IMPEACH GEORGE BUSH!! GJ Willis' Art Notes
GJ Willis' Art Notes

The Adventures and Misadventures of a Neer Do Well Artist Living in Baltimore.

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Name:Gail Willis
Location:Baltimore, Maryland, United States

I am a visual artist and writer living in Baltimore. I don't have any artist friends. Frankly, artists scare me, there so darn flaky. The above picture is either of me or proof that I'm a pretty decent artist. My goal is to be a self sufficient artist, whereas I wouldn't have to do something else in the day in order to eke out an existence. I also like to attend various cultural events around town. I go to plays, the symphony, etc. Also, I have Asperger's Syndrome. I found this out recently and it has explained a heck of a lot as to why I am as I am.

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Sunday, March 23, 2003

March 20, 2003

Today I had a scheduled day off. I scheduled it so that I can celebrate Imbolc, or the 1st day of Spring. According to two calenders I have the first day of spring is on the 20th. I later find out on witchvox, the web site of note for anything Wiccan that the first day of spring is on the 21st non on the 20th. Drats! I took the wrong day off!

Today was also of note because it was the start of Bush’s war on Iraq. I also did something extremely foolish today.

I didn't watch much television today, then again I rarely watch TV. I’m mainly a radio, computer, and book geek. I only learned of the start of the war by tuning into NPR as I headed out to Security Mall to get my youngest niece, Alexis her belated birthday present. This year Alexis turned 21 and I got her a $100 gift card to her favorite store. I hope she likes it. I was supposed to give it to her last month. Unfortunately her birthday fell around the time of February’s big snowstorm.

As far as the war goes I’m for the troops getting home safely. I’ll just leave it at that. I’m not a hawk on this war or any other war. War only brings death and destruction. I just pray that our men get home safe.

The foolish thing I did was that I did a Goggle search on Thomas D.’s name. I did this mainly because I was wondering what he was up to who knows maybe he’s the deputy mayor of some city or some big shot somewhere. It was easy to track him down because he has an unusual last name. Also, I did recall that his middle name was Paul. I remembered this because around our house growing up, T.P. was short for toilet paper so that’s how I remembered his middle name. I’m not sure if it is illegal or not to look up someone’s name and send them an email. It wasn't SPAM just a letter saying I forgot to say Hi to him at Rite Aid. Anyway, I don’t expect a reply. He doesn't know me. I will not send another email to his address again because I don’t really know him, I just know of him. For all I know he could be a white supremist or insane and my letter could have been the one thing that pushed him over the edge. So I guess for the next couple of weeks I’ll feel very nervous and look over my shoulders. I guess I’ll be jumping at the sound of anything that sounds remotely like gunshots. That ladies and gentlemen was the stupidest thing I ever did. I will never ever send an email to someone I attended high school with unless we meet face to face and they hand it to me.

Just before bedtime I did a simple candle light Imbolc ritual that I got out of Scott Cunningham’s book. I went to bed safe and slept soundly after the ritual. I prayed for our troops as well as the innocent civilian population of Iraq. May one day we all find peace. (P.S. Since today was the start of a war I could not think of an appropriate song to start my entries off with)


link | posted by gail at 12:00 AM |


Saturday, March 22, 2003

March 17, 2003

Let the drums roll out! Let the trumpet call!
While the people shout! Strike up the band!
Hear the cymbals ring! Calling one and all
To the martial swing Strike up the band!
Strike Up the Band, Words by Ira Gershwin Music by George Gershwin, @1927 WB Music Corp. (Renewed)

It’s St.Patrick’s day. I didn't wear my usual green. Instead I wore my rebel red and black sweater. This was a switch for me because I usually wear either something blue or purple.

I have watercolor class today at School 33. I decide to leave work on time instead of a little later. I do this because I want to buy some masking fluid and some extra paints so I can paint a bunny rabbit statue that I will bring in tonight for class.

The area around Mt. Royal and Cathedral Street could be considered as Baltimore’s premier art supply district. In this area of town you have three art stores to choose from. These stores are Maryland Institute College of Art’s Book Store, Utrecht, and Plaza Art Supplies. I really like to shop at Plaza and Utrecht depending on if I have enough time to comparison shop. I usually stay clear of Maryland Institute. I know the fact that I got rejected for admission has something to do with it. They rejected me so I reject them. Besides the students there seem so holier than though and stuck up.

After getting my art supplies I decide to hit two yes count 'em em two libraries in one day! I went to the main branch of the Pratt to pick up my favorite book on play writing. I want to buy it on Amazon but can’t think of the name. I found it and borrowed it along with a book that includes three screenplays that John Waters wrote. I guess right about now I can say that in my own private home library I own a book autographed by John Waters. I also have books that were autographed by Cal Ripken and Jimmy Carter.

The books I borrowed from the library were The Playwright’s Survival Guide by Gary Garrison and Trash Trio by John Waters.

I then headed to the tiny Federal Hill library. While there I picked up two Anne Tyler books, Accidental Tourist and a Map of the World. I did this because I really enjoyed her book A Patchwork Planet.

