We spent the earlier part of this year searching for a house, then we finally found one, put in an offer, luckily didn’t get that one, found another (which we actually had found previously, but it took us a while to decide it was right), found out someone else had put in an offer, we put in an offer, got in contract, and finally bought a house. Then reality set in – houses cost money. The life we knew was gone. The savings we had was gone; in its place is home equity. Welcome to grown up life, Courtney.

I make this sound bad, when really, it’s great. I wouldn’t trade it for the world; it’s really nice having a place to call home, though it’s taking a while to sink in that it’s ours. It’s a new project on a grander scale than previous projects. Walls to paint, tiles to break, bricks to fix, rooms to decorate. Grown up furniture, guest bedrooms, in-laws visiting. A bar that hides the liquor instead of showcasing it.

But my creations these days are very domestic. A decorated house, a yummy meal, a tomato or a cayenne pepper I grew and used in dinner. I have trouble with that, but I also enjoy that. There’s not enough time to create – art, dinner, a home – and work. Actually, I’m sure there is; I’m just lazy. Or maybe I just have too many ideas and not enough focus.

Ahh, but I’ve finally posted another post. I’ve put images back on Etsy for sale. I can make a resolution now to do better, to promote myself, to set aside time to work on the site, the blog, the art (as I haven’t created anything in 2 years now), exercise, learn new languages — all that stuff I want to do, but never get around to. Instead of resolutions, though, we’ll just see what happens. Resolutions, even made in August, seem to be the thing you break. At least, for me.

Pics of the house, in various states >>>

Filed under:
Domestic Life, General Info, Happy, Observances by Courtney

I’ve been on a bit of a consumption binge lately. Needing to consume – purchasing, consuming movies, books, knowledge. Just trying to break out of my rut, watching the same Family Guy episode for the umpteenth time while glazed over.

This weekend I watched Summertime, a movie from the 50s starring Katharine Hepburn. I’m not sure that I have ever seen one of Hepburn’s movies before, but I decided I really don’t care for her. At all.

However, the movie itself was good. It had technicolor on its side, and it was set in Venice which made me long for another trip there. It’s already being planned in my head. Heavy wine drinkers need apply.

One of the things that struck me about this movie was Hepburn’s character – she arrives in Venice, and she carries this film camera with her everywhere, capturing every moment, preserving it on film. She doesn’t really experience anything – the only contact she really has at this point is with the other tourists at the hotel. A hot blonde and her artist boyfriend, the proprietor of the hotel (who offers her some fine Italian drink, which she decides to mix with bourbon), and some tourist-old-couple she met on the water taxi.

Then she meets a man – the man. He sets her heart (or something else) aflutter, but she spends the next half hour acting like an ass instead of enjoying the moment. Then she gives in, and the camera disappears. She begins to experience Venice, experience love and life, and the camera is no where in sight for the rest of the movie. Of course, I guess she should have acted like an ass – turns out he is married. But that is beside the point.

I have to wonder if the obsolete camera is intentional as she begins to experience Venice. Does this mean David Lean felt the same way I do? That the camera somehow abstracts you from reality, from the moment, even though it is capturing that moment for a lifetime or more? That the camera interferes with your ability to experience by placing a mechanical device and a lens between you and life?

Filed under:
Italy, Movies, Observances, Others Art, venice by Courtney

Something about that phrase brings to mind funerals and obligations. It was one of the first thoughts that popped into my head yesterday as I recalled shooting the picture above the night before last. Blurry, as was I, but I just don’t have the hang of this camera phone at all. Great pictures outside in bright daylight, but not so good otherwise.

Filed under:
just a picture by Courtney

Yeah, I know the title is nonsense, but give me a break. I’ve been hopped up on Tylenol Cold – non-drowsy formula, for 4 days now, and I’m feeling a little dopey, a lot of speedy.

I’ve been in bed all day, surrounded by process maps and my computer, trying to make sense of it all. Who ever said there was no creativity in my day job? Anyways, at one point, I threw it all down and noticed the cool shadows undulating across my notebook. Flip, fresh page. Click – share – and here we are. It would have been so much easier if I could get blogger mobile to work, but bleh – I’m sick of fooling with it.

I think it’s time for another dose of Tylenol. Hooray!

Filed under:
Day in the Life, just a picture, Silliness by Courtney

No, not our U.S. Treasury – treasuries on Etsy.com.

First, my “Temple Door, Belur, India” photograph from the Architectural Details series was featured in Righteousnightowl’s Express Your Secret Self treasury, which was full of fun and funky pieces, including a purse with the Virgin of Guadalupe and a technicolor octopus sculpture that I love.

Then, Missgaylee put together an Esty Ozdessy with pieces that are right out of Oz. My “Yellow Brick Road” photograph from Postcards from Another Reality really stands out as it’s the only non-green-hued image in the bunch.

Filed under:
My Art, Shop by Courtney