Carefree -- excuse me, what?
Mood:  bright
Topic: Ignore me please

There was a time when black and white movies bothered me for no other reason than being devoid of color.  I felt horrible about it because I knew there were some awesome stories out there that I was missing out on because of my strange aversion to black and white.  I have since gotten over that and, with the help of TCM, have been plumbing the depths of film history to find all the gems that I was born too late to catch -- be they black and white or color. 

It's hard to grow up when I did and not know of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, but I realized a while back that I hadn't actually seen very many of their movies.  Enter Carefree, the story of a desperate man who talks his psychiatrist friend into analyzing his girl to figure out why she won't marry him.  

Carefree is yet another old movie starring well known screen legends that  steps merrily over the line of what is good and what is just plain WRONG!  I worry about all of Dr. Tony Flagg's (Fred Astaire) patients.  Not only does he make chauvinistic and stereotypical prejudgments but he does it on a tape machine that he leaves in his office with un-attended patients.  Not only does he use local anesthetics to put patients in dream like states he leaves them un-attended so that they might wander out of the building unsupervised and trot through traffic with the goal of shattering glass on a transport truck.  And even though he seems to being doing his best to romance his patient outside of the office with the precept that it is for her treatment, he doesn't realize that he has fallen just as in love with her as she him.

This brings us to the greatest psychiatric insult in the film--blatant and idiotic hypnotic suggestion.  Although I have read that it's not all that unusual for patients to fall in love with their doctors--called transference, I think--I have never had offered to me the solution of simply implanting an assertion of hate into a patients brain to compensate for their love.  I was aghast.  I was agog.  I was befuddled.  I was watching as, all of a sudden, the psychiatrist who didn't know himself finally realizes that he reciprocates the love of the patient he just hypno-suggested his way out of.  Bring on the crazy antics to get her unconscious once again so that he may remove his meddling.

I can't say any more.  I am at a loss.  This was worse than revisiting all those Elvis movies and discovering how often he played a complete jerk.  But it wasn't quite as bad as Fred Astaire in blackface.

This is the comic that I built
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Ignore me please

Allow me to introduce you to Levi Levi.  He is a private detective, but really he'll do just about any odd job and if you throw him something he won't do, he'll find you the guy/girl who will. 

Levi has been hanging around in my head and sketch book for a little while waiting for his chance to provide me some respite from the very long comic project I've been working on.  His segments will be relatively brief and offer a world of variation.  For months now, and completely unlike me, I have been so focused on my extra long/involved project that I didn't need to use him, but it just so happens I felt the need last weekend and have a few pics and pages done already.  

I have given him his own blog/rss feed thingy because it was the easiest way to present a page with those neat previous/next entry links without having to create pages from scratch.   I'm thinking I will post new pages for him here too when I get them in, but I'm not resolved on how I'm going to do it.

I'm actually kind of nervous.  Though I bought into the free website fad long long ago and eventually started renting ad free space and a domain for my artwork and craftiness and ever expanding list of projects and ideas, this one feels completely new and unexplored.  Hope you like it in any case.

The Great Book list and the only book I ever read twice, so far
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: "Taboo" - LM.C
Topic: Ignore me please

So, I've hinted before, but have I really told you the whole story about the Great Book list?  A year or so ago I got the remarkable and ordinary idea of keeping a list of all the books I read.  Only, this list would have all the books I've already read in it too.  I wasn't satisfied with the idea of just starting from where I was now because it wouldn't be fair to all those awesome books I could remember reading.  Then, I figured that I should attempt to track down all the books I could only remember whiffs of, because I couldn't possibly let them fall through the cracks.  

So I started with the easy stuff, the stuff that touched me deeply enough that I didn't have to verify title and author; and then I scoured public school reading lists to cover all those things that I read because they were assigned to me.  You see, I didn't start skimming and cliff's notes cheating until college, so I can actually say I read all that primary school stuff.  And then finally I was left with the whiffs:  a blue haired girl here, and a computer generated rock star there, a wizard on the cover and something about a wooden sword, some aliens, and the magical world of Florida. 

And then I lost the list.  I forgot about making back-ups and blindly relied on a web server out there somewhere.  This resulted in a minor breakdown and the ruining of my day as well as the promise that I was not going to do all that crap again.  My angry resolve lasted about two weeks when I started scratching my list together once more.

Eventually my list became complete sans one small puzzle piece--the young adult romance boom of the 80s.  My grandmother, for some reason, had no objections to mass consumption of nutritionless YA romance, but she wouldn't let me read sci-fi/fantasy while I stayed with her;  I mean, she gave me Riders of the Purple Sage to read in lieu of Dragonriders of Pern.  But that's another story.

