tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49101545223812334732024-02-19T01:56:34.027-08:00amanda gates-elstona small world of creative happenings Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-62796255126508723302023-02-18T10:40:00.000-08:002023-02-18T10:40:25.819-08:00Stars <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiluJ6KYkJkaU9K6v05EhTBPpp7TZBxbAH5RFKQpQtJWMDvMX6zBXDnygsZNN-yOO1fFlKAF5QMRcsnQ4CcWjXtrdSrC2WiBXnS9GFsNwUkJR7VOQ20prmSabqbUMsVxTDQYKeSMqttdibAFo5B8e2hu5qPnC4INBHLZvzcqQdkJo9-XTBh_aWzLw/s640/IMG_5405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiluJ6KYkJkaU9K6v05EhTBPpp7TZBxbAH5RFKQpQtJWMDvMX6zBXDnygsZNN-yOO1fFlKAF5QMRcsnQ4CcWjXtrdSrC2WiBXnS9GFsNwUkJR7VOQ20prmSabqbUMsVxTDQYKeSMqttdibAFo5B8e2hu5qPnC4INBHLZvzcqQdkJo9-XTBh_aWzLw/w219-h292/IMG_5405.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>Walked into a room filled with stars thanks to a friend’s disco ball. <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od"></span>Took a moment to play with the sun-stars in the living room while listening to music before catching a subway and a train. Looked up to a ceiling of year-round stars thanks to Grand Central and people with big vision & nature love. </p><p>I love stars in the daytime. </p><div class="" dir="auto"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1swvt13 x1l90r2v" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_dl"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIx6-PLiVCpjf96gG3QKdpiMXtRQ9QUEbg2Z-dwXLKPKREoZ8liqvrouVdy-AoppYCtYgnh0FZkyibZO8FI93PRD1RW34sBrNSG31VlE7NObN5Xz2Yzna_e4i0dMIK8VJZFl75MBwdHclTXY4AhoiZigcOitD5EjzcDH7JhszfB1KpDJZyUIxOUo9X/s640/IMG_5414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIx6-PLiVCpjf96gG3QKdpiMXtRQ9QUEbg2Z-dwXLKPKREoZ8liqvrouVdy-AoppYCtYgnh0FZkyibZO8FI93PRD1RW34sBrNSG31VlE7NObN5Xz2Yzna_e4i0dMIK8VJZFl75MBwdHclTXY4AhoiZigcOitD5EjzcDH7JhszfB1KpDJZyUIxOUo9X/w212-h282/IMG_5414.jpg" width="212" /></a> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">In the coffee line at Grand Central, a man behind me ordered mint tea then changed, with gratitude, to a cinnamon tea. He was a kindness turbine. The man <span></span>behind the counter asked him where he was from:</div></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Man: Dominican Republic.</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Man: I thought you were Indian.</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Man: It’s all the same thing. We’re all from the same place.</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Man: (laughing) Maybe.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Kind people tend to be kind, because they know its value and the value of time. They work consciously and with intentionality to create kindness for others, such that getting tea becomes something much greater than getting tea, for everyone in the room. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">I hoped he enjoyed his tea, and he wished me a good weekend, and I wished him a good weekend, too. There is friendship to be found with one another, all the time, with people you won’t encounter again except through one another’s humanity. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z8vmiRdHAFXqjjCGlmj4GTLtyxPoxVgqXvmc-4QtECecVJF8wRyJYS4eaE3TBp5r59LDZMhmYQk95eD62aT3S88tsmixQsSZOQZFbSfcZUygpRdrBa3WCq5mIIDQUiV7wNf4VXOMcXvcPKmb8ccP9axo0UHvHBINfqo1jaSnqxWmrNBMyR4B3-LH/s640/IMG_5421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z8vmiRdHAFXqjjCGlmj4GTLtyxPoxVgqXvmc-4QtECecVJF8wRyJYS4eaE3TBp5r59LDZMhmYQk95eD62aT3S88tsmixQsSZOQZFbSfcZUygpRdrBa3WCq5mIIDQUiV7wNf4VXOMcXvcPKmb8ccP9axo0UHvHBINfqo1jaSnqxWmrNBMyR4B3-LH/w206-h275/IMG_5421.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>On the train, I longed for perfect conditions: quiet and to look at the Hudson in a forward-facing, westerly seat. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Young people exploded like a comet into the train car. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">I moved to another car — far, far away <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od"></span>and sat in a backwards-facing blue seat still facing the river on a quiet car. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Soon, another explosion of young people rocketed in <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od"></span>and it was: erfect ; ) the way life actually is. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Now a mom & a little boy join me in the seat, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I look out the westerly window, and I find that there are things to notice looking backwards. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Tonight I’ll talk to my honey Marisa on the phone who has been care-giving for her mom for a few months, connection undeterred and always sparkling amidst a challenging time and dotted with planned visits to see each other. Marisa always finds something to smile about, like I’ve seen again and again in both her parents, her mom deriving joy in sunlight, her dad in the late afternoon & evenings. I’ll tell her about my day which is now still unfolding. Last night she read me a passage from a book about how a memorial service, like I’m heading to now for a friend, can be a helpful thing despite the sorrow, and I’m grateful. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">The mom & little boy hop off the train now, the little boy putting on cozy, dazzling blue gloves. They’re Prussian blue, I realize, a paint color that a very dear and kind man mentions in a beautiful song.</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Written on the Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line train, January 28, 2023.<br /></div></div></span></div></div></div></div><p> </p>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-65225231515704625892022-07-26T13:15:00.001-07:002022-07-26T13:16:07.678-07:00Tall Ceilings and All the Feelings<p>The essay below, “Tall Ceilings and All the Feelings,” is about a love
of architecture, one of the things I wanted to do when I grew up. It’s
also about how certain spaces activate spiritual yearning as well as a
perpendicular kind of sexual awakening. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMxg6un9KKpE59S-ZNdMbqdx7Jm0CpFJQP7gX_ezgauDUNInXoE-vI3j6SMPzm9WQnd5tahmi9jccellk-9tjmc3h3oYxls2rV1r3Ztwx3jQC8uxC04sQlVbswm05YgMpBBNjqxURcyytxXknsOWeJL_RGteOS0PGqP8CFOqq0xuG-sMtfWoP3Ap_/s640/6EB70D14-00DE-4F97-AF85-93D3C897B56C.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMxg6un9KKpE59S-ZNdMbqdx7Jm0CpFJQP7gX_ezgauDUNInXoE-vI3j6SMPzm9WQnd5tahmi9jccellk-9tjmc3h3oYxls2rV1r3Ztwx3jQC8uxC04sQlVbswm05YgMpBBNjqxURcyytxXknsOWeJL_RGteOS0PGqP8CFOqq0xuG-sMtfWoP3Ap_/w302-h377/6EB70D14-00DE-4F97-AF85-93D3C897B56C.JPG" width="302" /></a></div><div dir="ltr"> </div><div dir="ltr">Tall Ceilings and All the Feelings<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Sometimes
I wake up in the middle of the night with tears in my eyes and I’m not
sure how they got there. It’s usually because I’ve fallen asleep
listening to a piece of music. Lately, I’ve been listening to
Cathedrals, an extraordinary song covered perfectly by Cry Cry Cry. One
of the questions the song asks is: Where is home? The song also
conjures up the possibility that one may — or may not — feel at home in
the arching arms of a city cathedral.<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">I
feel at home, from architectural and sentient angles, inside the
impossibly beautiful La Sagrada Familia by Gaudi in Barcelona, where a
man’s unfinished plans convey reverence for animal kingdom, for sand
castle play, and for catching rainbows through window
eyes-nostrils-tongues. I feel at home inside St. John the Divine in New
York City — its skyward ceiling, its granite pillars quarried in Maine,
its divine blue glass Rose Window, its humble Poets Corner, its space
restored after terrible fire, its artist’s loan of a Phoenix dragon
flight. I feel at home, too, across the street from St. John the
Divine, at a spiritual enclave called Hungarian Pastry Shop, a place
beloved by writers, students, and people in conversation, quiet study,
or reverie. I feel at home inside State Street Church in Portland,
Maine which used to host music concerts, but which I don’t think does
anymore. It was there that I first heard saxophonist Joshua Redman
in-person and folk singer Dar Williams and activist-acapella group Sweet
Honey in the Rock. <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">I
also feel at home inside Portland Museum of Art. Museums are types of
cathedrals, don’t you think? Some of them, like the entryway of PMA,
have gloriously high ceilings, inviting one to fully arrive and to…look
up! <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">I also love the
Portland Public Market which I wish was still open, but which was turned
into office space. It used to be such a wide open and important
community space with fruits, vegetables, tacos, fish, pies, sushi, beer,
ice cream, coffee, and flowers.<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">I
loved working there. I worked at the flowershop inside the Portland
Public Market at age 22. The colors and names and personalities of the
flowers made me do a heart-smile, everyday. And the people did, too —
the customers and everyone who worked at the market.<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The
flowershop was on the other side of a kiosk shared by the coffee shop.
