I should be sleeping now...

It's going to be a long day tomorrow and I should be in bed, but my mind is racing. Too many things to think about.

Here's Ann from this mornings show. Check out the new camera...



And Meredith's shoes...

I am out of control!

Okay, that's not the truth... but I'm too stinking busy to get all I need to done by Monday afternoon. so I guess I really shouldn't be taking my time here.

Still trying to figure out the new camera.... I will try to take some good pictures of peoples shoes today...

Things are getting busy...

I'm sorry I've been gone for a while... lot's of things to do and not a lot of time...

I did manage to suck it up and buy a new camera. I know I asked for one for Christmas but I couldn't wait. I have to take pictures of all the hot guys and gals in Miami!

I will try to post more later but I'm not going to guarantee you anything...
xoxo

Sleeping in..

I didn't hear my alarm this morning and I slept in until 5:30. That's pretty good.

I'm finishing up my coffee and then I'll head out to the show. I may be a little bit late. It's not so important to be there right on time now that I don't have the signs. I'm thinking once I get back from Miami I may have to make another sign just for the hell of it.

Well, I best get a move on...

errrr....

I'm sitting here trying to keep my mind from wandering and my eyelids open. I did manage to sleep in until 5:08 this morning and made it to the Today show (as usual).

The boxes were picked up today and I started cleaning up my studio. I didn't work there a lot but I am going to miss it.

I said a while ago that I would get back to normal blogging when I was done with I Heart Ann. I'm thinking maybe after I get back from Miami I'll be able to do a better job....

How many UPS stores can one woman go to???

The answer is four.

Before she can find a box to ship her artwork in...

Here's the rundown....

Three trips to the studio.
Three trips to home depot.
Six packages of bubble wrap.
Four boxes.
One tape gun.
Two rolls of tape.
One caffeine free diet Pepsi.
15,335 steps.
That pretty much sums up my day....

I packed up everything and it's ready to go... I still have to put together a dvd for the show to explain all my madness.

A week from tonight I'll be in Miami... wearing flip flops and shorts... (or asleep)..

More tomorrow.

Things must be busy...

I haven't posted yet today and I'm just about to hit the sheets.

Up at 6:30 (I slept in!). Drank lots of coffee. Framed my prints (only took five hours or so...). Came home, ate dinner, watched television. Have I mentioned that I like television?

Three weeks from today I'll be back in Seattle. Where has the time gone... I guess I'll have to start looking for a job. Does you want to hire me?

the longest day in recent memory...

It's days like these that make me realize I'm no spring chicken anymore (hmmmmm chicken).

It started out with me waking up at 3:30... luckily I was only awake for 15 minutes or so. I managed to sleep in until 6am, had my morning coffee and then made my way down to the Today Show to pick up the camera from Sonja. On the way back I stopped by Macy's to pick up a small dvd player for the show in Miami. I then went to WW and home to drop off the player. I was supposed to pick up my matts after 11 but when I got there at 11:15 the shop was still closed. After waiting for a while and a few trips around the block I decided to walk over to the bus terminal and check out the line for the Ikea shuttle. The line was pretty long and I decided to go back home and just try to get everything done tomorrow. (I didn't want to risk going to Ikea and not being able to pick up my matts).

On my way home I decided to check the frame shop again... luckily they were there. It turned out that Shah the owner had driven in and traffic was bad. He apologized for being late and took $22.00 off the price. Now I would definitely go back to him again.

I had to drop the matts off at the apartment and I figured I should just bite the bullet and go to Ikea. I still had some time before the last shuttle so I did a nice run/walk to the bus terminal. New Jersey was much better looking today... the sun was shining, the birds looked like they were singing... through the bus windows.

I managed to get all my picture frames purchased and back to the shuttle for the ride back to Manhattan. Once I got back I decided I should just take a cab to the studio - because carrying those frames the length of about four blocks made my arms burn.

After dropping the frames off at the studio I finally made my way home. I ended up walking over 11 miles... I'm surprised I'm still awake.

I know this post is not that exciting but what can I do? I'll do a Parade post soon. I have pictures of the baloon feet.

I'm all yours now!

I have officially finished my I Heart Ann posting (project).

It was strange going to the show today without a sign... it was crazy there today... everyone took the day off (Matt, Meredith and Ann). I did get my picture taken with Stacy London though...

On the Camera front, Sonja (a regular at the Today show) said I could borrow one of her cameras for the time being... that was very nice of her. I've been stressing out (what else is new?) about getting everything done. I was talking to Hilary (my sister) and she reminded me about the time I thought I would never be able to get perspective in drawing class and when I thought I wouldn't ever be able to do algebra and when I didn't think I'd ever learn Italian... but I did. I think I just get tired and overwhelmed with everything that's going on... I'll be alright.

TGIF right?

Hello Kitty!

