So, I just made a big promise to myself. And, that is, that I will continue painting again as soon as possible in Asheville. I will put finding a place to paint very high on my priority list.

Before, I was thinking I’d not worry about this for a while. I figured that before I moved, I’d finish up the paintings that are currently in progress, and I’d bring along the painting supplies, but I’d take my time getting back into it. That was a nice idea, but it’s not going to work. I just left my painting room with the realization that there is no possible way I can finish up the paintings I’ve started. And, leaving paintings in progress too long can be fatal to the original idea. So, that means that painting is going to need to be a bigger priority for me down south than I originally anticipated.

I do realize this is probably a good thing. If I had given myself that leeway to slack on finding a place to paint, I would have put it off for a long time, and let that part of me fall back dormant. But, that’s not what I’m going to do. Creativity is good and wonderful, right? so I think I’ll be glad I made this decision!

Here is a pretty interesting article about how the planets effect life here on earth, according to astrology:

Pluto in Capricorn

Wow, this makes a lot of sense to me! And, as someone who has tended to be very bad with money, I can really see how this issue has been surfacing more in my life. But of course, money is an issue that’s surfacing in a lot of people’s lives right now! This is one of the reasons I love great tools like astrology. They can really put a lot of things in perspective!!

As many of you know, I am getting ready to move to Asheville, North Carolina. Woohoo! Very exciting!

I have made the decision not to rent a moving truck, van or trailer. I am only going to bring what will fit in my van! That will save me money, and allow me to be more flexible on the Asheville end of the move. I gotta say, though, it’s a little overwhelming to sort and get rid of this much stuff! I have a 4 bedroom apartment currently, with a garage. I have a lot of stuff! I’d stay this stuff falls into a few categories:

1) Stuff I use every day and might as well bring with me (shampoo, clothing, some of Joy’s toys)
2) Stuff I use daily or at least once a week but I just don’t have room for anyway (bed, broom, dishes, some of Joy’s other toys)
3) Stuff that is crap that I just never have gotten around to dumping for whatever reason (this stuff is satisfying to toss out, isn’t it?)
4) Stuff I really like and will likely use some day (this is a tough category because I can only bring a few of these types of things, so I really need to practice discernment!)
5) Stuff I have created myself that I want to keep because I made it, or because I want to build off of it (like writing)
6) Stuff that’s basically memorabilia (I have to trim a lot in this area, but again, that is tough in some cases)

It’s an interesting experience, sorting this much stuff! I feel like I’m letting go of old identities that no longer serve me, that I no longer like, and that are just plain old. I expected that. Every time I go through and get rid of old stuff, I feel like I am letting go of old ways of seeing myself. What’s interesting this time, and what I didn’t expect, was that I feel like I’m starting to identify less with stuff in general, even stuff I’m keeping around. Suddenly, because I’m letting go of so many precious things, and having to make so many decisions between things I really love, I’m starting to see myself less in the things I own. I didn’t expect that! It feels exciting and free, and yet also somehow barren and lonely. It’s a strange mix of feelings, but I think it’s a good thing. It’s harder than I thought it would be, and yet I am beginning to notice a new fluidity in myself, and a new sense of confidence and clarity. I’m also freakin’ tired and more than a little stressed out by all this work, but I do feel like this sorting and discarding is really creating some interesting and cool changes in the way I exist!

Hello!

I am here to inform you that torture is bad, and shouldn’t be allowed to go unquestioned by our government. I just signed a moveon.org petition to Eric Holder, telling him that I think the Bush administration should be investigated for torture, and held responsible for their actions. If you also want to sign this petition, click on the link below:

http://pol.moveon.org/torture/

I invite you to check out Rob Brezny at freewillastrology.com
He is amazing! I love his philosophy and his way of writing. And, he’s not just into astrology, folks! He’s a worthwhile read even if you don’t want to read the stars.

Scroll down on the main page of the website (left hand-side)until you come to,

“The following piece is adapted from my book
PRONOIA IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR PARANOIA: How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings

LIBERATE YOUR IMAGINATION”

Here is just the first paragraph of this excerpt of his book:

“Let me remind you who you really are: You are one of the chosen ones. You’re a luminous being. A primordial miracle. A resplendent avatar. You are a deity in disguise–not a Buddha or a Christ, but of the same lineage and made from the same mojo.”

If you like this writing, you might also want to subscribe to his weekly horoscope e-mails. Here is my horoscope for this week (and how perfect, huh?):

“LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): French President Sarkozy’s best friend,
advertising mogul Jacques Seguela, has an unusual way of measuring
success. If you don’t own a Rolex watch by the time you’re 50, he says,
you’re a failure. I’m inclined to propose the opposite: If you *do* have a
Rolex watch, no matter what age you are, you’re probably a failure. To be
attached to such a conspicuous status symbol is a sign that your values
are dominated by the transitory trivialities of materialism. Where do you
stand on the matter, Leo? It’s a good time to think about it, because
you’re in a phase when clarifying your definitions of high achievement is
important.”

Wow, can I just say this was exactly what I needed to hear today? I am SO in the middle of reevaluating my definitions of high achievement. I love this guy!

My friend Brian (and Joy’s Papa) is a protypical Aries/Taurus cusp sun, in that he stubbornly refuses to let anyone else define him. This is an admirable quality, although I admit to occasionally being annoyed by it. ; )

I have decided to myself also develop the quality of stubborn self-definition. I have spent my whole life in fear of the labels other put on me (and even in fear of the labels I’ve imagined them giving to me). No more!!!

Yesterday, April 3rd, I decided that I would no longer let other people define me, and I would no longer worry about what other people think about me. Easier said than done, perhaps, but I’m going to do my best. Today, April 4th, this day in Aries, I pledge to begin living by my own self-definition only. Today, I pledge to live in integrity to my own values, not the values of others. I hereafter cast all definitions that are not of my own making aside. I declare myself in the name of Virginia!

Hey! I’m a painter! I’d like to share with you this painting that I completed 12/31/08. I like it a lot. It really represents a new style I’m working towards (figurative, gestural, abstract, messy and spiritual):