There was a girl my age who I thought was so lovely who worked at the
coffee shop. I asked her if she wanted to go get coffee sometime, but,
like, on our day off and maybe someplace other than the coffee shop
where she worked. She said yes. <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">We
met at Arabica on Free Street. She told me about her studies of Milton
which I found so impressive. I’d read excerpts of Milton in college so
far and hoped to read all of “Paradise Lost“ when I returned to college
for my senior year. <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">After
coffee, I asked if I could show her something I thought was beautiful.
She said yes. We walked a few blocks up Free Street, and I pointed to
the Portland Museum of Art. “It’s right up here. It’s just something
I’ve noticed.” <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">We
stood outside the entrance to the closed museum, looking through the
lateral walkway which is comprised of a linear fountain of echoing
arches. It was dark enough for the outdoor lighting to be turned on,
illuminating the tunnel of arches. “Isn’t it just so beautiful? The
feeling of looking through the arches?” She smiled, admiring the
arches, and said it really was.<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The
next thing I invited her to was a reading at a local bookstore which I
believe is closed now. The reading was with Steve Almond who writes
fiction, essay, political commentary, and at the time quite a lot about
sex which I didn’t entirely realize. His energy reminded me a lot of
playwright and actor Eric Bogosian. She said yes. <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">There
wasn’t any seating left when we got to the reading, so we were invited
to climb on top of the bookcases and sit up there. We were happily
surprised by the invitation and totally game for the climb. It was
amazing to look out over the reading and listen to Steve’s provocative,
freeing sex-politics words. I was wearing a rainbow sweater. We were so
close to the ceiling now, almost like “fallen angels…” with “…oily
feathers” (lyrics from Cathedrals).<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">I
remember when her boyfriend came to the market. He seemed to be
looking for someone, or something, at the flowershop, a bit testy and
unpleased, but with a strange smile. I felt camouflaged behind the
orchids and amaryllis, and also like I didn’t look like much of anything
or anyone at all, which was helpful. But I do remember ducking behind
the counter as he slowly circled the kiosk. I pretended to look for a
pair of yellow-handled flower clippers on the floor until he was gone.<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">One
time, not long after this encounter, I was processing spider mums at
the store counter. Spider mums arrive like all the flowers do, in a long
slender box. The buds of the spider mums are each encased in a gentle
netting to protect them. All you have to do, after a fresh cut (and, if
memory serves, before treating the flowers to a luxurious “hot bath“ to
revive them after their long journey), is to pull gently upwards on the
netting around each bud. The petals will then spring out, finally
released into their full beauty and splendor. <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">As
she walked through the opening in the shared counter and we said hi, I
held out a mum toward her by its stem and said, “Look at this…” and I
lifted the netting up off of the bud, like a magic trick. The flower
exploded into existence before her eyes, and her cheeks turned many
shades of pink and red simultaneously. She laughed and smiled and said
“wow…!” It surprised me, too; I hadn’t meant to pull the netting up so
quickly. It was exciting, and I smiled gently at her, knowing it was my
final gesture to her before just saying hi, in a friendship way, in
future. It felt safer for me and much better for her. But it had been
so lovely. <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div>The Portland Public Market had such beautiful, tall, arching ceilings. Almost like a cathedral.<p> (July 25, 2022 🖉 AG-E)<br /></p>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-77175105367645952432022-07-26T08:09:00.004-07:002022-07-26T11:20:20.352-07:00Joni & Brandi & All the Women & Gentle Everyone & Armchairs & Music & Joy! <p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d1gWuB_AVp7CQA6XqxXoZbQkgkmaHCyaPQ9pd3Q8qsODZ_7ltuFYEfjho-KgxKVEPF8t2hYAnkprcLXShA4G0Dk4bv94C71xUZzJDtjrxv8R9yEZoqx0OLO1g7IhLKVSJrOBEXd5vxHXAXiXpmAmwlUkIMStW5TN6g4oItMb1s4mWl_7aQAdE6lm/s640/IMG_0697.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="640" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d1gWuB_AVp7CQA6XqxXoZbQkgkmaHCyaPQ9pd3Q8qsODZ_7ltuFYEfjho-KgxKVEPF8t2hYAnkprcLXShA4G0Dk4bv94C71xUZzJDtjrxv8R9yEZoqx0OLO1g7IhLKVSJrOBEXd5vxHXAXiXpmAmwlUkIMStW5TN6g4oItMb1s4mWl_7aQAdE6lm/w527-h298/IMG_0697.jpg" width="527" /></a></div><p></p><p>😎 🎨 🎸 ✨<br /></p><div dir="ltr">In
her memoir <i>Broken Horses</i>, Brandi Carlile talks about her wife Catherine
throwing down hard 😂 when they were dating, saying that if Brandi
didn’t listen deeply to Joni’s music, Catherine really didn’t see a
future for the two of them. <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Brandi
fell in love with Joni’s music, particularly <i>Blue</i> — and more deeply in
love with Catherine 😉 and vice-versa — and part of what makes Brandi a
good egg : ) is not just that she’s a powerhouse singer-songwriter with
the twins + cellist & entire sweet band, but that as a producer and
music-community person, she champions women who are somewhat out of or entirely
out of the limelight of the music industry and reminds everyone of their
greatness, widening listenership into other genres — Joni
Mitchell…Tanya Tucker… Mavis Staples… (all still pure greatness who
never went anywhere, but part of a fickle-seeming business which appears
to sometimes prize very young talent).<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Brandi
works on many projects at once, and in her book, she mentions Joni
inviting her over to her house to jam with friends. Catherine would
tell her: do more of that, please, make time for that.<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">In
the Newport Folk Festival footage, it is so striking to see a
livingroom-setup of beautiful, cozy armchairs on stage — maybe like a
Joni jam shared with the public. Seated in an armchair next to Joni
😎 is Brandi 🌈 and so many other friends. Behind Joni, is Winona 💚
During <i>Both Sides Now</i>, Winona looks heaven-ward and it feels palpable
that she’s thinking of her mom, Naomi. It’s heart-breaking and maybe
also healing for Winona, hopefully 🙏 to be washed over with song from
her mom’s contemporary. Winona’s subtle harmonies are stunning and feel
heaven-sent.<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Getting
to hear Joni’s voice and see her up there onstage, even on a small phone
screen, felt in the realm of spiritually profound. Immediate tears. I
had craved and needed that very sound. <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div>Joni’s
friends, known or unknown, too, no doubt envisioned and helped with
aspects of that show and saw that stage picture like a dream, too. All
this to say, behind every great woman (and sometimes seated next to), is
the encouragement and influence of another great woman, championing one
another. Brandi champions Joni, Joni inspired Brandi, Catherine
champions & wrangles everyone 🙂 and on and on… That’s kind of the
best of what music-community is ❤️ (And sweet dudes and non-binary
friends, too, who support powerful women, but lots of divine women to
