day 2.

On Wilson Avenue, the Nigerian women spill out of church in a galaxy of color, their crisp paper headdresses like petals, like boats. A small boy emerges from his mother's skirts to stare at himself in the sun-bright plate glass window. He wears a winding cloth of brown fabric around his head, and his narrow white robe sways around his ankles as he begins to dance, watching his own reflection. He spins around, arms over his head, clapping, and gives himself a two-handed pistol salute, thumbs up.

leap of a lifetime.

After more than 18 months of planning, saving, setbacks and re-planning, I am so happy to finally be able to say that I'm moving. In 40 days, I'm moving 2,123 miles. Chicago to Portland. Old life to new life. I've been repeating these words to myself over and over and over for the last 10 days, partly in celebration and partly in an attempt to make myself believe that it's really true. That on December 21, I will work my last day at the high school where I've worked for 10 years. That on December 22, I will get on a plane with a one-way ticket and that when the plane lands, I will be in my new home.

It's something of a crash landing. I don't have an apartment lined up. I haven't found a new job yet. It feels like a massive achievement just to have arrived at this point, and I have people who will catch me when I fall out of the sky. To be honest, I'm not going to worry about the job or a place to live for at least a couple of weeks. I'll be staying with Shana and Shawn until I get settled, and I'm going to take a little time to recover. This year has taken every ounce of bravery and patience I have, and I need to collapse for a bit. Actual conversation from last week:

Shana: Is there anything you'll need when you get here, besides a game controller and a place to fall down?
Me: I love you. Oh, and beer!

For the next six weeks, I'm packing my apartment, working full time, trying to see my friends as much as possible, and running a small business heading into the busiest of the year. I'm excited, I'm overwhelmed, and I am profoundly tired. I'm also in some kind of epic design vein, badly timed but very welcome. Like a fugue state, with sparkles. I'm making piles of new things, which I'll list in the shop as I can. Fingers crossed, I'm planning to keep both urban legend and Leaves of Glass open until December 18. I don't have a date set for re-opening, but I'll make that happen as soon as possible after Christmas. (In the meantime, I will love you devoutly if you do your sparkle Christmas shopping early.)

That's all the news I have for now, but I'm thrilled with it and I think it's enough. 40 days. 2,123 miles.

national poetry month, day 5.

Scrambled Eggs and Whiskey

Scrambled eggs and whiskey

in the false-dawn light. Chicago,

a sweet town, bleak, God knows,

but sweet. Sometimes. And

weren't we fine tonight?

When Hank set up that limping

treble roll behind me

my horn just growled and I

thought my heart would burst.

And Brad M. pressing with the

soft stick and Joe-Anne

singing low. Here we are now

in the White Tower, leaning

on one another, too tired

to go home. But don't say a word,

don't tell a soul, they wouldn't

understand, they couldn't, never

in a million years, how fine,

how magnificent we were

in that old club tonight.

- Hayden Carruth

dresses week at pivot launches today

If you're in Chicago, check out Pivot Boutique at 1101 W. Fulton Market. Owner Jessa Brinkmeyer is launching a special Dresses Week event today, with lots and lots of gorgeous eco-designer dresses in stock, and mohop shoes available to try on and order. Jessa carries my jewelry at Pivot, and I was really excited when she asked me to design several custom pieces just for this event. Pivot is well worth a visit any day, but a special event makes it a must-see; go check it out!

we didn't see johnny depp

Last summer when the new Dillinger movie was being filmed in Chicago, Leslie and I went to the Aragon to see if we could watch anything interesting happen. As it turned out, we couldn't, really, but we sat across the street and watched for a while anyway. I took a couple of pictures and forgot about them until I was cleaning out some photos today. Mainly they're just of the building itself, which I love, but I did manage to get one grainy shot of the period storefront they put in for the set (usually the windows of the building are empty and have signs for a daycare) and one picture of some extras in costume. And one of Archy, who was hot and got bored and took a nap.

roving reporters of the weird

More phone pics.

This is my favorite stencil art ever. On West Wilson.

Yes, friends, that is a DumDum lollipop plugging the neck of an abandoned half-empty liquor bottle. At least, I hope it's liquor. In front of a Red Eye paperbox, no less. That's poetry.

Kill your tv.

On the menu at Renaldi's Pizza.

This gem is courtesy of Leslie. I found a similar one the Sunday of the Renegade Holiday show that said "I think I'm safe now," but didn't upload it before my cell phone broke. This one's much
better, anyway.

From a tab after a summer breakfast with Leslie.
That is one sweet upcharge.

phone pics

I so rarely remember to upload the pictures I take with my phone (they hardly ever come out well, anyway), but here are a few that I liked.

The holiday party at Pivot last week was a huge success. It's a beautiful boutique, and full of amazing ecofinds
from inspired and conscientious artists. I took this picture when I went outside for a breather. It was packed to the rafters, as you can see by the windows - they're completely fogged up, and it made a nice effect in the streetlight at night.
This picture was taken over Thanksgiving weekend in Knoxville, TN, on a walk by the river.

One of my favorite things about living in a city is the abundance of signage everywhere I look. This is an impromptu piece of artwork on a free newspaper stand outside of a liquor store. I love it.

pivot holiday party, december 4th

A couple of months ago, I received an invitation to participate in a holiday party at Pivot Boutique in Chicago, along with several other local eco-minded artists. I'm honored to be included, and really looking forward to the event next Thursday. If you live in the area, stop by Pivot at 1101 West Fulton Market for holiday fun and locally made eco-friendly fashion!