The story for today is about the only book I ever read twice.  Being a person who remembers way too much of the books I read to revisit them very soon, I only have one of these on my list right now:  Her Majesty's Wizard by Christopher Stasheff.   That said, the Great Book list has brought up some titles that I want to try reading again now that more time has passed.  I just grabbed up a copy of The Scarlet Pimpernel at a swap recently and am looking forward to fattening my memories on it. 

Back to Her Majesty's Wizard, I can honestly not say why I could read this book, of all books, more than once in a two year time period.  I can only recall bits and pieces of the story now that impressed me:  the strange way the main character bridged the divide between reality (in a coffee shop, I think) and a completely fantasy world, making soldiers out of teeth, sexual tension, a dragon--that's it.  Before you ask why I'm writing about it if I can't remember much--it's 'cause it's the only book I ever read it twice!  Which means it is totally awesome, and once I get my hands on the book box in my Mom's storage unit where my copy is (of course I kept it) I'm going to read it a third time. 

iGoogle geekdom
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Love Psychedelico
Topic: Ignore me please

Alright.  I've talked about iGoogle customization before and I'm gonna do it again.  I've got a couple of tabs in my iGoogle and change out the headers and themes about as often as I change out my desktop background.  I was searching through the newest additions today to find some options and realized that perhaps I should share (seeing as Google has yet to have any kind of subject indexing and poor, if at all functional, keyword search).  

So, following is a selection of themes I was drawn to today--I love the xXxHolic art (number 2) so I would even put up with the image coming out short on both sides.  All of these are yummy!

Oh yes!  and Samantha Brown (prev) has a set of iGoogle themes too!

Instructions for making a SPASMO
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: The Veronicas
Topic: Ignore me please

So, I survived the Giallo Meltdown with very little damage compared to some of the rougher moviethons.  One notable exception to this was  SPASMO.  Now, I normally love the unreliable narrator, but I think it works best when there is an area of stability for the character to reflect off of--this doesn't happen when everybody in the damn movie is crazy too!

Ok, here are a couple of notes I took about living in your own personal SPASMO:

• Every woman you meet is your new girlfriend--act as though you've known each other forever and you're old girlfriend will disapear (if you are a woman, then your old boyfriend will re-apear constantly and try to get you back)
• Overreact to powerfailures
• Overreact to everything
• abandoned bloody shears are nothing to worry about
• be indecisive
• its ok to break into someone's house if you know their friend
• invite all intruders in for drinks and have them stay the night
• you know everything about the strangers you are with -- be their psychology
• everyone knows everthing about you -- take their advice and believe what they say
• you needn't look at a dead body yourself to believe its there and dead
• tell everyone you meet that you murdered a man -- keep telling them until they believe it
• why does everyone know about your brother? -- why do you not find this odd?
• doors should always be left open
• all coupes turn into sedans on impact
• the motel is a conspiracy
• home videos always contain footage of hospital shock-treatment
• the perfect time for sex is now -- especially if you're on the run, in danger of being caught, nearly murdered, suspected dead, and trying to solve the mystery yourself
• every woman looks like a red-head in murder flash-backs 
  

Howdy Music!
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Music! Music! Music! Music!
Topic: Ignore me please

 

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

 

Little update
Mood:  sharp
Now Playing: Miyavi
Topic: Ignore me please

 

There are a few things that Texas elementary schools gave me that I am finding, as I speak with more and more people as an adult, were pretty unique.  One was a disgust for the idea of drugs like heroine and cocaine--like what I had for the movie Cabin Fever after seeing it in the theaters.  That's another story for another day and most definitely the strongest message they hammered into us impressionable minds.  Another was a fear of St. Patrick's Day.  I think Texas primary schools just served as a harbor for really sadistic teachers--like the gym coach that was OBSESSED with cross-country running.  Anyway, on St. Patrick's Day a couple of teacher's special students would be enlisted to run around each class and pinch everyone who didn't wear green.  Charming custom, yes, but put in the hands of children it was a horrible, bruising affair.  Funnily enough I had forgotten today was St. Patrick's day and I just happened to wear green anyway.

I am still struggling with my own standards for post frequency here on the Bean, and I am afraid this week won't conquer whatever unproductive mood is keeping me from just doing it already.  I am off to library conference circus school this week.  I will try my hardest in all my doodling classroom boredom to come up with some awesome things to talk about.

I'm in a BOOK! I'm in a Book!
Mood:  happy
Topic: Ignore me please

Alright, so, a year or so ago when the senior editor for Mail Me Art mentioned that my submission to the project might be chosen for the book they were compiling I was excited and flattered and happy and excited.  But thinking that maybe I was a last choice or an alternate or something possibly I wanted to get my hands on it before I told you guys I'M IN A BOOK!  And I did just that--it arrived yesterday evening and there on page 125 is me IN A BOOK!