appreciate.)Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-30195406557986202462022-07-26T07:35:00.002-07:002022-07-26T07:37:53.731-07:00Only Murders in the Building: Bunny Folger<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d80KfCFbgJjS7xPoVvggMEt7LZP23pmEy23-ZDUTBojsCQPPikOoX3C5qoyGB9UpHfanqUCpHr5RITQ2hjbO_IslFyYWnIxaV2BgTQkzm_QxtPkHnJwocNLWncpH7iW2Ut25aaZmTPseKPZRAGfivFOEnz-cBfdyu8wi1fX3twxv9clwBJi1z54H/s275/Only_Murders_logo.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="275" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d80KfCFbgJjS7xPoVvggMEt7LZP23pmEy23-ZDUTBojsCQPPikOoX3C5qoyGB9UpHfanqUCpHr5RITQ2hjbO_IslFyYWnIxaV2BgTQkzm_QxtPkHnJwocNLWncpH7iW2Ut25aaZmTPseKPZRAGfivFOEnz-cBfdyu8wi1fX3twxv9clwBJi1z54H/w347-h188/Only_Murders_logo.jpeg" width="347" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx0gZcQjif4Sg7emr_E39O4JpIsHr67NP2UeP_zCRclvxSMpnm6cphJNEW2K9_F9OyF6CF7PlICi0RRVLVttyad4N5LitrI5rI_Ukjam0hJmd2ZFGWF9p58YDE095s-LX-HHOb43BxIP7RV7w7mWWXw4byoKF8zlwv2u2zvvBMY9yuL7DYP0JcfWB/s640/IMG_9871.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="640" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx0gZcQjif4Sg7emr_E39O4JpIsHr67NP2UeP_zCRclvxSMpnm6cphJNEW2K9_F9OyF6CF7PlICi0RRVLVttyad4N5LitrI5rI_Ukjam0hJmd2ZFGWF9p58YDE095s-LX-HHOb43BxIP7RV7w7mWWXw4byoKF8zlwv2u2zvvBMY9yuL7DYP0JcfWB/w279-h267/IMG_9871.jpg" width="279" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>Credits: Photo 1: <i>Only Murders in the Building</i> title screen, Hulu. Photo 2: Screenshot during episode entitled, "The Last Day of Bunny Folger." Release date: July 5, 2022, Dir. by Jude Weng. <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span> </span><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">So exciting to watch theatre great Jayne Houdyshell crush
it on "Only Murders in the Building."</div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Overheard next to me on the sofa, “I would watch an entire series about the character of Bunny just
going about her day,” spoken by Marisa, my partner 🙂🦜 <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Houdyshell captures a particular type of New Yorker — outwardly surly, intensely loving. </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">🎭🎬✨🗽<br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">It’s
a glorious ensemble. I love Selena Gomez (fangirl here!) as the very
chill, knowing, deadpan Mabel, foil to the comedic soft shoe of Steve
Martin & Martin Short as Charles & Oliver. 😂 Generational
comedy splendor. </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Excited to see what unfolds. ✨🍏🎧</div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">(July 12, 2022 🖉 AG-E)<br /></div><p></p>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-62187693889319867572022-07-20T13:57:00.002-07:002022-07-20T13:58:46.068-07:00On Leadership & Labor<p><br /></p><img alt="The Lineman, 1949 - Norman Rockwell" height="400" itemprop="image" src="https://uploads3.wikiart.org/images/norman-rockwell/the-lineman-1949.jpg!Large.jpg" title="The Lineman, 1949 - Norman Rockwell" width="347" /><div dir="ltr"> </div><div dir="ltr">Norman Rockwell, "The Lineman," 1949, oil on canvas, 107 x 144.5 cm. <span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">© </span>Norman Rockwell. Fair Use. </div><div dir="ltr"> </div><div dir="ltr">My great grandfather was Henderson Sterling Gates. I’m
told that he worked his way up in the telephone company in Texas, from a
labor position to leadership. I’ve always pictured this as his getting
to the top of a telephone pole. <br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">At
the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA this past fall, I was captivated by so many
magazine covers and paintings, such compassionate and political works of
art, one of which was a beautiful painting called "The Lineman." I think
it reminded me of my great grandfather, and it felt like humble
leadership and deft, caring labor made equal. <br /></div><p>Henderson
is a Scottish surname which may be why I find myself most at home
wearing plaid and why Vanessa and I frequent the annual Scottish Day
Parade in NYC each April (aka the New York City Tartan Day Parade). My great grandfather’s chosen profession may
also explain why my mom’s side of the family values crystal clear lines
of communication : ) ☎️📞⚡️♥️ </p><p>(July 11, 2022 🖉 AG-E)<br /></p>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-60052000394086922022022-07-18T11:56:00.000-07:002022-07-18T11:56:13.188-07:00 Where We Live<p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> Below is a recent personal essay. It's a follow-up to "On Writing" posted previously. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUCS1Oa_K7vrv0zJUP_pGlRQwAysoxAC2PDWiKg2iktz4CiJcErik8Dem2z4zxYdZ4Se-7Ko-n9EJ2K-Iqwr5BIWW_VZ9mtAWnkhqfAfiEpw9VqFCh8BlS2GbRjPcvfJsDfM5QzsjSjIDMr0x20WXyZ-vApggotVUcw9M2mWh5W5VIGtTBCK_nXAv/s640/931C1935-0D66-4258-AF22-586DE2695908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUCS1Oa_K7vrv0zJUP_pGlRQwAysoxAC2PDWiKg2iktz4CiJcErik8Dem2z4zxYdZ4Se-7Ko-n9EJ2K-Iqwr5BIWW_VZ9mtAWnkhqfAfiEpw9VqFCh8BlS2GbRjPcvfJsDfM5QzsjSjIDMr0x20WXyZ-vApggotVUcw9M2mWh5W5VIGtTBCK_nXAv/s320/931C1935-0D66-4258-AF22-586DE2695908.JPG" width="256" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">A
tall, skinny, menacing man came to our house on Crestwood Drive in
Houston and met with my parents. The man was offering a large sum for
our unique house. I later learned that he didn’t want to move into our
house, which I didn’t understand at all, but rather to level it and
develop the area around it. My mom said a very firm “No” to the man.
She feared what he wanted to do with our house and the ravine behind it
and how the sale would change the neighborhood. Many people on our
street were older and needed protecting; every house was unique and
beautiful on an unusual, winding, special street. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">My
parents argued after the meeting with the man. My dad took one more
meeting, this time on his own, with the man. My dad said “Yes” to the
deal with the man. When he told my mom, she was stunned and furious.
My dad revealed to my mom the extent of our money problems. My mom said
to tell the man “Absolutely not” to the sale; she would find another
buyer. My father did, and the man was furious and galled at having a
gentleman’s agreement broken. My mom found a buyer she trusted and
liked and at a sum that she understood we now needed. Simultaneously,
and after almost 18 years of marriage, my mom decided to begin the
process of divorcing my dad. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Vanessa
and I went down to Texas for our dad’s 82nd birthday a few years ago.
It had been quite a long time since visiting and seeing him, and it felt
a little strange, but really right. He had come up to New York for
arbitrations a few times; one of the most recent times, he was leaving
New York just as Hurricane Sandy was blowing in, one of the last flights
out. We were excited to see our family — our brother James who I still
call Jamie; his wife Jennifer; their teenager(!) kids, Alex and Izzy;
our extraordinary niece Jessica, a teacher; her hubby Steven, a tattoo
artist; their littles(!) Janeia and Leslie 🥰 We were excited to meet
all together at Chuy’s for Tex-Mex. In the parking lot, Vanessa said,
“Sea roses!” and the two of us put our noses into the sweet bushes. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Vanessa
and I started the drive from downtown Houston to my dad’s neighborhood;
Houston is sprawling. Vanessa routed us near Memorial Drive; like
Central Park in Manhattan, getting to the park can help you understand
where you are. We were using GPS, but I felt comfortable without Siri,
tracing our location on the phone with my finger and telling us where to
turn. When we moved from Texas to Maine, when I was 8 and Vanessa was
9, we had a stack of AAA maps with orange highlighter to denote the
recommended route. Vanessa and I would take turns tracing the orange
highlighter with our fingers and telling our mom where to turn. It was
thrilling that she entrusted us with the navigation. I love to read
maps. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">We found
ourselves at a roundabout, which I find generally confusing and somewhat
counter-intuitive, and I gestured to the incorrect spoke of the wheel.
