Golden afternoon

I spent the afternoon yesterday working at a coffee shop in downtown Golden. Roux was well behaved and stayed on the ground next to me happily watching people go by. It occurred to me that that's one great thing about dogs; the way they can be part of so many different facets of your life (unlike horses).
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The tulips are in full bloom in town right now. I don't know a darn thing about gardening, but tulips must be pretty hardy because they grow even in our yard, and keep blooming even when it snows.
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I also found this antique carousel horse at a shop in Golden (right before Roux's new friend offered her a used pretzel), and re-remembered how someone once used a similar item to ask you to prom. That was pretty cool, in retrospect. I sort of hope we both have people in our lives in the next fifty years who sometimes do things at least that frivolous.
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I know you are probably feeling nostalgic about Washington and your life there right now, but I am mostly excited that you will soon be closer to me.
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favs

The countdown has truly begun. As it stands I have 14 days left of life in Washington. That means I have been trying to spend time with all my favorite people and places as much as possible. That also means I have yet to really get started on the whole packing thing, but isn't that just always so much more fun when it's rushed and frantic?

Here's an image from dinner the other night with the Meisel family. It was a delightful dinner made extra special by perfect end-of-the-day light streaming in through the windows.

Psycho Killer

It never even crossed my mind that Roux's new obsession with tracking and chasing squirrels was anything but totally harmless. Until the dogs were displaying an unnatural obsession with a particular corner of our yard, and, upon investigation I found this:
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And if you think finding a dead squirrel isn't disturbing enough, try finding one that is still breathing. Which is a much bigger dilemma, because I'd hate for him to be suffering. What if he was still conscious, and just paralyzed? With flies crawling on him? That would be the worst. So I called the one guy who would know what to do, and that's my Uncle Roy, a certified cowboy. And he said the quickest way to put him out of his misery, if I'm worried about the little guy's well being, is to hold a shovel over his neck and then jump on the shovel. He said usually the head pops off, but it would be 100% painless for Roux's victim. Or, he said you can run over it with your car, but sometimes they pop. I knew I couldn't do either personally, so I had to enlist Alex's help. He pulled through, finishing the job in his corduroys and flip flops. And then we put the little squirrel in a ziploc and threw him in the trash. I would've given him a proper burial, believe you me, except that I feared one of the dogs would dig him up.

On a (slightly) brighter note, look how pretty Kinley's antibiotics are!
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That particular shade of red might just be a new favorite color.

Bearded Pug

I am really wishing I'd found this for Waldo instead of the wolf. It's like half pug/half little bearded man. I love it. If my dogs were halfway capable of not instantly destroying it, I'd buy it in a second.

from this Etsy shop

Lisie is 22

My sister's 22nd birthday is on Wednesday and, like every year, I agonized over what to get her. I always want something memorable, but every year can't be the most memorable year so I struggle finding something to be at least okay with gifting.
She will be finishing college in just a few weeks, so I decided on something that I found useful when I was that age. This quote, delivered by Merryl Streep--at a graduation, no less--is so simple, but so true. I cut it out of a magazine years ago and have had it sitting in a little frame ever since. I designed this little ditty and had it printed on a stand out canvas:
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I am rather fond of that bird, which is actually just Photoshop brush.

And here, as promised, is what I have been referring to as Rouxby Cam: (you should definitely turn your volume all the way down so as to avoid my obnoxious voice)


Rouxby Cam from Claire B on Vimeo.

summer dressed

Lucky for me, Mary, my live-in friend, acquired a fancy sewing machine from a thrift store recently. Today the weather was crummy and windy, so we stayed in, and made some clothes for when the sun returns. Below is my best work from the night. An old basketball camp shirt cut at the neck and sleeves, turned inside out, taken in on the sides, and adorned with nice red bird. I might just wear this one everyday.

for those of you

I often forget that this blog is not a private correspondence between you and I. And, because you happened to see my thesis show in real life, I never thought to post any images. So, for those of you who might be reading and might give the slightest s*$@t about what will now go down in history as my master's thesis show, here ya go:
you can see more on my flickr photostream as well.

Have fun in Philly!

Rouxby Cam

That's what I'm calling it.


Rouxby Cam from Claire B on Vimeo.

Leaving tomorrow early for Philly. And I'm not bringing my camera, which is surprisingly liberating.
Have a wonderful weekend, and watch out for that two-pea bee sting.

Help, I'm Alive

I have a feeling you're going to appreciate this video as much as I did. I love pretty much everything about it.



I really like the music that came out of B.A. (Right now you can download Help I'm Alive for free on the I Love Metric site).

Moab

I am happy to report it's been in the 70's here, too. It was so beautiful this morning that I wanted to run as slowly as possible just to drag out the run.

Moab was beautiful, too. You have to go someday, the landscape in that part of Utah is like nothing else I've ever seen.

The La Sals, to the east of Moab:


Our campsite:
Desert dogs:
Sunset at camp:

huh?

checked out

The temp has reached the 70's and I have have reached complete denial that school remains in session for two more weeks. Today, Mary, David, Waldo and I skipped town to check out Turnbull Wildlife Refuge two hours north of here. It was a pretty magical place in a region called the Scabs, and we spotted 35 different species of birds. Not too shabby.
It was so good to feel warm sun on my neck and end the day with a little color on my skin. I also realized this summer will be the first in my life that won't exist as a three month block in the middle of school semesters. I'm sure that can only mean good things.