If you've never heard of the Mail Me Art project it went something like this:  artists were asked to decorate the outside of a package/envelope with art so that the art might be seen and handled by every postal employee between the addresses of the sender and the Mail Me Art home.  I found out later that this wasn't such a new idea to cover envelopes with art as many of the participants were used to doing stuff like that.  I had always had more straitlaced views of the postal system, but you can rest assured those are gone now.

The contributors to Mail Me Art are varied and wonderfully skilled.  Even before and after page 125 I love flipping through the volume and seeing all the amazing ways they covered their envelopes and packages.

Last time I was in a book.

And I don't usually like myself in pictures
Mood:  bright
Topic: Ignore me please

LeEMS on TV has officially taken place.  One media outlet, millions to go, right?  My anticipatory mortification proved a little overboard, 'cause I have to say, even I thought it went pretty well.  That's a pretty awesome editing department they have.

So, now that it's aired, the episode info is up on the HGTV site now and oooh looky--is my name and website.  And you know what's really cool--in a world where people are actually considering their future children's google-ability (still don't quite understand that), my name happens to be crazy rare on the internets, so you look for LeEtta Schmidt, and you get me.   LeEtta Gross would previously bring me up at like the 8th hit.  Though I suppose doggedly sticking with my website as it wall flowered a tiny corner of the virtual party helps too.  I think she's at least got a better dress than she did at first.   

LeEMS on TV
Mood:  bright
Topic: Ignore me please

Are you ready yet?  I will be one of the crafters on HGTV's "That's Clever!" Thursday morning at 8am.  It was two years ago now that I got signed up for the show and was taped happily crafting in my cramped little apartment.  I have no idea what it'll look like--I don't even know what I looked like two years ago, but I do remember what I was wearing. 

Slightly off topic though, have you noticed how being a crafter has gotten a bit of a bad reputation.   I mean, maybe my ideas of it are old fashioned and too reminiscent of crochet toilet paper holders and cozies of all sorts.   I know there are awesome people making awesome things, but I still tend to cringe a bit at saying I'm a crafter.  Well, crafter I am this Thursday, anyway.  

Tampa Bay Online even had a little blurb about the show and yes, they spelled my name wrong, I'm used to it.

"LOCAL HGTV: In January 2007, a HGTV crew filmed local artists creating their special craft for a show. Those artists are finally getting their time on TV when they are featured on "That's Clever," a half-hour series highlighting contemporary crafting that airs weekdays at 8 a.m.

This morning, Jennifer Ault Fernandez of Brandon will demonstrate how to make a doghouse necklace. On Thursday, Letta Schmidt of Tampa will embellish a book cover with image transfers.

Other artists to be featured in future episodes include: Feb. 24, Barbara Melby-Burhans, casting paper; Feb. 27, Maggie Green, beaded daisy art; Mar. 5, Mike Sherard, papier mache marlin; Mar. 6, Sana Doumet, unity pin; Mar. 10, Dominique Martinez, steel mirror; Mar. 11, Josh Sullivan, robot CD case; Mar. 17, Vickie Brunner, hands hat; Mar. 20, Cindy Arriola, frog painting; Mar. 23, Ellen Errico Schon, quilt-inspired collage; Mar. 24, Stephanie Schorr, ceramic wall sconce; Mar. 25, Michele Palenik, fused glass collage; Mar. 26, Boo Ehrsam, T-shirt magnet; Mar. 27, Kimberli Cummings, tango dancer vase."

Oh So Sorry, I am still around
Mood:  bright
Topic: Ignore me please

A Little Something Different -- 'cause I'll try anything
Mood:  happy
Topic: Ignore me please

I was at a theme park with Mom and Richard.  Like Adventure Island and Epcot, the park itself grew off the banks of a large lake.  The water was big enough that there were double decker ferry ships making rounds from the dock as a ride.  Mom wanted to go and as we neared the ticketing agent I noticed one of the ships heading out so overladen that its deck was only a foot above water.  From one ticketing desk to another we were sent downstairs were people were packed in everywhere.  I started down a tightly spiraling beige metal staircase that had no handle and as I saw the people packed below and the stair treads got narrower and narrower, I stopped unbalanced and told Richard, who was behind me, that we couldn't go any further.  I felt like I was going to fall, and Richard grabbed me and pulled me back up the stairs.  The three of us when down to a dockside bar to mourn not getting a chance to go out on the boat even though the departing ferries were heading out with their decks submerged.  The bartender told us that they sold tickets for the boats there too and Mom was still really excited to get out there.  The tickets turned out to be for a strange little fishing boat with a covered cabin and wall-less deck.  We boarded and tried to figure out how to drive the thing while we waited for our chance to depart as the half submerged ferries on either side of us kicked up the waves and made all the smaller craft dance. 