We were now setting out in precisely the wrong direction. We kept
driving, I was profusely apologizing, Vanessa was calming me down, and I
started to notice how distinctive the trees and shrubs were. Texas
vegetation. Mexican vegetation. Mexican tile terra cotta roofs. Green,
green lawns. It was so beautiful. It was familiar. I hadn’t seen it
in so long. The streets seemed to have flower-related names. Rose...Blossom. We were
lost, but it was beautiful. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">We
turned on a street that we both agreed felt really right, and when we
got to the end of the block, we looked up at the green street sign. The
sign said, impossibly: Crestwood Drive. I began to cry. We had gotten
lost in our old, enormous city and somehow found our way home.<br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Vanessa
is a mischievous, knowing soul, but she insisted that her only
intention had been to get us near the park, like old times and en route
to my dad’s neighborhood. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">We
turned left onto Crestwood Drive and through the intersection that I
remember my mom navigating when we were little; sometimes it took ages
until it was safe to turn left onto the main road, Memorial Drive.
There was a traffic light there now.<br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">We
drove into our part of Crestwood Drive which now had mini-mansions on
it and which was adjacent to a development behind it, packed with more
mini-mansions. The developer — or someone like the skinny, tall,
menacing man with a similar deal — had gotten his way, made a sale, a
series of sales, that had forced the project through. The street, I
noticed, still had its wild, untamable, winding shape. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">We
arrived at number 32. I sobbed seeing the front gate, a remnant of our
old house and selves. Behind the gate was an unrecognizable
monstrosity. Our house was gone. In its place was something I knew was
beautiful but wasn’t to me. I longed to walk to our kitchen door and
go inside and to see the sunlight pour into the back of the house and
look out at the ravine behind our peaceful home. None of it was there.<br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Shortly
before the trip to Houston, I’d seen the movie “A Wrinkle in Time.” On
the plane, there was an inflight magazine with a feature article about
Ava DuVernay and Storm Reid and the making of this movie. I’d
remembered reading the book in 4th grade, but details were foggy. When I
saw the movie with friends, I wasn’t concerned with whether the movie
was faithful to the book; I wanted to finally understand the detail
about the wrinkle. I was fascinated by the way that a man could find
his way into another realm through the frequency of love. During the
movie, I had what I felt was a “heart-bloom” sensation in my chest. My
heart was remembering and releasing something which I hadn’t felt in so
long. It was a warm feeling and like the opening of a rose. A father
had gone away and gotten lost. His daughter went to go find him and
bring him home. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">The roundabout, counter-clockwise and dizzying, had offered my sister and me a time travel machine of our own. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">I
remember being in the backseat of the car, my mom in the driver’s seat,
Vanessa in the passenger seat, en route to see a movie. “What is it
called?” I asked my mom. “Back to the Future.” My mind ranged, trying to
understand the words. Vanessa understood the premise quickly and was
excited. “It’s with Michael J. Fox. From Family Ties,” Vanessa said.
“Alex P. Keaton,” I said slowly and quietly and to no one. We finally
turned left onto Memorial Drive, and we were off!<br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">We
loved the movie, and next time we brought Kevin, my big brother from my
mom’s first marriage. We were so excited, we whispered everything that
was happening and about to happen. Kevin was a patient 20-something,
but he laughed and said, “Hey, I’m trying to watch the dang movie!” We
laughed and loved him. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">I
live now in Brooklyn Heights which I’ve called home with my partner
Marisa for 8 years. My new friend Jean, who has lived on the block for
49 years, tells me that we’re on the “derelict” block of Brooklyn
Heights. I laughed when she said it, “So I’ve heard. I bet you’ve seen
it change a lot over the years — but has it…always had the same feeling
to it?” Jean looked at me, curiously, “I like the way you worded that.
It has changed, yes, and it has always had the same feeling to it, yes.
She added, “And it’s been on the up-and-up for 49 years!” I laughed
and hoped to learn more about the block from Jean next time we found
ourselves together at the laundromat.<br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">When
my mom was pregnant with my brother Kevin, she lived briefly in
Brooklyn Heights, over on Clark Street. My mom tells me that she and
her first husband Dick kept enough money for the cab ride to the
hospital in a jar on the mantle. Sometimes, as I walk through the
neighborhood streets, I think how beautiful and strange it would be to
run into my mom. Like Marty McFly and his mom Lorraine in “Back to the
Future.” And also kind of like this beautiful song called “Emerald” by a
singer called Dar Williams, where a woman gets a glimpse of her younger self
driving along the same road she’s traveled many times before. <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">I’ve
thought about what I’d say to my 24-year-old mom as my 42-year-old self
now; I’m the exact age my mom was when she gave birth to me, and it’s
this: <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">“One day you’re
going to meet a man who is a troublemaker. You get to decide if you
want that energy in your life. You’ll be his moral compass. He’ll rely
on your guidance, because he gets very lost. Maybe you & your
little guy Kevin should just adventure together. Maybe keep pursuing
your own life and career. The troublemaker and you will have two girls —
later on, a happy surprise for both of you. You and the girls will go
on a great adventure together to a place called Maine, but you get to
choose your road and you get to use your compass just for yourself. You
can be on the road with a career in the arts and as a writer and
activist in Houston. You really do get to decide.”</div>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-71608167635546123472022-07-18T09:23:00.002-07:002022-07-18T11:32:47.241-07:00On Writing<p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Below is a personal essay I wrote recently. It's about writing. And my mom :) Hope you enjoy!<br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCm0ONXGvP0h27CfxvkrjjLvVAMytUSKnBmBYYJ9RfeXG81kFE33peN-am-GvAYcytN_AfIuHPFD8y5byE1Jf3SBnp4ez8i58HKiuan2X1bMphpRPl_z2kxEYuYyTZ2x-phrf-j6oV7E5AiAsNLLffWSz1TYlQDmgC7cxBVSZJ86isCuE5y2D-d6z/s640/IMG_0337(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCm0ONXGvP0h27CfxvkrjjLvVAMytUSKnBmBYYJ9RfeXG81kFE33peN-am-GvAYcytN_AfIuHPFD8y5byE1Jf3SBnp4ez8i58HKiuan2X1bMphpRPl_z2kxEYuYyTZ2x-phrf-j6oV7E5AiAsNLLffWSz1TYlQDmgC7cxBVSZJ86isCuE5y2D-d6z/w320-h320/IMG_0337(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div style="margin-left: 40px;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;">My mom is a wonderful writer, and it was a big deal when she
bought an Apple IIGS in the early 90’s. My sister Vanessa and I loved making
gigantic banners on the computer, because the printer paper was all connected end-to-end.
Sometimes we removed the edges with all the holes, sometimes not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes my dad would visit from Texas, so
we’d make a banner that said “Welcome Home, Dad!” with large clip art images on
either side of the words (maybe clip art was early emoji?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I grew up and understood that even though
my parents seemed like best friends following their divorce, his home was
really just in Texas, so we’d amend banners to: “Welcome to Maine, Dad!”</p><div style="margin-left: 40px;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;">When I was in 6th grade, my mom went back to school for a second degree in English, and you can chart my own academic success to watching
my mom model how to be a scholar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went
from being an extremely lackadaisical kid who once got in trouble with my 3rd
grade teacher, Ms. Beck, for staring at the sun — to suddenly (or finally)
understanding how to read and how to write and how to focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Note: I loved Ms. Beck. 💗<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She brought in her records and made lyric
sheets so we could sing and learn songs like “The City of New Orleans” by Arlo
Guthrie.)</p><div style="margin-left: 40px;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;">My mom got into the Honors Program and wrote papers on her
Apple IIGS, but I know she at first struggled with a style of essay writing
that she simply wasn’t taught in the 40’s and 50’s. My mom had been the editor
of her high school newspaper and went to college to become a teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>College writing in the 90’s was structured
differently — around getting to have and express a personal opinion, around
having one’s own thesis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She worked hard
and became a scholar, reading and re-reading and note-taking — and then writing
and crafting well-reasoned arguments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><div style="margin-left: 40px;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;">In school and college, I got discouraged if I didn’t
understand something right away or wasn’t quickly proficient which led to a
pretty joyless battle with perfectionism
😂but I learned ultimately that it’s not the sign of a lack of intelligence if
something is hard or takes longer which was what my mom was modeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><div style="margin-left: 40px;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;">My mom took some creative writing courses, too, including
non-fiction and memoir which she loved. She got in trouble once, because her
professor said what she’d written couldn’t possibly be true. He thought she was
lying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said it was too tragic and
beyond belief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said it was true.