I plan on heading out of class early so that I will be able to catch my bus back home. I also want to avoid the drunks this being St. Patrick's Day and there being about 3-4 bars on the section of Light Street where I take my watercolor class.

When I got to class I was the first one there the teacher had to let me in. She was very nervous about Bush’s upcoming speech. The celebrity Sonia, the watercolor teacher, most resembles is Ally Sheedy.

I don’t know why but I really like my watercolor class. It appears to be mainly a group of research scientists who like me wanted to do something in the evening. There’s also this older woman there from California who tends to go on a bit. I like her, she’s spunky, and outgoing. She makes the second transplanted Californian I know who’s very talkative. I have yet to meet a quiet reflective Californian in Baltimore.

I had a ball in class painting the bunny. I used my masking fluid and tried a mixing technique that Sonia showed us. Masking fluid was not a part of our required materials, neither were the watercolor pencils or roller ball ink pen that I used in addition to the required materials. I felt rebellious and free working on that bunny. It’s just a watercolor class it’s not like things are graded. If they were then I guess I probably would have followed the rules more rather than breaking every last one of them. Mondays are my days to paint and be free. I’ll feel sad when the class is finally over.


link | posted by gail at 11:59 PM |


March 15, 2002

Two world collide, rival
nations. It’s a primitive clash painting years of frustration.
Bravely we hope against all hope; there so much at stake, seems our freedoms up against the ropes.
Does the crowd understand? Is it east versus west or
man against man? Can any nation stand alone?
In the burning heart just about to burst
there’s a question for answers and a bridge of the past.
In the darkest night, rising like a spire,
in the burning heart the unmistakable fire

Burning Heart, From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ROCKY IV, Words and Music by Jim Peterick and Frankie Sullivan, @1985 Easy Action Music, Flowering Stone Music. Rude Music & Holy Moley Music

For the first time ever I went to the building that houses the Creative Alliance. I have been a member of that organization for the past 3 years and have never set foot in the building mainly because I had no idea where it was located. I figured since it’s now in it’s waning days of being located on Conkling Street I should visit the place. It turns out you can take the #10 bus there. Conkling Street is right off of Eastern Avenue. I admit I was a little afraid to go there because it’s a predominantly white working class neighborhood. Oddly enough, I have no problems going into neighborhoods like Charles Village, Bolton Hill, or Federal Hill. I think the reason for this is that those neighborhoods are upwardly mobile and you are more likely to find a BMW or a Jaguar parked on the streets. As well as residents who are Doctors, Lawyers, or College Professors. I guess on some innate level I’m a snob, but I’m trying to change that.

When I was in Highlandtown I was surprised to see the number of Latino’s and Latino owned stores and establishments. A thought occured to me that was bought up on the DCRTV web site,”Why isn't there a Latino radio station on in Baltimore?” There’s more than enough Latino’s in our city to support that type of programming. I’m sure it would be very successful.

Anyway, when I got to the Creative Alliance I was the only black person there. I’m not sure if they will accept my artwork for The Big Show. The Big Show is an annual event where they display the artwork of members of the Alliance throughout out locations in Fells Point and Highlandtown.

Each member is allowed to submit only one piece of work. I was working on the painting I intended to contribute up until I bought it to the gallery that very same day. Right now I think it would have looked better if I had taken the building out of the background. I feel like this artist I read about somewhere in an art magazine. This artist would constantly rework his art even while it was hanging


link | posted by gail at 11:58 PM |


March 9, 2003

Come along and listen to the lullaby of
Broadway The hip hooray and bally hoo,
the lullaby of Broadway The rumble of a subway train, the rattle of the taxis
The daffy dills who entertain at Angelo’s and
Maxie’s. When a Broadway baby says “Goodnight,”
It’s early in the morning. Manhattan babies
don’t sleep tight until the dawn
Good night, baby, Goodnight
Milkman’s on his way, Sleep
tight, Baby, sleep tight,
Let’s call it a day
Lullaby of Broadway, Words by Al Dubin Music by Harry Warren @1935 Warner Bros. Inc. (Renewed)

I plan on dropping off one of my painting for the Creative Alliance’s annual Big Show Gala. This will be the first time ever that I did this since joining the organization. Which is kind of ironic because I joined them two years ago and have never once set foot in there hospices. The reason for this is that they are not located on a bus line and when I called and emailed them to see if anyone knew if they were located on a bus line no one knew. But I understand from listening to Sherry Parks Media Show on WTMD that they will be moving. There relocating to a former movie theater on Eastern Avenue. This will be easier for me to find since I know that the number 10 bus runs up and down that street. I know this for sure because I recall that I took the #10 to and from Bayview Medical Center when I had my clinical rotation there in Hematology. So I figure that I will visit the Conkling Street address for the first and last time next week. I plan on participating more in there programs now that they have a location that is on a bus line.


link | posted by gail at 11:54 PM |


February 2003

Beneath this snowy mantle cold and
clean, the unborn grass lies
waiting for it’s coat to turn green.
The snowbird sings the song he always
sings and speaks to me of
flowers that will bloom again in spring.

