Funny and True

Michael Jackson

When I was in the third grade, a friend came up to me and told me about this musician she was "in love with." His name was Michael Jackson, and she showed me a picture. I had never heard of him, and I couldn't understand why she liked him. I would have been 8 at the time, I'm guessing, so I wasn't really into boys yet. Apparently, she was.

A couple of years later, I went over to a friends house after school and saw "The Making of Thriller" on MTV. I had grown up watching shows about the making of movies, but this one was different for me. I remember vividly watching Rick Baker make the werewolf mask for Michael Jackson and thought, "I want to do that!" I think it was the first time I wanted to do something behind the camera rather than in front of it. I credit this show as one of the reasons I studied film in college.

Even though I bought my first and only Michael Jackson album last year (the 25th Anniversary release of Thriller), you could not grow up in the 1980's and early 90's without being inundated with Michael Jackson music, videos, and, sadly, the tabloid news about him. It seems strange that he's gone, but almost fitting that it was so fast and unexpected, kind of like his solo career.

Roald Dahl's Writing Hut

I have always been interested in the workspaces of artists. We Love You So posted an excerpt from an article about whether it was better to write standing, sitting, or lying down, according to several writers, but they also posted this wonderful link to a virtual tour of Roald Dahl's writing hut, which includes clippings and artifacts. It makes me wish I had my own little writing hut, though I'd probably never want to come out of it some days!

If you, too, are interested in workspaces, check out the On My Desk blog for some inspiration.

Another really good tea to try

I bought this tea for myself at the Gateway Market, even though I'm in my thirties and have no kids. I am wary of buying herbal teas, as I've had quite a few that tasted like they were mixed with battery acid or some maple syrup that had gone bad, but I figured if this was aimed at kids, it must be pretty mild. I was right, and it's really good! It smells really sweet, like Strawberry gum, but it tastes very mellow. I think this would be great to give to kids instead of pop or juice, even if you had to add a little honey to it. This is just another reason I love Republic of Tea teas...they should pay me to say that!

The Republic of Tea will donate a dollar for every cannister of their Little Citizens line of tea purchased to Room to Read, an organization promoting education for the children of the world, so it's worth trying.

This video tutorial is inspiring me today

This is a how-to video, but it's actually artistic itself. You're watching someone create something that is then used to create something else. I wish I could draw better.


Stamp Carving from Geninne D. Zlatkis on Vimeo.

C/O Geninne's Art Blog