I will give you all a recap of the parade later on but here is my personal favorite. Hello Kitty!

I have some bad news... my camera officially died yesterday. It will no longer zoom. Guess who has to buy a new camera today! That's just another expenditure I didn't need (which is added to the cost of frames, matting, packing materials etc...). I wish I wouldn't get so stressed out about things - but it's easier said than done.

I am planning on going to the Today show this morning. It should be crowded... but I don't have to worry about sign placement so it might be easier (less stressful).

I guess I better go. I promise to update I heart Ann soon.

Things to be thankful for....

My dog Stinky (I'm coming home soon baby!)
My family
My friends
The Today Show and all my friends there.
A good cup of coffee.
A nice bath
smelling good
Mark Kostabi
Weight Watchers
My lovely assistant Kristen.
Rotisserie Chicken

I know I already said my family but in particular I'm thankful for my momma. She has helped me in more ways than she will ever know.

I slept in until 5:15 this morning... I'm thinking after I go to the parade I'll go see a movie. I'd like to see the new Cohen brothers film... we'll see how it goes... I don't want to pay full price... After that I may take my prints and frames I have to the studio. I might as well get some work done since I have the day off.

Gobble Gobble!

progress.

I am happy to report that took my annual Thanksgiving eve laundromat run and I went to a special Thanksgiving edition of Title This (when I list my annual things I'm thankful for tomorrow, Mark Kostabi is going to be on it... because he is helping me finance my art and he feeds me pizza).

My last official day at the today show was a bit sad... I've made friends there - I didn't think I would make friends... I don't know why I didn't think I'd make friends. I'm feeling a bit tired so I think I will wait until tomorrow to post my last official entry in I Heart Ann.

Is it going to be different without a sign? Maybe... I learned that Lenny's name is actually Linny. Who knew? Well, I guess Linny knew...

Tomorrow morning I am going to sleep in until 5:30 and then go to the parade. I told Richie I'd stop by the Today show if I was in the area. (he's the guy who let's people in the building.. you see him standing behind Meredith and Matt when they're at the desk).

I'll be back tomorrow with the list of things I'm thankful for.

Serenity now!

My meeting with Chad did much to ease my mind... I decided on frames and I ordered matt's for my prints, they should be ready on Saturday morning.... and I got a pretty good deal I think. I found this place online through city search. It's called One Stop Framing Shop on 36th and 8th.

The only thing that would make me feel better is if I would get paid for National Portfolio Day and I had a date. Okay, maybe just the getting paid part....

I have finished my last sign... I don't want to ruin it for you all so you'll just have to wait for tomorrow.

Almost done!

Only one more day of the Today show and I'll be done (but I can never really be done...).

I picked up my prints yesterday from Supreme Digital. They are the most beautiful prints ever... They were even less expensive than I was expecting.

Chad is coming over today to help me decide on frames and matting. I almost feel a sense of relief. I'll have to find someplace to get matts cut specifically for my work. Hopefully I can find someplace and get them by Friday.

I am planning to go to Title This tomorrow for the special pre-Thanksgiving show. I could use some spending money for black friday. I used to be anti-consumerism... but now I'm just sort of sorta-consumerism...

I guess I better get moving.

Avoidance.

I am trying to put off doing laundry for as long as possible... or at least until Thursday (or Wednesday night)... I think it was last Thanksgiving eve that I went to a laundromat for the first time. I think I'll check back in my blog to find out.

I keep hand washing certain things that I can't wear when they're dirty...If I can do laundry once and make it through Miami that would be great...

The Today show today wasn't so great. Faith Hill performed and that was good, but the weather sucked and I didn't get on the air at all. My sign was all for nothing today... Ann is taking a few days off this week... hopefully it will just be Thursday and Friday... so it won't be a big deal for me.

My prints are supposed to be ready today so I am waiting to get a call...

I've seen heaven...

and it's in New Jersey!

okay, not really but it's close. I decided to take the free shuttle to Ikea in Elizabeth, NJ. As a bonus I got to see Liberty International Airport which is the airport I will be flying out of when I head home on the 16th.

The Ikea was very nice. Two levels and a very fancy restaurant in the middle... I had a chicken ceasar salad for under five bucks. Now that's a deal. I went there looking for frames for my work. I think I've found frames that are going to work.... I will have to get matt's cut for them but the price is right and I think it will be groovy.

Friday night I met up with my friend Jenna from Seattle. She is in town visiting friends... Yesterday I met up with Helen and Mark from Chicago - I was her TA for the early college program and Mark fixed up old crusty (my laptop) when she was sick. She (Helen) is in town doing National Portfolio Day for Undergrads for School... I hope she gets paid sooner that I (well I can't say did because I haven't been paid yet)....

