Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Day 1069: The sign of a good teacher.





Geisha 8, collage & Ukiyo-e type print, digitized















I come from a family of teachers & engineers.
So I know good teachers, up close and personal.
But today, after surviving a tough day class ...
I was reminded of one of the traits of a really great teacher.








He is able to get more out of his students ...
than they know they can accomplish.
Thank you Demura Sensei.








87 degrees & humid, Santa Ana, CA












A smile for Tuesday ...






Monday, June 29, 2015

Day 1068: A special, annual picnic!





Cover, a junk mail collage












It's that time of year ...





Demura Sensei's 




Annual Genbu-Kai Karate Picnic!




Held in beautiful Irvine Park ...




for games, food, friendship and not a gi in sight!





Just a few of the faces from Demura Sensei's local dojos ...






who brought great foods to share ...






and take time to play softball, bocci ...






even a pinata for the kids ...







on a warm, humid 90 degree day ...








but perfect!









A smile for Monday ...








Sunday, June 28, 2015

Day 1067: A slow Saturday, duds & Netflix




"Redder", junk mail collage











Day #1067 and still chugging along! Today it's uphill!
The number of consecutive days amazes me.
But of course there are plenty of "duds" ...
dud/dəd/ noun
a thing that fails to work properly or is otherwise unsatisfactory or worthless.
 

Duds: unexploded shells on the Somme, still there today. Image thanks to shipscompass at flickr 




Maybe you can tell I am struggling today?
Waiting for divine intervention... soon!

...


And that would have been it, but
WonderWoman and Superman went out to dinner.





So I got to spend time with GH 1 & 3 and Netflix.
I don't have Netflix or movie channels, so a movie night!
GH #3 picked ...



which was fun to see again after so many years.
Then GH #1 picked "Jiro dreams of Sushi",
which I had never heard of?






a 2011 award-winning American documentary.
You can see a 2 minute video trailer by clicking here.
One review said: “The best sushi in Japan can be found in a Ginza subway station. Its 85-year-old chef, Jiro Ono, is not merely a brilliant cook, he is a difficult patriarch who runs his 10-seat three star Michelin restaurant with an iron hand. Put down the California roll and partake of a slow-motion 20-course paean to perfection.”

I was so impressed by this elegant movie and also ...
the fact that my 17 year old Grandhunk picked it,
after watching it twice before. 
They all like sushi.







A smile for Sunday ...





Saturday, June 27, 2015

Day 1066: All ears and nodding ...





"Close", junk mail collage











Today I listened to my first podcast.
Have you ever listened to a podcast?
Here is the link to the one I heard.


http://balzerdesigns.com/arting/


It's an hour, six minutes!
I know, I know, we are all too busy for that much time.
But, I thought I'd try a few minutes ...
 it featured artist Jane Davies (who I admire) and ...



Jane Davies


 Julie Fei-Fan Balzer & her Mom, Eileen Hsü-Balzer.
Not a video, so of course there is no picture.
At first I sat looking at the tiny white screen as they spoke.
Like party lines on old country phones when I was very little.
Then I started working on collage as I listened.
So, I listened and worked, and loved it!
I found myself nodding in agreement, then
laughing at still other scenarios.
It's wonderful when your mind creates the visual.
So I enjoyed the whole thing ...
it was like having company as I worked.
I highly recommend this fun time.

...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.










A smile for Saturday ...






Friday, June 26, 2015

Day 1065: Assistant Mama Bear on duty.





"Red-faced", drawing & collage digitized









Yesterday's surgery was a success and all are home safe.
Well almost. Superman had to fly to LV for a trade show,
 WW & Grandhunk #1 got home from the hospital at 2PM.
I checked in that AM for assistant duty.
Took GH #3 to lifting for FB @ OLU 10 - 11:30
Then lunch.
 GH#1 showered and is resting/sleeping with a guard.


GH#1 & Bella on guard duty

GH #2 had work then a BB game for OLU  (they won).
I took GH#3 to his cross fit training at 4 PM, 
then picked up food for tonight.
WonderWoman & 3 dogs picked up GH#3 @ 6PM
So 4 out of 5 are home for the night.
I am now home, how was your day?










A smile for Friday ...



Thursday, June 25, 2015

Day 1064: Bumps along the way ...






"He", digital collage










Every so often it seems there are bumps along the way.




Grandhunks # 3, 2 & 1 (left to right)


Tuesday evening's last supper before the surgery ...
Sometimes you can feel helpless, right?



GH#1 & WW selfie, surgery morning



Concerned, worried, helpless & finally relieved.
Grandhunk #1 had TMJ surgery Wednesday.
It was successful and I visited him in the afternoon.
In fact I was there when they brought in a longer bed since
his 6' 4-1/2" frame had extended beyond the end of the regular bed.
WonderWoman is spending the night in the adjacent chair. 
Mama bear personified. 
Superman & his brothers were there when I left.
He gets to go home Thursday ...
there will be ice packs and lots of rest.
I made a get well card ...













 87 degrees, Santa Ana, Ca












For  FB Throwback Thursday ...




Yoyogi Stadium, Tokyo, Japan 1980









A smile for Thursday ...