A hole the size of Blackie

In doing research for my interactive dog project, I came across this Roger Ebert article about dogs in general, and about his childhood dog Blackie specifically. It's a little on the long side, but worth the read, especially with the antiqued accompanying photos.
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I love this part:

Every time I see a dog in a movie, I think the same thing: I want that dog. I see Skip or Lucy or Shiloh and for a moment I can't even think about the movie's plot. I can only think about the dog. I want to hold it, pet it, take it for walks, and tell it what a good dog it is. I want to love it, and I want it to love me. I have an empty space inside myself that can only be filled by a dog.

And while we're on the topic of dogs, I should let you know I'm about halfway through my Waldo post on Rouxby blog, so check back for that later today.

Also, I was excited that my photo made it to National Geographic's Daily Dozen. That means it's in the running to be printed in the magazine. Probably won't happen, but that doesn't stop a girl from hoping.

And with that, I promise I will lay off the dog posts for a while.

Editing photos in a blizzard

It's snowing like mad right now and they're estimating total accumulation will be in the 3 FEET to 4 FEET range.

We're supposed to leave for Moab around noon, but we'll see if we're actually able to get there or not. Right now the pups and I am holed up in my office, listening to Matt Alber, my new favorite, via Chris Glass (another new favorite).

And I am editing your photos--three cheers for that. I am going to have to get back to some school work this morning, so they probably won't be finished until Monday, but there is a minuscule chance I'll finish them today. Just in case I don't, here's a sneak peak to tide you over.

me the Master

Welp. Put it in the books, I'm an official Master of Art. I think that is a funny title to have, but I'll take it, and like I mentioned to you earlier on the phone, I would appreciate it if you could now refer to me as Master Lauren.
I plan on writing a more reflective post about the conclusion of this chapter in my life soon, but for now I will leave you with this terrible picture from the opening in hopes that it will motivate you (the photo master) to share yours from the weekend soon!

Fa, a long long way to run

This is precisely why I want to go to Europe, and if I don't see any mass dancing in train stations while I'm there I'm going to be bitterly disappointed.

(Also, take note of the little lady on left hand side of the screen right around 1:58--she's priceless).

i thought this day would never come

The Obama's finally got a dog! I'm sure they will be calling you any day now to set up a shoot.

Maybe you should learn how to do this with your accordion.

Last night during a search for an Office theme song piano tutorial, we came across this little gem:
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day two preview

I'm gonna give it all I got tomorrow to wrap this thing up before your arrival Thursday. Cross your fingers!

one down

today was day one of thesis installation.
i don't hate it yet......and that is a good sign.

What dogs deserve

I know I've heard Ian Dunbar's name before, but I had never really come across any of his work before today when I did a search for "dog" on TED (as part of my research for my interactive dog project). Everything Dunbar said resonated right away, and he is now right up there with Suzanne Clothier in the category of dog trainers that make complete sense and are completely tuned in to what actually matters.

The thing I love most about studying our interactions with dogs is that the most successful principles when working with your dog are actually principles that should be applied to your whole life. Which is also something Dunbar talks about. So, take 15 minutes and watch this--it is well worth it. (My favorite quote: "They're making hand signals near the dog's rectum, like he has a third eye back there or something. It's insane.")

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First of all, please pardon the poor quality of these photos. Thanks.

Moving on. Yesterday was full of gifts, it's a good thing too because day after day of snow and rain can really dampen a person's mood. First of all Mary arrived, which is a gift in and of itself, and she gave me an early graduation present. Here it is below. A lovely pipe, with lovely pipe smell.In the mail awaited a gift box for Waldo from my aunt Cindy, which was jam packed with all sorts of good things.

And, last but not least, a little encouragement from you, for the busy week ahead.

I've been holding out on you

I have several orders of business; the first of which is definitely Camilla Engman.
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Even if I don't have time to read any blogs, I read hers every day. (And this one, of course). I can't believe it's taken me this long to post about her here, because I just know you're going to love her as much as I do. All of her art is amazing, but you will especially appreciate her paper art. Also, she has a lovely little dog named Morran that makes regular appearances on her blog.
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Next, I am recently obsessed with Keith Loutit, an Australian photographer/artist who makes movies using a tilt shift lens. (See, I definitely need a D90). His videos make everything look fake, and somehow that opens it up for a totally fresh message. He also picks great music to accompany his little films. This little film, Bathtub IV is one of my favorites.
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Bathtub IV from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

And last, I have a new blog. (When will I stop? I need to slow down on the multiple blogs business). I had to create one for my Interactive Art + Design class, so I introduce to you BowBlog. I'm still trying to find my stride with it, but I think it'll essentially be an online sketchbook for projects, thesis ideas, etc. Do not feel at all pressured to keep up with it.

Besides that, the only news is the fact that I am totally sick of bad weather. This is what my drive home yesterday looked like (along with thunder and lightening, neither of which show up in this photo taken with my phone):
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I'm ready for a little sunshine.