Molly Goatwax

and yet I plug away

I went by the gallery where I have wood cuts displayed this afternoon, with my contract and with the intention of collecting any unsold works and/or monies due. I was talked into letting them remain, and to deliver some goats which the gallery owner has not yet seen. She also wanted to see a CD of the work to be shown in December at the municiple gallery, as it will be up for grabs after that. In addition, the woodcut in the window was righted and I was given 2.25. That's two dollars twenty five cents.

not one of them revealed a cookie

If you were odd, like me, you might walk into your studio and open one of a pile of cigar boxes to find;

an old brass gas jet

a bobbin, some key holes

and drawer pulls shaped like a monster face

under a small booklet

all about artichokes

including recipies

and some delightful engravings.

A new adventure

I awoke before the crack of dawn to arrive across town, in uniform, to bathe and dress a ninety eight year old woman. Oh, she fought a little bit, but we reached an understanding. After a while she sang yiddish school songs for me. I wonder if they'll fire me when I wheel her to the corner bar? (Big Sigh.........) Better not. She'd get more positive utility if I watch out for some cake. She likes cake.

no one asked me

My head feels as though it will pop. My present mortgage on my primary residence is at 7%. The current market rate is hovering around 5.5%. I called the company holding the paper to see if they would reduce the interest rate to ease my pain. They would not, without a fully documented refinance loan for which I would not now qualify. I have never been 30 days late on this mortgage payment, so I don't qualify for the principal abatement offered in the latest government bailout plan. They would not consider a loan modification request without a 100 dollar application fee and a minimum of 10,000 dollars towards the principal. I told the representative I could apply additional payments towards my principal anytime I wanted, without a letter or an application fee. She then referred me to a religious charity for payment assistance. At that point my blood pressure shot up at least 50 points and I asked to speak to her supervisor. She asked me why. I told her I didn't need to tell her why I wanted to talk to her supervisor. If I were a veteran with a VA loan or if I had an FHA mortgage, all I would need would be 12 months good mortgage history to roll into a lower interest rate loan (with the settlement costs held at a ceiling and included in the new loan). In the refinance heyday of 2002, I did that with my conventional loan. Now, it seems, my mortgage company has more interest and assistance for me losing the house* on pennies for their dollar than simply reducing my interest rate. What is wrong with them?

*Not going there, just ranting on the phone.

Witness

After I asked the parents whether their newborn was ready for his portrait, I wheeled my cart into the mother's hospital room. As I entered their information into the computer on my mobile studio, the dad slipped his son into a football jersy identical to his own, except, of course, it was at least twenty times smaller. "Wow," I said, "We've got a new fan!". The boy was alert and clutched a tiny football as he peered upwards towards the camera and its flashing light. It must have been serendipity, but the little bruiser looked as if he were ready to make the pass, much to his father's delight. They didn't want the wallet sized prints or 8x10s or refrigerator magnets, Dad wanted the team themed announcements with the new player's stats for his rec room. Now here was a guy who woulda bounded to work with a box of cigars a generation ago. Mom didn't particularly care, but the twinkle in her amused eyes let me know that she was glad baby daddy was finding his own way to bond. I could tell what a smart lady she is. I'm sure she'll get her rack 'o rocks, biding her time.

Hottie or Nottie?

 

Central Image courtesy LAPD

Let Paris tell you how HOT you really are! OMG! This is sooooooo obvious. I mean, don't tell me I'm the first to stick a thermometer and hygrometer on Paris Hilton's mug shot!

steps

I submitted a collection of blog entries, edited, to the Smile Hon, You're in Baltimore zine and was pleased to recieve an e mail notifying me of its inclusion in that publication. I feel acknowledged. Also, I have been assigned to lead a mural class in a few weeks. This is also exciting. Meanwhile, I have been performing well in my adult vocational education, even though I find it so stressfull that at times my head feels as though it will pop. Sensitive Head. May Pop. Must place it on pillow in darkened room.

Dilemma

Just as I put the finishing touches on a large watercolor/collage of the old American Brewery, my camera decides to go wiggy. The viewer and captured image have horizontal static, like an old T.V. and the color's too green. Except when it flashes magenta. Wiggy is the last stage before Kablooey. And I wanted the piece for the postcard invitations for my show. I noticed that a change of batteries and keeping the camera still as opposed to carting it about in my purse improved its condition a bit, but not much. I may need to borrow a camera, or soldier ahead and fix the image on the computer, 'cause I need to get that design to the printers soon.

Another use for cheap vodka

The best way to ensure clear prints from your woodblocks is to clean your equipment. The lines on the block must be cleared of ink dried between them and ink applied to the printing surface should be delivered in a smooth, even film from a clean roller. Excessive or goopy ink will blur those fine lines carved with such eye searing care. This afternoon I noticed  a roller left in a pool of clear gel (I forgot 'cause I didn't see it) and the raised pattern of dried gel rendered this roller all but useless. I use polymers rather than oils now, so I figured a good soak in alcohol would loosen the build-up. I keep a leftover bottle of Zelco under the sink with the rest of the cleaning supplies. As a publican, I used to buy this stuff at 1.80  for three quarters of a litre.

 

The layers of polymer peeled off the pink rubber after a bit, and the roller delivered crisper prints. I've had my eye glasses cleaned with cheap vodka by a kindly bartender, I've seen it used to clean car battery contacts, some people have used it to disinfect wounds but this is the first time I've actually used it to peel paint. Think about that before you order that rail drink tonight, folks and have a happy weekend!

Schadenfreude

I sniffed the air in the kitchen and asked Mr. Beetz what he was burning in the oven, which was set to a high temperature. He assured me he was following the instructions on the packet of cod fillets he was cooking. Feeling quite warm after a while, I asked from the next room that he open a window. He told me he was cold and the eleven year old said she felt indifferent. I kept folding towels until the explosion. The tempered oven glass he had been baking in shattered, with force, when it touched the counter. He said he got it when I came into the room to offer help and advice. I decided to just shut up as I gave him an empty paper bag and the dust pan n brush, to blog about it instead. I am feeling a lot more chipper, thank you. snirk. Let us all join in the dirision at Mr. Beetz's expense. It's O.K. He knows it was all Hasbro's fault.