Snowbird, Words and Music by Gene MacLellan, @1970 Beechwood Music of Canada



This month has been mainly cold and snowy. We had a record snowfall this month. We got up to 26 inches of snow. I called up my work’s inclement weather line which is a joke because my company never closes but to my surprise when I called them Sunday night I got the voice of a man replacing the perky female voice who usually says,”The company is open for business and that all employees should report to work at there usual time!” This time I got a husky male voice saying, “The company is closed for business.” Wow! A day off an honest to goodness snow day!

I recall that Sunday evening sitting by the TV watching Matthew Broderick in The Music Man and being shocked at how he looked. I suspect that somewhere Broderick must have a painting in the attic that ages so that he never will. As far as ABC’s rendition of The Music Man goes I was not enamored with the production. I just watched it as I worked on a crocheted rainbow afghan.

Also that afternoon I watched the Lawrence Welk Show. I don’t know why but I have always loved watching Lawrence Welk even as a kid. That show has a hold on me I just can’t explain. David thinks that there’s something wrong with me for loving that show. David was forced to watch the show as a child so he views it as torture. Me, I loved watching it with my mom. We were the only two in our household that loved watching the show every week.


link | posted by gail at 11:51 PM |


January 2003

This month will live in infamy as the month my artwork got published! That’s right The City Paper published one of my cartoons! Yahoo!!! I was paid $10 for my efforts. Yahooo!!! Today Baltimore tomorrow syndication. Yahoooo!!! I’m so exited I forgot to start off with a song. Yahooo!!!!!


link | posted by gail at 11:50 PM |


November 2002



COME FLY WITH ME! let’s fly! Let’s fly away!

If you can use some exotic booze there’s a

bar in far Bombay, COME FLY WITH ME! Let’s fly!

Let’s fly away!

Come Fly With Me, Words by Sammy Cahn, Music by James Van Heusen @ 1958 Maraville Music Corp




I do not know how I’m going to handle Thanksgiving this year. This year I plan on spending the day with my family over my niece’s newly bought house.



I spent the morning watching an ice skating show and eating an unusual breakfast of tofu and spaghetti with soy sauce. This was the first time that I ate tofu on it’s own. The flavor of tofu on its own reminded me of eggs. In a way I was eating yat gaw mein without meat. It tasted better than I thought it would. This was a good finding because I sort if threw it together because the tofu was closing in on it’s expiration date. Anyway, I would usually prepare my tofu by cutting it into strips and coating it with wheat germ and Season All ala Shake and Bake. The resultant flavor would be chicken like. this time since i did’nt do any fancy stuff the taste was egg like.


I never got around to telling my family that I was a vegetarian. I didn’t want to cause a scene so I end up eating turkey and even taking some it home. I only did this because my niece seemed very harried and was worried about what she would do with all of the left over turkey. It’s odd I don’t feel guilty or anything for eating the turkey. Since I’m not a vegetarian for a love of animals but instead a fear of dying of a heart attack or cancer. I’ve created my own catch 22 clause; I will only eat meat if it is offered to me and I will not buy or purchase meat from the supermarket. Yea, I admit I’m a wimp about not telling other people that I do not eat meat on a regular basis. I hate confrontations. So I guess I’m not a true blue animal rights vegetarian type. Some would argue I’m not a vegetarian at all since I’ve created a meat clause for myself. However, I am still a card carrying member of the Sierra Club.


link | posted by gail at 9:03 AM |


October 2002

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re
altogether ooky, the Addams family. Their house is a museum, where
people come to see ‘em, they really are a screeum, the Addams Family.
(Spoke:) Neat. Sweet. Petite
(Sung:) So get a witches shawl on, a broomstick you can crawl on, we’re
gonna pay a call on the Addams Family.

The Addams Family, Theme Song: The Addams Family Theme, Music and Lyrics by Vic Mizzy @ 1964, Renewed 1992 by Unison Music Co.



This month is notable because for the first time in my entire life I traveled to two cities alone and unaccompanied. When I travel out of state I usually take my boyfriend or one of my nieces. This time I did it my way.

I went to the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) conference which was held in Arlington, Virginia. I made a reservation at the DC Youth Hostel a few days before my arrival. I wasn't quite sure if they’d accept me because Baltimore is close to DC and you have to live a certain amount of miles away to stay in a youth hostel. I called up several times to see if it was ok. I had to do this because every time I called a woman answered and told me that the computers were down so she was unable to check or make reservations. The last time I got her on the phone it was about 7pm at night. It was about ten o’clock at night when I called again, this time I got a guy. He told me that it was ok for me to stay overnight. He also seemed perplexed when I asked about the computers being down all day. Was that woman lying to me about the computers?

