Vintage Bounty..................

I haven't gone to the beauty parlor since last August.  At that point I had my beautician give me a few highlights and a trim.  My hair has gotten quite long by now and as of this morning was sporting a number of split ends.  Torn between "hey, it's all going to fall out anyway" and wanting to feel good about what I see in the mirror right now, I found myself walking into a Bo Rics today.  I thought a rather inexpensive trim might serve as a good compromise for the time being.  I didn't want to get highlights as I'm worried about further damaging my hair before the chemo onslaught. 

Another reason for going to an unfamiliar place was that I didn't want to have to go through the whole story again with yet another acquaintance. As the lady cutting my hair went about her business, she began telling me about all of the specials they have coming up on highlights and conditioning.  Clearly she thought (and rightfully so) that my hair is in need of far more than just a trim :)  I finally had to explain to her why I wasn't going to be needing any more treatments in the near future thus defeating the whole purpose for my going there in the first place.

 But life is funny and God moves in mysterious ways.  The lady cutting my hair was quiet for a minute and then she began telling me that she had a cancer scare  herself a year ago.  She regrets having told anyone about it, because she noticed that people began treating her differently once she revealed her diagnosis.  The thing is, I've noticed the same thing.  There are people I've heard from and there are people that have avoided contacting me.  I'm sure it's a matter of not knowing what to say. 

There is no doubt that the people in my life care about what happens to me.  I don't want to feel isolated though.  I usually work these things out by myself. But it's different this time.  I need human contact in order to feel as though I'm still a part of the human race. I just know that I'm going to approach this kind of news about my loved ones and friends differently in the future having experienced it first hand.  When I've recovered......................

The Social Network at it's best.............

I have mixed feelings about the social network. 

On the one hand, you hear wonderful stories about its potential to empower people who may not have a voice under different circumstances.  Take for example the recent situation with Delta airlines and returning military soldiers (who were charged a ridiculous amount of money for bringing four bags home from their deployment instead of three), or the stories that come out of repressed regimes where ordinary citizens have been given the opportunity to unite against an unfair system of government. Closer to home, there are everyday stories of friends and relatives who have been reconnected after years of separation through the magic of YouTube and Facebook.  

 

On the other hand, we know of several government officials who most likely regret exposing their private lives to a world wide network standing in the wings ready to exploit any sign of weakness or fragility. (What were they thinking?)  

Does the social network merely add to the continuing erosion of our privacy and civil liberties?  Or is it a useful tool designed to connect an ever shrinking society?  I suspect, that like many things that at first seem too good to be true, it's a little bit of both. 

I know I certainly continue to use it to promote this blog, Artful Musings and my business, Legacy Mixed Media.  The above piece pays homage to a simpler time when social networking actually referred to people speaking with one another...face to face............

Beauty Denied Strikes a Chord!

Well Glory Be! My little project titled "Beauty Denied" won Honorable Mention in the industrial category at the Orion Center Art Show. If you haven't been to the Orion Center (http://www.orionartcenter.org/), it's well worth the trip to Lake Orion. The people there are wonderful, warm, and talented. They make you feel immediately at home. I enjoyed being a part of their show.

The show runs from now until June. There were many mixed media pieces there including metal welding, collage, assemblages, and sculpture. The theme of the show is recycling trash to treasures. My "Beauty Denied" gals were assembled with flea market "Barbie" dolls, rags, cheesecloth, used corks, and milking machine parts. I picked up some wonderful cone shaped disks last summer at a flea market. I didn't know what they were but I knew I would use them one day. It turned out that they are part of a vintage milking machine. Considering the appearance of the cones, I hesitate to think about how they were actually used on the poor cows! They do, however, make perfect stands for my gals.

I picked up a bag full of used "Barbie" dolls last fall for a dollar a piece. I have had lots of ideas as to what I want to do with them. Finding the time to execute those ideas has been problematic. I'm glad I was able to create the two that evolved into "Beauty Denied". Little did I know at the time (I created them in January) that they would lead me to Lake Orion. Time to push through on my other ideas..........