how do artists spend their everydays?

A friend pointed me to Daily Routines, a site on "how writers, artists, and other interesting people organize their days."

Very interesting, not to say inspiring, to get a peek into creative people's creative processes. What really goes on in the everydays of great artists? It's creative stalking-- being let in on secret lifestyles that follow no real order or structure. I'm reminded of the Blink premise-- take 10 minutes to look at a person's living space and you'll have a pretty reliable gauge of who or how that person is.. And they do say genius art is not a show of skill as much as it is an extension of the artist's personality...

Mind the categories that site uses:

• Architects
• Artists
• Drinkers
• Drug Users
• Early Risers
• Exercisers
• Filmmakers
• Nap Takers
• Night Owls
• Philosophers
• Procrastinators
• Smokers
• Statesmen
• Writers

Drinkers! Procrastinators! Night Owls! Exercisers! Nap takers! How validating to know my own habits are spot on for creative output... :P

Reminds me of a coffeetable book I have on Filipino artists at home--such inspiring voyeurism to see other people's creative space! Another blog that collects creative habits: On my Desk, ARTISTS, ILLUSTRATORS, DESIGNERS & CREATIVE FOLK SHARE THE STUFF ON THEIR DESKS...

what's your favorite FREE pastime?

Read today that Brits turn to sex when times are hard :P El sexo es la actividad preferida de los británicos en época de crisis. Second favorite pasatiempo (pastime) is chatting with friends, followed by window shopping, and in last place is visiting museums (usually free for them).

Ser miembro de un club de gimnasia cuesta entre 30 y 70 libras (36 y 83 euros) por mes, mientras que tener relaciones sexuales no requiere dinero... es muy fácil obtener preservativos gratuitos.

Gym membership costs P2,000-5,000 a month, while having sexual relations doesn't require money..and it's easy to get free condoms. (note the word for condoms in Spanish!)

No big suprise really. From the stories I hear about sexual exploits of boys and girls here, especially in the provinces where entertainment options are few, it's safe to assume that Pinoys run to sex for free fun just as much.

I think malling would take the place of window shopping up there though. Going to the mall is a typical barkada, dating, even family affair, as opposed to pure wish-fulfillment window shopping. The practical reason, of course, is because malls are cool (may aircon), but malls have also become central gathering places for us, admittedly because we don't have enough parks or free museums, or even big concert halls and nice open fields...

I wish more people would read...more libraries (we don't even have a real library that actually lends books for free!)... Other modern Pinoy pastimes off the top of my head (some not completely free): downloading, watching television, videoke, playing cards (tong its), basketball...

What's your favorite freebie pleasure?

are there fairytale endings?

(Thanks Reese!)

Haha, and now for Disney's Desperate Housebands!

Beast: My wife thinks I'm too hairy.
Cindy's Prince Charming: Mine talks to mice.
Snow's Prince Charming: My wife likes them small and bearded.
Prince Eric: Mine smells fishy.
Prince Philip: My wife just sleeps all day and night.

our penchant for nostalgia

"We seem to be going through a period of nostalgia, and everyone seems to think yesterday was better than today. I don't think it was, and I would advise you not to wait ten years before admitting today was great. If you're hung up on nostalgia, pretend today is yesterday and just go out and have one hell of a time." ~Art Buchwald

Saw this quote while blog hopping..

Makes sense, to be told or scolded for being too dependent on nostalgia, especially to me-- I've caught myself holding on to memories many times, and maybe worse, even admiring books or art that elicit nostalgia about things that have yet to happen..

Here's to the now!

Patrice can draw houses now!

Patrice: Tita I'm want to draw
Me: Okay, here's paper. Use your crayons

(after five minutes)

Patrice: Tita I want to color
Me: Okay, use your crayons
Patrice: No, I'm want to paint
Me: No, you can use your crayons
Patrice: No, I want paint

After more haggling, I gave in and lent her my watercolors and a brush...

Her finished product:

I'm glad I gave in :)


October 18, 2008, Saturday
Age 4.3 years

Patrice's first attempt at watercolor painting with crayon resist
Drawing done by her,
8.5" X 11" Yellow bond paper










Work# 2
Watercolor painting with crayon resist
October 18, 2008, Saturday

Drawing done by Patrice at 4.3 years old
8.5" X 11" Yellow bond paper