i've had him for about an hour and i have already photographed him and am now blogging about him.
can't help it!
can't help it!
so many serendipitous things happened today as i prepped my life for my new bird.
i'm naming him cosmo, and i realized i was wearing my favorite griffith observatory shirt.
norah jones' light as a feather song was playingas the people rang my doorbell to bring him over...
and i guess those are the only two things.
but!
to me, big deal.
i put the cage together at 7am this morning,
they basically provided one little diagram drawing with lots of arrows. very complicated. my roommate shaina took this photo----- it felt like prepping the nursery for a new baby. ha!
i have had quite a few people tell me this cage is too big. lets just say this: would you want to live in a teeny little box if you were cosmo? ditto. that's why i got him a giant one. and.... i since i work from home, by myself, he is now like my co-worker. i want him to be happy. and this is my first pet. gotta go big.
i wonder if he will see all of my fake birds, paintings of birds, carvings of birds, photos of birds, welded sculptures of birds, bird dishes, bird napkins, and bird stationary as his friends or his enemies?
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say hello to cosmo!
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fyi, sometimes i feel like i'm going crazy.
one of those days is today.
it was nice to have my breathing, centering time this morning,
but it still feels like my body wants to be about 10 miles ahead of where i'm letting it be.
whew.
wow.
don't even know where to start!
i do want to tell you about a few things.
#1----------- i have been noticing that i have essentially stopped creating new art for myself. its all for others. i had a clarifying moment about a week ago where i realized this. yes, i take photos for myself, but they're all on hard-drives. new goal, make more tactile work. make books. get things printed, get things framed. dig up deeper layers of what is IN the things that i decide to photograph. why do i like aerial views so much? why am i obsessed with things being shielded or blurred in the foreground? why am i so obsessed with lines? things like this. so now i have friday personal art days. for just me. starting today.
#2-------- did you know that a) polaroid went out of business and b) that it came back into business and c) that they are already sold-out, but d) i got 2 packs?
#3-------------- my current favorite nourishing thing in my life is my room. my space. my haven. my underwater haven. surrounded by lovely color and texture and a lack of chaos.
#4------- the artists way is the best book to cross my path in years, i am now finished with it, and plan to do a few blog posts that let you in to my journey. it was honestly liberating. it also felt like i had this raw quality to my spirit...... i felt very turned upsidedown and shaken out. it was an intense process. i'm still in it, even though i'm finished with the book. do i recommend the book? yes.
#5----- apparently people lately have been telling me that they like my writing "as much as" my photos. i do not know what to do with this news.... but hey. yay writing.
#6--------------- i am curating an art show! you are invited!! its going to be fab!!!
#7--------------------------- my response to numbers 1-6, is these. enjoy,,,
one of those days is today.
it was nice to have my breathing, centering time this morning,
but it still feels like my body wants to be about 10 miles ahead of where i'm letting it be.
whew.
wow.
don't even know where to start!
i do want to tell you about a few things.
#1----------- i have been noticing that i have essentially stopped creating new art for myself. its all for others. i had a clarifying moment about a week ago where i realized this. yes, i take photos for myself, but they're all on hard-drives. new goal, make more tactile work. make books. get things printed, get things framed. dig up deeper layers of what is IN the things that i decide to photograph. why do i like aerial views so much? why am i obsessed with things being shielded or blurred in the foreground? why am i so obsessed with lines? things like this. so now i have friday personal art days. for just me. starting today.
#2-------- did you know that a) polaroid went out of business and b) that it came back into business and c) that they are already sold-out, but d) i got 2 packs?
#3-------------- my current favorite nourishing thing in my life is my room. my space. my haven. my underwater haven. surrounded by lovely color and texture and a lack of chaos.
#4------- the artists way is the best book to cross my path in years, i am now finished with it, and plan to do a few blog posts that let you in to my journey. it was honestly liberating. it also felt like i had this raw quality to my spirit...... i felt very turned upsidedown and shaken out. it was an intense process. i'm still in it, even though i'm finished with the book. do i recommend the book? yes.
#5----- apparently people lately have been telling me that they like my writing "as much as" my photos. i do not know what to do with this news.... but hey. yay writing.
#6--------------- i am curating an art show! you are invited!! its going to be fab!!!
#7--------------------------- my response to numbers 1-6, is these. enjoy,,,
5 comments so far
Marilyn Paul says:
hi Shannon, I love the picture that is right above where I'm writing - with the pink and orange twirlies coming down...great! We are back in the RV and I'm decorating my space in a partly a new way - fun fun and I understand why you want to do things you need to do for YOU. that's OK - love ya, Gr ma
(03.05.10 @ 06:35 PM)
Alana says:
Your photos are always stunning, your words honest. You've brought sunshine into my day (and there's some waiting for you here too http://wholeselfcoach.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/sunshine/ when you have a moment to take a look).
