Block 47: April 5, 2013

 

TGIF!

The background fabric really does remind me of pebbles and stones, washed smooth by time and river water. It might have been interesting to pair that fabric with a sandy-colored crane but, in the end, this black fabric kept popping out at me.

Date: April 5, 2013

Crane Number: 47 (953 to go!)

Location: Apartment, Washington Heights, NYC

Person I would have sent it to: Katie P., a friend added to the elementary school mix around fifth grade, if I can remember correctly.

She and I would plan films that we were going to make. Using a video camera recorder (using VHS tapes, of course!), we would direct and cast and design short films for class projects. There was one that was an homage to Indiana Jones. Katie was Indy, of course. There was another (or maybe the same one?) that dealt with the Mayans… Or maybe it was the Aztec civilization? (Certainly not the Incans…) Crude, sure, and most likely filmed in parts of my parent’s basement (with concrete floors and pseudo-unfinished walls, we imagined it to be our very own Hollywood soundstage), I have no idea if anyone enjoyed them or understood what we were doing.

But we were making movies. And that was awesome.

Our film-making careers didn’t last long; by the end of elementary school, I feel like we had moved onto other things.

Music I listened to while sewing: Sigur Ros.

Thoughts/Feelings behind the block: Roger Ebert passed away yesterday. I wasn’t one to watch his televised show when I was growing up, neither did I read his film reviews, so I was surprised by the outpouring of condolences I saw on Facebook and Twitter.

As his life took a sad turn towards the end, with his bouts with cancer and the surgeries that changed his appearance and lifestyle, I understand he had become an incredibly prolific and thought-provoking writer. Many articles were posted on Facebook and Twitter; one of them, “I Do Not Fear Death,” has some considerable insight.

‘“Kindness” covers all of my political beliefs. No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn’t always know this and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.’ (Taken from the article re-posted yesterday on Salon.com.)

Heavy stuff.

So, let’s remember, as we head into the weekend, some things: Let’s try to make someone smile this weekend. Find something that makes you smile and do it.

It actually required less effort for the human body to smile than to frown.

While we sometimes believe rude behavior and impolite comments are easier to put out into the world; I don’t believe that is actually true. Maybe we’re just used to it. Maybe it’s just muscle memory. If it takes more muscular effort to frown, think how much effort we unknowingly waste when we blow someone off, casually mock someone’s behavior, or ignore an acquaintance.

Cheers and enjoy the weekend.