or anytime, actually) is Jerome. The backside of Mingus mountain is absolutely gorgeous blanketed in snow. The recreational areas are usually packed with desert rats who drive up to play in the frozen water. Since the brain surgeries, I am not really able to play and get physically involved, but it doesn’t keep me from watching the kids sliding down the hills on their sleds and garbage can lids. As far as building snowmen and women, I usually find an existing one to embellish. I’m much better at taking photographs, though. And one of the main reasons that I take so many pictures is because I have “dancing eyes” (nystagmus~ rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes). Taking photos is a way that I can get a better look at where I’ve been when I upload the pictures later. It’s tricky. Riding in a car can become a blur sometimes and I am only able to see shapes and colors. It is the same thing with walking. I must stand or sit still in order to focus very well. It is a nuisance, but, you have to do the most with what you have.

So, HAPPY HIPPIE HOLY DAZE! I hope you are all enjoying the season and making the most of what you have, too!