A Week and Counting

Vacation time is rapidly approaching, the concept being more enticing than the actual thing. At least right now. I am not sure what needs to happen before I get more into the groove. Perhaps it's this feeling that I won't want to return to the US -- a common feeling I experience when I travel to foreign places. I am aprehensive before travel when I am afraid I will like the place too much. My mind starts spinning and I plot and scheme as to how I can make a living in my new found place. Happened with Paris, happened with Prague, hell it even happened with the island of Moorea!

Plus, I have mixed feelings about the whole artist ghetto thing that San Miguel has turned into. As I said to my friend, Mike, tonight, I am simultaneously drawn to and repelled by expatriate places. Nice to know there are like-minded characters roaming the planet but also discouraging that they are all people (plants or animals I could get used to). Alas, I do want to use San Miguel as a base, we are staying there in a private room in a hostel ($100 for 5 days), in which to explore Guanajuato, Morelia, and who knows what else. I would like to get to the Butterfly preserve but it's something like a 10 hour trip by bus from San Miguel. Maybe next time.

Please check out one of my favorite new travel sites: www.unotraveler.com
It's a great place for travelers by travelers without all the airline ads and annoying cruise line pop-ups. Register, post your profile, check out the boards, and tell your fellow travelers. At least stop by and say hi to me. I plan on visiting often to post comments and some travel stories.

A Good Omen

Today, the first day of spring, was absolutely glorious! The sun was out, it was the perfect kind of warm with a light breeze, and the clouds floated by all lazy and drunk. My garden had a little face-lift yesterday: new plants, rearrangement, and a bit of TLC. The garden needed it and I did, too. The rains are due back in a day or two but for now I had today as a promise that the sunshine will really return.

Lola loves Champagne!

Lola loves Champagne!
Originally uploaded by shannalee.

This was taken in Palm Springs about a year and a half ago. Lola was enjoying her poolside holiday and her complimentary Champagne.

Stop the Madness!

In an attempt to have more of a social life, T and I went to two art whatchamacallits this weekend. The first opening, a gallery that will remain unnamed to protect the insipid, was one of those in-there-out-of-there-in-ten-minutes-events. Not only was the crowd so over-postured to the point of caricaturish-- you know, hipster guys and gals so affected as to appear unaffected by anything other than their own reflection in the bacteria-filled window, but the art (term used loosely) was barely there. And I don't just mean content. But the real tragedy, and this has been on-going for some time, is the gall to charge for a plastic urine sample cup of Charles Shaw wine! And please, Todd-boy works at Trader Joe's so I am well-versed on the subtleties of Two-Buck Chuck. Funny thing is, while I do enjoy my wine, I am far from a wine snob. But please, art crowd, let Chuck wither away, already. Honor your gathering with something a little more creative. At least take that Shaw and make a hearty Sangria filled with the wonderful citrus fruits so plentiful in our clime.
The second event, Ray @ Night, is a fun little neighborhood gathering of gallery open houses, street art, music, and yes, the dreaded Charles Shaw! This is becoming an epidemic! I realize the art community is strapped for $$$, I mean, c'mon, I am not exactly rolling in money from publishing my poetry, but this is getting ridiculous. Do something different, art people! Boycott Two-Buck Chuck! Trader Joe's has other wine for nearly the same price with far more taste and uniqueness. You who pride yourselves on your resourcefulness and individuality-- tsk, tsk! We now return you to your regularly scheduled program...

Mirror me

mirror me
Originally uploaded by shannalee.

A woman alone, on a Friday night, has few options for entertainment. Of the two I regularly do, only this pastime can be posted here.

• Are all self-portraits narcissism?
  
• Is it possible that I don't really know what I look like?
  
• Is this a manifestation of Foucaultian/Lacanian (non)reality?
  
• Am I a lightweight after 2 glasses of wine?

Vacation update-- Guanajuato and San Miguel, not Guadalajara (at least this time)

change of plans, as I am wont to do

Atkins is Dead

and so is the putrifying slop that passes for sustenance that the deceased doctor's devotees so religiously inhale. Atkins is Dead is not only a fact but my favorite bumper sticker of the day.

Guadalajara

Todd-boy and I are planning a trip to Mexico City and Guadalajara. We will have about 6 days, 2 in D.F. and the rest in Guadalajara. Anyone have ideas on a great, not expensive but not roach motel, place to stay in either city? Of course my preferences run toward the authentic Mexican or clean modernism for architectural style and ambiance. Nothing fussy or faux-vernacular Mexy-land stuff for me. Think of me as a Tina Modotti type of gal (minus the revolutionary connections, famous lovers, and photography prowess). Oh, hell, I don't know what I am talking about. Suffice it to say, I love Barragan, hate painted donkeys that try to pass as zebras. And no, I am not high brow. Just disturbed by annoying visual clutter!