Happy Birthday To Me

Hey there gang--it's raining buckets here in New York. If I stretch my neck, I can see the big hypodermic needle of the Empire State Building, rubbed out in the rain clouds. It's my favorite kind of weather.

Saturday was my birthday--HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME--and I had such a great day. You know you've shacked up with the right person, when he brings you cupcakes, flowers, presents, and coffee in bed. Thanks to Graham, who made the whole day DELICIOUS. I got lots of wonderful presents, among them some excellent books to read and drool over . I rediscovered one of my favorite illustrators, Sara Fanelli. I think her work is AMAZING--a collage Maira Kalman. I got lots of good music. I ate brunch in Central Park, and basked in the 72 degree weather! As we were walking in Central park, I said to Graham, "It's happened--I'm in love with the city ALL OVER AGAIN." He said, "Yeah, it's because of the WEATHER." The summer in New York is a real D-R-A-G, and then suddenly the temperature goes down, and it's all MAGICAL all over again.

Then we had dinner at an Indian restaurant with my friends Matt & Anne, and I have come to believe that chickpeas may be my new favorite food on the planet. I am not a vegetarian, but if all I ate was Indian and Mexican food, it would be NO PROBLEM whatsoever.

Friday I took off rather spontaneously, because Graham had given me new bookshelves and they were being delivered and G, relaized he couldn't be there. Thankfully, they came in the morning, and I spent THIRTEEN HOURS putting together bookshelves, unpacking books, moving bookshelves, and organizing my studio and the livingroom. I was so exhausted, but I love organizing these things. Maybe it's the virgo in me. I'm giving myself the gift of re-doing the studio, and the new shelves were a first step. I finally have all my art books, children's books, comics, poetry, and other books that inspre me in my studio with me, and it's HEAVEN. I kept going in and just STARING at the shelves of all the colorful books.

I'm almost half way through these 30 days of flyers and I am already having seperation anxiety. I don't want to stop doing them! My favorite of the last few days is "sunburn." I had completely forgotten about putting glue on my nose and making it peel. I love how this excersize feels so unknown. It's part of its magic. I have no idea what word I am pulling, and I have no idea where it will take me. I am often surprised at the memories that rise up, like they'd been waiting their turn this whole time. I am glad that some of you seem to be enjoying them--they make me feel alive in such a surprising and quiet way. Art has the tendancy to remind me that no time has been wasted. I have indeed lived.