So that Friday after work I packed my things and took a train into DC. It was raining lightly outside. When I finally found the Hostel there was a lady there I suspect this was the same lady that kept telling me that their computers were down. She took one look at me and told me that it was not possible for me to stay the night because I didn't live far enough away. I then explained to her that the guy I spoke to on the phone the other night told me that it was ok. She finally relented and let me stay the night. Maybe I’m wrong in feeling this way but I suspect that she did not want me to stay there because I’m black. It should be noted that there was another black girl staying at the hostel but she sounded more white than black. I guess she must have slipped under that woman’s Negro detector. I feel uncomfortable accusing someone of my race of racism against blacks. But that’s how it felt to me. It should be noted that she and the guy I spoke to were both black. I saw him when I checked out of the hostel at 7am. He was very cute laid back with dread locks.

Anyway, the next day I took the Metro into Arlington. The location of the conference was a dream, right down the street was a SHOPPING MALL!! I knew where I was going to be going during our lunch break. While at the conference I got my portfolio reviewed. This was great because now I know how to market my art and what I have to do to make my portfolio more saleable. From the advice that Christine Teague, who has her own agency, gave me I now know that my art style is geared towards the education market. I will work on doing a series of pictures that show a character progressing through a storyline. Before I went there I wasn’t sure if I was setting up my portfolio the right way. Now I know that I have to show pictures on every single page. Christine also told me that I should get a smaller sized portfolio. I didn't bring a giant sized art student portfolio just one that was mid-sized. According to her my paper should be the same size as my portfolio. She also suggested that I get postcards made to send out to potential clients. She also suggested that I find some way to let clients know that I’m an African American artist. According to her they are looking for more African American artists. Also I learned that I shouldn't include a lot of fairies and things of that sort in my portfolio as that might pigeon hole me into a genre.


link | posted by gail at 8:51 AM |


October 27, 2002



When somebody loves you, it’s no good unless she loves you

all the way, Happy to be near you, when you

need someone to cheer you all the way.

Taller than the tallest tree is, that’s how it’s got to

feel; deeper than the deep blue sea is,

that’s how deep it goes, if it’s real.



All The Way, Words by Sammy Cahn, Music by James Van Heusen @ 1957 Maraville Music Corp.



I’m, still obsessed with points and food. I’ve been an official vegetarian for the past two to three weeks. You could say I was an undeclared vegetarian months before. I’m a vegetarian not because I care about animals, the planet or the environment. They could all go to hell for all I care. I’m vegetarian because I’m fat and I figure that since there are very few of them who are fat maybe that’s the way to go. When I die I don’t want it to be because of disease but just old age. By the way I still eat meat. I love meat however the only meat I eat is soy meat which I eat with almost every meal. Since no one else will tell you Boca burgers are great they taste just like hamburger. The problem is that they don’t have any aroma when they cook. However they look and taste just like the real McCoy. I also like there sausages which taste and look and smell just like sausage should. I don’t like any of the Morningstar soy meat products. They taste just like paste. I think they were made by food scientists who hate meat and don’t want anything to do with it so they make vegetarian products that taste awful so that you will not want to eat anything meat real fake or otherwise.


link | posted by gail at 8:44 AM |


September 2002

People let me tell you ‘bout my
best friend; he’s a warm hearted person who’ll love
me till the end. People, let me tell you ‘bought my
best friend; he’s a boy, cuddly toy, my up, my down, my pride and joy.
People, let me tell you about him; he’s so much fun, whether we’re
talkin’ man to man or whether we’re talkin’ son to son ‘cause he’s my
best friend. Yeah, he’s my best friend.

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Theme Song: Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Words and Music by Harry Nilsson @ 1969 by Unichappell Music Inc.



I’ve been doing overtime at work mainly so that I can stay as long as possible under air conditioning. My apartment isn’t air conditioned. I find myself relating to fictional characters (the ones in Nick Hornby novels) I’m not sure if this is healthy. Maybe it’s good writing, I don’t know. I mainly feel a kindred to the main character in Nick Hornby’s, About a Boy. I spend my after work hours finding things to waste my time with or in my case to avoid the heat. I try not to come into my apartment until after sundown or until the temperature has gone down to at least 80 degrees.

It looks like I will miss the September deadline for the Boudica play. Right now I’m enjoying going to the library and doing research on the life of Boudica and the Iceni Celts. I have to admit that there isn't exactly volumes and volumes of information out there on her. But there is enough information out there for me to play with.


link | posted by gail at 8:41 AM |


Summer 2002



Ooh baby, do you know what that’s worth?

Ooh Heaven is a place on earth. They say in heaven

love comes first. We’ll make heaven a place on earth.



Heaven is Place on Earth, Words and Music by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley @ 1987 Future Furniture Music And Shipwreck Music



I guess you could say this is my, How I Spent My Summer essay. In short I spent my summer escaping the heat. I spent it at the main branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library and at the Owings Mills Mall and in movie theaters.

Summer 2002 was extremely HOT.

