Winston Chmielinski

Wow, if I could paint this is exactly what I would want to make. Colorful, half surreal, half real, totally creepy.

Check out Winston Chmielinski's website for more of his work. And if you aren't already, follow Booooom! in your GoogleReader. Love it.

someone has rad parents:

It was too drizzly to stay at the beach this afternoon so Bone and I drove around a bit and looked at houses. I was thrilled silly to find this tree house trampoline somewhere around 88th street and landside. My parents forbid me from going on my neighbor's rusty old trampoline after I almost knocked my head off my neck when I was about 8. I never forgave them for it.

This is a fantasy and a concussion all rolled into one. I love it so much.

Two exciting things from Amazon:

First thing:

Do you know that Amazon offers students a free Amazon Prime account? This means free 2 day shipping with every order! This makes Amazon my 2nd choice for getting text books (1st choice remains the school library and Half.com now slides down to 3rd). Since getting my free account I have been more likely to buy tween novels...





Second thing:

Amazon just announced new, smaller and lighter versions of the Kindle at cheaper prices. I think I want one. I know a conversation about the Kindle can't happen without a comparison to the iPad, but I think the iPad would just be a vortex of distraction for me. And I have enough of that already. I have a Kindle app on my phone and have enjoyed using it.




I need to think about this some more. Maybe my new Amazon Prime account makes buying eBooks a dumb idea? I can buy a used version for $3.00 + free shipping. Then I can give it away.

eBooks appeal to me because I've seen Wall-E but I also am a big fan of physical books and the library. But then again, buying used books also appeals to me (because I've seen Wall-E). But I don't think buying used books support the author at all? Gee wiz. Do you have a Kindle or iPad or an opinion on the topic?

TRUE LIFE: I wanna be a celebrity therapist!

I've spent this summer working at a local Community Mental Health Clinic for my Practicum in Mental Health Counseling. If you've heard any of my stories about it you know it's been quite an experience. This past week two people have reminded me of something I think I must have tucked away in the folds of my unconscious: The Mayonnaise. (!)

Anyway, I've met a lot of characters. This includes a clinician I work closely with named James Taylor who has a long gray ponytail and moonlights as a Colonial Williamsburg reenactor. And this isn't even a client. The bulk of my experience has come from co-facilitating a "Women's Depression CBT Group". In this group we discuss everything from suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, job loss, jail time, PTSD, drug use and medication compliance. Sometimes it's a little overwhelming for old Rutha.

That's why I was glad when I sat down to discuss the group afterwards with Ami, a clinician and my co-facilitator, the discussion evolved from "How do you keep yourself from losing it with these people?" to Dr. Drew's work with the ladies on Teen Mom.

If clinical situations can be compared to an MTV reality show I might have a future in this field.

I was nearly giddy analyzing the life choices and relationships on Teen Mom with a real therapist. Her experience and clinical background brought a richness and complexity to the study of American teen culture...I love this show. Maybe I can count watching it with Perrin as Direct Hours...




Listen, this is a safe sex campaign, OK?

Cloudbrain is hiring in Norfolk!

My brother's software and social media company, Cloudbrain, is expanding to MacArthur Mall in Norfolk. Cloudbrain's mission is to create revolution through networked social interaction. Cloudbrain builds “social media applications” – websites and programs that get better as more people use them.

Cloudbrain is lauching TidySongs into the retail world and is looking to hire some outstanding employees to help them do so. Here's a quick overview of the product:



If you are into the internet, music and all things viral you should check out the job posting on Cloudbrain.com.

Fashion + Family Planning

If I had $100 for every time I was asked when I am having children, I'd already be living in the North End (or Pungo, depending on my mood). So when Alice surprised me with this little incentive, I couldn't help but tell her I'd think about it.


Aww! How can I not love this?

The funny thing is, this is not the first time a Curtin family member has used fashion to push their agenda on me. Dave once tried to convince me that the fastest way to go from slothfest to obsessive runner was buying myself a nice jogging outfit from a running magazine. I told him that 1) I don't want to run and 2) I am not motivated by fashion. But a year later I ran 2 miles with him. He told me my face was so red that I should probably walk for a while.

So, ladies with babies, what little trinket motivated you to plunge into maternity?

A Mayer Hawthorne Pool Party

Sybil use to try to get me to listen to Mayer Hawthorne, but I think I just forgot. Too bad because looks like I've been missing out:




Why do I feel like I've been to this pool party? I think it stirs up memories of Neptune's Daughter, the Esther Williams movie my cousins and I watched on repeat with Baba. We could reenact if for you if you wanted, or wait... we have that on family video already.

I hope you watch that trailer in the link because it doesn't get much better than that. So, which video do you like more? Can you even choose??