beautiful waste of time

About a month ago I had the pleasure of attending a blog workshop at Moore College of Art & Design hosted by the AIGA Philadelphia chapter and the blogger Oh Joy! Now for most that have visited this space, you already know I am not the most prolific blogger, sometimes my presence can be a bit scarce to put it mildly. And honestly I sometimes find it very hard to wrap my head around what I am in fact trying to do with this space anyway, artistically, thematically, etc..

But I guess when it comes down to it, I want to share. I want to somehow extend to the world a small piece of what I am making, thinking, loving. I also love to write. But on the other hand I am an extremely private person. I love stories but I also cherish brevity and need silence in the most profound way. It takes me ages to process things into words which isn’t a good trait for blogging either. So all these things fly in the face of one another as most of my traits seem to do which ultimately results in a constant push/pull effect inside the small space in my head. But let’s step back to Joy’s blogging workshop again. She made some really good points and was extremely kind and attentive to a room full of questions. What I ultimately walked away with was a need for consistency on my part. I need to write on a regular basis if I want folks to come round my playground again and again.

All this to say I am implementing a few new series on the blog here. Some will be collaborative in nature, Sandy get ready, and some will be more random. I still don’t know what I want to do with this space artistically, thematically, etc.. but I love to write so I will write and let the rest just happen.

The first series number is called Crush. Why? Because I love a good crush, wish I was constantly in one, enjoy them immensely and love love love being in love with something, someone, some new amazing theory or idea. I get them all the time, mostly on inanimate objects like Bucheron cheese or my lip conditioner but sometimes it is actually about actual people. This recurring series of posts will just be about excitement, adoration, sheer joy. It’s about being overwhelmed by the awesomeness that is “fill in the blank.” To me crushes are sweet, pure and full of all the phrenetic energy that could probably be turned into electricity if some smart person could bottle it. It’s good fun people, so buckle up here’s my first installment.

Alice Smith. Alice friggin Smith. Let me say it one more time, Alice Smith. Seems like lately I’ve only been listening to artists whose names begin with the letter A. Alice (smith), Amos (lee), Adele (no last name needed), Amy (winehouse). And yes all these folks are mad crush worthy but today it’s just about Alice. For one her name is Alice, and I’ve never met an Alice I didn’t like. (alice Neel, alice, Munro, alice Walker, alice Trillin, alice from Mel’s diner)

I think I’ve seen Alice Smith four times now in concert and every time she comes to Philadelphia I will be there. She has the most amazing voice and when she sings live, well it just sends chills. She only has one album so we band of Alice devotees wait patiently until the new one is released. Until then, well we must take our small doses when she does tour and save it up. Here are a few places on the wonderful web where you can hear her sing.

Gary Song
Love Endeavor
Desert Song
Forever Yours

P.S. the debut album is called For Lovers Dreamers and Me.
Get it. Seriously. Happy crushing.

image taken from amazon’s alice smith artist page