One day I went out and renewed my library card. I had’nt used it since I was working two jobs in the late 90’s one at Center Stage the other at UMAB’s Dental School. I would usually borrow books on tape which I would listen to while working at the Dental School in the Microbiology dept. I was’nt in a rush to get it renewed because I knew I had fines to pay. So this summer I was a book reading fool. I feel that I will surpass the 9 books that I read last year. This was 9 out of the 32 books that had on my personal reading list. I have tons of books in my apartment that I’ve never read this happened because I used to belong to book club and would oftentimes forget to senfd the reply card back. So I made a pact with myself to read the books so that I could feel comfortable selling them on eBay. I guess right about now I should say I’m the type of person who reads books then writes a review of what I’ve read. Why I do this I do not know?

I would also go to the mall to escape the heat. My mall of choice is the Owings Mills Mall. This summer my favorite activity was stopping by Hechts and spraying myself with Chanel No. 5. I did this one day because I was bored and always wanted to know what it smelled like. The aroma was at once intoxicating and hypnotic. I instantly felt expensive and rich like I belonged here, there, and everywhere. So that’s how I started my ritual of going to Hechts and seeking out the Chanel counter and giving myself a generous squirt of Chanel No. 5 on each wrist. I don’t know why but that perfume makes me feel like I belong. Maybe one day if I save up enough money I will buy myself an actual bottle of the stuff. Also while at Owings Mills I I loved going to the food court and getting an order of Orange Chicken I swear that the Orange Chicken in Owings Mills is the best in all of Maryland. I should also say that durng the summer I was still adhering to Weight Watchers. I would only order Orange Chicken once a week and only when I had more than enough points to cover it.

My favorite out of all the movies I saw this summer was, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I really loved this movie. After seeing it I wanted to be Greek or hang out with Greeks! When I briefly was doing a double major in Drama and Digital Art at Towson State I had a classmate who was a Greek American. I remember she used to sing the Greek national anthem at the drop of a dime. She would also tell us about Greek history and stuff without any prompting. I also feel that she was a bit insane. One minute she’d be the sweetest person on earth the next minute she’d turn into the evil bitch from hell. I was once a stage hand on one of the productions that she was in and it was shear hell. All this considering that she was’nt the star of the play but just a damn extra. She was literally, the extra from hell. What does this have to do with Greek Wedding you ask?....absolutely nothing. I was just remembering a psycho Greek American Drama student I used to know.

Also this summer I decided to work on a play for the Baltimore Playwright’s Festival. The play I’m doing is about Queen Boudica. Queen Boudica was a real person. This is how I came about with the idea, one day I was in the Barnes & Nobles in Towson escaping the heat and happended to come across an Archeaolgy magazine which had a story in it about the town of Colchester, England which was famous for the role that it played in the lore of Queen Boudica the Warrior Queen and the Iceni Celts. I recall studying about her in a Women’s History class I took back in high school. I’m not sure if the one act play will be completed by the September 30th deadline. If not then I guess I’ll submit it for next year. Here’s a brief history lifted from the web for those who are not familiar with Boudica; Between AD 61 and AD 63 Boudica led her Iceni people to a glorious war against the Romans. The Iceni Celts had submitted their kingdom in East Anglia to the conquering Romans and the rule of Emperor Claudius in AD 43. In AD 61, Prasutagus, Boudica's husband and King of the Iceni died. A dispute followed during which Boudica, was publicly beaten by the soldiers of the emperor, and her two daughters raped. The Iceni were insulted and rose in revolt led by their queen Boudica. So successful was the uprising that the Romans were almost defeated. Unfortunately for the Iceni and their allies, the military skill of the Roman army finally led to the crushing of the rebellion.After the revolt, Roman rule was re-established. For almost two glorious years, Boudica pillaged the Roman settlements; she remains to this day, the greatest of the heroines of Britain.


link | posted by gail at 8:30 AM |


September 3, 2002

Isn’t it rich? Are we a pair? Me here at
last on the ground, you in mid air.... Send in the
clowns. Isn’t it
bliss? Don’t you approve? One who keeps
tearing around, one who can’t move... Where are the
clowns? Send in the clowns. Just when I’d
stopped opening doors, Finally
knowing the one that I wanted was yours, Makin my
entrance again with my usual flair, Sure of my
lines, No one is there.
Don’t you love farce? My fault, I
fear. I thought that you’d want what I want. Sorry, my
dear... But where are the clowns? Quick, send in the
clowns. Don’t bother they’re here.

Send In The Clowns, Words and Music by Stephen Sondheim, @ 1973 Revelation Music Publishing Corp. & Rilting Music, Inc.(ASCAP)

I went to the library today. My library of choice has always been the main branch of the Enoch Pratt. I was astonished to find the library swarming with cops when I got there. They were even parked up on the sidewalk. I wonder what had happened at the library as I went in. I doubt that terrorist were involved. I get the feeling that libraries are not the cup of tea for terrorist threats. There’s no bang for the buck.