We took in some of the gallery shows in Soho. We checked out the Moriko Mori show at Deitch Projects and this other project that I think was called the House that Herman Built it's all about the house that this incarcerated prisoner wants to build... click on the link and you'll find out all about it. It was very interesting.

Did I mention that I went back to Title This on Friday and made $30.00? I also met an art dealer from LA who liked my work. I may have mentioned this but my brain has started leaving my body and I'm forgetting things and repeating myself... maybe Friday I'll be able to sleep in... I may have to wear earplugs to keep the noise of the radiator out of my head.

Okay, I guess that's it. Brian Wansink (Mindless Eating) is going to be on 60 minutes tonight so I have to go watch... he was on Today on Friday... I guess it's the obligatory pre-thanksgiving food stories...

I promise a good post tomorrow...

I've been busy with seeing people and doing things. I will do my best to post something scintillating for you all tomorrow.

I've been missing...

I woke up this morning in a panic... I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find a place to get my prints done in time to get them shipped to Miami.

I admit it... I am a big worry wart. I worry about everything it seems..

I did manage to find a place to get my prints done although it's going to cost me... but I supposed to have to spend money to make money...

Yesterday I went to visit Mark Kostabi's studio... I managed to make $21.00 then and today I went to Title This and I took home $30.00. I guess that almost makes up for the fact that I haven't gotten my paycheck for working National Portfolio Day....

Jenna is in town and we're supposed to have dinner. Hopefully I won't fall asleep during it.

More later when I'm not so tired.

These are Mark Kostabi's shoes...

Promises.

I promise I will get back to a more normal schedule of blogging the end of next week.

Next Wednesday will be my last official entry in I heart Ann and then I can focus on you all and bring you more sights, sounds and grocery stores of New York and Miami.

I found out yesterday we will be going to Miami on the 3rd. This morning while I was watching Chris Cimino on the news he said Miami was going to be in the 70's today. I'm psyched to wear my flipflops and shorts again... (I am not going to mention the pasty white legs I will be sporting...).

Yesterday James and I stopped by a Damien Hirst exhibit... here are some photos.







These are photos of a permanent sculpture which is outside the building where the installation is... (of course I don't know the name of it... I think it's something obvious).



Here's the foot.









This afternoon James and I are supposed to go back to Mark Kostabi's studio for a tour. I'll let you know how it goes...

I have a complaint here...

When I went to the Martha Stewart show all I got was a copy of her body and soul magazine... the last few days she's given out good stuff. On Monday she gave her audience a roaster pan from her Martha Stewart collection at Macy's and then today she gave away gift certificates for a monogrammed lingerie bag. What's the deal?

Thanksgiving plans...

I've been invited to a few things on Thanksgiving... I am planning on going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Today Meredith Vieira asked me what I was doing. Maybe she'll invite me over. (I wish)

The cold still lingers... not too bad, but I still don't feel 100%.

I don't have much to say beyond that.

Lying low...

I woke up with a sore throat this morning. I went to the show and then stopped by Walreens on the way home to pick up some cold medicine. I think I'll try to take it easy and get rid of this before it gets full blown.

On the bright side of life Celine Dion is going to be on the Today show on Wednesday and you know how I like her... (although not to the same extent as Ann Curry or Stacy London).

Turkey?

I've been watching the food network recently and I have the urge to cook a turkey. Not that I have anyone to cook for mind you but I think I should cook one before I die.

I watched Taxi Driver finally last night... I AM Travis Bickle (minus the taxi driving, porn movie watching, head shaving, gun toting, assassination driven part). I'm talking about the loner part of him... and the snappy dresser part.

I'm going to head down to the studio today and print out more of my images... I need to decide today which ones I need larger for the show.

I've been up since 5:30... It would be nice if I could stay up later and get up later but it's just not going to happen.

In a perfect world...

I would have thin thighs, a big savings account and the metabolism of a fruit fly.

But I suppose that wouldn't be perfect because the life span of a fruit fly is very short.

Today I went down and made an appointment for beautification right before I go to Miami (not that I can afford it but I don't want to look like a schlub). You never know - I might meet a future boyfriend/art patron while I'm there.

I didn't go to Ikea today - maybe tomorrow...

Oh, I also started the process of consolidating my student loans... that's a fun thing...

I guess that's it for now. I think I'm going to watch Taxi Driver now... I've never seen it before and since I'm a loner in New York...

Things will all be normal in two weeks.

Hopefully that will be a true statement. I will then be done with the majority of I heart Ann postings and getting things ready for the show in Miami.

I'm feeling a bit grumpy... no reason for it... maybe it's pms. nah, I don't think so... just missing home a bit.

I am investigating frames for my work... there is a shuttle bus that goes to Ikea in Elizabeth (NJ?) from the port authority bus terminal on the weekend. I may just go this weekend for the experience of it all... I'll be sure to let you know.

