The ultimate gift that keeps on giving!

If you live in the Seattle or Portland area, the absolute best gift you could give a friend is a year member-ship to the fabulous Warren Report http://www.thewarrenreport.com/ . Warren Etheredge is the most intriguing interviewer I've seen in person--he has a special talent of making anyone seem smart even if they seem perhaps not so (to remain nameless, but it rhymes with Schmames Schmey), look approachable, if they're Salman Rushdie, seem funny if they're dull (to remain nameless and rhymeless), seem outgoing even if they're creepy genius-shy (Charlie Kaufman). My personal observation; Warren's talent stems from his ability and desire to understand every one with which he comes into contact. This in addition to his dedicated time, research and experience with film and literature makes for a combination that can't be beat. Oh, and throw in the dozens and dozens of free movie screenings that come with the membership...and the blog...and the contests on the blog. And the podcasts. Etc. Etc. Etc. And all this for $20!!!!

Warren was an instructor (and remains a mentor) to me last spring at TheFilmSchool http://www.thefilmschool.com/ . Here we are celebrating my graduation from the grueling-but-worth-it 3-week-intensive.

Go to http://www.thewarrenreport.com/ for more information and to join.

Keep your eyes open!

As evidenced by my last post, I may not have the greatest eye for detail. Please see comments to view the ACTUAL scientific description of that Hubble Telescope Photograph (thank you Erin!). HOWEVER, I do have an eye for trash on the sidewalk that actually turns out to be something pretty cool.

I went to my brother-in-law's wedding last week, and while the boys were getting their tuxes and the ladies were getting their nails done, I wandered their Chicago neighborhood, just off the California stop, blue line. It was raining cats and dogs, and I had my head down to avoid the wind when I saw a carefully folded piece of paper on the sidewalk.

I unfolded it and BEHOLD! ART! I wanted desperately to save it but, soaking wet as it was, stuck it to a nearby mailbox to awe passersby. I like to think that the artist him/herself might have passed it by and felt pride that someone else appreciated it enough to display it.

Enjoy!

Hubble Telescope photo...or cosmic unicorn-being?

A friend forwarded me the top ten Hubble telescope photos--this was around number seven or so. I thought it was the most beautiful of all. It looks like some kind of fantasy painting or the VHS cover to 80's box-office hit 'Legend.' According to the email-forward, this is what is pictured:

The glowering eyes from 114 million light years away are the swirling cores of two merging galaxies called NGC 2207 and IC 2163 in the distant Canis Major constellation.

Racetrack at Death Valley

Here's an example of the kind of strange and mysterious phenomena that keeps life interesting! My friends Lance and Stephanie just went on a giant we-both-just-got-laid-off roadtrip (good for them!) and one of their stops was Death Valley. Stephanie sent me this bizarre photo she took (excellent work--maybe she should think of going into nature photography!) of a rock and the trail it left behind as it moved, unseen, across the playa! I had to google, and found an informative explanation for this in the YouTube link below--even with science at play, it still seems magical!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1hoiHvOeGc

Keep Feeling Fascination

This blog is inspired by my son, Ellis James Boran, who has helped me see the amazing quality of every tiny thing in life! Ellis is fascinated by just about everything he sees, and has a deep respect for all things living and material.

When I was expecting, I was worried that once I became a 'mom', I wouldn't care about the things that, up until now, have been my babies--my writing and my painting. I found that Ellis's arrival had just the opposite effect! I am much more inspired now that I have my little friend by my side to help me notice details I would have surely missed before. I've also found that I make better use of my time (now that I have less of it).

Thanks Ellis!