When I finally made it inside I was surprised to find that I had not accrued any overdue fines. At the library I checked out three fiction books. I hope I actually finish them. Also I finally went to the 2nd floor of the library. My original intent in doing this was to see if they had any books that featured the work of artist, Jack Vettriano. I ordered and pre-ordered his books on Amazon, I wanted to get a sneak peak on what I would expect to see. I had no such luck. There were absolutely no books on Vettriano in the library. However, I did see a bunch of art books I wanted to try out. Next time I think I’ll pick up the Bob Ross, Joy of Painting Books.

I found out as I was leaving the library the reason behind all the cops swarming the place. The female security guard told me that the Vice President’s wife was at the library. Come to think of it as I was leaving out of the library’s Fine Art’s Department I did notice across the hall there was a large spread of food and deserts. This kind of made me think that that was the setup they must have had out for Mrs. Cheney’s visit. So I guess you could say that was my brush with the mystique of Presidency via the Vice Presidents wife that I never saw.


link | posted by gail at 8:26 AM |


August 29, 2002

The wind blows against this mountainside,
across the sea into my soul.
It reaches into where I cannot hide,
setting my feet upon the road.
my heart is old, it holds my memories,
my body burns a gem like flame.
Somewhere between my soul and soft machine,
is where I find myself again.
Kyrie e lei son down the road that I must
travel Kyrie e lei son through the darkness of the night.

Kyrie, Word and Music by Richard Page, Steve George, and John Lang, @1984 Warner Tamerline Publishing Corp. & Enteten Music

<<>> These were just transcribed quick impressions I jotted down before I went off to bed. I thought I’d be experiment with being avante garde.

I went to bed early around eleven. I ate orange chicken at the Gallery, The Gallery is an upscale mall near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The orange chicken sauce was all gooey. I got home and took Pepto Bismol to calm my stomach. I had trouble closing my umbrella.

At work I ate Cocoa Puffs and an Oriole Cookie ice cream cake. The cake was for my coworker, Mellissa’s birthday. Yep, she really does spell her name that way. Mellissa is a very goth looking chick. She’s tall, skinny, long wavy red hair, glasses and only wears black or grey. Since I like to listen to the Don and Mike Show I’ll say that the celebrity she most resembles is a tall red haired version of former MTV host, Kennedy. The day before it was Sandra’s birthday. So for her special day we were treated to a double chocolate cake. Sandra has been out for several months because she had a heart attack. The celebrity Sandra most resembles is Oprah Winfrey.

As you can see I was stuffed with free cake two days in a freakin’ row! I am so afraid to weigh myself!!! Damn these birthdays!!!


link | posted by gail at 8:15 AM |


July 2002

Christopher O’Malley

went out on a bridge
Down in Chehalis
And Clutching his bible
and a letter from her
Fell into the river
Pity no one was there
No angels in the air
And the morning paper
ran
One more suicide

One More Suicide by John Wozniak (Marcy Playground cd)




This July I took David to Shula’s for his birthday dinner. He was very late for it and came with a one of those free circular’s for cars. He didn't bother dressing up for it as I had made reservations for the restaurant. I had no idea that there were two sections one for reservations one you can just drop in. So there I was all dressed up and there he was in sweat pants. So we ended up eating in the come as you are section. I was miffed that he didn't make an effort to dress up.

He really wants me to get a car. I feel annoyed and pressured by this. I don’t understand why he doesn’t just a get license and buy a car himself. Why does it all have to be on me?

Anyway, I ordered a steak and a Caesar salad. This was the very first real Caesar salad that I ever ate. The only Caesar salads that I ate were those low fat kits you can get in the supermarket. I have to say that the real McCoy was yummy.

I hadn't eaten real meat in such a long time. I mainly exist on fake meat products as they have lower point properties. I got really sick by the end of the evening. I think that the reason for this was that my body wasn't used to digesting real meat. When I got home I had serious stomach cramps and diarrhea.


link | posted by gail at 8:09 AM |


June 11, 2002

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, He is
trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He hath
loos’d the fateful lightning of His terrible, swift sword, His
truth is marching on. Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on!

Battle Hymn of the Republic, Words by Julia Ward Home, Music by William Steffe, @1986 WB MUsic Corp.

I took yesterday off of work and did my blood work and sonogram all in one day. I left out early in the day to have my blood drawn. The bloodwork would mainly zero in on hormones like LDH, FSH, Testosterone, DHEA, and Free T4. These are all tests that I used to know. Ok, let’s be frank,I never really knew them that well. My school did a slip shod job in teaching them. The man who taught the endocrinology section was from Africa and I could barely comprehend what he was saying because of his thick accent. He also had this attitude of, “You’re all in medical school, you’d better know this!!” As if we were all born knowing endocrinology! Also the handouts he often times gave us had typo’s in them. This guy was THE HEAD of the Clinical Chemistry Department!! I’m not sure if he’s still in charge there or not. If so I feel sorry for the students who have to sit through his endocrinology lectures.