They agreed to disagree.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;">When I was a little kid, before there was an Apple IIGS in
Maine — my mom had a typewriter in Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was the most exciting thing I could think of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Texas, as a 5-year-old, I could find my
mom in the kitchen — or in her bedroom which had a giant window which I later
learned was called a “picture window” and was popular in the 70’s and 80’s — or
in her study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom’s study was the one
place in the house that my dad didn’t go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It had books inside — a window looking out at giant trees — and: the
typewriter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next to the typewriter was a
stack of yellow index cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second
most exciting thing I could think of were: yellow index cards. 💛</p><div style="margin-left: 40px;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;">Recently, I was in the great state of New Jersey at a big
box store with my partner Marisa visiting her parents, and I spotted a stack of
yellow index cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remembered
sneaking into my mom’s study and threading a yellow index card into my mom’s
typewriter and typing something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No clue
what I wrote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A punctuation mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably “A” for my name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or little “a” because it’s just so lovely
looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whatever it was, the
feeling was thrilling. I don’t know if I had the good sense to take the
typed-on index card with me on my way out of my Mom’s study or what…but I lived
for that thrill at age five.</p><div style="margin-left: 40px;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;">So, I bought the yellow index cards that day in Jersey, and
I keep them on my table / desk and I write <span face=""Segoe UI Symbol",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";">✍</span>️ ideas on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Song lyrics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Funny little things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, funny
to me 😂<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recommendations from a friend of a podcast or
book to check out. A writing idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><div style="margin-left: 40px;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;">I asked Vanessa, who has always been a wonderful poet, if
she ever went into the study, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was 6 to my 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did : ) she remembers
the yellow index cards and the typewriter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Writing is a sneaky, subversive, self-making act. </p><div style="margin-left: 40px;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px;">My mom is 84 now, 85 this October, and writes everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her laptop is kaput at the moment, so she
writes by hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, yellow index cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing to be reminded…</p><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;">
<span><br /></span></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--></div>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-68083015510604357132022-07-18T07:45:00.001-07:002022-07-18T07:45:46.008-07:00It's Hot Out -- Maybe Go See a Movie?<p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k98Afd7Nf3Y" width="320" youtube-src-id="k98Afd7Nf3Y"></iframe></div><br /> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Temperatures this upcoming week looks quite hot, peoples…
Be sure to hydrate. Get some ice ready and ice packs 🧊 Find another
refreshing bev of choice that isn’t too caffeinated to jazz it up for
yourself; Marisa & I really enjoy Arnold Palmers which are half iced
tea, half lemonade 🍋 Consider a cool shower 🚿 Keep window shades /
curtains down in the hot sun 🪟 What else 🤔 <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">A/C
is hilariously complicated in an old building — we have to turn off all
other electronics to turn our window unit on 😂 Some peeps don’t love
A/C — they’re not a fan, so to speak. They prefer: fans.<br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">If
you’re ocean bound 🌊 or other large water source bound, just gauge how
long you’re in the sun, even under an umbrella 🏖. Hot sun. 🌞 Coat it
up with sunscreen, damnit. Coat. It. Up. 🧴 <br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Maybe
visit some A/C someplace else. Adventure to the grocery store! Maybe
it’ll be fun. 😬🥬 Journey to the inside of your car 🚘🧊<br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">If
it feels safe to you personally 😷 maybe a movie would be 🎞 fun? My
friend Lani Starr told me that the Leonard Cohen documentary “HALLELUJAH” is
outstanding. And I would highly, highly, highly, highly recommend “MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON.”
It’s a documentary, too. Bring tissues. 🐚 It’s
“life-affirming” 😭 and so funny and fun for whole fam 🥰</div>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-49009523401457488372022-07-17T15:34:00.003-07:002022-07-17T15:35:43.288-07:00Who broke the introvert?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkiDjn44eAVAQDGwnfC7yabxeAWmkELSkiskppDirgMgXhdpxqzhQ5W2rwVjVvElh_hizVb4Wod0m5Tmk6f93ZFBEaapQBUs7NcZbIJ6JgTuV3-zkJlIM1W2QvrZncrWV75P1Dud10ivaiMkUHq95RV3YyUHiBZy2-D76RyDMlQ9QHl6CnFLXLnL3/s1242/IMG_0327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1242" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkiDjn44eAVAQDGwnfC7yabxeAWmkELSkiskppDirgMgXhdpxqzhQ5W2rwVjVvElh_hizVb4Wod0m5Tmk6f93ZFBEaapQBUs7NcZbIJ6JgTuV3-zkJlIM1W2QvrZncrWV75P1Dud10ivaiMkUHq95RV3YyUHiBZy2-D76RyDMlQ9QHl6CnFLXLnL3/w400-h223/IMG_0327.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span> </span><span> </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>In the movie Sneakers (1992), the computer hacker Whistler (David Strathairn) gets a hunch about the newly-acquired "black box" which holds highly-classified information. <span> </span>At one point, Whistler's glasses become the dual
projection screens for a river of highly-sensitive information that he
has concluded just moments before to be available and capable of decoding, "Bish? I...think you'd better come over here."</span> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Whistler is blind, and it's beautiful to watch, throughout the film, as he teaches his colleagues how to experience the world as he does -- through sound, through intuition, through the logic of natural conclusion, through a decoding of one's surroundings, and through a very memorable and excitingly successful van-driving scene. </span></p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span> <span> Whistler is a teacher, in addition to hacker, and his intricate role on the team suggests to the movie-goer that we may each and all hold access to previously unavailable, sensitive, thought-ungettable information. Perhaps this secret information is even within ourselves.</span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> As a card-carrying introvert, I am accustomed to a kind of necessary quiet. There is a part of my mind that feels somewhat non-verbal, even if wildly and annoyingly verbose within. I love to think and talk in pictures; I love emojis and clip art; I love to watch TV and films. And I don't think I'm alone in this. Reading is a joy, but I might read a page and then drift for a wide swath of time, because the words bring about the need for a wide open space to process the words, the feelings they bring about, the pictures they conjure up. You, too, dear reader? Reading is often compared to travel; it may be that both author and reader have their own ideas about the travel itinerary and the accompanying landscape. </span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span>There was a Buck Moon recently and a major event related to Pluto and a massive discovery in the study of the universe and galaxies by NASA and another crucial hearing..., all of which may explain a new-found access to rivers of information. Whatever the cause, when an introvert has figured out how to have access to and to decode information, it might be interesting, as a thought experiment, to share the findings, "Bish?" </span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"> I've been doing a lot of writing lately. You, too? I look forward to sharing some recent and future writings here on this blog as a centralized place to share and archive. It may not be interesting or starry stuff, but like Whistler, I have a hunch to go ahead and tinker and decode and see what happens. Thanks so much for reading 😎</span><br /></span></p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span><span> </span> </span></p><p> </p></div>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-16572752003778286382021-12-02T21:02:00.000-08:002021-12-02T21:02:14.990-08:00from Every Girl A Sorcerer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieE-5vv45boa_CLvyPjPkpiQK8nGx0F8APW9TpU5MHhDDFVdKaYRnoLyzCM2o8NQDkYTdCCBhqINCorNYW8e7zlV6orl1hgwQRa1NfcRdIwMFpZrTSY064rJtdq7IfefenrZGJIvrSzUA/s853/Building.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieE-5vv45boa_CLvyPjPkpiQK8nGx0F8APW9TpU5MHhDDFVdKaYRnoLyzCM2o8NQDkYTdCCBhqINCorNYW8e7zlV6orl1hgwQRa1NfcRdIwMFpZrTSY064rJtdq7IfefenrZGJIvrSzUA/w300-h400/Building.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;">On the corner of Hopper Road & Magritte Lane, lives a damsel in this dress, see. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;">It's a green dress which has accompanied this damsel around the world and for years now. Just the two of them as well as a surprisingly compact portmanteau with many splendid treasures tucked within -- a mandolin, a cloak covered in stars and moon and said to be possessing magical qualities, a tea cup and saucer and solar-electric kettle, </span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;">a geode filled with hot purple light, </span></span>crystals in colors typically only made visible above and below and behind and in all ways prepositionally related to the stripes of a rainbow, many assorted keys, ancient scrolls and miniature tomes, elixirs in bottles changing daily in color like the sea and the sky, and many other items to discuss, including, of course, a special compartment for this one particular green dress which had arrived on a crisp autumn day, years ago, 20 years in fact, on her 22nd birthday to be exact, wrapped in pristine glassine, delivered to her home address with a note in mysterious, yet strangely familiar longhand that read:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;"> <i> </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>To adventure is to live! ~S. <br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;">And that was when, compelled by the invitation of an intriguing note and a dress the color of the earthiest, truest green, her adventure began. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><div class="Z0LcW AZCkJd d2J77b" data-tts-text="©" data-tts="answers"><div class="IZ6rdc"><span style="font-size: small;">© 2021 Amanda Gates-Elston</span><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i> </i></span></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> <br /></div><br /> <p></p>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-61062012125881118002019-01-03T20:46:00.000-08:002019-01-03T20:46:04.745-08:00new year, new electro pop song start:<span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> i am </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> a cornucopia</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> of fluttery things</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> (of fluttery things) </span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> tinsel -- stencil -- tinsel stencil pencil (repeat)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> listen, gentle lentil, as i tell you: (repeat)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> of a song...!</span></span> </span>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-43711812819891789852018-03-15T16:44:00.002-07:002018-03-15T16:44:26.970-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLfUGkx1sLgOmt4z7kblPlhOjGg0VtQdU4dauWbk9CCvv7fU9M1AGMCWxP5BFJn942IJCekfPIcIq01-Bs3K6FfPzsHbz6e457PFAu-aE8zuDgrneyqNRs28nHPw29KUjmMJiCVuysoA/s1600/Hearts+sq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLfUGkx1sLgOmt4z7kblPlhOjGg0VtQdU4dauWbk9CCvv7fU9M1AGMCWxP5BFJn942IJCekfPIcIq01-Bs3K6FfPzsHbz6e457PFAu-aE8zuDgrneyqNRs28nHPw29KUjmMJiCVuysoA/s320/Hearts+sq.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A new album, <a href="https://zando8grl.bandcamp.com/">Secret Lives of Paperclips</a> (March 2018), is available for your listening pleasure.<br />
<br />Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-27593393912680000102013-05-16T20:16:00.001-07:002013-05-16T20:16:24.668-07:00Words about a hat (for hi-hat)<br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Hat!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Today you flew!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">The wind it blew! </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">You off my head!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Into a major intersection!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Whipped high like a plastic bag, you fell --</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">a parachuting piano,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">a bird unfolding,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">a half-life in double time,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">a pocket's escape </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">You landed, you lunged, you paused ferocious </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">now glided coolly along the crosswalk,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">oceanic Atlantic Avenue</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">your Abbey Road.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Then a taxi ran over you.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">And a jeep.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I did not breathe.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">You soldiered on,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">determined to cross the street.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I waited for danger DON'T</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to cool to permission WALK</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">and as it did, you turned </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">left, to cross another street.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">"Hat!"</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> I waded out into Atlantic, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">my hair a lashing mess of </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">landline wires & guitar strings,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">and as I approached,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">you stilled mid-seastream</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">a grasshopper fish, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">legs coiled with song;</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">my clamorous mind calmed,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to a one-note cat, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">preparing to </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">swat!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I caught you!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">And carried you back to!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">sidewalk safety. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">(rest)</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I've inspected you many times since, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">expecting to see</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">some mark, some proof</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">of your tempestuous journey,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">but the tires left not one trace</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">across your humble, tweed face.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">And I look at you still,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">hoping to behold</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">that flashing spirit,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">that ability, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">that curiosity, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">that yearning </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">To fly! </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I'd have been blue to lose you, sweet hat, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">but I regret the precision cat </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">who stopped you in your song,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">who sometimes stops me in mine,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">my 'fraidy cat...</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">To stand against the wind, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">thinking one can control </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">that awesome force, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">or to let go and truly live?</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Perhaps that question is answered best </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">by the weight of one's own fabric,</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">not by choice;</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">yet, in places where </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">there are no signs</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to direct one's moves, I see </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">that </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">one must throw </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">caution to the wind and just</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">b e w i l l i n g </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to fly, </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to dance,</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to sing, </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to swim, </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to wail on a blues guitar, </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to do & be so many things, </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">yes!</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to be to be to be!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">(solo for wind instrument)</span></div>
Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-49876778010560909812011-04-27T19:21:00.000-07:002011-04-27T19:21:28.891-07:00for the love of theatre!<div style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #45818e;"><span>dear readers!</span></div><div style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #a64d79;">hi! </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">so, a talented and wonderful theatre troupe -- aWe Creative Group -- is goin' to scotland! to present a fantastic play called </span><i style="color: #a64d79;">G.I. Joe Jared; Based On One Really Bad Date</i><span style="color: #a64d79;"> written by a wonderful playwright, amy e. witting, in the </span><b style="color: #a64d79;">Edinburgh Festival Fringe.</b></div><div style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #cc0000;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: #f1c232;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">the group needs a slingshot to get them from nyc-bklyn-queens (over the high seas, mind you!) to edinburgh! </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">click on the link below, getting to know these wonderful peeps as i know them (see vid!), find out when you can see the show in nyc! (hint: this july!), and find yourselves so endeared by them that you will want to put them inside your purse. or want to open up your purse and flip sweet coinage their way<span style="background-color: #f1c232;">! </span></span><a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/aWe-Creative-Group?c=activity">http://www.indiegogo.com/aWe-Creative-Group?c=activity</a></div><div style="background-color: #f1c232;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #3d85c6;">for the love of theatre, for the love of scotland (as you know, i am rather partial to both), </div><div style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #3d85c6;">amanda</div><div style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #38761d;">p.s. i went to the Fringe as a spectator 10 years ago. it was bliss. it's in my atoms for the rest of time. i wish aWe Creative Group joy and magic in their adventures there this august : ) </span></div><div style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-10371547138644622292011-04-22T06:46:00.000-07:002011-04-22T06:48:50.021-07:00earth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #7f6000;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOug0hyphenhyphenz4Tt6o1dcUgz5XnvVtke-CUjvcMmQL-35SOdSIaissg7waN8IFQOxPLpS9ilY-0hsnXOX7OKNv1zHX9avhjtdx6etMKH4AehdO4aGBdyip8OoQVoWYoFLY0Noe9HCTIL5eGRE/s1600/svotti+062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOug0hyphenhyphenz4Tt6o1dcUgz5XnvVtke-CUjvcMmQL-35SOdSIaissg7waN8IFQOxPLpS9ilY-0hsnXOX7OKNv1zHX9avhjtdx6etMKH4AehdO4aGBdyip8OoQVoWYoFLY0Noe9HCTIL5eGRE/s320/svotti+062.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: #38761d; text-align: left;">dear earth, how are you? you can be honest. happy earth day! we are celebrating you today! as we should be doing everyday. your ecosystem is spectacular, by the way. thank you for providing an amazing home for us humans and animals and flowers and trees alike! thank you for your simplicity, your symmetries, and your wild uncontainables. and your beautiful colors! you're an inspiration. literally! you allow us to breathe. it's scary when you go through seismic shifts. i wish you wouldn't! sorry to accuse you. they're hard to understand, though! i know that in anthropomorphizing you, i'm trying to make you take responsibility, as if you were a corporation. thankfully, you are not. there is plenty that humans can take responsibility for on the corporation front, the civic responsibility front, the global responsibility front. in calling you "you," it's probably a give-away that i see you as a protective force, like mother nature or like a god...probably hoping that you're looking out for us (knock on wood!). you know, even though science could be seen as indifferent, and this is a helpful viewpoint sometimes, i also know that everything -- e v e r y t h i n g ! in our global ecosystem responds to one thing, and it is the opposite of indifferent. that thang? love ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) so, earth, if you're ok with it, i will continue to address you as you : ) as a living, breathing being which feels and responds to love. i hope we give you love everyday -- not with the tacit understanding that you'll protect us as in some kind of alliance or business deal or as if you're a fatherly president or a loving mama bear, but with the hope that we meet you halfway in the magnificence and responsibility of being here together. through love, i hope we find focus in egoless, planetary goodness. yours truly, amanda (just a tiny planet walkin' along on this big planet!)<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-34733016435249651002011-04-15T19:36:00.000-07:002011-04-15T19:36:49.281-07:00dare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9gwqClDuuQcl16M09dKIjCKBbr8OegS1EUoOWDVJlqiJq4p8rBNwoX4jrHrQ9awSdyzO4zSdPYUo8W40Di-SXNzQCngdgfq2evfIDnNuDK0UEkj7wtPwYY75tw2TXqy2wqiCUem3V2A/s1600/svotti+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9gwqClDuuQcl16M09dKIjCKBbr8OegS1EUoOWDVJlqiJq4p8rBNwoX4jrHrQ9awSdyzO4zSdPYUo8W40Di-SXNzQCngdgfq2evfIDnNuDK0UEkj7wtPwYY75tw2TXqy2wqiCUem3V2A/s320/svotti+037.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #cc0000;"> my<span style="color: #38761d;"> love</span> for plaid continues. </div><div style="color: #cc0000;">and <span style="color: #38761d;">all</span> things scottish. </div><div style="color: #cc0000;">resi<span style="color: #38761d;">stance</span> is futile.</div><div style="color: #cc0000;">i'm <span style="color: #38761d;">scottish</span> on my mom's <span style="color: #0b5394;">side</span>, henderson. </div><div style="color: #cc0000;">wish <span style="color: #38761d;">i knew</span> more about <span style="color: #0b5394;">my</span> roots. </div><div style="color: #cc0000;">do <span style="color: #38761d;">you</span> know about your <span style="color: #0b5394;">roots</span>, readers? </div><div style="color: #cc0000;">do <span style="color: #38761d;">you</span> identify with a <span style="color: #0b5394;">particular</span> land or culture, even if <span style="color: #38761d;">you're</span> a mutt? </div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span><span style="color: #38761d;">this is an oil pastel thing i <span style="color: #0b5394;">did the</span> other night.</span><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"> i had a <span style="color: #38761d;">wacky </span>thought that</span> <span style="color: #0b5394;">maybe</span> <span style="color: #bf9000;">i'd join a scottish <span style="color: #38761d;">drum</span> group for a <span style="color: #0b5394;">year and </span>march in the parade : ) <span style="color: #38761d;">silly.</span> </span></span></div><span style="color: #38761d;">. </span>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-73273161809053951052011-04-14T22:20:00.000-07:002011-04-16T08:07:43.319-07:00my fake tattoos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr3J3zqXKl4JMeuJ08jFsQO4K5nl_qzKmYAHUcVP0lY76V28IbCD3aqL_c78UQzvGxEjaOphj7ic7lu1dtGgMOsyu9S-wvXuT_FUopoohF0iduV2Ggb-kM_uMVsvIhQo9_W9gIXC3dSw/s1600/svotti+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr3J3zqXKl4JMeuJ08jFsQO4K5nl_qzKmYAHUcVP0lY76V28IbCD3aqL_c78UQzvGxEjaOphj7ic7lu1dtGgMOsyu9S-wvXuT_FUopoohF0iduV2Ggb-kM_uMVsvIhQo9_W9gIXC3dSw/s320/svotti+040.jpg" style="color: #741b47;" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">plaid ring from my sister which makes me so happy : )</span><br style="color: #741b47;" /><span style="color: #990000;">"littlefield" stamp from seeing the excellent mo welch's comedy show at this badass brooklyn venue on monday night.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">a star stamp from seeing the mind-blowing play and experiential extravaganza "sleep no more" on wednesday night performed by punchdrunk at the abandoned mckittrick hotel on W. 27th street, inspired by this spooky hotel and the characters from shakespeare's macbeth. www.sleepnomorenyc.com</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">standing waiting for the subway at franklin ave. </span>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-71730112655306041122011-04-09T23:26:00.000-07:002011-04-09T23:27:49.479-07:00Bandcamp!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I've got a few songs posted. A lot more to come. Check out my music page: <a href="http://zando8grl.bandcamp.com/">zando8grl.bandcamp.com</a><br />
<br />
<iframe style="position: relative; display: block; width: 300px; height: 225px" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=2140304008/size=grande2/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/transparent=true/" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0"><a href="http://zando8grl.bandcamp.com/album/erfect">erfect by zando8grl</a></iframe><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-20292278695931557992011-04-09T21:11:00.000-07:002011-04-09T21:11:28.212-07:00scottish day parade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18RCKazaIIS60xESL2J-_Bx7HxjOLdASq0P8DSNFIBLUPsJ_eZusNfdm2BHTA8r37MpMzBg3lJm7Y5xWUY9A-cqxbPp8B7EH5r8waH0dLIE2FjMroOgNRWN9-SaMYWMxmqI0PqpnhyphenhyphenlM/s1600/svotti+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18RCKazaIIS60xESL2J-_Bx7HxjOLdASq0P8DSNFIBLUPsJ_eZusNfdm2BHTA8r37MpMzBg3lJm7Y5xWUY9A-cqxbPp8B7EH5r8waH0dLIE2FjMroOgNRWN9-SaMYWMxmqI0PqpnhyphenhyphenlM/s1600/svotti+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18RCKazaIIS60xESL2J-_Bx7HxjOLdASq0P8DSNFIBLUPsJ_eZusNfdm2BHTA8r37MpMzBg3lJm7Y5xWUY9A-cqxbPp8B7EH5r8waH0dLIE2FjMroOgNRWN9-SaMYWMxmqI0PqpnhyphenhyphenlM/s1600/svotti+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18RCKazaIIS60xESL2J-_Bx7HxjOLdASq0P8DSNFIBLUPsJ_eZusNfdm2BHTA8r37MpMzBg3lJm7Y5xWUY9A-cqxbPp8B7EH5r8waH0dLIE2FjMroOgNRWN9-SaMYWMxmqI0PqpnhyphenhyphenlM/s1600/svotti+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18RCKazaIIS60xESL2J-_Bx7HxjOLdASq0P8DSNFIBLUPsJ_eZusNfdm2BHTA8r37MpMzBg3lJm7Y5xWUY9A-cqxbPp8B7EH5r8waH0dLIE2FjMroOgNRWN9-SaMYWMxmqI0PqpnhyphenhyphenlM/s1600/svotti+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18RCKazaIIS60xESL2J-_Bx7HxjOLdASq0P8DSNFIBLUPsJ_eZusNfdm2BHTA8r37MpMzBg3lJm7Y5xWUY9A-cqxbPp8B7EH5r8waH0dLIE2FjMroOgNRWN9-SaMYWMxmqI0PqpnhyphenhyphenlM/s200/svotti+010.jpg" width="150" /> </a></div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;">the annual tartan day parade on a beautiful sunny day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;">after the parade, vanessa and i watched the drum and piping circles form up on 55th street between sixth and seventh avenues, the most powerful, concentrated, and amazing part of the parade. this group, including four bass drummers, played 'amazing grace' together and it was basically transcendent. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GSl17i6Y9VY6F7rU7Te4zkB3jvdsRoD_qWrH-1LVomVpxPQUCKXbl-nqs1SIb6KUP6C3lt5Y0HJceNOKzoMszEPutwzB1zEZLyYNkKFtrmRBEn5UI4COmo-dcJBWfGXt87bLRBMqXzA/s1600/svotti+006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GSl17i6Y9VY6F7rU7Te4zkB3jvdsRoD_qWrH-1LVomVpxPQUCKXbl-nqs1SIb6KUP6C3lt5Y0HJceNOKzoMszEPutwzB1zEZLyYNkKFtrmRBEn5UI4COmo-dcJBWfGXt87bLRBMqXzA/s200/svotti+006.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"> the new generation of drummers and pipers were there, </div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;">in addition to the older gentle folk. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">so important to pass along the love for one's culture and stories and traditions... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">it's a humble practice, learning what has come before you and renewing one's culture.</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-55888440261983998422011-04-08T22:01:00.000-07:002011-04-08T22:01:11.619-07:00a moment together<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #0b5394; text-align: left;">today i saw three guys having coffee together outside the hungarian pasty shop:</div><div style="background-color: #f1c232; text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">one guy wore a long overcoat </span><span style="background-color: #f1c232; color: purple;">(dick tracy yellow)</span><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">. </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">h</span>e leaned back deep in a plastic chair and taptaptapped on his laplaplaptop. he looked like the joker of the pack. he was doing his own thing. and yet! he was inextricably linked to the two other guys, make no mistake...his energy connected him to the others.</span></span></div><div style="color: #999999; text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple;"></span><span style="background-color: #c27ba0; color: black;">the man in the middle wore a black bu<span style="color: black;">siness suit and his handsomeness and hair had shine.</span><span style="color: black;"> <span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">he was powerful, make no mistake, he was, quite simply, the sun, and yet! he somehow used his power to connect himself to the others...he was the bridge between the first man and the third man, the bicycle man.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000; color: #20124d;"><span style="background-color: #ea9999; color: #351c75;">the bicycle man wore bicycle clothes: red, white, yellow, green, turquoise, orange, pink.</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: #ea9999; color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> his eyes were quick and bright, his body agile, ready to fold up and ride away or take his friends on an adventure.</span></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="background-color: #ea9999; color: #cc0000;"> he was the opposite of the joker, and yet! he himself was a card, make no mistake. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000; color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #0b5394;">w h y a m i t e l l i n g y o u t h i s s t o r y -- and in this way? </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #0b5394; text-align: left;">in one way, these guys were three different types: a cynic, a businessman, an athlete. in another way, these three guys were the same person. each was the other's sun; each was a planet, too, orbiting and dancing for the others; they each played a role, then swapped and shuffled cards again.... i could imagine them switching clothes and countenances and no one would know... i could imagine one actor playing all three in a film. </div><div style="background-color: #b6d7a8; text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">is there anything more to tell you? </span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #b6d7a8; text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">yes. it's the reason i'm really telling you this story. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #b6d7a8; text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">when i walked by, i felt: love, unmistakable, emanating from their table. and i understood something more about what love is. love is being <strike>oneself </strike>with others. </span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></div>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-24907709187080177772011-04-07T19:49:00.000-07:002011-04-07T19:49:14.029-07:00lion & bird<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBU1ksGhLlMgEscfnfWMF-oVHvMs_pCR1uQkM4uDZKMmrbTUn72DCwo8dHyQZiGpiQu1lIY9FXGB_7OG7i_P-II-VAE_Rmsszv0Xtf-8Qp-igxbPh3z5XBMXHpQH6-4Yb3Tinv1Bk9jE/s1600/animals+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBU1ksGhLlMgEscfnfWMF-oVHvMs_pCR1uQkM4uDZKMmrbTUn72DCwo8dHyQZiGpiQu1lIY9FXGB_7OG7i_P-II-VAE_Rmsszv0Xtf-8Qp-igxbPh3z5XBMXHpQH6-4Yb3Tinv1Bk9jE/s1600/animals+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBU1ksGhLlMgEscfnfWMF-oVHvMs_pCR1uQkM4uDZKMmrbTUn72DCwo8dHyQZiGpiQu1lIY9FXGB_7OG7i_P-II-VAE_Rmsszv0Xtf-8Qp-igxbPh3z5XBMXHpQH6-4Yb3Tinv1Bk9jE/s200/animals+010.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i wrote the song below on sunday 4/3/11 inspired by my wall calendar. (the lion in my song is male; my calendar lion is a lioness with a mohawk it would seem.) stay tuned for the recording. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;"></div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;"></div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;"></div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;"></div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;"><i>lion & bird</i></div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;">the lion sits on a rock</div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;">he doesn't know that he's being watched</div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;">by a bird who longs to have fur and feel mighty</div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;">feel mighty</div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;">the lion dreams of flying</div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;">he longs to be free-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee</div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: #f1c232; text-align: left;">or maybe less clumsy.</div>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-4329872237495291122011-04-06T22:22:00.000-07:002011-04-06T22:22:08.961-07:00effortless<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqNBSkaVol89tyx0ikcfy7op17RQQbSF2_soQisXmYMS9R6s03FaCol2l0TPaMWAfbtWPb759dE6hIbpSraNFBSHFoJrgc-1bEB7tmSgn-iTfydB0LzBYKFsCva8HmftyDNIw9PdfUFA/s1600/animals+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqNBSkaVol89tyx0ikcfy7op17RQQbSF2_soQisXmYMS9R6s03FaCol2l0TPaMWAfbtWPb759dE6hIbpSraNFBSHFoJrgc-1bEB7tmSgn-iTfydB0LzBYKFsCva8HmftyDNIw9PdfUFA/s320/animals+007.jpg" style="color: #0b5394;" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> "on milky skin, my tongue is sand until the ever distant band begins to play..." ~from brandy alexander by feist </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">my brandy alexanders, my sirens, the things that tempt me and hold me back or in place:</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">the belief that the more effort to control yields a better result...learning instead that yielding effortlessly and letting go of control is freedom. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-88090573286444196352011-04-05T21:21:00.000-07:002011-04-05T21:24:54.833-07:00spring is in the air!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIp0Jfunxkokiw5pDv1X01ohknA-W0ck5KWx_bsNP0M4LZGOBco06ULwgmSSb31NHl_J2VvhMV0O3A6GsjkB8YAoqglsWM-LoH-eV6GWIe4iHIKDiMNPvyYsB9dELrlOZy5hyphenhyphenvkpctvpg/s1600/animals+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIp0Jfunxkokiw5pDv1X01ohknA-W0ck5KWx_bsNP0M4LZGOBco06ULwgmSSb31NHl_J2VvhMV0O3A6GsjkB8YAoqglsWM-LoH-eV6GWIe4iHIKDiMNPvyYsB9dELrlOZy5hyphenhyphenvkpctvpg/s200/animals+004.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394;">over the weekend, i'll convert a few song tracks into wav files and post them on bandcamp (zando8grl.bandcamp.com -- thank you for setting this up, webmaster rollin!), and i'll collaborate with friends on a webisode (we'll film at a coffeeshop in crown heights. figuring out my character : ) </span><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #38761d;">i'm taking a voice class right now (yay, susan main!) and learning to breathe and to relax everything (my neck, shoulders, jaw, tongue, joints) and to wake things up (my spine, it's electric!). it's fun to imagine the breath coming all the way down from one's hip sockets. try it! feels good. (do you find that it causes you to relax your abdominal and other pelvic-related muscles? hip!) </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span>Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4910154522381233473.post-84771190877562121802011-04-04T21:18:00.000-07:002011-04-04T21:19:46.633-07:00thank u!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5R-xxdE1D_XrUib3_aD6zyuFgzhDnM1X-SN-0PCKqYc3fi7yz-QlSbXzVy1Zzekm5TJ-lQkQkzOH2iasDDrF_EiNyABxG0x_ittfXOxIrTw25ei6rlcFe5cfNW8WdfS1TjCu_8rGTrQ/s1600/potd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5R-xxdE1D_XrUib3_aD6zyuFgzhDnM1X-SN-0PCKqYc3fi7yz-QlSbXzVy1Zzekm5TJ-lQkQkzOH2iasDDrF_EiNyABxG0x_ittfXOxIrTw25ei6rlcFe5cfNW8WdfS1TjCu_8rGTrQ/s320/potd1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>thank you for the pigeons, rollin!<br />
and for helping me create zando8grl.com.Amanda Gates-Elstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00846186473142703960noreply@blogger.com1