Today I saw them raise the tree at Rockefeller Center... was one of those once in a lifetime things. I suppose I will miss some things about New York... the Today show of course, the people who work there and good public transportation.

Hello again.

It's chilly outside today. I am going out this evening to watch the sunset with Lilly. There's going to be cake.. you know how I like cake.

I have started getting things put together for my move back to Seattle. I've contacted the temp agency I worked for letting them know I was going to be available. It will be nice to be able to pay some bills... (oh yeah, those student loans are going into repayment).

Hey, look! It's me on Halloween!



and I wonder why I'm still single....

Shaping up...

things are beginning to happen. My friend Tia who works at McMurdo station may be having coffee with Ann Curry tomorrow and she's going to mention that she knows me and mention I heart Ann.

Yay!

Went to lunch today with Chad in Williamsburg. I had some tasty fennel soup and nice warm bread. hmmmm. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to show for it.

It's cold outside and my hands are starting to dry out... and my nostrils... I suppose I can survive five more weeks considering I'm going to be in Miami for one of them.

On my agenda...

Yesterday I had a bit of a run in with some cookies. The good thing is that I didn't eat them all.... there are some in my garbage can (the old me would have eaten them all and/or seriously considered rummaging through the garbage).

I am back on track today... Tomorrow Chad and I are going to lunch. He's going to show me around Williamsburg. It should be fun - I always enjoy Chad's company.

I purchased a ticket to go back to Seattle in December... only five and a half weeks and I'll be back to a normal life... although I don't know if I can ever go back to a normal life after this. It's just going to be a different life.... more about that later.

Look! It's me and Russell Crowe!

Is this really happening?

The title of this post has no relevance to the content.

Here are a few updates. On Saturday when I weighed in I was down four pounds since last month. I had a feeling I was going to do well... I'm almost back to goal.

Today I went to the Today show and it was a bit of a letdown... no good airtime. It's supposed to start raining tonight and through the morning (great, rainy and cold). It's supposed to really get chilly towards the end of the week. I've figured out that I will continue going until right before Thanksgiving.

I have to start selecting the images that I want to have printed out for Miami.... I just have to suck it up and pick some... I will probably end up framing some (which costs money but you have to spend money to make money).

I'm tired... I suppose I should go to bed soon, that way I will be less likely to shovel food in my face.

Yesterday.

I ended up going to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine yesterday. The last time I was there was for an Easter (or Palm Sunday) service back in 1985 where Jesse Jackson gave the sermon. A lot has changed... here's some photos - mostly of the exterior.











Inside the Brooklyn Philharmonic were practicing for a concert that evening.





They were playing Notturno for Violin & Strings (I know this because I picked up a flyer...)... this is the soloist Brittany Sklar. I really dug it - if you know what I mean.

Status.

Let me see...yesterday I ended up walking almost nine miles. I managed to stay awake until 10pm. I stayed within my points range (that 's Weight Watchers lingo)...

Today is weigh in - I think I should have a good result... I just have to not eat anything until after it. Since I'm only going to be in New York for a about six more weeks I should probably not buy any more grocery staples and make do with what I have... I just get into the habit of having to buy food even if I don't really need it.

Did I happen to mention that I had a conversation with James and Fi the other night (Fi is another friend of mine) about how to price artwork... it was interesting getting James' take on my work. It looks as though I can actually make money with what I'm doing - James runs a gallery and he told me what he would price my work at... it was more than I was thinking which is nice. I might actually be able to start paying my mother back all the money she's loaned me over the past few years. I also am going to buy a new digital camera if I make some money - I dropped mine yesterday in the middle of the Today show. It still works but It's on it's last legs.

Maybe I'll try to go back to sleep for a little while... I should go somewhere interesting today that I haven't been yet... let me sleep on it.

Is it nap time yet?

I've been up since 4:15... it was a busy morning... a lot of drama (okay, maybe not a lot but more than usual).

Some day soon I will be able to divulge all of my secrets and you will be enlightened.

I'm thinking in order to not fall over and make myself useful I will take a big walk this afternoon - hopefully I will be able to stay up past 7pm.

I'll post some more later...

Thursday Morning...

I ended up going to be before nine... I'm still tired though. I guess I can sleep when I go back to Seattle.

The weather isn't too bad. It's 57 degrees so I won't freeze my butt off this morning.

Since I read that book Mindless Eating I've been implementing some of their ideas... I'm supposed to weigh in on Saturday and I think I will finally be down for once. Okay, I was down last month 2/10th of a pound but still... I just have to keep in check these next two days. I know some people say I'm obsessed with my weight - I suppose I am... but they don't usually know the old fat me. I don't want to go back to that and that's why I'm so diligent (or try to be).

I guess I should get my act in gear... tonight were meeting at the studio trying to get space figured out for Scope. Considering I don't necessarily know what I'm putting in it might be hard. I guess I'll figure it out. I always do.