Back to the blood tests...all I can say is that they were for hormones. I suppose I’ll have to plow through my textbooks to get a better idea. I graduated from school many moons ago and I still held onto my textbooks. I’m glad I did’nt trade them in for cash, there good for times just like these. Also before I forget I was tested for fasting glucose. As I recall vaguely from school, this test is for hemoglobin A1C. Don’t ask me the exact mechanisms. Anyway, the level of hemoglobin A1C becomes abnormaly elevated with the onset of Diabetes. There is a possibility that I might be diabetic. Diabetes can be genetic. My mother, sister, and an aunt have it.

As far as the sonogram went the radiology tech said she saw fibroids which is a relief because their benign. I was afraid that I might I have endometrial cancer.

I see the endocrinologist next Tuesday. My favorite radio show to listen to is the Don and Mike show. Whenever an interesting caller calls they sometimes asks them for the celebrity they most resemble so that you can get an idea of what the caller looks like. The celebrity my endocrinologist most resembles is the guy who used to play Dr. Larry Wolek on the soap opera, One Life To Live, during the 70's and 80's. If that's too esoteric for you, he looks like tv game show host Wink Martindale. I know that this has nothing to do with what I'm trying to relate. I'm just including it so that you can get a picture of the people who I appear in my blog. All be it a prettier picture.

I believe that my end diagnosis will end up being PCOS since no tumors where seen on the sonogram. I already have a prescription for Provera. I’m not sure about diabetes. I’ll have to wait to get the test results back.


link | posted by gail at 8:03 AM |


June 7, 2002


They’re writing songs of love, but not for

me. A lucky star’s above,

but not for me. With love to

lead the way I’ve found more clouds of gray

Than any Russian play could guarantee.


But Not for Me, Words by Ira Gershwin, Music By George Gershwin, @ 1930 WB Music Corp (Renewed)





I advanced to yet another level of Star Craft. I went to bed a few minutes early. Not the big hour I wanted just a few measly minutes early.

Today I had a 2 point snack bar. At lunch I still have to determine the points on the Budget Gourmet Rigatoni. I had apple sauce for breakfast. After work I had 2 slices of cheese, 3 hot dogs, 4-5 slices of fat free ham and a can of Progresso’s Minestrone soup. Todays point total is 27.


link | posted by gail at 7:53 AM |


June 6, 2002

Why am
I standing on a cloud every time you’re around
and my sadness disappears every
time you are near? You must be an angel
I can see it in your eyes, full of
wonder and surprise. And just now I realize: Ooh, you’re an angel

Angel, Words and Music by Madonna Ciccone and Steve Bray @1984 WB Music Corp., Bleu Disque Music Co., Inc. Webo Girl Publishing, Inc. & Black Lion Music, Inc

I ate an actual dinner last night. I had two fat free chicken patties,4 points, and stir fry vegetables that were steamed, 0 points, macaroni in tomato paste, 4 points, washed down with 12oz of water, 0 points. For breakfast I had water and a 2 points bar. Lunch was water and macaroni and cheese, 5 points.

It got up to 90 degrees today. So after work I headed to Security Mall. I bought 2 books that Pirate book and the Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market Book. I went to one of those .99 cent store’s and picked up foot powder, a place mat, a timer, and a pack of Bic pens. These items cost me less than $5. While at the mall I had a cone of fat free cherry cheescake ice cream. It had little bits of graham crackers in it. It looked sinful but tasted bland. Since it’s fat free I’ll have it again.

I finally destroyed all the other troops in Star Craft. Now I’ll get to advance to the next mission.

I’m still not getting enough sleep. I looked up endometrial cancer at the bookstore and on the web. I have all the symptoms only I’m not post menapausal. I think it’s maybe endometriosis along with PCOS. I’m so sleepy!! I must go to bed early and destress my life. I miss doing yoga. I have to fight to keep my eyes open....


link | posted by gail at 7:49 AM |


June 5, 2002

Come back and be
Come back and free
Come back and stay child
Have you gone crazy
Molly, it must be fine
It seems so dreamy to be
sublime

Gone Crazy by John Wozniak (off the self titled cd Marcy Playground)

Right now I feel frightened and excited. What if I do have cancer? I have to have an ultrasound done. I’ve never had to have an ultrasound done in my life. I stayed up later than usual playing video games, I’m playing Star Craft. I’m close to wiping put the enemy camps. I got to bed very late 12:45 to 1 AM. Not good. When I’m sick with worry and don’t know what to do I play video games.

I dropped off my film camera yesterday at Rite Aid and it should be ready by Thursday. Right now Rite Aid is having a .99 cent sale on Progresso soup. My favorite flavor is Minestrone. They have 6 to 8 cans in stock of my favorite soup. So far I bought 3 cans. I plan on buying 3-4 more cans later today. Then I should be named the Minestrone Queen! :)

I left my soy milk in the kitchen cabinet overnight. I guess my mind must have been preoccupied with health matters. I still can’t believe that I did that. When I poured it over my cereal after re-refrigerating it it had the consistency of pudding. I half to admit it didn't taste half bad. In the past 2 days since I’ve been to the Dr.’s office I’ve eaten way below my points range. I wonder if this will make me gain more weight?


link | posted by gail at 7:40 AM |


Sunday, March 16, 2003

June 4, 2002

Ancient walls of flowers
tumblin’ down
Black cat petals and a
smiling clown
I like to keep them in
a jar beside
Just enough to mess my
mind inside
But I never heard you
callin’ from the sun
Did you ever care to shoot
Your silver gun
No I never heard you calling from the moon
Did you ever care to sing
your free love tune

Ancient Walls of Flowers by Sherry Frazier and John Wozniak (off the Marcy Playground cd Marcy Playground)

I was on time for work today. I wore my brand new white spandex shirt it has a collar and buttons. I also wore a pair of pants that I hadn't worn in years. I feel great I’m not sure if I want to go to my Weight Watchers meeting.