(03.06.10 @ 11:25 AM)
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i have been saving this photograph for a long time and today is the day.
enjoy,
shan!
enjoy,
shan!
1 comments so far
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ding ding ding ding ding
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it is becoming very clear to me that tiny things can make my life really really really fun.
for instance,
i was frustrated with my measuring cups.
they were ugly.
they were plain.
i didn't like getting them out of their drawer.
when i saw these plain white ceramic ones from cost plus i flipped.
the letter spacing is a bit wide on the 1 cup one....
but i accept him.
i honestly was so inspired that i made cinnamon rolls and liked it.
for instance,
i was frustrated with my measuring cups.
they were ugly.
they were plain.
i didn't like getting them out of their drawer.
when i saw these plain white ceramic ones from cost plus i flipped.
the letter spacing is a bit wide on the 1 cup one....
but i accept him.
i honestly was so inspired that i made cinnamon rolls and liked it.
real glass things make me feel like a real person on a mission.
a mission to live life everyday in a way that makes sense to me.
a mission to live life everyday in a way that makes sense to me.
simple, and lovely.
6 comments so far
Kodi says:
Haha, that's so something I would do! Red Velvet cupcakes this weekend, oh happiness and sunshine.
(02.17.10 @ 03:53 PM)
Cafe Pasadena says:
It's become very clear to me the way you shoot the tiny things in your life bring them out in a bigger way.
(02.18.10 @ 01:22 PM)
Lulu says:
i love the flour label for some reason. everything about these photos is gorgeous! =]
(02.23.10 @ 11:18 PM)
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measure it,
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:::::::::::::::::::::
Friday, February 12, 2010
i would call myself an extrovert,
but lately, my newest phase of life has given me lots of space to breathe.
lots of time to myself.
lots of time to sleep in,
lots of time to enjoy things like meals.
well.
this week has been different.
so many random meetings and lunches and parties,
...........i found myself absolutely drained by yesterday afternoon.
physically and socially tired.
feeling socially overwhelmed was new for me.
but i'm getting so used to a slower pace and i think my body was liking it.
yesterday when i finally had a slice of time to myself,
i went to the post office (favorite!) to mail a disc to a client,
and then saw that the south pasadena farmers market was happening.
walked around for an hour,
and got lots of vegetables-----
a heart-shaped berry tart,
and some flowers.
but lately, my newest phase of life has given me lots of space to breathe.
lots of time to myself.
lots of time to sleep in,
lots of time to enjoy things like meals.
well.
this week has been different.
so many random meetings and lunches and parties,
...........i found myself absolutely drained by yesterday afternoon.
physically and socially tired.
feeling socially overwhelmed was new for me.
but i'm getting so used to a slower pace and i think my body was liking it.
yesterday when i finally had a slice of time to myself,
i went to the post office (favorite!) to mail a disc to a client,
and then saw that the south pasadena farmers market was happening.
walked around for an hour,
and got lots of vegetables-----
a heart-shaped berry tart,
and some flowers.
(never knew that lavendar had such intense ROOTS.)
and see the rug?
craigslist,
$100,
absolutely in love with it.
its called a sweater rug.
the world thought it would be impossible to buy a rug with a $100 budget,
but i did it. proud of myself. :)
coffee table,
$10,
thrift shop called treasure fair in pasadena.
i see shopping as a way to exercise faith.
i love waiting for the right items.
these are completely right.
craigslist,
$100,
absolutely in love with it.
its called a sweater rug.
the world thought it would be impossible to buy a rug with a $100 budget,
but i did it. proud of myself. :)
coffee table,
$10,
thrift shop called treasure fair in pasadena.
i see shopping as a way to exercise faith.
i love waiting for the right items.
these are completely right.
5 comments so far
Kodi says:
love the flowers!
(02.12.10 @ 06:25 PM)
marilyn paul says:
Hi Shannon, we took our computer in for warranty work and I lost your "site" and I missed you a lot! I like your rug and flowers! Happy Valentines Day! Just so glad I could see your pictures on this day! Olympics are HERE! love ya, gr ma
(02.14.10 @ 05:30 PM)
marilyn paul says:
Hi Shannon, we took our computer in for warranty work and I lost your "site" and I missed you a lot! I like your rug and flowers! Happy Valentines Day! Just so glad I could see your pictures on this day! Olympics are HERE! love ya, gr ma
(02.14.10 @ 05:30 PM)
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taking a deep breath, the farmers market, & craigslist finds.
