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Happy Holidays to all the Blythers out there!
XOXO
=Cat=
Hey everybody! Long time no Post! Seems like the last post I wrote was
on November 30th. The holidays for me has always been crazy. Work,
family, and traveling always get in the way. Though I always have time
to squeeze in a Blythe meet, or a quick nosh with a friend or two.
On Holiday Stuff: The shopping downtown
has seem fairly sad. Besides decoration going up before Thanksgiving,
the stores haven't been as
busy as usual. The deals on items are yet to be seen, and the options
for holiday
things have been boring. We have made most of our holiday shopping
online. It's fast, easy, and no wrapping involved.
Kyle and I usually have holiday parties with
his work. Recently we went to his previous jobs get together as well as
his current jobs holiday party. Both were as expected, yet on different
levels. The one from his previous job was held in an intimate setting at Medjool
on Mission St. It's generally a Mediterranean restaurant with lots of
Tapas. We met some old and new faces. We had a lovely time eating, chatting, and playing the usual usual White Elephant
game. It was sad to see everyone go, but there is always another time.
Kyle's current job party was held at a larger space around South of Market. There was food, drinks, music, and about 100 other people. It is a small company but not as small as the previous job. The people here are very young. Very, very young. So young that they danced to Lady Gaga, and could handle talking over loud music. I felt so very old. I know I'm not that old, but when all you want to do is sit and talk to your friends. When you find that fun.. you feel old. haha. It was fun none-the-less.
This XMAS we are spending time with Kyle's family in Ohio. It isn't as fancy as San Francisco, but it is always nice to see his side of the family. Everything moves at a quieter pace. I'll get some reading and relaxing done. Which is always needed when you have spent your whole life in a busy city. *phew*
The New Year is approaching fast. Faster than I'd like but I hope the
next year will bring us a new apartment, a new job for me, and other
opportunities. It will also be the year I turn 30. Woo! People,
including my sister and my best friend, stress that I will start
feeling depressed. I don't feel depressed about my age. I feel like I
still have tons of things to do and my age has nothing to do with that.
I actually have not felt young since I was 23/24. I've been through a lot
in my younger years, so these years are for me to grow and just
continue on finding new ventures to pursue.
My new years resolution will involve letting go. I have the issue of
just not letting go of things. I get very worked up on little issues. I
hope-hope-hope that when something comes up I am able to just handle
the issue and move on. Indeed!
Now on to fun things! I have a wonderful Blythe meet this Saturday. As most of you know I collect Blythe. Yes. I collect dolls. Most importantly I have fun with a group of people who collect these dolls as well. We have gatherings were we eat, chat, and we exchange tips and tricks on how to customize these dolls. The nicest part about this meet is we will be together in a friends event space. It will have a schmancy eating, sitting area and a real kitchen. I hope all goes well! XD
I also just finished writing all my holidays cards and mailed every gift. Well except for one to my friend BEC. She lives in Australia and I always collect things through the year for her. I hope to get it mailed out before the New Year.
Anywho, I hope you all have a very merry holiday as well as a Happy New Year.
Thanks for reading! XOXO
What are you hoping to find under the tree this year?
I am always hoping for a blythe I've been coveting the whole year or an SLR camera that I've also been coventing. Those usually don't show up so I just hope for candy and giftcards. haha XD
I've spent a lot of time on my blog and other places online talking about Ed and Fru. I was thinking about it a while ago and I realized that I rarely ever come out and talk about just Isis, even though she's a huge part of my life. In the last year or so, she's played an even bigger role in my happiness.
When I first got Ed and Isis, I remember being disappointed about how unattached I felt with them. I wrote a blog post about it here and I got a lot of great feedback about how loving pets can take time sometimes; it's not always instantaneous. Everyone who said that was right and I'm really thankful for their help. Isis is one of those kitties that took a while to warm up to me-- much longer than Ed. And in all honesty, the wait was completely worth it.
Shawn, Beth, and I noticed that there was something a little "off" about Isis when she first came to live with us. She was terrified of everything. Even for a kitty, the horror in her eyes every time someone walked past her seemed excessive. We all watched her carefully and then came to the conclusion that she was most likely abused by one of her previous owners. As far as we knew, she had at least two previous owners, but there could have been more. The way she ran away from people and ducked her head whenever anyone would make any quick movements made me feel like she had once been struck by someone-- most likely a male since she's always had a greater fear with them. I know that not all kitties are warm and cuddly (I've been around a lot of cats in my life), but the feeling I got when I saw the fear in Isis' eyes told me something extremely bad happened to her in her past. Knowing this made me determined to help her feel comfortable in her new life.