Rabbit Hole Day:  January 27th ---change your blogging style

Obligatory holiday posts
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Ignore me please

For some reason I am not feeling the Holiday posts.  I remember last year I was all about the trees and the wishlists, but this year I just can't get into it--the online it anyway.  I am looking forward to a wonderful and relaxing week of holiday sparkle and good holiday food.  After my limping recovery from NaNoWriMo, and a desperate attempt to stay current with my elective studies, and an upsurge of projects at work I just can't do it, and I am very very sorry that I can't.  I hope that you all enjoy your holidays immensely.  

 

National Novel Writing Month Finally!
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Christmas
Topic: Ignore me please

Whooo hoo!  I have completed 50,000 words towards a novel in November.   And I still had enough time yesterday to settle down and watch White Christmas (prev) in order to start the after Turkey festivities right.  So, over the course of the month I learned a few things about writing with the deadline that I will apply to next year's NaNoWriMo for sure.  

1.) Do not have a three day movie-thon in the middle of November.

2.) Be sure your workspace is comfortable.  I was lucky here, but we'd only recently replaced our old desks.  There would be no way I'd've been able to write through November with our old set up.

3.) Your chair will eventually get too hard, even if it was always ok--get an extra cushion.

4.) Do not have a three day movie-thon in the middle of November.

Yup, that's about it.  Congratulations to everyone who participated in NaNoWriMo, even if you didn't win, I bet you wrote more than you were ever planning on last month!

Candy collection or Third Stage candies
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: "Sleepin with a vampyre" - Brigitte Handley and the Dark Shadows
Topic: Ignore me please

What with all the Halloween specials I was introduced to the universal childhood knowledge of first and second stage candies.  I remember sorting out my Halloween haul too, but I didn't have trick-o-treating buddies that were clued in to tell me what I was doing.

I had a major candy habit when I was a kid.  I would polish off candy in increments that hurt my stomach to even think of.  Now, through various means, I have lost my taste for sugar almost completely.  And yet, I still have the compulsion to collect wonderful candies.  Wonderful in my eyes however, translates to third stage candies for my husband--so nobody is really eating my candy stash.

So while I enjoy some UCC mattcha (powdered green tea) flavored candy, I made up a little candy favorites list for you guys.  Too bad most of these would have never made it to a Halloween candy haul from my past.

First, the lovely, creamy White Rabbit taffy.  Unfortunately I had to throw my last bag out uneaten due to the potential kidney stopping side-effects.  Hopefully the manufacturers will get a new supplier for their milk products and get safe batches back on the shelves.  

Next, I suppose the Aero chocolate bar would not really fit in the stage three candy group.  Its not really in my stash right now and wouldn't last long if it were, being all chocolate.  

Botan rice candy, though, is definitely my own pleasure.  This is where I was first introduced to edible inner wrappers.  Like White Rabbit, this is not terribly sweet compared to a lot of U.S. candies.  And, I just found out that you can buy these through Amazon too.

I loved candy cigarettes when I was a kid.  Every summer when I was hanging out with my friends we would walk the twelve or thirteen blocks to the Circle K and use all our spending money on candy that looked like illicit materials.  I always got candy cigarettes and some good-and-plenty.  Though I get the whole impressionable child thing with a candy shaped like a cancer causing addictive drug, I was never lead to smoke or take good-and-plenty shaped pills because of my Circle K proclivities.   You can still get these wonderful sticks of chalky sugar online.

Another from my childhood candy explorations.  I found French Mints the last time I went to John's Pass, FL with my Mom and my Grandmother.  One of the hokey tourist shops there was hiding a cellophane bag of these little pastel beebees behind their citrus wedges and chocolate alligators.  I reveled in the crystallized mintiness and then they were gone.  Little did I know that I would not find them again, no matter how many  more trips to John's Pass, untill now when I discovered that they are sold as wedding favors here.

I found Kinder Surprise in Dunderbach's only in the past couple years.  Like Aero--it's chocolaty so it too is not really what my husband would call a stage three.  But, thankfully, because it is mostly toy inside these are all saved for me!

Leone mints digestives are tiny little chalky lozenges that come in mint, lavender, coffee and absinthe flavors.  I'm a sucker for coffee and tea flavored candy and even more of a sucker for flower flavored candy.  I'm not really sure what digestives are supposed to do.  The little mint covered anise seeds that I have in my purse are supposed to and do stimulate the stomach to digest, but I've seen digestives put on everything from these to caramel cookies.