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there has been some transition in the pink house------------
sadly, both ro and rox had to move out to prepare their lives for grad school.
that means that two new roommates moved in-------
and that i moved into my own room.
it was the perfect solution to a situation that seemed dismal for a while.
rose and i have been roommates for years,
shared a room for years,
done life together for years.
moving to my own space has been a good fresh start,
especially since i get to wake up to jellyfish every morning.
my friend claire made them for me,
and the jellyfish/white blanket combo makes me feel like i'm in an underwater haven at all times.
obsessed :)
sadly, both ro and rox had to move out to prepare their lives for grad school.
that means that two new roommates moved in-------
and that i moved into my own room.
it was the perfect solution to a situation that seemed dismal for a while.
rose and i have been roommates for years,
shared a room for years,
done life together for years.
moving to my own space has been a good fresh start,
especially since i get to wake up to jellyfish every morning.
my friend claire made them for me,
and the jellyfish/white blanket combo makes me feel like i'm in an underwater haven at all times.
obsessed :)
the blanket is from ikea,
the dresser from the pink plum thrift shop in pasadena,
and the jellyfish are handmade by claire!
the dresser from the pink plum thrift shop in pasadena,
and the jellyfish are handmade by claire!
7 comments so far
Mary Kate R, says:
beautiful!
(01.27.10 @ 01:34 PM)
hol says:
wow. that thing is CLEAN!
(01.27.10 @ 08:09 PM)
Anonymous says:
those jellyfish are awesome! and that blanket looks so soft!
(01.28.10 @ 10:37 AM)
tiny twig says:
your wall color is one i would have never picked, but love! it casts such an ethereal light. :)
(01.28.10 @ 12:13 PM)
shannon leith says:
ha--------- yeah, the wall color came with the place! the whole house is light pink. at first i kind of hated it, now i am in love with it.
(01.28.10 @ 12:23 PM)
MaeMae says:
mind = blown.
i have that blanket. can't wait for you to cuddle in it when you VISIT!
claire: want some jellies too... pLEASE!
(01.29.10 @ 05:43 PM)
Dawn White says:
AMAZING! The Jelly fish...AMAZING! Your room...AMAZING! Love it!
(02.16.10 @ 08:59 AM)
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my room.
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when i sit here for 10 minutes not knowing what to say,
i think that means that these are meant to be without commentary.
------------- so here you go.
enjoy enjoy :)
shannon
i think that means that these are meant to be without commentary.
------------- so here you go.
enjoy enjoy :)
shannon
1 comments so far
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just sitting there happily,
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I just left a comment on your facebook, but I had to come see the blog since the pictures are bigger over here. Cosmo is such a handsome fellow! I love the palace of a cage you built for him!
(03.07.10 @ 02:12 PM)the bird cage is perfect.
Cosmo is perfect.
LOVE it, can't wait to meet him!
(03.07.10 @ 02:18 PM)YES, and....I hope friends.
I also hope we can be friends and heal together.
The end.
(03.07.10 @ 03:17 PM)i love cosmo and his big cage!! i want to meet him! :D
(03.07.10 @ 06:37 PM)eeeek! he's here! i think it would be appropriate to forward these pictures of you painstakingly pouring over cage-building instructions to the people at the bird school. it would be like, "look, see. i'm doin this!"
and i agree with your cage philosophy, which i also apply to many facets of life: go big or go home.
congrats!
(03.07.10 @ 10:32 PM)HI COSMO!!!!! He's quite fitting for you :)
(03.08.10 @ 12:10 AM)love you shan.
hello cosmo! how insanely lovely you are ;) ! and as always, inspiring pictures shannon!
(03.08.10 @ 01:22 AM)j.
Cosmo is so adorable! The last photo is especially precious. I love little coincidences or winks from the universe as I like to think of them ;) We had a cockatiel named Peaches for many years, and now my mom has Margaret. They're sweet little birds. Enjoy!
(03.08.10 @ 11:33 AM)My cage is awesome!!! But what's with all your other birds that don't have cages? I thought I was your favorite.
(03.08.10 @ 12:40 PM)Oh, as your coworker, I insist - no - demand that I receive full medical coverage. There's a great chance I'm allergic to you, so I'll need to be visiting the vet a lot.
Check it out, I'm typing.
He's Beautiful!!
(03.08.10 @ 10:49 PM)cosmo is goooooorgeoues!! soo happy for u shannon! XO Maren
(03.10.10 @ 04:07 PM)