I got a verbal warning from work today for not coming up to our new quota standards. That’s ok because everyone else got one too. I don’t want to be written up for it and then get a 2nd and a 3rd warning and then end up getting fired. I can’t leave this job yet until July that’s when my Weight Watchers meetings are up and there paid for and I don’t want to have spent all that money on meeting for nothing.


link | posted by gail at 7:24 PM |


June 3, 2002

Hey little boy see the
Johnny and Janes
Hey little boy you see
them all go insane
Look and see Spot run
’Cause he pissed in theirRun spot run
Run away from it all
Run away from it all
And I can say you can be any
way that you wanna be
How I’ll be, that’s up to
me

Dog and His Master by John Wozniak ( Marcy Playground cd entitled Marcy Playground)

I have my doctor’s appointment today. I suspect based on my symptoms that I either will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer or PCOS (Polycystic Overian Syndrome) or maybe even both. Anyway you cut it I will be subjected to many medical tests. I was 30 minutes lates for work today.


link | posted by gail at 7:21 PM |


May 31, 2002

Here we come, walkin’ down the street
we get the funniest looks from
we meet. Hey, hey. we’re the Monkees

and people say we monkey around. But
we’re too busy singing to put anybody down.

(The Monkees, Theme Song: Theme from the Monkees, @1966 (Renewed 1994) Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc, Words and Music by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart.)

Last night I called David told him about my Doctor’s appointment. The next day i woke up my symptoms went away. Was it all psychosomatic? Am I a hypochondriac? Did I make myself sick without realizing it. Today I took a cab to the light rail. My cabby this time was either African or Caribbean.

I’ve been listening to DC morning radio lately to see what they have up there. I Have come to the conclusion that I hate DC 101’s, Elliot in the Morning. He has the world’s worst annoying cackle. I can’t believe he has DC’s top rated morning show. 98 Rock’s KML Morning show in funnier and at times wittier.

Also I saw Brian, my supervisor as I was leaving for the day. This was very unusual because he doesn’t work on Thursday’s. He said he left something on his desk. I notice that Brain is driving a brand new turquoise colored convertible which he has parked directly in front of the building for all to see. Hey, how much money does that schmuck make anyway???


link | posted by gail at 7:19 PM |


May 30, 2002

We got a right to pick a little fight, bonanza!
If anyone fights any one of us
he’s gotta fight with me!
We’re not a one to saddle up and run, bonanza!
Anyone of us who starts a little fuss
knows he can count on me!
One for four four for one, this we guarantee!
We got a right to pick a little fight, bonanza!
If anyone fights anyone of us he’s gotta fight with me!

(Bonanza, Theme Song: Bonanza, @1959 St. Angelo Music and Jay Livingston Music, Words and Music by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans)

Today, I didn't have to take a cab to the light rail station, I took the bus instead. Whoopee! I wore the green shirt that I like a lot. I haven't worn it since last summer. I wore it along with my black pants.

There was a possibility earlier in the day that they might have to let us out early again from wok. Something about no work for today - lot’s of work and overtime on Friday. I’d like to know what happened to the computer cable lines in out California and Dallas branches that was so bad that it knocked our computers out of commission.


link | posted by gail at 7:16 PM |


May 29, 2002

You know he got the cure...but then he went astray,

He used to stay awake

To drive the dreams away

He wanted to believe

In the hands of love....


Exit, Bono (The Joshua Tree by U2)


Was kind of sort of late today for work. Actually, I made it in on time but I had to seriously hustle to do so. You see I woke up late. I had to take a cab to catch the train that would get me in on time. The cabby I got wheezes when he talks. I only see him working in the mornings. I think he might have emphysema. I also ran into a fellow worker on the light rail stop. Today we got off early from work something about a computer line being spliced. I had General Tso’s chicken and nothing else. Just drank lots of water for the remainder of the day. Worked on stuff for ebsq message board. Also worked on 3 paintings. Today I intend to return the Blockbuster videos, exercise for 30 minutes, use Painter--Start working on line drawings for SCBWI (Society of Children Books Writers and Illustrators) publication. Come up with a portfolio of maybe 7-8 pictures. I found out today that John Graham lives! This I found out from being bored and going back to my high school web page alumni pages. Someone mentioned him, so I suspect that he must still be alive.


link | posted by gail at 7:14 PM |


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