I first started noticing a change in Isis when I took her (and Ed) to the vet for a checkup about two years ago. Ed was pretty calm, but as usual, Isis was terrified. I gently picked her up and held her the entire time she was there. It was the first memory I have of her clinging to me because she felt protected and safe in my arms. I remember how I couldn't stop smiling. Shawn even mentioned that Isis and I were having a "bonding experience." Ever since that day, I've felt a deep connection with Isis.
Since then, she's been slowly becoming more loving. I took advantage of that change and started to "work" with her more often. When she was really young, she wouldn't let anyone hold her and would claw her way out of a person's arms. (I have a scar to prove it.) I decided to take baby steps with Isis to help her understand that being held was a good thing. Every day, I would slowly pick her up and take her over to a window where we could watch the streets outside. I would talk to her in a very soft, soothing voice (very non-threatening) so she knew that I was still there with her. I figured that the movements on the steets would distract her enough so she wouldn't concentrate on the fact that I was holding her. Sure enough, Isis became used to being held by me. After a while, I was able to hold her for an infinite amount of time. In fact, I'd have to say that she now gets sad when I have to put her back on the floor after holding her.
These days, Isis is very relaxed. She's still afraid of almost all strangers (like a lot of kitties are), and most men. However, her attitude and mannerisms have changed to an enourmous extent with the people she's familiar and comfortable with. Isis no longer runs away when people are walking towards her. She doesn't duck her head quickly if people around her are moving their arms or moving objects around her. When Shawn and I walk in the door after being out for a few hours, she stays asleep in her kitty bed in the main room. If anything, she might look up at us to acknowledge our presence... but she doesn't run to a hiding place.
Whenever I'm asleep and Isis sees me curled up under my comforter and another very soft blanket I always use, she hops up on top of my stomach and falls asleep there. A few days ago, I woke up and was able to get off the couch without waking her up-- she stayed in the same spot, sleeping, for over ten hours! Most of the time, she's purring happily whever she's sleeping. And if I don't cuddle with her in the morning, which has become a routine for the two of us, she comes up to me later in the day and gives me sad mews to let me know she wants some cuddles.
Having two kitties who are so different from each other is amazing. Ed is friendly with everyone and is very sociable. Isis has grown into a kitty who chooses who to love, and if you're chosen, you feel like you are the most important person in the world. That's exactly how I feel whenever I'm with her. It was difficult for a long time for me to grasp the idea of Isis being calm and loving, but seeing her so happy every day has made her overall happiness a normality. I couldn't be more grateful for her and the fact that she's overcome whatever pain she experienced in the past. Her ability to move on and be happy has made me happy.
I can't stop sharing how much I enjoyed watching it. I was also so pleasantly surprised! Being in the animation industry I am always critical of things like that. I'm not saying I'm the end all be all of animation, but I'd like to think I know what I'm doing/saying!
This is a film that everyone can enjoy. It can also be said it is this years Iron Giant. I feel traditonal animation will always be around. Maybe not as prevalent as it used to be, but it is an art form that everyone will always appreciate and enjoy.
To go back to the film, the way that Anderson made this film to not be strictly "by the book" but something Dahl would completely agree he did it justice. The props, maquettes, the writing, the pacing, the colors, the effort, the 4+ years was just all there on screen. Mind you this is not a blockbuster, but a classic for years to come.
In the New York Magazine they feature the Fox family front and center. The article covers a short interview with Anderson and the work that went into making the film. Such an endeavor will always get noticed. For example each maquette has levers/pedals inside the face to create close up expressions, and highly detailed armature that is composed of Allen joints, pipes, silicone, stockings, goat fur and much much more. You can understand the love and care that went into each figure. I would have loved to work on this film personally. -sigh-
Someday I am determined to have my own animation company and I hope to produce at least one stop-motion/animated feature. I don't see it happening anytime soon, but it will happen mind you! XD
Back to Fantastic Mr Fox! I also picked up the The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox: A Film by Wes Anderson Based on the Book by Roald Dahl. This is a great book to have. It has every little thing you would be interested in knowing about the film. It has interviews, details of how each character was made, the process of working with Anderson overseas, storyboards, sketches, notes, illustrations, concept art, etc etc etc. If you are looking for a gift to give someone who loves animation, is artsy, or would like to get into the whole world of animation I would purchase this book for them. The best deals can be found online for future reference. hehe.
Anywho, I'm hoping my friend Ceci bothers me to see this film so I have an excuse to see it for the third time.
