best i can
January 4, 2012
best i can ©2012 Gary Garbett
Relaxation has never come easy for me. I’ve always been one of those “I must always be doing something” sorts of people. I love working for the university. It forces me to take time off when the campus is closed. This year with the way the holidays fell on the calendar and my adding four additional vacation days, I ended up with a good spell of two and a half weeks away from the office.
Of course I had all of these lists of chores and tasks that I knew I’d accomplish during the time off. As usual though, things, projects, and days change. I did accomplish quite a bit and after working through the holiday and family commitments, I was able to make some healthy time for me in the studio. It may not have been the most artistically productive time, but it was great spending several days in the space that’s become more and more difficult for me to find time for. I still have a few more days to bask in this down time thing. As difficult as it is for me to do, I’m finally in relaxation mode and to my surprise I’m actually enjoying the idea.
Today was day fourteen of vacation. I walked two miles, ate tacos for lunch, read liner notes, conditioned my hair, and got a zit. I’m doing the best I can and with only four more days to get it right, I promise to do my best… whatever it is, including getting better with this whole relaxing concept.
i do
December 24, 2011
believe ©2011 Gary Garbett
I believe in great, great things.
cadillacs and santa
December 22, 2011
santa's cadillac ©2011 Gary Garbett
It may not be what he uses to make his runs on the 24th of December, but occasionally you know he’s opting for some Skynyrd, cruise control, and horsepower over reindeer power.
Cruise on big man.
condiments and extras
December 20, 2011
we have bean soup ©2011 Gary Garbett
Options, variations, and extras turn the common and ordinary into something significant. I make an effort to do what I can to order from life’s menu board everyday… always adding condiments.
Now serving #27.
seen light
December 16, 2011
seen light ©2011 Gary Garbett
During my morning walk it dawned on me that the best way for me to actually see the light is to open my eyes and stare directly into it. Interestingly I practice the exact same rule with those things in the dark.
sprinkling a dash of color
December 14, 2011
colors ©2011 Gary Garbett
We’re smack in the middle of a season that welcomes, invites, and gifts enormous color.
I’ve decided to spend a few days just walking around with a Mason jar with a tightly fitting lid to bottle up any ignored beautiful color that I see. I’ll store all of the jars in a safe place high on a shelf in my studio. Each one will be labeled with a hand written date in ballpoint pen on a short piece of masking tape, both on the jar and the lid.
Then when I need it, I’ll open the lid slightly and sprinkle a dash on those days that are mostly filled with gray.
no plans but the following
December 13, 2011
upward ©2011 Gary Garbett
Today calls for serious me time. As a result, I’ve decided to treat myself by stopping on my way home from the office for the bucket-sized cup of delicious 7-11 coffee for under two bucks.
After getting home, I’ll turn on all of the sparkling Christmas lights, let the critters out to do their business, and pop a big bowl of popcorn for all of us to enjoy as we settle in to watch Yellow Submarine in surround sound. Middle-aged adulthood has its challenges and I do the best I can to manage.
Pajamas and eggnog are highly recommended. Hey Bulldog… you can talk to me. Woof!
half full
December 12, 2011
monday latte ©2011 Gary Garbett
Monday’s deserve these sorts of moments. The sunshine is a double win.
twinkle here, twinkle there
December 11, 2011
lounge lazy ©2011 Gary Garbett
Nothing quite puts me in the spirit of trimming the tree and hanging the lights like listening to the lounge piano and strings of Peter Duchin’s Invitation on vinyl. Fah-la-la-la-la . Then again, maybe it’s just the festive time of the year.
Still a damn fine listen though.
creatively hip
December 10, 2011
The Studio ©2011 Gary Garbett
Six days ago, I began my mission to transform our unused upstairs bedroom into a comfortable creative space… a place to listen to music, to write, to read, to think, to sew, and just a place of focused creativity. For nearly two years we’ve used the vacant room primarily for storage. Last Sunday, with a vacuum and a few hodgepodge items I’d picked up over the years, I began my mission to create a unique and engaging space.
This morning we set out on a thrift store road trip in search for pieces to finish the room. We had a great day and were anything but disappointed.
Aside from a few minor knickknack embellishments that I’d still like to add, my new retro studio lounge is nearly complete following our days finds. We located a beautiful Natuzzi suede mod sofa, a hip coffee table, and a fab chrome and red naugahyde chair. We also found a couple of nice lamps, and a gem of 1948 Fodeco 8mm film projector in pristine working condition.
Santa arrived two weeks early this year. And from the look of things, I’m guessing he’s been listening to a lot of the Rat Pack. Thanks Santa… you’re groovy!