SUPPORT GREAT FILMS!
XOXO
For GirlsDrawinGirls
Soon to be blogged after I get some sleep.girlsdrawingirls.blogspot.com
All Images are Copyright CJM 2009
All Rights Reserved
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What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
This year I am thankful for my wonderful husband who has supported me and my artistic endeavors. He has made me feel appreciated, loved, respected, and most of all helped me believe in myself in whatever I do. I am thankful for my friends who were there for me in times of need. Need it be for someone to talk to, help with projects, or just a time to get together and chat I love that they are there at a moments notice. I am thankful for my cats. They're cute, and always there to comfort me when I think I don't need anyone to comfort me. I am thankful for my parents. They are my rock. They will always be there during the hardest times in my life. Always forgiving and a constant reminder that nothing can compare to family. Lastly, I am thankful for all the people who has shaped my life. Teachers, neighbors, and random people I have lost touch with who from time to time I think about and wonder if they too are having a lovely Thanksgiving day.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
*gobble gobble!*
Winter is coming upon us in San Francisco. That and the holidays. My winters in comparison to my husband sound terribly boring! I do get the saying that California doesn't have seasons. Well, that maybe true but it depends on what part of California you go to. I've also never had a snow day, I've never had weather so bad that I couldn't go anywhere, and I've never had a time where I had to put chains on my tires or throw litter on the ground to get traction. Then again, I've never owned a car.
Winter for me starts when we have to adjust for daylight savings time. I feel it is safe to say, at least for San Franciscans, that's when it starts. Though, some will say winter for them starts when they have to put their coats on. Whichever you prefer the COLD is coming! I do have to add, we do get spurts of warmth on certain times of the year. Also, we do get heavy rains from time to time. Eventually highways and certain areas of the city get flooded, but not to the point where we couldn't get around.
The first time I saw snow was on a trip to Tahoe. I think I was 18. It was the first time I was on skis and the first time I was outside for a long period of time. If anyone knows me, I don't do well outside unless I am forced to. To be honest, all I wanted to do was make a snow man and do all the kid-like things you do on TV for a snow day. That didn't really happen, but I enjoyed myself anyways. The second time I was around snow was with my friend Heather. We went snowboarding with her Mom. Well, her mom mostly drove us up to wherever we went and we practiced, fell, and practiced more. I think I enjoyed snowboarding more than skiing. Most definitely.
This winter we're traveling to Ohio to see Kyle's parents for Christmas. I'm told it will be cold, but not snowing. A little disappointing, but it will be nice to catch up with Kyle's family. We'll do the usual holiday exchange, dinner and family get together. Really simple, and nothing extravagant. If you've been reading my blog, you'll understand how refreshing this is for me. After the holidays we'll be in SF again enjoying the countdown to the New Year and staying warm in our little apartment. or that's the plan. hehe.
The holidays to everyone is different. My holidays I can honestly say has always been some what special. When I think of it, I cringe. I have never experienced a good Christmas till I met my husband. What made the difference? We simply did nothing.
Growing up my sister and I were required to take our yearly photo with a man dressed up as Santa Claus. Which I immediately cried the whole time. I knew it wasn't Jolly Old St. Nick. I don't even think I understood the idea of Santa. If you look back to all our photos, my sister is usually the one smiling and I'm the one that is red, puffy faced, and choking back tears. Why would my mother do this to me? Because well, she loves photos. Or is obsessed with photos to the point that my feelings didn't matter. This was the start of a pattern where I actually fear cameras.
After the photos, we would do our holiday shopping in the mall. Then on Christmas Eve/Day we would go to a hotel to celebrate my parents anniversary. My sister and I would dress up, wear things we usually wouldn't like wearing, and eat adult food. These hotel restaurants never had children sized portions, or food that children would like. My sister and I were always bored and I personally hated being there. I remember just sitting in the restaurant and just stared vacantly out the window or sat in the lobby just staring at water fixtures that bubbled across the room.
On Christmas Day we would open our presents. Now, you may say "Oh presents! There can't be anything wrong with that!" You say that till I explain further. My mom would always ask what we wanted, and she would get it and immediately wrap the presents in front of us. I always knew what I was going to get. There were never surprises. I do admit I don't regret knowing what we got, but it would've been nice to get a surprise gift. This included birthdays and other gift giving events. There weren't many surprises in my life growing up.
Holidays to me will always be "special."
www.craigmccracken.net/
I am so gleefully/nerdily/squeeingly happy to have met him. We talked shop, animation and he drew me MADAME FOSTER!! I was in heaven! What a great guy. Please support his new work!
